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Latrobe Valley walking groups unite for Heart Week to celebrate connection, fitness, and heart health awareness

Latrobe Health Assembly and the Heart Foundation united local walking groups for Heart Week, promoting heart health, connection, and physical literacy through walking, social interaction, and support for new and existing groups.

By news@gippsland - 15th May 2025 - Back to News

Latrobe Health Assembly, the Heart Foundation's Walking group host for the Latrobe Valley, together with the Heart Foundation, brought together local walking groups for National Heart Week.

Walking 30 minutes daily can cut heart disease risk by 35%, making Heart Foundation Walking Groups vital for heart health

Steps connect community

The morning tea united the walking groups for the first time in years, with some newer groups and walkers never having met before. Beginning the event by joining the Moe Pet-Friendly Walking Group gave everyone the chance to make connections and get to know each other while being active.

Elaine, who has been a walking group leader in Traralgon for 13 years, said the benefits of walking groups include being active, staying healthy and providing social interaction. That last one is what's most important to Elaine as, living by herself, she says it gets her up in the morning.

"This was a fantastic opportunity for the local Heart Foundation Walking groups in the region to meet and mingle - it was a great event organised by the Latrobe Health Assembly, and we look forward to working together to get more people across Latrobe walking," said Heart Foundation Walking Program Officer, Alicja Najbar-Kaszkiel.

Heart health together

This year, National Heart Week (5-11 May) encouraged Australians to Never miss a BEAT by seeing their GP for a heart health check. Coronary Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in the Latrobe Valley, and is largely preventable through diet and exercise. Walking just 30-minutes a day can reduce your risk of heart disease by 35%, which is why Heart Foundation Walking Groups go a long way toward maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle.

"We're thrilled to be working alongside the Heart Foundation as the new host for walking groups in the Latrobe Valley. This is an integral part of the work we are doing in physical literacy, which is about building the skills, knowledge and behaviours to lead active lives, while also creating opportunities for social connections and friendships to form," said Latrobe Health Assembly Chair, Tanya Rong.

As the new host for the Latrobe Valley, the Assembly will continue connecting the groups, can assist in recruiting and retaining community members, and can support new groups in starting out. To learn more about walking groups in the Latrobe Valley, visit Heart Foundation Walking Groups in Latrobe Valley page.

Pictures from Latrobe City Council website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com