23 April 2013

CONSTRUCTION OF BOUNDLESS CANBERRA UNDERWAY!!

Chief Minister Katy Gallagher today turned the first sod and kicked off construction of the Boundless National Children’s Playground.

“This is a very exciting milestone,” Boundless Board Member, Natalie Howson said. “It means we will now start to see Boundless come out of the ground and more importantly ensure that by the end of this year there will finally be a place in the ACT where people of all abilities can play together.” 

Boundless Canberra is a project aiming to create the first space in the ACT where children with disabilities can safely play with their friends and family. Playing is important for all children, not only so they can have fun, but also to aid learning and development. Boundless will help children improve their coordination, muscle strength, language, cognitive thinking and reasoning abilities.

The playground will be a gift from the people of Canberra to the national capital for its Centenary. Boundless Canberra is proudly supported by the ACT Government’s Community Centenary Initiatives Fund. This playground would not be possible without the generous gift of land from the National Capital Authority.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported Boundless to date,” Ms Howson said, “and all the people who attended today’s event to show their enthusiasm for this project.

“I particularly want to thank Lyle Dahms and Lily who spoke at today’s event. Mr Dahms has a son, Alex who is in a wheelchair and Lily, who is just eight years old, is also in a wheelchair because she has cerebral palsy.

“Imagine how difficult it must be as a parent to know how desperately your child wants to play and experience the fun and independence that comes with zooming around a playground and not having anywhere that lets them to do that. 

“Or imagine being a child who can only watch as her friends and siblings play together in a playground. “Boundless will change all this by creating a space where all children can play together and enjoy what so many of us took for granted when we were young – swinging, sliding, climbing and of course the make believe associated with playing in a playground – that you are on a pirate ship, in a rocket or driving a race car.

“We are now well and truly on our way, but we still need the community’s help if we are going to make sure children such as Alex and Lily have somewhere in the future where they can enjoy all the benefits that come with playing.

“I urge anyone who hasn’t yet donated to Boundless to get in touch and find out how they can help.”

1 April 2013

BOUNDLESS CANBERRA COCKTAIL PARTY

Tusmo Cafe Bar in Forde will be hosting an Autumn Cocktail Party in support of Boundless Canberra at 6pm Friday 5 April.  

Contact 6223 2088 or Haelee.reis@act.gov.au for further details and to purchase tickets.

Please note ticket numbers are limited so get in fast.  Boundless Canberra are looking forward to seeing you all there for a great night.

15 March 2013

CALLING ALL ACT SCHOOL STUDENTS: SHOW US YOUR BOUNDLESS ENTHUSIASM

ACT students are invited to submit a short (no more than 3 minute) video or photo presentation on play and inclusion. 

10 February 2013

KIDS TO BENEFIT FROM SUPPORT FOR BOUNDLESS AT THE MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL

The Canberra community unrestrainedly got behind the Boundless Canberra project at this weekend's National Multicultural Festival and helped raise $10,000 towards building the ACT's first inclusive playground.

Boundless Director, Natalie Howson said, "The Boundless Canberra team was out in force selling raffle tickets during the Multicultural Festival and the response from festival goers was amazing.

Hundreds of locals bought tickets in the Boundless raffle to support this important project and go into the draw for some great prizes.

ACT Minsiter for Children and Young People, Joy Burch and popular television presenter Jay Laga'aia drew and announced the raffle winners during the Multicultural Festival yesterday afternoon.

"Mr Laga'aia was a big hit with the kids and their parents and did a great job at promoting Boundless and the raffle to crowds," Ms Howson praised.

Five lucky people won prizes including a DJ for an event or party; an accomodation package at Hotel Realm; a make-up session; and a portrait session with Anthony Symes Photographer.

First prize in the Boundless raffle was a trip to Fiji, which was generously donated by Maria Slater Travel.

Boundless Canberra is a project aiming to create the first space in the ACT where children with disabilities can safely play with their friends and family.  Playing is important for all children, not only so they can have fun, but to aid learning and development.  Boundless will help children improve their coordination, muscle strength, language, cognitive thinking and reasoning abilities.

The playground will be a gift from the people of Canberra to the national capital for its Centenary. Boundless Canberra is proudly supported by the ACT Government's Community Centenary Initiatives Fund.

"I would like to congratulate all of the winners and thank everyone who purchased a ticket and the organisers of the Multicultural Restival who once again put on a fantastic event," Ms Howson said.

First Prize: Yvonne Perriman

Second Prize: Pegah Mirjamali

Third Prize: Nicole Dolling

Fourth Prize: Rebecca Bamford

Fifth Prize: Linda Sirimanotham

Read Thank you letter from Therapy ACT (PDF | 61KB)

1 December 2012

SOFIA AND CHELSEA TRUE WINNERS AT I-DAY RAFFLE

Two young Forrest Primary School students epitomised the spirit of generosity and selflessness while helping out Boundless at the I-Day Market and Expo on 1 December 2012. 

Not only did Sofia Rosenberg and Chelsea Chamberlain spend a very hot Saturday outdoors selling tickets in the Boundless raffle, but when they won a prize in the raffle they instantly donated it back for a redraw.

During the day, in addition to selling tickets, the girls used their own pocket money to buy several entries in the raffle.

At the conclusion of the I-Day Market, Chelsea and Sofia helped draw the winning tickets and the very first name they pulled out of the barrel was their own. The girls quickly offered to exclude themselves from the prize pool and drew a new winner.

Thanks to the hard work of Sofia and Chelsea and other volunteers, nearly 500 tickets were sold in the Boundless I-Day raffle and three very happy people went home with great prizes.

Boundless would like to thank everyone who donated a prize for the raffle and is particularly grateful to Lollypotz for its kind donation.

5 November 2012

THERAPY ACT BOUNDS AHEAD FOR BOUNDLESS
Therapy ACT

One ACT Government program area has bolted out of the gate when it comes to supporting the Boundless Canberra project. The team at Therapy ACT is planning to hold five Boundless fundraising activities in the next few months, including a Melbourne Cup event.

Led by Amanda Kwong and Susan Kingsford, the staff of Therapy ACT have already raised nearly $400 by holding a curry lunch day.

Amanda said as the staff of Therapy ACT work closely with children with disabilities and special needs, they know how important it is for all young people to have somewhere they can play with their peers. This has translated into very strong support for the Boundless project.

Other fundraising events still to be held include a week-long lunch time trivia competition, a craft and baked goods sale and a movie night. In addition, the team has agreed to donate the proceedings of their Melbourne Cup sweeps to Boundless and make a gold coin donation at the Cup afternoon tea.

The movie night will be a showing of Rise of the Guardians on 14 December at Greater Union Cinemas in Manuka. This event will be open to people outside of Therapy ACT. If you would like to attend contact susan.kingsford@act.gov.au or amanda.kwong@act.gov.au. Numbers are limited, so be quick.

Susan explained that one of the great parts of holding Boundless events is that everyone in Therapy ACT gets to be involved in the fundraising effort and have an enjoyable and interactive experience at the same time.

• Therapy ACT Movie Fundraiser Flyer (PDF: 688kb)

Back to top