Healthy Eating Local Policies and Programs led by Flinders University has won a national award in recognition of the work achieved with local governments in developing and implementing policies across South Australia to prevent obesity.
HELPP was awarded the coveted 2015 national Obesity Prevention – Planning & Design Award by the Collaboration of Community-based Obesity Prevention Sites (CO-OPS).

HELPP can’t take all the credit though because this award reflects the collective work of and commitment of a number of champions within local governments including OPAL workers and Healthy Community Initiative workers, and other champions within health. More than 30 local governments worked towards a healthy eating policy supported by the Local Government Association, Heart Foundation and HELPP and are leading the way in Australia. The initiative was initiated, funded and supported SA Health and special thanks are extended to Patricia Carter Principal Advisor-Public Health Nutrition and Julie Patterson Director -Public Health Partnerships Branch. Congratulations are also extended to the HELPP team (pictured at a launch with celebrity chefs Callum Hann and Michael Weldon); Prof Jane Scott (Director), Louisa Matwiejczyl (Project Manager), Lynn Field, Liz Withall (nee House), Sophie Paylga, Anne Ferber, Trish Clark and Dr Kaye Mehta (steering group).