The Play Matters Collective

is an affiliation of organisations and individuals with a shared vision: to ensure children’s right to play is supported across all levels of the WA community.

A word about Play

From our inaugural Patron, Jacqueline McGowan-Jones

Western Australia Commissioner for Children and Young People, February 2022-Present

As the Commissioner for Children and Young People the impact of the role I hold has many dimensions and in doing so, it is an honour to be the patron of Play Matters Collective.
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Together Play Matters Collective and I wish to become active leaders in enacting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, for all WA children and young people. Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that all children have the right to play.

Play is a critical component for children to use their imagination, solve problems, express their feelings and engage and communicate with others. That means without any exception, every child has the right to engage in play and engage in recreational activities appropriate to their age and to participate freely in cultural life and arts.

Our Values

Play is critical for our wellbeing and lays a strong foundation for healthy growth across all the development domains including physical, social, emotional, creative, language, cognitive and cultural.

Opportunities for child-initiated, self-directed, play are important throughout childhood and adolescence. Play is a fundamental human right, enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and we owe it to all children and young people to make it a priority in every aspect of their lives.

What we do

The Play Matters Collective will elevate the status of play and work towards the creation of a WA Play Strategy to ensure all children and young people have access to play opportunities that promote well being and healthy development.

Promote the WA Play Charter that establishes principles which can underpin a WA Play Strategy

Build a community of support for the WA Play Charter

Work with the WA Government to develop a WA Play Strategy (presently in progress)

Serve as a networking body and a reference group for the play sector

Play Matters Collective

The Play Matters Collective, comprised of passionate Western Australian citizens, drives our mission to elevate the status of play across the community, including in schools, and to champion the power of play across all geographical locations. Importantly, the PMC acts as a networking body and reference group for those interested in play matters in WA, bringing together academics, educators, practitioners, community groups, families, and other advocates so they can coordinate action and share knowledge on play promotion.

Guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), which recognises play as a fundamental right of every child (Article 31),the Play Matters Collective Steering Committee is committed to ensuring that every child and young person in Western Australia has equitable access to diverse and inclusive play experiences.

For further enquiries and information about our work please email :
Sandra Hesterman: s.hesterman@murdoch.edu.au or Marcelle Saratsis: marcp-s@bigpond.net.au

From Advocacy to Action: The Journey Toward a WA State Play Strategy