Mr SIDEBOTTOM (1:47 PM) —I would like to congratulate all the family, friends and others involved when the Devonport Playhouse commenced in 1992 with volunteer assistance. It continues to operate to this day. Six hundred families use the Playhouse each year, and an average of 105 adults and 160 children use the Playhouse each week. Effectively, the Playhouse provides an informal area for parents and carers of children under five that facilitates the development of supportive social networks. Parents meet with other parents and stay with their children while their children play in a very play friendly environment, and parents have a network of friends and support. As well, a series of activities and programs are available to them on parenting, health and wellbeing for women, social skills, first aid for young families and postnatal depression. There are seminars and support groups; annual foot screenings; healthy food for kids; libraries with books, magazines and videos; information displays; community noticeboards; structured playgym sessions; and so forth.

Unfortunately, the Playhouse is experiencing financial difficulties at the moment. As a community we seek to assist them in this excellent initiative. It does not fall under normal programs, either state or federal, in terms of child care, and that shows the lack of flexibility in these programs. It is to be hoped that policy changes will lead to greater flexibility and assist self-help organisations such as the Playhouse in Devonport.