Why this matters!
Every session has been designed to push the conversation forward. You’ll dip into three big themes - Urban Planning & Design, Education & the Arts, and Health & Wellbeing - while tackling climate, technology, risk, equity and more. Think provocations, not presentations, and a closing workshop to turn talk into action.
Meet the Play Provocateurs
Our speakers aren’t here to repeat what you already know, they’re here to shake things up:
- David Engwicht (AU) – Why play, not hard work, is the key to a better world.
- Dr Sudeshna Chatterjee (IN) – Child‑friendly cities and the right to play.
- Prof Hiroyuki Kasama (JP) – Social innovation starts in the sandpit.
- Assoc Prof Brendon Hyndman (AU) – Rethinking play in education and movement.
- Preeti Prada Panigrahi (IN) – Inclusion through play for community health.
- Dr Damien Puddle (NZ) – Designing national play systems for lifelong movement.
- Hitoshi Shimamura (JP) – Mapping childhood play through collective wisdom.
- Mark Curr (NZ) – Building play into every community strategy.
- Assoc Prof Rachel Jones (AU) – Safety vs freedom: finding the risk “sweet spot.”
- Assoc Prof Jill Sewell AM (AU) – Why “keeping it safe” can be risky.
- Uno Lin (TW) – Children as play experts in nature‑based education.
Find their full bios & sessions in the conference app and on the website.
Final reminders
- Ticket check: If you’re not registered yet, this is the final call! Only a handful remain. Register Now
- Build your agenda: Browse sessions, tours and masterclasses, then bookmark your must‑dos.
- Get the app: Program, speakers and live updates all in one place.
- Network ready: From NSC networking drinks to informal play dinners, bring your business cards (and your curiosity).
- Expo time: Say hello to our play‑focused exhibitors and sponsors, fresh ideas at every stand.
This is a once‑in‑a‑generation moment to set the play agenda for our region. We can’t wait to make history (and have some fun) with you.
See you in Melbourne!
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