Annual Report - Playgroup Victoria

Celebrating 36 years 

2009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play! 

Annual Report 

April 2010

Vision 

Fun, learning and friendship at playgroup for all Victorian families 

Mission 

To promote, resource and encourage vital, resilient and diverse playgroups that meet family and 

community needs 

Values 

Play based learning 

Parents as first educators 

Volunteers and caregivers 

Accessibility and inclusion 

Empowering others 

Community capacity building 

Principled governance 

Clear communication 

Strategic objectives 

Be a peak body for Victorian playgroups 

Be relevant and responsive to a growing membership 

Raise the profile of Playgroup Victoria 

Be an accountable, viable organisation 

History 

During the 1960s and 1970s, hundreds of playgroups were scattered throughout Melbourne and 

country Victoria and there emerged a need to connect these groups with people wanting to start 

and join playgroups. To do this, a group of hardworking volunteers and playgroups set up a base in 

the Brunswick offices of Community Child Care, and interested people were invited to call to discuss 

points of interest or problems each Monday morning. The response was so great that a steering 

committee drove the eventual establishment of the Victorian Playgroup Association in 1974. 

The playgroup movement grew in Australia and by 1975 every state and territory had set up a 

playgroup association. The Playgroup Council of Australia was formed in Canberra in 1984. This 

federation of associations is now known as Playgroup Australia. 

Playgroup Victoria Inc. 

346 Albert Street 

Brunswick VIC 3056 

p: 1800 171 882 

f: 9380 6733 

e: pgvic@playgroup.org.au 

www.playgroup.org.au 

ABN: 13 094 186 877

PATRON’S MESSAGE 

I would like to thank you all for the great honour of being Patron of Playgroup Victoria in 2009. It has been very rewarding and 

interesting, and I have learned much about the organisation and the people who are so committed to making it a success, and it 

is indeed a very successful organisation. I’ve been impressed by your professionalism, by the expertise and knowledge of the staff, 

by the research and information published, and the high quality of all the work undertaken. 

Playgroup Victoria now supports groups stretching across Victoria, reflecting the full diversity of our communities, with supported 

playgroups for those with extra needs. 

All of this was recognised when Playgroup Victoria was awarded the Minister’s Prize at the Victorian Early Years Awards for the 

work you did in quickly establishing mobile playgroups to support children, families and communities so traumatised by the 2009 

bushfires. That response demonstrated how strong, capable and expert you are. You provided wonderful support at a critical time 

that no other organisation could provide. You should be very proud of the Award and know that it was well deserved. 

Sherryl Garbutt, Kaye Plowman and Karen Harvey Collings 

during the 35th Playgroup Anniversary. 

Playgroups and Playgroup Victoria are becoming more and more important as 

we recognise the crucial significance of the early childhood years. These years 

are a critical time for learning and development, when children acquire essential 

foundation skills and knowledge and when brain development is at its peak. There 

is now a large and compelling body of research evidence that demonstrates this. 

Now governments around the world and at all levels in Victoria have responded by 

making it a greater priority with stronger policies. 

The message to all governments has been clear: work together with parents 

to provide support, and high quality early years services that are integrated, 

accessible, affordable, and cater for the needs of all children. 

There have been many recent demonstrations of these priorities. Many new 

Integrated Children’s Centres have been funded to provide better services in the 

one accessible location; Transition Statements have been introduced to help 

children moving from kindergarten to school; state and federal governments are 

working together to increase the hours of kindergarten from 10 to 15 hours per 

week for four year olds. 

In Victoria, our Minister for Children recently launched the Victorian Early Learning 

and Development Framework. This provides a guide for all early childhood services, 

including playgroups and Playgroup Victoria. As the Minister says, “It identifies 

what children should know and be able to do from birth to eight year, which means that all professionals working with children 

aged 0-8 years and parents will now have a common understanding of a child’s learning and development over this period.” It is 

something we will find useful in the future. 

Perhaps the greatest strength of playgroups is the parents who join the groups and run them, providing wonderful social and 

creative opportunities for kids, invaluable support for other parents and lasting memories for all. 

I am delighted to accept another term as Patron of Playgroup Victoria and look forward to working with you again in the next 12 

months. 

Sherryl Garbutt 

2009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play 1

2 

2009 Playgroup Victoria Year of Active Play

CONTENTS 

Playgroup Victoria Strategic Plan 

Inside Cover 

Patron’s Message 1 

From the Chairperson 4 

From the Executive Officer 7 

2009 Highlights 8 

Community Playgroups 9 

Playgroup Projects 11 

Website & Publications - Promoting Playgroup 13 

Early Intervention Programs 15 

Bushfire Relief Project 19 

Events 21 

Partnerships 23 

Treasurer’s Report - Financials 25 

Auditors Report 26 

Staff 28 


FROM THE CHAIRPERSON 

It gives me great pleasure to present the 2009 Annual Report for Playgroup Victoria Inc. on behalf of the Board. It has been 

another challenging and eventful year, and the organisation has demonstrated great agility and resilience to continue to deliver 

quality results as the peak body for playgroups in Victoria. 

The emphasis on early childhood and the importance of play in the early years was a high priority in the political environment in 

2009. However, the early part of the year was tainted by the Victorian bushfires and the expectation of negative impacts from the 

global financial crisis. Through all this, Playgroup Victoria has continued to pursue the vision of fun, learning and friendship for all 

Victorian families. This means service to community playgroups and those families in the greatest need of supported playgroups. 

I am proud to say that despite the financial climate, Playgroup Victoria continued to deliver services to community playgroups 

without increasing the costs to members. And our membership numbers have been sustained. This is a great acknowledgement 

of the value of playgroups to families and the value that Playgroup Victoria provides to those families. I believe this success is 

largely due to the wonderful advice and support provided to playgroup members by the staff at Playgroup Victoria and to the 

growing role our Executive Officer, Kaye Plowman has in promoting the importance of play in early childhood. 

The Board would particularly like to thank Kaye for her strength leading the organisation in 2009. She led her team to respond 

quickly and effectively mobilise resources to provide on-the-ground support to playgroups affected by the Victorian bushfires. 

She also provided support and guidance when Maureen Singleton unexpectedly passed away. For many playgroupers, Maureen 

was the face of Playgroup Victoria. The capacity and resilience of the organisation was demonstrated as the team pulled together 

and found new ways of delivering service to members. 

Kaye has continued to be included in a number of critical advisory bodies to the Victorian State Government, and our involvement 

in research associated with the value of playgroups and the importance of play in early childhood is growing. 

Our thanks to the members who attended last years AGM and Special General Meeting who voted in the revised constitution 

which, without changing our purpose, updated the constitution to bring it in line with the Associations Incorporation Act (1981). 

Karen Harvey Collings with author Jeanette Rowe. 

At last year’s AGM, Sherryl Garbutt was appointed as 

patron of Playgroup Victoria. As Chair of the Victorian 

Children’s Council and former Victorian Minister 

for Children, Sherryl has an extensive knowledge 

of children’s issues and public policy making. We 

have benefited greatly from her expertise and have 

invited her to take on another year as patron. We look 

forward to her continued guidance, advocacy and 

support. 

We are also very grateful to Jame Lewis, our honorary 

solicitor, for his willingness to advise, and his 

responsiveness to queries from Playgroup Victoria. 

The Board’s main responsibilities are to oversee the 

financial performance of Playgroup Victoria, set 

strategic direction and provide governance. We have 

maintained a highly professional and motivated 

Board in 2009 and achieved much more than would 

have been possible in our monthly meetings by 

appointing committees. 

One of our most active committees was the HR committee, addressing such items as performance improvement and succession 

planning and guiding the organisation towards greater measurement of key performance metrics. In the spirit of continuous 

improvement, part of the Board’s efforts focussed on improving our own policies and processes. The revision of Board processes 

allows us to better use meeting time to focus on governance. 

Playgroup Victoria continued to enthusiastically participate in Playgroup Australia’s structural changes which will make it better 

represent the interests of playgroups across Australia. We continue to develop stronger links with Playgroup Australia and with all 

state and territory playgroup associations across Australia. This is most clearly demonstrated by Playgroup Victoria joining with all 

other associations to publish a single, national magazine for playgroups. 

I would like to thank members of the Board and recognise their outstanding efforts; Bronwyn Clarke (Secretary), and Rachel 

4 


Murphy (Deputy Chair) have continued to provide great value to the Board and the members through their efforts. Kate Carpenter 

(Elected Member) joined mid-term and she quickly became a valuable team member. 

Other changes to Board membership were with our two appointed members who had been on leave of absence. Anne Fortune 

completed her operational role within Playgroup Victoria and chose to embrace retirement. And we welcomed Rebecca 

Middleton back into her position in September. 

This year I must farewell two long-standing Board members; Treasurer, Margie Brett and appointed member Vivian Savvides. Their 

respective expertise in finances and governance has made them true assets to the Board and the organisation. I know that they 

have seen great improvements during their terms and they can be assured that they have contributed to those improvements in 

a very real way. 

Vivian has been nominated for Playgroup Victoria Life Membership in recognition of her many years of dedicated service to 

playgroups and Playgroup Victoria. Vivian never avoided the difficult questions or hard tasks as demonstrated by her most recent 

achievements of reviewing the constitution and the Board policies and procedures manual. Her passion for playgroups combined 

with her early childhood qualifications and wisdom brought balance to the decision-making and forward planning of the 

association. 

As I sign off from my final report as Chairperson of Playgroup Victoria, I would like to express a heartfelt thank you to Kaye for 

her wisdom and leadership in guiding the staff through the turbulence that seemed to characterise 2009. I believe that all of 

Playgroup Victoria has come out stronger, demonstrated great agility, and is in a sound position in both financial and human 

resources. I am confident in our purpose, and in the value of play and playgroups to children, parents and communities. Thanks 

also to the staff and volunteers who make it all happen. With your continued dedication, pursuing our vision of fun, learning and 

friendship at playgroup for all Victorian families is a realistic aim. 

Karen Harvey Collings 

Chairperson 

Board members: 

Karen Harvey-Collings 

Rachel Murphy 

Margie Brett 

Bronwyn Clarke 

Kate Carpenter 

Vivian Savvides 

Rebecca Middleton 

Chairperson 

Deputy - Chairperson 

Treasurer 

Secretary 

Elected Member 

Expert Member 

Expert Member 


6 


FROM THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER 

Having now completed my twenty-second year at Playgroup Victoria, I am well able to appreciate how the association’s ability to 

champion and support playgroups has matured. Each year new opportunities are seized which have added reach and depth to 

the services we provide. 

2009 presented many new opportunities combined with several major challenges. The year will go down in history as one of 

global recession and in Victoria for the unprecedented loss of life and property in the February bushfires. 

For Playgroup Victoria, our grief was compounded by the loss of Maureen Singleton after a very brief illness. Maureen was a highly 

valued staff member associated with Playgroup Victoria for more than 13 years. The many condolences received attested to her 

popularity across the whole playgroup sector. 

The Hon Bill Shorten MP, Jenny Macklin MP, Kaye Plowman and Dr. J. Patrick 

Greene, Museum Victoria CEO. 

By working together, the Board and staff of Playgroup Victoria were able 

to face the grief and hardship caused by these events. I give my sincere 

thanks to our very capable and hard-working Board and the talented 

and skilled staff who faced adversity with passion, care and innovation 

to overcome these difficult situations. 

I acknowledge each Board member for the amazing voluntary 

contribution they make of their time and expertise. I particularly thank 

our Chairperson, Karen Harvey-Collings for her leadership, and Rachel 

Murphy for her contribution as a co-delegate to Playgroup Australia. 

Two long term committed Board members Vivian Savvides and Margie 

Brett will be farewelled at this AGM. They are both amazing community 

role models and I know that I could not have fulfilled my role as 

effectively without their expertise, support and care. 

At a national level, Playgroup Australia became a company limited by 

guarantee run by an independent board. The journey to this point was 

long and often arduous and tremendous effort was put in by Playgroup 

Australia’s President Di Connew and Chief Executive Officer Karen Merange. Playgroup Australia is now a federation with each 

state and territory playgroup association as a foundation member. 

It is now globally recognised that the investment made in the early years pays good dividends in the future. With the growing 

focus on the early years, much attention has been given to the value of playgroups to children, parents and the community. 

The Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) funds 

Playgroup Victoria to support the inclusion of more families into playgroups. This enabled Playgroup Victoria to start, resource 

and evaluate community playgroups, supported playgroups, MyTime peer support groups, PlayConnect playgroups, and the 

Communities for Children enhanced playgroup project in the City of Greater Dandenong. It also made possible the Indigenous 

playgroups and Bushfire Relief projects. 

With funding from the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD), Playgroup Victoria 

recorded data from the Supported Playgroup and Parent Group Initiative (SPPI), provided regional training and completed a 

comprehensive manual to support coordinators and facilitators. 

Another state government grant assisted Playgroup Victoria to coordinate the Southern Region network and yet another to 

develop a fourth edition of the Playgroup Manual. 

Professional development for the Board and staff has been high on the agenda as we focus on being a learning organisation. 

Affordable quality training has been possible thanks to the assistance from Australian Government funded courses and Centre for 

Community Child Health, Ross Trust training programs. 

It has been my privilege to be part of the Early Childhood Development Advisory Group which fosters a partnership approach and 

provides advice to the Victorian Government’s DEECD and the Office for Children and Policy coordination. 

Finally I thank the thousands of volunteers who weekly give their time to run and support their local playgroup. Your remarkable 

contribution benefits families, children and your community in countless ways. 

Kaye Plowman 

Executive Officer 


2009 HIGHLIGHTS 

• Winner Minister for Children and Early Childhood 

Development Award for Support of Playgroups Affected by 

Bushfires Project 

• Additional funding from FaHCSIA to support playgroups 

affected by the Victorian bushfires 

• New intergenerational playgroup research project funded 

by DHS in partnership with the National Ageing Research 

Institute and Barwon Health 

• Developed and facilitated the SPPI Southern Region 

Network of Municipal Playgroup Development Officers 

funded by DEECD 

• 20 different Year of Active Play activities and 15 different 

articles on healthy food, health issues and parenting by 

staff and specialist writers in Playgrouper magazine 

• 6 Year of Healthy Choices A to Z playsheets developed for 

parents to use at playgroup and at home 

• Playgroup Victoria maintains strong commitment to 

Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander playgroups through 

free membership, the Koorie Playgroup Kits, the Koorie 

Playgroup Network, regular articles in Playgrouper and 

moving the association strongly towards being culturally 

competent 

• Number of MyTime groups facilitated by Playgroup Victoria 

increases; two coalitions of 16 groups forms 

• CCCH evaluation of ISP in the City of Greater Dandenong 

completed; ISP funding from FaHCSIA renewed for 2009- 

2011 

• 22 Playgroup Victoria staff attend Playgroup Australia’s 

Power of Play conference 

• Supported Playgroup and Parent Groups extend from 

14 to 29 municipalities doubling Playgroup Victoria’s 

commitment to this program 

• Focus on Playgroup Victoria being a learning organisation 

gives staff opportunities to upgrade their qualifications and 

attend internal and external seminars and workshops 

8 


Community Playgroups 

Playgroup statistics 

2009 was Playgroup Victoria’s Year of Active Play for the 3185 

playgroup sessions across the state that involved 32,013 

families and 42,943 children. As part of their membership each 

playgroup received a Year of Active Play pack. 

New Playgroup Victoria-ABC membership card was introduced 

to give Family Membership an extensive range of discounts. 

There were: 

• 530 new playgroup sessions started 

• 480 packs sent to families wanting to start a new playgroup 

• 223 people become Professional Members 

• 150,000 playgroup pamphlets distributed to families 

through maternal and child health centre 4yr old and 

18mth old ages and stages visits 

• 52 playgroup modules completed; six playgroups complete 

all modules and become Five Star playgroups 

• 25 successful grant applications auspiced by Playgroup 

Victoria on behalf of playgroups 

• 32 playgroup members awarded certificates of merit for 

outstanding contributions to playgroups 

• 25,000 Healthy Choices calendars produced for Family 

Members for distribution in early 2010 

• 1057 attended the sell out Steve Biddulph talks which 

included 40% of fathers 

“We just love Playgroup Victoria! Thank you so much for the 

lovely active play pack - it’s very much appreciated. Keep up the 

fantastic work!” Veronica Porcaro from Placid Jamsta 

Member’s volunteer awards 

Playgroup Victoria Patron, Sherryl Garbutt presented 32 

playgroup members with a certificate of merit for outstanding 

contributions to playgroups. Each person was nominated for 

the award by their playgroup. 


PIC 

10 


PLAYGROUP PROJECTS 

Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander 

playgroups 

Due to extended funding from FaHCSIA, Playgroup Victoria 

was able to offer 750 families and 55 playgroups free Family 

Membership to new and existing Koorie playgroups across 

Victoria. Free Professional Membership was also provided to 

48 Koorie playgroup facilitators and other Koorie professionals 

supporting Koorie playgroup development. 

The extended funding also allowed for an additional 50 Koorie 

Playgroup Kits to be produced and provided to all new Koorie 

playgroups. 

Playgroup Victoria continued to work in partnership with the 

Koorie community through the 200 member Koorie Playgroup 

Network, the Koorie Playgroup Reference Group with 

representation from key stakeholders and through existing 

state and federally funded supported playgroup programs. 

The Koorie Playgroup Network meetings are well attended 

and offered metropolitan and regional communities the 

opportunity to showcase best practice in Koorie playgroups 

and other initiatives that support Koorie families with young 

children. 

Playgroup Victoria acknowledged the Wurrundjeri people as 

traditional owners of land on which our offices are situated 

by erecting a traditional owners plaque. It is now a priority 

to ensure we operate in a culturally competent manner in 

our approach to meeting the needs of Koorie playgroups, 

organisations, government departments and the broader 

Koorie community. 

SunSmart playgroups 

Playgroup Victoria and The Cancer Council Victoria continued 

to promote the importance of sun protection for playgroups 

through the SunSmart program. In 2009 there were 58 

SunSmart playgroups in Victoria. 

SunSmart continues to enjoy a strong partnership with Playgroup 

Victoria and values the great opportunity Playgroup Victoria 

provides to reach over 40,000 families with our SunSmart 

messages. 

Justine Osborne, Schools & Early Childhood Coordinator, 

Cancer Council Victoria 

Intergenerational playgroup research 

Playgroup Victoria partnered with the National Ageing Research 

Institute (NARI) and Barwon Health with funding from DHS in 

2009 to develop an Intergenerational project to improve social 

inclusion with aged care residents and engage these residents 

with local families, by providing a positive environment in a 

playgroup setting. 

The playgroup was facilitated by an activities officer from Percy 

Baxter Lodges and an early childhood worker from the City of 

Greater Geelong. The project included 20 weeks of the facilitated 

playgroup plus evaluation and research outcomes for use by 

DHS and Playgroup Victoria. 

Playgroup Victoria will produce the Starting playgroups in aged 

care facilities booklet as part of the project. 

Opposite page: 

Active play at the Koorie Playgroup, Pakenham. 


12 


WEBSITE AND PUBLICATIONS 


The Playgroup Victoria website continued to be a major 

communication tool in 2009, with updates made daily to 

its most popular pages. The website had more than 24,000 

visits each month in 2009 with ’Find a playgroup’ the most 

frequently viewed page. 

Playgrouper 

Three editions of the Playgrouper magazine were homedelivered 

to members. 

Each edition featured play and playgroup ideas as well as 

letters, health issues, parenting information, playgroup profiles 

and hotline questions and answers. 

In 2010 Playgroup Victoria will join forces with the other state 

and territory playgroup associations in a national magazine, 

Totline. The new magazine will continue to deliver high quality 

play, parenting and playgroup articles and news. 

ePlaygroup News 

Six editions of ePlaygroup News were emailed free to all 

subscribers. Each issue included news of playgroup events, 

letters and articles. In 2009 subscriptions rose by 22%. 

ePlaygroup Professional 

ePlaygroup Professional was emailed in March and August 

to a network of professionals involved in playgroup or early 

childhood services. 

Promoting playgroup 

Advertising 

Playgroup Victoria placed four Discover Playgroup 

advertisements in Melbourne’s Child, a free parenting 

publication with a circulation of 300,000. 

Promotional packs 

14,000 packs with municipal playgroup directories, brochures 

and posters were sent to maternal and child health centres, 

council offices, libraries and neighbourhood houses to 

promote playgroups and Playgroup Victoria. 

Maternal and Child Health 

A playgroup brochure was given to families attending 

maternal and child Health centres at the 4yr old and the 18mth 

old key ages and stages visits. Over 75,000 ‘Baby Play and 

Baby Playgroups’ and ‘Discover Playgroups’ brochures were 

distributed this way. 

Playgroup training workshops 

Playgroup Victoria offered one, two or six day playgroup 

training workshops and free Discover Playgroup workshops 

to all playgroups, local government, agencies and other 

organisations that run or support playgroups. In 2009 more 

than 50 workshops were held across the state. 

Playgroups are for everyone 

Playgroups benefit children, adults and 

communities 

Babies 

Enjoy playing 

Learn and develop new skills 

Interact with different people 

Toddlers 

Find new spaces to explore 

Discover different toys 

Develop a weekly routine 

Preschoolers 

Learn through play 

Make new friends 

Extend their skills 

Adults 

Make new friends 

Have fun with their child 

Help run the playgroup 

Share parenting expereinces 


Parent child bonding at Dandy Pals Supported Playgroup, Dandenong. 

Discover 

Playgroup 

1800 171 882 


346 Albert Street, Brunswick, 3056 

p: toll free 1800 171 882 

p: 03 9388 1599 outside Victoria 


f: 9380 6733 



60x90 Discover Ad.indd 1 7/4/10 12:34:53 PM 

ABN: 13 094 186 877 

Playgroup Victoria Inc 


Brunswick, 3056 

Phone: 1800 171 882 

Fax: 9380 6733 

Email: pgvic@playgroup.org.au 

Web: www.playgroup.org.au 

ABN: 13094186877 

Discover 

playgroup 

How to start or join a playgroup 

toll free 1800 171 882 


You can start brochure.indd 1 6/4/09 8:14:27 PM 

Playgroup Victoria Playgroup Manual Everything you need to know about playgroup 

Playgroup 

Manual 

Everything you need to know 

about playgroup 


14 


EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMS 

PlayConnect 

PlayConnect playgroups are part 

of the Australian Government’s 

$190 million Helping Children 

with Autism package, addressing 

the need for support and 

services for children with Autism 

Spectrum Disorders (ASD). 

PlayConnect playgroups offer a 

variety of play activities suited to 

the needs of children with ASD and connect families who have 

a child between the ages of 0-6 years with ASD or ASD-like 

symptoms to relevant services. 

The PlayConnect playgroup program developed rapidly in 

2009. The initial three groups in January had increased to 15 

groups by December in: Laverton, Bundoora, Maribyrnong (a 

Vietnamese speaking group), Box Hill South, Mildura, Hoppers 

Crossing, Sunshine, Echuca, Wonthaggi, Glen Waverley, 

Bendigo, Thornbury, Lakes Entrance and Brighton. 

As of December, 105 families attended PlayConnect 

playgroups. Feedback from parents attending has been 

overwhelmingly positive. Many families acknowledged 

PlayConnect playgroups were a place they could go and not 

feel judged and importantly, have the support of other parents 

in similar situations. 

The PlayConnect playgroup has been such a wonderful 

opportunity for me to meet other mums who understand what 

I’m going through, and for my son to interact with other children 

in a safe, supportive environment. My son suffered from a lot 

of anxiety and fear when attending playgroups in the past, 

so we never stayed for long. With the support of Narelle (the 

development worker) I have been able to encourage my son and 

help him work through his anxieties. We are now able to attend 

the whole two hours! -something I would never have thought was 

possible. I would recommend this playgroup to any parents and 

children with (or without) a diagnosis of ASD. Amy (mother of a 

3yr old with ASD) - Box Hill South Autism Action PlayConnect 

PlayConnect playgroups build the capacity of families and the 

community. Development workers provide support families 

to implement and participate in appropriate play experiences 

with their young children with ASD. They help families 

develop parenting skills and access information about other 

early intervention services, relevant family support services 

and agencies within their local community. The PlayConnect 

state coordinator supports the development workers, offering 

training, resources and links the workers to the new online 

training rolled out by Playgroup Australia in late 2009. 

To establish PlayConnect playgroups, Playgroup Victoria has 

forged strong partnerships with neighbourhood houses, 

churches, community centres, local councils and early 

intervention services. To date, over 150 expressions of interest 

in establishing a PlayConnect playgroup have been received 

from professionals and organisations, and new expressions of 

interest are accepted on an ongoing basis. 

Communities for Children 

Funding for the Communities for Children (CfC) playgroup 

program in Dandenong ended in June. It was so successful 

that the City of Greater Dandenong committed to employing 

a fulltime playgroup support worker. This is a wonderful 

outcome from CfC and great credit to Doris Wong, who over 

three years, did a fantastic job generating new playgroups, 

facilitating supported playgroups, setting up support networks 

and training playgroup workers and volunteers. 

MyTime 

MyTime is a national facilitated peer support program funded 

by FaHCSIA and coordinated nationally by the Parenting 

Research Centre and is for parents of a preschool-aged child 

with disability or chronic medical condition. Playgroup Victoria 

is a lead agency of MyTime in Victoria and has established 32 

MyTime groups over the past three years. 

MyTime is accessible to families from all backgrounds, 

including Indigenous families and families from a culturally 

and linguistically diverse background. There are 24 Playgroup 

Victoria MyTime groups operating within metropolitan 

Melbourne and eight within rural Victoria. 

Playgroup Victoria works in partnership with a range of 

organisations across Victoria to deliver MyTime groups. 

Those organisations include early intervention agencies, 

municipalities and community organisations such as Yooralla, 

SCOPE, Broad Insight, Frankston City Council, Shire of Yarra 

Ranges, Extended Families Australia, Gateways Support 

Services, Pinarc, Cooinda Family Support, Kilmany Uniting Care 

and many others. Playgroup Victoria acknowledges the work 

and dedication of these organisations to support families of a 

child with a disability or chronic medical condition. 


key focus of this program is to build the capacity of the 

parents. Development workers have done a fantastic job 

working alongside families mentoring them and providing 

encouragement, support and guidance and linking families 

into their local community. As a result, many parents have 

developed their parenting and personal skills through their 

time at playgroup. In 2009, eight playgroups transitioned 

from being supported playgroups to become community 

playgroups with parents now running the group. 

Parents have found the sessions to act as a good support for 

them and their children. The session activities are enjoyed by their 

children and provide an opportunity for parents to unload and 

talk with other adults who understand and may provide solutions. 

Development worker, SPG program. 

In 2009, Playgroup Victoria established new MyTime groups 

in Sale, Werribee, Tarneit, Narre Warren, Alphington, West 

Heidelberg and Pascoe Vale, and a pilot MyTime group 

in Cranbourne for parents of school-aged children with a 

disability or chronic medical condition. The MyTime in West 

Heidelberg is a group for Somali parents and carers, and has 

been extremely well attended. 

Over 600 families attended Playgroup Victoria MyTime groups 

in 2009. Parents participated in a range of group activities 

- guest speakers from local agencies, pamper sessions and 

outings. Many parents say they appreciate the support offered 

by MyTime workers and value the peer support gained from 

friends they have made at MyTime. 

A number of changes to the MyTime structure were introduced 

in 2009. As a result, funding available to each group increased, 

allowing greater flexibility to increase the required level 

of support within each group. Originally, MyTime aimed 

to establish 82 groups in Victoria. To cater for the increase 

in group funding, the number of groups to be established 

decreased so there was no more than 64 MyTime groups 

operating in the state. As Victoria already had this number of 

groups operating, no new MyTime groups will be established. 

For the MyTime program to continue to respond to meet 

the needs of Victorian parents and allow access for all, some 

existing groups may be transferred or moved to areas of 

greater need. 

National Supported Playgroups 

The national Supported Playgroup program is funded by 

the Australian Department of Families, Housing, Community 

Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA). Under this program, 

supported playgroups are established for families who 

would not normally access a playgroup such as families from 

culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Indigenous 

families, families with mental health or disability issues, 

teenage and young parent families, and socially isolated 

families. 

The playgroups are funded for up to 12 months and a 

2009 saw the introduction of a new funding agreement for the 

national Supported Playgroup program. The new 2009-2011 

funding agreement provides greater opportunities to establish 

supported playgroups in Victoria. The number of playgroups 

to be established annually increased to 18 and the funding 

allocation per playgroup increased. Six new playgroups were 

established in 2009 in: 

• Doncaster, for Chinese families 

• Portland, for socially isolated and disadvantaged families 

• Morwell, for teenage parents 

• Meadow Heights, for CALD families 

• Kingsbury, for families with premature babies 

• Wangaratta 

The playgroup in Wangaratta for families experiencing mental 

health issues proved very successful. A large number of 

families attended the playgroup for a time, gained confidence, 

developed skills and then moved on to other forms of 

community participation or services. As a result, the group 

applied for and received repeat funding and will continue to 

work with families from the target group throughout 2010. 

Intensive Support Playgroup program in 

Greater Dandenong 

The Intensive Support Playgroup (ISP) program is a referralonly 

program funded by the Australian Government and run 

from PlaySpot, a fully-equipped vehicle. PlaySpot is staffed 

by a playgroup coordinator, a play assistant, a family support 

worker and peer support workers. Families are referred to 

PlaySpot by local service providers and agencies such as 

housing and community services, as well as maternal and child 

health nurses. 

This program targets vulnerable and isolated families with 

young children. These families may be affected by a range 

of complex issues including drugs/alcohol, financial crisis, 

homelessness or transient housing, chronic child protection, 

or may be newly arrived refugees, culturally and linguistically 

diverse or Indigenous families. 

Key strengths of the ISP program are the strong working 

relationships between local organisations and service 

providers, staff members, peer support workers, volunteers 

16 


and participating families, and the personal development of 

parents who attend the playgroups. Parents are encouraged 

to play an active part in their child’s play at playgroup 

and at home, and are supported to participate in training 

opportunities. Four parents who previously attended ISP 

playgroups are now employed as peer support workers at ISP 

playgroups. Two of these parents developed their skills by 

completing CALD Playgroup Leader training workshops run 

by Playgroup Victoria in partnership with the City of Greater 

Dandenong (CGD). 

In March, four buses transported 115 excited families, children, 

workers and volunteers from Springvale and Dandenong to 

the World’s Biggest Playgroup for a morning of Playgroup 

Victoria activities just for playgroups at Melbourne Museum. 

ISP PlaySpot actively participated in several community 

events in the City of Greater Dandenong over the past year. 

These events included a teddy bear’s picnic, a Father’s Day 

celebration at the King Street Neighbourhood Community 

Centre, the inaugural education forum organised by the 

Southern Integrated CALD Child & Family Services Network 

at Dandenong TAFE, the Koorie Back to School Day, the 

Mayor’s Family Fun Day and an end of year celebration for all 

playgroups and early childhood services in the City of Greater 

Dandenong. ISP PlaySpot attended monthly Dandenong and 

District Aborigines Co-Operative barbecues. 

Supported Parent Group and Playgroup 

Initiative 

The Supported Parent Group and Playgroup Initiative (SPPI) 

operates in Best Start project sites across Victoria. SPPI aims 

to engage disadvantaged and isolated families who may not 

otherwise access any services in their community and provide 

opportunities to establish friendships and link into those 

services and to give children the best start in life. 

SPPI playgroups provide quality play opportunities at a critical 

time in a child’s development, foster children’s language 

development, develop motor skills and expose children to 

sensory experiences. Through SPPI playgroups, hundreds of 

families have formed friendships and long-term social support 

structures, strengthening social networks and increasing 

community connectedness. The program targets Indigenous 

children and families, recent/high need immigrant (including 

refugee) children and families, families affected by disability 

and families affected by chronic disadvantage and with 

complex needs. 

2009 was a year of expansion under the SPPI program as the 

number of sites expanded from 13 to 29 and the number of 

playgroups increased from 71 to 102. 

Many months of hard work by the Playgroup Victoria SPPI 

team resulted in the development of two new resources 

for professionals connected to SPPI: the SPPI Handbook and 

the SPPI Playgroup Facilitator Booklet. A reference group, 

consisting of SPPI coordinators across the state, informed 

the contents of the handbook and the Department of 

Education and Early Childhood (DEECD) and Post & Ante Natal 

Depression Association (PANDA), as partners of the initiative, 

also provided content. The handbook is a much welcomed 

resource and provides guidance and support in the planning, 

implementation and evaluation of supported playgroups 

by playgroup facilitators, playgroup workers from local 

government, Best Start facilitators and Program and Service 

Advisors (PASAs) employed regionally by DEECD. The SPPI 

Playgroup Facilitator Booklet assists the playgroup facilitators 

when collecting information from families at playgroup and 

will improve the reporting of this information to DEECD. 

A one day training workshop for SPPI playgroup facilitators 

and coordinators was delivered at various locations across the 

state from the beginning of 2009. This training included an 

overview of the Best Start initiative and how it has informed 

the SPPI at the local level. Best Start facilitators were invited 

to present this component of the training. The training 

also covered key outcomes of the initiative, including how 

to engage families, maintain attendance, build parental 

confidence and capacity, play at playgroup, promote 

community connections via the playgroup environment and 

data collection requirements of the initiative with a particular 

focus on the SPPI Playgroup Facilitator Booklet. 

Forums 

The Playgroup and Koorie Playgroup Networks, together with 

the Municipal Playgroup Worker Forum, continued as key 

strategies under this program to link professionals connected 

to the work of playgroups and supported playgroups across 

the state. Metropolitan and regional venues were selected 

in consultation with local stakeholders and offered an 

opportunity to showcase good practice playgroups and other 

early years initiatives. 2009 also saw the inception of the SPPI 

Southern Metropolitan Network (SMR) a new network that 

aims to connect SPPI coordinators in the southern region of 

Victoria. 


18 


Bushfire relief project 

Playgroups and playgroup families were among Victorians 

severely affected by the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009. Many 

families lost their home, contents and personal belongings. 

Many lost the lives of relatives, friends and neighbours; many 

children died. 

Communities were thrown into turmoil. Some towns were 

burnt to the ground with very little left standing. Hundreds 

of families had nowhere to go and were temporarily housed 

in tent cities. Communities were scattered; large numbers of 

playgroup families left their local areas to stay with relatives or 

be accommodated elsewhere. 

A playgroup contact person, her husband and three young 

children died. Three playgroup venues were burnt down. 

Playgroup Victoria responded quickly and began taking 

playgroup to the people in the Intensive Support Playgroup 

van, thanks to the cooperation of our partner, the City of 

Greater Dandenong. 

Playgroup Victoria supported families by providing 

opportunities to regroup, reconnect and support each 

other through their crises. We lightened the load by running 

playgroups, keeping children occupied and freeing adults to 

come together to debrief, grieve and heal. 

Thank you for all of your help with various things throughout the 

year. I think it is fantastic what you and Playgroup Victoria are 

doing for the people in the area after the bush fires. It has affected 

so many, whether directly or indirectly. Thank your so much for 

you contribution. 

Emma Gamble Traralgon Playgroup 

It soon became apparent that the need far exceeded Playgroup 

Victoria’s capacity to meet it using a borrowed van and 

volunteer hours. 

On application to the Playgroup Program at the Canberra office 

and with the consent of the Hon. Jenny Macklin, Minister for 

Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs 

(FaHCSIA), a Short Form Funding Agreement with Playgroup 

Victoria was approved for emergency relief to support bushfire 

affected playgroups in the Whittlesea/Murrindindi/Nillumbik, 

Bendigo/Mitchell and Yarra Ranges/LaTrobe areas. 

Once funded, a project coordinator was appointed, six 

playgroup consultants were employed, two equipped vans 

were borrowed from Save the Children and another van was 

purchased and fitted out with shelving and equipment. Three 

mobile teams were formed to take playgroup to bushfire 

affected areas on a regular, as needed basis. Playgroup 

consultants contacted playgroups to assess individual 

playgroups’ needs for assistance. Mostly, playgroups wanted 

playgroup van visits with consultants working alongside 

parents to provide playgroup activities. Other types of 

assistance provided: 

• material aid 

• links to other services 

• promotional playgroup events 

• playgroup Victoria membership 

• playgroup training 

• Sing & Grow sessions. 

Forming strategic partnerships that capture best practice 

experience and expertise obtained better outcomes. 

Playgroup families benefitted so much that new found 

enthusiasm for running playgroup resulted and individuals 

gained confidence and were strengthened enough to take on 

leadership roles. New playgroups started and existing ones got 

stronger. The informal environment at playgroup gave families 

the opportunity to reconnect, and children the opportunity to 

rebuild friendships and return to normal routines. 

Although the project was not able to run as long as we would 

have liked, parents, without exception, found Playgroup 

Victoria’s presence enormously helpful. 

The project received the Minister for Children and Early 

Childhood Development Award from the Hon. Maxine Morand 

at DEECD’s 2009 Early Years Awards during Children’s Week. 


Top - Bushfire team at launch of the Playgroup Van by the Hon Bill Shorten, MP. 

Bottom - Calignee Playgroup weeks after their venue was destroyed by the Victorian fires. 


20 


EVENTS 

World’s Biggest Playgroup 

More than 200 events were held around Australia in National 

Playgroup Week in March – more than in any other year. 

Playgroup Victoria’s major National Playgroup Week event 

was the World’s Biggest Playgroup at Melbourne Museum. 

Close to 1400 families were there. Children explored the Forest 

Gallery with binoculars and magnifying glasses, played with 

playdough, drew, sang, danced and heard stories. Babies 

played in a specially designated baby play area. Mothers were 

offered a work out. DVDs and playdough were among the 

giveaways. Over 180 adults and children made the journey on 

busses from the City of Greater Dandenong to be there. This 

was made possible through funding from Communities for 

Children and Intensive Supported Programs. 

Melbourne Aquarium Playgroup Day 

Playgroup Victoria in partnership with Melbourne Aquarium, 

hosted playgroup days in April, July and October. Hundreds 

of families attended the three events with members getting 

10% off admission and children under five years old admitted 

free. A Whittlesea playgroup travelled by train, a Doveton 

playgroup by bus and a visiting South Australian family came 

along after seeing it on our website. Free show bags were 

snapped up early. Activities included fishing games, sand tubs, 

sea creatures and drawing with special visits from Playgroup 

Victoria Bear and Sharkie. 

Melbourne Aquarium is a proud partner of Playgroup Victoria, 

hosting several Playgroup Play Day events during 2009. We are 

delighted to share our amazing Worlds with Playgroup Victoria 

members and the Playgroup Victoria team and look forward to a 

strengthened partnership in 2010. 

Lai Dancer Education Manager, Melbourne Aquarium 

Fun 4 Kids Festival, Warrnambool 

Playgroup Victoria was a sponsor of the Fun 4 Kids Festival, 

hosted by the Warrnambool City Council during the first 

week of term two school holidays and, provided activities and 

distributed information on playgroups. The event attracted 

more than 24,200 visitors with an average daily attendance of 

3,029 patrons. 

Romp & Stomp Fun Day for Children 

Since the event’s inception seven years ago, Playgroup Victoria 

has worked with early childhood not for profit organisations 

to deliver a high quality event to celebrate Universal Children’s 

Day. Over 2100 people attended in 2009 and experienced 

activities provided by Playgroup Victoria, Early Childhood 

Management Services, Kindergarten Parents Victoria, 

Gowrie, Victoria, Toy Libraries Victoria, Melbourne Museum, 

Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Victoria Police, Vic Roads and the 

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. 

Activities included active play, music, drawing, dress ups, story 

time, finger printing and baby play. The Victoria Police Code 

One Band provided entertained on the plaza. Victorian Minister 

for Children and Early Childhood Development, The Hon 

Maxine Morand launched the DEECD childcare demand survey. 

Raising Boys and Secret of Happy Children 

Australian psychologist and parenting speaker Steve Biddulph 

presented Raising Boys in Ivanhoe, and The Secret of Happy 

Children in Caulfield. More than 1000 people attended these 

talks and almost half were fathers. 

Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s Expo 

Playgroups Victoria’s presence at this expo has become an 

annual event to explain to new or soon to become parents, 

the benefits of playgroup to thousands of new parents who 

attend this three day event. In 2009, close to 19,500 attended 

the expo. 

Expos and festivals 

As well at the Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s Expo, Playgroup 

Victoria attended the following13 other expos and festivals 

during 2009 to promote the value of playgroups and raise 

awareness 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 Academy 

Chapel, Waverley 

• Maternal Child Health Nurses conference, Melbourne 

Convention Centre 

• ISP & CFC Playgroups, Dandenong 

• ISP Playspot & Best Start Dandenong, Dandenong Plaza 

• Royal Children’s Hospital Bringing Baby Home information 

kit launch 

• Koorie Early Years Resource Conference, Thornbury 

• Christian Playgroup Network 

Raffle 

The 2009 Raffle raised $60,484 of which Victorian playgroups 

raised $30,242. Playgroup Victoria has helped playgroups 

raise 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 Sponsors 

Avgo Travel 

Take A Break 

Crayola 

Holidays with Kids 

V/Line 

The Wiggles Live Pty Ltd 

Australian Baby Card 

BIG4 Holiday Parks 


22 


PARTNERSHIPS 

SunSmart 

Playgroup Victoria and The Cancer 

Council Victoria continue to promote 

the importance of sun protection 

for playgroups through the SunSmart program. Playgroups 

can complete a checklist on www.sunsmart.com to become a 

SunSmart playgroup. A SunSmart CD was included in the Year 

of Active Play Pack sent to all member playgroups in 2009. 

Sing & Grow 

Sing & Grow, in partnership with 

Playgroup Victoria, provides children 

aged three years and under and their 

parents from vulnerable backgrounds, 

access to this early intervention group 

music therapy project. 

The national evaluation of the project through the Queensland 

University of Technology continues. Results show benefits 

to children though improved child behaviour, social skills 

and communication and by promoting positive parenting 

practices. The program was re-funded during 2009 for another 

two years. 

Victorian Cooperative 

on Children’s Service for 

Ethnic Groups (VICSEG) 

Playgroup Victoria has a partnership agreement with VICSEG 

which provides many innovative services and training 

programs for recent migrants including refugee women. 

Playgroups help break down the isolation experienced 

by newly arrived families by building friendships and 

strengthening connections with both mainstream and ethnic 

communities. Playgroups offer many opportunities for children 

from these families to socialise and learn through play. 

Post and Antenatal 

Depression Association Inc 

(PANDA) 

PANDA provides a range of services to 

families affected by post and antenatal depression. 

This partnership has been enhanced through funding from the 

Department of Human Services Best Start - Supported Parent 

Group and Playgroup Initiative. 

Christian Playgroup 

Network (CPN) 

CPN is an incorporated member 

based organisation run by a 

volunteer committee of playgroup representatives from 

major Christian denominations. Playgroup Victoria recognises 

the valuable work done by CPN in assisting, training and 

encouraging its member churches to establish and run quality 

playgroups. 

This mutually beneficial partnership supports many well 

established and newly forming playgroups based both in 

churches and in the community. 

City of Greater 

Dandenong (CGD) 

Playgroup Victoria partners with the City of Greater 

Dandenong to deliver the Intensive Support Playgroup 

program across six sites. Families are linked to CGD’s Family 

Support Program. 

Parenting Research Centre 

(PRC) 

The Parenting Research Centre is 

responsible for the MyTime program 

across Australia and has been involved with playgroup 

research commissioned by the Department of Education and 

Early Childhood. Playgroup Victoria has been involved with 

both projects. 

National Ageing Research 

Institute (NARI) 

NARI and Playgroup Victoria began a 20- 

week pilot project of a playgroup in an aged 

care facility in Geelong and will document 

the findings of this trial. The learnings will be published in 

a booklet to assist other aged care facilities to start and run 

playgroups. 

Playgroup Victoria thanks… 

Stakeholders 

Brendan Collins & Michelle Dickson Austral Anglo Pty Ltd 

Chris Keenan 

David Jones 

Kevin Treacey 

Peter Shields 

Jame Lewis 

Create IT 

Semaphore Consulting 

KevCom 

Saward Dawson 

Hon Solicitor 


TREASURER’S REPORT 

Summary 

2009 has again been a very exciting and successful year for 

Playgroup Victoria and I am pleased to report an operating 

surplus of $17,510 for the 12-month period to 31 December.. 

Financial performance 

Revenue from operating activities in 2009 was $2,616,220 

(2008 - $2,056,725). Our major sources of funding were 

from government grants ($1,811,572) and membership 

fees ($472,642), representing 69% and 18% of total income 

respectively. 

Playgroup Victoria acknowledges the generous financial 

support received from the Commonwealth Department 

of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous 

Affairs and the Victorian Department of Education and Early 

Childhood Development. 

Financial position 

At the end of 2009, Playgroup Victoria’s equity stands at 

$592,980. Playgroup Victoria has a sound balance sheet with 

sufficient liquid assets to meet all known contingencies. 

In conclusion 

The Executive Officer and staff are to be congratulated on a 

successful year. On behalf of the Playgroup Victoria Board, 

I would like to particularly acknowledge Kaye Plowman 

in managing the finances. Kaye’s professionalism and 

commitment to the organisation are exceptional and she 

continues to build strategic and important relationships with 

key stakeholders including the Department and member 

associations. 

On behalf of the Playgroup Victoria Board, I would also like 

to recognise and thank Peter Shields from Saward Dawson 

Chartered Accountants for his role in managing the audit of 

the Playgroup Victoria accounts. Playgroup Victoria appreciates 

his ongoing assistance and professionalism in the work he has 

done for the association. 

Margie Brett 

Treasurer 

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 

31 DECEMBER 2009 

NOTE 2009 $ 2008 $ 

CURRENT ASSETS 

Cash and cash equivalents 2(a) 231,411 284,026 

Financial assets 

Inventory 

5 659,565 

2,221 

639,925 

- 

Trade and other receivables 53,187 48,460 

Other current assets 6 249,699 14,331 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,196,083 986,742 

NON-CURRENT ASSETS 

Property, plant and equipment 7 93,589 60,909 

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 93,589 60,909 

TOTAL ASSETS 1,289,672 1,047,651 

CURRENT LIABILITIES 

Trade and other payables 9a 455,577 273,427 

Short term provisions 8 163,031 142,421 

Short term borrowings 10a 6,973 4,788 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 625,581 420,636 

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 

Trade and other payables 9b 45,690 20,690 

Long term provisions 8 25,421 25,421 

Long term borrowings 10b - 5,403 

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 71,111 51,514 

TOTAL LIABILITIES 696,692 472,150 

NET ASSETS 592,980 575,501 

MEMBERS’ FUNDS 

Reserves 13 145,090 91,423 

Accumulated funds 447,890 484,078 

ACCUMULATED FUNDS 

AT END OF YEAR 592,980 575,501 

24 


STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2009 

NOTE 2009 $ 2008 $ 

REVENUE 

Grant funding 652,991 679,470 

PEP funding - - 

SPP funding 94,964 90,958 

Play Connect 97,947 1,640 

Locality Fund - 12,535 

Bushfire Relief Fund 277,059 - 

DHS funding 152,144 133,121 

C4C funding 60,145 96,307 

ISP funding 178,403 157,631 

Count Us In Funding 20,631 - 

My Time 260,732 169,104 

DEST & Koorie Kits 16,555 39,478 

Membership income 472,642 432,308 

Product sales 6,034 4,455 

Playgrouper income 35,391 58,200 

Fundraising income 64,475 52,568 

Project income - 4,800 

Administration income 130,287 124,150 

TOTAL REVENUES FROM 

ORDINARY ACTIVITIES 2,520,400 2,056,725 

EXPENDITURE 

Grant expenses 652,990 679,474 

PEP expenses - - 

SPP expenses 94,963 90,957 

Play Connect 99,248 262 


DHS expenses 144,298 140,884 

Bushfire Relief Expense 222,430 - 

C4C expenses 60,145 96,307 

ISP expenses 178,403 157,702 

Count Us In Funding 20,633 

My Time expenses 260,732 168,097 

DEST & Koorie Kits exp. 18,723 33,051 

Membership expenses 233,863 160,740 

Product expenses 3 2,168 

Playgrouper expenses 144,559 125,880 

Fundraising expenses 36,519 30,520 

Project expenses - 5,050 

Administration expenses 335,412 314,155 

Surplus for the year 4 17,479 38,943 

Other comprehensive income - - 

Total comprehensive income 

for the year 17,479 38,943 

Statement by Board of 

Governance members 

The Board of Governance has determined that Playgroup Victoria 

Incorporated is not a reporting entity and that this Special 

Purpose Financial Report be prepared in accordance with the 

accounting policies outlined in Note 1 to the financial statements. 

In the opinion of the Board of Governance, the financial report 

presents fairly the financial position of Playgroup Victoria 

Incorporated as at 31 December 2009 and its performance for 

the year ended on that date. 

At the date of this statement, there are reasonable grounds to 

believe that Playgroup Victoria Incorporated will be able to pay 

its debts as and when they fall due. 

This statement is made in accordance with a resolution of the 

Board of Governance and is signed for and on behalf of the 

members of the Board of Governance by: 

Chairperson 

Board of Governance member 

Dated this 16th day of April 


AUDITOR’S REPORT 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Report on the Financial Report 

We have audited the accompanying financial report, 

being a special purpose financial report, of 

Playgroup Victoria Inc (the association), which 

comprises the statement of financial position as at 

31 December 2009, statement of comprehensive 

income, statement of cash flow, statement of 

changes in equity, a summary of significant 

accounting policies, other explanatory notes and the 

statement by members of the committee. 

Committee’s Responsibility for the Financial 

Report 

The committee of the association is responsible for 

the preparation and fair presentation of the financial 

report and have determined that the accounting 

policies described in Note 1 to the financial 

statements, which form part of the financial report, 

are consistent with the financial reporting 

requirements of the Associations Incorporation Act 

1981 of Victoria and are appropriate to meet the 

needs of the members. The committee’s 

responsibilities also include establishing and 

maintaining internal control relevant to the 

preparation and fair presentation of the financial 

report that is free from material misstatement, 

whether due to fraud or error; selecting and 

applying appropriate accounting policies; and 

making accounting estimates that are reasonable in 

the circumstances. 

Auditor’s Responsibility 

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the 

financial report based on our audit. No opinion is 

expressed as to whether the accounting policies 

used, as described in Note 1, are appropriate to 

meet the needs of the members. We conducted our 

audit in accordance with Australian Auditing 

Standards. These Auditing Standards require that 

we comply with relevant ethical requirements 

relating to audit engagements and plan and perform 

the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether 

the financial report is free from material 

misstatement. 

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain 

audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures 

in the financial report. The procedures selected 

depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the 

assessment of the risks of material misstatement of 

the financial report, whether due to fraud or error. In 

making those risk assessments, the auditor 

considers internal control relevant to the entity’s 

preparation and fair presentation of the financial 

report in order to design audit procedures that are 

appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the 

purpose of expressing an opinion on the 

effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit 

also includes evaluating the appropriateness of 

accounting policies used and the reasonableness of 

accounting estimates made by the committee, as 

well as evaluating the overall presentation of the 

financial report. 

The financial report has been prepared for 

distribution to members for the purpose of fulfilling 

the committee’s financial reporting under the 

Associations Incorporation Act 1981 of Victoria. We 

disclaim any assumption of responsibility for any 

reliance on this report or on the financial report to 

which it relates to any person other than the 

members, or for any purpose other that that for 

which it was prepared. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have 

obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a 

basis for our audit opinion. 

Independence 

In conducting our audit, we have complied with the 

independence requirements of Australian 

professional ethical pronouncements. 

Auditor’s Opinion 

In our opinion, the financial report of Playgroup 

Victoria Inc is in accordance with the Associations 

Incorporation Act of Victoria 1981 including: 

i. Giving a true and fair view of the Association’s 

financial position as at 31 December 2009 and 

of their performance for the year ended on that 

date; and 

ii. 

Complying with Australian Accounting 

Standards and the Associations Incorporation 

Act of Victoria 1981. 

Saward Dawson Chartered Accountants 

Peter Shields 

Partner 

16 April 2010 

Blackburn VIC 

26 


Playgroup Victoria Inc. ABN 13 094 186 877 Inc Ass # A0012387K 

Financial statements 

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 


NOTE 2009 

$ 

CURRENT ASSETS 

2008 

$ 

Cash and cash equivalents 2(a) 231,411 284,026 

Financial assets 

Inventory 

5 659,565 

2,221 

639,925 

- 

Trade and other receivables 53,187 48,460 

Other current assets 6 249,699 14,331 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,196,083 986,742 

NON-CURRENT ASSETS 

Property, plant and equipment 7 93,589 60,909 

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 93,589 60,909 

TOTAL ASSETS 1,289,672 1,047,651 

CURRENT LIABILITIES 

Trade and other payables 9a 455,577 273,427 

Short term provisions 8 163,031 142,421 

Short term borrowings 10a 6,973 4,788 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 625,581 420,636 

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 

Trade and other payables 9b 45,690 20,690 

Long term provisions 8 25,421 25,421 

Long term borrowings 10b - 5,403 

TOTAL NON-CURRENT 

LIABILITIES 

71,111 51,514 

TOTAL LIABILITIES 696,692 472,150 

NET ASSETS 592,980 575,501 

MEMBERS’ FUNDS 

Reserves 13 145,090 91,423 

Accumulated funds 447,890 484,078 

ACCUMULATED FUNDS AT END 

OF YEAR 592,980 575,501 

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 


NOTE 2009 

$ 

2008 

$ 

REVENUE 

Grant funding 652,991 679,470 

PEP funding - - 

SPP funding 94,964 90,958 

Play Connect 97,947 1,640 


Bushfire Relief Fund 277,059 - 

DHS funding 152,144 133,121 

C4C funding 60,145 96,307 

ISP funding 178,403 157,631 

Count Us In Funding 20,631 - 

My Time 260,732 169,104 

DEST & Koorie Kits 16,555 39,478 

Membership income 472,642 432,308 

Product sales 6,034 4,455 

Playgrouper income 35,391 58,200 

Fundraising income 64,475 52,568 

Project income - 4,800 

Administration income 130,287 124,150 

TOTAL REVENUES FROM 

ORDINARY ACTIVITIES 2,520,400 2,056,725 

EXPENDITURE 

Grant expenses 652,990 679,474 

PEP expenses - - 

SPP expenses 94,963 90,957 

Play Connect 99,248 262 


DHS expenses 144,298 140,884 

Bushfire Relief Expense 222,430 - 

C4C expenses 60,145 96,307 

ISP expenses 178,403 157,702 

Count Us In Funding 20,633 

My Time expenses 260,732 168,097 

DEST & Koorie Kits exp. 18,723 33,051 

Membership expenses 233,863 160,740 

Product expenses 3 2,168 

Playgrouper expenses 144,559 125,880 

Fundraising expenses 36,519 30,520 

Project expenses - 5,050 

Administration expenses 335,412 314,155 

Surplus for the year 4 17,479 38,943 

Other comprehensive 

- - 

income 

Total comprehensive 

income for the year 17,479 38,943 


Staff 

Kaye Plowman 

Executive Officer 

Membership and Marketing 

Jason Doherty 

Jane Bezzina 

Carol Gray 

Diana Fouracre 

Denise Lucey 

Deb Sedlarevic 

Rosanna Di Grazia 

Maureen Singleton 

Nancy-lee Merzel 

Rosie Dymus 

Vicki Ringrow 

Membership and Marketing Manager 

Events Manager 

Receptionist 

Community Development Project Officer 

Editor 

Bushfire relief project 

Wendy Veber 

Playgroup Training Consultant 

Playgroup Development Assistant 

Membership Coordinator 

Membership Hotline Consultant 

New Playgroup Hotline Consultant 

Membership Administration Assistant 

Projects Coordinator 

Playgroup Consultants: Julia Polkinghorne, Lorey Endler, Lani 

Kaplan, Mel Ackerman, Natasha Niemann, Penny Kircher 

Corporate 

Carolyn Eley 

Chiara Squeo 

Linlin Jin 

Mary Osrecak 

Louise Fischer 

Thu Nguyen 

Early Intervention 

Anne Fortune 

Administration Manager 

Managers’ Assistant 

Bookkeeper 

Bookkeeper’s Assistant 

Project Administration Assistant 

IT Administrator 

Early Intervention Program Manager 

Intensive Support Playgroups 

Liseby Lapierre 

Yawen Su 

Intensive Support Playgroup Coordinator 

Intensive Support Playgroup Play Assistant 

Peer Support Workers: Nadia Abu-Duhou, Talei Bari, Liza May 

Jackson, Nasseema-Bee Khoyratty, Nyaluak Kuon, Helena 

McGrath, Leah Sandow, Rebecca Alina Scholes, Monira Taheri, 

Teremoana Topa 

28 


Communities for Children City of Greater 

Geelong 

Doris Wong 

Communities for Children Playgroup Worker 

Supported Playgroup Facilitators: Theresa Thanh Butler, Mary Daniel, 

Setsuko Nakazawa, Chaw Po, Evangeline Hannah Sukumar 

Supported Playgroup and Parent Group 

Initiative (SPPI) 

Cath Healy 

Deborah Njegac 

Wendy Veber 

SPPI Program Coordinator 

Project Worker 

Training Consultant 

PlayConnect 

Janine Regan 

PlayConnect State Coordinator 

PlayConnect Development Workers: Michelle Andrews, Sharon 

Middleton, Anne Shute, Tracey Kenyon, 

Maria Vastianos, Sue Stewart, Jennifer Hayes, Narelle 

McNaughton 

Isabella Rosinsky 

Supported Playgroup Program Coordinator 

Supported Playgroup Coordinators: Trish Ipsen, Lyn Barclay, Eva Rado, 

Angel Shea, Renaye Quackawoot, April Grant, Kate McNamara, 

Jill Warner, Nellie Astle-Hulsman, Maysoon Sleiman, Belinda 

Gadsby, Lisa Singer, Sharon Klieve, Jo Weedon, Jenni Parnis, 

Tanya Doig 

Leonie White 

My Time Coordinator 

MyTime Facilitators: Andrea Day, Melda Doruk, Fiona 

Long, Raylene Cullen, Kerryn Moore, Lynne Wood, Dawn 

Cotterell, Madeleine Porter, Eliza Lee, Sue Lenzi, Helen 

O’Brien 




Brunswick VIC 3056 

p: 1800 171 882 

f: 9380 6733 



ABN: 13 094 186 877 

30

Annual Report - Playgroup Victoria

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