Helen Connelly is the Commissioner for Children and Young People in South Australia and brings us a significant report that she says is "working to give children and young people a voice across society". There is no doubt that this voice is too often not heard in social and policy debate. 

One of the key messages Helen highlights in the report is, 'Developing more playful communities and youth-friendly infrastructure is the business of Governments, civil society and the business sector and will benefit from input by young people themselves." 

Play Australia recommends this important report to you as advocates of play and encourages you to spread the word and share these 'voices' of young people far and wide. 

A recent article in The New York Times (by Kristin Wong) caught our attention, telling us that as adults we need to feel silly every now and then! That we should add more play into our 'grown-up life'. To stop always looking for the results from doing something, but just to do it because it is fun. 'We are living in a world that is more conducive to anxiety than playfulness.'

Instead of our 'never-ending to-do list of adulthood' we are reminded to lose our self-consciousness and take advantage of the opportunity to play, just for fun, and feel the happiness.  Good advice. 

(picture by Lorraine Sorlet)

UNICEF has just released a report card 'Worlds of Influence, Understanding What Shapes Child Well-being in Rich Countries'. This research points out that we are a long way from meeting the targets set in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is a sobering read and an important one to take stock of how we can improve the health and wellbeing of children for the future. 

It asks the question, 'What needs to be done?' and UNICEF makes a call on high-income countries to act on three fronts:
- consult children
- connect policies
- create strong foundations

The Molesworth Environment Centre is run by the Department of Education, where children are immersed into a program of outdoor activities that build resilience in school children.  Programs focus on the importance of taking risks, giving something a try, and if they fail, they can learn from it and move on stronger from the experience. 

In a recent ABC article by Fiona Blackwood, the centre is described as encouraging students to step out of their comfort zones and given space to bounce back from disappointments. The program allows children to leave the sometimes overbearing concern of parents and adults, who can't always resist the urge to 'swoop in to rescue children from their problems'.  

Don Wark joined the Play Australia Board in 2018 and later that year became the Treasurer. 

Don established The Play Works in 1984 and as MD has been at the forefront of evolving playground and play equipment design throughout. Play Works won the 2006 National Playspace award for their breakthrough All-abilities playground at Pioneer Park and the 2015 award for the Frew Park playground that redefined the place of risk in play. 

Don served on the Australian Playground Standards Committee for 10 years and has been a long-time friend of Play Australia.

"It is a jackpot in life’s lottery to love what you do, and to feel it important. I see play as the crucible of our future world, and the Play Australia mission as the best way I can be a part of that."

Making a commitment to become a member of Play Australia is a recognition that you support the value of play. That you will act to protect the rights of children to play today so we can all experience a better tomorrow.

Play Australia is the national peak body for play and the Australian representative for the International Play Association.