Walk2work

There were lots of fantastic entries to the competition, which made selecting three winners a very difficult job indeed for competition judge and local writer Julia Brannigan.

After much deliberation the three winning entries selected were from Gemma Thomas, Robyn Moxey and Louise de Varga.

All three winners received a $200 walking footwear or walking apparel voucher; a Foot massage voucher; double ferry passes to Rangitoto Island to climb to the summit with a friend; a walking t-shirt and hydration backpack.

Gemma Thomas, who walks 15-minutes along the beach every day for the last stretch of her trip to work, impressed Julia Brannigan, with her prose comparing travel by road to walking and was selected as the winning entry.

“I loved the way Gemma evocatively and poetically contrasted the greyness and tension of travelling by road with the sense of nature and relaxation of walking and how this affects her when she gets to work,” says Ms Brannigan.

“As I walk past the fumes and frustrations, I glance upon the broad green shoulders of the ever present Rangitoto. I am pulled towards the screeching of the gulls and the swishing blue. The anger dissolves into a quiet lapping sound and my eye catches passing red kite surf blown high and proud. Mobile phones and the ticking of the clock become obsolete. Flickering boat sails billow in the breeze. Rangitoto watches over its brood. Leaving the beach, the memories of my secret escapes linger as I sit at my desk.”

In second place Julia Brannigan selected Robyn Moxey’s entry because “this shows how the benefits of walking do not diminish over time. It's a pertinent and inspiring message. Walking really is sustainable!”

“I have worked in Takapuna for a total of 16 years and have walked to work and back every day, 5 days a week, rain hail or shine. This helps keep me fit, contributes to a green environment, saves looking for car parking in central Takapuna, saves me money and also I see things I wouldn't from a car. I see the pohutukawa trees blossoming, I hear native birds calling and I also pick up empty cans and bottles thoughtlessly discarded by others. Better for me, better for Takapuna.”

Julia Brannigan praised Louise de Varga’s third place entry for its positive outlook, and the fact that “walking brings out the best in us - at either end of the day.”

“It's my time. A time to relax, breathe and to take a moment to smell the rose blooms at the Rose Centre. A time to see other peoples efforts in their gardens. A time to listen to the waves on Takapuna beach and to hear the crunch of the sand under my shoes. A time to prepare for the day. From mum to customer service star. And at the end of the day, to take time to become the best mum I can be.”