2025
Playgroup Champion Winner
Abbey Ferguson
Violet Town Community Playgroup
“Abbey started a playgroup in our small town where there was none before. When the playgroup was forced from its original location, she liaised with the local school to facilitate that becoming a new location. Abbey has individually applied for many grants over the past few years to enable the group to have new toys and art supplies and fit out the space where the playgroup is hosted. In addition, she had postcards made as a fundraiser and has compiled homemade gifts for raffles so that our playgroup can remain free and accessible to the community, this includes funding snacks so that even those who are without at home, can bring their children to playgroup and have food equal to those around them. Year-round Abbey attends each playgroup session, advertises it on local Facebook pages and makes herself personally available to be contacted by any newcomers. There is no playgroup like our Violet Town playgroup within 30km so many of the families travel in excess of 30 minutes to attend due to Abbey's far-reaching advertising and incredibly inspiring play environment that she has created for the children. You will even find her on holiday breaks sorting through the toys and equipment to make sure the puzzles have all the correct pieces, that items aren't falling apart or a danger and to keep everything updated and fresh. We are in awe of her tireless work for the children of our small-town communities, thanks Abbey!”
Playgroup Champion Runner-Up
Danni Menzies
Winchelsea Playgroup
“Danni is the absolute backbone of our playgroup - she resurrected a few years back, has attracted grants and funding to upgrade equipment, adjusted the offering to better suit our small local community and deals with so many challenges behind the scenes to keep it running weekly. We have a very small group of volunteers, all who are extremely limited in their ability to help, and Danni always make sure everything is in place for the playgroup to run weekly. Even when she can't make the session (because she also works, runs a support group for families with sick/pre-mature babies and has two kids of her own), she goes in the night before or morning of to set-up, so everything is ready to go. She actively markets our Playgroup by providing interesting and engaging updates to local media and Facebook groups, integrates the Playgroup with our local community groups (including facilitating an inter-generational session) and develops events that are designed to connect parents outside of the playgroup environment!”
Playgroup Champion Runner-Up
Tara Rieniets
Little Treasures Playgroup - Lara
“Tara is a playgroup champion because she transformed a small, struggling playgroup into a thriving, multi-generational community. When she first got involved, the playgroup was small and lacked the resources to grow. Seeing its potential, Tara took the lead, expanding its reach and creating a welcoming space for families of all backgrounds. Through her dedication, she brought in volunteers from across multiple generations, ensuring that children could learn and play while benefiting from the wisdom and care of older community members. Her efforts helped turn the playgroup into more than just a place for kids, it became a space where parents, grandparents, and community members could connect, support one another, and build lasting relationships. Thanks to Tara's leadership, the playgroup has flourished into a vital part of the community, bringing generations together and strengthening local bonds.”
2025 Honourable Mentions
Gwen Rosette
Balla Balla Community Centre Playgroup
“Gwen has been a volunteer in our Playgroup for 10 years. She has recently moved to a position where we have been able to offer her some paid hours. Gwen is a young lady with a disability and this has not held her back in any way from supporting, advocating and sharing love and joy with our Playgroup families, particularly the children. Gwen has supported us on our Open Days where she volunteers to come in and set up a 'kids corner' for the little ones have a quiet safe space to do some craft. Gwen is such an important and appreciated member of our team and she is a Champion to all of us here at Balla Balla Community Centre and Playgroup.”
Lily Fernandez-McGuinness
Jack and Jill Playgroup Malvern East
“Lily has been an incredible force in our playgroup community! Her dedication, energy, and leadership have brought so many positive changes. Here are just a few of the amazing things she has done: Organized Mamafest, a fantastic event that brought families together, supported local businesses, and raised funds for the playgroup. Led community outreach efforts, ensuring that more families, especially newcomers feel welcomed and supported in our group. Coordinated donations and auctions to help improve playgroup resources and activities. Created engaging bilingual programs that introduce young children to Spanish in a fun and interactive way. Advocated for families, helping them navigate everything from childcare to education, including supporting refugee families in settling into the community.”
Brooke Jones
Leopold Playgroup
“Brooke took on the urgent role of President for our playgroup at nine months pregnant- that's a star in my eyes. With an easy-going nature and smiling eyes, Brooke goes above and beyond with her dedication and voluntary help to various local groups in our neighbourhood. With two pre-schoolers, she manages to be: Vice-president, then President, of the Leopold Playgroup (and has done for three years running), committee member of the Leopold Kindergarten, team member and organiser for the Leopold Toy library, volunteering her time during weekdays and on weekends so that people can access the toys. Amongst this, she manages to write the monthly updates from both the Playgroup and Kinder, which get published in the local magazine. The lovely thing about Brooke, is nothing's too much of a problem when something is asked of her - she possesses a calm, positive attitude and is always happy to put her hand up. She once turned up at a meeting wearing a moonboot - her commitment is real. Her care is genuine and her generosity is abundant. For all the hours this lovely gal has selflessly put in over the years, during this precious time with her young children, well - I can't think of a more deserving candidate.”
All 2025 Nominees
ABBEY FERGUSON - Violet Town Community Playgroup
ALICIA ALAN - Beaconsfield Neighbourhood Centre Playgroup
ALISSA AKKAD - Friday Playgroup, Carlton Learning Precinct
ANASINA GRAY-BARBARIO - Pacific Island Playgroup
ASHLEE MYNOTT - Little Dixie's Playgroup
BEC WILLIAMS - Leopold Playgroup
BELINDA WARDLE - Buninyong Community Playgroup
BEVERLEY HILLS - Point Cook College Community Hub
BROOKE JONES - Leopold Playgroup
CASSIE EDWARDS - Ocean Grove Playgroup Association
CAZ DUNELL - Promisetown Playgroup
CHLOE GASPARDIS - Narre Warren Kidz Playgroup
CHLOE HICKEY - Specimen Hill Primary School Playgroup Bendigo
DANNI MENZIES - Winchelsea Playgroup
DAVID DEITH - The Orchard Playgroup
ELLY UREN - Shine Bright, Communities For Children
ELYSE SCOTT - Leopold Playgroup
EMILY HARRY - Enjoy Playgroup
EMMA DUNSTAN - Play and Learn Playgroup, Berry Street Family Services
EMMA GILDING - Murrindal Playgroup
GARIMA - Kidz Digz Playgroup
GEMMA DINSDALE - Botanic Ridge Playgroup
GWEN ROSETTE - Balla Balla Community Centre Inc.
HELEN THOMPSON - Haering Road Playgroup
INGA GALASHEVSKA - St Kilda Playgroup
ISABELLA OZOLINS - Towong Council
JANELLE SZKWAREK - Possums of Yinnar Playgroup
JANINE RICHARDSON - Balee Koolin Bubup Playgroup
JENIFER GARRARD - Bowen Street Community Centre Grandparents Playgroup
JENNA DRON - Suburban Playgroup - Hoppers Crossing
JESSICA CREEK - Come & Play Playgroup and Bilingual Playgroup, Mount Gambier Children's Centre
JESSICA MOED - New Haven & San Remo Playgroup
JULIA & AARON MILLS - Epic Playgroup, Spotswood
KAITLIN AIRD - Diamond Valley Multiple Birth Association
KAT FOX - Pacific Island Playgroup
KATHY - Little Red House Playgroup
KATH BARCA - St Catherine's Primary School Playgrounp, Moorabbin
KATHRYN ROSE - Romsey Playgroup
KIM SLATTER - Onehope Baptist Church Moolap Camps Playgroup
LAURA FERRARO - Whittlesea Playgroup
LAURA OSWALD - Little Dixie's Playgroup
LAUREN BASRA - Woodlea Playgroup
LAUREN BROWN - Shine Bright Supported Playgroup
LEA THORNTON - Darebin Creek Playgroup and Thomastown Bush Playgroups
LILY FERNANDEZ MCGUINNESS - Jack & Jill Playgroup, Malvern East
LINDA KAYE - Kids Chat And Chill Playgroup
LISA HODGSON - Healesville Sanctuary Bush Warriors Playgroup
MADDIE CROSS - Messy Play Program, Sunbury Neighbourhood House Inc
MADISON HUCKLE - Share Space Inc
MARY JANE GREENOUGH - Southern Mornington Peninsula Uniting Church Playgroup, Dromana
NASIM SHOKOOHI - Ashwood Persian Playgroup
NIKKI DE LIMA - Mabuhay Playgroup - Clayton
RAJASHREE SAHOO - Boorai Parent Community Playgroup, Tarneit Bembitbrook Community Centre
ROSE VAN HERK - Sussex Neighbourhood House and Newlands Neighbourhood House
SARA JAGO - Murrindal Playgroup
SARAH HOWELL - Glen Huntly Community Playgroup
SARAH MCKENZIE - Montague Park Playgroup, Frankston
SHAMINA BIKHA - Elsternwick Toddlers Playgroup
SHARNA HOLDING - Strathbogie Community Playgroup
SHELBY AND JEDDA - Melbourne Muslimahs Playgroup
SHELLEY JONES - Little Farmers at Browns Road
SHONA BAILEY - Bacchus Marsh Playgroup
SIDRA FAHIM - Mickleham Music and Community Playgroups
STACEY PARKINSON - Botanica Springs Playgroup
SYEDA SHAMSUNNAHER - L’s Play Together Playgroup, Mooroopna Primary School
TARA RIENIETS - Little Treasures Playgroup, Lara
TARRYN RAMSBOTHAM - Bridgewood Community Playgroup
TESS GALEA - Arnold's Creek Grandparents Playgroup
VICTORIA ROSS - Seabrook Community Playgroup
VIELA MARTIN SUGGATE - Mabuhay Playgroup, Clayton