June 2011 letters from Warrandyte and Geelong
After 30 years Warrandyte Community Church opens new playground
By Meryl Dawson
Playgroups attached to the Warrandyte Community Church have been operating for nearly 30 years, with five groups running each week. I originally started the playgroup at Warrandyte with my two year old son, and now his wife runs one of our groups with their two year old daughter. I have been involved in the playgroup for all of those 30 years, except for six months when I had an illness. I still do it and love it.
Over 1000 local families have been through the playgroups during that time, and we felt there was a need for an update on our playground. So last year, we set about to raise the funds necessary for this venture.
With a quote of nearly $50,000 for the job, we felt it necessary to appoint a voluntary fundraiser, who diligently sort out community groups and businesses who could contribute to this necessary cause. Playgroup families also worked together to raise funds in various ways. One of our playgroup dads is a landscaper and he drew up plans and sourced equipment for us.
In April, our tired, old playground was bulldozed and the new one commenced. We were all very excited about the prospect of what was developing, and watched eagerly each week as the work progressed.
On Sunday 1 May, we had the opening with over 200 present and our local MP, The Honourable Ryan Smith. Two of the original playgroup children - there at the start 29 years ago and who now have children of their own attending the playgroup - cut the ribbon, and the children present were at last able to enjoy the new equipment. While the children played, the adults enjoyed a fantastic barbecue lunch put on by the Church.
We would like to thank the various donors Manningham Council, Bendigo Bank, Rotary and Lions Clubs, Warrandyte Market, Warrandyte Community Church, and many individuals. These folk have enhanced the lives of our local children.
Roslyn Playgroup gives new parents something to think about
By Lisa Dundas
Roslyn Playgroup in Geelong regularly gives talks to new parents groups at our local maternal and child health centre about the benefits of play and playgroups. The talks are a great way for our playgroup to find new members as a number of the groups or individuals go on to join us, sometimes six or even 12 months later.
It's rewarding to be able to spread the word about playgroups. You know you're letting new parents know about an option to keep meeting in a supportive environment and a place they can give their babies new learning experiences.
The material Playgroup Victoria provides is an excellent resource for talks to new parent groups. The parents receive a lot of information which can be overwhelming so it's great to be able to give them something to take home and read when it suits. We always mention there are lots of local playgroups, not just ours, and direct people to look at the Playgroup Victoria website for listings, so it's useful that they have all the contact details written down to take with them.
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