Jeremy Rockliff,Minister for Education and Training
Today, children across Australia put their feet first for a healthier future and participated in National Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) to encourage the health benefits of walking regularly.
The safety of our students is a key priority for the Tasmanian Government, and now in its 21st year, the annual event sees thousands of Tasmanian students and their families participate.
With a focus on promoting road safety and health, the event helps to teach children healthy walking habits and safe ways to behave around roads and traffic, while also considering our transport habits to try and incorporate more walking as part of an active lifestyle.
It also promotes the significant physical, mental and social health benefits which can be achieved through regular walking.
The Tasmanian Government encourages parents and carers to walk more, reducing traffic congestion around schools and better use of public transport.
If regularly walking the whole way to school is not possible, we encourage stopping a few blocks away and to walk the rest of the way to school.
Importantly, it also supports our Healthy Tasmania Strategy to reduce Tasmania’s rate of obesity to below the national average and to have the healthiest population in the nation by 2025.
