Walking to school pays off

Published on 08 April 2019

A Gannawarra Shire Council-based school’s continued success of the VicHealth Walk to School Month program was rewarded on 5 April.

Geelong AFLW captain, Melissa Hickey ran a football clinic at Leitchville Primary School, with the school’s eight students enjoying the one-hour visit.

Students took Ms Hickey on a tour of the school before the 19-game player – who spent the first two seasons of AFLW with Melbourne before joining the Cats – passed on her skills.

“Although being one of the smallest schools in the Gannawarra, Leitchville Primary School is one of the VicHealth Walk to School program’s biggest supporters,” Mayor Lorraine Learmonth said.

“The school recorded a 100 per cent participation rate during the 2018 program, with children recording a combined total of 456 commutes to school by walking, riding or scooting last October.

“This led to the school claiming the Walk to School Month north-western Victoria regional award.”

It was the second consecutive year Leitchville Primary School has won the north-western Victoria regional title, with the school receiving a visit from Melbourne Football Club captain, Jack Viney in 2018.

“Council has supported VicHealth Walk to School Month for the past six years, which promotes the benefits of physical activity and improving safe access travel routes to and from school for primary school aged children,” Mayor Learmonth said.