If you happen to be nearby the skate park you might see about 20 smiling people there.

They fit for purpose, assembled in their shorts and tee shirts, their sensible walking shoes and, in one case, with a small dog, also along for the walk.

It’s the Heart Foundation Walking Group, led by North West Hospital and Health’s Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Coordinator, Raelene Macnamara, and Indigenous Health Worker, Ayrton Marshall.

Everyone there has their own good reasons for being part of the group.

Some of the walkers have had a health scare, such as a heart attack.

Others want to reduce their risk of heart attack such as managing diabetes through exercise.

Others simply want to continue working on their fitness into older age.

Jack Wilde has been walking with the group for two months.

He said he started after a heart scare.

“It just makes me feel better, I think,” Mr Wilde said.

He also joins other participants on Wednesdays and Fridays for cardio pulmonary rehabilitation classes at the rehab centre at the Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health.

Sandra Cambetis has been attending the walking group for 12 months and enjoys the exercise and interaction with others.

“You can walk at your own pace, and as well as the health aspects, there’s the social aspect. We’re all friends here,” she said.

Carol Dibucchianico has been attending for a couple of years.

“It’s good for me; I do what I can,” she says.

Ms Macnamara says anyone is welcome to join the Monday morning walking group.

The group meets by the Mount Isa skate park at 9am every Monday.

“Young or elderly, at any fitness level, we welcome anybody to join us,” Ms Macnamara said.

“We have a lot of fun.

“Everyone can go at their own pace, and if you do the circuit five times, you’ve done a kilometre.”