Home » News » Jump start to a healthier future

Jump start to a healthier future

Up to 68,000 young people including those in Hume and Whittlesea are set to get a jump start on a healthy future.

VicHealth is continuing its partnership with community groups and organisations across Victoria to give 180 local ideas a leg up to create vibrant, active and connected communities of young people.

JumpStart! is a VicHealth initiative focused on building healthier communities through community sport, active play, art and food programs.

As part of JumpStart! round two, organisations across the state will share in more than $3.5 million to build communities that support the health of young people.

Hume hosted a diverse range of round one projects such as the Broadmeadows Basketball Association ‘Our Club Our Future’ project which works with a diverse group of young people, aged 15-24, to co-design and establish a junior basketball club of 150 members.

Among many other projects, the Upfield Soccer Club in Dallas ran ‘a healthy cooking’ project, transforming their club’s commercial kitchen to run regular, free cooking workshops for young people.

With the announcement of round two projects VicHealth’s future healthy group executive manager Sarah Loh said the exciting programs will support children, teens, young people and their families to reach their full health potential.

“JumpStart! round two will offer new activities for around 68,000 children and young people across Victoria.

“We can’t wait to see these programs come to life over the next 12 months.”

Among the new Jumpstart! ideas is Life Saving Victoria’s Welcome to Australia, Welcome to Water swimming and aquatic safety program for kids and teens from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Life Saving diversity and inclusion general manager David Holland said the 10-week program will educate young people about critical water safety and swimming to over 220 young people from diverse backgrounds across Melbourne.

“Following a substantial increase in some of the worst fatal drownings, our fun and social programs will increase physical activity, connect communities and build confidence for people to swim in pools and waterways across Victoria.”

Details: futurehealthy.vichealth.vic.gov.au/jumpstart-map

Digital Editions


  • New chapter for festival

    New chapter for festival

    Lovers of literature rejoice! The Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival is returning next month for its biggest event to date. Thirty-four events will run over…

More News

  • Ambulance response times climbing

    Ambulance response times climbing

    Ambulance response times have been released for October to December 2025, with response times slightly increasing in the northern suburbs. According to Ambulance Victoria, Hume ranked third across the state…

  • Experience musical classics live

    Experience musical classics live

    Experience classic musical songs from The Phantom of the Opera to Cats live in South Morang at the premier Michael Crawford tribute show ‘Phantom’. Keith McNamara is excited to perform…

  • Community grants flow

    Community grants flow

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 530187 A sports playgroup for toddlers, a STEM school holiday program, a community volleyball initiative and a Pasifika community program are among the projects…

  • Keeping Hume cool on hot days

    Keeping Hume cool on hot days

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 336543 Hume councillor Naim Kurt has put heat on keeping community centres doors open on hot days. At the 9 February council meeting, Cr…

  • Calling all artists

    Calling all artists

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 336543 Applications for the Hume Gallery annual exhibition are now open, offering emerging artists the chance to display their work. The program aims to…

  • Stars with work to do

    Stars with work to do

    Everything is on the line for the Lalor Stars in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Money Shield in the remaining two rounds. The Stars sit second last with two rounds…

  • New look Hume ready to do

    New look Hume ready to do

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 458912 It’s been an off season of change for Hume City in the National Premier League. While Hume finished in seventh and only two…

  • Demons’ ready for challenge

    Demons’ ready for challenge

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 507983 Mernda is hoping to lock in a win this Saturday and with it a spot in at least the Diamond Valley Cricket Association…

  • Additional health test for newborns

    Additional health test for newborns

    Victoria has become the first Australian jurisdiction to include sickle cell disease in its universal newborn health screening program. This expansion brings the total number of rare but serious conditions…

  • Residents encouraged to mind water usage

    Residents encouraged to mind water usage

    Residents across Melbourne’s north and west are being called upon to reduce their water consumption as state storage levels fall to 61% of capacity. This current level marks a decrease…