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16th International Toy Library Conference

3-7 March 2023 Melbourne, Australia

Arrow on Swanston, 488 Swanston St, Carlton, Melbourne

Program

Our program

Theme: Community at play

Explore the role of toy libraries and playgroups in encouraging playful communities including:

Growing your toy library community

Environmentally sustainable toy libraries

Toy libraries supporting child development through play

Toy libraries in the community

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Friday 3 March, 7-8:30pm

WELCOME TO COUNTRY AND
OPENING CEREMONY

Aboriginal Elders from the Wurundjeri People will welcome us onto their land

The conference's opening ceremony will follow.

Saturday 4 March, 9am-5:30pm

GUEST SPEAKERS AND WORKSHOPS

Explore the role of toy libraries and play in building strong and resilient communities and supporting an environmentally sustainable future.

Evening social event: Dinner and
Awards Presentation at Captain Melville

Sunday 5 March, 9am-5pm

EXCURSIONS

Melbourne has over 50 toy libraries for us to visit. Some excursions will focus on the broad range of exceptional early years services in Melbourne, while other tours will focus on volunteer-run toy libraries.

Evening social event: Barefoot bowls and BBQ dinner (with vege options)

Monday 6 March, 9am-5pm

GUEST SPEAKERS AND WORKSHOPS

Learn more about the world of toy libraries and play through presentations by expert speakers and smaller group workshops led by toy librarians from around the world, as well as playful hands-on activities

Early evening social event: Indigenous landscapes or Street art and graffiti walking tour (1.5 hours)

TRANSLATION

Translation services may be provided at an additional cost if there is sufficient demand. Please email us to discuss this further.

Tuesday 7 March, 9am-4pm

VISIT THE AUSTRALIAN TOY FAIR

Plenary speakers

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Robyn Monro Miller AM

President, International Play Association

Play, neuroscience and the power of 30 minutes

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Belinda Dean

Deakin University

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Supporting play with medical toys

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Claire Georgiou

Playgroup Victoria

PEEP Learning Together Program

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Dr Israel Vergara Alvarez

Terre Ludique, France

Play Solidarity! Toy library collaborations with Argentina, Colombia, Spain and Mexico

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Grace Su

Play Association of R.O.C. (Taiwan)

Cultural Exchanges in Play Culture Tango between Taiwan and Argentina

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Prof Camilla Andersen

University of WA

Visualising the Cockburn Toy Library's terms and conditions

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Prof Karen Stagnitti

Learn to Play and Deakin University

Explaining pretend play and what skills toys encourage

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Dream Lin

Play Association of R.O.C. (Taiwan)

Cultural Exchanges in Play Culture Tango between Taiwan and Argentina

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Dr Renae Barker

Cockburn Toy Library

Visualising the Cockburn Toy Library's terms and conditions

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Kieran Brophy

Play Australia

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1000 Play Streets
 

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Toy Well Program

Toy Libraries Australia

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Free toy libraries in school based community hubs
 

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Annette Sax

Yarn Strong Sista

Building authentic relationships with Aboriginal Families and Communities

Environmental Panel Speakers

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Erin Rhoads

The Rogue Ginger

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Datin PH Wong

Play Unlimited, Malaysia

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Wei-Ting Chang

Taiwan Toy Library Association, R.O.C Taiwan

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Helen Townsend

Sustained Fun, New Zealand

VENUE

Arrow on Swanston

488 Swanston St, Carlton, VIC 3053

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