ABOUT TOY LIBRARIES AUSTRALIA
We are the peak body for over 280 toy libraries in Australia and are a non-profit incorporated association. We promote the importance and the value of play and aim to raise the profile of toy libraries in the community by publicising the role of toy libraries in promoting play, educating children and supporting families.
MEMBER SERVICES
Member support
Louise Bell supports new and existing toy libraries in WA, NT, and SA (louise@toylibraries.org.au)
Adelle Suitor supports new and existing toy libraries on the east coast ​(adelle@toylibraries.org.au)
Erin Krusic-Golub supports new and existing toy libraries in Victoria (erin@toylibraries.org.au)
Helen Nicholson provides advice on membership and insurance-related queries (info@toylibraries.org.au)
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Our extensive online documents, resources and videos are available exclusively to our members. Hit the Member Hub button above and register for login details.
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Training
Members have access to broad range of online and in-person training programs from both Toy Libraries Australia and th International Toy Library Association.
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Toy purchasing
Toy Community unites the buying power of not-for-profit toy libraries across Australia to access toys at wholesale prices.
To register your toy library or find out more, go to the Toy Community website or contact us at contact@toycommunity.com.au.
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Insurance
Toy Libraries Australia also offers comprehensive insurance designed specifically for toy libraries.
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New toy library setup
We have a range of services to support individuals, councils and NFPs starting toy libraries, including training, project management and toy purchasing.
OUR STAFF
Debbie Williams
CEO
When Debbie moved to Moonee Valley and found the commute to the Melbourne Community Toy Library too far, she decided to start a new toy library. Little did she know that the Moonee Valley Toy Library would take over her life and in 2 years grow to have 450 family members. In addition to being CEO of TLA, Debbie is a strategy consultant and was on the Board of Monash Health from 2009-2018.
Louise Bell
National Development Manager
Louise is based in Perth working with WA toy libraries to support their sustainability and development. Her passions are in the area of families, play, and community. Louise brings a wealth of experience from many years of community based work as an OT, in project roles, and when parenting her young children. She has also enjoyed many volunteering roles across different community groups. Her first experience of toy libraries was when lifting the shed door of the Carnarvon Toy Library which had been in hibernation for many years. After wiping off the dust, Louise and her children were completely hooked.
Helen Nicholson
Administration Officer
Helen was president of Margaret River Toy Library from 2018-21 and is now based in the Pilbara region of WA. Helen has a customer service background with recent experience in financial and business support services. Helen became admin officer in 2021 Helen's work for Toy Libraries Australia has encouraged her to volunteer with more community organisations.
Adelle Suitor
East Coast Development Officer
Adelle is a second-generation toy library lover - being a member as a child. She was a founding member and driving force behind the creation of Brisbane South Toy Library who opened their doors in 2019. Adelle has a passion to connect with other toy libraries and to see them be successful. With her contributions to Toy Libraries being recognised in 2023 by TLA when she was awarded the 2023 Presidents Award. When Adelle is not busy with Toy Library she is an Early Childhood Teacher, where she gets the chance to be hand on with children and experience the wonders and benefits of play.
Diane Bish
Toy Well Program National Manager
Diane joined the Bayside Toy Library (BTL) in 2019 as a volunteer.
One day a week volunteering quickly became five during the 2020 pandemic when she assisted the BTL Manager to transform the Toy Library. Her contribution was recognised by the TLA when she was awarded the 2020 Community Volunteer of the year.
Erin Krusic-Golub
Victoria development officer
Based in Geelong, Victoria, Erin started her toy library journey at Grovedale Toy Library in 2017 with her first child, and has been a vocal advocate ever since. President since 2020, she has driven membership growth through grants and strategic partnerships. She is passionate about toy libraries working together smarter, and not harder!
With a professional background in financial services, Erin currently also works in the Neighbourhood House sector, and has been volunteering with various community groups for most of her adult life!
OUR BOARD
Toy Libraries Australia is governed by a volunteer Board elected annually by its membership. Members of the TLA Committee enjoy being involved in their own toy libraries, as well as supporting the work of toy libraries across Australia.
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Renae Barker
President
Renae has been President of Cockburn Toy Library since 2019, having joined the committee in 2017. Renae grew up around toy libraries. Her parents were involved in running Bridgetown toy library in the 1990s which fuelled her love and passion for toy libraries. She is passionate about the value of play and making sure all families have access to a diverse range of high quality toys to enable them to facilitate play for their children. As President of Cockburn Toy Library she has seen the expansion of the toy library to be one of the largest in WA as well as the only WA based toy library to operate two branches.
Kiara Jones
Vice President
Kiara first started her Toy Library journey in 2019 as a Non-Member Volunteer in Geraldton. She is now their President. She’s a tad passionate about learning through play, quality early childhood education and building stronger communities. Kiara divides her time between coordinating both her local Toy Library, Playgroup and being a stay at home mum to little Zoey, age 2. Whilst navigating daily life with a DIDO husband. Kiara can’t wait to seek more opportunities for our play communities to learn and grow together.
Kylie McBain
Treasurer
Kylie is a mum of two young children and a Chartered Accountant.
Kylie is currently President of the Mildura Toy Library, which operates two branches servicing the Sunraysia district. She joined as a member of the toy library in 2021 and shortly thereafter joined the committee as Treasurer.
Kylie loves the many benefits a toy library can provide children, parents and the community including connection with others, access to high-quality toys, and learning to share and care.
Aimee Mundt
Secretary
Aimee has recently joined the Toy Libraries Australia Committee after seeing how much value her local toy library in Brisbane added to her family and the community. With two active and curious little kids, Issy and Hudson, Aimee loves how the toy library allows her to rotate new and interesting toys through their playroom in a way that is environmentally sustainable, affordable and minimalist (no more cupboards filled with toys outgrown). When Aimee isn’t playing with her littles, she is busily working as a lawyer.
Kerry Dominish
Kerry has 35 years’ experience in the early childhood intervention, disability and health sectors. She is the CEO of EarlyEd a family-centred early childhood intervention service for young children with disabilities or delays in their development, and their families. EarlyEd services include the long standing EarlyEd Cubby House Toy Library..
Jane O'Connell
Jane is a qualified early childhood educator having worked for six years in kindergarten prior to her role as Manager of Stonnington Toy Library, located in Malvern in inner South East Melbourne. Jane's experience in toy libraries started when she joined her toy library in 1996 with her first child. For her toy libraries promote play, build community and embed sustainability which is a winning combination. She's passionate about play, especially sensory and nature play. Her favourite play materials are open ended toys, such as blocks and animals which encourage imaginative play.
Claire Kingdon
Claire has been a member of Hastings Toy Library on Mornington Peninsula and is currently the Coordinator of this small toy library. With a background in emergency services, she is a stay at home mum and has two young sons, Rory and Mitchell, who help contribute to her knowledge of anything related to Lego, fire trucks, diggers and trains. Claire is passionate about all things 'Toy Library' and gains much inspiration and enthusiasm from fellow committee members. Her favourite toys at the moment are the Australian-made wooden Tuzzles Puzzles, as they promote a variety of themes that appeal to young and old.
Seamus Coleman
Seamus was Treasurer of Moonee Valley Toy Libraries for a number of years. He also has fond memories of visiting his local council-run toy library as a child and he comes from
a toy library household - his mum is a past
President of the Benalla Toy Library.
When not looking after his three kids - Sophie, Leo and Elliot - Seamus has worked for the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments and a range of not-for-profit organisations.
Seamus is passionate about early childhood education and the role toy libraries play in supporting engaged communities.
PARTNERS
