Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Collinsville Gets Active!

The first of the region’s four planned ‘Get Active Family Fun Days’ for the year took place last Saturday at Collinsville Lions Park.

The successful Whitsunday Regional Council facilitated mental health and wellbeing event invited the community out to enjoy workshops, fitness activities, games, food, information, and entertainment from local organisations.

Parents were provided with some relaxing time as their children headed for the jumping castle and “foam party”, employed their artistic skills with crafts, or braved a meeting with some of the Whitsundays’ local wildlife in a “meet and greet”.

Free sports workshops were a hit, including an obstacle course, archery and kinder gym – but nothing could steal the limelight of the ever-popular facepainting provided by Bowen Police Sergeant and PCYC Bowen Branch manager Michelle O’Regan.

Local service providers and organisations from Bowen and Collinsville chipped in with their own activities and raffles. Those present included: Disability and Aged Care service provider Stella Life Care; Wattlewood Nature Play; Bowen PCYC; Bowen Hockey; and the Collinsville Lions Club.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall – who enjoyed the day immensely, even hopping in the foam party with the PCYC’s R.U.B.Y Crew - said the first 2023 Get Active Family Fun Day was “an absolute ball”.

“It was fantastic to see the community of Collinsville having so much fun,” Mayor Hall said,

“This was extremely successful and to have the community response we have, that is excellent, and we thank Collinsville for that – an event is only as successful as the community which shows up to it.

“They always do community well in Collinsville. And the word is out now for the rest of the region; I would expect our Bowen, Proserpine, and Airlie Beach Get Active Days will be just as successful.”

Council will host Get Active events in each major township: Proserpine, Sunday March 26; Airlie Beach, Sunday, April 2; and Bowen, Saturday, April 15.

The Get Active Family Fun Day initiative is funded by the Queensland Government, Mental Health and Wellbeing Community Package under Queensland's Economic Recovery Strategy.

Whitsunday Regional Council facilitated the Collinsville Get Active Family Fun Day last Saturday

The Collinsville Lions Park filled with activities, including wildlife a meet and greet

There were plenty of arts and craft stalls too for local children, with the event’s goal to promote mental and physical wellbeing

Facepainting was the most popular stall of the day, with a fair few spidermen, pirates, and fairies out and about

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