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Kate is passionate about contributing to public debate on a wide range of important issues. Here are some of the issues she has touched on in the past.
- Should successful athletes have to pay back the AIS 10 Jun 2009
- Let's give youth voice now for a better future 12 Oct 2008
- Organ donation it's the greatest gift of all 21 Sep 2008
- Is safe sex message falling on deaf ears 31 Aug 2008
- Grassroots funding is key to Olympic glorys 10 Aug 2008
- Easy to overlook big issue of homelessness 20 Jul 2008
- Trailblazer Natasha leaves lasting legacy 29 Jun 2008
- Heavy hitters boost our World Cup hopes 01 Jun 2008
- Youth Forum Discussion Paper 17 May 2008
- We can't take sport for granted 11 May 2008
- Women truly can do anything be anything 20 Apr 2008
- Let the Games begin with all our athletes 30 Mar 2008
- Proud past but future a challenge for women 09 Mar 2008
- Young people will be heard at highest level 17 Feb 2008
- Our nation has changed dramatically in three weeks 16 Dec 2007
- Mobile Phone Towers 23 Sep 2007
- Bradken Foundry 01 Jul 2007
- Full Fees 03 Jun 2007
- Eating Disorders 17 Dec 2006
- Iraq 27 Jul 2006
- Electoral Laws 26 Jun 2006
- Dental 08 Jan 2006
- Make Poverty History 18 Sep 2005
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
Media Releases
2010 | 2009 | 200829 Sep 2009 - Minister Receives 1.5 Millionth Sporting Pass in Diabetes Awareness Challenge
Today Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis was joined by former Adelaide Crows star Nathan Bassett and AIS athletes, local sporting club members and hundreds of children for the finale of an Australia-wide challenge to raise awareness of diabetes and promote the health benefits of sport.
The challenge has involved more than 2,000 schools, with 100,000 children from all around the country aiming to make a total of 1.5 million sporting passes.
Today Nathan Bassett, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1997, handballed the 1.5 millionth sporting pass to Minister Ellis at Floriade in Canberra - each sporting pass represents one of the 1.5 million Australians living with diabetes*.
The challenge was the culmination of the national Turning to Sport for Good Health campaign, a joint initiative between the Australian Government's Active After-school Communities (AASC) program and Diabetes Australia.
"The AASC program gives our kids a passion for sport and exercise when they're young and hopefully they'll carry that throughout their lives," Ms Ellis said.
"Sport has a unique ability to deliver powerful health messages to our children and young people."
"The AASC program has achieved some outstanding results in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for our kids and the Government is proud to be investing another $44 million in the program in 2010."
Nathan Bassett, who played over 200 games for the Crows, said giving young people a fun and sport-related challenge was a great way to teach them about diabetes.
"Even if the five-year-olds walk away just knowing the name of this chronic disease, it's a step in the right direction," Bassett said.
"People don't realise it is Australia's largest chronic disease yet most cases can be prevented by eating well and keeping fit."
The AASC is a free Australian Government program, which promotes healthy eating and an active lifestyle. It is also an excellent avenue for primary school aged children to move into community sport.
Around 150,000 children take part in the program each term and have the opportunity to try out over 70 different sports. For more information on the campaign and the AASC program visit www.ausport.gov.au/aasc or www.youtube.com/watch?v=klso1rbI4PE.
*1.5 million estimate provided by Diabetes Australia