Green rolling hills appear like moss on rocks around the township of Leongatha. Wattle is starting to burst open in the montage of leafy roadside growth. Even though it is deep in the middle part of winter, the outside world shows, the preparation for Spring’s ascent is but a short distance away. The cold cutting air softer today. At the local playgroup, it’s like the kids feel it. They race out in the bright grey light that makes them squint. They are immersed in the sensory understory, feeling the lavender shoots, the bark chips, the fresh coolness that pours out of the water pump.

Like many country towns, the playgroup has established roots in the community.

Their original meeting place had worn with time. Deemed unsafe, the playgroup next landed at the cricket club and all was going well until an accidental fire smoked the place, damaging the memorabilia, equipment, toys. Nothing was salvageable. The township rallied, and thanks to existing insurance as a Registered Playgroup, they were able to replace what was lost.

New facilities are being made. Positively, the playgroup members say it has brought local tradesmen together, pitching in to create something fresh and exciting for the community.

While still on the lookout for a new location to host playgroup, the families currently meet in a brand-new early years building, located in a little hamlet a stones through away from the main street. There is a kinder and a childcare. It’s a real early years meeting spot. On the day we are there, it’s reptile day across the way for the kinder kids.

There are circles incorporated into the design of the space here, circles being the symbol for the Bunurong and GunaiKurnai people who are the traditional owners of this land.

Some aboriginal people describe circles as meeting places. Just like the many families that came before them, the families sit and stand in circles at playgroup. Connecting. Supporting. Sharing.

There is an easy flow and rapport with the mums, as they pass around cups of coffee and tea.

They joke around that playgroup is really for them and an aside for the kids.

Here they come together to catch up, relax, comfortable knowing their children are having fun in a safe environment.

“As a Mum it’s really nice for the kids to play and for us to be able to talk to other mums,” said Vanessa.

Several of the mums remark that it was tough not having playgroup during the Covid period. After an extended period of isolation, they were eager to gather once more.

They like being able to share their experiences and lean in when they need to, or enjoy a laugh about the trials and tribulations- and triumphs- of raising little ones.

“You are speaking to like-minded people. Nobody judges you,” said Donna.

“You get that support from other Mums and know you are not the only one, everyone else has tough moments as well. That’s probably what I feel the most, playgroup’s great for me. Kids get to play and I get to talk to a mum, an adult, not a kid.”

They love the focus on play and the play being child-led.

“We let them go and if they want to play with a pile of bark chips, or they want to play with some toys, it’s just very relaxed and open- child led, whatever they want to do,” said Jess, playgroup coordinator. “Exploring, really.”

“We always say that if someone has particular interest, to let us know.”

For the children, their own sense of adventure and curiosity takes them on huge learning expeditions each week. Watching on, you can see their relationships and trust build as they share experiences. The babies and little ones always looking, absorbing the goings on. Older toddlers begin their imaginary games. Today it is shops at the cubby. One little boy is selling strawberries, another is preparing hot chips.

One little girl is in her element, clambering over small rocks, through the cubby, picking flowers and carefully watching the older children. Her Mum said that she loves the multi-age socialisation that is also helping her development along the way.

Megan has only been coming for a few months. Her daughter Pippy has taken to it like a duck to water.

“It’s just a beautiful environment to be part of. I remember I went to playgroup as a child and it was something that I was really keen to do with my children.”

“Getting out of the house and talking with other mums who have had similar issues, things like that and for Pippy to run free in a safe environment and play and be happy and see what other kids do and learn from other children as well.”

“It’s definitely a good thing. We have two sessions a week which you can come to, so if it’s a long week and you just need to get out of the house, you know that it’s here and everyone is so welcoming and supportive.”

It almost feels like you’ve dropped into a friend’s house at Leongatha playgroup. Megan enjoys experiencing that with Pippy close by.

“It’s nice to be able to spend the time with them while they’re exploring things.”

“We have talked a lot about childcare and I think I prefer this because it’s a lot more free.”

“I’m here and you still get that interaction with them while they get the socialisation skills.”

While the group has welcomed many new families, either people moving back to the area after time spent away at Uni and travelling, or people on a tree change, there are many locals here with established friendships. Jess said that her group are very aware of this and encourages families to give it time to settle in.

“Give it a chance and give it a chance for more than one week. It just takes some time to get to know people. I would say definitely come and give it a go and give it a go for a few weeks.”

It is the country lifestyle that these parents were and are drawn to. They love that things are close. That they can drop by if there is a special event on. That they can be early or late to playgroup. They like that this playgroup offers flexibility and is easy. They like that extended family and social networks surround them. Some people like the fact that they bump into people at the supermarket or down the street while getting coffee. It gives them a sense of belonging.

“I really like that sort of interconnection,” said Jess.

“It’s just very relaxed, it’s comfortable.”

This is a free play space, a gathering place- as such, it creates its own opportunities and possibilities.

“We set things up and the kids come and play and it’s a much more, ‘Let’s make a coffee and have a chat. How is everyone going’ sort of thing.”

Turns out, the ‘How is everything going?’ question can mean much more than first thought- the simple four words allows people to express themselves and feel part of something- that their lives and their relationships matter, that we are all in this together.

Article by Sinead Halliday
Photography by Mylie Nauendorf and Sinead Halliday