By Mikayla van Loon
The cooler temperatures of autumn may be showing up but health organisations across the Yarra Ranges are encouraging people this April to not let that stop them from getting active.
The joint collaboration between Inspiro, Eastern Health, Belgravia Leisure, Yarra Ranges Council and Reclink will see free activities, free class passes and other events hosted throughout the month of April to get people up and about.
“We want to encourage people in the community to be active in whatever way suits them,” Inspiro health promotion officer Megan McInerney said.
“So whether that is just exploring a local trail or taking the kids to the park, whatever works for them, we just want to encourage the community to move a little bit more and explore the beautiful Yarra Ranges.”
From walking groups, to pop up volleyball and a soccer clinic, as well as special dance inspired library storytimes, a variety of facilitated options means hopefully there’s something for everyone.
Monbulk Aquatic Centre access and inclusion coordinator Ruby Southam said ensuring there’s programs for all ages and abilities was a key part and was the reason for offering the soccer clinic.
“So that will be looking at people from eight years old, up until maybe mid teens. There’s two coaches and it’s just for one event and one day during the school holidays,” she said.
“We’ve done two in the previous school holidays and we’re looking at a partnership with Monbulk Soccer Club, to do an all abilities soccer program in the future. So it’s like a stepping stone and keeping the interest in the area for kids to get into soccer.”
Inclusivity is also a major focus for Reclink’s volleyball program, trying to provide an accessible activity for young people.
“Yarra Ranges youth who want to access sports and active recreation face barriers such as lack of transport, insufficient social support, financial constraints, and fear of being judged or bullied,” Reclink’s Anthea Merson said.
“Reclink runs inclusive, fun activities to support Yarra Ranges young people to be more physically active. We’re excited to be part of Active April, partnering with awesome organisations to get more people having fun and physically active.”
There will be a beach volleyball session at Lillydale Lake and an indoor volleyball clinic at Yarra Centre through the two week school break.
If getting to an in-person session is not possible, Reclink will also be providing online classes in things like yoga, pilates, zumba and tai chi.
“Then there’s some activities people can do on their own. We’ve got some nature walk treasure hunt activity sheets that families can download from the web page,” Megan said.
“We’ve got an Active April pass, so it’s a free pass for Monbulk Aquatic Centre or Yarra Centre for a free swim, gym or group fitness class.”
Ruby said the group classes across the two centres may be limited depending on availability but people are still encouraged to try out a session or access the gym and pool to get a feel for the place.
“It’s just to get a general grasp of what a class is like and get a different feel for it. They do also get access to the pool if they want it or the gym, so it’s just getting familiar with the environment,” she said.
“Trying a new environment they haven’t before can be daunting or just coming for a swim in the holidays because I think that appeals to a lot of kids or families.”
Trying to promote “being active across the lifespan”, Megan said Active April is also about changing the perception of what being active means.
“There’s a whole range of ways you can be active, you don’t need to be going for a run to be active. You can be gardening to be active, you can be taking your grandkids to the playground to be active. Throwing a ball to the dog can be active,” she said.
“So just dispelling the thought of OK physical activity has to be this big thing. It doesn’t, it’s just moving your body.”
And while getting active in April is positive, health promotion officer from Eastern Health, Casey Dykes, said longevity of active behaviour is always the goal.
“Health promotion always tries to bring that sustainability lens, how can we create ongoing sustained changes?,” she said.
“If someone comes to a one off event, that’s awesome, and we’re so grateful for that, but if we can get people coming back or they try something with us once and then they go into it in the community beyond that point, it’s like a waterfall effect that we’re looking to have.”
Check out all the ways to get involved and active in April by visiting inspiro.org.au/news/inspiro-is-encouraging-everyone-in-the-community-to-get-active-in-the-yarra-ranges-during-april/
The passes, activity worksheets and an event calendar of all the activities can be found here.
