HIPPY Graduates Ready for School

Pictured: (L to R) Giulia, Michael, Arlen, Riley, Hunter and Oliver cut the celebratory cake at the HIPPY Graduation with CEO Penny Creamer. 

Play Matters Australia proudly celebrated the 2025 graduates of the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) on Saturday 29 November, bringing together children, families, tutors and community leaders for a morning of celebrations and acknowledgements.

Our HIPPY community gathered at the Play Matters Ipswich Hub with Age 3 Mentors Michael Dang and Anh Vo, and Age 4 Tutor Rebecca Dearden, CEO Penny Creamer and General Manager Service Delivery Julia Oreopolous in attendance to assist with handing out graduate certificates to the children.

Pictured: CEO Penny Creamer hands the graduation certificate and small gift to Ziki and Gabbie as part of the HIPPY graduation.

Catherine Vesic, Program Coordinator for HIPPY said the families should be proud of what they have achieved together.

“Every child, every parent and every tutor who is part of Play Matters HIPPY has worked incredibly hard to get to graduation, and that should be celebrated. The beauty of HIPPY is that it puts tools, training and support in the hands of parents and carers to learn at home with their child, spending more regular quality time together.”

Over the past two years, 30 families have taken part in HIPPY’s structured, in-home learning program. The model supports parents to become their child’s first teacher, strengthening family relationships and building confidence ahead of starting school.

Pictured: Salevao and Giulia celebrate their graduation from the HIPPY program.

For more than 25 years, HIPPY has supported over 28,500 families across Australia, including many from culturally diverse and newly arrived communities. The program not only strengthens early learning but also builds pathways for parents who take on the role of HIPPY tutor. HIPPY Goodna (located at the Play Matters Ipswich Hub) has been going since 2019.

 Pictured: CEO Penny Creamer with Arlen at the HIPPY graduation

Michael Dang is one of those parents who went through the program in 2021 and is now a HIPPY tutor and shared how transformative HIPPY can be for families.

“Helping parents, supporting them and empowering them to realise they are their child’s first teacher and then being able to share my experience as a HIPPY parent and now a HIPPY tutor, when you have been on the other side you can advise with little bits of advice here and there about what works to get the most out of the program.”

Families interested in the HIPPY program can learn more or submit an expression of interest HERE.

The Home Interaction Program for Parent’s and Youngsters is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. The Brotherhood of St. Laurence holds the licence to operate HIPPY in Australia. Play Matters Australia operates HIPPY across the following locations - Goodna, Riverview, Dinmore, Ebbw Vale, Gailes, Bundamba, Collingwood Park, Redbank, Redbank Plains Augustine Heights, Springfield, Springfield Lakes, Spring Mountain and Bellbird Park. HIPPY delivery commences in March each year, with enrolments to be finalised no later than 31 May. HIPPY may meet capacity prior to May, so get in touch early to reserve your spot.