Service clubs honoured as Rotary Jubilee Park gets a new name, new features
Civic leaders have paid tribute to the Rotary Clubs of Mobilong and Murray Bridge at a newly improved park.
This story was originally published behind Murray Bridge News’ paywall. Paywalled stories are unlocked four weeks after publication. Can’t wait that long? Subscribe here.
Over the past 100 years, Rotary Clubs have contributed a lot to Australian communities – and now that contribution has been recognised in Murray Bridge.
The former Jubilee Park on Swanport Road has been formally renamed Rotary Jubilee Park, and a plaque with the new name unveiled after a short ceremony on Wednesday afternoon.
But there was more to it than the name.
A shelter, seating, lawned area, irrigation and an artwork by Murray Bridge High School students have all been installed in the park, and native vegetation planted.
Federal MP Tony Pasin said Rotary deserved the recognition it had been given in the new name.
“It never ceases to amaze me the amount of volunteer effort we benefit from across our communities,” he said.
“Service groups are really at the apex – pardon the pun – of that volunteer effort.
“This park stands as not only a testament to the work that has gone into it by Rotary, but it stands as a reminder to everyone in the community about the untold volunteer effort that has been provided by members of Rotary Clubs for decades.”
Murray Bridge Mayor Brenton Lewis also credited Rotary – “an outstanding organisation” – for working alongside the council for the betterment of the community.
Rotarian Claude Minge thanked everyone who had helped to turn the park into “a place where residents (can) relax in peace”.
Local club presidents Bronwyn Heard and Simon Sickerdick expressed their pride at having the park renamed during the 100th anniversary year of the Rotary Club in Australia.
The federal government put $19,000 towards the project through its communities environment fund, and the Rotary Club of Mobilong, Rotary International, state Department for Communities and Social Inclusion and Murray Bridge council also contributed.
Men from the Murraylands Community Men’s Shed even built some of the seating and bird boxes.
The refurbishment was first suggested by Rotarian Dale Manson several years ago, around the time that the council revealed its master plan for Swanport Road.
The master plan originally called for a play space at Jubilee Park, and even a roundabout at the nearby Long Island Road intersection.
But the council said last August that those ideas had gone on the back burner.
