Download the media release

This year, 60,000 students from more than 300 schools around the state walked, skated, scooted, skipped, cycled and even rode horses to school on 19 October for the VicHealth-funded Victoria Walks to School Day.

Olympic Gold Medallist and VicHealth board member Nicole Livingstone OAM, Victorian Minister for Education The Hon. Martin Dixon and a host of local identities and politicians joined the kids, teachers and parents who walked.

Dr Ben Rossiter, executive officer of Victoria Walks, said many schools more than doubled the amount of kids who had walked the day before.

“It was fantastic to see so many people in the community getting on board to help make physical activity a part of every child’s daily routine,” Dr Rossiter said. “I’d encourage every school that took part to keep it up throughout the year. Kids who walk to school do better in the classroom, have more energy, and are healthier and happier.

“We loved the creative ideas we received this year from all over the state Some rural schools implemented regular ‘stop and drop zone’ for kids who could not walk the whole distance, some students dressed in the colour of their favourite vegetable, while others walked with black balloons to represent the carbon emissions they were saving by walking. One student even rode to school on her horse,” Dr Rossiter added.

This year, Golden Shoe Awards were awarded to Drummond Primary School and Baliang East Primary School. These schools had the greatest increase in students walking on the day compared to the day before. Edithvale Primary School and Templestowe Valley Primary School won the random prize draw for a Tabloid Sports Carnival for their school.

Congratulations to the following schools for achieving the greatest proportion of students walking to school in each of their categories. Each school won a $300 Hart Sport equipment voucher.

1-199 students walked

Drummond Primary School
Amphitheatre Primary School
Dartmoor Primary School
Apsley Primary School
Jindivick Primary School
Balliang East Primary School
Marysville Primary School
Tobruk Street Primary Morwell
Woodford Primary School
Napoleons Primary School

200-349 students walked

Belmont Primary School
St Anne's Primary School - East Kew
Holy Trinity Primary School - Wantirna South
St Albans Heights Primary School
Clayton North Primary School
Surfside Primary School
Burwood Heights Primary School
Christ Our Holy Redeemer School
Sherbourne Primary School
Trinity Catholic Primary School - Richmond

350 students or more walked

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School - Warnambool
St. Mary's Catholic Primary School
Williamstown Primary School
Princes Hill Primary School
St Monica's Catholic Primary School - Moonee Ponds
Port Melbourne Primary School
Roberts McCubbin Primary School
St Therese Catholic Primary School - Essendon
Lara Lake Primary School
Canterbury Primary School

Media: Dr Ben Rossiter, Executive Officer of Victoria Walks on 0425 805 578 www.victoriawalks.org.au/walktoschool