Funding for a 2.3metre all abilities carousel play unit with a level entry design to cater for wheelchair entry, a seat for users who cannot/do not wish to stand to ride, and a non-slip rubber surface was sought by PALS and the Purtle family so people of all ages and abilities are able to enjoy the park.
Mulwala Progress Association’s Robert ‘Possum’ Purtle and wife Helen said they are delighted to be able to add further equipment to the playground for everybody to be able to use which will also enhance the park itself.
“Over the past couple of months, the Eva May foundation has donated $10,000 and the Alexander Park Committee has donated $12,250 as well as the fundraising PALS was able to do which has secured enough funding for the purchase and installation of the carousel,” Mrs Purtle said.
“It has a ground level entry for easy access to people in wheelchairs, who use walkers etc and features a seat for users who cannot or do not wish to stand to ride on. It is bright and colourful and so much fun to ride, we are all looking forward to seeing this project excel.
“We will also have it positioned in the park where it will be inclusive to all children.
“It will be another great asset to the park, and we appreciate the assistance PALS has provided us. PALS have come on strong with it,” Mr Purtle added.
“It was originally set up to be an all-abilities park but a lot of the existing equipment in the park is not suitable for all abilities.
“We are excited and looking forward to the installation as this will help enhance our facilities and we will also keep watching with interest to see in the future whether we can install other pieces of similar equipment for all abilities.
“It will be great for people of all abilities to be able to enjoy the park and we hope to be able to incorporate further all abilities equipment.
“We also appreciate everyone who has assisted us with the park so far.”
PALS CEO Julie Brooks said the addition of some all-abilities equipment will make the park and playground inclusive of everyone and she is ecstatic that the project has finally come to fruition.
“Maybe six to eight years ago Caitlin Cummins and a group of locals first identified they wanted an ‘All Abilities’ playground on the foreshore of Yarrawonga,” Ms Brooks said.
“This committee appealed to members of the public and community groups to fundraise to purchase a piece of play equipment. This is where we got involved.
“We were successful in obtaining a grant from Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) for $10,000.
“Unfortunately, the project fell over and we sat on the money for years, however as we all know the Purtle’s got hold of the project and ran with it with Federation Council.
“I just happened to be speaking with Robert (Possum) one day here at the office and I told him about the money we had that could be used now for the playground and the addition of some all-ability equipment.
“From there we spoke with the Mulwala Progress Association as well as Federation Council to see if we could get some equipment that could be used by people with disabilities also and we came to the idea of the carousel as there is currently only one small piece of all ability’s equipment in the playground.
“We fundraised a further $14,000 from the Mulwala Water Ski Club and the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort so our contribution was $24K.
“To make up the funds for the installation costs the Purtle’s then rattled the tin again to get this money before the order was placed.
“The result is a really good outcome, for children who live with a disability and for the families of children who live with a disability both local and the visitors who will use the park.
“We are delighted that the park could have an all-abilities piece of play equipment – this is what an inclusive community looks like.
“Remember communities are judged by how they treat the most vulnerable in their community and I think the Purtle family, the Federation Council and all who have contributed to this project financially and in kind can hold their heads high.”
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