We had our final Playgroup for 2021 on Monday, and celebrated Christmas with the families. We had an Australian Christmas theme with Mem Fox’s book, Wombat Divine, as we’ve been enjoying Australian animal stories and crafts throughout the term. We enjoyed a special Christmas morning tea and presented three children with graduation certificates as they are moving on to Kindergarten or Day Care in 2022. The families expressed their appreciation for what we do, and thanked our team for the time, effort, creativity and care we put into the Playgroup. They also asked me to pass on their appreciation of the volunteers who give up their time to come and serve morning tea each week. The hospitality we offer is especially important and much appreciated.

My special thanks to the team: Carys, Jean, Jackie O, and Bruce for their time and efforts every week, and to Glenis and Judy L who fill in when needed. They make the program work without fail every Monday.

We might be looking for some ‘younger’ manpower next year to help with cleaning up, in particular moving tables, rolling up carpet squares and vacuuming, especially when Tony O goes fishing, as Bruce is feeling the effects of the passing years. We hope he will still be able to come and spend time with the children, read the occasional story and bring his recorder along too. He is much loved by the children and we have appreciated his contribution very much for many years now. We don’t want to lose him so relieving him of the heavier manual work would be helpful.

We look forward to starting the new Playgroup year on Monday 31^st January 2022.

Marnie Agnew, coordinator