A pioneer who’s developing programs to improve health outcomes for young people across Australia is Charlestown’s Local Woman of the Year.
After beginning her vocation as a PE teacher, Dr Nicole Nathan opted for a career change.
Now, as part of Hunter New England Local Health District’s (HNELHD) health promotion team, she’s worked on projects that have transformed health and wellbeing initiatives for students, including the Good for Kids, Good for Life and Crunch&Sip®.
The latter is now a national program, which highlights pupils who are not hungry and are well-hydrated perform better in the classroom, show increased concentration, and are less likely to be irritable and disruptive.
Each school can choose a suitable time and way to implement Crunch&Sip® that fits with its timetable.
Charlestown state MP Jodie Harrison said Dr Nathan was a thoroughly deserving recipient.
“The Local Woman of the Year awards are an opportunity to highlight the achievements of women from Charlestown, whose work may not be recognised widely outside their industry,” the Shadow Minister for Women explained.
“Nicole is a wonderful example of a woman quietly achieving in her community and chosen field as well as making enormous differences with her research and the programs she is part of creating – programs which are being nation-wide.”
Continuing her work in population health, the Physically Active Children in Education (PACE) team, led by Dr Nathan, was honoured with the 2022 Hunter Medical Research Institute Research Team Excellence Award.
She is passionate about health research and the ways it can be applied practically to improve health outcomes, especially for young people.
Dr Nathan’s also very interested in the reasons why girls stop competing in sport at a young age, and what programs are working to prevent young females’ activity levels dropping as they get older.
“I was inspired to hear her talk about her work, and was so impressed by her passion and dedication to improving the lives of children, and long term health outcomes,” Ms Harrison said.
“I am thrilled to be able to recognise Dr Nathan’s feats and highlight her achievements as Charlestown’s Local Woman of the Year.”
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- Matt Dun named Lake Mac Ambassador for 2023
- GALLERY: Surf’s up for female Home in Place tenants
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