Walk Week encourages Western Australians of all ages to be active by walking for transport, health, recreation and the environment. Schools, workplaces and the community were invited to host a walking event during the week.

Our Lady of Fatima Primary School Assistant Principal Shelley Alexander said the school had an ongoing commitment to children’s health and a goal to be a sustainable school in all areas. “The Health Committee within the school (run by interested parents) has been operating a Walking School Bus for a few years now,” she said. “Encouraging parents and children to join in, or informing students that adults are walking the school’s surrounding streets each day, makes them safer for bike riders and individual walkers from the school,” she said.

Ms Alexander said all walkers – more than 65 all up – were greeted at the school gates with a sticker that entitled them to a special breakfast provided by the Health Committee. “Each walker also received a pack of goodies, including a bookmark, tattoo and helium balloon, while there was a prize pack for each year level," she said. "Walkers from each year were eligible to win the pack by answering some simple questions about walking, exercise and healthy lifestyle."

The City of Melville provided 100 helium balloons to add to the fun of the event. Mayor Russell Aubrey said the City was a very active supporter of TravelSmart – aimed at reducing reliance on cars, building physical activity in our community, and reducing traffic congestion. “Initiatives such as this event provide a fantastic opportunity to relieve congestion and improve road safety around schools," he said. "Importantly, walking to school is also an opportunity to improve the health and fitness of students, and stem the obesity epidemic.”

Mayor Aubrey said some of the City’s various related initiatives included bus shelter painting, and the SMARTi program, which was funded by the City and the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and Arts, and involved providing information and incentives to take up more active transport modes. “We support minimising the number and the speed of vehicles on the roads and encourage walking and cycling,” he said.

‘Schools Walk There Today’ is coordinated by the Heart Foundation in partnership with the Departments of Education and Training, Planning and Infrastructure, Sport and Recreation, Transperth and Main Roads WA with support from be active wa.

Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Health Director Trevor Shilton said walking to school was an important way for students to accumulate a significant part of the 60 minutes or more of physical activity they needed every day for good health.