Alarmingly, almost 60 per cent of adults in Wodonga are overweight or obese and to bring this number down, Healthy Together Wodonga has developed the Voices4Health initiative.

Ms Crozier said the program would encourage healthier lifestyles at the launch at Woodland Grove.

“This initiative involving everyday people as voices for health demonstrates that people in Wodonga are prepared to take steps to create a healthier community.”

Nine community ambassadors ranging from Wodonga councillors to students to health workers will be speaking out to try and influence the health of the community.

Figures show more than 30 per cent of people in Wodonga aren’t doing enough exercise and the majority of the population does not eat enough fruit and vegetables.

Team leader Healthy Together Wodonga Claire Taylor said community voices were key.

“The program recognises there are many people in our community who are passionate about their healthy lifestyle and the health of ours, and who are well-connected to other people and organisations,” she said.

“These people are our health ambassadors and Voices4Health provides a chance for them to influence people to make small changes to lead to a healthy lifestyle.”