A MILLICENT health group is hoping to secure a $50,000 government grant to address preventative health measures in the area.
Millicent and Surrounding Areas Health Support Group chairman John Andre AM told the recent annual general meeting the funding application was a priority for the coming year.
Mr Andre said Health Minister Stephen Wade had created the SA Healthy Towns Challenge whereby five towns can be granted $50,000 each.
“Our major project in 2020 will be to continue to develop and complete the application for funding from the SA Healthy Towns Challenge,” Mr Andre said.
“From studying sources like the 2016 census data for the Wattle Range Council area and the UniSA regional health survey for the four postcodes of our catchment area, we have learnt that our community faces significant challenges in terms of socio-economic disadvantage, diet, cardio vascular risk factors and mental health issues.
“It so happens Mr Wade is providing funding to help strengthen preventative health.
“We are fortunate Deb Agnew is helping us develop an application.
“We are hoping to combine about 10 groups with projects of around $5000 each.
“Ms Agnew suggests that we can impact more of the community this way than with a single focus project.
“We expect our projects will mostly revolve around exercise, healthy eating and social gatherings to prevent isolation.”
Mr Andre has been at the helm of the Millicent and Surrounding Areas Health Support Group since it was founded in early 2016.
He stepped down from the chairman’s role at the yearly forum held at the Millicent War Memorial Civic and Arts Centre and has become the support group’s deputy chairman.
His successor as chairman is his former deputy Trevor Sinclair.
There were no changes to the three other offices and they will again be filled by Ron Wood (secretary), Vicki Sapiatzer (treasurer) and John Eldridge (auditor).
Millicent residents Sandy Melrose and Natarsha Gysbers were elected to the support group committee.
Among the 20 people in attendance at the hour-long forum were Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll and Limestone Coast Local Health Network rural regional director Ngaire Buchanan.
