Rotary Overseas Relocated Playgrounds project (RORP) was an initiative of RC Flemington Kensington starting in 2016. It involves the ‘harvesting’ of playgrounds and eventually shipping by the container to third world countries. During these early years, playgrounds were harvested from across Victoria. A charge was levied by RC Flem/Ken for the work the club members undertook to dismantle the equipment from the posts and transporting from the site. As the difficult work of scooping out the posts and removing the concrete footings was done by the contractor, the work was able to be managed by a team of 3 or 4 RORP volunteers and the levy meant the project ran at zero cost to the club.
Support for the project grew amongst Councils, the major donors, and amongst the contractors who removed the old and installed the new playground. No one wants to see a good playground go to the tip which had been the previous practice.The work by RC Flem/Kens inspired RC Mount Martha (then District 9820), RC Nunawading (then District 9810), RC Geelong Central (District 9780) and RC Mount Barker (District 9510) to become RORP centres in their own right. With dwindling membership and few participating Councils in Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs, RC Flem/Kens passed the responsibility for running RORP in Districts 9790 & 9800 to RC Nunawading in District 9810 where the harvesting was concentrated at that time.
Sadly, the wonderful leader of the RC Nunawading RORP team, Bob Allardice, died recently from Cancer. His club is committed to continuing his work but to restrict their focus to the old District 9810 boundaries. This at a time when councils within 9800 and 9790 are embracing RORP. As an example, Moonee Valley City Council, who until recently wouldn’t participate, is now an enthusiastic supporter who have donated seven playgrounds and have more planned. With the embracing of RORP by many contractors, much of the harvesting work is increasingly done by them making the ‘harvesting’ tasks for the volunteers simpler.
We need a RORP9800 group to harvest playgrounds in 9790 and 9800. The organising will be undertaken by RC Flem/Kens in the first instance. What is needed is a team of ‘occasional’ volunteers. As only 3 or 4 are needed for a playground, a team of 20+ means no one is asked more than twice a year. Remember, a volunteer could be a friend of Rotary rather than a Rotarian themselves. As most pieces of a playground are not heavy, the work is able to be undertaken by almost anyone.
The need is now. Contact Peter Cribb at RC Flemington Kensington to add your name to the team. RORP9800@gmail.com 0410548543.