Many Australians are insuffi ciently active despite the fact that Benefi ts of Council physical inactivity is a major risk factor for many diseases and poor based walking programs health conditions. Increasing physical activity not only benefi ts the health and quality of life of individuals, but contributes to a healthy and vibrant community while reducing the cost burdens associated
activity with pet responsibility and community connectedness
with poor health.42 Walking groups are a simple and inexpensive way to foster community spirit and encourage local residents to exercise.
Prior to the “Follow my Lead” program launch in February 2006, the City of
Stirling identifi ed that seniors, women and young people were not being catered
to in community programs, leading to high levels of inactivity.
The Council designed “Follow my Lead” to encourage and promote physical
activity, general health and well being, establish sustainable walking groups,
promote the use of City of Stirling resources and endorse socially responsible
One of the signifi cant features of the program is that while dogs are welcome,
residents do not have to be a dog owner to get involved, they just need the drive
to get active by joining one of the many
The walking groups encourage new friendships and companionship along with giving dog owning residents the opportunity to exercise their dog at the same time.
“Follow my Lead” Project Coordinator Kelly Yates
of the City of Stirling reports that the project has
gone from strength to strength in its three years of
operation. There are currently 17 walking groups
which meet regularly, with two more in the process
of getting established. The groups differ in size but
on average have about eight people in each group.
The “Follow my Lead” program is overseen by one
coordinator and 11 volunteer group leaders who run
the groups. All volunteers are trained by the City
When refl ecting on the benefi ts of the program Kelly says, “The benefi ts
include creation of volunteer led self sustaining community walking groups
and an increase in the recreational use of public open spaces and parks.”
• Recruit and train walking group leaders and
Overall, the “Follow my Lead” program benefi ts not only participants,
but the community as a whole. “It has deterred graffi ti and antisocial
• Promote the program through the local paper,
behaviour while providing a safe and friendly environment for the
brochures, community exhibitions, local vets and pet
Participants also view the program positively.
• Provide maps for suggested walking routes
• Outline guidelines for appropriate exercising and
“The main benefits they perceived were an increase
“The main benefits they perceived were an increase
in motivation to exercise. . an increase in fitness levels, general
in motivation to exercise. an increase in fitness levels, generalwel being both mental and physical, increased feelings of community
well being both mental and physical, increased feelings of community
Web Links
and safety and an increase in social activities.”
and safety and an increase in social activities.”
“Follow my Lead” at Stirling Council - www.stirling.wa.gov.au
Department Chemical Technology Course Title Skills of Analytical Chemistry Prerequisite Spectrometric methods of analysis Semester Course Description: Credit Hours (hrs/week) • Statistical analysis of chemical results. (hour/week General Goal: The course aims at training the student in the fieldwork by taking samples then analyzing them in the lab using all
The ‘noisome comorbid spider bite’ integrating contemporary research *81 Scenic Drive, Beaconsfield, Victoria, 3807, Australia. e-mail: [email protected] Dunn, K.L. (2005). The ‘noisome comorbid spider bite’ integrating contemporary research. Calodema , 3: 28- Introduction and feedback The narrative reproduced in the previous paper (Dunn, 2005) aroused mixed reactions from re
Many Australians are insuffi ciently active despite the fact that