By Tyler Wright
A not-for-profit toy library in Belgrave Heights is set to receive over $1,000 through the federal government’s 2022-23 Volunteer Grants Program.
Casey MP Aaron Violi announced on Tuesday 13 June that 21 local community organisations across the Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges and outer east who enable social inclusion, particularly for vulnerable people – including the Belgrave South Toy Library – will receive support.
Belgrave South Toy Library president Sharnee Moore said the $1,094 grant has an equipment and volunteer accessibility focus.
“We’re going to buy a new vacuum cleaner…because at the moment we don’t have one, and maintaining a clean space is really important,” Ms Moore said
“What we’ll also use some of the money for is we have a storage area within the toy library… we can create a more of a welcoming space for volunteers… we can clean up the space, pack things away a bit more.
“We can have a kettle and some cups of tea and have more of a space where volunteers can be bit more comfortable while they’re doing their shift.”
Ms Moore said the organisation does not receive regular funding from any organisation, with funding injected through member fees and ad hoc grants.
“The fees of our members essentially keep the stores at open and allow us to buy a small number of toys each year, which is important,” Ms Moore said.
“We’ve also received in the past some support from Bendigo Bank in the Dandenong Ranges, which enabled us to buy some equipment and some other small grants from council as well, which again have also enabled us to have events and purchase different pieces of equipment that we have needed at those times.
“We’re very grateful for grants of this nature.”
The Belgrave South Toy Library was formed in the early 1980s in the wake of the Ash Wednesday bushfires as a community service, Ms Moore said.
After a recent dormancy, the community resource was reopened in 2022 in a new space and with a new volunteer committee at the helm as a place for families and children in the southern Dandenong Ranges to borrow toys, puzzles, games and play equipment.
“We’ve built up the membership base from zero last year to around about 35 families now, which has been really great,” Ms Moore said.
The Belgrave South Toy Library is co-located with the Len Jeffrey Memorial Preschool at 102 Colby Drive in Belgrave Heights.
