AussieWalk, also known as AussieWalk IVV, is a not-for-profit sports club based in Canberra, Australia. The club is managed by a dedicated team of volunteers who work towards multiple goals. Firstly, they aim to encourage public health through non-competitive walking activities. They believe that walking is a fantastic way to promote physical well-being for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
Moreover, AussieWalk is dedicated to providing opportunities for social engagement. They believe in fostering a sense of community and friendship among their members. Whether you are a seasoned walker or just starting your fitness journey, AussieWalk welcomes you with open arms.
As a National Member of the Internationaler Volkssportverband (IVV), AussieWalk also organises and administers the IVV award programme within Australia. This prestigious programme allows participants to earn credits for various activities. Some of these activities include the annual Aussie Peace Walk, which is an internationally recognised, non-competitive walking event. Participants of all ages from around Australia and the world come together to take part in this event.
The IVV and IML stamp is included in the entry fee for the event.
AussieWalk also offers weekly group walks called “Walking For Pleasure walks. ” These walks take place every day of the week in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), except on Mondays. Walking For Pleasure members can participate in these walks free of charge, while visitors will be required to pay the standard IVV fee to obtain the stamp.
Another exciting activity that AussieWalk promotes is parkrun Australia. With over 340 weekly 5 km parkruns/parkwalks across Australia, parkrun is a great way to get involved in walking. By signing up for free and joining the AussieWalk “club,” participants can earn free credits for any parkrun completed in Australia. All you need is your parkrun barcode.
AussieWalk also collaborates with the Queanbeyan Health Walking Group, a Heart Foundation Walking group in Queanbeyan, New South Wales. They meet every Thursday at 8:45 am and offer free IVV credit for walks greater than 5 km.
Throughout the year, AussieWalk also organises events for World Walking Day in May and Harry Berg Memorial St Nicholas Day in December. These events are published in the Walking For Pleasure Calendar and on the AussieWalk Facebook page. While there is no charge for the IVV stamp for these walks, a donation is usually collected to support a local charity.
Additionally, participants can complete any of the AussieWalk sanctioned permanent trails across Australia in their own time. The IVV stamp will be provided upon payment of the nominated walk fee. Moreover, participants can earn IVV credit by undertaking any organised Australian charity or challenge event or multi-day walking tour organised by a registered/licenced tour company. Only the standard walk fee is required to obtain the IVV stamp, but evidence of participation is needed.
AussieWalk also offers membership benefits for IVV walkers, with more information provided in their FAQ section. They also host the annual Aussie Peace Walk in March, and future dates are listed on their website for those planning to attend.
Overall, AussieWalk is a welcoming and inclusive sports club in Canberra, Australia. They provide a range of non-competitive walking activities for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Whether you're a beginner looking for social engagement or an experienced walker seeking new challenges, AussieWalk has something for everyone. Join their e-Mail list to receive regular updates on their walking events or reach out to them if you're travelling to Canberra and would like to participate in their activities.