Active Schools

Deloraine High School • Meander Valley School
Sport Cluster Community Golf Project

To address low physical activity levels and lack of involvement in community sports for local youth, the Meander Valley teachers saw the Community Golf Project as an opportunity to provide an emphasis on participation and enjoyment, while increasing membership numbers of the local golf club. Schools in the Meander Valley worked with the Deloraine Golf club to promote golf to their students and improve links to the community. Five primary schools in the area that feed into Deloraine High School are being provided with Go-Go Golf sessions to give students a basic skill level. School holiday programs are also available. On entering high school, students will be given the opportunity to participate in golf during years 7 – 10. Those students wishing to progress beyond this level, will be given the opportunity to participate in an academy to further develop their skills as an elective subject.

Devonport Primary School • Up and Moving for Fun and Fitness

Following some poor fitness results in term 1, students from Grades 3 to 6 identified future fitness goals and are developing activities to achieve those goals. The three areas to increase activity levels within the school day were: the daily physical education program, better use of available equipment and organised lunch time physical activities. A responsive daily physical education program has been developed including a lunchtime activity program involving recreation, dance activities and house sporting competitions. Classes have been allocated new coloured sporting equipment to use at break time and for whole class activities. Also on offer this term is the active after school program three days a week. The main benefits the school has seen are greatly increased activity levels, increased opportunities for students to be involved in active pursuits, increased activity leadership for sports leaders and commitment by the whole school community to health and wellbeing.  

Elizabeth College • Volleyball Program Participation Model

The Athlete Development Volleyball Program was initiated 7 years ago and is now nationally recognised as one of the top 3 in the country. It has 150 athletes from 26 state and private schools, with 18 voluntary coaching staff. In 2007, coaching staff within the program saw a need to improve avenues for accessibility.
A sustainable model was developed to increase ‘across the board’ participation and sustain membership into more defined pathways, such as primary and high school rosters, Volleyball Tasmania rosters, Tasmanian and Australian Institutes of Sport programs. The Participation Model implemented by coaches, teachers and students at Elizabeth College centred on nurturing fundamental motor skills which could be applied in a range of environments. The basic premise was to ‘get kids active’. Ten schools - public and private, primary and secondary - were involved in the implementation of the 2007 ‘Participation Model’. All these schools have expressed a commitment to the program in 2008.

Lindisfarne North Primary School
• Active School Project

Lindisfarne North Primary School is actively involved in a range of physical activity programs that involve all students and encourage an active and healthy lifestyle. The programs include daily physical education programs that work on gross motor skills: the Kelly Sports Program for after school activities for K-Y4, fortnightly physical education programs for all students prep to Y6 and a weekly inter-schools sports program with other neighbourhood schools including football, netball and table tennis. The School has strong links with the local junior soccer and junior football associations. A Jazzercise Program is planned for next term supported by a trained instructor.

Rosny College • Salamanca Six Hour Human Powered Vehicle Time Trial

This event is an all-weather race held at Salamanca Place for recumbent, pedal-powered vehicles. It is open to all members of the community with the initial focus being for schools and colleges. The event has expanded to involve local, community-based teams as well as teams from interstate. The planning and management of the event comes from Rosny College where a team of teachers across the curriculum are involved. The event this year involved 20 vehicles and drew 149 visitors from interstate. The event involves teams demonstrating physical fitness and endurance over a six hour period. It promotes cycling and creates an opportunity for sports science students to do fitness monitoring and expand their own knowledge.
Through pre-event training, team members enhance their own fitness and the event develops the general principle of fitness as fun and entertainment.

Sacred Heart School Geeveston • Huon Schools Mountain Biking Program

A teacher from Sacred Heart leads this program which aims to develop a self-sustaining mountain biking resource. It includes 30 mountain bikes with safety gear, trailer, curriculum and teacher training for the teachers in the seven schools within the region. The project aims to increase levels of physical activity in 350 grade 5/6 students in the Huon. Whilst recognising that most students had a bike, teachers were concerned about the level of knowledge that children had when riding in their communities, for example road safety and riding on gravel or bush tracks. The idea of creating a mountain biking resource would give them the skills to enjoy their rural environment whilst riding safely. The project’s aim is to increase the desire of students to become involved in cycling, specifi cally mountain biking, as a life-long healthy means of exercise. A further 350 grade 3 and 4 students will be involved through Bike Safety Education programs that are a prerequisite to the Mountain Biking course.

Healthy Active Youngtown (HAY) is designed to increase physical activity levels and accessibility in the school community from K-6. HAY activities include a structured daily physical education program; stimulating and motivating ‘dance fit’ and ‘fitball’
classes; sport equipment and resources for each class group and playground equipment designed and purchased to suit developmental levels. These activities are complimented by well designed and maintained play spaces. The program includes a rigorous curriculum that promotes health and wellbeing in the
classroom and access to a canteen menu that provides healthy eating options. The program provides the springboard for children and their families to be healthy and active. Three hundred and eighty students and their families have been
involved to date.

Active Towns and Cities

Population Category 300 or less

Port Huon • Aqua Ducks
Nominated by Huon Valley Council

Aqua Ducks is a gentle water based exercise class held at the Port Huon Sports Centre twice a week aimed at the over 50s age group. The original project began in 2000 and combined land aerobics with weight resistance sessions. However, the impact of land based exercise became a bit much for some of the patrons so the class was changed into a water based program. Participation increased through word of mouth and social connections were quickly formed within the group. Seven years on and the program is still going strongly with the group demonstrating a long-term commitment and a high degree of enthusiasm towards the program. Thirty five people regularly attend the program which has created long-term exercise habits for the participants, which in turn has resulted in improved health and quality of life.

Population Category 1001 - 2000

King Island • King Island Imperial 20
Nominated by King Island Imperial 20 Inc.

King Island, situated in Western Bass Strait, is one of Tasmania’s most isolated communities. In 1994 a small group of volunteers created a 32km running event, the King Island Imperial 20.
The event has grown in size and stature to become the most prominent annual event on the Island. The Imperial 20 now includes numerous races ranging from a 1km walk to a 32km run from the East to the West Coast of King Island. Over the last few years, the organising committee has been keen to focus on the promotion of physical activity on the Island. The event is universally known within the community and has been given as the reason many Islanders take up the exercise habit. Over 300 people are involved directly as either volunteers or participants.

Sheffield • Healthy Lifestyle
Nominated by Tandara Lodge - Kentish Health Services

In 2006 Kentish Health Services set up a chronic disease selfmanagement program designed to promote awareness of health issues in the community. The program ran once a week with approximately 36 clients involved per month. The activities have been expanded to include the nearby towns of Wilmot and Railton. Exercises were developed based on fl exibility and balance aimed at falls prevention and followed up by a strength program. Tai chi has been incorporated to further develop flexibility and control of movement. Yoga has also been added to
promote relaxation and concentration. In 2007, approximately 150 clients per month, from young children to elderly citizens, are participating in some way in the Healthy Lifestyle programs. 

Population Category City

Clarence • Outdoor Gym Equipment in the Bellerive Beach Park
Nominated by Rotary Club of Bellerive Inc.

Outdoor gym exercise equipment and seating has been placed in a landscaped area in a public place at the Bellerive Beach Park. The objective of the project was to provide free access to a first class facility designed to exercise major muscle groups and will give new wellbeing and exercise opportunities for a broad cross
section of the community. The project was delivered through a partnership of the Rotary Club of Bellerive, the Clarence City Council, the State Government and Island Recreation Pty Ltd. It is hoped that, by providing opportunities for exercise, the project will build a healthier eastern shore community.
Members of the community use the area and the beach regularly for exercise. The gym equipment will add to the other options for exercise already available.

Hobart • Hobart’s Bushland Trails –
Promoting Physical Activity from the Summit to the Sea
Nominated by Hobart City Council

The Hobart City Council’s (HCC) bushland track network provides many opportunities for locals and visitors to experience Hobart’s landscape. The tracks are designed to encourage physical activity by people of all ages and a range of abilities.
The HCC set out to provide a track network that is consistent in terms of its construction quality, provides easy access to the majority of people, offers a range of recreational experiences, encourages greater use of Hobart’s bushland reserves and is sustainable as a community asset. The Council has sought to improve its trackways through better construction and maintenance, and improved interpretation signage. Major upgrading and construction has been provided to this initiative over the last 5 years. The Council actively markets the tracks through brochures and tourism outlets. The Council has seen a large increase in the number of people using the track network.

Launceston • Active City Park
Nominated by Launceston City Council

Active City Park is an initiative offering free physical activities led by qualified instructors in Launceston’s City Park. It is funded by Launceston City Council and coordinated through a partnership with Women’s Health North and the National Council for Women. Support is provided by local fitness providers. The program is designed to provide an opportunity for community members to try a range of physical activities outdoors. Sessions include yoga, tai chi and fitness and fun (cross training). The program aims to increase participation in physical activity by encouraging people to try new activities and to bring the community together in the outdoors. The program provides a resource folder for participants with information on other opportunities in Launceston to participate in physical activity.

In 2006–07 449 people participated in 1190 hours of activity across the three different activities.

Population Category 2001 – 4000

Austins Ferry • Kite Carnival
Nominated by Glenorchy City Council

The Kite Carnival was initiated by the Austins Ferry-Granton Community Precinct Committee and held in March 2007. The aim of the project was to provide a low-cost day of fun and entertainment for families in a safe environment. Approximately 1500 people of all ages participated in activities designed to develop kite making and kite flying skills. Since the event, an increased number of families have been observed in the local park flying their kites.

Austins Ferry • Poimena Reserve Walk
Nominated by Glenorchy City Council

For several years, a walking track has existed from Roseneath Park on Main Road Austins Ferry, alongside Roseneath Creek and up through remnant bush to the car park/BBQ area to the top of Poimena Reserve. The track was relatively unknown and there were no signs or interpretive panels. This program has surveyed the walk for risks and conducted a guided walk as part of Get Walking Tasmania week in 2006. Further walks have been scheduled as part of the forthcoming Seniors Week.

The program set out to promote awareness of the track and risks associated with the walk to local residents. Eight people participated in the inaugural walk.

Austins Ferry • Redevelopment of Disc Golf Course in Poimena Reserve
Nominated by Glenorchy City Council

Glenorchy City Council established a disc (frisbee) golf course in Poimena Reserve in 1986. This is recognised as being Australia’s top Frisbee golf course. In 2006 the Glenorchy City Council provided $10,000 to the Austins Ferry – Granton Community Precinct to part-fund work to upgrade the course to 18 holes.
This work also included the provision of detailed, on-site instructions for playing the sport. The project has aimed to increase the number of people visiting Poimena Reserve in order to play disc golf and increase the fitness levels of those choosing to play disc golf regularly. The nature of disc golf is that it can be an energetic or as relaxed as individual participants wish.
There is now an adult education courses explaining the rules and allowing participants to practice and the opportunity for local residents to engage in a regular activity.

Population Category 4000 and over

Brighton • Brighton Alive
Nominated by Brighton Alive Inc.

In 2006 local residents and community groups identified the need to increase communication between local groups and service providers and reduce duplication of events. Brighton Alive is the result – and has facilitated Health and Wellbeing expos, sports and physical activity events and educational experiences. The group aims to increase participation in sport to promote physical well-being whilst providing a social stimulus and a sense of self-confidence within the community. Brighton Alive is providing community events and activities for the whole municipality with an emphasis on active involvement and participation. Activities have included Dash for Cash Race, athletics for primary schools, 20/20 community cricket, surf school, lawn bowls and disc golf. Over 800 people, aged from 5 to 50 have participated in the program since its introduction.

George Town & Beaconsfield • Funky Feet
Nominated by George Town Council

Funky Feet is a joint initiative between George Town andWest Tamar Youth Committees. The project aims to increase participation levels of young people, their families and community members in regular exercise; to provide a fun social activity that people of any fi tness level can enjoy; to provide long term, regular exercise opportunities; and to provide alternative activities during school holiday programs that encourage exercise. The project has led to an added benefi t of improved health and fi tness in the overall community. The initial project established a weekly walking group around the communities. Approximately 60 people have participated in the
activities in the two municipalities. The project will be delivered in Term 2 as part of the Active After School Communities Program.

Smithton • Youth in the Park Wedge Street
Development

Nominated by Circular Head Rural Health Services From a community consultation of the housing area of Circular
Head, a multipurpose physical activity area was built at Wedge Street, Smithton and the successful Youth in the Park program evolved. Wedge Street Park was redeveloped into a multipurpose physical activity area in April 2007. This development provided court playing area appropriate for basketball, netball, tennis, volleyball and hopscotch. In addition, secure space was provided for all types of physical activity. The Youth in the Park program
ran successfully in May and June 2007 providing after school and holiday activities for young people using the new facilities.
The program engaged young people from the area in noncompetitive sports, team games, and creative arts. It is estimated over 60 young people have participated in the program to date.

Wynyard • Wynyard Funball Program
Nominated by Waratah-Wynyard Council

Funball, more commonly known as housewives basketball, was introduced a number of years ago. It provides an opportunity for women to get together, meet new friends and enjoy some physical activity. For the last few years it has been held on a Tuesday morning at the Wynyard Sports Stadium. Playing Funball and socializing gives the participants a chance to escape from a fairly repetitive daily routine. It increases physical activity and encourages further fitness in other avenues, for example, walking prior to the games. Funball also provides an opportunity to talk about developing healthy eating habits. No experience is needed to participate in Funball. Participation is promoted through word of mouth and local networks. Each week there are usually between 12 and 15 participants.