Connecting Communities Through Play 2026

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. 

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.  

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.

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. 

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 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.   

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.