New Yarrawonga Mulwala Play Group Co-ordinator’s Annika Morton and Sasha Linnell join Moira Shire Maternal Child Health Nurse Mary – Ellen Gilmour in cutting the cake as part of National Play Group Week.
A new group for parents and children alike to come together and socialise has officially opened at the Maternal Child Health Centre for the Yarrawonga Mulwala Play Group.
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Moira Shire Maternal Child Health Nurse Mary – Ellen Gilmour started the new group around six weeks ago but has now handed the reigns to parents Sasha Linnell and Annika Morton.
“It will only be held once a week and will most likely remain on a Friday. Currently it is 9.30am to 11.30am only during school term,” Sasha said.
“We are trying to get a core group to run it but currently myself and Annika are giving it a go.
“We are hoping for it to be more permanent in this space also and for us to be able to expand on it with shade sails and the likes.”
Covid put a hold on the play group especially at schools as parents were not able to attend the school grounds, so Mary Ellen had the idea to start the group which has been well attended.
“It is a space for children who do not attend day-care or the likes to interact with other children their own age and learn new skills from their peers as well as parents and grandparents getting together to socialise and gain some support from others who are experiencing the same things they are,” Mary Ellen said.
The space was originally set up for the play group for children aged 0 – school years with primarily 0–3-year old’s attending.
With the toy library in the same centre, the two groups are working together to create a great play and learning space for the children.
“We have been very well supported by the toy library who allow us to borrow toys for the play group before cleaning them and returning them at the end of the session,” Sasha said.
“Each week there is new parents that show up which is great to see.
“Anybody is welcome to come along – parents, grandparents, carers. As long as they sign in on the way in and bring a gold coin donation, we are happy to welcome you.”
In some further exciting news, the toy library is set to receive $1000 worth of new toys.
Currently the toy library has 10 members and two of the ladies running the library, Rona and Deidre spent 18 months completing a massive clean-up of the place, throwing out old toys that no longer fit with the health and safety components as well as cleaning all toys and rearranging.
Parents and toddlers enjoyed the teddy bear picnic at the Yarrawonga Mulwala Playgroup recently.
To get in contact and become involved in either group visit Yarrawonga Mulwala Playgroup or Yarrawonga Mulwala Toy Library Group Inc on Facebook or visit the Maternal Child Health Centre on Fridays from 9.30am – 11.30am for the playgroup or Thursday 10am – 11.30am or Saturday 10am – 11.30am for the toy library.
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