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Adelaide, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Mall walking proves popular at Marion

Just a small amount of funding has resulted in substantial benefits for a group of veterans in Adelaide.

The Adelaide Mall Walking Group applied for a Veteran & Community Grant in 2001 to expand its walking group network into the local government areas of Marion Central and Holdfast Bay.

The mall walking program provides gentle exercise, social participation and health education for elderly members of the community in a safe, all-weather environment. Participants walk inside their local shopping centres before the stores open - between 7.30am and 8.30am.

Jeannette Richards from the Adelaide Mall Walking Group says community support for the grant application was gained by forming partnerships with local RSL Sub-branches and the Vietnam Veterans' Federation.

The grant allowed Adelaide Mall Walking Group to pay the wages of a walk leader and provide the group with administration support. It also paid for the walk leader to complete a first aid course.

"The members just love getting together, catching up and discussing the week's events. There's also quite a bit of window shopping goes on," Jeanette says.

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The walking group was, and continues to be, promoted through established veteran groups, as well as in the local media. Local councils also support the initiative.

In addition to Westfield Marion, the Adelaide Mall Walking Group also has walks at several other central shopping centres.

According to Jeannette, the grant period was for six months but the group has proved so popular, it has plans to continue to meet for walks on a Monday, Thursday or Friday.

Mall walking promotes healthy lifestyles, overcomes social isolation and increases participation of veterans within the community. "And the veterans just love it," she says.

Healthy walking and talking

Project: the establishment of a mall walking group for veterans.

Grant value: $1,700

Community benefits: increased participation by the veteran community and improved health outcomes.

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