At this year’s Active Workplace & Community Awards Breakfast, every attending organisation made a 2026 Workplace Pledge for our Pledge Wall.
These pledges represent simple, practical actions designed to strengthen movement and wellbeing at work. Some of the commitments included:
- Encouraging hourly movement breaks with reminders to stretch, stand or step away from desks.
- Introducing walking-themed days, including Walk to Work Day and walking meetings.
- Reinvigorating workplace bike user groups to support active commuting.
- Opening monthly meetings with short group stretches.
- Exploring under-desk movement options and walking mats.
Creating an active workplace culture doesn’t always require major infrastructure. It starts with small, consistent behaviours that gradually reshape habits, attitudes, and team culture.
We look forward to seeing these pledges put into action in 2026.
Together we’re building the movement.
Meet our winners
The Geelong College
The WINNER of the Active Workplace of the year
450x Employees:
- Flexible work environment supports staff incorporating physical activity.
- Staff participation in community events: Run 4 Geelong, Swim-a-Thons, Ergo-Thon, Push Up & Squat Challenges.
- Group activities: Coastal Walk, You Yangs Walk with transport provided.
- On-site facilities: free personal training (~35 staff ), supervised weights room.
- Weekly yoga sessions; walking meetings promoted.
- Staff discounts for wellbeing services: Pilates, physiotherapy, chiropractic care.
- Promotes healthy activity individually, in teams, and in community events.
LBW Business & Wealth Advisors
The WINNER of the Active Workplace of the year Award – Small/Medium Workplace
60x Employees:
- Staff wellbeing incentives: $250 per person for health/activity costs.
- Flexible work arrangements
- Sit/stand desks, shower facilities, bike racks, filtered water.
- Fresh fruit weekly
- Participation in StepTember (including international staff).
- Encourages physical activity: Walk-in-lunch breaks promotes bike commuting and other movement options.
Leisure Networks & Vines Road Community Centre
Joint WINNER’s of the Active Geelong Community Award
Leisure Networks:
- Community programs: All Ability Sport, inclusion leagues (football, netball, basketball), Mini Movers (ages 3–7), Power 2 Pedal.
- Other initiatives: Active Pathways, Yoga for Wellbeing, Run4Geelong prep.
- Focus on inclusion, social connection, resilience, lifelong participation for all abilities.
- Staff engagement: internal physical activity encouraged and supported.
Vines Road Community Centre:
- Inclusive fitness & wellbeing programs for all ages; free/subsidised participation.
- Popular activities: Zumba Gold, Tai Chi, Chair Aerobics, Heart Foundation Walking Groups.
- Additional options: Gardening, Pilates, Yoga, Dance, Martial Arts, Calisthenics.
- Collaborates with senior clubs for table tennis & line dancing.
- Promotes physical, mental & social wellbeing; “Something for Everyone.”
Kieser
The WINNER of the Active Geelong Allied Health/GP Clinic of the year
- Philosophy: movement is medicine; individualized strength programs for clients.
- Clients receive physiotherapy assessment, personalized evidence-based exercise programs.
- Staff lead by example with access to facilities, Team Training, Walking Groups.
- Community engagement: presentations to Rotary, Probus, local organisations, event support (Shaka 24 Run, Active Geelong Health Festival).
- Cultivates a network of clients and staff united by active living and strength training principles.
