By Casey Neill
Geelong West Toy Library is rolling out new toys to hundreds of children thanks to a recent grant win.
Children Minister Lizzie Blandthorn announced $445,000 in funding for the first round of Toy Library Grants in March.
“Toys are an essential part of supporting every child’s learning and development,” Ms Blandthorn said.
“Well-chosen toys help children learn through play.
“This investment will give more children and families access to fun and educational toys and equipment locally and at low cost.”
Geelong West was among 58 not-for-profit toy libraries to receive a one-off grant of up to $10,000 to renew toys and equipment, improve member offerings, and grow membership.
The funding could also be used for one-off costs, such as buying furniture or equipment to improve accessibility, and subsidising membership for families experiencing vulnerability.
Geelong West’s Bridgette Salamy signed up for a volunteering membership two years ago.
“It’s the same toy library that my mother-in-law took my husband and his siblings to when he was a kid,” she said.
“There were even a few Mobilo toys that my brother swears he played with when he was a kid.
“I decided to volunteer in my first ever session, even though I’d never been there before and didn’t know what I was doing.”
She started coordinating within two visits and joined the committee within five months.
Bridgette’s daughters Charlotte, 3, and Eleanor, 4, love going to the toy library.
“Saturday mornings often mean a family outing for us to the toy library,” she said.
“I love it. It’s one of the best things we’ve done as a family.
“Our volunteers can bring the kids while they’re volunteering.
“It’s not an organised playgroup, that’s for sure, but there’s that vibe.
“Parents can come in and choose toys that work for their kids.
“They get to take them home and borrow them for up to four weeks, and get to try before they buy or save themselves from crazy amounts of stuff in their house.
“You can work out if that is just the flavour of the month or something they’re genuinely going to be repeatedly playing with.”
Two big storerooms are filled to the ceiling with construction and transport to ride-on toys, rollercoasters, water play tables, costumes, puzzles and more.
The toys cater to children aged from about four months to eight years.
“Most kids taper off by the time they get to school,” Bridgette said.
The library has about 194 members, many with multiple children.
“We have a volunteering or a non-volunteering membership option,” Bridgette said.
“Volunteering means helping with borrowing out the toys and returning them.”
Memberships start from $50 a year.
Single-child membership holders can borrow four toys at a time, and members with two-plus children can take home up to eight toys.
“You can choose if you borrow them for a week or borrow them for four weeks,” Bridgette said.
Bridgette said membership numbers were steady, but she had noticed members borrowing more heavily.
“The amount of toys being borrowed per session definitely has increased,” she said.
“The other day I think we had 40-something members and over 120 toys borrowed in the day.
“Previously we would have had 30 members and more like 80 toys.”
The library used its funding to invest in large ride-on toys, like Cozy Coupe cars, petrol bowsers, lawn mowers, and imaginative play toys like a dentist kit, campfire, and post box.
“I think officially we started in 1985 but records say we started back in 1982.
“There’s been some toys in the cupboard for a very long time.
“We’ve started to retire some of the things that have seen better days.
“Because we’re buying it to be used by numerous kids, we’re buying the higher quality version of the toy.
“Instead of six families buying the cheaper magnetic tiles, we’re buying one set.
Toy libraries offer an alternative to buying toys, help teach children about the lifecycle of toys, provide social and emotional support for families, and connect parents and carers with other community services.
Visit www.toylibraries.org.au to find your local toy library.
