42 Communities to Benefit from a $312,500 Investment in Inclusive Toy Libraries

A $312,500 investment in stronger, more inclusive toy libraries will help more Australian families feel welcome, supported and connected through play.

Thirty-three toy libraries, operating across 42 toy library branches, have been awarded funding through Toy Libraries Australia's Pathways to Inclusion and Belonging Grants.

When toy libraries become more inclusive, more children and families can access the benefits of play, build connections in their community and experience a genuine sense of belonging.

Investing in lasting change

These grants are about much more than funding individual projects. They are an investment in helping toy libraries build the knowledge, skills and systems that create lasting inclusion long after the funding has ended.

Every toy library applying for funding reflected on where they are on their inclusion journey and used TLA's Pathways Activity Planner to develop a practical plan for continuous improvement. Rather than focusing on a single activity, applicants planned a range of improvements that work together over time. These include volunteer training, stronger governance, more welcoming environments, improved collections, better community partnerships and more inclusive member experiences.

Building on strong foundations

This funding builds on the momentum created through the Disability Access Inclusion Support (DAIS) and 3D (Developmental Delay and Disability) Additional Sessions grant programs. Funding for both programs concluded on 30 June.

Twenty-seven of the successful recipients will be continuing their inclusion journey after participating in these programs. Rather than stopping when one funding program ended, they reflected on what they had learned, identified what still needed to change and planned the next steps towards creating even more welcoming and inclusive toy libraries. One successful applicant captured this journey perfectly:

"Through our previous funding we learned how significant small, intentional changes can be in improving access and inclusion. The grant allowed us to trial, adapt and refine our approach based on community feedback, helping us better understand what meaningful inclusion looks like in practice. It ensured we connected with our community and those who would benefit most from our changes."

This commitment to learning and continuous improvement was reflected across applications, with toy libraries planning sustainable improvements that will benefit children and families well beyond these short-term funding periods.

We congratulate the successful toy libraries for their ongoing commitment to creating welcoming spaces for every family. Their applications showed careful planning, thoughtful reflection and a clear focus on lasting change.

Congratulations to the successful grant recipients:

• Armadale Toy Library

• Bendigo Community Toy Library

• Brisbane South Toy Library (Richlands and Scenic Rim branches) 

• Bunbury Regional Toy Library

• Busselton Toy Library

• Canterbury Area Toy Library

• Capricorn Coast Toy Library

• Carlisle/Victoria Park Toy Library

• City of Burnside Toy Library

• Cockburn Toy Library

• Collingwood Toy Library (Fitzroy and Abbotsford branches) 

• EarlyEd Cubby House Toy Library

• Gosnells Toy Library

• Grovedale Toy Library

• Hobart Toy Library

• Kew Toy Library

• Kingston Toy Library

• Maroondah Toy Library

• Moonee Valley Toy Library (Essendon and Avondale Heights branches) 

• Murray Bridge Toy Library

• Newcastle Toy Library

• Ocean Grove Toy Library

• Playmatters Toy Library

• Reachout Toy Library

• Richmond Toy Library

• Rosebud Toy Library

• SECC (South Eastern Community Connect)

• Stonnington Toy Library (Malvern and Prahran branches) 

• Sunraysia Toy Library (Mildura and Red Cliffs branches) 

• Tea Tree Gully Toy Library

• Tuart Forest Toy Library

• Wyndham Little Buddies Toy Library (Werribee, Manor Lakes and Point Cook branches) 

• Yarra Ranges Community Toy Libraries (Montrose and Mount Evelyn branches)

More toy libraries are ready to take the next step

The response to this grant round was overwhelming. While only 33 toy libraries could be funded, many unsuccessful applications also demonstrated thoughtful planning, a clear commitment to inclusion and a strong vision for their future.

This response sends a clear message. Toy libraries across Australia are ready to deliver even greater outcomes for children and families. They are investing in their volunteers, strengthening their services and building stronger connections with families and local communities. The quality and number of applications demonstrate that toy libraries are ready to deliver meaningful community outcomes when funding is available. What many need now is continued investment to help turn those plans into reality.

Toy Libraries Australia will continue working with governments, partners and funders to expand these opportunities so that more communities can benefit from welcoming, inclusive toy libraries. The enthusiasm shown through this funding round demonstrates that toy libraries are ready to turn future investment into lasting community impact.

Congratulations to every successful recipient and thank you to every toy library that applied. Together, you are helping build a stronger, more inclusive toy library network where every child and family can play, connect, learn and belong.

This grant program is funded by the Australian Government, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.