I acknowledge a remarkable milestone for our inner west community: the fiftieth anniversary of the Magic Yellow Bus. For five decades this cheerful bright-yellow vehicle has been more than a bus; it has been a mobile playgroup, a lifeline for families and a symbol of inclusion and community spirit. The Magic Yellow Bus first rolled into our parks in October 1975, thanks to the vision of Judy Finlayson and the grassroots organisation Kids' Activities Newtown. Judy was a true pioneer in community development. She was the first community worker at the Addison Road community centre and played a central role in transforming a former army depot into the vibrant community hub we know today. She championed children's rights and inclusion long before they were mainstream priorities. Her leadership and determination ensured that kids' right to play and learn was championed, inspiring the Magic Yellow Bus service that continues to enrich lives across generations.

At a time when many families had limited access to early childhood programs, the Magic Yellow Bus filled that gap by bringing toys, craft materials and a sense of belonging directly to our local parks. Its cheerful yellow exterior quickly became a feature in neighbourhood life, a sign that learning and play were available for everyone. It was designed to make learning accessible. There were no bookings or fees. It was just a safe, welcoming space for children aged under seven years old and their carers. It continues to visit parks across the inner west on a weekly schedule, creating a rhythm that thousands of families have come to rely on. It has been trusted for many generations.

The activities are not only fun; they are carefully planned to support early childhood development. There are crafts and puzzles to engage sensory play, and ride-on toys and outdoor games for physical activity and gross motor skills. Story time and music sessions nurture language and social development. Qualified educators guide play and provide reassurance to parents. It is all underpinned by the Australian Early Years Learning Framework. This fosters literacy, numeracy, imagination and growth for our kids.

For parents and carers, the Magic Yellow Bus has been more than a playgroup. It is also a place to connect with others and find support. The staff provides information about local services and health resources. Partnerships that have been developed over the years with organisations like Plumtree Children's Services have strengthened its role as a soft entry point to community-based health and welfare services, helping families through inclusion programs for kids who need extra support. The Magic Yellow Bus is also a regular feature at Kids Fest, the inner west's annual celebration of children and families.

The resilience of the service is extraordinary. It has weathered social change, funding challenges and even a global pandemic, when only outdoor play was permissible. We made that work in our parks across the inner west. Fifty years is a significant milestone. In that time, there have been thousands of children there, including my three kids, one now 11 years old and the twins seven. I have been there on the playmat, painting and singing songs. It is often a place where families make their first friends in the community. They are given support and advice during the challenging years of raising a child when they need it most.

It is not just the Magic Yellow Bus turning 50 this year. We also honour Inner West Family Day Care, a service that began as a grassroots tradition where women supported each other by caring for one another's children at their homes. It remains a vital service, offering warm, homelike environments for learning and connection. Inner West Family Day Care is recognised as a leader in early childhood education, not just locally but also nationally and internationally. Its educators are highly qualified professionals. Some of them have been with the service for more than 25 years, building deep connections with generations of inner west families.

The Magic Yellow Bus and Inner West Family Day Care are part of the cultural fabric of the inner west. They reflect our values of inclusion, community and support for families. From their humble beginnings to their role today as trusted fixtures, they have shown what local services can achieve when built on care and connection. I pay tribute to the many people who have made these programs possible over five decades: visionaries like Judy, dedicated educators, the council staff, volunteers and families. Here's to 50 more years of the Magic Yellow Bus and of the inner west continuing to set the benchmark for excellence in early childhood education.