Forbes, Parkes, Cowra, Orange, Bathurst, Oberon etc are all within just a few points of Blayney’s 75.3 per cent on the Australian Health Tracker overweight index.

We are fortunate enough however, to be in the unique position to do something about it.

With cooperation from our major partners Blayney Shire Council, CentrePoint as well as Bernardi’s Marketplace, we’ll all be working over the next three months to bring together all the elements that are shown to improve our well being, regular exercise, a good diet and getting out and meeting people, in real life, in the community.

Activities, profiles, news and views will all be featured here in this column during the Healthy and Happy Wellness Challenge (HHWC). 

If you have a unique story about how a change to your lifestyle has improved your quality of life, let us hear about it.

If you want to share a healthy recipe, run a free class, share a gardening tip or would like to tell us about your local community group, please call us.

The HHWC isn’t just about weight loss, it’s about reversing the modern ills of obesity, depression, anxiety and diabetes through community involvement, and not just on your social media news feed, but getting out and being with one another in a supportive and beneficial way.

Registration is free and community groups, as well as our local businesses are all being encouraged to sign up to what will become an annual event.

As this is our first year, and the first of its kind anywhere, its success will depend on your feedback.

In coming years the multisports competition will involve all the sporting clubs in Blayney from netball to tennis, and from touch footy to golf.

An information night will be held at the community centre on Monday August the 28^th at 5.30pm and you can register at CentrePoint, Blayney Council or Bernardi’s