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2007 winners 2007 Medibank Private Active Towns Awards Overall Winner
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. 
Michelle O'Byrne MHA, Minister for Community Development and Liz Makin, Regional Manager Tasmania, Medibank Private with members of the Brighton Alive winning team.
2007 Medibank Private Active Schools Winner  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.
2007 Population Category Winners
Population Category 300 or Less Award Winner
 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 50’s 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 Winner
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.
Population Category 2001- 4000 Winner  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.
Population Category 4000 And Over Winner  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-confi dence 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.
Population Category City Award Joint Winner
 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.
Population Category City Award Joint Winner
 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.
Most Innovative Town Award Winner
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.
Most Innovative School Award Winner
 Elizabeth College • Volleyball Program Participation Model
The Athlete Development Volleyball Program was initiated seven years ago and is now nationally recognised as one of the top three 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.
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