The campaign aims to educate Australians of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes and how type 2 diabetes can be prevented.

There are around 700 people in the Northern Grampians Shire currently living with diabetes, yet in a lot of cases the development of diabetes could have been prevented or at least delayed. Being overweight is a key reason for the increasing rate of people being diagnosed with diabetes.

Even if you don't have diabetes or are not at risk of getting diabetes, you may know someone who is maybe a friend or a family member. For every person diagnosed with diabetes there is someone who has it but doesn't know it.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for everyone, especially if you are at risk of diabetes, or diagnosed with diabetes. Eating a well balanced diet and being regularly active are the two most important things we can control, and it doesn't have to be hard work or boring!

During Diabetes Week this year we will be introducing ways you can become more active in your own community as well as some tips on purchasing and preparing food that are not only good for you, but inexpensive and tasty too.

For Diabetes Awareness Week, a whole month of activities are planned in July for the community to participate in. The launch of these events will be a morning tea and light lunch to be held on Wednesday July 15 from 10am - 2pm in the Stawell Entertainment Centre Foyer.

At the launch, there will be an opportunity to meet your local Dietitian, Diabetes Educators, and Health Promotion staff. Bring your meter along to test if it's working accurately.

On Thursday, July 16 at 10.30am, there will be an information session on pre-diabetes and a morning tea at the Budja Budja Aboriginal Co-Operative, Halls Gap.

For further details contact Susie Hamilton on Ph: 5356 4751.

There will also be a National Diabetes Road Show - `How low can you go' on the Thursday. This will involve a Diabetes-Victoria talk about hypoglycaemia. A local health panel will be available for questions. The roadshow will be held at the Victorian Institute for Dryland Agriculture in Horsham and cost is free for DA-Vic members, or $15 non-members. Bookings essential on 1300 136 588.