2025 Australian Toy Library Awards Winners Announced

Sunday evening 4 May was the Australian Toy Libraries 'night of nights'.

We came together online from all states and territories for the Annual Australian Toy Library Awards ceremony.

Staff and volunteers attending the awards represented big toy libraries and small; metro and regional; Some joined from the comfort of their lounge rooms streaming the ceremony on 'the big screen' and others joined from their toy library watching and listening on mobile phones. TLA freshly re-elected TLA Board Chairperson, Dr Renae Barker hosted the awards ceremony from Whadjuk Boodjar (the lands of the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation, Perth/Boorloo). Dr Barker expressed her joy when reading about all the things the award winners have been able to achieve and shared her admiration for all those who were nominated for our national awards.

We’re excited to announce the inspiring winners of the 2025 Toy Library Awards!

Community Volunteer of the Year

• Ingrid Blaser from Maroondah Toy Library has shown remarkable dedication. At just 21 years old, and living with cerebral palsy, Ingrid volunteers purely out of a desire to give back—helping families feel welcome and supported with her cheerful and uplifting presence.
  

Toy Well Volunteer of the Year

• Enas Hano has been a driving force at St Dominic’s Toy Library since its launch, keeping everything organised and creating a warm, community-focused atmosphere.
  

Committee Member of the Year

• Jillian Neyland of Capricorn Coast Toy Library brought her vision to life by founding the region’s first toy library, securing funding, recruiting volunteers, and creating a vibrant community hub.
  

Toy Librarian of the Year

• Lyn Turner from Tea Tree Gully Toy Library truly embodies what it means to be a community champion. Lyn has gone above and beyond the day-to-day management of toys—creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where every family feels valued. She’s also driven key innovations, like partnering with the local public library to launch Saturday opening trials, which boosted the library’s visibility and promoted sustainability. Lyn’s proactive engagement with the broader Toy Libraries Australia network ensures that Tea Tree Gully remains at the forefront of best practices, continuously improving its offerings for the community. Her passion and commitment have been key to the library’s growth and success.

Toy Library of the Year awards celebrate outstanding achievement across three categories

Metro: Mt Hawthorn Toy Library  MHTL staged a remarkable turnaround, growing from 24 to 84 members Through strategic partnerships, strengthened community ties and creative initiatives—like developing “Play With Me” baby kits and teaming up with local cafés and repair services— not only have they grown they have also filled every volunteer shift through July 2025.

Regional, Rural & Remote: Tuart Forest Toy Library  TFTL made a big impact with initiatives like the “Tiny Toy Library” at Bunbury Hospital, offering comfort and play for children during hospital stays. Their commitment to inclusion, like trialing quiet sessions and expanding resources for children with additional needs, reflects deep community care.

Local Government: Bagster Road Toy Library (City of Salisbury) Officially opened in January 2025 and has already exceeded its first-year targets, thanks to a well-planned launch and strong community partnerships.

Toy Library of the year Excellence awards enables recognition of toy libraries who are excelling in one particular area of our quality standards.

Diversity & Inclusion: EarlyEd Cubby House Toy Library. Located in Sydney (Forestville), NSW, they been a leader in supporting children with disabilities and their families for over 40 years. Now part of EarlyEd, a leading early intervention service, the toy library continues to set the standard for inclusivity. Their Strong and Resilient Communities (SARC) volunteer team—a group of young adults with disabilities—has not only improved the library’s operations but created powerful opportunities for skill-building and independence. EarlyEd’s commitment to accessibility, from visual supports to modified processes, ensures every child and volunteer can thrive.

Collaboration & Connection Sunraysia Toy Library This year has been transformative, as Sunraysia TL playing a role in shaping the new Red Cliffs Early Years Hub, the home to Sunraysia second branch. Their hands-on involvement helped design a toy library space that’s functional, inclusive, and family-friendly. Sunraysia also forged partnerships with a wide range of local organisations—from parent groups to allied health services—expanding their reach and tailoring services to meet real community needs. Their proactive, flexible approach to volunteering ensures they stay connected and impactful, maximising all resources available.

President’s Award, was the last to be announced as it is a special award recognising outstanding, long-term contributions to the broader toy library community. The 2025 recipient, Jane O’Connell from Stonnington Toy Library, has dedicated over a decade to transforming her local library into a trusted, inclusive space while championing the national toy library movement. Jane’s leadership, advocacy, and generosity have left an enduring legacy across the sector.

Congratulations to all our winners—your passion and commitment inspire us all!