Senior Constable Adam Meyer and Stephanie Ball (Yorke Peninsula artist and art gallery owner) with the restored cricket bat.
An online auction of a cricket bat co-signed by the Commissioner of Police and Captain of the West End Redbacks cricket team, Travis Head begins today to support disability support service provider, Yorke Peninsula Leisure Options (YPLO).
In 2019, SA Police General Duties Member Senior Constable Adam Meyer from the Yorketown Local Service Area was given two old cricket bats that had been sanded and restored by YPLO members.
Senior Constable Meyer and other artists from Yorke Peninsula began working on refurbished cricket bat canvases and once completed, donated their pieces to the Warooka Bats For Will art exhibition, held in March 2019.
Senior Constable Meyer’s artworks featured striking photographs and showcased his passion for local landscape photography and disability awareness.
During the 2019 Warooka Bats for Will exhibition, $8000 was raised through the sale of the cricket bat artwork and this money was used by YPLO to purchase new individual workbenches for the Wood Shed team and new desks for their centre based activities.
One of SC Meyer’s artworks featured a SAPOL cage car stationed on the iconic Flaherty’s Beach between Point Turton and Hardwicke Bay on the Yorke Peninsula. A recent addition to this cricket bat is the inclusion of the signature of the Commissioner of Police and Captain of the South Australian ‘West End Redbacks’ cricket team, Travis Head.
SC Meyer’s cricket bat will be auctioned online by Where There’s a Will, a national charity that partners with YPLO and seeks to unite communities in the fight against isolation and lack of choice for people with disabilities. The highest bidder throughout the month (14 October- 14 November 2020) will win the signed cricket bat with all funds from the winning bid provided directly to YPLO.
Funds raised will be used to support YPLO’s outstanding service of providing diverse learning opportunities to community members living with a disability. YPLO is a service delivered through Yorke Peninsula Council which delivers centre-based activities, social support and transport to people who have age related health issues and for people with disabilities.
As part of their ongoing work, clients of YPLO now restore old donated cricket bats which are then distributed to artists all around Australia for Where There’s A Will art exhibitions.
Where’s There’s A Will board member and Yorke Peninsula local, Robyn Clasohm explains “One of the most rewarding aspects of coordinating the Willo exhibition in our area is getting to know the generous artists within your own community and forming friendships with the YPLO members. The diverse and talented team at YPLO are nothing short of incredible and they inspire us all, showing us the ability in disability and the immeasurable benefits that come from new friendships and community inclusion.”
Tanya Walsh, Manager, YPLO commented that the online auction will provide recognition of the Wood Shed members and will continue to support “an inclusive environment where everyone is encouraged to have a go, learn new skills and become confident in woodworking.”
SA Police Operations Inspector, Yorke Mid North Local Service Area, Inspector Mark Collise said “This is a great initiative in forging partnerships and working together with this community. I encourage members of the public to get behind this auction and be generous for this great cause. ”
The cricket bat was handed over by SAPOL to Where There’s A Will at the Wood Shed in Minlaton yesterday.
Auction bids will be accepted via this link www.wheretheresawill.org.au/ from 14 October to 14 November 2020.
