Nature Play SA

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (14:42): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Natural Resources. Will the minister update the chamber about the great work being undertaken by Nature Play SA to get South Australian children and families enjoying unstructured play outside?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (14:43): I thank the honourable member for his very important question and, of course, he has a longstanding interest in unstructured play outside.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: He's had a fair bit of unstructured play in here as well.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: He did indeed, Mr President. The scientific evidence is pretty unequivocal. It tells us that spending time in nature is good for all of us, particularly important for today's generation of young children because of the typically sedentary lifestyle many of them lead. Research has shown that unstructured outdoor play improves physical and mental health, has positive effects on a person's ability to concentrate and learn, to solve problems, to think critically and to be creative. This is why the state government established Nature Play SA as part of their healthy and strong children policy released in 2013.The South Australian government funded Nature Play SA with about $2 million as a commitment at the last state election.

In August, Nature Play SA will be celebrating its second year and it is timely to reflect on the great things that have been achieved. Nature Play has worked very hard to build its public profile. In the past few years Nature Play has produced almost 200 media items. Along with a media presence, Nature Play has established a successful social media presence with over 19,000 active Facebook followers and 1,300 Instagram followers.

This has led to steady growth in the uptake of its programs and events. For example, Nature Play SA has developed a very successful workshop program which has attracted around 600 South Australian educators, community members and local government representatives. It has also held a national conference that was attended by over 450 participants and presenters, and has presented talks about nature play to over 5,000 people across South Australia.

Since it was established, Nature Play SA has also distributed, I am advised, about 145,000 Nature Play passports to South Australian children. These passports are a great way to get young kids aged from three to 12 to undertake exciting missions and to explore, climb and discover their outside surroundings. Once the children complete certain activities, it is stamped in their passport, giving them a sense of achievement. Over 10,000 people so far have participated in Nature Play SA's extensive calendar of free events for South Australian families designed to stimulate and encourage activities in nature.

One recent example was the free event held at Bonython Park on 29 June to celebrate International Mud Day. This is the day when people around the world get muddy to raise awareness about the importance of connecting children with nature. Playing with mud is an important sensory experience that helps people develop a connection with nature. Indeed, I was reading just the other day an article about how playing with dirt in particular—but I am pretty sure it is similar to playing with mud—has incredible improvements for children in terms of reducing allergies and allergic reactions and training the immune system.

I am sure there are a number of other articles that I have not come across yet that have a similar approach to playing with dirt. In fact, another one I read said that playing with dirt actually improves your mood. It can have an impact on how you are feeling and reduce impressions of depression. It is amazing what getting outside and doing a bit of gardening can do to lift your spirits. It was great that around 600 children and adults took up the opportunity to play with mud and other objects that were supplied, and sculpt things out of clay on International Mud Day.

On Thursday 21 July, I had the enormous pleasure of joining thousands of children for Nature Play's second annual Cubby Town event in Belair National Park. This two-day event is the culmination of regular cubby building opportunities that Nature Play offers at various events throughout the year. Children get the chance to apply the skills they have learned to build the largest cubby town ever seen in Belair National Park and, of course, the state. I am told that over 5,500 people attended this great hands-on event that fosters children's imagination, teamwork skills and creativity. Seeing some of the very young tackers trying to walk around with massive tree limbs was a sight to behold.

South Australian families can look forward to taking part in the Nature Play Festival during the October school holidays that will again offer a wide range of nature play activities. Details about all of Nature Play SA's upcoming activities and events, I am told, can be found on their website at natureplaysa.org.au. The website contains a wealth of information, including tips for turning your garden or schoolyard into natural play spaces for children and a list of 25 things to do outside with children during the winter months.

I would like to congratulate Nature Play SA for their fantastic work and great achievements over the last two years. I encourage everyone to spread the word about Nature Play SA and link to it on your Facebook pages. If you do community newsletters, put some reference in there because our community just loves the work that they do and they are getting great support year on year. I can look forward to them going on to even greater heights.