Walking Class Heroes
14 October 2010 By Petty Officer Physical Trainer (POPT) Scott Harriden
HMAS Stirling (CAPT Brett Dowsing) took part in the annual Walk to Work Day for the fifth consecutive year earlier this month.
Walk to Work Day is an annual event conducted all around Australia promoting regular exercise and a cleaner environment.
More than 1200 ADF members, APS personnel, long term contractors, families and friends walked from the mainland, across the causeway bridge, and finished at the Sports Pavilion where an extensive buffet of healthy foods and juices awaited them for the post-walk breakfast.
What made this event so special was that it is the only time the causeway is closed to all traffic allowing all participants to enjoy a scenic walk across the Garden Island bridge.
“Navy values a healthy lifestyle and fitness for all Navy members and their families and this is one way that Stirling as a whole can get together and enjoy a great activity and our stunning natural environment,” said CAPT Dowsing.
In addition to the Walk to Work Day, the annual Causeway Classic running race was conducted over the same course.
The Causeway Classic is a timed event over a 6.5km course which really puts competitors through their paces.
The long winding course and the steep incline of the causeway bridge pushed all of the 75 runners to the limit.
Causeway Classic Winners in each category were as follows:
- Under 18 Female: Chantel Dyball
- Under 18 Male: Lachlan Nelson
- 18-35 Female Category: LSCIS Chloe Oliver
- 18-35 Male Category: ABCD Todd Adamson
- 35-44 Female Category: CPOCIS Tara Irving
- 35-44 Male Category: LSPT Brad Pethers
- 44+ Male Category: Dr Sam Huf
In addition to this year’s Walk to Work Day and Causeway Classic, it was decided to merge the Stirling Family Fun Day into this event to coincide with the school holidays.
The invitation was extended to include all Defence families and supporters to get together and enjoy a day of social activities and fun for the kids.
Some of the activities included mechanical bulls and surfboards, a Ferris Wheel, dodgem cars, face painting, show-bags and clowns, just to name a few.
This year’s event was only made possible by the assistance of our key supporters and the detailed planning and assistance of HMAS Stirling staff.
“We wish to thank all of those people involved and we look forward to doing it all again next year,” commented CPO Darren Dyball, on behalf of Navy Gym West PT staff.
