Putting your best foot forward

Published on 04 April 2014

To help people get out and about during Premier’s Active April, Healthy Together Mildura and Victoria Walks have joined forces to map and publish a series of short walks around the region.

Over 26 local walks have been mapped using www.walkingmaps.com.au, with the top 7 featured in a printed brochure which was released this week.

Community Wellbeing and Services Portfolio Councillor, Sharyon Peart said April is a great time for families to get active and enjoy some of the beauty Mildura has to offer.

“One of the best things you can do as a parent is to walk regularly with your children, and encourage them to walk more. Our amazing weather gives people the perfect opportunity to get out, get fit and enjoy our local world on foot.”  Cr Peart said

“The project also ties in nicely with the Mildura Tracks and Trails Strategy, which aims to improve community health and wellbeing through greater opportunities to use active transport.”

Studies show that regular walking can help to prevent heart disease, obesity, cancer, Type 2 diabetes, dementia and Alzheimer’s. With 61% of adults and 25% of children in Australia overweight or obese, walking is now more than ever an essential ingredient in our long term health and happiness.

Active Communities Officer Louise Tarrant said walking as a family not only promotes good heath, it can foster life long healthy habits in children.

“As a community, we all need to be out and about more often if children are to be inspired to do the same. It's difficult for parents to convince children that walking is fun if nobody else is doing it.” Mrs Tarrant said.

“So we encourage everyone to get your walking shoes on, pick up a brochure and hit the Mildura Walking tracks. Why not make a day of it with a nice picnic and a group of friends?”

Walks are available online at www.walkingmaps.com.au. The printed brochure is available from the Mildura Visitor Information Centre, Mildura Rural City Council and various cafes. A digital version is available from www.healthytogethermildura.com.au

Healthy Together Mildura is a partnership between Mildura Rural City Council and Sunraysia Community Health Services and is a jointly funded initiative of the State Government of Victoria and the Australian Government.