Lucinda says she was always a sporty kid, and developed a passion for exercise and health growing up in Kerang, Victoria. Her career kicked off after studying Sports Science at the University of Ballarat and her enthusiasm for physical activity and community recreation was enhanced. She has worked in the community recreation industry for 15 years, including as CEO, Manager and Director of YMCAs in central Victoria and Central Australia.
Lucinda is Alice Springs Town Council’s Healthy Communities Co-ordinator, currently ‘Employee of the Year’, and was nominated by Mayor Damien Ryan as a popular motivator of ‘all things healthy’ to both the Alice Springs community and Council staff. Lucinda said the Healthy Communities initiative, called ‘Active in Alice’, aims to increase awareness of chronic disease and obesity through the provision of free or low cost physical activity and lifestyle education programs. “I am also an Accredited Fitness Professional, so deliver some of the programs to participants.”
Lucinda says engaging sedentary patients in changed lifestyle behaviours is a challenge, “but we have broken down these barriers to participation by addressing economic, social and environmental obstacles.” Current projects include Women’s Footy Fitness, Lift for Life in town camps and remote Indigenous communities, one-off community events to raise awareness of chronic disease, sustainability plans, council policy and future funding opportunities to continue the fantastic programs which are making a difference to the health and wellbeing of Alice Springs residents.
The Healthy Communities initiative has engaged local GPs and allied health professionals to refer patients directly to Council for participation in Healthy Communities Programs. Lucinda says Council has received more than 3000 referrals to the programs since February 2012. Alice Springs Town Council also won the National Heart Foundation NT Highly Commended Award in 2013 for their work in chronic disease prevention and awareness.
Lucinda says it is difficult to pinpoint a highlight of her career with Council as there have been so many. “I see and hear inspirational stories every day about the impacts physical activity can make on people with chronic conditions, disease or illness. I see people who are unable to walk after a stroke and then after months of sheer commitment to physical activity, slowly get back on their feet. I see the emotion that participants feel when they improve their quality of lives through social connectedness in our programs, the new friendships that are formed and the sparkle come back into people’s eyes after years of pain and depression.”
