SCHOOL SHINES LIGHT ON HOW SUNSMART KIDS CAN INSPIRE THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas celebrates local SunSmart Macedon Primary School, and their efforts to prevent skin cancer.
Summer is here and the sun’s ultraviolet radiation (UV) is already reaching high levels, all the more reason why it is important we are taking steps now to protect children from harmful UV radiation exposure.
For 23 years, Macedon Primary School has been a SunSmart School promoting sun safe practices to minimise skin cancer risk.
Mary-Anne Thomas acknowledges Macedon Primary School’s ongoing commitment to skin cancer prevention and the importance of continuing sun protection beyond the school gate.
“Macedon Primary School is to be congratulated on the important role they are playing in protecting our children. The good SunSmart behaviours children learn in primary school do influence their parents and carers’ sun protection behaviour as well, so you can’t underestimate the influence of schools on preventing skin cancer in the Macedon community,” Ms Thomas said.
“We are so lucky in Macedon to have fantastic outdoor places where people can connect, be active and explore. We want to ensure everyone enjoys the great outdoors by being sun safe and follow the lead of Macedon Primary school,” Ms Thomas said.
Head of SunSmart Victoria, Emma Glassenbury says the SunSmart Schools Program currently reaches around 462,000 Victorian children and their families.
“Together with schools like Macedon Primary School, SunSmart has reduced the significant burden of skin cancer. In Victoria we have seen a decline in melanoma rates in Victorians under 50 years and the good SunSmart practices we see in primary schools across the State have undoubtedly contributed to this,”1 Mrs Glassenbury said.
“We know skin cancer is largely preventable, with UV radiation being the leading cause of at least 95% of skin cancers, including melanoma. Each year, over 2,000 Australians die from skin cancer, and more than two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime,” Mrs Glassenbury said.
To learn more about sun protection and how to check the UV in your area, visit the SunSmart website at www.sunsmart.com.au/protect-your-skin.
About SunSmart:
Jointly funded by Cancer Council Victoria and the Victorian Government, SunSmart is one of the longest running – and most successful – skin cancer prevention and early detection programs in the world. The program is dedicated to reducing skin cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality.
About SunSmart Schools Program:
In 2024, the Victorian SunSmart Schools Program will celebrate 30 years. During this time, more than 1,486 member schools across Melbourne and regional Victoria have implemented comprehensive policies to reduce the risks of skin cancer for students and staff, including sun protective practices and environments. But we know that being SunSmart goes beyond the school gate. That is why we continue to work hard to ensure the next generation is fully aware of the importance of good sun protection practices wherever they are
1 Victorian Cancer Registry. Cancer in Victoria: Statistics & Trends Report 2021. Cancer Council Victoria: Melbourne, Victoria, 2022.
