Tassie pollies pedal community spirit through fire-affected Dunalley

Participants of the 2013 Diabetes Tasmanian Polliepedal event

Students at Dunalley Primary will soon be able to welcome back their healthy eating programs, thanks to a generous donation as part of Diabetes Tasmania’s Polliepedal 2013.

Polliepedal sees state and local politicians get on their bikes and off the beaten track to meet Tasmanians from smaller communities and raise vital funds for diabetes awareness and support services.

Diabetes Tasmania CEO Caroline Wells said this year participating pollies would be riding through Dunalley, spreading the event’s renowned community spirit through the fire affected Tasman Peninsula.

“As part of this, St. Lukes Health has taken the opportunity through Polliepedal to donate $3,000 to the Dunalley Primary School to help them restock their kitchen and get their healthy eating programs back on track,” Ms Wells said.

“This will allow them to continue their successful involvement in the Move Well, Eat Well program – an important initiative in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

“We are also hoping that by incorporating the Tasman Peninsula into the ride, we encourage people to come down and cheer our pollies on, enjoying all the region has to offer and supporting local businesses.

Ms Wells said since the first Tasmanian Polliepedal in 2006, more than $340,000 had been raised to provide free and subsidised health care for people living with diabetes to reduce the negative impact of the disease and to raise community awareness.

“Former Senator Guy Barnett, who is the Ambassador for Diabetes Tasmania and Diabetes Australia, co-founded the PolliePedal event, and together we have raised $45,000 this year for Tasmanians with diabetes,” she said.

“In Tasmania 25,000 people have been diagnosed with diabetes – around 3,000 with type 1 and 22,000 with type 2 as well as around 300 with gestational diabetes.

“Every day another six Tasmanians are diagnosed with diabetes, which isn’t surprising when you consider it is currently Australia’s fastest growing chronic disease.

“With this in mind it’s very important that we continue to provide support and services, which can help delay or prevent diabetes complications, increase life expectancy and reduce medical expenses.”

Chair of Dunalley School Association Elizabeth Knox welcomed the donation, which she said would greatly assist in the delivery of their health education programs, providing lifelong tools for lifelong health.

“We believe education should be about the importance of nurturing our bodies, not just our minds, through growing and preparing fresh nutritious foods and engaging in regular exercise and play,” Ms Knox said.

“We are pleased that some of our leaders are ‘walking the walk’ today as an example of the importance of exercise and we welcome the participating politicians to our region and to see our temporary school up and running.”

St. Lukes Health Director Michael Jury said the $3,000 donation was a combined effort from the St. Lukes Health staff, Foundation 33 and the company.

“As a Tasmanian company, we are delighted to have this opportunity to help our fellow Tasmanians during this challenging time,” Mr Jury said.

“St. Lukes Health is extremely supportive of initiatives that teach children how to make good choices regarding healthy eating and having active lifestyles, as it is a skill that will provide benefits for life.”

Polliepedal 2013 ran from Friday, 22 – Sunday, 24 February, taking in the regions of Sorell, Tasman, Clarence, Kingborough, Hobart and Glenorchy.

Site maps for spectators are available at: www.everydayhero.com.au/event/polliepedal13.
Diabetes Tasmania’s Polliepedal 2013