“It was a fantastic day full of smiles and curious minds exploring the train museum and participating in all the activities on offer.”
Playgroup Victoria and Puffing Billy Railway partnered to create a day of play for children aged 0-5 and their families in the lush fern encased gully of the Dandenong Ranges.
The Pop-Up Playgroup was held at the Lakeside Visitor Centre, a sweeping architectural design that hugs into the hilly embankment, blending into the landscape like the dark trunks of the trees that surround it and the shiny iron train tracks that run alongside.
When we felt the rumbling, heard the ‘choof, choof, chooof’ in the distance and saw the white plumes of smoke as the stream train chugged up around the bend, there was no mistaking where we were.
Children happily explored the different play spaces leading from the historic train station into the heavily timbered inner sanctum of the train museum. Among the artefacts and stories, the children enjoyed arts and crafts, play dough, nature play, music play and used their imaginations in the soft play area. Babies and parents gathered on the mats together, surrounded by teepees, puppets and Australian animal toys. All the while, the tall leafy trees and train track provided the backdrop.
Playgroup Victoria ran story time and song time with much gusto. Renditions of old familiar tunes were sung including Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and a fun version of the Wheels on the Train Go Round and Round. The book chosen for the day was The Little Engine that Could. There was quiet as the children became immersed in the story and the adventures of the train.
“It’s heartwarming to witness children and parents bonding and sharing experiences like making playdough creations, reading stories and joining in with their favourite songs and dance,” said Leanne Dhami, Playgroup Victoria’s Development and Support Manager who was a facilitator on the day.
Playgroup Victoria CEO Danny Schwarz said that the organisation was thrilled that their event with Puffing Billy Railway was such a success, bringing so many families together.
“Surrounded by all things trains and nature in beautiful Emerald, our Pop-Up Playgroup provided the perfect place and space for children and their parents to play.”
Puffing Billy staff welcomed visitors from the train that travelled up from Belgrave twice and invited families into the educational play space. Peta Howard, Education Coordinator at Puffing Billy Railway said:
“Having Playgroup Victoria's pop-up at Puffing Billy Railway has been an enriching experience for both families and our team. It's a fantastic way to combine the joy of play and learning in this unique and historic setting. It’s been a great opportunity for the Railway to partner with an organisation that fosters community, supports early childhood development, and advocates for the wellbeing of families and young children. We look forward to hosting many more playgroups in the future.”
It was a big celebration for Playgroup Victoria post the searing heights of the pandemic. Many children and families had missed out on earlier opportunities when their children were born during lockdowns and as we emerged from restrictions in Melbourne and Victoria. In light of that, to be able to gather en masse meant a lot for the health and wellbeing of families in the early years.
One mother attending the Pop-Up Playgroup had attended Playgroup at Home LIVE on Zoom during the pandemic and was thrilled to take part in an in-person event, meeting the playgroup facilitators for the first time.
This year local playgroups have gathered once more and many new playgroups have begun. Playgroups act as great support networks, allowing people to feel a sense of belonging. For children, playgroup connections have a positive impact on their development, now and into the future.
Find and connect with a local playgroup today
Article by Sinead Halliday
Photography by Sinead Halliday and Mylie Nauendorf