The Play Australia

      "Adventures in Play Space Design" Series

Topic: with Ric McConaghy

Date: Thursday  30th April 2026

Time: 1:00pm (Sydney, Melbourne & Canberra)

Recommended for Local Government, Play Space designers and manufacturers, risk assessors and interested community members. 

This series will provide a forum for showcasing the work of our members and a vehicle for improving play space design in Australia. 

Introducing Ric McConaghy:

Ric spent the vast majority of his last three to four decades working intimately with communities, providers, carers and children to create spaces for exploration, interaction and discovery usually within a naturalistic setting. He seeks to create challenges for physical, emotional, social and imaginative engagement. He has been a committed and active advocate for children's rights and inclusion since the mid 1980's and contributed significantly to the development of the General Comment issued by the UNCRC the Child's Right to Play.

He has been a fierce advocate for inclusion that extends well beyond access and affords the opportunity for experience and engagement for all who visit the spaces he creates. He believes in genuine engagement with those for whom the spaces are being designed and is convinced that the spaces are better for all for that engagement.

Over the decades he has worked enthusiastically with many first nations, cultural, inclusive, heritage, educators and nature representatives to make spaces that not only are fun to be in and return to, but also reflect the values, and share the narratives, of those people and places. He often takes an active and experienced role (given the opportunity) during the construction phase to create a shared sense of enthusiasm and attention to detail amongst contractors, suppliers, providers and artists to work collaboratively to deliver a special place for the client and community they are working for.

Ultimately, he is convinced that if you put play, engagement and passion into all aspects of the creation of the space then that is what will offer for those that visit ... and a few surprises besides.