Walk this way: Rod Quantock and Darren Ray promote the Port Phillip Council-backed street stencils. Photograph: Stephen McKenzie

VicHealth revealed hot pink and white footpath stencils last week, to commend the virtues of walking, cycling and getting out and about in your neighbourhood.
Comedian Rod Quantock launched the Taking It To The Streets Official Supporter campaign at Elwood's Turtle Cafe.
The messages will appear in 50 locations in Port Phillip, followed by more next month in the cities of Darebin, Melbourne, Bayside and Docklands.
VicHealth CEO Rob Moodie said Taking It To The Streets Official Supporter was a playful, "street level" take on conventional health campaigns.
"By 2020, depression will constitute the second-largest disease worldwide, " he said.
"Obesity rates continue to soar in Australia, with one in five children being overweight. Here's a fresh approach that will help combat these disturbing figures.
"The reality is that not everyone will join a gym or play a sport, but exercise and social interaction can be a part of everyday life."
Port Phillip mayor Darren Ray said community groups will also be asked to create their own messages and slogans to appear in their neighbourhoods.
"Most people associate wealth and success with the suburbs of Port Phillip, yet we are also home to some of the worst disease rates and lowest life expectancies in Victoria, " he said. "Getting people to exercise more is an essential first step in the right direction."

This article first appeared in the Emerald Hill Weekly August 3, 2005 p. 8

Comic Rod Quantock and Mayor Darren Ray take time out during the campaign launch.

A VicHealth campaign has hit Port Phillip streets with messages stencilled on the footpath.
Suggestions to "smile at the person next to you" at bus stops, "walk instead" in car parks and "catch up with friends" are among 50 messages.
VicHealth chief executive Rob Moodie said the "playful" campaign took the message down from the billboards to street level.
The health promotion organisation will also stencil streets in the cities of Darebin, Melbourne and Bayside in a bid to encourage people to get active and socialise as part of every day life.
Mr Moodie said depression would be the second largest disease by 2020, and one in five children in Australia was now overweight.
"Here's a fresh approach that will help combat these disturbing figures by encouraging physical activity and connecting with others," he said.
The gym and playing team sports were not for everyone, but exercise and social interaction could be as simple as walking to the bus stop, he said.  

This article first appeared in the Port Phillip/Caulfield Leader August 9, 2005 p. 8