Celebrating 30 years of support
THIS WEEK, the Balclutha Parents Centre celebrates 30 years of supporting local families.
The 30th birthday celebrations opportunely coincide with not only the National Parents Centres Week, but also National Volunteer Week.
Both have significance for the Balclutha Parents Centre, as it is a volunteerrun organisation.
President Nicola Law says there’s a lot of work for the committee involved in keeping it going.
‘‘There are a lot of hours, but it’s very rewarding as well,’’ she says.
Opened as both a parents’ centre and a toy library in 1988, it was incorporated the following year. The toy library eventually became a separate entity.
The centre now offers playgroups, activities for preschoolers, support and education for parents, family events, and carseat and equipment hire.
They also hire the room out to the Breastfeeding Support Group and others, and for birthday parties.
To celebrate the 30th birthday, the Balclutha Parents Centre is having a gettogether with past and present members at the Cross Recreation Centre this Sunday at 1pm.
There will be plenty of fun on the courts, with a bouncy castle, giant games, and facepainting, before an afternoon tea upstairs at 2.30pm. There will be speeches, including from past members, and a memorial candlelighting for two who have passed away.
‘‘It’s our opportunity to celebrate our achievements to date, and to reflect and focus on the ongoing support that parents’ centres continue to provide to families,’’ Nicola says.
They will also be linking up with the volunteers from the Balclutha Volunteer Fire Brigade, with a visit on Thursday morning.
The volunteers involved are proud to be part of such a longstanding organisation, which serves the community so well.
The community also serves the centre; this week’s big fundraising multidraw raffle features prizes donated by local families and businesses.