Safety – Amenity – Access – Health
Tuesday 15 September 2009
National Walk to Work Day 2009 is a chance for South Australia's Walking Class Heroes to go one step further than walking to work - winning a walking holiday for two people in New Zealand.
The prize, a guided walking holiday along NZ's famed Milford Track, is up for grabs to anyone who registers for the big national event - and it's free to register and free to enter for the chance to win.
Registering for Walk to Work Day simply means that you pledge to walk all or part of the way to work or go for a walk at lunchtime on 2 October.
By registering at www.walk.com.au, you can go into the draw to win a guided walking tour valued at more than $5,000.
The prize includes: 2 return airfares to Queenstown, a 5-day guided walk, transport to and from Queenstown, 4 nights' lodge accommodation, all meals from day 1 to day 5 and the services of expert guides.
The event is organised by the Pedestrian Council of Australia, supported by the Federal Department of Health and Ageing and backed by all State and territory governments.
PCA chairman Harold Scruby said: "You don't have to walk all the way to work to take part - if you drive, leave the car a kilometre away and walk the rest. Or use public transport and get off the bus, train or tram a few stops earlier," he said.
"Or if you can't do any of that, take a half-hour walk at lunchtime and, whenever possible, use the stairs not the lift."
Recent data from the 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).
National Walk to Work Day aims to promote regular walking as a healthy activity, reduce reliance on the private cars, promote the use of public transport, and improve air quality by reducing unnecessary vehicle emissions
For more info & to register visit www.walk.com.au- PR contact: Chris Chalke 0418 827 924 (chris_chalke@chalkepr.com.au)
