PPEP TALK FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

By SAMANTHA ELLEY

When one in fve female students, aged 16 to 18, miss school due to severe period pain, it is critical for those affected and those around them to be aware of how to manage their symptoms, according to educator Sylvia Freedman.

As part of the Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia (PPFA), Ms Freedman heads up the initiative Periods, Pain, Endometriosis Program (PPEP Talk), funded by the Federal and State governments, where they visit schools, educating students on this very common issue.

“The purpose of our program is to educate students on how to tell the difference between pain that’s normal and pain that’s not so normal,” she said.

“We go through fve different types of pelvic pain and teach the students the difference.

“We discuss the neural science of pain and how it works in the body and in our brain.”

Ms Freedman said that while mild cramping is manageable, with a hot water bottle or over the counter pain medication, heavy cramping accompanied with nausea and vomiting over 3-4 days is not so manageable.

“This is where it is really important for them to talk to a GP who will help with pain management strategies or provide a referral to a gynaecologist,” she said.

The program is structured in a way that is fun, educational and interactive discussing all aspects of period and pelvic pain and endometriosis.

“We interact with the students, asking them how they are managing their pain currently,” said Ms Freedman.

“We get them to do pelvic stretches and practice those, and we go through selfmanagement strategies and techniques.

“We talk about the importance of an antiinfammatory diet, as what we consume has a big impact on pain.

“We encourage them to get help early as once a problem becomes chronic, it is harder to treat.”

The classes are held in a gender neutral setting for both male and female students.

“We use gender neutral language as it’s important information for all people to know,” said Ms Freedman.

“From a school’s perspective we are talking to female students and those assigned as female at birth.

“We give the talk with the boys, or those assigned male at birth, in a different context, helping them understand what others are going through.”

The program has been running for 3-4 years and is in its second year in New South Wales. As a government funded program it is free for students and health professionals.

“If a student in the session says they might have chronic pelvic pain and endo we have a program called Next Steps which runs every eight weeks by our founder, Dr Susan Evans, associate professor and she runs them online,” said Ms Freedman.

To fnd out more about PPEP Talk contact Ms Freedman at ppeptalknsw@ pelvicpain.org.au or call on 0406 314 451 or 0401 208 070

Knitting Nannas needle new Nationals candidate

By TIM HOWARD

One of the Grafton’s longest running protest groups, The Knitting Nanna Agains Gas, couldn’t let the opening of Nationals Clarence candidate Richie Williamson’s campaign offce go without comment.

On balance they have been pleased to see current Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis take a stand against coal seam gas mining in the region.

Spokesperson Leonie Blain said Mr Gulaptis was on the record calling for a CSG ban in the Clarence Valley, but not everyone in the Coalition was on board.

“We came here today to remind the Nationals candidate that the Clarence Valley expects a similar stance from Mr Gulaptis’s successor before we go to the polls,” Ms Blain said.

After the 2015 State election, where Ballina fell to the Greens and the Lismore and Tweed results caused heart tremors for the party, CSG, the Nationals read the tea leaves.

”It’s the biggest issue of concern coming out of the election,” he said. “It would be wrong to ignore it – the community want a gas-feld free Northern

Rivers,” Mr Gulaptis said at the time.

But others in the party were less supportive, notably outgoing leader Andrew Stoner, who, in his valedictory speech, supported the industry and berated its opponents.

He said they were running “the mother of all scare campaigns, driven and funded by individuals and groups ideologically opposed to the use of any fossil fuels.”

Ms Blain said getting away from all fossil fuel was vital and CSG also remained a threat to farming and food production.

Ms Blain feared the so-called “energy crisis” in Australia and the controversy over gas prices could encourage people to rethink their opposition to CSG mining.

Last week four of the group put up signs outside the Nationals candidate Richie Williamson’s campaign offce in Prince St Grafton.

Four of the Knitting Nannas, Ms Blain, Sarah Fletcher, Diane Dadswell and Nancy Eggins stayed for a couple of hours while the Nationals faithful launched their Clarence Valley election HQ.

Chilli Festival Helping After Floods

Alert your taste buds and have the milk brigade on standby as the 4th edition of the fiery, family-fun Chinderah Chilli Festival is being held at the spectacular Seagulls Club this year.

No matter how hot (or not) you like your chilli, this event will leave your palate wanting more.

Enter for a small $2pp donation, which goes to help our flood affected mates via rural.aid.org and the Tweed District Rescue Squad.

This is the only Chilli Festival on the coast showcasing Australia’s best chilli sauce businesses. Meet the actual makers and learn how your entertaining can be even spicier!

Stock up on Sunday picnic faves like spicy jerky, duck salami, chilli cheese while sipping on Margaritas (chilli or classic!) or frozen chilli cocktails.

Fire up your tongue with free hot samples, then stop by the Oatley Wines tasting table on the Lot Two Deck to cool your mouth down.

Find fiery fresh food trucks and iced coffee to help you shop over 300 hot sauces. Be ready for Brazillian BBQ, Indian curries, Spanish Paella, German brats, authentic Thai and of course soft serve & gelato galore. They got you covered with chai tea and fresh fruit iced (chilli) tea too.

Seagulls Lot Two and Lot Two American BBQ Smoker will be pumping out their fine fare all day too. We are seeing a fun, fiery feast, are you hungry yet?

Amateur eating competitors can sign (a death waiver) for the hot chip challenge, the chilli corn comp, the fresh chilli chomp or the chilli dog championship. If fitness is more your thing enter the CoolA-Bah dash for cash! A charitable donation of only $15 per comp entry, winners receive cash, fashion, a chilli trophy and social media glory! Under 15’s can brain freeze in the 2 free icy pole comps.

VRA providing fun kids entertainment plus there may even be a visit from a far away galaxy #photooftheday.

If you’d prefer to keep your taste buds in tact, you can still help raise money by grabbing some tickets in the charity raffles for your chance to win cheeky chilli trays and a huge gourmet food and wine hamper.

‘We love it when patrons meander enjoying free samples, shopping, sweating, drinking, eating, chatting, competing and laughing while chilling out at their charity chilli festivals, bring everyone that makes you laugh” says Jase O’Connor from Chilli Festivals Australia