Call for play to become a national health priority

June 17, 2020

Play Australia has released a five-year game plan for play to be a key part of post Coronavirus recovery.

Advising that “we want to see a connected and healthy Australia where play is a part of everyone’s daily life”, the vision is part of Play Australia’s commitment to enhance the health and wellbeing of children and young people is worrying.

Play Australia Executive Director, Barb Champion advises “when we consider that only one it three Australian children engage in free play outdoors daily and the overall health of Australians is at all time low levels, it is of great concern.

“Play is essential because it provides us all with our physical, social, mental and emotional foundations, in order to establish healthy habits in our children and young people that last a lifetime, so we can all experience optimal health and wellbeing.”

Play Australia’s new Strategic Plan 2020-25 builds on the organisation’s 105 year history and sets out a clear path to position play as a national health priority and ensure every Australian values play, supports play and accesses places to play every day.

Champion adds “we are very excited about the next five years as we continue to celebrate and foster all the things we love about our organisation, such as our enduring connections to the people and groups who have helped our wide-reaching work to date.”

“Looking forward we will seek to take greater risks and forge new partnerships to broaden our play impact, to benefit all children, young people and adults, particularly those who need more support to play - including our most vulnerable communities who have been further disadvantaged by the pandemic.”

Play Australia is also advancing the 1000 Play Streets movement, the Play Today campaign and the Playground Finder platform.

Champion adds “we welcome you to not only read this plan, but to join us in our mission to promote the value of play and support Australians to play every day so we can all experience a better tomorrow.”

Click here to read the full strategic plan 2020-25.

17th June 2020 - Willoughby City Council moves forward with new accessible and challenging playground

16th May 2020 - Sutherland Council moves forward with Playground Renewal Program

14th May 2020 - Bega Valley Shire Council delivers new imaginative playgrounds

7th May 2020 - Latest AusPlay data shows further increase in adult participation in sport and physical activity

5th May 2020 - Adelaide Hills Council reopens playgrounds and recreation facilities

1st May 2020 - Broken Hill Council undertakes online play equipment selection process

24th April 2020 - Play Australia highlights children’s health matters to World Health Organization

25th March 2020 - Play Australia advises that while playgrounds close outdoor play is fine

28th February 2020 - ACT Government opens applications for the 2020 Nature Play Grants program

28th January 2020 - Brisbane’s $10 million playground at Northshore Hamilton attracts complaints from parents

24th January 2020 - Mackay Regional Council develops new shared bike and pedestrian pathway, anticipates towering news play structure

24th January 2020 - Penrith Council seeks community input for Regatta Park playground design

13th January 2020 - Logan City Council delivers innovative $3.2 million aquatic playground

7th November 2019 - Australia’s biggest Outdoor Classroom Day led by Nature Play WA

28th May 2018 - Cairns Nature Play recognised as Queensland’s top playspace

14th October 2016 - Outdoor play essential to healthy childhood development

15th November 2015 - Risky outdoor play positively impacts children’s health

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