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A Frankston mall-walking group have a spring back in their step after mounting a successful campaign to save their cherished shopping centre exercise sessions.
The 22-year-old group, whose members are mostly retirees, will be allowed once again to meet before opening hours and stroll through Karingal Hub shopping centre after a decision to shut them out was overturned.
Much loved group: Members of Karingal Hub Walkers outside the shopping centre, in Frankston, this week.Credit: Joe Armao
Member Val Renison wrote to The Age this week saying the Karingal Hub Walkers had recently been “permanently axed” for safety reasons.
The walks, organised with the help of Peninsula Health, had been suspended in 2019 due to centre redevelopment, and then due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Renison said members had been keen to resume this year, but in May, Peninsula Health broke the news that after a review, Karingal Hub management had decided “that it’s no longer a safe environment for over 100 walkers”.
Renison said appeals to reinstate the group were sent to centre management, Peninsula Health and local politicians, but had come to nothing. Walkers were planning a protest walk at the centre next week.
Peninsula Health said earlier this week that it and Karingal Hub had jointly decided to stop the program, and that “a busy shopping centre environment was no longer safe for a walking group”.
However, both parties have now backtracked. A spokeswoman for ISPT, the company that owns the centre, said Karingal Hub would be “delighted to continue as the host location for the walking group if Peninsula Health is interested in reinstating the service”.
The ISPT spokeswoman said the safety issues had referred to the shopping centre redevelopment works and to COVID-19 health concerns.
Peninsula Health chief operating officer Helen Cooper said: “Pending volunteer availability and interest, we would be pleased to once again partner with Karingal Hub Shopping Centre to reinstate the Karingal Hub walking group — an initiative that was much-loved by our senior community members.”
Fitness and friendship: Some of the Karingal Hub Walkers.Credit: Joe Armao
Renison said she was overjoyed at the news, “particularly for our older members and those who don’t get the opportunity to exercise otherwise”.
Another walker, Fay Margocsy, said it was “amazing news” as the walkers had felt no one would listen to them.
“I’m so pleased that we’ll have everybody back together again doing what we enjoy doing, exercising and enjoying one another’s company. It will be brilliant.”
Margocsy said she and other members had been angry and upset when the group looked like folding. “I miss it so much,” she said.
The group walked through the shopping centre at 8am, before most shops opened, spaced out in groups of up to four people at a time. They walked for 30 minutes and did exercises before and after the walk.
Margocsy said the group was a fantastic way for people, particularly singles, to find a community. “There were a couple of marriages from people that met there.
“It was held inside so you didn’t have to worry about uneven footpaths,” she said. “It was great in summer because it was cool and it was warm in winter. And it was always safe.”
When her husband, Ian, died four years ago, Margocsy leant on her friends from walking.
“I wouldn’t have got through it if I hadn’t had the group, because they were so supportive,” she said.
Other shopping centres with walking programs include Westfield Southland, Greensborough Plaza and the Pines in Doncaster East.
Dr Ben Rossiter, executive officer of the charity Victoria Walks, said mall walking was important, to some older people in particular, for reasons including minimising falls “which is a massive issue”, avoiding bad weather and making social connections.
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