Arrow on Swanston, 488 Swanston St, Carlton, Melbourne
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
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
Robyn Monro Miller AM
President, International Play Association
Play, neuroscience and the power of 30 minutes
Belinda Dean
Deakin University
Supporting play with medical toys
Claire Georgiou
Playgroup Victoria
PEEP Learning Together Program
Dr Israel Vergara Alvarez
Terre Ludique, France
Play Solidarity! Toy library collaborations with Argentina, Colombia, Spain and Mexico
Grace Su
Play Association of R.O.C. (Taiwan)
Cultural Exchanges in Play Culture Tango between Taiwan and Argentina
Prof Camilla Andersen
University of WA
Visualising the Cockburn Toy Library's terms and conditions
Prof Karen Stagnitti
Learn to Play and Deakin University
Explaining pretend play and what skills toys encourage
Dream Lin
Play Association of R.O.C. (Taiwan)
Cultural Exchanges in Play Culture Tango between Taiwan and Argentina
Dr Renae Barker
Cockburn Toy Library
Visualising the Cockburn Toy Library's terms and conditions
Kieran Brophy
Play Australia
1000 Play Streets
Toy Well Program
Toy Libraries Australia
Free toy libraries in school based community hubs
Annette Sax
Yarn Strong Sista
Building authentic relationships with Aboriginal Families and Communities
Environmental Panel Speakers
Erin Rhoads
The Rogue Ginger
Datin PH Wong
Play Unlimited, Malaysia
Wei-Ting Chang
Taiwan Toy Library Association, R.O.C Taiwan
Helen Townsend
Sustained Fun, New Zealand
VENUE
Arrow on Swanston
488 Swanston St, Carlton, VIC 3053