Walking events are back!
Here at Heart Foundation Walking, we are thrilled that our walking events are back in full swing after a tricky couple of years of lockdowns and social distancing.
We are excited to share with you the two fantastic events that we had last week in Melbourne and Brisbane!
Brookside Walking Group 30-year Anniversary 25 May 2022
The Brookside Walking Group was started by Dr Andrew Semple over 30 years ago in 1991, who identified the need to prescribe physical activity to patients in his general practice.
Five years later the group became part of the Heart Foundation Queensland’s ‘Just Walk It’ program and helped to grow Dr Semple’s vision to get more people enjoying walking for better health.
It’s been 20 years since the group transitioned to the national Heart Foundation Walking model in 2001.
Brookside Walking Group is one of the longest lasting walking groups in Australia and is one of the top 10 largest groups across the country with over 180 current members. Incredibly, 20 of these members registered with the Brookside Walking Group over 20 years ago and are still active members of the group today!
Original member Marie Wessel joined the group way back when Dr Semple started the group in 1991 and is still walking today - she’s been walking with the group for 30 years!! What an achievement.
Primary Walk Organiser Grietje Ross has been the backbone of the group for over 25 years, taking on the leadership role when the Heart Foundation first came on board 25 years ago to support the group. She mentioned that she was keen to continue as the Walk Organiser for at least another 10 years, when she will be 90!
Through the Brookside Walking Group, wonderful friendships have been formed and cemented, members have come and gone…..and returned - all with varying pace and walking style embraced.
The Heart Foundation was excited to celebrate this huge milestone of 30 years walking at Brookside, and 25 years with the Heart Foundation and greatly value the incredible commitment from Brookside Shopping Centre and the volunteer Walk Organisers, without whom we wouldn’t have a group for participants to enjoy all the great benefits of group walking.
Anita
Woodlands Historic Park Walk 25 May 2022
Heart Foundation Walking and DPV Health teamed up to host a walk at Woodlands Historic Park, a stunning relic of native grasslands and woodlands amongst the outer northern suburbs of Melbourne.
The walk took us through grey box and river red gums, and we were able to spot some of the local wildlife including galahs, cockatoos and a mob of kangaroos!
The walk finished at a 150-year-old homestead, where walkers were able to mingle, and enjoy some tea, coffee and fruit.
It was a fantastic day enjoyed by all and it was fabulous to see some of our star walkers from The Merri Walkers, MWF Walkers and Hume ‘R’ Us Walkers attend.
We would like to extend a big thank you to the Walk Organisers and DPV health for their enthusiasm and effort in making this event happen.
Hosting a special walk is a great way to promote your group and attract new walkers. If you are a Local Coordinator or Walk Organiser and would like to host an event in your area, please contact walking@heartfoundation.org.au. We can provide you support and ideas and promote your walk on our events page.
Tara & Maddy