All work, now play: Rotary park officially open

By Taylah Baker

Nov 24, 2023

**Ribbon-cutting:** Shepparton Villages chief executive Veronica Jamison and board president Jeanette Powell, with Rotary Club of Shepparton South president Clay Doyle and project manager David Earle. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Getting the new Rotary Intergenerational Activities Park up and running has been no walk in the park.

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But after almost four years of determination and development, stage one of the park’s barbecue pavilion at Shepparton Villages has officially opened.

The significant milestone was commemorated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, November 17.

Speeches by Shepparton Villages board president Jeanette Powell AM and Rotarian David Earle acknowledged those who have made this project happen – the support of the Rotary Club of Shepparton South and the wider Shepparton business community.

**Talking the talk:** Project manager for the park David Earle from the Rotary Club of Shepparton South giving his speech. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

GOTAFE and Notre Dame Emmaus Campus students also participated in the stage one project, renovating park benches and tables, which the Greater Shepparton City Council donated.

At the event, a class of students from Gowrie St Primary School performed for the crowd.

**Dancing queen:** Gowrie St Primary School Year 4 student Halo Joachim dancing with her classmates. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

The concept of an Intergenerational Activities Park first emerged in 2019 from resident feedback at Shepparton Villages around the need to have somewhere for residents and their younger family members to gather on the Tarcoola site outside of the residential care home.

Veronica Jamison, chief executive of Shepparton Villages, emphasised the importance of relationships between the residents and their families and between Shepparton Villages and the community.

“Shepparton Villages was founded by community for community, and the Intergenerational Activities Park is a wonderful asset for the community,” she said.

“Our ongoing relationship with Rotary and the wider community is very important to us.

“We cannot do what we do without this support.”