Pedestrian Council of Australia
Safety – Amenity – Access – Health
Tuesday 15 September 2009
National Walk to Work Day 2009 is Adelaide's chance to regain its top spot among Australian capital cities for awareness of the benefits of walking - taking back the lead from Hobart.
The big event, organised by the Pedestrian Council of Australia (PCA), saw Adelaide knocked off its 2007 top spot by the Tasmanian capital.
Adelaide scored 75% in an independent survey conducted for the PCA in 2007 against Hobart's 74% - only to have Hobart leap ahead to 91% in 2008 against our 82% in 2008.
"But 2009 is Adelaide's chance to take the lead again," PCA chairman Harold Scruby said.
"South Australia returned the second best result last year - so strong support across the metropolitan area especially will help to make a big difference this year," he said.
With the national event less than a month away, businesses and individuals are being encouraged to step up their support for regular walking to improve health.
Recent data from the Federal Health Department noted that 72% of Australians have low exercise levels and a shocking 61.3% of adults in Australia are overweight or obese.
Health Minister Nicola Roxon was quoted recently as saying: "This is a great opportunity for workplaces to be much more heavily involved in looking after the health of their employees." (News Ltd, 2 September 2009).
Organisations from government, business and industry are being called upon to join some of the biggest companies in Australia and register for National Walk to Work Day. Registering as a Corporate Ambassador is a simple and easy way for organisations to demonstrate their support for better health and cleaner air.
As well as organisations getting behind National Walk to Work Day, individuals are being invited to register as a Walking Class Hero to go in the draw to win a Walking Holiday for 2 in New Zealand.
The free event is organised by the Pedestrian Council of Australia, supported by the Department of Health and Ageing and backed by all State and territory governments.
For more info & to register visit www.walk.com.au- PR contact: Chris Chalke 0418 827 924 (chris_chalke@chalkepr.com.au)
The big event, organised by the Pedestrian Council of Australia (PCA), saw Adelaide knocked off its 2007 top spot by the Tasmanian capital.
Adelaide scored 75% in an independent survey conducted for the PCA in 2007 against Hobart's 74% - only to have Hobart leap ahead to 91% in 2008 against our 82% in 2008.
"But 2009 is Adelaide's chance to take the lead again," PCA chairman Harold Scruby said.
"South Australia returned the second best result last year - so strong support across the metropolitan area especially will help to make a big difference this year," he said.
With the national event less than a month away, businesses and individuals are being encouraged to step up their support for regular walking to improve health.
Recent data from the Federal Health Department noted that 72% of Australians have low exercise levels and a shocking 61.3% of adults in Australia are overweight or obese.
Health Minister Nicola Roxon was quoted recently as saying: "This is a great opportunity for workplaces to be much more heavily involved in looking after the health of their employees." (News Ltd, 2 September 2009).
Organisations from government, business and industry are being called upon to join some of the biggest companies in Australia and register for National Walk to Work Day. Registering as a Corporate Ambassador is a simple and easy way for organisations to demonstrate their support for better health and cleaner air.
As well as organisations getting behind National Walk to Work Day, individuals are being invited to register as a Walking Class Hero to go in the draw to win a Walking Holiday for 2 in New Zealand.
The free event is organised by the Pedestrian Council of Australia, supported by the Department of Health and Ageing and backed by all State and territory governments.
For more info & to register visit www.walk.com.au- PR contact: Chris Chalke 0418 827 924 (chris_chalke@chalkepr.com.au)
