Awards

Playgroup Victoria won the Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Award at the Victorian Government Early Years Awards in 2009.

The award was presented for Playgroup Victoria's support for playgroups affected by Victoria's Black Saturday bushfire in February 2009.

As a result of Australian Government funding, Playgroup Victoria was able to engage a project coordinator, project worker and team of six playgroup consultants to offer intensive support to playgroup families affected by the fire. Playgroup consultants took playgroup to the people in three fully equipped mobile playgroup vans - two borrowed from Save the Children Australia-Victoria branch. They organised indoor and outdoor playgroup sessions and regional fun days to re-connect playgroup families and communities to bring some normality back into their lives.

The entire bushfire response team is pictured with Victorian Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Maxine Morand (centre) after receiving the Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Award at the Victorian Government Early Years Awards 2009. Pictured from left are playgroup consultants Penny Kircher, Lorey Endler and Natasha Niemann, Playgroup Victoria executive officer Kaye Plowman, Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Maxine Morand, playgroup consultant Julia Polinghorne, project coordinator Wendy Veber and project worker Diana Fouracre.