Playgroup Victoria is a not-for-profit, incorporated association committed to helping all Victorian families discover the benefits of playgroup. We advocate for the benefits of play in a child’s early years of learning and act as support base for communities and families wanting to start and successfully run a playgroup
Celebrating Local Playgroup Champions
At Playgroup Victoria, we believe the power of playgroup lies in its people. Playgroup is built on relationships, generosity, and the shared commitment of those who shape our local communities.
The Playgroup Champion initiative reinforces our commitment to recognising the grassroots efforts that sustain playgroups across Victoria. It encourages ongoing volunteerism, highlights the emotional and practical value of playgroup, and deepens Playgroup Victoria’s connection to the communities we serve. We also aim to celebrate the quiet achievers - those who may not realise the impact they have on others.
Since 2023, we have been putting the call out for Playgroup Champions - of which there are many. We ask members of the playgroup community to nominate all those who fly the flag of playgroup and make it possible each week.
A collection of different Playgroup Victoria staff come together to create a shortlist of the nominated champions each year. Across our organisation, the conversations come back to: What does playgroup mean to us? What is the purpose of playgroup? Who is playgroup for? This leads to a broader conversation about what it is that playgroup means to families now in the modern world.
This program is now a permanent fixture in our annual calendar and will continue to grow.
Playgroup is a collective, shared experience, one that cannot happen without the input, kindness, hard work and consideration of those involved.
About Playgroup Victoria
During the late ’60s and early ’70s, hundreds of playgroups scattered throughout Melbourne and country Victoria. There became a need for some cohesion and networking between these groups and parents wanting to start and join playgroups. In response to the need, a group of hard-working volunteers came together and invited playgroups and interested people to ring in for advice and support. The response was so great that in 1974, the Victorian Playgroup Association was formed. Its goals were to set up an advisory service, fulfil the need for workshops, lectures and discussions related to parenthood and life with children, and liaise with local, state and federal governments.
50 years on, Playgroup Victoria is still working to ensure families have access to and can participate in Playgroup. Playgroup has evolved to include grandparents, bush and dads Playgroups. In 2025 there are more than 3,000 sessions of Playgroup running in over 2,000 venues across Victoria.
Funding from the Commonwealth and State Governments has enabled Playgroup Victoria to develop a Community Development model of support. This place base approach ensures the needs of the community are understood which fosters relationships within local early childhood services to be developed.
