New mobile playgroup for fire-affected communities

A new mobile playgroup will provide a service to the fire-damaged communities of Marysville and Flowerdale who lost their playgroups during the February 7th bushfires in Victoria.

Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, Bill Shorten today launched the service in Healesville, which has become a hub for the recovery efforts of the surrounding fire-affected areas.

“The beauty of this mobile playgroup is that is can provide activities almost anywhere,” Mr Shorten said.

“The playgroup will offer much more than activities for children, it will give parents and caregivers the opportunity to come together as a community.

“We can never replace everything that was lost in the fires, but we can give communities assistance like this as they rebuild.”
The mobile playgroup van offers its services to support the needs of each township during the recovery and reconstruction process.

During his visit to Healesville Mr Shorten handed over two cheques for $6000 each on behalf of Playgroup Victoria to representatives from Marysville and Flowerdale.

“The Australian Government is committed to its playgroup and bushfire relief programs and these cheques will provide some help to implement the playgroup.

“The project has resulted in families living in these areas to receive support and re-connect people to their communities in the wake of such devastation.”

These funds are part of over $273,000 provided to Playgroup Victoria as part of the Government’s ongoing Support for Playgroups Affected by Bushfires Project.