Last week, a Brisbane theatre filled with politicians, educators, health professionals, researchers, parents and children, all gathered for one reason: to see what happens when a community reclaims play.
The public Australian Premiere of the Neighbourhood Backyards documentary was a huge success, and SuperCool is proud to have supported it from the start.
The response was overwhelming, with five-star reviews from across the room. Principal Kit Weedan of Deception Bay State School said: “Want to revolutionise the world and make a dent in the universe? Watch this.”
Associate Professor Divna Haslam of the University of Queensland co-leads the Young Minds: Our Future study, the Third Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. She said: “This beautiful documentary shows just how powerful play is and the difference it makes in the lives of children and communities.”
The Neighbourhood Backyards documentary has already generated dozens of requests for further screenings across Australia and abroad.
Following the Brisbane premiere, which coincided with National Children’s Week, the documentary is travelling to three major cities, with many more in the pipeline:
Saturday 31 October - get tickets here
Monday 23 November - get tickets here
Thursday 26 November - get tickets here
The film follows a group of children, parents and neighbours in Eagleby and Yarrabilba, where Neighbourhood Play Backyards are turning disconnected streets into places of trust, friendship and belonging.
It’s a local story, but the reaction at the premiere shows it speaks to something much bigger. At a time when childhood anxiety, depression, isolation and inactivity are on the rise, the documentary offers something rare: a story of hope and possibility.
It makes the case, through the voices of experts and the lived experience of families, that child-led, unstructured play can strengthen children and the neighbourhoods they grow up in. This community-led project gives children the freedom and agency to play on their own terms, helping them become happier and more resilient while rebuilding the community connections that modern life has lost.
After seeing the documentary, Commander Jo Cameron of the Federal Police said: “Watching this film will transform our communities, save our kids, and protect their and our future.”
The upcoming Gold Coast screening is right on SuperCool’s doorstep, and we would love to see our industry colleagues, customers, suppliers and neighbours there. It’s an evening focused on getting kids back outside, playing and building stronger neighbourhoods. SuperCool is proud to have contributed to the production of this documentary, and we’ll keep actively promoting it as it travels across Australia, New Zealand and beyond.
As part of the HVAC&R industry, we believe the commercial sector can drive positive change, and we’re increasingly putting our energy into the communities around us. We hope our industry partners and colleagues will join us, whether that’s coming along to a screening, sharing the news with your own networks, or helping fill the room.
If you’d like to learn more about the Australian Institute of Play or support their work, you can:
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