Rouse Hill Warrior Walkers celebrate 20 years
Walk Organiser Irene shares what makes her group special, tips to form strong bonds in the group and why they're going strong after two decades of strolling together.
Please introduce the Rouse Hill Warrior Walkers
We changed our name to Rouse Hill Warrior Walkers when one of the ladies said we are Warriors because we are not afraid of the rain and in Winter, we walk with our scarfs, beanies, gloves and a few layers of jackets. The group has been walking for 20 years now and in it’s time, has had three leaders. The first leader moved to Tamworth, followed by Isabel, and then I became the leader.
You've been with the walking group for 5 years now, what initially motivated you to join and then become a Walk Organiser?
I had a sit down job for over 35 years and coming up to retirement, I felt that I was not able to walk as well as I could. I decided to look for a walking group when I found the Heart Foundation Group in Rouse Hill. 4 months after registering, I started walking with the group two days a week and when I retired 6 months later, continued for 3 days a week. Isabel was planning on moving to a retirement village when she asked me to take over as organiser and here we are.
Why do you believe your walking group has continued for two decades? What key factors to you attribute to its ongoing success and ability to maintain a community of members?
I believe the walking group is still going strong because of the people walking in the group. They love catching up, walking a few times a week and enjoy the company. But most of all, group member Carol Beach stands out as the motivator above all others. Carol has been with the group for approximately 16 years, always checks in on you if you aren’t there to make you’re okay and if you sleep in, she jokingly asks for your late not. At 86, she still manages to attends the walks around her husband’s kidney dialysis and is a little trooper, come rain, fog and shine. She has achieved over 1,000 walks to date, so I believe that the group stays together because of Carol’s efforts and care.
What strategies or approaches have you found most effective in creating a sense of camaraderie and unity among the members?
Our members have a WhatsApp group and we make a note of birthdays and catch up together for morning tea. When it was my 70th birthday, we had morning tea at my place and I had a high Tea setup. We all bring some food and have a lovely time eating and chatting - we all enjoy it so much. We share experiences, like supporting and donating to Saro’s 122,000 Steps to Change Lives event and Alison’s dumpling day at her Church. Barbara is travelling Australia in her caravan and we get updates on WhatsApp to where she is and what she is up to next, it’s great comradeship.
Reflecting on the last few years of leading the group, what life lessons have you personally gained?
I have learnt that we are all different but all the same in other ways, and to treat everyone with respect and kindness to their situation.
In the context of long-term commitment, what advice would you give to new Walk Organisers to ensure the groups sustainability?
My advice would be to find “A Carol” like we have. I think it does depend on the group of people in the group, I have been told that previously there were people in the group that made it not enjoyable. But they eventually left and now the group is a happy group, that is something that only happens, you can’t do much about it.
Can you share any stories of personal growth or transformation you've witnessed/heard among group members?
My son walks with us and has been in the group for about four years and went through a very hard time after his separation, he would come along and the ladies would take turns walking with him asking him question, listening and giving advice when needed. He had an hour of stress release that normally people wouldn’t get without paying a fortune for a specialist, and even now they ask how is he going, he still comes walking when he has time off.
