Lesley Harvey (Master of Child Play Therapy '20) was an experienced early childhood and special education teacher working in regional New South Wales when a new Deakin University degree caught her eye.
It was 2014 and the Master of Child Play Therapy was the first program of its kind to be offered in Australia. Lesley was curious to explore this fascinating field further but little did she know it would lead her to work with one of Australia’s most respected organisations.
'Play is the language of a child,' Lesley explains.
'For so many formats of psychotherapy, counselling and social work, talking is relied on. So, it's at that higher level of cognition, which is a really tricky space for even us adults.'
To utilise play for children's mental health and to bring families into that play space as well, that was a catalyst for me, because we lose the ability to play.
Lesley Harvey
Master of Child Play Therapy
Lesley completed her postgraduate degree while juggling her full-time role with an Aboriginal health service. A former colleague, who had started working for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), let her know that new roles in child and mental health had been created within the organisation. Lesley was keen to advocate for her profession and incorporate play-based therapy alongside other clinical interventions.
'I made up an information pamphlet about what play therapy is, what my qualifications allowed me to do and sent it to the manager and said, "Is it worth me even applying?" That was on a Monday. I was employed by the RFDS Wednesday night.'
No two days are the same for Lesley, who is based in Broken Hill. Some weeks might involve flights to remote communities, such as Wanaaring and Ivanhoe. On other days, patients and their families visit Lesley for sessions at the RFDS base.
There are some unique occupational challenges – Lesley must closely monitor the weight of her toys and activities, given they need to be transported in a small plane. And 'roo runs' are conducted to ensure there are no kangaroos hopping around the airfield prior to landing or take off.
Play therapy by air
An SES volunteer, Lesley delivers play therapy through the southeastern section of the Royal Flying Doctor Service to provide mental health services to children and families.
One memorable flight changed Lesley’s life forever. It was while assisting the NSW State Emergency Service on a missing person’s case that she met Josh, the man who would become her husband.
The pair were volunteering alongside John Blair, a Uniting Church minister and pilot affectionately known as 'the flying padre'. The missing person was found; Lesley and Josh started dating; and when they were ready to marry, Pastor Blair officiated the wedding.
The incredible story of how Lesley and Josh met is captured in Michelle Grattan’s book Back on the Wool Track.
The couple share a passion for helping others and have generously decided to leave a bequest (a gift in their will) to support the Master of Child Play Therapy program at Deakin.
In time, the scholarships will support regional and rural students to complete their degrees and, in turn, give back to their communities.
It's just Josh and I; unfortunately we couldn't have children. We thought about what sort of legacy we will leave behind. We've become very passionate about giving back to the community.
Lesley Harvey
Master of Child Play Therapy
In acknowledgement of her achievements as an educator, volunteer, academic and therapist, Lesley was named one of the 2024 Deakin University Alumni Excellence Award winners.
'I enjoy work. I am in a privileged role. Every day the clouds are different or the landscape below looks different, and there's all these massive opportunities. So to get an award for something that I just get up and do every day was a nice surprise,' Lesley says.
Interested in finding out more?
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