Heart Week 2026: Steps, checks and chats for better

Heart Week 2026: Steps, checks and chats for better heart health

Over 150 volunteers and partnering organisations helped bring Heart Week to life across the Heart Foundation Walking program and in their local communities. Walks, presentations, expos and special events were delivered with the support of passionate walk organisers and host organisations, working alongside our Program Officer team.

Special walking experiences

Western Australia

Over in WA we saw 50+ attendees enjoy a unique opportunity to walk inside Optus Stadium, creating a memorable community experience while showcasing the program to local MP's and supporting heart healthy conversations along the way.

Northern Territory

At the NT’s Territory Wildlife Park, local community joined a guided walk through the Monsoon Forest trail and spent time with park residents, including these beautiful water buffalo. Afterwards, walkers enjoyed a shared morning tea, followed by a heart health discussion led by NT Program Officer, Julie-Anne.

Community events

South Australia

Body scans, presentations and group launch

In regional SA, partnering organisations in Kadina came together to deliver three days of body scans, community presentations, launch a new walking group and host a stall at Copper Coast Leisure Centre providing heart health information – resulting in 71 body scans completed and 35 new walkers joining a newly established community walking group!

Walking group launch

South Australian Program Officer Rachel joined the Adelaide Migrant Resource Centre to launch their new walking group, with 15 walkers attending. The event included a Heart Week presentation and afternoon tea.

New South Wales

CPR and AED education session

In NSW, Tamworth Trekkers hosted a Heart Week event that brought together 45 attendees for a walk, followed by a CPR and AED education session and morning tea.

The event was delivered by dual volunteer Robyn, who is a Walk Organiser in the Walking program and has recently joined our Heart of the Nation team as a volunteer as well, Tamworth Regional Council and Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service supported the event and provided blood pressure and blood sugar checks.

Heart healthy community presentations

In NSW, Program Officer Lizzie presented to Aboriginal Medical Service, Aboriginal Health Workers, Ashmont Community staff, Anglicare, and 20 Aunty Jeans Elders participants, covering heart health checks, heart attack warning signs, healthy eating, and physical activity (particularly walking!).

Victoria

Cardio session in Caulfield

‘Caulfield Cardio + Catch Up’, supported by exercise scientist and walk organiser Laura, hosted an evening session at Kieser Physio in Caulfield with cardiologist Dr Ben Costello. Around 30 people attended, and the event provided a great opportunity to promote the local walking group and heart health information.

Brimbank communmity stall

In Vic, Program Officer Alicja joined the team at Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre to promote Heart Week and gather expressions of interest in starting a new walking group. Following conversations at the stall, a community member has successfully established the group in collaboration with the centre.

Tasmania

Further south, AgFest was in full swing in Northern Tasmania, where Program Officer Luke joined an army of the broader Heart Foundation team to support heart healthy conversations. Luke supported the event by providing information on the 36 walking groups across Tasmania and promoted Personal Walking Plans, along with heart health information and resources.

Recognition and Milestones

Congratulations Brookside Indoor Walking Group

The Brookside Indoor Walking Group in Queensland celebrated an incredible 35 years of walking (including 30 with the Heart Foundation), alongside marking the retirement of primary walk organiser Grietje Ross after 30 years of dedicated volunteering. Grietje was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award from our QLD team in recognition of her outstanding contribution to walking and heart health. Program Officer Anita and QLD GM Sheree attended the event, alongside Tim Mander MP and Cr Andrew Wines, to celebrate and present the award to Grietje.

Groups across Australia also chose to celebrate group and walker milestones during Heart Week by hosting walks, talks and sharing heart health information alongside the festivities!

A big congratulations to:

• Loxton River Ramblers, SA – 20 Years
• Goolwa United Strollers, SA – 20 Years
• Morayfield Shopping Centre, QLD – 20 Years

The strength of collaboration and partnerships across Heart Foundation Walking were key to another impactful Heart Week across the program. While many of our groups celebrate Heart Week each year, the additional focus and resource support from our team helped expand local reach and create more opportunities for people to connect with walking and the Heart Foundation.

This was reflected in the wide reach achieved, with eight new groups launched during Heart Week and more than 70 events delivered by volunteer walk organisers, partner organisations and the walking team. The program also gained additional exposure through media and online channels, supported by councils, health professionals and from broader organisations affiliated with the program.