Central Gippsland

Central Gippsland Family

From baby rhyme sessions and toy borrowing to youth leadership, swimming lessons and creative workshops, families across Central Gippsland can find practical ways to play, learn and spend time together. When extra help is needed, local and regional services also support early childhood development, parenting, disability, family wellbeing and safety.

✨ Play, stories and creative activities

Wellington Shire Libraries – Children’s Events

Library branches in Sale, Maffra, Heyfield, Rosedale, Stratford and Yarram offer activities for several childhood stages. Rock, Rhythm & Rhyme introduces babies aged 0–2 to songs and language, while term-time Storytime combines stories and activities for children aged 3–5. Sessions do not require bookings, although families may reserve a place. School-holiday programs cater for ages 6–12, with separate details and bookings released for each program. Families can also join the free 1000 Books Before School reading program.

Wellington Toy Library

Sale’s member-run toy library gives children aged six months to eight years a changing selection of toys without families needing to buy and store everything themselves. Members can borrow from a collection that includes play equipment, puzzles, games, bikes and dress-ups. Most family memberships permit up to four toys per fortnight, and an adult must supervise borrowing. Check current membership fees and conditions before joining.

Gippsland Art Gallery – Mini Makers Kids

Families visiting the council-operated gallery in Sale can explore exhibitions and look for Mini Makers activities in the current program. Sessions include options for early-years and school-age children, as well as all-abilities activities. General gallery entry is free, but some special events require tickets, so it is worth confirming session availability before travelling.

Latrobe City Libraries – Early Years Programs

Families closer to Churchill, Moe, Morwell or Traralgon can attend free, term-time early-years sessions. Baby Bounce is designed for infants from birth to 18 months, Wiggle & Jiggle serves toddlers aged 18 months to three years, and preschool Storytime offers stories, songs, poems and activities for ages 3–5. Storytime does not require a booking.

🎯 School-age children and teenagers

Latrobe Leisure – Learn to Swim

Swimming lessons and aquatic programs for children are available through Latrobe Leisure facilities in Churchill, Moe/Newborough, Morwell and Traralgon. Options include the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre in Traralgon, alongside other Latrobe Leisure sites offering programs for adults and children. Enrolment arrangements vary, so families should contact or check the relevant facility before choosing a program.

Latrobe City Libraries – Artsy-Craftsy Youth Activity

Young people aged 12–18 can drop into Moe Library for craft, games, creative activities and snacks during the school term. The activity runs on Mondays from 3.30 pm to 5 pm and does not require a booking, making it an accessible after-school option for teenagers interested in relaxed, hands-on activities.

Latrobe City Youth Council

Young people aged 14–18 who live in Latrobe City or attend an education provider there can apply for this voluntary, 12-month leadership and civic-participation program. Members generally meet twice a month, contribute ideas to Council, develop skills and connections, and collaborate on a Youth Council project. It suits teenagers interested in local issues and having a structured voice in civic life.

🌱 Early childhood health and development

Central Gippsland Health – Maternal and Child Health Service

Families with children aged 0–6 can access maternal and child health support in Sale, Maffra, Heyfield, Stratford, Briagolong and Rosedale. Following local birth registration, a nurse contacts the family to arrange the first home visit. Appointments are required for visits, and nurses can provide information about recommended early-childhood check-ups.

Central Gippsland Health – Children’s Allied Health Services

Children’s services include physiotherapy for ages 0–18, nutrition and dietetics, and speech pathology from birth until a child begins full-time primary school. Available programs include the Kids & Teens Healthy Lifestyle group for ages 6–16 and an SOS Feeding Clinic. Speech pathology referrals may come from family members, maternal and child health nurses, kindergartens, GPs or paediatricians. Referral and funding restrictions apply to some services, so confirm the pathway for the particular support required.

🤝 Parenting, practical assistance and safe family contact

Olivia’s Place – Family Support Program

Based in nearby Drouin and supporting new families across Gippsland, Olivia’s Place works with people during pregnancy and the newborn-parenting period. Family Support Workers provide regular appointments, help families connect with maternal and child health services and playgroups, assist with forms and housing-support letters, undertake perinatal and postnatal mental-health screening, and make referrals. Material aid is available only alongside participation in the Family Support Program after intake.

Uniting Vic.Tas – Sale Family Services and Emergency Relief

Uniting’s Sale services cover several areas of family need, including parenting skill development through playgroup and one-to-one support, family preservation and reunification, family violence counselling, and assistance for children and young people with complex disability needs in partnership with Gippsland Lakes Complete Health. Emergency relief may include food, personal-care or household items, financial support and links to other services. Bookings are essential and eligibility conditions apply.

Anglicare Victoria – Children’s Contact Service Gippsland

This short-term Gippsland service provides supervised contact and supported changeovers for children aged 0–17 and separated families. It operates from Morwell and Bairnsdale, with referrals accepted from parents, family members, lawyers and community organisations. Before sessions begin, families complete an intake process involving separate interviews and a child orientation visit. Sessions are held on weekends and selected weekdays, and published fees apply.

🧡 Family violence and child wellbeing support

Quantum Support Services – The Orange Door

The Orange Door is an entry point for specialist family violence and child wellbeing support across Inner and Outer Gippsland, including Sale and Morwell. Services include family violence intake and assessment, child wellbeing assessment and responses for people using violence. Quantum’s team works with women and women with children on intake, assessment and crisis responses. The Orange Door is not an emergency service.

📌 Before you attend or enrol

• Check the age range: Programs span infancy to age 18, and some eligibility points are tied to school stage rather than age alone.
• Confirm bookings and intake: Drop-in library activities, ticketed events, health appointments and assessed support services have different access arrangements.
• Ask about accessibility: Contact the provider before attending if your child needs physical access, communication support, sensory adjustments or assistance to participate.
• Review current costs: Confirm fees for memberships, lessons, supervised-contact sessions and special events before committing.
• Clarify supervision: Ask whether a parent or carer must remain on site and what supervision the provider supplies, particularly for borrowing, aquatic activities and youth programs.

🌟 If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving Central Gippsland, you are warmly invited to add your offering or update your existing listing so local families can find accurate, useful details.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on central.gippsland.guide.