‘Feel Great in 08’ is a year long health and wellness initiative of Baulkham Hills Shire Council in Sydney’s northwestern region. This extensive health and wellness strategy is the ‘brainchild’ of Vanessa Williams-Henke from Russell Williams Injury Prevention Professionals, and Victoria Samuel, OH&S Officer at Baulkham Hills Shire Council.
Following a successful health awareness day in 2007, this year the program is being rolled out with various sessions throughout the year focusing on all areas of health and lifestyle management.
“Health fairs and healthy education sessions are a great way to impact staff and Russell Williams is a vibrant and professional team that make health seminars a highlight of the working week,” Victoria Samuel said.
One of the main program components was seminars on healthy weight followed by a six week ‘FlabFighters’ course designed by Russell Williams, where Council staff were invited to be a part of weekly weigh in and measurements followed by nutrition counselling.
All areas of Council were invited to take part in this initiative with sessions for operations staff at 7.15am and for other staff at 11am and noon.
The success has been overwhelming, with an average of between one to one and a half kilograms, plus centimetres in girth measurements, being lost each week.
“The Flab Fighters program in conjunction with cholesterol and diabetes testing, Face to Face Healthy Lifestyle Coaching and the Energy2Live Magazine has formulated a dynamic wellness model for councils to follow,” said Vanessa Williams-Henke. “The Baulkham Hills Shire Council team is getting fit, healthy and productive through education and participation in healthy lifestyle initiatives.
“Baulkham Hills Shire Council is leading the way in corporate health and wellbeing as it understands a fit workforce is a productive workforce.
“Three cheers for the Council. Yeah Team!!”
For further information contact Vanessa Williams-Henke at Russell Williams Injury Prevention Professionals on (02) 8824 3644.
