By Trish Mullins, Toy Library Coordinator, Kath Dickson Family Centre

When the mobile toy library first rolled into Charleville, we hoped families would enjoy the opportunity to borrow toys, save money and connect through play. What we didn’t expect was just how enthusiastically the community would embrace the idea, and how quickly local families would begin imagining something bigger.

Now, that vision is becoming a reality.

On Saturday 25 July 2026, the Charleville Community Toy Library will officially open at the Charleville Lions Club “Lion’s Den” on Hilda Street, creating a permanent toy library service for local families and surrounding rural communities.

For me, this project represents so much more than shelves of toys. It’s a story about community leadership, regional resilience and what can happen when local people come together around a shared idea.

Building opportunities for regional families

Queensland families, particularly those in regional, rural and remote areas, have long missed out on the benefits of toy libraries.

Most toy libraries in Queensland are concentrated in metropolitan areas and larger regional centres along the eastern coast. In fact, Queensland has the lowest rate of toy libraries in Australia, with just eight toy libraries per 100,000 children under five.
That’s one of the reasons, in 2025, we established Queensland’s only mobile toy library service.

Our Toy Bus travels across the Darling Downs and South West regions (an area spanning more than 400,000 square kilometres) visiting communities including Charleville, Roma, Cunnamulla, Eulo, Thargomindah, Quilpie and Cooladdi.

The bus was designed to bring quality educational toys and play resources directly to families who would otherwise have limited access. But it has also done something incredibly important: it has helped communities identify their own local champions.

Charleville is the perfect example.

A community-led vision

Two local parents had already been dreaming about establishing a toy library in Charleville long before we arrived with the Toy Bus. Once the mobile service started visiting, those ideas gained momentum. Through their passion and persistence, local supporters identified a venue, gathered volunteers and rallied community organisations behind the project.

That community support has been remarkable.

The Charleville Lions Club generously offered the venue rent free. Local organisations including Lifeline, FGP Moreton childcare centre and the Charleville Men’s Shed have all expressed interest in supporting the service. Families have volunteered their time, spread the word and embraced the concept wholeheartedly.

This is exactly how strong community projects begin, with local people recognising a need and working together to create something meaningful.

Why toy libraries matter

Toy libraries offer families affordable access to quality educational toys, games and learning resources without the expense of constantly purchasing new items as children grow and interests change. For families living remotely or on tight budgets, that access can make a real difference.

Charleville is also home to many temporary workers across education, health, local government and community programs. Many families relocate to the region for several years while leaving much of their belongings in storage elsewhere. A toy library provides a simple, practical way for those families to access toys and support children’s development during their time in the community.

But the benefits go far beyond toys. Toy libraries help reduce household costs, save space in homes and minimise waste by encouraging borrowing rather than buying. In communities without recycling facilities, reducing landfill becomes even more important.

They also create opportunities for families to connect. Parents meet while borrowing toys. Volunteers build friendships while helping run sessions. Children experience new play opportunities that support learning, curiosity and development.

That sense of connection is one of the most valuable outcomes of all.

A model for other communities

One of the things I’m most excited about is that Charleville could become a blueprint for other regional and remote communities across Queensland.

The toy library’s location is significant because Charleville sits at the centre of the Toy Bus loop through South West Queensland. Families from surrounding farming properties and distance education families will also be able to access the service more regularly.

Importantly, the Charleville Community Toy Library will continue to be run locally by volunteers, while Kath Dickson Family Centre provides governance support and assistance behind the scenes.

That local ownership is critical to long-term success.
Research also shows that toy libraries create substantial community value. Social impact reporting has demonstrated that for every $1 invested in toy libraries, communities receive an estimated $4.22 in social return through social, environmental and economic benefits.

Looking ahead

My hope is that the Charleville Community Toy Library becomes a genuine hub for family connection and community involvement.

I hope it is a place where families feel welcome, children feel excited and volunteers feel proud of what they are building together.

Most of all, I hope this is only the beginning.

If you are in Charleville or travelling through the region, we would love to welcome you to the official opening on Saturday 25 July 2026 at 10am at the Lion’s Den, 47 Hilda Street.

Come and see your community toy library in action. Bring toys to swap, learn how it works, meet the volunteers, or join on the day and start borrowing straight away.

For more information, visit www.kdfc.com.au/charleville-toy-library or follow our Facebook page.