Fun for all the family is planned for the grand opening of the Rotary 100 Playground at Yarra Bank Reserve on August 8th, with children's entertainment, food and drink and, lots of music on the way to make it a sparkling day.
 
Acknowledging the significance of the Yarra bank area to First Nations peoples, a smoking ceremony and welcome to country is planned, to be offered by the traditional owners of the land, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation.
 
The Playground Opening, featuring the unique Rotary interactive play sculpture, will begin a series of events in Boroondara aimed at raising the profile of Rotary, attracting new members and celebrating 100 years to date of Doing Good in the World. It is hoped that every Rotarian will bring their families and friends, and especially the little ones, to experience the Grand Opening and the playground. So be sure to spread the word!
 
The playground will be opened by the Mayor of Boroondara, Cr. Garry Thompson, who will be joined by DGE Dale Hoy in a ceremony heralding a celebration of the achievements of the past century, and welcoming the start of the next 100 years. To see the latest photos of the Rotary Interactive Play Sculpture under construction, click on Read more...
Construction of the new playground at Yarra Bank Reserve is now well advanced, with the Rotary contribution, the unique interactive play sculpture, expected to be installed either this week, or next, depending upon Covid-19 restrictions. The design of the sculpture has included unique features, developed by Benjamin Gilbert at Agency of Sculpture, to enable little arms to row the huge oars that are a key play feature of the sculpture, while protecting little hands and heads from injury. With musical features, water features and some other things never before seen in a play feature, the Yarra Bank Reserve's new playground will delight families for years to some, a fitting tribute and a special gift, from Rotary to the families of Boroondara.
 

Rotary Interactive Play Sculpture Called for Some Innovative Design Solutions

The hull of the canoe is taking shape.  The final version will be polished and burnished
The giant oars on the top of the sculpture will be moved by pushing small levers in the support columns, an action that will imitate a rowing action
 
The 'oars' at the base of the sculpture will be affixed using uniquely designed joins, specially designed to avoid pinching little fingers
The interactive sculpture has been designed with features that will delight the young but protect them from injury