Is it just us or did the Arrival of the Year of the Horse on February 18 result in a year that feels like it is running the Melbourne Cup???

So far this year we have released our Blueprint for Impact Strategic Plan, delivered 5 Play Summits across Australia, one Parliamentary Lunch in Canberra, delivered 6 online webinars for members, commenced 3^rd cohort of Playwork Practitioner training and 2 new initiatives with a new position paper being developed and a new member network established for playworkers ( like our Risk Assessors network).  Big Sigh. oh, and held our belated AGM and welcomed 4 new Board members. Lucky we all love to be busy at Play Australia!!

The year of course is just warming up – so do grab your diaries and make a note of events you are interested in. We are planning member get togethers across states and territories, so if you happen to be around living there or visiting, we always love to see you!

Happy Reading !!

Yours Playfully

Robyn, Pete and Patricia.

Australian Play Summits.

We have delivered 5 Play Summits across the country – Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth with Dr Naomi Lott speaking on the UNCRC and how Play is interwoven into a rights framework. Play Aus CEO Robyn also presented her findings from her recent Churchill Fellowship.

We are now compiling a report from the event, collating the information and knowledge gathered from participants and working on next steps. We are also exploring hosting play summits in NT and Tas in the near future. Participants will also this week be receiving a short survey on the summits and we value your feedback!

New Board!

Our AGM was held on February 18, and we welcome Hayley Christian, Katy Meeuwissen, Clare Crew and Brendon Hyndman to the Board.  We now have nine members on the Board and meet monthly online.

In addition, we have elected the Executive - Chair, Carly Goodrich; Vice Chair, David Kutcher and Treasurer, Kylie Brannelly. 

It is a dynamic Board representing 6 States and Territories and a strong cross section of skills and abilities from different sectors.

To learn more about our Board and to access our 2025-6 Annual Report please click on the link. https://www.playaustralia.org.au/governance

Adolescents and play.

We know the value of play for Adolescents, so we have started work on a national position paper on risky play for 9-1 years olds. Out reference group, chaired by Professor Tonia Grey meets on March 30 and we hope to launch in July.

We have received funding from the Vic Govt for this to be undertaken and participated in a scoping review “ Risky Play and Adventurous Learning”  undertaken by UWS, which has a dual impact for work with the funders who have outdoor learning in their brief.

To read the scoping paper that is shaping this work

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/16/1/5

In addition to this we have two more projects related to this topic to come in 2026:

1. We are planning a position paper on the importance of play for 12-18 year olds and how to reclaim play for this age group and empower them to engage in their local community
2. We are hosting a stream on ADOLESCENTS AND PLAY at the National Sport and Physical Activity Conference. Registrations are now open! https://nationalsportsconvention.com.au/program/

EOI – Early Childhood Reference Group

We are seeking some Early Childhood professionals to review some online learning material we will be developing for an ECEC audience.

The task will require reviewing a 6 hour online module (at your leisure during March) on outdoor play spaces, and identifying what parts are relevant for ECEC and what additional information will be required to be developed. We estimate participation will take approx.10 hours of your time.  

If you are interested email info@playaustralia.org.au

UNICEF Report

The “Building Better Cities for Children: A Guide to Urban Public Spaces” has been released and well worth a read. Sudeshna Chatterjee, who many heard speak at last year’s Asia Pacific Conference  Melbourne, led the research and writing of this guide on behalf of World Health Organization, UNICEF, and UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme), working with colleagues, Anupama Nallari and CHANDRANI DUTTA. Great to see a shared commitment to reimagining our cities as places where every child can thrive.

To access your copy https://ceh.unicef.org/events-and-resources/knowledge-library/guide-creating-urban-public-spaces-children#main-content

News from Scotland

If you have an interest in Human Rights – and in particular childrens rights, Scotland has just released their latest report on the State of Rights for their country. https://www.togetherscotland.org.uk/resources-and-networks/state-of-childrens-rights-reports/

This is an interesting read as Scotland has incorporated the UNCRC into their legislation. As a result, Child Impact Assessments are now conducted on new policy and local Government also has a responsibility to place children at the centre of their planning and undertake their own assessments.

Members Network Groups

Play Australia is keen to support opportunities for knowledge sharing between members with similar interests. These are member only groups. We now have 2 new  groups being formed to complement our existing Risk Assessors network:

Risk Assessors Network – for those currently engaged as Risk Assessors in Australia. Chaired by Andrew Reedy. For information regarding joining,  email memberservices@playaustralia.org.au

Australian Playwork Forum   - for those currently involved in practising the Playwork methodology in Australia.  Chaired by David Kutcher and Kylie Keane. To read more  https://www.playaustralia.org.au/playwork-forum

The Play Australia Research Network -  this has been created to  strengthen Play Australia’s evidence base, knowledge transfer, and research translation capacity by providing a light-touch mechanism to coordinate research partnerships, support evidence-informed initiatives, and translate research and lived experience into practical outputs for members, stakeholders, and the wider sector.  The terms of reference are currently being finalised and will be released in our April edition of Play Space.

International Day of Play June 11

International Day of Play will again be held this year on June 11. Play Australia is liaising with IPA World to undertake a global project you can all participate in!

Make sure you mark the date in your diary – a special IDOP E-News will be scheduled for members to stay up to date on IDOP Planning.

Our website page has downloadable resources that are currently being updated for 2026! https://www.playaustralia.org.au/international-day-play

Save the Date: Children’s Week 

24 October – 1 November 2026.

The Children's Week  National Theme for 2026 is based on UNCRC Article 30: Children have the right to their own language, celebrate their culture and practise their religion.

The Children's Week Marketing Collateral is now available online https://childrensweek.org.au/promotion

Plus, Play Australia is producing a set of resources on the theme and how it intersects with play. These are for the exclusive use and distribution by our members.

This article by Dr Naomi Lott provides a great overview of how Article 30 intersects with play!

Join us on a Children’s Week Planning webinar  to discuss theme and resources on.

In Melbourne? ( and online!)

The 2026 ECO Learning Network conference on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 March is coming up!  Across 2 days, hear from speakers discuss topics and host workshops including Treaty: Implications for practice, the Risky Play Statement, Sustainability education, Eel trap weaving project, and more!

Investment:

$75 (Friday online only *sessions are recorded)

$195/$95 conc (2 days - online and in person)

Please use the link below to get your ticket ASAP to avoid disappointment as previous years have sold out. Please contact us for invoicing for School Readiness Plans.

We hope to see you all there. 

REGISTER NOW: https://www.trybooking.com/DFSXG

In Sydney? 

Reverse Garbage the leaders in sustainable and playful education have some events coming up.

On Saturday March 21^st  they are hosting an education open day, a bit of a “get to know us” event with some in-store discounts for educators. In the afternoon there will be an introduction to Loose Parts workshop. 

The link for the day event is: https://classbento.com.au/creative-reuse-for-educators-tour-talks-and-shopping-sydney

and the link for the Loose Parts workshop is: https://classbento.com.au/w/2tan 

IPA Conference Christchurch

November 2-5, 2026

Bookings are now open!!  https://www.ipachristchurch2026.com/

Interested in travel packages? We are finalising options for people interested in group travel options. We will send an alert when these are ready to release!

Please note –

Play Australia only promotes events we are partnering in, or are organised by providers in our membership community where proceeds raised are for investment into the community. We do not promote commercial conferences or events.

Whats Happening in Play Australia Professional Learning in March

• Wednesday 10th  Webinar - Essential Wisdom: "Mud, Movement and Magic" Cath Fitzhardinge

• Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th,  2 day course happing in Melbourne - Playspace development: design, management, maintenance

Click on the course title to get to the booking pages.

To keep up to date with everything that is happening at Play Australia check the website www.playaustralia.org.au and watch your inbox for regular NewsFlashes.

If you have anything to share email Info@playaustralia.org.au