Residents are encouraged to get physically active across the Loddon Campaspe region while having some fun at the same time by taking part in Adventure Bingo - a new initiative from the Healthy Heart of Victoria.
Adventure Bingo invites residents to collect or download an Adventure Bingo booklet and participate in one of six walks in each of the participating local government areas. Through the initiative participants spot points of interest listed in the booklet during their walk and once they've spotted three items in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal line, they've got Bingo.
As part of the initiative, a series of weekly prize draws will be conducted from Monday November 23 to Sunday December 13, where residents who submit a photo of their completed Bingo card to [email protected] will go into the draw to win sporting equipment. Participants can send a photo of themselves at one of the sites on their Bingo card via Facebook message to Healthy Heart of Victoria to enter a special photo prize draw.
Healthy Heart of Victoria Coordinator, Alicia O'Brien said Adventure Bingo encourages physical activity in our local region in a fun and simple way, especially for children and families.
"It also provides a free opportunity to explore walks in our region in a COVID-safe way as the walks are outdoors, self-guided and can be done individually or in very small groups," Ms O'Brien said.
"Recent data released by AusPlay has shown that children's physical activity levels were heavily impacted by COVID-19. The data highlighted that less than one in five Australian children were active in organised activities outside of school during COVID-19 lockdown.
"Even before the pandemic, there were concerns that children were not moving enough, and with students learning from home for much of 2020, with no access to a playground at lunchtime or organised sport after school or on the weekends, the research has shown that levels of inactivity have increased during this time.
"The Active Living Census told us that walking is the most popular physical activity across the Loddon Campaspe region and so through Adventure Bingo we hope residents are encouraged to have a bit of fun when out on a walk.
"You can get involved both during the prize period or afterwards when you can challenge friends and family to see who can get Bingo first."
The Bendigo Adventure Bingo walk is located along the Bendigo Creek Trail at Kangaroo Flat, starting near Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre. Bingo booklets are available for free at Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre and Kangaroo Flat Library or online at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/hhv.
Other Adventure Bingo walks are located in Rochester, Maryborough, Wedderburn, Kyneton and Castlemaine.
