State Trustees Australia Foundation support for Seniors Exercise Parks continues

State Trustees Australia Foundation (the Foundation) has awarded the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) a further $248,000 in grant funding to construct more Seniors Exercise Parks in Victoria.

The funds will be used to build more exercise parks in Hampton (Bayside City Council) and Knoxfield (Knox City Council), in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. The 2021 Foundation grant builds on the more than $250,000 awarded by the Foundation to NARI’s ‘ENJOY MAP for HEALTH’ project in 2020, which enabled Seniors Exercise Parks to be built in Ballarat and Banyule.

State Trustees Executive General Manager of Trustee Services, Michael Spiegel, said the second year of funding will enable the expansion of a worthwhile project that promotes ageing well and social inclusion in Victorian communities.

“This innovative project has demonstrated the value of fostering healthy lifestyles for Victorian seniors. Outdoor exercise is good for physical and mental wellbeing, and the Seniors Exercise Parks have also provided a great way for older people to socialise,” Mr Spiegel said.

Philanthropic Grants Specialist, Michael Grigoletto, expressed gratitude for the generosity supporting this critical program. “We thank the generosity of individuals and the families who donated to the Foundation during their lifetime or as a gift in their will. Their donations enable the Foundation to award grants to important projects in the Victorian community each year.”

Seniors Exercise Parks feature innovative outdoor exercise equipment designed for older people that integrates multiple exercise stations to improve strength, balance, flexibility, mobility and function.

These parks are part of NARI’s ‘ENJOY MAP for HEALTH’ project, which includes evaluation of the parks’ impact and the development of an online platform and mobile application with tailored exercise instructions, videos, and safety tips.

State Trustees Australia Foundation (the Foundation) was established in 1994 as a public charitable trust. Funded by donations and bequests from generous community members, the Foundation has distributed more than $29 million to charities over 25 years.

For background on the grant please contact the Foundation’s charitable team on (03) 9667 2845, charitable@statetrustees.com.au

For media queries please contact State Trustees’ Media team via media@statetrustees.com.au