By Bonny Burrows
Thanks to 10-year-old Elysse Hughes, Berwick children have a much safer trip to school.
The Grade 5 Berwick Chase Primary School student last year successfully petitioned City of Casey Council for a pedestrian crossing along Skyline Way.
But she got one better.
Much to her surprise and delight, a manned school crossing was constructed during this month’s Easter school holidays.
Elysse knew a crossing was coming, but didn’t realise it would be manned, and expected it later in the year.
“When I first saw it, I jumped up and down in excitement,” Elysse said.
Elysse’s campaign followed an incident when she nearly got hit by a car.
“It was really scary and I didn’t want it to happen to other people,” Elysse said.
Determined to make the world, a “safer, better place” for her 70 peers that cross Skyline Way daily, Elysse took to the local community and schools with a road safety petition.
The 20-page, 400 signature petition was then presented to City of Casey councillors at a September 2016 meeting.
There, she also bravely addressed council on the importance of a crossing and how it would reduce traffic congestion and promote daily exercise.
A few months later, she discovered her campaign was successful.
School has only been back for a little over a week, but the community is already reaping the benefits.
“We’ve had a few parents say it’s great and so much easier to cross,” Elysse’s mum, Jacki said.
“It feels good to help the world. Even though these things are little, I’m helping the world,” Elysse said.
Despite being told she had the makings of a future politician, Elysse said it was unlikely, she simply wanted to help.
“I would encourage kids to help the world too,” she said.
Jacki said Elysse was now turning her eyes to other community projects.
“She was saying to me the other day, ‘what should I do next’, so I’m sure she’ll continue this in a way,” Jacki said.
