“Stepping into a facilitator role to help people find their "village" filled my life with immense joy, passion and a true sense of purpose.”
Buninyong is a small township in Victoria’s central highlands region, a place defined by its gold rush history and natural landscapes that are synonymous with early depictions of Australia: gumtrees, hilly backdrops, pastures dotted with sheep and a handful of grand and charming buildings. The town has a fascinating history in that it lies at the base of Mt Buninyong, a now extinct volcano. The area, home to the Wadawurrung people, was the spiritual home of the Keyeet Balug clan. Many who grow up here absorb a fondness for the country and those who inhabit it.
Longstanding local Belinda Wardle describes the town as a deeply passionate, supportive community that actively looks out for one another.
“The defining feature of Buninyong is its intergenerational spirit of community support. Whether it is local businesses donating goods, community groups funding events, or families stepping up to help other families, there is a collective commitment to ensuring no one feels left behind.”
Belinda is one such person, actively creating spaces for families with young children to gather.
Belinda’s endeavour began in earnest after having her first child in 2004. She was organising a mothers group and quickly realised how vital early years spaces were.
During this time of tenderness and vulnerability, Belinda knew that it was important to provide an easily accessible and warm landing place for parents and families as they cared for a child in those early days and beyond.
“I have loved coordinating events and supporting mothers to find their essential networks of support ever since.”
Belinda has been a playgroup leader in Buninyong for well over a decade and this year, her community has nominated her as a Playgroup Champion.
“Her leadership demonstrates compassion and initiative and unwavering commitment to families. She not only runs a playgroup, she builds community,” writes Emily, who nominated Belinda for the playgroup award.
We spoke with Belinda to gather her insights and learnings, hearing more about why playgroup means so much to her, all these years on.
In the modern world, what do you think are the qualities that help to create a strong and connected community?
A strong community relies on active inclusion, proactive kindness and the creation of safe physical spaces where people can gather without judgment. It is about building supportive networks that bridge different generations and life stages, ensuring everyone has an accessible "village" to lean on.
What propelled you into a facilitating role at playgroup?
I found it hugely beneficial for first-time mothers to find a friendship group. When you are a first-time mum, the experience can be deeply isolating. Stepping into a facilitator role to help people find their "village" filled my life with immense joy, passion, and a true sense of purpose.
Is playgroup a positive outlet for you?
It has been an incredibly rewarding outlet.
“I have absolutely loved creating the connections and friendships within the group, and it brings me so much happiness to see those same bonds remaining strong and continuous to this very day.”
Members of your group describe you as creative and imaginative. Does playgroup bring out this side of you?
It absolutely does! Designing vibrant themes, imaginative storytelling setups and engaging craft activities has been a pure joy to share with our playgroup families over the years.
Does your playgroup still run at Buninyong Primary School?
Yes! The playgroup proudly runs out of Buninyong Primary School and its secondary Scotsburn campus on alternating weekdays. Operating across both sites makes the sessions highly accessible to a much broader range of local families.
Where have you branched out to?
We maintained a very fluid and adaptable playgroup during the challenges of COVID-19, taking our sessions outdoors to local parks, the botanical gardens, and a local winery. Today, we have settled into our wonderful "forever home" by partnering directly with Buninyong Primary School.
What themes and topics do you like to incorporate in your playgroup sessions?
One of my absolute favourite themes is We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. I love creating a walking story through the bush using different physical materials to represent each part of the book, ending with a giant teddy bear in the woods!
I also enjoyed creative scavenger hunts as they were a massive hit and a favourite among the families.
How do you like to create moments for play during your playgroup sessions?
I intentionally weave incidental learning directly into our themes. Whether we are counting found objects, exploring the alphabet, or practicing gross motor movements during a story walk, the learning happens naturally through active play.
What do you love about exploring the seasons alongside the children and families at playgroup?
There is nothing quite like interacting with the children and witnessing their pure joy in discovery. Watching them experience, touch, and learn about the changing elements of nature for the very first time is incredibly magical.
What has the experience been like, running a bush/nature playgroup?
Thanks to a wonderful collaboration with the Mount Buninyong Winery, we created a beautiful, dedicated natural play space. It features a wooden obstacle course and a gorgeous bush setting that serves as the perfect backdrop for our seasonal walking stories and scavenger hunt.
In what ways do playgroups support the health and wellbeing of parents and carers?
“Playgroups are a vital frontline tool to prevent depression, anxiety and loneliness among families. By providing a consistent routine and a space to share the raw realities of parenting, it helps families build a protective network of mutual support.”
In what ways do playgroup experiences benefit children?
Children gain crucial socialisation skills and foundational learning through play. It gives them a safe, collaborative environment to observe peers, practice sharing and navigate early problem-solving within a gentle social setting.
In what ways does playgroup connect the generations?
“Our intergenerational playgroup model seamlessly links grandparents and first-time parents together. It is profoundly beneficial for all ages, new parents gain historical wisdom and reassurance, while older generations bring a rich layer of community knowledge and warmth.”
What do you enjoy most about the interactions you have with children and families?
I love being silly and tapping into that inner child that naturally comes alive when you interact with young children. I also deeply value the mutual care and shared empathy that comes from the collective experience of being a parent.
What has working with children taught you over the years?
It has taught me not to be shy or scared, and that it is entirely okay to be a little silly! Children respond beautifully to authenticity and uninhibited play.
In what ways do playgroups break down barriers and allow families to celebrate diversity?
By openly sharing parenting stories, families naturally break down preconceived stereotypes. Connecting with a family different from your own provides fresh perspectives, making the world a kinder place where we can all share our parenting journeys regardless of race, sexuality, disability, gender, or religion.
In what ways do playgroups provide opportunities for connection with the wider community?
Playgroup Volunteer Appreciation Day
“Partnering directly with the primary school creates an immediate, seamless bridge to local support networks. This early connection ensures that families are already deeply integrated into the community infrastructure that will be key to their children's long-term development.”
What kind of services and organisations have you welcomed to visit your playgroup over the years?
We have opened our doors to an incredibly diverse array of visitors to enrich our families, including:
Art Gallery of Ballarat, The Bard in Buninyong (theatre group), local musicians, artists, and authors.
Singing Mamas, Sebastopol Library, Parent Pathways, and CAFS (Child and Family Services).
St. John’s First Aid and the Buninyong Mt Helen CFA (Country Fire Authority).
Santa, face painters, children's entertainers, the Ballarat Aquatics Centre, and Bunnings Warehouse workshops.
Just to name a few.
How does your playgroup link up with other local services to support families?
We proactively build relationships with local businesses by explaining exactly how their support changes lives. This has allowed us to secure incredible partnerships:
Share the Dignity to provide essential feminine hygiene products to mothers.
Buninyong Foodworks for free, fresh session fruit.
The Golden Nugget Bakery for complimentary baked treats.
Buninyong Mt Helen Lions Club to secure critical event funding.
Ballarat Toy Library to continuously diversify our educational play equipment.
In what ways do playgroups act as a preventative measure?
When parents openly share their day-to-day parenting journeys, they quickly discover they are not alone in their struggles. This shared validation effectively mitigates and prevents the onset of severe isolation, postnatal depression, and anxiety.
In what ways can playgroups catch families early to provide the support they may need?
We act as a compassionate, non-clinical safety net. Through a dedicated network of experienced volunteers, we provide avenues of information regarding disability, family violence, and child services. We hold a trusted network of professional contacts, allowing us to quietly and effectively direct families to expert advice the moment they need it.
Why do you think playgroups hold an important role in our society?
“Playgroups are the absolute birthplace of community connection. They form the initial, foundational network that steps in to wrap its arms around you during the incredibly vulnerable early stages of raising a child.”
You have been recognised as a Lifetime Playgroup Champion. What does this mean to you?
Receiving this recognition for my years of commitment is a true, profound honour. I have genuinely loved every single moment of this journey. The many beautiful families I have been privileged to help and the deeply treasured friends I have made along the way are the greatest rewards of running this playgroup.
How did you feel when you found out that members of your local community had nominated you?
I was utterly shocked, and it made me feel incredibly loved. It is deeply moving to know that the community truly sees and appreciates the raw passion and energy I have poured into running our playgroup sessions.
What are your favourite things about playgroup?
My absolute favourite things are watching these children grow up, seeing families forge lifelong friendships, and connecting with my own personal network of like-minded individuals whom I never would have met without the existence of playgroup.
In the modern world, how does the nature of play nurture children?
We deliberately created a playgroup environment that heavily encourages face-to-face parental and child interaction. Through tactile crafts and interactive stations, we bring people back to the basics. In our sessions, the only time a phone ever comes out is to capture the pure, unfiltered joy on a child’s face as they engage.
When you think of the concept of play, what comes to mind?
To me, play equals organic, incidental learning. Whether a child is navigating complex social boundaries, experimenting with early math concepts, or building pre-literacy skills, it all happens seamlessly when they are permitted to just play.
In what ways do you like to be playful?
I love to fully lean into characters during our story walks to make them come alive! When designing scavenger hunts, I intentionally build up an atmosphere of mystery and excitement, and during music time, I deliberately over-exaggerate my movements so the children feel totally free to let loose, laugh, and play without inhibition.
What advice would you pass on to anyone wanting to join or start a playgroup?
Focus entirely on building it as a supportive, welcoming network first. Focus on creating simple, genuine opportunities for human connection, open conversation and unstructured play. Take a deep breath, don't let yourself get stressed, and simply enjoy the beautiful opportunity to connect with your community.
What are some of your most treasured playgroup memories over the years?
“My most treasured memories are simply knowing that I played a part in creating lasting networks of support. Seeing friendships that were sparked in our playgroup still going strong 10 years and beyond fills my heart with absolute joy. Playgroup is undeniably fun for children, but it is a critical, life-altering lifeline for parents during those beautiful, scary early years.”
Connect with Buninyong Playgroup: buninyongcommunityplaygroup@gmail.com
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Article by Sinead Halliday
Photography Courtesy of Buninyong Playgroup