June 2004

Walking challenge a success by any measure

A Walking Challenge by staff of Stawell Regional Health to local business and community groups has been taken up with gusto.

More than 200 people—Stawell’s population is about 7,000—in teams of six, took part in the six-week Challenge.

Walking teams comprised Stawell and district residents from such diverse organisations as the local IGA supermarket, an accounting firm, the Commonwealth Bank, Shire Council, tourist information office, quilters club and the bushwalkers club.

During the six weeks, competitors walked for a total of 3,765 hours and six minutes.

And between them, they lost six metres around hips and waists.

Stawell Regional Health issued the Walking Challenge after completing an eight-week ‘get fit’ program of its own.

The program was part of the service’s Allied Health Division’s overall Health Promotion Strategy and inspired by Chief Physiotherapist Peter Steggall.

As part of the Walking Challenge, competitors received a before and after health assessment.

The Grampians Region, of which Stawell is part, has a high incidence of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks, strokes and diabetes.

The Walking Challenge spawned half a dozen stories and pictures in the Stawell Times-News.

The stories included risk factors for diabetes and heart diseases and Heart Foundation advice on spending at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as walking, on all or most days of the week.

Next year’s Stawell Regional Health Challenge will extend to communities surrounding Stawell, such as Landsborough, Marnoo, Callawadda, Halls Gap and Glenorchy.

The Stawell Bushwalking Club won the 2004 Challenge, walking an aggregate time of 300 hours and one minute.

Team members were Malcolm Hurst, Estelle Peterson, Helen Smith, Jenny Cray, Joy Harrington and Greg Dryburgh.

• For more information on the Health Promotion Strategy contact Stawell Regional Health on 5358 8531.