Celebrating Michelle Barry’s Achievement in Playwork Certification

At Healthy Cities Australia, we are passionate about creating environments where children can thrive. Play is at the heart of childhood development, and we are thrilled to celebrate Michelle Barry, our Team Leader for Child Health Promotion, for achieving her Playwork Certification!

This certification is a significant milestone, further strengthening Michelle’s expertise in advocating for play as essential to children’s health and wellbeing. Through her leadership in Active In-Betweens and Play Illawarra, Michelle plays a crucial role in ensuring that all children have opportunities to engage in meaningful, active, and safe play experiences.

The Power of Playwork

Reflecting on her journey, Michelle shared:

“Completing my Playwork Certification was eye-opening in really stretching my knowledge and advocacy work for Play as critical to a child’s health and wellbeing. Looking at intervention styles was intriguing as I could see it from two lenses—my social work lens and now Playwork—and focus on how best to encourage play amongst children. This has increased my passion and ability to advocate for Play in all children, especially in the face of increasing screen devotion and community safety concerns for children’s independent play.”

A Proud Milestone

Michelle’s achievement is even more exciting as she is part of the first cohort in Australia to receive this qualification from Play Australia! This formal recognition solidifies her role as a champion for children’s play, ensuring that our programs continue to be child-centered, inclusive, and impactful.

At Healthy Cities Australia, we believe in the power of play to transform lives. With Michelle’s dedication and expertise, we look forward to further strengthening our commitment to creating playful, healthy, and thriving communities.

? Congratulations, Michelle! We are so proud of you!

Healthy Cities Australia Team.