Playgroup in the News and Media
2025
April 2, 2025
The Latrobe Valley Express
Pop-Up Playgroup, National Playgroup Week
The local playgroup team held several play days in the La Trobe region, welcoming families to celebrate playgroup and all the good it brings! Together the playgroup communities enjoyed Messy Play Monday in Morwell, Little Explorers Adventure Day in Moe and STEM in the Park in Traralgon. The events provided opportunities for families and facilitators to get to know each other and embrace the many benefits of playgroup participation.
View Full Story Here
March 19, 2025
WIN News Ballarat
National Playgroup Week Play Day at Kryal
In celebration of National Playgroup Week, Playgroup Victoria held a Play Day at Kryal Castle. Activities on the day included a big Pop-Up Playgroup, storytime, dancing and a dragon meet and greet. Throughout the day families explored the dragons labyrinth, knights tower, wizards tower, playground and animal pens. Playgroup staff mingled with families, sharing stories and the benefits of playgroup. A fun day was had by all!
View Full Story Here
2024
October 30, 2024
LaTrobe Valley Express
Children’s Week Celebration in Newman Park, Traralgon
Over 150 locals celebrated Children’s Week with a Teddy Bears Picnic in Newman Park, Traralgon. The picnic was organised by Playgroup Victoria, as we work towards further unity between Latrobe Valley playgroups.
Full article published by the LaTrobe Valley Express
October 16, 2024
LaTrobe Valley Express
Playgroup Victoria has started a Latrobe playgroup network with help from federal government funding that will boost playgroups until mid-2026. The project, ‘Helping Families Learn and Grow Through Playgroup’ (FLAG) aims to create a sustainable future for playgroups by creating a playgroup platform.
“This will be the start of many network meetings and opportunities. At the end of the project, we hope to see all the playgroups support each other and collaborate for all Latrobe families moving forward” – Leanne Dhami, Development and Support Manager, Playgroup Victoria
Full article published by the LaTrobe Valley Express
August 13, 2024
The Maryborough District Advertiser
Playgroup Victoria has partnered with the Havilah aged care facility to bring multiple generations together to learn, share, connect and play.
“You get to see those smiles, you get to see how people age and how people grow, and it just brings so much joy and engagement from everyone in the community.”– Playgroup Victoria Central Goldfields FLAG site officer, Donna Parry
Full article published by the Maryborough District Advertiser
August 6, 2024
The Maryborough District Advertiser
Playgroup Victoria is inviting residents to create friendships and memories for kids and carers thanks to the Helping Families Learn and Grow through Playgroup (FLAG) initiative.
“The aim is to support and advocate for the playgroup platform in [the shire]- create opportunities for families to meet, support new playgroups and bring together relevant and like-minded professionals and community members to advocate for playgroups long-term.”
Full article published by the Maryborough District Advertiser
March 24, 2024
9News, Melbourne
Playgroup Victoria celebrates 50 year milestone with grassroots community event in the park. The Teddy Bears Picnic event welcomed all who have been part of playgroup- past and present.
March 23, 2024
Saturday Breakfast with Alice Zaslavsky, ABC Melbourne Radio
“It takes a village to raise a child.” The power of playgroup over time. Playgroup Victoria CEO Danny Schwarz shares more about Playgroup Victoria’s history and purpose- and all the goodness that is to come, including the organisation’s Teddy Bears Picnic Party in the Park, commemorating National Playgroup Week and 50 years of Playgroup Victoria.
Listen HERE
March 21, 2024
February 11, 2024
Sunday Hearld Sun
The Herald Sun spoke to Playgroup Leader Tess Galea from Arnolds Creek Playgroup in Melton, about the news of federal funding to support playgroups and toy libraries.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said thousands of playgroups and toy libraries across the country “provide welcoming spaces for children and their families to learn to love learning and bond through play”
2023 | 2022
May 26, 2023
The Courier, Ballarat
Amelia Weir from Kardinia Playgroup in Ballarat was recognised as a Playgroup Champion for the work she carries out at her local group.
“For me, a playgroup is a place for community. It’s a chance to connect with other parents and give them encouragement and also to educate about children’s development.”- Amelia Weir
May 20, 2023
9News, Melbourne
Arnold’s Creek Grandparents Playgroup
Not only are grandparents playgroups a huge benefit to the community- strengthening bonds and building support networks- they are a joy for younger and older alike as they share stories, have fun, enjoy new experiences and play!
9 News Melbourne shared this wonderful story, about Arnold’s Creek Grandparents playgroup in Melton.
Watch the full story HERE
March 28, 2023
Mornington News
Playgroup Victoria held a Pop-Up Playgroup in Hastings and welcomed local families from the Mornington Peninsula area to come together and celebrate the many benefits of play and connection.
Read full article HERE.
March 23, 2023
The Courier, Ballarat
National Playgroup Week 2023
The importance of local playgroups and community connections are celebrated for National Playgroup Week 2023.
“It’s about being present and playing together, and just about being in the moment, which is really important from our perspective.”- Danny Schwarz, Playgroup Victoria CEO
Read full article HERE.
October 21, 2022
Herald Sun, Victoria
Playgroup Australia launches a national conversation about the value of playgroups.
Read full article HERE.
October 18, 2022
One Fine Baby Blog
10 Reasons Why Playgroup Will Enrich Your Life
“At playgroup you can source company, understanding, friendship, connection, kindness, joy – and lots of fun along the way.”
Read full article HERE.
March 22, 2022
ABC News, ABC Goulburn Murray
“For more than a year, the young children of Wooragee, in north-east Victoria, have been waiting to get together for a play date. Today, after months of pandemic disruption, it’s finally play time.”
Read full article HERE
2021 | 2020
November 14, 2021
The Age
Early playtime eases transition to primary school
“Those of us in the sector have known this for years and years, but there’s an increasing understanding and recognition in the community of just how critical those first five years are for children’s learning and development.”- Lead researcher Professor Susan Edwards
Read full article HERE
October 9, 2021
The Courier, Ballarat
“Connection is really the main word for the whole thing.” – Playgroup Facilitator, Maureen Hatcher. Read more about Playgroup Victoria’s joyful online intergenerational playgroup below, featured in The Courier.
Access the full article HERE.
September 26, 2021
Sunday Afternoons, ABC Radio
Sunday Afternoons, ABC Radio
September 18, 2021
The Courier, Ballarat
“People need people. People, families and children, need that social connection.”- Local playgroup facilitator Louise Buckle-Smith, featured in The Courier. Louise shares news and information about Playgroup Victoria’s online playgroup sessions.
Read full article HERE.
August 27, 2021
The Drum, ABC
Their Excellencies the Governor-General Mr David Hurley and his wife Mrs Linda Hurley joined us for Playgroup at Home. As it was Children’s Book Council of Australia Book Week, everyone was invited to dress-up as their favourite book or storybook character. Mr and Mrs Hurley read Bertie and the Bear by Pamela Allen. The Governor dressed up as Bertie and Mrs Hurley dressed up as The Cat in the Hat.
July 22, 2021
Channel 9 News, Melbourne
At home activity ideas were shared on 9 News Melbourne for families in lockdown.
March 24, 2021
9News Melbourne
It’s National Playgroup Week and playgroups are rejoicing as face-to-face sessions resume. After a challenging 2020, Playgroup Victoria has made Family Membership free to reduce any barriers and increase opportunities for families to connect, learn, share and play.
September 1, 2020
9News Melbourne
As many families cannot get to playgroup as a result of the pandemic, Playgroup Victoria is bringing playgroup to families- live and interactive on Zoom. To start the Spring, families were joined by special guests the Governor-General David Hurley and his wife Linda Hurley for storytime. Together with playgroup facilitators, families enjoyed songs, stories and an interactive play activity.
September 1, 2020
9News Melbourne
Families joined Playgroup at Home LIVE on Zoom. Playgroup facilitators welcomed families and shared songs, stories and an interactive play activity. Special guests the Governor-General David Hurley and Mrs Linda Hurley read a Mem Fox storybook and sang songs with the families. This initiative has been running since June in order to support families in lockdown as a result of the pandemic.
August 22, 2020
March 23, 2020
Herald Sun, Melbourne
Playgroup Victoria invites families to join them for 20 Days of at Home Play
2019 | 2018 | 2017
November 4, 2019
The Echo, Surf Coast and Bellarine
Beach Baby Bubs Playgroup connect with share in a calming space.
Read more here
November 14, 2019
Ballarat Win News, Bendigo
An intergenerational playgroup brings all ages together to play and connect
Watch full news story here
November 4, 2019
The Courier, Ballarat
Sebastopol Primary School Playgroup Hub are a charity partner for this year’s Run For A Cause event in Ballarat.
Read more here
September 11, 2019
Surf Coast Times
Jan Juc Playgroup has begun the “Wheels for Kids” program, a six-week program about road safety.
Read more here
September 11, 2019
9 News Western Victoria
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View story here
September 11, 2019
The Courier, Ballarat
Read more here
March 25, 2019
Nine News Now
The Biggest Playgroup at SEA LIFE Melbourne- National Playgroup Week
March 25, 2019
Nine News Melbourne
The Biggest Playgroup at SEA LIFE Melbourne
March 18, 2019
The Hepburn Advocate
Children and parents invited to free event in celebration of National Playground Week
September 8, 2018
Mamamia
A World of their Own – article written by Sinead Halliday on behalf of Playgroup Victoria. “We lead really isolated lives.” What it’s really like to care for a child with a disability.
May 13, 2018
April 3, 2018
Radio National- Life Matters
Challenging gender stereotypes among kids
Nursery rhymes are a great way to broaden a child’s language and sense of the world. Yet they also reinforce traditional gender typecasts. Girls ‘n’ Boys Come Out To Play is a collaborative program between Playgroup Victoria and Drummond Street Services. Amanda Testro is a musician and pre-school educator who writes and composes music for the project, while Helen Rimington is Special Projects Officer at Drummond Street. For both, the program is as much about the parents’ enjoyment as well as the kids’.
May 8, 2018
ABC Ballarat
Men-only playgroup pushes aside gender stereotypes to provide support for dads.
September 1, 2018
The Courier Ballarat
Award-winning play group offers supportive role for dads.
Monday April 30, 2018
Monday October 9, 2017
Radio National- Life Matters
When aged care meets childcare
They say it takes a village to raise a child, yet current childcare models involve limited community engagement. At the other end of the life cycle — aged care removes elderly people from the broader community. Sydney architect, Casey Bryant, is researching international building models to create links between generations and remove this divide. Sinead Halliday from Playgroup Victoria discusses the dynamics when babies and toddlers connect with the elderly.
August 10, 2017
Victoria Parliament, Hansard
Mr Ben Carroll, Members Statement
Avondale Heights Grandparents Playgroup
Tuesday December 5, 2017
Star Weekly, Sunbury & Macedon Ranges
Woodend Playgroup wins award for innovation and excellence.
November 21, 2017
The Wimmera Mail Times
Dimboola Playgroup named the Victorian Community Playgroup of the Year
Saturday September 30, 2017
Herald Sun Newspaper
Playgroups benefit parents and kids by offering fun and friendship
Read more here
July, 2017
ELC Primary Learning magazine
Article by Sinead Halliday on behalf of Playgroup Victoria. Imagery by Sylvia Dardha of Buddha Hands Playgroup
Wednesday June 14, 2017
Channel 7 Melbourne
Playgroup Victoria’s CEO, Danny Schwarz, spoke about a very important issue: alarm systems installed in child safety seats.