The words of Charles Dickens still inspire readers more than a century after his death.
Now, Brimbank council is hoping the words of the great author will inspire the community to become more active.
Dozens of pavement stencils featuring Dickens’ famous quote ‘Walk and be happy, walk and be healthy’ will feature throughout the Glengala Road shopping strip precinct in Sunshine West, inviting residents to join Heart Foundation Walking – Australia’s largest free walking network.
Heart Foundation Walking national manager Michelle Wilson said that while Dickens’ advice was coined more than 150 years ago, its relevance remains two centuries on. The only problem is, we’re still not heeding the advice.
“Walking can do wonders for our health and happiness, but too many Victorians are missing out. More than 53 per cent of Victorians aged 18 years and over are not active enough – that’s more than two million people who have much to gain by moving more,” Ms Wilson said.
“Just walking for an average of 30 minutes a day can lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes by a third.”
The stencils tie-in with the area chosen for Brimbank’s 20-Minute Neighbourhood project, which aims to give residents the ability to ‘live locally’, accessing most of their everyday needs within a 20-minute walk, cycle or public transport trip of their home.
