NORTHERN.STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS
Sugary drinks’ sour effect
William, Joevidicus, Yueli, Ariti, Jayde, mayor Casey Nunn and George. (Joe Mastroianni)
Awards connect pupils A shared passion for learning has been recognised with 45 Hume primary school pupils receiving the council’s 2014 Connecting Hume PC awards. Each year, all primary schools across the municipality nominate outstanding
students for the learning awards. This year’s winners were each presented with a laptop computer, with 12 months’ internet access, at a presentation at Craigieburn Global Learning Centre earlier this month. Mayor Casey Nunn said the initiative rewarded students and, by extension their families, by providing technology and software
which they may not otherwise be able to access. “The program aims to remove barriers to learning, which in turn helps empower young people to take charge of their futures,” Cr Nunn said. “More than 400 children and families across Hume have benefited from this program over the past 10 years.” Details at www.humelibraries.vic.gov.au.
Laura Michell
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By Helen Grimaux
Hume residents are among the state’s largest consumers of sugary soft drinks, which increases their risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and cancer, health professionals warn. A Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV) report reveals 18 per cent of Hume residents consume a fizzy drink each day, against 12 per cent for the whole state. In Whittlesea, 14 per cent of people have a daily sugary drink. The figures have been released as part of a new campaign encouraging people to improve their dental health. Rethink Sugary Drink, launched by a coalition of health groups including the Obesity Policy Coalition, is aimed at increasing awareness of the amount of sugar in soft drinks. A 375-millilitre can has the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar, while a 600ml bottle has 16 teaspoons. Obesity Policy Coalition executive manager Jane Martin said soft drink consumption was high in Melbourne’s north because there were more families struggling financially. “Sugary drinks are cheaper to buy than milk,” she said. “The cost of a healthy diet can be relatively expensive when you’re spending a high proportion of income on food.” Males aged 16-24 were the main consumers of soft drinks, followed by families with children, she said. Details at rethinksugarydrink.org.au
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5 NORTHERN STAR WEEKLY \ JUNE 24, 2014