New Member Application Form

Mount Hawthorn Toy Library

New Member/Volunteer Application Form

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** Our Toy Library relies on the generosity of volunteers. Members who volunteer also qualify for discounted renewals on annual memberships. Are there ways you can help?

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Agree and Submit:

I agree to the Terms and Conditions of membership set out by the Mount Hawthorn Toy Library

I agree to the Code of Conduct and Child Safe Policy set out by the Mount Hawthorn Toy Library

I agree to the WAIVER, RELEASE AND INDEMNITY FOR BICYCLES AND SCOOTERS set out by the Mount Hawthorn Toy Library

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WAIVER, RELEASE AND INDEMNITY FOR BICYCLES AND SCOOTERS

MOUNT HAWTHORN TOY LIBRARY - WAIVER, RELEASE AND INDEMNITY FOR BICYCLE AND SCOOTERS

The Mount Hawthorn Toy Library ("Provider") is pleased to make bicycles and scooters available to subscribers ("the Service").

As a subscriber to the Service you acknowledge that there are dangers and risks inherent with bicycle and scooter riding (the “Activity”) to which any child under your supervision ("Your Child") may be exposed.

The Provider does not provide protective clothing or bicycle helmets and it is your responsibility to ensure that Your Child wears a helmet at all times and is otherwise appropriately attired when participating in the Activity. You agree that Your Child will participate in the Activity at your own risk. You also agree to voluntarily assume responsibility for supervising the Activity and any injury, death or property damage you or Your Child may suffer or cause as a result of participating in the Activity.

To the maximum extent possible at law, you (both in your personal capacity and on behalf of Your Child) agree to release, hold harmless and indemnify the Provider and its respective officers, employees, servants, agents and contractors (the “Indemnified Persons”) against all actions, claims, suits, costs, expenses, demands and damages suffered or incurred by the Indemnified Persons or any one or more of them by reason of, or in respect of, or in any manner whatsoever arising out of, or caused by, your use of the Service or Your Child's participation in the Activity.

You agree that you are subscribing to the Service on the express condition that the Provider:

will, under no circumstances be liable or responsible in any manner whatsoever for any death, loss, accident, damage or injury to you, Your Child or any of your servants, agents, contractors, visitors or invitees or any other person whatsoever (“Related Party”) which may happen as a result of your use of the Service or Your Child participating in the Activity; and
will not incur or be under any liability whatsoever to you, Your Child, or to any Related Party for any loss, damage or injury to or in respect of any of your property or of any Related Party’s property. The Provider is not liable to you, Your Child or any Related Party in respect of any indirect or consequential loss. For the avoidance of doubt, ‘consequential loss’ means loss or damage arising from a breach of contract, tort (including negligence), under statute or any other basis in law or equity of an indirect or consequential nature including, but without limitation, loss of profits, loss of revenue, loss or denial of opportunity, loss of goodwill, loss of business reputation, future reputation or publicity, damage to credit rating and indirect, remote, abnormal or unforeseeable loss, or any similar loss whether or not in the reasonable contemplation of the parties.

I Agree

Terms & Conditions of Application

Welcome to Mount Hawthorn Toy Library (MHTL). We are a not for profit community group run entirely by volunteers. Every member contributes to making our small but mighty toy library thrive! We just won Metropolitan Toy Library of the Year in the 2025 national awards.

Terms & Conditions of Membership

1.0 Toy Library opening hours

Every Saturday 9am-11am, except for Public Holiday long weekends. All members must be current members of the Toy Library to attend.

2.0 Toy Library Offering

Access to over 800 toys on a first come, first serve basis. Limited to 100 members, until at least June 2026. Loan period is for 2 weeks at a time, with most toys being available for renewal for an additional 2 weeks. Renewals can be done during MHTL visits or by emailing the Committee. All important links for MHTL are located at linktr.ee/mthawthorntoylibrary.

3.0 Contact Details

The Toy Library Committee can be contacted via email at mthawthorntoylibrary@gmail.com. Please provide us with your best email address and phone number as contact details, and notify us if details change.

4.0 Cost of Membership

4.1 Membership Types:

4.11 Volunteering Membership: $75 per year for new and renewing members, until June 30th 2025 ($100 per year from July 1st 2025 for all new and renewing members). See Volunteer Obligations (8.0).

4.12 Non-Volunteering Membership: $200 per year for all members, from date of sign up. See Non-Volunteer Obligations (8.0).

4.13 Committee Members Membership: Qualify for free membership as a Committee Member. You will play an integral role in MHTL business operations. If you are interested in joining as a committee member, please contact us.

4.2 Bond Payment: All membership types require payment of $50 bond at time of joining. See Bond and Penalties (6.0).

5.0 Communication

You will receive email communication from our committee members if any direct communication is required.

5.1 For general member communication join our members only Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/MountHawthornToyLibrary.

5.2 For general MHTL news, new toys, special days, and information on fun ways to play please join MHTL social media pages:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mounthawthorn.toylibrary
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mthawthorntoylibrary

6.0 Bond + Penalties

6.1 Bond: The bond is currently set at $50, at the committee's discretion. This will be returned to members when membership has ended, unless any circumstances below result in the bond being retained.

6.2 Penalties: The Committee reserves the right to withhold the bond if any of the Member Obligations (7.0) are breached. Instances include:

6.2.1 Volunteering Members failing to meet Shift Obligations (7.2.1) and/or Busy Bee Obligation (7.2.2).

6.2.2 Not committing to AGM Attendance (7.1.2) and not providing written apology prior to the event.

6.2.3 Needing to cover the cost of loss or damage to toys.

6.2.4 Cover associated costs of repeated late returns (i.e. greater than 4 weeks, on multiple occasions without notifying the Committee).

6.3 Additional Bond: If a bond needs to be withheld in one membership year for any of the circumstances above, the member will be required to pay an additional bond when they renew their membership.

6.4 Membership Misconduct: If a bond has been withheld or a written warning has been provided to a member in any previous membership year, the member is flagged for potential membership misconduct; Further breaches to Member Obligations (7.0), will result in their membership being immediately terminated. A bond can be retained in a second instance.

7.0 Membership Obligations

7.1 Obligations for All Members:

7.1.1 Membership Fees are paid annually as outlined in Cost of Membership (4.0).

7.1.2 AGM Attendance: Attend MHTL annual AGM (Currently an annual family friendly AGM Pizza Party) in September/October. A quorum is required to vote in Committee Members, approve minutes, and approve changes. If unable to attend, please provide an apology.

7.1.3 Borrowing Guidelines (8.0) are adhered to for all toys. If you need to extend your loan time, please email the Committee.Please pay special attention to the Toy Cleaning Guide (8.3) and Returning Procedure (8.4).

7.1.4 Caring for Toys:

7.1.4.1 Look after and return all toys in a good condition (including essential parts). General wear and tear is expected.

7.1.4.2 Report any faulty, missing or broken toys/parts to the Committee as soon as you are aware. Even if you know you have lost them (hopefully momentarily). We can work together to find solutions. We have access to manufacture warranties and can find replacement pieces if done in a timely manner.

7.1.4.3 If you find pieces of a MHTL toy at home, please return them. No judgement! We love re-uniting our toys with missing parts.

7.2 Volunteering Membership (4.1.1) Obligations:

7.2.1 Shift Obligation: Book and staff 1x Library Shift on a Saturday morning. Roster is filled in six-month blocks, with email notifications sent twice-yearly to sign-up. Access to the shift roster is also via www.linktr.ee/mthawthorntoylibrary. Any member of your family can fill your shift. A ‘How to run a shift guide’ including video tutorial and PDF is sent prior to shift. If you become unable to attend your shift, please notify the Committee as soon as possible. Please give at least 2 weeks’ notice. Try to find a cover via our Facebook Member Group.

7.2.2 Busy Bee Obligation: Attend 1x Busy Bee at MHTL annually. Alternatively, offer support to the MHTL committee in another way (e.g. volunteer for a job, help with marketing, wash costumes, attend an extra shift).

7.2.3 Shift Exemption: Families expecting a baby are exempted from their annual roster obligation in the birth year. Please inform the Committee - we would also love to congratulate the newest member!

7.3 Non-volunteering Membership (4.1.2) Obligations:

7.3.1 No obligation to attend MHTL shifts or Busy Bees.

7.3.2 Still require AGM Attendance (7.1.2).

7.4 Written Warnings may be issued for failing to meet any of the Membership Obligations (7.0), which may include bond retention as outlined in Penalties (6.2). After one written warning, memberships may be terminated for Membership Misconduct (6.4).

8.0 Borrowing Guidelines

8.1 Borrowing Period: The borrowing period for all toys is 2 weeks. Toys may be renewed up to 2 times for an additional 2 weeks, unless they have been deemed a high demand toy. Toys due to be returned on public holiday weekends (when closed) will automatically be extended.

8.2 Borrowing Procedure: Select up to 10 toys to borrow. Count the pieces of each toy to confirm it corresponds with the number and description on the packaging. Notify the shift volunteer while borrowing the toy so they can note discrepancies on the system. Do not write on toy labels if you notice missing pieces. Ensure all toys are borrowed via the shift coordinator.

8.3 Toy Cleaning Guide: Please clean all toys in line with MHTL Toy Cleaning Guide before returning them to MHTL (Toy Cleaning Guide). Please ensure special attention is given when cleaning when returning a toy that has been used outdoors or could be carrying germs or allergens, such as traces of food, dust or hair.

8.4 Returning Procedure: When returning toys, please carefully check the toy for good working order, count the pieces and ensure it is clean. If you notice the toy is dirty when returning it, please use the cleaning products in the toy library for a final clean. Return the toy to the shift coordinator. Inform the shift coordinator if there is anything to note on the system about condition, or missing pieces. Do not place toys back on the shelf unless asked to do so, as they will be double-checked by the shift coordinator.

9.0 Leaving the MHTL

The member is kindly asked to notify the Committee in writing of their intention to resign membership at the end of their membership period. Please let the committee know if you want to donate your bond or if you are yet to meet your Volunteering Obligations (8.0). The member is then asked to return all outstanding toys and check they have met all Membership Obligations (7.0). The Treasurer will return the bond within 3 months, if the committee deems that all obligations have been met. Memberships cannot be partially refunded if cancelled part-way through the membership year, except in extenuating circumstances.

10.0 Exclusion from Liability and Indemnity

To the maximum extent permitted by law, members of MHTL join and use the MHTL and its toys entirely at their own risk. The MHTL is not liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense (including but not limited to, all direct and indirect loss or damage) howsoever arising whether in contract, tort (including negligence), under statute, in common law, in equity or on any other basis, in connection with any member’s membership or use of the MHTL (including its premises) and any of its toys.

Each member must indemnify, defend and hold harmless the MHTL and each other member of the MHTL against any personal injury, death, loss or damage to: MHTL and/or its members and their family members, co-habitants and invitees: and MHTL’s premises and property and the property of MHTL’s members, their family members, co-habitants and invitees.

11.0 Required Policies for All Members:

11.1 Members must agree to MHTL Safeguarding Children Policy upon joining. MHTL is a child safe organisation that promotes the safety and welfare of children.

11.2 Members must agree to an Insurance Waiver ‘Waiver, Release and Indemnity for Bicycles and Scooters’ upon joining. This gives members access to our toys, which includes bicycles, scooters and ride-ons.

Please note that all children must be adequately supervised whilst on the MHTL premises.

I Agree

Code of Conduct of Application

CODE OF CONDUCT

All staff, volunteers and committee members of Mount Hawthorn Toy Library are required to observe child safe principles and expectations for appropriate behaviour towards and in the company of children, as noted below.

All personnel of Mount Hawthorn Toy Library responsible for supporting the safety, participation, wellbeing and empowerment of children by:

adhering to Mount Hawthorn Toy Library child safe policy at all times / upholding Mount Hawthorn Toy Library statement of commitment to child safety at all time
taking all reasonable steps to protect children from abuse
treating everyone with respect
listening and responding to the views and concerns of children, particularly if they are telling you that they or another child has been abused and/or are worried about their safety or the safety of another
promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of children with culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds (for example, by having a zero tolerance of discrimination)
promoting the safety, participation and empowerment of children with a disability (for example, during personal care activities)
ensuring as far as practicable that adults are not left alone with a child
reporting any allegations of child abuse to Mount Hawthorn Toy Library President or Committee, and ensure any allegation are reported to the police or child protection
reporting any child safety concerns to Mount Hawthorn Toy Library President or Committee
if an allegation of child abuse is made, ensure as quickly as possible that the child(ren) are safe

Staff and volunteers must not:

develop any ‘special’ relationships with children that could be seen as favouritism (for example, the offering of gifts or special treatment for specific children)
exhibit behaviours with children which may be construed as unnecessarily physical (for example inappropriate sitting on laps. Sitting on laps could be appropriate sometime, for example while reading a storybook to a small child in an open plan area)
put children at risk of abuse (for example, by locking doors)
engage in open discussions of a mature or adult nature in the presence of children (for example, personal social activities)
use inappropriate language in the presence of children
express personal views on cultures, race or sexuality in the presence of children
discriminate against any child, including because of culture, race, ethnicity or disability
have any online contact with a child or their family (unless necessary, for example providing families with e- newsletters)
ignore or disregard any suspected or disclosed child abuse.

By observing these standards you acknowledge your responsibility to immediately report any breach of this code to Mount Hawthorn Toy Library President or Committee.

____________________________________________

CHILD SAFETY POLICY

If you believe a child is at immediate risk of abuse phone 000.

Introduction

Mt Hawthorn Toy Library is committed to promoting and protecting the interests and safety of children. We have zero tolerance for child abuse. We are thereby committed to complying with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and all the compulsory minimum standards for organisations that provide services used by children and young people, to help protect children from harm.

Everyone working at Mt Hawthorn Toy Library is responsible for the care and protection of children and reporting information about child abuse.

Application

This policy applies to all staff, contractors and volunteers and to the broad range of situations where interaction with children and young people may occur in the delivery of toy library services.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to:

ensure that all staff, contractors and volunteers engaged by Mt Hawthorn Toy Library are aware of the organisation’s commitment to creating and maintaining a child safe environment that meets the required minimum standards
facilitate the prevention of child abuse within our organisation
establish the framework for an organisational culture of child safety
outline the responsibilities that various parties have for identifying possible occasions for child abuse, for establishing controls and procedures for preventing abuse, and for detecting abuse when it occurs
provide guidance to staff, contractors and volunteers as to action that should be taken where they suspect any abuse within or outside of the organisation
provide a clear statement to staff, contractors and volunteers forbidding any such abuse
provide assurance that all suspected abuse will be reported and fully investigated.

Our commitment to child safety

Mt Hawthorn Toy Library is committed to promoting and protecting the best interests of children involved in its service, and to providing a child-safe and child-friendly environment for all children and young people who engage with the organisation. Our organisation is committed to complying with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and state child safety standards to help protect children and young people from harm.

All children, regardless of their gender, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, sexual orientation, or family or social background, have equal rights to protection from abuse. We have zero tolerance for child abuse, and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated very seriously and consistently with our policies and procedures.

Everyone working at Mt Hawthorn Toy Library is responsible for the care and protection of the children using our services and reporting information about suspected child abuse.

Child protection is a shared responsibility between the Mt Hawthorn Toy Library and all staff, contractors, volunteers, associates, and members of our community.

We will consider the opinions of children and use their opinions to develop child protection policies.

We respect all children and young people and support them to be safe, happy, and empowered.

We are committed to the cultural safety of children, and pay particular attention to the safety and cultural safety of the following groups of children, in recognition of their increased vulnerability, and diverse and unique identities and experiences:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people
children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
children living with a disability
children who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans
children who are intersex, non-binary or gender diverse
children in and out of home care and the youth justice system.

Our approach to child safety

In continuing to implement and promote a child-safe system of work, we will:

develop an environment in which children feel listened to and valued, and in which their concerns are acted upon, including encouraging and allowing children to participate in decisions important to them
consult with staff, contractors and volunteers and other appropriate parties, including families and children
assess and manage the risk of abuse to children who interact with our organisation, including through recruitment practices and online
take a proactive approach to child safety, including fostering a culture of openness that encourages all staff, contractors and volunteers to report any concerns of child safety and supports them in this process
report suspected abuse, neglect or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authority, whether or not the law requires reporting
ensure children know the options available to them if they are concerned or feeling unsafe, and foster an environment where children are safe to raise such concerns
recruit staff, contractors and volunteers who are suitable to work with children and provide high quality training, supervision and professional development to staff, contractors and volunteers as appropriate.
have policies, procedures and supports in place to reflect these commitments, and review these regularly.

I Agree