I love seeing the beautiful countryside, the industry, the farms, the families and communities across this great state.

We all draw inspiration from the amazing resilience of country Victorians, through drought, fire and economic challenges, and great joy to see the growth of industry, business and community bonds.

However, there’s one key aspect of country Victoria which disappoints – our health.

Living in country Victoria is very rewarding but it can come at a high cost to our health, particularly since many rural occupations such as farming are based on the capacity for hard physical work, often to an advanced stage in life. We must do better.

Not just in terms of demanding more and better services, but taking our destiny into our own hands.

It’s time for country Victoria to “start moving” – literally as well as figuratively.

I have recently begun an association with Arthritis and Osteoporosis Victoria.

They help people with muscle, bone and joint conditions, and those at risk.

Almost one in three country Victorians experience the challenges of living with a muscle, bone and joint condition such as back pain, arthritis or tendonitis.

These common conditions are often overlooked as just a minor discomfort, but left alone they can create serious problems down the line.

These conditions not only cause pain and discomfort, but have a significant effect on our economy.

In Victoria, muscle, bone and joint conditions are responsible for one in three days off work, and one in four people on the disability support pension cannot work at all because of their condition.

While there is no cure for most muscle, bone and joint conditions, there are actions we can take to prevent harm and if we already have a problem, we can manage ourselves to reduce the pain.

The key message for people with or at risk of muscle, bone and joint conditions is elegant in its simplicity – move.

Moving promotes good health.

Strengthening, stretching and supporting muscles will also protect the bones and joints from harm.

Our bones and muscles provide the foundations upon which the rest of our health is built. If we can’t move due to knee pain other health issues may arise.

There are many ways to move, some of which will be suitable no matter what your situation.

Not everyone should start exercising by running a marathon – sometimes a walk, or just a stretch, will be the best way to start.

If we can all get moving, even a little bit, then we can reduce our chances of getting arthritis, back pain or another problem.

Moving is also good for our hearts, lungs and mind – good exercise habits can also reduce the chances of suffering stroke, heart attack, many cancers or depression.

Getting started can be a challenge, but the rewards for personal health are potentially enormous.

I urge all country Victorians to move a bit more during the day.

Moving our bodies will help move our families, our community and our economy forward.

For further information, ring the

musculoskeletal helpline (free call) on 1800 263 265 or look up the website, arthritisvic.org.au.