b'The Greater SheppartonBreastfeeding ProjectWORDS // KRISTIE WELCHI n August we were excited to see photos shared onbreastfeeding with the commencement of a Breastfeeding social media of a breastfeeding bus, a public bus inWorkingGroup in 20042005. Data has always shown Shepparton, Victoria, with a beautiful photo on the backthat Greater Shepparton has some of the lowest rates of of a breastfeeding mother and her baby and with a websitebreastfeeding across the state. A report in the Herald Sun address for the local council, Greater Shepparton Council.in April 2014 listed Greater Shepparton as only having 15% Keen to find out more, we reached out to the Councils Bestof babies who are fully breastfed at 6 months. The current Start Breastfeeding Project Officer, Kristie Welch, who kindlyMunicipal Early Years Plan 20152019 has a number of shared her expertise and experiences with us. outcomes listed with Breastfeeding falling under Every child enjoys a healthy start in life.YOUR JOB TITLE IS BEST START BREASTFEEDING PROJECT OFFICER. CAN YOU TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT THATWE SAW SOME PICTURES OF THE BREASTFEEDING BUS. WHAT A INVOLVES? GREAT INITIATIVE! HOW DID IT COME ABOUT?My position is currently 8 hours per week. It commenced asIn an effort to spread the message of Breastfeeding anytime, 16 hours per week when Greater Shepparton City Councilanywhere, we were looking for opportunities where the received Enhanced Best Start funding from the Victorian Statemessage could be seen by a variety of members of the Government. When the funding ceased, the project was thencommunity. Using the bus meant the message could be seen supported by Council under their Municipal Early Years Plan.throughout the city of Shepparton as the bus changed routes I meet with a local workgroup of professionals on a bi- throughout the 3 months the images were on the bus.monthly basis. These amazing professionals support me inCAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE OTHER WORK OF THE PROGRAM? my role by providing information about whats happeningWHAT OTHER HIGHLIGHTS HAVE THERE BEEN?in their services when supporting new parents during theirWe have provided education for professionals in our area, breastfeeding journeys. They help to make decisions aboutincluding full-day conferences in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018 and key parts of our project.more recently some shorter evening sessions. This is about Focuses of my role include spreading positiveproviding high quality education in our local area, bringing breastfeeding messages throughout the community and,speakers to Shepparton and making it an affordable option in the local media including on social media, promoting thefor our local professionals.local support services and developing relevant resources, as well as providing education for professionals working withIn 2013 we saw an opportunity to change a hard copy breastfeeding mothers. . map showing Breastfeeding Friendly Locations into a mobile website www.breastfeedingmap.com.au, accessible on smart WHY DID GREATER SHEPPARTON DECIDE TO FOCUS ONphones using the persons GPS or by manually typing an BREASTFEEDING? address. Users can find information about businesses listed as Greater Shepparton has had a strong commitment toBreastfeeding Friendly Locations. The locations are checked and updated regularly. 22| Essence | Australian Breastfeeding Association December 2019'