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Australian Toy, Hobby and Nursery Expo 2007

Last weekend, I visited the Australian Toy, Hobby and Nursery fair. Held over 5 days in the Melbourne Exhibition Centre known to locals as Jeff’s Shed, after a former premier, this annual trade-onlLast weekend, I visited the Australian Toy, Hobby and Nursery fair. Held over 5 days in the Melbourne Exhibition Centre (known to locals as Jeff’s Shed, after a former premier), this annual trade-only event is also the main fair for games shops and for game sales to more general gift shops.

Proudly wearing my Gone Gaming “Media” pass, I waved the flag for boardgames (and, incidentally, for the Australian Games Expo – I think the organiser should put me on a retainer!) and scoped out what we can expect over the next year.

A poster (PDF, 1.2 MB) and brochure on “Fun and Play with toys” were available at the entry to the fair. The brochure is excellent, looking at the value of play - while it doesn’t directly talk about boardgames, the quotes in it relate to all different types of play. The poster talks about “fun ways to spend 30 minutes” and is something I could see being featured quite prominently in kindergartens (preschools) and childcare centres. It includes “host a boardgame championship” and “design your own board game together” - although it also includes “Why not use your toys to re-create a soap opera like ‘Neighbours’?” …

(Note: I can’t find the brochure on their website but I did find this fact sheet on the value of play.) (PDF, 1.2MB)

The message of the fair was ‘licensing’ – there were licensed games everywhere. Weirdest licensed property, I think, was the “Biggest Loser” boardgame – something there just doesn’t sit right for me. “Learn about weight loss while playing a board game!” it screamed. I think I’d rather play Die Macher on a treadmill, thanks anyway.

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