Fitness goes beyond four walls as Mill Park Leisure gets over 900 residents moving

Over 900 Whittlesea community members are getting into fitness with Mill Park Leisure’s growing network of group exercise classes, making health and wellbeing opportunities more accessible for local residents.

Delivered in partnership with City of Whittlesea, the newly launched classes are held offsite in the Whittlesea community for those who may not be able to visit the venue.

The offsite program includes a range of activities tailored to different interests, abilities and life stages, including yoga, chair yoga, Zumba and senior fitness classes.

By taking fitness into the wider community, Mill Park is bringing leisure closer to Victorian neighbourhoods, delivering on its commitment to working towards a healthier City of Whittlesea.

Pictured in header: Mill Park Leisure offsite group exercise class participants  

Increasing access to health and wellness opportunities

Louise, Group Fitness Instructor Mill Park Leisure said:

“We recognised a need to extend health and wellness opportunities into the local community, providing people with access to wellbeing initiatives in a variety of formats.

“Utilising available spaces throughout the surrounding suburbs of Mill Park allows us to make group fitness classes accessible to individuals who may not otherwise have the opportunity to participate.”

Current classes include:

• Yoga, Thursdays 9.30am at Brookewood Community Centre Doreen
• Fit 4 Life, Thursdays 10.30am at Mernda Uniting Church,
• Zumba, Thursdays 10.30am at Whittlesea Tennis
• Pickleball Club and Chair Yoga, Mondays 9.30am at Olivine Donnybrook

Classes are free for current Mill Park Leisure members and $8.80 for non-members with bookings made through the Active World app.

Enabling communities to live well and move more

Jack is a Group Fitness Instructor Mill Park Leisure who teaches offsite at Brookwood Community Centre in Doreen and Olivine Recreation Reserve in Donnybrook. He shared:

“Teaching Yoga and Chair Yoga is a lovely and rewarding experience that I genuinely look forward to each week. What I enjoy most about teaching is the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds and connect with locals.”

Michelle, Group Fitness Instructor who teaches Fit 4 Life senior classes at Mernda Uniting Church says seeing participants enjoy classes and take time for themselves is important to strengthening their overall health and wellbeing.

“This class means so much to me. I get to regularly witness an older generation coming together to exercise, while seniors who may otherwise have limited social interaction stay engaged and supported.”

Dan, Zumba Instructor, teaches at Whittlesea Tennis & Pickleball Club. He added:

“I love this community, with its fresh air, warm people and unique character. These classes offer an opportunity to give back to locals through movement.”

By delivering accessible programs for all ages and abilities at offsite venues, Mill Park Leisure is helping reduce barriers to participation while supporting them to move more, connect and live well.

To learn more, visit the Mill Park Leisure website.

Key facts:

• More than 900 community members are participating in Mill Park Leisure’s offsite group exercise initiatives
• The program is delivered in partnership with the City of Whittlesea
• Classes are held in community locations across Doreen, Mernda, Donnybrook and Whittlesea
• Activities include Yoga, Chair Yoga, Zumba and Fit 4 Life senior fitness classes
• The initiative increases access to health and wellbeing opportunities for people who may not regularly visit the leisure centre
• The program supports both physical activity and social connection within the community
• Classes are free for Mill Park Leisure members and available to non-members for $8.80 per session.

• Explore career opportunities at Belgravia Leisure here.
• Meet the people bringing leisure to life here.