Meerilinga

30/08/2026

Your grant application is due today!

Avoid missing out on a Children's Week grant by heading to the Children's Week WA website and completing your application today.

https://www.childrensweekwa.org.au/

30/08/2026

You can learn through play at any age!

We keep our Playgroups open to children as young as 0 to provide both the child and the parent/carer an opportunity to socialise, share stories and learn together. Our play set ups are always fantastic, with expert Educators using their skills to engage children indoors and outdoors.

Head to our website (https://meerilinga.org.au/) to see when your local Meerilinga Playgroup is running this Term!

29/08/2026

New dad? Did you take parental leave?

A lot has changed over the past few years to improve access to parental leave for parents and carers, but there's still work to be done. The University of Sydney is doing crucial research into the experience of fathers taking parental leave in the first 12 months of their baby's life.

Complete their survey to help the community understand what's good and what needs improving when seeking and taking parental leave: https://survey-au.yoursurveynow.com/survey/selfserve/53b/260772?list=0&samp=1 #?

26/08/2026

The countdown is on.

Plan a Children's Week event anywhere in WA with a grant of up to $1000! Applications are due Monday 31st August. ⌛

Check the Children's Week website for eligibility guidelines and to apply: https://www.childrensweekwa.org.au/

25/08/2026

Manager for Parenting Services, Belynda Smith, is excited to be presenting at the Paint the Town REaD conference in September!

Drawing on her work at Meerilinga, particularly our Sunflower Group funded by Healthway, Belynda will be speaking on the power of picture books in a presentation called "Picture Books as Bridges".

If you're not able to make it to Candem, Paint the Town REaD have organised a WA Hub at the City of Perth SLSC in City Beach. Thanks to Lotterywest, there is currently a 2-for-1 offer for Paint the Town REaD communities attending the WA Hub. If you’re interested, contact [email protected].

Only 7 weeks to go!!!! have you bought your tickets to this exciting event? We have innovative and inspirational speakers and workshops locked in, which will explore current deep dive research, practical ideas to take back and implement in your work and community engagement strategies to ensure your whole community is supporting early years learning and development. We know you will walk away excited, with a pocket full of tools and ready for action. We cant wait to see you in Camden or at our WA or SA conference Hubs or even online!
See you there!!!

25/08/2026

This is your last opportunity 🫨

Our final class for 2026 starts in early October. Apply now for this class and get a head start on your CHC30125 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

Head to our website to start your enquiry.

*Free training may be available for eligible WA students only; eligibility criteria applies. RTO Code: 6000

21/08/2026

GRANT APPLICATIONS CLOSE IN 10 DAYS!

Last year, Western Australian communities held fantastic activities during Children’s Week thanks to the support of Meerilinga and our sponsors. Some of our favourite events included a fantasy lantern parade in Paraburdoo, a children’s festival in Carnarvon, skateboarding lessons in Greenbushes and car seat fitting in Manjimup.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to celebrate the rights of children in your community, whether you live in Albany or Kununurra. Apply now on the Children's Week website: https://www.childrensweekwa.org.au/grants/

21/08/2026

Can you spot Manager for Parenting Services, Belynda in this photo?

It's always great to see our team partnering with community groups and getting involved in local initiatives.

Every child deserves the opportunity to arrive at school healthy, supported and ready to learn, which is why Playgroup WA was proud to attend the launch of Foundation's new partnership with the City of Kwinana

This partnership will help strengthen the systems and connections that support children and families in Kwinana over the next 2.5 years, building on local strengths and community leadership to create lasting, community-led change for the next generation.

It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces from the early childhood sector come together around this shared vision. Congratulations to Minderoo Foundation and the City of Kwinana on this exciting next chapter for Kwinana's children and families.

20/08/2026

Here's great example of embedding Article 30 of the United Nations Rights of the Child!

"Children have the right to use their own language, celebrate their culture and practise their religion"

20/08/2026

Here's a good option for your Children's Week WA grant writing!

🌟 CHILDREN’S WEEK WA 2026 COMMUNITY GRANTS ARE NOW OPEN! 🌟

Is your not-for-profit, community organisation or local government planning an event for Children’s Week WA, held from 24 October to 1 November 2026?

Meerilinga’s Children’s Week Community Grants Program supports eligible Western Australian organisations to create local activities and events that celebrate children, strengthen community connection and promote inclusion.

This year’s theme, based on Article 30 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, is:
“Children have the right to use their own language, celebrate their culture and practise their religion.”

If your organisation is applying for a grant, you might consider hosting one of Neurominded’s engaging and practical workshops:

💜 Communication, Identity and Belonging in Neurodivergent Children
🩵 Autistic Identity, Culture and Community
🧡 Understanding Belonging, Connection and Authentic Self-Expression
💚 Inclusive Participation and Voice

Through a neuro-affirming, strengths-based lens, our sessions help communities explore children’s rights, communication, identity, culture, belonging and neurodiversity; while developing practical strategies for creating environments in which every child is heard, valued and included.

Grant applications are competitive, so please check the eligibility requirements, funding conditions and key dates when developing your proposal.
Learn more about the Children’s Week WA Community Grants Program and apply:
👉 https://www.childrensweekwa.org.au/grants/

Let’s celebrate diversity, champion inclusion and create communities where every child belongs. 🌈