The playground, designed especially for students in years 3-6, is a circuit featuring swings, slides, climbing and balancing challenges to encourage active play, fitness, and fun. The upgrade was made possible through community fundraising and sponsorships, which together raised more than $47,000 to cover equipment, installation, and safety surfacing. 

Lockington Consolidated School Principal Lisa Duffy said the new playground will be a huge boost for the 143 students enrolled at the school. 

“Student wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. Recreation is vital for positive mental health, socialisation, and physical fitness, and our play spaces allow students to stay active during breaks and beyond school hours. 

“This new playground is particularly special as it was designed with input from our students and will give them the chance to swing, climb, balance and challenge themselves in new ways,” Lisa said.

Fonterra Oceania’s nearby Stanhope factory is home to Perfect Italiano cheese, a product many Lockington farmers proudly supply milk to, and who send their children to Lockington Consolidated School.

Fonterra Farm Source Regional Manager Phil Candy said supporting initiatives like this is about recognising the important role schools play in farming communities.

“It’s vital that farming families feel supported not only on farm, but in their wider community life. Facilities like this playground give children opportunities to learn, develop and thrive, and that has a direct impact on keeping families strong and connected to the region.

“Ultimately, when our families are thriving, so too is the local economy and the dairy industry more broadly - it’s all connected, and we’re proud to play a role in that,” Phil said.

The school is attended by children from local Fonterra-supplying dairy farming families, including Fonterra Australia Suppliers’ Council (FASC) representative, Celia Hobbs and her son, Lewie. 

“As a parent, it means so much to see our school able to offer students a new space where they can challenge themselves, build resilience and have fun with their friends. Investments like this help the Lockington community stay strong for the long-term,” Celia said.

Know of a community group or initiative in need of support?

In Australia, Fonterra focusses its community support around three goals. This is where it believes it can have the greatest impact: 

1. Putting quality nutrition in the hands of those who need it the most. 
2. Protecting and regenerating the environment. 
3. Helping keep rural communities resilient and thriving. 

If you know of a community group or initiative in need of support, please get in contact at inourcommunityaustralia@fonterra.com. Together, we can continue to strengthen our communities and make a difference.