The Federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) has assisted in the funding for the new vehicle.

Galloping Gumnut is fully funded by the department and currently provides a service to 13 communities.

The service visits Hampton, Hartley, Lithgow, Wallerawang, Portland, Capertee, Ilford, Kandos, Rylstone, Hill End, Meadow Flat, O’Connell and Glen Alice.

Galloping Gumnut was established in 1982 and is still expanding with the service providing an important Early Childhood service to rural, remote and isolated families and children.

“We are currently running some exciting new programs such as the literacy sessions at Portland, Wallerawang and Lithgow where families can come and participate in the local playgroup and join in with a great group time experience with stories, music and dance,” Galloping Gumnut Director Meg Mendham said.

“The service also runs a toy library service where individual families, local playgroups or schools can become a member and borrow toys, equipment and resources.

“We have a huge variety of toys and equipment that caters for children from birth to school years,” she said.

The service is also now operating a new Playsession at Hartley (fortnightly) on Fridays from 10 am to 12.30 pm at the old school grounds on Mid Hartley Road.

So put on your jackets and take your child along for some great fun and parent networking.

So next time you pass the Galloping Gumnut truck give the girls a big wave as they head out of town to reach the families in the rural and remote communities.

For further information contact Meg at the office on 6352 3798 or 0427 070 871 or admin@gallgum.ngo.org.au