Change and Innovation
As the Association moved into its third decade, the motto of learning through play and the importance of parents as a child’s first teacher remained at the core of business. Yet the organisation was set to evolve, continuing to grow but embracing change and innovative practices that positioned the Association to continue to fulfill the needs of children, families and early childhood services into the new millennia.
Years of Transition
After a first term as President in 1997-98 and 12 months as Vice-President in 1999, Elissa Howieson volunteered for a second presidential term in 2000. With Denise McMurtrie retiring after over a decade of administrative management of the Association, Mark Brooke was appointed in 2001 as Chief Executive Officer. Mark brought with him a wealth of experience in business and the not-for-profit sector.
At a national level, the Playgroup Council of Australia continued to represent the interests of playgroups with state and territory representatives meeting twice a year. The Council was working towards the pooling of significant federal funding and a common logo across the states. To gain consistency across Australia, the states and territories agreed to branding changes using ‘Playgroup’ and their state name as common identifiers. The Council became known as Playgroup Australia, and PAQ became Playgroup Queensland (PGQ). The first use of the new brand was by Mark Brooke in his article in the October 2001 edition of Playtimes, while 2002 saw the wider uptake of the Playgroup Queensland branding.
On the Cusp of Change —
Interview with Elissa Howieson
Leadership opportunities and being on the cusp of change were not what young mother Elissa Howieson was seeking when she visited her local community centre in 1992. With two small children and another on the way, Elissa sought social interaction for both herself and her boys. Attending a local playgroup was the answer – it was there that she found “a lovely place of camaraderie and friendship”. A decade later, with volunteer roles of Zone Co-ordinator, Vice-President and President of the Playgroup Association of Queensland and Vice-President of The Playgroup Council of Australia, Elissa had not only found the social interaction she craved, she had discovered lifelong friends, developed new skills and knowledge and, with her fellow Board Members, had left a valued legacy of professionalism, progressiveness and equity on what was then branded Playgroup Queensland.
"Playgroups will always matter, it is the crux of our family dynamic, to see our children play and to get meaningful time with their play experiences and share those play experiences with other children.."
The Inception of Sing&Grow
Sing&Grow began as a two-year federally funded project run in conjunction with Playgroup Queensland. The establishment of Sing&Grow heralded a major expansion and diversification of services.
An innovative evidence-based program, Sing&Grow is an early intervention music therapy program for families referred to the service by health professionals and agencies within the community. The parent/caregiver and child attend a series of group music sessions led by a music therapist who facilitates the connection between parent and child through music while modelling positive parenting strategies. The program provides a ‘soft entry’ for the education and support of vulnerable families. Since its development the Sing&Grow program has evolved.
Supported Playgroups and
Funding Developments
In addition to Sing&Grow, Supported Playgroups were developed in areas of identified need such as those with socio-economic disadvantage and limited community resources. Also federally funded, nine Supported Playgroups were facilitated by paid Project Workers who liaised with existing community agencies to assist identified families. Supported Playgroups guided by a trained professional provided an opportunity to enhance positive parenting techniques and for families to understand and value play experiences.
Increased funding also enabled the provision of resources to fulfill the mission to take playgroups to every Queensland family with young children, and to also upgrade administrative systems.
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The People Would Come Because It Was Needed —
Interview with Karen O' Brien
Karen O’Brien has an infectious passion for the value of playgroups. With fifteen years of experience as a playgroup mum and Contact Person — and many of those as both a Zone Coordinator and for a period of time, a Project Officer — Karen’s experience spans several roles and rural communities.
"It gave me a great sense of pride and accomplishment ... my proudest moment was when I was given life membership. I felt the gratitude and was very honoured. I was the tenth person to be awarded life membership but the first regional award.."