Number 1 playgroup

By Jessica Howard

St Andrew’s Playgroup is the 2017 Regional Community Playgroup of the Year.

The Bacchus Marsh playgroup was presented the prestigious accolade at Playgroup Victoria’s annual awards held at the Melbourne Aquarium on Friday November 17.

The award refers to a community playgroup that holds five or more sessions and was one of ten accolades acknowledging the work of playgroups across Victoria.

Sinead Halliday, from Playgroup Victoria, said only a small handful of playgroups run five or more sessions per week.
“It is no small feat,” she said.

“St Andrew’s provides great opportunities for play which greatly aids the development of the children.

“The playgroup has been running for 21 years and the positive momentum continues. Over the past year, the playgroup has demonstrated a high level of care for the members of the community and offers a nurturing environment that is hugely beneficial for all involved”. 

St Andrew’s Playgroup coordinator, Cindy Sutton said the committee was rapt.
“This was our first year applying for the awards and we saw the presentation night as a good opportunity to see what other playgroups are doing and how we can improve ourselves,” she said.
“We had absolutely no expectations, so the win came at a real shock”.

Ms Sutton said the award was a great way to recognise the hours of volunteer time that goes in to running a playgroup.

“It is not an award for one person but an award for the whole playgroup; it’s for the members that come every week and participate; the people who volunteer their time; and the committee members who take on those committee roles and fundraise throughout the year, while already being busy working or at home with the kids.

“The award is also a fantastic way for us to get the message out there to people who may like to join a playgroup but don’t know what is available. We want the community to know that this space is available for everyone and anyone – mums, fathers and grandparents”.

Minister for Early Childhood Education Jenny Mikakos, who attended the award ceremony, said community playgroups play an important role in linking families and reducing social isolation.

“Playgroups provide opportunities for members to learn from other families about local services and supports,” she said.

“Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and I thank our playgroups for their tireless work in helping ensure kids are ready for kinder, ready for school and ready for life’.

St Andrew’s Playgroup is a non-denominational community playgroup that runs Monday through to Friday from the Uniting Church Hall in Bacchus Marsh.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/BacchusMarshPlaygroup.