Play It Forward initiative to launch in Liverpool

Liverpool Council is the first in South-Western Sydney to get on board with the Play It Forward initiative. 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 20th 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.

Ghatt said in honour of Marcus, her family wanted to generate awareness and galvanise the importance of social inclusion and advised “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.”

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.

Ghatt added “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.”

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.

Image: Inclusive swing seat. Credit: Play for All Australia