Mary Smith (L) with Matt Cowdrey MP, Member for Colton and Tuesday Udell, Walking SA Chair. As a Walk Organiser for the Glandore Community Centre Walkers, with Heart Foundation Walking, Mary won a Special Recognition Award – Individual.
Leading with heart – Mary had always been a keen walker, but it wasn’t until she retired in 2015 that Mary joined a Heart Foundation Walking group, the Glandore Community Centre Walkers, in suburban Adelaide. They walk together every Tuesday morning. Since then, Mary has not only clocked up more than 500 walks, but also become the group’s volunteer Walk Organiser – a job she takes very seriously. Mary introduced coffee mornings for members on the first Tuesday of every month, as well as a mid-year lunch and an end-of-year Christmas morning tea. Mary said the additional activities are valuable, particularly for some walkers who really benefit from the social interaction and company of others. Every third Tuesday, Mary and other trained Walk Organisers in the group plan a walk with a difference, to explore new local landmarks and places of interest. Mary regularly emails the group to gain feedback and new ideas, and involve the walkers in the planning process, adding to the feeling of inclusion and connection. Her networking with other groups’ organisers leads to new ideas too.
