The Venny Inc

30/10/2026

Farewell to our beautiful Bear ❤️

Today, our hearts are broken.

We are deeply saddened to share that our much-loved Border Collie, Bear, passed away today at the grand old age of 15.

Bear was so much more than a dog at The Venny. He was part of our family and a very special friend to thousands of children over many years. A trained therapy dog, Bear had a wonderful ability to connect with children, offering comfort, companionship and unconditional love.

He was part of the adventures, the laughter, the play and the quieter moments. Generations of children grew up with Bear by their side, and so many will have their own special memories of him.

Fifteen wonderful years, countless friendships and a lifetime of love. There will be a very big Bear-shaped hole in our playground.

We would love to hear your gentle memories of Bear. If you have a story, a special moment or a favourite photo, please share it with us. It would mean a great deal to our Venny family.

Thank you, beautiful Bear, for everything you gave us.

Run free. You will always be part of The Venny. ❤️

28/10/2026

🌿 “As safe as necessary, not as safe as possible.”

Today we were delighted to welcome Dr Mariana Brussoni and Dr Megan Zeni to The Venny for conversations about something at the heart of our playwork practice: children’s need for risky play.

Mariana’s research reminds us that risky play is about thrilling, exciting experiences involving uncertainty and the possibility of physical injury. As she puts it:

“Children need to be given the mental and physical space to figure out appropriate risk levels for themselves.” — Dr Mariana Brussoni

And that is exactly why places like The Venny matter. 💚

Children need opportunities to climb, balance, build, explore, test their limits and discover what they can do. They need time to make decisions, experience uncertainty and learn through their own play.

Our role as playworkers isn’t to remove every risk or make every decision for children. It’s to create environments where they can explore freely, with thoughtful adults who understand the difference between a meaningful risk and an unacceptable hazard.

Risky play is about more than physical skills. It supports confidence, resilience, independence, problem-solving, health and wellbeing.

A huge thank you to Dr Mariana Brussoni and Dr Megan Zeni for visiting The Venny and championing the importance of giving children the freedom, space and permission to play.

Let’s make room for more adventure, more challenge and more childhood! With David Kutcher Danni Hala Play Australia

City Of Melbourne Yarra City Council 👋 Moonee Valley City Council

26/10/2026

🎉 Happy Children’s Week from The Venny! 💚

Article 30 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises every child’s right to enjoy their own culture, practise their own religion and use their own language.

At The Venny, we celebrate the diversity of our community and the right of every child to feel safe, included and free to be themselves.

Every child deserves a place to belong, connect, play and be heard. A place they can call their own. 🌱 Thanks to Play Australia and Building Healthy Communities through Play for this.

23/10/2026

💚 Thank you, Supporting women, girls and gender diverse people to thrive. Victorian Women’s Trust! 💚

The Venny is delighted to receive $3,850 through the Supporting women, girls and gender diverse people to thrive. , to support our Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds program.

This generous grant will help us introduce more physical activity into our Kensington Girls Group, building on a much-loved program where girls and young women from diverse backgrounds come together in a safe, inclusive and supportive environment.

Through movement, new experiences and shared challenges, we want to help girls build confidence, strengthen connections, discover new interests and support their health and wellbeing — all while having fun!

On Wednesday 21 October, we were pleased to join the Victorian Women’s Trust CEO, Dr Kirsten Abernethy, Chair Nicky Freidman, fellow grant recipients and the generous sub-fund donors at Thornbury Bowls Club. It was a wonderful opportunity to hear stories of community impact and connect with others working to make a difference.

Thank you to the Victorian Women’s Trust, the Alma & Albert Tivendale Sub-Fund and its donors for investing in girls, their wellbeing and their opportunities to thrive. 💚

GirlsGroup PlayAndWellbeing

22/10/2026

City of Melbourne Queensberry Cup

16/10/2026

14/10/2026

The Venny To You crew are looking forward to Playing again at this years Queensberry Cup this Saturday October 17. See You Then 🩷

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Fun for kids of all ages! 🎈

Along with the thrill of watching billycarts careen down Errol St, there’s plenty for the little ones to get involved in:

🏁 NEW: Under 7s Billycart Track. Thrills for the littlest racers in George Johnson Lane, near the library. Run by Biz-E-Kids.
🌈 Rainbow playhouse. Find it in Little Errol Street, behind the library.
🎈 Balloon cars. Make your very own inside the library.
🧵 Lancashire Lane (primary school age). Snap a photo with the Sowing Kindness mascot bear, decorate a cupcake with The Sweet Treat Retreat, get crafty with Homework Club, and join in the face painting and hula hoops.
🛝 Adventure playground. The Venny Inc

Sowing Kindness is also running free crafts: make a kindness-themed handmade card or a goldfish paper lantern with the theme “have a heart of gold: be kind-hearted” 💛

📍 Errol & Queensberry Streets, North Melbourne
📅 Saturday 17 October, 1–7pm
🎟️ Free entry