Community donation gives old gym equipment new life

THE activity and gymnasium space at Bellarine Community Health’s Portarlington site has received a major upgrade of equipment.

The upgrade was made possible thanks to generous community support from the Portarlington & Drysdale Community Bank branches and the BCH Portarlington Ladies Auxiliary.

Ageing and mismatched equipment acquired over many years has been replaced with modern new equipment suitable for the many groups that use the gym space.

“We are extremely grateful for the $15,000 grant from the Portarlington & Drysdale Community bank branches through a Bendigo Bank Community Enterprise Foundation challenge grant,” BCH hief executive officer Shane Dawson said.

“That grant, along with a $15,000 donation from our wonderful Portarlington Ladies Auxiliary, has allowed us to purchase new equipment to fit out our gym.”

New exercise bikes and elliptical equipment with consistent information screens have been purchased along with a new water resistance rowing machine with seat height extensions and two multi-function weight trainers.

Smaller items suitable for use by people of all ages and abilities have also been added to the range of exercise equipment.

BCH is looking into how the space may also be used by the community.

The equipment upgrade also allows BCH to enhance its existing range of programs including establishing a specific series of workshops targeted at people living with type 2 diabetes.

The EMPOWER workshops are a combination of education and exercise sessions to help people to self-manage their diabetes effectively.

The sessions will cover areas such as food choices, wellbeing, oral health, motivation and peer support as well education about diabetes.

The workshops will run on Monday afternoons at the Portarlington site.

To find out more information on eligibility and accessing this service contact the BCH intake team on 5258 0812 or email [email protected].