Families Magazine - Brisbane Issue 47 Aug/Sep 2021

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Brisbane

Issue 47: August / September 2021 www.FamiliesMagazine.com.au

From North Lakes and Samford in the north to the Redlands and Logan in the south and out through the western suburbs of Brisbane

BRICKMAN

LEGO EXHIBITION

HOW BRISBANE SCHOOLS BUILD RESILIENCE IN OUR KIDS

CAMPING WITH DOGS POCKET PETS FOR YOUR FAMILY WHAT’S ON IN THE CITY

Check out our Instagram Stories

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The Clever Resource for Thinking Parents

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AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2021

Contents 4

Welcome to our Brisbane School’s & Education issue!

Find out about local news for families

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This edition is brought to you by ‘resilience’ and honestly, I don’t know where to start.

In the past few weeks I’ve had two car crashes, two sets of holidays cancelled and I can’t find my Apple Pencil. I can handle most things but where oh where is that pencil? I’ve moved the couch and checked behind all the beds! Resilience is the ability to recover quickly from a crisis however is that really relevant right now? Don’t we need the crisis to be over to then recover? Maybe what we are working on right now is endurance trauma and uncertainty stamina!

However, it’s not all bleak - I’ve joyfully had a lot of plans cancelled to instead go full burrito on the couch with the kids, a Netflix marathon and a volume of popcorn our dentist will certainly object to. We are survivors!

Whilst we may worry about our kids and their ability to cope, it’s important to stay mentally healthy ourselves. For some it’s regular exercise and great sleep hygiene. Who are those people? I like to stay connected by greeting the postie every day as they deliver one of my many online purchases.

Community bonding AND supporting the economy. Another option is to try one new confectionary item each shopping trip. Have you tried Boucheé chocolates? Divine. How about Terry’s Oranges? Gross. Life is a wild adventure in Aisle 3!

Families News

Education How local schools are building resilience in our kids

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Families Travel Xperience Hotel X Camping with dogs

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Parenting Pocket pets Talking about personal safety

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Families Fun Circle the family events you plan to do during August and September

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Clubs, Classes & Activities Find a local Club, Class or Activity for 2021

If you have any coping strategies (maladaptive or constructive) I’d love to hear them as I’m running out of strategies. Otherwise hear from the experts in this timely issue.

Yours in late night screen time and early morning regrets,

Simone Eclair

Simone Eclair insists she is a Brisbane comedian (but you can decide for yourself).

Cover Photo: Ready to Learn Deposit Photos

Next issue October/November 2021 Deadline by 5pm on Friday 10 Sept 2021 Focus on Toddlers, Childcare & Daycare

Families Magazine, PO Box 1018, Brighton 4017

☎ 0437 866 869

Editor@FamiliesMagazine.com.au

www.FamiliesMagazine.com.au

Brisbane readership over 80,000 every issue.

Published 6 times a year. Local magazines for families in Brisbane, Ipswich, Redlands, Logan and the Moreton Region. © Families Magazine 2021

Families News

LOCAL FAMILIES NEWS

Looking for the latest local news and views? We've got it covered!

CANTERBURY BLASTS INTO AWARDS CONTENTION

Canterbury College is thrilled to announce it has been nominated as national finalists in an unprecedented five categories of the 2021 Australian Education Awards. Canterbury has been nominated amongst the country’s 9,542 schools for: • Secondary School of the Year • Primary School Principal of the Year (Non-Government) – Bill Garland • Secondary School Teacher of the Year (Non-Government) – Nick Gillin • Best Co-Curricular Program – Canterbury Centre for Entrepreneurship & Leadership • Best School Strategic Plan Canterbury Principal Mr Dan Walker says “If you are a Canterbury parent, you can be further reassured that your child or children are in some of the best educational hands in Australia as judged by The Educator industry body. If you are not a Canterbury parent, get in touch, come check us out.”

You can read the full list of 2021 finalists in each category at www.educatorawards.com

EXCELLENCE IN

INNOVATIVE LEARNING

ENVIRONMENT DESIGN Faith Lutheran College Redlands has transformed its Junior School classrooms, creating environments that look fantastic and allow students to flourish.

Choosing classroom themes with purpose, considering light levels, oxygen levels and even the colours used has led to the school receiving an Excellence Award as part of the Australian Education Awards for Innovation in Learning Environment Design.

Representative from the school will be attending the Australian Education Awards in August to see if they can claim the Gold Medal in their Category. In the meantime, they will keep working hard for the students in their care and continue to make purposeful choices around school improvement. www.faithlutheran.qld.edu.au

QUEENSLAND CHILD PROTECTION WEEK 5-11 SEPT Queensland Child Protection Week aims to raise the profile of all issues connected with child protection and the services available that offer support for children, young people, and families. There are a number of events and activities across SE QLD that you and your children an get involved in. To find out what’s happening near you, head to https://childprotectionweek. org.au/events

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WIN ONE OF 3 FANTASTIC TOY PACKS!

There is heaps of fun to be had with these great kids games from Crown & Andrews and Goliath Games.

Windy Knickers is a race to help granny hang out all her washing before the tornado blows it all away, while Burping Bobby will have the kids giggling when he suddenly burps a cloud of steam!

See who can sneak the most gold back from Rattlesnake Jake before he strikes, and who will be the one to Pop the Pig by feeding him burgers.

We have three sets of all four games to give away, valued at $145. All games are suitable for ages 4+. To enter head to www.familiesmagazine.com.au/competitions

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

Education ST MARGARET’S ANGLICAN

How St Margaret’s develops resilience to future proof students One of St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School’s many strengths is its holistic approach to educating the whole child and its future focused approach to preparing its graduates with the 21st century skills necessary to thrive for life.

One of these skills is resilience – the ability to bounce back from difficulty. Schools play an integral role in building resilience in young people, not only because students spend a large part of their time at school, but also because it is in the school environment that children can encounter a range of stressors and anxieties that may impact their coping skills.

St Margaret’s Acting Dean of Students Nicole Walker says: “The school’s 126-year enduring philosophy has centred on holistic education, nurturing and developing students physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, spiritually and academically. We have established innovative practices designed to prepare confident, compassionate and capable women able to thrive in their future careers and personal lives.”

Nicole says connections are pivotal in helping to build resilience and one of the many ways St Margaret’s enhances connections with its students is through its bespoke Academic Advising Program for students in Years 9 to 12.

Academic advisors meet with their students twice weekly, in small groups and one-on-one sessions. They build connections with students, taking an active interest in their progress, success and challenges.

The program focuses on goal setting and self-regulation, including monitoring and evaluating academic progress as well as any challenges the student may have encountered. This opportunity to reflect on any academic or personal setbacks within a safe,

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supportive network encourages persistence and grit and cultivates resilience.

Although Academic Advising is for Years 9 to 12 students, the priority of building resilience permeates through the whole school from Pre-Prep onwards.

Teachers use evidence-based programs to explicitly teach resilience in the classroom while wellbeing professionals are engaged to run incursions, workshops and seminars. These initiatives assist students to develop thoughts, behaviours and actions that allow them to recover from stressful situations and foster a growth mindset.

In St Margaret’s primary school, The Learning Pit analogy helps students develop dispositions and attitudes to learning, which in turn helps develop their resilience.

Head of Primary Angela Drysdale says The Learning Pit signifies that deep learning is uncomfortable.

“It is like going into a pit or chasm of the unknown – you end up at the bottom in a cognitive conflict state. We encourage this discomfort in students because we know, and they trust, that feeling uncomfortable is all part of the learning process. It is through this challenge we teach students resilience coping strategies,” Angela says.

Most profound is the culture of positivity and gratitude that pervades the school, an outlook modelled by the whole school community, which is key to building students’ emotional resilience. www.stmargarets.qld.edu.au

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

Education JOHN PAUL COLLEGE

Preparing students to BE the future At John Paul College (JPC), we provide students with the education to think bigger - to move faster - to go further - to achieve something extraordinary - as we prepare them to BE THE FUTURE. We have a strong history of leading in the realm of technology and innovation. From being the first Secondary School in Australia to roll out a widespread one-to-one student laptop program, JPC has, and always will maintain a future-focussed approach to innovation and technology.

As an Early Years to Year Twelve co-educational College, our approach to technology and innovation extends to every year level and builds student capacity in our everchanging world. Each classroom features large interactive screens for integrated learning and is used to further enhance lessons and understanding.

Our online continuous learning program ensures 24/7 access for both staff and students. This allows for real-time feedback from teacher to student, full visibility for parents on student learning and an ability to adapt to online learning when needed during these unprecedented times.

Our state-of-the-art facilities including our newly created science building and lecture theatre prepare senior students for life beyond school by replicating the learning they will receive in tertiary studies and beyond. These spaces also cater for experimental and testing facilities, small break out areas and lecture-style classroom set-ups.

Our Full Production maker spaces include: • Laser cutting machines • CNC milling machines • 3D printers • 3D modelling and scanning software

• Engineering testing spaces • Breakout design spaces • Online prototyping software • Vinyl and cutting equipment plus more.

Our Digital Technology Labs include: • Programmable devices • Lego RV3 robotics • Raspberry Pi Programmable Devices • Makey-Makey Pi Programmable Devices • BBC Micro Bit-Programmable Circuit Boards • Sphero App Operated Programmable robot • Osmo kits • Beebots and other entry-level coding robots • Turing Tumbles: Marble powered computers.

Throughout both our primary and secondary curriculum, Science, Technology Engineering, Design, Innovation and Maths are creatively taught. The investment of your child’s future is safe here at JPC, as we pride ourselves on developing dynamic, adaptable, and innovative leaders of the future.

Take a virtual tour of world-class facilities and explore our 24/7 open day available on our website – jpc.qld.edu.au

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

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Education GRACE LUTHERAN COLLEGE

Student Pathways - Building and Construction Construction Skills Queensland and Grace Lutheran College have teamed up to be able to offer students more opportunities in the building and construction industry.

Within days of signing the agreement with Construction Skills Queensland, Year 10 student, Logan Woolnough was given the opportunity to do work experience with Paynters Constructions, who are currently working on the Mango Hill State High School extension project. Paynters Constructions were so impressed with Logan’s work ethic and willingness to learn that he has recently been signed into a school-based traineeship in Certificate II Civil Construction.

Logan still attends school but with a lighter academic load so that he can be on the construction site working 3 weekdays a fortnight.

This has been a wonderful opportunity for Logan as he is a more hands-on kind of learner and was becoming disengaged in some of his academic classes. Since gaining employment in the construction industry, Logan’s whole attitude to school has changed. He has become more positive, more responsible and more confident because he has found a sense of purpose.

The Gateway to Industry Schools Program for the Building & Construction industry is designed to attract and develop a future workforce in this industry in collaboration with the school sector.

Students seeking careers in this sector will be provided with opportunities to visit working construction sites and to attend Try a Trade days. Work experience placements will be organised to ensure students have access to industry experience in both paraprofessional and trade roles.

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Later this term, Construction Skills Queensland are arranging for all of our year 10 student studying Practical Technology Skills to visit Paynters Constructions at the Mango Hill site. This will be such a valuable experience for students and is likely to lead to more success stories for those interested in gaining employment in the building and construction industry.

Find out more about Grace Lutheran College’s Vocational Education and Training Pathways at www.glc.qld.edu.au/curriculum/vetpathways

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

Education ST JOHN FISHER COLLEGE

Getting Grit The term resilience has become a common part of vernacular when it comes to raising children, not only within the home but in schools and educational institutes, and it remains an underpinning value at St John Fisher College, Bracken Ridge.

The term refers to how we adapt and cope with life’s challenges and we have certainly seen this in action over the last year. We have proudly observed our girls ‘bounce back’ from the difficult and stressful situation that the Pandemic continues to throw at us and this soft skill, although not measured in academics, should be applauded.

The College takes a holistic approach to education to promote the spiritual, social, emotional, physical, and academic growth and we believe this approach supports the development of the girl as a whole person. Experts agree that part of building resilience is acknowledging and understanding one’s actions and behaviour so we can call on inner strength and those around us, to rise when life challenges us. We support our girls through stressful or troubling times through faith, hope and the strength of our community, what we colloquially call, ‘Fisher Fam’.

We encourage our girls to give their best in all pursuits and challenge them to step outside of their comfort zone and give new things a go. Our extensive co-curricular program offers girls the opportunity to try new things as well as the tried and tested. Physical challenges like Kokoda and Darkness to Daylight challenge are for some, whilst others gravitate to challenges of the mind, like Debating and Write a Book in a Day. The social justice program at the College is deeply embedded, and whilst offering girls the fulfilment of helping others, it also provides perspective and understanding of the challenges

faced by others and the strength and grit they need to survive.

Resilience building is also about accepting that life sometimes serves us lemons and that is okay, make lemonade as the saying goes. Charles Darwin is often misquoted in saying “it’s survival of the fittest” when what he actually said was; “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” www.sjfc.qld.edu.au

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

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Education MOUNT ALVERNIA COLLEGE

Students for Tomorrow!

Mount Alvernia College experiences focus on meeting the student where they are at, and developing skill sets that can be utilised now and into the future - nurturing the individual’s critical thinking and social wellbeing potential.

Our outreach program encourages students to develop and partake in social justice initiatives, broadening life experiences and improving confidence, community connectedness, self-care, and compassion.

Group tasks, leadership development, outdoor education, and cocurricular activities explicitly teach communication and collaboration skills. Our behaviour management process allows students to own their behaviour and restore relationship through mentorship.

Persistence, creativity, and the effective use of feedback form part of our pedagogical practice, encouraging students to embrace change and accept failure as an opportunity to grow.

To support wellbeing and resilience (both academically and socially), students work through Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens, designed to provide students with the necessary skills to help offset potential risks of stress or traumatic experiences.

They learn the importance of being proactive and in control of their futures, goalsetting, how to prioritise and avoid procrastination, and the advantages of a win-win outcome in understanding and working effectively with others. They sharpen the saw by seeking the right balance to maintain physical and mental health.

Unless students are challenged through a variety of opportunities, they cannot be resilient and life-long learners. One size does not fit all and, as educators, we seek to understand and develop the uniqueness of children in our care so that they will be effective changemakers in the world.

SOUTHERN CROSS CATHOLIC

Foundations for Success At Southern Cross Catholic College, we believe the teaching of resilience provides our students with the foundations for success in both the classroom and for life in general.

Guided by the Reboot Education Program (developed by Sarah Ralston), we acknowledge that self-aware and self-responsible children have better relationships, greater confidence and are greater contributors to the world around them. We ‘future-proof’ students by explicit teaching of tools to help them become more resilient, responsible and solutions orientated.

We encourage students to take responsibility for themselves and their actions by being understanding and developing skills to cope with big emotions.

Students are supported to ‘have a go’ or take a risk with learning, persevere when things get hard and manage and celebrate mistakes using a growth mindset.

They are taught to become ‘compassionately connected’ according to our Lasallian values, by being a brother and sister to all.

They also learn how to calmly and confidently face learning and social challenges by developing problem solving skills and creative thinking.

We teach students to be Future Forward in their outlook and to face the future with resilience and confidence.

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Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

Education ST PETERS LUTHERAN COLLEGE

St Peters Lutheran College students prove their resilience After a year of ups and downs, and then another quick stint in lockdown at the start of 2021, you would easily excuse the apprehensive outlook of any high school student thinking about the future…that is, if you could find one. At St Peters Lutheran College, students from Prep-Year 12 have not only emerged from their COVID-19 year unshaken, but seem more confident than ever—ready to go out and tackle the (new normal) world!

Pastoral Care and positivity So just why has resilience been observed as on the rise at St Peters Indooroopilly? According to College Counsellor, Matt O’Connor, it comes down to Pastoral Care and Positivity.

Pastoral Care has always been a vital part of everyday life at St Peters Indooroopilly. When the College first opened as a Boarding school in 1945, a secure support system was established to ensure that students, then quite cut off from their families, didn’t feel the distance—that they were able to thrive knowing that someone had their back.

Overseas Students still unable to return to the Boarding houses, staff have gone above and beyond to boost the mental strength of the St Peters student population.

And it’s worked! Across all Year Levels, students are thriving. They’ve adapted to new ways of learning and are excited to take their ideas to the world.

“One of the great things about working with young people is that their flexibility is usually a lot better than an adult’s,” Matt shared.

“They [all seem to find] the good in each situation and focus on that.

I think that’s pretty cool—that’s resilience.”

Today, that same network exists, only it has grown to incorporate a range of individual teams that function as a whole. Boarding staff, the Ministry team, counsellors, careers staff, teachers, year-level coordinators and student leaders all contribute to boosting positivity at St Peters Indooroopilly. The College’s Pastoral Care network spreads far and wide and the sense of community it creates is one of the College’s most iconic qualities.

Strength despite adversity The existence of St Peters’ Pastoral Care system has come to the forefront even more over the last year. From an increased number of Careers seminars to reassure students that there are still options out there (arguably more, with emerging technologies!), to teachers continuing to run their lessons partly via Zoom to include those

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

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Education CANTERBURY COLLEGE

Emotional Intelligence & Resilience With Canterbury College “If your emotional abilities aren’t in hand, if you don’t have self-awareness, if you are not able to manage your distressing emotions, and if you can’t have empathy or have effective relationships, then no matter how smart you are, you are not going to get very far.”

- Daniel Goleman, Author & Science Journalist The development of emotional intelligence and resilience has been recognised as a key set of human skills, universally required for success in virtually every field.

Often labelled ‘soft skills’, these emotional competencies have become characteristics looked for by employers.

They include: • Emotional awareness of self and others.

• The ability to regulate or control your own emotions.

• The ability to help others regulate or control their emotions.

• Understanding how emotions influence decision-making.

Together these emotional competencies allow us to grow and understand ourselves and others.

Their development occurs via informal and formal ways, including wellbeing classes, feedback across curricular and co-curricular activities, plus self-reflection and mindfulness practice.

Canterbury is committed to developing each student’s emotional intelligence across every aspect of their schooling.

Coupled with formal learning, the development of emotional intelligence is woven throughout the fabric of their daily schooling.

The Resilience Project The Resilience Project provides the framework of Canterbury’s social

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and emotional development curriculum - the Wellbeing Blueprint from Prep to Year 12.

It delivers emotionally engaging programs that use evidence-based, practical strategies to help students build their own resilience.

The Resilience Project focuses on three wellbeing concepts: Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM) and how they can be used to support day-to-day learning, emotional management and long-term mental health and happiness.

Canterbury Wellbeing Promotes: • Care, compassion, the ability to relate to others and have genuine concern for the wellbeing of others - including their rights, belongings, feelings and opinions.

• Personal responsibility, resilience and self-discipline for learning and interactions.

• A willingness to contribute positively to the wider College community, and • Increasing independence as the students move through their Year Levels.

Resilience is when youth can show healthy development despite adversity.

Canterbury believes that supporting students to develop resilience is crucial to their education as they prepare for an ever-changing world.

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

Education IES COLLEGE

Resilience: Leading by Example Let’s talk about Resilience. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity and a necessary skill for coping with life’s many obstacles. Resilience allows students to emerge from challenging experience with a positive sense of themselves and their future.

So – in which ways can we, as educators, encourage and build our students’ resilience?

At IES College, we believe that building a safe and supportive learning environment, creating a sense of connectedness and belonging, as well as identifying and building on each student’s strengths are key to building resilience.

How do we achieve these important pillars?

A new program has launched this year at IES College, offering Year 11 and 12 students the opportunity to undertake the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in the heart of Spring Hill.

The IB Diploma Programme curriculum holistically develops the whole student – balancing academic subjects with student led personal development through the CAS programme of creativity, activity and service and an individual research project which prepares students for university level study, all part of strengthening the students’ skills as responsible, independent learners.

IES College doesn’t just talk about diversity and inclusion; it lives it, breathes it and leads by example. The college’s teachers and professional staff are multilingual and multicultural; they have travelled the world. They understand different cultures and have a real grasp of what it means to be a world citizen.

environment for students. Globally inspired, light-filled spaces for collaboration and socialising, quiet places for concentration and deep thinking, flexible classrooms that can be transformed for purpose, a research learning centre at the hub of the school, STEM and art studios, performing arts space and more.

The smaller boutique environment provides a personalised student experience, encouraging each student to reach their full potential, feel safe and supported. Bigger isn’t always better. The college takes a whole-of-student-development approach to teaching and learning; the students will simultaneously be challenged, engaged, supported and nurtured. Simply put, the students will be heard. Students are welcome on campus anytime between 8am and 6pm, but classes will only begin at 9.30am, because IES College understands that a later start is what teenage bodies and brains need to flourish.

For more information about IES College and to book a personalised tour, visit www.iescollege.com

IES College’s fully refurbished inner city, vertical campus located at 495 Boundary Street in Spring Hill, is also a welcoming learning

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

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Education

AUG/SEP 2021

BRISBANE AND IPSWICH’S MOST COMPREHENSIVE

SCHOOL OPEN DAYS FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS & PARENTS Brigidine College (Indooroopilly) Catholic Secondary Girls’ School Yr 7-12 College Tours: Tue 3 Aug, Fri 20 Aug, 9:30am-11am. www.brigidine.qld.edu.au Genesis Christian College (Bray Park) Indep Co-ed Prep-Yr 12 Open Mornings: Tue 17 Aug (Secondary focus), Tue 2 Nov (Secondary focus). 9am-11am. www.genesis.qld.edu.au

Somerville House (South Brisbane) Indep Co-ed Pre-Prep & Girls’ Prep-Yr 12 with Boarding Yr 6-12. Tours: Thu 26 Aug, Tue 12 Oct, Thu 25 Nov. All tours 9am-10:30am. www.somerville.qld.edu.au/ events/somertours St John’s Anglican College (Forest Lake) Indep Co-ed Kindy-Yr 12 Open Days: Sat 7 Aug (Kindergarten); Wed 8 Sep (Twilight Prep–Yr 12). www.stjohnsanglicancollege.com.au

John Paul College (Daisy Hill) Co-ed Early Years-Yr 12 Open Days: Secondary: Thu 21 Oct 9am-11am. Primary: Thu 7 Oct 9am-11am.

Whole School Open Day: Wed 11 Aug 9am-12pm. www.jpc.qld.edu.au

St John Fisher College (Bracken Ridge) Catholic Girls’ Yr 7-12 Twilight Tour: Thu 9 Sep 5pm-6:30pm. Online registration essential. www.sjfc.qld.edu.au

Northside Christian College (Everton Park) Co-ed Kindy–Yr 12 Principal’s Tour (Prep Focus): Tue 24 Aug 9am–11am. Principal’s Tour (Secondary School): Tue 7 Sep 9am–11am. www.northside.qld.edu.au

St Joseph’s Nudgee College (Boondall) Catholic Boys’ Day & Boarding Yr 5-12 Open Day: Fri 6 Aug. www.nudgee.com

Padua College (Kedron) Catholic Boys’ Yr 5-12 Rector’s Tour: Tue 7 Sep. www.padua.qld.edu.au Redeemer Lutheran College (Rochedale) Co-ed Prep-Yr 12 Open Day: Fri 6 Aug (P-12). Tours: Wed 13 Oct (Snr), Fri 12 Nov (Prep). Personal Tours by appointment. Register to attend. www.redeemer.com.au

St. Margaret’s Anglican Girls School (Ascot) Indep Girls Day & Boarding Pre-prep-Yr 12; Boys Pre-prep and Prep Open Morning: Thu 12 Aug 8am-11am. www.stmargarets.qld.edu.au St Paul’s School (Bald Hills) Indep Anglican Co-ed Pre-prep-Yr 12 Junior Open Days: Sats 7 Aug, 11 Sep, 23 Oct, 9-11am. Yr 7 Open Morning: Wed 15 Sep, 9am-10:45am. www.stpauls.qld.edu.au The Lakes College (North Lakes) Indep Co-ed Prep-Yr 12 Open Mornings: Wed 11 Aug, Tue 19 Oct. www.thelakescollege.com.au

To promote Your School Open Day in the next issue (Oct/Nov 2021) contact our Editor. Email: Editor@FamiliesMagazine.com.au Tel: 0437 866 869.

Please check the details of the events listed before setting off in case anything has changed since going to print.

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Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

Education

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

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Families Travel

is Xcellent for Families Who Love Adventure!

Recently we were invited to stay at Hotel X in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley to experience their Family Island Staycation package. The hotel hosted our stay with a day trip to Tangalooma Resort on Moreton Island so we could get a full taste of the experience on offer.

And we are SO GLAD they did. Now we can share our experience with you guys to inspire you when you are thinking about your next family holiday. It was a wonderful weekend, creating adventurous memories with our kids! We loved it. Keep reading to find out why!

HOTEL X IS WELL LOCATED IN THE VALLEY

FACILITIES AT HOTEL X

There is so much to love about this hotel.

Just like the rooms, the facilities are lush! The kids loved the pool (although on our visit in June it was a bit too cold to swim – the pool is not heated!). The adults loved the restaurants and bars….

Hotel X is about the unexpected, the uninhibited and the undeniably indulgent. It is not just gorgeously lush and well located, but our family was well catered for with our *non-standard* configuration (3 kids) and the staff are just so helpful and kind.

If you are a family that knows the Valley at all, you will know that the Judith Wright Centre has just had a huge make-over. And if you know The Judy, then you will know that it is right in the thick of all the great restaurants and entertainment of the area. Just 100 metres away at 458 Brunswick Street is the gorgeous Hotel X, literally a 2-minute walk to the theatre and 8-minute walk to the centre of Chinatown.

If you are keen to check out the Howard Smith Wharves, then they are only a short 9-minute drive or 12-minute walk away too! See… in the thick of everything!

THE ROOMS AT HOTEL X The hotel has 146 rooms from King Bed Standard, to King Bed 2 x Singles (twin) all the way up to King Bed One Bedroom suites. We had the Family Room that hosted 2 adults + 3 kids in 1 x King Room and 1 x Twin Room. They call them ‘interconnecting’, but they are not connecting in the same way most hotel rooms are (via a door between the rooms).

They are actually at the end of the hallway on each floor and have a third door that sections off your part of the hallway from the rest of the floor so you have two bedroom doors that you can leave open as the third door to the corridor is closed and needs your keys to unlock.

Families Tip: The doors to the bathroom are see-through. You can see the kids on the toilet and they can see you… just so you know!

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Iris rooftop bar and restaurant A Mediterranean Rooftop in the clouds, inspired by the coast from Beirut to Barcelona. Here you can sit back and relax while taking in the sights of the stunning Brisbane City skyline, Fortitude Valley, New Farm and beyond. We grabbed a cocktail and took it out to sit in the warm winter sunshine at the rooftop pool.

Hotel X rooftop pool We certainly made the most of the beautiful blue skies and sunshine as we soaked up the Vitamin D – and panoramic city views! The kids were busting to take a dip, but it was a bit too cool this time. We did love the sun lounges and the views though!

Bisou Bisou French Restaurant We enjoyed breakfast in the morning at the Bisou Bisou (it means kiss kiss). There is a huge range of options from sweet to savoury and we enjoyed the ‘make it your own’ section of the menu where you could order eggs any way you liked with any number of inclusions! (I had huge mushrooms with my eggs one morning and spinach the other!). Miss 10 had to have the French toast with strawberries.

The menu is curated by Head Chef Anthony Donaldson, and the restaurants is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

FAMILY ISLAND STAYCATION PACKAGES Hotel X offers two options for families to enjoy the delights of Tangalooma Resort on Moreton Island. You can create memories

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

Families Travel

that will last forever with this amazing day trip across the bay! We chose option two, the Ultimate Island Adventure, but you can check out both packages on the Hotel X website.

This is what our Saturday looked like.

Option Two, Ultimate Island Adventure, inclusions: • Interconnecting Rooms at Hotel X

The kids and Steve went out for a ride on the all-terrain vehicles. Our kids are aged 10, 12 & 14. The minimum age to ride on a single ATV is 10 years old. From ages 6 and up, you can ride in tandem (i.e. the little one can ride behind an adult as a passenger!) The group ride takes you across the beach and up through the dedicated ATV tracks on the island. It takes around 45 minutes and the kids LOVED IT!

What else is there to do at Tangalooma?

• Breakfast at Bisou Bisou

Soooo much!! There are a bunch of free activities:

• Car transfer from hotel to Wharf in Hotel X car • Return scenic catamaran cruise across Moreton Bay Marine Park, from Brisbane to Tangalooma

• pelican feeding and sea bird talk • island explorer tour

• Day pass access to the resort – 1 x tea, coffee, or soft-drink per guest on morning boat transfer

• bush tucker eco walk

• Boat ride from Tangalooma beachfront out to the Tangalooma Wrecks

• kookaburra feeding

• Guided Snorkel Tour through the Tangalooma Wrecks

• swimming (beach and pool)

• Snorkel Equipment: Wetsuits, Fins, Mask, Snorkel, Life Jacket (if required), Pool noodles (for flotation), and prescription masks • Lunch ($20 Adult / $15 Child food voucher valid at any open food outlet.) Resort access pass allowing use of resort facilities including two swimming pools, restaurants and bars (as time permits) Because we booked this in March but didn’t travel until June, it was a bit colder than we anticipated so we swapped the guided snorkel tour through the wrecks for a glass bottom boat tour where we got to see (many) sea turtles and feed the fish! Because the fish get fed here every day, there were SO MANY waiting for the boat and there were so eager to eat the pellets we offered them. The kids loved it!

The tour was with Tanga Tours on Moreton Island and I highly recommend this. We are thinking we need to go back and snorkel through the wrecks though… it looked like so much fun! (Braver souls than us were out there snorkelling while we cruised past on the boat!)

The day trip included lunch and the kids enjoyed playing pool in the resort’s common room, where the restaurant was.

After lunch we added another activity to our day…

ATV quad bike group ride - how cool does it look!!?

• dolphins video • bush walking • live music The range of paid activities is huge too. There are activities both on and off the water and a full “what’s on” guide will be given to you before you board the boat to the island so you can plan your day.

Families Tip: Take the early boat over to the island!! There is so much to do there that you will want to squeeze in as much as possible.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW? This hotel is lush, and they have really thought of families too!

They offer a nanny service through a company called Coastal Babysitters who come to your room to entertain and care for the kids if the adults need to go out without them. We didn’t use this service, so I can’t comment on it, but it is available if you need it!

HOW TO BOOK Book your family island staycation directly with Hotel X. Take advantage of their all-inclusive package including breakfast, Hotel X private transfers, Tangalooma day packages and more! Head to the Hotel X website to book: www.hotelx.com.au Disclaimer: Hotel X hosted our stay over the weekend and arranged our day trip to Tangalooma. The information above, as always, is an honest evaluation of our stay and reflects our individual experience.

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

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Families Travel Is it really a getaway without the dogs? After all, they’re a part of the family too! And luckily for Brisbane families there are plenty of dog-friendly camping sites within a couple of hours’ drive of the city. Whether you’re eager for a bush retreat or a beach-side escape, there’s a camping ground to suit everyone – you just need to know where to look.

Let's go camping - with the dog!

Here are 13 of the best dog-friendly local campgrounds that the pups will love.

Neurum Creek Bush Retreat The Neurum Creek Bush Retreat is located about 1.5 hours north of Brisbane, with the grounds offering pet-friendly camping. Families can come along and enjoy plenty of exciting activities, including biking, canoeing, and heaps of other activities.

268 Rasmussen Road, Neurum QLD 4514 www.ncbr.com.au

Esk Caravan Park The Esk Caravan Park is another worthy spot around Brisbane for pet-friendly camping.

The park is surrounded by a range of walking trails for you to enjoy with the pups.

There’s even a dog wash available, as well as a veterinary practice in the Main Street just in case – what’s not to love? There’s plenty of pet-friendly accommodation options, including cabins, motel accommodation, and more. Though there are a few pet policies to be aware of: pets must be approved by management and there is a maximum of 2 pets per caravan site.

16 Hassall Street, Esk QLD 4312 www.eskcaravanpark.com.au

Gordon Country Campgrounds The Gordon Country Campgrounds are very welcoming of dogs, though dogs are not allowed in the glamping tents, cabins, or on any furniture on the decks, and vaccinations must be up to date.

1847-2081 Inverramsay Road, Goomburra QLD 4362 www.gordoncountry.com.au

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Goomburra Valley Campgrounds Dog-friendly camping is also permitted at the Goomburra Valley Campgrounds, with open and off-lead areas that the pups will surely love. A bond is charged for families with dogs and is returned upon your departure. When visiting the grounds, be sure to bring along your dog’s vaccination certificates.

2013 Inverramsay Rd, Goomburra QLD 4362 www.goomburravalleycampground.com.au

Flinders Beach Also located on North Stradbroke Island is Flinders Beach, with pet-friendly camping at 12 beachfront camping spots to choose between. Located nearby are plenty of attractions to keep guests entertained throughout their stay, including bushwalking, fishing, whale watching (seasonal), wildlife interactions, and surf beaches. Toilets are also located at the camping grounds. Flinders Beach can only be accessed via 4WD. North Stradbroke Island QLD 4183 www.minjerribahcamping.com.au/location/5-flinders-beach

Bigriggen Park Dog-friendly camping is available at Bigriggen Park, though some terms and conditions apply. There are plenty of facilities and activities to make your stay more comfortable, including toilets, showers, powered sites, swimming, fishing, cycling, fire pits, wildlife, walking trails, and heaps more.

196 Bigriggan Road, QLD 4287 www.bigriggen.com.au

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

Families Travel Yarraman Caravan Park

Main Beach Camping Grounds

The Yarraman Caravan Park offers dog-friendly camping at management’s discretion and with certain conditions including that pets can’t be left unattended in the grounds. Luckily there are plenty of walking trails nearby, though bear in mind that dogs are not permitted within Queensland National Parks.

North Stradbroke Island is home to a handful of dog-friendly campgrounds, including the Main Beach Camping Grounds.

The grounds are dog-friendly and have 15 designated areas to choose from. Nearby, visitors can enjoy bushwalking, whale watching (seasonal, May to September), fishing, and more. Main Beach Camping Grounds are 4WD access only.

12121 D’Aguilar Highway, Yarraman QLD 4614 www.yarramancp.com.au

Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park The Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park is located on the edge of the NSW border, with a wide range of activities and facilities available to make a visit comfortable. There are powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites, and a park kitchen with wood heater, gas BBQ, fridge, microwave and stove. Activities include twilight native animal walks, bushwalking, 4 wheel driving and hand-feeding native birds.

676 Spring Creek Road, Killarney QLD 4373 queenmaryfallscaravanpark.com.au

Alfred Martin Way, North Stradbroke Island QLD 4183 www.minjerribahcamping.com.au/ location/6-main-beach

Golden Beach Holiday Park

Murphy's Creek Escape

For those looking for dog-friendly camping on the Sunshine Coast, the Golden Beach Holiday Park is ideal. The park allows pets though they are not permitted inside the park’s accommodation, pool, BBQ, or amenities area. The Golden Beach Holiday Park has plenty of facilities to make a visit very comfortable, including a BBQ area, camp kitchen, laundry, and kiosk.

Located in Upper Lockyer is Murphy’s Creek Escape, where families can enjoy a getaway from the city with their dogs. The grounds offer bush camping and adventure activities.

Some of the activities families can enjoy include swimming, hiking, mountain biking, archery, bird watching, and abseiling.

9 Onslow Street, Golden Beach QLD 4551 www.goldenbeachholidaypark.com.au

356 Thomas Road, Upper Lockyer QLD 4352 www.murphyscreekescape.com.au

Kenilworth Camping Kenilworth Camping offers dog-friendly camping with the condition that they are controlled and don’t roam. The grounds are located upon a scenic dairy farm with plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained.

This includes swimming, kayaking, and bike riding – or you can just sit back with your furry friends and soak in the serenity. Dairy Tours are also coming soon – which will involve feeding baby calves and offering visitors a glimpse into the milk production process.

Bluff Creek Campground Located in Kenilworth, only 50 minutes from the Sunshine Coast, is the Bluff Creek Campground – another great pet-friendly option for those looking for dog-friendly camping on the Sunshine Coast. The camping grounds are packed with plenty of exciting activities to entertain everyone, including mountain biking, horse riding, swimming, canoeing, markets, and more.

18 Paulger Road, Kenilworth QLD 4574 www.kenilworthcamping.net.au

44 Wilcox Road, Kenilworth QLD 4574 www.kenilworthcampgrounds.com

Tips for camping with dogs: • Before you set off, check out the pet rules for each campground.

Most require you to keep your dog leashed or restrained at all times while on the property, and it is common courtesy to make sure all your dog’s droppings are disposed of.

• Make sure your dog’s vaccinations, worm, flea and tick treatments are up to date. You may need to show the vaccination certificate at some sites.

• Take shampoo – your dog is probably going to enjoy getting dirty!

• Take plenty of poo bags, spare lead, chew toys, stout tethering pole and a source of shade to set up your dog’s area at your camp site.

• Have fun! Camping with your dog makes some of the best memories, and is a perfect way to reinforce care and responsibility of pet ownership with your children.

You can find more dog friendly camping spots in the full online article here: www.getoutwithkids.com.au/dog-friendly-camping-qld

• Invest in a collapsible water bowl or other portable water vessel to take with you on hikes.

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

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Parenting

FURRY PETS

Furry pets are always winners in the cute and cuddly department, with their soft fur, tiny paws and bright eyes. We recommend:

GUINEA PIGS

Guinea pigs are easy to handle and love to snuggle in for a cuddle whilst nibbling a tasty vegetarian treat. They are very friendly and will happily play with toys such as cardboard rolls or cat toys with bells. Your child can even teach their guinea pig friend tricks, which is a great way to bond!

POCKET PETS

SMALL PETS BIG ON PERSONALITY! Introducing a pet into your family is a great way to teach kids about responsibility, care, and empathy, but if you rent your home, live in an apartment, or haven’t the time or space to meet the needs of a dog or cat, then you need a pocket pet!

Pocket pets are small, reasonably low maintenance creatures full of personality.

Take a look at our pocket pet guide to see which is right for your family.

Guinea pigs can be kept indoors or out, and require a plant-based diet supplemented by food pellets from a pet store. A safe wooden chewing toy especially designed for rodents will keep their teeth in tip-top condition.

Pros: Relatively easy to handle and low maintenance.

Cons: Need quite a bit more space for exercise than you might expect.

Susceptible to ticks and mites if kept outdoors.

Lifespan: 4-8 years Social: Best kept in same-sex groups, minimum of two.

RATS

Rats make surprisingly good pets! They are sociable, intelligent, and love to interact with people. They have heaps of personality, far removed from their somewhat gross and scary representation in books and on tv.

Male rats are bigger than females and perfect for those who want a laidback snoozy kind of lap pet. Female rats are more energetic and inquisitive and will rush to greet you and come out of their cage to play. A rat will learn its name and come when called, and you can teach them lots of tricks.

Rats should always be kept indoors and love a large, cluttered cage with lots of toys, cosy hammocks, and things to climb, hide, and forage for hidden food in.

Pros: Friendly, gentle, clean and intelligent.

Cons: Subject to respiratory infections and tumours requiring veterinary treatment.

Lifespan: 1-3 years.

Social: Best kept in small same-sex groups.

MICE

Mice are undeniably cute, but they’re also very small and fast, so better suited to older children if they’re going to be handled. Mice can be very entertaining and love lots of toys to play with, climb and chew.

Being tiny, mice are relatively cheap to own and feed. They require a secure well-ventilated indoor cage and should be kept in pairs or small groups of the same sex. If buying male mice, make sure they are litter mates as they are territorial and will fight other male mice they are introduced to.

Pros: Low maintenance and low cost.

Cons: Love to chew and try to escape. Scent marking can be a smelly problem. Will breed rapidly if males and females are housed together.

Lifespan: 1-3 years Social: Best kept in small same-sex groups.

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Parenting

HAIRLESS PETS

Furry pets can trigger allergies in some people. If allergies are a concern for you, you can still own a tiny pet with these hairless varieties!

FISH

FEATHERED PETS

Exotic birds make wonderfully entertaining and interactive pets, but they can be difficult to manage and are better suited to older children and teenagers.

Pet birds require a cage large enough to fly around in and perform acrobatics, with a variety of perches of different widths and textures to keep their feet healthy. Their diet consists of a specialised seed mix supplemented by fresh fruit and vegetables.

Fish are a great choice for a starter pet, especially cold-water fish that require a less complicated tank set up. Even very small children can help with feeding (supervised!) and cleaning the tank, and fish are very soothing to watch.

FINCHES AND CANARIES

Check out your local aquarium for advice on the right fish for you. Some fish are solo dwellers, like the beautiful bettas (fighting fish), while others, like goldfish species, prefer company.

Finches and canaries are small birds that don’t require a lot of direct human interaction. They’re fairly easy to care for, content to remain in their cage, and will chirp and sing when happy. (Note: Only male canaries sing, and their song is quite beautiful!)

Pros: Low maintenance and very quiet.

Cons: Not a lot of scope for bonding and interaction. Can be difficult to transport if you move house.

Lifespan: Average 1-5 years, depending on species.

Social: Speak to staff at your local aquarium to determine the best social group for your preferred species of fish.

HERMIT CRABS

Hermit crabs inhabit the discarded shells of other molluscs and snails.

They are also ‘land crabs’ but they do need constant access to salt water to maintain health, as well as fresh water for drinking. Your pet store will provide the right saline and purification supplements to add to your tap water.

Although relatively easy to care for, hermit crabs require the right environment to thrive: a good-sized tank kept in a temperature range of 24-27 degrees, at least 5cm depth of clean sand, a variety of spare shells of different shapes and sizes to move into, misting with a spray bottle to maintain humidity, driftwood structures to climb, and lots of other crabs for company. Hermit crabs have quite individual personalities and are generally happy to be carefully handled.

Pros: Low maintenance, can be handled, hypo-allergenic.

Cons: Bigger crabs may attack smaller crabs.

Lifespan: Several months to several years.

Social: Keep in groups of similar sized crabs.

Pros: Easy to care for. Rarely bite.

Cons: Can be noisy and messy.

Lifespan: 5-10 years.

Social: Finches love company and are best kept in pairs or small groups. Canaries prefer to be alone.

BUDGIES AND COCKATIELS

Budgies (also known as parakeets) and cockatiels are more gregarious and interactive. They love to socialise with their humans and will learn to whistle tunes and follow simple commands.

As members of the parrot family they like to climb, so a large cage with horizontal bars and wooden ladders is best. They are also very active and need toys like bells, balls and mirrors to keep them entertained. Budgies and cockatiels love time outside their cage to fly around and be with their humans.

Pros: Sociable, intelligent, and interactive.

AXOLOTL

Also known as the Mexican walking fish, axoltls are the extremely cute larval stage of salamander. They are amphibian but prefer to spend most of their time in water, and are best suited as pets for responsible older children and teenagers.

Axolotls require a large cold-water tank with plants and gravel, positioned away from strong light as their eyes are quite sensitive.

Pelleted food is available as a supplement, but axolotls do require live feeding and enjoy earthworms, small feeder fish, and insects, all of which should be purchased from a pet store to prevent introducing diseases. Axolotls are quite long-lived, which is something you should be prepared for when making the commitment to owning one.

Pros: Unusual, placid, fairly hardy.

Cons: Medium maintenance. Might scare you by playing dead!

Lifespan: 12-20 years.

Cons: Can be noisy and messy. Require a lot of attention.

Lifespan: Budgies up to 8 years, cockatiels up to 20 years.

Social: Happy to live alone (provided they get lots of attention from you!) or in groups.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SMALL PET FOR YOUR CHILD

When choosing a pet for your child, consider your child’s age and abilities. Small pets can be fragile and need to be handled with care. If scared or handled roughly they may nip or become stressed, so young children should always be supervised when interacting with their pets.

Do thorough research on ALL the pros, cons, and care requirements before heading to the pet store.

To learn more about owning a pocket pet, including life span and social requirements, read our full article online at www.familiesmagazine.com.au/pocket-pets

Social: Happy to live alone, or in pairs of similar sizes.

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

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Parenting

HOW TO: Talking about Personal Safety with your child

As parents one of the greatest fears we hold is that our children might experience abuse, neglect or harm. It’s natural to want to wrap our kids up in cotton wool and shield them from potentially unsafe situations. However, we can’t world proof our kids from everything they will encounter as they grow up. Taking a protective approach means talking early and often about personal safety with your child. The concept of personal safety can be a daunting one and many parents aren’t sure where or when to start. It’s easier than you think and to mark Queensland Child Protection Week (Sunday, 5 September to Saturday, 11 September 2021) here are some tips you might find useful.

Listen and learn

• Have an awareness of the day-to-day life of your child • Who are their friends?

• Where are they spending the most time?

• What are they doing online and who are they communicating with?

• Do they know they can tell you (or another trusted adult) if there’s a problem?

private parts. This will help in case a child needs to tell someone that something isn’t right.

• Explain the difference between safe and unsafe secrets (i.e. a surprise birthday party for a family member is a safe secret. An unsafe secret might be if someone showed you rude pictures at school and told you not to tell because you would get into trouble).

• Teach children to Recognise, React and Report when they don’t feel safe and use age appropriate resources and games to reinforce safety messages.

What should I be talking about and when? o As children and young people get older they go through a variety of developmental stages. Conversations about personal safety should match their age and experiences. This includes children and young people with a disability or learning need. As a child gets older the information they learn can be built upon. It is the responsibility of caring adults to teach relevant personal safety skills as children grow up and progress through the stages.

• Listen when a child tells you they don’t want to see a particular person or go to a particular place. Most perpetrators are already known to a child and may include a family member or known adult or adolescent. Try and discuss your child’s perspective in an open way. Try not to ask any leading questions.

• Don’t force children to kiss or hug people.

Talk often, talk early and keep talking

• Regularly practice describing feelings and identifying body clues that might mean a person is scared, worried or unsafe. Develop a simple, clear and easy to follow action plan for these times.

• Explain body boundaries and that it is not ok for anyone to look at or touch the private parts of another child or adult. It is also not ok to ask other children or adults to touch their private parts (you can talk about exceptions like if someone was hurt and the Doctor needed to help or if a child needs support with personal care).

• Early in a child’s life teach them the anatomical names for their

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Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

Parenting A GUIDE TO TALKING WITH YOUR CHILD ABOUT PERSONAL SAFETY 0 - 4 YEARS Recognising basic emotions (happy, sad, angry)

5 - 9 YEARS Understanding feelings

My body belongs to me

Body clues (If I’m not feeling safe what does my body do?)

Anatomical names for private body parts

Public and private places and behaviours

Public and private body parts

Rules for touch (it is not ok for anyone to touch your private parts or for you to touch theirs)

Safe and unsafe secrets Identifying grown up safety helpers

Recognise, React and Report Keep talking to all your safety helpers till you get help to feel safe

10 - 13 YEARS

14 - 17 YEARS

Understanding puberty including physical and emotional changes

Respectful relationships (identifying healthy and abusive relationships)

Healthy relationships

Making healthy and safe decisions about ‘personal’ activity (i.e. consent)

New ‘grown-up’ feelings Online competence (rules and responsibilities about safe gaming, sharing of images, talking to people online, bullying or adult content) What to do if you someone you know tells you they are unsafe How to get in touch with safety helpers via phone, online message

‘Adult content’ ≠ Reality Online competence (dating, adult themes, socialising) Peer to peer safety helpers and expanding the safety helper concept to support services such as KidsHelpline or ReachOut

Expert tip:

Expert tip:

Expert tip:

Expert tip:

Promote body ownership and teach the proper names for private body parts all while changing a nappy.

It is normal for young children to be curious about bodies and occasionally play games like ‘I’ll show you mine, if you show me yours’.

This is ok if it is mutual, easily distracted and between children of the same age and developmental ability.

Develop safety rules for being online in partnership with your child. Do this well before they are regularly using social media or viewing online content.

Not talking about healthy relationships can lead to harm.

“I’m going to wipe your bottom because I need to make sure it’s clean before I put your nappy back on.”

It provides a teachable moment for you to talk about the rules for touch.

“What would you do if a child at school asked to see or touch your private parts? It’s not ok for grownups or other kids to look at or touch your private parts or for you to see or touch theirs.”

“I know being online is such an important part of the way you will be learning and connecting with others. Let’s work out together how we can make it fun and safe at the same time.”

“I want to make sure you are surrounding yourself with people who respect you.

I’d like to talk to you about healthy relationships and what they look and feel like. If you don’t want to talk to me who could you chat with?”

It’s never too late to remind your child that it is always ok to talk to you, no matter what the issue - you care about them and want to help them to stay safe.

Get involved in Queensland Child Protection week by attending one of the many community events on offer. Visit www.childprotectionweek. org.au to see what’s happening near you and learn more.

Personal safety tips courtesy of Daniel Morcombe Foundation https://danielmorcombefoundation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DMF_FS_Talking_personal_Safety.pdf

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

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#FamiliesMagFun

FAMILIES FUN

Listings for everyone in every family!

To promote your local family friendly event including school fetes and fairs, community groups, get-togethers and local festivals in the next ‘Families Fun’ listings (Oct/Nov 2021) send your entry by 5pm on Tuesday 31 August 2021. Email Natalie – Listings@FamiliesMagazine.com.au Listings in this section are FREE for most non-commercial ventures. Please check the details of the events listed before setting off in case anything has changed since going to print.

WHAT’S ON IN THE CITY?

- AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2021 BRISBANE Due to the ongoing challenges with managing COVID-19 and community events we strongly encourage you to check in with each venue for the most up to date information.

ROMA STREET PARKLANDS The Sound Society Pull up a rug in Brisbane’s biggest sub-tropical backyard, relax and listen to smooth, jazzy tunes at The Sound Society. To satisfy your lunchtime cravings, The Garden Room Café will be creating picnic hampers, specially curated for the event. You can also pack your own picnic should you not wish to pre-order from the Café. 1 Aug. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/venue/ roma-street-parkland

BRISBANE SHOWGROUNDS EKKA | Royal Queensland Show EKKA is on again! The Ekka showcases the best of Queensland, attracting more than 21,000 competition entries from woodchop to giant vegetables, 10,000 animals from beef and cattle to cats and dogs, world-class live entertainment, award-winning food and wine, carnival rides and show bags, family shopping, educational activities, and a breathtaking fireworks display. The iconic show has been running since 1876 and is full of traditions, a unique atmosphere and childhood memories that have been passed down through generations of families.

Don’t forget to grab a strawberry sundae!

Tickets on sale now. 7 - 15 Aug. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/venue/ brisbane-showgrounds

KING GEORGE SQUARE Brisstyle Twilight Market Head to King George Square to experience the one and only Brisbane-based marketplace selling 100 percent locally handmade goods, featuring over 60 local designers! Uncover all kinds of treasures to satisfy your thirst for sustainable shopping at this unique event. 24 Sep. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/venue/ king-george-square

CITY HALL Lord Mayor’s City Hall Concerts: Handel Haydn Hula Hoopla Circus Fantasy - The Noteworthy Trio, will perform with expert hula hooper Emma Black to create a magical FREE orchestral experience combining circus and outstanding costumes. The performance will include classical, jazz and contemporary styles. This combination of circus acts choreographed to specially selected music, will deliver a memorable, fun and enthralling performance for all ages. Bookings required.

31 Aug. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/venue/ brisbane-city-hall

MUSEUM OF BRISBANE City in the Sun As Queensland’s gateway to the tropics, Brisbane has adopted imagery of all things subtropical over the last century, from frangipanis to pineapples and bikiniclad leisure-lovers. City in the Sun showcases large-scale new contemporary artworks alongside historical imagery. The colourful FREE exhibition invites you to peek behind the sun-drenched façade of the tourist brochures and question if these images still represent who we are as a city… if they ever did. Plus, BYO Baby Tours of the exhibition will be available every Wednesday in August.

Bookings required.

The Storytellers Step into The Storytellers, a FREE exhibition, and uncover the hidden histories, myths and tales of Brisbane as

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Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

told by the contemporary writers of our city. Ever wondered what it would be like to spend a night in Boggo Road Gaol, what Kangaroo Point has to do with kangaroos, or what went on at your Nan’s place during the Second World War? Step into an immersive story book landscape of Brisbane and relax around the kitchen table or take a seat at the tram stop to discover the personal, funny, inspiring and darker stories of Brisbane.

Bookings required.

Climb the Clock Tower An absolute ‘mustdo’ for anyone in Brisbane, get whizzed to the top of City Hall’s famous Clock Tower through an original hand operated lift from the 1930s. Get a bird’s eye view of the city and find out about the amazing history of this Brisbane icon. Then, take a peek behind the scenes of City Hall with a FREE tour of one of Brisbane’s most beautiful buildings.

Bookings required. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/venue/ museum-of-brisbane

QUEENSLAND GALLERY OF MODERN ART Reality & Invention This FREE exhibition focuses on artist responses to social change experienced throughout Asia since the 1980s, and the emergence of realism as a defining artistic strategy of the period.

Taking in movements as diverse as Japan’s New Wave, Indian figurative-narrative art and Indonesia’s politically charged New Art Movement, the exhibition features many well-known works from the Gallery’s Collection alongside some rarely seen holdings of major significance. Until 19 Sep. European Masterpieces Spanning 500 years, ‘European Masterpieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York’ offers a breath-taking journey from the 1420s and emerging Renaissance to

#FamiliesMagFun conclude at the height of early twentieth century post-impressionism. This oncein-a-lifetime opportunity will allow you to experience works by painters such as Fra Angelico, Titian, Raphael, Rembrandt, Turner, Van Gogh, and Monet direct from The Met’s collection, the majority of which rarely leave permanent display in New York. Tickets on sale now. Until 17 Oct. The Gifting Tree ‘The Gifting Tree’ brings together the work of Sonia Chitrakar, Archana Kumari and Kamta Tahed, three contemporary Indian artists who use bright colours, pattern and storytelling in different ways. Children can reflect on their own experiences of trees through two handson activities in this FREE exhibit. Taking inspiration from the artists’ work, they can draw a picture about the importance of planting trees and add their response to a display in the exhibition space or make a drawing of a problem-solving fantasy tree.

Until 17 Oct. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/venue/ queensland-gallery-of-modern-art

STATE LIBRARY OF QUEENSLAND Big Voices: Children’s Art Matters Big Voices celebrates the power of children to express themselves through art and features paintings and drawings from the renowned Dr Barbara Piscitelli AM Children’s Art Archive. Showcasing beautiful and thought-provoking artwork by children from Queensland, Vietnam and China, Big Voices takes you on a journey into these young artist’s worlds to see how they view themselves, their lives, their rights, and their futures. Until 8 Aug. Deadly Threads Experience this showcase examining Indigenous shirts – born from protests in the 1970s and evolving as permanent mainstays in wardrobes across Australia. In Deadly Threads, see over 190 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designed singlets, t-shirts, polo shirts, and jerseys. From colourful sporting jerseys to protest and artists’ shirts, Deadly Threads looks at how the shirts have helped people freely express views, support community, show allegiances and champion causes.

Until 15 Aug. Entwined: Plants and People In this exhibition, you can explore our relationship with plants through photography, illustrations, immersive projections, and historical objects. Entwined displays the works of award-winning creatives as they document and reinterpret plant life in modern Australia. The exhibition also digs into the State Library’s rare botanical collections, exploring historical and contemporary stories in the process. Until 14 Nov. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/venue/ state-library-of-queensland-2

QUEENSLAND MUSEUM Brickman® Wonders of the World Get ready to travel around the world without leaving Brisbane! Thanks to Ryan ‘The Brickman” McNaught you can explore a world of

between a horcrux and a Hufflepuff, this brilliant comedy will make you roar with laughter. This show is perfect for ages six to Dumbledore (who is incredibly old indeed).

Bookings required. 3 - 8 Aug.

epic LEGO® masterpieces, where some of humanity’s most amazing achievements from all over the globe come together in a world first fully interactive experience, with no passport required! More than 50 aweinspiring models are on display at the newly expanded “Wonders of the World” exhibition at Queensland Museum, including, for the first time ever, the 4m tall LEGO Masters Australia Space Shuttle! Bookings required.

Until 4 Oct. A Night at the Museum Pack your bags, it’s time for an adventure! Queensland Museum is heading around the world to see the world’s most iconic landmarks for the next A Night at the Museum. Included in your ticket is exclusive access to 50 awe-inspiring displays with entry to Brickman® Wonders of the World where you can make your own LEGO® brick masterpiece. You will also get to watch a live build with LEGO Masters runners-up Andrew and Damian, enjoy exclusive access to SparkLab, and more.

Tickets on sale now. 3 Sep. Island Futures: What lies ahead for Zenadth Kes? Torres Strait Islanders’ rich and enduring cultures and languages are linked to the place they call ‘home’. Now with the threat of rising sea levels, how do Torres Strait Islanders maintain their strong sense of identity and place if home is underwater?

Discover more than 200 objects and images, interwoven with Islander perspectives and stories, along with a number of works from well-known artists. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/venue/ queensland-museum

SPARKLAB SCIENCENTRE Ignite your imagination in SparkLab, an interactive Sciencentre experience where you’ll be free to follow your curiosity and bring out your inner scientist as you question, investigate and wonder about the world around you. Explore 40 interactive exhibits across three zones and discover how science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) affect your everyday world. Bookings required. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/ sparklab-sciencentre-south-brisbane

QPAC Potted Potter The international smash hit Harry Potter parody returns for a third season due to popular demand. An Olivier Award nominee and Best Of Las Vegas Award winner, Potted Potter takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books (and a real-life game of Quidditch) into 70 hilarious minutes.

Even if you don’t know the difference

World of Musicals This musical gala with an international cast brings London’s West End and New York’s Broadway to Australia with a brand-new show. The incredible production includes such classics as The Lion King, We Will Rock You, The Mikado, The Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, Cats, Wicked, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Greatest Showman, Jersey Boys, Hairspray, Les Misérables and The Blues Brothers. The World of Musicals is a show for the entire family, so get ready to sing along to your favourite and much-loved musicals for one unforgettable evening. Bookings required.

22 - 24 Aug. Trent Dalton’s Boy Swallows Universe Adapted from the smash hit novel that was inspired by Brisbane author Trent Dalton’s own childhood this performance is an exhilarating story of magic and madness, of beauty and brutality, of joy and heartbreak, and of the power of love to triumph over the darkest of circumstances. This show is best suited to older children. Bookings required.

30 Aug – 3 Oct.

Charlie & the Chocolate Factory Roald Dahl’s beloved tale Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is coming to Brisbane… for the first time EVER! A delectable musical treat, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory features songs from the original film, including “Pure Imagination”, “The Candy Man” and “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket”, alongside a brand new, toetapping and ear-tickling score. Lyric Theatre. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/venue/ qpac

SOUTH BANK Global Fiesta Purchase a one-way ticket to Global Fiesta, and be transported to a melting pot of cuisine, culture, and carnival!

Revel in roving entertainment, immersive performances, and a colourful street party; delight in cooking demonstrations and a vibrant marketplace showcasing cuisine and craft celebrated across the globe. Take a spice tour through South Bank’s Epicurious Garden and discover otherworldly flavours, or dine in one of South Bank’s renowned restaurants at an exclusive Signature Event.

Bookings required. 20 - 22 Aug. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/venue/ south-bank

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

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#FamiliesMagFun AUGUST 2021 Until 8 Aug Brisbane Comedy Festival | New Farm Comic musings, side-splitting stories and tear-inducing tales…Brisbane Comedy Festival continues in 2021, bursting at the seams with a hand-picked selection of the funniest folk in the country. Get skitfaced with 50+ of your favourite rib-tickling rascals from across Australia. From stand-up to improv and sketch comedy, they’ve got your tastes covered, plus they’ll shine a light on the best new talent, here and now! Bookings required. Brisbane Powerhouse, The Tivoli and The Fortitude Music Hall. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/brisbane-comedy-festival2021-brisbane/all Until 21 Aug Our House | Brisbane When young Camden lad, Joe Casey, arrives at a crossroads on his 16th birthday, the ghost of his father allows the two alternatives to play out. Through the music of ska-pop giants of the 1980s, Madness, this unique musical explores themes of love, growing up, responsibility and dealing with the loss of the people that shape our lives. Brought to you by the team who staged Avenue Q, We Will Rock You and The Boy From Oz. Bookings required. Brisbane Arts Theatre. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/our-house-brisbane/all

weekends and school holiday sessions. Ipswich Art Gallery. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/lightplay-ipswich Wed 4 – Thurs 5 Aug Wilbur the Optical Whale | Cleveland Set in an underwater world, with themes of bullying and acceptance, this is a fully immersive, interactive and accessible performance designed to celebrate difference. Wilbur is brought to life by Indelabilityarts, an artist-led, disability arts company from Brisbane, in collaboration with Flipside Circus. Incorporating stunning circus tricks, digital and visual imagery, tactile sensory play, integrated Auslan, music, and spoken word, Wilbur will engage, excite and captivate young minds. Suitable for ages 3-8. Bookings required.

Redland Performing Arts Centre. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/wilbur-the-optical-whalecleveland

Until 22 Aug Brain Child | Redcliffe Fun for the whole family, Brain Child is a FREE exhibition celebrating the world of inventions. Pull the lever and witness a Rube Goldberg machine in action! A giant marble maze also awaits. Can you put your lateral thinking hat on to create wild solutions to tricky problems? Explore the tinker trays for inspiration and then invent the solution! No need to book. Entry is available during regular museum hours. Redcliffe Museum. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/brain-child-redcliffe/all Throughout Aug & Sep Fetch the Doctor! | Pine Rivers Have you ever taken antibiotics? Been operated on by a robot? We rely on modern medicine to keep us alive and well, but what did survival look like 100 years ago? Fetch the Doctor!, a FREE exhibition at Pine Rivers Heritage Museum, explores the grim yet fascinating medical history of pioneers of the region. Uncover the challenges of getting to a doctor; the popular potions which proved toxic; and the life and death choices that had to be made. Pine Rivers Heritage Museum. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/fetch-the-doctor-pine-rivers Throughout Aug & Sep Powerkids: Art Lab | New Farm For Term 3, Powerkids: Art Lab will explore some of art and music history’s greatest revolutionaries. Loud, proud and suitable for rebellious under 5s, join Little Match each week for play-based art and music activities inspired by icons like Vivienne Westwood, David Bowie, Jean-Michel Basquiat, The Beastie Boys and Lady Gaga. Igniting little imaginations, experiment with the artists of Little Match Productions in a multi-sensory experience combining storytelling, music and visual arts in fun, play-based activities for 0-5 year-olds.

Brisbane Powerhouse. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/powerkids-art-lab Until 11 Sep Garfield the Musical with Cattitude | Petrie Terrace The lasagna loving cartoon cat meets the stage. Garfield, a chubby and sarcastic tabby cat, dreams about having the most amazing birthday in the history of birthdays. He deserves it for being the best cat ever! But it seems that all his friends – Arlene, Odie, Jon and even his nemesis, Nermal – have forgotten. Feeling rejected, Garfield ventures out to find adventure, but quickly learns that “home is where the heart… and the food is.” Bookings required.

Brisbane Arts Theatre. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/garfield-the-musical-withcattitude-brisbane/all Mon 2 Aug – Sun 31 Oct LightPlay | Ipswich Enter the dazzling world of LightPlay where children can explore their artistic potential in an interactive space created especially for them! Play with overhead projectors and illuminated light boxes and discover what happens when light is cast on different materials. Explore transparency, reflection and shadow as well as other properties of light. See the Children’s Gallery transform into a constantly evolving lightscape before your very eyes at this FREE exhibit. Bookings required for

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Fri 6 Aug Mini Show Day | Underwood Take a stroll through the amazing handmade and craft stalls while the kids enjoy some fun on the rides. Plus, Brisbane families will love the mini sideshow alley, live music, food trucks and a reptile show. Organisers will be selling ride passes for a 4 hour package. Underwood Park. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/mini-show-day Fri 6 – Fri 13 Aug Bring it On – The Musical | Redcliffe Bitingly relevant, sprinkled with sass, and inspired by the hit film, Bring It On The Musical takes audiences on a high-flying journey that is filled with the complexities of friendship, jealousy, betrayal and forgiveness. Uniting some of the freshest and funniest creative minds on Broadway, Bring It On features an original story and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical. Bookings required.

Redcliffe Entertainment Centre. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/bring-it-on-the-musicalredcliffe/all Mon 9 Aug Switch to Science | Cleveland Science is much more than explosions and weird experiments. It is the knowledge we use to make the wonderful things we rely on every day. Join the Redland Museum to explore how scientific knowledge is discovered, and how technology uses that science to make lots of very useful things.

Explore blacksmithing, steam engines, telegraph, telephones, radio, structures, fibres and dyes, music, photography, time, printing, and more. These are ‘hands-on’ activities, so you can touch and try.

Bookings required. Redland Museum. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/switch-to-science Thurs 12 – Sun 22 Aug Bleach Festival | Gold Coast Bleach is the Gold Coast’s annual contemporary arts festival. The festival has a growing national and international reputation for creating experiences and telling stories that are out of the box, authentic and uniquely connected to place. See live performances, participate in workshops and get the kids involved too. Bookings required for some Bleach Festival activities. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/bleach-festival Wed 18 Aug Tutus on Tour | Redcliffe Queensland Ballet’s dancers have packed up their tutus, tights and pointe shoes to present a wonderful season of ballet to venues and audiences across regional Queensland. This enticing program of classical and contemporary works features over 20 dancers and a stunning array

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

#FamiliesMagFun of beautiful costumes in a performance not to be missed. Bookings required. Redcliffe Entertainment Centre. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/tutus-on-tour-redcliffe Wed 18 – Wed 25 Aug Friends! The Musical Parody | Fortitude Valley The hilarious New York and Las Vegas hit Friends! The Musical Parody is making its way to Australia. Join your six favourite friends at their favourite café for a night of unstoppable laughs with the new parody musical that lovingly lampoons the beloved NBC sitcom! Follow Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Joey and Phoebe as they navigate love, life, and friendship all while reliving your favourite moments from the smash hit TV show. Bookings required. The Tivoli. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/friends-the-musical-parody Fri 20 - Sun 22 Aug BaconFest | Kingaroy The Kingaroy BaconFest is a sizzling food festival that puts bacon and pork centre stage.

Enjoy the food market where vendors have bacon or pork on the menu, explore the South Burnett’s local produce and embrace the fun and quirky nature of this annual event! Porky punters can look forward to cooking demonstrations by Australia’s favourite Spaniard, pork-loving celebrity chef Miguel Maestre, My Kitchen Rules stars Dan & Steph, and local Food Ambassador, Chef Jason Ford. There will be live music on the main stage throughout the day, photo opportunities with crowd-favourite, BaconMan; a bacon-eating comp and even a BaconFest Pin-Up Pageant and Best Beard of BaconFest! Tickets on sale now. Kingaroy Town Hall. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/baconfest-kingaroy Mon 23 – Tues 24 Aug Pete the Sheep | Ipswich Adapted by Monkey Baa in 2014 from the picture book by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley, with foot-tapping music and lyrics by Phil Scott and comedic direction by Jonathan Biggins, Pete the Sheep is a lively and mischievous award-winning musical for young audiences and their adults. This hilarious show, imaginatively told by four performers playing shearers, dogs and sheep, explores the challenges and rewards of being an individual and will be a lasting tribute to honouring your own spirit and strength, whilst working with the flock. Bookings required. Ipswich Civic Theatre. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/pete-the-sheep

Sun 29 Aug The Sunday Mail Transurban Bridge to Brisbane Get Race Day ready as The Sunday Mail Transurban Bridge to Brisbane heads back to the Gateway Bridge to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

This event is a great one for the whole family to get involved in for a bit of fun, while keeping the kids active & healthy! Enter in the 10km course and take in the iconic views from the Gateway Bridge or join in the fun of the 4.5km event, starting at Hercules Park in Hamilton. Both events will finish at the festive Finish Village at Brisbane Showgrounds – a hive of celebration and entertainment. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/the-sunday-mailtransurban-bridge-to-brisbane-brisbane Tues 31 Aug – Wed 1 Sep Emil and the Detectives | Beenleigh Never underestimate the determination of a child! Young Emil catches a train to visit family in the big city, when a sinister stranger steals something valuable. Based on Erich Kästner’s 1929 novella, this is a story about courage and self-discovery, the value of friendships and taking risks, and the empowerment of young people. Using projections, shadow puppets and Slingsby’s signature intimate theatrical style, Emil and the Detectives is told by two skilled actors immersed in smoke and mirrors, miniature worlds and a cinematic score. Dark and light, intrigue and delight for audiences aged eight and upwards. Bookings required. Crete Street Theatre. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/emil-and-the-detectivesbeenleigh/all

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

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#FamiliesMagFun SEPTEMBER 2021 Fri 3 - Sat 25 Sep Brisbane Festival | Multiple Locations Step into a Brightly Brisbane program of events and experiences this September. Brisbane Festival invites the city to re-emerge, connect, celebrate and shine brightly under the city’s expansive skies.

Over 23 days in September, Brisbane Festival will commission 18 new works, stage 15 world premieres, deliver 139 productions – and present events in a staggering 223 locations across the city.

Bookings required for some events. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/brisbane-festival Sat 11 Sep – Sun 12 Sep Redcliffe KiteFest | Clontarf Redcliffe KiteFest features an entire weekend of non-stop fun and entertainment! KiteFest will transform Pelican Park in Clontarf into the ultimate family-friendly weekend with incredible kites, entertainment, live music, activities and workshops, market and food stalls! There are plenty of things for the kids to see and do at this year’s KiteFest with the inclusion of the KiteFest Kids Zone, Kids Karnival, the Ocean Zone and the public Kite Flying Arena! Buy your tickets online or at the gate. Pelican Park. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/redcliffe-kitefest-clontarf/all

Sat 4 – Sun 5 Sep 2021 Dayboro Show | Dayboro Enjoy a traditional country fair complete with side show alley, show bags, rides and kids entertainment. Of course, there will be the classic woodchopping, rodeo and dog show displays plus heaps more agricultural family fun. When the sun goes down prepare yourselves for Walter Whip and the Flames show plus an amazing fireworks display in the main arena. Tickets available at the gate.

Dayboro Showgrounds. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/dayboro-show Sun 5 Sep Father’s Day Lunch at Victoria Park | Herston Enjoy a roast lunch feast overlooking the city skyline in the Victoria Park Ballroom or head to the Bistro for a relaxed meal amongst the beautiful gardens. Live music and entertainment for the kids including face painting and a balloon artist will ensure everyone makes the most of this special day honouring the father figures in our lives. Bookings recommended to avoid disappointment.

Victoria Park. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/fathers-day-lunchvictoria-park Sun 5 Sep Green Heart Fair | Carindale Brisbane City Council’s Green Heart Fair is back and will be better than ever! The fair will feature over 120 of Brisbane’s leading sustainability experts ready to share practical tips and tricks to live a more eco-friendly life. You will be treated to sustainability displays, expert talks, eco-friendly exhibitors, artisan markets, food trucks, and more! Carindale Recreation Reserve. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/green-heart-fair-carindale

Mon 13 Sep Hamlet: Prince of Skidmark | Logan A very cheeky, very clever, utterly irreverent riff on Hamlet – made especially for children. And that’s not all… expect bonus pillow fights, pirates, ninjas, ninja pirates, aliens, ninja pirate aliens, zombies and a bunch of other hilarious stuff as The Listies take kids and their adults on a fun-filled hour of theatre. Bookings required. Logan West Community Centre. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/hamlet-prince-ofskidmark-logan Sat 18 Sep Bell Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Cleveland Shakespeare’s classic comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is reawakened in this breathless production brimming with magic, mirth and mayhem. This performance is quick as a shadow running for just over 2 hours including a 20 minute interval. Fast, funny and family-friendly, this is A Midsummer Night’s Dream reimagined. Bookings required. Redland Performing Arts Centre. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/a-midsummer-nightsdream-reimagined-by-bell-shakespeare-cleveland Sat 18 Sep Strawberry & Dessert Festival | Sandstone Point Did you know Queensland accounts for 33% of Australia’s strawberries!

To celebrate the delicious and nutritious berry as well as support local growers, every year Sandstone Point Hotel invites the public to join them for the berry best day out! From 2pm-8:30pm, enjoy strawberry eating competitions, dessert food trucks, dessert cooking demonstrations, live music, fireworks, kid’s rides plus so much s’more to be announced! Tickets on sale now. Sandstone Point Hotel. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/strawberry-dessertfestival-sandstone-point

Sat 18 Sep – Mon 4 Oct Spring Country Fair | Dreamworld Step into a celebration of all things spring and all things country as Dreamworld transforms into the Spring County Fair! Enjoy a unique spring menu with an American flair, including picnic-style eats and some of your smokehouse favourites! Take part in some country fun including a Belinda’s Barnyard Buddies, our kids petting zoo as well as fun craft activities for the little ones. Take in the ambience

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Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

#FamiliesMagFun of spring with live music and themed entertainment. Plus, enjoy all your favourite Dreamworld rides and attractions! Dreamworld. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/dreamworld-springcountry-fair/all Sat 18 Sep – Sat 30 Oct The Witches | Petrie Terrace These Witches are nothing like the ones who wear pointed hats and fly on broomsticks – they look very much like ordinary women, which helps their deception. They have a motto: “One child a week is fifty-two a year. Squish them and squiggle them and make them disappear!”, but one boy and his Norwegian grandmother have a plan to get rid of the witches for good! Hot off the release of the 2020 film adaptation, The Witches is a classic Roald Dahl tale not to be missed! See The Witches brought to life live on stage. Bookings required. Brisbane Arts Theatre. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/the-witches Tues 21 Sep SunKIDZ | Sunnybank SunKIDZ is a monthly music playgroup located in the foyer of SunPAC. The program allows children from the ages of 0-5 to explore the world around them through play-based learning and musical activities. The program of activities is linked to the Early Years Learning Framework that specifically targets the development of fine motor skills. Through monthly themes, the content encourages children to be engaged, to grow and to step into the world of their imagination where anything is possible! Bookings required. SunPAC. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/sunkidz

optimism are the key to saving our planet. Watch in amazement as a large mountain of trash transforms into a cave and becomes the epic playground for heroes to fight trash bats, navigate treacherous ravines and outwit hideous trash monsters! The whole family will be captivated as two performers operate 17 different puppets and a transforming trash mountain to bring the show to life. Bookings required. Redland Performing Arts Centre. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/escape-from-trashmountain-cleveland Sat 25 Sep SunSuper Riverfire | Brisbane River Sunsuper Riverfire returns this September to ignite our skyline and wrap up three incredible weeks of Brisbane Festival for yet another year.

Yuggera and Turrbal man Shannon Ruska will open the spectacular event with a powerful smoking ceremony. This is one of the most electrifying fireworks displays in Australia, fired from multiple bridges, barges and city rooftops. Ahead of the pyrotechnics the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force will demonstrate their flying prowess, with Army helicopter displays and the gravitydefying aerobatics of the Roulettes. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/riverfire-brisbane

Tues 21 Sep Hamlet: Prince of Skidmark | Cleveland The Listies, maestros of children’s entertainment, have pulled apart Shakespeare’s classic and glued it back together with hilarious costumes, loads of silliness and plenty of interactivity. Hamlet is already full of things kids love in a good story: ghosts, castles, sword fights, bodily fluids and spooky stuff. Add to the mix some supersonic gags and expertly timed stage magic and you have a brilliantly disguised Shakespearean tragedy for everyone aged five and over. Bookings required. Redland Performing Arts Centre. www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/hamlet-prince-ofskidmark-cleveland Tues 21 – Sat 25 Sep Escape from Trash Mountain | Cleveland A puppet show with sustainability at its heart, Escape from Trash Mountain is a poignant look at how good relationships and

SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN AT

REDLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE Tickets from $12 Bookings: 3829 8131 or www.rpac.com.au Booking fees: $5 by phone and $6 online per transaction

HAMLET: PRINCE OF THE BARD SKIDMARK AOFBADAPTATION SAT 18 SEP

TUE 21 SEP

TUE 21–SAT 25 SEP

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

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Local Clubs & Classes Directory

Clubs, Classes & Activities

around Greater Brisbane for adults and children aged 0 - 17.

If you would like a listing for your club, class or activity in our next issue’s inclusive directory, contact us now!

Email: Editor@FamiliesMagazine.com.au

Laserzone Lawnton

Perform Australia

Brisbane’s No. 1 multi-level Laser Tag arena, Arcade and Bumper Cars will blow your mind!

Offering the best family entertainment with a variety of packages to suit all ages and abilities.

Book your family fun or birthday party now!

Acting and drama classes around Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Learn acting technique for stage and screen and participate in performances and film shoots. Build selfconfidence, creativity and social skills in fun friendly classes. Enrol online, no audition needed!

3205 4141 brisbane.laserzone.com.au

Flip Out Strathpine

Get the kids having active, indoor fun in a supervised, CovidSafe environment!

Trampolines, foam pits, basketball slam-time, running walls, and a separate area for under-10s and fully air conditioned. Café on site too! Keep an eye out for specials and book in advance. www.flipout.net.au/locations/qld/qldstrathpine/strathpine

Bayside Hapkido Hapkido is the complete selfdefence martial art, offering classes from 3.5 years to adult. Classes are fun and reinforce discipline and respect for self and others.

Come and join us for a 4-WEEK FREE TRIAL at our purpose-built Redland Bay facility.

0413 327 283

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www.hapkidoqld.com.au

1300 908 905

www.perform.edu.au

Kip McGrath

Albany Creek Individual learning programs in maths & English with qualified teachers – book a free assessment today!

0417 864 285 www.kipmcgrath.com.au/albany-creek

Saurabh Cricket

Victoria Park

Saurabh Cricket Coaching offers 1-2-1 coaching and runs holiday clinics for boys and girls (aged 5 -18 years) each holiday. We offer a trial session too! Take action and get your budding Cricket soul registered today. Registrations can be done online at saurabhcricketcoaching.com or call 0422 397 838 to book your spot.

Learn to play golf for kids at Victoria Park with their school holiday kids golf activities. Their classes are fun and interactive for kids aged 4 – 14, no experience required. Play exciting games, learn great sports skills, all while making new friends. www. victoriapark.com.au/whats-on/

school-holiday-kids-golf-clinics/

Kick Dance

Classes in Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Acrobatics, Contemporary, Tap and Irish dancing, as well as singing and acting. Whether you are keen to have fun or ‘Kick’ start your dance career, Kick Dance caters for all ages and abilities from toddler to adult!

0414 308 248 www.kickdance.com.au

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

Advertise your club, class or activity for only $995 +GST per year!

Local Clubs & Classes Directory Aqualogan

Aqualogan Laurie Laurence Swim School offers world-leading teaching methods proven over 50 years. FREE swim assessments for all learn-toswim levels. School holiday swim clinics, squads, adaptives and private lessons.

Beenleigh 2803 4102; Logan North 3541 6151 www.loganleisurecentres.com.au/aquatics

IceWorld

Brisbane-based mobile drama school, Drama Works Academy, is passionate about sharing its love of drama & musical theatre. An inclusive approach and encouraging learning environment dramatically develops: communication, confidence, self-esteem and teamwork for all children Book a free trial class today on 1300 822 164 www.dramaworks.net.au/contact-us

Conroy Dance Centre

There’s no better way to beat the summer heat than a visit to one of Brisbane’s IceWorld Olympic Ice Rinks – the coolest place to be in the school holiday!

Public session times available daily, offering hours of ‘sun safe’ fun & exercise!

Online Bookings Essential.

Acacia Ridge Boondall

Drama Works

Pricing includes skate hire.

Fully stocked cafés on site.

Does your child love to dance? Our qualified and welcoming teachers make learning to dance so much fun through our age-specific programs!

Classes include jazz, ballet, tap and even singing!

ENQUIRE TODAY and Join Brisbane’s biggest dance family in Brendale!

3205 7717 admin@conroydance.com.au

www.iceworld.com.au

Kids @ Adderton

Join Fruit Salad on an adventure! Kids love exploring Adderton with their free activity book, Fruit Salad, the adventurous tales of a Convent Cat and discovering ways to make a difference.

Book in for Kids@Adderton holiday workshops book via www.adderton.org.au

Infinity Martial Arts

The largest and first female owned and operated martial arts academy. Modern, family friendly facility in Petrie teaching classes for kids aged 2+ and adults. Classes suitable for people of all skills levels in Brazilian Jiujitsu, MMA, Kickboxing, Boxing, Women-only BJJ, Yoga, Pilates. FIRST CLASS FREE. Mention this ad and receive a 10% discount off each membership.

0431 081 072

infinitymartialarts.com.au

Superfish

FREE swimming assessment and FREE trial lesson – no obligation! All levels & ages, small structured classes. Redland Bay opening 2021!

Sunnybank 3323 3188 www.superfish.com.au

Bounce Tingalpa

BOUNCE Tingalpa has more than 50 interconnected trampolines, the Big Bag, Slam Dunk and Dodgeball all rolled into one - the perfect playground to develop and practice your skills. Whether you’re trying to master your first flip or learn how to run The Wall, it’s the ultimate in Freestyle fun! www.bounceinc.com.au/venue-tingalpa-qld

Advertise your club, class or activity for only $995 +GST per year!

UPCOMING ISSUES

Families Magazine is made with love by...

October / November 2021

Janine Mergler – Editor Joanne Crane – Co-Editor Natalie Turner – Listings Editor, Online Content Manager Suzie Porter – Designer Stephen Monteith – IT Systems and Support The information contained in this publication and on our website and social media forums is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Families Magazine and its contributors as detailed on individual articles. While we endeavour to publish information that is up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information, products, services, or related images contained in print, on our website or in our social media forums for any purpose. Information received via our publication or online should not be relied upon for personal, medical, legal or financial decisions. You should consult an appropriate professional for specific advice tailored to your need and situation.

TODDLERS, CHILDCARE & DAYCARE Advertising deadline Friday 10 September 2021 December 2021/January 2022

SUMMER DAYS OUT AND CLUBS, CLASSES & ACTIVITIES Advertising deadline Friday 29 October 2021 We do not endorse contents or advertisers in our publication or on our web pages and will not be responsible for any content of any linked site or any link contained in the link site. In no event shall we be liable for direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special, consequential damages or any damages whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with the use of or performance of information, products, services or reliance on the contents of the advertisements.

All material including, but not limited to adverts, editorial, images and part thereof sent to Families Magazine remain the property of Families Magazine. All materials and personal details will be handled appropriately with respect to data protection laws. No material published by Families Magazine in print or online may be reproduce whatsoever without prior written consent.

Your Local Families Magazine August / September 2021 www.familiesmagazine.com.au

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