Ballina has the highest rates of melanoma in New South Wales – and among the highest in the country – but a new program is giving local teenagers the tools to change that future.

Year 10 students from Xavier Catholic College joined peers from Trinity Catholic College and St John’s College Woodlawn this week for an intensive workshop led by the Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA).

The program, run in partnership with Cancer Council NSW, focuses on shifting teen attitudes toward tanning and building lifelong sun-safe habits.

Changing Culture Among Teens

Many students admitted they had never heard of the iconic “Slip, Slop, Slap” campaign from the 1980s, let alone its modern-day additions – “Seek” shade and “Slide” on sunglasses.

“Before the age of 18, the amount of UV exposure you get sets up your skin cancer risk for life,” explained Danielle Fischer from MIA.

 “Teenagers often don’t feel vulnerable, but this is exactly the age where adopting protective behaviours makes the biggest difference.

“Our goal is a world with zero deaths from melanoma, and prevention is fundamental to that.”

Peer-to-Peer Leadership

As part of the workshop, students took part in role-plays, brainstorm sessions and presentation skills training. They were tasked with coming up with practical changes to take back to their schools.

At Xavier, students proposed replacing caps with bucket hats to better protect the face, ears and neck.   

Woodlawn students suggested compulsory rash vests for swimming lessons to reduce harmful UV reflection off water.

“The students know their school environment best,” Ms Fischer said.

 “By empowering them to lead the change, we’re creating ambassadors who can shift the culture among their peers and future generations.”

A Local Hotspot

According to NSW Cancer Institute data, Ballina currently records the highest incidence of melanoma in the state, with Lismore not far behind.

Tim Regan, MIA’s interim CEO, said social media has played a role in promoting tanning to young people, making the education program even more urgent.

“One Australian is diagnosed with melanoma every 30 minutes, and one dies every six hours. It’s the most common cancer in people aged 20–39,” Mr Regan said.

 “By reaching teenagers now, we can help stop the cycle.”

For Ballina, where the sun is a way of life, the message is simple: enjoy the outdoors – but do it safely.