NORTHVIEW RESIDENTS STEP OUT AT MACKAY'S 10,000 STEPS LAUNCH
MEDIA RELEASE: 20 APRIL 2005
Mackay residents were encouraged to step into a healthier lifestyle at the launch of 10,000 Steps Mackay on Sunday 17 April at
Northview
Gardens
. The physical activity program was jointly launched by Mr Tim Mulherin, Member for Mackay, Mayor Julie Boyd, Mackay City Councillor Joan Williamson and Queensland Health representatives.
Councillor Joan Williamson said ‘there was a great turnout for the day with many families making the morning a family outing. We even had Canadian visitors attend the launch after seeing it in the news. Residents participated in a walk before taking part in a healthy charity breakfast in the park to raise money for Riding for the Disabled. Two lucky walkers won a pedometer each.’
Local sponsors of 10,000 Steps Mackay include Thiess and Vassallo Constructions who both had representatives at the launch. Each company has sponsored signage that shows the amounts of steps and metres around walking circuits in Mackay. These signed circuits are located at the Gooseponds and at Northview Gardens- beginning at
Royal Boulevard
.
10,000 Steps Mackay is a ‘whole of community’ program that aims to increase the physical activity levels of the Mackay population. The program aims to raise our awareness of how much physical activity we do each day to ensure we are doing enough to reap health benefits. Physical Activity Health Promotion Officer, Kathryn Short, said ‘just 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity on most days of the week is enough to help prevent heart disease, stroke, and some cancers, as well as decrease your risk of being overweight or obese.
Photograph above from left: Kathryn Short (Health Promotion Officer for Queensland Health), Councillor Joan Williamson and Mayor Julie Boyd at the launch of 10,000 Steps Mackay.
