Walking off with honour
A TOWNSVILLE woman has taken out a national gong for her work creating and maintaining walking groups across town.
Andrea White, who works in Townsville City Council’s sport and recreation unit, has won the National Heart Foundation of Australia’s 2017 Golden Shoe Award.
Since taking on the role as Heart Foundation walking local area co- ordinator a year ago, Ms White has created new groups at Riverway, Northtown, Townsville PCYC and the Carlyle Gardens Retirement Village.
She has also worked to maintain the existing groups at Annandale and Stockland Shopping Centre.
Ms White was thrilled to be recognised for her achievements.
“I was honoured, it felt surreal. I was not expecting it. I thought ‘ Oh gosh, have I done enough to be worthy of such an award?’” she said.
“I’m honoured that I was able to touch people enough that they nominated me.”
Ms White is driven by a desire to see Townsville residents improve their health and wellbeing.
“If I can just help one person a day to be more active and feel healthier, feel better about themselves, I feel better. I just want to help people to feel good,” she said.
Some of the groups attract 50 to 60 walkers in a day, but on average about 40 attend.
“We have a few of the groups set up for retirees and they seem to be the people who have the time and commitment to commit to attending regularly,” Ms White said.
She said the groups were ideal for those looking for a safe and social way to exercise.
“I think there’s a huge social factor. They walk in a group and they enjoy the company,” she said. “A lot of the groups meet for a coffee or have some kind of social attachment afterwards. Some of them even meet for a Christmas function, mid- year function.”
Heart Foundation walking national manager Michelle Wilson said Andrea was a deserved winner of the national Golden Shoe award as she was truly passionate about increasing physical activity in the Townsville region.
“Joining a Heart Foundation walking group is a great way to commit to regular physical activity each week,” Ms Wilson said.
“Andrea has created great new opportunities for residents to get active and have fun with the social support of their fellow walkers.”
Community and cultural development committee chair Colleen Doyle said council was committed to providing residents with free and easily accessible opportunities to be physically activity in the community.
“We offer a great range of programs and events under our Get Active & Healthy Townsville, which includes our support for the Heart Foundation walking groups,” Cr Doyle said.
“I congratulate Andrea on this award, which is a great recognition of her hard work and commitment to making residents healthier and happier.”