PAKMAG - February 2010

Issue 32 February 2010

Kid’s mini mag inside!

Cover Photo: Shaz Sp annenburg Digital Images

! t NLYou S Ome KuIDLL

P

Sleep techniques for babies

Unspoil your kids Expo

Special in cinemas February 11

• Did you know? • Loads of Comps • Heaps of Prizes • PAK review

What’s On February

what’s stacked in pak this month

ELEVIT & MENEVIT Talk with one of our Pharmacist’s about these products

Are you and your partner trying to get pregnant?

The teams at Calanna Pharmacies will advise you on how to prepare for a healthy pregnancy

FEEL ALIVE Woree  600 Bruce Highway

OPEN 8am TO 8pm - 7 DAYS A WEEK

 FEEL HEALTHY

 FEEL GOOD

 North Cairns 355 Sheridan Street  Innisfail 75 Edith Street

parents

kids

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What’s new

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Kid’s Mini Mag

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Sea FM’s daddy diary

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Expo Colour-It-In & win

editor’s note

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Unspoil your kids

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Wiggles movie release

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Little Garden Adventures

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Battle of the Brains

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In partnership with parents

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Bopstars bulletin

Hello and welcome to the 32nd edition of PakMag. This month we are highlighting the big family event of the year, the North Queensland Baby and Children’s Expo.

Make sure you book your tickets because we will be there sponsoring the Kids Zone so your kids will be well entertained over the weekend!

15 Pak Health - Childhood stress

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Animal facts

Jordan turns one on the 28th of this month. I can’t believe it, where has the time gone? My little baby is now busy exploring and destroying everything he can get his hands on (thankfully he is not quite walking yet). They do say time goes fast when you’re having fun although I think it goes even faster when you have kids (except when its dinner or nappy time - those tasks now take forever!)

We’ve just returned from our first family holiday. I was so excited to get away for a rest after a hugely busy year but as it turns out parents never get to rest! Whilst we had my family around for babysitting help, Jordan decided not to bother sleeping very much so we’ve come back still exhausted. On the plus side he loved being with cousins and learned so much from them although since getting home he gets bored of me real quick. I look forward to knowing what my little man is trying to say. I am guessing that his very meaningful grunts and growls mean “you’re so not cool mum, isn’t there anyone else to play with?”.

Until next time, enjoy this edition of PakMag and I look forward to seeing you at one of our monthly PakClub gatherings at Cazaly’s (they will now be every second Sunday of the month, 5-7pm).

Happy reading, and make sure you tell everyone you read it in PakMag. Bree

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Pak Health - Intestinal health

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Pak Health - Super herbs

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Pak Health - Health after weaning

baby & toddler

19 Kids in the kitchen 19 Parents in the pantry 20

Out & about photos

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What’s On February

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The Adventures of Merlin

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Out & about photos

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Pak Baby - Expo Special

Things to Win

35 Pak Baby - Expo Special 43 Weekender 44 Prize Winners/Fav Pet Shots 45

A trip to...

46 Business Directory 47 DIY Pak Project 48 Kids activities - Fore!

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Small schools: a thing of the past?

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Movie of the month

52 Time for a break

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Win a double movie pass

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Expo Colour-It-In & win

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Movie release prize pack

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Battle of the brains

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Kasey Chamber’s CD

36

Steve Parish Cute books

37

Win Cake Lingerie

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5 Expo family passes to win

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Win a Crocodile Explorer pass

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Mystery PakMag prize

Editor: Bree James Sub Editor: Elaine Seager Website, What’s On & MiniMag Manager: Trent Stievano Graphic Design & Layout: Trina Jensen from Intrinsic Creative Articles: Elaine Seager, Amanda Mathiot, Susan Dillicar, Cheryl Critchley & submitted writers Phone: 4031 9915 Fax: 4031 9916 Email: info@pakmag.com.au Address: Level 2, 68 Abbott St, Virginia House, Cairns Q 4870 Postal: PO Box 7433, Cairns Q 4870 Sales & Advertising enquiries: sales@pakmag.com.au Stories, events, distribution, subscriptions to: info@pakmag.com.au Accounts to: accounts@pakmag.com.au Photos to: photos@pakmag.com.au Disclaimer: No part of this magazine, including the advertisements within it may br 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 advsied to check details before visiting. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. The expressions expressed within PaK Magazine are not neccessarily the views of the publishers, but those of individual writers.

www.pakmag.com.au

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what’s new!

Expo!

There’s over 80 exhibitors attending this year’s NQ Baby & Children’s Expo – that’s a lot of things to look at so luckily there’s lots of kids entertainment and also a Parents Retreat sponsored by Calanna where you can put your feet up for a while. For a full list of exhibitors see page42. Make sure you look out for SmallPrint, a Brisbane based

FEB 2010

Movie RELEASES

thanks to Birch carroll & Coyle Cinemas

company who create silver jewellery out of your child’s fingerprints.

TAS Jumpstart Programme

Trinity Anglican School have just launched their new early childhood Jump Start programme. Call them on 4036 8111 or check them out at the Expo for more information.

Kids Courses

Relationships Australia are holding three courses for children of

Carrot on a stick

Starting 8 Feb is a free family health after-school programme at

experiencing family separation. They are FREE and will be held at 182 Gatton St, Manunda. 6 week courses, 3.30-5pm including afternoon tea. Call 1300 364 277 for more info and bookings.

Cairns West Primary School each Monday for 8 weeks from 3.30pm to 5.30pm. Enrol before 5 Feb. It includes cooking groups for adults, circus classes for school aged kids and a play group for littlies. Call

in Australia and they’re currently taking applications for a local Cairns

• Daily visits from the Easter Bunny • Craft activities • Puppet show • Face painting • Petting zoo • Story telling • 2 jumping castles • Native animals • Music • Balloons…

6th–7th 10 0 March 2 Cairns n io Convenrte Cent …the must-do family event of the year!

W

a visitIN Easte from r + load Bunny s of o

Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief In cinemas Feb 11

Can’t find a way to get rid of the kids on Valentines Day? Why not come along to our next PakClub for a couple of hours of respite. It

The Hurt Locker In cinemas Feb 18

From 1

Bringing together the best in: • Free seminars and workshops • Parenting information • Products and services • Local and interstate exhibitors

Shutter Island In cinemas Feb 18

Crazy Heart In cinemas Feb 18

will be held at Cazaly’s 5-7pm.

Nope, she’s not actually coming to Cairns but it’s the next best

a fam to

See Bob LIVE & Wendy o! at thepEmxdpaily

kids call Jacquie on 07 4055 6946. For more information visit their website at www.impressionablekids.com.au. They will be exhibiting

WiIlyN pass

prizes ther !

From Paris with Love In cinemas Feb 18

franchisee so if you’re interested in working from home around the

what’s new in entertainment!

Celine Dion

Valentines Day In cinemas Feb 11

Loads of free Kid’s entertainment:

Corrollie on 0405 398839 for more info.

at the NQ Baby Expo.

PakClub

Edge of Darkness In cinemas Feb 4

various ages (6-9 yr olds, 10-13 yr olds & 14-17 yr olds) who are

Impressionable Kids are the leaders in framed children’s memorabilia

Business Opportunity

Day Breakers In cinemas Feb 4

The Blindside In cinemas Feb 25

© 2009 HIT Entertainment Limited and Keith Chapman.

All rights reserved. © 2009 HIT Entertainment Limited.

Subscribe online for our FREE NQ Baby and Child eNews and you could wiN a FREE FAMiLY EXPO TiCKET!

thing. For one week only from 18th February Birch Carroll & Proudly sPonsored by

Coyle Cairns Central will be showing her 2008-2009 World Tour documentary with exclusive footage that’s never been seen before of the diva in action.

Separation City In cinemas Feb 25

Have you got something new that Cairns families should know about?

2 Email us at: info@pakmag.com.au or go to our website www.pakmag.com.au and add in your event

www.pakmag.com.au

For more information visit: www.nqbabyexpo.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au

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daddy diary #10 Potts, one half of the Sea FM morning crew, continues his chronicles of first time fatherhood More spewing adventures with Potts & Noah Noah may only be 6 months old but it looks as though he’s already chosen his future. From what I’ve seen over the last month, he won’t be playing footy for Hawthorn, swimming for Australia or taking tourists out to the reef. He’s going to be an artist!

Recently he has been doing an amazing job of channeling the great Pro Hart. Picture this, you turn your head for a couple of minutes to check the cricket score and bang…

Noah brings up his milk on the floor, rolls around in it and then spreads his hands all through it. It reminds me of that commercial where Pro Hart rolls through the spaghetti on the carpet with that famous saying “Oh Mr. Hart, what a mess!”.

Of course, Noah thinks it’s great. He even thinks it’s quite funny, which I suppose it is, as long as I don’t have to clean it up.

One of the best things anyone can do with their new baby is

introduce them to the swimming pool as soon as possible. This is something that was reinforced to me by Laurie Lawrence when he popped into the SEAFM studio last year. Consequently we’ve taken Noah down to the Lagoon most weekends for the past two months.

He absolutely loves it. I hold him on his back and he kicks away and splashes the water with his hands.

There’s nothing cuter then seeing a baby in his boardies or, if he’s trying to break a world record, his budgie smugglers. Trouble is, Dad gets a bit excited and jumps around with him which inevitably brings on the spew again. Lucky we can just wash it off in the Lagoon! (P.S I don’t feel bad about this…I’ve heard worse stories from parents about the Lagoon)

Get fit the fun way

Going to the Lagoon is made even more enjoyable by the fact that Mum and Dad get to enjoy an ice cream whilst they’re there. A perfect way to finish off our little swimming adventures and if Noah is still awake by then, he gets to enjoy a taste of ice cream, both on the way down and up again.

AMERICAN STYLE Cheerleading Classes For males and females of all ages

Potts & Pacey

Kindy Cheer Program available for 3 to 5 year olds. Combination of song and dance + fun, fitness and friends!

t he SeaF M Morn i ng C r e w

weekday MorningS FroM 5.30aM

Classes starting from only $10

on the loCal you know,

For more information contact Tamara 0402 225 630 or email info@awesomecheerleading.com or visit www.awesomecheerleading.com.au

99.5 SeaFM CairnS. 4

www.pakmag.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au

AWESOME

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Unspoil your kids Author and journalist Cheryl Critchley is on a mission to de-clutter parenthood and bring back the basics in her new book “Unspoil Your Kids: Escape the Parent Trap”.

All my kids wanted this Christmas was a Nintendo DS. But my husband and I had great pleasure in denying them these annoying anti-social devices. We saw it as a chance to teach them you don’t always get what you want. With so many gadgets and toys these days it is getting harder and harder not to spoil your kids. It is too easy to give in and in many cases allow them to literally run our lives. We all want the best for them but how much is too much?

Many parents give in to marketers who make them feel guilty if junior doesn’t have their product, guaranteed to give them “a head start”. Others enrol tots in endless organised activities which never give Mum and Dad a break. How many times have you heard someone complain “They have a better social life than we do?” And don’t get me started on parties! What are parents who hire clowns, fairies and stretch limos going to do when their kids turn 21? A ticket to the moon?

When our parents were young the prevailing wisdom was “spare the rod, spoil the child”. Children were intimidated, excluded and literally whacked into subservience. No-one wants that, but the pendulum has swung way too far in the other direction. And this is not good for them or us.

Parenting educator Michael Grose says despite having so many resources, parents are less child-literate than ever.

He says Gen X is ‘‘quite an anxious generation’’, less likely to rely on instinct

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www.pakmag.com.au

and more likely to question authority.

Having fewer children, they are more prone to ‘‘micro-parent’’. ‘‘They expect the best from schools,” he says. “They are a demanding, anxious group.’’

Some also lack common sense and treat their child like a mini-VIP. They allow them to bully others in play centres and babble throughout public events, like one did during our visit to a chocolate factory last year. Not once did his Mum tell him to shush. These parents also take their children to expensive restaurants where they (the kids that is) yell, run and tip sugar bowls over without consequence.

Most of us are not that bad, just confused. We are literally drowning in parenting paraphernalia, from programs teaching babies to read to professional party planners for five-year-olds. That is why I decided to write Unspoil Your Kids; Escape the Parent Trap. As a mother of three children aged 6-10 I know what it is like to feel that pressure – and to give in occasionally.

We parents need permission to say no and set the boundaries children crave and thrive on. We also need permission to relax and have our own lives. Kids are special but need to learn to share, miss out and make their own fun. How easily we have forgotten the lessons we learned falling off skateboards, playing with neighbours and walking to the shops with carefully saved pocket money. So what do we do?

New Zealand psychologist Nigel Latta hits the nail on the head when he says we are all bad parents sometimes, but it doesn’t matter as long as we get it right most of the time. That’s why I try not to stress if my kids eat junk food occasionally, as long as they eat healthy most of the time, or if I let them stay up too late once in a while. Latta says we should be “consistent-ish” and do our best to ensure our children know some good, basic rules, and stick to them as much as possible. This is so simple yet so true. But as all parents can attest, it is much easier said than done.

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Unspoil your kids - continued...

Me time

Life’s a party

• The sky will not fall in if your kids watch TV as you relax (we all watched way too much as kids and turned out OK)

• Kids aged up to about eight like any party and if they don’t they’re spoilt.

• Get them doing chores early; the longer you wait the harder it will be.

• Kids still love pass the parcel, musical chairs and pin the tail on the donkey.

• Take turns going out alone or with friends. The kids will survive without you and enjoy quality time with their other parent.

• Fill a jar with lollies and get each child to guess how many.

• You don’t have to join in every game your children play. They need to learn to make their own fun.

• Have an art competition on the back porch/paving using chalk, with a small prize for the winner.

• Days do not have to be full of organised activities. Allow regular time for everyone to just “veg out”.

• Have a themed quiz with a small prize for the winner.

• Have a collection of special toys to bring out when you need time out.

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• Party pies, fairy bread and honey joys are as popular as expensive catering.

TO WIN We have one copy of Cheryl’s book to give away to one lucky reader.

To win simply send us an email to competitions@pakmag.com.au and tell us what you wish you could ‘unspoil’ your kids from.

• Buy a box of Froot Loops and some elastic to make edible necklaces.

• Buy small prizes/lolly bag contents in advance when on sale.

• Bargain shops are great for $1-2 prizes.

Unspoil Your Kids; Escape the Parent Trap is available in bookstores and newsagents for $9.95 (Wilkinson Publishing).

www.pakmag.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au

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Little garden adventures Gardening was something taught to me by my parents and grandparents. As parents we sometimes forget what gardening is like from our children’s perspective.

By Chris Hajos To parents a back yard is the place where we hang up the washing, mow the lawn and generally try to keep neat and tidy so the neighbours don’t complain! To children, the backyard is the place where Mother Nature works her magic. There is nothing like the back yard to start an adventure and see all the activities that are going on all around us. Kids can watch plants grow, see and hear the insects buzz around, the lizards bask in the sun and the birds fly about.

The home garden is an exciting place to teach kids about the environment and how it plays such a large part in our lives.

Gardening with kids is great fun, although patience is required. Most activities in the garden will take longer when you involve the kids. Always keep in mind what an adventure you and your children will have along the way.

The digging, planting, weeding, pruning and watering will result in your garden blooming and developing. Your garden will take on a different aspect with each new season. Every season there are different jobs to be done in the garden and it is important to understand why we do certain jobs to get the best out of the garden. For example before the wet season it is a good idea to mulch over

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www.pakmag.com.au

the top of the soil. During winter it is the best time to prune plants because most plants are dormant at that time and it will prepare them for a flush of new growth in spring.

Gardening is both educational and fun.

When the kids are digging up the soil they might find earthworms, beetles, grubs, lizards or ants and get dirty at the same time. Earthworms are great fun but also create air pockets in the soil to help water flow to the roots and break down organic matter and convert it into nutrients for the plants.

In addition to all the animals in the garden there are so many plants to get the kids interested in. Building a veggie patch is a great way to get the kids to eat their vegetables because they have grown them themselves. Or for the little princess in the family build her a fairy garden full of flowers. There are so many wonderful plants to introduce the kids to; my daughter’s first plant was a strawberry bush in a pot. Her strawberry plant is now 3 years old and she still helps me look after it. Other great plants for kids are herbs such as parsley, mint and sage and vegetables from seed such as carrots and peas or fruit like watermelons.

One thing you must remember is that

gardening with kids is something you do together, especially for kids under 6 years old. The garden is a wonderful place to explore but parents should always help and supervise their kids in the garden. I still help my daughter (now 5 years old) look after her strawberry plant; sometimes she will water it without me asking her to, but never expect your children to take total responsibility for their plants. As a parent it is best to help the kids with their gardening.

It is all worth the effort when you see the kids doing a fantastic sustainable activity in the fresh air that builds their self confidence and their knowledge.

Watching them eat strawberries off their own plant is the best thing in the world!

Go to www.twigz.com.au to find out more about how to ‘grow’ young gardeners and to buy fun kids gardening equipment.

TO WIN For your chance to win something from the Twigz range, simply tell us the name of the Twigz kids club (hint check out their website).

Send your answer via email to: competitions@pakmag.com.au

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In partnership with parents

brand new Sunday 14 February 5-7pm CAZALYS FunCTion RooM

Children learn important lessons about emotions from their parents. As author Daniel Goleman states “Family life is our first school for emotional learning”.

By Kerry Bird The way you deal with emotions always teaches your children something. For instance, threatening or punishing for a display of emotion teaches that emotions are dangerous and something to be held inside, or failing to teach acceptable ways to express anger can make children think it’s okay to strike out at others or have tantrums.

When children learn to express feelings and respect others, they become happier and healthier and parents are their most important teacher.

So, here are 10 things you can do at home:

Let us occupy the kids so you can relax and have a little bit of romance this Valentines Day. • Valentine’s Meal Deal • Lots of prizes • Fun activities for kids including Zoo To You • Lucky Door Prize • Salsa Dancing for beginners • To book call 4054 1464

[1] Focus on strengths. When your child brings home a test, talk first about what he or she did well. Then talk about what can be improved. Praise specific strengths. Don’t just criticise things that were done wrong.

[2] Follow up with consequences for misbehaviour. Decide on consequences that are fair, and then make sure you carry them out.

1/4 Page Pakmag Ad

Come and join us for this free event • Meet other parents • Have fun • Find out the latest product reviews • Enjoy games, activities and giveaways!!!

Proudly brought to you by:

7:51 AM

[4] Find ways to stay calm when angry.

It’s normal to get angry or irritated sometimes. Show your children that the best way to deal with it is to take a few deep breaths, go to a “quiet area” or just stop talking and leave the room for a while.

[5] Avoid humiliating or mocking your child. Unfair criticism and sarcasm affects the trust your children have in you and it leads to a lack of self confidence.

This, in turn, can create problems with schoolwork, illness, and trouble getting along with friends.

[6] Be willing to apologise. Be a good role model and apologise if you say something you didn’t mean to say and it hurts someone. This shows children that it’s possible to work through problems with respect for others.

*terms & conditions apply: You need to be a member of Cazaly’s to enter due to the Qld Liquor Act 1992, which is $5 for the year, Pak Club visitors get $5 venue cash back on the spot.

www.pakmag.com.au

[8] Ask questions that help children solve problems on their own. It’s easy to just take over when your child has a problem, but helping them find a solution themselves builds important skills.

[9] Read books and stories together.

Reading stories aloud is a way to explore how people deal with common issues like making or losing friends or handling conflicts.

[10] Encourage sharing and helping.

There are many ways to show children how they can make a difference to others such as getting involved in fund-raising or helping out elderly neighbours or needy family members.

Kerry is the Social Emotional Learning Officer for Catholic Education Services in the Diocese of Cairns.

If you’re looking for:

Plus you receive a glass of sparkling wine & a beer with your meals!

Phone: 4054 1464 • fax: 4033 2038 • email: promo@cazalys.com.au • Web: www.cazalys.com.au

[7] Give children choices and respect their wishes. Giving children the opportunity to make choices enables them to learn decision-making skills. It also shows that their ideas and feelings matter.

Page 1

Valentine’s Meal Deal Seafood Tower for Two people only $55

Plus loads of raffles!!!

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2/12/09

[3] Ask children how they feel. When you ask your child about his or her feelings, the message is that feelings matter and you care. Encourage your children to use feeling words, such as “I feel sad” or “That made me really angry” to express emotions.

Tel: (07) 4050 9700 Chances are, you started thinking about your child’s future school long before he or she was born. www.pakmag.com.au

• Your child to fulfil their potential in life • Respect and discipline conducive to quality learning • Christian values • A caring, safe and nurturing environment • A school that is affordable and welcoming to all

Then it’s time you considered a Catholic school for your child.

www.cns.catholic.edu.au 13

pak health

Childhood stress: it’s not just for adults

Stress is extremely common but we rarely think of it in the context of children.

We like to think that children are somehow immune to it and that childhood is a time of blissful innocence and happiness. But of Course that’s not at all true.

By Elaine Seager Not only do they get affected by the rest of us being stressed around them but they also have to contend with the pressure of exams, the enormous social and peer pressure that exists today, bullying, parental divorce and family separation. They don’t even get much peace in their leisure time with TV, computer games, MySpace, text messaging and a plethora of other technologies bombarding them. It doesn’t sound like a very peaceful existence does it?

Stress can affect anyone who feels overwhelmed. In preschoolers, separation from parents can cause anxiety. As kids get older, academic and social pressures (especially the quest to fit in) create stress. While it’s not always easy to recognise when kids are stressed out, short-term behavioural changes — such as mood swings, becoming withdrawn, spending a lot of time alone, acting out, changes in sleep patterns, or bedwetting — can be indications. Some kids may experience physical effects such as stomach aches or headaches.

Others have trouble concentrating or completing schoolwork.

Younger children may react to stress by picking up new habits like thumb sucking, hair twirling, or nose picking; older kids may begin to lie, bully, or defy authority. A child who is stressed may also have nightmares, sudden separation anxiety, overreactions to minor problems,

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www.pakmag.com.au

and drastic changes in academic performance.

[8] If they’re overwhelmed, help them break down their tasks into smaller steps.

Stress is currently one of the major lifestyle factors affecting the health of our population. Some level of stress is normal but persistent on-going stress causes damage to the nervous system and physical health. Over the long term chronic stress can lead to various conditions including high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, anxiety, depression and insomnia and it contributes to other more serious illnesses. So, teaching children how to cope well with stress may be one of the most important life skills you can give them.

[9] Make sure they’re setting realistic goals and not applying undue pressure.

[10] Teach them to focus on what they can do now rather than worrying about the future.

[11] Get organised – teach them about time management and organisation.

[12] Monitor how much news coverage they’re exposed to [13] Be aware of how you as parents discuss problems with kids in earshot.

Tips for helping kids deal with stress: [1] Eat a good nutritious diet.

[2] Have regular exercise.

[3] Show them relaxation techniques (eg meditation).

[4] Talk – make yourself available for one-on-one time each day and talk to them about what may be causing them stress. Let them know it’s ok to feel angry, scared or anxious and get them to talk about how they feel.

[5] Consider cutting back on after-school activities if necessary.

[6] Make time for laughter.

[7] Show them how to focus on what they can control and let go of what they can’t.

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pak health

Intestinal health Sue Dillicar reports on the benefits of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet It’s been featured in The Wall Street Journal, evokes passionate testimonials from its adherents, and has spawned a best-selling book, ‘Breaking the Vicious Cycle’, now in its 11th printing. Yet few people have ever heard of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, or SCD.

What is SCD? This starch-free diet was developed by biochemist Elaine Gottschall after her daughter was diagnosed with colitis at the age five. She created the diet with the aim of starving bad bacteria in her daughter’s intestines, thus allowing her gut to return to its natural healthy state. Within two years of avoiding difficult to digest starchy foods (inc. sugar, grains and potato) her daughter was free of symptoms.

What Conditions Does It Treat?

Although no one has yet to undertake a professional study of this diet, anecdotally it has been shown to be successful with many

gut, bowel and autoimmune conditions such as Crohns, Ulcerative Colitis, Celiac’s Disease and IBS. I, personally, discovered this diet 3 years ago after fruitless years of going from doctor to doctor, naturopaths, a kinesiologist, chinese herbal doctors and so on, to find relief from IBS. None of them made any difference but once I started the SC Diet I found relief within a matter of weeks. Whilst I’m not completely cured, my condition has improved by at least 80%, which has made my life considerably more enjoyable.

On the SCD Menu This diet needs to be followed strictly for 2 years to starve the bad bacteria.

You must avoid eating all grains, most dairy products, sugars, most processed foods, starchy vege’s and soy products but you can eat the following: • Well ripened fruit • Vegetables (including frozen) • Honey

The SC Diet may not be appropriate for everyone, but if you’re struggling to find a successful treatment programme for either you or a child, it might be worth investigating.

• Hard cheeses • Butter • Most oils • Nuts • Blanched almond flour

For more info go to www.pecanbread.com or www.scd.com. Elaine Gottschall has also written a book called ‘Breaking the Vicious Cycle’.

• Home made yoghurt (or acidophilus supplements) • Meat, fish and chicken

Super herbs Herbs are useful in the kitchen for flavouring food but they are also highly nutritious and have been used medicinally for centuries. In fact many herbs have been called ‘super foods’ because they are rich in anti-inflammatory phytochemicals and they are still widely used by naturopaths and homeopaths to remedy many physical ailments. Inflammation contributes to heart disease and a number of other conditions so a good sprinkling of herbs over your food will do you wonders!

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The best anti-inflammatory herbs that are easy to grow are: rosemary, basil, chives, coriander, parsley and garlic. Luckily, we have the perfect climate for growing most herbs. If you haven’t already done so, planting herbs in pots to use in cooking is an easy way to get the kids involved in growing food. All they need is a daily dose of sunshine and water.

Easy ways to use herbs: • Make herbal butters and cream cheeses

pak health

Health after weaning Naturopath Kylie Cloney explains how to maintain Mum’s health after breastfeeding When a woman finds out she is pregnant, her health and diet often become a priority. Better food choices are made, use of medications is reduced and natural products embraced. In general there is a good awareness of the importance of health during pregnancy and breastfeeding but what happens to a mother’s health and wellbeing after weaning?

As fertility and menstruation return, this is an important time for mothers to care for and replenish the body. In some indigenous cultures, women intentionally space their pregnancies with an average three year gap to ensure adequate emotional and nutritional recovery. Research has shown that this resulted in children with strong skull and bone structure, a broad jaw and straight teeth with no teeth crowding and decay.

Emotional changes are common after weaning; mild depression, anxiety, guilt, tears, and a sense of loss may surface.

This is largely caused by the hormonal changes that occur as the body returns to pre-pregnancy normal levels. This is a

natural process although some women’s bodies take longer to adjust than others. In these cases naturopathy can provide some gentle, natural assistance such as relaxing the nervous system, easing cramping or heavy bleeding or encouraging the body to recommence a menstrual cycle if it has not naturally returned.

A decrease in appetite is also common after weaning as less energy is needed to produce milk but take care not to undereat. The following nutritional tips should help you keep in top shape and ready to chase that toddler around: [1] Calcium – very important during pregnancy and breastfeeding and just as important to maintain in your diet after weaning. Adequate magnesium is also important for maintaining proper calcium ratios in the body. Calcium and magnesium are not only essential for your bones, but also for feeding the nervous system and muscular system which work overtime during the childbearing years. Beans, nuts and soy milk are good sources of magnesium.

[2] Iron – some mothers feel tired and weak after weaning and need a boost. If the menstrual cycle has returned and the flow is heavy, then this can be additionally taxing to the iron stores.

[3] Essential Fatty Acids – Omega 3 and 6 feed your brain, nervous system and assist in hormone balance. Seafood is a good choice.

[4] B Vitamins – weaning from breastfeeding can be an emotional experience so include foods which are nourishing to the nervous system. Try brewers yeast for a good affordable supply of B Vitamins.

[5] Herbal Medicines – there are many safe and effective herbal medicines which have been used by women for centuries which may assist in the energy and nutritional demands of motherhood.

These can be taken as a tea, capsule or liquid tincture.

Kylie Cloney is a Naturopath, Herbalist and Nutritional Therapist at Cairns Naturopathic for info call 0421 982 952

by mixing 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh herbs to 1/2 cup butter, cottage cheese, low fat yoghurt or cream cheese.

Let it set for at least an hour to blend the flavour; then taste test on a plain cracker.

• Flavour vinegar for use in cooking and in vinaigrettes. Bruise one cup of leaves for every 2 cups of white wine or delicate vinegar. Allow to steep for two weeks.

• Stuff a bunch of herbs under the skin of a roast chicken.

www.pakmag.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au

17

kids in the kitchen

parents in the pantry

honey snaps

mini scones

with Teah

Ingredients • 3 tbspn honey • 2 tbspn sugar

with Reidun Berg

Ingredients

• 50g margarine

• 2 cups SR flour

• 1/2 cup plain flour

• 1 tbsp caster sugar

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 dessert spoon icing sugar

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp ground ginger or cinnamon

• 1 tsp salt • 1/3 cup thickened cream

Method

• 1/2 cup milk o

[1] Pre heat oven to 180 .

• 1/4 cup (half water half milk)

[2] Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Method

[3] In a saucepan put honey, sugar and margarine and gently heat till melted.

Remove from heat.

[4] Sift all dry ingredients into the saucepan and mix well.

[5] Drop teaspoons onto the papered tray.

[6] Bake for 10 minutes.

Yummy as a lunch box treat or snack after school.

18

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www.pakmag.com.au

[1] Sift dry ingredients into a mixing bowl and make a well in the centre.

[2] Stir in the cream and milk and water mixture with a knife until it makes a soft dough.

Win a double Movie Pass Send in your reader recipe for the chance to win a double pass to the movies.

Email your recipe to: competitions@pakmag.com.au

Entries close: 18/02/10

[3] Turn onto a floured board and knead well, if too soft add a little bit more flour.

[4] Then cut out with a cutter.

[5] Place on greased tray and place in oven 12 mins or until ready. Scones should be lightly browned.

[6] When cooked remove from the oven and place the scones onto a wire rack to cool.

19

! t NLYou S Ome KID

ll u P

out & about

PakMag Christm

as Party fun at Bir ch Carroll & Coyle

ty fun at Birch Carroll &

PakMag Christmas Par

Central Cinemas

PakMag Christm

Coyle Central Cinemas

as Party fun at Bir ch Carroll & Coyle

PakMag Christmas Par

Central Cinemas

ty fun at BCC Central Cin

emas

in cinemas February 11

PakMag Christm

as Party fun at Bir ch Carroll & Coyle

20

Central Cinemas

PakMag Christmas Party fun at BCC Central Cinemas

www.pakmag.com.au

• Did you know? • Loads of Comps • Heaps of Prizes • PAK review

To enter this fantastic competition just colour-it-in and mail to: PAKMAG, Colour-it-in February, PO Box 7433 Cairns Q 4870 and you could WIN a family pass to the NQ Baby and Children’s Expo or one of 5 Crayola prizes! Closing Date: 18 Feb 2010 For more copies of the colour-it-in and win download from our website

Colour-it-in & you could Win A family pass to the NQ Baby and Children’s Expo or one of 5 Crayola prizes

pak review “The Wiggles” IN THE CINEMAS > Rating: G > Category: Kids > In Cinemas: 28 FEbruary 2010 Join the Wiggles for the happiest show in town…The Big Big Show! Everyone loves a circus, and this circus-inspired Wiggly show has acrobats, gymnasts, dancers, trapeze artists and a ringmaster! Of course you’ll see Sam, Jeff, Anthony and Murray and the world famous Wiggly dancers, as well as Wiggly friends Wags the Dog, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus and Captain Feathersword!

To win a Birch Prize pack, simply tell us in 25 words or less “Who is your favourite Wiggle and why?”

Birch & PakMag Competition Send your answer to: Birch Comp, PO Box 7433, Cairns, Qld 4870 or email us at: competitions@pakmag.com.au. Don’t forget to add your details (Name, Age, Email, Address and Phone Number). Entries close 18th February 2010.

See Bob & Wendy at the NQ Baby & Children’s Expo: > Meet Wendy 1pm daily

Question 1:

> Bob the Builder live show 2pm daily

What is the name of the new kids club run by pakmag?

> Meet Bob the Builder 3pm daily

Question 2: What is the name of the movie at cinemas with large blue people?

Question 3:

Answer all the questions and you could win a fantastic prize pak!!!

What was the name of the first cyclone for Queensland in 2010?

Question 4: What is date of the next PakClub in February?

Question 5: What is a group of whales called? (example: a group of birds is a ‘flock’)

Name:_________________________________________________________________Age:________________________________________ Parent/Guardian:____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone:_________________________________________________________________Email:_______________________________________ Post entry form to PAKMAG, Colour-it-in February, PO Box 7433 Cairns Q 4870 or you can drop it off at reception - Level 2, 68 Abbott Street.

22

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Entries close: 18 February 2010 Email your answers to: competitions@pakmag.com.au Or post your answers to: Battle of the Brains, PAK MAG, PO Box 7433 Cairns Qld 4870

www.pakmag.com.au

23

JOKES

sudoku 3

2 6 5 4

2

3

5 1 2 5

1

did you know?

6

there are 300 in children (as they gro

w

some of the bones fuse together).

· Did you know flea’s can jump 13

0

times higher than their own height

In human terms this is equal to a

.

6ft person jumping 780ft in the air. · Did you know the most danger ous animal in the world is the commo n housefly. Because of their habits of visiting animal waste, they transm it more diseases than any other ani mal!

JOKE 2: My sister got me into trouble the other day. She said, Mum, he’s broken my dolly.’ My mum said, ‘How did that happen?’ My sister said, ‘Well I was hitting him on the head with it, and it broke.’

Thu 4th

word scramble _____

(2) Lelyisfjh

_________

(3) Uns

___

(4) Ehcba

_____

(5) Nira

____

(6) Otrsms

______

(7) Olyccne

_______

(8) Eefrs

_____

(9) Ishfgni

_______

(10) Immniswg

________

Prize!!!

Win a Mystery and send the Simply un-scramble the words answers + your name and contact info to email competitions@pakmag.com.au or post them to PO BOX 7433 Cairns. Entries close: 18/02/10.

24

DATE

Mon 1st

(1) Ertes

bones in the adult human body and

RED = FAMILY

JOKE 1: These gangsters came to our house and my sister answered the door.

They said to her, ‘Kid, is your mum in?’

My Sister said, ‘No, she ain’t.’

They said, ‘Kid, is your dad in?’

My sister said, ‘No, he ain’t.’

They said, ‘Ah, come on kid, where’s your grammar?’

My sister said, ‘In the front room asleep.’

Cairns

· Did you know that there are 20

pak’s what’s on guide february

www.pakmag.com.au

Tue 2nd

Wed 3rd

Fri 5th

Sat 6th

Sun 7th

Mon 8th Tue 9th

Wed 10th

Thu 11th

VENUE

Cazalys Cazalys Gordonvale Library Earlville Library Mondos Vertigo Bar Cazalys Cazalys Cazalys Manunda Library Mossman Library Cairns Convention Centre Vertigo Bar Cazalys Cairns Central Cinemas Cairns City Cinemas Earlville Cinemas Earlville Cinemas Edmonton Library Cairns City Place Mondos Vertigo Bar Cazalys Cairns City Place Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Mondos Vertigo Bar Cazalys Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Vertigo Bar Cazalys Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Mondos Vertigo Bar Cazalys Cazalys Cazalys Mondos Vertigo Bar Cazalys Cazalys Cazalys Stratford Library Vertigo Bar Cazalys

Green = kids

blue = adults

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENT NAME

BINGO Line Dancing Reading with the Rascals - Storytime Reading with the Rascals - Baby Rhyme Time Family Night with Terry Doyle & Rachel the facepainter Live Music - Nikki Doll Live Music - Out of the Blue BINGO TRIVIA Reading with the Rascals - Storytime Reading with the Rascals - Storytime Basketball - Taipans VS Perth Live Music - Big Noise Live Music - Juicy Fruits NEW RELEASE - 'Daybreakers' MA NEW RELEASE - 'Edge of Darkness' TBA NEW RELEASE - 'Daybreakers' MA NEW RELEASE - 'Edge of Darkness' TBA Reading with the Rascals - Storytime Live Music - James Braithwaite Unsigned & Unplugger Live Music - Latino Live Music - Kick Start Live Music - Lucky Phil Live Performance - Drum Up Big Live Music - Prodigal Sista Live Music - Hip 2 Soul Live Music - Toe Crackin' Jack Esplanade Cotters Markets Live Music - The Soul Objective Live Music - Koahlition Live Music - Swingin Alleycatz Cazalys Kids Club Live Music - Snake Gully All Day Dining with Bean Bags & Giant Lawn Games Live Music - McMenamins BINGO Line Dancing Free Poker Family Night with Terry Doyle & Rachel the facepainter Live Music - Belinda Butler Live Music - Out of the Blue BINGO TRIVIA Reading with the Rascals - Storytime Live Music - Big Noise Live Music - Sweet K

START TIME

9:30 AM 1:00 PM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 5:00 PM 8:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:30 AM 7:00 PM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 6:00 PM 9:00 PM 7:00 PM All Day All Day All Day All Day 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 7:30 PM 9:00 PM 7:00 PM 12:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:30 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 AM 11:00 AM 3:00 PM 9:30 PM 5:00 PM 3:00 PM All Day 8:00 PM 9:30 AM 1:00 PM 6:00 PM 5:00 PM 8:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:30 AM 7:00 PM 10:00 AM 9:00 PM 7:00 PM

FOR MORE INFO:

www.cazalys.com.au www.cazalys.com.au (07) 4056 1365 (07) 4044 3766 promotions@reefcasino.com.au

www.cazalys.com.au www.cazalys.com.au

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www.cazalys.com.au www.birch.com.au www.birch.com.au www.birch.com.au www.birch.com.au

(07) 4055 1421 www.cairnsesplanade.com.au promotions@reefcasino.com.au

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www.cazalys.com.au www.cazalys.com.au www.cazalys.com.au (07) 4044 3720 promotions@reefcasino.com.au

www.cazalys.com.au

COST:

Cost Cost FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE Cost Cost FREE FREE Cost FREE FREE Cost Cost Cost Cost FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE Cost FREE Cost Cost FREE FREE FREE FREE Cost Cost FREE FREE FREE

pak’s what’s on guide february RED = FAMILY DATE

Fri 12th

Sat 13th

Sun 14th

Mon 15th

Tue 16th

Wed 17th

Thu 18th

VENUE

Cairns Central Cinemas Cairns Central Cinemas Cairns City Cinemas Earlville Cinemas Earlville Cinemas Earlville Cinemas Mossman Library Smithfield Library Cairns City Place Mondos Vertigo Bar Cazalys Cairns City Place Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Cairns Civic Theatre Mondos Vertigo Bar Cazalys Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Cairns Convention Centre Vertigo Bar Cazalys Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Mondos Cairns Civic Theatre Vertigo Bar Cairns Civic Theatre Cazalys Cazalys Cazalys Smithfield Library Mondos Vertigo Bar Cazalys Cazalys Cazalys Babinda Library Vertigo Bar Cazalys Cairns Central Cinemas Cairns Central Cinemas Cairns City Cinemas Cairns City Cinemas Earlville Cinemas Earlville Cinemas Earlville Cinemas

Green = kids

blue = adults

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENT NAME

NEW RELEASE - 'Valentines Day' TBA NEW RELEASE - 'Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief' TBA NEW RELEASE - 'Wolfman' TBA NEW RELEASE - 'Wolfman' TBA NEW RELEASE - 'Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief' TBA NEW RELEASE - 'Valentines Day' TBA Reading with the Rascals - Storytime Reading with the Rascals - Baby Rhyme Time Live Music - Pauline Bradshaw Duo Unsigned & Unplugger Live Music - Latino Live Music - Sweet K Live Music - Chris "Live and Acoustic" Live Performance - Marks Aussie Animal Show Live Show - Queen - It's Kinda Magic Live Music - 3's A Crowd Live Music - Hip 2 Soul Live Music - Tunes With Trent Esplanade Cotters Markets Chinese New Year Celebrations - Junior See Poy Trio Basketball - Taipans VS New Zealand Breakers Live Music - Swingin Alleycatz PAKCLUB - Kids Club Live Music - The Latin Jazz Excursion Valentines Day for Couples Live Show - Puppetry of the Penis Live Music - The McMenamins Live Show - Dusty, Doris & Me BINGO Line Dancing Free Poker Reading with the Rascals - Storytime Family Night with Terry Doyle & Rachel the facepainter Live Music - Shari Williams Live Music - Out of the Blue BINGO TRIVIA Reading with the Rascals - Storytime Live Music - Big Noise Live Music - Mark Burton NEW RELEASE - 'From Paris With Love' TBA NEW RELEASE - 'The Hurt Locker' MA NEW RELEASE - 'Shutters Island' MA NEW RELEASE - 'Crazy Heart' M NEW RELEASE - 'Shutter Island' MA NEW RELEASE - 'From Paris With Love' TBA NEW RELEASE - 'The Hurt Locker' MA

START TIME

All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 7:30 PM 9:00 PM 7:00 PM 12:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:30 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 AM 3:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:30 PM 5:00 PM 3:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM 11:00 AM 9:30 AM 1:00 PM 6:00 PM 10:00 AM 5:00 PM 8:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:30 AM 7:00 PM 10:00 AM 9:00 PM 7:00 PM All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day

RED = FAMILY FOR MORE INFO:

www.birch.com.au www.birch.com.au www.birch.com.au www.birch.com.au www.birch.com.au www.birch.com.au (07) 4099 9496 (07) 4044 3711

EdgE Hill SmitHfiEld WEStCOURt BRiNSmEAd

Cnr Woodward & Pease Streets Ph 4053 2317 Cnr Faculty Close & McGregor Road Ph 4057 8755 Showground Centre, 171 Mulgrave Road Ph 4051 8379 Shop 4, 101 Brinsmead Road Ph 4034 2024

COST:

www.cairnsesplanade.com.au

Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE

www.ticketlink.com.au

$60/$70

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promotions@reefcasino.com.au

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www.cazalys.com.au (07) 4044 3711 promotions@reefcasino.com.au

www.cazalys.com.au www.cazalys.com.au www.cazalys.com.au (07) 4067 1112 promotions@reefcasino.com.au

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www.birch.com.au www.birch.com.au www.birch.com.au www.birch.com.au www.birch.com.au www.birch.com.au www.birch.com.au

Time to relax?

$1 day Tuesday

pak’s what’s on guide february

FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE Cost FREE FREE FREE Cost $34.90 FREE $14/$16

Cost Cost FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE Cost Cost FREE FREE FREE Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost

$2 games ThuRsday

OPEN 9am-10pm Sun-Thurs, 9am-12midnight Fri-Sat OPEN 9am-Midnight 7 days OPEN 9am-Midnight 7 days OPEN 9am-Midnight 7 days

DATE

VENUE

Stratford Library Mossman Library Mondos Birch Carroll Coyle Cinemas Cairns City Place Vertigo Bar Fri 19th Cazalys Cairns City Place Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Birch Carroll Coyle Cinemas Vertigo Bar Sat 20th Cazalys Cairns Convention Centre Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Birch Carroll Coyle Cinemas Vertigo Bar Sun 21st Cazalys Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Cairns Convention Centre Birch Carroll Coyle Cinemas Mondos Vertigo Bar Mon 22nd Cazalys Cazalys Birch Carroll Coyle Cinemas Tue 23rd Cazalys Manunda Library Birch Carroll Coyle Cinemas Mondos Vertigo Bar Wed 24th Cazalys Cazalys Cazalys Birch Carroll Coyle Cinemas Vertigo Bar Thu 25th Cazalys Earlville Library Cairns City Place Mondos Vertigo Bar Fri 26th Cazalys Cairns City Place Vertigo Bar Sat 27th Cazalys Cairns Esplanade Lagoon

Green = kids

blue = adults

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENT NAME

Reading with the Rascals - Baby Rhyme Time Reading with the Rascals - Storytime Unsigned & Unplugger ONE WEEK ONLY - "Celine" Live Music - Suave Swing Live Music - Latino Live Music - Kick Start Live Music - Brooks Brothers Live Performance - Foreshore Fire Show - Cycas Circus ONE WEEK ONLY - "Celine" Live Music - Big Noise Live Music - Sweet K North Queensland Formal & Wedding Expo Esplanade Cotters Markets Live Music - JACS Live Music - Omid Master ONE WEEK ONLY - "Celine" Live Music - Swingin Alleycatz Kids Club Live Music - Paris Texas North Queensland Formal & Wedding Expo ONE WEEK ONLY - "Celine" All Day Dining with Bean Bags & Giant Lawn Games Live Music - The McMenamins BINGO Line Dancing ONE WEEK ONLY - "Celine" Free Poker Reading with the Rascals - Baby Rhyme Time ONE WEEK ONLY - "Celine" Family Night with Terry Doyle & Rachel the facepainter Live Music - Steve Williams Live Music - Out of the Blue BINGO TRIVIA ONE WEEK ONLY - "Celine" Live Music - Big Noise Live Music - Out of the Blue Reading with the Rascals - Storytime Live Music - Mark Lane Unsigned & Unplugger Live Show - 100% Kylie Show Live Music - Big Noise Live Music - Shells Live Show - 100% Kylie Show Live Music - Mark Burton Esplanade Cotters Markets

START TIME

10:00 AM 10:00 AM 7:30 PM All Day 12:00 PM 9:00 PM 7:00 PM 12:00 PM 7:00 PM All Day 9:30 PM 5:00 PM All Day 8:00 AM 11:00 AM 3:00 PM All Day 9:30 PM 5:00 PM 3:00 PM All Day All Day All Day 8:00 PM 9:30 AM 1:00 PM All Day 6:00 PM 10:00 AM All Day 5:00 PM 8:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:30 AM 7:00 PM All Day 9:00 PM 7:00 PM 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 7:30 PM 9:00 PM 7:00 PM 12:00 PM 9:00 PM 5:00 PM 8:00 AM

FOR MORE INFO:

(07) 4044 3044 (07) 4099 9496 www.birch.com.au www.cairnsesplanade.com.au promotions@reefcasino.com.au

www.cazalys.com.au www.cairnsesplanade.com.au www.cairnsesplanade.com.au

www.birch.com.au promotions@reefcasino.com.au

www.cazalys.com.au www.nqweddingexpo.com.au www.cairnsesplanade.com.au www.cairnsesplanade.com.au www.cairnsesplanade.com.au

www.birch.com.au promotions@reefcasino.com.au

www.cazalys.com.au www.cairnsesplanade.com.au www.nqweddingexpo.com.au

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www.cazalys.com.au www.cairnsesplanade.com.au promotions@reefcasino.com.au

www.cazalys.com.au www.cairnsesplanade.com.au

COST:

FREE FREE FREE Cost FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE Cost FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE Cost FREE FREE FREE FREE Cost Cost FREE Cost Cost Cost FREE FREE Cost FREE FREE FREE Cost Cost Cost FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE

pak’s what’s on guide february RED = FAMILY DATE

Sun 28th

VENUE

Green = kids

blue = adults

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENT NAME

Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Vertigo Bar Cazalys Cazalys Cairns Esplanade Lagoon Mondos Vertigo Bar For info call 0419 545 521

Live Music - Frontear Live Music - Sweet K Live Show - 100% Kylie Show Kids Club Birthday Draws Live Music - Shari & the Mice All Day Dining with Bean Bags & Giant Lawn Games Live Music - Latino Carnival Rare Disease Day Awareness Walk

START TIME

11:00 AM 3:00 PM 9:00 PM 5:00 PM 5:00 PM 3:00 PM All Day 8:00 PM

FOR MORE INFO: www.cairnsesplanade.com.au www.cairnsesplanade.com.au promotions@reefcasino.com.au

www.cazalys.com.au www.cazalys.com.au www.cairnsesplanade.com.au promotions@reefcasino.com.au

COST:

FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE Cost FREE

spot

Specials on all month for adults, kids, birthdays and groups! (07) 4053 3497. Super Special Sunday Sessions - 3pm till Late ($13.95 p/p for 3 games) Cairns Recreation Centre MON > Boot Camp 9.15am ($10)

Teen/Kid Fitness 4pm ($7)

Enduro Trg 9.15am ($10) TUE > Boot Camp 6.30am ($10)

Tiny Tots Fitness 5.30pm ($7)

Teen/Kid Fitness 4.30pm ($7)

Turbo Fit Session 5.30pm ($10) WED > Boot Camp 9.15am ($10) Inline Hockey 4.30pm ($9)

THU > Boot Camp 6.30am ($10) Circuit Trg 9.15am ($10) Tiny Tots Fitness 11am ($7) Teen/Kid Fitness 5.30pm ($7) FRI > Boot Camp 6.30am ($10) Teen/Kid Fitness 9.15am ($10) SAT > Heaps of activities all day Call 4053 5353 for further info SUN > Heaps of activities all day

Call 4053 5353 for further info Esplanade Lagoon Mon - Aqua Aerobics @ 6.30am & Walk / Run Circuit @ 5.15pm Tues - YOGA @ 6.30am Wed - Sarge’s Army Boot Camp @ 5.30pm Wed - Beach Volleyball Clinic @ 5.30pm Thurs - Pilates @ 7am & Petanque @ 10am

Atherton Markets

Cooktown Markets

Nov at Marcs Park

Gordonvale Cottage Markets

- every Saturday from 7am - noon under the raintrees in Mossman

starring Sam Powers at Velvet underground - Every Mon through to Sat @ 7.30pm

GO Bowling Cairns

- every Saturday from 8am - noon at Lions Park

Babinda Markets

- on the first Saturday of each month from 8am - noon at Norman Park

- the first Saturday of each month, except January, from 8am, Munro Street

Innisfail Red Cross Markets

Rusty's Markets

- held the 3rd Sunday of each month at Anzac Memorial Park

- All day Friday, until 2pm Saturday and Sunday, Grafton Street, Cairns

Brothers Leagues Club

(4) Work out how many students can safely be part of the group - the teacher will have the final say on this.

Brothers Leagues KIDS Club

(5) Decide on a practice time.

Cairns Indoor Sports

(7) Start working towards a competition- AUS Cheer (www.auscheer.org. au) has a competition in September right here in Cairns where all schools can compete.

Wed throught to Sat - Live Music @ 7.30pm

Tues - Seniors Morning “Club Gold” @ 9.30am

Multi Sport Madness @ 1pm - 3pm everyday (07) 40322 844

See if you can spot the 5 differences.

Don’t stop until you find them all!

Mossman Markets

Port Douglas Markets

- every Sunday from 8.30am - 2pm at Anzac Park

SPeewah Markets

- every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 9am - 3pm in Therwine St

Mt Sheridan Markets

Malanda Markets

- the first Sunday of each month at Morrow Park Race Course

Mareeba Markets

- every 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month at the Tully Showgrounds.

Night Markets

- Everyday from 4.30pm-11pm, Entry from Espanade or Abbott Street, Cairns

- the 2nd Saturday of each month at Centenary Park, Byrnes Street

Northern Beaches Markets

Mission Beach Markets

- the 3rd Sunday of each month from 9am - 3pm, Smithfield Shopping Centre

Tanks Art Centre Markets

- 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month from 6.30am - noon, Opposite Hideaway

- the last Sunday of each month from 9am-1pm, Cairns

Monster Markets

- the last Sunday of each month from 8am - 2pm, April til

(6) Put up flyers to let your classmates know that they can join.

Every Sun - Kids Disco 3.30pm-6pm (ages 3-12yrs)

- Every Saturday from 8am - 4am at Fogerty Park, Cairns

- the 3rd Saturday of each month from 6am - noon at Jack May Park

(2) Outline your expectations to the teacher, ie do you want to dance with poms or do stunts? If you want to do stunts it may be useful to organise a professional to come in and do a workshop with your group so everyone knows the safety aspects of cheerleading.

(3) Get permission from the Principal. Explain what it is you want to do and which teacher is willing to supervise you.

- Every Sunday 8am-2pm Carpark of the Speewah Tavern, Speewah Road. 6ks past Kuranda

- 2nd Saturday of every month

Tolga Markets

PaK

Tully Markets

- Held the 4th Saturday of each month from 7.30am - 12.30pm in the Main Street

science

Swap Meet @ Rodeo Drive-in Mareeba

- open every Sunday from april til september, Highway 3 (Near Bremerton Airport)

An experiment in solutions, liquids and solids.

Fill a jar with boiling water. Mix in borax 1 tablespoon at a time, for a total of 3 tablespoons per 1 cup of water, until it settles on the bottom of the jar and won’t dissolve. Add food colouring.

Building… digging… hauling…

Bob the Builder™ is always ready to tackle any project.

See Bob and Wendy live at Expo 2010!

For more information, visit:

www.nqbabyexpo.com.au

SAGD11206

(8) Research rules and regulations (also on the AUS Cheer page under competitions). If you need help deciphering the rules write into PakMag with your questions. Good luck and have fun!

Creating Crystals

Yungaburra Markets

Bob is coming!

6th –7th 10 March 20 Cairns n Conventio Centre

So you want to start a school cheersquad

CAZALY’s

Kuranda Markets

Esplanade Markets

Cheerleading

(1) Find a teacher willing to supervise you. Remember that the teacher will be giving up their own time-it is NOT their job, if they say yes remember to say thank you.

Thurs - Aqua Aerobics Class @ 6.15pm Thurs - Esplanade Learn to Run @ 5.30pm Fri - Aqua Aerobics @ 6.30am Fri - Mums & Bubs @ 8am (meet at funship) Sat - Sahaja YOGA @ 7.30am, Aqua Aerobics @ 8.30am & Boxercise @ 8am

regular markets

- the first Saturday of each month from 7am at Platypus Park, Herberton Rd

Awesome

BY: Tamara Manning www.awesomecheerleading.com

meags@mollysvoice.org

regular weekly events

Sam Powers EXTREME ILLUSIONS

AWESOME

Subscribe online for our FREE NQ Baby and Child eNews and you could wiN a FREE FAMiLY EXPO TiCKET! P r o u d ly s P o n s o r e d by

© 2009 HIT Entertainment Limited and Keith Chapman. All rights reserved. © 2009 HIT Entertainment Limited.

Exhibitor bookings now open.

Contact the Themevents Office on 4039 2725 or email jodie@nqbabyexpo.com.au for an Exhibitor Information Package.

piece of string, and suspend it over the jar so that the star pipe cleaner is in the borax solution but not touching the bottom or sides of the jar.

Watch as crystals form on the star. Let set overnight. In the morning, remove the star and allow it to drip dry.

Bend a pipe cleaner into a star shape, tie it to a pencil with a www.pakmag.com.au

29

Merlin

Bulletin #27 The totally amazing, incredible, fantastic adventures of Bopstar, Bree and the Boppers!

Bulletin: Part XXVII

Tonnes and tonnes of water rushed down the creek like a huge tsunami. Flowing and swishing and swashing! All the water in the Dam began to flow over the collapsed wall with fish, logs, yabbies, barra… everything.

Holding on and paddling like mad, the three Bopstars rode on the top of the huge wall of water, dodging trees and missing fallen logs by centimetres.

“We have to get off this crazy ride and warn the residents of Cairns and Mareeba that the water is coming!” yelled Bree, as her arms began to get tired from all the paddling. Trent quickly piped up, “LOOK! There is a bridge ahead. When we get closer to the bridge, we need to jump up and grab onto the ledge but we are only going to get one shot at this so make sure you are ready!” Both girl Boppers looked at each other and knew that this was the only way to get off

Last Edition: Bree pointed towards the dam wall and shouted “Look! It is beginning to crack!” Just as she yelled out, a large crack could be seen shooting across the top of the wall. “Oh no! It’s is going to give way! Quickly paddle backwards!” yelled Trent. But it was too late. CRACK! CRACK! CRASHHHHHHH! The wall, in what appeared to be slow-motion, began to topple over and the water started to rush beneath the

this wave of water.

Closer and closer, the boppers neared the high bridge that they needed to cling to. Trent began to count them down, “Alright, on my mark. We all need to jump as high as we can. Wait for it………Wait for it………..

READY, SETTY……………..”

“JUMP!” yelled Trent.

Boppers, sweeping them towards the demolished wall edge. “Hold on! It looks like we are going to have to

At once all three boppers jumped as high and hard as

ride this one out!” screamed Trina, clutching the side of

they could, stretching out as far as they could to grab

the canoe and holding on for dear life.

the bridge ledge. To Be Continued...

Where there’s a SHOW that needs a GLOW, a SMARTY that needs a PARTY, Bree and the boppers are ready to entertain the people of Cairns! But when Trouble arises and there’s no one else to call, The Bopstars use their Super Special Powers and embark on Exciting Expeditions to protect and preserve.

FOREVER! TOGETHER! BOPSTARS! 30

www.pakmag.com.au

Hey kids did you enjoy The Adventures of Merlin on TV when it premiered in April on Ten? Loving the repeats even more and can’t wait ‘til the second series screens in May? Then the new bookazine The Adventures of Merlin is for you.

Discover the secrets behind the world of Merlin. From the creators of the hit television series, The Adventures of Merlin is an official behind the scenes pass to all 13 episodes of the groundbreaking first season. Averaging weekly ratings of 1.3 million on Network 10, Merlin has hit a chord not just with Australians but with millions around the world.

www.pakmag.com.au

Covering one episode per chapter, Merlin gives fans of the show an all-access pass to how the legendary story made its way from the page to the screen. Complete with behind the scenes full-colour photos and episode recaps, this is the authorised chronicle of Merlin Season One. The Adventures of Merlin was Australia’s most watched children’s program in 2009.

Series One is being repeated at 6.30pm Sundays. Series Two starts on Network 10 in May. The Adventures of Merlin by Grace Johnston Is 96 pages, full colour throughout and has a RRP $9.95 For your chance to win a copy, simply tell us the name of one of the characters in the Merlin series. Send your answer to: competitions@pakmag.com.au

31

out & about

Koala Proudly brought to you by

Cairns City Coun

cil Roller Carolers

on the Esplanade

Chilling at Muddies on

the Esplanade

PAK Facts Did you know?

Did you know? When a baby koala is born (like other marsupials) it is around the size of a jelly bean or a baked bean. We call these baby’s Pinkies.

Fun with ice cream

Did you know? The koala has The koala is one of Australia’s most loved and iconic animals. When people think of Australia they think of the cute fluffy koala who hangs out in the gum trees and sleeps their day away.

3 fingers and 2 thumbs on its front

Koalas are mammals which means they are warm blooded animals with a backbone and they feed their babies on milk.

easily around the branches of the trees.

The koala belongs to a very special and unique family of mammals called marsupials. Marsupials are mammals which give birth to relatively undeveloped young which are then raised inside mums pouch or fold she creates with her belly skin. Some of Australia’s other marsupials are kangaroos, possums, sugar gliders and wombats just to name a few.

Did you know? The baby koala,

Koala’s love to sleep, in fact they sleep up to 18 to 20 hours a day.

Have you ever wondered why? A koala’s diet of eucalypt leaves is very low in energy and substance, similar to eating a cardboard box.

The eucalypt is also high in toxins. So, the koala sleeps a lot because their diet gives them little energy and because of the high toxins they use what little energy they do have to digest the leaves. This makes for a somewhat tired and sometimes even drunk-looking koala. The koala is the only animal to live entirely off the eucalypt trees.

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on the Esplanade

hands? The extra thumb is used, along with its sharp claws, to grip on more

Christmas fun on the Esp

lanade

or joey, eats mums poo when it’s ready to leave the pouch and eat eucalypt leaves? Its mum’s poo is called pap and it is important for the baby to eat it as it contains broken down eucalypt leaves and micro-organisms. These micro-organisms line the baby’s gut and prepare the joey’s digestive system for the hard task of digesting gum leaves.

Chilling at Muddies

www.pakmag.com.au

on the Esplanade

Chip time at Muddies on the Esplanade

pak babies

For more information visit:

www.nqbabyexpo.com.au

A good night’s sleep Settling and sleep are words that new mums can become obsessed with. The Neonatal Unit at the Royal Brisbane Hospital has this advice.

Babies often need to help to learn good sleep habits. It is not necessarily something they will do naturally but once they’ve been taught they will be able to fall asleep on their own and resettle themselves when they wake prematurely or between sleep cycles. They may even be able to sleep for longer periods, both day and night.

A good sleep routine helps your baby maintain good health, growth and development. It protects their immune system which reduces the chance of them becoming sick and it also makes them more settled, happier and easier to manage during the day.

There are two states of sleep: 1) R.E.M (rapid eye movement) sleep or ‘light sleep and 2) non R.E.M sleep or ‘deep sleep’.

A sleep cycle includes time spent going through both light and deep sleep. Typically, adult cycles last 90 minutes, young babies last 20 to 40 minutes and older babies and children last 60 minutes. Brief awakenings occur between these cycles so it’s important that babies learn how to resettle themselves back to sleep.

If your baby is only sleeping 20 to 40 minutes during the day it will usually cause them to become irritable and unhappy. You can improve your baby’s sleeping habits by:

[1] Avoiding over-heating them – reduce clothing if necessary and avoid restrictive wrapping methods [2] Avoiding over stimulating them before sleep time.

[3] Preventing over-tiredness. Up to 3 months of age the average awake time is during feeding 60-90 minutes. This lengthens as they grow older. Infants can sleep up to 17 hours a day.

It’s important to recognise your baby’s signs of tiredness and to immediately start preparing them for bed. Typical signs of tiredness include: yawning and rubbing eyes, heavy eyelids or staring, grizzling or crying, sucking, jerky movements, clenched fists or grimacing and frowning. As soon as you observe any of these signs begin your sleep routine – check their nappy, lay them in bed on their back with their feet touching the end of the cot, cover with their sheets with their hands out and then leave them on their own so they have a chance to settle on their own. Most babies will take a little time to settle.

If your baby is still crying after 2 to 3 minutes try the following: [1] Comfort them by giving a gentle pat, rock or stroke while still in their cot.

[2] Only pat or rock them until they’re quiet and THEN STOP. Continue again if they cry but stop as soon as they calm down. This process allows your baby to go to sleep on their own but you are assisting them by helping them to relax and allowing sleep to come.

[3] When settling or re-settling your baby, avoid eye contact with them and stand out of their line of vision.

[4] Offer a dummy if used.

[5] Comfort them until they’re quiet and then leave the room for 3 to 5 mins.

[6] This process may need to be repeated a few times before your baby settles.

[7] Try to remain consistent – if your baby is still not settled after 10-15 minutes, pick them up to calm them down and then reposition in their cot and repeat the settling routine.

[8] If they wake up before 2 hours resettle again.

Queensland Health (a child health nurse) will be presenting more on this topic at next month’s NQ Parenting Forum. This session will be held at 11.30am on Sunday 7th March at the NQ Baby Expo. Entry is free with your Expo ticket.

E

VEday SAver y

There’s a store near you Woree - 600 Bruce Hwy PHONE: 4054 2440 Nth Cairns - 355 Sheridan St PHONE: 4031 4222

E: sales@calannapharmacy.com.au W: www.calannapharmacy.com.au

OPEN 8AM TO 8PM - 7 DAYS A WEEK FEEL ALIVE

34

www.pakmag.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au

FEEL HEALTHY

FEEL GOOD

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pak babies small print SmallPrint is coming to Cairns for 1 weekend only!!!

Finally, Nth Qld families can see what all the fuss is about – SmallPrint captures your child’s fingerprint in pure solid silver charms and pendants and also creates miniaturised hand and footprints, their drawings and first words all in silver and then attached to necklaces, keyrings, cufflinks etc. The full range will be available at the Expo and fingerprint impressions taken onsite (you can also bring in or mail your kid’s drawings and words).

Contact Juliarna for further info or visit her at booth #45 at the expo!

kasey chambers Country music star has recently teamed up with her father and 8 of the kids in her family to record a new album called Kasey Chambers, Poppa Bill and the Little Hillbillies. While Kasey says she tried to write the songs in the way a child would think, she’s not trying to muscle in on the Wiggles or Hi-5. This is very much a family album and the result of years of them making music together before she became well known. Not surprisingly, Kasey admits that it was like “a madhouse” trying to get eight kids to perform. We have 10 copies to give away. TO WIN: send an email to competitions@pakmag.com.au and tell us the names of Kasey’s children. Entries close 18 February 2010.

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For more information visit:

www.nqbabyexpo.com.au

NQ Baby Expo Queensland Health will be offering baby weighing and measuring at this year’s NQ Baby and Children’s Expo on 6-7 March at the Convention Centre. There will also be a child health nurse and midwife on duty to offer help and advice on any pre and postnatal matters. Queensland Health will also be conducting four FREE parenting forum session as follows: No Fuss Food, Pregnancy and Beyond, Encouraging Good Behaviour and A Good Night’s Sleep.

pak babies

a moment for mum Do this:

Folic acid good for dad too Taking folic acid (folate) during pregnancy is known to help protect against the development of spina bifida in babies but scientists have now discovered that it has benefits for Dad too. A recent study found that men who consumed a higher than recommended daily amount of folic acid had a lower frequency of abnormal sperm.

Cute books Aussie nature photographer Steve Parish has published a new series of early childhood books to help prepare children for reading.

As with all of his books the ‘Say Hello’ books are filled with beautiful images of Aussie animals and are guaranteed to be loved by littlies. We have a set of four books to give away to one lucky reader. TO WIN: Simply tell us one of the animals featured in the Steve Parish series. Send your answers to competitions@pakmag.com.au.

www.pakmag.com.au

Get this:

wear This:

Great WAY to free

Cake Lingerie

Mums are particularly bad at putting up with things but anything that you’re tolerating is a drain on your energy.

You might not think so but even that squeaky kitchen drawer is wasting valuable energy every time it annoys you. Minimising the amount of things you tolerate is a great way to free up valuable energy. One good place to start is de-cluttering the house and fixing up everything that doesn’t work. Then you can start working on those annoying habits your kids have developed!

Feeling a bit like a matron in your daggy maternity and nursing undies? If you yearn to be more glamorous check out www.cakelingerie.com.au for absolutely gorgeous but practical lingerie for expectant and nursing mums. Cake Lingerie is an Australian designer brand founded by Tracey Montford in 2008 that has been attracting worldwide acclaim. Their collections are inspired by vintage elegance. If you want to feel like a truly yummy mummy we have 2 sets of lingerie to giveaway of your choice.

More Kissing Researchers have discovered that people who have more physical contact and kissing within a close relationship have less of the stress hormone cortisol in their saliva. So, with Valentines on it’s way it time to get stuck in and feel the health benefits. P.S The Big-O is also a natural stress reliever. And, if you’re wondering what to do for Valentines (if anything!), research shows that giving a shared experience is a greater investment in long term happiness than buying presents. So, ditch the red roses and go sky-diving together!

www.pakmag.com.au

Win Cake Lingerie!!!

For your chance to win one of two $100 Cake Lingerie vouchers, simply tell us which well known travel presenter wore Cake Lingerie during her recent pregnancy.

Send your answer via email to: competitions@pakmag.com.au

37

pak babies

For more information visit:

www.nqbabyexpo.com.au

Face behind the Expo The NQ Baby & Children’s Expo is in its second year of operation and is the brainchild of Jodie Cox. We decided to find out a bit more about why this local Mum took on such a huge risky project when she also has three kids to look after! their children is wonderful. It truly makes me happy to organise this event. One day, it would be lovely to be able to draw a wage from it but I am not holding my breath!

Are you originally from Cairns?

No, I was born in Ballarat Victoria, then travelled to Western Australia before moving to Cairns to settle and have a family.

How many kids have you got?

Evelyn 6 in grade 2, Elouise 4 starting prep this year and Oliver 2.

How are you balancing family time with organising the Expo?

What made you decide to create the Expo?

My background is in marketing and PR and I have been involved in trade shows and events for years and love it.

I recognised the huge potential for this event in North Queensland following the birth of my first child. There seemed to be an endless supply of great products and services available for parents but I felt that there was no central place to gain information about exactly what I could access in this region for my family.

I work 3 full days per week and then intermittently when I can steal other times around the children (including from about 8pm to 2am). It can sometimes be very challenging but I manage by allocating time to each – the business and the children. I have good child care arrangements for my little ones, and a very good network of friends who help (all our families are down south). I plan my time and do my best to be focused and not get distracted. I try not to work when my kids are home.

What do you wish to achieve?

Is being a parent what you thought it would be?

Well, this isn’t a profitable enterprise by any means but I am in love with the concept of the Expo. Seeing thousands of people converge on one location over the weekend and enjoy themselves whilst learning about the things available for

I don’t think anyone can truly have any idea what being a parent will be like until you become one. I can be overwhelmed, euphoric, coping and then totally stressed, all in a one hour period! And that’s only the kids…add the business

38

to that and it’s an emotional rollercoaster some days! But I wouldn’t change it for anything.

How have you changed as a person since having kids?

I sleep less, I eat more spasmodically, I worry more about the future, I have little time to spend ‘contemplating’ or ‘reflecting’ on anything, I yell more, cry more and love more than I ever thought possible.

Funniest moment with your kids?

Once I was cutting an onion and complaining about it annoying my eyes.

Without hesitation, my 5 yo said “F-word onion”. I was gobsmacked but quickly realised it wasn’t a good idea to make a big deal about it so just said that we don’t say rude words in our family and changed the subject. Overhearing all this, my 3 yo wasn’t having that. She picked up on my body language and straight away said ONION in her loudest voice.

She thought onion was the rude word!

What do you like doing when you’re not being Mum or the Expo organiser?

I am heavily involved with my school, St Andrew’s Catholic College and I am on the School Board and on the Parents and Friends Assoc. I also love papercraft.

I am an avid card-maker and do it any chance I can sneak away, which isn’t that often any more. I run a card-making workshop at my house once a week and this is my ME-time. I love it.

www.pakmag.com.au

"There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all."

— Jacqueline Kennedy

www.pakmag.com.au

39

pak babies

pak babies N

WiIly pass See Bob am & Wendy LIVE a fto at the Expo!

From 1pm daily

For more information visit:

6th–7th March 2010 Cairns Convention Centre

www.nqbabyexpo.com.au Active baby healthy brain Dr. Jane Williams is the Research and Education General Manager for Toddler Kindy GymbaROO and Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Nutrition, James Cook University. Attend her seminar at the Forum and learn what type of activities your baby needs for healthy brain development and experience the fun that you can have with your baby at the same time.

She will be introducing a range of activities that promote movement and sensory stimulation in non-mobile and mobile infants, including massage, music and rhythm ideas, and moving games. So bring your baby and come and be inspired to swing, dance and spin your baby into health and happiness!

ABC, Read to me

potty training Taking the guesswork out of potty training Tracy Fulwood from www.pottytraining.com.au will be presenting at the Parenting Forum on her formula for successful toilet training. This is something that every child must go through and yet it presents so many challenges.

Tracy touches on life experience with her own children, combined with proven techniques and methods that have helped countless parents rise to success with toilet training. She will cover the basics of getting started as well as how to overcome some of the common toileting challenges.

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Mem Fox (famous Australian children’s author) believes that if we read 3 books to children every day before they arrived at school we would wipe out illiteracy in Australia. Jenni McDonald, a proud mum and passionate teacher at Freshwater State School will build on Mem’s beliefs and present useful ideas on how else to support your child to become a successful and confident reader. Jenni is a remarkable teacher and was acknowledged in 2007 with a National NEiTA – National Excellence in Teaching Award.

Empathy belly Would you like Daddy to know exactly how it feels to be carrying his child? The empathy belly is a pregnancy suit which provides a virtual pregnancy experience. Try it on at the Queensland Health booth #59.

www.pakmag.com.au

© 2009 HIT Entertainment Limited and Keith Chapman.

All rights reserved. © 2009 HIT Entertainment Limited.

• First 1000 families to visit expo each day will receive a free sample featuring a free dvd ‘Living with Water’ by Laurie Lawrence (Kids alive, Do the Five water safety and ex-Commonwealth Games swim coach) • Every ticket purchased goes into the Expo Major Prize Draw – thousands of dollars of prizes to be won!!!

• Competition to win one of two family passes to the March Hi-5 Surprise Concert in Cairns.

• Loads of competitions at individual exhibitor booths • Free Bounty showbag for pregnant and new Mums full of product samples

Pakmag is a proud sponsor of the North Queensland Baby and Children’s Expo and is pleased to offer our readers the chance to win one of five free family tickets to the expo.

Simply email competitions@pakmag.com.au and tell us which exhibitor you are most looking forward to visiting and why and the first five responses will win a family ticket valued at $25 which admits two adults and three children. Every ticket purchased goes into the Expo Major Prize Draw.

Proudly Sponsored by

www.pakmag.com.au

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pak babies

For more information visit:

www.nqbabyexpo.com.au

weekender

Join us at the family event of the year Expo Exhibitors Here’s a rundown of this years exhibitors. Come along and check out some new products or services you may not have seen in Cairns before and find out about specials deals, offers and competitions only available at the Expo.

> Stix & Stones Baby – online baby shop and creators of Babyography personalised birth certificates

> Cairns Regional Council

> Playgroup Association of Qld

> Impressionable Kids – great children’s keepsakes

> Jumping Jim’s Jumping Castle Hire

> Essential Skills Swim School

> Smallprint Fingerprint Jewellery

> Little Stars for Little People – children’s bedroom furniture & more

> Chiropractic Works

> Zoo To You – book a party at the Expo for a $40 discount

> Cairns Private Hospital > Button Tree Quilts – baby & children’s patchwork quilts > Hire for Baby – find out how to save on expensive baby equipment > Benfan > Cushie Tushies > Baby Hands – learn how to communicate with your baby with sign language

> C-ME Swim > Early Learning Services – ask them any childcare questions you have

> Debngarry Farm Goats Milk Soap – great natural soap for sensitive skins and babies with nappy rash

> Queensland Health – get your baby weighed & measured

> Westcourt Early Childhood Learning Centre

> Juniors Cairns/Atherton – ask them about the new car seat laws

> Twinkle Toes – baby keepsakes

> Catholic Education – Diocese of Cairns > Hypervibe Australia – get fit with their whole body vibration machine > Kindermusik with Nicole – music & movement classes for kids 0-7

> Shay Babes Nappies & Cleaning Supplies – supplies delivered to your door!

> Australian Scholarship Group

> Bec Thomas Photography – beautiful natural family photos > Avon > Australian Competition & Consumer Commission > Shaz Spannenburg Digital Images > Cairns Montessori – extended daycare kindergarten > The Learning Ladder – amazing range of books, puzzles & games

> Cheeky Monkey Photography > www.pottytraining.com.au – buy a special ‘Bullet Proof Boy Kit”! > Centrelink

> Hot Mummies Maternity Boutique

> Nurture Nappies – local online supplier of cloth nappies

> Absolutely Baby – specialists in cloth nappies

> Trinity Anglican School – check out their new Jump Start Programme

> James Cook University, Faculty of Arts, Education and Social Science

> Medicare

> Aussie Farm Entertainment

> Candlenut Steiner School

> FNQ Multiple Births Assoc > Farmer Pete NQ

> Amazing Faces MakeUp and Photography

> Australian Breastfeeding Association

> Healthy Inspirations

> Cairns & District Woodworkers Guild

> Bounty

> SIDS & Kids

> Kidsafe

> Toddler Kindy Gymbaroo

> Sumphun Kidzcraft

6th–7th March 2010 Cairns Convention Centre For more information visit:

> Stampin’ Up – innovative scrapbooking products > Cairns Baby 2nd Hand

> Cairns and District Childcare Development Association

> BLT – Travel with Kidz

42

> Nikki the Clown

www.nqbabyexpo.com.au

> Enjo – cleaning without chemicals!

BUY ONE CHILD TICKET AND GET ONE FREE

*Present at the expo ticket office to redeem. Not valid with any other discount voucher.

Beaches Port Douglas There are so many great accommodation options in Port Douglas that it can sometimes be overwhelming trying to make a choice, but you’d be struggling to find one with a better location than the Beaches holiday apartments. Not only is it one of only three resorts on the beachfront but it’s only a short stroll from all the shops and restaurants.

Beaches is tucked away in a quiet corner of Port Douglas and is ideal for families who want a relaxing weekend getaway in a small property that feels comfortable, safe and friendly for the kids. There are 27 fully self-contained apartments, all of which are modern and spacious with great views of the ocean poking through the palm trees along Four Mile Beach (we stayed in an oceanview apartment).

As a family away from home, there’s everything you’ll need including full kitchen with dishwasher and microwave, air-conditioning, TV & DVD and your own internal laundry. Beaches also have a good range of hire equipment so if you want to travel light you can leave cots, high chairs and strollers at home if you want to.

The day we arrived was hot and steamy so as soon as we got there we dumped our bags, ran excitedly around the

cooled apartment and then went to check out the pool where we spent most of the afternoon. The Beaches enjoys a lot of repeat customers and judging by the other guests around the pool I’d say that it mostly appeals to families and retirees.

After freaking out most of the foreign guests with her somersaults in to the pool, our 3 year old was ready for some other form of entertainment so we ventured out to On The Inlet to watch the George the Groper being fed fish carcasses. On the Inlet is still one of Port Douglas’ best restaurants (recently voted best seafood restaurant in the Far North again) and it’s also very family friendly.

The food and views of the inlet are fantastic and there’s plenty of space so the kids won’t disturb other diners. For kids there’s entertainment in the form of waving to passing yachties and chucking

prawn heads in to the water to feed the schools of fish. Actually, that bits quite good for the adults too!

For more info on Beaches Port Douglas go to www.fnqapartments.com.au.

Rooms start from $267 for a poolview apartment.

Kiddie fun on the Inlet > 4pm - watch the boats bringing in the day’s fresh catch > 5pm - watch George the Groper being fed the fish carcasses > After dinner - ask for a bowl of prawn heads to feed the fish

fav pet shots

Photo of the month wins a mystery prize to the value of $30!

a trip to...

This month’s entries:

JANUARY WINNER!

YOu can win a family pass!

To win a family pass simply answer this question: What is the typical lifespan of a saltwater crocodile?

Email your answers to: competitions@pakmag.com.au

Bruiser loved by Jesse and Gemma

Big Fulla loved by Soph

ie Speedy loved by Kyal Pet loved by child

Email your photo, name/s and address to: photos@pakmag.com.au Deadline for photos is 18 February 2010 for our March edition.

Crocodile Explorer Elaine Seager goes in search of crocs with Cairns Habitat Cruises

prize winners Congratulations to our January prize winners!!!

Gaia Wipes Samples:

Word scramble:

40 Great Games Books:

• Kylie Webster • Jardine Tome • Mellissa Kaden • Kara Smith • Belinda Attwill • Kirsten Jones • Beth Child • Anne Wylie

• Jonathon Taylor

• Jenny Harvey

Absolutely Swim Nappy:

Colour in to win:

• Lisa Cullen

Battle of the Brains:

Face Fitness:

• Zac Delacey • Daniel White • Amelia Herbohn • David Oliver • Chantelle Hansen

• Giuffrida Family

• Louise Duncan Bentley Park

Little Chipipis Wall Art:

Mums Diaries:

• Katie James • Tiffany Young • Rhonda Lowen

• Gillian Huleux • Cheri • Elaine Low • Samantha Older • Georgina Jensen

Civic Prize pack: • Kristal Duncan • Merryl Donn • Mikayla Gunner • Troy Berry • Trevor Smith

To claim your prize drop into our office on Level 2, 68 Abbott Street between 9-5pm Monday to Friday to collect your prize from reception.

44

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The magnificent Trinity Inlet sits right on our doorstep but since it’s really only accessible by boat, many Cairns residents never get to see this unique and beautiful area unless they happen to like fishing. The Trinity Inlet National Marine Park is a maze of waterways winding through 300 square kilometres of mangrove forests and is home to a diverse array of wildlife including saltwater crocs, rare tropical birds and over 70 species of fish. Only a few minutes from the centre of Cairns and you feel as though you’re miles away in a remote wilderness.

Cairns Habitat Cruises are the only tour operator offering trips up the Inlet. They depart twice daily at 9.30am and 1.30pm from the Reef Terminal and since the whole tour only lasts 3 hours it’s an easy option for taking the kids along (they are also relatively good value at $59 for adults). We decided to take the morning cruise and arrived to be greeted onboard by morning tea including cake and fruit.

The boat is very comfortable and small enough to get personalised service so you can easily chat to the crew and ask questions as you cruise along.

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Luckily we didn’t have to wait long before our first croc sighting. Right in the middle of the Inlet, only 5 minutes from the Reef Terminal, we watched a saltie lurking below the surface for a few minutes before he dived down below.

Apparently this is rare to see and most people have to scour the mangrove banks to spot one basking in the mud.

But, having already seen one, we relaxed back and enjoyed the spectacular views whilst listening to the crew’s informative commentary about the history and seafaring tales of the estuary, as well about the unique nature and wildlife to be found in this environment.

Of course, wild croc sightings can’t be guaranteed but that doesn’t matter on this tour because after an hour or so of meandering up the Inlet you disembark and head off for an exclusive peek at the Cairns Crocodile Farm. Home to over 20,000 saltwater crocs of all sizes, this place is a fascinating insight in to the croc farming industry and one of the highlights of the trip.

However, I should tell you that if you go to the Cairns Crocodile Farm expecting

Irwin Family-type entertainment and jumping crocs you’ll be very disappointed. This is a commercial enterprise which exists purely to farm crocs for their skins. I bet you didn’t know that $60,000 Hermes handbags start out right here?! Yep, the Cairns Crocodile Farm produces the worlds highest grade crocodile skins and they currently supply exclusively to Hermes.

Now, I have to say I wouldn’t ever buy a crocodile skin handbag (even if I could afford one!) but the guided tour around the farm really was fascinating. We were shown around the huge enclosure where the breeding crocs are kept and learned about breeding habits and egg collection before being shown the pens where the young are raised on special concrete so they don’t tear their skin! This is such big business that they even have a crocodile hospital on site.

Prices are $59 for adults and $29.50 for children aged 4+. Ask about the Crocodile Explorer Family Fun Pak when you book which includes a tour around the boat’s wheelhouse plus a colouringin sheet.

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY Services

entertainment

entertainment

Nikki the Clown • Face Painting • Puppets • Balloons • Games • Music • Other costumes available

& 4057 8019 or 0408 183 032 www.nikkitheclown.com

Rachel

Bradley

DIY pak projects

Pom pom animals

Fun to make & a great way to help develop your child’s motor skills

The Singing Face Painter Available for themed childrens’ & adult parties

For bookings cAll 0428 600 213

Kids Moves • Birthday parties • One on one sessions to help with progression of gross motor skills • Special functions anywhere you need children to be entertained • Mobile services available

entertainment

• Trace a circle of the pom pom size that you want onto your cardboard. The size of the circle, determines the size of your pom pom. We made ours approximately 10cms in diameter. You will need two large circles for one pom pom. We also made smaller pom poms for the head of the spider.

Flip Ripley

• Coloured wool. Choose colours that your child is interested in. We used brown, brown and white combined, blue and blue and white combined.

4039 0622 or 0410 510 095

restaurants

Kids

• Cardboard circle templates. We used an old cereal box, and cut out the templates.

• Hot glue gun or normal craft glue.

• Decorating items, small pom poms, pipe cleaners, googly eyes if you have them. Anything really that is in your art and craft box.

• Scissors

Brighten your child’s room with personalised art

• Pencil

0407 324 465

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Pom Pom’s are easy to make from wool and cardboard and turning them in to your very own imaginary animals is a fun craft activity for the kids.

You will need:

flip2@westnet.com.au www.flipripley.com

DIRECTORY LISTINGS FROM $50

What to do:

Call Lee on 0427 849 775 or 4053 6837

Magic shows • Characters • Clowning Comedy workshops • Juggling Unicycles • Comic telegrams

Art

By Amanda Mathiot

PHONE 4031 9915 www.pakmag.com.au

• An item that you can trace around for a circle. We used a protractor but you can use anything round.

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• Make a smaller circle in the middle of your cardboard cut-outs. Cut the smaller circle out. An easy way to do this is to fold your template in half.

That way you only need to cut out half the middle circle. Some adult help may be required in these steps.

• Choose your wool and cut a length of about 15cms. I found if I kept the wool to a smaller length, it was easier for my children to thread through the hole, without getting tangled.

• Place your two circles together, and tie the end of the wool around the edges to secure the cardboard together.

• Start winding the wool around and through the middle of the circles.

• Continue this step until the circle is covered with wool. When your length of wool runs out, just keep cutting and tying the wool together. If you want to have a multi-coloured pom pom, just add different coloured wool.

• Once the circles are covered in wool, cut the wool by placing the scissors between the two pieces of cardboard.

Securely holding the middle of the pom pom.

• Part the two circles and tie some wool around the middle.

• Great! Now that you have made your pom pom the real fun starts. We made a spider with the pipe cleaners for legs and a smaller home made pom pom for the head (to help secure the legs).

• Using the smaller pom poms and the hot glue gun (or normal glue) add eyes.

• Go crazy and make your very own animals. Let your imagination run wild.

One of my sons used plaited wool for tentacle arms and legs.

• Have fun and enjoy your very own Pom Pom animals.

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kids activities

Fore!

Party Plan 1

Party Plan 2 Entry, Skate Hire, Invitations Chips & Lollies, Hot Dogs, Hot Chips, Bottomless Drink, Slushy, Birthday Song, Tea & Coffee for Mum & Dad

$16/person $1 extra during night sessions

Entry, Skate Hire, Invitations Chips & Lollies on table Birthday Song, Tea & Coffee for Mum & Dad

$13/person $1 extra during night sessions

Party Plan 3 Entry, Skate Hire, Invitations Chips & Lollies, Mini Meat Pies Chicken Nuggets, Bottomless Drink, Slushy, Birthday Song, Party Bag, Tea & Coffee for Mum & Dad

• All parties must be booked in $19/person and numbers confirmed 24 hours $1 extra during night sessions prior to your event.

• A non-refundable deposit of $50 must be paid on booking.

• Minimum number of party guests is 10.

• Parents or siblings of party guests wishing to skate must pay session prices.

44 Behan Street, Manunda PHONE 4053 5353

Susan Dillicar discovers the benefits of kids learning to play golf Obesity and inactivity is a growing problem amongst our children today. Worryingly, around a quarter of young Australians aged between seven and 15 are considered overweight or obese. According to Nicola Roxon, the Minister for Health and Aging, the major contributing factors to this are physical inactivity and poor diet.

How golf can combat obesity Golf combines gentle walking (which many children find boring in itself), with a competitive sport that just about anyone can play. A round of golf will result in a child walking about 12000 steps without feeling like he is actually ‘exercising’. This is well above the 10000 minimum daily steps recommended by health experts.

In addition to giving the heart a gentle workout, young golfers develop better hand and eye coordination from swinging at the ball, as well as strengthening their upper and lower body. Golf is a great lowimpact way to exercise the heart, develop core stability and balance and develop the focus that is necessary for children to be at their best.

There are also mental benefits that come with kids playing golf. Not only the sense

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of accomplishment at learning a new skill but also the ability to think ahead. Golf is a game of skill and strategy. After they’ve played a few holes, young golfers start to understand the structure of the game and begin to plan ahead and negotiate the next hole, thus learning how to strategise.

Golf also teaches children to focus their thinking. They learn to ignore outside distractions and pressures and focus on the task at hand. These are invaluable skills which benefit them in school and other situations.

Young golfers also learn a code of behaviour which will go a long way towards creating responsible young adults. The golf standards of behaviour require its players to always show respect and courtesy towards each other. It also encourages players to use good judgement and to be responsible for their own actions.

‘A family that plays together stays together’ Golf is a perfect opportunity for the whole family to spend time together, regardless of ability. After the bruises I have acquired over the years from ‘family activities’ like soccer, karate and volleyball, golf is a wonderfully non-violent sport! The quiet,

natural outdoor setting, the relaxed pace and the gentle competition provides a wonderful opportunity for family exercise, laughter and golfing stories that will be repeated over the dinner table for many years. But overall, the greatest charm of golf, for me, is that my kids don’t see it as exercise. Instead, we get to spend a few hours of ‘strenuous idleness’ together in a serene environment. Who could ask for more?

Fun-filled & exciting indoor playground for children under 11 Double speed slide unique to Cairns Hosted children’s birthday parties Relaxed & comfortable cafe with great coffee & simple, fresh, no-fuss food After hours hire for family friendly celebrations

Junior golf lessons are available at all the golf clubs in Cairns, at very reasonable rates. For instance, junior membership at the Gordonvale Golf Club is $20 and lessons cost about $5 per week.

This includes a game with other young golfers on the weekend.

Come in and see what all the fuss is about!!

Open 7 Days* 9.30am – 5.00pm

Craig Bate, from the Gordonvale Golf Club, points out, “The beauty of golf is that it is a sport you can play for a lifetime. We have players as young as 7 and as old as 90 still playing”. The secret, he says, is to keep golf fun.

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* Closed: Christmas Day, Good Friday, Anzac Day

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Small Schools: are they a thing of the past?

Bartle Frere State School is under threat despite being one of the State’s biggest academic success stories.

By Elaine Seager Bartle Frere State School is a small school located just 65kms south of Cairns. It has a total of 17 students, 1 teaching principal and specialist teachers in the areas of sport, LOTE (Japanese), Music and Instrumental Music for Year 4-7. Despite being such a small school it frequently wins awards and was even personally congratulated by the Premier for its consistently high academic achievements. As a school it excels, with performance data showing 100% achievement in all areas of literacy and numeracy. They are currently ranked 5th out of all small schools in the state.

However, despite this success story, it may not be enough to guarantee its continued existence since the state government has made it known that it wishes to close small schools due to economic viability. The only way Bartle Frere will be able to maintain government funding is if they attract more students from further afield.

Education Queensland has publicly commented that school academic rankings show that rural students are not disadvantaged by attending small state schools. Smaller class numbers means students have much more direct access

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to their teachers, more capacity to ask for help and much more opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and learning situations with their teachers.

The Principal of Bartle Frere School, Danielle Morris, confirms this and cites one of the many benefits of learning in a small school environment as being the ability to give each student greater one on one attention. This enables teachers to pick up on the individual strengths and weaknesses of each student and design personalised teaching programmes to address them.

Children at Bartle Frere play and learn alongside other children across a range of ages and despite this there is zero bullying. In fact, multi-age learning allows them to develop stronger learning and social skills. Students also benefit from the much closer alignment between the school, families and the local community.

Bartle Frere may be struggling to justify its existence on economic grounds but most parents would be ecstatic to have their children attend a school of this calibre. Even the government admits that children who experience a good quality education programme during their early lives are less likely to have contact with the criminal justice, mental health or

family support systems as adults. The question is: will closing small schools save money in the longer term and can bigger schools replicate this quality of experience?

One parent from Bartle Frere thinks not. “When my daughter began her primary school education at a school with 450 students, she was falling through the cracks and her results were below the standard level. However, within just one term at Bartle Frere she improved so dramatically that she went from below average to above average�.

Bartle Frere has been operating as a one teacher school since 1922 and many of its former students have gone on to bigger things including medicine and law.

They already have some students who travel from Cairns or Innisfail to benefit from this unique teaching environment but to guarantee its future it must now recruit more students from outlying areas because the local community is too small to sustain the larger numbers required by the government.

If you would like to find out more about Bartle Frere State School call 07 4067 6240 or email dmorr46@eq.edu.au

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51

Time for a break Jokes

In-Flight Accident

I scared you earlier, but while I

The weather ahead is good

was talking, the flight-attendant

Entertainment A plane was taking

and therefore we should have a

brought me a cup of coffee and

off from Kennedy Airport. After it

smooth and uneventful flight. Now

spilled the hot coffee in my lap.

reached a comfortable cruising

sit back and relax - OH MY GOD!”

You should see the front of my

altitude, the captain made an

9 6

from New York to Los Angeles.

Silence followed and after a few

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is

minutes, the captain came back

A passenger in Coach said, “That’s

your captain speaking. Welcome

on the intercom and said, “Ladies

nothing. He should see the back

to Flight Number 293, nonstop

and Gentlemen, I am so sorry if

of mine!”

7

2

8 4

1

3

2

7

7

5

2

8

5

3

9

2 9

2

3 5

2 8

7

7

4

9

2

4 4

pants!”

announcement over the intercom,

2

9

1

8

Down 1. What person?

2. Electrically charged particle 3. Pouch 4. Wield 5. Panache 6. Optical device 7. Festival 13. Small island 14. Lengthy 15. Notion 16. Ooze 19. Eggs 20. Container 21. Moose

7

Win a mystery PakMag prize!

Across 1. Judicious 5. Mischievous fairy 8. Something intended to deceive 9. On the sheltered side 10. One time only 11. Colony insect 12. Wash through 14. Enumerates 17. Poem 18. Part of the ear 22. Indicating maiden name 23. Malevolence 24. Space 25. Military vehicle

Who sings this song?

1. Disco Inferno

4. Shake your booty

2. Turn the beat around

5. Shake your tail feather

3. Jump (for my love)

6. I’m so excited

Email or post your answers to us: competitions@pakmag,com.au or PO BOX 7433 Cairns 4870. Don't forget to include details. Entries close: 18 February 2010.

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101 Spence Street, Cairns