Liz Rankin and her daughters Sarah, 6, and Phoebe, 8, pictured running at Sumsion Gardens, Wodonga, are doing the Active Families Challenge next month. Picture: JOHN RUSSELL
WODONGA has been given a giant, metaphorical carrot to help keep its residents active.
The council secured $488,000 from the Victorian government, one of five local government areas to receive funding.
The money, will be spend over three years on children, families, the elderly and volunteers.
It is part of the $2.7 million Be Active program by VicHealth and Sport and Recreation Victoria.
Mayor Mark Byatt said the money would be used to consolidate physical activity programs and expand the council’s activities and services.
He said research showed one in four Wodonga adults did not do enough exercise – a common risk factor associated with heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
The funding announcement yesterday coincided with the launch of the council’s annual families challenge at Sumsion Gardens.
Healthy Together Wodonga team leader Claire Taylor said the challenge was for families to be active for 30 minutes a day more often.
“It’s not just about going to the gym or going for a run,” she said.
“It’s about building physical activity into our daily lives.
“That could be washing the car or cleaning the house as a family or riding to school and back.”
The six-week challenge doesn’t start until March 4 but families have already shown interest.
Liz Rankin and her daughters Sarah, 6, and Phoebe, 8, are already active but liked the idea of the challenge.
“I thought it would be fun more than anything,” Ms Rankin said.
Further information is available by contacting Healthy Together Wodonga’s Megan Freeman on (02) 6022 9343.