Julia Oreopoulos regards working in her role at Play Matters to be a privilege. First joining the team in 2015 as the Queensland and Northern Territory Manager of Sing&Grow, Julia’s work has evolved to that of Executive Manager – National Programs, a role that encompasses both the national delivery of Sing&Grow and Inclusion Support Programs across Queensland.
A registered music therapist, Julia is passionate about the positive impact that Sing&Grow has had on thousands of families across Australia since its inception in 2001. Supporting individual families and communities who have benefitted from the therapeutic service, and working and partnering with community organisations, including local, state and national agencies, Julia has seen Sing&Grow continue to expand its national reach and impact over the past eight years.
As a manager of a national program which relies on face-to-face contact with the children and families it is supporting, there has been no greater challenge for Julia and the Sing&Grow program than the COVID-19 pandemic.
With services and staff in every state and territory, Julia was faced not only with the challenge of managing support for vulnerable families when they needed it most, but also the complications associated with juggling rapidly changing regulations across multiple jurisdictions. Deftly responding, the dedicated and creative team adapted their programs for families and partnering agencies to an online environment, while also adjusting to the changes that COVID-19 brought to their own families.
"It was an extraordinarily challenging time, there was a constant hypervigilance around rules and regulations which could change on a daily basis, requiring constant pivoting … Even the sheer challenge of music-making on Zoom ... What we achieved for families was to provide continuity, an opportunity to connect with others and to share their challenges. To give parents meaningful support made a difference."
"We have a creative team and their dedication and innovation during that time were extraordinary. I really do feel that we left no stone unturned across all of our services to find ways to still deliver support to families."
And into the future, Julia believes the silver lining of such a challenging time was increased collaboration of teams across states and the further development of meaningful online services. It was also a time for the organisation to reflect on the services it provides and on the exponential growth of Sing&Grow across the nation. Change was needed and a new masterbrand was born: Play Matters Australia – the heart and science of play.
"Our brand change has had so many benefits; it is a brand that can really capture the depth of what we do. We have evolved so much since our roots to now deliver services that are not in a typical playgroup setting, we have music therapists and social workers ... the breadth of the services we provide in the community has expanded. At the heart of all of that is play. Play is that golden thread that connects all of what we do."
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