Noah's Ark Inc.

Noah's Ark Inc. Noah's Ark supports families in Victoria, ACT, New South Wales and surrounding areas. They established toy libraries for children with a disability.

In 1971, we started as the Noah’s Ark Toy Library for Handicapped Children, run by a small group of parents of children with a disability. At the time, families were beginning to refuse to put their children with disabilities into institutional care and institutions stopped admitting young children. Noah’s Ark co-founder Annetine Forell, a parent of a child with a disability, as well as co-founder Mary Glue, saw the need for family support. The service recognised the importance of play in a child’s development and provided a place for families to discuss the challenges of parenting. Today, Noah’s Ark is a not-for-profit community organisation based in Victoria and the ACT, Australia. We offer a range of services and programs that support families who have a child (aged 0-8) with a disability or additional needs. At Noah’s Ark we work closely with children with a disability, their families and the services they participate in. We recognise that parents are experts on their own child and we provide them with information and support that enables them to make informed decisions. We employ more than 220 staff and deliver services to more than 2000 families across Victoria and the ACT. Noah’s Ark works with families, educators and policy-makers.

Noah's Ark will be closed from Wednesday 24 December, reopening on Friday 2 January 2026.Wishing all families a safe and...
18/12/2025

Noah's Ark will be closed from Wednesday 24 December, reopening on Friday 2 January 2026.

Wishing all families a safe and happy holidays and see you in the new year!

Over the summer months, Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre will be running a series of sensory posts - those relating ...
16/12/2025

Over the summer months, Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre will be running a series of sensory posts - those relating to the senses and sensory processing differences in Autistic people.

Included in this will be five first-person stories from Dr Dianne Blackwell relating to Christmas and summer in Australia - with some tips on how to survive sensory overload.

See links in their post below.

“Christmas in Australia arrives with the buzz of cicadas, the smell of sunscreen mixing with barbecue smoke, the harsh brightness of summer sun bouncing off tinsel…”

Over the warmer summer months, we'll be running a series of sensory posts - those relating to the senses and sensory processing differences in Autistic people.

Included in this will be five first-person stories from Dr Dianne Blackwell relating to Christmas and summer in Australia - with some tips on how to survive sensory overload.

First up is 'Sensory Joy & Overload at Christmas'. You can find the post on our blog here: https://otarc.blogs.latrobe.edu.au/sensory-series-sensory-joy-and-overload-at-christmas/

Enjoy!

"If you’re going to make a difference you need to try to understand how to make the greatest difference."This year, CEO ...
12/12/2025

"If you’re going to make a difference you need to try to understand how to make the greatest difference."

This year, CEO John Forster celebrated 25 years at Noah's Ark.

You can read about John's reflections on his career in Early Childhood and this incredible milestone in the news article on our website:

This year, CEO John Forster marked 25 years with Noah's Ark.

We've collaborated with our friends at TOT: HOT OR NOT again this year to create a special social story for the Myer Chr...
03/12/2025

We've collaborated with our friends at TOT: HOT OR NOT again this year to create a special social story for the Myer Christmas Windows. This free resource is designed to help children and families make the most of their visit.

You can easily access, download, and print this social story by visiting the bottom of the article on their website.

https://tothotornot.com/myer-christmas-windows/

LEGO Myer Christmas Windows 2025! Free & open daily 7:30am-10:00pm 8 Nov 2025 - 5 Jan 2026

This International Day of People with Disability, Parks Victoria have shared how they're making nature accessible, safe,...
03/12/2025

This International Day of People with Disability, Parks Victoria have shared how they're making nature accessible, safe, and comfortable for all visitors. Whether you’re planning a family day out this school holidays, a peaceful walk, or an adventure by the beach, there’s something for everyone. Because Victoria’s parks and reserves are for everyone to enjoy.

Today is International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). IDPwD is a United Nations (UN) day observed internationall...
02/12/2025

Today is International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD).

IDPwD is a United Nations (UN) day observed internationally. It aims to promote community awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability.

Each year the UN announces a theme to observe for International Day of People with Disability. The annual theme provides an overarching focus on how society can strive for inclusivity through the removal of physical, technological and attitudinal barriers for people with disability. This has been occurring since 1992 when the General Assembly announced 3 December as the International Day of Disabled Persons.

The theme for IDPwD 2025 is 'Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress.'

You can read more on the website: https://www.idpwd.com.au/

We are proud to have the support of our Ambassadors to help promote International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) and share their unique experiences and perspectives.

We're running our popular Ready to Pedal group program this school holidays.Ready to Pedal is an Occupational Therapist/...
28/11/2025

We're running our popular Ready to Pedal group program this school holidays.

Ready to Pedal is an Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist-designed community group supporting children to participate in bike riding. The group will be running in Bendigo and Wangaratta in January.

Visit our website for more information and to register: https://www.noahsarkinc.org.au/therapy/group-programs/ready-to-pedal

Recently, we launched our latest Annual Report at the Noah’s Ark Annual General Meeting.The report showcases our ongoing...
25/11/2025

Recently, we launched our latest Annual Report at the Noah’s Ark Annual General Meeting.

The report showcases our ongoing work supporting families, educators, and communities, along with highlights from the year. It includes a feature story with CEO John Forster, celebrating 25 years of leadership and commitment to Noah’s Ark.

Explore our year in review, including infographics on our services and programs, and meet the people and culture behind the work we do.

Read the full report on our website: https://www.noahsarkinc.org.au/news/noahs-ark-annual-report-2025

This group will be running in Horsham these school holidays!Jump on Board is a group program for children with an intere...
24/11/2025

This group will be running in Horsham these school holidays!

Jump on Board is a group program for children with an interest in board games. Participants can make new friends and improve social skills; including initiating and maintaining interactions, negotiation, sharing, turn-taking, peer connection and sense of belonging to a group.

Visit our website for more information and to register interest: https://www.noahsarkinc.org.au/therapy/group-programs/jump-on-board

We're running a movement group program for children across several sites these school holidays!Move Balance Breathe is a...
21/11/2025

We're running a movement group program for children across several sites these school holidays!

Move Balance Breathe is an occupational therapist/physiotherapist designed group incorporating body movement, ball skills, yoga-inspired poses and relaxation.

Registrations are closing soon. Visit our website for more information: https://www.noahsarkinc.org.au/therapy/group-programs/move-balance-breathe

Looking for ways to help your child grow in confidence and independence? Join our FREE My Child’s Choices online worksho...
20/11/2025

Looking for ways to help your child grow in confidence and independence? Join our FREE My Child’s Choices online workshops! Our November 27 workshop is filling fast, and new dates for 2026 are now available.

These friendly, practical sessions offer simple, everyday ways to support your child’s decision-making and independence.

All sessions are open to parents and carers of children and young people, from babies to teenagers.

Free places are available, thanks to funding from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Grants Program.

Find out more and register on our website: https://www.noahsarkinc.org.au/training/series/my-childs-choices

Today, 20 November is World Children's Day. This year is the 36th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on th...
20/11/2025

Today, 20 November is World Children's Day. This year is the 36th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child – a special moment where governments around the world (including Australia) agreed on 54 different rights that every child under 18 years old should have to live a safe, healthy and happy life.

On this World Children’s Day, UNICEF Australia have chosen to celebrate every child’s right to play and are calling on communities, schools, workplaces and leaders to protect and promote this right for every child.

Play is how children learn, grow, connect and heal. Every child has the right to play – no matter who they are or where they live.

Check out this beautiful video shared by ABC Kids Community.

https://www.unicef.org.au/world-childrens-day

Address

261-271 Wattletree Road
Malvern East, VIC
3144

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+611800819140

Website

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Our Story

In 1971, we started as the Noah’s Ark Toy Library for Handicapped Children, run by a small group of parents of children with a disability. At the time, families were beginning to refuse to put their children with disabilities into institutional care and institutions stopped admitting young children. Noah’s Ark co-founder Annetine Forell, a parent of a child with a disability, as well as co-founder Mary Glue, saw the need for family support. They established toy libraries for children with a disability. The service recognised the importance of play in a child’s development and provided a place for families to discuss the challenges of parenting. Today, Noah’s Ark is a not-for-profit community organisation based in Victoria and the ACT, Australia. We offer a range of services and programs that support families who have a child with a disability or additional needs.

Noah’s Ark provides the best therapy and education for your child with a disability or additional needs. We recognise the very important role that families play in their children’s health and development.

Noah’s Ark currently provides services to children 0 – 8 years of age and will continue to work with clients who have an existing relationship with us until 12 years of age. Children new to Noah’s Ark from the age of 8 and over will be considered based on a prior relationship with Noah’s Ark or a sibling of a current client. At Noah’s Ark we work closely with children with a disability, their families and the services they participate in. We recognise that parents are experts on their own child and we provide them with information and support that enables them to make informed decisions. We employ more than 220 staff and deliver services to more than 2000 families across Victoria and the ACT. Noah’s Ark works with families, educators and policy-makers.