PAYING IT FORWARD TO KEEP LAUNCESTON ACTIVE …

Active Launceston has helped thousands from across the community to move more and live more through fitness programs tailored to varied groups across our community.

However coming up to it’s 9th year, one of the three major funding partners is unable to contribute which will mean a reduction in the number of programs and therefore a reduction in the number of community sectors that will have opportunities to become involved.

Owner of local business Effective Naturally, Rick Marton heard of this funding challenge and is calling on the local community to help Active Launceston to fill the funding gap for 2016 for these programs to continue with a list of benefits available for members of the public and corporates to purchase. The services that Active Launceston deliver are restricted only by the availability of funds, so the target sits at $46,000 to match the generous contribution from Launceston City Council.

“Despite our clean air, pure waters and fantastic fresh food, Tasmanian still has some of the worst health outcomes in Australia. I’m a firm believer that the actions we take today secure better outcomes for our future be it in business or in community health.” says Rick, “our health system is one of our state’s biggest costs and the more we neglect the importance of preventative health the poorer our whole community will be in the future. I’ve actually participated before with friends that would otherwise be unlikely to go to the gym.”

Programs include Active Parks, Active Bike, Active Dance, Active Kids, Active Sports, GOLD, Active Winter and Active Blokes just to name a few…Between mid-2008 and 31 June 2015, Active Launceston coordinated 176 community programmes that attracted 11 193 attendees who attended 28 155 sessions, amounting to approximately 35 500 hours of physical activity. Typically 1000 new individuals join Active Launceston annually.

The program has been funded for the past 7 years through the contributions of the University of Tasmania, City of Launceston and the State Government through an understanding of the future rewards of promoting a healthier community today.

Tasmania has a poor health record and an ageing population. In Tasmania we have the highest level of chronic conditions across the country with 44.9% of residents having three or more long-term chronic conditions – this is a major burden to the health system caused by preventable disease. Physical inactivity is major risk factor for chronic disease and only 43.4% of Tasmanians meet national physical activity guidelines. By facilitating engagement of all members of the community in physical activity, Active Launceston seeks to encourage behaviour change through providing access to programs, resources and networks to ensure these healthy lifestyle behaviour changes are sustainable.

“We’re really excited to launch this Pozible campaign. We’ve put together some benefits for each donation including vouchers that can be gifted to someone you know for Christmas as a way to pay it forward. Gifts start from just $10 through to $10,000 for corporate partners,” says Lucy Byrne, Senior Project Manager for Active Tasmania “Tasmania’s Department of Health and Human Services estimated in 2011, if community-wide physical activity campaigns can reduce the number of people who are inactive by 4% the potential annual savings for the Tasmanian Government include, but are not limited to; $2.9 million in healthcare and $4.9 million in lost production and leisure.

Evidence suggests that we’re shifting activity rates by 22%, so just imagine what could be done if we extended this program, but for now, it’s about making sure that we can keep this project alive.”

Active Launceston is also an economic multiplier and reinvests money back in to our local community. In 2014 alone, Active Launceston employed 45 consultants and commercial providers in a paid capacity. Rick Marton adds “Health isn’t something we can just expect someone else will take care of, it’s up to all of us to contribute to our own healthy future both individually and foster better access for healthier choices as a community. Even if you don’t take part in the programs yourself, it’s a smart investment”.

The Possible crowdfunding campaign “Active Launceston” launches 6pm Wednesday.

Join the Campaign: Go to Facebook.com/ActiveLaunceston (campaign launched Wednesday 6pm)
Rick Marton