MEDIA RELEASE 31 January 2011
Healthy weight not just a weeklong event
From Zumba and cooking classes to walking groups and cycling programs there are plenty of ways for Cradle Coast residents to keep active long after Healthy Weight Week. Many activities are free or heavily discounted thanks to funding from the Australian Government’s Healthy Communities Initiative.
To encourage involvement, Healthy Communities activities are being implemented using local networks and facilities such as men’s sheds, community gardens and local sports grounds or swimming pools. The activities are being offered by the nine local councils of the region with assistance from the Cradle Coast Authority’s Healthy Communities Coordinator, Bev Hayhurst.
“So far the Council’s have custom‐developed a total of 24 programs covering inter‐related topics such as nutrition awareness, cooking skills, time management and planned exercise,” Ms Hayhurst said. “We’ve had great feedback from participants telling us that it’s been the most fun exercising that they’ve ever had and they’ve really appreciated being able to try new activities.”
Each Council has developed Healthy Communities projects to suit their local interests and needs. Here’s an example of some of the activities in the region: • The Latrobe Council is providing free passes for Zumba, yoga and water aerobic classes held in Port Sorell and Bells Parade. Healthy lifestyle family fun days are also planned. • Circular Head Council is running two, ten‐week courses in nutrition, healthy cooking, time management, health literacy and fun physical exercise. The first course is underway in Smithton with a second due to commence in March. • Waratah‐Wynyard Council will offer a weekly exercise and nutrition group for women in Waratah known as Waratah Moves. The Somerset Exercise Group has also been devised to meet twice weekly for exercises lead by a qualified fitness instructor. • Taking the personal trainer concept to a new level is Burnie City Council with their Burnie Challenge. The Burnie Challenge will get the city moving with cross‐training programs for young men and other interested community members. • An Opt‐In for Sustainable Living program has been developed by the Central Coast Council and will deliver a sustainable living festival and community gardening workshops for Green Corps members. • The King Island Council is running a King Island Growing Old Living Dangerously! (KIGOLD!) program providing exercise classes to over 50’s and introducing new activities to residents. • Swim the West Coast encourages people to swim the equivalent distance of the West Coast in their local pool. The West Coast Council is offering subsidised pool season tickets and swimming gear for the program. The Council is also running aqua aerobics classes in Queenstown and Rosebury. • Kentish Council has initiated Wilmot exercise classes that will not only establish a local fitness group but also provide a local resident with a training scholarship so that they can lead the group in the future. • The Devonport City Council Fresh Start program will combine low‐impact exercises with health awareness training. A Healthy Living Expo is in the pipeline along with a ten‐week From Garden to the Plate program educating participants on healthy eating and cooking practices. Residents wanting to find out more or take part in the Healthy Communities programs nearest to them are encouraged to contact their local Council office for details.
End… The Healthy Communities Initiative is funded by the Department of Health and Ageing; it aims to maximise participation in lifestyle health programs, particularly for people not in the paid workforce. Twelve Local Government Areas Australia‐wide were selected to participate in a pilot of the program, including North West Tasmania’s Cradle Coast Authority. Cradle Coast Authority Media Contacts: Bev Hayhurst ‐ Healthy Communities Coordinator Amanda Wilson ‐ Communications Manager Ph: 0408 168 270 Ph: 6431 6285 1