As we come to the end of another eventful year, we encourage all of our Play Australia supporters to take the time to rest, recover and rejuvenate. There is no better way to do this than to PLAY!

Our team is grateful for your support over such a challenging 2021. One thing is certain; play has never been more important for our children, but also adults. 

Taking 'time out' to play, to get outside in nature, to wander, imagine and create. So be a role model for the children in your life and PLAY this festive season. 

From all of us, to all of you, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and see you in an exciting new year! 

Warm regards
Barb Champion, Executive Director

The new year is holding a new relationship with Neighbour Day and Relationships Australia. Play Australia is proud to become a Very Neighbourly Organisation! 

Building connected communities is so important, creating residential streets as places for neighbours of all ages to connect and play, to create stronger, more resilient and healthier communities. 

Great to be part of it and to highlight our 1000 Play Streets project to help connect neighbours. 

Hats off to Place Design Group for winning the 'Playground Design and Development' category for their outstanding work on Variety's Livvi's Place, Glenfield, at the NSC Awards Night. Recognising 'Designs and developments that allow and encourage more children to play, have fun and be active.'

“Tonight we recognised the success of our industry and what organisations are doing to encourage Australians to be more active through innovative approaches.” Martin Sheppard, NSC Convenor.

(photo L-R, Kieran Brophy - Play Australia, Kim Becherand - Variety NSW, The Hon Hugh Delahunty - former Minister for SRV, Barb Champion - Play Australia, Jennifer Stone - Millar Merrigan, Baz Richards - Place Design Group)

The City of Onkaparinga in South Australia has been a shining light for 1000 Play Streets this year. One of the highlights would have to be the Hackham West  Spooky Streets during Halloween!

Funded by Wellbeing SA Community Wellbeing and Resilience Grant, and organised by local resident Belinda Pollard. The event brought neighbours and the community together. Belinda tells us, "They said kids really enjoyed playing safely on the street and have since continued catching up with each other". Great news! 

Over the festive break, let's put work behind us for just a minute and let's get moving! This is an interesting podcast from the U.S. with Pat Rumbaugh, Executive Director of Let's Play America. 

"A play advocate models playful behaviour", says Pat. So as adults we need to find our own play time as well. "I think more places of work that think about giving their workers, their employees, [a] break and opportunities to play, they're going to want to stay."

Food for thought. 

(photo by Peter Conlan - Unsplash)

VicHealth are celebrating the excellent results for This Girl Can - Victoria campaign. Over 340,000 women aged 18-65 were inspired to increase their physical activity. That is 1 in 6 women, and what's even better is that four months after the campaign ended, 81% of women kept it up. 

This is one of the best years yet for the VicHealth campaign and a great sign that adults are also heeding the message that we need to move more. We need to be better role models for our kids and this is a great way to show them how important it is. And feel better for it too! Win - Win. 

#NatureForAll invites you to take part in the Global Lessons on Greening School Grounds & Outdoor Learning project.

This project is being led by the Children & Nature Network, in partnership with an impressive list of global networks, and involves completing this survey. 

The project will 'explore successful approaches on making schools greener from around the world. They will look to build networks of leaders and practitioners to identify scalable strategies and deepen our understanding of how to support this worldwide movement.'

Play Australia Members have the opportunity to highlight your commitment to promote the value of play. Make 2022 the year you highlight your passion for PLAY.

Value of Play - Digital Assets are available to download for free!

Use these icons on your signature block or your organisation’s website. The graphic files can be uploaded in sections to support desktop and mobile view.

We are pleased to present a range of resources for Members to help you promote your commitment to play.

What better way to demonstrate your commitment to PLAY and become a Play Australia Member for 2022. 

Membership starts from as little as $22 p/yr for a student OR $66 p/yr for an individual. 

View our full list of benefits here to find the Membership package that is right for you. 

Support the right for all children to play today and everyday!