Strategy: Dog Walking and Community Tournament
The Bulloo Shire Council was one of 12 10,000 Steps Community Grant recipients awarded funding for the implementation of 10,000 Steps Community Strategies in 2018. The Bulloo Shire Council wanted to promote a more active commmunity through organised events and the community Tournament.
Background
The Bulloo Shire Council is in far South West QLD and consists of three towns including Thargomindah, Hungerford and Noccundra, who have a combined population of approximately 300 people. The Bulloo Shire Council is committed to the improvement of wellbeing and the promotion of a healthy community.
Implementation
- Conducted a 6 week Time Out Tournament.
- Purchased 100 pedometers.
- Weekly emails sent to participants with motivation to continue to be active and an update of the Tournament leaderboard.
- Dog walking posters displayed at local stores and notice boards, encouraging owners to take their dogs on walks in the designated areas.
Outcomes
- 91 participants in the Tournament.
- A second Tournament was run after the first due to its popularity.
- The Tournament brought the community together in a fun and active way, by encouraging them to be more active through healthy activity and fun competition.
“There was a huge increase of walkers using the towns River Walk path and an overall increase in groups of people walking both in the mornings and evenings.”