CQU set to host U-BEACH Community Beach Day

CQUniversity Australia is set to host and coordinate a community beach day this month' to break down the barriers to beach access for people living with disability in the region.

The U-Beach Community Beach Day will be held on Wednesday' 15 February at Nielson's Park Bargara and will bring together CQU physiotherapy and occupational therapy experts and students' as well as community supporters to facilitate beach access and activities.

The community event is part of the Universal Beach Access Hub (U-BEACH) project being led by CQU Bundaberg physiotherapy lecturer Sasha Job.

The project aims to improve beach access for every member of the community and provide support to participate in beach-based activities for all people and abilities.

Ms Job explained that the beach day would allow people of all abilities to access the beach and to enjoy the sun' surf and sand.

"U-Beach provides an opportunity for all members of our community to interact and engage with our beautiful local beaches.

"We will help to facilitate access to the beach for people of all abilities through the use of specialist resources and equipment including beach mats and wheelchairs.

"Our volunteers will provide physical assistance for beach transfers' activities on the sand and activities in the ocean such as swimming' cricket' building sandcastles and even enjoy a picnic.

"We will be supported on the day by a qualified surf lifesaver and will also have support from local community organisations such as Rotary who will be cooking a free sausage sizzle'" she said.

"We hope the event will be well attended and that we will have great beach weather on the day!"

The activities will commence at the Nielson's Park Surf Lifesaving Club at 9am.

U-Beach is a project driven by CQUniversity' in collaboration with Bundaberg Regional Council' Surf Lifesaving Queensland' Community Lifestyle Support' and Rotary Bundaberg Region' as well as local education providers and sporting clubs.

Organisers are keen to attract as many attendees as possible to the event and are still calling on community sponsors to help fund activities and the purchase of new beach equipment for future community use.

To register to attend free event' for more information or to enquire about volunteering or sponsorship opportunities please contact the CQU Bundaberg campus on 07 4930 9000 or email Sasha Job at s.job@cqu.edu.au.