Victoria

• Office Details
• Current Activities and Programs
• What's On?
• Management Structure of Nutrition Australia - Victoria Division

Office Details

Current Activities

• Nutrition Information Service
• Nutrition Resource Centre & Publication Sales
• School Programs:
  • Healthy Eating Schools Program
  • Victorian Healthy School Canteens Advisory Service
• Work Place Health and Wellbeing Program
• Consultancy Services, providing nutrition support & promotion to Food Industry
• Cooking for One or Two - Aged Care
• Volunteer & Student Placement Programs
• Professional Development Programs, conducting high-profile seminars for the general public & health professionals
• Co-ordination of events for the annual National Nutrition Week Awareness Campaign
• Advocacy
• Monthly Committee meetings

Nutrition Information Service

Nutrition Australia Victorian Division operates a telephone and email enquiry service for the general public. This service is staffed by nutrition professionals who answer queries ranging from specific diet issues to general food product information.

Support Nutrition Australia, become a member and receive answers to your nutrition questions:

Membership entitles you to:

• 10% discount on publications produced by Nutrition Australia
• editions of our newsletter Pabulum
• invitations to Nutrition Australia seminars and events at a discounted rate or free of charge
• regularly being informed (by email) of state-based event, news and activities
• a monthly electronic member’s only newsletter
• member rates for all FANO (Federation of Australian Nutrition Organizations) events. These organisations include:
  • Dietitians Association of Australia;
  • Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology; and
  • Nutrition Society of Australia.

Anyone is eligible to become a membership of Nutrition Australia. Membership is $60.50 for full membership, $60.50 for overseas members and $38.50 for students. Attached is an application form.

Nutrition Resource Centre & Publication Sales

The Nutrition Australia Victorian Division’s bookshop is open to the general public from Monday to Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm. Located on the First Floor of Ross House, it features nutrition publications, posters and videos, provides access to nutrition and health journals and acts as a resource centre. It is advisable to call in advance if planning to visit during lunchtime hours.

Nutrition Australia has reviewed and recommends publications from outside publishing houses, including authors such as Karen Inge, Rosemary Stanton and Life Be In It. Recommended publications can be purchased from the Victorian Division only and will be processed as a separate order. Click on the link below to preview these publications and to download an order form.

• Recommended Publications Catalogue

The Nutrition Australia Victorian Division has developed a range of school resources based on the Health Promoting Schools framework to assist schools in making successfully making healthy changes. Successfully used by 98 Victorian schools as part of the Healthy Eating Schools program, these resources have been made available to all Australian schools. Click on the link below to preview these resources and to download an order form.

• Healthy Eating School Resources

Healthy Eating Schools Program

The Healthy Eating Schools program, reaching currently 98 schools, is the largest school nutrition health promotion program in Victoria that offers schools individualised, hands-on support and resources to promote healthy eating. The HES program is run by Dietitians/Nutritionists who are experts in school health promotion, and assists schools in creating a healthier school environment to improve the health and wellbeing of students.

The Program is based on the Healthy Promoting Schools Framework, focusing on three areas;

• the curriculum;
• the school environment and organisation;
• and families and the community.

It is flexible in allowing schools to identify issues and implement activities most important and relevant to their individual school. The program assists schools in developing a school nutrition Action Plan/policy to ensure healthy changes are successful and sustainable, and is designed to complement existing health activities and programs to make it easier for schools. It also assists schools registered with Kids – ‘Go for your life’ (KGFYL) to achieve two KGFYL Award icons.

Other activities are also included as part of the program, including healthy lunchbox workshops, nutrition articles for parent newsletters, canteen menu advice and resources to promote class fruit breaks.

Students at Templeton Primary School now get excited about healthy eating in their school!

Sometimes schools need a little help to get the whole school and community motivated about making healthy changes, or may need assistance and funds to discover the best resources and ways to implement new initiatives. Nutrition Australia has a long history working with schools with the Nutrition Australia Victorian Division now operating the ‘Go for your life’ Healthy Canteens Advisory Service. The Healthy Eating Schools Program was run with 80 Primary Schools in 2005 with excellent results – you are welcome to ask who they are and get their opinion!

What our schools have to say …

Grade 1 and 2’s learn about the benefits of fruit while eating free Kiwi Fruit

As part of the1/2 Unit on Healthy Living, Eltham North Primary School (ENPS) students enjoyed a visit by Kelly Neville from Nutrition Australia. Kelly came bearing gifts of Kiwi fruit and ‘Let’s Get Fruity’ posters for over 130 students.

Students gathered in the school atrium to hear Kelly’s news about the Healthy Eating Schools (HES) program. Kelly praised the children for their part in the initiatives undertaken at ENPS, such as the new flourishing fruit trees, the fresh fruit break and healthy fund raising focus. She then presented our principal David Foley with a terrific sign from HES that will be used to help promote healthy eating and healthy eating for ENPS children.

Next students got to taste the very juicy KIWI Fruit provided by Kelly. Many children were keen to experience the new taste of Kiwi fruit and discuss its origins and nutritional value. Students then collected posters to share with their families.

Since Kelly’s visit, teachers are commenting on the number of children enjoying Kiwi fruit during their morning fruit break, as well as the variety of choices students are making as a result of their willingness to try something new! The (fruit) posters for all the students to take home were much appreciated and now we also have one on display in each classroom.

Nutrition Australia’s feedback has been great and the HES Award will feature in the newsletter and be on prominent display, as we share our commitment to healthy eating and healthy living for children, with our community.”

Robyn Gibson – Teacher
Eltham North Primary School

How can schools be involved?

Choose from five packages depending on the level of support your school requires. Options include:

• Becoming a Healthy Eating School (for Melbourne and Geelong schools only)
• Running Healthy Eating School workshops (for Melbourne and Geelong schools only), or
• Using Healthy Eating School resources, including:
  • Healthy School Policy - Action Plan Manual
  • Healthy Fundraising Ideas Manual
  • School Newsletter Inserts CD ROM (12 months supply of nutrition inserts)

To find out more, download the Healthy Eating Schools flyer [pdf - 403KB]

To preview the Healthy Eating School resources, click here

'Go for your life' Healthy School Canteens Advisory Service

The school canteen or food service plays a positive role not only in the provision of nutritious food to children, but also in encouraging children to make healthy food choices, complementing the nutrition knowledge taught in the classroom and promoting a school culture of healthy eating that can extend into the wider family and community.

The ‘Go for your life’ Healthy Canteens Advisory Service has been established by the Department of Human Services, funded by the Victorian Government's Community Support Fund, which aims to support schools with primary school-age children to provide and promote healthy food choices. The ‘Go for your life’ Healthy Canteens Advisory Service is a service to all Victorian primary school canteens, including canteen managers, workers, volunteers, canteen committees and other people involved with the canteen. It also provides information for primary schools who do not have an on-site canteen, but provide alternative forms of food services.

The Nutrition Australia Victorian Division is implementing this Service via their team of Dietitians and Nutritionists who have experience working with schools in the area of child nutrition and health promotion.

The Service will increase the understanding for the need of, and commitment for, healthier canteens and food service options by consolidating existing work already undertaken and drawing on best practice interventions locally and nationally. The Service will offer support via the creation and collation of resources and professional development for canteen and school staff and volunteers. In addition, the Service will actively engage with key stakeholders required to support the Service and increase the likelihood of success

Aim: For Victorian primary schools to provide a nutritious and safe food service consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines.

Objectives:

• Increase the knowledge and skills of the canteen staff regarding healthy, appealing and safe foods for food services
• Improve the commitment from school councils and parent and friends associations to promote and support healthy food choices in their schools and communities
• Increase the availability and affordability of healthy foods offered in school food services
• Link with and complement the Kids – ‘Go For Your Life’ service and other relevant components of the Healthy & Active Victoria Strategy.
• Link with key stakeholders including the food industry, Department of Education and Training, local Dietitians, local government, community and women’s health services and other state canteen associations to support this Service.

‘Go for your life' Healthy Canteens website

This website provides information and practical ideas on providing healthy foods in schools for all Victorian primary schools, including:

• Canteen managers, staff and volunteers
• Canteen committees and other people involved with the canteen
  

Information includes:

• Why become a healthy canteen?
• Why is it important for our kids to eat well?
• The Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents in Australia
• The Health Promoting Schools Framework
• Why should my school have a canteen policy?
• Changing to a healthier canteen
• The canteen menu & practical food ideas
• Promotional and marketing ideas for healthy canteens
• Volunteering
• Fundraising ideas
• Inspiring canteen case studies
• What if my school doesn't have a canteen?
• FAQ's
• Resources
• Links

'Go for your life' Healthy Canteens Infoline: 1300 73 98 99 (press 2 for canteens)

The 'Go for your life' Healthy Canteens Infoline is staffed by Nutrition Australia dietitians and nutritionists who have experience working with schools in the area of child nutrition and health promotion, and who can provide information and fact sheets on a range of canteen issues.

The 'Go for your life' Healthy Canteens Infoline is available to all Victorian primary schools for the cost of a local call (landlines only - not available to mobile phones and interstate callers).

Hours of operation: Monday to Friday from 10.00am to 4.00pm
When the office is closed, messages may be left on the answering machine.

What other services does ‘Go for your life’ Healthy Canteens Advisory Service provide?

• An email information service (visit the 'Go for your life' Healthy Canteens website and click on “Contact Us”)
• Newsletters for canteen staff
• Free workshops and training for canteen staff on topics such as healthy menu planning and food ideas, marketing and promotion and developing a healthy canteen policy. View upcoming workshops for Term 1, 2008.
• Support in the practical implementation of the Department of Education and Training ‘Go for your life’ Healthy Canteen Kit
• Resources, information and fact sheets on practical ideas for changing to a healthier canteen
• Advice on choosing healthy food products
• Information on existing canteen resources and services in Victoria

For further information, visit the 'Go for your life' Healthy Canteens website or call the ‘Go for your life’ Healthy Canteens Infoline on 1300 854 554

Work Place Health and Well Being Program

The Victorian Division has developed & implemented a sustainable program to assist employees achieve optimal health in the workplace & increase productivity.

Tailored packages consist of numerous interactive lecture or workshop style presentations on a variety of topics which are all supported by our enormous range of resources. Packages may also include health displays, cooking demonstrations, shopping tours and much more. These programs are conducted by qualified Nutritionists / Dietitians with expertise in a wide range of specialisations.

Download the Workplace Health & Wellbeing Programs Information Pack

Consultancies

Nutrition Australia Victorian Division undertakes a variety of consultancies including nutrition lectures, menu assessments and cooking demonstrations, advice on food service in schools, boarding schools, child care centres, aged care facilities and workplaces.

Cooking for One or Two

‘Cooking for One or Two’ is a basic 6-week cooking program developed by the Queensland Division of Nutrition Australia. It is designed to give veterans and the wider community confidence in preparing a variety of healthy meals using a number of easy cooking techniques. The program is based on the Nutrition Australia recipe book “Adding Life to Your Years”.

The Victorian Division of Nutrition Australia has received DVA funding to implement the program with male veterans in 2004 / 2005 / 2006 / 2007. Prior to launching the initiative in 2005 a pilot was conducted with the aims to:

• Obtain practical experience in running the 6 week course and based on this adapt the program where necessary.
• Establish if a group size of 12 was realistic and workable in the kitchen.
• Assess the suitability of the recipe selection and structure for participants.
• Implement the role of an assistant into the program.
• Run a more interactive and less demonstrative program allowing participants to cook in serves of 1 or 2.

For further information about the program, please contact Nerida Clarke, Project Manager, Nutrition Australia Victoria Division on 03 9650 5165 or email phn3@nutritionaustralia.org

Volunteer & Student Placement Programs

A network of dedicated volunteers assists the Victorian Division with all aspects of its operations from administration to nutrition expertise. A volunteer’s kit has been developed to assist individuals wishing to volunteer for Nutrition Australia. Within this Kit potential volunteers are provided details about ways in which assistance can be provided including possible project areas.

Nutrition Australia, Victorian Division also supports tertiary students undertake placements varying in duration as specified by their institution. Under the guidance of the Executive Officer and the Institutions Supervisor, students select their project.

What’s On?

National Nutrition Week 14th – 20th October 2007 

"Falling in Love with Food – Value yourself and your health"

National Nutrition Week is an annual public awareness campaign coordinated by Nutrition Australia, a not-for-profit, non-government, community organisation that aims to provide nutrition education and information to encourage all Victorians to achieve optimal health through food variety and physical activity.

This year’s theme, “Falling in Love with Food”, encourages Australians to focus on taking time to prepare fresh, quality food and enjoy its benefits.

The aim of this event is to raise awareness of local and sustainable food production by promoting slow food practices, local producers and good health. In addition, funds raised at this event will go directly towards the delivery of Nutrition Australia’s very successful Healthy Eating Schools Program (HES). The HES program currently supports 98 Victorian Schools, reaching almost 40 000 children state-wide, by providing schools with training and resources to promote healthy eating and provide a sustainable environment where healthy choices are easy choices.

To celebrate National Nutrition Week 14th– 20th October 2007, Nutrition Australia, would like to invite you to attend our ‘Mood Foods’ seminar and ‘Taste of Nutrition Week’ Cooking demonstration.

Our presenters:
Lucinda Dobson is the Executive Officer of Nutrition Australia, Victoria who is a Public Health Nutritionist. She is passionate about food, enjoys frequenting the farmers’ markets and a devoted member to slow food.

Ann Creber is a member of Nutrition Australia, who has worked in the area of health for many years. She has had a life long interest in slow food, farmers markets and permaculture.

Topics covered include:

• The simple pleasures of food
• Health enhancing foods
• Improve energy and performance
• Flavours, colours and textures of foods
• Enjoying fresh produce
• Calming and sensual foods
• Social eating

Details:
Date: Monday 15th October 2007
Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Venue: CAE level 4, Room 427, 253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Cost: Nutrition Australia Members $10, Non-members $18
Become a member on the night and pay $10 only

Program:
6.00 – 6.30pm Light refreshments & registration
6.30 – 7.15pm Presentation: ‘Moods Foods’ Lucinda Dobson
7.15 – 8.00pm Cooking demonstration: ‘A Taste of Nutrition Week’ Ann Creber

Event also includes:
• Drinks & Canapés upon arrival, Mood Foods Show Bag, Taste Testing

Raffle prizes include:
• Day Spa Treatment, Cooking Equipment, Wine, Dinner, movie vouchers & Other Goodies

RSVP: Friday 12th October 2007 (Limited Places)
Ph: (03) 9650 5165 or phn1@nutritionaustralia.org

For further information regarding Nutrition Week activities please contact the office of Nutrition Australia or email vic@nutritionaustralia.org.au

Falling in Love with Fashion

When Tuesday 17th October 2006
Time 6pm - 8pm
Where Bar Altitude ~ Bullens Lane off Russell Street, near corner of Bourke Street, Melbourne.
Guest Speaker Jo Gibosn (APD)
Cost $20 Nutrition Australia Members, $25 early bird (before Tuesday October 3rd) or $30 thereafter
Rsvp 9650 5165 (numbers are strictly limited)

• Complimentary Drink and Canapes on arrival
• Exciting Show bag to take home
• Auctions
• Door prizes

The event is open for members of Nutrition Australia as well as the general public. Early bird registration is required by Tuesday 3rd October, numbers are strictly limited.

Click here for further information and to download your invitation to attend Nutrition Australia’s Falling in Love with Fashion evening.

For further information regarding Nutrition Week activities please contact the office of Nutrition Australia or email vic@nutritionaustralia.org.au

Management Structure of Nutrition Australia - Victoria Division

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