Noosa Shire residents get out, get active and get healthy

Noosa Shire residents have been walking, stretching, riding and laughing their way to a more physically active lifestyle by participating in a range of activities from Active Parents and Active Kids workshops, mountain bike riding and boot camps to more tranquil activities like archery, canoeing, laughter yoga and tai chi.

Noosa Shire Council's "Get Active Noosa" program is providing a range of low cost, accessible and informal physical activities that offer residents the opportunity to get out, get active and get healthy.

The program caters for the needs of all residents, by providing specifically tailored activities for seniors, pregnant mums, children and the general community.

Since it started in 2004, the "Get Active Noosa" initiative has helped nearly 800 residents develop a more active lifestyle.

Noosa Council received two Department of Communities grants of $7,500 each, under the Local Government Development Program 2004 and 2005 (now the Local Sport and Recreation Program), to establish the project.

Noosa Council's Recreation Development Officer, Alison Hamblin, said women, men and children, from 9 weeks to 90 years old, were learning new skills, improving their fitness, gaining confidence and making new friends by attending the various activities.

"The Council's vision was to develop an active and healthy community which has the opportunity to participate in sport and active recreation activities in quality parklands and facilities," she said.

"The 2001 Census showed Noosa Shire had an ageing population, with 39 percent of residents over 60 years old. We identified the need to not only cater for children and the general community, but also the senior population.

"Social isolation can be a real problem for older adults. These activities offer seniors, and in fact all participants, the opportunity to interact with other community members and meet new people.
 
"Because of the wide age-range of our participants, we needed to develop a program that would offer something for everyone and be delivered in a professional, cost-effective way," she said.

The "Get Active Noosa" activities are rotated every two months to keep them fresh and provide participants with greater choice.

They are held in a variety of central locations, including parks, Noosa Sound and the Noosa Aquatic and Leisure Centres.

"Not only does the variety of locations mean the activities are more accessible, it also allows them to be carried out in the beautiful natural surroundings Noosa is famous for," Alison said.

"The grants enabled us to provide the activities free of charge, which allowed people to take part in physical activity without having to pay high gym membership costs.

"As the activities grew in popularity, we introduced a gold coin donation to meet the increasing cost of the program. The donations certainly haven't reduced demand as we are now attracting even larger crowds. Some participants even donate notes rather than coins.

"We normally average around 15 people per activity, with some attracting up to 50."

Alison said numerous activities had been devised to cater for a variety of physical fitness levels, such as walking, pilates, strength building and laughter yoga. These activities allow people to not only exercise their bodies but their minds, at a pace they feel comfortable with.

"Physical inactivity can lead to decreased bone strength and density, muscle strength, heart and lung fitness and flexibility," she said.

"People with physical limitations and chronic health conditions can also benefit from becoming active." 

Alison said the program had been of great benefit to the Noosa community.

"These activities have not only got people moving but got them out socialising and enjoying themselves," she said.

"Physical activity helps to maintain physical and mental health and an overall quality of life that we value highly as a community.

"It has strengthened our community by bringing people together and making us fitter and healthier. 

"We are currently evaluating the success of the program, developing a Physical Activity Plan, and looking to gain sponsorship to ensure the Program's ongoing success," she said.

Read more about how Noosa Shire Council is getting the community out, active and healthy.