9/7/02
Mid-West residents will be encouraged to improve their health by participating in more physical activities through a new group called Move Motivate Midwest.
Officially launched today by Community Development Minister Sheila McHale, Move Motivate Midwest will promote 30 minutes a day of physical activity and develop different ways to enable people to achieve the goal.
Other projects in the planning stages include the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme, to encourage young people to get involved in physical activity challenges and the Walking School Bus project at Mt Tarcoola Primary School, which will provide a safe way for more children to walk to school.
Ms McHale said Move Motivate Midwest was a group of representatives from key agencies in the Mid-West that have a role in health, sport and recreation, transport, education, local government and road safety.
"They will work together to develop new inspirational projects," she said.
"The agencies will be able to achieve more working together than they will be able to in isolation.
"The goal is vitally important to each and every resident of the Mid-West.
"With four out of 10 Western Australians insufficiently active for good health, physical activity is a priority for the State Government.
"It should be a priority for each of us as individuals and as families."
Geraldton MLA Mr Shane Hill, chairman of the Move Motivate Midwest Committee, said the group used their united voice during the recent community consultation period to make suggestions for the new Foreshore Redevelopment Project.
"This could be an opportunity to create a unique area of public open space where the people of Geraldton and the Mid-West feel enticed to be active," Mr Hill said.
"The environment and climate enjoyed in the Mid-West year round makes our region the perfect place to enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle.
"We should all be able to find a way to add more activity into our daily routines."
Agencies represented on Move Motivate Midwest are:
- Midwest Public Health Unit;
- Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health;
- Midwest Division of General Practice;
- Department of Centre for Rural Health;
- Midwest Division of General Practice;
- Department of Sport and Recreation;
- Aquarena;
- City of Geraldton;
- Shire of Greenough;
- Department of Transport;
- Roadwise;
- Department of Education;
- Geraldton Community Health;
- Midwest Health Service; and
- Cancer Foundation of WA.
Ms McHale said hundreds of Mid-West residents from Morowa, Perenjori, Dongara, Kalbarri and many more in Geraldton have already joined in social community walks organised by local health services.
Minister's Office - 9213 6900
