The official opening of the Yass Liberty Swing attracted around 70 local to Coronation Park on Wednesday, all wanting to celebrate an innovative addition to the recreational area that will provided people with a disability the opportunity to experience the joy of swinging.
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Mayor Rowena Abbey opened proceedings praising the swing as a vital piece of infrastructure made possible by a $25,000 community grant from regional telecommunications provider, Southern Phone.
“The Installation of this Liberty Swing was a joint initiative of Variety NSW, Valmar Support Services, Yass Rotary, Andalini Incorporated, Mr Keith Rosario and Yass Valley Council,” she said.
“The Liberty Swing is a world-first, Australian innovation.”
The swing is a revolutionary concept in playground swing equipment that accommodates the needs of people with mobility difficulties or those using a wheelchair. It enables children and adults to enjoy the fun and recreation of swinging whilst still being included in the outdoor recreational area.
The Liberty Swing has a number of special features that make it both safe and simple to use, including an access ramp, a wheel locking mechanism, pop up seat for people with mobility impairments, safety harness and it is compliant with relevant Australian Standards.
Hugh Packard, CEO of Valmar Support Services and Bill Hilzinger, Chairman of Southern Phone thanked everyone who helped make the swing a possibility.
Mr Keith Rosario, who personally donated to this special project to honour the memory of his late wife Ingrid Doecen, made a moving speech about how proud his wife would have been that her dream was made a reality.
“It was the year 2008, and Barack Obama became president of the USA, the GFC was hitting the world ... but closer to Yass there was something much more important going on,” he said.
“It was a sunny day and my late wife Ingrid and I were enjoying playing in a park with our kids. As we stood in front of a disabled swing she said to me, 'Rosie, we need one of these swings in Yass'.
Ingrid was known around the community as passionate about the rights of children and the disabled.
“It saddens me that Ingrid can’t be here today to help open the swing, but it gives me great joy to know that her vision for a Liberty Swing in Yass has come into being,” he continued.
“As the swing motto goes, 'Bringing the joy of a swing to every heart.'”
ITALICS: More photos at www.yasstribune.com.au.