Bush Magic Adventures

26/02/2026

🌱 Meet Shev ☀️

Hi! I’m Shev 👋🏼
 
I’m so stoked to be part of the BMAT team.
 
It has been a multi-decade labyrinthine path through professional, academic and community-based ways of being, doing, and knowing, to find myself within such a dedicated, skilled and all-round delightful group of educators, facilitators and participants.
 
I love noticing and tending-to relational opportunities between kids, and their explorations of the more-than-human world. Every day, I am grateful to be here, on Dharawal and WodiWodi Country, to experience insights and developments amongst folk of shared affinity and intent. Truly, this is a dream come true.
 
My toolkit of skills and disciplines includes Health Science, Investigative Journalism, Advocacy, Mediation, Learning Support, Expressive and Creative Arts Therapy, Art-ivism, Therapeutic Play, Developmental Neuroscience, Childhood Attachment, rescue/rehab/release of native Australian animals, Textile Arts, and Autoethnography — I’m a committed life-long learner, and I’m not done yet!
 
Currently, I’m making my way through a Professional Doctorate as an Arts-Based Researcher with a focus on the therapeutic applications of multimodal inquiry into Betrayal Trauma and Moral Injury. The access point for my developing aesthetic is the interstitial zone at Bellambi Point — rockpools in particular! I’m regularly collecting rubbish from the shore and rock shelf and seeing what these finds reveal about us as a society.
 
I am values-driven and aim to role-model responsible stewardship of our waterways and vulnerable ecologies.

☀️ a huge ‘Welcome’ to Shev

OutdoorEducation

25/02/2026

Nature is the art room 🌿🎨

In bush school, creativity doesn’t come from a cupboard — it comes from the land around us. Bark becomes canvas, sticks become brushes, seed pods become tools, and imagination brings it all to life.

These moments are about so much more than making something beautiful. Children are exploring texture, experimenting with colour, developing fine motor skills, problem-solving, expressing ideas, and learning to see possibility in the natural world.

Unstructured. Sensory. Child-led. Wonder-filled.

Every creation is unique — just like the child who made it ✨

Swipe through to see bush crafts in action and the magic that happens when nature and creativity meet.

If you enjoy art and nature, join us for a some creativity! On Tuesdays, we have our resident artist Anke. Can’t make a Tuesday? That’s ok because we have nature art everyday at Bush Magic. 💫
Book 🔗 bookeo.com/bushmagictherapy

23/02/2026

BELONGING 🌿

Every child deserves to feel seen, valued and truly part of something.
At Bush Magic, we create spaces where children can show up exactly as they are — curious, energetic, quiet, imaginative, cautious or bold — and know there is a place for them here.

Through child-led play in nature, shared adventures and gently supported experiences, children build real connections with themselves, with others and with the world around them. Friendships form across ages, confidence grows, and each child discovers their own way of being, exploring and contributing.

There is no one “right way” to play, learn or belong.
Just open-ended materials, welcoming spaces, caring guides and endless opportunities to connect.

Because belonging isn’t something children have to earn — it’s something they deserve.

A place for every child. Always 🌱

18/02/2026

Hi, I’m Naomi 👋

I’ve been part of the Bush Magic Therapy community as a parent for both of my children and strongly believe in the power of nature-based, child-led learning. Supporting children to explore, grow, and connect with the natural world is something I hold close to my heart.

I joined Bush Magic Therapy to show my full support for this beautiful program and will continue to be involved in any way I can. Having grown up on farms for much of my life, I’ve always felt a deep connection to the outdoors and understand how important it is for children to experience that same sense of freedom and belonging in nature.

When I’m not working or running my cultural hippy store, you’ll often find me immersed in the local and wider dance community. I train in various styles of belly dance, including sword dancing, with local teachers, and I’m part of a dance troupe known as the Steampunk Vegabonds — you may have seen us roaming and performing at local music and themed events.

I’m deeply passionate about diversity, cultural differences, and embracing one another as a collective. In my early teens, I travelled to many countries, experiencing different cultures, foods, and ways of life. In my twenties, I discovered a love for dance and performance — a passion that continues to inspire and energise me every day.

16/02/2026

🌿 We’ve created a new Facebook Group!

‘Bush Magic: The Nature of Childhood’.

A space for anyone curious about how children truly learn, heal and grow through nature, play and child-led experiences.

🌱 WHAT
A reflective, research-informed community exploring children’s development through nature-based and relationship-centred approaches.

🌱 WHY
Because much of what supports children’s mental health, regulation and social learning isn’t new — it’s simply been overlooked in systems that prioritise speed, compliance and outcomes over connection and experience.

🌱 WHO IT’S FOR
Parents, educators, therapists and anyone who wants to better understand children — and support them in ways that honour their natural development.

🌱 WHAT WE SHARE
— Outdoor and risky play
— Child-led learning
— Nature-based play therapy
— Emotional wellbeing and regulation
— How adults can support without over-directing

🌱 OUR ETHOS
No quick fixes. No parenting hacks.
Just a space for noticing, wondering and thinking more deeply about childhood.

If this resonates with you, we’d love to welcome you in 🌳

Please note: This space shares perspectives and reflections, not individual advice.

11/02/2026

🌿 Reintroducing Quill! 🌿

We’re thrilled to welcome Quill as our new Education Coordinator! How lucky we are to have her as an integral part of our Bush Magic team. Quill’s creativity, expertise, and passion make her an incredible asset to our programs—and an absolute joy to work alongside.

Quill’s background spans Science and Science Communication, STEM Events, and Playwork. Her career began in a lab and evolved into leadership roles such as Education Manager at Fizzics Education, Co-Producer of the Science Tent at Splendour in the Grass, Nature Play at The Royal Botanic Gardens, Activity Coordinator at Green Connect Farm and her own junk play business .

Quill believes that when we make space for play and fun—both for children and adults—the world becomes a better place. Playful communities nurture happier, more connected children.

“I wanted to work at Bush Magic to be a part of something that makes communities and children’s lives better. Connecting people with nature and themselves. I wanted to work with others who care as deeply about children, play, and creating time and space for unhurried exploration.”

Spending days following the lead of children in nature, with her own children by her side brings her endless joy and is the place she is most at home. She creates opportunities for every child to explore, rise to challenges, and feel a true sense of belonging.

Every child deserves to feel heard, valued, and appreciated—to know their potential is limitless and their unique magic celebrated. Quill’s mission is to build spaces filled with wonder, play, and discovery—because at the heart of it all, play is the truest form of education, wellbeing, and joy.

09/02/2026

✨We’ve been nominated for a Beam Award✨

We’re incredibly honoured to be recognised alongside so many businesses.

This nomination reflects our team, our community, and our families — and the belief that what we’re building truly matters. Recognition like this reminds us why we do what we do: creating real impact, connection, inclusion and meaningful experiences every day. Striving to make our little slice of the world the way we want the whole world to be.

Feeling very proud and deeply grateful.

05/02/2026

Turns out the great outdoors is even greater than we thought 🌿
We've just shared an article with the Illawarra Flame about why nature based play is key to happier, more regulated, confident kids - and why it deserves to be taken seriously.
Mud, sticks, risk, freedom, connection.
This is where real learning happens.

An opinion piece by Simone Potter, founder of Bush Magic Adventure Therapy