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Federal Minister for Sport, Bridget McKenzie has announced that Brisbane-based parkrun Australia will receive a Better Ageing grant of more than $1.8 million to encourage more older Australians to live active lives.

Senator McKenzie announced the grant when she joined hundreds of people enjoying a morning parkrun event in Launceston on Saturday.

She announced “the (Australian) Government is delighted to provide this grant to parkrun Australia, a wonderful community-focused organisation that promotes an active lifestyle with an emphasis on fun and social connections as well as fitness.

“parkrun events are held right across the country and the organisation’s Generations Project is about connecting older Australians with their weekly local parkrun community event where they can run, walk, volunteer and socialise with people of all ages.”

parkrun Australia Chief Executive Tim Oberg, who joined Minister McKenzie for the announcement, welcomed the funding.

Oberg advised "this significant investment will provide us with the resource to engage directly with even more older Australians, their families and the people closest to them.

“Our aim is to empower people for whom physical activity through walking, running and volunteering is not the norm to become involved with parkrun in a way that is enjoyable, sociable and leads to regular participation.”

Minister McKenzie said Australians were living longer and the Move It Aus Better Ageing program was an important step in helping older Australians to get the most out of their senior years.

She added "as outlined in the Government’s National Sport Plan – Sport 2030 – no matter what your age and no matter what your stage, we’re encouraging all Australians to embrace the philosophy of ‘Movement for Life’.

"This is a really important step in that process (as), on current trends, the number of Australians aged 65-plus is expected to double in the next 40 years.

“This shift presents a challenge in broader health terms but provides a chance for sport and physical activity to make a positive difference to the lives of older Australians.”

Currently only 25% of Australians over 65 meet the Department of Health physical activity guidelines of 30 minutes activity per day.

parkrun Australia is among 27 organisations to share a Federal Government investment of $22.9 million in the Move It Aus Better Ageing Grants over the next two years.

The 27 successful Better Ageing Program grant applicants:

• Arthritis Foundation of Australia Inc.
• Australian Multicultural Community Services Inc.
• Australian Taekwondo
• Basketball Australia
• Bowls Australia Limited
• Canberra Ultimate
• City of Albany
• City of Parramatta Council
• Corporation of the City of Marion
• Corporation of The City of Unley
• COTA Australia
• Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA)
• Football Federation Australia
• Golf Australia Limited
• Gymnastics Australia
• Loddon Mallee Group of Councils
• Musculoskeletal Australia
• National Heart Foundation of Australia
• Netball Queensland Limited
• Parkrun Australia
• Perth Glory Foundation
• Reclink Australia
• Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia
• Sport Inclusion Australia
• Surf Life Saving Australia
• Water Polo Australia
• Wyndham City Council

Further Information on the Move It Aus Better Ageing Grant Program go to www.sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding/better_ageing

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4th January 2019 - Federal Government launches $28.9 million activity grants program

20th September 2018 - Move It Aus expanded to focus on older Australians

6th August 2018 - Sport Australia launches ‘Move It’ campaign to encourage physical activity

1st August 2018 - Sports Commission to rebrand as Sport Australia

20th July 2018 - Report shows few Australians of all ages meeting physical activity guidelines

22nd July 2017 - Older Australians healthier and more active but struggling with fitness

7th June 2015 - Wyndham city set to open AquaPulse and the Encore Events Centre

29th November 2014 - Physiologist warns exercise or face rapid declining health in old age

18th September 2009 - Baby Boomers should live like athletes

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