While many people train on sporting fields, Lynden Bullard and his walking mates do their best work inside Werribee Plaza.
The 1.8-kilometre circuit through the shopping centre takes Mr Bullard, 72, about 15 minutes, so he does it twice while other members of a group known as the Plaza Pacers take their time.
The group’s eight members teamed up in 2007. There are now 75 ‘Pacers’, mostly older walkers, but younger members are being urged to join, too.
Mr Bullard, who has lived in Werribee for 50 years, joined after he had had a triple bypass heart operation and was told to exercise.
“I started walking in the street but tripped and would have fallen except my wife caught me,” he said. “But the plaza is safe, it has no uneven surfaces, you’re out of the weather, away from dogs, there’s a medical centre and toilets and a cup of coffee and a chat at the end of the walk,” the grandfather of 14 said. “I was a purchasing officer before I retired. My walking mates include a man who worked in a brewery and another who sold car tyres. In normal life, I wouldn’t have come across them.”
Mr Bullard has experienced physical benefits alongside the social ones, with his cardiologist advising him that his health has improved through the plaza walks. Another health initiative at the plaza will be staged on Friday, October 18, when a roving chef will visit between 11am and 2pm as part of National Nutrition Week.
The Plaza Pacers meet at 8am every Wednesday and Thursday.
» 9749 5111.
