THE newly renovated East Grampians Health Service Ark Toy and Activity Library is officially ready for playtime.
Staff and families celebrated the opening of the new space with a concert by popular children's band The Mik Maks.
The Mik Maks entertained more than 100 children and their families, with their live show a hit with the children.
Toy Library president Kaye Chamings said the Toy Library had recently moved into a new purpose built space as part of the Community Health Centre redevelopment, and is open each Wednesday from 10am to 12pm.
"We wanted to have a special opening for our new space and thought a concert featuring the wonderful Mik Maks would be great way of thanking our regular Toy Library members for their support, as well as attracting new members," Mrs Chamings said.
"We are very grateful to the Pitch Music Festival for awarding us a community grant, which enabled us to have The Mik Maks entertain."
Toy Library membership is available to children and adults with special needs, their families and carers.
This includes people who have physical and development disabilities, chronic illness and other long-term injuries and illnesses that impact the person's ability to participate in everyday play and social opportunities.
The Toy Library also caters for mums, dads and bubs groups from Ararat and across the wider region.
Parents with babies through to preschoolers are welcome to join these groups.
Earlier this year the Toy Library also received new shade sails to protect children and members from the sun.
The Toy Library Auxiliary received two grants to help fund the construction of the shade sail.
The first, worth $5000, was from the Ararat Wind Farm Sustainable Grants Program.
The second, worth $1000, was from the RSL Community Grant program.
Ms Chamings thanked both funding bodies for their generosity.
"Without the grants from the Ararat Wind Farm and Ararat RSL, we would not have been able to have a shade sail installed at the new Toy Library," she said.
"We are very grateful to them both for their funding, which will ensure our little ones are protected from the sun when they play outside."
The Toy Library offers annual membership subscription at $10 per family.
For further information about the Toy Library and mums and bubs groups, contact Kaye Charmings on 0418 522 283.
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