Like most kids her age 12-year-old Lily Duke loves going to the park to play with her friends. While she enjoys kicking a soccer ball or playing piggie in the middle Lily was frustrated that her best friend Georgie was largely excluded from these activities at their local park George Harvey Reserve.

So when she saw that the City of Greater Geelong was seeking ideas about how to upgrade the Manifold Heights play area last December Lily jumped at the opportunity to contribute and wrote:

My best friend is in a wheelchair so maybe could you add a wheelchair ramp? She has cerebral palsy. We need a ramp so we can have picnics together …we come here daily. It’s just really hard to get her up! Thank you for your consideration!

Lily realised she had influenced the proposed redevelopment when she noticed some works being carried out on the playground recently.

I went and asked them what they were doing and they said they were adding a ramp because a little girl had asked for it.

After reviewing Lily’s email and 14 other public submissions the Citydeci ded to improve access to the area plant some shading trees and retain the see-saw.

I am so happy; I feel like Ive made a real change.

Instead of being forced to remain on the footpath 12-year-old Georgie is now able to access the reserve and join in all the fun. Mayor Cr Stephanie Asher commended Lily and Georgie on leading the way in creating a caring community.

Im thrilled to see the impact which Lily has made in advocating for her friend and I congratulate both girls on their caring and fun-loving friendship. This photo of the girls enjoying the new facilities is truly heart-warming.

Along with George Harvey Reserve playground renewals are being carried out in the first half of 2021 in Point Lonsdale Newtown Drysdale Clifton Springs St Helens and Herne Hill. Funding is also set aside in the Council Budget 2021-22 to build a flagship new inclusive playspace at Rippleside and playgrounds at Waurn Ponds Burdoo Reserve and Province Boulevard. The City currently manages more than 300 public play spaces and 62 supervised early childhood centrebased play areas which play a pivotal role in delivering a healthy caring and inclusive community in line with ‘Our Community Plan 2021-25’.