A groundbreaking insight into Australia's diabetes epidemic was one of the success stories of the 10th annual Victorian Public Health Awards.

Minister for Health Bronwyn Pike highlighted this winning initiative while presenting the State-sponsored awards.

Ms Pike said the International Diabetes Institute's AusDiab Study was one of the most in-depth insights into Australia's diabetes epidemic.

It won the Public Health Research award.

'This report has had a huge impact in the medical and wider community this year.

'It provided crucial information for policy and planning to prevent diabetes spreading, while also gaining prominent and widespread media coverage.

'AusDiab focused on the effects and prevalence of diabetes, kidney and heart disease, obesity and pre-diabetes, providing the best picture yet of the magnitude of these problems.

'Some 35 international research groups have requested AusDiab study data and its results have been presented in 30 publications worldwide.'

Other health award-winning initiatives involved phone counselling and support to farming families.

Ms Pike said the Upper Hume Community Health Service's Positive Parenting Telephone Service has helped parents to get on better with their children.

'As well, farming families found better ways to keep themselves and their crops healthy through Western District Health Service's Sustainable Farm Families Project.'

Other award winners were:

•           Inner South Community Health Service for an innovative childhood nutrition project;

•           ORYGEN Research Centre and Melbourne University's mental health first aid program;

•           The Victorian Lifestyle and Neighbourhood Environments Study for innovative research into healthy food consumption.

Congratulating the winners, Ms Pike said the awards highlighted health agencies' strong research and capability for finding innovative solutions to health issues affecting whole communities.