Shelley Craft Hits the Road to Drive Health Education in Regional Northern NSW
Shelley Craft
Bringing Health Education to Regional NSW: The Healthy Ageing Roadshow with Shelley Craft and Dr Lisa Beecham
By Kate Love
In an inspiring initiative to bridge the health education gap in regional Australia, popular TV personality and co-host of The Block, Shelley Craft, has teamed up with Specialist General Practitioner Dr Lisa Beecham for the inaugural Healthy Ageing Roadshow. This unique event, powered by GSK Australia and the Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW, is set to visit several communities in northern NSW, including Wauchope, Coffs Harbour, Maclean and Kyogle, from 30th July to 1st August 2024.
Addressing Health Inequities in Regional Areas
Australians living in regional communities often face significant health inequities compared to their urban counterparts. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), these populations experience poorer health outcomes, higher risks of disease and injury, greater disease burden and shorter lifespans. The Healthy Ageing Roadshow aims to provide critical health education and resources to help mitigate these challenges.
Shelley Craft, a local to Northern NSW, emphasises the importance of this initiative:
“As someone who is approaching 50, I am passionate about empowering a healthy approach to getting older – one that moves away from negativity and fear to celebrating and embracing this exciting life stage. Knowledge and information are key to this.”
Shelley, along with Dr Beecham, will address key topics such as age-related immunity decline (ARDI), effective communication with healthcare providers, managing chronic conditions and viral diseases and the importance of nutrition, exercise and community connections.
“Healthy ageing is not about anti-ageing. Ageing is inevitable and we each have the power to better understand and enjoy all the wonderful things that come with getting older. Supporting not only physical health but your mental and emotional wellbeing are a part of living well at any stage of life.”
A Community-Driven Initiative
The roadshow’s focus on regional health aligns with the CWA’s mission to improve the conditions for country women and children through advocacy, education and community support. Danica Leys, CEO of The Country Women’s Association of NSW, underscores the roadshow's significance:
“Regional communities face unique health challenges. By bringing comprehensive health information directly to our regional communities with the Healthy Ageing Roadshow, we hope to support our members in northern NSW and the broader community in addressing some of the individual challenges they may experience head-on.”
Alan Paul, Executive Country Medical Director of GSK Australia, echoes this sentiment, highlighting the company's commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Australians:
“GSK Australia is committed to improving the health and quality of life of all Australians, including those living in regional areas. We are pleased to play a small role in supporting the broader work of The Country Women’s Association of NSW in enhancing the lives of local communities in regional NSW and beyond.”
Event Details and Opportunities
The Healthy Ageing Roadshow will offer attendees valuable opportunities to engage directly with Shelley Craft and Dr Lisa Beecham, participate in discussions and gain practical advice on maintaining health as they age. The roadshow will also provide media opportunities for interviews, photographs and videos with key participants and attendees.
Event Itinerary:
Wauchope: Tuesday, 30 July 2024, 11am – 1pm, Wauchope Senior Citizens Centre
Coffs Harbour: Wednesday, 31 July 2024, 9am – 11am, Country Women’s Association Hall
Maclean: Wednesday, 31 July 2024, 2pm – 4pm, Country Women’s Association Hall
Kyogle: Thursday, 1 August 2024, 10:30am – 12:30pm, Kyogle Memorial Institute – Main Hall
This initiative by Shelley Craft, Dr Lisa Beecham, GSK Australia and the CWA of NSW is a testament to the power of community and the importance of accessible health education for all Australians, regardless of their location. Through these events, the Healthy Ageing Roadshow aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and resources needed to embrace ageing with confidence and vitality.
References:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2024, Rural and remote health. Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/rural-remote-australians/rural-and-remote-health (accessed June 2024)
NSW Health 2023, NSW Regional Health Strategic Plan 2022-2032. Available at: regional-health-strategic-plan.pdf (nsw.gov.au) (accessed June 20)