SURF Coast Toy Library\u2019s COVID bounceback has earned it the title of the best toy library in Australia.<\/p>\n
The Torquay community facility was crowned the top volunteer-run service of its kind at Toy Library Australia\u2019s 2022 awards ceremony last weekend.<\/p>\n
The peak body commended the Surf Coast library\u2019s dedication and success to rebuild and re-engage its members throughout the pandemic when restrictions and closures saw borrowing drop drastically.<\/p>\n
The group launched initiatives such as at-home activities through social media during lockdowns and thought of inventive ways to attract funding, such as through a sponsorship drive aimed at local businesses.<\/p>\n
Surf Coast Toy Library is a membership-based service based at Surf Coast Shire Council\u2019s Torquay Children\u2019s Hub, which provides a range of toys, puzzles, games and sports gear for children aged six months to six years that families can borrow and exchange as they would books at a traditional library.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are thrilled with this award because it has been a challenging time and our committee, who are all parent volunteers, have worked really hard to negotiate the various restrictions and continue to provide a valued service for the community,\u201d co-president Zoe Lewis said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are now enjoying an influx of new members and the highest monthly borrowing activity we have seen.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe place is really full of fun and activity every time we open at the moment, so if you are a local parent with young children, I\u2019d definitely encourage you to join.\u201d<\/p>\n
The library\u2019s other co-president Liis Green said the service was grateful for the support it received from Surf Coast Shire.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe shire have been fantastic in providing the space in the Torquay Children\u2019s Hub on Grossmans Road, and supporting us with grants,\u201d Ms Green said. \u201cThe toy library brings a lot of happiness to local children, and that\u2019s the reason everyone on the committee and our volunteer duty members give their time.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SURF Coast Toy Library\u2019s COVID bounceback has earned it the title of the best toy library in Australia. The Torquay community facility was crowned the top volunteer-run service of its kind at Toy Library Australia\u2019s 2022 awards ceremony last weekend. The peak body commended the Surf Coast library\u2019s dedication and success to rebuild and re-engage […]<\/p>\n