Skatepark kickflips into action

EPSOM skatepark was officially opened last Wednesday to the delight of the children who brought the project to life.

Originally petitioned to council by then 12-year-old student Aidan Baldwin in 2018, the site was designed in part by Epsom Primary School and Weeroona College students according to manager of Active and Healthy Lifestyles at the City of Greater Bendigo Lincoln Fitzgerald.

“It was a really constructive way that it was approached in terms of working with the community enterprise to find some local contributions towards the project, and then a really constructive process with the local schools and different people of different ages and interests to come to where we are today,” he said.

Aidan’s mother Kerryn attended the celebrations on behalf of her son who was at school at the time of the event, and said she was happy to see the facility officially unveiled after construction delays last year.

“It’s been a real pleasure to be a part of the project,” she said.

“It’s been challenging but as we can see it’s here and it’s worthwhile and the kids love it, and it’s a good asset I think for the community for both Huntly, White Hills, all surrounding areas and for all ages.

“It’s good to see every weekend that there’s heaps of kids enjoying what we’ve provided.”

The municipality worked with State and Federal governments as well as the Bendigo Northern District Community Enterprise to fund the project, which mayor Cr Jennifer Alden said was a great achievement for the area.

“People power is an amazing thing so this just goes to show what you can do with an idea,” she said.

“I think that there’s a good lesson for a lot of young people as well about the power of your voice.

“It just goes to show that there’s a lot that you can do when you raise your voice and talk to people and then get some people on side and supporting you and happy to tell your story, and this is where it can end up.”