Liverpool Council has partnered with the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, local businesses and schools to provide upgraded facilities to 14 playgrounds across the Liverpool Local Government Area, with the first swing upgrade launching at Casula Parklands on Friday 20 January.
Working with Play for All Australia, the upgrades will replace 14 low-backed infant swings with high-backed updated versions for Australian children of all abilities.
Play for All Australia was established by Caroline Ghatt and her husband Tim Smith, whose son Marcus lived with a significant disability, to generate awareness and dial up social inclusion across local communities.
Caroline said in honour of Marcus, her family wanted to generate awareness and galvanise the importance of social inclusion.
“Play is vital for all children and the local playground is where community is built, and connections are formed. We want to ensure that no family is left out of their local playground. That’s why our goal is to equip communities with swings that are inclusive to all children, regardless of their ability, in their vital early years” Ms Ghatt said.
A call was issued late last year for businesses to sponsor the new swings and Council was overwhelmed with the response.
Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun has thanked the local business and schools which have sponsored the new swings, saying he was proud that Liverpool is the first Council in South-Western Sydney to get on board with the initiative.
Mayor Mannoun said Council is committed to ensuring Liverpool is an inclusive city and is thrilled to partner with such an incredibly worthy social enterprise as Play for All Australia.
Liverpool Chamber of Commerce President Dimitri Karam said the program provided a creative and innovative way to make sure children get an equal opportunity within our local community.
At the program’s launch, Play For All Australia, and local businesses will dial up social inclusion by setting up a tech-enabled inclusive infant swing seat at Casula Parklands Playground that will visibly promote the program both online and in the local community.
“The tech-enabled swing has a built-in counter that will record every swing providing a fun and interactive way for the community to join the cause because the more swings made on it, the faster the sponsored inclusive swing seat upgrades are unlocked across the community,” Ms Ghatt said.
Following the completion of the community activation the sponsored swings will be installed at the following playgrounds:
- Carnes Hill Park, Miller Park, Scott Memorial Park and Apex Park sponsored by the Liverpool Catholic Club
- Casula Parklands playground sponsored by the Clark Family
- Judy Pack Park sponsored by the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
- Black Muscat Park sponsored by Gloria Jeans Coffee Chipping Norton and Chipping Norton public school
- Macleod Park sponsored by Liverpool Council
- Jardine Park sponsored by Thrive Disability
- Voyager Park sponsored by Marcus’ Family
- Cameron Park and Lakeside Park sponsored by Intermodal.
LAUNCH
11am, Friday 20 January
Casula Parklands
OUR SPONSORS
Thrive Disability Support Services
“At Thrive Disability Support Services, we work to create a supported platform for all to participate and achieve an inclusive community without limits. The Play it Forward program is helping to connect all children to the community in a safe play environment and Thrive Disability Support Services appreciates the opportunity to be involved and be a proud sponsor in this great initiative. Every time a Swing goes up is a BIG Hi-Five for all.”
Brigitte Ali
Director, Thrive Disability Support Services
Liverpool Catholic Club
“Liverpool Catholic Club operates to support our local community. The Play it Forward initiative reflects on our values and goals and we are proud and privileged to contribute towards giving our local children and their families a play equipment that is inclusive and promotes belonging, learning and fun for all, close to their homes”
Van Nguyen
Director
The Clark Family
“Community requires being involved. Sometimes that requires you to roll up your sleeves, and other times to put you hand in your pocket. Do what you can, when you can.”
Michael Clark,
The Clark Family
#casulaclarkies
Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
" Liverpool Chamber of Commerce & Industry is privileged to partner with Play for All Australia to upgrade our swings in our parks to make play inclusive for everyone. No children should be left out of our parks. This is a great innovation to make sure all our children in the community are given an equal opportunity to Play and Develop."
Dimitri Karam
President, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Gloria Jeans Chipping Norton
Gloria Jeans Chipping Norton is deeply connected with the local community who we have been serving for many years now. We truly regard our customers as family and being a local resident myself and and seeing my kids complete primary school at Chipping Norton Public, it really was a no brainer for me to team up with the school and sponsor the Play it forward project to give all kids the opportunity to enjoy our local park facilities.’
Bill Dennaoui
Director, Gloria Jeans Chipping Norton
Chipping Norton Public School
‘Inclusion creates a sense of belonging. At Chipping Norton Public School and in our local community we want all children and families to feel a sense of inclusion and belonging. This project promotes and exemplifies inclusion! We are very proud to be part of it.’
Shelley Diamond,
School Principal
National Intermodal
“There is nothing more likely to make you smile than hearing the excitement in a child’s laughter as they swing higher and higher. Every child should have the chance to feel that excitement, no matter what their abilities. These swings make that possible.”
Kylie Hargreaves
Government & Stakeholder Relations