General News
17 September, 2024
Toy Library marks four decades of fun
For 40 years, the Maryborough Toy Library has created countless opportunities for hundreds of local kids to explore their imagination.
Currently located at 12-22 Nolan Street, the toy borrowing service houses over 800 toys including everything from board games and puzzles to slides and scooters.
To commemorate the anniversary, the community group is hosting a celebration on Saturday, October 5.
According to Maryborough Toy Library volunteer Caroline Thoroughgood, it’s a remarkable community effort for the library to reach its 40th anniversary.
“It’s a credit to the community and to the people who started the toy library that this has been run by volunteers for 40 years,” she said.
“That’s definitely through lots of hard work and dedication from past members to keep this running, so we are grateful for the effort they put in.
“We have a number of grand-parents who were members when their children were little and have come back with their grandkids so that’s lovely and some of the toys have been here for nearly 40 years.”
Ms Thoroughgood, who has been a member for over 15 years, said the toy library has been a staple of her family and her kids’ childhood.
“For me, a toy library is not only about not having as many toys in your house and giving your kids new things to play with, but it’s about sustainability,” she said.
“We have had hundreds of families play with these toys and I have got five kids and they have all had lots of toys from the toy library — I still remember the two things I borrowed first for my oldest.
“For some of the really big stuff like the cozy coupe cars, it was nice to try before you buy — when my kids were really little [they would] use it for the short time they enjoyed it and give it back.”
The community group also hosts monthly Stay and Play sessions for members and non-members to socialise, with two planned for the upcoming school holidays.
Ms Thoroughgood said the toy library is a welcoming environment for kids and carers to make lifelong friendships.
“The friends that I have made through this and the friends that my kids have made has been special,” she said.
“For families, especially ones who have moved to town and haven’t grown up here, it’s a nice opportunity to meet other families and kids.
“It’s nice for the members and the kids for the toy library to still be a connecting point for everyone as they grow older and go to different schools.”
The 40th birthday party for the Maryborough Toy Library will commence at 10.30 am and finish at 12.30 pm.
Ms Thoroughgood said the event promises to be an exciting day for former, current and future members.
“We have an ice cream van coming and we are planning to have a messy play day which is always popular with the kids,” she said.
“We managed to get a couple of people who were original members to come along.
“We are hoping to get a lot of past members and find some new members who might not know about toy library.”
For more information on the celebrations and the toy library, email maryboroughtoylib@gmail. com or visit the group’s Facebook page.