The third annual Active Australia Day will be held on Sunday 28 October. The national event is designed to promote the benefits of maintaining regular sport and physical activity in our lives. Numerous Councils from across the country and thousands of sports clubs, along with schools and Indigenous communities, will coordinate local community activities, to encourage all Australians to realise the benefits of regular physical activity.
Champion marathon runner and spokesperson for Active Australia Day, Robert de Castella, together with a number of other prominent Active Australia Day ambassadors, including television personalities and sporting identities such as Mark Bickley (Adelaide Crows), Adam Gilchrist (Australian Cricketer) and Herb Elliot (legendary middle distance runner) plus many more, encourage all Australians to ‘participate and feel great’ on Active Australia Day.
Robert de Castella believes that inactive Australians have the perfect opportunity to use Active Australia Day to ‘turn things around’.
“Active Australia Day is a reminder to people, no matter what age, that exercise and sport can be fun and doesn’t need to be hard work,” he said.
“We encourage people to be involved in the many activities being organised by local Councils and sports clubs on Sunday 28 October. All we ask is that you turn up and have a go.”
Active Australia Day is a joint initiative of the Australian Sports Commission and the Leisure Australia Foundation (a not for profit organisation) and is a key event in the Active Australia Program.
The Day provides a great opportunity for councils to demonstrate their support for an active community by providing an avenue for sport and physical activity providers to link with potential members.
Plans for Active Australia Day 2001 are well underway and it is expected that over 150 Councils will conduct activities for their community on Active Australia Day.
Liverpool City Council is gearing up for Active Australia Day 2001 following its success with the day last year.
In 2000, the Council organised an extensive program of activities for its community.
Council launched Active Australia Day with a traditional Aboriginal welcome and a Community Walk, lead by Liverpool’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor Steve Bowman.
A centralised event was held at a local park and incorporated a Kids Mega Fest, including sports clubs, local associations, children’s services, rides and entertainment and a Physical Activity Expo, consisting of displays, demonstrations and information stands.
Other activities across the city included a Family Fun Day at a local leisure centre and a Giant Pool Party at a recreation centre.
Pip Budgen, Physical Activity Project Officer, Liverpool City Council, considers Active Australia Day the perfect opportunity to encourage a more active community.
“Our aim was to encourage people to take up regular sport and physical activity and for sports clubs to attract and retain new members,” she said.
For more information contact the Active Australia Day National Office on (02) 6262 8755, email active.ausday@leisureaus.com.au or visit the website at www.activeaustraliaday.com
