State Government has advised the City of Greater Geelong that as of 30 June 2008 funding will be cut to three preventative health programs:
1. Kids Go For Your Life
2. Walking School Bus, and
3. Romp and Chomp Under 5s Healthy Eating

Council has resolved to make a case to the Minister for Health about the impact funding cuts will have on the health of local children.

City of Greater Geelong Community Development Portfolio Councillor Lou Brazier said the funding cuts are a huge disappointment to the Council.

'We are strongly supportive of preventative health programs,' said Cr Brazier, and we need to be maintaining our work where it really has an impact and that is in the early years of childhood.'

We multiply the effect of the State Government funding through the financial and in-kind support that we add to these health programs, as well as through our relationships with local childcare centres, kindergartens and primary schools.'

'We need the funding to continue so we can make inroads into the disturbing stats that up to 27 percent of children in Geelong aged from 2 - 12 years are overweight or obese,' said Cr Brazier.

Sport and Recreation Portfolio Councillor Mitchell agreed. I've seen for myself how these positive education programs work with preschoolers. When you have a four-year-old telling you that it's healthy to eat fruit and vegetables, drink water and 'use up energy' you know that the right messages are getting through at a really important age. I think it's funding that is really hitting the target and we need to make sure it continues.'