A GROUP from South Gippsland is one of 10 organisations across Australia that has been selected to develop new and innovative ways to encourage their communities to be heart healthy through physical activity.
A not-for-profit arts company based in Leongatha, ‘(it’s no) drama’, was one of this year’s winners with its community project, Everyone Can Dance.
Everyone Can Dance is an accessible program involving six months of community dance workshops in Leongatha, culminating in a relaxed community performance at the end of July. The group is open to anyone in the community, especially people with disabilities, and vulnerable and marginalised people of all ages.
More than half of Australia’s adult population and almost all Australian children are not meeting the recommended guidelines for daily physical activity, placing those Australians at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease including heart attack and stroke.
To encourage more movement and help improve the heart health of these Australians, the Heart Foundation, with support from the Department of Health and Aged Care runs the annual Active Australia Innovation Challenge in which schools, universities and community organisations are encouraged to submit innovative new ideas to get more people moving more often.
This year was the fifth challenge run by the Heart Foundation, with more than 300 applications received from across Australia. This year’s winners came from all over the country.
Each winner receives $10,000 to make their project a reality.
The artistic director and (it’s no) drama program manager, Samara Cunningham, said the Active Australia Innovation Challenge was highly competitive and involved a written application, as well as an online Zoom pitch in front of a national panel of judges, who would confirm their progression.
“Emily Ardley and I did the pitch together, and were extremely proud to represent our company,” Ms Cunningham said.
“We hope the Everyone Can Dance project will encourage people in our community to get involved in our free weekly movement workshops that encourage participants to get more active and live a healthier lifestyle.”
