2013 September - Richmond Toy Library

WELCOME ABOARD
We’ve had a busy few months since we caught up last. From a successful fundraising
effort with the Peoples Choice Community Lottery, to speaking at new Mum’s groups
and a new President joining the committee we’ve been busy.
Our coordinator, Sue Davies continues to be ever-welcoming and enthusiastic.
She’s a wealth of information on all things toys and cooking (did you know she’s a
qualified chef?). So do drop in, grab some toys and have a chat. Chris Abelskamp
has joined the committee ranks and has taken on the role of President. Chris has a
background in finance and has two toddlers to keep him on his toes. Feel free to
contact him via chris.abelskamp@gmail.com.
FUNDRAISING
Save yourself 2hrs by helping at our
fundraising BBQ on Sunday 13 October!
We really need your help for a 2hr shift at our Hawthorn
Bunnings BBQ on Sunday 13 October.
Your two hours of help will count as your annual four hour
volunteer shift, fulfilling your volunteer duties for the year.
Not a bad deal if we may say so ourselves!
There are shifts available from 8am until 4.30pm so please call or
put your name on the roster at the RTL desk as soon as you can. Thank you!
what’s on
Look out for some great family fun at the Dame Nellie Melba Kindergarten Spring Fair,
Friday 18th October 4-8pm, 18 Goodwood St Richmond. There’s lots of affordable
fun kids activities, BBQ, curry stand, bar, interesting stalls and so much more...
WIN
THIS MONTH
Celebrate all things construction with us.
Email your best toy construction project to info@rtl.org.au
between Saturday 21 September and Thursday 21 November
and you could win an Imaginext Pirate Ship.
Photos will be judged on imagination and creativity with extra points
being awarded for having an RTL construction toy used in the project.
The top 10 entries will go into a draw on Saturday 23 November. Please be
aware that your photo will be published on our website, Facebook page
and in our newsletter.
Have a look at some of our construction toys to borrow...
september 2013
OPENING HOURS
1st Tuesday of the month
7.00 - 9.00pm
Wednesdays 9.30 - 11.30am
Saturdays 10.00 - 1.30pm
ADDRESS
Lwr Grnd, Richmond Library
Cnr Church & Charlotte Sts
Richmond VIC 3121
We are within the Maternal
and Child Health Centre
ONLINE
www.rtl.org.au
info@rtl.org.au
MAIL
PO Box 126
Richmond VIC 3121
TELEPHONE
0412 287 914
(only answered
during opening hours)
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP
A big thank you to all who
participated in the Peoples’ Choice
Community Lottery. We raised an
applause worthy $800 for our toy
library. That money will go towards
new toys and toy storage bags.
New Borrowing Options for Puzzle Fans
On the success of Puzzle Pandemonium we can now offer all puzzles as an additional
borrowing option. Borrow one puzzle and receive 1 extra toy in your borrowings. So that
equation is... 3 toys + 1 puzzle = 4 toys in one borrowing session.
fun!
fun!
fun!
PLAY THIS
Don’t forget the power of the craft!!!! Collect cereal boxes, cardboard tubes and any
other small incidental recyclable products from around the home. Use these for fun
crafty projects – try anything from cutting and pasting to construction. Here are some
easy construction ideas to try… Boats, small houses and robots are very popular and I
recently even made a Gup X from the Octonauts! Breaking it into two stages can help
keep the interest levels up and extends the fun. Stage one build the object, stage two
paint and/or decorate! Empower your child by letting them choose what they would
like to create (generally you do the actual building with their help!). Sticky tape is cheap
from the $2 shop and is less messy than glue for sticking the main parts together. Glue
can then be used for decorations.
One of the easiest toys to make is a pair of binoculars from an empty Glad Wrap tube.
Tape two equal length sections together with a cross piece that makes an ‘h’ in the
middle. Cut the middle piece the right distance apart for your child’s eyes. Paint and
decorate your creation! You can even tape cellophane over the ends for added effect.
REVIEW THIS
Gahan Reserve, Park St Abbotsford, Melways Map 2C Ref J10
Gahan Reserve is a hidden gem of a park in the quiet back streets of Abbotsford, just
behind the Collingwood Town Hall, Library and train station. It has a fantastic wooden
playground that is a combination of a maze and fort with hidden paths and plenty
of ways to ascend and descend. My piratical 4 year old loves scaling the chain ladder
and swinging down the pirate rope (of course it’s a pirate rope, what else could it be?).
Scattered around the playground are also rockers, spinners, a flying fox and a fabulous
rocking boat that seats 6 kids. Under the shade of leafy trees there are swings catering
for a range of ages and physical abilities. The Abbotsford Maternal and Child Health
Centre is located in the park and it has a separate, fenced play area that is perfect for
teeny tots, or escapees, including a playground, swing set and sandpit (BYO sandpit
toys). This is a great park for a picnic or a party as there are extensive areas of lush lawn
and plenty of benches, plus 2 picnic tables and barbecues under the shade of leafy trees.
There are water fountains and it is well lit at night. Unfortunately there are no toilets in
the park itself, but there are public toilets located in the Collingwood Library and the
Town Hall, both of which are a minute’s walk away under the railway bridge.
ASK THIS! INTERVIEW with a VIK (Very Important Kid)
We interviewed one of our members recently and found out some of his
favourite things. Ollie, 3 ½
What is your favourite toy from the toy library ? Mr Potato Head
What do you like about the toy library? Borrowing the washing machine
What is your favourite food? Cake
What is your favourite colour? Green
What’s your favourite song? Baa baa black sheep
What’s your favourite thing to play outside? Jumping on trampoline
What is your favourite thing to play inside? Playing with Thomas trains
Where do you really like to go? I like going to the gym so I can fall over
What is your favourite book? Thomas and the Traffic Jam
TOY DONATIONS
A big thank you for toy donations from Southwell and one of our committee members
and resident graphic designer, Lou Johnson. We are always on the lookout for new
donations. The great thing about donating toys is that is you can borrow them back if
your kids decide later they weren’t ready to part with them yet. Toys may be dropped
off at the library on Saturday mornings only. We do have strict guidelines as to the type
and quality of toys that we are able to accept and do not accept any soft or licensed/
branded toys. Please contact Sue on 0412287914 during toy library opening hours or
email us on info@rtl.org.au for more details.
Like to contribute to our newsletter? Send us your favourite recipe, game or just a review
about something great you have experienced lately (we only write about the good stuff!)
please email it through to info@rtl.org.au Please be sure to leave your details in case we have
any questions and contributions can be printed anonymously if preferred.
TRY THIS!
This month try out your
construction skills or start
your own RTL band with our
new toys to explore...
1) Eva Magnetic Soft Blocks
2) Ukeleles
3) Recorders
4) Eurotrike, TCV Bike,
loads of new puzzles and
assorted orchard games plus
much, much more...
1
2
3
4
NOTICE THIS
Melbourne Cup Day Closure
A reminder that we are not
open on Melbourne Cup Day.
Any borrowings due that day
will carry over to following
week or can be returned
other days this week.
SEE YOU SOON
Don’t forget we’re open for
business as usual over the
school holidays so hope to
see you soon.
The Richmond Toy Library
Committee
This newsletter is kindly printed
by Hockingstuart Richmond.