Walk to School Day

The 13th Annual National Walk Safely to School Day on Friday 18 May 2012 is a great opportunity for parents, carers and children to build regular exercise into their daily routines.

The day is about encouraging active and healthy children and supporting healthy lifestyle choices at all ages and stages.

“Gannawarra Shire Council is actively involved in a range of initiatives to support healthy lifestyles, and in promoting and enhancing positive community health and wellbeing outcomes,” Director Community Services Jason Russell said.

“While we know that not all local families have the choice to leave their cars at home and walk, ride, skate or even scoot to school, it would be fantastic if local schools could get involved in any way possible.”

Options include:

• Assisting children to travel either all or part way to school other than by motor vehicle
• Organising a healthy activity to coincide with the day
• Promoting the benefits of incorporating additional physical activity into daily routines.

“Facilitating access to ‘active transport’ is a key priority for Council by promoting road safety, community health and wellbeing, public transport and the environment,” Mr Russell said.

"Surveys show that over 60 percent of primary school children are being driven to school so Council is keen to work in partnership with local schools to further develop National Walk Safely to School Day across the Gannawarra Shire in future years.”

Further information on the 2012 event, including suggested newsletter articles, teaching toolkits and suggested walking routes for school children, is available on the Pedestrian Council of Australian Limited website www.walk.com.au.

Date: 9 May 2012

Media contact: Jason Russell T. 03 5450 9333

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