Speeches
Tuesday, 01 October 2024
Playgroup SA 50 Years Anniversary Reception
It is my great pleasure, as joint patron, to welcome you to Government House, to mark the 50th anniversary of Playgroup SA.
My husband Rod, also joint patron, is overseas and sends his apologies.
He has asked me to convey his warmest congratulations on this significant milestone.
As parents of four – albeit now young adults - we have seen the value of play in the development of our children as they explored, imagined, interacted with each other and friends, and learnt about the world around them.
For 50 years, Playgroup SA has recognised a need and enabled mothers, fathers, grandparents, and carers to gather with babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers to interact and learn through play.
On an occasion such as this 50th anniversary it is opportune to reflect on what has shaped Playgroup SA.
We live in a different society to that of 50 years ago. The stay-at-home mother is no longer the norm, women are having fewer children, and later, more parents are both juggling work and family responsibilities, and there are more single and same‑sex parent families.
As your website attests, George Couros, a leading educator describes it this way: play is our brain’s favourite way of learning.
Playgroups recognised that insight, with several groups formed early on in Adelaide and country SA.
By the late 1960s and early 1970s it was realised that by coming together as Playgroup SA, these groups could have a greater impact and benefit for parents and children.
Now, more than 2,000 family members attend more than 400 playgroups across South Australia.
I know one young mother who described going to a playgroup as a “community lifeline”, speaks for many who are new to parenthood, or who, as carers, don’t have access to parents or a community and feel isolated as a result.
You provide inclusive, supportive, and stimulating environments where children can thrive, and families can find the support they need.
Where parents can learn that they are not alone and realise that other parents are experiencing the same challenges and uncertainties.
That opportunity to share experiences with others – even seemingly simple tips on how to get your toddler to eat more vegetables; how to encourage your child to get along with others; and how to encourage play outdoors or inside with paints even if it is messy; - is invaluable, particularly when done in a friendly, supportive way.
It's wonderful to see the curious faces and wide smiles when children try new things, play with different toys, and have fun, while they are in fact learning and developing the skills and social relationships that are so important in early life.
I congratulate Playgroup SA for evolving over the past 50 years to meet the changing needs of our society.
During COVID you were nimble and pivoted to providing online playgroup sessions. You have included those living with disability and provided for culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
As our population ages, you have brought together seniors with children to interact and bridge the age gap and bring benefits to both.
To mark this 50th anniversary, the Playgroup SA Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate achievement and dedication within the Playgroup community.
I congratulate the award winners who have made significant contributions to the development and well-being of children and families and look forward to presenting the awards shortly.
Thank you to the present and past Playgroup SA boards and volunteers, and the participants, staff, and supporters for being there for 50 years and I wish you all the best for the next 50 years and beyond.
Because play is fundamental to children’s lives.