Imagination station: Year 2 student Isabella Howells loves all things rainbow.
Photo by
Lauren Formica
In a sea of colour and delight, it’s hard to imagine that this field of imagination is located in the children’s ward for sick or injured children at Goulburn Valley Health.
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What was once just the ‘toy shop’ has been turned into ‘The Magical Rainbow Toy Shop’, giving sick children and their families an escape from their sometimes sombre reality.
Nine-year-old Isabella Howells won a competition run by GV Health and the News’ Kids Page to name the new home to play equipment in the redeveloped paediatric play area.
Before the competition, the toy shop stood bland and nameless; however, the Katandra West Primary School student has given it a new lease on life — full of rainbows and sunshine.
Isabella won the competition with her name ‘The Magical Rainbow Toy Shop’ in 2020; however, due to COVID-19 restrictions, was unable to see the equipment until this week.
Sticking by the motto that she wants children to believe, she said it felt good knowing sick or injured children had an area to play.
“I was only in Prep when I thought of the name, and I didn’t really know what to do, but I knew I wanted something magical for sick kids,” she said.
Putting smiles on faces: GVH Foundation director Claire Ewart-Kennedy, ‘Battery Man’ Paul Archer and nurse unit manager Paula Holland.
Photo by
Lauren Formica
GV Health nurse unit manager, child and adolescent unit, Paula Holland said the toy shop had had a great response from patients and their families.
“The children absolutely love the playground,” she said.
“There’s nearly always children out here playing, and we have a tub of special gear for the toy shop, which comes out when our play therapist is here.
“It’s a good distraction for patients to get out of their rooms, get some sunshine and a good safe place for parents to be able to watch their kids.”
Paul Archer, also known as the ‘The Battery Man’, and Triple M’s Give Me 5 For Kids have raised more than $675,000 for GV Health’s child and adolescent unit, with $90,000 donated to the playground specifically.
Mr Archer said it was fantastic to see the playground completed.
“I believe everyone should give back to the community, I was in the position as a business owner to do so and with Triple M’s Give Me 5 For Kids we continue to be able to donate to the hospital for sick kids and their parents,” he said.
GV Health and the News wish to thank all the children that participated in the naming competition.
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