Tuesday, April 2025
Western Cape College Weipa student Sonny Brooks has packed a winning combination to be crowned Queensland’s winner of Australia’s Healthier Lunchboxes Challenge – an annual campaign delivered by charity Life Ed in partnership with Woolworths.
The Year 5 student’s nutritious and delicious lunchbox, entered by his mum, impressed judges with its vibrant mix of fresh, wholesome ingredients, highlighting how healthy eating can be both fun and flavourful.
Sonny’s mum Elisa said their entry was a true team effort. “I asked Sonny if he wanted to do the challenge with me. He was so excited when he found out that he’d won.”
Living in Weipa, on the Cape York Peninsula, where fresh food availability can be unpredictable, means the Brooks family has had to get creative with meal planning.
“Our main road generally closes off during the wet season, so we have to wait for the barge to arrive from Cairns, and if the weather is really bad, the barge is delayed,” Elisa explained. “We have a lot of frozen vegetables ready to go, and we eat a lot of fish as well. Both the boys love their fishing.”
When it comes to school lunches, variety is key. “My husband has been making a lot of zucchini fritters and muffins for dinner as well as for lunches. We get bored with sandwiches. At the moment – that’s their favourite.”
Juggling work and family life means preparation is essential. “As a shift worker, sometimes I am making lunches as I come off a 12-hour night shift. But I try to be organised for the week.”
With healthy staples like popcorn, eggs and even Greek yoghurt, the Brooks family proves that nutritious lunchboxes can be both practical and delicious – even in remote areas.
Sonny’s achievement puts the spotlight on remote communities and the importance of teaching children about nutrition from an early age. His story is a reminder that small, everyday choices – like packing a balanced lunch – can have a big impact on health and wellbeing.
This year, 890 families from around the nation entered the annual Australia’s Healthier Lunchboxes Challenge with six families winning a $1000 Woolworths e-Gift card for their efforts, while their child’s school also received a $2,000 Woolworths e-Gift card.
As Queensland winner, Sonny’s school, Western Cape College, is excited that their winning voucher will help support a healthy school tuckshop menu and is looking forward to Life Ed Queensland bringing the program to their school during Term 2.
During the visit, there will also be a delivery of fruit to the school courtesy of Woolworths, as part of their Free Fruit for Kids program, which has seen more than 160 million pieces of fruit delivered to primary school children since the program was launched in 2015. The national program aims to help get more fruit into kids’ diets.
Woolworths is also a founding partner of the Life Ed Thrive Children’s Fund. The fund was created in 2021 to support children and schools in rural, remote and low socio-economic areas through vital health and safety education.
Congratulations Sonny! And thank you to all the families who sent in their amazing entries for the Australia’s Healthier Lunchboxes initiative. When it comes to creativity and nutrition, this year’s lunchbox entries were outside the box.
You have inspired us!
👉 Parents – looking for more healthy lunchbox ideas? Check out our recipes here: Lunchboxes For Under $5 – Life Ed Australia | Life Ed Qld
