From Donvale to Dunolly, a record 130,211 Victorians of all ages and abilities took the pledge to ramp up their level of fitness and physical activity in the 2019 Premier’s Active April. Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula today congratulated everyone who had signed up to the Premier’s Active April and spread the word on the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula said that a range of high-profile Victorians participated in the challenge, including AFLW stars Katie Brennan and Darcy Vescio, Western Bulldogs premiership player Liam Picken and wife Annie Nolan, Vixens netballer Kate Moloney, Paralympian Jess Gallagher and news personality and Premier’s Active April legend Peter Hitchener.
“Active April has been an outstanding success and I want to congratulate everyone who got involved and I challenge even more Victorians to step it up and keep up the good work in May and beyond.” Minister Pakula commented.
The Minister explained that participants this year had access through an app to the Get Active Workouts video series, which features 30 different 10-minute workout ideas to inspire and motivate participants of all ages and abilities.
Minister Pakula pointed out that a record 1761 Victorian schools and 854 Victorian workplaces registered as teams, exercising daily by walking to school, riding to work or visiting the gym during their lunch breaks. The Minister said that when it came to schools, the best performers were Springside P-9 College in Caroline Springs, Emerson School in Dandenong, Ringwood Secondary College, Tarneit P-9 College and Mount St Joseph Girls’ College in Altona North. The Minister also added that workplaces with the most active employees were Western Health Sunshine, Western Health Footscray, Ballarat Health Services, Kyabram District Health Service, West Gippsland Healthcare Group and Echuca Regional Health.
The most active local government areas were the City of Casey, City of Boroondara, City of Ballarat, Moreland City Council and City of Monash. “I’m delighted to see record numbers of Victorians lead from the front, get out there and inspire the people around them to tap into all of the benefits of getting active and healthy.” Minister Pakula commented. The Minister said that with more than 80,000 women registered, females once again well and truly outdid their male counterparts, making up 60 per cent of participants.