Annual Report - Playgroup Victoria

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