General News
1 August, 2025
Trevor strides toward major milestone
AFTER 13 years and millions of steps, local volunteer and avid walker Trevor Hearfield has reached a major milestone.
Last Tuesday (July 29) Trevor embarked on his 1000th walk as part of a Heart Foundation walking group.
After retiring from work and going for walks alone, Trevor’s wife saw a flyer in a shop window advertising Heart Foundation walking groups, and she encouraged Trevor to join.
“I didn’t know how I was going to go with it, as I was used to walking on my own,” he said.
“But everybody was friendly and I just carried it on from there.”
After the group’s leader moved away from Warrnambool, Trevor stepped up to a volunteering role as a walk leader.
“After a while I got to be the leader of the group and everything has skyrocketed from there.”
As well as some administration duties, walk leaders are responsible for creating a friendly environment and welcoming new members.
Coordinated locally by the Warrnambool City Council’s Archie Graham Centre, four groups currently operate in Warrnambool.
Trevor began with a single group, but now regularly joins all four.
Walkers can go at their own pace, and different people sometimes walk different distances, with everyone meeting at the end for a cuppa and a chat.
“It feels great. The main reason to keep going is the camaraderie. Everybody works well together, it’s like one big family,” he said.
“There’s been a couple of people that have lost their partners, and we’ve all knuckled down and been supportive of that person. We’ve had people with ageing disabilities… and we’ve welcomed them and looked after them.
“It’s good to get out and about, and enjoy the coffee afterwards and the talks.
“As we get older, we can get into a set routine, and sometimes you’ve got to break that routine.
“For anybody that’s thinking about it, I’d advise them to get out and try it.”
Despite walking regularly for so many years, Trevor said there’s always something new to see.
“It’s surprising what you do see. You might have driven past something for weeks and never noticed it.”
Deputy mayor Cr Vicki Jellie congratulated Trevor on his milestone and thanked him for his volunteer work, which saw him recognised in 2021 as a local nominee for a Victorian Senior of the Year Award.
“We wouldn’t have a lot of these programs if we didn’t have the volunteers so congratulations to Trevor and everyone else like Trevor,” she said.
“The volunteers in the city, and volunteers everywhere, are the backbone of the community. They give so much but I think they also get something out of it… it’s good for their soul too.
“Being involved with community, with health and wellbeing, is so important, and all the programs that the Archie Graham Centre run are so important to people.”
Heart Foundation senior advisor for physical activity, Elizabeth Calleja, encouraged people living in the Warrnambool area to join a group.
“There are many health benefits of regular exercise, and participating in a walking group is also a great way to socialise and meet new people,” she said.
“The truth is, though, while most people come for some extra exercise, they’ll more often return week after week because of all the wonderful, new friends they make.
“Aside from their regular walks, Warrnambool’s groups have stayed vital by offering an important social outlet for members.
“This anniversary is a testament to the value these groups have in their local community. I’d urge anyone who is thinking about joining these, or another group, to give it a go. Heart Foundation Walking is fun, free and easy – so why not give it a try? You can sign up online or just turn up, and our walk organiser will help you.”
To find out more about the Heart Foundation Walking Groups, visit https://walking.heartfoundation.org.au.
You can also contact the Archie Graham Centre on 5559 4920.
