HERVEY Bay is at the heart of Queensland’s preventive health revolution, with the QCWA Country Kitchens program leading the charge to improve local food and nutrition literacy. 

Thanks to a $43 million investment by the Queensland Government through Health and Wellbeing Queensland, programs like QCWA Country Kitchens will continue empowering residents with skills to make healthier food choices.

Since 2021, more than 350,000 Queenslanders have embraced Health and Wellbeing Queensland programs—and Hervey Bay is no exception. 

Locally, the program delivers hands-on workshops teaching residents to eat more fruit and vegetables, cook at home, reduce sugar in drinks, check portion sizes, and move more every day.

Run by QCWA members—trusted community figures—these workshops are inclusive, practical, and relatable. 

The local QCWA branch plays a key role, connecting with the community and sharing recipes, tips, and updates to support healthier living.

Dr Robyn Littlewood, Chief Executive of Health and Wellbeing Queensland, praised the results, “Prevention isn’t a quick fix — it takes commitment, partnership, respect and time — but we are seeing results that I’ve never seen reported anywhere else in Australia.”

With nearly two in three adults and one in three children in Hervey Bay affected by overweight or obesity, QCWA Country Kitchens provides vital tools to reduce chronic disease risks. 

Its five key messages—eat more fruit and vegetables, cook at home, be mindful of sugar in drinks, control portion sizes, and increase movement—are widely embraced.

Since 2021, broader preventive health investment has also supported initiatives like Deadly Choices, My health for life, and healthier school tuckshops across the Fraser Coast. 

These programs have encouraged over 41,000 Queenslanders to log steps with the 10,000 Steps app and helped nearly 5,000 complete Deadly Choices 715 Health Checks.

For locals keen to get involved, QCWA Country Kitchens offers a welcoming environment where healthy lifestyle changes are supported by experienced volunteers. 

With renewed funding, Hervey Bay’s community kitchens are not just places to cook—they’re hubs of health, hope, and connection.