Image supplied by Caroline Ghatt
Marcus Ghatt Smith Reserve is more than a place name - it's a movement. Inspired by the imagination of Marcus, this inclusive space encourages joy, creativity, and accessibility.
The Story Behind Marcus Ghatt Smith Reserve
On 12 June 2020, a quiet but meaningful tribute was made in the heart of Belrose, when a local park was officially named Marcus Ghatt Smith Reserve by the Geographical Names Board of NSW. This naming recognised not only the life of Marcus Ghatt Smith (2006 -2019), but also the broader movement he helped to inspire which was a commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and community representation.
Marcus was born with a profound disability and, though he lived a life marked by significant challenges, he became a powerful symbol of inclusion within the Belrose community. His presence and experience inspired the development of all-abilities sensory inclusive playgrounds across the suburb, spaces designed so that children of all abilities could play, connect and thrive together.
These playgrounds are a model for how urban spaces can be more responsive to the needs of every member of the community.
C Ghatt
Play your way
Marcus had a love of movement and delighted in spinning, wheeling his chair, swinging, clapping, and the soothing rhythm of a drive in the car. Inspired by Marcus, his family and community came to understand the importance of creating spaces that honoured all forms of movement and sensory experience.
At the 2023 naming ceremony, his mother, Caroline Ghatt, shared: “This is what we describe as a sensory play space – inspired by proprioception and the joy of movement. There’s no right or wrong way to play. You play your way. Walk, wheel, run, feel, smell, see.”
Her words captured the heart of Marcus’s legacy — one that champions inclusion, visibility, and design that welcomes everyone from the outset. As Caroline reminded the community, “We all have a lot to benefit when the voices and experience of people with disability are included… Disability is diversity… And it starts right here, in our own backyard. Inclusion benefits us all.”
Inclusive place names – giving visibility to disability
The decision to name the reserve after Marcus reflects a growing understanding of the importance of inclusive place names in NSW. Inclusive place names recognise the contributions of people from all walks of life and help ensure that public spaces reflect the full diversity of the communities they serve. Place names are more than just markers on a map; they tell stories, shape local identity, and affirm who is seen and valued in public life.
By naming this reserve after Marcus, the Geographical Names Board acknowledged the significance of his legacy, not only as an individual, but as a catalyst for lasting, meaningful change. Marcus Ghatt Smith Reserve now stands as a lasting reminder that communities are strongest when they embrace inclusion and celebrate the unique contributions of every person.
In parks like this one, where children of all abilities play side by side, Marcus’s impact continues to grow, quietly, joyfully, and with a sense of belonging that endures.
To learn more about commemorative naming, visit how places are named. To have your say on future names, visit current proposals.