We held our annual Fun Day on Wednesday 12 November and thanks to some pre-event promotion and the wonderful spring weather almost 2000 families attended the free community event.

A warm breeze blew across the Whitfords Nodes park and the sun shone brightly for a great day out with children and parents enjoying many of the outdoor activities, including the children’s obstacle courses, farm animals, bouncy castle, kite displays and face painting.

"It was a huge success. I am glad to see so many families taking part in our Playgroup WA Fun Day,” said  Playgroup WA's Chief Executive Officer David Zarb.

Many community organisations provided information on the services they offer to the local community including Australian Red Cross, The Royal Life Saving Society, Community Midwifery WA and Kidsafe.

The Playgroup WA annual raffle was drawn by City of Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard and the lucky winner of $5,000 Coles Gift Vouchers (1^st prize) was Maureen Atkinson of Rossmoyne (pictured right with PGWA's CEO David Zarb). 

A long time supporter of the Playgroup WA Raffle, Maureen is looking forwarded to treating her family to an extra special Christmas this year with her $5,000 vouchers from Coles.

Other winners were:

• 2^nd prize - J. Pearce of Wanneroo
• 3^rd prize - H. Noordermeer of Brunswick Junction
• 4^th prize - L. Taylor of Cottesloe
• 5^th prize - B. Warr of Balga

Thanks to our Premier sponsors of this year’s raffle – Coles, Movie Masters, The Play Room and Image Portrait Studio.

Congratulations to Loftus Playgroup who sold the most tickets and had all paperwork completed correctly and in on time.  Loftus Playgroup won $200 and four Kidzabuzz Discount Books for its playgroup. We also congratulate the lucky winners of a book pack, Broomehill Playgroup, who had its paperwork completed correctly and on time.

Thanks again to all those playgroups that supported the Playgroup WA Annual Raffle.  This was a great opportunity for those groups to raise funds.  We look forward to doing it all again in 2009!

Lost and found

Did you leave something behind at our Annual Fun Day?  A number of water bottles, hats and other items were collected by Playgroup WA staff and brought back to our offices in North Perth.  If you think something of yours was left behind please contact 1800 171 882 to check.  Lost property items will be disposed of on 19 December 2008.

Metropolitan Diary Dates

Keep Watch - Toddler Drowning Prevention Information Session
Where: Playgroup WA, 1-3 Woodville Lane, North Perth
Date: Wednesday 26 November (9.30am to 10.30am)
Cost: Free
Details: On average, over the last decade a child under five years has drowned every week in Australia. The Royal Life Saving Society promotes a toddler drowning prevention program called Keep Watch to parents and caregivers of young children in the hope of preventing the loss of young lives. The program focuses on four key lifesaving messages: 1. Supervise your child; 2. Restrict access to water; 3. Familiarise your child with water and 4. Learn resuscitation.
The information session will help to inform parents of the risks that water has to children and how parents can keep their children safe. Bookings essential as places are limited, please RSVP to Tracy on 1800 171 882. Additionally, playgroups can organise their own information session at a time that suits- for more information on the program or to organise an information session please call Katherine Celenza, Health Promotion Officer, Royal Life Saving Society WA, (08) 9383 8200 or call our Hotline on 1800 171 882 and ask for Tracy.

Early Brain and Emotional Development Workshop
Where: Playgroup WA, 1-3 Woodville Lane, North Perth
Date: Monday 24 November (6pm to 9pm)
Cost: Free
Details: This workshop aims to increase participants understanding of:

• Basic brain structure & how the brain works
• Experiences & interactions that lead to positive brain development
• The role of parents/caregivers in promoting best possible brain development in children
• Factors affecting emotional development
• Attachment, and
• Language development

RSVP: To make a booking for this workshop please email Amanda or phone 0400 307 676.

Festive Fun Workshop
Where: Playgroup WA (Inc), 1-3 Woodville Lane, North Perth
When: Wednesday 3 December (9.30am-11.30am)
Cost: Free
Details: Please note that the activities run at this workshop are suitable for children aged 18 months and over, however, younger siblings are welcome to attend.
RSVP: By 28 November on 1800 171 882. Bookings are essential as places are limited.

Early Brain and Emotional Development Workshop
Where: Playgroup WA, 1-3 Woodville Lane, North Perth
Date: Wednesday 3 December (6pm to 9pm)
Cost: Free
Details: This workshop aims to increase participants understanding of:

• Basic brain structure & how the brain works
• Experiences & interactions that lead to positive brain development
• The role of parents/caregivers in promoting best possible brain development in children
• Factors affecting emotional development
• Attachment, and
• Language development

RSVP: To make a booking for this workshop please email Amanda or phone 0400 307 676.

Regional Diary Dates

Early Brain and Emotional Development Workshop - Bunbury
Where: Bunbury-Hudson Family Centre on Hudson Road, Bunbury next to Minninup Forum Shopping Centre
Date: Thursday 27 November (10am to 1pm)
Cost: Free
Details: This workshop aims to increase participants understanding of:

• Basic brain structure & how the brain works
• Experiences & interactions that lead to positive brain development
• The role of parents/caregivers in promoting best possible brain development in children
• Factors affecting emotional development
• Attachment, and
• Language development.

RSVP: To make a booking for this workshop please email Amanda or phone 0400 307 676.

Early Brain and Emotional Development Workshop - Albany
Where: PCYC 77 Sanford Rd, Albany
Date: Monday 8 December (6pm to 9pm)
Cost: Free
Details: This workshop aims to increase participants understanding of:

• Basic brain structure & how the brain works
• Experiences & interactions that lead to positive brain development
• The role of parents/caregivers in promoting best possible brain development in children
• Factors affecting emotional development
• Attachment, and
• Language development.

RSVP: To make a booking for this workshop please email Amanda or phone 0400 307 676.

Last month we participated in the local Early Years Activities event at the Herb Graham Recreation Centre - a Mirrabooka Communities for Children Initiative.

Facilitated by The Smith Family in partnership with local services, Playgroup WA staff promoted our Literacy Links project as well as the organisation's services and the broader playgroup movement.

"More than 100 people attended with their children," said PGWA's Literacy Links Coordinator Andrea Folkard.

"It was a really successful event which helped us engage the local community as well as cement our relationship with other service providers in the area.

"Feedback from families attending was positive and we are keen to continue our presence long term through community projects like Literacy Links."

Playgroup WA's Literacy Links Project aims to develop and promote early literacy strategies that assist parents in encouraging early literacy with their own children between the ages of 0-5 years. It has been operating in the Mirrabooka area, with funding from Communities for Children, since 2006. Click here for more information on our Literacy Links project.

 Above: Playgroup WA's Marketing and Events Coordinator Michelle Weall, Literacy Links Coordinator Andrea Folkard and Supported Playgroup Project Coordinator Chris Hawkes at last month's event in Mirrabooka.

With so much value inside, Entertainment Values™ makes a fun, easy and risk-free fund-raiser for your school or club.

Entertainment Values™ Books contain hundreds of 25-50% off and 2-for-1 offers from many of Perth’s most popular restaurants, best cafés, casual restaurants, takeaway chains, sporting events, cinemas, accommodation, major retailers and fun family attractions. Plus, My Bookings™... compare hotel rates, check availability and book your accommodation online!

How does it work? It’s simple!

• Books are provided to you on a sale or return basis. In other words, you only pay for the Books that you sell and can return any unsold Books.
• Books are sold for $40 and your group earns at least $8.00 per Book sold (e.g. sell 100 Books, you make $800.00!).
• Profits add up quickly with even higher commissions paid as the number of Books you sell goes up...

We provide FREE posters, flyers, display Books – everything you need for a successful campaign. You also get a personal Account Manager to assist you every step of the way in reaching your fund-raising goal. Supply is limited each year. To reserve your Books, call our office on (08) 9368 6033.

We have five Entertainment Values™ Books (valued at $40 each) to give away to playgroup families. For a chance to win one, simply email your name, address and Playgroup WA membership number to us by 10am Friday 28 November - please note, only winners will be contacted.

Volunteers…where would we be without them?

Here at Playgroup WA we are fortunate to have a variety of volunteers that assist at different levels of our organisation.

From school students packing showbags and making home-made toys to professionals assisting with talks to new parents at Child Health Clinics to the members of our Board, our volunteers provide valuable assistance throughout the year.

In the community, many members volunteer their time to participate in their playgroup's management committee, events, fundraising or grant writing, all of which helps to keep the playgroup running smoothly.

With Thank a Volunteer Day approaching on 5 December Playgroup WA would like to take this opportunity to say a very big THANK YOU to all of the volunteers who assisted our organisation in one way or another this year.

We appreciate your time, effort and commitment and look forward to continuing our relationship with you in the future.

Is your playgroup about to hold its AGM or has it recently held one? Are you new to the committee or is your playgroup about to elect a new committee? If so, please contact our office - phone 1800 171 882 or email - and ask about our committee handover packs. "These packs make the transition for new committee members easier," Team Leader Administration Jo Bray said. "We've included answers to some commonly asked questions to assist those new to the role so they can hit the ground running!"

Also, Playgroup Australia is currently seeking expressions of interest from families and groups interested in its PlayConnect Program - for families with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) or ASD like symptoms. If you would like to be involved in a PlayConnect Playgroup Program, think your community needs a PlayConnect Playgroup or would be interested in participating in the Stakeholder Reference Groups, please contact the PlayConnect Program on 1800 790 335 or click here.

Do you know about our Intergenerational Playgroups? Click here to read about the fantastic community initiative bringing together three or more generations at the one setting.

Your Playgroup WA membership does not limit you to the one playgroup - you can attend your local group AND join one of our Intergenerational Playgroups where you and your children interact with seniors bringing much joy to everyone involved!

It's a wonderful way to teach your children about the many people who make up our community.

If you would like to know more about our Intergenerational Playgroups - please all our Hotline on 1800 171 882 and ask for Penny or Lisa.