Help keep the magic coming at The Venny

One of Kensington’s most beloved institutions is appealing for donations to help offset rising costs as it continues to conjure its low-key magic for the community.

The Venny, its name short for “adventure playground”, has been serving up fun and food in a big backyard environment to kids aged five to 16 since it was established more than 45 years ago.

Among the ingredients of the supervised “risky play” it promotes are trampolines, fires, things to climb, bikes, ropes, animals – currently ducks, chickens and a hive of bees – and a vegie garden.

Built to serve the kids of the nearby public housing estates who had no backyard, its vision is nevertheless inclusive of everyone and resolutely free of charge.

“There are no labels – everything’s free and everyone’s welcome,” CEO Carolyn Webster told North West City News.

“We operate on the three frees – children are free to come and go, children are free to choose how they play and we operate free of charge.”

Ten-year-old Finn first came to The Venny when he was five and now visits by himself after school.

“One of the main things I like about it is free play,” he said.

“There are no time restrictions or anything like that and more things you can do [than at school].”

While The Venny doesn’t have many overheads, its costs, particularly for staff, have gone up, with recent increases to the Children’s Services Award, Ms Webster said.

“The rising cost of wages, the cost of everything does not correlate with any increases of funding, so essentially, we’re kind of going backwards.

“So, we do rely on getting a certain amount of money each year from fundraising just to kind of cover our costs really.”

Five-year-old playground users Wilhemina and Anais had little doubt about the worth of the enterprise, their mothers said.

Wilhemina, who hugged Anais when she arrived, and was keen to hit the sandpit and cubby house, “absolutely adores” The Venny, her mum, Mads Colvin, said.

“I don’t think there’s a day I pick her up from kinder next door that she doesn’t ask to come here.”

“It’s just such a special place to have.”

“Having somewhere outdoors where kids can just be kids and build forts out of pieces of wood and broken skateboards and explore without the judgement of adults … having a safe space for them to engage in that kind of play is just so important.”

Anais’ mum, Temader Mustafa, said Anais also loved The Venny and Ms Mustafa vouched for it as a place for adults to spend time.

“And you can sit down while the kids play safely.”

“I don’t think there’s another place like it around that connects everyone together like this.”

Ms Webster said the community-owned organisation received no state government funding and depended on funds from local government, philanthropic sources and their own fundraising initiatives.

At a time when rising cost-of-living pressures were seeing increasing family vulnerability, donations would help provide meals and potentially life-changing mentoring, outreach programs and trusted relationships for local kids, many of whom were experiencing a range of challenges, The Venny’s management said.

All donations over $2 are deductible: givenow.com.au/2026eofy •