Geelong fitness instructor named as finalist in national award

FOR the second year in a row, a Geelong group fitness instructor has been named as a finalist in the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.

Paula Kontelj, who leads groups at Fernwood Waurn Ponds and 10 South in Newtown, has been nominated in the group exercise instructor/leader of the year category.

The awards highlight those within the active health and exercise industry across 27 categories.

Ms Kontelj said being nominated for a second time was lovely, although she was not getting her hopes up.

“Coming at this point in my life, after all these years, to get some recognition is very nice,” she said.

Ms Kontelj started teaching group fitness in 1981 straight out of high school, and believes she was nominated for the award because of her longevity and breadth of experience in the industry.

“I’m not decrepit, I’m still fit and healthy, I’m still teaching upwards of seven or eight classes a week, so perhaps I don’t jump as high as I used to jump, but I’m still jumping,” she said.

She teaches Pilates, Zumba, body pump and an over-50s class. Throughout her career, she has also taught boxing, strong nation, body balance and more.

Ms Kontelj said she enjoyed the musicality that comes with teaching.

“I just love exercise to music and the expression that allows and the happiness that brings out in the participants,” she said. “I love seeing people do some exercise and they step in the door with trepidation, but they step out of the door with a big smile on their face and I like to feel that I’m making it enjoyable for people.

“I can’t imagine my life without it, everything about it I just like – the music and the exercise combination and the interaction with the people.”

The final decision will be made by an independent judging panel, with award winners to be announced at a gala event on October 11.

For more information on the awards, head to awards.ausactive.org.au