Annual Report - Playgroup Victoria

Celebrating 35 years - Active playgroups are fun!
Annual Report
April 2009

Playgroup Victoria Inc.
No. A0012387K
ABN 13 094 186 877
a: 346 Albert St, Brunswick 3056
p: 1800 171 882 (within Victoria)
p: 03 9388 1599
e: pgvic@playgroup.org.au
w: www.playgroup.org.au
2 35 th Annual Report

About Playgroup Victoria
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, there were hundreds of
playgroups scattered throughout Melbourne and country
Victoria. A need emerged to connect these groups with
people wanting to start and join playgroups. To do this a
base was set up in the Brunswick offices of Community
Child Care by a group of hardworking volunteers and
playgroups, 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 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.
35 th Annual Report 3

Contents
3 17
11
About Playgroup Victoria 3
What members say 5
President’s report 6
Board of governance 7
Executive officer’s report 8
Organisational structure 9
Partnerships 10
Corporate partnerships 11
Corporate 12
Events 13
Membership and marketing 14
Training 15
Promoting playgroup 16
In the community 18
Programs 20
Koorie playgroups 22
Playgroup Victoria thanks… 23
Financials 24
14
13 12
4 35 th Annual Report

What members say
“
Melton Shire Council has been enjoying the benefits of
Playgroup Victoria's Professional Membership for more
than six years. Playgroup Victoria's constant support,
resources and training has ensured the development of
playgroups in the Shire of Melton has continued to grow
and thrive.
Vicky Matthews, Melton Shire Council, Children's Services
Manager
As for the resources that Playgroup Victoria provides, I
cannot rate them highly enough. When I first took up this
position my knowledge of playgroups was limited to my
experience as a mum some 25 years ago. Playgroup
Victoria has offered me training, broadened my
knowledge base and always has someone at the end of
the phone more than willing to answer any questions I
have. The resources provided are of a high standard and
are responsive to our demands. Thank you so much.
Sue Ellis, City of Greater Geelong, Supported Playgroup Officer
It is great to have the opportunity through Playgroup
Victoria to hear what other municipalities are doing in their
playgroups and about the different types of funding
available to support playgroups. This information sharing
provides the opportunity to explore and develop new
initiatives.
Jenny Rukuwai, City of Hobsons Bay, Family Resource and
Development Officer
... a huge thank you for doing this so quickly! ... thank you
for your assistance and for being so lovely and easy to
deal with!
Melissa Corboy, ‘Borough Bubs Playgroup
Thank you too for your kindness last week on the
phone. Again, you were just brilliant and I, along with
everyone, are very grateful.
Lisa Blaney , Je Joue Playgroup
“
35 th Annual Report 5

President’s report
I am delighted to present
the 2008 Annual Report
for Playgroup Victoria Inc
on behalf of the Board.
This has been a year full
of fantastic opportunities
and rewarding
challenges for Playgroup
Victoria, consolidating on
what it does well and
making great advances
in its role as a peak body
for playgroups in
Victoria.
Playgroup Victoria is committed to targeting its
playgroup services to community playgroups and also
to families in the greatest need of supported
playgroups.
The political environment’s current focus on early
childhood and the booming birthrate have provided
many opportunities for Playgroup Victoria.
We have been increasingly represented on a number
of critical advisory bodies to the Victorian State
Government, thanks largely to our EO, Kaye
Plowman. She has been doing a wonderful job
promoting the importance of play in early childhood
and the value of playgroups to key stakeholders. The
success of this work is evidenced by the recognition of
Playgroup Victoria in the Children’s Legislation
Amendment Act 2008, which was passed during the
year.
I am also pleased to note that in a period of economic
pressure for families, our membership numbers have
been sustained. This is a great acknowledgement of
the value of playgroups to families, and to the
wonderful advice and support provided to members by
Playgroup Victoria staff. I am always impressed with
the knowledge, warmth and encouragement that our
wonderful staff provide. And they have, as always,
risen to challenges provided by Playgroup Victoria’s
expanding role.
I am happy to report that the Board has been
incredibly active this year. The primary role of the
Board is to provide strategic leadership and direction
for Playgroup Victoria. This year the Board has
dedicated a considerable amount of time and energy
into developing our strategic plan. Having a strong
strategic plan in place enables the organisation and
Board to focus on delivering on our strategic priorities.
We have developed strategies to guide us that allow
for flexible delivery and clear guidance on what our
priorities are...and what they are not. See page 3.
The Board and EO have also been involved in the
reform of our national peak body, Playgroup Australia.
Victoria has strongly advocated for a new,
independent, national Board to strengthen playgroup
capacity Australia-wide. It is a very exciting time for
playgroups in this country. And did you know that
Victoria has the largest playgroup in Australia
During the year we conducted a review of Playgroup
Victoria’s constitution to update language and bring it
in line with the Associations Incorporation Act (1981)
without changing our purpose.
Another initiative of the Board this year was to
develop a role description for a Playgroup Victoria
patron and engage someone suitable for that role. We
are delighted to announce Sherryl Garbutt has agreed
to be our patron.
In thanking the Board for their contributions in 2008, I
want to draw particular attention to Rachel Murphy
who so capably took the reins whilst I bonded with my
new baby. The support I received from her, Kaye and
the rest of the Board mirrored the support from my
own playgroup, and reminds me again of the value
provided so selflessly by all our volunteers. Thank
you.
The last year has also seen the membership of the
Board experience significant change. Two of our
Expert Members took leave of absence from the
Board. We hope to benefit from their expertise again
soon. Due to personal reasons, both Emily Board and
Juliette Brodsky departed mid-term. I would like to
thank them again for their contributions and wish them
well in their new endeavours. We were fortunate to
welcome Bronwyn Clarke to the Board in September
and we still have space for more around the table.
I would also like to publicly thank Jame Lewis, our
honorary solicitor, for his responsiveness to our many
and varied requests for advice during the past year.
In conclusion, I am proud that Playgroup Victoria is
dynamic, sound and innovative. I am proud that it
continues to respond to opportunities that arise, and
to the needs of families with young children.
Playgroup Victoria is in a strong financial position, is
highly capable and has demonstrated its ability to
meet the challenge of changing demands. This
empowers us to continue to deliver quality services to
our members. We remain committed to continually
improve our community playgroups and increase
access to playgroup for all families, including those
with special needs and circumstances. I am confident
in our purpose, and in the value of play and
playgroups to children, parents and communities, and
look forward to another year of spreading the fun,
learning and friendship of playgroups to families
across Victoria.
Karen Harvey-Collings, Playgroup Victoria President
6 35 th Annual Report

Board of governance
Rachel Murphy
Vice-president
Margie Brett
Treasurer
Vivian Savvides
Appointed member
Bronwyn Clarke
Elected member
Anne Fortune
Appointed Member
Leave of absence
Rebecca Middleton
Appointed Member
Leave of absence
Juliette Brodsky
Appointed Member
May 2007—Nov 2008
Emily Board
Secretary
May 2007—Sep 2008
2008 member survey playgroup profile
What families say about their
satisfaction with Playgroup Victoria
member benefits
Dissat if ied
2%
Uncert ain
14%
Ver y sat isf ied
30%
Ages of children attending playgroup
4 years
11%
5 years
3%
0-1 year
21%
3 years
18%
1 year
17%
Sat isf ied
54%
2 years
30%
35 th Annual Report 7

Executive officer’s report
The focus for 2008 was to
both consolidate and expand
our playgroup services within
a framework that integrated
service delivery across all
playgroup models. Our hard
working Board and staff have
kept this focus clear.
I congratulate the Board of
Playgroup Victoria under the presidency of Karen
Harvey-Collings for their many accomplishments.
During the year the Board underwent a rigorous
process to develop a new and innovative strategic
plan to give fresh vision and guide the association well
into the next decade. The plan is a flexible and living
document well able to address the changing
economic, societal, industrial and early childhood
issues identified by regular environmental scans.
Other achievements this year include:
conscientiousness in supporting the structural review
of Playgroup Australia, a thorough rewrite of the
constitution, setting up terms of reference for several
new committees, engaging a patron and giving
attention to every detail of governing the association.
Under the present Board, risk management has
become part of the association’s culture to effectively
manage uncertainties, mitigate risks and capitalise on
opportunities.
The association is strong because of its leadership. I
highly value the voluntary hours each Board member
has given so freely to further the purposes of the
association.
Volunteering is a core value of Playgroup Victoria and
I acknowledge the many volunteer hours given by our
members to start and run the 3,800 playgroup
sessions across Victoria. It is our privilege to resource
and support these families with our ever expanding
services.
A major undertaking this year was the extensive
development of our membership database and
website to better serve our members and
stakeholders. While the process was far more
arduous and time consuming than originally expected,
I would like to thank David Jones and Chris Keenan
for helping us make our database more efficient, cost
effective and easier for individuals to join Playgroup
Victoria.
Throughout the year I constantly received positive
feedback on the professionalism and friendliness of
our playgroup staff and quality of our services. This is
due to the teamwork of the managers, coordinators,
staff and volunteers who are all thoroughly committed
to Playgroup Victoria and diligent in their roles. I thank
each one for their never ending ideas, enthusiasm,
patience, commitment to detail and ability to adapt
and grow with each new opportunity and challenge.
Access to playgroups by families whose life
circumstances previously excluded them from
engaging in any early childhood service has increased
dramatically this year. Special thanks to our very
talented coordinators who, with the support of our
hard working administration team, have maintained a
high standard of services across all our Early
Intervention Programs. Those Early Intervention
Programs include: the National Supported
Playgroups, PlayConnect (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
playgroups, Intensive Support Playgroups, MyTime,
Supported Playgroups and Parent Groups and the
Communities for Children Enhanced Playgroup
project in Dandenong. We also partner with the Sing &
Grow initiative and thank this team for the impact they
have on families and their support of our programs.
A very successful two day Supported Playgroup
Conference highlighted the ongoing interest and need
for networking by professionals who provide and
facilitate supported playgroups as part of their
outreach to marginalised families.
Our community playgroup and early intervention
programs are made possible by funding from the
Australian Government Department of Families,
Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
(FaHCSIA). I acknowledge and thank Erica Lubansky,
our State FaHCSIA Officer for her assistance and
guidance.
In the Victorian Government, I would like to thank the
Department of Education and Early Childhood
Development (DEECD) for funding to support the
collation and reporting of the Supported Playgroups
and Parent Groups Initiative, the Supported Playgroup
Conference and resource development. I am grateful
to Katherine Cape for her wisdom and support as we
carry out our small contribution to this program.
We were thrilled that our Koorie Playgroup Kit was a
finalist in the Early Years Awards and that the Koorie
DVD developed for the kit was a finalist for the Atom
awards.
As an association we face a new year with great
enthusiasm and passion confident that playgroups are
playing a significant role in the present and future
wellbeing of children, parents, caregivers and the
communities they represent. We will continue to plan
for growth in these challenging economic times by
optimising opportunities, strengthening partnerships
and maximising the use of our resources.
Kaye Plowman, Playgroup Victoria Executive Officer
8 35 th Annual Report

Organisational structure
Association member base
Board of Governance
Five elected members
Four appointed members
Executive subcommittee
Victorian Associations
Incorporation Act
General and specific
legislative and contractual
requirements
Executive officer
Membership and Marketing
Corporate
Playgroup Early Intervention
Programs
Services
Administration
ISP
FaHCSIA
CfC
FaHCSIA
Playgroup
Development
Financial
MyTime
SPPI
DEECD
Membership
ASD
Supported
Playgroups
Information
Indigenous
Playgroups
Family Membership and Playgroup Membership families
50000
45000
40000
35000
30000
25000
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
2006 2007 2008
35 th Annual Report 9

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.playgroup.org.au to become a SunSmart
playgroup. There are currently 52 SunSmart
playgroups in Victoria.
A SunSmart CD is included in the 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.
In the past year Sing & Grow provided 26 programs
across Victoria providing music therapy to 195
families. These families included refugees, parents
with substance abuse issues, children with disabilities,
young parents and parents from multicultural
backgrounds including Chinese, Burmese and Arabic
speaking communities.
Funding of the project has been extended from June
2008 to June 2009. The status of funding post June
2009 is not confirmed.
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. With many
organisations requesting the program for their families
on wait lists across the country, it is hoped that the
project will be re-funded to satisfy the demand.
Helen Efron, Director, Victoria, Sing & Grow Project
opportunities for children from these families to
socialise and learn through play.
In May 2008 VICSEG consulted with Playgroup
Victoria and presented a Food Handling and First Aid
training module at CALD playgroup leader training in
Hobsons Bay.
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 Playgroups and Parent
Groups 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
Playgroup Victoria works in
partnership with the City of
Greater Dandenong for the
delivery of the Intensive
Support Playgroup (ISP) program in Dandenong.
Victorian Cooperative on Children’s Service
for Ethnic Groups (VICSEG)
Playgroup Victoria is privileged to
have 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
Parenting Research Centre (PRC)
Playgroup Victoria has
partnered with PRC for
the MyTime program and
for the Department of Education and Early Childhood
Development playgroup research agenda.
10 35 th Annual Report

Corporate partnerships
Commonwealth Bank
The Commonwealth Bank
partnered Playgroup Victoria in
October 2008 to offer Playgroup
Victoria and its members a direct
referral service for all playgroup
and individual banking needs.
Playgroup Victoria provides the link between
playgroups, individual families and the
Commonwealth Bank.
Playgroups are assisted with their day to day
banking, transitional committee finance changes,
investment needs and direct access to financial
planning and business banking.
Playgroup Victoria Family Members can access
special discounts on day to day banking and on
personal lending including home, investment,
personal loans and credit cards. Individuals have
direct access to information on asset and income
protection, investment needs, financial planning
and business banking.
Crayola
Playgroup Victoria’s long
relationship with Crayola was
formalised into a partnership in
August 2008. Crayola provides
products to Playgroup Victoria
through its online shop and supports the Romp &
Stomp Fun Day for Children and National
Playgroup Week.
Stakeholders
Brendan Collins and Michelle Dickson, Austral
Anglo Pty Ltd
Chris Keenan, Create IT
David Jones, Semaphore Consulting
Kevin Treacey, KevCom
Peter Shields, Saward Dawson
Jame Lewis, Hon Solicitor
Raffle sponsors
Avgo Travel
V/Line
Take A Break
The Wiggles Live Pty Ltd
Early Learning Centre
Kids Central
Holidays with Kids
The Bub Hub
Leap Frog Limited
Comfyland
V/Line
V/Line commenced as a partner
with Playgroup Victoria in
September 2008. As the state’s
regional public transport provider,
V/Line runs more than 1400 train services and 600
coach services every week, helping a potential 1.3
million regional Victorian customers travel from
place to place. They also offer services for
Melburnians, as well as interstate and overseas
visitors, who visit or work in the country. Playgroup
Victoria will be working closely with V/Line to
increase safety on public transport for families,
increase country and regional playgroups’
experiences of Melbourne and to give metropolitan
playgroups opportunities to experience regional
Victoria.
35 th Annual Report 11

Corporate
Families in Australia: 2008 report
Federal Families and Housing, Community Services
and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin visited
Je Joue Playgroup in December to launch the
Families in Australia: 2008 Report.
The report summarised key issues and trends facing
Australian families. It examined fertility, caring
responsibilities, economic wellbeing of families, health
of family relationships and how Australians balanced
work and family responsibilities.
Before the funding announcement PlaySpot,
Playgroup Victoria's fully equipped travelling van
usually used only in the City of Greater Dandenong as
part of the Intensive Support Playgroup program,
had already taken playgroup to families in the fire
affected Victorian towns of Traralgon, Traralgon West,
Callignee, Wandong, Whittlesea, Yea, St
Andrews and Healesville.
Playgroup Victoria's PlaySpot van visits Callignee
Playgroup families
Minister Macklin at Je Joue Playgroup
Bushfire recovery
Playgroup Victoria responded quickly to help
communities affected by the Victorian bushfires.
Part of this response was to develop a longer term
rebuilding phase for playgroups in affected areas to:
• be responsive to member’s immediate, short term
and long term needs
• strengthen playgroups in affected areas
• bring playgroup families back together
• return families/children to normalised playgroup
routines
• help re-establish playgroups as part of the
community framework.
The Australian Government has allocated $273,200
in funding so Playgroup Victoria can continue
supporting playgroups affected by the Victorian
bushfires.
Federal Families and Housing, Community Services
and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin and
Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction Parliamentary
Secretary Bill Shorten announced the funding with at
the World's Biggest Playgroup at Melbourne Museum
during National Playgroup Week in March 2009.
The funding will enable Playgroup Victoria to lease
and purchase playgroup vehicles and employ staff to
help playgroups. Funding is initially for six months.
Children’s author visit
YoYo Goes to Playgroup author and illustrator
Jeannette Rowe visited Playgroup Victoria to meet
staff and recall some of the fun activities she enjoyed
with her daughter at playgroup.
In 2008 all playgroups were given a copy of YoYo
Goes to Playgroup with their literacy pack.
Jeanette Rowe is pictured with Playgroup Victoria
Executive Officer Kaye Plowman and Events Manager
Jane Bezzina.
12 35 th Annual Report

Events
Romp & Stomp Fun Day for Children
A crowd of more than 3300 attended the Romp & Stomp Fun Day at Melbourne
Museum in October. Children took part in activities and saw performances
throughout the Museum’s ground and lower levels. More than 25 per cent of
those attending pre-booked tickets and avoided the front entrance queue of
previous years. Activities were provided by Playgroup Victoria, Early Childhood
Management Services, Kindergarten Parents Victoria, Parks Victoria, Toy
Libraries Victoria, Gowrie Victoria, SunSmart, VICSEG, Museum Victoria and
the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.
World’s Greatest Pram Stroll
Playgroup Victoria joined the People and Parks Foundation and Parks Victoria
to promote the Healthy Parks Healthy People campaign at the World’s Greatest
Pram Stroll in October. More than 2600 people participated in simultaneous
strolls at 24 locations. The World’s Greatest Pram Stroll was first held in Albert
Park in 2002.
World’s Biggest Playgroup
More than 250 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 in March 2009. 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. Mums were offered a work out. DVDs and
playdough were among the giveaways.
Playgroup awards
Twenty one playgroup members received certificates of merit for outstanding
contributions to playgroup, and 11 playgroups received certificates for
completing online training modules to achieve Five Star Playgroup status at
Playgroup Victoria’s 2008 Annual General Meeting at Darebin Arts and
Entertainment Centre in May.
Steve Biddulph parenting talks
More than 1000 people attended the Raising Boys and the Secret of Happy
Children talks by Steve Biddulph at Plenty, Hoppers Crossing, Blackburn North
and Richmond in May.
We completed our May tour with a huge feeling of success, so I just wanted to
say thank you for all you did to make it so. You put a huge effort into promoting
it, getting the venues organised, and steering the whole thing to success, then
taking care of me and doing most of the work on the nights. Out of the 130,000
parents I've talked to, at least 20,000 have been with you. No one else comes
close to this. Steve Biddulph
Pregnancy, Babies & Children’s Expo
Playgroup Victoria staff explained the benefits of playgroup to thousands of
new parents at the Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s Expo at the Melbourne
Exhibition Centre, Southbank in October. Close to 24,000 attend the expo.
35 th Annual Report 13

Membership and Marketing
Membership and
marketing highlights
• Five playgroups completed Five Star training
modules and became Five Star playgroups
• More than 15,000 municipal playgroup directories
distributed through maternal and child health
centres, libraries and councils
• Playgroup literacy packs sent to all playgroups
that joined or renewed for 2008
• Professional Membership increased by 100%
• New literacy playsheets added to more than 100 A
to Z playsheets already online behind the
Members’ Gateway at www.playgroup.org.au
• 588 new playgroup sessions started
• 41 successful grant applications were auspiced by
Playgroup Victoria on behalf of playgroups
• Construction of new database system began to
make online payments possible
Just for members
Active Play Pack
Playgroup Victoria named 2009 its Year of Active Play
to raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity.
Playgroup Victoria’s key active play messages are:
• active play in every playgroup session
• families enjoying active play together
• Playgroups and families using community
resources for active play like parks, Playgroup
Victoria, SunSmart and Kids – Go for your life.
A playgroup Active Play Pack with Kids – Go for your
life information, posters, a Playgroup Victoria frisbee,
SunSmart DVD and an Active Play bear badge will be
sent to more than 1400 playgroups when they join or
renew Playgroup Victoria membership in 2009.
ABC discount card for Family Members
From January 2009, Playgroup Victoria and The
Australian Baby Card offered all Playgroup Victoria
members an Australian Baby Card (valued at $30)
entitling them to an extensive range of discounts and
special offers for babies, children and families.
Raffle
The 2008 Playgroup Victoria Raffle raised $64,772 of
which Victorian playgroups raised $32,386. Feedback
from playgroups suggested the Raffle was one of the
best and easiest fundraisers to organise. Some
playgroups used money raised to pay for toys and
equipment, rent, Christmas parties and excursions.
Over the last 11 years Playgroup Victoria has helped
Victorian playgroups raise more than $448,000.
Members’ Hotline
Our Members’ Hotline offered all members a quick
and effective phone link to support, guidance and
information. In 2008 the hotline celebrated its 8000th
call since its inception in 2004.
14 35 th Annual Report

Training
Playgroup training
workshops
In 2008 more than 60
workshops were held
across Victoria. Training
included free Discover
Playgroup workshops
and playgroup training
workshops run over one,
two or six days. Training
was offered to all
playgroups, local
government, agencies
and other organisations
that ran or supported
playgroups. Playgroup
workshop topics offered
were:
• Active Play
• Literacy
• Music
• Creating and
planning play
• Running an effective
playgroup
• Efficient playgroup
committees
• Play at playgroup
• Guiding children’s
behaviour at
playgroup
• Health and safety at
playgroup
Playgroup leader
training
This six day leader
training is run specifically
for coordinators of CALD
playgroups. The course
includes a selection of
the above modules and a
range of speakers from
local community
services. The course
also offers the
opportunity for
participants to gain food
handlers and first aide
certificates.
Hobsons Bay CALD Playgroup Leader Training May 2008
Dandenong CALD Playgroup Leader Training May 2008
Dandenong CALD Playgroup Leader Training. November 2008
35 th Annual Report 15

Promoting playgroup
Playgroup promotion packs
Over 15,000 promotional playgroup packs were
sent to councils, libraries, toy libraries,
neighbourhood houses and maternal and child
health centres. Inside packs was information on the
benefits of playgroup and how to join or start one;
membership and training information; a free
resources sheet outlining Playgroup Victoria
promotional material and information on municipal
playgroup directories designed specifically for each
municipality in Victoria.
Parent talk kit upgrade
Close to 200 playgroup volunteers in 68 Victorian
municipalities who speak to new parent groups at
local maternal and child health centres about
playgroup were offered upgraded, free personalised
kits to help with these presentations.
New playgroup hotline
New Playgroup Hotline staff sent more than 570
families the How to Start a Playgroup booklet and
DVD and helped families start a playgroup and find
a venue.
Toll free number
The Australian Government, through Playgroup
Australia, funds an 1800 number so families can
contact state and territory playgroup associations
toll free. In May, close to 2000 Victorians contacted
Playgroup Victoria on this toll free number.
1800 171 882 toll free calls to Playgroup Victoria
16 35 th Annual Report

Website and publications
www.playgroup.org.au
New resources added to the Members’ Gateway in
Playgroup Victoria’s Year of Early Literacy in 2008
were:
• Preschool storytimes offered by Victoria’s
municipal libraries including those offered in
languages other than English
• A comprehensive suggested reading guide for
babies, toddlers and preschoolers
• Suggested websites for more reading ideas
• Six new literacy A to Z playsheets
The groundwork was laid in 2008 for a website
upgrade in 2009 to meet increasing demand for
paying membership online and interest in online
advertising. The new online membership system was
developed in October. Testing began soon after and,
due to its size and detail, continued into early 2009.
Visits to the website increased by 25 percent.
Playgrouper magazine
About 25,000 copies of
Playgrouper were home
delivered to Playgroup
Victoria members in
February, June and
November.
At least five articles
appeared in each issue on
how early literacy skills
could develop through play.
Features included
playgroup parties, politics
and going green as well as a day in the life of a
maternal and child health nurse. Ten playgroups were
profiled. The latest on diabetes, healthy teeth and
good foot health appeared. Parentline columns
covered sibling rivalry, the value of slowing down and
what happens when you build a relationship with your
child.
Respondents to a survey in the June issue identified
Playgrouper as one of the top Playgroup Victoria
member benefits. Most identified play suggestions
and parenting ideas as the content they valued most.
ePlaygroup News
ePlaygroup News was emailed in
March, April, May, June, July,
August and September to
everyone who subscribed free
through the website and at
Playgroup Victoria events. Each
issue included early literacy tips
and a new A to Z playsheet.
Titles of new A to Z playsheets
were:
• Making books
• Reading aloud to babies and young children
• Storytelling
• Managing postnatal depression
• Creating a language rich environment
Subscriptions increased in 2008 by almost 75 percent.
ePlaygroup Professional
ePlaygroup Professional was
emailed in March and August to
a network of professionals
involved in playgroup and early
childhood services. More than
six times as many people
received it in 2008 than the year
before.
Starting Playgroups in Schools booklet
This booklet was developed to
help schools looking for ways
to build connections with
families before their children
reach school age. It will be
distributed to all Victorian
primary schools in 2009.
Starting Playgroups in Neighbourhood
Houses and learning centres
Many playgroups meet in
neighbourhood houses. This
booklet assists coordinators to
start or run playgroups taking
into account specific challenges
and opportunities at their
venues.
35 th Annual Report 17

In the community
Presentations
• In partnership with Playgroup Australia, Playgroup
Victoria presented papers at:
- Every Child Matters Conference, Rod Laver
Arena, May 2008. Growing Stronger
Together. Supported Playgroups: Nurturing
Children, Strengthening Families, Building
Community
- Queen Elizabeth Conference, Albert Park,
Melbourne, November 2008, Working with
CALD Families to Create Supportive,
Sustainable, Community-owned Playgroups
• PANDA Forum, Melbourne University, Hawthorn
Campus, March 2009, Groups Supporting Women
from CALD Background
• In partnership with VAEAI, Playgroup Victoria
presented at World Indigenous Peoples
Conference on Education (WIPCE) December –
Koorie Playgroup Kit and Queen Elizabeth Centre
(QEC) Conference, November. WIPCE is a
triennial conference of international significance
that attracts peoples from around the globe to
celebrate and share diverse cultures, traditions
and knowledge with a focus on world Indigenous
education
• Keynote speaker at Mobile Meet Program,
September—Intensive Support Playgroups-A
Journey into Mobile Children’s Services
• Ross Trust Seminar on School Readiness—
presenting on playgroups and school readiness
Expos and displays
Playgroup Victoria participated at 24 expos and
festivals during the year:
• Municipal Association of Victoria Maternal and
Child Health Service Conference, Melbourne
Exhibition Centre, Southbank
• Maroondah Festival, Croydon Park
• Association of Neighbourhood Houses and
Learning Centres (ANHLC) Conference, Bendigo
• PlayDaze, City of Casey, Hallam
• Early Years Mini Expo, City of Ballarat
• Celebration of Hemmings Park, Dandenong
• Pregnancy and Early Years Expo, Cranbourne
• Words Anywhere Anytime, Early Literacy
Conference, Springvale Town Hall
• Springvale Children’s Expo, Springvale Town Hall
• Children’s Book Council of Australia Annual Book
Festival, Melbourne University
• Early Years Expo, Mildura
• Father’s Day Family Activities Festival, Hemmings
Park, Dandenong
• Play Daze, Arthur Wren Community Hall,
Hampton Park
• Indigenous Health/Healing Expo, Lilydale
Showgrounds
• PBC Expo, Melbourne Exhibition Centre,
Southbank
• Teddy Bears Picnic and Book Hunt, City of
Banyule
• Maternal and Child Health Conference, Melbourne
Convention Centre, Melbourne
• Family Fun Day, McFees Road Playground,
Dandenong North
• PANDA, Federation Square, Melbourne
• Whittlesea Schools Showcase Forum,
Thomastown Library
• QEC International Conference, The Sebel Hotel,
Albert Park
• Parenting Australia Expo, Caulfield Racecourse
• Mem Fox Author Tour, Moreland City Libraries,
Coburg
• WIPCE 2008, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Playgroup network
meetings
A growing number of local government and agency
professionals working with playgroups joined
Playgroup Victoria’s Playgroup network. At meetings
held during the year participants shared information,
gathered new ideas and linked with others. People
unable to attend each meeting stayed connected with
the network by email. Meetings were in metropolitan
and regional areas.
Municipal Playgroup
Worker forums
Playgroup Victoria hosted two forums for municipal
playgroup workers. Playgroup workers from 14
municipalities attended the forum at the Darebin Arts
and Entertainment Centre in April and from 13
municipalities at the forum at St Kilda Town Hall in
August.
At both forums participants networked with other
municipal workers, shared experiences and heard
about new strategies they could use in their roles.
18 35 th Annual Report

Awards
Playgroup Victoria was a finalist in the Victorian
Government 2008 Early Years Awards:
• for the Koorie Playgroup Kit (finalist)
• as a partner with Hobsons Bay Council—Hobsons
Bay Playgroup Leader Workshops (finalist)
• as a partner with Yarra Ranges—Explore, Play and
Build: Yarra Ranges Supported Parenting and
Playgroup Initiative, Building Capacity through Play
(highly commended)
• as a partner with Knox City Council—Building
Bridges through Supported Playgroups (winner).
35 th Annual Report 19

Programs
Community Playgroup
Program
This is by far our largest program funded by the
Department of Families, Housing, Community
Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) under the
Playgroup Program. It supports the majority of our
playgroups that are self-run and caters for the needs
of families within a community.
Supported Playgroups and
Parent Groups Initiative
The Victorian Government increased Playgroup
Victoria's Supported Playgroups and Parent Groups
Initative (SPPI) funding to provide additional support
to new and existing SPPI sites. The existing 14 sites
will expand to 29 in 2009. Relevant municipalities will
receive funding directly from DEECD to start new
parent and playgroups to meet the needs of children
and families who might otherwise miss out. Playgroup
Victoria’s major role in this initiative is to provide
assistance and support to organisations funded
through SPPI and broader Best Start sites.
Minister announces funding boost at World's
Biggest Playgroup
Victorian Children and Early Childhood Development
Minister Maxine Morand opened Playgroup Victoria's
World's Biggest Playgroup at Melbourne Museum in
2008. She announced a $788,000 funding boost to
DEECD for the Playgroups and Parent Groups
Initiative to expand to an additional 15 locations
across Victoria.
Supported Playgroups and Parent Groups
conference
More than 230 delegates attended Playgroup
Victoria’s third supported playgroup conference,
Making it Happen: Understanding, Engagement,
Empowerment, at the Hemisphere Conference in
Moorabbin on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 June. It was
opened by Victorian Children and Early Childhood
Development Minister Maxine Morand. Keynote
speaker was Dr Susana Gavidia-Payne. Participants
had a choice of four interactive workshops to attend.
Minister Morand is presented with a photo entitled
‘Friendship the blueprint of playgroup’.
National Supported
Playgroups Program
This national program is funded by the Australian
Government's Department of Families, Housing,
Community Services and Indigenous Affairs is part of
the National Playgroup Program coordinated by
Playgroup Australia.
Supported playgroups provide opportunities for
parents and children who would not normally access a
playgroup to enhance their relationship in a supportive
environment, increase their skills and confidence, and
develop valuable social and family support networks.
In 2008, Playgroup Victoria coordinated 15 supported
playgroups under this program in Victoria.
Minister Morand is pictured giving Playgroup Victoria’s
Book Bear a hug after her announcement with
Playgroup Victoria Executive Officer Kaye Plowman.
MyTime
MyTime is a $9 million national initiative coordinated
by the Parenting Research Centre for the Department
of Families and Housing, Community Services and
Indigenous Affairs to support parents and caregivers
of children under school age with a disability or
chronic medical condition.
20 35 th Annual Report

As the major provider of MyTime in Victoria,
Playgroup Victoria had 27 MyTime groups operating
during the year and is looking to establish a further 14
groups in 2009. More than 680 parents attended
MyTime groups in Victoria.
Intensive Support
Playgroups—Greater
Dandenong
PlaySpot is an intensive support playgroup program
(ISP) established in 2006 with Australian Government
funding. The program is to establish and maintain
playgroups that ensure all families with children under
school age have access to quality playgroups to
support children to have the best possible start in life
regardless of their life circumstances.
The program provides support and help to parents/
caregivers and their young children focusing on long
term prevention and early intervention strategies. It
also provides crisis intervention services to families,
creating a proactive approach to finding solutions to
families in crisis. Families are referred to the program
by local agencies and service providers such as
maternal and child health, refugee centres, housing
and community services.
Initially seven PlaySpot sessions were established in
Greater Dandenong and run from a staffed, fully
equipped van. During the reporting period, three of
these successfully transitioned to facilitated
playgroups, and in partnership with the City of Greater
Dandenong a new group was established at the Plaza
Shopping Centre. With easy, non-threatening access,
Plaza Playgroup offers families unfamiliar with
services relevant information, support, and a friendly,
welcoming play space for young children.
Communities for Children -
Greater Dandenong
Communities for Children (CfC) started in 2006 with
funding from the Australian Government's
Communities for Children Stronger Families and
Communities Strategies. Playgroup Victoria partners
with Mission Australia to resource, support and
develop new and existing playgroups in Greater
Dandenong, focussing on suburbs with the postcode
3175.
CfC aims to increase playgroup participation, support
and promote existing playgroups, and start new
supported playgroups for families with high needs.
Training, resources and network opportunities are
provided to playgroups and playgroup leaders.
Through CfC, the wide range of playgroups supported
and established reflects Dandenong’s diverse
multicultural population - the most recent to be
established was a playgroup for Burmese refugees.
There are several playgroups in primary schools,
supported by a schools reference group.
Following the success of the first course, a second
five-session playgroup leader course, funded by
FaHCSIA through Mission Australia, was held at
Noble Park Community Centre in October and
November. Course participants from a broad range of
cultural and linguistic backgrounds gained appropriate
skills and knowledge so they could confidently lead or
volunteer in playgroups. This training is extremely
popular, and raises the quality of playgroups in
Dandenong.
PlaySpot and CfC supported playgroups joined
together for an end-of-year celebration picnic in
Dandenong. Supported by Mission Australia and the
City of Greater Dandenong, it included storytime from
the city’s Library Outreach Services.
PlaySpot and CfC also joined together to bring 130
playgroupers in four buses to the World’s Biggest
Playgroup at the Melbourne Museum in March 2009.
For most families it was their first visit to the museum.
ASD PlayConnect
Playgroups
Playgroup Australia received funding to establish 150
PlayConnect Playgroups nationally over four years: 50
will be established between October 2008 and June
2009; 100 more will start by 30 June 2011.
PlayConnect playgroups are part of the Australian
Government’s Helping Children with Autism package
and will:
• offer play based learning opportunities for children
aged 0-6 years with ASD and ASD-like symptoms
• create and extend informal social support
networks for their families and carers
• complement other components of the Helping
Children with Autism package.
Playgroup Victoria was one of the first playgroup
associations to start an ASD playgroup. The launch of
the program was in Melbourne.
35 th Annual Report 21

Koorie playgroups
Koorie Playgroup Kit
Free membership for
Koorie playgroups
Playgroup Victoria offered free membership to all
Koorie playgroups in 2008.
Koorie playgroup kits were launched in NAIDOC
Week in July as a Playgroup Victoria initiative
developed in consultation with Victorian and
Australian government departments, VAEAI,
SNAICC and VACCA and funded by the Department
of Science and Training. Kits included resources
such as books, posters and a DVD carefully put
together to increase awareness of the Koorie
culture. The Koorie Kit was a finalist in the 2008
Early Years Awards.
Koorie Playgroups DVD
2008 Enhance TV ATOM
award finalist
Koorie Playgroups DVD,
developed by Fraynework
Multimedia and part of the
Koorie Playgroup Kit, was a
finalist in the 2008 Enhance
TV ATOM Awards in the Best
Indigenous Resource
Category.
Koorie playgroup network
meetings
The Koorie Playgroup Network brings together
representatives from local, state and Australian
government, agencies and organisations. The
network aims to support Victorian Koorie families
and children through playgroup participation. The
network began in 2006 and meets in metropolitan
and rural areas.
22 35 th Annual Report

Playgroup Victoria thanks...
Playgroup Victoria Board of Governance
Karen Harvey-Collings, President
Vivian Savvides, Vice-president
Margie Brett, Treasurer
Rachel Murphy, Elected Member
Rebecca Middleton, Appointed Member
Playgroup Victoria Staff
Kaye Plowman, Executive Officer
Nella Arthur, Program Manager
Anne Fortune, Early Intervention Program Manager
Jason Doherty, Marketing and Membership Manager
Jane Bezzina, Events Manager
Carolyn Eley, Administration Manager
Chiara Squeo, Managers' Assistant
Denise Lucey, Editor
Rafik Attalah, Accountant
Linlin Jin, Bookkeeper
Mary Osrecak, Bookkeeper Assistant
Deb Sedlarevic, Playgroup Training Consultant
Wendy Veber, Projects Coordinator
Maureen Singleton, Membership Coordinator
Dianne Gerrard, Membership Administrator
Jo-Anne Brinkley, Playgroup Administration Assistant
Nancy-lee Merzel, Assistant Membership
Administrator
Vicki Ringrow, Membership Administration Assistant
Rosie Dymus, New Playgroup Hotline Consultant
Carol Gray, Receptionist
Diana Fouracre, Community Development Projects
Officer
Thu Nguyen, IT Administrator
Rosanna Di Grazia, Playgroup Development Assistant
MyTime
Leonie White, MyTime Coordinator
MyTime facilitators:
• Cindy Hinterholzl
• Andrea Day
• Raylene Cullen
• Leigh Lovell
MyTime play helpers:
• Dawn Cotterell
• Melda Doruk
• Amanda Hardaway
• Wendy Blakis
• Eliza Lee
Supported playgroups program
Isabella Rosinsky, State Supported Playgroup
Coordinator
Supported playgroup development workers:
• Patricia Ipsen
• Sue Lenzi
• Lyn Barclay
• Eva Rado
• Angel Shea
• Renaye Quackawoot
• April Grant
• Kate McNamara
• Jill Warner
• Nellie Astle –Hulsman
• Maysoon Sleiman
• Belinda Gadsby
• Sharon Kleive
• Jo Weedon
• Jenni Parnis
• Safia saleem
• Ann Lo Nigro
• Cathy Woodward
• Holly Southwell
• Alison Lofts
• Louise Willis
Special thanks to
Maria Ganci from
Milparinka
Disability Services
for the many
volunteer hours
she has given to
Playgroup Victoria.
Communities for Children
Doris Wong, Playgroup Coordinator, Greater
Dandenong
Supported playgroup leaders:
• Chaw Po
• Setsuko Nakazawa
• Nyanchiew Bol
• Mary Daniel
• Haiying Li
• Teremoana Topa
Intensive support playgroups
Liseby Lapierre, Intensive Support Playgroup
Coordinator, Greater Dandenong
Julie Mineo, Intensive Support Playgroup Coordinator
Yawen Su, Play assistant
Helena McGrath, ISP peer support
Relievers:
• Evangeline Sukumar
• Nadia Faheem Abu-Duhou
• Teremoana Topa
• Monira Taheri
• Nasseema-Bee Khoyratty
Supported Playgroups and Parent Groups
Initiative (SPPI)
Cath Healy, SPPI Coordinator
Deborah Njegac, SPPI Project Worker
PlayConnect (ASD)Playgroups
Janine Regan, Victorian PlayConnect and Supported
Playgroups Manager
PlayConnect Development Workers:
• Michelle Andrews
• Nga Do
• Jodie Walsh
35 th Annual Report 23

Financials
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
2008 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:
President
Board of Governance member
Dated this 27th day of April 2009
Treasurer’s report
Summary
2008 has again been a very exciting and successful
one for Playgroup Victoria and I am pleased to report
an operating surplus of $38,943 for the twelve month
period to 31 December 2008.
Financial performance
Revenue from operating activities in 2008 was
$2,056,725. Our major sources of funding were from
Government grants ($1,380,244) and membership
fees ($432,308), representing 67% and 21% of total
income respectively. Playgroup Victoria gained grants
for two new programs during the year (Play Connect
and Locality Fund), a total of nine programs were
funded.
The key factors that contributed to the 2008 result
were additional grant income, maintaining the strong
membership base, a full complement of staff numbers
throughout most of the year and strong advertising
revenue generated from Playgrouper magazine.
Playgroup Victoria acknowledges the generous
financial support received from the Commonwealth
Department of Families, Housing, Community
Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) and the
Victorian Department of Education and Early
Childhood Development (DEECD).
Financial position
At the end of 2008, Playgroup Victoria’s equity stands
at $575,501. Playgroup Victoria has a sound balance
sheet with sufficient liquid assets to meet all known
contingencies.
The year ahead
Playgroup Victoria looks forward to another strong
year in 2009, and has a strategic plan in place that
provides a framework and direction for the
organisation. Playgroup Victoria is well positioned to
build on the growth and success of the last 12 months
and anticipates another rewarding year.
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 her 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 on-going
assistance and professionalism in the work he has
done for the association.
Margie Brett, Treasurer
24 35 th Annual Report

www.youraccountant.com.au
Independent audit report to the
members of Playgroup Victoria Inc
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 balance sheet as at 31 December
2008, and the income statement, 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 presents fairly, in all material respects
the financial position of Playgroup Victoria Inc as of
31 December 2008 and of its financial performance
for the year then ended in accordance with the
accounting policies described in Note 1 to the
financial statements.
Saward Dawson Chartered Accountants
Peter Shields
Partner
29 April 2009
Blackburn
20 Albert Street / PO Box 256
Blackburn Victoria 3130
T: 03 9894 2500 F: 03 9894 1622
contact@youraccountant.com.au
PRINCIPALS: Bruce Saward FCA Cliff Dawson FCA
Peter Shields CA Tim Flowers CA
ASSOCIATE: Cathy Braun CA
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional
Services Legislation
CHARTERED
ACCOUNTANTS
A member of
Russell Bedford
International

Playgroup Victoria Inc. ABN 13 094 186 877 Inc Ass # A0012387K
Balance sheet as at
31 December 2008
NOTE 2008
$
2007
$
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents 2(a) 284,026 27,195
Financial assets
Inventory
5 639,925
-
873,190
8,580
Trade and other
48,460 17,482
receivables
Other current assets 6 14,331 37,711
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 986,742 964,158
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Property, plant and
7 60,909 50,855
equipment
TOTAL NON-CURRENT
60,909 50,855
ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS 1,047,651 1,015,013
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade and other payables 9a 273,427 255,734
Short term provisions 8 142,421 127,169
Short term borrowings 10a 4,788 56,380
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 420,636 439,283
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade and other payables 9b 20,690 5,670
Long term provisions 8 25,421 23,311
Long term borrowings 10b 5,403 10,191
TOTAL NON-CURRENT
51,514 39,172
LIABILITIES
TOTAL LIABILITIES 472,150 478,455
NET ASSETS 575,501 536,558
MEMBERS’ FUNDS
Reserves 13 91,423 91,423
Accumulated funds 484,078 445,135
ACCUMULATED FUNDS AT
END OF YEAR 575,501 536,558
Income statement for the
year ended 31 December
2008
NOTE 2008
$
2007
$
REVENUE
Grant funding 679,470 466,370
PEP funding - 198,081
SPP funding 90,958 93,231
Play Connect 1,640 -
Locality Fund 12,535 -
DHS funding 133,121 113,036
C4C funding 96,307 125,269
ISP funding 157,631 186,100
My Time 169,104 64,035
DEST & Koorie Kits 39,478 15,822
Membership income 432,308 455,103
Product sales 4,455 7,917
Playgrouper income 58,200 61,134
Fundraising income 52,568 44,526
Project income 4,800 9,600
Administration income 124,150 101,152
TOTAL REVENUES FROM
ORDINARY ACTIVITIES 2,056,725 1,941,376
EXPENDITURE
Grant expenses 679,474 438,373
PEP expenses - 188,625
SPP expenses 90,957 88,713
Play Connect 262 -
Locality Fund 12,535 -
DHS expenses 140,884 102,036
C4C expenses 96,307 118,030
ISP expenses 157,702 171,459
My Time expenses 168,097 64,034
DEST & Koorie Kits exp. 33,051 15,821
Membership expenses 160,740 136,629
Product expenses 2,168 6,315
Playgrouper expenses 125,880 120,471
Fundraising expenses 30,520 19,837
Project expenses 5,050 731
Administration expenses 314,155 377,473
Net surplus / (deficit) from
ordinary activities
attributable to the
association
4
2,017,782
38,943
1,848,548
92,828
Notes to and forming part of these financial statements are
attached
26
35 th Annual Report

Playgroup Victoria Inc. ABN 13 094 186 877 Inc Ass # A0012387K
Statement of cash flows for the year ended
31 December 2008
NOTE 2008
$
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Receipts from members & associates 2,191,655 1,773,793
Interest received 67,745 56,151
Payments to employees & suppliers (2,140,110) (1,930,189)
Borrowing cost (109) (792)
NET FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 2(b) 119,181 (101,037)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Redemption (Placement) of term deposits 233,265 (96,475)
Payment for property, plant and equipment (39,235) (15,409)
NET FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 194,030 (111,884)
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Borrowings procured (repaid) (4,624) (4,471)
NET FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES (4,624) (4,471)
Net increase or decrease in cash held 308,587 (217,392)
Cash at beginning of financial year (24,561) 192,831
Cash at end of financial year 2(a) 284,026 (24,561)
2007
$
Notes to and forming part of these financial statements are attached
35 th Annual Report 27

Playgroup Victoria Inc. ABN 13 094 186 877 Inc Ass # A0012387K
Statement of changes in equity for the year ended
31 December 2008
Accumulated
funds
Reserve for
future
depreciation
Reserve for
projects
Reserve for
premises
Reserve
For DGR Total
$ $ $ $ $ $
Balance at 1 January
2007 354,492 28,300 10,488 50,000 443,730
Net surplus from
ordinary activities 92,828 92,828
Transfer to/from
reserves (2,635) 2,635
Balance at 31
December 2007 445,135 28,300 10,488 50,000 2,635 536,558
Net surplus from
ordinary activities 38,943
Transfer to/from
reserves
Balance at 31
December 2008 484,078 28,300 10,488 50,000 2,635 575,501
Notes to and forming part of these financial statements are attached
28
35 th Annual Report

Playgroup Victoria Inc. ABN 13 094 186 877 Inc Ass # A0012387K
1. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The financial report is a special purpose financial report
prepared in order to satisfy the financial requirements of the
Associations Incorporations Act (Vic). The Board of
Governance has determined that the association is not a
reporting entity.
The financial report has been prepared in accordance with the
requirements of the Associations Incorporation Act (Vic), which
requires compliance with certain Australian Accounting
Standards. The following Australian Accounting Standards have
been applied:
AASB 101
AASB 107
AASB 108
AASB 110
AASB 116
AASB 117
AASB 118
AASB 136
AASB 1004
AASB 1031
Presentation of Financial Statements
Cash Flow Statements
Accounting Policies, Changes in
Accounting Estimates and Errors
Events Occurring after Balance Sheet
Date
Property, Plant and Equipment
Leases
Revenue
Impairment of Assets
Contributions
Materiality
a) Income Tax
Playgroup Victoria Incorporated is exempt from tax under
section 50-5 of the Income Tax Assessment Act as the
Association is viewed as a non-profit association
established for community service.
b) Inventories
Inventories consist of publications, recordings and other
play equipment and are valued at the lower cost and net
realisable value. Costs are assigned on a specific
identification basis and include direct costs and
appropriate overheads, if any.
c) Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are brought to account at
cost, less where applicable, any accumulated depreciation
or amortisation. The carrying amount is reviewed annually
by management to ensure it is not in excess of the fair
value for existing use by the association. The depreciable
amount of all property, plant and equipment are
depreciated over their estimated useful lives to the
association commencing from the time the asset is held
ready for use.
The depreciation rates used for each class of assets are:
Computer equipment – 30% - straight line
Furniture & fittings – 11-25% - straight line
Office equipment – 20% - straight line
d) Leases
Lease payments for operating leases, where substantially
all the risks and benefits remain with the lessor, are
charged as expenses in the periods in which they are
incurred.
Leases of fixed assets where substantially all the risks
and benefits incidental to the ownership of the asset, but
not the legal ownership that are transferred to the
association are classified as finance leases. Finance
leases are capitalised by recording an asset and a liability
at the lower of the amounts equal to the fair value of the
leased property or the present value of the minimum lease
payments, including any guaranteed residual values.
Lease payments are allocated between the reduction of
the lease liability and the lease interest expense for the
period. Leased assets are depreciated on a straight-line
basis over their estimated useful lives where it is likely that
the association will obtain ownership of the asset or over
the term of the lease.
e) Employee Benefits
Employee benefits in the form of annual leave
entitlements have been provided for in the accounts by
way of provisions based on leave entitlements at year end
and current wage rates. Long service leave has been
measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the
liability is settled including related on costs. The
association has determined to accrue long service leave
from the beginning of any employee’s tenure.
f) Subscription income including related on costs
The association’s membership year runs from 1 January
to 31 December. Early bird subscriptions for the 2009 year
have been treated as income received in advance in the
2008 year.
g) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand,
deposits held at-call with banks, other short-term highly
liquid investments with original maturities of three
months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts
are shown within borrowings in current liabilities on the
balance sheet.
h) Revenue
Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised upon the
delivery of goods to customers.
Interest revenue is recognised on a proportional basis
taking into account the interest rate applicable to the
financial assets.
Revenue from the rendering of services is recognised
upon the delivery of the service.
Government grants are recognised as income as they are
earned.
Membership income is recognised on a proportional basis
of the membership period.
Other revenue is recognised when the right to receive the
revenue has been established.
All revenue is stated net of the amount of goods and
services tax (GST).
35 th Annual Report 29

Playgroup Victoria Inc. ABN 13 094 186 877 Inc Ass # A0012387K
i) Government Grants
The association receives grant income from various
government bodies. As at year end, the portion unspent in
relation to the grant income is recognised as unearned
income. The amounts have to be repaid where and only
where the grant income is unspent, in a manner
consistent with the funding agreement.
j) Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of
the amount of GST, except where the amount of GST
incurred is not recoverable from the Australian Tax
Office. In these circumstances the GST is recognised
as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part
of an item of the expense. Receivables and payables in
the balance sheet are shown inclusive of GST.
k) Net fair value
The net fair value of financial assets and financial
liabilities approximate their carrying value. The aggregate
net fair values and carrying amounts of financial assets
and financial liabilities are disclosed in the Balance Sheet
and in the notes to and forming part of the accounts
l) Impairment of Assets
At each reporting date, the Board of Governance reviews
the carrying values of all assets to determine whether
there is any indication that those assets have been
impaired. If such an indication exists, the recoverable
amount of the asset, being the higher of the asset’s fair
value less costs to sell and its depreciated replacement
cost, is compared to the assets’ carrying value. Any
excess of the assets’ carrying value over its recoverable
amount is expensed to the income statement.
30
35 th Annual Report

Playgroup Victoria Inc. ABN 13 094 186 877 Inc Ass # A0012387K
Notes to accounts for the
year ended 31 December
2008
2. STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW 2008
$
2007
$
(a) CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash on hand 940 990
Cash at bank 283,086 26,205
284,026 27,195
RECONCILATION OF CASH
Cash at the end of the financial year as shone in
the cash flow statement is reconciled to items in
the balance sheet as follows:
Cash and cash equivalent 284,026 27,195
Bank overdrafts - (51,756)
284,026 (24,561)
(b) RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH
PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO
OPERATING SURPLUS
Operating surplus 38,943 92,828
Non-cash flows in operating
surplus
- depreciation 29,181 22,612
Changes in assets and liabilities
- (increase)/decrease in trade and
other debtors (43,522) (17,432)
- (increase)/decrease in stock 8,580 3,075
- (increase)/decrease in
prepayments 35,925 (24,204)
- increase/(decrease) in creditors
and accruals 6,600 28,305
- changes to employee provisions
17,362 20,656
- increase/(decrease) in income in
advance 26,112 (226,877)
Net Cash Flow from Operations 119,181 (101,037)
3. OTHER INFORMATION
(a) Association details
The association‘s principle place of business is 346 Albert Street,
Brunswick. The association employed 88 people during the year
(43 people in 2007).
(b) Economic dependence
The association is dependent on continued funding from
government grants. Approximately 60% of the association’s revenue
is sourced from Federal and State government grants.
4. SURPLUS FROM ORDINARY ACTIVITIES 2008
$
2007
$
Surplus from ordinary activities has
been determined after:
(a) Expenses
Cost of sales (849) 6,315
Depreciation of non-current assets
- office equipment 5,403 2,629
- computer equipment 16,473 15,909
- motor vehicles 3,231
Rental expense on operating leases 21,706 23,449
Remuneration of auditor
- audit 7,600 7,250
- raffle audit
- grant acquittals
700
2,750
600
2,205
5. FINANCIAL ASSETS
Term deposits 639,925 873,190
639,925 873,190
6. OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Interest receivable
Prepayments
12,544
-
1,787 37,711
14,331 37,711
7. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Office equipment at cost 28,145 17004
Accumulated depreciation (12,116) (6,713)
16,029 10,291
Computer equipment and software at
cost 56,453 50,765
Accumulated depreciation (42,354) (25,481)
14,099 25,284
Motor Vehicles at cost 52,888 30,081
Accumulated depreciation (33,311) (30,080)
19,576 1
Leasehold improvements - 14,020
Accumulated depreciation - (14,020)
- -
Leased plant, and equipment 20,372 20,372
Accumulated depreciation (9,167) (5,093)
11,205 15,279
60,909 50,855
35 th Annual Report 31

Playgroup Victoria Inc. ABN 13 094 186 877 Inc Ass # A0012387K
Movements in carrying amounts
Office
equipment
Computer
equipment
Motor vehicles
Leasehold
improvements
Leased plant
and equipment
Total
Balance as at 1 January 2008 10,291 25,284 1 - 15,279 50,855
Additions 11,141 5,288 22,806 - - 39,235
Depreciation expense (5,403) (16,473) (3,231) (4,074) (29,181)
Carrying amount at the end of the
year 16,029 14,099 19,576 11,205 60,909
32
35 th Annual Report

Playgroup Victoria Inc. ABN 13 094 186 877 Inc Ass # A0012387K
2008
$
2007
$
8. PROVISIONS
Current
- Annual leave 78,139 64,184
- Long service leave 64,282 62,984
142,421 127,168
Non-current
- Long service leave 25,421 23,311
25,421 23,311
9. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES
a) Current
Creditors and accruals 91,043 109,173
Trust account 13,642 2,782
Income In Advance
- Membership - 1,149
- Government grants 165,555 136,425
- Playgrouper advertising - 630
- Projects 3,187 5,575
273,427 255,734
b) Non Current
Trust account 20,690 5,670
20,690 5,670
10. BORROWINGS
a) Current
Finance Lease Liability 11 4,788 4,624
Bank Overdraft - 51,756
4,788 56,380
b) Non current
Finance Lease Liability 11 5,403 10,191
11. OPERATING LEASE ©
Operating lease commitments being
for Office lease and Photocopier
lease
- Not later than one year 23,770 19,637
- Later than one year but not later 55,507 67,547
than five years
- Later than five years
79,277 87,184
The office lease is an 8 year lease
commenced from 1 January 2004,
with rent payable annually in
advance on each anniversary date.
The minimum lease payments shall
be increased by 7% per annum.
The photocopier lease is a 60 month
lease commenced from 9 April 2008,
with fixed rent instalments of $230.
2008
$
2007
$
12. FINANCE LEASE ©
Finance lease commitments being for
telephone lease
- Not later than one year 5,055 5,055
- Later than one year but not later
than five years
5,491 15,705
Minimum lease payments 10,546 20,798
Less future finance charges (355) (1,512)
Total finance liability 10,191 19,286
Represented by
Current liability 9 4,788 4,624
Non-current liability 9 5,403 10,191
10,191 14,815
The telephone lease is a 48 month lease commencing from 6
October 2006, with fixed rent instalments of $467.
13. RESERVES
(a) Reserve for projects
The reserve for projects represents funds set aside for the use of
projects in the future.
(b) Reserve for future depreciation
The reserve for future depreciation represents funds set aside for
the future depreciation of assets funded by Playgroup Australia.
© Reserve for premises
The reserve for premises represents funds set aside for the future
office premises of Playgroup Victoria Inc.
(d) Reserve for deductible gift funds
The reserve for deductible gift funds represents funds set aside for
transferring money to the association for its current or continuing
use
35 th Annual Report 33

Playgroup Victoria Inc. ABN 13 094 186 877 Inc Ass # A0012387K
14. CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICY
The following Australian Accounting Standards issued or amended which are applicable to Playgroup Victoria Inc. but are not yet effective and
have not been adopted in preparation of the financial statements at reporting date.
AASB Amendment AASB Standard Affected Nature of Change in Accounting Policy
and Impact
AASB 2007-3
Amendments to
Australian Accounting
Standards
Amendments to Australian
Accounting Standards
[AASB 5, 6, 102, 107,
119, 127, 134, 136, 1023
& 1038]
It is anticipated that there will be no direct
impact on recognition and measurement
criteria amounts included in the financial
report.
Application
Date of the
Standard
Application
Date for the
Company
1 January 2009 1 January 2009
AASB 2007-6
Amendments to
Australian Accounting
Standards
Amendments to Australian
Accounting Standard –
[AASB 1, 101, 107, 111,
116, 138]
The revised AASB 123: Borrowing costs
issued June 2007 has removed the option
to expense all borrowing costs. This
amendment will require the capitalisation
of all borrowing costs directly attributable
to the acquisition, construction or
production of a qualifying asset.
However, there will be no direct impact on
the amounts included in the company’s
financials as the company already
capitalises borrowing costs related to
qualifying assets.
1 January 2009 1 January 2009
AASB 2007-8
Amendment to
Australian Accounting
Standards
AASB 101: Presentation
of Financial Statements
The revised AASB 101: Presentation of
Financial Statements issued in
September 2007 requires the
presentation of a statement of
comprehensive income and makes
changes to the statement of recognised
income and expenditure.
1 January 2009 1 January 2009
AASB 101: Presentation
of Financial Statements
AASB 101: Presentation
of Financial Statements
As above 1 January 2009 1 January 2009
AASB 1004:
Contributions
AASB 1004: Contributions
The revised AASB 1004: Contributions
has been based on the review of the
requirements of AAS 27: Financial
Reporting by Local Governments, AAS
29: Financial Reporting by Governments.
Specific considerations have been made
in relation to Contributions, Liabilities
Assumed by Other Entities, Government
Department Disclosures relating to
Revenue, Restructures of Administrative
Arrangements and Compliance with
Parliamentary Appropriations and Other
Externally-Imposed Requirements by
Government Department, to ensure that
these are appropriately addressed in
AASB 1004. It is not expected that the
revisions to AASB 1004 will result in a
material change and measurement
policies of the entity.
1 January 2009 1 January 2009
All other pending Standards issued between the previous financial report and the current reporting date have no application to Playgroup Victoria Inc.
34
35 th Annual Report