Mayor and councillors challenge community to commit to fit

Mackay Regional Council and Star 101.9 have partnered together for a Spring Fit campaign and council has taken it a step further by creating a personal health challenge.

Mayor Williamson said residents could take the health challenge by registering on the council website and setting a personal health goal.

“Health goals can include anything that’s important to the individual, from running 10km non-stop to losing a few COVID kilos,” Cr Williamson said.

“To provide some extra motivation, there’s more than $2000 in prizes up for grabs as part of the health challenge, thanks to Star 101.9 and City Fitness,” he said.

“There’s also half-a-dozen Fitbit 4s as weekly prizes, donated by Harvey Norman Computers.

“Residents need to hashtag #springfitmackay with a photo or video on social media while getting active to win a weekly prize, but the major prizes are only eligible to people who register on the council website.

Three ambassadors have picked up the baton to help promote council’s health challenge, including Dawn Mansfield from Women Who Walk and Men Too, Grahame Bundesen from Mackay Walking Soccer and Mark Rainsford (previous ambassador for Mackay Marina Run).

The campaign springs into action today – the first day of spring – and will run until October 16.

“The winners of the health challenge will be judged by a panel including myself, our three health challenge ambassadors and major sponsors,’’ Cr Williamson said.

“To help residents get active, there’s plenty of free get-active sessions available around the region, from Zumba and cross training, to table tennis and dragon boating.

“Star 101.9 will also run a Spring Fit workplace challenge on their website, allowing businesses and organisations to take part in the health challenge and set a health goal.

“The winner of the workplace challenge will score a free Star Car cross, a $500 advertising voucher and a hamper of goodies.”

All get-active sessions will be run in accordance with the latest government requirements for COVID19 and will have a COVID safe checklist in place.

For more information, visit council’s health challenge page.