Memorial Skate Park Open For Yarram’s Youth
Young people in the South Gippsland town of Yarram can now meet, talk and skate in the new Yarram Memorial Skate Park recently opened by Deputy Premier and Minister for Bushfire Response, Peter Ryan.
Mr Ryan said the $209,000 Yarram Skate Park and Station Arts Project was designed to create a meeting spot where bushfire-affected youth could gather, share emotions and experiences and enjoy new skateboarding facilities.
"The Wellington Shire Council and Yarram Community Recovery Committee have worked tirelessly with members of the Yarram township, and young people in particular, to create the Yarram Memorial Park," Mr Ryan said.
"By getting involved with this project, the local young people have gained confidence and maturity, while also developing important leadership skills."
Mr Ryan said that in the three years since the 2009 bushfires, communities have made significant progress in their recovery and in making plans for the future.
"This entire project, which includes the skate park, amphitheatre, mosaic work, community pizza oven and memorial stone and plaque has been a fantastic community effort," Mr Ryan said.
Local young people raised $10,000 towards the project cost, with $161,000 from the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund and $38,000 from the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) Community Recovery Fund.
Mr Ryan said that hundreds of community projects had already been completed or were underway in bushfire-affected communities as part of the recovery effort, which included schools, halls and other community facilities.
"The Victorian Government is committed to providing ongoing support to communities and individuals impacted by fires through a range of both new and existing services," Mr Ryan said.
Although progress has been made, it is important to acknowledge that communities continue to recover at their own pace, and emotional and financial recovery will still take some time.