This letter was written by a young girl named Tess.  Tess is a local to Joondalup in Western Australia and had some advice to share with our design team. Not only did Tess’s letter point out a few design tips, she has also included a detailed playground plan with colour coding.

I have attached a copy of Tess’s letter (with her permission of course) so everyone can get a better insight into the mind of one of Australia’s bright youngsters. I am blown away by the level of thought put into the playground design and the high level of detail in its execution. To have a look at the letter click here.

Well done Tess, I look forward to seeing some of your playground designs come to life in the future.

Mike De Sousa

National Sales & Marketing Manager

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This year Forpark Australia is putting a team together for Movember. In the past many of our staff members have taken on Movember as individuals, however this year, we are banding together to make a difference.

Forpark Australia has a great ethos of helping the local community, and this is another way we can do it. If nothing else, it also gives our male staff members an excuse to ‘rock a fat mo’ for a month.

Movember is a great event that raises money for men’s health. To find out a little more about Movember and how you can get involved please take a look at http://au.movember.com/about/

We are aiming to raise as much money as possible for this great cause and in the process would love to build Movember’s exposure.

To follow the teams’ progress keep an eye on this spot. If you would like to make a donation to the Forpark Australia team or even if you just need a good laugh please take a look at http://au.movember.com/team/540577

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John Hurney OAM, ECU Motorsport Engagement Coordinator, explains a little about the ECU program.

The car(s) built by the ECU Motorsports students comply with the International Formula SAE rules as administered by the society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Every year ECU builds a new car to compete in the Australasian competition held in Melbourne in December.

Formula SAE (F-SAE) is a worldwide competition organised by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in which students from universities all around the world, design, build, and compete in advanced open-wheeled race cars. All teams must follow a strict set of rules which are in place to test a team’s knowledge, creativity, and professionalism whilst encouraging technical innovation. As well as posing an impressive technical challenge, F-SAE competition gives the students involved
In valuable practical experience in such areas as managing a team, marketing, building to a strict budget and working to extremely tight time lines.

For Australasian universities, as well as a select few international teams, the climax of the year saw the teams arrive in Melbourne for the four day F-SAE Australasia event. This event not only incorporates the competitive side of motorsports (dynamic events) but also requires teams to make multiple presentations to a field of expert judges.
These presentations are based on marketing, cost, car design and manufacture / build quality and give students invaluable experience in justifying their design decisions – just as they will have to do in a true employment situation.

The F-SAE dynamic events are designed to test a car to its physical limits, with specially designed events which assess acceleration, handling, traction, fuel economy, reliability, and the car’s speed.

Maximum engine capacity in FSAE is 600cc, with induction via a 20 mm intake restrictor. ECU’s 2012 car uses a dry sumped Honda CBR600RR motor controlled by a Motec M800 ECU. In this form the motor produces approx 90 bhp @ 12,000 rpm.

The chassis has a composite monocoque front driver cell, rather than a space frame, due to higher levels of driver protection in terms of both side impact and anti-intrusion. The side impact zone of the composite driver cell was designed to protect the drivers’ side up to the shoulders, and the lay-up in this section of the chassis incorporates two plies of 68gsm bi-axial aramid fibre for added anti intrusion properties. An additional floor panel beneath the driver, consisting of layers of carbon fibre and aramid fibre around a foam core, provides additional protection from below.

The car uses 13’’ Goodyear slicks and features a high downforce aero dynamic package which CFD calculations indicate downforce of over 200kg @ 100kph. Estimated vehicle weight is 220kg and tests on the ECU 2011 FSAE car run on the WASCC’s Jack’s Hill course (where this car held the outright course record for 8 months) showed maximum lateral acceleration of over 3.0G during cornering.

John also states that “ECU Motorsport is extremely grateful for the support we receive from Forpark Australia, which in 2012 is allowing the Team to purchase new FIA compliant Race Suits.”

To see a plan of the 2012 please see attached.

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Business in Focus is an Australian business publication written and produced to act as a
single comprehensive resource from which industry leaders can gain a unique perspective
and share successes, ideas, insights and information.

The magazines target distribution is to businesses in the health care, aged care, retail,
manufacturing, resource, construction, food and beverage, finance and information
technology sectors. Successfully bringing together businesses and potential clients,
Business in Focus is delivered to over 134,100 subscribers every month.

The Forpark feature focuses on our strength and longevity in the marketplace, our efforts to lead innovation in Australia and our strong commitment to keeping manufacturing here in Australia, something we are very proud of.

To see Forpark Australia’s feature article please click on www.businessinfocus.com.au/index.php/2012/09/young-at-heart/ or download the PDF.

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Queensland’s premier exposition of construction plant, materials, equipment and services to local government and the land development industry.

This year LOGOV Expo will be held on the 10^th and 11^th of October.  Farm Fantastic Site: Exit 157 - Cnr Bruce Hwy & Pumicestone Rd, Caboolture

Over 5000 visitors and buyers from Federal, State and Local Government Bodies, Engineers, Planners, Contractors, Consultants and the general public are expected to visit LOGOV Expo 2012. Over 200 outdoor sites and 40 pavilion booths will be provided for an expected 240 exhibitors. Information for the event can be viewed at www.logov.net

Forpark Australia has been a proud exhibitor of this great event for many years and this year is no exception with an exciting range of our Playground Equipment, Orbit Ropes, Free Standing Play Items, Park Furniture and much more on display.

Our Design Consultants will be on hand to discuss the latest products and how our design and planning strategies can assist you with your future projects.

For further information on the LOGOV Expo and to download your FREE Entry Ticket register via the following link. We look forward to seeing you there!

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COASTAL APPLICATIONS

Appropriate grade selection

Each type of stainless steel has a limit to the concentration of salts that it can comfortably resist; the higher the alloy content (Cr, Mo and N), the higher the resistance to corrosion. Exposure of a particular grade of stainless steel to a more aggressive environment than it can resist will cause tea staining. Grade 316, or a grade with equivalent corrosion resistance, should be selected as a minimum within five kilometres of the surf.

Grade 316, or a grade with equivalent corrosion resistance, should be selected as a minimum within five kilometres of the surf.  Ref: ASSDA Technical Information

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

Aesthetic appeal:

Stainless steel is available in many surface finishes. It is easily and simply maintained resulting in a high quality, pleasing appearance.

Life cycle characteristics:

Stainless steel is a durable, low maintenance material and is often the least expensive choice in a life cycle cost comparison.

Click here to download our product information brochure.

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Recently there has been much discussion regarding the safety of certain “Birds Nest” Style multi-user swing seats. There have been several reported cases of injuries pertaining to impact of these seats on children. Most seats in the marketplace weigh around 30kg or more and although they may have forms of international certification, Forpark Australia has decided to have our lighter version of the seat tested independently right here in Australia.

Forpark Australia’s seat is constructed using light-weight materials and weighs no more than 18kg’s. This reduced weight has a dramatic effect of the forces imparted on impact.

TESTING

Grant Humphreys of Acousto Scan Pty Ltd has undertaken the testing earlier this month.

Testing was carried out to Australian Standard AS4685. Part 2: Particular safety requirements and test methods for swings. Appendix B The impact measurements were determined with the calibrated Uniaxe HIC impact system to AS 4422 and ISO6487.

RESULTS

Comments

The swing complies with AS4685.2.2.6.5 peak acceleration and AS4685.2.2.6.3 surface compression.

As can be seen, the Peak Acceleration and Surface Area Compression Values comply by a very large margin.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN

It means that the Forpark Australia products shown here, utilising the tested “Birds Nest Style” Swing Seat are certified as compliant to AS4685 and compliant by a large margin— now the safest in the market.

So, if safety and peace of mind is important to you and your community – then please consider these products for your next project.

Click here to download the product release information as a PDF.

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There are two new items in this range; the Sand Table and the Sand Wheel.

Sand Table

Available in both a free standing and attachable version, the sand table offers a place for children to create images using dry or wet sand.

The sand table includes six templates (including a cat, dog, bird, car, bike and a playing child), three for wet sand and three for dry sand. Place the template on the table and cover with sand. Pull the template back and you are left with an image. The table should also be used for general sand play.

Sand Wheel

Also available in both a free standing and attachable version, the sand wheel provides a fun, colourful moving sand play activity.

Using the sand scoop, ensuring the plug is inserted; simply fill the top bowl full of sand. Pull the plug out and watch the sand pour through the spout and onto the sand wheel below. Watch the coloured wheel spin, dumping the sand below until the top bowl is empty.

These two new items will provide hours of creative fun in the sand and are suitable for most ages. Keep your eye out for more upcoming new playground equipment products in the Forpark Australia range.

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FCBC is the largest amateur football club in Australia with nine teams. This includes five senior teams, two colts teams and two all abilities teams.

In line with our motto of ‘Helping Young Australian’s Grow’, Forpark is the naming rights sponsor for the D Grade Colts, FCBC’s second colt’s side. The sponsorship is intended to aid the club and players by helping reduce player fees and maintain the high standard of facilities available to all club members.

At the half way point of the season, The Forpark D Colts currently sit equal second having only lost to the top team twice and defeating all other teams. The last encounter with the top team resulted in a closely fought match for four quarters. Despite the team’s chances, they were unable to take the advantage which resulted in a 2 goal loss.

When asked about the importance of Forpark’s sponsorship, coach Tristan Cromarty stated; “Without the assistance of sponsors like Forpark, the costs to run a footy team would be too great of a financial burden on the players and the footy club. The sponsorship has allowed the club to keep registrations fees low, which is extremely important considering most colt players are either studying at university or have apprenticeships.”

Mr Cromarty has also said that “given the 70 registered colt players we currently have down at the club; we appreciate Forpark’s sponsorship as it enables the footy club to continue maintaining a second colt side and provides opportunities for all colt players to have a game.”

Forpark Australia looks forward to long and proud association with FCBC. To follow the teams results please take a look at www.waafl.com.au

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This year the WAPPA Conference will be held on the 20th – 22nd June at the Burswood Entertainment Complex and hopes to cater for the majority of its 1000+ members.

Not only does the WAPPA Conference offer the chance for Principals to gather and discuss current topics and issues, along with the social benefit s attached to the 3 days, it also gives exhibitors like Forpark Australia the opportunity to showcase our products to the wider WAPPA membership group.

The aim of Forpark Australia’s participation on the conference is twofold. Firstly, we want to be able to present our full range of products to the member base. This includes Traditional and Orbit Play Equipment, Street and Park Furniture and Fitness and Outdoor Gym Equipment. This year we aim to show off some of our newer Free Standing items including the Talk Tubes, Gravitator, Sfera and Orbs.

Secondly the conference gives us a great chance to catch up with all of our friends in the WA education sector. It is always nice to see people you have worked with and have found memories of the project and final product they have. I personally am looking forward to seeing some old faces and sharing a few laughs.

For more information , check out the event summary on the 2012 WAPPA Conference. For a video friendly presentation check out WAPPA TV’s “Leading for Sustained Success”.

Mike De Sousa
National Sales and Marketing Manager

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