Across the South Pacific, Rotary Clubs are discovering that when they work together, their impact can travel far beyond their own communities. This spirit of collaboration comes to life through Rotary Community Groups (RCGs): clusters of clubs united by geography, shared projects or a common purpose. One RCG in South Australia has been transforming lives, one playground at a time.
The Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds (RORP) program started in Melbourne in 2019 and expanded into South Australia in 2022. As the program’s impact grew it became a perfect program to transition to a ‘Growth Plan Project’, something each Rotary Community Group undertakes to increase Rotary’s impact.
The program’s purpose is clear: save perfectly usable, Australian playgrounds from entering landfill and provide them with a new home in developing nations. However, the challenge was collecting, storing and reallocating the playgrounds.
Pictured: Harvesting the 'First Avenue Seaton Reserve playground' at City of Charles Sturt. Participating Rotary clubs – Gawler Light, Mobilong, Strathalbyn and West Beach
Lots of hands make light work
Safe to play
To ensure children can play safely at a playground in their community, each playground is carefully assessed, then meticulously dismantled by Rotary volunteers. Detailed re-assembly plans travel with every shipment so that Rotary teams overseas can rebuild the playground exactly as it stood in Australia: complete and ready for play.
Sustainability
RORP is entirely volunteer driven and financially self-sustaining. The costs of the shipping containers and cost to send them around the world are covered through various means. To cover the shipping costs, the project received a one-off $10,000 grant from a Rotary District. Additionally, councils contribute with a donation which is typically around half what they would normally pay for removal and disposal. Ninety per cent of each council donation is used to cover shipping costs. The remaining 10 per cent is retained to cover essentials such as tools, paint and lubricants. In some circumstances, clubs will raise additional funds to cover the cost of a dedicated container for playground equipment.
Donating a playground keeps tonnes of plastic and metal out of landfill. This program strengthens Rotary’s local relationships between councils, communities and governments.
Thank you to the incredible Rotary Clubs whose compassion and commitment brought this program to life creating a lasting impact across the world.
Not a member but love what we do? Start by learning more about volunteering with Rotary.