Our Neighbourhood Backyard Is Changing Lives
- Hyahno Moser
- Jun 16
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 16
Words by Tahnie Pearl Togo - Based on an interview with Tahnie for the Neighbourhood Backyard Documentary
When Tahnie Pearl Togo talks about their Neighbourhood Backyard called ‘Joomunjie Land’, it’s clear she’s not just describing a space for play. She’s describing something far deeper — a place of belonging, healing, security and transformation — built on children, family, culture, and community care. This is what she means by ‘An Amazing Childhood’!
A Place Built on Community, by Community
Tahnie, a proud First Nations woman from the Minjibul tribe of the Bundjalung Nation, has spent most of her life in the Eagleby community. For the past two and half years, she’s been part of Joomunjie Land — a locally-based play hub that she says is “is a place that changes lives.”
But what makes this space truly unique is who shapes it.
Tahnie works alongside her Mum, Tyana, the Site Manager, and her sister Jimara and friends Zoe & Tegan — creating an environment that reflects family, not just function. For the 60-70 attending children, of which almost half are First Nations children, this family presence creates an immediate sense of familiarity, trust, deep care and safety.
Joomunjie Land isn’t just a place to go — it’s a place where people feel they belong.
What Makes It Different?
Unlike structured environments, Joomunjie Land is intentionally flexible and open. Filled with loose parts resources that children can shape into whatever is important to them. Each afternoon begins with a safety check — removing hazards and preparing the space — before children arrive for hours of uninterrupted, child-led play.
And once the kids are there? They don’t want to leave.
“They’re having the best time,” Tahnie says, describing how even getting children out the gate can take longer than expected.
But what keeps children there isn’t just the fun — it’s the feeling of freedom, safety, and being genuinely cared for.
Freedom, Belonging, and Joy
For many children, Joomunjie Land is more than entertainment — it’s an escape. Some children don’t experience the same sense of childhood at home, and this space gives them that opportunity to simply be kids. “
“I think it's a place where they can be just... free and happy. I think everybody in life craves love and this place brings all of it. Happiness and love”.
Here, children experience:
A deep sense of belonging grounded in community and culture
Children don’t just attend — they feel like they are part of something. They are known by name, welcomed back each day, and supported by familiar faces. For First Nations children, seeing mob within the space strengthens this connection even further, creating a culturally safe environment where they feel understood without needing to explain themselves.
Confidence through self-directed play and choice
In a space without rigid rules, children are trusted to guide their own play. They build, create, take risks, and solve problems together. This freedom helps them develop independence and resilience, giving them confidence in their own abilities and decisions.
Genuine care, love, and consistency from trusted adults
Tahnie, her Mum, her Sister, and the team don’t just supervise — they build relationships. They yarn, listen, and show up consistently. Over time, this creates deep trust, where children feel safe to open up, express themselves, and rely on the adults around them like extended family.
Strong friendships and a sense of shared community
Through unstructured play, children naturally connect with each other. They negotiate, collaborate, and learn how to build relationships. These connections strengthen their sense of belonging — not just to the space, but to each other and the wider community.
“It’s not just a standard park,” Tahnie says. “They feel like they own this place.”
Why It Matters So Much
The impact of Joomunjie Land goes well beyond play.
Tahnie describes it as ‘life-changing’, reflecting on how having a space like this growing up could have protected her from trauma and given her a different kind of childhood:
“I think this place is life changing, as in we can be a place where children, just by playing, changes so much. Shapes how you become as an adult. Like I look at my own childhood and I think if I had this space. Sorry, sorry. This is making me emotional. If I had this space growing up, it would have saved my life….. I know I'm a person that I wish I had in this space. That's what I mean by life changing. I think if I had a space like this growing up, it would have saved me lots of trauma and things that I probably wish I could escape from. I see that in a lot of children here. I see myself through so many children here. I think its life changing because I look back at my own life. Every person as an adult, you become who you are from your childhood. And I think we bring that. We bring a place where children can be free and happy. They may not have it at home. But here we can create that for them, and it can make them a less anxious, more happy adult. And that's how I view this place. Sorry. I was not expecting to cry right now…”
Tahnie's youngest brother, Riley (now 5 years old) loves this space and she says he has grown so much because of his access to the high-quality child-led play in Joomunjie Land.
Through play Tahnie witnesses’ children develop:
Emotional regulation through being understood
Children express emotions through their play — whether that’s frustration, anger, or joy. Instead of being punished or dismissed, they are met with patience and understanding. The Joomunjie Plaworkers take the time to get on their level, listen, and support them, helping children learn how to regulate their feelings in a safe way.
Social and communication skills through connection
In this environment, children learn how to work together, resolve conflict, and communicate openly. They practice these skills in real time, supported by adults who model respect and care.
Healthy brain development through play experiences
Play is essential for children’s development, helping build neural pathways that shape learning, creativity, and problem-solving. Joomunjie Land provides these opportunities every day through hands-on, imaginative play.
Confidence, identity, and a sense of self-worth
When children are given ownership over their play and feel valued within a community, they begin to see themselves differently. They learn that they matter, that their ideas are important, and that they have a place in the world.
At its core, this space offers something simple but powerful: love, safety, and connection.
A Safe Space for Culture, Family, and Trust
For many Indigenous children and families, Joomunjie Land offers cultural safety that is hard to find elsewhere.
Tahnie explains that trust can be difficult for First Nations families due to historical experiences — but having Indigenous staff changes that dynamic.
“When you have your own mob around you, we get each other,” she shares.
This creates a space where:
· Families feel safe and not judged
· Parents trust where their children are
· Children feel seen, heard, and understood
· Culture is present in everyday interactions
The presence of Tahnie’s family — Tyana her Mum and Jimara her sister, and Zoe their family friend and another First Nations Playworker — strengthens this even further, creating a sense that this space is not an institution, but a community-led, family-centred and culturally safe place.
Changing Futures Through Play
Tahnie believes that play shapes who children become.
Without spaces like this, many children would be at home on devices, disconnected from real-world experiences.
“If kids didn't have Joomunjie Land, they would be brain rotting at home on their iPads, on their phone, probably not being out playing and connecting the way they are here. A lot of parents say to me when they're here, 'thank gosh you have this place because my kids would be on their iPads'. Children even say when they come here, like, it'd be so bored at home if we weren't here right now. I'd just be on me game or something, you know. So, I think a lot of children use this space to get off their game. Not every kid wants to be on their game. It's because they have nothing else to do or their parents don't allow them to go out and play”.
Instead, Joomunjie Land gives them:
Space to explore creativity and imagination
Trusted adults who act as role models
Opportunities to feel strong in their identity
A sense of pride in themselves and their community
For First Nations children, this also means seeing leadership that reflects them — showing what is possible for their own futures.
“I think I get to break that intergenerational trauma for the children. You know they get to see someone like me out here. I always tell them (the children) like there's so much to life and you know you can be a play worker one day. So, I know that I can give them a role model and I know that I'm a role model to them and that keeps me motivated at work. For them to look up to me.”
More Than a Playground — A Lifeline
If Joomunjie Land were to disappear, the impact would be deeply felt — not just by children, but by families and the entire community.
Tahnie say this space:
Builds trust between families and community
Reduces isolation for both children and parents
Provides a free, accessible place for connection
Reduces financial stress
Strengthens families through shared experiences
It’s a place where parents can sit, yarn, and feel supported — just as much as their children do.
“I think the impact on the community if it didn't have a place like Joomunjie Land would be so hard, because a lot of parents get more hours for work or a break because they have this place here and it's free. So many families are financially struggling, so knowing that they have this place, plus us workers that love and care for their children, because we've earned that respect with them. They value us and they value this community, and they trust us.”
A Vision for the Future
Tahnie dreams of seeing Neighbourhood Backyard spaces like Joomunjie Land everywhere — across communities, led by local people who understand the importance of culture, connection, and play.
Her message is simple but powerful:
"Play isn’t a privilege — it’s a human right".
And when that play is nurtured by family, culture, and community, it becomes something even more powerful:
A foundation for strong, safe, and thriving futures — for every child.
These words are sourced from an inteview with Tahnie Pearl Togo for the Neighbourhood Backyard documentary, capturing the magic of these space in providing amazing childhoods.
