Mark your calendars!
This Girl Can Week will be back again from 10-17 November 2024.
In the lead up our supporters will create events for women right across the state.
Browse This Girl Can supporters and check their websites to see who’s hosting events, or check your local council events page.
Follow the checklist on the VicHealth website.
While stay-at-home restrictions were in place, we asked what our This Girl Can – Victoria ambassadors were doing to stay active at home.
Now that they’re easing, we asked them about their experience with exercise and physical activity throughout the restrictions.
What they told us was that connecting with others is a big part of getting the physical activity they need to feel good.
“We set up the family room and called it the gym. Had fun confusing my hubby by saying we were going to the gym,” said Sue.
“I rode every street in my suburb, and the few surrounding suburbs… the neighbourhood thought I’d gone totally nuts,” said Tina.
“I struggled. I prefer a team environment… I do better with fixed times, expectations and people,” said Marnie.
“I stopped being so regimental with my exercise and instead decided to be kind,” said Angela
Can you relate to what did and didn’t work for our ambassadors during coronavirus restrictions? How about what they’re looking forward to?
We hope you found this inspiring and comforting to hear from these everyday women who volunteered to share their story about getting active as our This Girl Can – Victoria ambassadors.
This week in our final episode for season one, we meet Kelly who feels recharged when she gets active
Kelly’s a mum of three, and like many parents, put the wellbeing of her kids before her own.
After the birth of her youngest child, Kelly realised it was time to focus on her own health. Looking after herself first, meant she could better care for her family.
“Self-love is not selfish. It’s love. So it makes me a happier person, which means I’ll be a better person to everyone around me”
Today, Kelly has a love of Pilates and is part of a netball team made up of a beautiful community of other mums from her children’s school. Not only does this benefit Kelly’s own mental and physical health, but she’s showing her children that anyone – regardless of age or ability – should get active because of how great it makes you feel.
This is the final episode of our first season of This Girl Can – Victoria podcast. If you’d like to catch up on the previous episodes, simply search for This Girl Can – Victoria wherever you’re listening to podcasts.
For a full transcript of the podcast, click here.
This week, we meet Natalie who feels a sense of relief when she gets active.
Natalie has lived in rural Victoria all her life. Being kilometres away from the closest neighbour, to over 30 minutes away from town, the tyranny of distance can have big impacts on physical and mental wellbeing.
Since moving to Manangatang in Northern Victoria, Natalie has used physical activity as a way to bring women of all ages together.
“I find exercise is a mental release…it’s now more for mental health and keeps me motivated.”
The birth of her first child 15 years ago left Natalie feeling quite isolated and craving human interaction. What started as a walking group has evolved into a social group that not only get active together, but has built a strong community despite being kilometres apart.
In Episode 6 we met Natasha, a ‘body positive’ personal trainer who sees being physically active as key to living a happy life. Learn how Natasha empowers and inspires her clients to move and celebrate what their bodies can achieve rather than how they look.
Listen to the previous episodes by searching for This Girl Can – Victoria wherever you’re listening to podcasts.
For a full transcript of the podcast, click here.
We’ve already shared tips about moving to online classes, but now that re-opening your doors is in sight, we wanted to share why videos will remain relevant.
Here are two good reasons why creating online videos about your sport or activity will continue to get women active post-coronavirus:
If you’re going to make a video to get more women active in your program or activity, the below tips can help ensure it’s as welcoming and inspiring as possible.
Why: Our research tells us that women are more likely to get active when they see people who look like them, and they feel included.
How:
Why: Remember our research tells us that women worry they’ll be judged on their ability or because they don’t have the right clothes or equipment to give an activity a shot. If you want to support more women to get active, make sure you are actively trying to include women who are feeling unsure or just starting out.
How:
Why: If it’s easy to find and easy to watch, it is likely to make a good impression.
How:
Why: Good structure helps women follow along without having to do too much pausing or rewinding.
How: Consider what sequence and structure will work best by asking yourself questions such as:
See our at home circuit workout video below as an example of good structure.
Why: Getting the key technical specifications right makes your video more professional and appealing to watch.
How:
Videos can support women to get active at any time and following the tips above will help to ensure your videos are welcoming, easy to watch and easy to engage with. For more good examples see our Get Active @ Home page.
For more evidence-based tips on how to get women active, register or login as a Campaign Supporter for access to our step-by-step guide: Getting women to sign up for physical activity.
This week, we meet Natasha who feels completely real when she gets active.
Natasha is a ‘body positive’ personal trainer who celebrates the uniqueness of every body.
By empowering and inspiring her clients to move and celebrate what their bodies can achieve rather than how they look, Natasha sees being physically active as key to living a happy life.
“Exercise is mental for me. It’s emotional for me. It makes me appreciate what I can do in my body now…and it’s also just nice to connect with one’s physical self.”
In the previous episode we met with Kirsten who never really enjoyed sports as a child. It wasn’t until she was in her late 20’s that she started to see fitness as more than a means to an end, realising being active was key to her wellbeing and happiness.
Listen to the previous episodes by searching for This Girl Can – Victoria wherever you’re listening to podcasts
A full transcript of the episode, click here
This week, we meet Kirsten who feels internally and emotionally healthy when she runs.
With an Aboriginal mother and an African-American father who was in the military, Kirsten grew up all over the world – from Japan, to the United States, to Geraldton in Western Australia. Though it was when she was on Country at Mount Magnet near Geraldton that she felt whole and free.
Sports weren’t Kirsten’s thing growing up, but she yearned to be outside. It wasn’t until she was in her late 20’s that Kirsten began to focus more on her fitness, helping her realise that being active was key to her wellbeing and happiness.
Now living in Melbourne, Kirsten and her ‘5am sisters’ get together at least once a week to not only exercise, but to genuinely connect with each other – which is important now more than ever.
What I get from having a group of women is…motivation, connectiveness and also realness. We have real conversations…we cheer each other on in everyday life
You can catch up on the previous episodes wherever you’re listening to podcasts.
Last week in Episode 4, we heard from Rocca whose love for music and dance led her to starting a Para-dance group. It’s a place where women in wheelchairs come together to feel the connection of being part of a group, free of judgement and see their wheelchairs in a new light – not just as a tool for transportation, but as a partner.
A full transcript of the episode, click here
This week, we meet Rocca who feels happy when she dances.
Rocca’s passion for dance is in her DNA. Growing up in Colombia, music and dance was a huge part of her upbringing, and it wasn’t long until her Mum and Auntie’s love of dance rubbed off on Rocca.
After moving to Australia to study at University, the unthinkable happened when Rocca was hit by a car and she has been in a wheelchair ever since.
I think life is mysterious…amazing…beautiful. And I don’t want to waste any moment of my life. I want to use absolutely every moment to do the things that I love, and that includes sports and being active.
During rehab Rocca discovered wheelchair tennis and came to the realisation that her wheelchair wasn’t an obstacle for her to live a happy, active life.
This realisation combined with her love for music and dance led Rocca to starting a Para-dance group. It’s a place where women in wheelchairs come together to feel the connection of being part of a group, free of judgement and see their wheelchairs in a new light – not just as a tool for transportation, but as a partner.
Last week in Episode 3, we heard from Sue who reflects on her early love of football and the importance of focusing on her own wellbeing, realising that it’s never too late to find your physical activity passion.
Listen to Episode 3 or search for This Girl Can – Victoria wherever you’re listening to podcasts.
A full transcript of the episode, click here
For all coronavirus questions visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au or call the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) hotline on 1800 020 080.
To help you kickstart your planning, we spoke to Lauren Foote from Darebin City Council to hear how they created online classes for their community to increase activity, promote health and ensure there were opportunities for social connection during the coronavirus pandemic. And spoiler alert, they nailed it!
https://www.facebook.com/1538799073074350/videos/225242758893077/Presented by Sifu Lily Liang for JinLi-Wushu Tai Chi https://www.jinli.com.au/
See what their members are saying in the comments
When creating online content, you have amazing opportunities to think creatively and don’t need to follow the same steps as creating physical events.
Here’s what Darebin City Council considered when planning their online activities:
Lauren shared some of the other key challenges and successes from Darebin City Council which can help you when you start your planning:
Firstly, create a Facebook event and make This Girl Can – Victoria a co-host, to immediately reach more than 16,000 Victorian women. You can learn how to do that here and once accepted, your event will be listed on our Facebook page and the Online Events page of the This Girl Can – Victoria website. Creating a Facebook event listing enables you to promote it and allows time for people to mark their calendars. Darebin City Council used their guest instructors to gain more interest and increase registrations.
This Girl Can – Victoria recognised that when the boom of online classes started, there was a real lack of diversity in both instructors, classes and fitness levels. As a council or sports club, you can tap into this market and provide the community with content that they will love and greatly benefit from. It also provides another way for women to connect through physical activity.
Darebin City Council reflected on what success would look like and acknowledged attendance is key but also the positive feedback they received from the community reiterated the value of online community-based content.
We can’t wait to co-host your events and share them with the This Girl Can Community!
Have a coronavirus question?
For all coronavirus questions visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au or call the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) hotline on 1800 020 080.
This week, we meet Sue who feels liberated when she plays football.
“It’s never too late to try something new. It’s never too late to get up, get active and have fun.”
Sue has always loved footy. Growing up in the 70s, Sue dreamt of playing footy with the boys. Society had other ideas when she was told she couldn’t play because she was a girl.
It wasn’t until Sue’s two kids were well into primary school that she decided to focus on her own wellbeing by revisiting her physical activity dreams.
“I thought, this is my chance. I’m 53. If I don’t do this now, I will never, ever get the opportunity again and I’ll regret it.”
In the podcast, Sue reflects on her early love of football and the importance of focusing on her own wellbeing. Be taken on a journey through the twists and turns of Sue’s life, leading her to the realisation that it’s never too late to find what you love to do and follow your physical activity passion.
In Episode 1, Jag shared her love for Bollywood dancing, how it makes her feel, and the ups and downs she’s faced.
In Episode 2, we heard from Karen who shares the story of the joyous release that being physical gives her, finding her new physical abilities, sexuality and motherhood.
Listen to Episode 1 and Episode 2 or search for This Girl Can – Victoria wherever you’re listening to podcasts.
For a full transcript of the podcast, click here
For all coronavirus questions visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au or call the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) hotline on 1800 020 080.
