The Aboriginal interpretive playspace Yirran muru, located in Shellharbour, has received its 11th accolade, taking out the 2025 Monocle Design Award for Best Playground.
Dharawal woman, cultural advisor and storysharer Dr Jodi Edwards said extensive community consultation shaped the space.
"We spoke to children in the local area from high school right down to preschool to see what they wanted," Dr Edwards told National Indigenous Times.
"Essentially, they wanted to be able to run, jump, and play.
"They don't need the parks with traditional slippery dips because they can just go there for that."
Dr Edwards said the space was designed to meet these needs while embedding Dharawal cultural knowledge and practice.
"I had a cultural map that I showed them, and they developed it from there," she said.
"I helped shape some of the things that went in there like the shark calendar and the language wheel."
The playspace acts as a physical representation of Dharawal travel routes, with stepping stones and paths reflecting the movement from coast to escarpment.
Dr Edwards said it supports learning through experience.
"It's about kids being able to be outside in the natural environment with the opportunity of having an environmental experience shaped in cultural identity and strengthened through our Lore and Law," Dr Edwards said.
Opened in 2023, Yirran muru means 'many pathways' in Dharawal and was co-designed by Shellharbour City Council and the local Aboriginal community.
Play areas mirror the local landscape - blue zones for the ocean and lake, sandpits for the beach, and stone features for the escarpment.
Cultural landmarks are embedded as play elements, including Jubborsay (Lake Illawarra), Merrigong (the Illawarra Escarpment), Gang man gang (Windang Island), and gadhu (ocean).
Interpretive signage explains each element, encouraging learning through storytelling, construction, and use of cultural symbols.
Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer said the latest award is a proud achievement.
"Yirran muru is more than just a playground," he said.
"It's a place where children and families of all ages, abilities and backgrounds can connect with Aboriginal culture and history in a fun and meaningful way.
"It's wonderful to see it now recognised on the world stage."
The Monocle Design Awards recognise outstanding global projects in architecture, design, and community spaces, with winners selected from 27 countries.
Yirran muru has now received awards from bodies including the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, Parks and Leisure Australia, the National Trust and IPWEA.
Its design was led by Fiona Robbé Landscape Architects in collaboration with Council.
Yirran muru playspace awards:
Best Playground, Monocle Design Award 2025
Winner - AILA 2024 Landscape Architecture National Award
Winner - Playspace Award (under $500k category), Parks and Leisure Australia National Awards of Excellence 2024
Winner – Playspace Award of Excellence, NSW Landscape Architecture Awards 2024
Regional Achievement Award, NSW Landscape Architecture Awards 2024
Winner - First Nations Community Partnerships, NSW Local Government Excellence Awards 2024
Winner - Playspace Award (under $500k category), Parks and Leisure Australia Regional Awards of Excellence 2024
Winner - Education and Interpretation, National Trust Heritage Awards 2024
Highly Commended – Aboriginal Heritage, National Trust and Heritage Awards 2024
Winner – Diversity and Inclusion, 2024 Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA)
Silver – Landscape Excellence Awards 2023