Jan Juc Playgroup celebrates Christmas

PARENTS, carers, children and volunteers at the Jan Juc Playgroup have celebrated another successful year.

Based in the clubrooms at Bob Pettitt Reserve, the club again held its Christmas party earlier this month at the reserve’s nearby playground.

“We did that (relocated the Christmas party) last year as well – to make it outdoor, make it more open, for COVID safety but also because anyone who’s at the playground can see that we’re still open,” playgroup president Leiset O’Reilly said.

“We have been in and out, but as a group we’ve been open at every opportunity where we can be.

“So any time the facility allowed it, we’ve been open, which I think is unique for a playgroup through these 12 months, and I’m really amazed and proud of how the committee’s worked to be flexible and to achieve that.”

Entertainment included face painting and music from Willow Star, beverages from 3rd Reef Coffee, and a sausage sizzle.

Ms O’Reilly said numbers at the playgroup had dropped over the past year but were now on the rise.

“Part of that is having people aware that we’re open. I think there’s an assumption now that most things have stopped, so an event like this is really important for us.

“So many of the people who are helping today are actually past members – a lot of their kids are now at school but they have such fond memories of the playgroup that they’ve kept on for a year or two longer just to be able to help us through that COVID slump, so to have people who care so much about it that even though their children aren’t here, they’re still here; it’s wonderful.”

She said the club welcomed members from across the Geelong region, not just Jan Juc.

For more information on the Jan Juc Playgroup, visit them on Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays between 9.30-11.30am at Bob Pettitt Reserve, head to the club’s Facebook page or send an email to [email protected].