AME Systems, Ararat Rural City Council and AF Gason have committed to improving the health and wellbeing of their employees by signing up to the Healthy Together Workplace Achievement Program and forming a new 'Healthy Workplaces Network' in Ararat. The Healthy Together Workplace Achievement Program guides workplaces in creating and sustaining healthy environments.

AME, Ararat Rural City Council and Gason understand that a healthy work environment can have a multitude of benefits for employers and employees. The Achievement Program not only focuses on specific activities, but on creating a healthy organisational culture.

The three organisations meet quarterly to share information, resources and experiences. The first action to come from the network is a Workplace Weight Loss Challenge that coincides with the screening of The Biggest Loser Challenge Australia. Each workplace has donated a $1,000 cash prize that will go to the employee from their organisation who loses the greatest percentage of body weight over a 10 week period.

Commencing in February the Challenge was open to all employees from the three organisations and aims to encourage people to get active and make healthier lifestyle choices, including healthy eating.

In more recent times two more workplaces have come on board, joining the Workplace Achievement Program. Grampians Region YMCA and Ararat Medical Centre will join AME, Gason and Ararat Rural City Council as workplaces promoting and supporting the health and wellbeing of their employees.

For further information on the Healthy Together Workplace Achievement Program or the Healthy Workplaces Network contact Jenna Gunnell, health promotion coordinator (workplaces), Healthy Together Grampians Goldfields at jennag@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au or 0407 052 165.