Going green for fitness and fun

BENDIGO’S Adam Smolak will make a presentation at an international congress in Melbourne this month.The Healthy Parks Healthy People Congress, from April 11 to 16, explores how nature contributes to individual wellbeing and broader societal benefits.The Bendigo Green Gym Officer, Mr Smolak will talk about the importance of exercise and having fun as a catalyst for other goals.“It’s an international conference and people from all over come together to discuss why we need to have healthy people in healthy parks,” he said.“It’s for everyone from resource management to the medical sector.”Mr Smolak has a degree in tourism, spent time as a licensed tour operator running bushwalks and has also worked as a contractor for Parks Victoria.Now he is with the Green Gym, which is a Go For Your Life initiative that promotes exercise and fitness through environmental protection and conservation.“The Green Gym . . . it’s for people who are retired or semi-retired, people with an illness or injury wanting to get back involved or even people who are looking for work,” he said.Mr Smolak will hold his presentation on April 13.He’s one of a number of presenters at the forum including Green Gym founder Dr William Bird.