Culturally inclusive healthy ageing program

For Pacific Pines resident Edward, the Mungulli Yarn and Walk program has been a lifeline.

“I had a heart attack 10 weeks ago, and this program gets me out of the house and meeting people,” he said during one of the regular Monday morning sessions at Cheltenham Oval, Robina.

“In just a short time, it’s motivated me to get back to the gym and start swimming again.

“The staff are amazing, and the health professionals we meet teach us about how our hearts and lungs work, nutrition, and all those important things.

“Since my heart attack, I’ve had a few hospital visits due to shortness of breath, but coming here helps.

“I can talk to the nurses, and they explain things in a way that makes it easier to understand.

“They’re so approachable; if you ask them something, they’ll always help,” he said.

Yarn and Walk is run by the Mungulli Chronic Disease and Post Acute Programs Team at Gold Coast Health.

The program provides early intervention and encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to participate in outdoor physical activities while learning about their specific chronic disease conditions, treatment options, medications, and ways to improve general health and wellbeing.

It’s led by a team of health experts, including an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, physiotherapist, clinical nurse, dietician, pharmacist, and nurse navigator.

It emphasises healthy eating, regular exercise, managing chronic disease conditions, and understanding cardiovascular disease risk factors and medications.

Cardiac care clinical nurse Myra Wilcock explained that the program’s after-walk yarning circle reflects traditional ways of learning.

“It’s very informal, creating a sense of community and fostering relationships across different age groups,” she said.

“There’s a strong social connection among the participants, which allows us to deliver health education in a relaxed setting.”

For many, the program’s mental health benefits are just as significant.

Clinical nurse Amy Tooley says the program was designed based on community feedback.

“When we learned about the available funding from the Gold Coast Primary Health Network, we reached out directly to our clients to ask what they wanted from the program,” she said.

“The response was clear – they wanted an outdoor environment where they could combine physical activity with education.

“And the program complements our other initiatives, like the Strong and Deadly Wellness and Deadly Tracks Education programs,” she said.

For participant Nathan, the programs have made all the difference.

“I was dealing with depression and poor fitness, and now I have a great group of people who support me,” he said.

“Monday mornings have become something I look forward to because of these walks.

“After the walk, we get to meet with cardiologists and exercise physiologists, and we have the chance to yarn with others on a personal level.

“More people should get out of the house and do these walks for their health and fitness,” he added.

Mungulli Yarn and Walk is a healthy ageing program tailored for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 18 and over.

To join, ask your GP or allied health provider for a referral. Learn more.