Sponsored by Preventive Health SA
We presented the awards for the annual Walking SA Walking Awards. The awards recognise and promote the achievements and work of groups, organisations, local and state government, and volunteers in South Australia. The Awards process is an opportunity for public and peer recognition of achievements in walking, and demonstrates to volunteers, community groups, the recreation industry, business, government, and the wider community the significant and positive impact that can be achieved through improvements to walkability. This year the awards were expanded to include a new category, to an organisation or individual that makes walking more inclusive and an adjustment to an existing one, to value the commitment to walking of a volunteer.
Awards were presented to three organisations, a community group and one individual, celebrating their contribution to walking in South Australia. Awards were presented by:
- Gabrielle (Gabby) Fisher, Preventive Health SA presented the Walking for Health Award
- Rebecca Tooher and Meredith Lawson, Co-Chairs Walking for Engagement and Inclusion Committee, presented the Outstanding Group or Individual Contribution to advance walking inclusivity Award
- Tanya Bacic, Chair Walking for Transport Committee, presented the Walking for Transport Award
- Jim McLean, member of the Walking for Recreation Committee, presented the Walking for Recreation Award
- Rod Quintrell, Chair Walking SA, presented the Outstanding Individual Contribution of volunteer to walking Award
2024 Annual Walking Award Winners
Murray Bridge Community Centre/ The Haven and The Murray Bridge Wellbeing Hub
2024 Walking for Health: Supporting South Australians’ health and wellbeing through walking
Awarded for the Walking Netball initiative connecting the general population and older people with the ability to play and participate in a modified walking version of sport, irrespective of capacity, ability or age.
The Adelaide Park Lands Association
2024 Walking for Recreation: Supporting South Australians accessing green open space for walking
Awarded for the completion of the full set of Trail Guides to the Adelaide Park Lands through an eight-year labour of love. People can choose from the 29 Trail Guides and undertake a self-guided walk in one of the City of Adelaide’s 29 parks that form the city’s green parkland belt.
The City of Adelaide
2024 Walking for Transport: Supporting South Australians making short trips by walking
Awarded for the Hutt Street Entry Statement, a City of Adelaide project with support from the South Australian Government. The Hutt Street Entry Statement supports more people to walk/wheel along Hutt Road to access the Hutt Street Main Street precinct, with new paths and significantly safer and more comfortable crossings.
Bhutanese Healthy Walking group
2024 Outstanding Group or Individual Contribution to advance walking inclusivity: Outstanding group or individual contribution to make walking an all-inclusive activity
The Bhutanese Healthy Walking group (walk organisers Ambika & Indira Dulal) awarded for promoting and encouraging cultural diversity and participation. With 9,910 registered walks with the Heart Foundation, they are the ‘go to’ CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) community group (nationally).
Albert Kuster
2024 Outstanding Individual Contribution of volunteer to walking: Outstanding individual contribution to walking in South Australia
Awarded for his advocacy campaign for making the Belair National Park rail crossing safe. Albert organised a protest at the National Park entrance, engaged with the local State MP and locals. With the help of Walking SA and State Government support, he hopes that this crossing can be made safe for everybody, including train drivers, and that walking groups will always be able to use crossing.