Walking Groups
Click on the relevant reports, resources and publications for more information.
| Program/Project | Walking Groups |
| Period/Length | 23 years in Tweed Shire-started out as Healthy Heart Walks , then Just walk It, then Heart Foundation Walking |
| Aim | To promote physical activity in the Tweed and Lower Gold Coast by introducing a historical orientation to a waning walking program |
| Year | 2008 |
| Target Group | Retired residents 60+, newly arrived, retirement villages, caravan parks, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Isolated rural, Migrants, Young mothers and pre-schoolers, unemployed, school children – parents and grandparents. |
| Reach | Generally 6-25 people walk in each group. Historical walking guides available on request |
| Locations | Tweed Shire and the Lower Gold Coast. Three main towns-Tweed Heads, Kingscliff and Murwillumbah plus small village walks e.g. Tumbulgum, Fingal (Aboriginal Walkers) |
| Partners | National Heart Foundation (NSW & QLD), four community health centres, Tweed historical society, Tweed Council, Tweed tourism, local libraries, Pottsville neighbourhood centre, U3A, Queensland Health, Veteran Affairs and Kingscliff TAFE. |
| Funding |
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| Contact | jillian.adams@health.nsw.gov.au |
| Full Report | |
| Resources | Link to website – National Heart Foundation |
| More Information | See below. |
| Publications |
What strategies were used?
Identify safe historical walking routes (3-5kms); Measure with pedometer wheel; Research history with local Historical Society, Council, History Department of High School; Produce, edit, print brochures with map and historical information; Recruit – train walking leaders on walking procedures and history; Promote historical walks and times through print and electronic media; and Launch historical walks.
What were the program outcomes?
Brochures developed, printed and promoted on 20 safe historical walks in six areas throughout Tweed and Southern Gold Coast (Tweed Heads, Banora Point, Kingscliff, Murwillumbah, Coolangatta and Pottsville).
Twenty five leaders recruited and trained. Increase in: walking groups (from 1 to 7); Community development, especially across borders; Social connection between walkers; Interest in local Indigenous and European history; and Media releases on physical activity.