A Strong Start to the Year
Six months into 2025, we’re proud to reflect on the incredible momentum behind the ActiveStrongerBetter program — and to celebrate the people, partnerships, and progress that make it all possible.
Our mission remains at the heart of everything we do: helping older adults stay active, stronger, and better through safe, effective, and fun movement.
To all our participants, instructors, and community partners — thank you. Your energy, commitment, and care are what bring this program to life every single day.
Whether you’re joining a class for the first time, helping lead one, or supporting us behind the scenes, you’re building a stronger, healthier future for older adults — one step, one session, one smile at a time.
Program Milestones and Highlights
The first half of the year has been filled with growth, movement, and new connections:
- Total classes on offer: 103 (including private sessions) – That’s almost 20 more than the start of the year!!
- Suburbs reached: 40
- LGAs reached: 10
- Number of leaders providing: 29
- Major milestones:
- 🎉 Listed our 100th class in the Hunter and Central Coast region
- 🚗 Launched our first class in regional NSW — Forbes
We’ve also seen growing interest from local leaders and trainers keen to bring ASB to their communities, showing that our program’s impact continues to ripple outward.
Extending Our Reach: New and Remote Communities
One of the key achievements of the first half of 2025 has been expanding the ActiveStrongerBetter program into new and more remote areas of New South Wales. These additions represent a significant step toward making safe, enjoyable movement opportunities more accessible to older adults across a wider geographic area.
In regional and rural communities, access to structured exercise programs tailored to older adults can be limited. By establishing ASB classes in these areas, we’re helping reduce location-based barriers and support healthier ageing across the state.
📍 New Locations Reached:
- Forbes – Our first class launched in the Central West region of NSW, marking an exciting milestone in our efforts to bring ASB to more remote communities.
Details:
Gentle Exercise – Anytime Fitness, 131-135 Rankin St, Forbes NSW 2871
Monday and Wednesday 9:30-10:15am Gentle Exercise Class Level 1/2 ($10 per class)
Call Sherrie on 0432 929 587
- Muswellbrook – A newly introduced class in this Upper Hunter town has extended the program’s footprint and brought ASB to a fresh regional location.
Details:
Empowering Past 55 at Bennet’s Personal Training & Fitness – 61 Queens Street, Muswellbrook
Wednesday 4:30-5:15pm Level 2 ($16-20 per session)
Call Nikki on 0407546739
- Forster – Situated on the Mid North Coast, Forster is another key addition to our growing regional network.
Details:
Great Lakes Physio – 21 The Lakes Way, Forster 2428
Thursday 11am ($25 casual or $200 pack of 10 visits) (Classes commencing Thursday the 3rd of July)
Call Great Lakes Physio on 0265546556
These new locations are part of a broader effort to ensure older adults in both metropolitan and regional areas have access to movement, connection, and wellness. With the continued support of local councils, health services, and community venues, we are committed to expanding our reach even further in the months ahead.
Funded Exercise Programs: Expanding Access and Impact
Thanks to new funding support, we’ve been able to launch targeted exercise programs in new locations, making ActiveStrongerBetter more accessible to communities who need it most. These programs are funded for a limited period, helping us lower barriers to participation and kick-start long-term community activity.
Gillieston Heights – Weekly Movement and Connection
With generous contributions from NovaCare and Maitland City Council, we’ve launched a new weekly class at the Gillieston Heights Hub, designed to encourage social connection and safe, low-cost movement for older adults.
- When: Mondays, 2:00–2:45pm (followed by afternoon tea)
- Where: Gillieston Heights Hub – Redwood Dr & Pine St, Gillieston Heights NSW 2321
- Cost: Gold coin donation for the first 12 weeks
- Contact: Charlie – 0421 968 127
This program is funded for an initial 12-week period from 2nd June to 25th August 2025. With strong community engagement, we hope it will continue beyond this pilot phase.
Hunter Multicultural Communities (HMC) – Inclusive Access Through NSW Government Grant
In April, we began a new exercise program at the Hunter Multicultural Communities (HMC) in Newcastle made possible by support from the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. This initiative was developed to engage older adults from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds — ensuring movement and wellness opportunities are inclusive and accessible for all.
This program is another great example of how funding partnerships help us reach new groups and strengthen local health outcomes.
Community and Partnerships
ASB wouldn’t be possible without our incredible network of community centres, local councils, and health partners.
From welcoming venues to outreach events, our partners are helping us reach more older adults and deliver meaningful health and social outcomes.
📣 Visit our Partnerships Page to see all the organisations that make this program thrive.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
The rest of 2025 is looking just as exciting! Here’s what we’re working on:
- Expanding to more locations across the region
- Strengthening referral pathways and local promotion to increase participation
- Applying for funding to support new ASB classes for Indigenous participants and tailored to dementia patients and their carers
- Improving the functionality and location search function of the ASB website
- Offering more ASB leader training opportunities
- Launching our specialist content training modules on health conditions
✨ Interested in becoming an ASB Leader? Check out our training and course information or to register your interest and be notified of our next training date – click here
Join Us!
If you or someone you know is ready to move more, feel better, and connect with others, we invite you to join the ActiveStrongerBetter community.
💪 Find a class near you
🗣️ Tell a friend
📧 Have questions? Contact us at 0249402497 or asb@novacare.org.au
Thank you
At ASB, we believe in aging well — through movement, community, and shared purpose.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Your dedication is making a real difference in people’s lives.
“Age is merely the number of years the world has been enjoying you. Keep moving!”
Here’s to the rest of 2025 — and to continuing to stay active, stronger, and better together.