Breaking the Cycle Through Local Play: How One Queensland Community is Creating Healing Through Play
- admin37680
- Aug 2
- 5 min read
In Eagleby, Queensland, where the Albert and Logan Rivers meet on Yugambeh Country, something remarkable is happening.
Every afternoon, children run into a two-acre play space filled with trees, dirt mounds, forts, swings, and loose parts. To many, it looks like a fun place to play. But for local First Nations families, it has become much more than that.
It has become a place of safety, acceptance, belonging, cultural practice and pride, connection and healing.
More Than Just Play
Play is often dismissed as something children do to pass the time. Yet the United Nations
recognises play as a fundamental right of every child. The Neighbourhood Backyard play model described in Breaking the Cycle Through Local Play report defines authentic play as freely chosen, self-directed, intrinsically motivating, and actively engaged.
For the families connected to Joomunjie Land, a Neighbourhood Backyard and community-led play initiative in Eagleby, play has become a powerful tool for strengthening relationships, restoring cultural connection, and supporting wellbeing.
A Community Space Reimagined
Joomunjie Land operates several afternoons each week in a repurposed space behind Eagleby South State School. What was once an unused area now serves as a thriving neighbourhood play environment where children can explore, create, take risks, and build friendships.
The project serves around 60-70 children during after school play sessions, with First Nations children making up approximately 44% of participants. The space is designed around child-led play, allowing children to take ownership of their experiences while developing confidence, resilience, creativity, and connection to place.
The Barriers Many FN Families Face
During conversations with local First Nations playworkers, a recurring theme emerged: the barriers to play often extend far beyond the challenges faced by many Australian families.
The playworkers spoke about experiences of stigma, racism, fear of child removal, judgement of parenting, and social isolation. These pressures can restrict children's freedom to play and reduce opportunities for families to connect with their community.
The women involved in the project described how these experiences can contribute to ongoing stress and mistrust, making safe and welcoming community spaces especially important.
Meet the Local First Nations Playworkers
Playworker and Site Manager - Tyana “I am From the Minyunbal Tribe, Tweed Heads. I am a
mother of 5 beautiful children. I have the pleasure of working alongside my daughters Tahnie and Jimara. I have been working at Joomunjie Land for 2yrs and have been living in the community for 10yrs. Witnessing the growth of our children who attend this space has been the most rewarding experience for me. The relationships they create and most importantly, watching their confidence grow. The relationships I have personally created with these children has been rewarding. For some kids to respect and feel so safe with me, they now call me Aunty”.
Playworker - Tahnie “My name is Tahnie and l am a proud Minyunbal Women from Tweed Heads the Bunjalung Nation. I am immensely passionate about my culture, community and play spaces for children to be un-apologetically themselves. My overall goal is to change lives and be a role-model to the younger generation. I am big on 'play isn't a privilege, it is a human right'.
Playworker - Zoe “I am a mother of 6 children. From Yamatji country in Western Australia. Joomunjie provides us a sense of belonging, not just as a workplace and place to play but a community. Knowing that my children and all children in our community have a safe place where they are accepted, acknowledged, and encouraged to be who they are, and enjoy themselves and open up their minds and imaginations through play. Our neighbourhood backyard, Joomunjie is what every neighbourhood needs”.
Playworker - Jimara Daughter of Tyana, Sister of Tahnie, now works alongside her family in supporting First Nations Families to ensure they access to regular, culturally safe spaces for play.
Creating a Healing Ground
What makes Joomunjie Land unique is that it is run by local First Nations women, mothers, aunties, daughters, and community members who understand the lived experiences of the families who attend.
The playworkers provide more than supervision. They create a culturally safe environment where children feel accepted, celebrated, and connected to culture in everyday ways. Language, stories, relationships, and cultural practices are woven naturally into the play experience.
As one of the playworkers explained, the goal is not simply to provide activities for children but to help change lives and be positive role models for the next generation.
The Impact on FN Children and Families
The benefits reported by families extend beyond the playground.
According to the playworkers, children are spending more time outdoors, engaging with friends, sleeping better, becoming more active, and reducing screen time. Families report feeling less isolated and more connected to their community.
The space also acts as a protective factor for children. Because trusted adults are present and connected to the community, children have somewhere local to seek support when they need it.
Parents, meanwhile, are building stronger networks, increasing their understanding of child development through play, and developing greater confidence in supporting their children.
Building Cultural Pride for Everyone
One of the most striking outcomes is the way Joomunjie Land benefits both Indigenous and non-
Indigenous children.
The report describes a community environment where cultural pride is visible and celebrated. Artwork created by children throughout the site reflects this sense of belonging and identity.
Children are learning not only about their own backgrounds but also about respect, inclusion, and cultural awareness. The playworkers shared stories of children confidently educating others about respectful language and helping create a more understanding community.
In this way, the project is helping reduce local tensions while increasing appreciation and understanding across cultures.
Breaking the Cycle
The central question explored in the report was whether local play spaces can help address intergenerational trauma.
For the women involved, the answer was clear: YES!
Through consistent opportunities for connection, belonging, cultural celebration, and community participation, Joomunjie Land is helping create new experiences and new possibilities for children and families.
The Playworkers see themselves as role models, creating positive examples for young people, supporting one another, and helping restore a sense of community that benefits future generations.
A Powerful Reminder
The story of Joomunjie Land Neighbourhood Backyard challenges the idea that play is a luxury.
Instead, it demonstrates that when communities intentionally create spaces where children can play freely, safely, and culturally connected, the benefits ripple far beyond childhood.
Play can strengthen families. Play can build communities. And sometimes, play can help break cycles that have existed for generations.
Thank you to the generous First Nations Playworkers for speaking up and sharing your stories so we can all learn and benefit from this shared knowledge.
You can read the full Breaking the Cycle Through Play report here
