Jay Laga'aia Celebrates Australia's First All Abilities Playground

23 November 2009

MEDIA RELEASE

JAY LAGA'AIA CELEBRATES THE OPENING OF `LIVVI'S PLACE' AUSTRALIA'S FIRST TRULY ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND

When Sydney children of all ages and abilities were finally able to play side-by-side thanks to the opening of Livvi's Place, Australia's very first all abilities playground, Jay Laga'aia was there, celebrating alongside Justine and John Perkins, founders of the Touched by Olivia Foundation.
Livvi's Place, the initiative of Touched by Olivia Foundation and the result of more than two years of collaboration with founding partners, City of Canada Bay and Leighton Contractors, was officially opened amid a crowd of excited parents and children, all keen to explore what some families of children with disabilities have called; a magical place - dream come true.

Designed in consultation with leading academics, play, disability, and landscape experts and the local community, Livvi's Place aims to dramatically reduce the barriers experienced by children with special needs and their families, helping to give them a level playing field for life.

Centrally located, Livvi's place was built for children with all forms of disability and from all parts of Sydney. The playground's unique design and equipment addresses the needs of children with various forms of disability including mobility, vision and hearing impairment as well as spectrum disorders such as autism.

"Thanks to the commitment of our founding partners, Leighton Contractors and City of Canada Bay Council, and significant community support, together we have been able to realise a dream and create an Australian first that promises to have a significant impact on many families," said John Perkins, founder of Touched by Olivia Foundation.

When the gates to Livvi's Place were finally opened, ambassador for Touched by Olivia Foundation Jay Laga'aia, was there to see the hundreds of parents and children enjoy this remarkable playground which caters for children and adults of all ages and all abilities from all parts of Sydney.

"It's fabulous seeing so many families with children of all shapes, sizes and abilities play together for the very first time on specially designed playground equipment. It was an absolute joy," said the father of 8 and star of Australian children's television, Jay Laga'aia.

"The level of detail that the Touched by Olivia Foundation and their partners, have gone to, to create this incredible resource that will make so many kids and families from around Sydney happy, is remarkable," Laga'aia said.

Families are already becoming aware of the difference that the Livvi's Place will mean for them, including Sandra Casinader who is the mother of two children with autism.

"When I saw the playground, I actually started crying because every single thing that makes it so difficult for us and many of my friends in a similar situation to use a "typical" playground has been so completely addressed; the attention to detail is astounding," Mrs Casinader said.

"Since Touched by Olivia Foundation was established in 2006, our aims have been to bring health and happiness to kids and their families. With the opening of Livvi's Place, we feel we are well on our way to achieving this vision," Mr Perkins said.

All donations of $2 or more are gratefully received and fully tax deductible with 100% of every donation contributing to Touched by Olivia initiatives bringing health and happiness to Australian Children. To make a donation to support the work of the Touched by Olivia Foundation, please go to:
www.touchedbyolivia.com.au

MEDIA ENQUIRIES -
Clare Collins -
Insight Communications -
02 9319 3844 -
0414 821 957


JOURNALIST NOTES

TOUCHED BY OLIVIA FOUNDATION
Touched by Olivia Foundation raises vital funds for healthier, happier kids

In 2006 John and Justine Perkins founded the Touched by Olivia Foundation (TBOF) as a way of finding a positive meaning following the tragic loss of their baby daughter Olivia, at just 8 months-of-age to a rare disease called Lymphangioma. This is their way of bringing Olivia's touch to others by creating a positive change to the lives and futures of other children.

TBOF is a registered health promotion charity with deductible gift recipient status. All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. The Foundation operates at zero overheads with 100% of all donations supporting the TBOF initiatives.

The TBOF Initiatives

1. Supporting the Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick in funding medical advancement through research and the purchase of much needed equipment.
2. Working with local councils and communities to raise funds to upgrade playgrounds to an all abilities standard to give children and families of all abilities the opportunity to play together. These playgrounds will be called "Livvi's Place".
3. Partnering with other children's charities, such as Good Beginnings Australia, to produce and deliver parenting programs aimed at nurturing and improving the well-being of children and family life.

Touched by Olivia - Livvi's Place - Promoting Health & Happiness of Our Kids

In addition to creating opportunities for children of all abilities to play together, Livvi's Place aims
to help reduce childhood obesity through creating and promoting better facilities for outdoor play
which provide graduated challenges for prolonged interest.

Did you know that:
* 24% of Australian children are obese
* 62% of Australian families have both parents working
*Australians have experienced a 45% increase in high density living over the last 20 years
* 25% + of Australian kids spend 4+ hrs per day in front of TV
* NSW has the lowest spend per capita on parks and playgrounds in Australia
* Heart disease is now one of the leading causes of death in 4-14 year-olds

Contacts for Touched by Olivia Foundation

Justine Perkins
0414 207 495
E: [email protected]

John Perkins
0415 607 055
E: [email protected]
W: www.touchedbyolivia.com.au

Media for Touched by Olivia Foundation

Clare Collins
Insight Communications
P: 02 9319 3844
M: 0414 821 957
E: [email protected]
W: www.insightcommunications.net.au


JAY LAGA'AIA Ambassador for Touched by Olivia Foundation

Jay Laga'aia is one of Australia's most versatile performers and is highly regarded amongst adults and children alike. Laga'aia's career has spanned theatre, film, television and musical theatre.

Laga'aia is known by children as a regular presenter on long running children's programme PLAYSCHOOL. He is also known for his own show JAY'S PLACE and currently narrates all the characters on the Seven Networks' programme LARRY THE LAWNMOWER.

Laga'aia's performing career includes roles in films STAR WARS EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES and STAR WARS EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH and more recently NIMS ISLANDS and DAYBREAKERS. He is a regular on Australian television with long-term roles on WATER RATS for the Nine Network, BED OF ROSES for the ABC, STREET LEGAL, SURPRISE SURPRISE, and XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS Series 1, 2 and 5. Laga'aia has had guest appearances on MCLEODS DAUGHTERS, HOME AND AWAY and ALL SAINTS. He is also known for his stage performances in productions such as THE LION KING (2003-2005) for which he played the lead role of Mufasa.

With ABC Music Laga'aia released the children's album, COME SING AND DANCE in 2007 and in 2008 the DVD of JAYS PLACE.

Laga'aia won the 2007 Sydney Theatre Award for Best Production for Children and in 2003 was named Best Actor in a television series for STREET LEGAL.

SOURCE: Touched By Olivia Foundations