Mahira Sobral on why the Active Living Census is important

Published on 04 June 2025

Local community leader Mahira Sobral, Executive Officer of Castlemaine Community House, has called on members of the community to take the time to complete the online 2025 Active Living Census at www.go.healthyloddoncampaspe.au/alc.

Mahira said it only takes about 15 minutes to complete the census online but the benefits that the data can provide are long lasting for our community.

“In Mount Alexander Shire, local projects such as the Food Links program establishing food pantries across the shire, received significant funding support because the data was available from the previous Active Living Census to demonstrate the need for the project,” said Mahira.

Other projects that have benefitted from the Active Living Census data include infrastructure to support active transportation.

This includes seats, drinking water fountains and wayfinding signage cooking programs for various community groups such as the Cooking for Blokes program; supporting schools across the shire to embed kitchen garden programs ; improving the public space at Norwood Hill Recreation Reserve to include a new playground, outdoor exercise equipment and a range of sporting facilities.

“Through the Healthy Loddon Campaspe initiative many new projects have been supported from walking path upgrades, the installation of outdoor exercise equipment to activating local spaces and increasing access to healthy food.

“The census is an amazing opportunity to contribute to the data we will need in the future to continue to provide new facilities for our community.

“I encourage everyone to take the time to complete the census and help shape a healthier Mount Alexander Shire.”

Participants who complete the census online have the chance to win their share of $10,000 in prizes through weekly prize draws. Completing the census is easy, anonymous and takes around 15 minutes.

To participate in the Active Living Census, visit www.go.healthyloddoncampaspe.au/alc.

If you need support completing the Active Living Census then drop into one of our engagement centres at Castlemaine Community House, Maldon Neighbourhood Centre, Newstead Rural Transaction Centre, Harcourt Valley Community House or Castlemaine library.

For more information, visit www.healthyloddoncampaspe.au/alc.