Spring Ridge locals can take advantage of free exercises at the community hall, thanks to a well-being grant.
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Classes will be run three times a week for a year and there are child care facilities so parents can attend.
The initiative is funded by a Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network Empowering Communities Grant and was the result of a collaboration between a Local Advisory Group and Liverpool Plains Council.
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The concept was put forward by Spring Ridge resident Laura Wilmott who believes rural communities should have access to exercise facilities.
The exercise physiologist and dietitian was living in Sydney until three years ago and frequented the gym but hit difficulty when she moved to a farm at Spring Ridge, with the closest gym almost two hours away. She said she missed having a gym nearby, valuing exercise for "physical and mental health".
Ms Wilmott now has two children under five and loses "at least half the day" driving into Gunnedah to use a gym with child-minding facilities.
"It's a real disadvantage for people in the country. It's hard to access fitness classes," she said.
"When I read about the funding in the paper I thought it was something we could set-up, especially at the moment with the drought."
Ms Wilmott approached the council about the idea and staff helped her complete and submit the application. In late April, she found out the application was successful and Plains Fitness, Quirindi, came on board to run the classes for "all fitness abilities and all ages".
The first class will be held on Monday, June 3, with the weekly proposed schedule of Mondays at 6pm, Tuesdays at 9am and Thursday at 6.30am. Child-minding will be offered at the 9am class.
It's hard to access fitness classes [in the country].
- Laura Wilmott
Ms Wilmott said it's "something I'm passionate about" and is encouraging locals to take advantage of the opportunity.
"I'm really excited and it's a way I can give back to the community and it is something I can do to help other people," Ms Wilmott said.
"It's good for everyone and brings people together as well. People are quite isolated out on farms."
Liverpool Plains mayor Andrew Hope said it was a "great initiative".
"It's a well-known fact that Australia has an increasing problem with lifestyle diseases such as obesity and diabetes, as well as mental health. These issues are accentuated during challenging times such as the current drought," he said.
"Communities can gain a lot by working together, collaborating with their council, state and federal governments and other agencies to gain funding through a multitude of programs designed to build stronger communities.
"It is all about harnessing power of community to drive these initiatives towards successful outcomes."
To find out more about the Spring Ridge initiative, phone Laura Willmott on 0418 259 052. To chat with the council's economic development officer, Ian George, about how the council can assist community initiatives, phone 6746 1755.