Meg’s Toybox is one of the community groups that held an information stall at
the 2015 and 2016 Community Diversity Festivals.
Meg’s Toy Box was opened almost 35 years ago in November 1991 by the then
Chief Minister, Rosemary Follett, with much fanfare. Present were many
children, balloons, representatives from Presbytery, Noah’s Ark (the toy library
for disabled in the ACT gave us a toy, and help in organising the toys) and the
ACT government as well as everyone from St Margaret’s.
It was originally manned by St Margaret’s members, twice a week. The toy
library committee intended the library space to be an encouraging place for
young families. The playground was welcoming, we encouraged playgroups to
use the space and we offered support to young families. In 1993 the library
joined forces with the ACT Playgroups Association.
Meg’s Toy Library has continued to grow and evolve, with the support of
many volunteers. It offers toys, puzzles and games for children aged from three
months to five years. Toys can be hired for as little as 50 cents per week to
member families. We strive to provide toys that are non-branded, durable and
supportive of child development. Meg's Toy Library is a not-for-profit community
organisation run by members, volunteers and a management committee.
St Margaret’s office manager, Lynda Dyer, is the treasurer and is the principal
point of contact between St Margaret’s and Meg’s Toybox.
Amongst other things the Meg’s Toybox Website (http://megstoybox.org/)
gives ten reasons to join the toy library:
Save money on toys that children quickly outgrow
Involve your child in choosing toys, without spending up big
Expose your child to a wide variety of educational toys
Explore new ideas and age appropriate toys and games for your child
Reclaim your storage space (and sanity) by reducing the need to find toy
storage solutions
Meet and socialise with other families in the area
Enjoy being a part of the community by volunteering along with other
members
Check out baby toys, imagination play, big toys, puzzles, water play activities and much more available to hire
Our toys are safe, durable, good quality, imaginative, innovative, brand
neutral and non-gendered where possible
We have cake tins available for hire
If you haven’t already done so, tell all your friends with young children about
Meg’s Toybox.
St Margaret's News
8
October
2016