Residents of RetireAustralia Forresters Beach Retirement Village will be taking part in The Kokoda Track 10,000 Steps Challenge this October, and by doing so will pay tribute to the memories of heroes through daily activity.
The Challenge, run by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, is a virtual walking trial in which participants aim to walk a minimum of 10,000 steps per day, whilst mapping their progress against significant battlegrounds on the Kokoda Track.
Retired RAAF engineering officer and Forresters Beach Retirement Village resident Doug Roser is captain of a team of walkers in the challenge. The group of five, which includes two fellow veterans and residents Max Carter and Geoff Nichols, have named their team the Forries Fabulous Five for the challenge.
“Those remaining veterans are in their early 90s and we won’t have many of them around for too long,” Doug said. “We are very supportive of anything commemorating or remembering World War II.”
Forresters Beach Assistant Village Manager Julie Ramage applauded the team for their spirit, embracing fitness in ageing as well as enthusiasm to take part in the challenge.
“It’s a great way for residents to work together to keep fit, while recognising those who have served,” she said.
The Kokoda Track 10,000 Steps Challenge runs from 21st October to 17th November, coinciding with Veterans’ Health Week 2017. Veterans’ Health Week is an annual opportunity for veterans, current service personnel and their families to recognise the importance of improving their physical and mental wellbeing.
“The whole idea is to get veterans to exercise to help avoid some of the long-term ailments older people get,” Doug said. “We’re all pretty competitive and we’ll probably aim for more than 10,000.
“As we age, those of us who are able should get off our butts and make sure we exercise!”
Picture: Max Carter, Louise O’Neill, Geoff Nichols, Karen Roser and Doug Roser.
