An unexpected, extended stay on the Sunshine Coast through COVID, left Terri with lifelong memories and friendships at Mons Playgroup.
Terri and her husband Mike visited their family living on the Sunshine Coast in January 2019 and found themselves enjoying a prolonged family visit due to COVID lockdowns and restrictions.
Terri’s husband Mike managed to get back to the United Kingdom in August, but Terri decided to stay on to support her daughter’s return to work and spend more time with her grandchildren.
"I was stuck here, I didn’t make it back to the UK in time, so I was here for a year with my daughter, and the Mons Playgroup became such a lifeline for me."
Terri was formerly a pop-in visitor at playgroup with her granddaughter when they would visit from the UK, taking her on Wednesday as part of a special “grannies” group of four. This all changed when COVID rolled around, and Terri found herself on an unplanned and prolonged break.
"The playgroup was such an asset not only for my granddaughter but for me as well. I was missing my husband and the support from the other grannies and mums in such an uncertain time. The support from playgroup, the team at the Hub – they are like an extension of
our family – they are just so lovely and so supportive. The vibe at the Hub is just amazing."
It’s that freedom and I just love it. It’s such a safe place, not only for children but for adults. If you need a hug, or chat, or want to offload to somebody because there are always people around who are prepared to listen or just be a shoulder to cry on. It’s just that vibe there that everybody is so welcome and supported."
Terri and Mike made the decision two years ago to permanently move from the UK and now call the Sunshine Coast home.With their granddaughter no longer playgroup age and settled into primary school, Terri and Mike, now spend their Wednesdays volunteering at Mons, giving back to the space which gave them so much.
"Our Wednesdays are just amazing, Mike comes and does little odd ends and ‘DIY’ jobs – the kids love his pink drill - and I volunteer with the playgroup, we help with the working bees and generally just assist where it is needed."
Terri makes special mention of Regional Manager for the Sunshine Coast Hub, Michelle Poole.
"Michelle is just amazing! Her foresight and what she does, from the four grannies on a Wednesday to now have that place buzzing, but even as it’s grown it hasn’t lost any of its community support or caring feeling."
"It’s our 50th wedding anniversary and it’s 50 years of the kookaburra (Mons),
golden era in both. The playgroup has enhanced our whole living in the Sunshine Coast and we have a whole host of friends here and it just keeps you young."
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