Gazette THE
Monthly Newsletter May 2015 Volume 6 No 4
Visitors flock in for our Open Day It was all hands on deck for the institute’s annual Open Day on Wednesday 6 June from 3-7pm at the Albany campus. Lecturers from all study areas chatted with prospective students about the courses on offer and the careers they could look forward to with their nationally recognised qualification gained at the institute. Most sections were represented in the new M Block, though most visitors also made a beeline for the Primary Industries complex, where staff were pumping out sausage sizzles by the dozen and the Reptile Haven and machinery exhibits were
Lecturer Leah Goodrem shows Kelsey Killick a quad bike, part of the machinery display at R Block. major attractions. The ever-popular trades tours took in carpentry, metal fabrication, hospitality and cabinetmaking, and those driven to the automotive trade admired the HarleyDavidson motorbike and the Holden car. Managing Director Lidia Rozlapa said this was the first time for several years
that the Open Day was held later in the day, to encourage attendance after school and work hours. She said good numbers of visitors had viewed the facilities and course offerings and chatted to staff. Another daytime Open Day will be held later in the year for school groups to attend.
More Open Day photos on pages 6 and 7
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Great Southern Gazette – May 2015
Beauty in the art of presentation
Diploma of Beauty Therapy students have been preparing a series of artistic displays to combine beauty products with a weekly theme. For the first week, the students chose an Anzac theme, for which they incorporated poppies, flags and graphics with carefully chosen colours to creative emotive imagery. In contrast, tangy citrus fruits and vibrant colours reflected freshness and renewal for the second week’s display on the theme of health and nutrition.
Chelsea Roth used a poppy red theme for her Anzac table.
Krystal Thompson’s Anzac table centred on war imagery and products in similar colours.
Poppies feature large in Danielle Emin’s display.
Jessi Stone with her natural beauty and healthy nutrition display.
Bright colours were the basis of Montana Dupuy’s table promoting healthy eating.
Great Southern Gazette – May 2015
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Musical tribute to wartime women
Diploma of Music student Dawn Barrington honours the wartime contribution of women in her new single. With the recent commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Anzac landing in Gallipoli came potent stories of bravery, mateship and perseverance. While these qualities are usually associated with men who fought on the battlefields of Europe in World War I, one Great Southern Institute of Technology music student has found a way to pay tribute to the women who served and those left behind – women who also displayed those same qualities. Diploma of Music student Dawn Barrington has released a single titled Women of War, in which she honours those who worked in munitions factories or on the land, brought up the next generation single-handed and kept the home fires burning in the hope of their men one day returning. Dawn said she was prompted by the Anzac commemorations last year to start working on the song, which acknowledges the tough conditions the women faced. “I wanted to write a war song highlighting the contribution of the women,” Dawn said. “Such as the women working in munitions factories, who were called canaries because their hair turned yellow and their teeth fell out,” she said.
She said the single was performed in her usual style, which she described as folk music with a ‘70s influence, and clear lyrics and vocals. Having learnt to make videos as part of her Certificates III and IV in Music, Dawn accompanies the Women of War song with a moving video of poignant wartime photographs on YouTube. Following the launch, Dawn’s single has been broadcast on local and regional radio stations, and has featured on the RSL website. She has also played it at live music sessions in local venues. MP3s of Women of War and Dawn’s EP Voices are both available for purchase through the online music store Bandcamp.
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From the MD’s Desk Open Day My sincere thanks to everyone involved with our Open Day on 6 May, from those involved in planning to all the staff who were on hand to welcome and guide prospective students. It was a big effort from everyone, and from all reports, it succeeded in its aim to make information available to people after work and school hours. A second Open Day will be held later in the year at a more suitable time for school groups to attend. See the Open Day photos on pages 6 and 7. Staffing Michael Korn has been appointed Acting Portfolio Manager of Trades and Allied Industries until Kathy Keay returns to the position. While Lee-Anne Smith is on leave, Andrea Gallagher will be Acting Portfolio Manager in the areas of Business and Creative Industries and Teaching and Learning. I wish Michael and Andrea all the best in their positions. Capital works projects At the start of 2016, we will start reaping the benefits of sparkling new facilities to enhance our teaching and learning experience. These are the library – or Institute Learning Centre, as it will be known – at the Albany campus, the relocated Mount Barker
campus and the refurbished beauty therapy classroom. The library and bookshop will relocate to DMs 1 and 2 during the next semester break, and the building work will continue for the rest of the year. Incorporated into this project will be a covered walkway to the Health Sciences building from the rear of the current bookshop and the new ILC. Work on the new site of the Mount Barker campus is scheduled to be completed well in time for relocation in the January semester break, and the beauty therapy classroom and entrance area will be upgraded to industry standard. Sustainability The Seeds of Sustainability committee is continuing its good work with research into the viability of adding an electric or hybrid car to our vehicle fleet. Though this investigation is in its early days, we might be using such a vehicle for business in the future. Aboriginal Programs From the Certificate III in Gaining Access to Training and Employment course attended by 12 Aboriginal students, five have been offered positions with WAMMCO in Katanning. This is an excellent outcome from this course, and my thanks go to Aboriginal
Programs and lecturing staff involved in organising and delivering it. Quality Implementation Group The QIG members are working on many fronts to transition the organisation to the Standards for RTOs 2015. Members are disseminating information to ensure staff are confident of complying with the new standards. Any staff member who needs guidance may speak to a group member – they are Justine Bradney, Ray Tuckey, Ruth McLean, Kristine Deutschmann, Ann Molan or Caro Saunders. See page 12 for this month’s QIG column. Semester 2 courses Applications for full-time courses are now open for Semester 2. The Semester 2 course guide can be downloaded from our website, where there is also information on all courses. Training Providers Forum A series of webinars will be held on Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 May in George’s Restaurant for staff to benefit from these sessions without having to travel to Perth. The Environment and Primary Industries A new course on scope is the Diploma of Grain Management. The portfolio is working with grain growers to promote the diploma to industry workers. That’s all the news for now. Happy reading, Lidia
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New chapter for our librarians
Managing Director Lidia Rozlapa (centre) with Barbara Watson and Stephanie Lindesay, who are retiring after a harmonious working partnership of 28 years. Having served a whopping 62 years between them at the institute, Librarians Barbara Watson and Stephanie Lindesay have packed away their books for the last time. A well-attended morning tea at the Albany campus on 19 May brought an end to their reign and marked the start of retirement for both of the popular staff members. Managing Director Lidia Rozlapa told the gathering that Stephanie had clocked up 28 years and Barbara, at 34 years, was the longest-serving employee. Both have received numerous nominations for staff awards over the years. Each has been applauded by her colleagues for enthusiasm, dedication, willingness to help and a professional, friendly manner, as well as the high quality of her work and customer service.
Lidia said it was certain the library would never be the same. “In a few weeks, we will be moving everything out for the refurbishment work to take place during Semester 2,” Lidia said. “When the library opens as the Institute Learning Centre at the start of 2016, it will not only have a new look and feel, but it will also incorporate modern technology and resources. “I’d like to point out that it is because of the excellent work carried out by Barbara and Stephanie over so many years that we have a sound base to work from and the necessary systems in place to see us into the future with our new centre,” she said. Addressing the women, she said they had both been a real asset to the institute. “On behalf of your friends here, I wish you all the very best,” she said.
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Great Southern Gazette – May 2015
Visitors flock in for our Open Day
Emma Loew handles the carpet python under the watchful gaze of Reptile Haven owner Audra Pearson.
Above: Lecturer Paula Foenander talks about study options to Rowena Field. Left: Primrose Sharpe relaxes with a free facial treatment from beauty therapy student Jessie Stone.
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Right: Nursing student Brie McAuliffe tests Sarah Giles’s blood pressure.
Below: Lecturer Craig Bottomley takes time out for nursing student Jessica Davidson to test his blood sugar.
Managing Director Lidia Rozlapa tries out a HarleyDavidson with Mick Ball of Great Southern Motor Cycles.
Automotive Lecturer Geoff Bishop talks cars with Governing Council Chair Scott Leary.
Massage students Tamara Higgins and Tasha Heffernan work their magic.
Great Southern Gazette – May 2015
8 Subsidised training helped Dara Taripe to gain a qualification in aged care.
Program funds aged care training Australia’s ageing population brings an increasing demand for nurses and aged care workers. The specialised training of staff for these health industries is being addressed by Great Southern Institute of Technology’s Health Sciences and Community Services portfolio, which delivers nationally recognised qualifications in these vital areas. To facilitate training for people targeting work in the nursing and aged care industries, and existing aged care workers seeking a qualification, the institute submits annual tenders for funding through the Australian Government’s Aged Care Workforce Vocational Education and Training (ACWVET) program. The success of the institute’s delivery of the program, under which it consistently achieves all key performance indicators, is such that ACWVET approaches the institute annually to invite funding applications. Health Sciences and Community Services Portfolio Manager Donna Blight said the first funding through the tender was secured in 2011, since when dozens of nursing and
aged care students had taken advantage of the subsidised training. “They have either taken on study in a new area or increased their existing skills – and they are now working with community members in hospitals and aged care centres within the region and beyond,” Donna said. She explained the ACWVET funding was made available to support workers to build on their skills, enabling them to progress to more advanced care roles. Unqualified aged care workers start with a Certificate III qualification, and qualified carers may advance to the Certificate IV, or the Diploma of Nursing. “Our training programs are flexible,” Donna said, explaining the institute delivered full qualifications, single units of competency and workshops. “In addition to aged care qualifications, we are currently delivering courses in preparation for nursing with ACWVET funding,” Donna said. “These courses lead to further training and open doors to employment,” she said. Continued on page 9
Great Southern Gazette – May 2015
Aged care funding program From page 8 Aged Care Lecturer Bev Alexander said the institute worked closely with residential aged care facilities and community programs across the region, identifying training needs and delivering appropriate upskilling for workers. One who has taken advantage of the opportunity is Dara Taripe, who works at Baptistcare’s Annie Bryson
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McKeown Lodge in Albany. Dara said as she was already working in the industry when she started the Certificate III in Aged Care, she found the course interesting and beneficial. “The training was very useful,” Dara said. “You learn lots of additional things to do the job properly, and new techniques for caring for the residents,” she said.
You learn lots of additional things to do the job properly. Responding to the needs of industry and tailoring training
Safety First With Rick Muller
Have you ever thought of becoming a first aider at work ? At Great Southern Institute, first aiders are volunteers, rather than appointees, and anyone can become a first aider. If you asked to be trained in first aid and the institute paid for your training, you’ll have a first aid cross next to your name on the A-Z internal telephone list. As a first aider with basic training you’ll be expected to: • Use reasonable care in assessing the priorities of the situation in
to this high-demand area are recognised as important factors for the progress of the burgeoning aged care industry. “We talk to the agencies at the start of the year and they have input into which units we will offer,” Bev said. “They also nominate people to attend and extend their skills,” she said. Bev said workers were reaping the rewards not only of advanced training, but also from the opportunities the funding presented. “We are finding that some people who wouldn’t have done the training without the funding support are now benefiting from their new skills or qualifications,” Bev said.
First aid at work
accordance with your training and take steps to call for medical assistance • Keep the casualty stabilised until help is available • Follow recommended first aid guidelines • Not misrepresent yourself or take undue risks. First aiders do have a duty to provide first aid assistance if they have voluntarily taken on that role. If you are a staff member who would like to get involved in first aid please phone me on 8725.
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Reconciliation Action Plan 2014-2015 In launching its Reconciliation Action Plan last October, Great Southern Institute of Technology demonstrated its commitment to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people so that together, real benefits can be achieved for the wider community. To highlight Indigenous issues and track our progress as defined by the plan, The Gazette publishes an article every month. With the recent Anzac commemorations over the past few months fresh in our memories, we raise awareness of the part played by Aboriginal soldiers in World War I.
From the Great Southern to the Great War The recent centenary commemorations of the Anzac First Fleet leaving Albany for Europe and the Gallipoli landings highlighted the commitment and sacrifice of all those who served in World War I. Among them were numerous Aboriginal men from the Great Southern, many of whom were killed in action, their graves marked in military cemeteries in Europe. Some who survived the battlefields died of disease before they could return home, and of those who did make their way back to Australian shores, many were wounded. Their story is all the more poignant as in the second decade of last century, Aboriginal people were not afforded the same status as other Australians. They were not included in the census and could not vote, so although they fought for
their country, they could not join the RSL on their return, nor drink a beer in a pub with their soldier mates. In fact, when some had tried to enlist, they were arrested for leaving their prescribed areas, or sent back home. Those prejudices are unthinkable today, and Aboriginal diggers receive special recognition at Anzac commemorations. Leaving the Great Southern to fight in World War I were Aboriginal farm workers, mechanics, labourers, blacksmiths and tradesmen. Some families sent several brothers or cousins, compounding the effects of their absence. Named by war historian Jan James in her 2010 book Forever Warriors are 24 Aboriginal men who were born in the Great Southern region and served in World War I. They went from Albany,
Katanning, Esperance, Wagin and Tenterden, and fought in the Middle East, France, Belgium and Gallipoli. Of those who came home, some returned to fight in World War II. With the book’s acknowledgement of their forefathers’ wartime service, the families of the Aboriginal World War I diggers have welcomed the longoverdue recognition of their patriotism and sacrifice, and are taking pride in their vital contribution to Australian history.
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Seeds
OF SUSTAINABILITY
Recycling grants program opens Keep Australia Beautiful has now released its 2015-16 grants program, the Beverage Container Recycling Grants, to provide financial support for community groups and organisations to improve the awareness of recycling. The grant aims to resource practical steps to encourage and facilitate recycling programs at a community level. These programs can include the provision of education on the correct disposal of waste, provision of education
on the cause and effects of recycling and the enforcement of best-practice principles in local communities. Community groups may apply for funding up to a maximum of $5000 (including GST) for projects which address the specific issue of beverage container recycling and its by-products. Applications are submitted via an online application form. Examples of previous successful grant recipients and their projects are on the Keep Australia Beautiful website.
Lecturers...
Are the new TAC Standards for RTOs as clear as mud? Here’s all the information you need: See the TAC website for resources and fact sheets. The DTWD’s VETinfoNet page has all the latest news, and you can subscribe through the website to the newsletter vetinfonews
For specific help on any issue with the new standards, see Portfolio Manager Justine Bradney or Principal Lecturers Ruth McLean or Ray Tuckey.
Your regional TAFE
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Since the Standards for RTOs 2015 were first discussed in 2014, lecturers have raised a number of similar questions. These monthly articles from the Quality Implementation Group (QIG) are designed to answer some of these common questions. In this month’s article we talk TAS and clarify what it is, who is responsible for doing it and and how it’s done.
A taste of TAS as a useful resource
What is a TASO or TAS? A: The Training and Assessment Strategy is an overview of how you will run your course. Some people will call it a TASO. This institute is currently reviewing the form and the process we use, and in the future we will call it a TAS. Why do we need to create a TAS? A: The TAS is intended to provide sufficient, accurate and current information to guide trainers and assessors. It also helps ensure learners receive training and assessment that meets their needs and the requirements of employers. When does the TAS have to be created? A: The initial TAS is created when we apply to have a new training product added to our Scope of Registration so that we are allowed to deliver and assess that training product. It allows the Training and Accreditation Council (TAC) to monitor and quality assure who does what. This initial TAS has a lot of detail that TAC requires to assess our preparedness for delivery. Once we have the training product on our scope we are able to use a more streamlined version that still includes all the relevant details. Who is responsible for the creation of the TAS? A: The TAS is completed by the responsible lecturer and stored on the institute network (T: Drive) for trainers and assessors to
access. Trainers and assessors can then ensure their plans, strategies, activities and related tools are consistent with the approach set out in the TAS. How many TASes do I need to have? Do I need one for every client group? For every course I deliver? A: The standards say that RTOs must develop a strategy or strategies for each training product they are registered to deliver, in the format they choose. Different strategies may need to be developed for different delivery models or target groups. You may need to develop multiple strategies where the needs of different learner cohorts require different approaches to the delivery of training and/or assessment. The easiest way to explain this is to provide an example, using aged care – as follows: TAS: Certificate III in Aged Care – On Campus TAS: Certificate III in Aged Care – VETis TAS: Certificate III in Aged Care –Trainees TAS: Certificate III in Aged Care – Workplace-specific (if you are delivering to a group of existing workers who are not trainees). In summary, if aged care were delivering each of the above, a separate TAS would be required for each. This means that the strategy could consist of multiple documents, but there must be consistency between these documents so that the overall strategy is clearly described.
Your QIG members are Justine Bradney, Ray Tuckey, Ruth McLean, Kristine Deutschmann, Ann Molan and Caro Saunders.
Great Southern Gazette – May 2015
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HR News With Paula Pattinson
Positions Advertised • Lecturer Information Technology – successful applicant was Ramin Majidi • Campus Clerical Assistant Katanning – applications closed 22 April, recruitment process not finalised • Lecturer Allied Health – applications closed 13 April, recruitment process not finalised • Casual Counterhand – successful applicants were Ann Webb, Katherine Harris and Wendy Jackson • Internal EOI Portfolio Manager Trades – successful applicant was Michael Korn • Director Academic Leadership – applications closed 28 April, recruitment process not finalised • Internal EOI Portfolio Admin Officer Health Sciences and Community Services – successful applicant was Gina Mellon • Internal EOI Portfolio Manager Business and Creative Industries – successful applicant was Andrea Gallagher • Lecturer Metal Fabrication – applications closed 20 May • Customer Service Officer (job share) – applications close 21 May • Casual Lecturers Skills Development Centre – applications close 28 May New staff A warm welcome is extended to the following new or recommencing staff: • Ramin Majidi, Lecturer Information Technology, Albany • Ray Closel, Lecturer Automotive, Albany • MJ Gibbs, Casual Customer Service Officer, Albany • Ann Webb, Casual Counterhand, Albany • Katherine Harris, Casual Counterhand, Albany • Wendy Jackson, Casual Counterhand, Albany • Andy May, Casual Aboriginal Programs Mentor, Albany • Christopher Spurr, Casual Lecturer Conservation and Land Management, Albany Staff exiting • Barbara Watson, Librarian, ceased 30 April • Noelene Robinson, Café Counterhand, ceased 30 April • Shiekiel Ford, Aboriginal Programs Assistant/Campus Clerical Officer, Katanning, ceased 30 April • Barbara Hands, Customer Service Officer, ceased 7 May • Ken Clark, Portfolio Manager Trades, ceased 15 May We wish you all every success in your future endeavours and thank you for all your hard work at the institute.
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The influence of Great Southern Institute of Technology spreads much further than the region in which the main campuses are located. Lecturers providing training and assessment travel all over the region and as far as Christmas Island – nearly 3000km away. In addition to the excellent opportunities and facilities in the workplace, trainees on Christmas Island sometimes augment their studies with a visit to the institute, where they can broaden their experience and enjoy the challenges of a new environment. We shine the spotlight on two Christmas Island trainees who have excelled in their studies and brought accolades from their lecturers. Azura Abu Hassan has completed her dental assisting traineeship, and Adijah Bingham is continuing her conservation and land management traineeship with a visit to Albany.
Azura takes the study crown
Christmas Island resident and dental assistant Azura Abu Hassan excelled in her traineeship.
Great Southern Institute of Technology’s collaboration with Indian Ocean Group Training Association (IOGTA) recently paid dividends when the first trainee completed the Certificate III in Dental Assisting. With training and assessment carried out by IOGTA’s Bobbi Robertson and the institute’s Dental Assisting Lecturer Jenni Eatt, student and Christmas Island resident Azura Abu Hassan excelled in her traineeship and impressed her employers. Jenni said Azura had been an exceptional student who had applied consistent effort to achieve outstanding results. “The expert team of Dr Helen Vaughn and Senior Dental Clinic Assistant Michele McLean at IOGTA Oral Health Clinic have provided a superb supportive learning environment enabling Azura to apply her sound dental knowledge and skills to a very high level,” Jenni said. “Azura also recently attended several general and specialist dental practices in Perth as well as participating in an Infection Control seminar and a West Coast Dental ‘Maintenance Matters’ workshop to enhance her learning experience. Jenni said she was very impressed with Azura’s dedication to her studies. “She was one of the best students to have completed the course,” Jenni said. Azura can now look forward to a rewarding career as a dental assistant.
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Trainee blossoms with nurturing
Horticulture technician Des Sloman discusses the finer points of cultivation with Christmas Island trainee Adijah Bingham. The institute’s horticulture complex at the Albany campus recently hosted Christmas Island resident Adijah Bingham for 1½ weeks of training. Adijah, who is studying the Certificate IV in Conservation and Land Management, is one of 15 trainees on the island who receive training and assessment from lecturer Leah Goodrem. Working for Christmas Island National Parks gave her a wide range of skills, Adijah said, though she was relishing the Albany junket – not only for the cooler weather but also for the experience of working in the institute’s accredited nursery. The strict procedures for hygiene in the nursery had impressed Adijah, who also learnt to use equipment such as a steam
steriliser for treating potting mix and reusing pots, and new methods of propagation. Her lively and likeable personality endeared her to the Environment and Primary Industries portfolio staff and students, and she said training with them had been a valuable opportunity to broaden her skills. Leah said Adijah had been one of her best students from last year’s Certificate III group. “All her work is exemplary,” Leah said. “She is very keen, she enjoys her work and gets on well with everyone,” she said. Adijah will take her skills – and dozens of photographs – back to Christmas Island, where she plans to share her newly acquired knowledge with her colleagues.
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Kitchen creativity for catering group A Creative Catering program for people with disability was so well received when it was delivered for the first time last year that it is being repeated for two new groups in 2015. The cookery course, held in the training kitchen on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, introduces the students to the various aspects of cooking for commercial operations. Work health and safety, knife skills, safe food handling and operation of commercial cooking equipment have been high on the curriculum, though the students agreed the highlight had been the cooking sessions. Following a demonstration from Cookery Lecturer Mark Crabtree at the start of the lesson, they follow recipes and instructions to produce a variety of dishes. While their mulligatawny soup simmered, the students talked about their favourite aspects of the course. Sherree Kelly said she had enjoyed making battered fish, fruit salad, garlic bread, macaroni cheese, custard tarts and hot cross buns. Tasting and eating the dishes was the best part of the course for Sherree. “The macaroni cheese was my favourite,” she said. Continued on page 17
Tabetha Feltus.
Megan Cameron.
Nicola Steel and Doreen Bradley.
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Kitchen creativity for catering group From page 16 Agreeing with Sherree’s macaroni cheese recommendation was Megan Cameron, who said it was “really cheesy” and easy to make, and the spaghetti Bolognese was a close second for pasta lover Megan. The mulligatawny soup from today’s session and a vegan tomato bisque the group will also produce will be on sale to staff and students in the café foyer as a winter warmer in a few weeks.
Sherree Kelly stirs her soup.
Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2011-2016 Access All Areas
with Wendy Macliver
We are pleased to announce the institute’s revised Disability Action and Inclusion Plan 2011-2016 is now available on the institute website for all students, staff and the community to view. The DAIP will also be lodged with the Disability Services Commission by July 1. The revised plan includes an additional Outcome 7, demonstrating the institute’s
commitment to ensuring that ‘All people have the same opportunities to obtain and maintain employment at Great Southern Institute of Technology’. The institute has recently undertaken wide consultation with the community to seek feedback on how we can make our employment opportunities more accessible and how we can support people with disability to retain their employment. Public consultation strategies included advertising for comments and feedback in local newspapers, the West Australian, the institute’s website, Facebook and the institute’s online newsletter, The Gazette.
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Hatches, Matches
Great Southern Gazette – May 2015
Jonathan and Sheridan Hennig.
and Despatches
Friends’ big day May Day this year was a very special one for Environment and Primary Industries Portfolio Support Officer Sheridan Powell. Sheridan married Jonathan Hennig at Castelli’s in Denmark, where the couple also held the reception. The day was made even more special for Sheridan as she was attended by her two closest friends Michelle, who came from Perth, and Heather, who travelled from England. “It meant the world to have them alongside me – I treasured every moment,” Sheridan said. Sheridan and Jonathan met as children and grew up together as family friends. Their newly built home was ready just in time for the wedding, so their honeymoon was spent settling in. However, they plan to take another honeymoon in July, when they will travel to Falls Creek and Melbourne.
The bride was attended by her best friends Michelle from Perth and Heather from England.
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Move more, sit less During Heart week recently (May 3-9) the Heart Foundation shone the light on heart health issues and the importance of regular physical activity – specifically to move more and sit less. How much time do you spend on your bottom? Add up the hours you spend every day sitting in the car, at the table, at a desk, or on the couch. You might be surprised! The average Australian spends more than half their waking hours sitting down. New research shows that no matter how much time you spend on your bottom, regular interruptions from sitting down can decrease your risk factors for developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Get up and walk at work, rather than emailing a colleague.
Tips to sit less At work • Stand up for every phone call • Set a timer to go off every 30 minutes and have a quick stand and stretch if you’ve been sitting down • Walk to a colleague instead of emailing • Eat lunch away from your desk At home • Get up during TV commercial breaks and do some light stretching • Limit time spent on electronic devices • Stand to read the newspaper
Join a walking group An easy way to move more is to join a Heart Foundation walking group. you can socialise and enjoy the health benefits of regular physical activity at the same time! There are groups walking regularly in the Great Southern – to find the nearest to you visit walking.heartfoundation.org.au.
This column courtesy of Great Southern Population Health. For more information, phone 9842 7500 (Albany) or 9821 6287 (Katanning).