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.
We’ve initiated annual awards to recognise sustained and outstanding contribution to walking at all levels throughout SA. This year’s winners were announced at our Walking Awards & Forum on Thursday 13th October 2016. If you know of someone who should be considered for 2017’s awards please do consider nominating them, we’re accepting nominations throughout the year.
2016 Inaugural Annual Walking Award Winners
Paul Di Iulio (CEO), Campbelltown City Council
2016 Local Government Individual
Walkability is embedded in Campbelltown City Council‘s Environmental Management Plan (2020), one of four strategic plans of Council, as part of sustainable management and enjoyment of Campbelltown’s natural environment. Council is committed to improving the connection of existing …
Jim Binder, City of Salisbury
2016 Local Government Award – Individual
The City of Salisbury were one of the first Local Government areas in SA to register with the Heart Foundation’s Just Walk It (now known as Heart Foundation Walking) program in 2005. Jim Binder was identified as the Local Coordinator and established numerous groups across the council …
Coorong District Council
2016 Local Government Award – Organisation
Development and construction of the Murray Coorong Trail is the largest of Coorong District Council‘s long term walking initiatives. Coorong District Council is one of three regional Councils involved in developing the 450km walking/cycling trail – and at the end of 2016-17 (when stage …
City of Mitcham
2016 Local Government Award – Organisation
The City of Mitcham is setting a South Australian benchmark for purpose built, sustainable trail development in local government reserves. Open Space within metropolitan areas is limited and reserves on the perimeter of urban areas are often used for informal sporting pursuits. The growing …
District Council of Barunga West
2016 Local Government Award – Organisation
The District Council of Barunga West is part of a region known for its high level of community connectedness. However, some of the challenges facing the region include older people living in smaller communities, who are at risk of isolation and with reduced access to infrastructure and …
City of Mount Gambier
2016 Local Government Award – Organisation
The City of Mount Gambier has recently completed a large scale walking project, developing the Mount Gambier Rail Trail. This has consisted of 3.1km of derelict rail corridor being transformed into a shared walking and cycling path from the west to east across Mount Gambier. The 3m wide asphalt …
Yorke Peninsula Council
2016 Local Government Award – Organisation
Walk the Yorke is a continuous shared walking and cycling trail taking in over 500km of Yorke Peninsula coastline. Walk the Yorke offers users the chance to experience spectacular rugged cliffs, amazing views, pristine beaches, secluded coves, rocky reefs and tidal pools, windswept sand dunes, …
Keith Herbig, Adelaide Happy Wanderers
2016 Special Recognition Award – Individual
Keith started the Adelaide Happy Wanderers together with Bart van der Wel in 1982. His introduction to bushwalking was originally at Mannum Area School in the early 1960s. Keith was in active service during the Vietnam War. This experience would have prepared him for the hardships associated …
Helen Tassell, Retired Teachers Association Walking Group / ARPA Bushwalkers
2016 Special Recognition Award – Individual
Helen joined the Retired Teachers Walking Group and ARPA Bushwalkers in 1994. She has been heavily involved in the planning and leading of many camps and walks for both groups over that time. She has been the Treasurer of Retired Teachers Walking Group for many years and supportive of others …
David Tassell, Retired Teachers Association Walking Group / ARPA Bushwalkers
2016 Special Recognition Award – Individual
David joined the Retired Teachers Association Walking Group in 1994 at a time when his eyesight was failing due to Macular Degeneration. He also became a member of ARPA Bushwalkers about the same time and despite his disability has contributed to both groups through the planning and leading of …
Michelle Wilson, Heart Foundation
2016 Special Recognition Award – Individual
Michelle joined the Heart Foundation in 2004 as the manager of “Just Walk It” a South Australian community walking program that assisted councils, health services and community organisations to establish free walking programs in their community. Due to Michelle’s foresight and the leadership of …
Friends of the Heysen Trail
2016 Special Recognition Award – Group/Organisation
The Friends of the Heysen Trail were formed in 1986 to undertake the development and maintenance of the Heysen Trail and other walking trails which they have steadfastly done for over 25 years. Current membership is approximately 1,000. The Friends of the Heysen Trail coordinate many groups and …
Heart Foundation – South Australian Division
2016 Special Recognition Award – Group / Organisation
The Heart Foundation is a charity dedicated to fighting the single biggest killer of Australians – heart disease. For over 50 years we have worked to save lives and improve the heart health of all Australians. The Heart Foundation is committed to actively promoting walking to the general public …
Julian Monfries, Friends of the Heysen Trail
2016 Longstanding Contribution/Distinguished Service Award – Individual
Julian has a long history of advocating walking as a beneficial healthy activity. He has always walked the talk. Julian walked with Keep Fit SA walking group prior to doing first Heysen Trail traverse in the early 90s. He joined the Friends of the Heysen Trail (the Friends) in 1991 and …
Colin Edwards, Friends of the Heysen Trail
2016 Longstanding Contribution / Distinguished Service Award – Individual
Colin joined the Friends of the Heysen Trail (the Friends) in 1989. Colin has given many years to assisting the management of the Friends, both with leading walks and trail development and maintenance. Not only management, Colin is very hands on, being one to lead the way. The Friends are very …
Bill Gehling, Walking SA
2016 Longstanding Contribution / Distinguished Service Award – Individual
In 1991 Bill became involved in the establishment of an organisation of bushwalking clubs as the representative of Adelaide Bushwalkers, of which he had been a member since 1975. He became the foundation president of the new bushwalking federation (now Walking SA), and served two full terms of …