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7 December official opening for award winning play area

Sunday 7 December will see the official opening of Wellington Shire Council’s award winning environmental play area at the corner of Lake Guthridge and Lake Guyatt in Sale – with the honour falling to its main sponsor, the Leslie family.

By Wellington Shire Council - 28th November 2003 - Back to News

Representing the family, local philanthropist John Leslie will officially open the unique facility at 11.30am on the day, when he unveils a special plaque. Everyone from Wellington, whatever their age, is invited to come along and join in the free celebrations and entertainment organised for the occasion. Simply turn up on the day.

Amongst those attending will be Wellington’s Mayor John Jago, along with pupils and staff from a number of local schools, and community groups, who have helped make the initiative possible.

The fun starts at 11am and goes on to 1.30pm, with highlights including face painting, a jumping castle, a free BBQ and music quartet courtesy of Gippsland Grammar School.

Less than a month ago the play area scooped a prestigious national award. It won the Innovation in Playspace Design award from Parks and Leisure Australia – which represents the parks and recreation industry – with the judges impressed by its emphasis on stimulating children’s imagination, and its strong environmental and cultural message. Key features include:

• Aboriginal dugout canoes set into a dry creek bed, along with a scramble net and low timber bridge crossing the creek;
• a children’s maze – constructed using marine plywood and incorporating murals painted by eight local schools;
• totem poles and wood-crafted creatures created by Geelong-based Viktor Cebergs, and steel pelicans by well-known Melbourne artist Matthew Fagan;
• a boardwalk across the north east corner of Lake Guyatt;
• an interpretative trail around Lake Guyatt which will be expanded in the future to include Lake Guthridge and the Botanic Gardens.
• a six-metre diameter sundial comprising sandstone blocks and built by pupils from Gippsland Grammar School;
• a six-metre high windmill (currently being installed) which will drive water along the creek bed.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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