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 nationwide (louise@toylibraries.org.au)
Adelle Suitor supports new and existing toy libraries in Queensland, NSW, ACT and Tasmania ​(adelle@toylibraries.org.au)
Caitlin (CJ) Aston supports new and existing toy libraries in WA ​(caitlin@toylibraries.org.au)
Erin Krusic-Golub supports new and existing toy libraries in Victoria (erin@toylibraries.org.au)
Lisa Francis supports new and existing toy libraries in South Australia (lisa@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 the 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 TEAM
Core staff
Debbie Williams
Chief Executive Officer
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
Manager: National Development & SARC Volunteering Program
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.
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.
Bronwyn Smith
Social Media Consultant
Bronwyn joined the committee of Wyndham’s Little Buddies Toy Library in Victoria in 2022, where she has elevated their branding and marketing efforts, both within the library and online. Building on her local experience with toy libraries, Bronwyn became the social media consultant for Toy Libraries Australia in 2023. With over 15 years of experience in marketing and design, she is dedicated to spreading the joy and value that toy libraries offer to families across Australia.
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.
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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OUR BOARD
Member development team
QLD, NSW, ACT, TAS
Adelle Suitor
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.
Victoria
Erin Krusic-Golub
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!
South Australia
Lisa Francis
Lisa is passionate about Toy Libraries and has worked as a Toy Library Coordinator for 16 years. She started working at Mitcham Toy Library in 2007 following a career in Early Childhood Teaching. In 2017 her role was expanded to cover both the Blackwood and Mitcham Toy Library sites. Lisa champions play-based learning and equitable access, for all children, to quality toys. She is based in Adelaide and, when not working, loves to explore the natural surroundings of the beautiful Adelaide Hills and coastal plains. She is an enthusiastic walker, kayaker, photographer and dog lover.
Western Australia
CJ Aston
Cj calls Southwest WA home and found her love of toy libraries at Busselton Toy Library when her eldest was 3. Her son is neurodiverse, and she was struggling to find toys he enjoyed, so off she went and joined the toy library. It opened an entire world for her family, they found a community(locally and nationally) and support amongst all of those toys. A few years later she co-found Tuart Forest Toy Library (with the support of Busselton Toy Library and Bunbury Regional Toy Library). She has a particular passion for helping volunteers grow their amazing ideas and she does that with Toy Libraries Australia and Playgroup WA.
Strong and resilient communities volunteering program team
Catherine Zoppolato
Program Officer
Catherine brings nearly 20 years' experience in early childhood education, with over 15 years as the coordinator of the Kingston Toy Library. Her passion lies in connecting with both young and old members to find the perfect toy for everyone’s enjoyment. Over this time, she has also served in various capacities on the Toy Libraries Australia committee, sharing her knowledge & experience to further TLA. When Catherine is not breathing all things toy library, she works in a school library supporting children from 3 to 18 years fostering the passion for reading and on the side is completing a Bachelor of Information Studies, AKA librarian. Keeping herself firmly across both the book library and toy library worlds, Catherine is excited to be involved in this project, supporting toy libraries engaging in new avenues of volunteers while also supporting volunteers to grow and achieve their aims.
Louise Bell
program leader
Behishta
Anwar
Program Officer
Behishta Anwar is a dedicated advocate for Afghan women and newcomers to Australia. Her passion for equality and empowerment is deeply rooted in her personal experiences, having lived through the challenges of the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan and later adapting to life in a new country. The disruption of her education during the Taliban's takeover in 1996 ignited Behishta’s enduring commitment to promoting girls' education.
Drawing from her own teenage experiences of navigating high school and work with limited English skills and no prior formal education, Behishta is deeply committed to amplifying the voices of those facing similar challenges in Australia. As the President of the Afghan Women's Federation of South Australia, she leads efforts to support and uplift Afghan women and the broader community.
Behishta also actively volunteers in various community projects and events. She serves as the Australian Lead for the Global Movement for Peace in Afghanistan and is a Steering Committee member for the Women, Peace, and Security Coalition. Additionally, as a cultural advisor, Behishta advocates for equality and inclusion in all aspects of life, ensuring that these principles guide her work and interactions wherever she goes.
Adelle Suitor
program officer
Disability access, inclusion, and support team
Zoe lives, works, and plays in lutruwita/Tasmania, near Hobart, with her partner and two kids. Zoe's role at TLA is Program Manager of the Disability Access, Inclusion, and Support (DAIS) Program. She is a dedicated advocate for disability rights and human rights frameworks. Zoe brings a range of expertise, developed over two decades in community engagement, inclusive practices and equitable access. Zoe is all about working with communities and individuals to shape programs and activities that create lasting change. Zoe is also a passionate photographer and crafter.
Program Manager
Zoe Houstein
Melanie Douglas
Program Officer
Melanie lives in Perth/Boorloo with her husband, daughter and beloved pets. She has more than 15 years’ experience working in the Early Childhood and Education Support sectors. Melanie found her love for toy libraries after joining Gosnells Toy Library in 2018 - and within the month was on the committee! She held multiple roles, including Chairperson, and played an integral part in supporting a significant growth period for GTL and in the campaigning for and relocation to their forever home. Melanie is an avid believer of toy libraries being a place for children and adults alike to learn through play, connect with their community and form meaningful friendships. If she had to choose only one toy to play with, it would be Lego.
Michelle Loft
Program Officer
Based in Melbourne, Michelle is passionate about play-based learning and supporting families of children with special needs. A quirky career path led her from corporate communications to visual arts, then onto early childhood education and most recently, disability support. Michelle sees her role on the Disability Access, Inclusion and Support Program at Toy Libraries Australia as a unique opportunity to bring all her skills and experience together in a truly meaningful project. Her connection to toy libraries was forged at Elwood Toy Library where she served on the committee for 10 years.
OUR BOARD
Renae Barker
Chair
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.
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.
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Kirsten Marran
Kirsten first joined her local toy library in the Western suburbs of Melbourne in 2014 when her eldest child was still a baby. In 2017 she joined the committee and has been the president of Little Buddies toy library for the last seven years. In that time Little Buddies has experienced extraordinary growth and is now the largest toy library in Victoria with over 900 families utilising the service. Outside of the toy library Kirsten works as a social worker and is also a play therapist. Kirsten strongly believes in the benefits of toy libraries, in not only enriching the play experience of children, but also in their potential to enrich people’s lives through volunteering opportunities and community connections.
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.
Sara Barker
Sara is a qualified Early Childhood Educator with over 15 years of experience in early childhood education, playgroups, and community development. She currently serves as the Director Manager of Smile a Mile Toy Library in Coolalinga, NT. Sara is passionate about the role of toys as tools for development and believes in the importance of parents and children learning together. Through her work, she champions the mission of toy libraries to promote play, build community, and embed sustainability—a winning combination for a brighter future.
PARTNERS
