Healthy Habits Online Program 
Toowoomba Regional Council in partnership with Willows Health & Lifestyle Centre recently launched the exciting new, Healthy Habits-Staying Connected program.
Healthy Habits is a low cost 4-week online challenge kicking off from Monday June 1 and is designed to help the community access health, physical and social support programs in the comfort of their home. This challenge has a specific focus on staying connected in a time when many are feeling isolated and cannot access their usual health and fitness activities. This is important now more than ever, as social support is paramount to positive mental wellbeing.
Participants in the program will use the Willow’s Digital desktop platform and / or APP to access:
- Daily wellbeing chats, yoga, fitness and meditation sessions
- A range of fitness videos for all fitness levels, including 2,000 videos for older adults
- A wellbeing library, with articles, podcasts and blogs on a variety of topics by health and wellbeing experts across the globe
- The ‘My Day’ journal, and option to synchronise wearable health and fitness trackers, to chart progress towards achieving their daily activity, nutrition, relaxation and sleep goals
- Social support, inspiration and motivation from fellow participants through the program’s private / closed Facebook page
- The chance to go into the draw to win a Fitbit!
Click
here to explore the Willows Digital platform.
Normally, the cost of the Healthy Habits-Keeping Connected online program is $10.00 per week. Willows Health and Lifestyle Centre are offering it through Council’s CHANGE Project, to specific groups at the discounted price of $3.00 per week for the four-week program
These groups include:
- students
- older adults
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders
- unemployed or retired
- those or work part time or casually
- culturally and linguistically diverse populations
- people with disabilities
- women with young children
Limited spots are available and registrations close 29/05/20 .
Click here to register online and reserve your place in the Healthy Habits-Staying Connected program. For more information, click this link to visit our
webpage.
Earlier this month, the State Government released their road map to the easing of coronavirus restrictions. This past weekend saw us enter 'Stage 1' of the staged approach, allowing gatherings of up to 10 people outdoors, including for bootcamps and personal training. This is good news for many CHANGE Project providers as it allows them to recommence face-to-face activities at a modified capacity.
To find out which classes are running and where, click this link to check out our
webpage. This will be updated frequently as the situation continues to change and more providers recommence CHANGE activities, and/or continue to offer some activities online.
Participants and providers are reminded to continue to follow all public health guidelines when attending these classes. This includes: physical distancing (1.5m from others), hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, frequent cleaning of equipment and environment (if applicable).
Providers are reminded that park bookings are still necessary for all classes, even if you are using the park as a short term venue. All clubs and providers are required to submit a park bookings form, which can be found by accessing
this link. Once you submit this form, along with all the essential documentation, your application with be assessed, and a permit letter will be issued.
The Return of Organised Sporting Activities
Whilst most organised community sport is not set to recommence (with the exception of tennis, golf and lawn bowls) until 'Stage 2' of the
State Government's roadmap (starting June 12), late last week the Sport and Recreation office released a
Return to Play resource providing further information about the roadmap's requirements for sport, recreation and fitness providers.
This resource provides guidance around which activities are permitted under each stage of the roadmap, and also provides a central phone and email address that clubs/fitness providers can contact to obtain more information:
- Email: SR_Covid19@npsr.qld.gov.au
- Phone: (07) 3330 6166
Stage 2 of the Roadmap advises that gatherings of up to 20 people will be permitted to undertake non-contact indoor and outdoor community sport. We await further advice from the State Government regarding the facility, amenity and space requirements that each group of 20 will need in order to undertake community sporting activities safely. As such, we are unable to accept or process any booking requests until this information is provided to Council by the State Government. Your patience and understanding whilst we await this information is appreciated.
For inquires about when your club can recommence training and play access this resource and/or your peak sporting body, your local State Sport & Recreation Advisor or QLD Health representative.
For information about booking Council's sporting facilities, contact Council 131 872 or visit our website
here.
New $3 Pittsworth Bootcamp
New CHANGE Project provider, Nola Allen, is making the most of the easing restrictions and is offering a brand new bootcamp on alternating Thursdays (1st & 3rd of every month). This fun 30 minute outdoor session is designed to improve muscle strength, cardiovascular fitness, mobility and balance. Sessions will cater for all levels of fitness.
When: Alternating Thursdays commencing 21/05/20 at 9:15am
Where: Bridgman Oval-Pittsworth
Cost: $3.00 per session
Contact: Nola, phone 0428118836 or email nolaallen827@gmail.com
New $3 Drayton Functional Training Sessions
Local Exercise Scientist, Auryn Nelmes, has partnered with the CHANGE Project to deliver functional fitness sessions in the park, on Monday mornings. These 45 minute sessions are designed to improve your strength and fitness and are suitable for all fitness levels, making them the perfect way to kickstart your week.
When: Monday 7:00am
Where: Ernest Peak Park, Drayton
Cost: $3.00 per session
Contact: Auryn, phone 0404 939 558 or email nelmes_1990@hotmail.com
New $3 Dance Classes in Centenary Heights
Casey from Studio Z Health & Fitness has released 2 new classes for CHANGE Project participants.
World of Dance U Jam Fitness (WODUJam) is a dance fitness class that will make you move, sweat and smile. Expect adrenaline based music and easy choreography that is suitable to all fitness levels.
When: Friday 9:30am, starting 29/05/2020
Where: Emmerson Park, Centenary Heights
Cost: $3.00 per session
Contact: Casey, phone 0448 171 577 or email StudioZToowoomba@outlook.com
Strong30, is a body weight class synched to music and inspired by Zumba. This class combines standing and ground exercises for a challenging full body workout that will leave you feeling great.
When: Thursday 9:15am,
Where: Emmerson Park, Centenary Heights
Cost: $3.00 per session
Contact: Casey, phone 0448 171 577 or email StudioZToowoomba@outlook.com
New Online Class from Jungle Body
CHANGE Project provider Di, has released a brand new class to her Jungle Bodies series: Get Low. This 45-minute low intensity, low impact workout uses boxing, dance, dumbbells, light cardio and music to get you moving. With only 4 moves per class, it is easy to master. This class is currently been delivered online via Zoom.
When: Wednesday 9:15am and 6:15pm
Where: online via Zoom link
Cost: $4.50 per class
Contact: Di, phone 0435 120 548 or email
distiller1@hotmail.com
Early Life Nutrition INSPIRE Project in the Darling Downs
Nutrition Australia Queensland (NAQ) is running the INSPIRE Project over three years to provide nutrition education and remote support services for families with children aged 0-4 years in the Darling Downs South West region.
This project provides a closed Facebook page and educational resources to support infant feeding. The NAQ dietitians post on this group regularly with tips, ideas and recipes to feed your little ones and also provide support for any concerns you have about infant feeding. To join the Facebook group, search
'INSPIRE-Nutrition for families (Darling Downs and South West Queensland)'.
Click here to check out the Inspire Project website for more information.
Boost your Healthy- The Billion Steps Challenge
Health and Wellbeing Queensland has realeased a new campaign titled 'Boost your Healthy' which provides support, inspiration and ideas to help Queenslanders stay healthy and active during COVID-19 and beyond.The campaign will focus on motivating Queenslanders to:
- Boost your activity
- Boost your eating
- Boost your wellbeing.
Boost your Activity - Every step counts
Tracking your steps is a great way to stay motivated to move more everyday. Finding new ways to stay active now that our daily routines have changed is something we are all adjusting to. Set yourself a daily step goal and use a pedometer, Fitbit, Garmin or other activity tracker to stay on track. Whether it's a planned walk that you do regularly, wheeling around your neighbourhood or incidental movement across the day like stepping away from your work for 10 minutes or jumping on the tramp with the kids, the more you move - the better your body and mind will feel.
If you or members of your organisation are interested in joining the walk to a Billion Steps, you can register by visiting the Big Boost page
here.
The Impact of Coronavirus on Physical Activity
How has the coronavirus lockdown impacted your physical activity levels? Researchers from The University of Southern Queensland are conducting a survey to better understand the change in Australian's physical activity and wellbeing levels during this time. Your contribution may piece together crucial data - and go towards helping the world cope should another pandemic force us back into our homes.
Click this link to learn more or get involved.
National Volunteer Week
This week is National Volunteer Week (NVW), an annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of our nation's volunteers. The CHANGE Project would like to thank all of our dedicated volunteers who assist us in inspiring and activating better health in the Toowoomba Region. Without your support and generosity, we would not be able to provide the same depth of activities to our community.
This week we would usually be celebrating together for a morning tea catch up, however, due to the circumstances this year, that has had to change. Toowoomba Regional Council has set up a number of digital initiatives to show our appreciation.
Small Business Adaption Grant Program
The Queensland Government has announced that they will offer $100 million in grants to support small businesses struggling due to coronavirus. The grants will focus on assisting businesses who have had to temporarily close, restructure or pivot their operations.
Businesses can apply for up to $10,000 in funding which can be used to pay off loans, to engage legal or financial advisers, for business marketing or digital technology development, including purchasing digital equipment of software.
For more information on how to apply and eligibility, visit the
Queensland Government Website.
Dog Parks Reopen
Temporary restrictions requiring dogs to be on a leash in off-leash areas will be lifted this weekend (Saturday, May 23). With the easing of coronavirus restrictions, normal rules now apply at designated dog parks across the region, allowing dogs to run off-leash, but supervised.
To find the approved dog off-leash parks visit
www.tr.qld.gov.au/dogoffleash
Useful Courses and Webinars
Getting grants ready online webinar
The Toowoomba Regional Council is holding a free webinar on May 26 from 6pm and May 29 from 9am to help businesses and groups apply for funding available through the State and Federal Governments. Run by government consultant and teacher of grant writing at various universities Keith Whelan, the webinar will educate you on how to prepare for future grants funding, what funding exists and how you can use it to support your business. For more information contact Council or access this
link.
Solving Common Business Problems
Robertson Scannell & Lifeline Darling Downs & South West have partnered to present this 90-minute workshop designed to strengthen skills and resourcefulness around problem solving, change management and strategic planning in the face of uncertainty. This is free for rural communities (businesses and primary producers). For more information,
click this link.
Personal Resilience Online Course
Lifeline Darling Downs Community Connections Program, supported by the DDWMPHN, is seeking expressions of interest from community members to have free access to the Personal Resilience Online Course provided by TLC Solutions. This 4 week course aims to help you develop a mindset that builds a high level of resilience. The program will focus on assisting you to experience positive emotions and constructive thoughts through a number of resilience building strategies. Not only will you examine strategies to build your own personal resilience, but you will develop your very own Wellbeing Plan. For more information, visit the TLC Solutions website
here.
Virtual Skateboarding Event 
Entries are now open in the Toowoomba Region Skateboarding Web Championships competition hosted by the Toowoomba Regional Council and ASCI Events. The competition allows competitors to stay at home, have fun and increase their skills.
