News Celebrating the UN’s International Day of Play: “Protect Play, Protect Childhood” On the eve of United Nations International Day of Play, more than 150 health professionals, educators, community members and government will gather in the Illawarra to celebrate and recognise the critical role play has in supporting children’s health, wellbeing, and thriving communities. The second annual Connecting Communities Through Play, hosted by Healthy Cities Australia, Play Illawarra, brings together a diverse cross-section of the region to explore how play can strengthen physical health, mental wellbeing, social connection, and community resilience. With growing concerns about children’s physical inactivity, social isolation, and rising mental health challenges, the event highlights play as a powerful, evidence-based approach to improving health outcomes across the lifespan. Michelle Barry, Team Leader Children’s Health Promotion said: “Play is not just fun, it’s a child’s right and enshrined in international law under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. 8 renowned speakers including young people will showcase incredible Play initiatives locally, nationally and globally and is a shared commitment across the Illawarra to prioritise spaces, programs and policies that support children (birth to 18 years old) to play.” The event is aligned with the UN International Day of Play’s global call to action; when we protect play, we protect children’s health, happiness, learning and development. We protect their future. The theme challenges all of us to look at the barriers children face; shrinking spaces, over scheduling, screen time, risk averse cultures – and to take meaningful action to remove them. “We know that when children have access to safe, inclusive opportunities for play, the benefits extend beyond individual health; they strengthen families, neighbourhoods and the entire community,” Michelle Barry added. Connecting Communities Through Play Speakers Adam Towney: Owner and Creator of AT Culture AT_CULTURE isn’t just a name — it’s a movement built on identity, creativity, and connection. Founded and driven by Adam Towney, AT_CULTURE reflects a powerful vision rooted in culture, storytelling, and authentic expression. With a deep respect for heritage and a forward-thinking mindset, Adam has shaped AT_CULTURE into more than a brand — it’s a platform where tradition and modern creativity come together. Every design, idea, and project carries purpose: to inspire, educate, and create meaningful impact. AT_CULTURE stands as a symbol of pride, resilience, and limitless creativity — a true reflection of the passion of those involved in teaching (us) sharing (Elders), and creating (children). AT_CULTURE — where culture speaks, and creativity listens. Cooper Kostovski: Healthy Cities Youth Volunteer Cooper joined Healthy Cities programs when he was a young boy and was initially part of the PlayPod program at Barrack Heights School and later joined Active In-Betweens at Warilla where he became a youth volunteer. His dedication to the role and supporting young people is amazing. Any day he can be found running around, supporting and helping young people, advocating for the team of youth vols and provides the Healthy Cities team with invaluable insight into children health issues. Dylan Cliff and Dr Maria Clara Rivera: University of Wollongong and ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child Dr Dylan Cliff is an Associate Professor in the School of Education and Early Start at the University of Wollongong (UOW). His research investigates how to promote children’s health and development through supporting their healthy engagement with screen-based digital technologies, and their participation in active play and physical activity. Dylan has authored more than 150 publications and has led and collaborated on projects funded by the ARC, NHMRC, Medical Research Future Fund, NSW Department of Education, NSW Department of Health and others. He is a Chief Investigator and Healthy Child research theme Co-lead in the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child. Dylan aims for his research to contribute to a society where digital technology supports children’s play and active lifestyles and enhances their development and wellbeing. Dr Maria Clara Rivera is a Lecturer in Language and Literacy across the Early Childhood and Primary Education at the University of Wollongong. She is also an Associate Investigator of the Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child. Clara’s research employs participatory approaches to discover the ways children build on their experiences with digital technologies and how this informs their literacy development. Emma Rattenbury: Early Childhood Teacher, Registered Play Therapist, and content producer ‘Emma In Early Childhood’ Beginning as a Trainee in 2005, Emma has over 20 years in the early childhood education sector. Holding a Masters of Child Play Therapy, Emma is a strong advocate for inclusion that is practical, evidence-informed and grounded in children’s lived experience. As an AuDHD mum in a neurodivergent household, Emma is passionate about broadening the way the early childhood sector understands development, advocating for strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approaches that honour the individual child. Molly Venables: young Wiradjuri leader Molly Venables, 15, is a passionate young Wiradjuri leader growing up on Dharawal Country. Deeply connected to nature through her family’s outdoor education business Folkplay Illawarra, Molly has been immersed in play-based learning and bush culture from a young age.Starting out at just 13, Molly quickly stepped into leadership roles within the program — supporting younger children, managing junior staff, and facilitating activities like archery, nature craft and group games. She is known for her calm confidence, natural ability to connect with children, and her strong sense of responsibility.Alongside her leadership in outdoor education, Molly is also a proud young dancer and actor. She has been involved in Indigenous dance for many years and performed at the Sydney Opera House as part of DanceRites 2023, celebrating culture, story, and connection to Country.Molly has also appeared on ABC series, Teenage Boss, where she shared her journey balancing responsibility, independence, and real-world decision making as a young person. Through these experiences, she has developed a strong voice and a deep belief in the capability of young people.She brings a unique perspective as both a participant and a leader in play-based education, and is passionate about creating spaces where kids feel seen, capable, and free to explore. Natalia Krysiak: Founder and Creative Lead Cities for Play Natalia Krysiak is an architect, play consultant, and founder of Cities for Play. She specialises in designing learning and play environments that foster children’s development, well-being and deep learning outcomes. With expertise spanning early childhood settings, schools, and public spaces, Natalia integrates research, strategy, and design to create places where children and families can thrive. She works collaboratively with governments, educators, and communities to embed play into policy, planning, and infrastructure. Passionate about child-friendly cities, Natalia advocates for built environments that recognise play as essential social infrastructure and a catalyst for healthier childhoods. Sam Crosby: Education and Outreach Specialist at Wollongong City Council based at the Wollongong Botanic Garden Sam is an experienced nature educator, eco artist and social ecologist. She has been an advocate for the use of play to create long lasting connections and care to the natural world. Her favourite bird is a Satin Bowerbird. Robyn Monro Miller: CEO Play Australia As a beneficiary of a happy, healthy childhood, Robyn has made her life’s work advocating the same for all children. Her career has spanned 35 years, encompassing senior leadership roles in education, local government, children’s services, and the not-for-profit sector. Her advocacy and leadership have been recognized with a number of awards, including the Australian Commonwealth Centenary medal and an AM in the Australian Honours List. Robyn is passionate about achieving reform that enhances policy and planning for Australia’s children. Robyn served on successive Ministerial Advisory Councils and played a significant role in the reform of the school age care sector in Australia between 1996 and 2018. Her advocacy work, undertaken with the National peak body, included securing the first Quality Assurance system and qualifications for the sector, followed by the development of the first Australian school age care framework “My Time, Our Place.” She is currently CEO of Play Australia, the national advocacy organisation for play and since 2017, President of the International Play Association (IPA World). Robyn has represented IPA World on the UN working group for the development of the General Comment on Article 31, and the global working group for the International Day of Play campaign. Active in the media, she speaks regularly at international and national events on the importance of play as a biological imperative, critical for healthy development and essential to build social cohesion, and most recently, was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to undertake an international study of Governments with recognised play initiatives to support children’s health and wellbeing that is hoped to shape a national agenda for play in Australia. ————————— Every child deserves to play and you can support this! Some fun ways to do this: Share a Play memory or fact on socials. Play this play memories game with your colleagues in work. Give children an extra dedicated 31 minutes of play in your home, childcare or school! Include Tags #InternationalDayOfPlay #Article31 #PlayAustralia #PlayIllawara Check out National Resources: https://www.playaustralia.org.au Check out Local Resources: https://playillawarra.com.au