At a ceremony this morning (5 March 2026) held at the convention centre, Lane Cove Local Karen Neville was named Lane Cove Woman of the Year.
The local NSW Local Women of the Year are chosen by their state Members of Parliament as a recognition of their contribution to their local community.
This year, Member for Lane Cove Anthony Roberts chose Karen Neville, as a recognition of her passion for community, inclusion, and sustainability. She spends hours (and we mean hours) each week at The Lane Cove Toy Library. (see our cover photo: image copyright NSW Government).
Karen has been one of the driving forces behind The Lane Cove Toy Library since its inception.
Under Karen’s co-leadership, the Lane Cove Toy Library, located at 47 Burns Bay Road, has become one of Lane Cove’s great community success stories.
Since opening its doors on 1 July 2024, the not-for-profit library has thrived, surpassing its membership and collection targets while embodying inclusivity, sustainability, and family connection.
The library now boasts over 1800 toys, puzzles, and games, far exceeding its initial goal of 750, and has attracted more than 280 member families.
Karen has worked tirelessly with volunteers to establish the library as a place for affordable access to play-based learning resources and encouraging families to embrace sustainability by borrowing rather than buying. Some frequent borrowers have saved over $9000.00 (based on the number of toys they have borrowed and their retail price).
Newly released Toy Libraries Australia Social Return on Investment research by Think Impact shows that for every $1 invested in a toy library, $4.22 of social value is created.
Recruiting Volunteers
Karen’s ability to unite people is evident in the thriving volunteer network she has built.
Through her efforts, the library has welcomed retirees, teachers, parents, and students, all of whom have contributed their time and skills.
Her belief that everyone in the community has something to offer has helped make the Toy Library a welcoming and vibrant space for all.
Karen has also demonstrated outstanding leadership in promoting inclusivity and creating meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities. She spearheaded partnerships between the Toy Library and Luz All Abilities and Omnia Inclusive Employment Solutions as part of the Toy Libraries Australia – Strong and Resilient Communities Project, funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Social Services.
Through these collaborations, individuals with disabilities gained valuable work experience by cleaning, checking, cataloguing, and packaging toys for the library.
Karen’s compassion and advocacy have helped these partnerships flourish, enriching both the volunteers’ lives and the broader community’s understanding of inclusion.
Karen’s dedication was noticed by Toy Libraries Australia, which featured Karen in a video about their Strong and Resilient Communities Project, which was shown at the Toy Library Association’s National Training Conference in August 2025.
Karen’s deep understanding of inclusion and community support is also shaped by her own lived experience as a parent of a daughter with an intellectual disability. This personal insight has fuelled her passion for ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, has access to play, learning, and social connection.
Balancing volunteer leadership with her full-time professional work, Karen exemplifies dedication, compassion, and resilience. Her ability to juggle these commitments while continually giving back to the community highlights her exceptional empathy and unwavering sense of purpose.
Longstanding Community Involvement and Leadership
Karen’s dedication to Lane Cove extends far beyond the Toy Library. For over 20 years, she served on the Owners Corporation at 25 Best Street, contributing to the management and community spirit of one of Lane Cove’s largest and oldest residential townhouse and apartment complexes. At one stage, she was the chairwoman of the Owners Corporation.
In addition, Karen has been a passionate supporter of Rippaz Nippers, helping to engage young children in surf safety and community activity.
Little Rippaz teaches surf skills, beach awareness, and surf lifesaving activities in a fun, safe, and inclusive environment. It also gives the kids an opportunity to make new friends and for parents/carers to network. You will see her on the BBQ helping to raise funds to support this community.
As Adelle Suitor, Member Development Officer at Toy Libraries Australia, noted, the success of the Lane Cove Toy Library is due to:
- Strong initial funding and community support,
- The tireless efforts of dedicated volunteers,
- Proactive community engagement, and
- A clear recognition of the community’s need for such a service.
- Each of these success factors bears Karen Neville’s fingerprints.
So next time you are walking past the Lane Cove Toy Library, why not pop in and say congratulations to Karen?
Learn More About The Lane Cove Toy Library
The Lane Cove Toy Library is a not-for-profit toy library run by local volunteers located at 47 Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove (opposite Harris Farm Markets).
TLCTL operates out of premises owned by Lane Cove Council. The Council also provides annual funding supplemented with affordable membership fees.
The Toy Library has toys, games and puzzles for ages 0 to 18 (some puzzles and games will appeal to Adults). The Toy Library has over 1800 toys, games and puzzles.
The Lane Cove Toy Library also has a huge range of Bluey toys and games – read more here.
Does the Toy Library Accept Donations?
Yes, but to avoid duplication, the Toy Library requests that you complete the donation form on their website. Toys manufactured by a brand name are requested so that a product safety recall check can be undertaken.
The Lane Cove Toy Library Contact Details
Address: 47 Burns Bay Road Lane Cove NSW – parking behind the building
Website: https://thelanecovetoylibrary.org.au/
Facebook: @thelanecovetoylibrary
Instagram:@thelanecovetoylibrary/
Email: [email protected]
Opening Hours: Thursdays and Saturdays, 9.30 am to 12.00 pm. They also open on Tuesday afternoons from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm. There are heaps of games for the whole family.
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