Associate Professor Hayley Christian AM is a distinguished researcher in child health at the Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia. Hayley leads a large multidisciplinary team to improve children’s active play, health and development through impactful, multi-level interventions spanning the child, family, social, built and natural environment. This includes evidence-informed Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) specific physical activity policy and strategies to increase active play opportunities to support young children’s healthy behaviours and health. Hayley collaborates with multi-sector partner organisations across government, not-for-profit and the private sector in WA, nationally and internationally to promote children’s physical activity and health. Her contributions extend globally, with her ECEC policy being adopted by the World Health Organization.

David has been working at the Venny since it was only a shed on the side of a road. David is the longest serving GM and Board member in The Venny’s history. He has completed well over 10,000 hours of play work practice. Some highlights of David’s years include, an exemplary child safety record including winning an award for The Venny from the National Award for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. He oversaw the The Venny’s transition from a co-operative to an Incorporated Association, which then attained charitable and DGR status. David dramatically increased The Venny’s funding resources, negotiated and acquired more land- doubling the land footprint for children. David drove the consultation and input into a purpose built new building and the implementation of a design concept ‘hills, hollows, hideaways, and horticulture’ for the new play space. He travelled to study models of Playwork in the UK, Germany and Scandinavia. David has a proven track record of building risk competency and play sufficiency and putting children and young people front and center of all decision making and play practice.

Linda is an advocate for play and its vital role in child development. With a career spanning over three decades, she has dedicated herself to understanding and promoting the importance of play in various educational and community settings. Linda's journey began as a kindergarten teacher, where she witnessed firsthand the transformative power of play in fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and social-emotional development in young children. In her current role within local government, she continues to integrate play into parent capacity building sessions and community outreach initiatives. Most recently, Linda has been involved in the Passport to Play Project at Maribyrnong City Council, which was co-designed by local children to support their development and encourage play and creativity in their local neighbourhoods. Her expertise and passion for play make her an invaluable asset to any discussion on planning for play.