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Transforming physical activity and heart health in communities

Media releases

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Transforming physical activity and heart health in communities

Media release: 10 July, 2024

Winners announced for Active Australia Innovation Challenge

Ten local organisations from across Australia have been selected to pioneer innovative physical activity projects that support communities. These initiatives aim to encourage active lifestyles and improve heart health nationwide.

From the tropical Torres Strait to the heart of Mossman Gorge, and spanning bustling urban centres to remote Indigenous communities, these initiatives showcase creativity and community spirit in promoting physical activity and well-being.

In an effort to promote greater physical activity and enhance the cardiovascular health of Australians, the Heart Foundation, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Aged Care, organises the annual Active Australia Innovation Challenge (AAIC). This initiative encourages schools, universities, and community organisations to propose innovative ideas aimed at increasing regular physical activity among the population.

Each of the 10 grant recipients received a flexible grant amount, with awards varying up to $50,000, to make their project a reality.

A woman with blonde hair wearing a black shirt.

These projects exemplify the innovative spirit and dedication of our communities to improve heart health through increased physical activity. By supporting these initiatives, we are fostering healthier lifestyles and stronger communities across Australia.

Erin Bowen, National Manager

Health, Research and Innovation

Innovating physical activity

The AAIC projects were selected for their novel approaches to getting Aussies up and moving. Regular physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 35% and positively impact the health of people living in Australia across all ages and abilities.

The Active Australia Innovation Challenge is intended to support people who do not meet Australia’s Physical Activity Guidelines, are at risk of chronic disease and live in communities with high levels of physical inactivity, including rural and remote regions.

For more details on these incredible initiatives and to join the celebration, visit the AAIC website.

Quotes attributable to Minister Mark Butler, Australian Minister for Health and Aged Care:

"The value of physical activity and its role in preventing chronic disease cannot be overstated.

"And it’s why the Albanese Government applauds the Active Australia Innovation Challenge – and the schools, universities, councils and community groups who are taking part.

“With more than 1,000 applications for funding received, there is clearly much interest in building a more active, healthier Australia. The Albanese Government shares this view.

We recognise the critical role preventive health plays in keeping people well for longer and are committed to supporting Australians to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I commend all 10 grant recipients and wish them well in their important endeavours to make physical activity a regular part of people’s everyday lives.

Hon Mark Butler MP

Minister for Health and Aged Care

This year’s AAIC winners are:

  • Target audience: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; those living in regional or remote areas
  • Project summary: Torres Strait Kaziw Meta (TSKM) is a boarding house on Thursday Island for 67 Torres Strait Islander students from remote islands. TSKM's Kaziw Ailan Pedal Power Project will provide 25 bikes, racks, helmets, and locks for organized riding sessions led by boarders and house parents. This initiative promotes physical fitness, addresses prevalent health issues like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health problems, and introduces students to bicycle mechanics and maintenance, potentially encouraging an interest in manual labour trades and identifying future employment pathways for students.. The project fosters community, physical health, and skill development among the students.
  • Target audience: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • Project summary: Move with Me aims to reconnect First Nations communities with traditional forms of movement, reviving active lifestyles intrinsic to Indigenous cultures. By reintroducing everyday cultural practices and traditional dance, the project will promote wellness among First Nations women and young people from the Gayndah, Eidsvold and Mundubbera communities in the North Burnett Region of Queensland. The project has three stages:
    • Introduction to Move with Me: Emphasizes integrating movement with nutrition (Eat with Me).
    • Cultural Dance Lessons: Teaches participants traditional dance movements.
    • Celebration: Participants perform to showcase their journey to wellness and the program's transformative impact.
  • Target audience: People living with a disability
  • Project summary: The NeuroRhythm project in Queensland aims to use Djembe drumming and free dance movement to help people with brain injuries express themselves and improve rehabilitation outcomes. This innovative program addresses the limited cultural activities available to this group, providing social connection and emotional and physical well-being benefits.
  • Target audience: Students living with a disability
  • Project summary: The Cardiac Track at Mackenzie State Special School in Queensland is an innovative bike track tailored for children with disabilities, aimed at promoting physical activity among students aged 5-19. The project includes building the track, a bike shed, and providing a range of modified bikes, tricycles, and handcycles. With input from occupational therapists and physiotherapists, the track will break down barriers to physical activity and encourage cycling as both a school and extra-curricular activity. The track’s unique design will integrate movement into lessons, promoting social inclusion, physical health, and overall well-being.
  • Target audience: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • Project summary: In remote Australian Indigenous communities, children often lack access to bikes and infrastructure to maintain them. Revolve ReCYCLING Foundations aims to establish bike libraries in these remote communities in the Northern Territory, promoting "bike equity" by redistributing unused bikes to children in need. Managed by local Indigenous groups with support from schools and services, the program will provide bikes, tools, and bike maintenance workshops. This initiative promotes joy, balance, spatial awareness, responsibility, healthy commuting, and social activity for children.
  • Target audience: Males
  • Project summary: This project will develop an app to encourage and track activity while connecting ‘Man Walkers’ across Australia. The app will include walk information, news, Mental Health First Aid resources, and a gamified login to track walks. The Man Walk organisation fosters regular, inclusive walks for men to tackle loneliness and improve physical, social, and mental wellbeing. Starting in Kiama in 2018, it now has 75 locations. The app aims to expand its reach across Australia and promote physical activity among men of all ages, cultures, and abilities.
  • Target audience: Children from families facing siginificant social challenges
  • Project summary: The ChampBuilders: Little Gloves, Big Dreams project aims to increase physical activity among at-risk youth in local primary and high schools (in Armadale, Wester Australia) through a structured boxercise initiative. By pairing primary students with high school role models, ChampBuilders will promote active living and mentorship, helping ease the transition to high school. Addressing challenges like educational disengagement and socio-economic constraints, the project will offer a safe, inclusive environment for personal growth. It will fosters resilience, discipline, and camaraderie, empowering youth for academic and physical success, and building a healthier, more connected community.
  • Target audience: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • Project summary: Mossman Gorge, an Aboriginal community in Far North Queensland with a population of around 200, faces high rates of chronic disease, including diabetes, which is 14 times the national average. To address these health challenges, the community-driven ‘Big Group’ aims to implement The Big Project – focused on reducing pre-diabetes, reversing insulin dependence, and decreasing cardiovascular harm through increased exercise, education, and medical treatment. Partnering with Ray Kelly Fitness, the project will promote daily achievable exercise and improved eating habits. It will include wearable glucose monitors for those with insulin dependence, mapped walking routes, community events with healthy meals and cultural dance, and incentives such as healthy food boxes, walking shoes, and FitBits to encourage participation and achievement.
  • Target audience: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities
  • Project summary: Cheltenham Community Centre aims to increase physical activity among culturally and linguistically diverse Kingston (Vic) community members with low physical activity levels. Through ongoing community consultation, they will develop and offer free tryout sessions for activities such as pickleball, Qigong, walking groups, outdoor bowling, and introductory ball sports for children. The Centre will create an inclusive, welcoming space that empowers all community members to engage in physical activity, addressing barriers through cultural sensitivity, language accessibility, and tailored programming.
  • Target audience: LGBTIQA+ community
  • Project summary: Bridge Darebin's Queers in the Wild is a community-driven initiative designed to enhance the physical and social well-being of neurodivergent LGBTIQA+ individuals. Queers in the Wild aims to address the identified needs of the LGBTIQA+ community by fostering a sense of belonging, promoting healthy lifestyles, and access to inclusive exercise. Created by Bridge Queer Gathering, a LGBTIQA+ youth led initiative, the project will offer a variety of activities to boost physical activity and social connection, including:
    • Nature-based activities: monthly adventures exploring Victoria’s parks, combining gentle exercise and social interaction.
    • QFit sessions: weekly exercise classes with Active Merri-Bek, providing a safe space for LGBTIQA+ individuals of all fitness levels.
    • Inclusive gym & swim night: an annual event with access to gym facilities, group fitness classes, and swimming pools, fostering inclusive physical activity and socialisation.

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Last updated10 July 2024