Codee-Lee & Jolene Burnett Healthway's Health Promotion Partnerships Senior Manager. Image courtesy of West Australian Music.

Music: a powerful force for wellbeing

This week, through Healthway’s partnership with the West Australian Music Song of the Year Awards, we celebrated local artists using creativity to connect, inspire and support social and emotional wellbeing.

Congratulations to Coco Elise, winner of the grand prize for ‘Colour the Stencil’ and Codee-Lee, who took out the inaugural Healthway ‘Feel It Write It’ category with their song ‘Bird in a Cage’. This category was created to recognise lyrics that connect deeply with feelings and shared emotional experiences. 

Dr Louise Francis (Curtin University), Narelle Heydon (Cancer Council WA), Melissa Ledger (Cancer Council WA), Mark Petticrew (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine), Ashley Reid (Cancer Council WA CEO), Laura Hunter (Australian Council on Smoking and Health CEO), Julia Stafford (Cancer Council WA) and Carina Tan‑Van Baren (Healthway).

Protecting public health policy 

This month, Healthway and Cancer Council WA brought together leading experts to examine how commercial industries influence public policy across alcohol, food, tobacco and gambling.

Insights from international keynote Professor Mark Petticrew and local experts reinforced a clear message: protecting public health requires greater awareness of industry tactics, bold leadership, evidence‑informed action and a strong, united voice.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in person and online. We’ll be hosting more events like this, so follow us on social media to stay informed.

Stronger action on illicit tobacco

This month, Healthway welcomed the WA Government’s introduction of strong new laws to tackle the illicit tobacco and vaping trade, including tougher penalties and enhanced enforcement powers.

It is now an offence to sell, supply or possess illicit tobacco or vaping products. Authorities can close premises involved in illegal trade, penalties have increased and all smoke‑free public places are now vape‑free.

This action shows how strong legislation and prevention can work together to protect children and young people and keep harmful products out of our communities.

Mark your calendars! 

Healthway's Visiting and Travelling Fellowship program is opening on Friday 5 June. 

Funding supports health promotion researchers, community organisations and local governments to travel and learn from leading experts or bring experts to WA to share their knowledge. 

Visit our website to find out more about the program and how to apply. 

Policy In Action and Policy Inaction

Join Cancer Council WA next month to hear from experts tackling unhealthy advertising on government-owned assets. 

The webinar will explore the successful South Australia rollout and the case for implementation in WA. 

📅 17 June | 11.00am–12.00pm AWST
📍 Online | Registration essential 

Image courtesy of Country Football WA. 

Backing mental wellbeing in football

Football games across the state will host the Think Mental Health Round this June, encouraging players and communities to check in and support one another.

Together with Country Football WA and WA Football, Healthway supports the mental health and wellbeing of the football community through training, education and support for players, staff, members and fans all throughout the season.

Now in its fourth year, the round is a reminder to offer support and ensure no one faces their challenges alone.

Visit the Think Mental Health website to access support and resources for looking after yourself and those around you.

ORIGINS: A Research enabling platform 

Do you have a research idea in early childhood and family health? 

The Kids Research Institute is hosting a webinar exploring how embedding your research within ORIGINS can support faster, more cost‑effective outcomes. ORIGINS is Australia’s largest study of its kind, following 10,000 WA children from pregnancy into early childhood.

Whether your idea is still forming or ready to implement, this session will show you how to bring it to life.

📅 17 June | 12.00pm–1.00pm AWST
📍 Online

The Activated OSHC Program 

Children spend a significant amount of time in outside school hours care (OSHC), making it a key setting to build healthy habits around physical activity and screen time.

Activated OSHC is a free, evidence-based program co-funded by Healthway that helps services to create healthier environments. 

The program offers practical tools, professional learning and policy support to help educators embed these practices into everyday routines. Available nationally, Activated OSHC is helping services create healthier environments where children can thrive.