On Saturday 3 September 2011 at 9.00am, Let's Walk Australia will hold its first walk along the 4-kilometre Maribyrnong River Loop Walk commencing from the Riverside Park car park, Essendon, Victoria. The entrance to the car park is via the roundabout at the intersection of The Boulevard and Fawkner Street, Essendon. Melway Map 28 B6.
Download the Let's Walk Australia flyer
The aim of Let's Walk Australia is to help and support those suffering a mental illness and to raise awareness in the community.
Maribyrnong River Loop Walk in Essendon
Photo: Darren Stones
You are welcome to walk with us if you fit into any of the following categories:
- Personal experience of a mental illness
- Relative of someone with experience of a mental illness
- Friend of someone with experience of a mental illness
- Carer of someone with experience of a mental illness
- A person who wants to raise awareness of mental illness in the community
- Health professional
Come along for some exercise and a chat in a scenic location where people participate in a variety of recreational activities. You will meet new friends and enjoy morning tea.
You are encouraged to bring a friend and your camera. BYO morning tea.
Further information about the venue and walk is located on the Let's Walk Australia website's Venue page.
Darren Stones
Let's Walk Australia Coordinator
http://www.letswalkaustralia.com/
Walkers on the Maribyrnong River Loop Walk in Essendon
Photo: Darren Stones
Way to Go Darren. Looks like an interesting route. Good luck with the inaugural walk.
ReplyDeleteAre you hoping that people who fit the criteria, will organise walks in the local area. That is, are you aiming to cover Australia with this wonderful initiative?
Sonia
Hi Sonia,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your best wishes, and thoughts.
I do have the ambition to develop this program further and be part of implementing it nationwide.
I believe this program has the ability to empower people, particularly those who have experienced a mental illness.
I have already begun analysing a second route in Melbourne for which this program could be implemented.
At this stage, I suppose I have to get this first one off the ground so I can show people what can be achieved.
I have brainstormed this program with my family for months now, and we believe it has excellent potential.
My psychologist believes in it to the point where she is advising and going to be an active participant.
I have the vision for it. I have a rough plan in mind as to how it could be further developed and implemented with the backing of a variety of organisations, but for now, I need to see this being supported by people at the local level first.
I realise this will take time to build. I would hope it could lead to employment for me because the sheer magnitude of it requires me to be able to tap into resources, people, organisations, health professionals, the media, etc.
So yes, the vision is there, the path is just waiting to be walked.
Cheers,
Darren