Stewart Harper, General Manager of Support Services at Latrobe Regional Hospital in Traralgon, is one of thousands of Victorians on the job, making time to get active thanks to Active April.
The main reason Latrobe Regional Hospital registered for Active April, as they have done since 2016, is to show the community that their organisation is leading from the front, setting an example and committed to the overall health and well-being of their local population. And it’s a great program to be a part of!
Stewart suggests that other workplaces should register for Active April because it helps everyone in the organisation, “If individuals are healthier they are more productive, engaged and have a better outlook – not just in their work but toward their lives generally”.
The Active April resources are fantastic and make it simple to incorporate physical activity into the daily work routine. For Latrobe Regional Hospital there is also a competitive aspect to registering, to maintain their position as one of the highest participating workplaces in Victoria.
During Active April the hospital’s staff teams challenged each other in games of tug-of-war, participated in Pilates classes and mindfulness, attended the local gym and more people walked to work. The most popular activities are the low impact ones where staff can just go in their lunch-break without having to get changed or shower after, before returning to work.
Participation in Active April has support from all aspects of the organisation, from the Board Chair and Chief Executive to all the ‘shop floor’ staff.
Stewart’s top 3 tips for workplaces wanting to give Premier’s Active April a go is Register, Register, Register, “once you register for the program the resources are all there to use, it is very simple. Just get up and go – work will always be there, there will always be something else to do but you will never regret going for a walk and getting outside – it’s free and it’s the right choice”.
Registrations are now open for the 11th annual Premier’s Active April, encouraging Victorians of all ages, abilities and fitness levels to exercise 30 minutes a day during April. A new series of get active exercise videos will be available for Active April 2019.
To register, visit the Premier’s Active April website.
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