Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds

 

A positive program that reduces landfill waste and brings joy to children in developing nations is being rolled out in South Australia.

 

The Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds (RORP) initiative involves collecting unwanted playgrounds from councils and schools, packing them up and sending them to disadvantaged overseas communities to be rebuilt.

 

The project started in Victoria in 2019 with a single playground for a girls school in Sri Lanka and since then 40 playgrounds have been sent to Sri Lanka, Timor Leste, the Philippines and Tanzania.

 

South Australian Rotary clubs are now taking part with the Mount Barker Club commencing the project and Murray Bridge also joining in.

 

Mark Clemow, Chair of the RORP project for South Australia and member of the Rotary Club of Mount Barker, said the initiative is a win-win for everyone involved.

 

"The only thing that is wrong with these playgrounds is they might be a bit faded or they might be a little boring to local kids, there is nothing wrong with them, they're still safe, they're still usable," Mark Clemow said.

 

A Hills playground at Anembo Park, which was actually built by Rotary 20 years ago, has been removed, checked, disassembled and is ready to go to the Philippines.

 

A playground was also removed at Long Island Reserve in Murray Bridge. It has been disassembled and it too will soon be en route to the Philippines.

 

Local schools and councils from across SA are encouraged to get in touch with Rotary for the removal of playgrounds in future. Community members are being encouraged to consider volunteering on future RORP projects as well.

Mark Clemow, Chair of the RORP project for South Australia and member of the Rotary Club of Mount Barker, joined Jennie Lenman in the 5MU studio, alongside President of the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge, Simon Sickerdick, and Community Service Director from the Rotary Club of Mount Barker, Peter Baur to discuss the project.

 

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