Annual Report - Playgroup Victoria

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