Page 5 - NLN June18

All-Abilities Playground for Everyone to Enjoy! MHPA Farewells Senior Constable Kerri Edwards
A new all-abilities playground with custom-made With heavy hearts, the Mango Hill Progress
play towers has been installed by Moreton Bay Association said their goodbyes to our favourite
Regional Council at the Caboolture Regional Village Copper at the monthly meeting held
Environmental Education Centre (CREEC), bringing last night.
fun at the facility to new heights.
The $220,000 specially-designed council-funded playground Kerri has served as a vital connection between the local Police
features three towers with slides, track rides and climbing nets; service and the Community, keeping us abreast of the important
a wheelchair accessible play area; play hut; and sensory walls, all statistics and issues that occur in the local Mango Hill and North
to encourage inclusive and engaging play. Lakes region.
Division 12 Councillor Adrian Raedel invited families from across Kerri has served in the North Lakes / Mango Hill area for the last
Moreton Bay and South-East Queensland to try the 280m2 new nineteen years, becoming involved with the Mango Hill Progress
tower set, as well as CREEC’s other inclusive facilities like the Association (MHPA) in 2009, where she was quickly adopted
sensory garden and wheelchair-friendly zip-line. as the Community Liason Officer and has been a regular to REMINDER: We’re Going Plastic Bag Free
As of the 1st of July, single use plastic bags will no
Croc’s Playcentre is Now Open! meetings ever since. longer be available. Some supermarkets are getting
Croc’s Playcentre threw open it’s doors on the in early and stopping the use by the 20th of June.
26th of May, much to the delight of local families. Of course there are sturdier plastic bags available
Located on Burke Crescent, North Lakes (in the old for sale, which will retail for around fifteen cents
Game On building) parents can take advantage of each, or you could stock up on some re-usable bags, such as the
the onsite Muffin Break and enjoy a delicous, fresh muffin and ones availale from Boomerang Bags.
hot coffe while the kids run wild! With three different play areas, My personal tip: Keep them in your boot at all times. Once you’ve
including one for toddlers and a race track, there is something unpacked the shopping at home, immediately put them back
in the boot.
for everyone!

In 2016, Kerri was awarded a Group Bravery Citation from the
Governor General’s Australian Bravery Decorations for her
“We really want CREEC to be a space that is accessible to actions during a horrific truck accident at Bald Hills.
everybody. This new extension has been specifically-designed In 2017, the Progress Association also proudly nominated Kerri
to encourage social interaction, inclusivity and most importantly for the Pine Rivers Police Officer of the Year Award, which is run
fun between users regardless of their ability,” Cr Raedel said. by the Rotary Club of Pine Rivers, for which S/C Edwards was
“It’s roomier, meaning children and their parents or carers the successful recipient. This award formally recognises Police
can play at the same time; it’s a got a huge ramped play area Officers for not only the work they perform in their daily duties,
so people in wheelchairs can get involved; and it’s right in the but importantly, for the role they perform above and beyond
middle of CREEC’s play area and gardens. their normal duties, a role integral to working with Community,
Also included is a bespoke play hut with a number of engaging to enhance Community safety.
sensory walls designed to stimulate a sense of exploration
and learning. MHPA President Laurence Christie commented, “If all Police
“For children with ASD, it’s an ideal and comfortable space Officers in the State were of the high calibre that Kerri has been,
for them to interact with other children in a way that isn’t the Police service would be viewed in the highest esteem by the
too overwhelming. community at large. The Mango Hill Community will be forever
“As a council we’ve taken a number of steps to create accessible thankful for her contributions.”
facilities, especially with the development of our new Disability S/C Kerri Edwards is now looking forward to her new role as
Access and Inclusion Plan, and this project at CREEC is another Officer In Charge of Cannon Hill Police Station. On behalf of Big from $ 12
example of council creating more inclusive infrastructure.” Local and the Mango Hill Community, we would like to wish Kerri
Urban Play Managing Director Ben Urban said: all the very best!
“It’s great to see councils placing emphasis on inclusive
playgrounds that are bursting with activities to encourage
physical, social and cognitive development.
“These specially-designed multi-level towers inspire countless
hours of play and laughter with the opportunity for parents and
carers to get involved. This playground provides opportunities
to enhance child development and early learning and will
be well used by the community for many years to come.” 1300 048 424
CREEC is located at 150 Rowley Road, Burpengary. The new
playground and other outdoor elements are open seven days
a week, and the centre is open Monday to Friday from 8am 1d/1650 Anzac Ave, North Lakes
to 4.30pm.
June 2018 www.northlakesnow.com.au 5