Before the pandemic, living life across the South Australian and Victorian borders was easy - you could run errands and have friends and loved ones on one side, and call the other side home. That all came to a grinding halt with the border closures, spare for exemptions that could be made.
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The Naracoorte Lucindale Wellbeing Program (Wellbeing Program) was established in March 2021 to support community resilience and wellbeing in response to COVID-19.
A partnership between Naracoorte Lucindale Council and Wellbeing SA, the program has a range of initiatives targeting priority population groups - including seniors - to support physical, mental and community wellbeing. That council was the Regional winner in the Minister for Health and Wellbeing's Excellence in Public Health Awards, announced in late October 2022.
Wellbeing Program coordinator, Uana Jericho, said it was a really hard time for people.
"The border between Victoria and SA is very fluid; many people live on one side and work, go to school, receive health care or shop on the other side," she said.
"When the border closures were implemented, this made these everyday tasks incredibly difficult and for some impossible.
"For many, particularly our older residents, regular activities were stopped and they missed out on social opportunities."
Among the programs with older people in mind are Pom Pom Power and Whats Growing On?, which focus on increasing social connection through craft activities. "These programs were a great opportunity for our older residents to meet new people, socialise and participate in a public art display," Uana said.
The Good Life Program is an eight-week education and exercise program delivered specifically for those aged 50 and over by a range of local health professional, including physiotherapist, nutritionist, podiatrist, exercise physiologist, GP and pharmacist.
Uana said the Good Life Program had run six times since March last year. At the end of the eight-week program, on average participants improved their walking speed over three and 40 meters, improved upper limb strength in both dominant and non-dominant hands, improved lower limb strength and maintained their increase in physical activity for up to 12 months. A walking group, mostly attended by people aged 50 and over, was also established, with participants meeting in the town square every morning at 9am for a 30 minute walk.
Local Government Association CEO Clinton Jury said councils play a crucial role in the delivery of health and wellbeing services to the state's communities.
"What these awards demonstrate is the invaluable role local government plays in creating innovative solutions that improve access to, and increase participation in, programs that support people's physical and mental health," he said.
A full list of award recipients at sahealth.sa.gov.au/ministersawards
