Lively Neighbourhoods Inspirational stories from Victoria’s School Buses

www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/wsb Introduction

VicHealth’s Walking School Bus Program is a fun and effective way of getting children to walk to school. Beginning with four councils in 2001, the program is now running in 60 local government areas across Victoria.

With the initial objectives of getting children walking, reducing traffic congestion and pollution, increasing street safety and assisting the development of community relationships, the success of the program has resulted in a number of positive spin-offs. A Walking School Bus program can have far-reaching effects on the participants, the schools and the wider community.

The success stories featured here all demonstrate in their own way the impact a Walking School Bus program has had on their community. The stories reflect one of four major themes:

Community Connectedness – the development of new social Diversity & Inclusion – the inclusion of Culturally and connections or the strengthening of existing ones through Linguistically Diverse communities and Indigenous participation in the Walking School Bus program. communities in the implementation of the Walking School Bus program. • Latrobe City Council – Morwell East and Churchill Primary Schools • East Gippsland Shire Council – Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust

• Nillumbik Shire Council – Diamond Creek Primary School • City of Greater Dandenong – Southvale Primary School and others Active Transport Initiatives – other walking and cycling Infrastructure Improvements – built environment initiatives sparked or complemented by the implementation improvements that can be directly attributed to participation of the Walking School Bus program. in the Walking School Bus program. • Bass Coast Shire Council – Newhaven Riding School Bus • Bayside City Council – Priority Roundabout • City of Moonee Valley – Active Transport Initiatives • City of Port Phillip – Greenlight Project

Cover: Camberwell Primary School Walking School Bus, Photo: Mark Farrelly Long live Contents the media

Photos: Mark Farrelly Community Connectedness 1 Walking Back to Happy Valley 4 A community spirit puts new life back into the Latrobe Valley

2 Many Legs Make Life Work in Nillumbik 7 Hundreds of families get to know their neighbourhood on foot

Infrastructure Improvements 3 Improving Safety in a Roundabout Way 10 Social action makes a huge difference to children’s health in Bayside

4 Green Man Gets the Greenlight in Port Phillip 13 have their say on crossing times

Diversity & Inclusion 5 Breakfast Bus Pumps Up Lake Tyers 16 A walk-to-breakfast bus for school children jump-starts their day

6 East Meets West in the South 19 A blending of cultures gets locals walking and talking

Active Transport Initiatives 7 Phillip Island’s Other Bikers 22 The Newhaven Riding School Bus makes school travel cool

8 Moonee Valley’s Movers and Shakers 25 Active transport initiatives aim to get everybody moving

This publication was written by Tess Pryor for the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth). VicHealth thanks everyone who has helped to create liveable neighbourhoods by embracing the Walking School Bus program and those who have generously shared their stories for this publication. We would particularly like to thank the local councils, schools, volunteers and children who have made a difference at the local level. Walking Back to Happy Valley

Photo: Courtesy Latrobe City Council Life in some parts of the Latrobe Valley can the role that local communities themselves will have on the be tough sometimes. This is especially so sustainability and liveability of the Valley. for families living in areas that were formerly The communities of Churchill and Morwell East demonstrate how local neighbourhoods are already on the move in a positive State Electricity Commission townships. The direction. In 2000 they became two of four areas in Latrobe privatisation of the S.E.C. and the increasing Valley designated as Neighbourhood Renewal Areas. An mechanisation of coal mining saw traditional initiative of the Department of Human Services, Neighbourhood opportunities for work in the area drop Renewal focuses on building stronger communities through dramatically. initiatives that aim to improve conditions relating to employment, housing, education, health and wellbeing, transport, safety and While the local council and business communities are now economic activities. optimistic for the future, for some residents, especially those In the case of both Churchill and Morwell East it meant living in public housing areas, unemployment is still relatively introducing programs to help narrow the gap between the high, money can be scarce and access to transport and other circumstances of people living in the public housing estates essential services is limited. of Glendonald and Beattie Crescent and that of the rest of the A number of future projects, such as the Australian Paper Mills community. And with Neighbourhood Renewal data showing expansion, the Monash Energy Coal to Liquids project and the an unemployment rate of more than 80% at Glendonald, the Gippsland Water Factory, are signs, the Latrobe City Council gap was enormous. says, of an economy on the mend. But it also acknowledges

4 Long live the media

“I get a lot of pleasure out of getting to know the kids and developing trust and rapport ... Sometimes I wish I had 20 arms so I could hug them all at once!”

At this time, other programs were introduced to Latrobe Valley, to helping our students get to school each day.’ one of them being the Walking School Bus program. The Walking on the bus has led to more children arriving at school Latrobe City Council received funding from VicHealth in 2003 to on time and less absenteeism. The bus continues to walk every start up the buses with local primary schools. Churchill Primary day in the morning, and has expanded its volunteer base with School, which services those living in the Glendonald Estate, help from community links with parents, ex-parents, members and Morwell Park Primary School, which looks after the children of the Co-operating Church and friends of volunteers. from Beattie Crescent Estate, quickly saw the links the Walking School Bus program had to neighbourhood renewal. ‘A lovely tradition has developed on our route whereby each morning the children call out “Good morning” to Con at the fish Elizabeth Tomlins, Walking School Bus Coordinator for the and chip shop, often using the Greek greeting “Gia sou (yasu)!”. Latrobe City Council explains: ‘Churchill Primary School was Recently our school began collecting aluminium cans to raise very keen to get involved. It is an outstanding example of a very money for our sponsored child in Mozambique, so now the successful Walking School Bus. Its success is largely due to the children scan for cans along the way too’, Jo adds. commitment and energy of former Vice-Principal John Turner.’ The school received money from Neighbourhood Renewal John very quickly saw the Walking School Buses as a conduit to run a breakfast club, so children who walk on the bus can to connecting the community and the children to the school. have breakfast when they arrive as well. ‘John is a very forward-thinking man. He noticed the kids Morwell Park Primary School’s Walking School Bus has also who were arriving late or not getting to school at all and so he been a huge hit in the local neighbourhood. The school’s targeted the families that he really wanted to help. He linked the Vice-Principal, Peter Credlin, has always been a big supporter Walking School Bus route to the area the kids lived in. Often he of the program, which was kicked off initially by heavy teacher or other teachers would walk on the bus. He initially didn’t care involvement. The bus’s popularity saw the volunteer base grow about the journey home as his motivation was to get the kids quickly, with the bus now run entirely by community volunteers to school first’, Elizabeth adds. from the Morwell Park Residents Group who meet regularly at John spent a lot of time developing relationships with the the local Neighbourhood House. community to promote the buses and their value to the wider The volunteers are dedicated to the children and the program community. He would attend residents’ group meetings and and are renowned for special touches such as regularly talk with many different people to encourage them to be part rewarding the children with encouraging gifts and little extras. of the program. ‘One group of volunteers makes certificates at the Jo Whitelaw, student welfare officer at the school, says the Neighbourhood House to present to the kids when they have Walking School Bus has had a very positive effect on the completed 40 walks. The volunteers are completely accepted children and the community. by the school and present the certificates to the kids at school ‘In many cases, families do not have the time or the ability assembly. The team leader of the volunteers, Elsie Lebrock, is to walk their children to school. The Walking School Bus so enthusiastic and devoted she actually bought drink bottles encourages the healthy and safe option of walking in a for the kids out of her own pocket’, Elizabeth says. ➤➤ supervised group as well as demonstrating our commitment

www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/wsb 5 Elsie is 62 years old, has lived in Morwell for 22 years, and has In the summer Elsie buys the kids an icy pole: ‘They can get a grown-up family of her own. Volunteering to walk with the kids a bit cranky walking home in the heat, so I get the icy poles to has changed her life and her view of the neighbourhood. make the walk more enjoyable’. Her joy and pleasure at feeling connected to her community and participating in a project that ‘This has been fantastic for me – it gets me out of the house makes her feel valued is obvious. and exercising, and I really needed the exercise! When we started there were only two of us volunteering and now we have ‘It’s great getting to meet people. The great part is interacting five or six and a couple of emergencies. We walk three times a with the children and the elderly. Drivers wave to the kids, week. In the morning we’ll have eight to 12 kids and sometimes elderly people stop and say hello. As my kids have grown up, up to 22 in the afternoon’, Elsie says. being with the Walking School Bus is a great way to connect with kids again. I must say a big thank you to the parents that ‘You meet a lot of people you normally wouldn’t give a second okayed the project and trusted us to walk with their children. look to. I get a lot of pleasure out of getting to know the kids It is so great, and it wouldn’t be happening at all if they didn’t and developing trust and a rapport with them. Sometimes I trust us.’ wish I had 20 arms so I could hug them all at once!’ For information on Latrobe City Council’s Walking School The buses have developed informal links to the community Buses, contact the council on (03) 5128 5621 in many ways since they started walking. With a rate of single- 1 parent families 3 /2 times the state average, the Walking School Bus is a saviour for those parents who desperately need a second pair of hands.

‘We have a lot of families with young children in the area and if we can make their life a little easier by getting one or more of their kids to school, then we are very happy to do it’, Elsie adds.

Local police have used the Walking School Bus to successfully establish positive relationships with the children. Once the bus was escorted by police on horseback, which the children loved, Photo: Courtesy Latrobe City Council and on other occasions police have cooked breakfast for the kids back at the school. Breakfast is available every morning What made the difference? at the school, with approximately 10% of the students eating their first meal of the day there. A local ambulance officer was • Commitment and action by the school management so impressed with the relationship built between the police and team and the teachers the children that she has offered to walk on the bus to help • �An innovative Vice-Principal who was able to see establish a similar connection. the bigger picture and link the Walking School Bus Elsie says that through walking the children’s eyes have opened to Neighbourhood Renewal up to many parts of the neighbourhood that they normally • Schools seeing their role as extending beyond the school wouldn’t notice. Not only are they taught to Stop, Look, Listen gate and being an important part of the community and Think, but they look out for cars coming out of driveways, overhanging branches and damaged . Any things of • Linking with the local Neighbourhood House to engage concern regarding trees or footpaths are passed on to council volunteers from outside the school community for action.

6 Many Legs Make Life Work in Nillumbik

Photo: Newspix David Norden has just spent a few hours in The Nillumbik Shire Council’s Walking School Bus program is a shopping centre dressed as a shiny red bus a partnership between the Shire, VicHealth and the Nillumbik Community Health Service. The program currently has with his legs, covered in black tights, dangling 16 buses over seven schools with 96 active volunteers and out below. And he’s going back tomorrow to over 300 children enrolled to walk on the buses. The program’s do it all again. Such is his commitment to coordinator, Joan Lauricella, who works out of the Community and love of the Walking School Bus program. Health Service, has been able to attract an enormous number of volunteers, a component that has proved challenging for Describing himself as a ‘professional volunteer’, David is his many other Walking School Buses across the state. family’s main carer and is the parent coordinator of Diamond Creek Joan puts the popularity of the buses down to a number Primary School’s Walking School Bus program. Situated in the of factors. car-dependent Shire of Nillumbik, the school’s success in bringing about a massive cultural change towards walking is remarkable. ‘It is really about the people within the schools. The buses have been more successful in some schools than others. Schools Out of a school population of 210 students, 134 are walking that have a parent coordinator of the project tend to be more regularly on a Walking School Bus. successful as the parents take ownership of it. Our first intake ‘Walking to school at Diamond Creek is so popular now that it of schools all had school coordinators; the second lot are all has become uncool not to walk. I am getting phone calls from parent coordinators and we have found over time that this is a parents saying “My children are nagging me about getting on more effective way to go. All the coordinators are fantastic and this Walking School Bus; what is it?”’, David says. enthusiastic’, Joan adds. ➤➤

www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/wsb 7 “Being on the Walking School Bus instils community values of respect in the children; it really is life education.”

Joan has also run over 26 training sessions for volunteers with president is taking 6 months off work and wants to put more over 130 parents attending the sessions. of his time into their Walking School Bus program. I am showing him what we have done. This has led to increased ‘I run the sessions according to need. I often organise training communication between parents across the two schools and for a couple of people but then end up with a lot more as it’s not just about the Walking School Bus. We are building a people have heard about the session.’ friendship and a bond with another community and looking Nillumbik Shire, in the outer north-east of Melbourne, is a at how we can work together on issues that affect the whole council with close-knit communities, ranging from typical community. For example we are looking at how we can tackle urban settings to small rural townships and remote bush. the problem of graffiti. It’s so great to connect and bond with The area has a large number of families, with residents other parents with the same issues and work out a solution having a keen commitment to the environment. But they are, together’, David says. paradoxically, very car-dependent. The area is poorly serviced David, who is also a volunteer firefighter and Safety House by public transport, with no services in the rural zone. coordinator for the Diamond Creek area, says the project has The Shire has a proud history of community participation and had support from parents and the community right from the start. volunteering. Or as David puts it: ‘It’s a community of people ‘It is just so exciting. The biggest thing about the Walking School that have always wanted to have a say – it’s a very outspoken Bus is that you can’t knock it. Everyone wants to jump on it. community. We are involved with a 2020 plan here. People Everyone thinks it is really worthwhile. The whole community is want better cycling paths and we want to make the areas safer backing us. Everyone smiles at you, from the fish and chip shop for walking. If we don’t have these things, people will always owner to the hairdresser and the florist.’ get back in the car.’ David is quick to stress that he has a large team of volunteers Mayor Greg Johnson says the Walking School Buses are going that are as committed as he is. Michelle Molinaro walks each day from strength to strength in the shire. ‘It’s great to see more on the bus with her two children and actively contacts the local and more children walking. It gives them a chance to have a media and regularly takes photos of the project. She says that chat and get to know their neighbourhood. It is really good for walking on the bus has become an important part of her life. them to have some independence from their parents while walking to school.’ ‘I had cancer last year, so for me it has been one way to regain my previous fitness and improve my physical wellbeing. I am so Joan says a number of formal and informal networks have pro-walking that my kids actually believe the car won’t start in been instrumental in developing, refining and sustaining the the mornings at our house unless there is a really special event Walking School Buses. A steering committee comprising where we have to drive to school, and even then they walk back Joan, a representation for Council, school staff and parent to meet up with the Walking School Bus! A walk each day has volunteers from all schools meets twice a term. Parent and staff been built into their way of thinking about our world’, Michelle coordinators from the seven schools keep in contact with each explains. other through emails and phone calls and share resources and information. The school has had no trouble attracting sponsorship from organisations such as RoadSafe Victoria, Rebel Sports and the ‘I have been talking to a neighbouring school, Eltham East Commonwealth Bank and has an incentive system where the Primary School, about their Walking School Bus. The school

8 children receive prizes and rewards every time they reach a ‘I can definitely see a change in lifestyle with my own children milestone, such as every 10 walks, 50 walks and 100 walks. and within the community. I have now got to know the children David has laboriously logged information about each child’s that my children are growing up with – it’s great. Being on walking habits every day since the project started. the Walking School Bus instils community values of respect in the children; it really is life education. We are having a few It has also been able to attract a number of ‘celebrity walkers’ problems with some 13 to 16-year-olds, who are damaging through the school newsletter and word-of-mouth of parents. property through graffiti and vandalism. Hopefully the younger These walkers have included local boy and Bushrangers children, who are learning community values through walking opening batsman Lloyd Mash, Australian netballer Sherelle on the bus, will have more of a sense of being part of the McMahon and a Dame Edna Everage lookalike volunteer from community than these older children have at the moment’, the 2006 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony. David says. ‘On “Walk to School Day” we had three Commonwealth Games For more information on Nillumbik Shire Council’s Walking volunteers walk with us and 150 students out of 210 walked School Bus Program contact Joan Lauricella, Walking School that day’, David says. Bus Project Officer, Nillumbik Community Health Service, Information about the program is included in induction packs on (03) 9431 1333 or at [email protected] for new parents to the school, and this has been especially influential with new Prep students, David says.

‘In the first week of school 17 out of 28 Prep children walked. We now have 24 children out of a class of 28 walking. For a lot of new parents, having a Walking School Bus program was one of the reasons they chose this school.’

Another local school running the Walking School Bus program, Eltham Primary School, has formed a relationship with the YMCA, which donated swim passes to the children who walked, which were handed out at assembly as a special Photo: Courtesy Nillumbik Shire Council WSB treat. These children have also been given ‘welcome to winter’ hot chocolates on their way to school on approximately four What made the difference? mornings last year. • Leadership and enthusiasm shown by parents Volunteer Heather Martin can’t contain her enthusiasm for the and schools project. ‘The Walking School Bus is a great “job”. The children’s chatter each morning is just lovely and the volunteers are a • An existing community committed to social wonderful enthusiastic bunch of parents – we have become and environmental enhancements a very supportive group of friends’, Heather says. • High-level commitment from local government, The Nillumbik Walking School Bus program illustrates how a community health services, other community community that has existing connections in some areas can organisations, schools, parents and children develop immeasurable benefits in other areas through the • Innovative communication and promotion strategies that relationships and trust built between parents and children utilised local media, celebrity walkers and a formalised who participate on the bus. communication network between school coordinators

www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/wsb 9 Improving Safety in a Roundabout Way

Photo: Mark Farrelly Sometimes a small change can have a huge In 2004, Bayside City Council started a Local Area Traffic impact on the health of a community. The Management (LATM) project for the area that included the school. The objectives for the area adjacent to the school pedestrian priority roundabout installed near were to reduce the volume and speed of traffic and to support Elsternwick Primary School is an inspiring walking and cycling to school. Local residents were invited to example of this. It also illustrates what can be part of the LATM plan for the area. John Grant became be achieved when a school and a local council involved in the LATM planning process as a local resident, but had an extra interest in the plan because his daughter attended work together to reach a positive solution to a Elsternwick Primary School. dangerous problem. John explains: ‘During this process, the possibility of a Elsternwick Primary School has been running a very successful roundabout at Murphy and Head Streets, which is south Walking School Bus program in partnership with VicHealth of the school, came up. I went to a meeting and said, from since 2003. It currently includes five routes to school, 150 professional experience (as a transport planner), a roundabout children and 35 parent volunteers. The school was also was no good for children crossing roads. At roundabouts cars chosen as one of the 34 schools to participate in the School can come at children from four different directions. Kids find Travel Planning pilot program, funded through the Victorian them very difficult to navigate and understand. We wanted Greenhouse Strategy. The School Travel Planning program a pedestrian priority roundabout which requires pedestrian supported the Walking School Bus program and actively priority crossings on all four parts of the intersection.’ encouraged cycling and independent walking to school.

10 “The pedestrian roundabout has given the kids a sense that there is a real response to pedestrian needs in this area – a sense that pedestrians are important.”

Working with the school, John organised a survey of all the ‘There have been great benefits for the school. Local residents parents and families who lived in the catchment area of the hated the huge volume of traffic outside the school – the junction. The parents were asked how many of their children amount of traffic in the local area has halved, which has made already walked to school, and whether a pedestrian priority the residents a lot happier. This is a really important thing from roundabout would change their attitude to walking and if it the school’s perspective’, John continues. would change their behaviour. Jana Scomazzon coordinates the Walking School Bus at ‘We had a great response to the survey’, John says. ‘Many Elsternwick Primary School. As a parent, Jana was aware that parents said they would walk more frequently or they were more the intersection had been seen as problematic for some time likely to allow their children to walk to school. We found out that and that low-key parent-led lobbying had been underway before the number of children walking to school would at least double the Walking School Bus started. if the roundabout was installed.’ ‘I think the success of the Walking School Buses greatly What followed was a great example of social action at its best. supported the school in lobbying for the roundabout, as the The survey information was given to Bayside City Council, who project has had a great impact on the school community.’ made an application to the VicRoads Regional Office for a Jana says the roundabout has changed the local environment pedestrian priority roundabout, using the argument of ‘latent considerably. demand’. ‘Groups of kids that previously weren’t walking are now The concept of ‘latent demand’ infers a demand that exists walking home independently. A lot of children moved on but is not yet evident. That is, people wanted to cross at that from the Walking School Bus and are cycling independently. particular intersection but didn’t use it because they saw it as I think this is a reflection of the parents’ confidence in the unsafe. The Council argued that the installation of a pedestrian children’s road safety skills acquired while walking on the bus roundabout would result in increased community use of the for 2 or 3 years. Parents apologise to me because their kids crossing. are now independently going to school and not walking on VicRoads agreed with Bayside City Council and a pedestrian the bus. I think it is great. Hopefully the children’s skills and priority crossing was installed at the intersection. Even VicRoads independence will carry through to secondary school.’ says that the term ‘latent demand’ is a little-used term these Identifying a local need, working with all stakeholders and days, which made the decision an even more unusual one. successfully lobbying for infrastructure modifications can Community members believe the roundabout has had an improve the culture and boost the confidence of a community. enormous effect on the community in a number of ways. ‘The installation of the pedestrian roundabout and increasing ‘It has definitely calmed the traffic. I imagine that the number the green man timing at a crossing on Nepean Highway of people walking has doubled. Off peak there are a lot of has given the kids a sense that there is a real response residents walking. The elderly, people with dogs and other to pedestrian needs in this area – a sense that pedestrians locals are much more confident about walking. The roundabout are important and that walking and riding is as important has trained local drivers to stop and calm down’, John says. as driving’, Jana says. ➤➤

www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/wsb 11 Photo: Mark Farrelly The roundabout is at the corner of Head and Murphy Streets, Elsternwick. For more information on Bayside City Council’s What made the difference? Walking School Bus Program contact Michael Blowfield, • Leadership and commitment shown by parents Walking School Bus Project Officer, Bayside City Council (03) 9599 4438 or at [email protected] • A high level of community input into infrastructure needs around schools

• Council’s commitment to advocating and securing infrastructure change for pedestrian priority

• Positive action from VicRoads to pedestrian needs

12 Green Man Gets the Greenlight in Port Phillip

Photo: Mark Farrelly Life as a pedestrian is not easy these days. This inspired Port Phillip to take the next step: the Greenlight With huge volumes of fast-moving traffic now Project – a jointly funded study with VicHealth into the cross- ability of intersections of major roads – including those used by dominating the streets, a children on Walking School Buses – in the Cities of Port Phillip, can literally be a lifesaver for a . But it Geelong and Bayside. seems many of the existing crossings on major The key purpose of the study was to look at and understand roads are not providing pedestrians with the how the operation of traffic signals at intersections affected time they need to actually get across the people’s decision to walk, particularly to and from primary road safely. schools. Quantitative data was collected by observing the Walking School While implementing the City of Port Phillip’s Walking School Bus Buses that used the identified crossings and videotaping the program, the coordinators found there was community concern journeys. Several measurements were taken, including the road over the number of intersections in the area that parents and distance kerb-to-kerb of the crossing sites; the time allocated children perceived as too dangerous to cross. Families were for crossing, which included the green man time (walk) and the reluctant to join the Walking School Buses because of this. flashing red time (clearance); and the time it took for a Walking Meg Selman, Officer from the City of Port School Bus to walk to or from school on a regular journey. Phillip, explains: ‘Parents saying “We don’t want to be part of Qualitative data was extracted using a survey and focus groups, this program” really got the wind up me’. and was designed to find out what pedestrians’ perceptions of the crossings were. The survey was distributed to adults ➤➤

www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/wsb 13 “Drivers do tend to zip around in front of pedestrians ... children are less aware of the potential danger as they see the green man with a bit of tunnel vision.” who accompanied their children to school at six different sites. not appropriate, there should be a 2-second ‘early green’ The focus groups targeted people who didn’t use the crossings advance for pedestrians over vehicles performing turns or who had doubts about using the crossings. so that pedestrians have crossing priority.

The data showed that major roads are indeed a disincentive • Continuation of the use of crossing supervisors at school for children and parents to walk to school. Over a third (34%) crossings on major roads for all signalised crossings on of respondents said that the time allocated to complete the Walking School Bus routes. crossing was too short for them to feel safe using the crossing. VicRoads accepted the findings and agreed to make signal A typical comment was: ‘More time needed to cross is essential changes to 14 identified intersections that were seen by the but it does nothing to alleviate the huge volume of traffic.’ locals as being too dangerous to use. Vehicle size, the volume of traffic, the speed of the cars and An intersection at Pickles Street, Port Melbourne, was driver behaviour was seen as the next major reason people designated as a ‘demonstration’ site. Recognising that crossing didn’t feel safe at the crossings (27% of respondents). Pickles Street was a safety and service problem for pedestrians ‘Drivers do tend to zip around in front of pedestrians if they feel and residents, the intersection was converted to a signalised they can turn in time ... children are less aware of the potential crossing. danger as they see the green man with a bit of tunnel vision’ The crossing was then further improved by timing and phasing (survey respondent). changes which provided pedestrians with changes to the green The study also revealed that the Walking School Buses at the man timing, which led to almost double the standard crossing six sites were unable to complete the crossings in the walk time; automatic call-up of pedestrian phase on the minor road, (green) and clearance (flashing red) times. At one intersection which meant pedestrians no longer had to push the button; in St Kilda the allocated crossing time was 21.28 seconds advance starts (2–3 seconds) for pedestrians over right-turning (1.32 m/sec), with the Walking School Bus taking 31.93 traffic and minimum wait times (10–30 seconds) seconds (0.88 m/sec) to complete the crossing. This left a for pedestrians to cross the major road. timing shortfall of over 10 seconds at just one crossing. This The changes have had a significant effect on the mobility meant that the children would be crossing against a red light of the local community. for 10 seconds, a very dangerous act, especially during the congestion of peak-hour traffic. Local parent Raelene Hunt explains: ‘Since the crossing has been installed at Pickles Street the whole journey has become After analysing the data, Port Phillip came up with a series of less stressful, less dangerous and a lot faster. Before the recommendations that they presented to the Regional Office crossing I was really uncomfortable about letting my Grade 6 of VicRoads. These included: daughter cross on her own. It was so dangerous – you would • That a pedestrian crossing speed of 0.7 metres per second have to cross in two goes – you would get to the middle and be adopted at the crossings; then you would have to stand there and wait. I had two children and myself on bikes and it was really difficult getting across. • That there be an automatic call-up (ie, pedestrians don’t Sometimes we would make a detour that was about 600–800 have to press the button to activate the green man) as part metres further out of the way to avoid that intersection, then of the signal cycle operation. Where automatic call-up is we would have to backtrack.’

14 Raelene believes the pedestrian priority crossing has reinvigorated the community.

‘I know three or four children who regularly ride from Port Melbourne to Middle Park on their own. I quite often see three or four girls riding together. More families are walking to Albert Park Primary School from Port Melbourne. Some families are now pushing prams with kids on bikes, coming from the opposite direction to a kindergarten in Port Melbourne.’

VicRoads is committed to applying modifications to the other Photo: Courtesy City of Port Phillip 13 intersections in the municipality. Resourcing issues within VicRoads have, however, delayed the implementation of these What made the difference? changes. • Walking School Bus coordinators identified major The Greenlight Project is an innovative example of small barriers to children crossing busy intersections and infrastructure changes having very positive effects on mobilising were committed to bringing about change a community. Making a road safer to cross encourages locals to walk and cycle more. It links communities and transforms the • Supportive partnerships developed between local area into a safer, more vibrant place to live and work. government, VicHealth and VicRoads to research these barriers It also demonstrates what can be achieved through positive • VicRoad’s support of the Greenlight Project and partnerships, such as this one developed between local commitment to implementing recommendations government, VicRoads and VicHealth. • The Transport Minister’s support and validation of the For more information on the Greenlight Project contact Greenlight Project and adoption of recommendations Meg Selman, Sustainable Transport Officer, City of Port by VicRoads Phillip on (03) 9209 6274, mobile 0417 517 580 or at [email protected]

www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/wsb 15 Breakfast Bus Pumps Up Lake Tyers

Photo: Wayne Paulus Something new is happening that has the Department of Justice, who were working with the residents children living at the Lake Tyers Aboriginal on a number of programs. Trust bounding of out bed these days. Not only ‘The Department of Justice recognised the need to get the kids up and to the breakfast program first, before tackling how to get them do they have a delicious and healthy breakfast to school, so I believe that the breakfast program started as a way to look forward to but getting to the breakfast of combating absenteeism at the schools’, Kaylene explains. table is great fun. The children are part of a It was Lake Tyers resident Maggie Wilkinson’s idea to connect unique Walking School Bus program. This bus the Walking School Bus with the breakfast program.

doesn’t walk to school, it walks to a breakfast ‘I was travelling home one day through Bairnsdale and I saw a program. whole lot of children walking together. They looked so good and when I asked what it was, a couple of the kids told me it was At 7am, every school-aged child in the community is collected the new Walking School Bus program. I mentioned it to Annette from their home and walked down a path to the administration [Forbes, Project Coordinator, Lake Tyers Community Renewal centre for a 7.30am breakfast. The route is 1.7 kilometres long Project] and next thing you know it was all happening in our from the first pick-up to the breakfast room. community.’ This breakfast bus is a partnership between the community, The Walking School Bus was seen as an effective and enjoyable East Gippsland Shire Council and the Department of Justice. way to get the children out together in the morning. Members of Kaylene Wickham, East Gippsland Shire Council’s Walking the community were handpicked to be the first volunteers. The School Bus Coordinator, was invited to the Trust by the training was modified to suit the local environmental conditions.

16 “I have seen a huge difference in the kids – they are so much more responsive. There is a real connectedness in the community; a real sense of relationship between people.”

‘It is a community and not a place with heavy traffic, so we had program was introduced in August 2005. Nowa Nowa Primary to adapt the Walking School Bus model to suit the environment School had 100% attendance at the school in the first term we were working in’, says Kaylene. of 2006. The schools also noted that the children are playing games together before school starts and that school was now Maggie was officially the Walking School Bus’s first driver. seen as an enjoyable and important part of their day. ‘The first couple of days we had to get used to getting up so early, but it was so good we didn’t mind. The kids are so bright ‘My experience with other communities has shown me that and happy now and if you were to come down here at 8am you children respond very well when they are given a role and have would see how pumped up and ready to go to school they all certain levels of responsibility. This project is often one of the are,’ Maggie says. only aspects of their daily life they can have control over. The children have really embraced it. Kaylene is a tremendous The bus originally ran five mornings a week for 2 months motivator and I believe the impetus of this project has been but lost some momentum after the Christmas break. It is now maintained because of her energy and commitment and the running every Monday and Tuesday – with successive days trust she has built up in the community’, Annette adds. deliberately chosen at the start of the week to get the children in the pattern of getting up and joining the bus. Kaylene believes, and surveys show, that children enjoy school more as they can concentrate better after having a healthy Even on the days that the bus doesn’t run, most of the children breakfast and some early exercise. naturally wander down by themselves to get breakfast, although occasionally some don’t make it on time, due to the bus not ‘Two of the children got an award from their school for attending walking that day. the school the most days. The elders were so proud. It reinforced the value of education to the community.’ ‘The kids just love it! They already knew each other really well but this gives them a really relaxed time early in the day’, Kaylene also feels that walking on the bus has given the Kaylene says. children a new love of play.

‘The really interesting thing is that with some Walking School ‘The kids love being active now. They will kick the footy for Buses the kids don’t want to wear vests. But these kids are the 10 minutes while they are waiting for the bus. We have ponchos opposite. They are so proud of being part of the project that for every child and a minibus to drive them on days when it is they want the biggest and brightest vest! They want everyone pouring with rain. There is a whole system in the community to know they are part of the program, which shows that it that has been built around getting these kids to school.’ makes them feel good about being involved. Kids who are not Natalie Johnson has been both a driver and a conductor recognised for other things, for example being sporty, are now on the Walking School Bus. Her two children walk with her. recognised for being part of a really good thing. They are part of a program that is making them a lot healthier and adds value. ‘I got involved because of the children. It makes them real This then extends to many other areas of their lives.’ happy. When we are walking they talk and laugh. ➤➤

Annette Forbes, Project Coordinator, Lake Tyers Community Renewal Project, says that feedback from two local schools has shown absenteeism has dropped dramatically since the

www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/wsb 17 They’ll talk about school, talk to the other kids. They are really excited on the Walking School Bus. They loved it during the Commonwealth Games [in March 2006] as we gave out awards of gold, silver and bronze medals. The kids really loved that.’

The whole community has embraced the Walking School Bus and is delighted with the impact it has had in many areas.

‘I have seen a huge difference in the kids – they are much more responsive. There is a real connectedness in the community; a real sense of relationship between people. One of the new Photo: Wayne Paulus volunteers did not think he could contribute to the community, so the community encouraged him to get involved with the bus. What made the difference? This project is all about being connected’, Kaylene says. • Community leaders seeing the value of children Kaylene is currently encouraging young adults in the community walking together – those aged over 18 who haven’t become parents yet – to become volunteers so they can get to experience the same • A partnership formed between the people of the sense of belonging that the current volunteers and children feel. Lake Tyers community, the Department of Justice and East Gippsland Shire Council Maggie hopes that with the help of the parents they can expand • The children’s eagerness to walk regularly in a group the volunteer base so that the bus can walk every day again. with their friends to breakfast ‘The parents have already seen for themselves how well it is • Adapting training to suit local community needs going and how much the children love it’, she says.

The Lake Tyers walking to breakfast bus has shown how a seemingly simple project can have an immediate and lasting effect on the whole community.

‘I love being involved with the Walking School Bus program because I know I am making a difference. One of the volunteers invited me into her home; I was so honoured to be establishing new friendships through this program. It gave me a real sense of “we are kicking goals here, we are really getting the message out that we can and are doing this together”. I think people are realising that this is a great thing for their children and that it doesn’t matter who is involved in it’, Kaylene adds.

For more information on the Lake Tyers Walking School Bus Project contact Kaylene Wickham, East Gippsland Shire Council, on (03) 5153 9500 or at [email protected]

18 East Meets West in the South

Photo: Courtesy Southvale Primary School Southvale Primary School sits on the border of of Values Education which encompassed a whole community Noble Park and Springvale South, an area rich approach to living and learning. Among many things, this included teaching children to work cooperatively with others, in cultural diversity, but heavy on traffic and to think laterally, make their own decisions and be responsible major roads. for their actions.

Offering education for all, and selected as a ‘school of choice’ Noticing the communication gap that existed between the by agencies for kids with learning and behavioural difficulties, families and the school, the school employed a multicultural Southvale Primary has conquered some major challenges in education aide and a community liaison officer to help engage the last 4 years. these families.

The children represent 32 different cultures, with over 80% Within 2 years, significant behavioural changes among of them speaking a language other than English at home. the children were noticed by Sue and the staff. Contrasting Most of the families are from Vietnamese, Chinese and Khmer dramatically with events from previous years, no serious backgrounds. misdemeanours were carried out by the children and a new school culture was beginning to emerge. With a high turnover of students, the school found that cultural intolerance experienced in the community was often displayed But there was more to come. With heavy traffic congestion in the playground. Concerned about this anti-social behaviour around the school at morning and afternoon peak times, Sue and intent on bringing about significant cultural change within noticed that even though most of the students lived less than the school community, new principal Sue Barford led the way 1 kilometre from the school, only 20% of them walked. She with a number of initiatives. The first step was the adoption couldn’t believe it. ➤➤

www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/wsb 19 “The Walking School Buses have resulted in chance meetings with people on the streets. Residents were realising for the first time that they were neighbours and then inviting each other into their homes.”

‘Some kids were being driven from just two streets away. worried their lack of English would stop them from being able Mothers would put the kids in the car, drive two streets, to control a group of children while they were walking.’ drop them off and then turn around and drive home again!’ Mei and Sue walked on the buses and acted as leaders to When Sue heard about the Walking School Bus program promote the project and to encourage other parents to get through the City of Greater Dandenong she saw it as the on board. Sue walked for nearly a year and Mei continues answer to a number of issues. to walk every day.

‘I thought it sounded like a wonderful idea. We had a terrible ‘I wanted the parents and the kids to see that the Walking problem with traffic congestion and I thought the Walking School Bus was very important to the school and that I was School Buses would help here. The fact it was attached to the going to walk rain, hail or shine. Mollie our school dog would local council was a great opportunity to forge relationships with walk with us too – she was a great incentive for the kids to the wider community. Initially I was the only person who saw join us’, Sue explains. this potential in the project. I had to collect the data myself – The school also organised a Walk to School Day as a teaser. I found out where every child lived and plotted it on a map.’ ‘We thought it would be a good introduction for people to try At first, parents were confused as they thought the school and walk just for one day and then they might think, “It’s okay, was going to pick-up the kids with an actual bus. When Sue I can walk to school now”’, Mei says. explained they would be walking, parents were quick with reasons why they couldn’t walk. It was too cold, too wet, Sue has at times had to resort to some unconventional Principal too dangerous and so on. behaviour to get her message across.

Sue was keen to engage parents from Vietnamese, Chinese ‘People just don’t realise that it is sometimes quicker to walk. and Cambodian families into the school activities and saw the One kid was late every day because he had to wait for his Walking School Bus as a great link to the parents. Information mother or brother or auntie or someone. I got sick of it and I was provided in the school newsletter in Vietnamese, said: “Right! Now you are going to walk to school”, and since Khmer and Chinese and information sessions were held then he has been walking with the Walking School Bus and he’s with interpreters in these community languages. Forty-five on time every day because he doesn’t have to wait for someone Vietnamese and Cambodian parents attended the sessions to drive him!’ with 15 parents signing up to be volunteers. The school now has three official Walking School Bus routes The project started with four parents who were already walking that run every day. Sue says there has been a major cultural to school, walking with children on two routes. Mei Luong, the shift towards walking at the school and estimates approximately school’s multicultural education aide, worked tirelessly to connect 80% of the children are now walking or riding to school with the families. independently.

‘At first the Vietnamese parents were too shy to start a route. ‘Parents were scared of kids walking by themselves. We have They wanted to get involved but didn’t want to take the lead addressed this now with the Walking School Buses. Kids who role. Some of the parents dropped off because they were don’t walk with the bus are now walking together with friends.’

20 In addition, this is the third year that the school has conducted A lot of changes have happened in and around Southvale Bike Education for years 4–6. Before Bike Ed was introduced Primary School since the first buses started walking in 2002. not one child rode to school. Currently nine children do. For Sue Barford, one significant change really stands out: ‘The Walking School Buses have resulted in chance meetings with ‘Bike Ed helps promote the notion of walking to school for people on the streets. Residents were realising for the first time others as they realise it is easier to just walk rather than getting that they were neighbours and then inviting each other into their a bike out, putting on a helmet and so on’, Sue says. homes. This is incredible.’ The Walking School Bus has made an enormous difference to For more information on the City of Greater Dandenong’s the lives of many of the families attending the school. Parents Walking School Bus Program contact the council on from Vietnamese, Cambodian and Chinese backgrounds are (03) 9239 5100 now engaging in many other activities with the school.

Sue attributes much of this engagement with the hard work of Mei and Community Liaison Officer Dana Chan. Dana speaks Khmer, Thai, English and French and has been instrumental in getting Cambodian parents to walk on the bus and in getting them to engage further with the school.

The Walking School Bus program has also resulted in several spin-offs for the school.

‘Running a Walking School Bus has enabled us to be part of the

TravelSmart Program. TravelSmart gave us money to set up the Photo: Courtesy Southvale Primary School Parents Community Room. We have a lot of parents who come to the school who have smaller children with them. Now we also What made the difference? run a community playgroup – a multicultural one – which is very unusual and is entirely run by the parents themselves’, • Leadership, dedication and hands-on involvement Sue says. by the Principal

The school also runs the Breakfast Café, which provides a free • Commitment of Council and the school to engage breakfast every morning for at least 20 students. It is run by the school community in the project two parent volunteers, with the majority of the food donated • Relationships forged between parents and the school’s by the Red Cross. multicultural and multilingual aides

There has been a noticeable drop in traffic congestion, • The trust and connectedness developed between footpaths have been repaired and, according to Mei, parents the parents and the school are starting to think about their rights as a pedestrian because of their involvement with the Walking School Buses.

‘The great thing about the Walking School Bus is that people in the community are now getting to know us. People drive past and smile. People at the bus stops smile as we walk past. If we can start the day with a smile we are happy’, Mei says.

www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/wsb 21 Phillip Island’s Other Bikers

It may not be as well-known as the penguins, but Kerri Ritchie explains: ‘The Newhaven area is very small; the another Phillip Island attraction is starting to get children who live in the immediate vicinity of the school live so close that they can safely walk there without a Walking School noticed. The Newhaven Primary School Riding Bus. Cape Woolamai is a residential area and is too far for the School Bus is turning school travel into a lot of kids to be able to comfortably walk. Cycling is very popular fun. Once a week, the riding bus safely transports in the Cape Woolamai area. The Shire has a very strong bike about a dozen children, wearing bright orange education focus and is putting in more off-road bike paths.’ vests, to and from Newhaven Primary School. Having to modify the Walking School Bus concept into a Riding School Bus presented some challenges for Kerri and the The Riding School Bus is part of the Bass Coast Shire’s Walking parents, who were keen to volunteer as drivers and conductors. School Bus program. The Shire received funding from VicHealth ‘Once we decided to go ahead with a Riding School Bus we in 2004 to set up Walking School Buses in the area, which quickly realised that the first issue we had to address was includes Phillip Island. The island is a popular tourist spot safety. Our first meeting was in January 2005 in a local café with busy and unsealed roads, highlighting the importance with four parents. We refused to put a starting date on the of pedestrian safety initiatives. project until all the safety concerns we had were addressed, When Walking School Bus Coordinator Kerri Ritchie first and the parents felt comfortable about going ahead with the approached Newhaven Primary School, enthusiastic parents project. It took until the third term of school before the project quickly suggested that a Riding Bus, instead of a Walking Bus, could go ahead’, Kerri says. would be the way to go as most of the children attending the school lived 5–6 kilometres away in Cape Woolamai.

22 “Unless we encourage children to walk and cycle to school they won’t learn about their environment. They miss out on splashing in puddles and picking flowers. This really is life skills education and it’s fun!”

All drivers were trained by Ted Wilson at Wilcare Services, who Identifying the route wasn’t straightforward either. The safe runs bike education training for the Department of Education. meeting point where the children gather on their bikes to start the Riding Bus is at the end of the housing area in Cape ‘The parents who have been trained speak very highly of it. Woolamai. Many children have to travel 2 kilometres through They believe it has helped them, not only in their role on the this residential area to get to the meeting point. And that is Riding Bus but also when they ride on their own or with their before the bus has even started its trip to school, which is own children. Ted has been a great help to us in establishing another 2 kilometres away. the bus and has gone out of his way to assist’, Kerri says. There were also concerns about safety issues relating to the Ted, an ex-traffic cop, is a passionate advocate for increased maintenance of the bikes, which are still being sorted out. cycling and walking in the community. Being in the country brings nature into play as well. Volunteers ‘I think unless we encourage children to walk and cycle to need to look out for snakes on the riding path on hot days and school they won’t learn about their environment. They miss seasonal swooping birds. out on splashing in puddles and picking flowers. This really is life skills education and it’s fun! There is not one skerrick With an enthusiastic core group of parents committed to making of evidence that says life shouldn’t be fun!’ the bus a reality, Kerri recruited the children through their parents, via mail-outs, information in the school magazine and Ted forecasts a future major cultural shift to active transport. information sessions held at the school. News about the project ‘With the increasing costs of petrol we are going to be heading is now communicated primarily through the school newsletter. in the direction of more cycling, more walking and more public ‘I was lucky because I had one parent right from the start who transport use. We won’t have a choice and I think that is a great was very supportive. She was on the school council and acted thing!’, he adds. as a liaison between the school and me. After each meeting Currently bike education is only offered to children from Grade I had with parents I would email the school principal and let 4 up. All the participants on the Riding Bus are from Grades her know what we discussed and what decisions we had made Prep to 4 and have had no training. about the project. I kept her informed on all the developments ‘We make it clear to the volunteers that the children are and she supported and encouraged us through the process.’ untrained and that they have to be aware of this as kids don’t In spite of the initial hiccups, the proud Newhaven Primary understand how to allocate enough space between bikes when School Riding School Bus was launched in grand style on riding and stuff like that. Training for the children is an issue 3 August 2005 by the Mayor, Councillor Goodwin. we are still looking at’, Kerri explains. A week later, an unexpected snow drop on the first official As riding has a greater potential for injury than walking, day the bus was meant to run caused quick-thinking volunteers the volunteers’ training in first aid had to address what the to cancel, but operations have run smoothly since. volunteers thought was a reasonable expectation of them Anecdotally, the Riding Bus has had a positive influence on in certain situations. the school and surrounding community. The Bus has ➤➤

www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/wsb 23 encouraged others to ride to school, even though they are not part of the bus. The children who ride on the bus have graduated to independently cycling on the days the bus doesn’t run. Parents say the Riding Bus has been beneficial for their children as it encourages better bike behaviour that carries through to the days when they are not riding with the bus.

‘This is a small community, everyone knows each other. If a child is riding their bike and being stupid they will definitely be pulled up. Occasionally I get calls from people saying that kids are crossing at the wrong places – they ring me because they obviously identify me with the school and the Riding Bus!’, What made the difference? Kerri explains.

The school already had a lock-up bike shed. Volunteers now • Commitment of parents to getting their children have a key to the shed which enables them to lock-up and more active un-lock the bikes. • Tailoring the Walking School Bus model to suit local Annette Herschtal, Partnership Development at Bicycle Victoria, and rural conditions, especially in areas that require enthusiastically supports the Riding Bus. children to travel longer distances to school • Calling on experts in bike education to train parents ‘Well done to the team at Bass Coast. They are providing a wonderful example of innovation and practice, forging new • Council’s capacity to be flexible in developing an ground and acting on their feet to respond to questions as alternative model more suited to local circumstances they arise. We congratulate them for taking the time to consider and trial riding to school and for being creative and adaptive. Children benefit from this pioneering process too; they become active participants and active thinkers. Well done!’

The Riding School Bus is a great example of what can be achieved when a program is adapted to local conditions and environments and supported by an enthusiastic core group of parents. With the backdrop of the small picturesque fishing village of Newhaven, the route is on an established bike track with the kids protected from driveways and cars.

Without even knowing it, most of the kids are riding 4 kilometres a day while inhaling fresh sea air and hanging out with their mates. What a great start to their day and their life.

For information on the Newhaven Primary School Riding School Bus contact Kerri Ritchie, Walking School Bus Coordinator, Bass Coast Shire Council, on (03) 5671 2704 or at [email protected]

24 Moonee Valley’s Movers and Shakers

Photo: Courtesy City of Moonee Valley WSB The City of Moonee Valley is fair dinkum about thinks we need a major jolt to get us out of our cars and into getting people out of their cars. It wants people a new way of thinking. to make more trips, more often, either on foot ‘A crisis is needed to turn around this car culture. It’s not until it hits the hip pocket that people will make a change. We are or on a bike. And it is putting its money where seeing this now with oil prices. We need to get away from the its mouth is and committing resources to many thought that walking and cycling is only recreational. You can significant active transport initiatives. do it for a purpose – as a way of getting to work’, he says.

Active transport generally refers to walking and cycling for travel A number of programs and partnerships are currently underway to and/or from a destination rather than for recreation. It can within Moonee Valley to try and change people’s mindset and also include the incidental activity that comes with using public their attachment to their cars. transport, such as walking to a train station or tram stop. The TravelSmart Communities project, run in partnership with In 2004, the city adopted a Cycling and Walking Strategy which the Department of Infrastructure, approached nearly 22,000 aims to get as many people as possible of all ages more active households in Moonee Valley and encouraged them to think in the community. The strategy recognises that improvements about smarter uses of transport, such as walking, cycling or to the physical environment are helpful in achieving this, but working out how they could use the public transport services in an increase in people’s desire to walk or cycle is crucial for its their area. Of these households, nearly 10,000 requested extra success. information including: public transport timetables and ticketing advice; cycling and walking maps and guides; and advice on Simon Bennett, Moonee Valley’s Sustainable Transport Officer, smarter, more efficient car use, such as car pooling. ➤➤

www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/wsb 25 “We are focusing on the positive aspects of active travel – the social aspects, the interaction between children, and the personal development children get from walking with others.”

Simon says it will be interesting to see if the project will have ‘The Walking School Bus program for us is a good entry point any real effect on the way people travel to school and work. into the school. It is an obvious link to the School Travel Planning project as it recommends the continuation and growth of Walking ‘At the time these households were contacted there was the School Bus projects. It is a good first point of contact to get other first major petrol price increase and public transport was highly things up and running in the school. It is a smaller way of getting validated. It’s easy to say you are going to make changes when to think about bigger things, if you like’, Simon says. you are getting attention and participating in surveys, but the real test will be to see if the changes occur and whether they There are six schools running Walking School Buses, with are sustainable’, Simon says. 74 volunteers and 211 children registered to walk. Another two schools will come on board later in the year. A TravelSmart Education project ran parallel to the Communities project. The Department of Infrastructure identified a precinct The buses are very visible examples of the impact active near Essendon Railway Station that was heavily congested with transport initiatives can have on a community when people traffic and had schools that were well serviced in the area. are willing to give new ideas a go. Information was provided to the parents and the children via Coordinator Lisa Bagnati says Strathmore North Primary the schools to get them thinking about changing their way of School’s project has had so much support that they have to run travelling to school and work. two buses simultaneously on the same route to accommodate The cities of Moonee Valley and Melbourne are also working all the children wanting to walk. One school, St Mary’s, has together to develop School Travel Plans with local schools: three routes walking every day. Signs, similar to SunSmart signs, Kensington Primary School (which is in the Moonee Valley area) have been produced to identify the schools that are ‘Walking and Holy Rosary (which is in the City of Melbourne). School Bus Schools’.

The project is a mix of traffic counts and observations, student ‘A parent rang me after seeing the sign and wanted to know roll calls asking them how they travelled to school, parent what it was all about. Another parent is about to start a Walking surveys, and in-class activity which will involve mapping where School Bus program at her school after seeing children walking the children live and how they get to school, with a combined from another school and speaking to those parents about the parents information night. program’, Lisa says.

‘We want people to start to consider walking as a first option ‘I had a training session for 18 parents this morning. I can then cycling, then public transport use. We are focusing on definitely see that the parents are embracing the program. I get the positive aspects of active travel – the social aspects, the calls and emails from parents every day wanting to know what it interaction between children, and the personal development is and how they can get involved. I really believe that in nine out children get from walking with others’, Simon adds. of every 10 of these enquiries, they will either become a volunteer or they will allow their child to start walking on the bus.’ The Walking School Bus program has always been seen as a key component of the Council’s Cycling and Walking Strategy In keeping with the remarkable community spirit that has grown and its success has strengthened Moonee Valley’s commitment through the Walking School Bus programs statewide, Fiona to sustainable transport in general. Burnes, the City of Melbourne/YMCA’s Walking School Bus

26 Coordinator, was a parent volunteer coordinator at Kensington ‘The public transport system wouldn’t be able to cope if all of a Primary School, and was invaluable in recruiting volunteers for sudden people stopped using their cars. I think the awareness that school and sharing resources she had already developed of walking and cycling as a credible means of transport is through her Walking School Bus. getting more credence and people are starting to see it as an area that needs more development. We need major changes Lisa says they are fortunate to have a number of other in transport funding. You’ve got to get a balance. In the past partnerships within the community that actively promote the it’s all been about road building and expansion; there needs to Walking School Bus as part of their normal activities. be more money put into supporting the increased use of public ‘We have a relationship with Neighbourhood Watch. The transport and infrastructure for increasing walking and cycling president is also involved with RoadSafe. When he goes around for everyone in the community.’ to schools and various community events he always mentions For more information on the City of Moonee Valley’s the buses in his presentations.’ Sustainable Transport Initiatives, contact Simon Bennett, The Moonee Valley Walking School Bus program also has a Sustainable Transport Officer, on (03) 9243 8738 or visit great relationship with the Essendon Football Club, which sends www.mooneevalley.vic.gov.au/Services/Traffic_and_Transport/ footballers to the school for launches and various events. All Sustainable_Transport/ Walking School Bus children get automatic membership in the PUMA mosquito fleet, which provides them with a backpack full of goodies, invitations to footy club events, and a birthday card from the club each year. An event is currently being planned at Windy Hill for the children who walk on the bus.

Parents have commented that older children who may not want to walk on the ‘official bus’ are walking around or behind the buses.

‘We are finding that the kids who started walking on the buses when they were young are now in Grades 5 or 6 and are Photo: Mark Farrelly walking independently with their friends to school. Being on the bus has definitely given them the road safety skills and What made the difference? confidence to go to that next stage where they are walking independently’, Lisa says. • Council’s proactive and public commitment to sustainable and active transport Lisa is about to instigate Walk to School Wednesdays to target children who don’t walk on the bus. All students from all • The integration of a range of active transport activities schools will be encouraged to walk together each Wednesday. across the community

‘This idea has definitely come about because of the success • The development of partnerships between local of the Walking School Buses’, Lisa adds. governments, community agencies and sporting clubs, each with a similar commitment to having more active The City of Moonee Valley is committed to getting people out of communities their cars and onto its streets and paths. Only time will tell how effective active transport initiatives will be, but Simon Bennett is • Using the trust developed through the Walking School passionate about doing his bit and getting the message out. Bus program between the Council and the schools to develop other active and sustainable transport initiatives

www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/wsb 27 Victorian Health Promotion Foundation PO Box 154 Carlton South Victoria 3053 Australia Phone: +61 3 9667 1333 Fax: +61 3 9667 1375 Email: [email protected]

August 2006 www.vichealth.vic.gov.au