Looking forward to walking with you in 2012

By Darren Stones

In 2011, Let's Walk Australia was successfully established due to the efforts of Jodie Evans and myself. We believe this initiative can assist people to participate in a healthy activity whilst also being able to connect with like-minded people.

Let's Walk Australia has received good support to date, and in 2012 we intend to further raise awareness of the walking initiative, where the objectives include: improving fitness; improving self-esteem; improving confidence; overcoming social anxiety and isolation; reducing stigma.

In 2011, John Conway - Chomagraphics kindly donated his graphic design skills and services for our brochure. Award-winning printer Impact Digital kindly donated their printing services for our brochure. We thank them both for their generosity.

To date we have received media coverage in the Moonee Valley Leader, Moreland Leader and HealthSmart magazine. Heightened efforts will be undertaken during 2012 to gain wider media coverage, and it is envisaged that myself and Jodie would be interviewed so we can convey our passion for this initiative whereby inspiring more people to participate.

Beyondblue now lists our monthly walks in their Events calendar and this helps give us wider publicity with a well regarded organisation directly connected to mental health.

Our first walk for 2012 is on Saturday 4 February, 2012 at 9.00am, and I look forward to meeting you then. Please check our Venue and Dates pages for further information.

Boathouse Cafe
Photo: Darren Stones

Walk with us on Saturday 5 November 2011 at 9am

By Darren Stones
Coordinator
Let's Walk Australia

Hi folks,

You are invited to join us for our next walk along the beautiful Maribyrnong River Loop Walk. We are a friendly group who enjoy walking and having a good chat.

We will meet and greet at Riverside Park car park, Essendon, Victoria. Melway Map 28 B6. Enter carpark via the roundabout at The Boulevard and Fawkner Street, Essendon.

We meet at 9.00am and begin our walk at approximately 9.15am, where we stride out towards the Afton Street Footbridge. Come join us! Look forward to seeing you.

Further information about the location can be found on our Venue page.

Maribyrnong River at Essendon
Photo: Darren Stones

We are walking on Grand Final Day

By Darren Stones
Coordinator
Let's Walk Australia

Saturday October 1 is Grand Final day in Melbourne, and no doubt there will be plenty of us looking forward to the big game between Collingwood and Geelong. Personally, I hope Geelong wins by a point. :)

But before the big game, and the BBQs that people will enjoy with their family and friends, we are walking along the Maribyrnong River Loop Walk.

We will meet and greet at Riverside Park car park, Essendon, Victoria. Melway Map 28 B6. Enter carpark via the roundabout at The Boulevard and Fawkner Street, Essendon.

We meet at 9.00am and begin our walk at approximately 9.15am, where we stride out towards the Afton Street Footbridge. Come join us!

Further information about the location can be found on our Venue page.

Afton Street Footbridge over the Maribyrnong River

Let's Walk Australia stepped out for the first time

Walk report Saturday 3 September, 2011

By Darren Stones
Coordinator
Let's Walk Australia

What a great day for Let's Walk Australia's first walk! The sun was shining and there was a touch of breeze blowing as walkers, cyclists, joggers and rowers enjoyed a great Saturday morning.

Ten people participated in the walk, with the youngest being eight and the oldest 71. Two kids on bikes (wearing helmets), and one kid on a scooter.

Jodie Evans, psychologist, and the health professional advisor for Let's Walk Australia, was willing to lay claim to having the youngest participant onboard, due to being 21 weeks pregnant. However, I made a black and white decision that unborn walking passengers would not be counted in the official walking stats.

Jodie's eight-year-old niece Caitlin, from Wodonga, exhibited her excellent one-handed cart wheeling skills. I briefly explained to Caitlin that I did not have the correct footwear to do one-handed cartwheels with her.

Afton Street Footbridge

Lisa Gale, President of the Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies Cricket Club, and her mother Kath from Airport West, came along after seeing the walk promoted in the What's On section of the Moonee Valley Leader newspaper. Lisa mentioned that she was quite pleased to see Collingwood get a hiding from Geelong the night before. Yes, footy was a topic of discussion.

Dr Brigette Pham, from Maribyrnong, and a General Practitioner at the Geum Street Medical Clinic in Glenroy, was looking trim, taut and terrific. A regular jogger along the Maribyrnong River, she called in her three young troops, Dan, Lachlan and Amy to boost numbers. They decided to use wheels as their mode of transport – smart kids.

Gordon Stones, 71, from Glenroy, provided moral support and encouragement to all concerned. A keen walker himself, Gordon has been beside me for so many therapeutic walks along the Maribyrnong River since 2009.

So, Let's Walk Australia has stepped out for the first time. A pleasing success and people met new friends. Our next walk is on Saturday 1 October, 2011 at 9.00am.

A stepping stone to better mental health

By Darren Stones
Coordinator
Let's Walk Australia

I suspect that most people who have experienced depression or anxiety would be able to testify to the benefits of walking. There has been many times during therapy sessions since 2009 that my psychologist, Jodie Evans, would encourage me to exercise regularly.

Being out in the fresh air and looking around at things sounds rather basic, but in the overall scheme of things, it is an important part of maintaining good mental health.

As the creator of Let's Walk Australia, I am mindful of wanting to design something simple with the intention to inspire and support people. People who have experience depression and anxiety have a tendency to withdraw from social activities and people, so walking in a scenic location with like-minded people has the potential to break down a few barriers.

On the 3rd of September 2011 at 9am, Let's Walk Australia will step out for the first time along the Maribyrnong River Loop Walk. The meeting point is the Riverside Park car park, and after a few introductions, we will be off for a walk and a chat, whilst taking in the sights and sounds of walk.

For more information about the walk, please check this website for details of the venue, future walks, and 'Like' our Facebook page.

Band Rotunda at Maribyrnong Park near the Boathouse Cafe
Photo: Darren Stones

Let's Walk Australia is stepping out for the first time

By Darren Stones

On Saturday 3 September 2011 at 9.00am, Let's Walk Australia will hold its first walk along the 4-kilometre Maribyrnong River Loop Walk commencing from the Riverside Park car park, Essendon, Victoria. The entrance to the car park is via the roundabout at the intersection of The Boulevard and Fawkner Street, Essendon. Melway Map 28 B6.

Download the Let's Walk Australia flyer

The aim of Let's Walk Australia is to help and support those suffering a mental illness and to raise awareness in the community.

There is no cost to attend.

You are welcome to walk with us if you fit into any of the following categories:

• Personal experience of a mental illness
• Relative of someone with experience of a mental illness
• Friend of someone with experience of a mental illness
• Carer of someone with experience of a mental illness
• A person who wants to raise awareness of mental illness in the community
• Health professional

Maribyrnong River at Essendon
Photo: Darren Stones

Come along for some exercise and a chat in a scenic location where people participate in a variety of recreational activities. You will meet new friends and enjoy morning tea.

You are encouraged to bring a friend and your camera. BYO morning tea.

Further information about the venue and walk is located on our Venue page.

Darren Stones
Let's Walk Australia Coordinator