Annual Report - Playgroup Victoria

Celebrating 36 years2009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play!Annual ReportApril 2010

VisionFun, learning and friendship at playgroup for all Victorian familiesMissionTo promote, resource and encourage vital, resilient and diverse playgroups that meet family andcommunity needsValuesPlay based learningParents as first educatorsVolunteers and caregiversAccessibility and inclusionEmpowering othersCommunity capacity buildingPrincipled governanceClear communicationStrategic objectivesBe a peak body for Victorian playgroupsBe relevant and responsive to a growing membershipRaise the profile of Playgroup VictoriaBe an accountable, viable organisationHistoryDuring the 1960s and 1970s, hundreds of playgroups were scattered throughout Melbourne andcountry Victoria and there emerged a need to connect these groups with people wanting to startand join playgroups. To do this, a group of hardworking volunteers and playgroups set up a base inthe Brunswick offices of Community Child Care, and interested people were invited to call to discusspoints of interest or problems each Monday morning. The response was so great that a steeringcommittee drove the eventual establishment of the Victorian Playgroup Association in 1974.The playgroup movement grew in Australia and by 1975 every state and territory had set up aplaygroup association. The Playgroup Council of Australia was formed in Canberra in 1984. Thisfederation of associations is now known as Playgroup Australia.Playgroup Victoria Inc.346 Albert StreetBrunswick VIC 3056p: 1800 171 882f: 9380 6733e: pgvic@playgroup.org.auwww.playgroup.org.auABN: 13 094 186 877

PATRON’S MESSAGEI would like to thank you all for the great honour of being Patron of Playgroup Victoria in 2009. It has been very rewarding andinteresting, and I have learned much about the organisation and the people who are so committed to making it a success, and itis indeed a very successful organisation. I’ve been impressed by your professionalism, by the expertise and knowledge of the staff,by the research and information published, and the high quality of all the work undertaken.Playgroup Victoria now supports groups stretching across Victoria, reflecting the full diversity of our communities, with supportedplaygroups for those with extra needs.All of this was recognised when Playgroup Victoria was awarded the Minister’s Prize at the Victorian Early Years Awards for thework you did in quickly establishing mobile playgroups to support children, families and communities so traumatised by the 2009bushfires. That response demonstrated how strong, capable and expert you are. You provided wonderful support at a critical timethat no other organisation could provide. You should be very proud of the Award and know that it was well deserved.Sherryl Garbutt, Kaye Plowman and Karen Harvey Collingsduring the 35th Playgroup Anniversary.Playgroups and Playgroup Victoria are becoming more and more important aswe recognise the crucial significance of the early childhood years. These yearsare a critical time for learning and development, when children acquire essentialfoundation skills and knowledge and when brain development is at its peak. Thereis now a large and compelling body of research evidence that demonstrates this.Now governments around the world and at all levels in Victoria have responded bymaking it a greater priority with stronger policies.The message to all governments has been clear: work together with parentsto provide support, and high quality early years services that are integrated,accessible, affordable, and cater for the needs of all children.There have been many recent demonstrations of these priorities. Many newIntegrated Children’s Centres have been funded to provide better services in theone accessible location; Transition Statements have been introduced to helpchildren moving from kindergarten to school; state and federal governments areworking together to increase the hours of kindergarten from 10 to 15 hours perweek for four year olds.In Victoria, our Minister for Children recently launched the Victorian Early Learningand Development Framework. This provides a guide for all early childhood services,including playgroups and Playgroup Victoria. As the Minister says, “It identifieswhat children should know and be able to do from birth to eight year, which means that all professionals working with childrenaged 0-8 years and parents will now have a common understanding of a child’s learning and development over this period.” It issomething we will find useful in the future.Perhaps the greatest strength of playgroups is the parents who join the groups and run them, providing wonderful social andcreative opportunities for kids, invaluable support for other parents and lasting memories for all.I am delighted to accept another term as Patron of Playgroup Victoria and look forward to working with you again in the next 12months.Sherryl Garbutt2009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play 1

CONTENTSPlaygroup Victoria Strategic PlanInside CoverPatron’s Message 1From the Chairperson 4From the Executive Officer 72009 Highlights 8Community Playgroups 9Playgroup Projects 11Website & Publications - Promoting Playgroup 13Early Intervention Programs 15Bushfire Relief Project 19Events 21Partnerships 23Treasurer’s Report - Financials 25Auditors Report 26Staff 282009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play 3

FROM THE CHAIRPERSONIt gives me great pleasure to present the 2009 Annual Report for Playgroup Victoria Inc. on behalf of the Board. It has beenanother challenging and eventful year, and the organisation has demonstrated great agility and resilience to continue to deliverquality results as the peak body for playgroups in Victoria.The emphasis on early childhood and the importance of play in the early years was a high priority in the political environment in2009. However, the early part of the year was tainted by the Victorian bushfires and the expectation of negative impacts from theglobal financial crisis. Through all this, Playgroup Victoria has continued to pursue the vision of fun, learning and friendship for allVictorian families. This means service to community playgroups and those families in the greatest need of supported playgroups.I am proud to say that despite the financial climate, Playgroup Victoria continued to deliver services to community playgroupswithout increasing the costs to members. And our membership numbers have been sustained. This is a great acknowledgementof the value of playgroups to families and the value that Playgroup Victoria provides to those families. I believe this success islargely due to the wonderful advice and support provided to playgroup members by the staff at Playgroup Victoria and to thegrowing role our Executive Officer, Kaye Plowman has in promoting the importance of play in early childhood.The Board would particularly like to thank Kaye for her strength leading the organisation in 2009. She led her team to respondquickly and effectively mobilise resources to provide on-the-ground support to playgroups affected by the Victorian bushfires.She also provided support and guidance when Maureen Singleton unexpectedly passed away. For many playgroupers, Maureenwas the face of Playgroup Victoria. The capacity and resilience of the organisation was demonstrated as the team pulled togetherand found new ways of delivering service to members.Kaye has continued to be included in a number of critical advisory bodies to the Victorian State Government, and our involvementin research associated with the value of playgroups and the importance of play in early childhood is growing.Our thanks to the members who attended last years AGM and Special General Meeting who voted in the revised constitutionwhich, without changing our purpose, updated the constitution to bring it in line with the Associations Incorporation Act (1981).Karen Harvey Collings with author Jeanette Rowe.At last year’s AGM, Sherryl Garbutt was appointed aspatron of Playgroup Victoria. As Chair of the VictorianChildren’s Council and former Victorian Ministerfor Children, Sherryl has an extensive knowledgeof children’s issues and public policy making. Wehave benefited greatly from her expertise and haveinvited her to take on another year as patron. We lookforward to her continued guidance, advocacy andsupport.We are also very grateful to Jame Lewis, our honorarysolicitor, for his willingness to advise, and hisresponsiveness to queries from Playgroup Victoria.The Board’s main responsibilities are to oversee thefinancial performance of Playgroup Victoria, setstrategic direction and provide governance. We havemaintained a highly professional and motivatedBoard in 2009 and achieved much more than wouldhave been possible in our monthly meetings byappointing committees.One of our most active committees was the HR committee, addressing such items as performance improvement and successionplanning and guiding the organisation towards greater measurement of key performance metrics. In the spirit of continuousimprovement, part of the Board’s efforts focussed on improving our own policies and processes. The revision of Board processesallows us to better use meeting time to focus on governance.Playgroup Victoria continued to enthusiastically participate in Playgroup Australia’s structural changes which will make it betterrepresent the interests of playgroups across Australia. We continue to develop stronger links with Playgroup Australia and with allstate and territory playgroup associations across Australia. This is most clearly demonstrated by Playgroup Victoria joining with allother associations to publish a single, national magazine for playgroups.I would like to thank members of the Board and recognise their outstanding efforts; Bronwyn Clarke (Secretary), and Rachel42009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play

Murphy (Deputy Chair) have continued to provide great value to the Board and the members through their efforts. Kate Carpenter(Elected Member) joined mid-term and she quickly became a valuable team member.Other changes to Board membership were with our two appointed members who had been on leave of absence. Anne Fortunecompleted her operational role within Playgroup Victoria and chose to embrace retirement. And we welcomed RebeccaMiddleton back into her position in September.This year I must farewell two long-standing Board members; Treasurer, Margie Brett and appointed member Vivian Savvides. Theirrespective expertise in finances and governance has made them true assets to the Board and the organisation. I know that theyhave seen great improvements during their terms and they can be assured that they have contributed to those improvements ina very real way.Vivian has been nominated for Playgroup Victoria Life Membership in recognition of her many years of dedicated service toplaygroups and Playgroup Victoria. Vivian never avoided the difficult questions or hard tasks as demonstrated by her most recentachievements of reviewing the constitution and the Board policies and procedures manual. Her passion for playgroups combinedwith her early childhood qualifications and wisdom brought balance to the decision-making and forward planning of theassociation.As I sign off from my final report as Chairperson of Playgroup Victoria, I would like to express a heartfelt thank you to Kaye forher wisdom and leadership in guiding the staff through the turbulence that seemed to characterise 2009. I believe that all ofPlaygroup Victoria has come out stronger, demonstrated great agility, and is in a sound position in both financial and humanresources. I am confident in our purpose, and in the value of play and playgroups to children, parents and communities. Thanksalso to the staff and volunteers who make it all happen. With your continued dedication, pursuing our vision of fun, learning andfriendship at playgroup for all Victorian families is a realistic aim.Karen Harvey CollingsChairpersonBoard members:Karen Harvey-CollingsRachel MurphyMargie BrettBronwyn ClarkeKate CarpenterVivian SavvidesRebecca MiddletonChairpersonDeputy - ChairpersonTreasurerSecretaryElected MemberExpert MemberExpert Member2009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play 5

FROM THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERHaving now completed my twenty-second year at Playgroup Victoria, I am well able to appreciate how the association’s ability tochampion and support playgroups has matured. Each year new opportunities are seized which have added reach and depth tothe services we provide.2009 presented many new opportunities combined with several major challenges. The year will go down in history as one ofglobal recession and in Victoria for the unprecedented loss of life and property in the February bushfires.For Playgroup Victoria, our grief was compounded by the loss of Maureen Singleton after a very brief illness. Maureen was a highlyvalued staff member associated with Playgroup Victoria for more than 13 years. The many condolences received attested to herpopularity across the whole playgroup sector.The Hon Bill Shorten MP, Jenny Macklin MP, Kaye Plowman and Dr. J. PatrickGreene, Museum Victoria CEO.By working together, the Board and staff of Playgroup Victoria were ableto face the grief and hardship caused by these events. I give my sincerethanks to our very capable and hard-working Board and the talentedand skilled staff who faced adversity with passion, care and innovationto overcome these difficult situations.I acknowledge each Board member for the amazing voluntarycontribution they make of their time and expertise. I particularly thankour Chairperson, Karen Harvey-Collings for her leadership, and RachelMurphy for her contribution as a co-delegate to Playgroup Australia.Two long term committed Board members Vivian Savvides and MargieBrett will be farewelled at this AGM. They are both amazing communityrole models and I know that I could not have fulfilled my role aseffectively without their expertise, support and care.At a national level, Playgroup Australia became a company limited byguarantee run by an independent board. The journey to this point waslong and often arduous and tremendous effort was put in by PlaygroupAustralia’s President Di Connew and Chief Executive Officer Karen Merange. Playgroup Australia is now a federation with eachstate and territory playgroup association as a foundation member.It is now globally recognised that the investment made in the early years pays good dividends in the future. With the growingfocus on the early years, much attention has been given to the value of playgroups to children, parents and the community.The Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) fundsPlaygroup Victoria to support the inclusion of more families into playgroups. This enabled Playgroup Victoria to start, resourceand evaluate community playgroups, supported playgroups, MyTime peer support groups, PlayConnect playgroups, and theCommunities for Children enhanced playgroup project in the City of Greater Dandenong. It also made possible the Indigenousplaygroups and Bushfire Relief projects.With funding from the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD), Playgroup Victoriarecorded data from the Supported Playgroup and Parent Group Initiative (SPPI), provided regional training and completed acomprehensive manual to support coordinators and facilitators.Another state government grant assisted Playgroup Victoria to coordinate the Southern Region network and yet another todevelop a fourth edition of the Playgroup Manual.Professional development for the Board and staff has been high on the agenda as we focus on being a learning organisation.Affordable quality training has been possible thanks to the assistance from Australian Government funded courses and Centre forCommunity Child Health, Ross Trust training programs.It has been my privilege to be part of the Early Childhood Development Advisory Group which fosters a partnership approach andprovides advice to the Victorian Government’s DEECD and the Office for Children and Policy coordination.Finally I thank the thousands of volunteers who weekly give their time to run and support their local playgroup. Your remarkablecontribution benefits families, children and your community in countless ways.Kaye PlowmanExecutive Officer2009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play 7

2009 HIGHLIGHTS• Winner Minister for Children and Early ChildhoodDevelopment Award for Support of Playgroups Affected byBushfires Project• Additional funding from FaHCSIA to support playgroupsaffected by the Victorian bushfires• New intergenerational playgroup research project fundedby DHS in partnership with the National Ageing ResearchInstitute and Barwon Health• Developed and facilitated the SPPI Southern RegionNetwork of Municipal Playgroup Development Officersfunded by DEECD• 20 different Year of Active Play activities and 15 differentarticles on healthy food, health issues and parenting bystaff and specialist writers in Playgrouper magazine• 6 Year of Healthy Choices A to Z playsheets developed forparents to use at playgroup and at home• Playgroup Victoria maintains strong commitment toAboriginal and Torres Straight Islander playgroups throughfree membership, the Koorie Playgroup Kits, the KooriePlaygroup Network, regular articles in Playgrouper andmoving the association strongly towards being culturallycompetent• Number of MyTime groups facilitated by Playgroup Victoriaincreases; two coalitions of 16 groups forms• CCCH evaluation of ISP in the City of Greater Dandenongcompleted; ISP funding from FaHCSIA renewed for 2009-2011• 22 Playgroup Victoria staff attend Playgroup Australia’sPower of Play conference• Supported Playgroup and Parent Groups extend from14 to 29 municipalities doubling Playgroup Victoria’scommitment to this program• Focus on Playgroup Victoria being a learning organisationgives staff opportunities to upgrade their qualifications andattend internal and external seminars and workshops82009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play

Community PlaygroupsPlaygroup statistics2009 was Playgroup Victoria’s Year of Active Play for the 3185playgroup sessions across the state that involved 32,013families and 42,943 children. As part of their membership eachplaygroup received a Year of Active Play pack.New Playgroup Victoria-ABC membership card was introducedto give Family Membership an extensive range of discounts.There were:• 530 new playgroup sessions started• 480 packs sent to families wanting to start a new playgroup• 223 people become Professional Members• 150,000 playgroup pamphlets distributed to familiesthrough maternal and child health centre 4yr old and18mth old ages and stages visits• 52 playgroup modules completed; six playgroups completeall modules and become Five Star playgroups• 25 successful grant applications auspiced by PlaygroupVictoria on behalf of playgroups• 32 playgroup members awarded certificates of merit foroutstanding contributions to playgroups• 25,000 Healthy Choices calendars produced for FamilyMembers for distribution in early 2010• 1057 attended the sell out Steve Biddulph talks whichincluded 40% of fathers“We just love Playgroup Victoria! Thank you so much for thelovely active play pack - it’s very much appreciated. Keep up thefantastic work!” Veronica Porcaro from Placid JamstaMember’s volunteer awardsPlaygroup Victoria Patron, Sherryl Garbutt presented 32playgroup members with a certificate of merit for outstandingcontributions to playgroups. Each person was nominated forthe award by their playgroup.2009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play 9

PLAYGROUP PROJECTSAboriginal and Torres Straight IslanderplaygroupsDue to extended funding from FaHCSIA, Playgroup Victoriawas able to offer 750 families and 55 playgroups free FamilyMembership to new and existing Koorie playgroups acrossVictoria. Free Professional Membership was also provided to48 Koorie playgroup facilitators and other Koorie professionalssupporting Koorie playgroup development.The extended funding also allowed for an additional 50 KooriePlaygroup Kits to be produced and provided to all new Koorieplaygroups.Playgroup Victoria continued to work in partnership with theKoorie community through the 200 member Koorie PlaygroupNetwork, the Koorie Playgroup Reference Group withrepresentation from key stakeholders and through existingstate and federally funded supported playgroup programs.The Koorie Playgroup Network meetings are well attendedand offered metropolitan and regional communities theopportunity to showcase best practice in Koorie playgroupsand other initiatives that support Koorie families with youngchildren.Playgroup Victoria acknowledged the Wurrundjeri people astraditional owners of land on which our offices are situatedby erecting a traditional owners plaque. It is now a priorityto ensure we operate in a culturally competent manner inour approach to meeting the needs of Koorie playgroups,organisations, government departments and the broaderKoorie community.SunSmart playgroupsPlaygroup Victoria and The Cancer Council Victoria continuedto promote the importance of sun protection for playgroupsthrough the SunSmart program. In 2009 there were 58SunSmart playgroups in Victoria.SunSmart continues to enjoy a strong partnership with PlaygroupVictoria and values the great opportunity Playgroup Victoriaprovides to reach over 40,000 families with our SunSmartmessages.Justine Osborne, Schools & Early Childhood Coordinator,Cancer Council VictoriaIntergenerational playgroup researchPlaygroup Victoria partnered with the National Ageing ResearchInstitute (NARI) and Barwon Health with funding from DHS in2009 to develop an Intergenerational project to improve socialinclusion with aged care residents and engage these residentswith local families, by providing a positive environment in aplaygroup setting.The playgroup was facilitated by an activities officer from PercyBaxter Lodges and an early childhood worker from the City ofGreater Geelong. The project included 20 weeks of the facilitatedplaygroup plus evaluation and research outcomes for use byDHS and Playgroup Victoria.Playgroup Victoria will produce the Starting playgroups in agedcare facilities booklet as part of the project.Opposite page:Active play at the Koorie Playgroup, Pakenham.2009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play 11

WEBSITE AND PUBLICATIONSwww.playgroup.org.auThe Playgroup Victoria website continued to be a majorcommunication tool in 2009, with updates made daily toits most popular pages. The website had more than 24,000visits each month in 2009 with ’Find a playgroup’ the mostfrequently viewed page.PlaygrouperThree editions of the Playgrouper magazine were homedeliveredto members.Each edition featured play and playgroup ideas as well asletters, health issues, parenting information, playgroup profilesand hotline questions and answers.In 2010 Playgroup Victoria will join forces with the other stateand territory playgroup associations in a national magazine,Totline. The new magazine will continue to deliver high qualityplay, parenting and playgroup articles and news.ePlaygroup NewsSix editions of ePlaygroup News were emailed free to allsubscribers. Each issue included news of playgroup events,letters and articles. In 2009 subscriptions rose by 22%.ePlaygroup ProfessionalePlaygroup Professional was emailed in March and Augustto a network of professionals involved in playgroup or earlychildhood services.Promoting playgroupAdvertisingPlaygroup Victoria placed four Discover Playgroupadvertisements in Melbourne’s Child, a free parentingpublication with a circulation of 300,000.Promotional packs14,000 packs with municipal playgroup directories, brochuresand posters were sent to maternal and child health centres,council offices, libraries and neighbourhood houses topromote playgroups and Playgroup Victoria.Maternal and Child HealthA playgroup brochure was given to families attendingmaternal and child Health centres at the 4yr old and the 18mthold key ages and stages visits. Over 75,000 ‘Baby Play andBaby Playgroups’ and ‘Discover Playgroups’ brochures weredistributed this way.Playgroup training workshopsPlaygroup Victoria offered one, two or six day playgrouptraining workshops and free Discover Playgroup workshopsto all playgroups, local government, agencies and otherorganisations that run or support playgroups. In 2009 morethan 50 workshops were held across the state.Playgroups are for everyonePlaygroups benefit children, adults andcommunitiesBabiesEnjoy playingLearn and develop new skillsInteract with different peopleToddlersFind new spaces to exploreDiscover different toysDevelop a weekly routinePreschoolersLearn through playMake new friendsExtend their skillsAdultsMake new friendsHave fun with their childHelp run the playgroupShare parenting expereincesOpposite page:Parent child bonding at Dandy Pals Supported Playgroup, Dandenong.DiscoverPlaygroup1800 171 882Playgroup Victoria Inc.346 Albert Street, Brunswick, 3056p: toll free 1800 171 882p: 03 9388 1599 outside Victoriawww.playgroup.org.auf: 9380 6733e: pgvic@playgroup.org.auwww.playgroup.org.au60x90 Discover Ad.indd 1 7/4/10 12:34:53 PMABN: 13 094 186 877Playgroup Victoria Inc346 Albert StreetBrunswick, 3056Phone: 1800 171 882Fax: 9380 6733Email: pgvic@playgroup.org.auWeb: www.playgroup.org.auABN: 13094186877DiscoverplaygroupHow to start or join a playgrouptoll free 1800 171 882www.playgroup.org.auYou can start brochure.indd 1 6/4/09 8:14:27 PMPlaygroup Victoria Playgroup Manual Everything you need to know about playgroupPlaygroupManualEverything you need to knowabout playgroup2009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play 13

EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMSPlayConnectPlayConnect playgroups are partof the Australian Government’s$190 million Helping Childrenwith Autism package, addressingthe need for support andservices for children with AutismSpectrum Disorders (ASD).PlayConnect playgroups offer avariety of play activities suited tothe needs of children with ASD and connect families who havea child between the ages of 0-6 years with ASD or ASD-likesymptoms to relevant services.The PlayConnect playgroup program developed rapidly in2009. The initial three groups in January had increased to 15groups by December in: Laverton, Bundoora, Maribyrnong (aVietnamese speaking group), Box Hill South, Mildura, HoppersCrossing, Sunshine, Echuca, Wonthaggi, Glen Waverley,Bendigo, Thornbury, Lakes Entrance and Brighton.As of December, 105 families attended PlayConnectplaygroups. Feedback from parents attending has beenoverwhelmingly positive. Many families acknowledgedPlayConnect playgroups were a place they could go and notfeel judged and importantly, have the support of other parentsin similar situations.The PlayConnect playgroup has been such a wonderfulopportunity for me to meet other mums who understand whatI’m going through, and for my son to interact with other childrenin a safe, supportive environment. My son suffered from a lotof anxiety and fear when attending playgroups in the past,so we never stayed for long. With the support of Narelle (thedevelopment worker) I have been able to encourage my son andhelp him work through his anxieties. We are now able to attendthe whole two hours! -something I would never have thought waspossible. I would recommend this playgroup to any parents andchildren with (or without) a diagnosis of ASD. Amy (mother of a3yr old with ASD) - Box Hill South Autism Action PlayConnectPlayConnect playgroups build the capacity of families and thecommunity. Development workers provide support familiesto implement and participate in appropriate play experienceswith their young children with ASD. They help familiesdevelop parenting skills and access information about otherearly intervention services, relevant family support servicesand agencies within their local community. The PlayConnectstate coordinator supports the development workers, offeringtraining, resources and links the workers to the new onlinetraining rolled out by Playgroup Australia in late 2009.To establish PlayConnect playgroups, Playgroup Victoria hasforged strong partnerships with neighbourhood houses,churches, community centres, local councils and earlyintervention services. To date, over 150 expressions of interestin establishing a PlayConnect playgroup have been receivedfrom professionals and organisations, and new expressions ofinterest are accepted on an ongoing basis.Communities for ChildrenFunding for the Communities for Children (CfC) playgroupprogram in Dandenong ended in June. It was so successfulthat the City of Greater Dandenong committed to employinga fulltime playgroup support worker. This is a wonderfuloutcome from CfC and great credit to Doris Wong, who overthree years, did a fantastic job generating new playgroups,facilitating supported playgroups, setting up support networksand training playgroup workers and volunteers.MyTimeMyTime is a national facilitated peer support program fundedby FaHCSIA and coordinated nationally by the ParentingResearch Centre and is for parents of a preschool-aged childwith disability or chronic medical condition. Playgroup Victoriais a lead agency of MyTime in Victoria and has established 32MyTime groups over the past three years.MyTime is accessible to families from all backgrounds,including Indigenous families and families from a culturallyand linguistically diverse background. There are 24 PlaygroupVictoria MyTime groups operating within metropolitanMelbourne and eight within rural Victoria.Playgroup Victoria works in partnership with a range oforganisations across Victoria to deliver MyTime groups.Those organisations include early intervention agencies,municipalities and community organisations such as Yooralla,SCOPE, Broad Insight, Frankston City Council, Shire of YarraRanges, Extended Families Australia, Gateways SupportServices, Pinarc, Cooinda Family Support, Kilmany Uniting Careand many others. Playgroup Victoria acknowledges the workand dedication of these organisations to support families of achild with a disability or chronic medical condition.2009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play 15

key focus of this program is to build the capacity of theparents. Development workers have done a fantastic jobworking alongside families mentoring them and providingencouragement, support and guidance and linking familiesinto their local community. As a result, many parents havedeveloped their parenting and personal skills through theirtime at playgroup. In 2009, eight playgroups transitionedfrom being supported playgroups to become communityplaygroups with parents now running the group.Parents have found the sessions to act as a good support forthem and their children. The session activities are enjoyed by theirchildren and provide an opportunity for parents to unload andtalk with other adults who understand and may provide solutions.Development worker, SPG program.In 2009, Playgroup Victoria established new MyTime groupsin Sale, Werribee, Tarneit, Narre Warren, Alphington, WestHeidelberg and Pascoe Vale, and a pilot MyTime groupin Cranbourne for parents of school-aged children with adisability or chronic medical condition. The MyTime in WestHeidelberg is a group for Somali parents and carers, and hasbeen extremely well attended.Over 600 families attended Playgroup Victoria MyTime groupsin 2009. Parents participated in a range of group activities- guest speakers from local agencies, pamper sessions andoutings. Many parents say they appreciate the support offeredby MyTime workers and value the peer support gained fromfriends they have made at MyTime.A number of changes to the MyTime structure were introducedin 2009. As a result, funding available to each group increased,allowing greater flexibility to increase the required levelof support within each group. Originally, MyTime aimedto establish 82 groups in Victoria. To cater for the increasein group funding, the number of groups to be establisheddecreased so there was no more than 64 MyTime groupsoperating in the state. As Victoria already had this number ofgroups operating, no new MyTime groups will be established.For the MyTime program to continue to respond to meetthe needs of Victorian parents and allow access for all, someexisting groups may be transferred or moved to areas ofgreater need.National Supported PlaygroupsThe national Supported Playgroup program is funded bythe Australian Department of Families, Housing, CommunityServices and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA). Under this program,supported playgroups are established for families whowould not normally access a playgroup such as families fromculturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Indigenousfamilies, families with mental health or disability issues,teenage and young parent families, and socially isolatedfamilies.The playgroups are funded for up to 12 months and a2009 saw the introduction of a new funding agreement for thenational Supported Playgroup program. The new 2009-2011funding agreement provides greater opportunities to establishsupported playgroups in Victoria. The number of playgroupsto be established annually increased to 18 and the fundingallocation per playgroup increased. Six new playgroups wereestablished in 2009 in:• Doncaster, for Chinese families• Portland, for socially isolated and disadvantaged families• Morwell, for teenage parents• Meadow Heights, for CALD families• Kingsbury, for families with premature babies• WangarattaThe playgroup in Wangaratta for families experiencing mentalhealth issues proved very successful. A large number offamilies attended the playgroup for a time, gained confidence,developed skills and then moved on to other forms ofcommunity participation or services. As a result, the groupapplied for and received repeat funding and will continue towork with families from the target group throughout 2010.Intensive Support Playgroup program inGreater DandenongThe Intensive Support Playgroup (ISP) program is a referralonlyprogram funded by the Australian Government and runfrom PlaySpot, a fully-equipped vehicle. PlaySpot is staffedby a playgroup coordinator, a play assistant, a family supportworker and peer support workers. Families are referred toPlaySpot by local service providers and agencies such ashousing and community services, as well as maternal and childhealth nurses.This program targets vulnerable and isolated families withyoung children. These families may be affected by a rangeof complex issues including drugs/alcohol, financial crisis,homelessness or transient housing, chronic child protection,or may be newly arrived refugees, culturally and linguisticallydiverse or Indigenous families.Key strengths of the ISP program are the strong workingrelationships between local organisations and serviceproviders, staff members, peer support workers, volunteers162009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play

and participating families, and the personal development ofparents who attend the playgroups. Parents are encouragedto play an active part in their child’s play at playgroupand at home, and are supported to participate in trainingopportunities. Four parents who previously attended ISPplaygroups are now employed as peer support workers at ISPplaygroups. Two of these parents developed their skills bycompleting CALD Playgroup Leader training workshops runby Playgroup Victoria in partnership with the City of GreaterDandenong (CGD).In March, four buses transported 115 excited families, children,workers and volunteers from Springvale and Dandenong tothe World’s Biggest Playgroup for a morning of PlaygroupVictoria activities just for playgroups at Melbourne Museum.ISP PlaySpot actively participated in several communityevents in the City of Greater Dandenong over the past year.These events included a teddy bear’s picnic, a Father’s Daycelebration at the King Street Neighbourhood CommunityCentre, the inaugural education forum organised by theSouthern Integrated CALD Child & Family Services Networkat Dandenong TAFE, the Koorie Back to School Day, theMayor’s Family Fun Day and an end of year celebration for allplaygroups and early childhood services in the City of GreaterDandenong. ISP PlaySpot attended monthly Dandenong andDistrict Aborigines Co-Operative barbecues.Supported Parent Group and PlaygroupInitiativeThe Supported Parent Group and Playgroup Initiative (SPPI)operates in Best Start project sites across Victoria. SPPI aimsto engage disadvantaged and isolated families who may nototherwise access any services in their community and provideopportunities to establish friendships and link into thoseservices and to give children the best start in life.SPPI playgroups provide quality play opportunities at a criticaltime in a child’s development, foster children’s languagedevelopment, develop motor skills and expose children tosensory experiences. Through SPPI playgroups, hundreds offamilies have formed friendships and long-term social supportstructures, strengthening social networks and increasingcommunity connectedness. The program targets Indigenouschildren and families, recent/high need immigrant (includingrefugee) children and families, families affected by disabilityand families affected by chronic disadvantage and withcomplex needs.2009 was a year of expansion under the SPPI program as thenumber of sites expanded from 13 to 29 and the number ofplaygroups increased from 71 to 102.Many months of hard work by the Playgroup Victoria SPPIteam resulted in the development of two new resourcesfor professionals connected to SPPI: the SPPI Handbook andthe SPPI Playgroup Facilitator Booklet. A reference group,consisting of SPPI coordinators across the state, informedthe contents of the handbook and the Department ofEducation and Early Childhood (DEECD) and Post & Ante NatalDepression Association (PANDA), as partners of the initiative,also provided content. The handbook is a much welcomedresource and provides guidance and support in the planning,implementation and evaluation of supported playgroupsby playgroup facilitators, playgroup workers from localgovernment, Best Start facilitators and Program and ServiceAdvisors (PASAs) employed regionally by DEECD. The SPPIPlaygroup Facilitator Booklet assists the playgroup facilitatorswhen collecting information from families at playgroup andwill improve the reporting of this information to DEECD.A one day training workshop for SPPI playgroup facilitatorsand coordinators was delivered at various locations across thestate from the beginning of 2009. This training included anoverview of the Best Start initiative and how it has informedthe SPPI at the local level. Best Start facilitators were invitedto present this component of the training. The trainingalso covered key outcomes of the initiative, including howto engage families, maintain attendance, build parentalconfidence and capacity, play at playgroup, promotecommunity connections via the playgroup environment anddata collection requirements of the initiative with a particularfocus on the SPPI Playgroup Facilitator Booklet.ForumsThe Playgroup and Koorie Playgroup Networks, together withthe Municipal Playgroup Worker Forum, continued as keystrategies under this program to link professionals connectedto the work of playgroups and supported playgroups acrossthe state. Metropolitan and regional venues were selectedin consultation with local stakeholders and offered anopportunity to showcase good practice playgroups and otherearly years initiatives. 2009 also saw the inception of the SPPISouthern Metropolitan Network (SMR) a new network thataims to connect SPPI coordinators in the southern region ofVictoria.2009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play 17

Bushfire relief projectPlaygroups and playgroup families were among Victoriansseverely affected by the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009. Manyfamilies lost their home, contents and personal belongings.Many lost the lives of relatives, friends and neighbours; manychildren died.Communities were thrown into turmoil. Some towns wereburnt to the ground with very little left standing. Hundredsof families had nowhere to go and were temporarily housedin tent cities. Communities were scattered; large numbers ofplaygroup families left their local areas to stay with relatives orbe accommodated elsewhere.A playgroup contact person, her husband and three youngchildren died. Three playgroup venues were burnt down.Playgroup Victoria responded quickly and began takingplaygroup to the people in the Intensive Support Playgroupvan, thanks to the cooperation of our partner, the City ofGreater Dandenong.Playgroup Victoria supported families by providingopportunities to regroup, reconnect and support eachother through their crises. We lightened the load by runningplaygroups, keeping children occupied and freeing adults tocome together to debrief, grieve and heal.Thank you for all of your help with various things throughout theyear. I think it is fantastic what you and Playgroup Victoria aredoing for the people in the area after the bush fires. It has affectedso many, whether directly or indirectly. Thank your so much foryou contribution.Emma Gamble Traralgon PlaygroupIt soon became apparent that the need far exceeded PlaygroupVictoria’s capacity to meet it using a borrowed van andvolunteer hours.On application to the Playgroup Program at the Canberra officeand with the consent of the Hon. Jenny Macklin, Minister forFamilies, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs(FaHCSIA), a Short Form Funding Agreement with PlaygroupVictoria was approved for emergency relief to support bushfireaffected playgroups in the Whittlesea/Murrindindi/Nillumbik,Bendigo/Mitchell and Yarra Ranges/LaTrobe areas.Once funded, a project coordinator was appointed, sixplaygroup consultants were employed, two equipped vanswere borrowed from Save the Children and another van waspurchased and fitted out with shelving and equipment. Threemobile teams were formed to take playgroup to bushfireaffected areas on a regular, as needed basis. Playgroupconsultants contacted playgroups to assess individualplaygroups’ needs for assistance. Mostly, playgroups wantedplaygroup van visits with consultants working alongsideparents to provide playgroup activities. Other types ofassistance provided:• material aid• links to other services• promotional playgroup events• playgroup Victoria membership• playgroup training• Sing & Grow sessions.Forming strategic partnerships that capture best practiceexperience and expertise obtained better outcomes.Playgroup families benefitted so much that new foundenthusiasm for running playgroup resulted and individualsgained confidence and were strengthened enough to take onleadership roles. New playgroups started and existing ones gotstronger. The informal environment at playgroup gave familiesthe opportunity to reconnect, and children the opportunity torebuild friendships and return to normal routines.Although the project was not able to run as long as we wouldhave liked, parents, without exception, found PlaygroupVictoria’s presence enormously helpful.The project received the Minister for Children and EarlyChildhood Development Award from the Hon. Maxine Morandat DEECD’s 2009 Early Years Awards during Children’s Week.Opposite page:Top - Bushfire team at launch of the Playgroup Van by the Hon Bill Shorten, MP.Bottom - Calignee Playgroup weeks after their venue was destroyed by the Victorian fires.2009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play 19

EVENTSWorld’s Biggest PlaygroupMore than 200 events were held around Australia in NationalPlaygroup Week in March – more than in any other year.Playgroup Victoria’s major National Playgroup Week eventwas the World’s Biggest Playgroup at Melbourne Museum.Close to 1400 families were there. Children explored the ForestGallery with binoculars and magnifying glasses, played withplaydough, drew, sang, danced and heard stories. Babiesplayed in a specially designated baby play area. Mothers wereoffered a work out. DVDs and playdough were among thegiveaways. Over 180 adults and children made the journey onbusses from the City of Greater Dandenong to be there. Thiswas made possible through funding from Communities forChildren and Intensive Supported Programs.Melbourne Aquarium Playgroup DayPlaygroup Victoria in partnership with Melbourne Aquarium,hosted playgroup days in April, July and October. Hundredsof families attended the three events with members getting10% off admission and children under five years old admittedfree. A Whittlesea playgroup travelled by train, a Dovetonplaygroup by bus and a visiting South Australian family camealong after seeing it on our website. Free show bags weresnapped up early. Activities included fishing games, sand tubs,sea creatures and drawing with special visits from PlaygroupVictoria Bear and Sharkie.Melbourne Aquarium is a proud partner of Playgroup Victoria,hosting several Playgroup Play Day events during 2009. We aredelighted to share our amazing Worlds with Playgroup Victoriamembers and the Playgroup Victoria team and look forward to astrengthened partnership in 2010.Lai Dancer Education Manager, Melbourne AquariumFun 4 Kids Festival, WarrnamboolPlaygroup Victoria was a sponsor of the Fun 4 Kids Festival,hosted by the Warrnambool City Council during the firstweek of term two school holidays and, provided activities anddistributed information on playgroups. The event attractedmore than 24,200 visitors with an average daily attendance of3,029 patrons.Romp & Stomp Fun Day for ChildrenSince the event’s inception seven years ago, Playgroup Victoriahas worked with early childhood not for profit organisationsto deliver a high quality event to celebrate Universal Children’sDay. Over 2100 people attended in 2009 and experiencedactivities provided by Playgroup Victoria, Early ChildhoodManagement Services, Kindergarten Parents Victoria,Gowrie, Victoria, Toy Libraries Victoria, Melbourne Museum,Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Victoria Police, Vic Roads and theDepartment of Education and Early Childhood Development.Activities included active play, music, drawing, dress ups, storytime, finger printing and baby play. The Victoria Police CodeOne Band provided entertained on the plaza. Victorian Ministerfor Children and Early Childhood Development, The HonMaxine Morand launched the DEECD childcare demand survey.Raising Boys and Secret of Happy ChildrenAustralian psychologist and parenting speaker Steve Biddulphpresented Raising Boys in Ivanhoe, and The Secret of HappyChildren in Caulfield. More than 1000 people attended thesetalks and almost half were fathers.Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s ExpoPlaygroups Victoria’s presence at this expo has become anannual event to explain to new or soon to become parents,the benefits of playgroup to thousands of new parents whoattend this three day event. In 2009, close to 19,500 attendedthe expo.Expos and festivalsAs well at the Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s Expo, PlaygroupVictoria attended the following13 other expos and festivalsduring 2009 to promote the value of playgroups and raiseawareness of Playgroup Victoria’s services:• Expo 21, Mildura Rural City Council• Best Start Literacy Festival, Wyndham City Council• Pram Walk & Children’s Safety, Warragul• Launch Child Safety Month, Federation Square, Melbourne• CALD Network and Education Forum, Chisholm TAFE,Dandenong• Kid’s Character Carnival, Rosalind Park, Bendigo• Bestchance Children’s Celebration Service, Police AcademyChapel, Waverley• Maternal Child Health Nurses conference, MelbourneConvention Centre• ISP & CFC Playgroups, Dandenong• ISP Playspot & Best Start Dandenong, Dandenong Plaza• Royal Children’s Hospital Bringing Baby Home informationkit launch• Koorie Early Years Resource Conference, Thornbury• Christian Playgroup NetworkRaffleThe 2009 Raffle raised $60,484 of which Victorian playgroupsraised $30,242. Playgroup Victoria has helped playgroupsraise more than $479,000 since the Raffle first began in 1998.Playgroups use money raised for toys and equipment, rent,Christmas parties and excursions.Raffle SponsorsAvgo TravelTake A BreakCrayolaHolidays with KidsV/LineThe Wiggles Live Pty LtdAustralian Baby CardBIG4 Holiday Parks2009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play 21

PARTNERSHIPSSunSmartPlaygroup Victoria and The CancerCouncil Victoria continue to promotethe importance of sun protectionfor playgroups through the SunSmart program. Playgroupscan complete a checklist on www.sunsmart.com to become aSunSmart playgroup. A SunSmart CD was included in the Yearof Active Play Pack sent to all member playgroups in 2009.Sing & GrowSing & Grow, in partnership withPlaygroup Victoria, provides childrenaged three years and under and theirparents from vulnerable backgrounds,access to this early intervention groupmusic therapy project.The national evaluation of the project through the QueenslandUniversity of Technology continues. Results show benefitsto children though improved child behaviour, social skillsand communication and by promoting positive parentingpractices. The program was re-funded during 2009 for anothertwo years.Victorian Cooperativeon Children’s Service forEthnic Groups (VICSEG)Playgroup Victoria has a partnership agreement with VICSEGwhich provides many innovative services and trainingprograms for recent migrants including refugee women.Playgroups help break down the isolation experiencedby newly arrived families by building friendships andstrengthening connections with both mainstream and ethniccommunities. Playgroups offer many opportunities for childrenfrom these families to socialise and learn through play.Post and AntenatalDepression Association Inc(PANDA)PANDA provides a range of services tofamilies affected by post and antenatal depression.This partnership has been enhanced through funding from theDepartment of Human Services Best Start - Supported ParentGroup and Playgroup Initiative.Christian PlaygroupNetwork (CPN)CPN is an incorporated memberbased organisation run by avolunteer committee of playgroup representatives frommajor Christian denominations. Playgroup Victoria recognisesthe valuable work done by CPN in assisting, training andencouraging its member churches to establish and run qualityplaygroups.This mutually beneficial partnership supports many wellestablished and newly forming playgroups based both inchurches and in the community.City of GreaterDandenong (CGD)Playgroup Victoria partners with the City of GreaterDandenong to deliver the Intensive Support Playgroupprogram across six sites. Families are linked to CGD’s FamilySupport Program.Parenting Research Centre(PRC)The Parenting Research Centre isresponsible for the MyTime programacross Australia and has been involved with playgroupresearch commissioned by the Department of Education andEarly Childhood. Playgroup Victoria has been involved withboth projects.National Ageing ResearchInstitute (NARI)NARI and Playgroup Victoria began a 20-week pilot project of a playgroup in an agedcare facility in Geelong and will documentthe findings of this trial. The learnings will be published ina booklet to assist other aged care facilities to start and runplaygroups.Playgroup Victoria thanks…StakeholdersBrendan Collins & Michelle Dickson Austral Anglo Pty LtdChris KeenanDavid JonesKevin TreaceyPeter ShieldsJame LewisCreate ITSemaphore ConsultingKevComSaward DawsonHon Solicitor2009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play 23

TREASURER’S REPORTSummary2009 has again been a very exciting and successful year forPlaygroup Victoria and I am pleased to report an operatingsurplus of $17,510 for the 12-month period to 31 December..Financial performanceRevenue from operating activities in 2009 was $2,616,220(2008 - $2,056,725). Our major sources of funding werefrom government grants ($1,811,572) and membershipfees ($472,642), representing 69% and 18% of total incomerespectively.Playgroup Victoria acknowledges the generous financialsupport received from the Commonwealth Departmentof Families, Housing, Community Services and IndigenousAffairs and the Victorian Department of Education and EarlyChildhood Development.Financial positionAt the end of 2009, Playgroup Victoria’s equity stands at$592,980. Playgroup Victoria has a sound balance sheet withsufficient liquid assets to meet all known contingencies.In conclusionThe Executive Officer and staff are to be congratulated on asuccessful year. On behalf of the Playgroup Victoria Board,I would like to particularly acknowledge Kaye Plowmanin managing the finances. Kaye’s professionalism andcommitment to the organisation are exceptional and shecontinues to build strategic and important relationships withkey stakeholders including the Department and memberassociations.On behalf of the Playgroup Victoria Board, I would also liketo recognise and thank Peter Shields from Saward DawsonChartered Accountants for his role in managing the audit ofthe Playgroup Victoria accounts. Playgroup Victoria appreciateshis ongoing assistance and professionalism in the work he hasdone for the association.Margie BrettTreasurerSTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT31 DECEMBER 2009NOTE 2009 $ 2008 $CURRENT ASSETSCash and cash equivalents 2(a) 231,411 284,026Financial assetsInventory5 659,5652,221639,925-Trade and other receivables 53,187 48,460Other current assets 6 249,699 14,331TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,196,083 986,742NON-CURRENT ASSETSProperty, plant and equipment 7 93,589 60,909TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 93,589 60,909TOTAL ASSETS 1,289,672 1,047,651CURRENT LIABILITIESTrade and other payables 9a 455,577 273,427Short term provisions 8 163,031 142,421Short term borrowings 10a 6,973 4,788TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 625,581 420,636NON-CURRENT LIABILITIESTrade and other payables 9b 45,690 20,690Long term provisions 8 25,421 25,421Long term borrowings 10b - 5,403TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 71,111 51,514TOTAL LIABILITIES 696,692 472,150NET ASSETS 592,980 575,501MEMBERS’ FUNDSReserves 13 145,090 91,423Accumulated funds 447,890 484,078ACCUMULATED FUNDSAT END OF YEAR 592,980 575,501242009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOMEFOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2009NOTE 2009 $ 2008 $REVENUEGrant funding 652,991 679,470PEP funding - -SPP funding 94,964 90,958Play Connect 97,947 1,640Locality Fund - 12,535Bushfire Relief Fund 277,059 -DHS funding 152,144 133,121C4C funding 60,145 96,307ISP funding 178,403 157,631Count Us In Funding 20,631 -My Time 260,732 169,104DEST & Koorie Kits 16,555 39,478Membership income 472,642 432,308Product sales 6,034 4,455Playgrouper income 35,391 58,200Fundraising income 64,475 52,568Project income - 4,800Administration income 130,287 124,150TOTAL REVENUES FROMORDINARY ACTIVITIES 2,520,400 2,056,725EXPENDITUREGrant expenses 652,990 679,474PEP expenses - -SPP expenses 94,963 90,957Play Connect 99,248 262Locality Fund - 12,535DHS expenses 144,298 140,884Bushfire Relief Expense 222,430 -C4C expenses 60,145 96,307ISP expenses 178,403 157,702Count Us In Funding 20,633My Time expenses 260,732 168,097DEST & Koorie Kits exp. 18,723 33,051Membership expenses 233,863 160,740Product expenses 3 2,168Playgrouper expenses 144,559 125,880Fundraising expenses 36,519 30,520Project expenses - 5,050Administration expenses 335,412 314,155Surplus for the year 4 17,479 38,943Other comprehensive income - -Total comprehensive incomefor the year 17,479 38,943Statement by Board ofGovernance membersThe Board of Governance has determined that Playgroup VictoriaIncorporated is not a reporting entity and that this SpecialPurpose Financial Report be prepared in accordance with theaccounting policies outlined in Note 1 to the financial statements.In the opinion of the Board of Governance, the financial reportpresents fairly the financial position of Playgroup VictoriaIncorporated as at 31 December 2009 and its performance forthe year ended on that date.At the date of this statement, there are reasonable grounds tobelieve that Playgroup Victoria Incorporated will be able to payits debts as and when they fall due.This statement is made in accordance with a resolution of theBoard of Governance and is signed for and on behalf of themembers of the Board of Governance by:ChairpersonBoard of Governance memberDated this 16th day of April2009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play 25

AUDITOR’S REPORTReport on the Financial ReportWe have audited the accompanying financial report,being a special purpose financial report, ofPlaygroup Victoria Inc (the association), whichcomprises the statement of financial position as at31 December 2009, statement of comprehensiveincome, statement of cash flow, statement ofchanges in equity, a summary of significantaccounting policies, other explanatory notes and thestatement by members of the committee.Committee’s Responsibility for the FinancialReportThe committee of the association is responsible forthe preparation and fair presentation of the financialreport and have determined that the accountingpolicies described in Note 1 to the financialstatements, which form part of the financial report,are consistent with the financial reportingrequirements of the Associations Incorporation Act1981 of Victoria and are appropriate to meet theneeds of the members. The committee’sresponsibilities also include establishing andmaintaining internal control relevant to thepreparation and fair presentation of the financialreport that is free from material misstatement,whether due to fraud or error; selecting andapplying appropriate accounting policies; andmaking accounting estimates that are reasonable inthe circumstances.Auditor’s ResponsibilityOur responsibility is to express an opinion on thefinancial report based on our audit. No opinion isexpressed as to whether the accounting policiesused, as described in Note 1, are appropriate tomeet the needs of the members. We conducted ouraudit in accordance with Australian AuditingStandards. These Auditing Standards require thatwe comply with relevant ethical requirementsrelating to audit engagements and plan and performthe audit to obtain reasonable assurance whetherthe financial report is free from materialmisstatement.An audit involves performing procedures to obtainaudit evidence about the amounts and disclosuresin the financial report. The procedures selecteddepend on the auditor’s judgment, including theassessment of the risks of material misstatement ofthe financial report, whether due to fraud or error. Inmaking those risk assessments, the auditorconsiders internal control relevant to the entity’spreparation and fair presentation of the financialreport in order to design audit procedures that areappropriate in the circumstances, but not for thepurpose of expressing an opinion on theeffectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An auditalso includes evaluating the appropriateness ofaccounting policies used and the reasonableness ofaccounting estimates made by the committee, aswell as evaluating the overall presentation of thefinancial report.The financial report has been prepared fordistribution to members for the purpose of fulfillingthe committee’s financial reporting under theAssociations Incorporation Act 1981 of Victoria. Wedisclaim any assumption of responsibility for anyreliance on this report or on the financial report towhich it relates to any person other than themembers, or for any purpose other that that forwhich it was prepared.We believe that the audit evidence we haveobtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide abasis for our audit opinion.IndependenceIn conducting our audit, we have complied with theindependence requirements of Australianprofessional ethical pronouncements.Auditor’s OpinionIn our opinion, the financial report of PlaygroupVictoria Inc is in accordance with the AssociationsIncorporation Act of Victoria 1981 including:i. Giving a true and fair view of the Association’sfinancial position as at 31 December 2009 andof their performance for the year ended on thatdate; andii.Complying with Australian AccountingStandards and the Associations IncorporationAct of Victoria 1981.Saward Dawson Chartered AccountantsPeter ShieldsPartner16 April 2010Blackburn VIC262009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play

Playgroup Victoria Inc. ABN 13 094 186 877 Inc Ass # A0012387KFinancial statementsSTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT31 DECEMBER 2009NOTE 2009$CURRENT ASSETS2008$Cash and cash equivalents 2(a) 231,411 284,026Financial assetsInventory5 659,5652,221639,925-Trade and other receivables 53,187 48,460Other current assets 6 249,699 14,331TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,196,083 986,742NON-CURRENT ASSETSProperty, plant and equipment 7 93,589 60,909TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 93,589 60,909TOTAL ASSETS 1,289,672 1,047,651CURRENT LIABILITIESTrade and other payables 9a 455,577 273,427Short term provisions 8 163,031 142,421Short term borrowings 10a 6,973 4,788TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 625,581 420,636NON-CURRENT LIABILITIESTrade and other payables 9b 45,690 20,690Long term provisions 8 25,421 25,421Long term borrowings 10b - 5,403TOTAL NON-CURRENTLIABILITIES71,111 51,514TOTAL LIABILITIES 696,692 472,150NET ASSETS 592,980 575,501MEMBERS’ FUNDSReserves 13 145,090 91,423Accumulated funds 447,890 484,078ACCUMULATED FUNDS AT ENDOF YEAR 592,980 575,501STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED31 DECEMBER 2009NOTE 2009$2008$REVENUEGrant funding 652,991 679,470PEP funding - -SPP funding 94,964 90,958Play Connect 97,947 1,640Locality Fund - 12,535Bushfire Relief Fund 277,059 -DHS funding 152,144 133,121C4C funding 60,145 96,307ISP funding 178,403 157,631Count Us In Funding 20,631 -My Time 260,732 169,104DEST & Koorie Kits 16,555 39,478Membership income 472,642 432,308Product sales 6,034 4,455Playgrouper income 35,391 58,200Fundraising income 64,475 52,568Project income - 4,800Administration income 130,287 124,150TOTAL REVENUES FROMORDINARY ACTIVITIES 2,520,400 2,056,725EXPENDITUREGrant expenses 652,990 679,474PEP expenses - -SPP expenses 94,963 90,957Play Connect 99,248 262Locality Fund - 12,535DHS expenses 144,298 140,884Bushfire Relief Expense 222,430 -C4C expenses 60,145 96,307ISP expenses 178,403 157,702Count Us In Funding 20,633My Time expenses 260,732 168,097DEST & Koorie Kits exp. 18,723 33,051Membership expenses 233,863 160,740Product expenses 3 2,168Playgrouper expenses 144,559 125,880Fundraising expenses 36,519 30,520Project expenses - 5,050Administration expenses 335,412 314,155Surplus for the year 4 17,479 38,943Other comprehensive- -incomeTotal comprehensiveincome for the year 17,479 38,9432009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play 27

StaffKaye PlowmanExecutive OfficerMembership and MarketingJason DohertyJane BezzinaCarol GrayDiana FouracreDenise LuceyDeb SedlarevicRosanna Di GraziaMaureen SingletonNancy-lee MerzelRosie DymusVicki RingrowMembership and Marketing ManagerEvents ManagerReceptionistCommunity Development Project OfficerEditorBushfire relief projectWendy VeberPlaygroup Training ConsultantPlaygroup Development AssistantMembership CoordinatorMembership Hotline ConsultantNew Playgroup Hotline ConsultantMembership Administration AssistantProjects CoordinatorPlaygroup Consultants: Julia Polkinghorne, Lorey Endler, LaniKaplan, Mel Ackerman, Natasha Niemann, Penny KircherCorporateCarolyn EleyChiara SqueoLinlin JinMary OsrecakLouise FischerThu NguyenEarly InterventionAnne FortuneAdministration ManagerManagers’ AssistantBookkeeperBookkeeper’s AssistantProject Administration AssistantIT AdministratorEarly Intervention Program ManagerIntensive Support PlaygroupsLiseby LapierreYawen SuIntensive Support Playgroup CoordinatorIntensive Support Playgroup Play AssistantPeer Support Workers: Nadia Abu-Duhou, Talei Bari, Liza MayJackson, Nasseema-Bee Khoyratty, Nyaluak Kuon, HelenaMcGrath, Leah Sandow, Rebecca Alina Scholes, Monira Taheri,Teremoana Topa282009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play

Communities for Children City of GreaterGeelongDoris WongCommunities for Children Playgroup WorkerSupported Playgroup Facilitators: Theresa Thanh Butler, Mary Daniel,Setsuko Nakazawa, Chaw Po, Evangeline Hannah SukumarSupported Playgroup and Parent GroupInitiative (SPPI)Cath HealyDeborah NjegacWendy VeberSPPI Program CoordinatorProject WorkerTraining ConsultantPlayConnectJanine ReganPlayConnect State CoordinatorPlayConnect Development Workers: Michelle Andrews, SharonMiddleton, Anne Shute, Tracey Kenyon,Maria Vastianos, Sue Stewart, Jennifer Hayes, NarelleMcNaughtonIsabella RosinskySupported Playgroup Program CoordinatorSupported Playgroup Coordinators: Trish Ipsen, Lyn Barclay, Eva Rado,Angel Shea, Renaye Quackawoot, April Grant, Kate McNamara,Jill Warner, Nellie Astle-Hulsman, Maysoon Sleiman, BelindaGadsby, Lisa Singer, Sharon Klieve, Jo Weedon, Jenni Parnis,Tanya DoigLeonie WhiteMy Time CoordinatorMyTime Facilitators: Andrea Day, Melda Doruk, FionaLong, Raylene Cullen, Kerryn Moore, Lynne Wood, DawnCotterell, Madeleine Porter, Eliza Lee, Sue Lenzi, HelenO’Brien2009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play 29

Playgroup Victoria Inc.346 Albert StreetBrunswick VIC 3056p: 1800 171 882f: 9380 6733e: pgvic@playgroup.org.auwww.playgroup.org.auABN: 13 094 186 877302009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play