Kids Now March 2022 by McPherson Media Group

kids now. including kids sport.

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TECH

AC T I V I T I E S

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kids now.

THE JOYS AND CHALLENGES OF FAMILY LIFE Before your bundle of joy is born, you dream about who they will look like, what type of personality they will have and what they will become — a sportsman, academic, doctor, famer or artist. As with all aspects of life, there is no way of knowing what your child will be or what challenges will be in store for you as parents. However, one thing parents Kayla and Rhys Doncon did know before Greta arrived was she would be born with a cleft lip and palate. Read about the family’s challenges on page 4, when Greta’s surgery was continually cancelled because of the elective surgery freeze in Victoria thanks to COVID-19, and mum Kayla’s optimism for Greta’s future and the family support they are surrounded by.

CONTROLLED CHAOS FOR THE CARROLLS

TAKING EVERY DAY AS IT COMES

Be amazed by Lauren and Nathan Carroll — parents of five primary school-aged boys, including a set of twins. The couple never expected to have such a full house.

BORROW, PLAY, REPEAT

One of Lauren’s biggest lessons in patience she has learnt is when waiting for her five boys to get in and out of the car. Read their story from page 20. Six-year-old Milo Rose’s parents might not have to wait long to see what he will be when he grows up. The young artist’s first exhibition is part of this year’s Shepparton Festival. Find out more about Milo on page 16.

TALK TO THE ANIMALS

To help the child who is still unsure of what activity they’d like to be a part of, we’ve added a new section called Sport to Kids Now. The ideas start on page 25. Whatever life brings for parents and children, it’s about keeping it simple, making the most of each day – and plenty of love. Until next edition. Kids Now team.

AN APPETITE FOR LEARNING

PUNCHING ABOVE THEIR WEIGHT

16 Editorial Coordinator: Christine Anderson Photography: Rodney Braithwaite and Megan Fisher Design: Alysha Bathman Advertising: Shepparton News 5831 2312

LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED 2 kids now. | AUTUMN

MOVE OVER MICHELANGELO

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Learning through play: Service provider Linda Laws with Marliya Khakh, 4, Madden Mcabe, 5, Aria Bailey, 4, and Uday Singh, 4.

STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY: GEORGIA ROSSITER

Giving children the best start FAMILIES CAN NOW ACCESS MORE PRE-KINDER PROGRAMS — AND ALL THE BENEFITS THEY BRING TO CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT — THANKS TO MORE GOVERNMENT FUNDING. Isabel Pearce Kindergarten has offered a threeyear-old kindergarten program for close to two decades. Now that it is funded by the Victorian Government, service provider Linda Laws is excited for more families to access the benefits. “Early childhood is such an important time — if they can be here for two years, then we can really support their development,” she said. “It just sets them up for a great start in life.” The government first began funding three-yearold kinder, also known as pre-kinder, programs in 2019, and moved to ensure all children had a fully-funded 15 hours from 2022 and beyond. It’s an Australian first, with every Victorian child now able to begin kindergarten one year earlier. Since being rolled-out, Linda said enrolments in the twice-weekly program had skyrocketed.

“We’ve got higher numbers across the service this year, we’re basically at capacity.” Mother-of-three Caitlin Barton sent her eldest son Fletcher to pre-kinder in 2020, before the funding became available. She said it was well worth it for now six-year-old Fletcher. “It was mostly just the social side of things, to give him that opportunity to be socialising with kids his own age,” Caitlin said. “He’s gone off to school so happy and ready, which has been great.” When she turned three, Fletcher’s younger sister Elsie was enrolled in the program, and Caitlin said two-year-old Molly would also attend two years of kinder before school. “Just getting to set up that routine, getting to play with other kids, and to know about doing all those daily things.”

Completing two years at kinder before starting ‘big school’ has a lot of benefits. Not only does it help children adjust to a routine, it means teachers can help with separation anxiety, and help to identify any additional support the child may need. “The child might need some assistance in speech or occupational therapy or fine motor development,” Linda said. “Then they can transition really well into kinder, and the big benefit is they transition really well to school.” Isabel Pearce Kindergarten currently has two full classes of pre-kinder, along with the regular fouryear-old program. For more information about the pre-kinder program at Isabel Pearce Kindergarten, visit: greatershepparton.com.au/community/ childrens-services/childcare/childrenscentres/isabel-pearce-kindergarten

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PROF I LE Mother and daughter: Kayla and Greta Doncon.

STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY: ANNA MCGUINNESS

Love is all you need Exploring: Greta before surgery to repair her cleft lip.

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KNOWING YOUR CHILD WILL NEED SURGERY AND ONGOING MEDICAL CARE BEFORE THEY ARE EVEN BORN IS A DAUNTING PROSPECT FOR ANY PARENT. BUT THE RIGHT SUPPORT, AND A HEALTHY DOSE OF LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING, KEEPS THIS FAMILY LOOKING AHEAD WITH OPTIMISM.

After a few blunt questions from strangers, Shepparton’s Kayla Doncon was surprised people had no idea about the cleft condition.

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And she had a right to be, given it affects about one in 800 babies. Kayla’s brother and sister were both born with cleft lips and palates, so it wasn’t inconceivable that her daughter Greta would too. But it was still something she was unprepared for. With the gene in her family, Kayla was sent to Melbourne for her 20-week ultrasound with Greta, where she and husband Rhys learnt what was in store. “I was shocked when we found out, which seems kind of silly given that’s what we were there for — but my mentality was that it wouldn’t happen to us,” Kayla said. “I remember the stenographer giving us all this information and going through our options but I just wanted to leave the room and process it all. “You’re not thinking rationally at that point but once I had time to process and talk to Mum I knew everything was going to be okay.” Cleft lip or palate happens when parts of the lip, upper jaw or roof of the mouth don’t join properly in early pregnancy, leaving a gap or opening. Greta was born at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne on April 21, 2021, and went into specialist care to be fed through a tube until she could learn to drink from a special bottle — navigating her inability to suck.

Holding hands: Greta before her surgery to repair her cleft lip.

In her short life so far, Greta’s felt the effects of COVID-19 on the health care system. Her caesarean delivery was initially called off because there were no beds free in hospital. Kayla had fasted all day, was prepped and ready to go when she got the news it wasn’t going to happen. She was told they didn’t know when she’d be able to deliver Greta, with a combination of a pandemic baby boom and strain on health care workers at the time. The next day Kayla went in to hospital at 7 am and at 4 pm a bed became free, and Greta was welcomed to the world.

Family: Eden, Kayla, Greta, Rhys and Stella Doncon.

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PROF I LE Caring: Greta has had the support of the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

Down the track, when it came time to repair Greta’s cleft lip — generally between four and six months of age — an elective surgery freeze in Victoria meant the surgery was cancelled three times. “I was really frustrated it was even considered elective,” Kayla said. “It is very black and white — either emergency or elective — but when it’s something for a baby that’s important for their development, and for some, breathing.” Kayla was concerned a delay to the cleft surgeries could impact Greta’s development and make the recovery harder as she got older. By the time she had surgery for her lip, in February 2022 at 10 months old, Greta was crawling and able to pull herself up on things, worrying her mother that she could bump her lip. With Greta’s condition the family was referred to genetic counselling and a social worker for support and Kayla said the Royal Children’s Hospital had been “fantastic”. They’ve also had support from Kayla’s family, with her parents going through it twice with her brother and sister. “I think that’s where my worries come from, not because of how [Greta] looks or anything like that — it was just knowing what she’d have to go through,” Kayla said. Kayla’s brother had about eight surgeries and her sister 12 all up, as well as speech therapy, orthodontics and occupational therapy. But it’s not just the medical treatment required that concerns Kayla, she worries about bullying

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Trying time: Dad Rhys with Greta, learning to drink from a special bottle due to her cleft lip.

as Greta gets older. “It’s hard enough in your pre-teen and teenage years without having something else on top of that,” she said. “By trying to raise awareness and having my brother and sister as role models I’m hoping that will all play a big part in her being confident in her own skin.”

“People are also a lot more accepting these days — I think we’re all a lot more aware of each other being unique. “Once we came to terms with [Greta’s condition] we knew she’d be okay and really well looked after and loved all the same.”

But being treated or seen as different is something the family has already experienced. “Sometimes people would just be really blunt in their approach with strangers coming up and asking ‘what’s wrong with her face’,” Kayla said. “I was surprised how many people didn’t know anything about cleft lips or palates — I’ve grown up with my siblings so I was probably a bit desensitised.” For Greta’s older sisters — Eden, 7, and Stella, 5 — Kayla and Rhys have explained it in simple terms. Last year, for Cleft Awareness Week, Eden gave a presentation to her class about her little sister. “If [school children] are more aware of it and used to it it’s less likely to be something they will be bullied for later in life and kids become a bit more accepting,” Kayla said. It’s now a waiting game for Greta’s palate surgery in the coming months, and beyond that possibly further surgery — but almost definitely orthodontics and dental work. Kayla speaks optimistically about what’s ahead. “We’re really lucky to have the Royal Children’s and Monash Children’s [hospitals] just down the road.

Recovery: After her cleft lip surgery Greta has to have stents in her nose until the surgery to repair her palate.

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STORY: CAITLYN GRANT PHOTOGRAPHY: MEGAN FISHER

Controlled chaos for the Carrolls FIVE PRIMARY SCHOOL-AGE BOYS IN ONE HOUSE MIGHT SOUND LIKE A PARENTING NIGHTMARE. BUT THIS FAMILY TACKLES THE EVERYDAY UPS AND DOWNS WITH PATIENCE AND GOOD HUMOUR.

When the Carrolls began their family, Lauren agreed on four children and Nathan on two. So together they compromised and had five — all boys. Crossing the threshold into the Carrolls’ quaint Kialla home, five perfectly lined-up school bags are placed neatly on allocated hooks. This year marks the first and final year the five boys will attend the same primary school all at once — a novelty that hasn’t been seen at Kialla Central Primary School before. The eldest of the boys, Joshua, has entered into his final year of primary school, followed by Isaac in Year 4, twins Josiah and Michael in Year 2 and Abel just starting his Foundation year. “It probably wouldn’t be five boys at the one

primary school too often, particularly a smaller school; there’s about 80 kids, so these guys make up almost seven per cent of the school,” Nathan said. “The school has been really good to them, the teachers have been brilliant and gotten to know each of their individual differences, especially between Michael and Josiah.” The Carrolls never expected to have such a full house — after having two children they ummed and aahed about having another. The third pregnancy just happened to be twins, although both Nathan and Lauren weren’t shocked by the news. “We sort of had a little inkling that we were bound to have them, so when we found out it

Carrollers: Abel, Josiah, Michael, Isaac and Joshua.

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wasn’t so much a surprise but more of a ‘we thought that would be the case’,” Lauren said. “The twins have actually been the easiest, that’s why we’ve been able to have another one, they were like half a baby — they still are just so relaxed.” And in response to what may be the most asked questions to the Carrolls, the family isn’t after an additional little girl. “I’m glad they’re all boys, in a way I think it makes it easier,” Lauren said. “Because there’s so many, they just entertain themselves.” Life lessons are taught all the time in the Carroll house, but a particular value Lauren has learnt is put into practice every day. “Getting all the kids in and out of cars, that is the

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Family: The Carroll crew all together with Hiccup the Labrador.

biggest lesson in patience I have learnt,” she said with a laugh. Five boys in the one house brings imagery of rough-housing, extreme decibels and general pandemonium, and while at times Lauren said this rings true, more often than not the five are relatively harmonious. And while the boys all share similar looks, she said each had quite different but complementary personalities to one another. Together they all share a brotherly bond amplified through a love of soccer, playing with their pup Hiccup and general shenanigans, or as the twins call it, “playing silly buggers” . “It is very loud, there’s often balls flying around but thankfully we’ve had no broken bones just yet,” Lauren said.

Although the Carrolls do admit, noise isn’t always a bad signifier — as the sign in their home reads, ‘Silence is golden, but it is also suspicious’. For Joshua, life as the ring leader has its advantages and disadvantages. Between experiencing a range of activities first, getting new clothes and no hand-me-downs, along with the power of being the eldest, he said his family position was a pretty decent gig. Each brother has different highlights of being one of five, from having a lot of food on the table at meal times to always having enough for a fivea-side team, they all agree, at least most of the time, it’s pretty cool.

Buying in bulk: The Carrolls’ hallway with five at school.

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STORY: YOUSSEF SAUDIE

Keep an eye on kids’ vision OVERSEAS RESEARCH SUGGESTS THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN DEVELOPING MYOPIA, OR SHORT-SIGHTEDNESS, HAS INCREASED DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. Shepparton’s Graham Hill Eyecare has launched a campaign to create awareness of myopia in children, how to identify it and share options to slow the progression. There are currently 80 million children around the world affected by myopia, and if left untreated it can cause lasting vision problems including a higher risk of eye disease and a dependence on glasses. Graham Hill Eyecare director Mark DePaola said primary school-aged children were the ideal age to “first pick up there’s short-sightedness issues”. “We would advise that every child have an eye test when they start school,” Mark said. And at any time they “show signs of squinting, rubbing their eyes, headaches or complaining of

blurred vision”. “A base level of treatment would be actually having an eye test done and discovering there’s a problem and actually improving the eyesight,” he said. “The kids who are most at risk are kids who’ve already got parents, one or two, already wearing glasses”. Mark gave some lifestyle tips to help reduce short-sightedness: • Spend more than 90 minutes each day outside. Exposing the individual to longdistance vision and sunlight has been shown to be protective. • Limit screen time per day, particularly in the evenings.

• Read in good light. • Get up every 20 minutes and walk for 20 seconds. • When outside, make sure to protect eyes from UV light, which can include wearing a hat or sunglasses. Optometrist Sao Tyler said if any parent had “any issues or worries”, they should have their children’s eyes tested as there were “no referrals needed” for these conditions. “There’re some kids that come in and they haven’t needed glasses and they just need some advice about more outdoor time and cutting down on electronics,” she said. “There’re other kids that need to start wearing glasses, otherwise they’ll fall behind.”

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Book an appointment with us to make sure they don’t miss a thing. 98 Maude St Shepparton | 5821 2811 www.hilleyecare.com kids now. | AUTUMN 11

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STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY: GEORGIA ROSSITER

Borrow, play, repeat Toys galore: The Cubby has about 1000 toys available to hire for a two-week period.

THE CUBBY TOY LIBRARY HAS BEEN KEEPING SHEPPARTON’S CHILDREN ENTERTAINED WITH TOYS AND GAMES FOR 30 YEARS, AND IS STILL GOING STRONG.

Imagine you are six years old and visiting a toy store with your parents.

Virginia has been involved in the toy library for 10 years, and her kids have loved every second of it.

“The Cubby Toy Library is so amazing,” Cubby member Hui-Wei Lee said.

But instead of your mum telling you to choose just one of the many puzzles, teddies, games and gadgets on offer, she says you can choose as many as eight.

“My youngest is now five, nearly six and about to go to school but he’s reluctant for us not to be members,” she said.

“The families are very friendly and my daughter loves to go there.”

And in a fortnight, you can come back and swap them for eight others. That’s the idea behind the Cubby Toy Library in Shepparton. “There’s about 1000 toys or more in the collection,” committee member Virginia Campbell said. “Families pay an annual membership fee and they can then borrow eight toys at a time, bring them back and choose something else.” Entirely run by volunteer parents, the Cubby is celebrating 30 years since it first opened in 1982 and has consistently attracted families looking to avoid the build-up of unused toys since. “You can rotate around a really wide range of toys,” Virginia said. “It means you don’t have to store them all at home and you can keep the kids interested.”

Family fun: Rachel Rath with sons Charlie, 4, (left) and Louis, 18 months.

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“He doesn’t like the idea that we couldn’t go.” The Cubby doesn’t just stock the regular toys available from Kmart and Target, either. Ride-on mini tractors, diggers and cars, as well expensive magnetic building sets and party games can also be loaned out. “The collection ranges from baby toys to quite large ride-ons to costumes, imaginative play items, wooden blocks and construction toys,” Virginia said. Virginia speaks from her own love of toy libraries, not just her kids’ enthusiasm. “I went to a toy library a little bit when I was a kid and I just remember that it was incredibly exciting. “To walk into a room full of toys and pick what you want to take home.” Other member families feel the same.

Catherine Whitford said her boys always enjoy the bigger toys like the Little Tikes cars and kitchen sets. “It’s like Christmas every time we bring new toys home,” she said. “The best part is we get new ones every fortnight to keep them fresh and exciting.” A yearly family membership is $60, which includes just eight hours of duty to mind the library. There’s also a discounted rate for grandparents who use the library a little less than parents. The Cubby Toy Library is open every Saturday morning from 10 am to noon, on the first and third Wednesday of every month from 10 am to noon, and Wednesday evenings from 7 pm to 8 pm. For more information, email sheppartontoylibrary@gmail.com

Ride-on fun: The Cubby has dozens of ride-on toys for loan.

TECH

Digital age: More classrooms are including apps in their learning tools.

Happy boy: Kids using technology in their learning.

STORY: GIANNI FRANCIS

An appetite for learning DON’T BE TOO QUICK TO DISMISS APPS AS TIME-WASTING GAMES. EDUCATIONAL APPS ARE HELPING CHILDREN IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM. Say what you will about square eyes — smartphones and tablets can be fantastic educational and entertainment devices for children and young people. “Educational apps can have a profound impact on both teaching and learning when used for a specific purpose,” Shepparton Christian College Year 6 teacher Bryan Stone said. “If you can think of a need in education, there is most likely an app that can assist in that area.” A favourite of his is a free app called ShowMe. The ShowMe iPad app lets students and teachers create lessons using a whiteboard, which are recorded for kids to review at home. “In class my Grade 6s have been working on twodigit by two-digit multiplication,” Bryan said. “To culminate the topic I’ll have students create a video not only answering a question but explaining step-by-step what they are doing. “Students can draw on a whiteboard and simultaneously record their voices. “Not only do students enjoy making videos, it helps develop and demonstrate the understandings.”

Another favourite is Multiflow, that helps gamify the learning of multiplication tables. “It is very customisable and its extreme levels are super challenging, even for teachers,” Bryan said. “On the App Store it is $7.99 but very often goes on sale and can be bought cheaper or for free.” Augmented Reality has been around for a little while and hopefully one day will be embedded into our classrooms, Bryan said. “Aurasma is an app that allows students and teachers to bring worksheets and posters to life. “Creating an aura and scanning it, just like we do with QR codes, it will begin to play a video on the paper.” This could be graphics overlaying on a worksheet, bringing it to life and making traditionally boring staples of the classroom interactive and engaging. One of the most dreaded classroom projects is the oral presentation. But Bryan has been making this more enjoyable for his students with Tellagami Animate Your Life, an app where students can create a presentation using an avatar animation.

“It is a creative way to allow students who struggle with oral presentations to share their learnings.” Abstract mathematical concepts can be hard for some kids to get their heads around, which is why Bryan uses Skitch, an app where you can take a photo and then annotate it. “It is a great way to make notes on a piece of writing. A way to look at angles by taking photos around the school and then measuring angles.” These are just a few of the apps Bryan uses in the classroom, and he is always excited to try new things to improve the quality of education for his students. “These tools are changing and improving so quickly that there is always something new and exciting out there to try. “I do some work with Microsoft, and like many other companies, they have whole departments dedicated to creating and improving educational tools. “I do love using technology and having students utilise it in their learning. “Saying this, there is nothing better than sitting down with an old-school paper book!”

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S HOPPI NG

Forest by Jess Racklyeft It’s your first nature storybook for children. It’s rhyming text, great to read aloud and has the most stunning watercolour illustrations as well.

So she gets an opportunity to travel back in time and ends up in Australia in 1898. Then it’s about how Ming can change the world for girls like her in later generations.

Age: Nought to five.

Age: 10 and up.

Northwind by Gary Paulsen

Seven Wherewithal Way by Samantha-Ellen Bound

It’s about a young boy who lives in a fishing village and a boat comes and brings a plague with it, which takes out a lot of the people he lives with. He has to set out on an adventure to find a new place to live.

Crack open a good book COLLINS BOOKSELLERS SHEPPARTON’S HELEN SOFRA SUGGEST SIX BOOKS FOR KIDS TO GET STUCK INTO OVER THE HOLIDAYS.

Age: Nine and up Milo Finds $105 by Matt Stanton Milo catches this $105 note and then thinks this is going to be great. But the more it goes along, the more trouble it gets him into, and he starts asking “is this money really worth it?”. Age: Eight and up Ming and Flo Fight for the Future by Jackie French This is about a girl called Ming, who’s living in modern-day Australia. Ming thinks girls have been been a big part of history — but all the history books she reads have no women in them.

This one is a bit of escapism, and is about a young girl. who goes on an adventure to an alternate world with her cousin Fred. Age: 10 and up. A Universe of Wishes, anthology edited by Dhonielle Clayton This is a collection of 15 award-winning short stories by some of the best fantasy and gothic authors. The stories are diverse. There’s a princess without the need for a prince; a monster that’s been long misunderstood; memories that vanished with a spell; and voices that refused to stay silent. So it’s just a bit of everything and if you just want a short holiday read, it’s good for that. Age: Young adult.

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STORY: MAX STAINKAMPH. PHOTOGRAPHY: MARK ROPER

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For the love of Lego EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE LEGO MASTER, THE BRICKMAN, IS SHARING HIS IDEAS WITH OTHER LEGO FANS IN THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE PLASTIC BRICKS. Many kids never want to stop playing with Lego. If you went to Mooroopna decades ago and asked Ryan McNaught what he wanted to do when he grew up, he might have said “play with Lego”. The difference between Ryan and most other kids is that he managed to do it. And he has now written the ultimate A-Z guide to Lego, called The Bricktionary. The book helps inspire ingenious ideas for your next build and is an indispensable tool for the avid Lego-er. Putting the book together involved a lot of time spent on hands and knees in piles of Lego, and is The Brickman’s second book. “When we were working on the first book we realised we had a billion ideas which didn’t make it, so so we realised we needed another one,” Ryan said. “It’s a privilege to be able to do it, there’s no doubt.

“When you’re a kid and dream of being an astronaut or a pilot or playing with Lego for a living, it’s all very much the same realm of impossibility.” He said the book was designed for anyone, no matter how big or small their Lego collection was, with pages like the UFO page asking readers to include a driver, figure out what makes it go — “is it propelled by a jet engine or a flying robot llama?” — and by challenging people to make it look like it’s flying. Ryan said assembling the ideas wasn’t easy — although it was enjoyable. “It took a long time to write, it was a lot of fun and at times we found ourselves playing with it and not doing the work we should have been,” he said, laughing. “We were often catching ourselves going ‘how cool is this?’. “We wanted to capture what it was like having a million ideas and it’s not just giving people ideas

In brick heaven: Author and Lego master Ryan McNaught. but it’s also the process of how to come up with those ideas.” Ryan said the idea of the book was to get people creating and thinking about ideas. “Hopefully kids reading this are inspired to find their own thing. “It takes a while to develop that ideas part of your brain but once you do you can’t not see ideas everywhere.” The Bricktionary is out on March 29 in all good book stores, and you can pre-order your copy now. It’s published by Murdoch Books, RRP $39.99. Head to www.thebrickman.com/shop/ for more information.

Keeping our families safe, healthy and active While we have been thrown from our daily routines over the past two years due to keeping our families safe from COVID-19, there are still plenty of ways to stay active and healthy. Sport is important to children’s development and overall wellbeing but so is spending time exercising keeping our families safe, healthy and active whether it is throwing a

frisbee in the park, swimming in the local pool, or taking a bike ride in the Dookie Hills. Holiday plans this year can be simple. We are lucky to live in a stunning part of Victoria where we have plenty of opportunities to exercise outdoors and enjoy our beautiful region. Let’s get out in the fresh air and have fun.

Suzanna Sheed MP Sheed MP Suzanna

INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR SHEPPARTON DISTRICT INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR SHEPPARTON DISTRICT

Phone: (03) 5831 6944 Phone: (03) 5831 6944 www.suzannasheed.com.au www.suzannasheed.com.au @SheedSuzanna @SuzannaSheed @SheedSuzanna

@SuzannaSheed

Funded from Parliamentary Budget. Authorised by:Parliamentary Suzanna Sheed, 5 Vaughan St, Shepparton VICSheed, 3630. 5 Vaughan St, Shepparton VIC 3630. Funded from Budget. Authorised by: Suzanna kids now. | AUTUMN 15

STORY: CAITLYN GRANT

PHOTOGRAPHY: MEGAN FISHER

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Move over Michelangelo A PINT-SIZED PAINTER IS DEVELOPING HIS NATURAL GIFTS IN A HOME THAT NURTURES A LOVE OF ART AND MUSIC. Lining Milo Rose’s family home is a myriad of paintings with precise brush strokes and calculated colour schemes. It’s an artistry many spend lifetimes perfecting. But rather than a weathered painter behind the brush, Milo is only six years old. The Murchison-based little artist works with a range of creative elements, from sculptures and printworks to large-scale paintings, some even bigger than him. “I don’t really have a favourite or a way I do them, I pretty much like all of them,” he said. “Usually I wait for the layers to dry then sort of just go from there.” Many of his paintings involve blending and layering tones into one another, his favourite to work with being a pinky-red colour. With his seven-year-old brother Errol, they both also dabble in creating ink prints. Milo’s works feature floral cut outs and carefully selected headings, many inspired by everyday life around him. “This one we saw a snake with a can on its head and I thought, ‘hey that could be something’,” he said. The art piece has the ink printed image headed by a title of ‘no littering’, watermarked with a little ‘MR’ signature. Milo and Errol take part in ‘unschooling’, a curriculum of homeschooling based around children discovering themselves and the world around them by following their interests. Together the boys have explored passions in avenues of art and music, with Milo also taking a specific liking to maths. Their mother Bonnie Weidenbach has a history in art, having studied printmaking, and the kids have had a chance to try a range of different mediums. “I’ve always painted with the kids but Milo just really loves it; he just knows what he wants things to do and to look like, he’s got a lot of big ideas,” Bonnie said. “He has probably painted more than me at this point.” More than 100 paintings on canvases, paper and the like have been created in Milo’s studio space, a desk filled with the makings of an artist well beyond his years, holding acrylics and oil paints. But for Milo, it is not so much about perfecting his work or even having too much guidance — he does things on his own accord. “He’s got a good vision, I think that’s his secret,” Milo’s dad Luke Lewis said. While his artworks are not for sale as yet — when questioned Milo has jokingly requested the humble price of half-a-million to a million dollars — but his work will be exhibited as part of the Shepparton Festival.

16 kids now. | AUTUMN

LI F E S T Y LE

All together: Mitchell Sanderson and Rylee Alderton with their children Noah, 5, Eadie, 3, and Ellidy, three months.

STORY: CAITLYN GRANT. PHOTOGRAPHY: LOVE BY LOU

Taking every day as it comes MOTHERHOOD IS A TOUGH GIG — BALANCING YOUR CHILDREN’S NEEDS WITH WORK AND OTHER COMMITMENTS. NOT TO MENTION SOCIETY’S PRESSURE TO BE A ‘GOOD MOTHER’. KIDS NOW TALKED TO ONE MUM WHO TRIES TO MAKE THE BEST OF EVERY DAY. Nagambie’s Rylee Alderton began motherhood with a shock. At 19, Rylee said she was still a baby herself. Now with three children and six years of sleepless nights, negotiating with toddlers and countless nappies, she wouldn’t change it for the world. Each day brings a new challenge for Rylee and her partner Mitchell Sanderson, caring for their little ones Noah, 5, Eadie, 3, and three-month-old Ellidy. “An average day in our life is busy, the days tend to go very quickly,” Rylee said with a laugh. “If I could give another mother a piece of advice it would be to take every day as it comes, each day is different.

and also welcoming a newborn into the mix. “We try to get the kids out of bed by 7.30 am at the latest, this is generally followed by a daily discussion on what everyone wants for breakfast because of course, what they had yesterday they won’t want today,” Rylee said. “In the shower the kids go, I get out all their school/kinder uniforms and sit it on their beds so they can dress themselves and brush their teeth. “Noah will read his reader before heading into the car and if we have a bit of spare time, he’ll usually play with his dogs outside or will have a hit of tennis — he’s a goer.”

“It is exhausting, exciting and your heart will explode daily, but remember that your best is good enough.”

The day unfolds with the school and kinder drop-offs, with Noah still in the transition phase of starting his first year of school.

The juggling act for Rylee and Mitchell starts with having three kids at different ages: one transitioning into school, another in kinder

But only time will tell if the transition is trickier for Rylee than it is for young Noah.

Newborn: Rylee with baby Ellidy.

LI F E S T Y LE

Family time: Eadie, Mitchell, Rylee and Noah.

“I still cannot believe he’s old enough to be going to school; it was only yesterday he was just a baby,” she said. Following the drop-off whirlwind, Rylee’s next step is to head home to the “morning chaos” where she tidies up, pops on a load of washing and spends some time alone with baby Ellidy, making the most of the days they have to themselves. Among all the chaos of everyday life, Rylee and Mitchell have been running their own business, Sanderson Landscaping, for five years. Together they make a dynamic duo — Rylee covering the communications and admin side of things and Mitch, the man-of-all-trades, on the tools. “Noah takes after his dad, he loves getting on the tools,” Rylee said with a laugh. “It is hard work but we manage. In between kids’ naps and once they go to bed that’s when I do the plant orders, pay bills and speak with clients. When they’re awake I have no chance of doing any of it.”

washing done, exercising — the whole lot,” Rylee said. “This rarely happens — well for me, anyway. “Being a good mum looks different to everyone. To me a ‘good mum’ is trying and never giving up. “The expectations of being a mother are high but just enjoy your baby as they are in the moment.”

Almost as quickly as drop-off ends, pick-up begins. “We leave the house at 2.50 pm to get Eadie from kinder at 3 pm and by that time it’s 3.30 pm and Noah’s ready to be collected from school,” she said.

All smiles: Eadie, Rylee, Ellidy and Noah.

“We usually get home, go for a bike ride, read the school reader, dinner time, bath time then a book before bed.” While the average day for Rylee looks much like the above, she admits some are easier than others. As many mothers would understand, the newborn phase is one filled with endless cuddles, love and of course, the unique newbaby scent. But beyond that, especially with other young children, it requires adjustments, patience and often just trying to keep sane. “The biggest misconception of being a mum is society making us feel like a ‘good mother’ knows how to balance everything in their life — a clean house, happy kids, home-made dinner, all

18 kids now. | AUTUMN

On the tools: Noah following in his dad’s footsteps.

Never a dull moment: Eadie, Rylee, Noah and Mitchell.

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MANSFIELD ZOO Home to Victoria’s only White Lions! Visit our meerkats, four different kinds of monkeys, alligator, bison, dingos, deer and many other animals and birds. Wander with deer and kangaroos in a park like setting in the foothills of Mt Buller, feeding many animals as you explore. Visitors can feed, deer, kangaroos, camels and llama 1064 Mansfield Woods Point Rd, Mansfield • 03 5777 3576 www.mansfieldzoo.com.au • info@mansfieldzoo.com.au

STORY: YOUSSEF SAUDIE

AC T I V I T Y

Family times get out and have some fun

playing around SH E PPA RT ON Lions Park Playground, Lions Court, Shepparton.

Water

C OBR A M

Mivo Park and Playground, Punt Rd, Cobram.

MO ORO OPNA Apex Park Playground, High St, Echuca.

MO ORO OPNA

KidsTown adventure playground, Midland Hwy (Peter Ross-Edwards Causeway), Mooroopna.

Water

20 kids now. | AUTUMN

AC T I V I T Y

k a e r b a e tak K I A LLA

Whether it’s camping out under the stars or staying in a cabin, Shepparton’s Big 4 has what you want. This getaway has plenty of activities for the kids, including a tyre maze, games room, jumping pillow, pedal go-karts, table tennis, playground and a swimming pool. You’ll find it at 7835 Goulburn Valley Hwy, Kialla. Find out more: www.big4.com.au/caravan-parks/vic/murray/shepparton-park-lane-holiday-park

MOA M A

Tasman Holiday Parks - Moama on the Murray is jam-packed with activities for the kids, as well as giving the adults a chance to kick back and relax. Activities include the Squiggles Play House where there are playgrounds, table tennis and air hockey. There’s also a water park for the younger kids to have a splash, plus mini-golf, a ninja course and a pump bike track. In the off-peak season, these facilities can be open to the general public. This holiday park is at 69 Dungula Way, Moama, NSW. Find out more: tasmanholidayparks.com/au/caravan-parks/ moama-on-the-murray

E C H UC A

Sail and dine with the family on a boat cruise with MV Mary Ann. You can book for dinners and cafe cruises, with the trip lasting from 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on the session. They’ve got everything from three-course meals to a menu for the kids.

family treats

You’ll find the MV Mary Ann at Riverboat Dock, Watson St, Echuca. Find out more: www.maryann.com.au/

SH E PPA RT ON

Degani Shepparton is open seven days a week, from 7 am to 8 pm weekdays and 8 am to 8 pm on the weekend. There is indoor and outdoor seating with a playground to keep the kids busy. It’s in Riverside Plaza, Goulburn Valley Hwy, Kialla, and is wheelchair and pram accessible. Find out more: www.riversideplazashepparton.com.au/ degani-cafe-restaurant/

kids now. | AUTUMN 21

AC T I V I T Y

STORY: GIANNI FRANCIS PHOTOGRAPHY: KYABRAM FAUNA PARK

Talk to the animals GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH NATIVE AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE AT ONE OF OUR REGION’S MOST FAMILY FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS. The Kyabram Fauna Park has spent the past few years working to provide a better experience for visitors.

and have had 92 animals born in the past two years, so there were plenty of juvenile animals to visit.

It’s the perfect destination for families, where kids can see more than 600 native Australian animals including koalas, kangaroos, emus, dingoes, cassowaries, echidnas, flying foxes, wombats, wallabies, quolls, snakes, lizards, crocodiles, turtles, native birds and more.

There are plenty of opportunities to get up close to Australian native wildlife. Kids can feed kangaroos, wallabies and emus in the freeranging section of the park, with food pellets available to buy at reception upon arrival.

Park manager Lachlan Gordon said they had acquired 56 species over the past three years,

And if you stand still in the aviaries for long enough, the native birds in the enclosures will land on you — especially if you have food for

Active Kids Love Libraries! RUN – into the library to grab a good book JUMP – into coding with Busy Code – online LEAP – into learning with World Book Online BOUNCE – back to Rhyme & Story Time PLAY – during holidays with our activities.

FREE membership www.gvlibraries.com.au call 1300 374 765 Your libraries are located in Mooroopna, Shepparton, Tatura, Cobram, Numurkah, Nathalia, Yarrawonga, Euroa, Nagambie, Violet Town and a Mobile Library service. 22 kids now. | AUTUMN

Have you visited Victoria’s big fruit icon?

them. However, some cheeky birds are known for being a little too friendly!

What can your family do at the Big Strawberry?

A notorious feathered resident of Kyabram Fauna Park is still around and is as mischievous than ever. Naughty Cocky has been knocking about for more than 60 years, and in that time she has caused some chaos.

• Dine on our menu of light snacks, meals & strawberry desserts • Take a photo with our Big Strawberry • Play on the indoor playground • Taste our table & fortified wines • Enjoy homemade ice creams • Pick strawberries in our strawberry patch (seasonal) • Purchase our range of strawberry products, gifts & souvenirs • Peruse our Mancave Memorabilia & History Rooms

“She’ll basically come down and fly into your lap, and if you’ve got a handbag sh’ll go through it and pull everything out,” Lachlan said. Kids can also enjoy unique experiences with cassowaries, dingoes and koalas by taking part in wildlife encounters, where they join a behind-the-scenes tour, hear educational talks from qualified keepers and have a unique experience with some beautiful animals. Come face-to-face with the world’s most dangerous birds during a Cassowary Encounter. You’ll be able to hand-feed these modern-day dinosaurs a fruity feast and witness their power up close in this breathtaking encounter. You can join gorgeous Alpine dingoes Dipa and Yula and their keepers on one of their daily walks through the park in the Dingo Encounter. You can meet the iconic koala at the Koala Encounter, which includes opportunities to feed and pat this marvellous marsupial. You’ll get a tour of all the koala enclosures and see the cuddly koalas up close, Lachlan said. Each encounter runs for about 20 minutes and costs $30 per person. Bookings are essential and can be made at reception, by calling 5852 2883 or emailing enquiries@ kyabramfaunapark.com.au

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Join the fun at T he Kyabram Fauna Park ER & SCHOOL HOLIDAY S EAST

Get up close to our wonderful wildlife

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Get up close to nature at the Kyabram Fauna Park – home to more than 600 native Australian animals set on 55 hectares of open woodland, wetlands and lakes. DAILY WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS – Go behind-the-scenes with our keepers to interact with cassowaries, dingoes, or koalas – $30pp ZOOKEEPER FOR A DAY PROGRAM – AMAZING EXPERIENCE! Guided by our qualified zookeepers you will get to enjoy all the unique experiences of being a zookeeper at the Kyabram Fauna Park. For Children aged 8-12 years - $70 per child.

CREATURES OF THE NIGHT TOURS – SEASONAL Discover and learn all the adventures that our creatures of the night get up to. Adults $60 – Children $30

Dig In Café open from 10am – 3pm

Miniature Train runs from 10am - 2pm

FREE DAILY ANIMAL INTERACTIONS – Pat a reptile and have the opportunity to feed the array of animals in the park. Animal food available at reception $2 per bag

Fun for the whole family! Open everyday 10am – 5pm

75 Lake Road, Kyabram P. 5852 2883 www.kyabramfaunapark.com.au

Entry is a gold coin donation.

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KidsTown is proudly provided by Greater Shepparton City Council

kids now. | AUTUMN 23

H EA LT H

STORY: ANNA MCGUINNESS. PHOTOGRAPHY: ANNA MCGUINNESS.

You are what you eat THE IMPORTANCE OF FOOD CAN’T BE OVERSTATED WHEN IT COMES TO A CHILD’S HEALTH, BOTH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL. Whether it’s mood, behaviour or learning, Shepparton naturopath Phillip Chua says food can make all the difference to children. When it comes to an overall philosophy for healthy eating habits for children, Phillip said to aim for “less out of a packet and more fresh food”. “When we process and manufacture food for a longer shelf life we lose a lot of the nutrient benefit and we lose a lot of the stability and the intuitiveness of what nature put into the food,” he said.

Eating tips: Naturopath Phillip Chua says more fresh food rather than food out of a packet is a good healthy eating philosophy.

“Yes, it might take more time to prepare tangibly, because people count every minute they’re in the kitchen, but they don’t count the amount of time they spend at doctors and specialists fixing the problems eating the wrong foods can create.” Phillip said the benefit for parents taking the time to prepare fresh food was a “more grounded, well-balanced, emotionally resilient child”.

approach for the child, but re-educating families how and what to cook. “It’s one of the skills you give to kids that they enjoy for the rest of their life.” For some children, meal times can be trickier — with food intolerances or allergies to consider. Phillip said on top of testing for those foods that don’t agree with your child, healing and repairing with what food they do and don’t eat can help get the tummy back on track. “Mental fog is a common term that can come across as learning disabilities, troubles with mood and concentration … and comes predominantly from a tummy that’s not functioning well. “A lot of parents aren’t aware how much impact the food they feed their kids makes.” For more information, contact Phillip Chua at philthenaturopath@gmail.com or phone 5831 2934.

His focus is not just on a treatment

Wendy LOVELL MP LIBERAL MEMBER FOR NORTHERN VICTORIA REGION

Junior sport gives kids the opportunity to get active, play fair, make friends and have fun! Thank you to all the volunteers who make it possible.

STAY UP TO DATE AND FOLLOW ME WendyLovellMP ON FACEBOOK Authorised by Wendy Lovell MP, 222 24 kids now. | AUTUMN

222 Wyndham Street, Shepparton VIC 3630 03 5821 6668

Wendy.Lovell

wendy.lovell@parliament.vic.gov.au Wyndham Street, Shepparton VIC 3630. Funded from Parliamentary Budget.

STORY: CAITLYN GRANT

SP ORT

Clearing the hurdles FAMILIES AND SPORTING CLUBS HAVE SOMEWHERE TO TURN TO WHEN THEY NEED HELP GETTING CHILDREN INVOLVED IN LOCAL SPORTS. Valley Sport wants to help young sporting stars reach their full potential. With a focus on developing healthy and active communities, Valley Sport encompasses seven local government areas across the Goulburn Valley and beyond. Under the Get Active Victoria’s ‘Get Active Kids’ voucher program, 100,000 vouchers of up to $200 are available to eligible Victorian children, families and youth to assist in covering the costs of sports club membership and registration fees. Valley Sport executive oﬃcer David Quinn said the Get Active Kids program had recently changed to become more accessible to families across the state.

“It’s changed from a reimbursement model in which you had to pay up front and then be reimbursed by the government,” David said.

“If people, clubs or associations want any help so they can get ready to be a registered activity provider, they can contact us,” he said.

The change is now a true voucher system in which the provider, being the club or association, registers themselves on a portal and then those who want to participate select the provider as the one who will be paid through the program.

“We can support them to be ready to accept new members.”

Eligibility criteria applies for both the parent and legal guardian body, along with the child who must be 18 or younger. David encouraged anyone interested, or those who needed assistance with the program or club support, to get in touch.

GET ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHER PROGRAM IS CHANGING! WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR LOCAL SPORTING CLUBS? Sporting Clubs now need to register to become a Get Active Kids Activity Provider.

Many services provided by Valley Sport are free, including assistance with applying for grants, participation strategies, mental health workshops and more. Further information on the Get Active Kids vouchers is available through: www.getactive.vic. gov.au/vouchers/ To speak with the team at Valley Sport, phone 5831 8456 or visit: www.valleysport.net.au

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR FAMILIES? From March 21st the Get Active Kids Voucher Program is moving to a true voucher model. That means families no longer have to incur any up-front expenses in order to claim a voucher!

It's FREE to register and could provide your club with new members. By registering you will be able to accept vouchers of up to $200 to support families facing financial barriers to pay for sporting memberships and participation costs.

Eligible families will now apply for a voucher, then receive their unique code for their child. When they register or pay their membership fee, their sporting club will register the code. The cost will then be taken off the registration and/or membership fee up to the value of $200.

To find out more information and to register just scan the QR code. If you need further assistance with the Get Active Kids Voucher Program please contact Valley Sport.

If your local sporting club is not a registered Get Active Kids Activity Provider please encourage them to do so, or contact Valley Sport for further assistance. (03) 5831 8456 clubsupport@valleysport.net.au www.valleysport.net.au kids now. | AUTUMN 25

SP ORT

STORY: NICOLA CECCATO. PHOTOGRAPHY: MEGAN FISHER.

Dancing to a different beat THERE’S MORE TO DANCE CLASSES THAN CLASSICAL PIROUETTES AND JAZZ HANDS. NOW YOU CAN TRY CIRCUS DANCING. Total Ballet is off and running this year with classes for all ages and skills, while shaking it up with a new dance style. It is the first dance school in Shepparton to offer dance cirque after receiving training from Dance Cirque Australia, and is currently in the second year of running it. Total Ballet principal Megan Lloyd said she was always looking for ways to accommodate the various needs and personalities of the school’s dancers, which was why she started dance cirque classes. “It’s a popular class. We decided to offer the kids in the area something different,” Megan said. “We found that a lot of kids enjoyed jazz classes

and we wanted to do something fun and upbeat for them.” The class teaches students circus dancing, which incorporates a variety of talents including aerial skills like silks and lyra hoops, juggling, hula hoops and basic tumbling skills. No matter what the class, Megan drives the dance school with a passion for children having fun and doing their best. “We like to run our classes on the emphasis of fun instead of being perfect,” she said. “It’s about letting the kids gain confidence and feel comfortable. As much as I love learning the skills and getting things right, I want the kids to enjoy it first.

We offer a broad range of classes to suit

all ages!

“Our doors are open to students all the time. They are more than welcome to try a class and see if it suits them. “We are very welcoming and we just want kids to learn dance skills and have fun.” Total Ballet offers a range of classes, including kinder dance, classical ballet, contemporary, tap, jazz/hip hop, pre-school aerobatics and flexibility classes. For more information or to enrol your child in a Total Ballet class, go online to www.totalballet.com.au or email totalballet@bigpond.com or phone 0407 221 106.

Kinder Dance A ballet orientated class focusing on basic technique and free movement. Used to introduce the basics of ballet while using imagination and imagery. Classes run for 30 minutes for both girls and boys aged 3+.

Classical Ballet Technique classes are taught using the ACB (Russian) syllabi, RAD or ATOD. Classical ballet offers discipline, helps with co-ordination, musicality, strength, flexibility, poise and confidence. Classes for students aged 5+. Exams are available for students but are not compulsory.

Contemporary Style of expressive dance that combines elements of ballet, modern dance, jazz, lyrical and free movement. These classes are offered to senior students.

Jazz/Hip Hop Dance routine to various pop/rock/ swing music including current radio hits, it is a lot faster moving then ballet. Classes are run for students from 5 years old to adults.

Principal: Megan Lloyd 0401 963 344 Website: www.totalballet.net Email: totalballet@bigpond.com

26 kids now. | AUTUMN

Dance Cirque + Little Monkeys Skill based class focusing on Arial, Acrobatics and Juggling. Students progress through levels on Aerial Hoops (Lyra and Skills as well as tumbling. It focuses on strength, control and flexibility. All completed under the guidance of our fully trained staff. Ages 6+. Little Monkeys is our pre-school class and focus’ on developing the fundamentals used in Dance Cirque.

FlexAbility This class focuses on developing one’s level of flexibility and stretching. This helps with strength and participation in other dance classes. This class is for 11+.

Adult Ballet and DanceFit We offer classes for Adults of all levels in RAD and Ballet Fit. The emphasis is on enjoyment and the classes are designed for participants to work at their own level within the group.

TumbleTown This is a levels based acrobatics class for Pre-schoolers. It focuses on co-ordination and motor skills in a fun environment.

STORY: GIANNI FRANCIS. PHOTOGRAPHY: MEGAN FISHER.

SP ORT

Punching above their weight IN ONE MOOROOPNA GYM, BOXING IS TEACHING CHILDREN FITNESS AND SELF-CONFIDENCE. Zedda Harrington is the third generation boxer in his family, and was a competing professional boxer until a knee injury took him out of the ring. Now he uses his passion and experience to coach and train the next generation of fighters at GV Boxing Academy in Mooroopna. The Harringtons’ boxing academy started out in the garage of their family home, and rapidly grew so much that they had to move into larger premises. They’re providing a safe and inclusive environment for kids to develop their fitness and confidence through martial arts. “It helps confidence, general fitness and mental health. It keeps them off their video games and keeps them active,” Helena Harrington said. It goes beyond physical training, however — the academy builds character in the young students

BUILDING POSITIVE FUTURES $10 per sesssion. Family rates available.

who are still finding their place in the world. It’s always a worry for parents that their children will be bullied at school, and Helena said learning boxing was a great way to give kids the confidence to stand up for themselves, and deal with confrontation with courage. GV Boxing Academy has created a real family environment that promotes community and inclusion in the gym. It’s a great opportunity for kids to socialise and make new friends. “We treat everyone the same as we treat our family,” Helena said. All members support each other, and it’s not uncommon for older members to drive younger ones to events to support them in their competitions. The Harringtons said discipline, respect and

accountability were the values instilled in students at the academy — giving kids the ability to protect themselves, and not be afraid. The lessons they take away from the academy give the next generation the strength they need to be strong leaders in the community. “What we want is a stronger community,” Helena said.

• Peewee Classes • Youth Classes • Fitness Classes • Competition • Personal Training • Group Sessions Contact us for more information on classes. Mention this add to recieve 10% off when booking a whole school term for 2022

Phone (03) 5899 9190 | 9 Mill Street, Mooroopna | Find us on kids now. | AUTUMN 27

SP ORT

Mooroopna Football Netball Club is primed for what is hopefully a full season of action in 2022. “The club has worked really hard after two intermittent years to really strengthen our junior program,” Mooroopna FNC president Bill Dowling said.

A team effort: Mooroopna’s junior program has plenty of support.

Mooroopna ready to purr JUNIOR FOOTBALL AND NETBALL PLAYERS CAN PULL ON THE NAVY AND WHITE STRIPES WITH THE CATS THIS SEASON, AND FOR MANY MORE TO COME.

“Mick Betson has joined the board of the senior club as football director and one of his roles is to oversee our junior program,” It makes sense that Mick is in charge, as he is a former senior player, junior coach, SDJFL association president and umpire.

program from Auskick through to under-16s level.” Mooroopna’s junior program has not forgotten netball over the hiatus, either. Sharna Sibio, who has a long history in Goulburn Valley netball, heads up the in-house Cats academy program in conjunction with the club’s head netball coach Di Hanslow. While both Sharna and Di have a long history in senior level netball, they are also both passionate about introducing girls to netball, skill development and learning to love the game.

“We are very lucky that people with “If Sharna and Di can achieve a real Mooroopna football history that you hopefully have a at senior and junior level have put netballer for life,” Bill said. their hand up help,” Bill said. “Nick Gugliotti, Jamie Madgwick, “We always have space and room for more junior netballers Dale Osborne, Tim Loughran and footballers.” and Jeff Vandermeer are some of the experienced Cats people that are involved in our junior

Check out the club at: mooroopnafnc.com.au

MOOROOPNA FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB

COME JOIN IN THE FUN AT THE CATTERY Mooroopna Football Netball Club is a great environment whereby you can learn all about football and netball and have a great time doing it. Footballers can go all the way from Prep Auskick through to 9s, 11s, 13s, 15s, Youth Girls and 16s thru to the senior ranks, while the junior netballers can start at Net Set go through the grades to the GVL senior ranks as well. Great facilities that include FOUR football ovals and first class netball courts. Easy parking, plenty of seating areas and protection from the elements if needed. Check us out. For more information: www.mooroopnafnc.com.au 28 kids now. | AUTUMN

SP ORT

Hooking into hockey HOCKEY ACTION IS LOOMING LARGE ON THE HORIZON ONCE MORE — AND EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING ACROSS THE REGION.

McEwen Reserve’s unmissable expanses of ‘Smurf Turf’ have hosted plenty of big hockey matches over the years, but the most important clashes are those that happen every weekend.

The GVHA has introduced indoor hockey as a new offering and is currently running ‘come and try’ sessions on Monday nights at the Visy Community Centre through to the end of March.

Junior hockey games are the building blocks upon which the association stands, and once again plenty of time and effort is being put in behind the scenes to make them happen smoothly.

Plenty of Hookin2Hockey sessions with local school groups have also been hosted in the early stages of the year, helping introduce new players to the sport.

“Being able to see the kids go out there and have fun after the last couple of years of stop-start sport is really rewarding,” Goulburn Valley Hockey Association president Cameron Druitt said.

“It’s important to get kids into the sport who have never played before,” Cameron said.

“Building on participation at all levels is a huge part of the puzzle when it comes to regional sporting associations, and ours is no different.”

a local level, and prides itself on keeping fees as low as possible. And once players have the hang of the action, the sky is the limit — highlighted by the recent induction of association stalwarts Mathew Higgins and Connor Holland into the Greater Shepparton Sports Hall of Fame.

“We have lots of families who have been playing for generations, but kids who haven’t picked up a stick before love it just as much as those who have had one since they could walk.” The GVHA offers a safe pathway into the sport at

“The association can help with equipment to get kids started, and we feel we offer competitive fees when compared with other sports,” Cameron said. “Representative hockey, especially at the junior level, gives kids such a confidence boost and there’s plenty of opportunities to experience that across the season.”

WE WANT YOU! GV HOCKEY CLUBS ARE NOW RECRUITING AND WELCOMING NEW PLAYERS FOR THE UPCOMING 2022 WINTER SEASON!

Get in touch with a club today or contact GVHA for more information.

secretary@mooroopnahc.com @mpnahc

SheppStrikers@gmail.com @SheppStrikers

SYChockey@gmail.com @SYChockey

Juniors | Senior Women | Senior Men

EchucaMoamaHockey@gmail.com @EchucaMoamaHockeyClub

benallahockey@gmail.com @BenallaHockeyClub

EuroaHockeyClub@gmail.com @EuroaHockeyClub

Juniors | Senior Women | Senior Men

Juniors | Senior Women

Juniors | Senior Women | Senior Men

KyabramHockeyClub@gmail.com @KyabramHockeyClub Senior Women

For more n informatio HA contact GV

GVhockey  gv.hockey  GVhockey.com.au playhockey@gvhockey.com.au kids now. | AUTUMN 29

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Stay warm with sport THE WINTER SPORTS SEASON IS APPROACHING AND WITH IT SOME EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR KIDS AT SHEPPARTON SPORTS STADIUM.

BADMINTON

SKILL ZONE HOLIDAY PROGRAM

A winter exclusive for kids is the junior badminton program, which runs on Fridays from 4 pm during terms two and three. This fast-paced and exciting sport has multiple divisions for primary and secondary school ages.

Kids can make new friends and stay active during the school holidays with Skill Zone.

BASKETBALL

Shepparton Sports Stadium facility co‑ordinator Kyleigh Devine said the program usually runs on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of each school holiday.

This team sport runs all year round at the Shepparton Sports Stadium, thanks to the Greater Shepparton Basketball Association.

The program is a safe, inclusive and supportive environment that provides an opportunity for kids to get active and make new friends.

GSBA offers junior basketball from under-10s through to under-18s for boys and girls, with games played from Monday to Friday.

A big part of the program is bringing the community together and improving the health of its members.

Shepparton Sports Stadium also hosts Aussie Hoops, a Basketball Australia introductory program that provides a fun and inclusive basketball experience for five- to 10-year-olds. Aussie Hoops runs on Thursdays at 4 pm during school terms. NETBALL At Shepparton Sports Stadium kids can participate in the Aussie Net and junior stadium netball programs. Aussie Net is a netball coaching and development program for five- to seven-year-olds, introducing the basics of netball, and runs on Fridays from 4 pm during school terms. And kids can learn as they play with the junior stadium netball program, that helps five- to nineyear-olds develop their netball skills through playing games with the support of teaching umpires. It runs on Fridays from 4 pm during school terms.

REAP THE REWARDS

“It’s multi-sport, they just do a bit of everything,” Kyleigh said. CONTACT Shepparton Sports Stadium: Phone: 5832 9480 Email: stadium@shepparton.vic.gov.au Shepparton Badminton Association: Facebook: Shepparton Badminton Facebook Page or Shepparton Badminton Association Group. Website: www.shepbadminton.com Greater Shepparton Basketball Association: Phone: 5822 2923 Email: gm@gsba.com.au Website: www.gsba.com.au Facebook: Greater Shepparton Basketball Association & Shepparton Gators. Aussie Net and Junior Stadium Netball: Contact Kylie: 0419 998 190

SCHOOL REWARDS PROGRAM We are committed to supporting local schools and helping our community make the most of every dollar spent. Join us as we work TOGETHER towards building a community, where we empower our children, by supporting their growth and education. Encourage your school to join our School Rewards program by contacting The Athlete’s Foot Shepparton.

MYFIT 3D INSTORE FITTING TECHNOLOGY Our MyFit 3D system is designed to ensure that whatever activity you want to do, whatever age you are, you’re wearing the right shoes.

MYFIT REWARDS PROGRAM • Spend & Earn A $30 Voucher • Members Only Offers • Complimentary Waterproofing Service

We want kids to be happy, healthy and participating in local sport. Visit the EXPERTS IN FIT at

183 Maude St Mall Shepparton 30 kids now. | AUTUMN

STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY: ISABELLE HARRIS.

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Calisthenics takes centre stage TEAMWORK AND PERFORMANCE UNITE IN A UNIQUELY AUSTRALIAN SPORT THAT HAS LIFELONG BENEFITS. Many children might be involved in gymnastics or dance classes for the physical, mental and social benefits they bring. But calisthenics provides a unique style of performance that gives benefits children carry throughout their lives. Children perform between four and six different items such as apparatus, gymnastics style, ballet, song and dance, and marching. These elements are combined to create a stunning team display, which can be performed at competitions theatre-style with lights,

costumes, visual projections and props. Unlike dance or gymnastics, calisthenics requires all members of a team to work as a team to use skills and theatrics to tell a story in a competitive environment. Greater Valley Calisthenics coach Tahni Gook said the sport had performance at its heart and helped students develop into “strong, confident leaders” through friendship and teamwork. “Calisthenics inspires performers to take centre stage today and throughout their lives,” she said.

Tahni said the physical nature of the sport helped children develop cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, strength and power. “Its benefits, however, don’t just stop at physical, as there are so many traits of a calisthenics performer such as discipline, teamwork, confidence, grace and poise which they take through their lives even after they have finished their involvement.” Contact the club via the Greater Valley Calisthenics Facebook page, website www. greatervalleycalisthenics.com.au/home/ or email info@greatervalleycalisthenics.com.au

SING DANCE PERFORM In a fun, nurturing and inclusive environment, your child will develop skills Socially • Team work • Friendship • Motivation • Performing Emotionally • Confidence • Persistence • Creativity Physically • Strength • Flexibility • Dancing, Singing & Acting Skills

Suits boys and girls from age 3 Greater Valley Calisthenics Club Hall • 26 Packham Street, Shepparton info@greatervalleycalisthenics.com.au • www.greatervalleycalisthenics.com.au kids now. | AUTUMN 31

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Keystone Tennis head coach Luke Dixon — who operates out of Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club — offers tennis lessons for children as young as five, mostly in groups. “I try and put them in groups with their friends as best as we can, but for the most part they just come along and join in with other kids,” Luke said. “It’s a great atmosphere.” Each week, the classes focus on a different skill, before building up to matches by the end of the term.

STORY: GEORGIA ROSSITER.

And the club has enough grades so kids of all abilities and ages can play to their level.

Serving up some fun IT’S GAME, SET AND MATCH FOR THE ALL-INCLUSIVE SPORT OF TENNIS, SO GRAB A RACQUET AND HIT THE COURTS. Tennis is a sport that can be played year-round, as a single player or with a team.

Rodger Federer here, we just want as many people playing tennis as we can,” Jarrod said.

Which is why Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club vicepresident Jarrod Bingham wants as many kids as possible to sign up to play.

“Whether that’s playing competitions, having a lesson with Luke or whether that’s just coming down with friends or your parents and having a hit.”

“We don’t want the next Novak Djokovic or

“Whether your kid in in competitions or playing at a level which is suitable for them,” Jarrod said. “Some other sports, there might only be one football team or one cricket team. “But (in tennis), they’re out there in a grade which they’re suited to, in a team of people that they know, and they’re having a good day of tennis.” With a wide range of classes, competitions and social game times, Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club is always looking for new members. For more information, visit Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club’s Facebook page or phone the clubhouse on 5821 2843.

GET INTO Fun for the whole family Play & develop at every level.

• Juniors • Seniors • Ladies • Twilight • Tournaments • Social • Casual • Coaching

98TH EASTER

TOURNAMENT FRI 15TH — MON 18TH APRIL

OPEN SINGLES, DOUBLES & MIXED $6000 total prize money Entries Close 3rd April or when full.

Enter online at www.92computing.com.au/shepentry 196 Welsford Street, Shepparton | 03 5821 2843 https://play.tennis.com.au/sheppartonlawntennisclub 32 kids now. | AUTUMN

STORY: NICOLA CECCATO PHOTOGRAPHY: MEGAN FISHER

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Dance to be different THERE’S NO NEED FOR LITTLIES TO LEAP HEAD-FIRST INTO A DANCE STYLE THEY MAY NOT ENJOY. LET THEM HAVE A ‘TASTE’ OF DANCING AND MUSIC TO START THEM OFF. If you’re thinking about enrolling your child in a dance or music class but aren’t sure what they’d like, then ‘Ready Set Dance’ at UCANDANCE studio is worth a look. With a range of dance styles packed into a onehour class, kids are able to sample tap, jazz and hip hop, as well as music and singing. For those keen on the more graceful side of dancing, UCANDANCE also offers a ‘Ready Set Ballet’ program that goes for 30 minutes. UCANDANCE principal Aleisha Spence said the Ready Set Dance/Ballet tot programs were a great way for children to develop key skills. “It teaches the little kids independence,” Aleisha said. “It’s a really good stepping stone for confidence, coordination and creativity, which are the three things that we focus on a lot in the Ready Set Dance and Ready Set Ballet tots program.

“Building up their confidence allows them to be creative at that age, as well as learning basic coordination. It doesn’t really matter what they can do at that age, as long as they’re having fun.” The programs have been running at the studio for four years. The UCANDANCE studio will host a ‘taster day’ sometime before Term 2 to give kids and parents a feel for the class before committing to enrolment. UCANDANCE offers a wide range of classes for all ages including tap, jazz, hip hop, ballet, contemporary, acro, commercial, prep-4-pointe conditioning and singing. Aleisha said classes go beyond just learning to dance and were a way for children to connect and grow. “The best part is seeing the kids grow and seeing

what skills the student can get out of coming to dance. “It’s not always about becoming the best dancer and going on to pursue a professional career — it’s also about the friendships they make and the life skills they learn and what they do with that when they move on.” For more information or to enrol in a class, visit www.ucandance.com.au/ or call 0419 398 230 or email admin@ucdance.com.au

BALLET SINGING HIP HOP JAZZ TAP CONTEMPORARY ACRO At UCANDANCE we believe every dancer has boundless potential. See what DREAMS can emerge when you become a part of our Team. We have now celebrated 21 years of operation and look forward to welcoming new students to the home of our much loved Community and Dance family. At UCANDANCE our passion is to inspire and nurture the varying needs of students. We endeavour to produce a balance of technically trained dancers in a fun, passionate, inclusive and caring environment. At our fully equipped Maude St Mall Studio, we have an array of upbeat, on trend and fun Dance and singing classes for children of preschool, primary and secondary age, 2yrs and above. Head to our webpage for everything UCANDANCE www.ucandance.com.au BOOK A FREE trial by emailing admin@ucandance.com.au 0419 398 230 l 223A Maude Street Shepparton VIC 3630

kids now. | AUTUMN 33

SHEPPARTON BADMINTON ASSOCIATION INC

JUNIOR BADMINTON

Badminton is an exciting non-contact sport suitable for children of all ages. It is played indoors so is not weather effected and is Covid safe. Beginning and experienced players are catered for. When: Competition takes place in terms 2 and 3 of the school year on Friday nights from 4pm to 6-30pm. Registration and free practice before the Easter holidays. How Much: $70 covers all court hire, shuttle use and Badminton Victoria Registration for the season. Where: At the Shepparton Sports Stadium, Numurkah Road, Shepparton. Who: Primary students from 4pm to 5pm. Secondary students from 5pm to 6-30pm Teams: Make up your own team or we will find you a place in a team. Primary teams: 4 players. Secondary teams: 5 or 6 players Racquets: Yes; we can lend you a racquet. Further Information: Drop in for a come and try, practice or to register on Fridays the 1st and 8th of April (4pm-5.30pm) Junior Registration forms will be available for completion at the Stadium. This is the last opportunity to register. Teams will be organised over the school holidays for a season start on Friday April 29th. For further info phone John on 0428 367 791. Like us on Facebook. All SBA Junior organisers adhere to the SBA “Child Safe Policy” and have “Working with Children Checks”.

• Fun for all ages • Beginners or regular players • Casual or Competition • Coaching available Contact your nearest squash centre or check out our Facebook pages COUNTRY JUNIOR SQUASH SERIES 2022 CALENDAR DATE March 27th: April 24th: May 29th: June 26th: Jul 16-17th: August 7th: Sept 18th: Oct 8-9th:

EVENT Albury (CCA/ASRA) Junior Challenger Shepparton Junior Challenger Milawa / Myrtleford/ Bright Junior Challenger Wodonga Junior Silver Wagga Junior Challenger Numurkah Junior Challenger Yarrawonga / Corowa Junior Challenger Wodonga Junior Challenger

TOWN Albury Shepparton Myrtleford Wodonga Wagga Numurkah Yarrawonga / Corowa Wodonga

Inquiries: Kevin | Mob: 0434 252 215 | Email: sarneva@bigpond.com

Mob: 0408 752 453

Email: gvsquashclub@gmail.com

We’re for mums wanting ‘me time.’ Get strong, healthy, happy and connected.

Choose from a range of new affordable memberships, starting at $15 a week! We support our members wherever they may be on their fitness journey. Call us on 5832 9400 or pop into Aquamoves today and let us help you. JUST SOME AWESOME BENEFITS: • No joining fee and no lock-in contract. Cancel any time. • Memberships include free coaching sessions. • Unlimited suspension - so you won’t pay when you go on holiday. Visit www.aquamoves.com.au for more info.

Aquamoves is proudly provided by Greater Shepparton City Council.

Join the fun

Junior Basketball Enjoy the fun of an international team sport experienced by millions throughout the world! Shepparton Basketball Association has a long and proud history in providing domestic basketball competitions to our local community, along with opportunities throughout the year to further develop and enhance your skills.

Discover the sport or program for you at the

Competitions: Summer Season |

Winter Season

Junior Netball

Stadium!

The Aussie Net and Junior Stadium programs provide a fantastic introduction to juniors to the basics of netball, as well as skill development through the games. Program: All year

The Greater Shepparton Indoor Sports Facilities incorporate the Shepparton Sports Stadium and Tatura Community Activity Centre. Spend time exploring

Junior Badminton This fast paced and exciting sport has opportunities for Senior and Junior players wishing to take part in either competition or social activities! The Shepparton Badminton Association caters to all age groups and levels of expertise. Junior Badminton for 2022 will be commencing with practice, coaching and registration nights:

our website and we’re sure that you’ll find

Friday, April 1 - 4 - 5.30pm Friday, April 8 - 4 - 5.30pm Come and try for free!

a sport or activity to keep you healthy and

Competitions: March to September

enjoying life! Shepparton Stadium offers badminton,

Keep up to date on our Facebook page @SheppartonSportsStadium

Greater Shepparton Indoor Sports Facilities is proudly provided by Greater Shepparton City Council

basketball, table tennis, netball, indoor soccer, a range of junior programs including Aussie Hoops, Aussie Net and Junior Stadium Netball.

Shepparton Sports Stadium 120 Numurkah Road Shepparton Phone: (03) 5832 9480 | Email: stadium@shepparton.vic.gov.au

www.sheppstadiums.com.au

SHEPPARTON HOLIDAY PROGRAM Shepparton Sports Stadium Tue-Thur | 9am-3pm Packed lunch and drink bottle required Safe and active environment for children to socialise and have fun $41 Single Day |

$115 Full Week (Tue-Thur)

(We will NOT be open on public holidays) Book now via our website or visit our Facebook Page