2026
Playgroup Champion Winner
Kaye Henry
Little Fitzroy Friends Playgroup
“Kaye is the most genuine, kind and creative person I know. She makes families from diverse backgrounds all feel welcome and provides a space and setup where children can explore and have fun. Kaye goes the extra mile and literally carts all the playgroup equipment in a cart while also wrangling her sweet children from home to a stunning venue. Kaye encourages creative imagination outlets for the children and provides a safe and welcoming space for all caregivers.”
Playgroup Champion Runner-Up
Rowanne Grinsted
Waterline Community Playgroup
“Rowanne is a truly deserving nominee for this award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to our community. Eighteen months ago, she founded Waterline Playgroup with a vision to create a welcoming, inclusive space for families in our rural area. What she has built is far more than a weekly gathering — it is a thriving, multigenerational community. Each week, new parents and grandparents come together to share songs, story time, laughter and support. In a region where isolation can be a real challenge for families with young children, Rowanne has intentionally cultivated connection. She has created an environment where relationships flourish, confidence grows, and no one feels alone in their parenting journey. Through her warmth, leadership and dedication, Rowanne has strengthened community ties and fostered belonging across generations. Waterline Playgroup stands as a testament to her compassion, initiative and unwavering commitment to bringing people together.”
2026 Honourable Mentions
Amal El Ess
Campbellfield Heights Primary School Playgroup
“Amal has brought our playgroup back to life. From 2-3 weekly participants (before she joined) to 15+ and brand-new families joining every week, Amal is the heart behind our playgroups. Every week, she organises activities based on themes and key calendar events, and she engages both children and parents alike in each activity. She has a way of making people feel comfortable, open up, ask questions in a safe space, and bring shy people out of their shell. She is so aware of everyone and their needs, and knows how to bring energy and fun every week! She is reliable, thoughtful and always goes out of her way to make our days run just a little more smoothly.”
Madeleine Brooks
Prahran Place Playgroup
“Madeleine was one of the very first parents to attend our playgroup when we launched in 2024. At the time, we were really struggling to promote the group and build attendance. From the very beginning, Madeleine stepped up in ways that went far beyond simply bringing her child along. She actively supported the playgroup and the community centre by handing out flyers at other playgroups she attended on different days. She spoke to parents at the local park and at other sessions, personally inviting them to come along and helping spread the word. Her genuine enthusiasm and belief in what we were trying to build made a real difference in growing our numbers. Thanks to her influence, our playgroup has become a community. Parents now engage with one another, share fruit and snacks, organise songs together, and even take turns leading parts of the session. Families stay, connect, and build relationships. That sense of belonging and shared ownership is a direct reflection of Madeline’s encouragement and example. Madeline doesn’t just attend playgroup, she champions it, strengthens it, and helps it thrive. For her initiative, generosity, and commitment to building a connected and welcoming community, she is absolutely our Playgroup Champion.”
Rajashree Sahoo
Leanne Hickey
Boorai Playgroup
“I would like to nominate Rajashree as playgroup hero for her incredible dedication and generosity. She has selflessly volunteered her time and energy to run this playgroup, creating a warm, welcoming space for both children and mums. Her thoughtful planning of fun, interactive activities keep the kids engaged while also bringing parents together as a community. The playgroup started with very few children but then had many more because of her dedication and investment into running this group.”
Viela Suggate
Mabuhay Playgroup
City of Melton Playgroups
“In a city of 18,000 families with young children, it’s amazing how often we hear a cheerful ‘Oh yes, I know Leanne’! Leanne Hickey is an all-round champion of playgroups in the City of Melton. Leanne has been employed by Melton City Council since 2009 and is currently employed as our Families and Playgroups Officer. She has brought energy and enthusiasm to her work with playgroups for over fifteen years. Leanne responds to approximately 550 enquiries per year from City of Melton families wanting to access a playgroup. Using her deep knowledge of playgroups across our City, Leanne helps families to join or start a playgroup. She uses each point of contact with families to help them to navigate available services and supports. Leanne leads the Activation Playgroup program to mentor and support parents and volunteers to establish community playgroups. In the past five years, 36 groups have received support under Council’s Activation Playgroup model. She coordinates donations to improve playgroup resources, including starting and maintaining a fantastic relationship with a supplier of children’s books. Leanne’s passion and determination have helped countless playgroups in the City of Melton over many years. We are proud of her commitment to the playgroup movement in a community that is enriched through opportunities to connect, play and learn.”
“I am delighted to nominate Viela Suggate as a Playgroup Champion in recognition of her outstanding dedication and leadership within our community. Viela is deeply passionate about bringing the Filipino language into play-based learning, creating a beautiful and meaningful space where children can be exposed to the language naturally. Through songs, stories, crafts, and interactive activities, she helps children absorb the Filipino language while becoming familiar with their culture and traditions. Her work fosters not only language development but also pride in cultural identity. Beyond supporting the children, Viela plays a vital role in connecting Filipino parents. She creates a warm, welcoming environment where families can build friendships, support one another, and share their experiences. For many parents, playgroup has become a valuable social outlet thanks to her efforts. Viela dedicates an extraordinary amount of time behind the scenes. She carefully prepares weekly activities, manages administrative responsibilities, and consistently searches for creative experiences we can enjoy both inside and outside the playgroup setting. She tirelessly sets up and packs up each session, ensuring everything runs smoothly and that families have something special to look forward to every week. Her commitment, generosity, and genuine care for our community truly embody the spirit of a champion. We are incredibly fortunate to have her.”
“Viela is our playgroup hero because she is the heart and driving force behind Mabuhay Playgroup Southeast. She has built more than just a playgroup - she has created a warm, welcoming community for families and children to connect, learn, and grow. She generously gives her time, energy, and creativity to plan engaging activities that make every session fun and meaningful. From hands-on crafts to interactive learning experiences, Viela thoughtfully designs activities that spark curiosity, build confidence, and support children’s development in a joyful way. What makes her even more inspiring is that she does all this while being a devoted mum to three young children of her own. Balancing motherhood and community leadership is no small task, yet she shows up with patience, positivity, and dedication.”
2026 Peoples Choice
Arta Gashi
Adventure Seekers Playgroup, Point Cook
“Arta continuously fosters a friendly village like environment for both parents and children. She is welcoming and warm, always has a variety of activities that the kids are enjoying.”
“Arta exceeds our expectations every playgroup with the coolest activities. She always provides a variety of different types of play - water play, arts and crafts, reading, singing, dancing, and even tummy time activities for the babies to make sure that all ages get the best out of the playgroup. You can see and just feel how amazing the vibes are at every playgroup through how not even the kiddies are enjoying it but also the parents too. She really does go above and beyond every Friday and never fails to ensure my kid and I get a lot and leave feeling like we had the best time ever, even if it only lasts 2 hours.”
“Arta is hands down amazing at what she does! All the unique and fun activities she has planned every week always keeps my daughter wanting to go back, and not to mention it’s a different theme every week! From water play, play dough, and even making activities to explore the garden, Arta always out does herself!”
All 2026 Nominees
ABBEY FERGUSON - Violet Town Community Playgroup
AGNESE BRESIN - Playgroup Italiano Nelle Northern Suburbs
ALICIA ALAN - Beaconsfield Neighbourhood Centre
AMAL EL ESS - Campbellfield Heights Primary School Playgroup
AMANDA BAKER - St Agnes Playgroup
AMELIA AFFENERBUGER - Dallas PlayConnect Plus Playgroup
ARTA GASHI - Adventure Seekers Playgroup, Point Cook
ASHLEIGH BILLY AND OLIVIA STEER - Signee Tots Playgroup, John Pierce Centre
BEC WALLACE - Doreen Community Playgroup
BELINDA LYONS - Nillumbik Supported Playgroups
BELINDA WARDLE - Buninyong Community Playgroup
BRI APMA HAYES - Kithara Boop Boop And Milla Milla Playgroup At Wathaurong
BRITTANY CHEN - Point Cook Chinese Playgroup
BRITTANY EDWARDS - Kingdom Families Playgroup, Berwick
BRYONY BRINCKMAN - Edenhope Community Playgroup
DARREN VARNEY - PlayBox Playgroup At Box Hill Institute
DEE SENGUL – Thomastown PlayConnect Plus Playgroup
HAIFA ATATREH - Melbourne Grand Mosque Little Wonders Playgroup, Tarneit
HANNAH MC KIRDY - Botanica Springs Playgroup, Brookfield
HELEN WATSON - Ballarat North Neighbourhood House Playgroup Inc.
JADE MORGAN - Kardinia Playgroup, Ballarat
JANICE STIGLICH - Forest Road Playgroup Inc.
JENNY - Oakgrove Community Centre Nature Playgroup
JESSICA QUINN - Selandra Playgroup, Cranbourne East
JILL SCHEMAN - Sojo Playgroup, Werribee
JOANNA LIU - MontiU Montessori Children's House Playgroup
JOSH COX – Safer Spaces Community Playgroup, Point Cook
KAMIA BRUCE - Mallacoota Playgroup
KATH BARCA - St Catherine’s Primary School Playgroup, Moorabbin
KATHERINE LOCK - Thornhill Park Playgroup
KATIE FREIER - Bridge Darebin Playgroup
KAYE HENRY - Little Fitzroy Friends Playgroup, East Melbourne
KAZ - Thomastown Neighbourhood House Promisetown Playgroup
KELLIE SANAJKO - Bruthen and District Neighbourhood House Little Legends Playgroup
LARISSA TAYLOR - Imaginarium Project Playgroup, Geelong
LEANNE HICKEY - City Of Melton Playgroups
LIZ SKETCH - Thomastown Neighbourhood House Promisetown Playgroup
MADELEINE BROOKS - Prahran Place Playgroup
MADELINE BARRETT - Little Wildlings Nature Playgroup
MADURA NADARAJAH - Bayside Christian College Playgroup
MALLORY BELLMAN – Cobden Playgroup Inc.
MEL CLARK - Tootgarook Little Frogs
MEL SAGE - Kingdom Families Playgroup, Berwick
MELANIE ANDERSON - Rhythm And Rhymes Playgroup, Seaford
MELISSA KOSTEAS - Meadows Primary School Community Hub Playgroup, Broadmeadows
NERISSA GEE - Ararat Rural City Council
NIHARA WANIGASEKARA - Good Shepherd Building Blocks Young Parents Playgroup, Brimbank
NINA WARREN - Hampton Children’s Playhouse Playgroup
PETA MAGUIRE - Orbost Playgroups
RAJASHREE SAHOO - Boorai Playgroup, Tarneit
ROCHE JACOBSEN - Munting Lakbay Playgroup, Brookfield
ROSE VAN HERK - Sussex Neighbourhood House And Newlands & East Coburg Neighbourhood House
ROWANNE GRINSTED - Waterline Community Playgroup, Coronet Bay
ROZANNE AUSTIN - Harpley Playgroup, Werribee
SALLY JONES - Gateway Church Seaford Playgroup
SAMANTHA ANDREWS - Tootgarook Little Frogs Playgroup
SHAMERAN BENYAMIN - St Dominic's Primary School Playgroup, Broadmeadows
SHELBY CARR - Melbourne Muslimahs Playgroup, Caroline Springs
SHELBY SIMONSEN - Imaginarium Project Playgroup, Geelong
SHONA BAILEY - Bacchus Marsh Playgroup
STEPHANIE CODE - Inverleigh Playgroup
STEPHANIE HAHN - Little Fitzroy Friends Playgroup
STEPHANIE HARRIP - Wild Child Nature Play Playgroup, Berwick
SUE TYLER - Murtoa and District Neighbourhood House
TAMARA CANTONI - Music For Tots Playgroup
TARA DE BONO – Play and Learn Supported Playgroups, Darley and New Gisborne
TARRYN RAMSBOTHAM - Bridgewood Community Playgroup, Officer
TEGAN FRY AND JEMIMA OLSEN - Wimmera Lutheran College
TIAHNA SCOULLER - Messy Mates Playgroup, Warrnambool
URVI A. PATEL - Burnside Busy Bees Playgroup
VIELA SUGGATE - Mabuhay Playgroup, Springvale
VY VU - Les Petits Potes Playgroup, Keilor Park
YELIZ CAMBAZ - Minik Hearts Playgroup, Albion