Smiling faces and just a few happy tears were on show when the Port Fairy Lions Club officially launched the all-abilities Liberty Swing at Martins Point Reserve on Thursday.
Built in conjunction with the Moyne Shire, the new playground equipment will give an opportunity for people with mobility impairments to enjoy the sensation of swinging according to Lions Club member Wendy Hunter.
“The Liberty Swing offers the opportunity to people with mobility issues to enjoy the sensation and freedom of swinging, just like any other child or adult would enjoy,” Mrs Hunter said.
The swing was installed as part of an upgrade to the existing playground, built sometime in the 1980’s by the Lions Club.
“When [Port Fairy Lions Club president] Keith Dawson put to us the idea of the Liberty Swing there was unanimous agreement in the club that it was going to be really valuable for the community,” Mrs Hunter said. “But we realised also that it was going to cost a lot of money.”
“It was a matter of working out what the club could put towards [the cost] and what we had find from other sources, that’s when we started looking for grants.
“South West Community Foundation awarded us $5000, alongside money from the Lions Club Foundation, Moyne Shire and Pacific Hydro.
“SWCF was actually one of the first grants that we received, and this was a momentous occasion because it gave us the encouragement to continue with our fundraising.
“It has been a project that has brought together many different groups and people to get us to this stage.”
The Liberty Swing is available for everyone to use now at the Martins Point Reserve playground, near Griffith Island carpark.
