Colac Otway Shire Council calls for local families to walk, ride and scoot to school
October 4, 2018
Colac Otway Shire Council will join VicHealth in its mission to get kids walking, riding and scooting to school as part of the health promotion foundation’s annual Walk to School program.
Every October, Walk to School month encourages kids and families to get active on the trip to and from school to help build healthy habits for life. This year’s Walk to School dates are Monday 8 October – Friday 2 November.
Mayor Joe McCracken said Council will work with local primary schools to deliver a range of activities encouraging more families to walk, ride or scoot to school this October thanks to funding of $10,000 from VicHealth.
“This year Council will install new bright pavement decals around school routes and intersections to improve walkability and deliver safety messages to young children. There’ll also be lucky dips at participating schools and a colouring competition with some great prizes through Colac Herald’s Kids Corner,” he said.
Cr McCracken said VicHealth’s Walk to School program is a free, easy and fun way for kids to get active and learn healthy habits for life.
“Colac Otway Shire Council is happy to support Walk to School in our local area to encourage more kids to be active on the way to and from school,” he said.
“Last year, 12 local schools participated in this VicHealth initiative, and we encourage more primary schools to get involved this year to make Walk to School bigger and better.
“VicHealth are encouraging kids to combine their creativity with physical activity by decorating their shoes, bike or scooters to parade on the way to school. The best designs will be in the running for some great prizes,” Cr McCracken said.
Visit www.walktoschoolvic.gov.au Facebook and Instagram pages to enter.
VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter said each year the Walk to School program continues to grow with more and more schools taking part with fantastic results.
“Walking, riding or scooting to and from school every day is an easy way to make physical activity part of kids’ daily life which is why our Walk to School program is so important,” Ms Rechter said.
“Last year more than 140,000 kids from over 750 schools across Victoria took part in Walk to School and walked the equivalent of two return trips to the moon. This year we hope to get even more schools involved in the program to improve the health of our kids.
“Helping our kids to get active is so important for their health and wellbeing – which is why it’s great to have the support of Colac Otway Shire Council to get more local kids walking, riding or scooting to school.”
As part of the Walk to School program, VicHealth are offering local schools who take part in Walk to School to be in the running to win specialised AFL Footy Clinics with an AFL or AFLW player.
It’s not too late for schools who want to be involved in this year’s program. Schools can register at the Walk to School website www.walktoschool.vic.gov.au
Enquiries
Rachel Murphy (03) 9667 1319
Council Enquiries
(03) 5232 9400