A highly-anticipated playground officially opened for play this morning at the Hamilton South Community Hall.
On site of the previously neglected and rundown park, the CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning led replacement is a simple but significant achievement for the local community.
Rejuvenation of the park was funded by the NSW Government's Local Small Commitments Allocation program designed to strengthen local communities.
In the 2021 City of Newcastle Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas measure, Hamilton South was in the top 3 most disadvantaged areas in the city along with Jesmond and Beresfield-Tarro.
Hunter Community Alliance project organiser Shaylie Pryer said the opening of the new playground was a milestone for the community.
"My family actually grew up in Hamilton South and my grandmother lived there for quite some time and I was raised around Hamilton South ... I'm 28 now and that playground has been the same ever since I was little," Ms Pryer said.
"By opening it up and revitalising it there's more opportunity for the connections of people and, especially now that it's safer and easier to take their kids to and have the families and communities come together, it's really a centre of pride for the community.
"I think the fact that Hamilton South and the community has been asking for this for a number of years ... it's shown the power of what community can actually do by working together on the same issues and the same goal.
"And hopefully into the future build strong relationships with government and others who deliver these programs because there's that accountability aspect there as well, that community isn't just forgotten, that Hamilton South is a part of Newcastle."
Ms Pryer said it is a good starting point for continued funding into the area.
"Disadvantage isn't who families are or who communities are, rather it's what communities experience ... those issues of inequality are usually around funding and resourcing issues," she said.
"These types of projects should actually address the urgency of what we need now, but also look at what type of legacy and communities we want to build in Hamilton South in to the future.
"I think communities need to be at the centre of the decision making and working with governments ... this shouldn't end here and we need to continue to work together to get these priorities for Hamilton South."
The $70,000 playground is one of up to 600 state government funded Local Small Commitment projects, with $37.2 million committed to improving communities across NSW.
Executive director of CatholicCare Social Services Gary Christensen said the new park was an important community hub not just for children.
"We know a playground means more than a collection of equipment - it provides grounding, learning, community and connection for so many," Mr Christensen said.
"Our hope now is that children and their families feel safe, happy, and refreshed after some time here.
“I am incredibly proud of the CatholicCare team, whose passion and dedication have made this playground a reality. We thank Tim Crakanthorp and the NSW Government who have supported us in delivering this important hub for the community.”
State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp MP attended the playground opening, a moment that fulfilled a part of his election promise.
"For years, the people of Hamilton South and I have been fighting for this playground, so it is especially rewarding to see that there is finally a safe space for the community to come and enjoy together," Mr Crakanthorp said.
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