Rosie Colliver (right) with her children Violet (4) and Freyja (year 1) and their aunty Judith Ryan.
Martin Kennealey        d451377
Camera IconRosie Colliver (right) with her children Violet (4) and Freyja (year 1) and their aunty Judith Ryan. Martin Kennealey        d451377 Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey        d451377

Mums spin a yarn for safer schools

Laura PondJoondalup Times

Parent Rosie Colliver, whose two children attend South Padbury Primary School, and her sister Judith Ryan recently “yarn bombed” the ‘no standing’ and ‘no parking’ poles outside the school where people regularly park.

“We loved putting crochet on the school poles to bring attention to traffic and accessibility issues,” Ms Colliver said.

She said she was concerned about safety and accessibility around the school as many parents parked in the prohibited areas and on the verge during pick-up and drop-off times.

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“I worry for all the children, especially the ones who independently walk to school,” she said. “All it requires is one incident for a tragedy to happen.”

Ms Colliver said they wanted to bring attention to the problem in a positive way.

“We don’t want to bring parking inspectors and fines,” she said. “It looks awesome and brings colour to the school.”

Parent volunteer Harrison Adams co-ordinates the school’s involvement in Travel-Smart to School, a Department of Transport program that promotes walking or cycling to school, and said illegal parking had been an issue for several years.

“Clear signage says stopping and parking is illegal but it’s all ignored,” she said.

The school has implemented a walking school bus, where a parent volunteer leads children from the school to the nearby shopping centre to be picked up.

Ms Adams said local businesses were supporting their efforts, with parents encouraged to use the centre car park and Jesters offering free milkshakes and coffee for those who did.

But she said the school car park was full by 2.30pm every day for the 3pm pick up.

“If they are there that early at 2.30pm then surely they have time to find another space at the shops and walk over,” she said.

She said the yarn bombing was a great way to highlight the signs.