General News
7 November, 2025
Carousel hits Apex Park
CAMPERDOWN Lions Club has been excited to see the first stage of their project coming together with the all abilities carousel ready for installation.
The carousel arrived at Apex Park in Manifold Street this week, already laid in a hole ready for concreting.
Lion club member Colin Hayman, who is in charge of the project, said he was is delighted to see the first stage coming close to completion.
“It has taken a long time to get to this stage due to various reasons,” he said.
“There were some issues with staffing at the Corangamite Shire Council, which we overcame.
“Then there were issues with the supply of the carousel because the supplier had a backlog – the supplier of this carousel travels all around Australia, so it came to trying to get it in and get the time with us.
“We got grants – we’ve not got $73,000 to fund this, which will hopefully cover the costs.
“We got money from the Bendigo Bank, Corangamite shire Council and event the FRRR – that’s all sitting in the bank account ready to go.”
The project concept began in 2022 when former member Skylar Carpenter noticed a lack of accessible play areas for children with special needs in Apex Park.
Mr Hayman said a lot of effort had gone into the project.
“We started this project around three-four years ago from concept to here,” he said.
“We’ve been pretty patient because we knew there would be issues with funding, supply and staffing.
“It’s all worked together now and it’s underway.
“Originally, we had four stages – we had discussions with the shire who said to complete stage one first and then work out whether the project is a priority or if there are other projects.
“There were other projects they were talking about such as seating or other things the community may want.”
Local concreter Sean Maloney will be concreting the carousel into place, which is expected to be completed by November 10 to allow the concrete to cure.
The rubber is booked in to be completed on November 10.
“There will then be the base, and it will be level with the pavement,” Mr Hayman said.
“There will be terracotta softfall.
“That’s stage one and we’re not doing any more at the moment – we’re aiming to complete stage one and assess from there.
“From a Lions club point of view, we’ll be ecstatic when it opens up to the community.
“We’re pleased to finally see something on the spot – we were expecting to see a fence up and people digging a hole.”
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