Play Australia (Tasmania) September 2021
Play Australia (Tasmania) September 2021
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Welcome!

To the first Play Australia newsletter for members and potential members in Tasmania.

Play Australia is a not-for-profit organisation which has been in operation for over 105 years in Australia. It supports outdoor play by way of inspiration, advice, access to information and professional services.

Its vision is a connected and healthy Australia where PLAY is a part of everyone’s life.

Its mission is to promote the value of PLAY and support all Australians to PLAY every day.

This is against a background of declining physical and mental health for children, made more significant with COVID-19.
Play Australia

Current major focus points for Play Australia
1000 Play Streets

  • Due to smaller or no backyards, more cars, parental fears, stranger danger, technology, children play less outside and community interaction is limited.

  • A Play Street is a simple concept where neighbours of all ages connect and play together – normally 2-3 hours (small scale gatherings for neighbours ideally coordinated by residents themselves.

  • Play Australia provides a tool kit to provide guidance for Local Governments interested in using temporary street closures to facilitate this.
Playground Finder

  • An Australia wide listing of playgrounds showing locations facilities and reviews.

  • 127 are currently listed in Tasmania and many new parks are not yet listed.

  • This has become a very significant resource for communities.
Australian Playground Standards

  • Training and application of standards.

  • Risk management resources.

  • Contact with experts in the industry.
Developing and supporting State Branches

  • The Tasmanian ‘play industry’ does not currently have a unifying body. Landscapers, landscape architects, schools, childcare, playground builders, installers, designers, maintenance staff tend to operate in isolation (or within their own field) and do not have a local body to turn to for – ideas, inspiration, support, knowledge, camaraderie, and the joint celebration of their work.

  • This is an exciting opportunity for Tasmanians committed to play to collectively advocate for greater opportunities for all kids to play outside every day.
Where are we now with the development of a Tasmanian Branch
 

A meeting was held at Rosny (thanks to the organisation and drive from Barb Champion – Executive Director of Play Australia) and attended by Tasmanian members to consider establishing a Tasmanian branch. Many thanks to the wide group of members from diverse backgrounds who attended.

The photo above are the Play Australia members who were at the meeting:

(Left to Right) Susie Roberts (SSLA); Sue Small (SSLA); Lynne Rayner (Adventure Patch); Lynne Moran (Adventure Patch); Bill Pegus (Hercules Playground Auditing); Kate Wiseman (Adventure Patch); Sally Taylor (Clarence City Council); Brad Turner (Logic Build); Martin Spillane (Launceston Council)

Lots of good ideas were put forward to bring our group together and provide a meaningful direction. Starting off with the following two areas -

(1)     A workshop to look at the new playground standards (2021) and issues relating to playgrounds in Tasmania (this is currently being organised for 29th October in Rosny Hobart) Free for members and $80.00 for non-members.  An invitation will be in your inbox shortly. 

(2)     A Newsletter – you are looking at it!

Both are now underway. However, there is an enormous range of activities that we could pursue, and relaxed structure can be built around the group as we move forward.
What is happening in the state?

What’s on

(1)     Highly regarded Andrew Reedy (Chair of the Playgrounds Standards Committee which writes the Australian Standards for playgrounds) will be presenting at a workshop at Rosny (Hobart) Oct 29th.

Andrew will provide details of current standards as they relate to the design, management and maintenance of playgrounds in Tasmania.  Book with Play Australia when booking information comes out. Free for members and $80.00 for non-members. 

(2)     Play Australia has an excellent Guide to the Australian Playground Standards produced by Andrew Reedy and a Risk Management Hub on the website free to members.

(3)     New standards for skateparks were also introduced AS EN 14974.2021.

New playgrounds

(1)     There have been several fantastic playgrounds built over the last two years. Big centres Hobart and Launceston always get lots of attention, but small councils can punch above their weight too. Waratah Wynyard municipality has been very busy . Here are two of their playgrounds.

This was completed in 2020 and located at East Wynyard Beach.

Just down the road is a major all abilities playground now being developed at ANZAC Park Somerset

(2)     MONA is always very busy combining art and activity. A magnificent giant Bronze sculpture (Otterness). He has 4 slides with the tallest being 3m high. More to come in this area.

We do have great new developments throughout Tasmania which we will look at in detail in later newsletters. First will be Riverbend Launceston followed by Kingston Park Kingston.
So, who is writing this
My name is Bill Pegus

I am based in Hobart and a member of the Board of Play Australia.  I  assisted Barb Champion in setting up our first meeting.

In past lives I have been involved in education (school principal), civil construction (construction supervisor) and I have had a business developing playgrounds, installing, maintaining, and designing playground equipment and ground surfaces.

I now focus on playground testing, auditing, and assisting businesses and organisations with the above areas.

I am keen to assist to develop a Tasmanian Branch of Play Australia.

We would really appreciate your input. 
And if you are interested....

The best place to start is by joining Play Australia.

See the Play Australia web site www.playaustralia.org.au. This will expand on the summary information that I have provided.

I can be contacted at info@hercaud.com or p. 0407 441 665 if you have thoughts ideas suggestions.

Looking forward to your involvement.

Best wishes
Bill
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