His team, the Goulburn Goannas have taken part in the Challenge which is involved with the NSW Knockout Health Challenge and involves indigenous Southern NSW Local Health District staff as well as members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities all across NSW. 

The challenge has also been a huge success in the Eurobodalla region which is incorporated into the SNSWLHD, with the Eurobodalla Scale Busters team, based in Batemans Bay and Moruya.

“Some of our participants are our Community Health clients and it’s really rewarding to see them getting involved with the program,” Mr Shipp said.

“From the SNSWLHD’s perspective it’s about promoting our health and wellbeing programs that we offer to our clients and getting them involved in regular exercise. 

We’ve also had great support from Cr Alfie Walker and his family. 

Alfie is a great motivator for the people of his mob, and often thinks ‘outside the square’ in terms of the different types of exercise that the Goannas can do. 

For example he took a few team members to do an aqua aerobics class at the Goulburn Aquatic Centre, which was a lot of fun.”

The group has also been fortunate enough to have funding for a Personal Trainer to assist with their exercise program and approached the Goulburn PCYC, who donated the use of their centre in Avoca St for free.

The Goulburn Goannas are now into Week 3 of the 10 week challenge and hope to continue the exercise after the challenge has finished.

“Already we’ve had some small walking groups forming and team members are encouraging each other to make smart, healthy choices and exercise regularly,” Mr Shipp said.

“It will also be a good cultural thing as well, because we don’t often get together to do social things much as a community.”

He and some of the team also attended a forum in Sydney on Monday where they got to meet the ambassadors of the George Rose Challenge such as the man himself, Jillaroo Julie Young, former footballer and now NSW State of Origin team coach Laurie Daly and boxer Anthony ‘Choc’ Mundine.

“It was good to attend the forum and find out what has worked for the teams and what hasn’t as well as what they are looking forward to in the future,” he said.

“It was also good to get some advice and support from the ambassadors and share our stories with them, too.”

If you wish to take part in the George Rose Challenge yourself, contact Rick on 4827 3913 or email richard.shipp@gsahs.health.nsw.gov.au.