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On 30 May 2025, the Menindee community gathered at the Menindee Central School oval to mark World No Tobacco Day with a community-led event focused on supporting smoke and vape-free futures for young people and families.
Servicing North-Western New South Wales from Dubbo and Menindee, organisers worked closely with community members, Elders and local services to shape the event around local needs. Community meetings, informal yarns and word-of-mouth conversations helped build awareness and ensure the day felt culturally safe, inclusive and relevant.
Support from local organisations, including the Fire Brigade, Health Service, Mission Australia, CatholicCare, the Broken Hill Community Legal Centre and the Far West Local Health District, helped strengthen community participation and connection.
While young people were the primary focus due to increasing vaping and tobacco risks, the event welcomed parents, carers and Elders. Interactive displays, open discussions and accessible information sessions helped participants better understand the harms of smoking and vaping, including the tactics used by tobacco and vaping industries to target young people.
A relaxed BBQ lunch created a welcoming environment for families to connect, ask questions and yarn.
The event’s success was measured through student surveys, strong attendance, community feedback and smoke and vape-free pledges made by parents and caregivers. The positive impact was clear, with many attendees already asking when the next event would be held.
In recognition of its success, the event was awarded Event of the Year at the 2026 Central Darling Shire Australia Day Awards, highlighting the power of culturally safe, community-led approaches to prevention and health promotion.
Mark Prince
Quit B Fit – North West
