Strong Communities Ltd

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄 (𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆) 𝗮𝘁 𝟵:𝟭𝟱𝗮𝗺 🌿✨

This week marks our final playgroup session for the term before we take a short winter holiday break and return in Term 3 🩵

We’re coming together to celebrate NAIDOC Week a little early, in recognition of NAIDOC Week being held nationally from 5–12 July. This is a special opportunity to learn, play, and connect before the break.

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s happening:
🎨 NAIDOC group art collage
🌿 Sensory play experiences
📚 Early learning and discovery activities
🤝 Calm, community-based group play

We also share morning tea 🍏
Plus story time 📖 and a group song 🎶

A warm, welcoming, and respectful space to finish the term together, celebrating culture, connection, and community 🫶

When: Thursday at 9:15am
Where: Calliope State School

No bookings required and no cost to attend.

We look forward to seeing everyone for our final playgroup of the term before the winter break ✨

Term 2 Baby NaN Playgroup has now come to a close, and we’re feeling incredibly grateful for the time we’ve shared with all of the beautiful families who joined us 🤍

It has been such a privilege to watch connections form, confidence grow, and little ones begin to explore the world alongside their first friends. Thank you for letting us be part of your early parenting journey and for bringing so much warmth, honesty, and community into our space.

We’ve truly loved getting to know each of you and supporting you through these early months with your babies.

Term 3 registrations are now open for new families 🥰🤩 We welcome families with babies aged 0–12 months to join us in Calliope for another term of connection, support, and gentle playgroup moments.

If you’ve been thinking about coming along, we’d love to have you with us 🤍
Send our friendly team a message with your name, phone number and child's date of birth to secure a spot. Please note waitlists may apply.

A big thank you to Rotary Club of Gladstone Port Curtis for inviting us along to their meeting last night to hear about our Grief Support Circle.

It was a particularly special to hear the feedback from 2 of the participants that attend the support group. It takes great courage and vulnerability to share about your grief journey, and we are humbled they wanted to share how they have found support, connection and tools to help with their grief by attending our support circle.

Our Grief Support Group has been delivered in Gladstone for the past 5 years, mostly supported by our social impact fund and the kind donations of groups like this. We appreciate you, and we know those attending the sessions do too 💙

Grief Support Circle is held the first Monday of each month at 5:30pm, in the Nutchee building. If you’ve been looking for a safe place to process your grief, we invite you to join us.

We are incredibly honoured to share that Strong Communities has been named a finalist in the 2026 Queensland Social Enterprise Awards for Regional and Remote Impact.

As a social enterprise founded right here in Central Queensland, this recognition is incredibly meaningful.

Over the past seven years, we have had the privilege of walking alongside children, families and communities across our region. From parenting and wellbeing programs to multicultural initiatives, grief support, community development and the creation of the Calliope Community Hub, our work has always been shaped by the people and places we serve.

This award celebrates something we have always known, that regional communities are filled with strength, resilience, generosity and people who genuinely care about one another. We see it every day in our participants, volunteers, partners, supporters and local champions who continue to show up for their communities.

We are also proud to stand alongside the other finalists in the Regional and Remote Impact category and the many social enterprises across Queensland who are creating meaningful change in their communities. Together, we are demonstrating the power of purpose-led business to strengthen lives, build connection and create lasting impact.

Thank you to the Queensland Social Enterprise Council, the judges and everyone who has supported Strong Communities along the way.

Most importantly, thank you to our team, volunteers, partners and the families and communities who place their trust in us. This recognition belongs to all of you.

🥳 FREE School Holiday Fun in Gladstone & Boyne Island.

Looking for something fun (and free) to do these school holidays?
Join us for Play & Connect for family-friendly community events packed with creativity, connection, and hands-on activities for all ages.

🎨 FREE craft activities
🌈 Early learning experiences
🌸 Parent support
🌿 A relaxed, welcoming space for families to connect
🐄 Free petting zoo (in Boyne Island only)

💫 Week 1: Play & Connect in Gladstone
📍 Philip Street Precinct (Nutchee Building), Gladstone QLD
🕙 10:00am – 12:00pm
📅 Tuesday 30th June

💫 Week 2: Play & Connect in Boyne Island
📍 Bray Park, Boyne Island QLD
🕙 10:00am – 12:00pm
📅 Thursday 9th July

These are free community events, all ages and families welcome, no booking required. Come along, meet other families, and enjoy a fun morning together during the school holidays 🌈💫

We’d love to see you there!

Tag or share with your family and friends and help us spread the word 💌👇

This free community event is proudly supported by Reef City Motors Gladstone and GAPDL Communities for Children.

Join us tomorrow at the Nutchee building for Harmony Kids playgroup👇🧡

Join us at Harmony Kids Multicultural Playgroup as we celebrate the Dano Festival for the last playgroup of this term!

📅 Friday
⏰ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

✨ What's On:
👐 Sensory activities
🎨 Korean-inspired crafts
📚 Story time
🎶 Singing and dancing

Harmony Kids Multicultural Playgroup is a wonderful opportunity for children and families to learn about different cultures through play, creativity, and connection.

See you all this week!

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄 (𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆) 𝗮𝘁 𝟵:𝟭𝟱𝗮𝗺 🔢🌈

This week we’re exploring early numeracy through fun, hands-on play and discovery.

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s happening:
🏁 Number race track games
🌿 Sensory play experiences
🔢 Early learning number activities
🔍 Number hunt adventure around play spaces

We also provide morning tea 🍏
Plus story time 📖 and a fun group song 🎶

It will be a playful environment where learning numbers feels exciting and hands-on 🫶

When: Thursday at 9:15am (during school terms)
Where: Calliope State School
No bookings required, no cost to attend and all ages are welcome.

This playgroup is supported by our Strong Communities Social Impact Fund. Thank you for supporting our Community Store and other social enterprise activities that help make initiatives like this playgroup available to our community free of charge 🩵

👶💛 Do you have a baby under 12 months, or know someone who does?

The early months of parenting can be wonderful, exhausting, joyful, and overwhelming (sometimes all before breakfast).

If you're looking for a welcoming space to connect with other local parents, share experiences, ask questions, and enjoy some time out of the house with your little one, we'd love to welcome you to our FREE Baby Playgroup in Calliope.

🌱 For babies aged 0–12 months
📍 Held in Calliope
📅 Wednesdays during Term 3
⏰ 9:30am – 11:30am
✨ Commencing 15 July 2026

Registrations are essential. Please send your name, phone number and child’s date of birth to our friendly team to secure a spot.

📧 [email protected]
📱 0433 019 172

Know a parent who would love this? Share this post with them 💛

We're proud to support the Benaraby State School Bush Dance by donating a sensory pack and children's books for their raffle from our online store.

Community events like these help bring people together, strengthen connections and create lasting memories for local families.

We hope the lucky winners enjoy their prizes!

Wishing the Benaraby State School community a fantastic Bush Dance in August 💚

Big feelings don’t need big fixes, just the right support 🫶

Our Emotion Cards for Kids help children understand, express, and regulate what they’re feeling in a calm and empowering way.

Each of the 20 beautifully designed cards uses colour-coded emotions to help kids quickly recognise their inner world:
🔴 Red | 🟡 Yellow | 🔵 Blue | 🟢 Green

On every card:
✨ Child-led emotion prompts to open up conversation
✨ Simple, supportive regulation activities
✨ Easy tools to help your child move through big feelings

Designed to make emotional learning visual and playful, so kids don’t just learn about emotions, they learn what to do with them.

Thoughtfully designed in Australia by The Creative Sprout. Printed in Sydney on durable, child-friendly card stock. Packaged in an eco cotton drawstring bag 🌿

A simple tool that supports lifelong emotional intelligence.

🛒 Available now for pick up or delivery via the Strong Communities store.

As a social enterprise, every purchase helps us continue creating resources that support children’s wellbeing and stronger families. Thank you for supporting our work 💛

https://shop.strongcommunities.org.au/products/emotion-cards-for-kids