General News
25 March, 2024
Funds for local toy library
Local kids will have more opportunities to run-a-muck at the Maryborough Toy Library after the community hub received a $6000 grant from the Victorian Government. For a low annual fee, the toy library offers over 800 toys for kids to enjoy...
Local kids will have more opportunities to run-a-muck at the Maryborough Toy Library after the community hub received a $6000 grant from the Victorian Government.
For a low annual fee, the toy library offers over 800 toys for kids to enjoy, including play gyms, costumes, puzzles and sporting equipment.
Maryborough Toy Library secretary Megan Mullins said she is grateful for the grant and is thrilled for what it can do for the service.
“We are pretty excited to get [the grant], we are going to upgrade some of our toys, particularly our bikes and ride on toys and we are going to buy some really cool new toys that we have got our eye on,” she said.
“We’ve also got a few plans for the inside and outside spaces as well to make the toy library a really welcoming and inviting place to be in.”
Ms Mullins said the library, which has been running for 40 years, is a great community asset for kids and parents.
“Kids can come in and access toys that they might not otherwise get access to and we have got this space where kids can play and connect,” she said.
“It is value for money, we borrow so many awesome toys here and it stops us from having to store them in the house.
“For environmental reasons we aren’t having these extra toys around and for financial reasons we don’t have to buy toys all the time.”
The grant is one of 58 offered to not-for-profit toy libraries across the state, including two grants of $40,000 to deliver six new toy libraries.
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett said the service promotes the importance of early childhood development.
“Toy libraries offer so much value for local communities — this funding will help the Maryborough Toy Library support more families to save money and give countless children hours of learning through play,” she said.
“Having a whole library of toys and equipment to choose from, no matter their background or financial situation, will help inspire children to explore and use their imagination.”