November 2011 Playgroup of the Month

Maryborough Playgroup is Playgroup of the Month

Maryborough Playgroup is November Playgroup of the Month for its ongoing efforts to promote the benefits of playgroup.

This playgroup is the only parent run playgroup in Maryborough.

"We've got some very passionate people who fight hard to keep it going," Maryborough Playgroup president Julie Koopmans (pictured holding the award) said. "Each session is informal, but organised enough to keep things fresh.

"We have a good committee that works very closely with local maternal and child health nurses who refer new families to our playgroup. And the local council's family day care coordinator is very helpful.

"Playgroup helps ease the isolation many parents feel," Julie said. "I myself had post natal depression, severely, and going to playgroup helped me to recover."

For the past 10 years Maryborough Playgroup has been based at The Shed, formerly an animal holding area during the local show that then become a sports stadium, and will soon relocate to the local Apex club.

The playgroup has four very different sessions a week, each run by the families who attend. Children in the Monday group are nearly all boys aged three and four. The Tuesday group are mostly new parents with some larger families in the mix. Wednesday's group is very active and often out and about. Friday's group is for family day care workers and the children in their care. About six dads regularly attend playgroup.

Playgroup Victoria awards Playgroup of the Month to playgroups that are doing good work in the community.

The Maryborough Advertiser published a story on 22 November about Maryborough Playgroup receiving the  award which you can read it here.