For further information: Janine Scott, Walktober Workplace Challenge
0412 509 025 or 03 9417 2210 janine@cause-effect.com.au
Release Date Tuesday 19 October
Page 1 of 3
‘Active’ workplaces are not just horsing around
Pic caption
First out of the starting gates this morning for the first ever Walktober walk off over a furlong
at Moonee Valley Racecourse was A-list jockey MICHAEL RODD, a nose ahead of Minister
Tim Pallas. The field, comprising active workplace CEOs, were neck and neck, pipped by
Michael Rodd on Dr John Lang (not his usual mount) at the winning post. The ‘walk off’
officially started the WALKTOBER WORKPLACE CHALLENGE, which runs Monday to
Friday next week and involves 272 workplaces in most suburbs and regions.
In the starting stalls: Greg Tweedly, CEO WorkSafe; Wayne Kayler-Thomson, CEO VECCI;
Michael Browell, CEO Moonee Valley Racing Club, Campbell Rose, CEO Western Bulldogs;
Kathy Bell, CEO Heart Foundation; Greg Johnson, Kinect Australia Board Member and
Diabetes Australia Vic CEO; and Dr John Lang, CEO Good Health Solutions.
In business terms, encouraging employees to walk at lunchtime, take in-house yoga classes
and eat fruit could just be dismissed as horsing around, but running active workplace
programs like next week’s Walktober Workplace Challenge can generate a handsome
return on investment.
Data from the WorkHealth program has shown that 858 workers out of 100,000 had a ‘very
high risk’ of developing type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease and were advised to see
their GP in 24 hours, with a further 39% at the ‘high risk’ level, reflecting some serious
health issues in our workplaces.
“The fact is that most people don’t know if they’re at risk of these common chronic
diseases. They may not be as healthy as they think and this could be impacting on their
quality of life, including their performance and engagement at work,” said Greg Tweedly,
Chief Executive of WorkSafe Victoria.
“After they’ve done WorkHealth checks, many businesses have asked us what more they
can do to support the health of their staff. The Walktober Workplace Challenge provides a
great incentive for us all to get active during the working week.”
VECCI CEO Wayne Kayler-Thomson asserts the link between employee health and
productivity is now widely recognised, “Absenteeism alone costs Victoria $440 million per
annum.”
Rob Moodie, Director of the National Preventative Health Strategy thinks the solution is
simple, “Despite the wonders of medical science there will never be a pill for physical
activity and we need physical activity to stay well. Walking is undoubtedly the easiest way of
being active. Workplaces, even ones where we sit on our bums all day, can become great
places to help us get moving again and help us to stay fit.”
Both VECCI and WorkHealth agree small steps can make a big difference to health and
wellbeing and recommend six low cost, easily implemented ideas:
For further information: Janine Scott, Walktober Workplace Challenge
0412 509 025 or 03 9417 2210 janine@cause-effect.com.au
Release Date Tuesday 19 October
Page 2 of 3
Six steps to a healthier workplace
Encouraging good health in the workplace doesn’t have to be difficult, or expensive. There
are many simple ways of getting people thinking about their health, eating better, and being
more active. Here are just a few ideas that you could implement at your workplace straight
away:
Encourage ‘active transport’. It’s easy to get off a stop early and walk the rest of the
way to work, form a walking group at lunchtime, or organise ‘walking meetings’. Make it
fun and offer incentives – e.g. a free healthy breakfast for workers who participate in the
Walktober Workplace Challenge 25-29 October!
Organise group activities. People often find more motivation when they are part of a
group, working together to achieve common goals. Weight loss groups, walking groups,
or groups training to participate in a team challenge such as a fun run are all great ways
to promote good health – and a bit of healthy competition!
Sign up for WorkHealth checks. WorkSafe Victoria is offering free, confidential, 15-
minute health check-ups to every Victorian worker as part of the WorkHealth program.
It’s a great way to learn about your health and any risk factors for chronic disease. Sign
up your workplace at workhealth.vic.gov.au
Provide ready access to healthy snacks. Organise a weekly fruit box delivery and
make sure your vending machine provides healthy options, such as trail mix or rice
crackers. Offer healthy food alternatives and non-alcoholic drinks at events and
gatherings as well.
Find out what your employees need. Before offering health and wellbeing activities,
talk to your employees about what would appeal to them. You can also do WorkHealth’s
online Healthy Workplace Check, which will tell you how your business stacks up and
what you can do next.
Encourage holidays! No Leave, No Life. Resting and restoring energy is good for
mental and physical health, yet 123 million days and $33.3 billion of leave is stockpiled
by Australian employees, creating tax implications and balance sheet liabilities and
posing a risk to health and safety. Sign up on line and access VECCI’s Employer
Toolkit, which will help your workplace manage and remove the barriers to taking leave.
Feature workplace
Moonee Valley Racing Club started its Wellbeing program after conducting a staff
engagement survey to find out what staff wanted. The racing club implemented
WorkHealth checks across their diverse workforce, concluding six weeks ago. Staff is now
provided with shower facilities, walking groups and discounted gym memberships and the
organisation is signed up for the Walktober Workplace Challenge.
Moonee Valley Racing Club CEO Michael Browell is available for interview.
Western Bulldogs CEO Campbell Rose says, “You would expect a football club to be an
active workplace, however it’s not just elite footballers who benefit from being fit. We
should aim for every Australian workplace to be active and support employee health.”
For further information: Janine Scott, Walktober Workplace Challenge
0412 509 025 or 03 9417 2210 janine@cause-effect.com.au
Release Date Tuesday 19 October
Page 3 of 3
Background on Walktober Workplace Challenge
Currently 233 workplaces are registered in the 2010 Walktober Workplace Challenge, which
runs from Monday 25 to Friday 29 October 2010.
The Challenge encourages people to add as many walks possible into their working schedule
for one week and to think about leaving the car at home, or getting off public transport a
few stops earlier. Every 15 minute walk counts, including at lunchtime, walking to meetings
or even holding walking meetings.
The program is delivered by Kinect Australia, funded by the Brumby Labour Government
and championed by Minister Tim Pallas in alignment with the Pedestrian Access Strategy.
Kinect Australia is a not-for-profit association committed to enhancing individual health and
well-being in the community.
“We want CEOs and leaders of organisations to apply their great leadership and planning
skills to promoting active living for their employees,” said Greg Johnson, Board Member of
Kinect Australia. “Walking is one of the cheapest and easiest forms of activity for most
people and provides some of the best medicine to prevent chronic disease.”
Background on Walktober
Walktober, a campaign to engage the community in walking, was established in 2006 by
Kinect Australia in partnership with VicHealth and now generates over well over 500 events
across five states. Two key events are Walk to School Day and the Walktober Workplace
Challenge.
Friday 1 October
National Walk to Work Day
Pedestrian Council of
Australia
Saturday 2 - Friday 8 October
Nordic Walking Come and
Try Week
Nordic Academy Australia
Sunday 3 – Sunday 10
October
Victorian Seniors Festival
Givoni Statewide Discovery
Walks Program
Victorian Seniors Festival
Sunday 10 October
October Buddy Walk
Down Syndrome Assoc
Friday 15 October
White Cane Day
Vision Australia
Wednesday 20 October
Walk to School Day
VicHealth
Monday 25 to Friday 29
October
Walktober Workplace
Challenge
Kinect Australia/Dept of
Transport
NEWS 
