Michelle Barry is Team Leader Child Health Promotion at Healthy Cities Australia. Educated at University College Dublin, Michelle’s love of working with children has taken her around the world. After developing her experience working with children in statutory care in Australia’s Northern Territory, Michelle developed a focus on the power of outdoor play in roles in Hong Kong and the New South Wales South Coast. At Healthy Cities, she leads the Active In Betweens program, a drop-in space that promotes active play and healthy eating for primary-school aged children, and Play Illawarra, an initiative that aims to active play spaces in the Illawarra Shoalhaven through online marketing and in-person play-based events. She is furthering her understanding of play through Play Australia’s Playwork training program and recently completed the Foundation Practitioner Course. With her diverse experience, Michelle is an adaptable and creative child health professional whose work focuses on building relationships with children and with other professionals.

Cathy Nielson has been the Quality and Innovation Lead at Play Matters Australia since February 2022. With a background in early childhood education, research, program administration, and leadership, Cathy is dedicated to championing the Play Matters Australia vision of Playful Connected Communities. In her role, she identifies gaps in quality and compliance, develops innovative systems and processes, and contributes to the strategic direction of the organization, all while ensuring that play remains at the heart of their initiatives. Cathy collaborates across teams and programs nationally to enhance and uplift operational compliance, always with a focus on place-based approaches and the transformative power of play in children’s lives. As an early childhood educator, Cathy is passionate about early intervention and prevention strategies, particularly through the lens of play in children’s lives. She is committed to improving the lives of children and families by advocating for play spaces that foster culture, connectivity, and creativity, whilst supporting healthy development and lifelong learning.

Michelle Poole began her journey with playgroup in 2004, quickly recognising its value for her family and community. She volunteered as the Contact Person, later taking on roles such as Treasurer and Zone Coordinator. Michelle hosted events, initiated new playgroups, and presented talks for new parents, while developing a range of skills. In 2010, Michelle joined Playgroup Queensland as a casual employee, eventually becoming the Regional Manager for the Sunshine Coast Hub. In this role, she manages the Hub grounds, playgroup and play experience offerings, along with the many additional programs that operate from this central location. Michelle is a strong advocate for play in the region and works closely within the community to support the importance of play for child development. Some of Michelle’s notable accomplishments include organising Messy Play days and community events, delivering online playgroup sessions during COVID lockdowns, and adapting Play Matters programs to meet changing family needs. Her dedication has significantly fostered connections within the community and among families providing play experience that support children’s development.