Spotlight on the Mernda Walkers: Friendship, fun & a love of walking

What motivated you to create the groups and why do you believe your walking groups have continued on for this long? 

And with the walks, I try to do different walking tracks to keep the enthusiasm going.  We have shorter and longer tracks, and change tracks to cater for the weather (eg we think of shelter, how steep the hills are etc).

Once a month, we walk somewhere else – we have a plan for the year and the walkers contribute ideas for the various walks.  With all the suggested walks, I think we have walks planned for the next 20 years!

I always like to meet people and wanted to do something for the community – now we have a big group and we all have fun, we love walking.  If I don’t have my walk in the morning, I feel grumpy!

What strategies or approaches have you found most effective in creating a sense of camaraderie and unity among the members? 
Group sharing tasks – walkers help each other out eg suggest walk routes and getting people involved to plan future walks. 

It’s been good to see people share ideas among themselves, and when I hear less stories about people experiencing pain, that makes me happy.

I see people improve their fitness over time.  They may have walked at the back at slow pace when they started, and with time they are walking in the front!

In the context of long-term commitment, what advice would you give to new walking group organisers to ensure the groups sustainability?

When starting, you have to give it time, people have to get to know about the group being started. If it’s referred by the people – word of mouth - that works.  (Have a) don’t give up attitude – the group will grow!  Start walking even if a couple of walkers turn up to a new group.  Welcome new walkers, pair them up during walk, make the group inclusive.

What are some of the ways you found effective to promote the groups ? Do you have any tips for new Walk Organisers?
Promoting idea of ‘bring a friend’ with walkers, displaying flyers at coffee shop where we meet. Also promoting at community centre/retirement village/library. I carry flyers in my bag during walks to give to potential walkers, and I wear my Heart Foundation t-shirt/vest/cap; tyring to see opportunities for promotion everywhere I can!