The Federation Council ‘Ageing Well’ committee member leads a vibrant group of over fifty-fives who attend an ‘Aqua Class for Seniors’ in the indoor heated pool each Tuesday and Friday.
The aquatic class is now heading into its second year of operation under the leadership Liz Seeliger and has proven popular for people from all over the district.
Liz is a ‘Volunteer Aquatic Class Instructor’ and gained a formal qualification eight years ago through her employer, The Department of Health New South Wales and the Murrumbidgee Local Health District.
Federation Council conducted a survey several years ago which revealed the need for a low-impact exercise class for the town’s aged population. Her involvement in the Federation Council led to the formation of the class.
“My Federation Council colleagues ‘Community Development Team Leader’ Amber Harvey and‘Duty Officer of Public Pools’ Jo Laws formed the class two years ago. We are proud to have the only heated pool in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District,” Liz told the Chronicle.
Although a former professional ic-skater, keen water skier and a coach of the Mulwala Water Ski Team, Liz suffered a devastating stroke 17 years ago and endured four years of rehab to learn how to walk again.
“After my stroke I spent four years in rehabilitation. My physiotherapist taught me various muscle exercises that were vital in my recovery, I still use those exercises and incorporate them into my weekly aqua classes,” Liz said.
The class of 70 members is held on Tuesdays at 12pm and Fridays at 1:30pm. The ‘Murrumbidgee Local Health District’ has kindly subsidised the classes to make them more affordable for participants.
Liz is passionate about promoting the benefits of water therapy.
“We spend around forty-five minutes chatting and doing gentle muscle-strengthening exercises such as step-marching and dancing foam dumbbells for added resistance and pool noodles for body support.
“There is a lot of laughter and fun had. The social and physical benefits are enormous.”
Liz also instructs a fun and fitness class for over fifty-fives at the Mulwala Civic Hall.
“In the Mulwala class exercises are geared for greater for strength, balance and co-ordination,” she said.
For the water aerobic classes at Corowa new members are welcome and required to pay a $6 entry fee to the aquatic centre and the aqua class fee is capped at a gold coin donation. The pool is easily accessed with a ramp. For more information, contact the Corowa Aquatic Centre on (02) 6033 4401.
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