New initiative promotes exercise in the community.

For Aunty Evelyn Pipe and Aunty Robyn Joseph, Thursdays are a highlight of the week.

Each Thursday at lunchtime, the women don their swimming costumes and take to the Hydrotherapy Pool at RPA Hospital.

They are part of a group of local Aboriginal Elders who are taking part in new aqua aerobics classes at the hospital.

“I feel fabulous! It’s great exercise for us,” Aunty Evelyn said after a recent session.

The classes are a chance to get out and socialise, added Aunty Robyn.

“I see Aunty Evelyn and we joke around, that’s what us Elders need - friends and something to do.”

The Aboriginal Elders aqua aerobics classes were recently launched by the District’s Aboriginal Cultural Support Team.

The idea for the classes came from the RPA Elders Advisory Group, which gives local Aboriginal Elders a culturally safe space to share their opinions on health matters affecting their community.

The group suggested aqua aerobics as an activity that would promote exercise, encourage the community to engage with health services and bring Elders together.

The classes align with a key District priority of improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“This initiative is an important step in helping to ‘close the gap’ and keeping our knowledge holders healthy and living longer,” said Alexis Joseph, Aboriginal Cultural Support Project Officer with the Aboriginal Cultural Support Team.

“It also strengthens our partnerships with other local Aboriginal organisations such as Aboriginal Medical Services Redfern and keeps our Elders linked in with these essential services as well as with each other.”

The initiative is supported by the District’s Allied Health service and classes are led by Senior Exercise Physiologist Shannon Gerber.

Each week, Shannon takes the Elders through a series of exercises appropriate for the age group.

Aqua aerobics can have a number of health benefits for older people, including reducing joint pain, increasing flexibility, reducing muscle loss and improving heart health.

It’s a fun and rewarding experience to be a part of, Shannon said.

“I love working with the Elders, they’re some of my favourites.”

According to Aunty Robyn, the feeling is mutual.

“We’ve got a good instructor so it’s good fun!”

Learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health initiatives in our District.