Madeley Primary School Year 6 students Steph Lee, Nyle Weale, Lauren Cangemi and Blake Etheridge follow Your Move path labels in Wanneroo.
Camera IconMadeley Primary School Year 6 students Steph Lee, Nyle Weale, Lauren Cangemi and Blake Etheridge follow Your Move path labels in Wanneroo. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey d447573

Your Move proving the best move many have made in Wanneroo

Lucy JarvisWanneroo Times

Nearing the end of the six-month Your Move Wanneroo program, two-thirds of participants said they had either achieved or taken strides towards achieving goals to do more physical activity.

The joint initiative by the departments of Transport and Sport and Recreation, the City of Wanneroo and the RAC encouraged people to swap their car keys for a pair of shoes, a bike or a SmartRider. Participants reported benefits like weight loss, increased fitness, lower petrol bills, and having more time with their kids and partners.

“There are so many ways to get from A to B but for many people the car is the default option,” program leader Michelle Prior, from the Transport Department, said.

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“Your Move has encouraged people to stop and think before they jump in the car and they are telling us that they like the changes it has made to their routines.

“There have been some really inspirational stories coming back to us via the coaches – participants who have been encouraged to join the gym or fitness classes for the first time and are loving it.

“Mums whose children are now requesting to walk and cycle to school rather than complaining like they had previously done.

“We’ve now prepared almost 750 personalised journey plans to help people use public transport more effectively.

“We’ve also sent out around 1000 SmartRiders with $20 of value to people who don’t catch the bus or train but are willing to give it a go.”

A lot of participants also reported that they felt healthier, encouraged to find extra moments in the day to be active, including Landsdale mother-of-one and full-time office worker Sue Ra Da Costa.

“My Your Move coach suggested that I incorporate more movement into my work day – so now I try to walk around the office when I can or go for a brisk walk during my lunch break,” she said.

“I’m loving being more active – I’ve even managed to do a few mini workouts, with squats and crunches, before eating my lunch.

“I’ve also been doing the HBF fitness in the park sessions and I’m feeling healthier than I have in years.”

In addition to the 10,556 households subscribed to the program, 11 schools and two workplaces have been taking part.

More than 30 local businesses have donated about 4000 vouchers for a range of services, including free yoga classes, gym sessions and discounts on bicycles.

For more information, visit www.yourmove.org.au.

See also: Sign project for all walks of life.