PERU Westmead

This World No To***co Day, let’s listen to the voices that matter most — young people.

The to***co and va**ng industries continue to target the next generation, but young people are not passive bystanders, they are powerful advocates for change. Our BEAT Peer Leaders from schools across Western Sydney are using their creativity, courage and collective voice to push back against the harms of va**ng and ni****ne addiction.

Prevention works best when young people are part of the solution. By empowering youth leadership, we can challenge industry influence, shift social norms, and create healthier futures.

***coDay **ngPrevention WentWest - Western Sydney PHN Western Sydney Health

This World No To***co Day, let’s listen to the voices that matter most — young people.

The to***co and va**ng industries continue to target the next generation, but young people are not passive bystanders, they are powerful advocates for change. Our BEAT Peer Leaders from schools across Western Sydney are using their creativity, courage and collective voice to push back against the harms of va**ng and ni****ne addiction.

Prevention works best when young people are part of the solution. By empowering youth leadership, we can challenge industry influence, shift social norms, and create healthier futures.

***coDay **ngPrevention WentWest - Western Sydney PHN

This National Volunteers Week, we would also like to recognise the students who demonstrate outstanding commitment to their school communities as volunteer Peer Leaders in our SALSA and BEAT peer-education programs. Their passion to motivate change in the lives of their peers is truly inspiring.

As shared by one of our peer leaders, “Being a peer leader taught me many skills like leadership, teamwork and public speaking which I will be able to use for the rest of my life.”

We also extend our sincere thanks to the participating schools and teachers whose ongoing support makes these impactful opportunities possible.



WentWest - Western Sydney PHN WentWest - Western Sydney PHN

This National Volunteer Week, we celebrate and thank the university students who volunteer their time to support the SALSA (Students As LifeStyle Activists) program by training our SALSA Peer Leaders.

Our SALSA Educators are united by a passion for improving adolescent health and wellbeing. Through their energy and leadership, they help empower young people to take ownership of their health and become positive role models to create change within their school communities.

Volunteering with SALSA also provides valuable real-world experience in health promotion while developing their communication, leadership and teamwork skills.

As one SALSA Educator shared, “One of the biggest things I gained was confidence, both in advocating for healthy behaviours among adolescents and in collaborating with students from other disciplines.”

Thank you to all our dedicated SALSA Educators for the difference you make in the lives of young people.


WentWest - Western Sydney PHN

It was fantastic to work with the students and staff at the recently opened Melonba High School during the SALSA Peer Leader Workshop. The school is only in its second year since opening, and it is already thriving.

The students amazed us with their creativity and enthusiasm as they developed engaging messages about healthy eating and physical activity.

Check out this rap about healthy lifestyles made by the students in less than 10 minutes:

“Eat your veggies and eat your fruits

Step outside and grab your boots

Kick a ball, shoot some hoops

Make some friends and bust a move

Eat your veggies, eat your fruits”

Thank you to the university students for their volunteerism and the incredible staff at Melonba High School for making us feel so welcome.

The outstanding students at Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School impressed us last week with their passion and creativity during the BEAT Peer Leader Workshop. The Year 10 students used their skills to develop impactful messages promoting youth respiratory health and raising awareness about the risks of va**ng.

By the end of the workshop, students felt empowered with the knowledge and confidence to respond to an asthma emergency and how they can say no if offered a v**e. They are now looking forward to sharing these important messages with their Year 7 peers and making a positive impact in their school community.

**ng **ng

Register now for the SALSA Educator's Workshop - Link in bio