“Make a difference to the lives of children, young people and communities in the best kind of way.”

Following the launch of Play Australia’s five year strategy,  positioning play as a national health priority, the organisation is excited to present three key partnership opportunities over 2020–25. 

Play Australia’s ‘1000 Play Streets: Empowering a locally led model for our multicultural communities’ was one of the successful projects to be funded through the Marshall Government’s 2020-21 Sport and Recreation Development and Inclusion Program. It will be developed in the culturally diverse Campbelltown City Council area of South Australia. 

Judy McKinty, with several other play experts, has developed a unique research project Pandemic Play in response to the current COVID-19 crisis.  

It is an opportunity to reflect on this moment in history that we all share, and the recognition of the importance of play in the lives of children.  

Now they need your stories!  Pandemic Play is asking children to tell them about what they’ve been playing at home and at school during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why is it important for you to work in the play sector?
"I’ve had all three children since starting in this industry. So playgrounds have been a big part of my professional and personal lives.  It’s been great to experience different playgrounds through the eyes of my children.

My real passion from these experiences is to put more magic and wonder into the lesser funded local and neighbourhood playgrounds. More natural materials, artistic pieces, creative custom product design, and opportunities for playing with loose parts."

Here's why Russell Troy is a Play Australia member
"I’m always yearning for knowledge, so networking with the industry is critical for that. Although I have 17 years in this industry, there is still so much I don’t know, and still so much change. I love listening to other professionals to gain insight from their perspectives and experiences."