In 1989, the Moruya Hospital Community Health Centre advertised for volunteers to start a "Moruya Walking for Pleasure" group, a few years after the NSW government initiated the activity in Sydney for Senior Citizens Week.

The Moruya group grew to nearly 100 members and is now known as the "Eurobodalla Walking for Pleasure" group.

Members walk 4-5 kilometres every Wednesday - rain or shine - exploring the hundreds of walks the South Coast has to offer.

Executive member Terry Hunt said the oldest member was 92 years old.

"We currently have about 90 members, with an average attendance of about 30 members at each walk," he said.

"Our group is run on a very informal basis, the emphasis being on social interaction and enjoyment as much as exercise."

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Walking for Pleasure co-coordinator Carol D'Evelynes said while her favourite walk was a flat walk, most of the members enjoyed more of an uphill challenge.

Co-coordinator Margaret Fletcher said the group was great for socialising, keeping fit and connecting to others with other hobbies.

"Walks are never cancelled due to the weather, because though it may be raining at your place, it frequently will not be raining at the walk venue," the group said.

"Good walking shoes and protection from the weather is all that is needed to join."

On Wednesday, June 5, members gathered at the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens to celebrate the 30-year anniversary.

The next planned walks for Walking for Pleasure will be at Brou Lake on June 12, Comerang Forest Road, Bodalla on June 19 and Burrewarra Point, Guerilla Bay on June 26.

The group costs $5 annually to join.

For more information, contact co-coordinators Margaret Fletcher 4472 4886 or Carol D'Evelynes 4472 3504.

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Terry Hunt

The Walking for Pleasure activity was initially started in Sydney as a NSW government initiative for Senior Citizens week in 1983, and spread throughout the state and the ACT. In May 1989, the Community Health Centre at the Moruya hospital advertised for volunteers to start the Moruya Walking for Pleasure group, espousing the many health benefits of walking - including aerobic, heart, circulatory, muscle toning and weight control.

In May 1989, the Community Health Centre at the Moruya hospital advertised for volunteers to start the Moruya Walking for Pleasure group, taking advantage of the many health benefits of walking - including aerobic, heart, circulatory, muscle toning and weight control.

On June 7 the group kicked off with a full program of events with an introductory talk from Charis Tyrell (the coordinator) followed by the official opening by Doctors Fens, Crawford and Murray.

Dr Lloyd spoke on understanding your pulse rate, podiatrist Judy Rayburn about caring for your feet and Physiotherapist Penny Bannister conducted warm up exercises before the group walked did a return walk to the riverside park in Shore Street. Our parent body is now the Southern Regional Office of NSW Sport & Recreation, which is based in Wagga Wagga.

Since then we have continued to grow, and is now known as the Eurobodalla Walking for Pleasure group. We currently have about 90 members, with an average attendance of about 30 members at each walk. Our group is run on a very informal basis, the emphasis being on social interaction and enjoyment as much as exercise.

After each walk we enjoy a Bring-Your-Own picnic lunch, and a good chat. We provide a range of enjoyable and scenic weekly walks at venues between Narooma and North Durras. The group meets at the walk venue each Wednesday between February and mid-December. We arrive at the venue by 10.50am, ready to start the walk at 11am. Walks typically take 1 to 1 1/2 hours, but there is absolutely NO obligation or pressure to complete the full walk.