General News
1 July, 2026
Leading a healthy cycle
NOAH and Chase Young are among Loddon school students setting a healthy example across the region. The Inglewood Primary School students ride to school every day.
NOAH and Chase Young are among Loddon school students setting a healthy example across the region.
The Inglewood Primary School students ride to school every day.
“We just love riding,” said the Year 6 students after the release of the 2025 Loddon Campaspe Active Living Census results.
Principal Rebecca Luckman said many of the school’s 59 students either rode or walked to school.
The census showed that among children in Loddon Shire, only a third of local children were likely to be driven to school.
Loddon’s 37.1 per cent taking the car or bus to school was significantly lower than the other six municipalities that took part in the census where figures were up to two-thirds of youngsters.
Local residents also received the best results for moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity. Their average time 245.7 minutes compared with residents from Greater Bendigo (189.0 minutes), Macedon Ranges (189.5 minutes) and Central Goldfields (180.6 minutes).
But the census showed that Loddon residents the furthest on average to access their activities (19km), followed by Campaspe Shire (14.9km).
Residents of Central Goldfields Shire (70.5 per cent) were also the most likely to travel by car to reach the facilities they used for their main activities, followed closely by Campaspe Shire residents (70.2 per cent). In contrast, Loddon Shire residents were the most likely to walk as their primary mode of travel (26.6 per cent), despite the greater distances they reported.
And Loddon residents reported feeling the most valued in society - 35.5 per cent - than those who reside in City of Greater Bendigo (24.2 per cent).
Healthy Loddon Campaspe regional steering group spokesperson Jess Howard said the Census data provided much more than numbers on a page.
“It tells us what would help people live healthier and more connected lives,” Ms Howard said.
“These findings provide evidence local councils, communities and other organisations can use for partnering and investing where it matters most.
“Good local data helps communities make better decisions.
“Health and wellbeing is everyone’s business. The Census data helps us understand what our communities need and what partnerships and actions can have the greatest benefits.”
More than 8000 residents took part in the Census between May and July last year which collected data on matters such as physical activity, access to nutritious food, public open space use and risky behaviours.
Compared with Victorian and national benchmarks, the census found lower rates of smoking, vaping, gambling and daily sugar-sweetened drink consumption, and stronger results for physical activity and muscle-strengthening exercise among adults.
Read More: Inglewood, Loddon Shire