She is only seven, but Poppy is determined to make an inclusive change so people with a disability can access a popular Coast playground.
One day she hopes to become a leader, and this driven young girl is already on her way to becoming exactly that.
On Tuesday she submitted a petition, with about 1190 signatures, to Sunshine Coast Council to make the play space at Mooloolaba Beach wheelchair and pram friendly.
The inspiration came one day after she burst into tears seeing a child similar to her in age excluded from playing with other children because she could not enter the park.
Currently the playground – outside the Mooloolaba Surf Club – does not have ramp access.
The petition also asked the Council to reconsider keeping a children’s playground in the future redevelopment of the Mooloolaba Foreshore.
There are currently no plans to include a playground between the surf club and the Loo with a View, only a children’s water play area.
With the help of division four’s Councillor Joe Natoli, Poppy’s petition was tabled at Council’s Ordinary meeting on Thursday.
Poppy, who’s full name is Poppy-Evie Oceania, told Sunshine Coast News she was deeply saddened when she realised not all children were able to play at one of her favourite playgrounds.
She has since drafted up her own accessibility plans, which include a ramp, and unofficially named it The Oceania Park – a nod to her name and the playground’s location.
“It’s an idea so that kids with disabilities can go into the park and play with everyone,” she said.
“One day I saw a kid who couldn’t get into the park and it made me feel sad and I got tears in my eyes, and then I saw a man in a wheelchair who could not play with his children.”
Poppy’s mother Kahlia said she was extremely proud of her daughter who was addressing an issue much bigger than the means of most primary school students.
“I feel very humbled,” Kahlia said. “I am very blown away that my seven-year-old is doing this.
“When this all happened at the park that day she burst into tears and asked me to build a ramp.
“I said I couldn’t build a ramp but that I would write a letter to council. Little did I know that when we went to meet (Cr Natoli) he would jump on board.”
Poppy began the petition on May 25, and two months later has about 650 written signatures, with about 540 digital signatures.
“Every Sunday Poppy has been taking this petition down to the park and asking for signatures,” Kahlia said.
“I’ve learnt a lot advocating with Poppy in the community. I’ve got this very driven, thoughtful and determined little girl.
“If we listen to our children more and see how they see the world and how it should be and wanting to do better, not for herself but for everybody else, we could learn a lot as adults.
“I hope that for her and all the young children on the Sunshine Coast, that the Council will listen to this.”
Cr Natoli said he was amazed by Poppy’s initiative to make a difference. He said while legislation did not dictate a need for greater accessibility, Poppy had sparked an important call-to-action.
After spending last Sunday petitioning with Poppy, Cr Natoli said he saw for himself just how great the need was.
“It’s incumbent upon us to listen to Poppy,” the councillor told SCN.
“It has taken a seven-year-old to point this out to everybody, including myself, that we are aware of the need, but maybe have not given it serious thought.
“Legislation does not require it but it doesn’t mean we can’t try to make a change. I am determined to see what we can do.”
Cr Natoli said he already had an officer looking at the opportunities of enabling disability access to the playground.
The petition would also call for a reconsideration to include a playground within that area of the Mooloolaba Foreshore upgrade.
Cr Natoli said the foreshore upgrades were originally planned back in 2015.
“Future plans do not include a playground between the Loo with a View and the surf club,” he said.
“You only have to look at that playground to realise how popular it is for under 12s.
“I think it would be a real shame, because of the history and its usage, to think it was something that should not be kept.
“It will start that dialogue. I know there have been modifications to the Northern Parkland.
“If the community can come together and fully support their desire for this, then I think the Council’s incumbent to listen to the community and come back and incorporate some sort of children’s playground in that area.”
To support Poppy, the petition can be signed digitally here.
