Building Relationships and Respect: Community Playgroups in Action

During National Reconciliation Week, we reflect on the power of relationships - how trust, respect, and shared purpose can create meaningful change for children, families, and communities.

At Play Matters Australia, our commitment to reconciliation is grounded in listening, learning, and walking alongside communities. Through our work in communities like Woorabinda, we see how community-led playgroup models can bring the Relationships and Respect pillars of our reconciliation action plan to life in practical, meaningful ways.

Relationships built over time

In Woorabinda, relationships are at the heart of the thriving playgroup and school community. This supported playgroup has been part of the community since 2007, evolving through different locations and approaches before finding a long-term home at Woorabinda State School.

This journey has been reflective of building relationships in community and adapting to respond to community needs as they arise. Further to this it has been important that families have a place in their community that they can have ownership over, a place where they can be confident their children and themselves feel safe and supported.

Partnerships between Play Matters Australia, the Queensland Department of Education, and local community members demonstrate what is possible when organisations move beyond service delivery and focus on connection. By working together and sharing resources, these partners have created a playgroup that is coordinated, accessible, and grounded in the needs of families, with the location at Woorabinda State School a key driver of success.

As the Principal of Woorabinda State School, Preston shared,

“It’s community-led, you get together for a feed, having a chat about the value, getting together. A lovely example is a young father comes along, we are similar people, I talk to him about being a dad, it’s very community led, they see what’s going on and happening in the school.”

Case Study: Woorabinda Playgroup in Action

Woorabinda Playgroup is a long-standing, community-led program that has supported families for almost two decades. Delivered in partnership with the Queensland Department of Education and funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency, it is embedded within the local school creating aculturally safe and welcoming space for families with young children.

Key features of the delivery and engagement include:

• Community leadership through local facilitators and trusted relationships
• A consistent, welcoming space within the school environment
• Shared resources and collaboration between organisations (Play Matters Australia, Woorabinda State School and Queensland Department of Education)
• Strong connections for families, supporting smoother transitions to kindy and school

The collaborative nature of this playgroup has seen increased family engagement, stronger trust between families and education services, and children starting school with confidence and a sense of belonging.

Pictured: Members of Play Matters Australia Simone, Nadia and Andrew with the Woorabinda Playgroup. 

Respect through community-led delivery

In Woorabinda, the playgroup model centres around community leadership and local knowledge. Families, Elders, and local facilitators shape the environment, creating a culturally safe and welcoming space where children and carers feel they belong.

This approach recognises that communities are experts in their own lives. It values lived experience and ensures that programs are not imposed, but co-developed and led in ways that reflect community strengths and priorities.

Culturally responsive practice is supported through:

• Local facilitators and community champions
• Strong partnerships with families and Elders
• Flexible delivery that meets families where they are

This creates a space where children can confidently begin their early learning journey, supported by familiar faces and trusted relationships.

Pictured: Facilitators of Woorabinda Playgroup Dawn and Lenore with a new mum at playgroup. 

Playgroup as a bridge to connection

For many families, it provides a safe and welcoming entry point into early learning and community services. Relationships built at playgroup support smoother transitions from home to playgroup, playgroup to kindergarten, and onto school.

In his role as the Central and North Queensland Area Manager, Andrew McMahon said the playgroup is a place for everyone in the community.

“The beauty of this playgroup is that it is the first thing you see when you arrive at Woorabinda State School. The vibrant playgroup shirts and marquee which were designed by a local artist, the culturally appropriate resources, and mostly the laughter and smiles on the children who are learning with their parents and carers. This playgroup has given the community the understanding that school is not just a place for students it is a place for everyone in the community to support the life journey of the next generation of community leaders.”

Facilitator of the playgroup Dawn said the little ones follow in the footsteps of their older siblings.

“Education is one of the biggest benefits, kids come in from playgroup to kindy then go into preppie. The older kids at the school love seeing their little brothers and sisters come in behind them.” 

National Reconciliation Week reminds us that reconciliation is not a single action - it is an ongoing journey and a nurturing of relationships over time.

Community-led playgroups like Woorabinda show how relationships and respect can be embedded into everyday practice, creating spaces where children and families feel connected, valued, and supported. This playgroup further shows the importance of schools in small communities committing to being a community space.

By continuing to walk alongside communities, amplify local voices, and build strong partnerships, we can create opportunities for playful, connected, communities no matter the location.

Read the Play Matters Australia Reconciliation Action Plan.