PakMag Mackay - October 2013 by Grand Publishing

pakmag OCT 2013

M a c k ay

EzEine FMRaga

ISSUE 12

magazine of choice for local families

Down

Syndrome Awareness

Kids

MINI MAG Inside

Meet Reef Nicol

Trucks

& Tutus

How to avoid gender stereotyping kids

Cover photo: Ta Da Photography

Gold Coast

Special Your Guide to an action

packed holiday season

pink Ribbon Charity Fair: 20 October

Go to page 6 for details

45 welcome

Contents

note

OCT

Welcome to October! The year is going so quickly! This month we had the pleasure of meeting the gorgeous Reef Nicol and his mum Bec for our cover story about Down syndrome so a big thank you to them for agreeing to take part. Since this is also Pink Ribbon month, make sure you go along and support Raelene from Mums & Bubs Mackay who is putting on a Pink Ribbon Fair to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness on 20 October. Last month we had pirates as far as the eye could see at our PakClub event at Blacks Beach Tavern. Thanks for being ‘therrrre me harties’ – look forward to seeing you at the next one. I hope you enjoy this edition. Until next time, remember to tell everyone you read it in PakMag!

Ange

parents 02 What’s New 04 Step Up for Down Syndrome 07 Mackay Christian College 08 Switching Kids on to Math 11

Mackay Libraries

Women & Finance

PakHealth

Nutrition

PakFood

Publisher: Bree James Editor: Elaine Seager Publication Manager: Angela Julian

32 Baby News: Gaga for Gourmet

things to win 24 WIN Movie Tickets to Planes 25 Four mystery prizes to WIN

23 Mini Mag

38 WIN a mystery prize

29 Stellarossa

32 BABY: Gaga for Gourmet 35 Family Guide to the Gold Coast 38 Fav Pets / Biz Directory 39 Mackay Pet Superstore 40 Out & About

Sales MANAGER : Sonia Crowley Design & Layout: Trina Jensen

42 HOME: Family Hub

Articles: Elaine Seager, Jutta Dempsey, Amanda Cranston and submitted writers

45 HOME: Indoor Plants

Head office Phone: 4053 3331

babies

21 What’s On

NQ Sales & Biz Development: Angelina Mortley

Mobile: 0427 725 624

23 Kid’s MiniMag

20 Top 5 Things To Do

31 Trucks & Tutus

pakmag

kids

cover Models: Bec & Reef Nicol Photography: Thanks to Ta Da Photography

46 HOME: Hub Station 48 HOME: Battery World

Email: mackay@pakmag.com.au Postal: PO Box 1922, Mackay Qld 4740 Disclaimer: No part of this magazine, including the advertisements within it may be reproduced, in part or in whole without the expressed permission of the editor. Whilst the greatest of care is taken to ensure that the information in the magazine is correct at the time of going to press, readers are advised to check details before visiting. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. The expressions expressed within PakMag are not necessarily the views of the publishers, but those of individual writers.

Find PakMag exclusively in:

www.pakmag.com.au

October

inBRIEF Brown Sugar Festival

Halloween PakClub 1 November (6.30pm-8.30pm) PCYC Mackay

what’s new

UNDER the Stars

Thanks to our sponsors Queensland Country

BRING Your Baby

Credit Union, Healthpoint Chemists and SeaFM our next PakClub event will be a ghoulishly Halloween themed Blue Light Disco at PCYC Mackay. Dress to scare and you could

Birch Carroll & Coyle’s Bring Your Baby sessions will

win prizes for being the best dressed.

be showing the following movies this month: • Week starting 10 October – Gravity

Bluewater Eco Fest

• Week starting 17 October – Diana • Week starting 24 October – About Time • Week starting 31 October – Captain Philips

Starlight Screenings Mackay is bringing movies under the stars to Mackay and their screens

The sessions run Fridays (10.30am), Mondays

will also be available for functions including backyard

(10.30am) and Wednesdays (12.30pm).

children’s parties, fundraisers etc. An indoor fixed screen will also be available in the event of Mackay’s

SCHOOL Holidays

unpredictable weather. For more information go to www.starlightscreeningsmackay.com.au or call Jodie on 0428 198 212.

CHARITY Fair Pink Ribbon Charity Fair 20 October (10am-3pm) at Mulherin Park

In honour of Pink October and in memory of her mum Marilyn Wilson, Raelene of Mums & Bubs Mackay is organising a Pink Ribbon Charity Fair on 20 October.

5 October (8am-3pm) Bluewater Quay

This new festival is a combination of the former River 2 Reef and Ecomackay Expo. Festival, Events and The Arts portfolio councillor Chris Bonanno says, “It’s all about celebrating our great lifestyle and having a great day by the river. Residents can also take home some

There will be art and craft activities for the kids, a giant

Check out the Council’s free Zumbatomic dance fitness parties for kids that will have them moving and grooving in the Mackay City Centre:

6 October This year is the 150th anniversary of first South Sea Islander people arriving in Queensland to work in the cotton and sugar industries. To help mark this special occasion, the local South Sea

1 October at Bluewater Quay:

Island people are coming together to share their story and culture with the rest of the Mackay

• 9am to 9.45 am for 4-7 year olds

community. There will be a street parade starting from Blue Water Quay at 2pm that will go via

• 10am to 10.45 am for 8-12 year olds

Brisbane Street, Gordon Street and Milton Street to the Mackay Showgrounds. The floats will be led by the Vanu Drummers in traditional costume. The South Sea Islander community would

3 October at Bluewater Quay:

like to welcome everyone to go along and share in their unique cultural heritage. For more

• 9am to10am for 4-7 year olds

information call Elizabeth at Yamadi on 4957 8121 or the Council on 4961 9545.

• 10am to 11am for 8-12 year olds

slide and jumping castle, facepainting, a balloon artist, food and craft stalls and live entertainment. All funds

october SPEcial DEalS

raised will go to Breast Cancer Awareness.

GET BIKINI Fit

Mention PakMag & get

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fantastic sustainability tips at the Ergon Energy Ecofest Marquee.” Cr Bonanno said a key aim of the festival was to increase knowledge on sustainable living within the community from adults through to younger residents. Children will be encouraged to get involved by collecting recyclable items at Bluewater Ecofest for the Sizzler Recycling Challenge. The top 10 recyclers will receive a prize from Sizzler and the first 250 children who enter will receive a prize from Mackay Regional Council. For more information go to www.festivalmackay.org.au

www.pakmag.com.au

It’s time for the bikinis to come out and if you don’t

2fOr1 Pizza*

like what you see maybe it’s time to sign up for a gym membership! City Fitness is currently offering $50 of free childcare to new

Tuesday Nights

members who need to buff up their abs. Go to their

$15 lunch menu from 12-2pm Monday-Friday. Mention PakMag & get a

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website at www.cityfitness.com.au to find out more and to receive your free 3-day pass.

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OPEN: Mon-Fri 7am til late • Sat & Sun 6.30am til late

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By Michelle Dryburgh

Step Up for

Down Syndrome Awareness Week 13-20 October

Cheeky, inquisitive, energetic and always pushing the boundaries – Reef Nicol has all the traits of a typical three-year-old. But this Mackay youngster also has a little something extra - an additional chromosome – which meant he was born with Down syndrome.

octors diagnosed Reef as having Down

– All Abilities Mackay. What started as a small

syndrome when he was just one day

group for people with Down syndrome and their

old, leaving first time parents Peter

families has now grown to have 110 members of

and Bec in a state of disbelief. Prior to the birth,

all abilities and ages, from seven weeks old to 73

the couple had been told they had a one in 6270

– and the numbers just keep growing.

chance of their child having Down syndrome – and hadn’t given it a second thought.

epilepsy who are managing their condition with

can provide really good outcomes, and our group

so happy, here was our precious little baby boy,”

medication,” Bec said. “The entire group meets

helps people find all the facts.”

Bec recalls. “We were busy staking claim to whose

a few times a year and smaller sections of the

eyes he had, whose lips, whose nose, and the

group meet more often.

When Bec isn’t busy helping other families, she

him tested. Six hours later we had the results. We couldn’t believe it, we were shocked.” But far from being a burden, the couple say their son’s diagnosis has been a blessing in disguise. “It didn’t take very long to adjust to the news, and now we couldn’t imagine life any other way,” Bec said. “I’ve always believed everything happens for

Photo thanks to Ta Da Photography

a reason, and Reef is certainly here for a reason.” In a cruel twist of fate, Reef was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia when he was just eight months old. He underwent eight months of chemotherapy in Brisbane before receiving the all clear from doctors. He has been in remission for the past 18 months. Bec said it was the people and complementary therapies she was exposed to during this time that inspired her to start a local support group

www.pakmag.com.au

and in wheelchairs through to people with

“He was born at 7pm, and we were so proud and

next day the paediatrician suggested we have

“We have members who are highly dependent

spends her time helping Reef learn and develop

“Everyone has been so supportive and I’m

new skills through play. He is now walking,

delighted at how easy it has been to set up and

speaking a few words and using signs to signal

maintain. Everyone who hears about it wants to

his needs and wants, from food, drink and sleep,

know how they can help.”

to boat and fishing – his favourite hobby.

The group has 38 members with Down syndrome

“He is like every other toddler I know, head

including nine children aged between three and

strong, full of personality and always testing the

four years old. Bec says the younger members

limits,” Bec said with a smile. “He loves going to

and their families meet regularly for playgroups –

shops and high-fiving strangers, and if they don’t

and the support is priceless.

give him a high five back he’ll usually give them a

“I wish I had someone to explain to me what I

cheeky look, and a smack in the leg.

know now,” she said. “Until Reef was diagnosed, it

“With his confidence and social skills, we’re

didn’t even occur to me that children could have

confident he will achieve big. We see him going

Down syndrome. I had seen adults and teenagers

to a mainstream school, getting a licence, getting

with it, but never children. Once Reef was

married, and with his interest in boats and

diagnosed, I would see them everywhere.

fishing, maybe even running his own tackle and

“There’s so much misinformation out there

bait shop.

and it’s important to have all the facts. Early

“Whatever he wants to do in life, we’ll support

intervention with the therapies available now

him. There’ll be no stopping our little Reef.” www.pakmag.com.au

Halloween An opportunity to discuss right and wrong with your kids Every year Halloween rolls around on the 31 October but aside from the mileage it gets in the media it tends to go unnoticed by the majority of people. However, every year it creates a little storm in many schools.

www.pakmag.com.au

thought to mimic or appease the roaming ghosts. For many people Halloween turns a matter of the spiritual world into something fun and

reasons why some parents object when schools embrace Halloween in their chosen activities in October.

for children. In most religions of the world the

No matter what your beliefs about the spiritual

spiritual is very real and not something to be

dimension of life, Halloween provides an

Halloween has its origins in an ancient Celtic

toyed with or marginalised as fun or childish. For

opportunity to have discussions with your

festival known as Samhain. It was a time

many, the bigger picture of Halloween relates

children about the concepts of right and wrong

when the stocks of supplies were checked in

to the moral decisions and frameworks they

and how our choices, decisions and behaviours

preparation for the coming winter. The ancient

have adopted for their lives. In other words, the

can be placed into either of these categories to

Gaels believed that the boundaries between the

way in which they make decisions about what

provide a moral compass in our lives. Having age

worlds of the living and the dead overlapped on

is right and what is wrong. The spiritual world is

appropriate discussions with your children about

31 October. The word Halloween is derived from

fundamentally about right and wrong, or good

the evil that exists in the world can help them

the term â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;All Hallows Eve.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; All Saints, or All Hallows

and evil, and for a lot of people ghosts and

to avoid it and make better choices for their

Day was on the 1st November. The practice of

demons are on the side of evil and not to be used

own lives.

wearing and making masks at that time was

as objects of laughter or fun. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the

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Switching kids on to

Parents need to be aware of how they influence their child’s engagement with maths, writes Dan Miller

or those of us that spent maths class

Prof Martin says. “So the other part is to look

challenges and difficulties has an affect. Provide

passing notes instead of exams, one

to instil an enjoyment, a valuing and a future

additional tutoring in maths if needed, contact

of the kids pulling out the geometry

interest in maths.”

their teacher about their homework and make

homework might result in a groan. It might even cause some mumbled curses to be directed at Pythagoras for coming up with such a theorem. But have you ever thought about how your attitude toward mathematics might influence your children? Australian middle school students’ performance on international assessments of mathematical ability has dropped in recent years, and fewer students are going on to study advanced maths at school or university. These trends prompted researchers at the University of Sydney to investigate just what’s happening with maths in schools. Professor Andrew Martin, an educational psychologist and the lead author of the study, said his team not only looked at what was causing kids to “switch off” from maths, but also what made them want to “switch on” and continue studying maths. “With kids who are on the downward slide with maths engagement, the first thing is to stop that slide to stop them switching off. But if that’s all you do you’re sort of just leaving them in a neutral position, neither here nor there. Not

switched off but not positively oriented either,” www.pakmag.com.au

While the study highlights the importance of

resources available in the home.”

teachers and the classroom environment, it also

“Obviously teachers and the student themselves

illustrates just how significant parents are when

play a big part in maths engagement, but

it comes to children’s maths work. The results

the overarching message is for parents not to

indicated that parents significantly influence

underestimate the impact they have on their

their children’s interest, valuing and enjoyment

kids’ academic engagement, and maths is no

of the subject.

exception to this,” Prof Martin says.

“Parents will do this through their own attitudes toward maths and the way they get involved in their kids’ maths homework and study. There are direct and indirect ways kids get the message that maths is good, or not so good,” he says. “It might be the parent reporting how they themselves were never good at maths. Sometimes kids can internalise things like that

Maths Resources at Home

weren’t good at maths probably I’m not either.’”

• Mathletics.com.au - based on the Prep to Grade 12 Australian curriculum. Subscription fee.

Your own experiences with maths class (or

• studyladder.com.au

maths teachers for that matter) can be subtly

• au.ixl.com

and start thinking ‘oh well, if Dad and Mum

communicated to your kids, influencing the way they think about maths. Your willingness, or otherwise, to help your kids in their maths study can also have profound effects. “The extent to which parents are prepared to really get in there and help their kids with maths

• coolmath.com (for kids 13+) - free • coolmath4kids.com (for kids under 13) – free • There are also a number of free maths apps for Android and Apple products. www.pakmag.com.au

kids

Issues Story thanks to Kate Wilkinson

Helping your child deal with grief Early one morning, I climbed into my four-year-old's bed and told her that her aunty had passed away. Aunty had been very sick, but her loss was still painful. There were a lot of questions: “How long will it take us to drive to Heaven?” “Did it hurt her?”

difficult once she started kindergarten.

counsellor, Mal McKissock, most people can deal with their grief within the family. Kids’ Helpline also agree that helping your child work through

me catch my breath.)

their feelings includes doing things as a family, maintaining normal routine and allowing your child to talk about their feelings and helping them

“I don’t love Aunty anymore because she died.”

express their grief appropriately.

Then it became an excuse:

We spent a lot of time with our extended family,

“You can’t be mean to me. My aunty went to

eating meals together, going for weekend trips

heaven.” (We did explain that was not appropriate.)

away and working together to make sure that

Tears would flow uncontrollably and she would

a wonderful distraction for everyone.

wail, asking why her aunt had died when we

each family member was supported. This provided

Fortunately, educators are well trained in helping children deal with grief and my daughter’s teacher was extremely supportive, giving her space to cry and keeping us updated about behaviours that she was exhibiting that could be related to her grieving process. Over the year, she has grown and matured, as children do, and she no longer uses her loss as an excuse to get what she wants and talks about what she remembers about her aunt. There are times when we all cry and feel sad, but we have found that supporting each other and allowing

My daughter also found an outlet in art and

each person space to express their feelings has

happened to be.

created pictures that showed how happy Aunty

worked wonders for helping our child to deal with

All of us struggle to come to terms with loss, but

was in heaven as she was no longer sick and had

her pain.

a wonderful view of fireworks. While this often

were at the shops, at the park, or wherever we

as grown-ups, we are able to work through our grief thanks to our wisdom and experience. This

made us feel sad, it was a beautiful way for her to release her emotions in an appropriate way.

Another piece of wonderful advice from

Another difficulty we had to surmount was

Kids’ Helpline is that “small steps and

differing triggers. Being an extraordinarily

changes in behaviour, and great patience,

work through their raw feelings the way adults do.

empathic person, once my daughter was upset

are important parts of recovery and

about something, it would remind her that she

starting anew.”

Fortunately, there are websites and community

was sad about her aunt and it would be virtually

is definitely not the case for smaller children. They have barely grasped using their words instead of throwing tantrums and cannot be expected to

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impossible to comfort her. This was particularly

parents to help their children. According to grief

“Can I die too so I can see her?” (That one made

Then there was hurt and anger:

groups that provide useful strategies for confused

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aND

Women Finance

News money

Women Beat Men

The latest tips in the world of finance

SMART Ways

by Gail Glasby

Smart ways to battle higher costs With living costs on the increase, many Australians are feeling the pinch, but new research shows most of us are taking sensible steps to make our money stretch further.

Start by taking a look through your transaction account statements. If you’re paying a regular account fee of say, $5 a month, switching to a no-fee account could see you save $60 each year.

According to the survey by ING Direct, eight out of ten Australians say their living costs have climbed over the past 12 months with the main culprits being higher utility bills, grocery costs and fuel.

Next, check the rate you’re paying on your credit card. There’s a tremendous range of interest rates charged on different cards – from 9.25% to almost 23%. On a card balance of about $3,000 switching from one of the most expensive cards to one charging about 10% could see you save about $300 in annual interest costs.

On the plus side, it also seems as though the majority of households experiencing higher bills are using smart strategies to make ends meet. Six out of ten (60%) are shopping around for bargains, 53% are spending less and making do with what they have, and 49% are shopping more carefully at the supermarket. It‘s amazing how we tend to seek out discounts on items like groceries or clothing yet we often fail to take the same approach with our everyday bank account, credit card, insurance or home loan. Yet big savings can be made on these products.

A new survey has shown that women are much better at keeping on top of finances by budgeting and saving than men but they drop the ball when it comes to longterm wealth generation.

The same principle of shopping around also applies to car insurance and home and contents cover. With big variations in premiums between insurers, you could make substantial savings by comparing policies and costs at renewal time.

The ME Bank survey for MoneySmart Week also

Gail Glasby is a Financial Planner from ipac north queensland and can be contacted on 4772 2200 for more information, or visit www.ipac.com.au/northqueensland

doing so within 12 months compared to only 36%

showed that while a similar percentage of men and women are planning to invest in shares, bonds and property, there is a big difference in when they believe they will do it – 51% of men who are planning to invest are confident they will start of women (26% of women didn’t know when they would achieve this goal at all). Effie Zahos, Editor of Money magazine, says setting a goal with a realistic budget and a timeline is the first step.

These articles contain general financial advice only and do not take into consideration your personal circumstances.

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Before acquiring a product, suitability should be determined after reading the relevant product disclosure statement.

www.pakmag.com.au

Health pak

news

time to drop school drop-offs? PINK RIBBON Day

28 October

Nearly 3000 Queensland women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and tragically over 460 women will lose their lives to this terrible disease each year. This is why all Queenslanders will come

provide support services to improve the

together on Pink Ribbon Day, Monday 28

quality of life for those affected by breast

October, to show their support for the one

cancer, along with research into potential

in eight Queensland women who will be

new treatments and prevention measures,”

diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of

she said.

85 years.

A generation ago most kids rode, walked or caught a bus to school but it’s been estimated that nowadays nearly half of children are driven to school. Parents’ reasons for doing this are mostly to do with safety and convenience but does it mean our kids are missing out on vital exercise?

Throughout October you can show your

Dr. Jan Garrard at Deakin University says that the

“A diagnosis of breast cancer can be a

support by registering to receive a box of

reason modern children are not meeting physical

traumatic experience that can severely

pink merchandise to sell or by purchasing a

activity guidelines is because they’re getting less

disrupt a woman’s family and working

pink ribbon on Pink Ribbon Day. Simply go

incidental exercise rather than because they’re doing

life. However outcomes are continuing to

to www.pinkribbonday.com.au.

less sport and activities. UK studies have found young

improve,” said Cancer Council Queensland’s spokesperson, Katie Clift.

Funds raised from Pink Ribbon Day go towards vital cancer research, prevention

“By participating in Pink Ribbon Day, every

programs and support services such as

day Queenslanders can help Cancer Council

Cancer Council Helpline, 13 11 20.

adolescent girls are around seven times more likely to meet physical activity guidelines if they travel actively to school. Psychologists also suggest that allowing kids to get to school by themselves also teaches them

Cheap & Easy Nit Treatment

independence and responsibility. While there is no hard and fast rule as to when children are ready to get to school by themselves, most experts agree that they should be at least 10 years of age but parents

e but you treatments can get pretty expensiv As all parents know commercial nit wrote to us fortune. One of our readers recently don’t necessarily need to spend a mouthwash of e bottl a treatment. All you need is to share an effective homemade nit r your e brand is fine). The first step is to cove and a bottle of vinegar (cheap hom and then it’s wet, leave it on for 10-20 minutes child’s dry hair in mouthwash until and leaving ar vineg in hair the involves covering rinse off with water. The next stage strands). hair the to the glue that holds the nits it on for 10-20 minutes (this loosens their gh as per normal and then comb throu Rinse it off with water, wash their hair are GONE. hair with a nit comb until all the nits

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needs to consider their child’s maturity and the traffic conditions between your home and the school.

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Nutrition pak

Product news

Corn Juicy Fruit

Do you often wonder whether you should be giving your kids fruit juice? You might be thinking that fruit is good for you so why is fruit juice ‘bad’? Juice is not necessarily ‘bad’, however, when fruit is juiced and given in large amounts, it can become a big sugar hit for your kids. Water is always going to be the best option, and you can probably already hear your kids saying, “BORING”!!! It is fine to give your kids fruit juice, but it is best to do so in moderation (125ml per day). If you find your child is replacing juice for water you may need some alternative ideas. • Choose a natural 100% fruit juice with no added extras • Give your kids juice as a weekend treat • Water it down. Pour a glass of water and add a small amount of juice • Freeze some juice in an ice cube tray. The kids will love to suck on these on a hot North Queensland day!

a fantastic source of dietary fibre, niacin, folate, vitamin C and carbohydrate for long lasting energy. It is generally available all year round and can be bought fresh, frozen or tinned. Corn can be steamed, boiled or cooked on the BBQ with a sprinkling of paprika. It can also be used to make delicious corn fritters or added to savoury muffins for an extra flavour hit.

Rebecca McKenna is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (www.healthmanagement.com.au) who specialises in children, psychology of eating and weight loss. You can connect with Health Management and ask Rebecca questions on Facebook.

. Try vegetables on the plate in front of them er dinn after ert dess any to avoid offering praise and remember to give him a lot of on him of are you d prou and tell him how out with l mea his s plete com the nights he the any difficulty. Make sure the rest of els and mod role good g bein family are also y. efull peac er eating their dinn

Q&A

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For centuries Fiji islanders have used pure coconut oil and flower extracts to beautify both skin and hair. pure Fiji brings you the best of these blends. at Bella rouge our pedicures and manicures feature pure Fiji. We also stock a range of pure Fiji retail products for purchase.

Yummy corn can be used in so many ways and is

nutritionadvice

Call 4951 3636 today to make an appointment located at 45 Wood street, mackay

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If you are looking for fruit juice alternatives that your kids will enjoy, try adding some orange or strawberry pieces to a jug of water, or a couple of teaspoons of Milo in some milk to keep their bones growing super strong.

Bribing children with foods that are considered unhealthy is not an ideal ntly strategy because you are inadverte of are s food these that them teaching such as s food hy healt the than value higher

Food

Pedicures & Manicures

One of my favourite childhood treats was a home made fruit juice ice block in summer, it always seemed so much more exciting because I had helped Mum make them myself. The great thing about these is that it is an appropriate amount of juice, you know exactly what is in the ice block and the biggest worry you will have is making sure the kids don’t put their sticky little juice fingers all over the furniture!

n READER QUESTION: My child is ofte if that him tell difficult at dinnertime so I ice e som he eats his dinner he can have cream. Is this the right thing to do?

NEW OWNER NEW rEvampEd look & NEW products

review

by Rebecca McKenna

skIN & BEautY

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pakmag Team

MackayLibraries

By Kathleen Price

A great place for families to connect From engaging with your little one through songs and stories in Baby Bounce or Storytime to free school holiday activities to keep the bigger kids active and alert – Mackay Regional Council Libraries are a great place for families to connect.

“The classes have a warm and friendly atmosphere and provide mothers, fathers and children of our community a venue for building friendships, trading stories and helpful parenting tips.”

There are five branches established across the Mackay region in Mt Pleasant (Gordon White), Mackay City, Walkerston, Mirani and Sarina. Along with a roving mobile library visiting 24 communities in between, the council’s library service serves an estimated population of over 120,000 people.

Baby Bounce, held weekly during school terms, is aimed at babies aged 0–18 months and their parents and carers. The half hour program of nursery rhymes, lullabies, finger plays, and songs promotes language and literacy development in an interactive, fun-filled environment. Storytime, a similar program for 2-5 year olds and their parents and carers and is also held during the school term.

Mackay Regional Council’s Community Development and Libraries Portfolio Councillor Alison Jones said Baby Bounce and Storytime aim to foster a love of books and reading in children at a young age.

During the school holidays, the library’s ‘What’s On’ calendar is bursting with activities from Zumbatomic to musical instrument making and

for the bigger kids aged 9 – 16 years, ‘Makerspace Mackay’. Makerspace workshops encourage students to tinker with technology while they learn how to make a piano from a banana, a robot from a toothbrush and other weird, wacky and wonderful things!

pakmag TEAM Favourite Bliss Balls

The libraries also have plenty of programs and services for adults including a host of free eBooks and eMags to Discover Technology classes, Book Clubs and more.

By Trina Jensen (PakMag Graphic Designer) Ingredients:

1 cup nuts (I use almonds & brazil nuts)

Mackay Regional Council libraries follow their Facebook page: www.facebook.com.au/ mackaylibraries. Library membership is free to anyone who lives in the Mackay Regional Council area. To join, simply go to your local branch or join online.

1/3 cup raw organic cacao powder

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TEAM recipe

1/3 cup coconut oil 1/2 cup shredded coconut 1 tablespoon chia seeds

Method:

Trina's Fave

1) Firstly, soften the dates by soaking them in warm

“A gluten free, sugar free, dairy

2) Whilst waiting for dates, add the nuts, cacao, coconut,

free, organic treat that kids

and adults alike will think is

3) Next add the dates and process until well combined.

sheer bliss. And best of all they

4) Let the mixture stand for 10 minutes.

are actually a nutritious treat.”

5) Then roll the mixture into bite sized balls and coat

pakmag

1 cup pitted medjool dates

To stay up to date with the latest news from

water for 15 minutes.

coconut oil and chia seeds to a food processor and mix.

in shredded coconut.

www.pakmag.com.au

Eco fest

5 October (8am-3pm) Bluewater Quay

Brown Sugar

Festival

green = kids

Check out the latest family entertainment & events guide

Bluewater quay

October 2013 entertainment & events

Join our local Australian South Sea Islander community at

River 2 Reef and the Ecomackay Expo creating

the Mackay Showgrounds to mark the 150th anniversary

this new festival, the Bluewater Ecofest, with

of their arrival in Queensland to work in the canefields.

all the fun of the Mackay Raft Race, Pelican

Approximately 62,000 islanders were originally taken

Push, Leukaemia Foundation Great Seafood

against their will from Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and

1/10/13

Healthpoint Day & Night Chemist

BBQ Burn-off, Bluewater Trail River Artz,

New Caledonia but since then they have made a valuable

1/10/13

Bluewater Quay

Ecofest and Demonstrations, River Rocks

contribution to our region. A street parade will start at 2pm

1/10/13

Bluewater Quay

Zumbatonic for 8-12 year olds

Concert, Kids Workshops and more!

at Blue Water Quay, ending at the Showgrounds.

5 5

Mackay

Toy Library

Wednesdays & Saturdays

George St Neighbourhood centre

yourGUIDE

6 October (from 2pm)

Mackay Regional Council has combined the

Things to do in OCT

OCT

blue = adults

guide

BLUEWATER

pink = family

Waterworld

Sarina

Until 7 October Sarina Showgrounds The second week of the school holidays is your last chance to get splashy and beat the heat at the Sarina Showgrounds until October 7.

DATE 1/10/13

VENUE Sarina Showgrounds

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENT NAME Waterworld Sarina

TIME

FOR MORE INFO

COST

10.00am

02 9380 2128

$20

Mother and Baby Clinic

9.00am

4963 0300

Free

Zumbatonic for 4-7 year olds

9.00am

Free

10.00am

Free

2/10/13

Pat Wright Swim School

3-10months Swimming Lessons Mums and Bubs of Mackay

10.30am

0428 765421

2/10/13

Pat Wright Swim School

10 months + swimming Lessons Mums and Bubs of Mackay

11.00am

0428 765421

2/10/13

George St Neighbourhood Centre

Mackay Toy Library

9.30am

0427 489 382

Free

2/10/13

Sarina Showgrounds

Waterworld Sarina

10.00am

02 9380 2128

$20

3/10/13

Bluewater Quay

Zumbatonic for 4-7 year olds

9.00am

Free

3/10/13

Bluewater Quay

Zumbatonic for 8-12 year olds

10.00am

Free

3/10/13

MECC

The Cat Empire

7.30pm

www.mackaytix.com.au

3/10/13

Mackay City Library

Cityside Book Club

6.00pm

mackaylibraries.blogspot.com.au

Free

3/10/13

Blacks Beach Park

Mums and Bubs of Mackay Morning Tea and Play Date

12.00pm

0428 765421

Free

$60

3/10/13

Sarina Showgrounds

Waterworld Sarina

10.00am

02 9380 2128

$20

3/10/13

Healthpoint Northern Beaches

Mother and Baby Clinic

9.00am

4963 0300

Free

4/10/13

Wests Leagues Club

Pioneer Valley Country Music Festival

10.00am

0437 062 962

$40

4/10/13

MECC

Arj Barker

8.00pm

www.mackaytix.com.au

$50

4/10/13

Cameron's Pocket

Wintermoon in October

5.00pm

www.wintermoonfestival.com

4/10/13

MECC

Stardust: The Story and Music of Natalie and King Cole

11.00am

www.mackaytix.com.au

$14

4/10/13

Botanic Gardens

Free Friday Guided Walks

9.30am

4952 7300

Free

4/10/13

Mackay Memorial Swimming Pool

Mums and Bubs Water Workout Fun

10.00am

0428 765421

4/10/13

Sarina Showgrounds

Waterworld Sarina

10.00am

02 9380 2128

$20

www.cqu.edu.ay

Save $5 by booking passes online at:

5/10/13

Conservatorium of Music

Con Text - Short plays and dramatic excerpts

7.30pm

www.waterworldcentral.com.au

5/10/13

Bluewater Trail

The Bluewater Eco Festival

9.00am

www.festivalmackay.org.au

Free

5/10/13

MECC

A Festival of Russian Ballet

7.30pm

www.mackaytix.com.au

$88

Come & Try Day

5/10/13

George St Neighbourhood Centre

Mackay Toy Library

9.30am

0427 489 382

Free

5/10/13

Sarina Showgrounds

Waterworld Sarina

10.00am

02 9380 2128

$20

6/10/13

Mackay Showgrounds

Brown Sugar Festival: South Sea Islander 150 Year Anniversary

2.00pm

6/10/13

Pionner Swimming Pool

Pioneer Swimming Carnival

8.00am

www.pioneerswimclub.com.au

Surf lifesaving

13 & 20 October (9.30am) Sarina Surf Lifesaving Club

The Mackay Toy Library provides educational and play tools

Get the kids involved in one of Australia’s unique activities…

for loan for children from birth to early childhood. The library

nippers! The Nipper program is run each Sunday morning

is a non-profit organisation and membership is open to any

(9.30-11.30am) and the season runs from October 2013

individual who wishes to borrow toys for children in their

through to April 2014 (with a short break over the Christmas/

care. This includes parents, grandparents, daycare mothers,

New Year period). Call 0427 877 874 for more information.

playgroups and other caregivers. Location: George Street Neighbourhood Centre. Phone: 0427 489 382. Opening Hours, Wednesday 9.30-11.30 am, Saturday 9.30-11.30 am.

www.pakmag.com.au

pink = family

DATE 6/10/13

green = kids

VENUE Myers Multi Carpark Canelands

blue = adults

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENT NAME Cars 4 Kids Motor Show

FOR MORE INFO 0417 615 926

COST $5

6/10/13

Sarina Showgrounds

Waterworld Sarina

10.00am

02 9380 2128

$20

7/10/13

MECC

67th Annual Mackay Eisteddford

9.00am

www.mackaytix.com.au

7/10/13

Sarina Showgrounds

Waterworld Sarina

10.00am

02 9380 2128

$20

8/10/13

Mackay Womens Center

Morning Tea and Play Date

9:30am

0428 765421

8/10/13

Artspace Mackay

BMA Kidspace

10.00am

www.artspacemackay.com.au

Free

8/10/13

Mirani Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

9.30am

4961 9231

Free

8/10/13

Sarina Library

Baby Bounce - 0 to 18 months

9.30am

4961 9297

Free

8/10/13

Walkerston Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

10.30am

4959 2545

Free

8/10/13

Healthpoint Day & Night Chemist

Mother and Baby Clinic

9.00am

4963 0300

Free

9/10/13

Gordon White Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

10.30am

4961 9300

Free

9/10/13

Sarina Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

10.00am

4961 9297

Free

10/10/13 Mackay City Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

10.30am

4961 9387

Free

10/10/13 Healthpoint Northern Beaches

Mother and Baby Clinic

9.00am

4963 0300

Free

11/10/13 Gordon White Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

9.30am

4961 9300

Free

11/10/13 Birch Carroll & Coyle

Bring Your Baby: Gravity

10.30am

12/10/13 MECC

Pride and Glory

6.00pm

www.mackaytix.com.au

$50

12/10/13 George St Neighbourhood Centre

Mackay Toy Library

9.30am

0427 489 382

Free

Come and Try Day at Sarina Surf Lifesaving Club

9.30am

0427 877 874

Free

14/10/13 Birch Carroll & Coyle

Bring Your Baby: Gravity

10.30am

14/10/13 Gordon White Library

Baby Bounce - 0 to 18 months

9.30am

4961 9300

Free

14/10/13 Mirani Library

Baby Bounce - 0 to 18 months

9.30am

4961 9231

Free

Baby Bounce - 0 to 18 months

11.00am

4961 9387

Free

15/10/13 Mirani Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

9.30am

4961 9231

Free

15/10/13 Sarina Library

Baby Bounce - 0 to 18 months

9.30am

4961 9297

Free

15/10/13 Walkerston Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

10.30am

4959 2545

Free

15/10/13 Healthpoint Day & Night Chemist

Mother and Baby Clinic

9.00am

4963 0300

Free

16/10/13 Birch Carroll & Coyle

Bring Your Baby: Gravity

12.30pm

16/10/13 George St Neighbourhood Centre

Mackay Toy Library

9.30am

0427 489 382

Free

16/10/13 Sarina Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

10.00am

4961 9297

Free

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

10.30am

4961 9300

Free

17/10/13 Mackay Womens Center

Morning Tea and Play Date

9:30am

0428 765 421

17/10/13 Mackay City Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

10.30am

49619387

Free

available for hire for fundraisers, sporting events, concerts, weddings, anniversaries, backyard parties and more. You provide the location, audience & power, we provide the rest.

for your next event

34 Alan St • Phone 0428 198 212 • Web www.starlightscreenings.com.au www.pakmag.com.au

in cinemas N

OW!

Cost

16/10/13 Gordon White Library

Book a Big screen

MINI MAG

WIN

prizes

Cost

14/10/13 Mackay City Library

experience watching movies under the stars.

Kids

Cost

13/10/13 Sarina Surf Club

Outdoor movie screens & event hire

TIME 9.00am

OCT 2013 fun activities Find the hidden words!

Match the words and pictures!

Colour it in and you could WIN a prize!

www.pakmag.com.au

Page prize

colour IN & Win!

Win Movie Tickets

To enter this great competition just colour-it-in and mail to:

Name:

PAKMAG, Colour-it-in October 2013

Parent/Guardian:

PO Box 1922, Mackay QLD 4740 and

Address:

you could WIN movie tickets to

Phone:

see PLANES! (Competition Closes: 18/10/13)

Email:

www.pakmag.com.au

Age:

Colour in this picture of Dusty for your chance to WIN movie passes to new film Planes!

Guess the CHARACTER

Unscramble these words and you could win!!!

Guess the name of the character to WIN a prize!

_ _ _ _ _

[2] htsog

_ _ _ _ _

[3] nmpikpu

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

[4] eacsr

_ _ _ _ _

[5] oiembz

_ _ _ _ _ _

[6] kcrti

_ _ _ _ _

[7] ttare

_ _ _ _ _

[8] dhtnuea

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

[9] ssoenmtr

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

[10] yoskpo

_ _ _ _ _ _

All Competitions close: 18 Oct 2013

[1] ichwt

Simply email us the words at the end and you could win a prize! Send to: mkycompetitions@pakmag.com.au

Simply email us the character name and you could win a prize! Send to: mkycompetitions@pakmag.com.au

Zoo animal word search Word Search

Zoo animal word search match Names & Pictures

Find all of the words in the jumble of letters below and you could WIN a fantastic prize! Good Luck!

Match the name with the right picture and win!

Witch Ghost Pumpkin Scare letter jumble

in cinemas now

Word Scramble

Zombie Trick Treat Haunted

Trick or Treat Bag

Monsters Spooky Goblin Ghoul

Ghost

A W

N H

M O

D W D

D W

W C

Q C

U S

Q U D F M L

K D

D B

G V

D P

Z R

I G M N

S D A A W R

N C

L O

U M P

U M V

Q W Q

D M G

O M B

W N

Send in your entry and you could WIN a great prize! Send to: Competitions, PO Box 1922, Mackay QLD 4740

Redback Spider

Jack Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Lantern

Witches Hat

Black Cat

Send in your entry and you could WIN a great prize!

Send to:now Competitions, PO Box 1922, Mackay QLD 4740 in cinemas www.pakmag.com.au

green = kids

OCT

blue = adults

guide

pink = family

yourGUIDE DATE

VENUE

17/10/13 Healthpoint Northern Beaches

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENT NAME Mother and Baby Clinic

TIME

FOR MORE INFO

9.00am

4963 0300 4961 9300

COST Free

18/10/13 Gordon White Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

9.30am

18/10/13 Birch Carroll & Coyle

Bring Your Baby: Diana

10.30am

19/10/13 Artspace Mackay

Kids Art Club - Saturday based art program for kids 19th to 23rd

12.00pm

www.artspacemackay.com.au

$142

19/10/13 George St Neighbourhood Centre

Mackay Toy Library

9.30am

0427 489 382

Free

Free Cost

20/10/13 Mulherin Park

Pink Ribbon Charity Fair

10.00am

20/10/13 Sarina Surf Club

Come and Try Day at Sarina Surf Lifesaving Club

9.30am

0427 877 874

Free

4952 7300

Free

4965 6100

$45

20/10/13 Botanic Gardens

Sunday in the Park

2.00pm

21/10/13 Birch Carroll & Coyle

Bring Your Baby: Diana

10.30am

21/10/13 Magpies Sporting Club

Cancer Council Queensland Pink Breakfast

7.30am

Donation

Cost

21/10/13 Gordon White Library

Baby Bounce - 0 to 18 months

9.30am

4961 9300

Free

21/10/13 Mirani Library

Baby Bounce - 0 to 18 months

9.30am

4961 9231

Free

21/10/13 Mackay City Library

Baby Bounce - 0 to 18 months

11.00am

4961 9387

Free

22/10/13 Mirani Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

9.30am

4961 9231

Free

22/10/13 Sarina Library

Baby Bounce - 0 to 18 months

9.30am

4961 9297

Free

22/10/13 Walkerston Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

10.30am

4959 2545

Free

4963 0300

Free

4961 9297

Free

22/10/13 Healthpoint Day & Night Chemist

Mother and Baby Clinic

9.00am

23/10/13 Birch Carroll & Coyle

Bring Your Baby: Diana

10.30am

23/10/13 Sarina Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

10.00am

Cost

23/10/13 Gordon White Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

10.30am

4961 9300

Free

24/10/13 Mackay City Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

10.30am

4961 9387

Free

4963 0300

Free

1300130 001

$75

24/10/13 Healthpoint Northern Beaches

Mother and Baby Clinic

9.00am

25/10/13 Birch Carroll & Coyle

Bring Your Baby: Captain Phillips

10.30am

25/10/13 Clermont

Brigalow Beatz and music Festival

10.00am

Free

25/10/13 Gordon White Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

9.30am

4961 9300

Free

26/10/13 George St Neighbourhood Centre

Mackay Toy Library

9.30am

0427 489 382

Free

27/10/13 Artspace Mackay

Sunday Cinema Hitchcock film program - ''Suspicion"

10.30am

www.artspacemackay.com.au

Free

28/10/13 Birch Carroll & Coyle

Bring Your Baby: Captain Phillips

10.30am

28/10/13 Gordon White Library

Baby Bounce - 0 to 18 months

9.30am

4961 9300

Free

Cost

28/10/13 Mirani Library

Baby Bounce - 0 to 18 months

9.30am

4961 9231

Free

28/10/13 Mackay City Library

Baby Bounce - 0 to 18 months

11.00am

4961 9387

Free

0428 765 421

$18

9.30am

4961 9231

Free

29/10/13 Shamrock Hotel Motel

Mums and Bubs of Mackay 1st Birthday Lunch

29/10/13 Mirani Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

in cinemas now 26

www.pakmag.com.au

green = kids

OCT

blue = adults

guide

pink = family

BY Bree James

yourGUIDE DATE

VENUE

29/10/13 Sarina Library

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENT NAME Baby Bounce - 0 to 18 months

TIME 9.30am

FOR MORE INFO

COST

4961 9297

Free

29/10/13 Walkerston Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

10.30am

4959 2545

Free

29/10/13 Healthpoint Day & Night Chemist

Mother and Baby Clinic

9.00am

4963 0300

Free

30/10/13 Birch Carroll & Coyle

Bring Your Baby: Captain Phillips

12.30pm

30/10/13 George St Neighbourhood Centre

Mackay Toy Library

9.30am

0427 489 382

Free

30/10/13 Sarina Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

10.00am

4961 9297

Free

30/10/13 Gordon White Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

10.30am

4961 9300

Free

31/10/13 Mackay City Library

Storytime - 2 to 5 years

10.30am

4961 9387

Free

31/10/13 Healthpoint Northern Beaches

Mother and Baby Clinic

9.00am

4963 0300

Free

1/11/13

PakClub: Halloween Blue Light Disco

6.30pm

4053 3331

Free

PCYC Mackay

The Star of Mackay

Cost

Regular Markets River Street - City Centre For more information call 0401 834 829.

Marian Markets From 8am every month on the 3rd Sunday of the month, until further notice.

Finch Hatton Markets From 9am every month on the 1st Sunday of the month, until further notice.

Anzac Avenue - Holy Rosary Church For more info or bookings call 4954 3424.

Criterion Hotel Grounds - Finch Hatton For more information call 4958 3504.

Showground Markets 7.30am Saturday every week, until further notice.

Eungella Markets Eungella Memorial Hall, North Street, Eungella

From 7.30am every month on the 2nd Sunday of the month, until further notice. For more info call 0447 876 778.

Seaforth Markets 8.30am Sunday every week, until further notice.

Held on the first Sunday of every month from April to December from 9am-1pm. For info call 4958 4522.

Sarina Showground markets Bruce Highway - Sarina

Palm Avenue, Seaforth For more information call 4959 0332.

Paxton’s Night Markets Every 2 months on the 2nd Friday of the month, until further notice. For info visit our Facebook page.

From 8am every month on the last Sunday of the month, until further notice. For more info call 4956 1066.

Troppo Treasure Market Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre, Mount Pleasant

Go to pakmag.com.au for more events and market info

With wafts of premium coffee and yummy food drifting through the air, Stellarossa is guaranteed to get your tummy rumbling. Whether you’re there for a catch up with friends, a

Italian blood) loved it. The kids meals are $10 and

Stellarossa is perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner

casual business meeting or a family meal, the staff

include a choice of crumbed whiting, spaghetti

for the whole family. It is located in Caneland

at Stellarossa make sure you have a seat, a menu in

bolognaise or ham and pineapple pizza. The

Central and open Mondays (7am-6pm), Tuesday-

hand and drinks on the way as soon as you arrive.

portions are generous so if you’ve got very young

Friday (7am-late) and weekends (6.30am-late).

They are renowned for the coffee, which is made

children they could certainly share one meal.

Fully licensed till midnight.

from the highest grade coffee beans exclusively

The Good Guys maCkay

supporting your local community OPEN monday to Friday 9am-5.30pm saturday 9am-4pm & sunday 9am-3pm 28

www.thegoodguys.com.au/mackay www.pakmag.com.au

PHONE 4963 1500 North PoiNt retail WiNdmill CrossiNg

blended for their store, but there’s also chai lattes, milkshakes and a full bar menu for non-coffee drinkers.

JohN donnelly Pay less Pay cash

My husband and I decided to order Salt & Pepper Calamari and Smoked Salmon Pizza. The pizzas at Stellarossa are amazing. They have all your standard favourites (Hawaiian, Pepperoni,

Stellarossa Special Deals

And then there’s the food that’s all made from

Margherita) plus a selection of gourmet flavours

• Mention PakMag and get a FREE

scratch on the premises. If you’re a breakfast lover

including chicken pesto, Cajun chicken and Lamb.

Babycino with every drink purchase

like me you’ll be happy to see that breakfast is

Pizzas start from $13 and on Tuesday nights you

(offer valid 1-31 October)

available all day so there’s no time limit on tucking

can buy two for the price of one. During October

into pancakes, omelettes or eggs and bacon. And

this offer is being extended to PakMag readers on

for those who love brunch there’s even a breakfast

Saturday afternoons (4-6.30pm).

pizza!

• Tuesday nights – Two for one pizzas • Saturday afternoons (4pm-6.30pm) –

After our kids had finished eating they snuck off to

Two for one pizzas for PakMag readers

We decided to go there for a family lunch with our

play in the kid’s room and left us to enjoy our meal

only (offer valid 1-31 October)

young boys. We started with an Antipasto Platter

in peace and to have an actual adult conversation

to share which was fantastic and the kids (having

over lunch for a while!

• Weekdays (12-2pm) $15 lunch. Mention PakMag and get a FREE coffee. www.pakmag.com.au

Kids Issues

pakclub fun for parents & kids

Halloween

bLue LiGht disco

FREE

Story thanks to Shannon du Plessis

Monthly Club

• Prizes for best dressed for best Halloween theme • Loads of Prizes to be won! • Spin our Good Guys Wheel of fortune to WiN a Great Prize! • Lucky door prize raffle

FRiday 1 novEMbER 6.30pM-8.30pM PCYC MaCkaY

Trucks&

For more info visit: www.facebook.com/PakMagMackay

nQ cAR & tRuck RentAls Explore Mackay and the beautiful Whitsunday’s in a car from NQ Car & Truck Rentals. Our low prices and great service are the reason why we are the first choice of so many visitors to the Mackay and Whitsunday’s area.

Low prices, great service Vehicle hire atthe right Price!

While we all aim to let kids be kids, it’s important not to influence them with gender stereotypes Before I had children I hoped I would one day

choose how we act and behave. We can behave

be shunned by her friends. Finding a balance is

have a daughter. Having come from a family of

like the stereotypes and act out gender roles in

certainly not easy.

mostly boys, I worried I would end up with a

relationships, or we can challenge our children

football team, and no opportunity to indulge in

to view their parents as equals. For example, if

playing with dolls, and becoming a “ballet mum”.

Dad does some of the cooking and Mum mows

However, why should I have worried about these things, when playing with dolls and dancing is

Whether you need a car rental from the Marina or at the Airport, we offer a drop off and pick up service.

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www.pakmag.com.au

normal thing for both parents to do.

expectations are firmly rooted in our culture. With this in mind, the best way to parent boys and girls is to counteract the negative messages that society sends them. Girls need to learn that there

So if your daughter wants to ride a motorbike, or

is more to life than meeting a prince, that dump

two daughters who love pink, dolls, dancing and

your son wants to wear a tutu, it’s okay, and it’s

trucks are cool, that maths and science can lead to

all things girlie, and I’m clearly guilty of gender

not going to cause them long term damage. In

great careers, that while it’s okay to be pretty and

stereotyping. It worries me that I’m not passing on

fact, it may well be healthy as boys who play with

nurturing, you can also be strong and smart, and

a message of equality between the sexes.

dolls will learn to be more nurturing and verbally

that no one is allowed to hit them ever.

the media, religion, toys, clothes, books and their

expressive, while girls who kick a soccer ball around will learn spatial skills and confidence.

Boys need to learn that it is okay to cry and express your emotions, that it’s okay to like

peers. Right from the start, parents are painting

Although we want our children to feel free

flowers, pretty colours and cute furry animals,

the nursery in blue or pink, and from then on

to express who they are and follow whatever

that they can play with dolls, that they can be

the gender differences carry on throughout their

interests them, we also have a duty to protect

stay-at-home fathers, that women are people

childhood.

them from potential backlash. A boy wearing a

not objects, that while it’s okay to be strong, you

pink hat to school may be teased by his peers;

can also be nurturing, and that violence is not

while a girl who cuts her hair really short may

acceptable ever.

Finding gender-neutral clothes and toys is not always easy, but what we can do as parents is

the lawn, then his son will see that it is a perfectly

The problem children face is that gender

perfectly fine for boys as well as girls? Now I’ve got

Children learn gender stereotypes from adults,

1800 Rent A tRuck

Tutus

www.pakmag.com.au

Baby

GAGA for Gourmet

October 2013

Baby books

review new Books

POTTY Watch

Yoo-Hoo, Ladybird! By Mem Fox Little ones will love this simple story of hide and seek as they search for the ladybird on each page.

According to Canstar Blue’s annual parent opinion research many babies (46%) eat better quality food than their parents! More than two thirds (69%) say they like to make sure their baby enjoys a regular diet of super-foods such as avocado, blueberries, salmon, broccoli and goji or acai berries. One third

Varicose Veins

(33%) of parents feed their babies organic food but they don’t eat organic food themselves.

Statistics show that 8 out of 10 women who have had two or more pregnancies will experience varicose veins. There are several reasons for this

regular gentle exercises, going for a

including an increase in the amount of

quick walk if you’re sitting or standing for

blood circulating in the body, weight gain

prolonged periods and eating a balanced

putting pressure on the pelvic veins and

diet. Also monitor your lower veins for

progesterone causing the blood vessel

changes or discomfort and consult with a

walls to relax.

vein health specialist to get a prescription

Dr. Peter Paraskevas, a leader in the

for a graduated compression stocking.

Gift

idea

RRP $19.99

Noah Dreary By Aaron Blabey An interesting tale about a boy who

The research also investigated attitudes towards eco-friendly baby products and found that

complains so much

while almost half of all parents (46%) rated eco products very important for their baby, only

his head falls off. The

29% considered chemical-free, environmentally friendly products very important for the rest

doctor can’t fix it so

of the family.

what will he do? RRP $24.99

Given that half the battle of toilet training is reminding your child to go to the toilet, a new product has entered the market to take care of that for you!

Baby Dental Tips

Xander's Panda Party

Often parents wonder why it’s so important to protect baby’s

By Lina Sue Park

first teeth when they will eventually fall out anyway. The first

A joyful tale of

teeth are necessary for chewing and speaking but they are also the

fun from a master

space holders and pathways for the adult teeth to erupt. If they are

storyteller and winner

lost early to tooth decay, it can lead to crooked teeth in later life.

of the prestigious

non-surgical treatment of varicose veins,

Between pregnancies non-surgical

says there is little you can do to prevent

treatment is available which will help

Potty Watch is a toilet training timer that allows you to set

varicose veins during pregnancy but you

alleviate painful symptoms and physical

a timer to remind your child to go to the toilet with a fun

Newbery Medal.

can try sleeping on your left side, doing

appearance.

catchy song. For more info go to www.pottywatch.com.au

RRP $19.95

www.pakmag.com.au

Travel guide October 2013

Holiday Tips

Family Guide to

the GoldCoast Story by Kylie Stokes & Elaine Seager

The Gold Coast is a mecca for families and with gorgeous surf beaches, world class golf courses, lush green rainforest and lots of Theme Parks you are guaranteed an action-packed holiday where you’ll never run out of things to do.

If you’re planning on travelling during school holidays it’s always a good idea to plan your trip well in advance as this will ensure you get the best deals on flights and accommodation. Getting Around Hiring a car is the best way to get around the Gold Coast if you’re travelling as a family. Having your own vehicle will provide you the greatest flexibility and allow you to easily explore the surrounding regions at your leisure. For those who prefer to avoid driving, check out the transfer passes that are available. There are various passes available with one of the best covering your choice of a three to 14 day period including transfers to accommodation from Gold Coast Airport, unlimited scheduled transfers from your accommodation to the major theme parks and unlimited use of the scheduled shopping shuttle service.

Hire a car

www.pakmag.com.au

Travel guide

Gold Coast

NEW

October 2013

Check out Dreamworld's newest and scariest attraction that's just been launched: Zombie Evilution

Bike Riding

Swimming

Family Guide to

the GoldCoast

Tickets:

Other Things to Do:

accommodation. Make sure you book

Whilst you can buy individual day passes to each

• Australian Outback Spectacular – A fun

of the parks, the best value approach for families

evening out for kids which celebrates the

properties will guarantee this.

is to purchase a pass that allows you unlimited

courageous spirit of the Australian horse while

entry over a certain time period so you can come

you enjoy a delicious three course dinner.

and go as you please during your holiday.

THEME Parks [1] Dreamworld – For 30 years this has been the Gold Coast’s must-do attraction with hectares of thrill seeker rides

[3] Sea World – home to polar bears, dolphins, seals, penguins and sharks, Sea World is the most educational of the parks and it also has a few rides for kids. [4] Wet ‘n’ Wild – Australia’s premier water park with lots of ‘splashtacular’ slip and slide fun. The perfect place to cool down in the summer holidays but it’s very popular so get there early.

• Super Pass - unlimited entry to Warner Bros.

• Jetboating on the broadwater

supervised kids club with a water park and

• Skypoint Observation Deck – see spectacular

style with family and interconnecting rooms

Movie World, Sea World and Wet ‘n’ Wild for 28 consecutive days for one low price

21 consecutive days TIP: Beat the Crowds • Arrive early

360 degree views of the Gold Coast at Q1

• Shopping - visit Pacific Fair or Harbour Town

• Crown Towers Resort – one to three bedroom

for some serious retail therapy

apartments available. Children are well catered

• The Hinterland - for a change of pace explore Lamington National Park, Mount Tamborine and Springbrook for the Glow Worm Caves.

• Visit on rainy days

• Sport - watch a Titans or Gold Coast Suns

rather than going to the closest attractions • Pre-purchase tickets online

available. This is THE resort for families. (Check out their FREE offer on page 46)

• Go midweek

• Head further afield when you enter the park

adventure playground on site. Rooms are hotel

• Jupiters Casino - take in a stage show

during footy season. • Beaches – enjoy the world famous Surfers Paradise or one of the beautiful canals.

• Use e-ticket express gates

Accommodation:

Coast’s newest park is smaller than Wet ‘n’ Wild and has some of

• Check out ‘early entry passes’ and ‘virtual

The Gold Coast has an abundance of affordable

the most cutting edge water based attractions.

queuing’ devices

self-contained apartments and hotel style

[5] Whitewater World – adjoining Dreaworld, the Gold

www.pakmag.com.au

through to 12 year olds. The resort has a fully

to Dreamworld and WhiteWater World over

memorabilia for film lovers.

caters for families with kids from babies

our leading native wildlife adventure parks

There’s also Wiggles World for younger kids.

action stunt show, wandering cartoon characters and movie

• Paradise Resort Gold Coast – this resort truly

Your options include:

• Holiday World Pass - unlimited entry

studio, Warner Bros. Movie World has thrill rides, a daily live-

Recommendations:

• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary - One of

including the ‘Big 6’, interactive shows and animal attractions.

[2] Warner Bros Movie World – Doubling as a movie

interconnecting hotel rooms because not all

for with features such as a lagoon style pool, games room and children’s playground. • Mantra Sun City – located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, this resort offers a great range of accommodation plus they have a kid’s games room and a waterslide. • Sea World Resort & Water Park – Families are well catered for here with a Kids Club and WaterPlay aqua playground. Rooms are hotel style.

www.pakmag.com.au

Pets fav

October entries

Fav pet shot of the month wins a mystery prize to the value of $30!

Bentley the dachshund

Prize winner

Ralph loved by Sofie

Frankie & Myer

Waddy the red cattle dog

Email your photo, name/s & address to: photos@pakmag.com.au • Deadline for photos is 18 October for the November 2013 edition of Pakmag.

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Itchy Scratchy

leas are tiny, wingless insects with

Fleas are more than just annoying insects. They

mouthparts designed to suck blood.

are the leading cause of itchiness, scratching and

The flea’s saliva, which contains an

skin irritation in pets. One of the most common

ingredient that softens the pet’s skin for easier

problems caused by fleas is a hypersensitivity

penetration and feeding, is irritating and

reaction that causes pets to become intensely

allergenic for a pet’s skin.

itchy. The areas most often affected are the

Fleas have four main life stages: