Active Living

tawonga outdoor fitness equipment class

Active living is one of the key actions to increase overall wellbeing and prevent chronic disease in the Alpine Shire. Our health promotion work involves creating supportive environments in the community which make being physically active an easier choice.

Active Alpine Group

active alpine logo

The Active Alpine Group (AAG) aims to increase and promote opportunities to be active in the Alpine Shire and in turn promote health and wellbeing, social connection and a healthy, thriving community.

The AAG was formed in 2019 after Gateway Health and Alpine Health conducted an Alpine Active Living Mapping Project looking at barriers and enablers for the community to be active and what could be done to support them to be active. We create an annual action plan keeping these recommendations in mind trying to address them where possible.

We have purpose. We have outcomes. Our achievements are a credit to this.

Outdoor Fitness Equipment across Alpine Shire

Watch this promotional video showcasing all the Outdoor Fitness Equipment across the Alpine Shire in Tawonga, Mount Beauty, Harrietville, Myrtleford and Porepunkah.

Mt Beauty & Tawonga

During 2022-2023 we received funding to run a series of free exercise classes which have now concluded. One participant commented “It’s so much more fun exercising with people rather than on my own.”

We still want groups to be able to meet at the equipment and be social, have fun and exercise together even though funded classes have finished.

We encourage other organisations or community groups to run their own classes using peer led volunteers. To help with this we have created a ‘How to run a group fitness session video’. The video is to support classes that can be at the Outdoor Fitness Equipment located at Rotary Park, Mount Beauty or Pioneer Memorial Park, Tawonga.

Porepunkah & Myrtleford

Alpine Health as Project Lead and Gateway Health as part of AAG in partnership with the Rotary Club of Myrtleford and the Lions Club of Bright were thrilled to install Outdoor Fitness Equipment in Apex Park, Myrtleford and Riverside Park, Porepunkah. Funding was received from the Victorian Government, the Commonwealth Government for both sites and the Bendigo Bank contributed to the Porepunkah site.

To launch the site and open its use to the community we held a "Come and Try" day demonstration. We also have run several free Outdoor Exercise Classes at the sites.

Stay tuned for more classes to come in Spring 2024.

You can watch the launch video below.

Harrietville

Harrietville Come and Try Day promotional view here

Volunteer Peer Led Exercise Classes Resources

Outdoor fitness equipment provides a fantastic opportunity for individuals to stay active and healthy while enjoying the great outdoors Participants have found that exercising with others is not only more enjoyable but also helps to keep them motivated and accountable.

The Alpine Active Group (AAG) is committed to continuing to support group fitness sessions at the Outdoor Fitness Equipment and encourages community groups and organisations to take the lead in organizing their own classes. To assist with this, resources such as 'How to run a group fitness session videos' and written manuals have been created to provide guidance and support. As each town offers a variety of different equipment the manuals are customised for each site to support you to run your own group classes.

Mt Beauty & Tawonga

Both Rotary Park, Mount Beauty and Pioneer Memorial Park, Tawonga have the same six pieces of equipment with Elliptical Trainer, Bike, Pull Down, Chest Press, Leg Press and Stretch Station.

Resources to help you run an Exercise Class

Click here to watch - Tips and things to consider before running an Outdoor Fitness Equipment Class

Click here to watch the equipment instructional video

Click here to download the Mt Beauty Tawonga OFE Manual

Download the OFE Case Study which captures many of our learnings when it comes to running Outdoor Fitness Exercise classes click here.

Harrietville

Pioneer Park in Harrietville has six stations spread out in three spots along the walking trail with Elliptical Trainer, Chest Press, Body Twist, Leg Press Pull Down and Sit Up Bench, Each spot also has a Multi-Purpose Box.

Resources to help you run an Exercise Class

Click here to watch - Tips and things to consider before running an Outdoor Fitness Equipment Class

Watch the following videos on how to use the OFE at Harrietville;

How to use the Elliptical Trainer view here

How to use the Chest Press machine view here

How to use the Body Twist machine view here

How to use the Leg Press machine view here

How to use the Multi-Purpose Box view here

How to use the Pull Down machine view here

How to use the Sit Up Bench view here

Click here to download the Harrietville OFE Manual (coming soon)

Download the OFE Case Study which captures many of our learnings when it comes to running Outdoor Fitness Exercise classes click here.

Myrtleford & Porepunkah

Both Apex Park, Myrtleford and Riverside Park, Porepunkah have the same 14 pieces of equipment, being two Elliptical Trainers, two Bikes (adjustable seat and resistance when peddling), Pull Down, Chest Press, Leg Press, Arm Bike (with resistance), Multi Bench, Body Pulls/Push Up station, Shoulder Mobility Wheel, Body Twist, Step Ups, and Stretch Station.

Resources to help you run an Exercise Class

Click here to watch - Tips and things to consider before running an Outdoor Fitness Equipment Class

Click here to watch the equipment instructional video (coming soon)

Click here to download the Myrtleford & Porepunkah OFE Manual (coming soon)

Download the OFE Case Study which captures many of our learnings when it comes to running Outdoor Fitness Exercise classes click here.

Contact

Maureen Ryland - Health Promotion Officer

0437 366 982 | [email protected]

Resources

Our Achievements

Submissions of grant applications to install and promote Outdoor Fitness Equipment (2021/22):
- Bushfire Recovery Victoria - Local Economic Recovery and Community Facilities Grants.
- Bright Bendigo Bank
- Central Hume Primary Care Partnership Grants
Establishment of a community run Myrtleford parkrun– Funding received from the Bright Bendigo Bank, Alpine Shire Council, Alpine Health and the Rotary Club of Myrtleford (2021)
Consultation sought for input into Alpine Shire Council’s, Council Plan (including Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan) and Active Sport and Recreation Plan (2021).
Calendar of events for Active April 2019 and 2021 (2020 cancelled due to restrictions from Covid 19).
Support for the Rotary Club of Mt Beauty in one of their successful grant applications for Outdoor Fitness Equipment installed in Mt Beauty and Tawonga (2020).
Support Alpine Pole walking groups with establishment and promotion in Myrtleford, Mt Beauty and Bright (2019/2020).
- 2020 feature story on Nordic Walking celebrating 30 years of Exercise & Sport Science Australia (ESSA) ESSA 30 Years | Story #8
Consulted community and provided feedback on Alpine Shire Council’s Walks and Trails Guides (2019)

Alpine Active Living – Mapping Project

Alpine Active Living – Mapping Project Findings Summary (2018) – A summary of the findings of the Alpine Active Living Project which gathered data through stakeholder engagement, a community survey and mapping analysis in order to determine opportunities and barriers that exist, and in turn, influence rates of physical activity in the shire. Based on this information gathered, this report provides recommendations that aim to benefit the health of communities within the Alpine Shire.
Alpine Active Living – Mapping Project Findings Report (2018) – This project gathered data through stakeholder engagement, a community survey and mapping analysis in order to determine opportunities and barriers that exist, and in turn, influence rates of physical activity in the shire. Based on this information gathered, this report provides recommendations that aim to benefit the health of communities within the Alpine Shire.

Scoping and Costing Outdoor Fitness Equipment in the Alpine Shire

Scoping and Costing Outdoor Fitness Equipment for the Alpine Shire – Report 2019 – This report aims to investigate the need and support for potential outdoor fitness equipment (OFE) across the Alpine Shire. The report provides evidence for installations of OFE and looks at local demographic needs through local population statistics and community consultation. This report has been successfully used by a community group to achieve funding for the installation of outdoor fitness equipment. Alpine Health encourages the use of the report to assist community group with funding applications.

View the Report

Physical Activity Participation in Regional Areas of Australia – Literature Review

This review aims to understand the barriers and opportunities for participation in physical activity in regional areas to provide evidence to inform public health interventions.

View the Literature Review

Tawonga Outdoor Fitness Equipment Classes - Case Study (2024)

Central Hume PCP – Making Physical Activity a Priority – Case Study (2020)

View the Case Study

Active Alpine Better with Partners – Case Study (2019)

View the Case Study