Health Focus, Port Augusta City Council

2019 Award Winner
Award Category: Local Government Award – Organisation

Health Focus, Port Augusta City Council won a Walking Award: Local Government Award – Organisation for supporting and facilitating the Bizzi Walkers Program. Greg Boundy, Walking SA (L) accepts the award on behalf of the Port Augusta City Council, with Matt Cowdrey MP, Member for Colton and Tuesday Udell, Walking SA Chair.

Health Focus, Port Augusta City Council won a Walking Award: Local Government Award – Organisation for supporting and facilitating the Bizzi Walkers Program. Greg Boundy, Walking SA (L) accepts the award on behalf of the Port Augusta City Council, with Matt Cowdrey MP, Member for Colton and Tuesday Udell, Walking SA Chair.

Bizzi Walkers Program

The Bizzi Walkers is a regular walking group, supported by Health Focus, an initiative of the Port Augusta City Council. Health Focus provides social support in a group setting for people over 65 years. Health Focus has been providing a Walking Group Leader for the Bizzi Walkers. The Leader helps to build confidence amongst participants – as we become older our confidence can decrease as our body slows down a little each year. Some people tend to trip more than others while there may be other people who are fearful of dogs or groups displaying anti social behaviour. Whatever the reason of a decline in confidence a walking group with a responsible leader can alleviate these fears and aid in helping those persons to regain their strength to once again enjoy being out-and-about. The Walking Group Leader also organises the logistics of the weekly walks, including meeting places and cafes, which helps to build the enjoyment and social aspects for participants. The participants of Bizzi Walkers look forward to their Wednesday walks, and their confidence and fitness levels has increased, some have began walking with their new friends a few times a week outside of the programmed walk, amd some have gone on to join the regular parkrun walks and runs.

About the Walking Awards

Walking SA has initiated annual awards to recognise sustained and outstanding contribution to walking at all levels throughout South Australia.

Many volunteers and others have contributed to South Australia’s great walking trails, waling clubs, and walking promotion and opportunities for health, wellbeing, recreation and tourism.

If you know of someone who should be considered for an award please do consider nominating them, nominations are taken throughout the year.