Dr Kacie Dickinson and Louisa Matwiejczyk reflect on a big day October, hosting a successful event as part of the University inaugural SpringFEST in October.

Nutrition and Dietetics staff and volunteer students hosted an overwhelmingly successful “Amazing Race meets the Yellow Brick Road” as part of this community event on the main campus. SpringFEST involved frivolous food, thrilling live performances, a market bazaar, decadent high tea, and Flinders-by-the-Decade marquees that attracted over 6000 attendees over the course of the day.

Community participants chose a nutrition or a physical activity challenge at one or all five stations around the main campus. On completion of the challenge people received free healthy food giveaways and nutrition or physical activity written resources. If people completed all five challenges recorded on their card, they went into a draw for over $1000 worth of healthy lifestyle prizes.
The challenges were overwhelmingly popular! Around 300 people completed challenges at each of the five stations (over 1500 challenges & healthy food giveaways!). We had 23 enthusiastic students who volunteered and implemented the stations.

We would like to acknowledge collaboration with industry partners to make this event a success including: FoodBank, Sprout Cooking School, San Remo, Jalna, AgriSemm, ‘Year of the Pulse’, Nutrition in Focus, Le Creuset and SA Health. Organisations donated giveaways, prizes, recipes and information resources. It was a big day and a fabulous opportunity to work with the public and give students some experience. You can check out our Alumni Facebook page for photos!