See the latest Bendigo events at the bottom of this blog post!
It's time to celebrate women of all ages and abilities being active in a way that suits them!
This Girl Can week runs from March 22 to March 28 to showcase how physical activity is important for our wellbeing.
It helps to prevent injury and long-term health conditions, can improve mental health and create opportunities for social interaction. The benefits are endless!
Around 50 per cent of Victorian women don’t get enough exercise each week, so let’s work together to ensure that we all can experience the benefits of being active.
Women have identified that a fear of being judged, not being fit enough, or worrying about what other people think are the main barriers that stop them from participating in sport or trying new activities. Let’s break down those barriers and create inclusive environments for women everywhere!
This Girl Can week is a dedicated time for local physical activity providers, clubs, gyms, facilities, and organisations to offer fun, beginner friendly classes and come-and-try events to empower and encourage local women to give physical activity a go or get back into it after some time off.
We know This Girl Can works. The 2020 campaign saw almost 320,000 women get active, over 20,000 images and videos from everyday Victorian women have been tagged #ThisGirlCanVIC and overall the initiative has seen 1 in 5 women aged between 18-65 inspired to get active across the state.
SPECIAL SERIES: 7 Ways in 7 Days - inspiring you to get active!
Day 1: Our Health Promotion team introduces This Girl Can week
Did you know there are many obstacles that stop women from being active often invisible to the rest of us?
Over next the next six days our Health Promotion team will use a great 7 Ways in 7 Days video series to show you how women across Bendigo are active and how you can get involved.
If you are a gym, sport club, council or community group, visit This Girl Can to learn what you can do to help more women get active.
Now time to enjoy the first video from our 7 Ways in 7 Days series with our Health Promotion team introducing This Girl Can week.
Day 2: Let's join in the Bendigo ParkRun
Combining exercise, community, and friendship has never looked so good!
Welcome to Day 2 of ‘This Girl Can’ week and our 7 Ways in 7 Days video campaign.
Today we are showcasing the incredible Bendigo Botanic Gardens Parkrun.
Parkrun is held every Saturday at 8am and is a fun, social, and inclusive way for women to stay active.
Walk, run, hop or skip 5km and reap the benefits of being active!
Join our Health Promotion team in learning how you can get involved.
Day 3: It's time to move your body!
Did you know 56.6% of Victorian women want to be active more often?
Walking, lounge room dance parties, home workouts ... there are plenty of ways you can move your body.
To discover the many walk/ride trails around Bendigo click here
Follow Boe and her friends (pictured below) and get involved.
Let us know how you’re staying active! Share you pictures to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on our 7 Ways in 7 Days social media posts to inspire others to follow your lead.
Day 4: Young Bendigo women lead the way into sport
Meet some of the amazing young Bendigo women who are leading the way in playing football, netball and equestrian.
Their message is simple - just have a go.
"Just do it. If you don’t you’ll end up regretting it, 100 per cent. And just grab a group of friends get out there have a go."
Well said!
A big thanks to Octavia, Lexie, Keely, Amy, Imogen and Montanna for sharing why sport and being active is important and why young girls should follow their lead.
What can your club, gym or sporting group do to support more women and girls becoming active or join? To get some tips click here
Day 5: There's no such thing as a 'pre-baby body'. Here's now to get back into exercise
Returning to exercise after having a baby can be a daunting, anxious step for a lot of mums.
Where do you start? Are you ready to get back into physical activity?
Well fear not! It's Day 5 of This Girl Can Week and we are speaking with Personal Trainer Alycia for our 7 Ways in 7 Days series.
Alycia has a wealth of knowledge in pre and post-natal wellbeing, a strong passion for urging safe return to exercise for all women and an unwavering belief there's no such thing as a 'pre-baby body'.
Join our Health Promotion team member Belle in learning more about how Alycia’s Strongest U Fitness program is helping mums.
A big thanks to Alycia for giving us your time and all that you do. To learn more about her program click here
Day 6: Stay active and make new friends with aqua aerobics
Today we visit Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre in Kangaroo Flat to check out how women are staying active in the water and making friends while they’re at it!
Join Kahla from our Health Promotionas she speaks to regular aqua aerobics class attendee Jeanette.
Jeanette sums up her experience at Gurri Wanyarra beautifully:“It’s a great way of getting to know people, if you’re a bit nervous about it just bite the bullet and come along!”
If you would like to get down to the pool and get involved, head to https://www.gurriwanyarrawc.com.au/
Day 7: Bendigo women share their views on why it's important to try new things and get active
Our Health Promotion team has put their heart and soul into this 7 Ways in 7 Days series to inspire women of all ages to try new things, get active and look after their health and wellbeing.
It's our contribution to the wonderful VicHealth This Girl Can Week.
We're very proud of the team and what they've achieved in delivering important health messages for women. But you've heard enough from us this week so as a final farewell Siobhan, Belle and Kahla give you a little taste of their 'acting' prowess before handing over to Bendigo women of all ages to share their thoughts on why trying new things and getting out and about is so important today.
That's a wrap for our 7 Ways in 7 Days series. Thank you for watching and we hope we've inspired you to get out and active. It's never too late!
A HUUUUUUUUGE thanks to everyone who gave their time and effort for our 7 Ways in 7 Days series. Your support is truly appreciated. Bendigo Botanic Gardens parkrun, Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre, Strongest U Fitness, Bendigo Senior Secondary College, City of Greater Bendigo.
How you can get involved in This Girl Can week
C'mon Bendigo - it's time to get involved.
If you are a local club, facility or community group, here are some simple steps on how you can support This Girl Can:
1 - Register as a This Girl Can – Victoria supporter. We'll make that easy for you. Just click here
2 - Plan your This Girl Can event. Here's some suggestions to get you started:
- Free beginner group classes
- ‘Come and try’ sessions at your club
- Free trial memberships
- Open days with a welcome morning tea/coffee
3 - Create a Facebook event listing and add This Girl Can – Victoria as a ‘co-host’. Don't forget to include the #ThisGirlCanVIC tag so everyone can see what you're doing.
Find out how to get more women involved by using this great step-by-step guide click here
The Health Promotion team at Bendigo Community Health Services will be out and about to give you an insight into some of opportunities for women to get active in our community. Stay tuned for some inspiration and ideas on our social media platforms during This Girl Can week!
If you want to get active straight away here's some great tips and ideas for inspiration click here
We will keep updating this blog post over the coming weeks with This Girl Can events in the Greater Bendigo community. If you have a great event planned please let us know so we can share: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This Girl Can events in the Greater Bendigo region
Self Care Sunday - Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre
When: Sunday, March 28
Where: Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre, 9 Browning Street, Kangaroo Flat.
What: Join Mon for a fun Sh'bam dance class at 2.0pm followed by a relaxing Body Balance class at 3pm. Learn more
Peter Krenz Leisure Centre - free group fitness classes
When: Tuesday at 6.15pm (Body Pump) and Wednesday at 6.30pm (aqua aerobics)
Where: Napier Street, Eaglehawk.
What: Free opportunities for women to try Group Fitness. Learn more
Healthy Mates Bendigo - free hydrotherapy and contrast therapy sessions
When: All week during business hours.
Where: 202 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo
What: Healthy Mates Bendigo is offering free use of the hydrotherapy pool for all women during This Girl Can week. Give them a call to book in your free session on 5441 8333.
Dine Out Goldfields - Active Dunolly Community Night
When: Friday, March 26. 5pm to 8pm.
Where: Gordon Gardens, Market Street, Dunolly.
What: People of all ages and abilities welcome. Basketball, mini-tennis, excerise equipment classes, bring your scooters and bikes, food trucks, pop up stalls, bring a picnic blanket and chairs.
Come and Try Roller Skating
When: Sunday, March 28. 2.30pm to 4pm.
Where: Truscott Reserve, Murdock Street.
What: Ever wanted to glide around on skates? Well here's your chance to give skating a go under the expert guidance of Dragon City Roller Derby members. Now that sounds like fun!
To learn more click here
Miss Me-time Paddling
When: Sunday, March 21. 9am to 10am
Where: Crusoe Reservoir boat ramp
What: Goldfields Paddlers invite you down to have a paddle and some fun.
Please note: Spaces are limited so to book your ticket click here
So, how are you going to support the This Girl Can campaign?
Last updated: March 26, 2021