26 November 2025
Delivering you the latest in health promotion news, funding opportunities, events and more!
Creativity and Wellbeing for Young People
Healthway, in partnership with The Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport, is calling for Expressions of
Interest for projects that give children and young people authentic creative experiences — because creativity builds connection, resilience and positive mental health.
This program supports:
- creative practitioners working with priority communities
- ongoing creative activities that build confidence and wellbeing
- projects that promote mental health and social connection.
Expressions of Interest close 4:00pm, Thursday 11 December 2025.
Through our new Healthway Heroes series, we’re sharing the journeys of our local partners, like Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Services, who are changing the lives of Western Australians through Healthway-funded initiatives. Follow us on social media to see these inspiring stories unfold.
Food, culture and community health
“Trauma doesn’t just affect people’s access to food — it also influences their eating behaviours, emotional wellbeing and sense of safety.” - nutritionist Atefeh Rashnavadi.
For more than 30 years, Ishar Multicultural Women's Health Services has supported migrant and refugee women to build healthier lives.
Backed by Healthway, the Healthy Food Healthy Cultures program delivered 113 trauma-informed nutrition sessions, reached more than 1,000 participants and represented more than 40 cultural backgrounds.
The impact? Women feel confident and supported to make healthy food choices for themselves and their families.
Healthway welcomes Gavin Bain
A warm welcome to Gavin Bain who has been appointed to the Healthway Board for a three-year term.
As Chief Executive Officer of Verian Group’s Asia-Pacific Division and former board member of Cancer Council WA, Mr Bain brings decades of experience in purpose-driven leadership, marketing and communications to support Healthway’s work in promoting health and wellbeing throughout the community. His appointment follows the conclusion of long-term Board member Steve Harris’ tenure.
We’d like to thank Mr Harris for nine years of dedicated service, his passion and leadership and the lasting legacy he has created - particularly in the fight to reduce the influence of the tobacco industry and to create opportunities for Western Australians experiencing disadvantage to participate in sport and the arts.
We also welcome the reappointment of highly respected researcher and academic Professor Donna Cross OAM to the Board for another three years. Her decades-long leadership in health promotion will continue to contribute to strong, evidence-based health outcomes in WA.
Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton MLA at Goodstart Early Learning Tapping.
Move, play, grow
Australia’s first Physical Literacy Week was launched at Goodstart Early Learning Tapping this month with little ones leading the way through fun, active play.
The early years matter — it is when we build the foundations for movement, confidence and wellbeing. This national initiative, funded by Healthway and led by KIDDO and The University of Western Australia, reached more than 37,000 children with play-based activities to inspire a lifelong love of being active.
Thank you to Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton MLA for helping us kick off the celebration.
A new era begins
The 2025/26 Australian Baseball League season kicked off this month with Perth Heat taking the field as Healthway Perth Heat — championing healthy living and community wellbeing.
This partnership goes beyond the game, promoting healthier food and drink options at games, demonstrating positive role modelling and raising awareness about alcohol-related harms, while empowering families to make healthy choices.
From the ballpark to the classroom, the Healthway Perth Heat is showing how sport can lead the way in creating healthier, safer communities.
Healthy food should be within reach for everyone
Healthway is backing a national plan to fix the food system—from how food is grown to how it's marketed and sold.
It's time to rethink how big companies shape what we eat. Things like unhealthy food advertising and supermarket power can make it harder for people to make healthy choices. But we know we can't fix this alone.
Food security is everyone’s business - and together, we can create a fairer, healthier future for all.
Presiding Member Professor Peter Klinken AC
Premier’s Science Awards
Healthway congratulates former Presiding Member Professor Peter Klinken AC on his induction into the Science Hall of Fame at the 2025 Premier's Science Awards, recognising more than 50 years of groundbreaking medical research and innovation.
We also congratulate the following Healthway-funded researchers:
- Professor Asha Bown OAM, Mid-Career Scientist of the Year winner, and
- Professor Gina Trapp, Mid-Career Scientist of the Year finalist.
We’re honoured to have such esteemed scientists driving healthier futures for WA.
ISSDP 2026: Perth leads the conversation
Abstract submissions are now open for the 19th International Society for the Study of Drug Policy (ISSDP) Conference, hosted by Curtin University’s National Drug Research Institute.
To be held in Perth from 30 June to 2 July 2026, this is the first time the global event has come to WA and the first time since 2016 it has been in Australia. The conference will explore connections between affected communities, drug policy and public health.
Submit your abstract by 30 November 2025 and join this thought-provoking event.
🔗Four key agencies unite to drive prevention of chronic diseases nationally
🔗 Illicit tobacco trade costing $4bn
🔗Public health spending down to pre-pandemic levels
🔗Tobacco conference to weigh up stubbing out cigarette butts
🔗Dementia now the leading cause of death nationwide, overtaking heart disease, new ABS
data shows
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Acknowledgment of Country
Healthway acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People as the original custodians of this country, recognising their connection to land, waters and community. We respect their cultures and Elders, past and present.
Ngala kaaditj Whadjuk moort keyen kaadak nidja boodja - We acknowledge Whadjuk Noongar people as the original custodians of the land on which we are based.