Healthy Kidneys Education Project
A FREE education program for schools to reduce the incidence of preventable chronic diseases
Teaching kids about the importance of healthy kidneys
- Understand how kidneys clean the blood
- Recognise that water is the healthy drink option
- Identify the colour of healthy wee
- Recognise the amount of sugar in processed food and drinks
- Develop critical thinking to discern the links between heart, kidneys, dental health and preventing chronic diseases.
Working with SugarByHalf and Cool Australia to create FREE teaching resources
Educating children about the harmful effects of hidden added sugar in processed food and drinks to reduce the incidence of sugar-related chronic diseases.
Our lessons are aligned to Australian and New Zealand Curriculum.
Lesson 1
Where does sugar come from?
Students learn about sugar, where it comes from and how it is used in our body.
Lesson 2
What do your
kidneys do?
Students get creative, exploring where kidneys are found in the human body.
Lesson 3
Sugar and My
Body
Students uncover the difference between natural sugars and added sugars.
Lesson 4
Get up and Groove to Healthy Choices
Students get active, moving and grooving along to music.
Lesson 1
Sugar
Mythbusters
Students discover how much sugar can be found in everyday drinks and food.
Lesson 2
Sugar And Your Mouth
A close look at the connection with sugar, our teeth and the health of our organs.
Lesson 3
Healthy Wee
Healthy Me
Students learn the colour of their wee shows how hydration keeps their kidneys functioning well.
Lesson 4
Data Crunchers And Data Munchers
Effects of sugar on the body through a mindfulness experience and learning about diabetes, sick kidneys and dialysis.
Lesson 1
Meet Your Kidneys
Students will learn about the role of the kidneys and how they filter waste from our bloodstream.
Lesson 2
Healthier Options
Students will learn to identify the sugar content of a range of packaged foods and recipes by reading nutritional panels in this lesson.
Lesson 3
What Is The Impact?
Students will be investigating why type 2 diabetes is increasing globally.
Lesson 4
Plan For The Future
Students learn about dialysis and how type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease can be prevented.
All our lessons are aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals –
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
News
Join us! World Kidney Day Live Webinar
World Kidney Day Webinar - Preparing for the unexpected, supporting the vulnerable!
PKD Australia, Filter your Future and D.A.T.A Vic are very proud to host an outstanding group of people who will be sharing their experiences as patients, carers, professional health care workers & transplant managers.
Thursday 9 March 10.30am -11.30am (AEDT)
Join us to hear stories from floods, bushfires and emergency situations involving:
- Patients
- Carers
- Nephrolgists
- Dialysis Nurse Unit Managers
- Donate Life Paired Kidney Exchange
- D.A.T.A Vic representatives
Webinar Speakers
Belinda Jones
(Deputy Program Coordinator @Donate Life – ANZKX Paired Kidney Exchange)
Dr Magid Fahim
(Senior Staff Specialist Nephrologist, PA Hospital & Chief Clinical Information Officer, Metro North, Qld Health)
Lyn Jeffreson
(Nurse Unit Manager, Dialysis Unit @Echuca Regional Health Service, Victoria)
Justin Hamilton
(Nurse Unit Manager, Dialysis Unit @Bairnsdale Regional Health Service, Victoria)
Kellie Ottaway
(CKD Patient @Bairnsdale Dialysis Unit)
Grant Ottaway (Carer for CKD Patient Kellie @Bairnsdale Dialysis Unit)
World Kidney Day Webinar – Thursday 9 March 10.30am -11.30am (AEDT)
Filter Fun Park™ The Musical
About Filter Fun Park The Musical
Brian Brain runs a pretty smooth operation at Filter Fun Park. He’ll be the first to tell you that it’s home to some of the most incredible rides you’ve ever seen: the Beating Tide Heart Ride, the jaw-dropping Kidney Coaster and many more. But the most wonderful thing about this theme park is that it all naturally takes place inside the human body.
As the big boss, Brian takes pride in making good choices to ensure that all of his staff stay happy and healthy. This means making sure that school excursions, like the one today, go according to plan. He’s had a lot of experience with one of the groups, Smart Choice School. Those fruits and vegetables are always a delight. But when the cake and lolly students from Packet Food Primary come barging through the Tooth ticket booth and straight into Maisel Mouth, Brian realises they may have bitten off more than they can chew.
Heather Heart gets palpitations and the Kidney Coaster struggles to cope with the excessive sugary energy, which leads to potentially permanent damage. It’s up to Brian to learn from his mistakes and make healthier choices to ensure Filter Fun Park stays in its best shape for many years to come.
Watch the Filter Fun Park Musical in action…
Watch the Sugar Song
News
Join us! World Kidney Day Live Webinar
World Kidney Day Webinar - Preparing for the unexpected, supporting the vulnerable!
PKD Australia, Filter your Future and D.A.T.A Vic are very proud to host an outstanding group of people who will be sharing their experiences as patients, carers, professional health care workers & transplant managers.
Thursday 9 March 10.30am -11.30am (AEDT)
Join us to hear stories from floods, bushfires and emergency situations involving:
- Patients
- Carers
- Nephrolgists
- Dialysis Nurse Unit Managers
- Donate Life Paired Kidney Exchange
- D.A.T.A Vic representatives
Webinar Speakers
Belinda Jones
(Deputy Program Coordinator @Donate Life – ANZKX Paired Kidney Exchange)
Dr Magid Fahim
(Senior Staff Specialist Nephrologist, PA Hospital & Chief Clinical Information Officer, Metro North, Qld Health)
Lyn Jeffreson
(Nurse Unit Manager, Dialysis Unit @Echuca Regional Health Service, Victoria)
Justin Hamilton
(Nurse Unit Manager, Dialysis Unit @Bairnsdale Regional Health Service, Victoria)
Kellie Ottaway
(CKD Patient @Bairnsdale Dialysis Unit)
Grant Ottaway (Carer for CKD Patient Kellie @Bairnsdale Dialysis Unit)
World Kidney Day Webinar – Thursday 9 March 10.30am -11.30am (AEDT)
Our Results
When children are educated about kidneys – how they work, kidney disease, dialysis, kidney transplant, type 2 diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases – they have the information to make wise choices for their future health.
What lifestyle changes do children want to make after participating in the Healthy Kidneys Education Project?
See our yearly results below (please note; no results for 2021-22 due to the Pandemic interruption).
Between 2017-2020, the total number of students evaluated was 2,326.
Try harder to avoid sugary drinks (Grades F-4)
82%
Drink more water (Grades 5-6)
96%
Eat less junk food (Grades 5-6)
74%
Exercise more (Grades 5-6)
90%
Ask parents to make healthier lifestyle choices (Grades 5-6)
73%
Evaluation based on Filter Fun Park The Musical
| Primary School | Town/Suburb |
|---|---|
|
Flemington
|
Flemington, VIC |
|
Debney Meadows |
Flemington, VIC |
|
St Brendan’s |
Flemington, VIC |
|
Total No. Students: 164 |
|
Try harder to avoid sugary drinks (Grades F-4)
74%
Drink more water (Grades 5-6)
71%
Eat less junk food (Grades 5-6)
70%
Exercise more (Grades 5-6)
58%
Ask parents to make healthier lifestyle choices (Grades 5-6)
43%
Evaluation based on Filter Your Future School Incursions
| Primary School | Town/Suburb |
|---|---|
|
St Brigid’s |
Mordialloc, VIC |
|
Total No. Students: 249 |
|
Try harder to avoid sugary drinks (Grades F-4)
96%
Drink more water (Grades 5-6)
78%
Eat less junk food (Grades 5-6)
63%
Exercise more (Grades 5-6)
54%
Ask parents to make healthier lifestyle choices (Grades 5-6)
44%
Evaluation based on Filter Your Future School Incursions
| Primary School | Town/Suburb |
|---|---|
|
Hawthorn West |
Hawthorn, VIC |
|
St Peter’s |
Clayton, VIC |
|
Sacred Heart |
Yarrawonga, VIC |
|
Total No. Students: 891 |
|
Try harder to avoid sugary drinks (Grades F-4)
81%
Drink more water (Grades 5-6)
64%
Eat less junk food (Grades 5-6)
50%
Exercise more (Grades 5-6)
42%
Ask parents to make healthier lifestyle choices (Grades 5-6)
33%
Evaluation based on Filter Your Future School Incursions
| Primary School | Town/Suburb |
|---|---|
|
Malvern Central |
Malvern, VIC |
|
Osborne |
Mt Martha, VIC |
|
Malvern Valley |
Malvern East, VIC |
|
Brunswick South West |
Brunswick West, VIC |
|
Glen Huntly |
Glen Huntly, VIC |
|
Christ The King |
Braybrook, VIC |
|
Total No. Students: 880 |
|
Try harder to avoid sugary drinks (Grades F-4)
94%
Drink more water (Grades 5-6)
56%
Eat less junk food (Grades 5-6)
47%
Exercise more (Grades 5-6)
37%
Ask parents to make healthier lifestyle choices (Grades 5-6)
32%
Evaluation based on Filter Your Future School Incursions
| Primary School | Town/Suburb |
|---|---|
|
Moriac
|
Moriac, VIC |
|
St Monica’s |
Footscray, VIC |
|
Altona North |
Altona North, VIC |
|
Total No. Students: 306 |
|
What does everyone say about Filter Fun Park The Musical?
“The show that was put on was very inspiring and lots of good things to learn. I really liked the show very much.”
Maria, Grade 6, St Brendan’s
“An outstanding performance. I enjoyed the different character voices.”
Siddhanth, Grade 5, St Brendan’s
“You should do another one! The one we just watched today was awesome!”
Kaitlyn, Grade 5, Flemington Primary
“Amazing and learnt a lot.”
Arsoma, Grades 5&6, St Brendan’s
“I think this was a musical with a great cause. I really liked it. I hope to see you next year! So many people at our school would have loved to do it, so if there would be more chances, that would be great.”
Eadie, Grade 5&6, Flemington Primary
“It was great and the actors were really funny. My personal favourite is Brian Brain.”
Quoc, Grades 5&6, St Brendan’s
“Great music and amazing singing.”
Fleur, Grade 6, Flemington Primary
“It was good. I liked the use of both healthy and non-healthy foods, and how you could tell them apart from the hats.”
Noah, Grade 5&6, Flemington Primary
“I learnt a lot so it was fantastic..”
Arda, Grade 3&4, Flemington Primary
“I loved everything!”
Leonard, Grade 3&4, Flemington Primary
“It was GREAT! Also, I loved seeing my friends in it, also all the actors were AMAZING and have so much talent.”
Ally, Grade 5, Flemington Primary
“I think it was really great – funny and creative.”
Finnegan, Grade 5&6, Flemington Primary
“I loved everything about it, and all the actors were amazing – and all the students were too.”
Angus, Grade 3&4, Flemington Primary
“It is perfect to get the message across – amazing messaging.”
Jodie, parent, Moonee Ponds
“Really fun and entertaining, hope you can take it further to other schools/areas.”
Mark, parent, Flemington
“Great message, catchy songs.”
Morgan, parent, Flemington
“Interaction was fantastic for reinforcing the message. The music was very catchy and the humour was great for keeping both children and adults engaged. Well done!”
Kylie, parent, Flemington
“Audience involvement was fantastic! The show was fun and energetic!”
Rhianna, parent, Moonee Ponds
“Great show and so much fun.”
Hadia, parent, Ascot Vale
“Great, fun way to teach students about making good food choices and why.”
Fran, parent, Flemington
“It was fantastic!”
Narelle, parent, Flemington
“A fun and inclusive way to learn about the body, especially the kidneys, which children may not know about.”
Dani, parent, Flemington
“Great message, catchy songs.”
Morgan, parent, Flemington
“Loved it!”
PJ, parent, Coburg
“The kids really got into it. Energy and passion.”
Rob, visitor, Horsham
“What great fun! Not too long. Lovely bright songs.”
Deb, visitor, Sedden
“Excellent – should go to all schools. Very informative.”
Cheryl, visitor, Knoxfield
“Songs were fantastic. The words were great. Primary school kids would love this. Great audience participation. Really gets the message across.”
Kim, visitor, Strathmore
“Really entertaining. Fast-moving with a clear message.”
Kathy, visitor, Flemington
“Enjoyable. I think it has made me more keen to watch what I eat.”
Tony, visitor, Westmeadows
“Just the right length of time. Good engagement with the audience. Great family show.”
Debbie, visitor, Horsham
“Did not lose audience at all. Dancing and singing was particularly good.”
Rita, visitor, Ascot Vale
“Enjoyed it all. Lively, energetic actors.”
Rob, visitor, Flemington
“Thank you! Love the involvement of the school children. Made it more real for the students to see the young ones perform.”
Carol, teacher, Grades 5&6, St Brendan’s
“Excellent show, and I liked the way the message was imparted to the students via comedy, songs and dancing.”
Vern, music teacher, Flemington Primary
“Very interactive, easy to understand for children. Easy to understand and relatable to students at primary school.”
Antonette, Learning Support Officer, St Brendan’s
“Great entertaining way to send message across to all year levels.”
Jess, teacher, Prep, St Brendan’s
“It was perfect and the kids were great.”
David, teacher, Flemington Primary
“It was great. I really enjoyed.”
Jae, Learning Support Officer, St Brendan’s
“I loved the show, it was very interactive. The children were very engaged and it had a really good lesson.”
Peter, Principal, St Brendan’s primary School
We are proudly sponsored by …
The Dialysis and Transplant Association of Victoria Incorporated (D.A.T.A.)
The Dialysis and Transplant Association of Victoria Incorporated (D.A.T.A.) are a group made up of people with kidney failure, and their families, carers and friends. They support them by the provision of holiday homes at Rosebud and Yarrawonga and offer a range of other services.
Please donate to D.A.T.A. to help continue their important work.
‘We live and work on the land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge and pay our respects to their Elders past and present and to all Traditional Custodians throughout the country’
Filter Your Future® supports the Uluru Statement and the From The Heart campaign for a Voice to Parliament enabled by the constitution.
A collaboration for future generations
Get in touch
Please contact us for more information about Filter Your Future®, Healthy Kidneys Education Project, Filter Fun Park The Musical or Rotary Club guest speaker.