Children's Environment and Health Award
The Shire of Manjimup picked up an award in the Children's Environment and Health Local Government Policy Awards at Local Government Week 2018. The Child Health and Development Award was presented to Sharon Wilkinson for her outstanding contribution to the organisation of the Young Women Empowered Expo held in Manjimup during March 2018.
The Children's Environment and Health Local Government Policy Awards originated following the Environment and Health Advocacy Forum - an event organised by Public Health Advocacy Institute of WA (PHAIWA) in March 2009. The Environment and Health Advocacy Committee was formed following the forum and has 22 members from across Western Australia. One of the committee's first duties was to prioritise the advocacy consensus targets developed from the forum. The area of children's environment and health was allocated the highest priority. Subsequently a range of ideas focusing on how to advocate for improved children's environment and health were canvassed and it was agreed that targeting the Local Government sector would be most suitable given that many of the settings where children congregate come under the jurisdiction of Local Government.
36 Local Governments nominated in the 2018 awards (an increase of 11 from 2017) with nine first time entrants. The awards were presented by Minister David Templeman at The Perth Convention Centre alongside the WALGA Convention before over 140 Mayors, Elected Members, Local Government Representatives and supporters.
The Young Women Empowered expo was held around the Act-Belong-Commit concept which supports mental health by encouraging us to be mentally and physically active as well as enjoying the company of others be it through family, friends or clubs. The activities such as henna art, boxercise, jewellery making, and nutrition workshops were not only enjoyable but also served to give the young ladies ideas on hobbies and activities that can assist in maintaining good mental health. This message was also promoted by presentations from inspirational speakers Amy Coombes, Veronica Bravo and Dr Sarah Youngson.
Shire President Paul Omodei agreed the Award was well deserved "the Shire of Manjimup Youth Network's hard work in pulling the day together made the event a tremendous success and this was obvious with the turnout of in excess of 300 young women. The day was inspiring with many young women and parents commenting on the quality of the speakers and how inspiring they found them".
