Belgrave Lake Park Cottage Playgroup sits within the site of the old Belgrave Auto Park. In 1946 the reservoir, as it was then, was a place to cool off with a swim on hot summer days. Today it is the home of our community playgroup which has been volunteer led since 1981, when a group of local families restored the old caretaker’s cottage as a place to meet and share their parenting journey. In October the playgroup is hosting a Gallery and Garden Party celebrating more than 30 years that the Cottage has been a volunteer operated playspace for the families of our local community.
Encapsulating History Week and Children’s Week celebrations on 21st October, the Cottage will be a place to share stories and memories of the role playgroup has played over three generations.
Shaun King 1981-82 original Playgroup member. Photo by Sharon King.
As part of our day event, we are excited to be opening our new Indigenous Sensory Garden playspace along with our gallery area, which will be a display of historical photos of our local surrounds. We have been proudly funded for our garden and gallery project by Yarra Ranges Council grants for the community. We have planned a day full of fantastic activities as a part of Children’s Week calendar, presented in partnership with the Victorian Government.
The day itself marks the official opening of the Indigenous themed Sensory Garden by Mayor Councillor Cliff and we will be holding a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony conducted by Elders from the Wurundjeri Tribe. We are thrilled to be hosting this ceremony as acknowledgement of respect for the Wurundjeri people as traditional custodians of the land.
Other activities on the day include creating a timecapsule for families to contribute to which will be buried on the day. Hands-on mosaic making will take place in our garden. The garden will include a collection of native animal sculptures and we will be getting families involved in our animal bingo throughout the day. Bring a picnic and enjoy our storytime sessions or roll up your sleeves for some carer-led colouring and craft activities in our messy-space art room.
This Children’s Week event is presented by Belgrave Lake Park Cottage Playgroup in Partnership with the Victorian Government and proudly funded by Yarra Ranges Council.
When: 21st October, 2017
Where: 29 Park Drive, Belgrave
Enquiries: contact Emma 0434 019 346
www.belgravelakeparkcottage.com.au
Our schedule for a fun-packed day of activities for all the family
10am freeplay in our Indigenous Sensory garden
10.30 Indigenous themed kid’s storytime
11am Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony from Wurundjeri Tribe Elders and official opening of our event by Mayor Councillor Noel Cliff
11.30 Mosaic making begins
1pm We invite you to picnic and chat with us
1.30pm Kid’s garden storytime
3pm Timecapsule burial
All day we will have animal bingo in the garden, crafts and colouring activities, viewing of historical photos of the cottage over the years
We have been approaching local historical societies and libraries for historical photographs of the lake and area surrounding the cottage but we have yet to find any photos of the cottage itself from yesteryear. We would love any locals who may have attended the playgroup in the past to come to our event and share their stories and a picnic with us on the day.
Email any historical photos to us at belgrave.playgroup@gmail.com
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