Walk 'n' Talk for Life founder Shannon Nevin will be rolling out events across the Central West after forming a partnership with the Australian Horizon Foundation, he told the crowd at Lithgow's event on Saturday, June 15.
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Mr Nevin joined in Lithgow's regular event at Blast Furnace Park and said, due to the success of existing events like that in Lithgow, centres including Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange and Mudgee would likely soon have their own regular Walk 'n' Talk for Life communities as part of a roll out of 10 new regional events.
"I would love to see hundreds of these events, in all states of Australia, so if you were taking a holiday in Freemantle, for example, you could jump onto the website and find an event happening within half an hour of where you are," he said.
"This is all about getting people together, to see the yellow shirt and to feel that connection with a caring community.
"Good things happen when people come together in this way."
Part of the event's success, Mr Nevin said, was that it was free for people taking part.
"You get a free shirt, there's no cost to register, that's something that makes this event unique as well," he said.
"You find that a lot of people who are depressed, who are struggling, they may not have a lot of money, they may not have a job, but that does not prevent them taking part."
Mr Nevin said he would like to see the Lithgow event expanded to be held once a month, but that would depend on the organisers' time and availability.
"What we found [at other events] was people were really excited when they came and said "When's the next one?" and then it's not for three months, so you lose that connection."
Lithgow Walk 'n' Talk for Life's Leanne Walding said the event continued to get so much support, particularly from local groups who carried out fundraising on their behalf so they could continue to buy shirts.
"We are grateful to everyone for their support - and to the Lions Club and the Rapid Relief Team for their work [on the barbecue and supplying goods]," she said.
Ms Walding said the plan was continue to develop the event and host it at different centres across the LGA. Walk 'n' Talk for Life has hosted events at The Foundations at Portland.
Mr Nevin said Walk 'n' Talk for Life was founded on the belief that real life connection, and exercise, was important in the maintenance of mental health and wellbeing.
"Turning up saves lives. Being present in someone's life is what they need - it is so much more meaningful than liking something on Facebook. You come along, shake someone's hand, give someone a hug, talk to someone, it makes you feel good, it makes you feel like you are not alone."
Bathurst's new event, the first off the rank of the new events to be rolled out, was expected to start in early Spring.
If you need support:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14, www.lifeline.org.au
- BeyondBlue: 1300 22 4636, www.beyondblue.org.au