PakMag Mackay & Whitsundays - Mar 2018 Issue 64

ISSUE: Mar 2018

64

MACKAY & WHITSUNDAYS

FREE

QUEEN’S BATON RELAY SIMPLE STEPS TO A HEALTHIER YOU

FERTILITY TO FIRST BIRTHDAY SCHOOL HOLIDAY GUIDE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES www.pakmag.com.au | March 2018 1

CONTENTS 4

Entertainment: Check It Out

6

Feature: Queens Baton Relay

9

Healthier You

13 Fertility to First Baby 17 Health 19 Bump, Bub and Beyond:

Determining Gender

20 Bump, Bub and Beyond: WIN 23 What’s On Guide 25 Mini Mag 31 Snapped 33 School Holiday Guide 37 Developmental Disabilities

in Children

Hello and welcome to the March edition of PakMag. I want to say massive thank you for welcoming me into the PakMag family and into each of your homes and lives. I do believe that like any great family we will continue to grow and learn together. From conception through to those cheeky two’s and even as your young person prepares for their last year of primary school, PakMag will be there every step along the way to hold your hand and give you the very best guidance that only a long-lasting friend can.

I can’t wait for you to be immersed in this latest issue which is very close to my heart. It’s full of healthy living ideas for your family and home which has been inspired by the constant balance of a healthy lifestyle I know every busy mum is searching for. Our Healthy Living feature provides an insight into some of the ways you can create a healthy lifestyle, as well as advice on how to create a healthy mindset for your kids.

With school holidays looming at the end of the month (yes, already!) don’t forget our famous School Holiday Guide which will fill your days with neverending fun.

As always if you have anything exciting to share, I would love for you to get in touch and if you’ve not yet joined our Facebook page, I suggest you pop on and be welcomed by our online community. I can’t wait to meet you all at our Easter Extravaganza on 24th March at Mount Pleasant Centre!

41 Why Play is so Important 43 Adult Education:

Chase Your Dreams

45 Emotional Baggage 46 Home: Healthy Living 48 Celebrate: Party Vibes

with the Tides

50 Daddy Diary

Grand Publishing Founder and Editor-in-Chief Bree James

Naomi Rays PakMag Mackay Director On the Cover Adelle, Claudia, Chevy, Petrina and Levi Bartolo Cover Photography Sweet Fields Photography, www.sweetfieldsphotography.com.au Contact Us: p 4053 3331 f 4053 3350 e admin@grandpublishing.com.au a PO Box 7433 Cairns Qld 4870 / Unit 5, 78 Anderson St, Cairns fb facebook.com/pakmagmackay t #pakmag

Graphic Designer Clare Winter

Accounts Trent Stievano

PakMag Mackay Director Naomi Rays

Marketing to Families Experts Lisa Gillman Janelle May

Supply & Distribution Manager Gleisy Meireles

Operations Manager Rose Foster

Sub-Editor Kate Moloney

Media Interns Monique Saggers Kalisha Fitsch

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

Net Distribution Per Issue 10,000 CAB Publisher Statement Period ending 30th July 2018

www.pakmag.com.au | March 2018 3

Entertainment

CHECK IT OUT Women's Film Festival - Hosted by Whitsunday Anglican School When: Thursday, 8 March, 6.00pm to 9.30pm Where: Pansy Wood Centre, Whitsunday Anglican School More Info: pandfcommittee@was.qld.edu.au

Bigger Better Stronger 2018 When: Friday, 2 March, 7.30am to 5.30pm Where: MECC

The Whitsunday Anglican School Parents & Friends Association is happy to bring to you: No Man's Land Film Festival screening! A night of films that celebrate and redefine femininity. Come early and enjoy a drink and canapes while connecting with fellow students, parents, and staff! Tickets $35.

Champagne/Drinks available for purchase.

Gender inclusive event.

More Info: www.mackayregionchamber.com.au Mackay Region Chamber’s signature event is back.

Discover what you need to redefine your brand!

Tickets: Members $220 | Non-Members $240

World's Greatest Shave 2018 When: Sunday, 18 March, 9.00am to 1.00pm Where: Caneland Central More Info: www.worldsgreatestshave.com Hop along for a great cause, get sponsored to shave your hair and help Aussie families beat blood cancer. You’ll receive a kit with goodies and your own online fundraising page, all for free. It’s easy and FUN. SIGN UP TODAY!

Nth Qld Babies and Kids Market When: Sunday, 18 March, 8.30am to 12.30pm Where: Showgrounds Hall, Milton St, Mackay More Info: www.nthqldbabiesandkidsmarket.com North Queensland Babies and Kids Market has good quality, pre-loved, new and handmade items, plus information and promotional stalls. Join this exciting morning shopping for bargains and beautifully handmade items. Tickets $2 Adult | Kids Free

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Queen’s Baton Relay in Mackay - Community Celebration When: Tuesday, 20 March, at 5.30pm Where: Bluewater Quay More Info: www.gc2018.com Hop on and celebrate the Queen's Baton Relay at Bluewater Quay. The Queen's Baton will arrive at 5:30pm sharp.

Sweet Fields Photography

Pakmag Easter Eggstravaganza When: Saturday, 24 March, 10.00am to 11.00am Where: Mount Pleasant Centre More Info: Facebook/PakmagMackay Join us for the Easter Bonnet Parade, Easter Egg Hunt and plenty of family fun. Lucky Door Prizes and prizes for BEST DRESSED Easter theme!!

FREE Event

BMA Kidspace 2018 When: Tuesday, 27 March, 10.00am to 2.00pm Where: Artspace Mackay More Info: www.artspacemackay.com.au Hop along to this popular toddler’s program, created for children under five to give them a chance to explore and have fun with art in a climate of co-operative learning.

This amazing program includes free artist-run workshops, bring your children along for a fun day of art-making, singing and dancing.

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Sweet Fields Photography

Stepping into history – Queen’s Baton Relay STORY Kate Moloney The Queen’s Baton Relay is a Commonwealth Games tradition, and we are fortunate to have the Queen’s baton passing through Mackay from 15 to 17 March on its way to its final destination of the Gold Coast for the Opening Ceremony of the 2018 Commonwealth games on 4 April.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is a celebration of our Commonwealth’s diversity and inspires community pride.

Batonbearers represent the spirit of the Commonwealth and have been selected to be a part of history, a great honour indeed and we congratulate all our ‘local legend’ Batonbearers on their selection.

We were lucky enough to chat with three Mackay region ‘local legends’ who have the honour of taking some of the many million steps that it will take to deliver the Queen’s Baton to its final destination.

CLAUDIA BARTOLO Ten-year-old Marion local, Claudia, who adorns this month’s front cover with her beautiful family, is an allround local sports legend and a fundraising superstar.

Claudia loves sport and is a swimmer, a netball player and a member of both the Mackay Tri Club

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and the Mackay Waterpolo Club. While she thinks this contributed to her nomination, she feels that the main reason she was chosen was because of her fundraising achievements when she was only six years old. When Claudia’s Nana was diagnosed with breast cancer, Claudia wanted to help her Aunt raise money to let her Nana know that it would be okay. Claudia held free dress days at school and opened a fundraising page,

Feature

and with the support of family and friends, Claudia and her Aunt both shaved their heads, raising over $5,000 for Breast Cancer Research.

It was Claudia’s rightfully proud mother, Petrina who nominated her to be a batonbearer. Claudia said she couldn’t thank her mother enough for all that she does, driving her to all the training and carnivals and for letting her do all these things.

Claudia feels truly honoured to be running with the baton down Alfred Street as her leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay. Make sure you get down to cheer Claudia on as this is an honour that has been earnt through lots of hard work and is one that it is very deserving.

We asked Claudia for one piece of inspirational advice that she would like to share with other kids of the Mackay region and this is what she said: “Just have a go and try your best, it doesn't matter if you win or lose.”

JASMINE AND DEAN PEARCE

Photography Exhibition as well as at the Clermont show. She also is the Dysart Co-Ordinator for the Isaac Performing Arts, as well as recently joining the Isaac Arts and Cultural Committee, both of which are volunteer positions.

Dean clearly follows in his mother’s footsteps, and his talent as a multi-award-winning photographer and artist has seen him also win many prizes at the Dysart Through My Eyes Art and Photography Exhibition, as well as at the Clermont Show too. Dean is also an avid triathlon competitor with his team, Ninjas in Training.

But it is their work as a family on an on-going community-minded project which they have been running for 13 months now, that they both feel is the big reason that they were given this amazing honour.

Jasmine, Dean and Jasmine’s younger son, Heath run their own YouTube channel called the Down Under Brothers. The boys are the hosts, and Jasmine films, produces, and edits the videos. The Down Under Brothers channel focuses on gaining awareness for what it's like living rural in the Isaac and Mackay Regions. They attend community events and visit the local communities, and if there are no events happening they film the boys getting outside and playing in the hope of inspiring other kids to do the same.

This worthy nomination of Dean was made by Dean’s mother, Jasmine. Dean is so thankful to her for having nominated him and for always being there and always supporting him in everything he does. Clearly, this respect is reciprocated as it was Dean who nominated his mother, Jasmine. Such a wonderful gesture and Jasmine is so humbled that her son felt that she was worthy of being nominated for the work that she does within the community and with her family.

Jasmine feels blessed to be a part of this Queen’s Baton Relay, and her leg will see her running on Wednesday, 21 March in Moranbah from Clements Street to Brian Coughlan Park. Dean too is rightfully proud to be one of the youngest kids in Australia to be involved in the Queen’s Baton Relay, and he'll be running in Capella on 22 March on Moran Street.

It is great to see a mother and son team from Dysart both having the honour of being batonbearers.

Jasmine and her ten-year-old son, Dean are being recognised for their talents and contributions to art, craft and photography.

Jasmine has won many awards for photography, arts and craft in the local Dysart Through My Eyes Art and

We asked Jasmine and Dean for one piece of inspirational advice that he would like to share with other kids of the Isaac and Mackay regions and this is what they said: Jasmine said, “Get involved in your community, and make the effort to approach new people and find ways to include them in whatever activities are coming up.”

Dean said, “I would like to see more kids getting outside, having fun and getting involved in their community’s events.”

If you want to follow the Queen’s Baton Relay on its journey to the Gold Coast or want to discover who is carrying the Baton and when then go to www.gc2018.com/qbr.

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Lifesytle

Food, Exercise, Lifestyle: 3 Steps to a Healthier You! STORY Rose Foster So, hands up, who has forgotten their New Year’s resolution to live a healthier life already? Well, by March approximately 80 per cent of resolutions have been forgotten, so it’s no surprise that many of you reading this would have raised your hand!

but if you remove sugary, salty and fatty snacks from your home, you’re less likely to pig out on them! It’s good for the kids not to have these foods so easily accessible too as it not only makes for a healthier body but it also teaches them life long healthy habits.

Well, PakMag to the rescue! We have some great ways that you can stay fit and healthy in Mackay, and we’ve done the hard work, so you have no excuse!

Physical Exercise

Eating Well A huge part of the battle is what you put in your mouth.

Fresh is best, so why not head to the Greater Whitsunday Farmers’ Market. It’s open every Wednesday from 7am-11am so you’ve got plenty of time to visit the stalls and pick up all of your veggies for the week. You could even turn this into a family event, taste test different fruits and get excited planning your recipes together.

Make sure you don’t have naughty temptations in your home. We’re firm believers in ‘everything in moderation’

Yes, unfortunately there’s no magic formula for keeping fit and healthy, exercise is an important element that none of us should ignore. But, lucky for us, Mackay is chocked full of different sporting activities, meaning there’s something for everyone. Picking something you like is the key to making sure you don’t quit. Think about it, if you take up running and it’s something you loathe, how long do you think you’ll survive on will power alone?

The Gym For some of us, we need to work out alone. We need to get to the gym, do our thing, on our own and go home!

For sole exercisers, the right gym can make or break us, so picking one that is suited to your needs is essential.

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Lifestyle

For parents, picking a gym with child minding or a creche is a great idea, and there are plenty of options in Mackay and the Whitsundays. Thinking about what else you want in a gym will also help you pick the perfect place for you. Location is important but do you have any other criteria? Ladies only section? Pool? Extensive class timetable? Great weekly rate? Think about what you need and go from there.

The Class Attending a class is a great way to be guided through exercise without having to think about it yourself.

Whatever your preference, there will be a class for you.

At many gyms, you can attend high intensity classes like Les Mills Pump or low-impact classes like yoga, which is great because you have the diversity of doing different classes whenever you feel like it.

There’s also the option to book into classes of your preferred exercise, without joining up to the gym. There are plenty of Pilates and Yoga classes in dedicated studios. Plus, there are a number of book camps, functional training and other exercise-specific classes all over Mackay to choose from.

The Team As parents, team sports are usually something that we’re well versed in, especially when we’re sweltering on the sidelines as our little ones get involved in Saturday sports! But it’s important to remember that there are so many team sports that adults can get involved in too.

There are plenty of other team sports such as competitive netball, AFL, Rugby and more that you can get involved in. Check with your local club for sign on days and information.

The Outdoors Mackay and the Whitsundays are lucky to have some of the best outdoor exercise spaces in Far North Queensland. Head to Mackay Botanic Gardens to take a stroll, not only will you get your blood pumping, but

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you’ll get out amongst nature and experience some lovely views. Or you could get down to John Breen Park in North Mackay to check out the new state-of-the-art outdoor fitness equipment.

Try something different on the weekend and take a trip to a waterfall. Cedar Creek Falls is a great option for a walk and a swim. Or head out for a hike and make the day of it at Finch Hatton Gorge, Peak Range National Park or Eungella National Park.

Lifestyle As well as eating well and exercising there are a number of things that you can implement into your lifestyle for it to be considered a healthy one. Here’s some things we suggest to make a healthier, happier you: •• Get 8 hours. The importance of sleep is often underrated but the effects of sleep deprivation on your overall health can be immense.

•• Laugh. The physical act of laughing can relieve tension and stress, it also boosts your immune system!

•• Love. Whether you have a significant other or not, loving the people in your life is important to your overall happiness. And your mental state has a substantial impact on your health.

•• Meditate. Our busy lives are stressful. Meditating not only helps us relax mentally, it can also have physical benefits. Research shows that meditation is good for the heart, can counteract IBS and gets insomnia under control.

•• Digital Detox. The positive physical and mental implications of using your device less are numerous.

Neck issues from constantly looking down, restless sleep and anxiety can be reduced the less you are attached to your phone.

So, forget the New Year’s resolutions, they’re made to be broken! Instead, take steps for a healthier lifestyle so when 31 December creeps around, you won’t need to make dramatic, but short lived, promises to improve your health.

Parenting

Fertility to First Birthday STORY Rose Foster Finding out you’re pregnant, whether it’s for the first or the fifth time, is a very exciting moment in any couple’s life. But once the initial excitement has subsided, the realisation that the next nine months will be jam-packed with preparation for baby’s arrival can be very daunting indeed.

Knowing your options can help you feel more at ease as you face this new chapter of your family’s life. So, if you’re a parent-to-be or a new parent, PakMag is here to help with our A to Z guide of all things fertility to first birthday!

I’m pregnant, now what?

One of the first things to consider is your healthcare and birthing options, and a big consideration when it comes to this is whether you want to go public or private.

If you go via the public system, your first step is to visit your GP, who will guide you through your pregnancy, including referring you for scans and tests. In Mackay, we are lucky enough to have one of Queensland’s best

birthing centres which operates through the public health care system meaning your stay is free.

The private system will allow you to choose your own obstetrician who will look after you throughout your pregnancy and during your labour. If you’d like to choose this route, you will likely give birth at the Mater Hospital which is a fantastic option, with private recovery rooms, meal plans and obstetrician of your choice.

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Parenting

There are also other professionals that you may want to consider too, including doulas and hypnobirthing.

What else should I prepare?

Between painting the nursery, buying the pram and maternity wear shopping, the list of what you need to prepare before baby arrives can feel endless. Breaking this down into three categories can make it feel more manageable: home, baby, self.

Home Make sure you prepare your home for baby’s arrival.

This, of course, includes preparing your baby’s room and baby proofing but you should also consider purchasing things that will make your life with a new born a little easier. A comfy feeding chair, a state of the art baby monitor, a night time baby ‘shusher’ and baby food maker.

You can also hire baby equipment which is great if you’re holidaying or you don’t want to splurge on buying your own. With hire periods of up to 6 months, companies such as Hire for Baby offer a range of products such as capsules, breast pumps and cots and for PakMag readers, there’s 5 per cent off! Simply visit www.hireforbaby.com and enter the code PAKMAG for your discount. Plus, if you hire a Medela Symphony breast pump and decide to buy one, you’ll receive 30 per cent off!

Baby In terms of what you need to buy for baby, our advice is to not go overboard and buy months’ worth of clothing; you don’t know how big or small your baby will be, how fast they’ll grow, or how much stuff you’ll be given by friends and family.

Make sure you also have items to wash and change baby too, but just like the clothes, don’t buy too many nappies before you know if your baby will fit into them!

Head down to Let The Children Play at 15B Macalister Street to shop for some great toys to entertain baby.

With a range of cuddly toys, ride ons and water and bath toys, this great Mackay-based toy shop has all you need to entertain baby at home.

Self With a bundle of joy growing inside you, it can sometimes be easy to focus all of your attention on making sure baby is ok and well-prepared for. This is even more the case when baby arrives. Looking after your little one takes precedence and thinking about your own needs is the furthest thing from you mind.

Repeat after me, “I will look after myself”!

First and foremost, look after your body. Exercise such as Pilates is brilliant for pregnancy and there are a number of studios in Mackay and the Whitsundays to choose from. So, get out there and do some low-impact exercise during your pregnancy, it will do wonders for not only your body, but your mind too.

And finally, don’t forget some retail therapy for yourself!

Investing in a maternity dress or two can not only make you feel like you have something comfy to throw on, but it can also give you some self-confidence that you may be lacking. Queen Bee have offered PakMag readers a 5% discount on maternity wear, so head to www. queenbee.com.au and use code PM18.

Baby is here!

So, your baby has arrived, now what? Well, aside from the day in, day out routine of feeding, changing and sleeping, there are some other things that you could consider at this point.

If your baby isn’t sleeping well, services such as a sleep consultant may be the key to a peaceful night’s sleep.

Mackay has a number of professionals who can help your situation to have your baby sleeping like, well, a baby!

Why not opt for some physical development time at Inflatable Kingdom Mackay? This great indoor play area offers an area for little ones and at $10 for a two-and-ahalf-hour session (for under 5s), it’s an affordable way to spend some time in between naps! Visit them at 225 Harbour Road, Mackay Harbour (inside Mackay Indoor Sports Arena).

For some free fun, Mackay Regional Council Libraries offers a range of classes including Baby Bounce, StoryTime and First5Forever to entertain and engage your little one in an environment aimed at developing your child’s pre-literacy and social skills. Check out www.mackay.qld.gov.au/libraries for more details.

So, congratulations on your bundle of joy and good luck! There is obviously much more to learn about what to expect and what to do but we hope this little guide to what’s available in your area has steered you in the right direction!

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Health

HEALTH Having the ‘chat’ with your son

CLASSROOM bugs: BUGS: Classroom PART 1 Part

STORY Mat May

STORY Dr Nicole Higgins, Health on Central

My children continually provide me with some of my most rewarding experiences.

However, they also come with many challenges, and for a dad, one of those is the conversation I must have with my son.

He is approaching ‘that age’ and, I’m sure, beginning to wonder about his changing body, so I now find myself gearing up for his inevitable questions.

“Hello Ms Jones. Sophie isn’t feeling well. Could you please come and pick her up from the sick bay?”

Why does this always happen as you are half way through your grocery shop or heading into an important meeting? The classroom is not only a breeding ground for fertile imaginations but also for school bugs.

While there’s often no realistic way to prevent children catching

But, should I initiate this conversation?

When is a good time? Should I wait for him to come to me? If he comes to me, do I use the correct anatomical terms for ‘things’ or do I use cute euphemisms? Should it be a serious conversation or do I lighten it with ‘Dad’ humour? Am I overthinking it?

infections at school, being able to spot the symptoms means

While I don’t consider myself a parenting expert, I do like to think I have been doing a good job so far, and this is such an important phase of his development, so I want to get it right. With that in mind, I did what any responsible dad in my situation would do… I got a book!

Snot, coughs and sore throats are usually caused by a virus. Viruses

There are a number of books available that cover everything from body changes to mood swings to new found desires and urges. They comprehensively cover any questions he may have about his transition into puberty, and you can then quite easily expand on anything he is unsure of.

streptococcus bacterial infection that lives on the skin. More

Reading such literature has made a potentially difficult and awkward conversation much simpler for both my son and myself which, I think, will allow him to accept his changing body and understand his changing attitudes without any undue worry.

parents can manage the illness and potentially stop them spreading the bugs. Over the next three editions of PakMag, we will look at the top five school bugs, starting with the top two: 1. Coughs and colds.

are treated with fluids and rest as antibiotics don’t make any difference. Viruses are often easy to catch, but their spread can be reduced by keeping your child at home and good hand hygiene.

2. School Sores (aka Impetigo).

These crusty yellow sores are caused by a staphylococcal or common during the warmer months, Impetigo gets into the deeper layers of the skin through cuts and sores. These sores are filled with bacteria which can weep; which makes it a highly contagious infection. Impetigo is generally not dangerous but usually needs a trip to the GP to get treated with antibiotics. Good hand hygiene, covering the sores with a dressing and not picking at scabs are the key to stopping this spreading amongst friends and family.

Young children tend to get sick more often as they build up an immunity however if you are concerned, your family GP is always there to help.

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Bump, Bub and Beyond

Determining gender STORY Kate Moloney These days, while it is possible to choose the sex of your child due to the advances in fertility treatment, Embryo Gender Selection is not available to everyone and does not come without significant cost and risk. In Australia, it is only undertaken for health reasons with couples who must undergo the whole process of In Vitro Fertilisation.

So, if you have an overwhelming yearning for a child of a specific gender, are there ways to tip the odds in your favour, to conceive a child of your preferrence? Does the fact that there are so many old wives’ tales (plus newer theories on this subject) lead to us questioning whether there may be some truth or validity to these, even though there is no scientific evidence to back them up?

If we’ve piqued your curiosity then here are two of the most commonly tried theories.

One theory is that the mother’s diet can affect gender.

According to this theory, eating alkaline foods, such as bananas, broccoli and potatoes, and avoiding milk, cheese and ice-cream will result in a boy, as the Y (boy) sperm is thought to flourish in an alkaline environment.

The X (girl) sperm, on the other hand, prefers an acidic environment created by eating a diet full of fish, meat, cheese and grains.

If this method does not appeal then perhaps you might prefer to consider the Shettles Method, developed by

Dr Landrum B. Shettles in the 1960s. This method is based on the theory that the gender can be determined by having intercourse at certain times in the ovulation cycle. The Y (boy) sperm, is fast but less resilient than the X (girl) sperm, which is a slower swimmer but hardier, meaning it survives longer. Therefore, if you want a boy, you should try and conceive during your ovulation day, as the fast-swimming Y (boy) sperm are likely to make it to the egg first. While if you want a girl, you should try and conceive only in the week (or few days) before ovulation as the weaker Y (boy) sperm will have died off, leaving the X (girl) sperm hanging around until the egg is ready.

When trying for our third child, while I really didn’t mind, as we already had two beautiful girls, I thought, “What harm is there in trying out the Shettles Method to conceive a boy?” I am not saying that this method was definitely the reason, but we did conceive a boy, and to this day, when he causes more mischief than our two girls combined, my husband takes much enjoyment from reminding me that I wanted ‘the boy’!

So, if you do have your heart set on one or the other then perhaps these theories may just assist you. But always remember, - the most important thing of all every baby, regardless of their gender, is a precious gift of life to be treasured.

Did you ever try one of these methods or one of the many other old wives’ tales to influence gender? We’d love to hear your story. Post your story on our Facebook page for the chance to win a prize.

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Bump, Bub and Beyond

BUMP, BUB AND BEYOND Featured products, reviews and prizes. Visit www.pakmag.com.au for your chance to win!

‘Bliss’ Organic Cotton Maternity Cami Top

Cloud b - Sleep Sheep and Tranquil Turtle

RRP $48.00, www.bubsnbumps.com.au

RRP Sleep Sheep: $59.99 / Tranquil Turtle: $79.99 www.cloudb.com.au

Unique organic cotton maternity tops from Bubs n Bumps.

Proudly show the world you’re expecting with cute & original artwork of babies printed onto the tops ‘bump’.

Proudly Australian made for assurance of quality. These comfortable maternity tops are sure to become your maternity wardrobe staple.

Available in 3 styles and 5 cute designs to choose from including the best selling ‘Peek-a-Boo’ baby and ‘Two Peas in the Pod’ for mothers expecting twins.

Sleep Sheep is the original plush that offers soothing sounds to help calm and comfort children to sleep. Playing soft sounds of nature or the reassuring sound of a mother’s heartbeat, Sleep Sheep is the perfect companion for a calm and restful night for both baby and parents!

Cloud b’s first product to combine both sight and sound features, Tranquil Turtle will transform your child’s room into a peaceful oasis.

The light projector creates a serene underwater effect - complete with softly rippling waves - while the sound machine offers two calming choices: a gentle melody or whispering waves.

We are giving away the ‘Bliss’ Cami top - choose from size small, medium or large.

Maze Activewear Nursing Sports Bra RRP $59.00, www.mazeactivewear.com.au Super supportive, this stylish sports bra will have you covered from Pregnancy to breastfeeding. The mesh panels allow you to breathe easy while the clasp back offers an easy off after a tough training session. Quick drop-down cups allow for easy breastfeeding, with adjustable straps that cater for variations in bust size and the different levels of support needed. This maximum support sports bra will soon become your go to staple of your maternity wardrobe.

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Cloud b products are available to purchase from Babies R Us, Myer and David Jones.

Bump, Bub and Beyond

BABY’s stylish sanctuary

Constipation in Babies

STORY Kate Moloney

Is your baby crying, experiencing discomfort and irritability before a bowel movement or having fewer than three bowel movements a week? The cause of their discomfort may be constipation. This problem may be being caused by dehydration, formula milk or the introduction of solid foods.

One of the most enjoyable things of pending parenthood is the chance to create a stylish nursery.

When creating this sanctuary there are some things that you should consider.

When selecting furniture pieces, your number one priority should be safety. Ensure any items you are buying are Australian certified. For these items, especially if you are planning on more children, it can be a good idea to keep these in unisex colours, like wood and white.

If space allows, you may find that separating the room into three zones (one for sleeping, one for feeding and one for playing) works well.

Sleeping zone - Don’t be afraid to use playful bedding in bright colours to dress your neutral cot. Adding a soft nightlight that won’t disturb baby’s sleep when checking them during the night or when feeding is a great addition.

Feeding zone – Consider a feeding chair that is not only comfortable but also something that will later convert into a great toddler reading chair. An ottoman is also a recommended piece for comfortable feeding.

Play zone - Let your creativity run free. Colourful soft mats, plush animals, plus storage boxes and baskets for keeping all of baby’s items handy and sorted. Add colour to the walls with decals that can easily be changed for the next baby or as baby grows into the next stage.

STORY Kalisha Fitsch

If you think your little one may be experiencing constipation then here are a few things that you could try that may help with their discomfort: Encourage exercise: If your baby is a crawler, encourage more crawling! If they are not crawling yet, then move their legs in a circling motion (as if they are riding a bicycle) while they are lying on their back.

Massage the stomach: Gently massage your baby’s lower abdomen with three fingers to stimulate the bowels to encourage a bowel movement. You can do this massage several times per day until a bowel movement occurs.

Different foods: If your baby is eating solids, pureed apples, plums, blueberries and other foods high in fibre will help out. Incorporating more fruit juice and water into your baby’s diet will help as well, especially prune juice!

Switch formula: If your baby is on formula milk, sometimes this can be causing the issue. Talk to your doctor about switching to a different brand, as sometimes sensitivity to certain ingredients can cause constipation.

Constipation, while uncomfortable, is common. Try these good ‘ole home remedies to help relieve their pain, however, if you are concerned always consult your GP.

www.pakmag.com.au | March 2018 21

WHAT’S ON MAR MAR THURSDAY 1 MARCH Crossroads Arts 2018 Program Launch admin@crossroadsarts 5.30pm / Free / Family Raising Confident, Competent Children Mackay Women’s Centre www.triplep-parenting.net.au 9.30am / Free / Parents FRIDAY 2 MARCH Burger Night - Family Table Friday Nights” The Family Table 4954 7757 5.30pm / $35 / Family Bigger Better Stronger 2018 MECC www.mackayregionchamber.com.au 7.30am / $220 / Adult Mackay 2018 Flickerfest Tour Runs until 3 March Central Queensland Conservatorium Of Music Facebook/ Film&ArtsMackay(FAM) 7.30pm / $15 / Youth+ SATURDAY 3 MARCH

Family Movie Night - Cars 3 Eimeo Surf Life Saving Club www.trybooking.com 6.30pm / $8 / Family Term 1 Kids Art Club!

Runs until 24 March Artspace Mackay www.artspacemackay.com.au 10.00am / $150 / Ages 6 - 8 Term 1 Kids Art Club!

Runs until 24 March Artspace Mackay www.artspacemackay.com.au 1.00pm / $150 / Ages 9 - 12 Moulin Rouge Can Can Extraordinaire!

Seabreeze Hotel 4955 1644 6.00pm / $80 / Adult Bangarra : Our Land People Stories MECC www.themecc.com.au 7.30pm / $42 / Family Toughest Club In Town Belt Brothers Leprechaun Park Facebook/ MackayBrothersFootballClub Check Website SUNDAY 4 MARCH

Beginners Clinic Go Wake Cable Park mackay@gowake.com.au 8.00am / $30 / Family

Grom Squad Clinic Runs until 27 May Go Wake Cable Park mackay@gowake.com.au 8.00am / $30 / Ages 6 - 14

2018 Early Years Expo Bowen State Shool Hall Facebook/ WhitsundayRegionalCouncil 9.00am / Free / Family

Zonta International Women’s Day Brunch MECC www.themecc.com.au 10.00am / $75 / Adult

With Star’s Rob

SATURDAY 10 MARCH

The Handmade Expo Market Airlie Beach Cannonvale State School the.principal@cannonvass. eq.edu.au 9.00am / Free / Youth+

Beginners Clinic Go Wake Cable Park mackay@gowake.com.au

Free Beachside Brekkie Lamberts Beach Slade Point Facebook/ SladePointNeighbourhoodWatch 7.30am / Free / Family WEDNESDAY 7 MARCH Raising Resilient Children Mackay Women’s Centre www.triplep-parenting.net.au 6.30pm / Free / Parents

8.00am / $30 / Family March Mini Mud Fest Children’s Program Mackay Community Gardens Facebook/ MackayCommunityGardens 9.00am / $5 / Kids SUNDAY 11 MARCH Ladies Only Ride

THURSDAY 8 MARCH

Go Wake Cable Park

Women’s Film Festival - hosted

by Whitsunday Anglican School Pensy Wood Centre pandfcommittee@was.qld.edu.au 6.00pm / $35 / Family

7.00am / $30 / Ladies Only

Borrowing Days Runs until 28 March Mackay Toy Library Association Inc. 0427 489 382 Call for Information

8.00am / $30 / Ages 6 - 14

FRIDAY 9 MARCH Friday Night Live Music by Kaz and Glen Seabreeze Hotel Facebook/SeabreezeHotel Check Website Cowboys Vs Sharks Souths Leagues Club Mackay 4957 2166 6.50pm / Free / Youth+

mackay@gowake.com.au Grom Squad Clinic Go Wake Cable Park mackay@gowake.com.au

MONDAY 12 MARCH Monday Race Day Event Centre Mackay Turf Club www.mackayturfclub.com.au 11.00am / Free / 18+ THURSDAY 15 MARCH Meet & Greet Mackay Turf Girl Nominees Caneland Central 4952 1155 6.00pm / Free / Family

www.pakmag.com.au | March 2018 23

WHAT’S ON MAR MAR FRIDAY 16 MARCH Rockabilly Revival #3 Dirty Martinis Facebook/DirtyMartinis 7.00pm / Free / Adult Never Tear Us Apart Kirk Pengilly MECC Facebook/TheMackayClub Check Website Keep The Speed Off The Streets Palmyra Drag Racing Club Inc palmyradragway.biz 4.00pm / $10 / Family SATURDAY 17 MARCH Beginners Clinic Go Wake Cable Park mackay@gowake.com.au 8.00am / $30 / Family Laurie N Levi LIVE in the Souths Sports Bar Souths Leagues Club Mackay 4957 2166 7.00pm / Free / Family Happy Sleeper Workshop Ocean International www.dreamybabysleep.com Check Website SUNDAY 18 MARCH Nth Qld Babies and Kids Market Mackay Showgrounds Hall Milton st Mackay nthqldbabiesandkidsmarket.com 8.30am / $2 Adult / Famliy 1 Dayer 2018 - Mackay - QLD Bunnings Warehouse

24 March 2018 | www.pakmag.com.au

Mackay North www.eventbrite.com.au 7.00am / $15 / Youth+ Grom Squad Clinic Go Wake Cable Park mackay@gowake.com.au 8.00am / $30 / Ages 6 - 14 World’s Greatest Shave 2018 Caneland Central www.worldsgreatestshave.com 9.00am / Free / All Ages TUESDAY 20 MARCH Queen’s Baton Relay in Mackay - Community Celebration Bluewater Quay www.gc2018.com 5.30pm / Free / Family FRIDAY 23 MARCH Building Compost the Easy Way Third Ground Coffee House thirdground@outlook.com 9.00am / Free / Youth+ 2018 Safety Conference MECC resourceindustrynetwork.org.au 7.15am / $225 / Youth+ Friday Night Reggae and RNB Seabreeze Hotel Facebook/SeabreezeHotel 8.00pm / Free / Adult SATURDAY 24 MARCH Pakmag Easter Eggstravaganza Mount Pleasant Centre Facebook/PakmagMackay 10.00am / Free / Family Miss Teen Regional Finals Event Centre Mackay Turf Club

www.mackayturfclub.com.au Check Website Beginners Clinic Go Wake Cable Park mackay@gowake.com.au 8.00am / $30 / Family “Ladies Night for Tour de Cure - Dirty Dancing!”

Eimeo Surf Life Saving Club Facebook/Tour de Cure - Team Forty Winks 6.00pm / $10 / Women Live From The Shack Beach Shack Party Live from the Shack www.trybooking.com 5.00pm / $20 / All Ages SUNDAY 25 MARCH Ladies Only Ride Go Wake Cable Park mackay@gowake.com.au 7.00am / $30 / Ladies Only Grom Squad Clinic Go Wake Cable Park mackay@gowake.com.au 8.00am / $30 / Ages 6 - 14 March Freckle Farm Tour 247 Olletts Road, Eton www.frecklefarm.com.au 9.30am / Cost / Family Sorbellos Jazz Sounds with Hot Hot Hot Sorbellos Italian Restaurant 4957 8300 10.30am / $70 / Family TUESDAY 27 MARCH Tuesday Race Day Event Centre Mackay Turf Club www.mackayturfclub.com.au

With Star’s EJ

11.00am / Free / All Ages BMA Kidspace 2018 Artspace Mackay artspace@mackay.qld.gov.au 10.00am / Free / Ages 0 - 5 FRIDAY 30 MARCH Colour Dash3000 and UV Dash1500 in 2018!

Brandish Australia Colour Dash3000 Facebook/BrandishAustralia ColourDash3000 Check Website SATURDAY 31 MARCH Beginners Clinic Go Wake Cable Park mackay@gowake.com.au 8.00am / $30 / Family SAVE THE DATES: SUNDAY 1 APRIL Mackay City Centre’s Easter Carnival Mackay mackaycitycentre.com.au Check Website FRIDAY 6 APRIL Mackay Turf Girl Cocktail Party Event Centre Mackay Turf Club www.mackayturfclub.com.au 6.30pm / $50 / 18+ TUESDAY 17 APRIL BMA Kidspace 2018 Artspace Mackay artspace@mackay.qld.gov.au 10.00am / Free / Ages 0 - 5

www.pakmag.com.au | March 2018 25

Mini Mag

A MYSTERY PRIZE!

FOR YOUR CHANCE To WIN, COMPLETE & mail TO:

Name

PakMag Colour In March 2018 PO Box 7433, Cairns QLD 4870

Address

Win a mystery prize!

Competition closes 31/03/2018

Age

Parent/Guardian

Postcode Phone Email

Mini Mag

A MYSTERY PRIZE!

FOR YOUR CHANCE To WIN, COMPLETE & mail TO:

Name

PakMag Colour In March 2018 PO Box 7433, Cairns QLD 4870

Address

Win a mystery prize!

Competition closes 31/03/2018

Age

Parent/Guardian

Postcode Phone Email www.pakmag.com.au | March 2018 27

Mini Mag

GiveawayS FOR BookwormS 1

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1. What’s Weird on Earth - www.dk.com.au - RRP $29.99 - See how many lightning strikes hit parts of our planet, the wind patterns of the whole world, and even how the world map would look if global warming melted the ice caps! What’s Weird on Earth is an entirely new atlas adventure, with maps of UFO sightings, popular foods, every country resized according to population density, and their popularity as holiday destinations. 2. Chit Chat Box - www.tinyginats.com.au - RRP $29.95 This unique activity set encourages children to think big, be creative, kind and strengthen relationships with the grown ups in their lives while having loads of fun.

It’s suitable for boys and girls aged 4-8 years. 3. Lonely Planet Kids: Around the World in 50 Ways - www.lonelyplanet.com/kids - RRP $24.99 - Young explorers will discover a unique and fun way to discover the world – by using their favourite mode of transportation! From tuk-tuks and sleds, to steamboats and hot-air balloons, Around the World in 50 Ways lets readers travel the globe via road, rail, water or air. And once they’ve selected a route, they will learn amazing facts about their destination. But be warned – not every route will take them where they want to go! 4. Visting You - www.ekbooks.org - RRP $24.99 - In this gorgeous picture book, a young child and their mother set out to visit a loved one. Along the way, the child interacts with other commuters — a father who lives apart from his small daughter, a husband who has lost his wife, a granddaughter who is forgotten by her grandfather, and a mother who fears for her son’s recovery — and discovers that we all are bound by the common experience of love, that appearances can be deceiving, and that it’s our similarities, not our differences, that matter most. 5. The Wonderling by Mira Bartók - www.booktopia.com.au - RRP $24.99 - In this extraordinary debut novel with its deft nod to Dickensian heroes and rogues, Mira Bartók tells the story of Arthur, a shy, fox-like foundling with only one ear and a desperate desire to belong, as he seeks his destiny. 6. Outdoor Maker Lab - www.dk.com.au - RRP $29.99 An unmissable outdoor approach to science and STEM learning. Kids can extract DNA from strawberries to learn about genetic traits, make a model of tectonic plates to understand earthquakes, and make a wormery to learn about ‘useful waste’. These wonderful experiments help kids to understand our world and beyond. Outdoor Lab uses real-world examples and an irresistible mix of craft activities and experiments to get young scientists excited from the get-go.

What’s On Guide

REGULAR MARKETS Eungella Markets Date: 1st Sunday of the month (Apr to Dec) Time: From 9.00am Location: Eungella Memorial Hall - North Street Sarina Showground Market Date: Last Sunday of the month Time: From 8.00am (Mar to Dec) Location: Bruce Highway Sarina

Marian Markets Date: 3rd Sunday of the month (Excluding May & Dec) Time: From 8.00am Location: Holy Rosary Church Anzac Avenue Paxton’s night markets Date: 2nd Friday of the month* Time: From 5.00pm Location: Paxtons Warehouse Details: *Check their Facebook page as dates subject to change www.facebook.com/ PaxtonsNightMarkets

Twilight Markets Time: 6.00pm - 9.00pm Location: Northern Beaches Bowls Club Details: Please visit Northern Beaches Bowls Club facebook page for dates and theme The Greater Whitsunday Farmers’ Market Date: Every Wednesday Time: From 8.00am to 1.00pm Location: Bluewater Quay Details: www.facebook.com/ greaterwhitsundayfarmersmarket

Showground Markets Date: Every Saturday Time: From 6.30am Location: Milton Street Seaforth Markets Date: Every Sunday Time: From 8.30am Location: Palm Avenue Seaforth Troppo Treasure Market Date: 2nd Sunday of the month Time: From 7.30am to 11.30am Location: Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre

Email your event or market to admin@grandpublishing.com.au to be included. Spaces are limited.

www.pakmag.com.au | March 2018 29

REGULAR EVENTS MACKAY REGIONAL COUNCIL: LIBRARIES Baby Bounce Location: Gordon White Library Days: Thursdays (During school term) Time: 10.30am - 11.00am Location: Dudley Denny City Library Days: Mondays (During school term) Time: 11.00am - 11.30am Location: Mirani Library Days: Mondays (During school term) Time: 9.30am - 10.00am Location: Sarina Library Days: Tuesdays (During school term) Time: 9.30am - 10.00am Storytime Storytime is aimed at 2 – 5 year olds and their parents and carers and is held weekly during the school term. This half hour program of stories, nursery rhymes, finger plays and songs enhances language and literacy development in an interactive, fun-filled environment. The sessions encourage a child’s love of books and promotes the library environment as an exciting place for the whole family.

Location: Mirani Library Days: Tuesdays (During school term) Time: 9.30am - 10.00am Location: Walkerston Library Days: Tuesdays (During school term) Time: 10.30am - 11.00am Location: Gordon White Library Days: Wednesdays (During school term) Time: 10.30am - 11.00am Days: Fridays (During school term) Time: 9.30am - 10.00am Location: Sarina Library Days: Wednesdays (During school term) Time: 10.00am - 11.00am Location: Dudley Denny City Library Days: Thursdays (During school term) Time: 10.30am - 11.00am

Toddler Time Toddler Time is aimed at little ones who are walking to 2.5 years and their parents and carers and is held weekly during the school term.

This half hour program of lively nursery rhymes, finger plays, action songs and a story encourages language development and social interaction in an interactive, funfilled environment.

Location: Gordon White Library Days: Mondays Time: 9.30am – 10.00am

Time: From 6.00am Ability level: Beginner-advanced More Info: Corry Cycles Facebook page for ride details and updates Bicycle Belles A social riding group just for ladies.

Meeting point: Bicycle Connection, 20 Victoria St, Mackay Days: Wednesdays Time: 6.00am Ability level: Beginnerintermediate More Info: Bicycle Belles Mackay Facebook page for ride details and updates.

Location: Mirani Library Days: Wednesday Time: 9.30am – 10.00am

Mums and Bubs Morning Ride

Location: Dudley Denny City Library Days: Friday Time: 9.30am – 10.00am

Meeting point: Gooseponds car park at the end of Willis Street, North Mackay Days: Wednesdays Time: 10.00am More Info: Bicycle Belles Mackay Facebook page for details and updates.

MACKAY REGIONAL COUNCIL: BIKE RIDERS Social Rides Meeting point: Metro Café, River Street Days: Saturdays Time: 6.30am Ability levels: Team Caffeine (Beginner - intermediate: 15-20km/h), Team Tour de Latte (Intermediate: 25km/h), Team Slipstream (Intermediateadvanced: 30km/h) and Team Titanium (Advanced: 35km+/h) More Info: Visit Rock N Road Cycles Facebook page for ride details and updates.

Lazy Riders Meeting point: Bridges Café, Bluewater Quay Days: Every second Sunday -stay for breakfast after the ride!

Time: 7.00am Ability level: Beginner-intermediate More Info: Corry Cycles Facebook page for ride details and updates Sizzle'n Sausage Sunday Sesh* Mountain bikers of all abilities are welcome to come out for a ride, held every Sunday and followed by a sausage sizzle from 8.30am.

Meeting point: Rowallan Mountain Bike Park, Glendaragh Rd, Farleigh

30 March 2018 | www.pakmag.com.au

A social riding group for Mums with children who are not yet at school.

Mountain Bike (MTB) Night Ride* Lights on bike and helmets are a must!

Days: Wednesdays Meeting point 1: Corry Cycles, 5 Kay Court, North Mackay Time: 6.00pm Meeting point 2: Rowallan Mountain Bike Park, Glendaragh Road, Farleigh Time: 6.30pm Ability level: Intermediate-advanced More Info: Corry Cycles Facebook page for ride details and updates, *MAD MTB or MTBA membership is required to use the trails.

Thursday Night Social Ride A weekly evening get together for a ride and catch up.

Meeting point: Metro Café, River Street Days: Thursdays Time: 7.00pm Ability level: Beginnerintermediate More Info: Visit Bicycle Mackay Facebook page for ride details and updates.

MACKAY REGIONAL COUNCIL: RUNNERS Free LayZee Runners Club Days: Saturdays

Time: 5.45am Meeting point: The Metro Market Cafe, River Street, Mackay Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays Time: 5.30am Meeting point: The City Fitness Health Club, Victoria Street.

More Info: www.mackaycitycentre.com.au MACKAY ANIMAL RESCUE SOCIETY Monthly Adoption Day Days: Last Sunday of the month Time: 9.00am to 12.00pm Location: Mackay Pet Superstore, Greenfields Fundraiser Markets Days: Third Sunday of the Month Time: 9.00am - 1.00pm Location: Mackay Marina LET THE CHILDREN PLAY TOYSHOP Free Children’s Book Reading Bring your snack. Coffee/tea will be available Days: Every Wednesday Time: 9.30am to 10.00am Location: 15b Macalister St Cnr Victoria & Macalister Sts Contact: 4944 0180 or email info@playmackay.com.au POSITIVE BIRTH MOVEMENT MEETUPS A support group for parents and parents to be. Discussion theme changes each month.

Days: Last Wednesday or Thursday of every month.

Time: 10.00am and 6.30pm Location: Uneek Industries courtyard - 166 Shakespeare St More Info: The positive birth movement Mackay Meet Ups Facebook page, or call 0458 100 680 DO YOU HAVE AN EVENT YOU WOULD LIKE TO PROMOTE TO THE COMMUNITY? Email your event or market to admin@grandpublishing.com.au to be included. Spaces are limited. Please notify us if there is any updated information for our regular events.

Snapped

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Photography thanks to: Elizabeth Randles Photography, 0413 184 336 Facebook: Elizabeth Randles Photography

1. Jaxon - John Breen Park 2. Soren - John Breen Park 3. Stella - Blue Water Lagoon 4. Emmerson - Marian 5. Armani - Vintage Kiss, Marian 6. Maison - Cookie Decorating 7. Harrison - John Breen Park

www.pakmag.com.au | March 2018 31

School Holiday Guide

SCHOOL HOLIDAY GUIDE BIG4 ADVENTURE WHITSUNDAY RESORT BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort is one big Whitsunday holiday destination in itself.

Nowhere else will you find so much fun in one place!

If your idea of a great holiday is fun times in idyllic surrounds then you’ll love what’s on offer. The selfcontained accommodation options and range of facilities truly cater to everyone from the young to the young-at-heart.

The stunning lagoon pool and the brand new big, huge, mega 13 slide water park make the perfect resort centrepiece and take the resort to a whole new level of family entertainment, along with a huge range of over 13 other onsite activities for everyone to enjoy!

P 4948 5400 E salesandmarketing@adventurewhitsunday.com.au www.adventurewhitsunday.com.au

MACKAY COMMUNITY GARDENS Loose Parts Play Saturday, 14 April Time: 9.00am to 11.00am Cost: $10.00 / Child

P 0449 167 152 E trudie@familytable.com.au F Facebook/familytablemackay www.familytable.com.au

CANELAND CENTRAL Animatronic Prehistoric Creatures Ice Display and Free Ice Themed Kids Activities Monday, 2 to Friday, 13 April Times: 11am to 2pm Cost: Free For all that’s happening these school holidays visit their website and like them on Facebook to be kept up to date.

F Facebook/CanelandCentral www.canelandcentral.com.au

MACKAY GYMNASTICS Mackay Gymnastics are having some School Holiday Fun Days: Wednesday 4, Friday 6, Monday 9, Wednesday 11 and Friday, 13 April

No Bookings Required.

For kids aged 2 to 4 yearsFrom: 9.30am to 10.15am

P 0487 127 578 E info@mackaycommunitygarden.org F Facebook/MackayCommunityGardens www.mackaycommunitygarden.org

Cost: $11.00

THE FAMILY TABLE

Easter Day Camps:

Kids Kitchen Cooking Classes The Kids Kitchen cooking classes are designed to be a fun and educational way for kids and teens to learn about produce, trying different ingredients, learning the basics of preparing and cooking food as well as food hygiene and safety.

The kids and teens classes also assist to develop everyday skills including measuring, counting, reading recipes, teamwork and of course, cleaning up!

Cost: From $15.00 to $42.00 Bookings Required.

For kids aged 5 to 12 yearsFrom: 9.30am to 11.00am Cost: $18.50

Week 1: Wednesday, 4 and Friday, 6 April Week 2: Monday 9, Wednesday 11 and Friday, 13 April From: 9.00am to 3.00pm Cost: Members $45 per day/Non-Members $65 per day Bookings essential as there are limited numbers and mention you read it in Pakmag.

P 4942 0032 E admin@mackaygymnastics.org.au F Facebook/MackayGymnastics www.mackay.gymnastics.org.au

www.pakmag.com.au | March 2018 33

School Holiday Guide

MACKAY CITY LIBRARIES

SARINA SUGAR SHED

School holiday activities are run during every school break for children aged Prep to Year 6. Activities are also available for high school students.

Take the tour – taste the action!

Get the kids out of the house these school holidays with a taste-bud-tantalising tour of the Sarina Sugar Shed, a fully working miniature sugar mill and distillery and the only one of its kind in Australia. The interactive tours are a great way to teach your kids where sugar comes from while tasting freshly made sugar cane juice, fairy floss and locally made sauces and chutneys.

For more information, visit their website.

F Facebook/MackayLibraries www.mackay.qld.gov.au/libraries

MOUNT PLEASANT For all that’s happening this school holidays visit their website and like them on Facebook to be kept up to date.

Open seven days a week.

Four daily tours are held at 9.30am, 11.00am, 12.30pm and 2.00pm (closed public holidays).

Bookings required.

P 4969 2400 E MountPleasant.Centre@vicinity.com.au F Facebook/mountpleasantcentre www.mountpleasantcentre.com.au

P 4943 2801 www.sarinasugarshed.com.au

BOUNCE NOW ENTERTAINMENT

Kidz Life Play Centre is part of the children’s program run by the New Life Church Mackay. The centre is supported by church members and visitors.

Water slides, jumping castles, bouncy boxing, gladiator duel, mechanical bull, sumo wrestling, cocktail machines, sticky wall, mini golf and fairy floss!

They deliver the FUN! All Ages - All Events.

P 4942 6360 E bouncenow@hotmail.com.au F Facebook/BounceNow www.bouncenow.com.au

PORTERS COMMUNITY MARKETS Enjoy local handmade crafts, clothing, kids entertainment and more!

Plus enjoy lunch at Charlies Cafe and browse at Porters!

For market posts and information, please check out their Facebook page.

P 4967 3333 E mail@cporter.com.au F Facebook/Portescando www.porterscando.com.au

34 March 2018 | www.pakmag.com.au

KIDZ LIFE PLAY CENTRE

The centre exists to foster healthy interaction between parent and child and supports poor and needy children in developing nations. Kidz Life is not for profit (not a business). Costs are only charged to recover expenses of running the program.

Programs offered include classes for parenting, raising children and single parent families.

Hours: Monday to Friday From: 9.00am to 3.00pm Saturday From: 9.00am to 4.00pm Don’t forget to bring socks!

P 4953 5575 E admin@kidzlife.com.au F Facebook/Kidzlifeplaycentre www.kidzlife.com.au

DON’T FORGET TO LET THEM KNOW YOU READ IT IN PAKMAG

Challenges

Developmental Disabilities in Children STORY Rose Foster As parents, navigating the minefield of bringing up children can be a challenge. The trial and error nature of parenting, and the fact that every child develops at different rates means that knowing whether our children are on the right track can feel like a guessing game. This is particularly true when it comes to identifying problems.

sure you don’t panic if your little one is slightly behind expected milestones, these are only a guide. It’s when significant delays occur, or delays across multiple aspects of your child’s development that further investigation should be done.

What causes developmental disabilities?

Developmental disabilities range from autism and behavioural disorders to cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, so spotting signs of these disabilities can be easy or complicated. Certain issues can be identified at birth (and sometimes even before), but some problems don’t become apparent until certain milestones are not being met and we realise that a child is behind in their development.

For many developmental disabilities, the cause is unclear and it is often a number of factors which contribute to the problem. The main risk factors include problems at birth (including prematurity, low birth weight or oxygen deprivation), medical conditions (including ear infections, illnesses and injuries), and environmental factors (including trauma, a mother drinking or taking drugs prior to birth or poor living conditions).

So, how do we identify developmental disabilities?

What should you be looking for?

Well, unfortunately for many of these disabilities, there is no cut and dry test, so observation is the key to identification in the early stages. Knowing when a child should be reaching certain milestones is a starting point. It will help you identify whether your child is delayed in their development. It is important to make

There are five main areas in which a developmental disability may occur: cognitive skills, social and emotional skills, speech and language skills, fine and gross motor skills, and activities in daily living. If a child exhibits issues with two or more of these areas, it is considered to be a global developmental delay.

www.pakmag.com.au | March 2018 37

Challenges

Cognitive delays affect a child’s ability to learn, think and problem solve. Early ways to identify this is to ask yourself if your baby exhibits curiosity or if your toddler is learning new words, colours or counting. If the answer is no to these things, it may be a sign of developmental delay.

Social and emotional delays present themselves in a child’s ability to relate and interact with others. Babies should smile at people and make noises in an attempt to communicate and toddlers should be able to express their feelings and make friends. A lack of these signs could be cause for concern.

Speech and language delays may seem obviously identifiable but there are some things to consider that you may not have been aware of; it is not always the case that a child can’t pronounce words. With babies, the absence of babbling or cooing could help identify issues but in toddlers, their ability to understand instructions, tell stories that keep on track or use words in the correct context could also be telling signs. This type of delay is quite common which is perhaps the reason that Speech and Language Pathologists are trained specially to deal with this, whilst the other four issues are generally dealt with by paediatricians or occupational therapists.

Fine and gross motor delays can be identified in babies if they are not able to hold objects (fine motor) or if they don’t begin to sit up, roll or walk (gross motor). As children get older, not being able to hold tools or draw (fine motor) or having difficulties jumping or climbing may indicate a developmental delay.

Daily living problems simply mean that day to day tasks are not handled by the child. In babies, we as parents naturally do this for them, but if children don’t begin to eat or dress themselves, herein lies a potential issue.

How does a child receive a diagnosis?

Generally, your first step is to visit your GP who will advise you of the next steps based on his initial

38 March 2018 | www.pakmag.com.au

assessment of your child. Your GP will generally refer you to a specialist or for further testing and investigation based on this assessment.

If you think your child has a speech or language delay, you can opt to visit a speech and language pathologist without a referral from your doctor.

Remember, early intervention is best and there’s no harm in going to the doctor if you think something’s not quite right. As the age old saying goes, “It’s better to be safe than sorry”, and it’s true when it comes to helping your child with their development.

What treatment is available?

Depending on your child’s diagnosis, there are a number of different treatment options. Most of these include the help of a specialised professional. Occupational therapists are amongst the most common options for children with developmental disabilities, along with physiotherapist, speech and language pathologist and behavioural therapists.

Living with developmental delay Living with any kind of disability comes with challenges, but with a positive outlook and the right tools and professionals at your disposal, living a happy and fulfilled life is absolutely possible. Understanding that life won’t be bad, it will just be different is a great way to look at life when raising a child with a developmental delay.

With early intervention and treatment, many children with developmental disibilities grow up to become independent adults. For those with more serious developmental disabilities, particularly those who have trouble with completing day to day tasks or have low cognitive function, there are still options to help them live the best life they can. This includes community living, providing them with the equipment that they need and equipping their families with the skills and tools to help.

Exploring Play

WHY PLAY IS SO IMPORTANT STORY Kait Cummins, Occupational Therapist, The Play Project Play is often considered as something that is just for fun, a way to spend free time.

which is essential for healthy brain development.

However, it’s important that we are aware that play (in particular outdoor unstructured play) is in fact fundamental to the health and well-being of children and adults. Play keeps us fit and healthy, it develops our strength and endurance, and it teaches us how to problem solve, take risks and overcome challenges. It also teaches us how to communicate and socialise effectively with others, while building our independence, confidence and self-esteem. Play promotes creativity and imagination, and it gives children the opportunity to practice what they are learning

The simplest ways to encourage play include: •• Stopping at the park on the way home.

•• Minimising the structured activities you have each week.

•• Getting outdoors in nature as much as possible.

•• Refraining from ‘entertaining’ the kids and instead encouraging them to be creative.

Take some time to play with your children and challenge yourself to refrain from talking and directing play, instead let the child lead you.

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1. Original Lock Activity Box by Mamagenius - RRP $99.00 2. Balance Bike Blue Chalkboard by Kinderfeets - RRP $150.00 3. Monster Feet - RRP $12.95 4. Jump Rope by Green Toys - RRP $25.00 5. Petanque Bowls by Janod - RRP $45.00 6. Happy Hopperz Pink Cow Small RRP $59.00 - www.playmackay.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au | March 2018 41

Adult Education

It’s never too late to chase your dreams STORY Kalisha Fitsch

We are constantly reminded that time is ticking.

The days, weeks, months and years all seem to pass by quicker and quicker the older we get. Having children often heightens our realisation of just how fast our life is passing us by, and this can leave us questioning whether we are really making the most of our time. In these moments, thoughts of chasing our dreams enter our mind but are just as quickly met by our self-doubts, our “Oh, it’s too late for me to be able to do that now” thoughts.

But is it really too late? The answer is no! The reality is that life is growth and therefore it’s no surprise that a career path you found fascinating at 18 may not necessarily still interest you at 35. Whether you are 25 or 50, it’s never too late to start doing something you love. In the 21st century, with so many options available for further education including varied delivery methods, many people are taking up study to embark upon new careers, regardless of their age.

Changes in life situations have seen once career professionals, now mums, change from accounting careers to become teachers as the hours and holidays suit their lifestyles better. Previous office managers have made the change to freelance writing to enable them to work from home. Many home-based businesses have been established by mums who are successfully combining their passion with their family commitments.

Not entirely convinced? Well, there are plenty of women all around the world proving that you’re never too old to make that change. What about Australian mum-of-two, Naomi Simson? You probably have heard of this lady in red; she’s an entrepreneur, author and CEO of the online gift retailer RedBalloon. But did you also know that she had a well-paid corporate job, that would have been the envy of many yet didn’t make her happy? So, she made the change to do something that she was passionate about. Anna Mary Robertson Moses, otherwise known as Grandma Moses, proves it really is never too late; she began her painting career at 78 years of age.

In 2006, one of her paintings sold for a staggering USD 1.2 million.

Everyone's situation is different but what is the same, is that to make this change, you need to stay determined and always have a positive, never give up attitude. We are not saying that it is going to be easy, but if it is what you want, then your hard work will pay off and you will thank yourself down the track that you made this choice. No pain, no gain!

Your life is yours to live. It is up to you to make it the life of your dreams. So, if you have the opportunity to make a change that will lead to your greater happiness, grab it with both hands. Make that positive change that in the long run will benefit not just you but also your whole family. Happiness really is contagious.

www.pakmag.com.au | March 2018 43

Parenting

Is your emotional baggage impacting the way you raise your kids?

STORY Donna Mahoney They say that the only real lessons we learn in life are from our more challenging experiences. Some of these lessons we learn from, some we are still getting over, and some things we may never get over.

As parents, these experiences can shape the way we bring up our children; sometimes we are aware of this, often we’re not.

Self-awareness is essential. Once we have that, we can mold our parenting to teach our children what we see as important qualities through our experiences. From the above example, you will be insistent on raising kids that have empathy, independence, and resilience. But the negative, less obvious qualities are likely to be the ones you need to watch out for.

Take a moment to think about your life. What experiences or people have shaped you and your beliefs? Although the key is to try not to place judgement on these experiences, we tend to place them as either negative or positive depending on how they made us feel. Get a piece of paper, split it in half and write down these experiences.

Are you bottling up your anger and then having outbursts because you haven’t learnt a positive healthy way to be angry? Are people in your life treating you poorly because you avoid conflict? Are you treating your kids like babies, doing everything for them so that they can stay kids as long as possible? Do you keep your kids from family members that could potentially emotionally harm them to protect them? Do you stay in an unhealthy relationship because you don’t want your children to have divorced parents?

Now, write out what you learnt from each of these moments, both positive and negative. Lastly, think if any of these things are impacting your parenting?

Let’s try a situation together. Say your parents divorced when you were little, and you were raised in a very hostile environment. From this you feel that you learnt positive traits such as empathy, independence and resilience, but also negative things such as growing up too fast, thinking that anger is bad and not having a positive view of relationships.

Impact on Parenting Our children do not come with a manual on how to parent them and often, the only way we have learnt how to parent is from our parents. Not only do they show us how, but they also show us how not to raise children as well. As parents, we get to choose which aspects of the way we were parented that we bring into our own parenting. Even the best of us sometimes cringe as we hear our parents’ voice come through our mouths or we do things a certain way, as a subconcious reflection of our parents behaviour.

Only you can analyse your behaviour. Remember you don’t need to be the perfect parent, none of us are.

Parenting is about ensuring we raise incredible kids that have a healthy emotional bank which they can draw on at any time they feel they are on the downward turn on the roller coaster that is life. It’s about ensuring we give our children the tools to help foster a belief in themselves that they can get through any moment in their life, grow and learn from it.

Donna from Innate Therapies counsels parents on how they can let go of their emotional baggage (amongst other issues, specialising in attachment and trauma therapy), so they can become more confident, self-aware and happy. She also helps children, couples and families using a range of modalities including Art Therapy, Clayfield Therapy, Sandpay and Symbol work depending on individual need. Visit www.innatetherapies.com for more information.

www.pakmag.com.au | March 2018 45

Home

HOW YOUR HOME CAN INSPIRE A HEALTHY LIFE With the Block’s Caro and Kingi

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46 March 2018 | www.pakmag.com.au

We all wish to live a healthier lifestyle, not only for ourselves, but also for the environment. But with the pace of life, it can be difficult to find the time and motivation to transform this wish into a reality. However, it can be easier than you might think.

There are some simple things that you can do and implement in your home and life, and these small changes that you make can have large positive effects on not just your health but also the worlds.

Reusable over single use: Reduce your carbon footprint by reducing the plastic waste in your home. Store your ingredients in glass jars and containers, take fabric reusable shopping bags with you when shopping and for school lunches try sectioned lunchboxes (or bento boxes). Plus, on a home dĂŠcor front, ingredients stored in jars can make for a wonderfully rustic feel!

Natural snacks: Packaged snacks are often highly processed and create single-use plastic waste. Invest in a beautiful fruit bowl or basket so you can incorporate natural snacks such as bananas, oranges, and apples into your life. Not only are fruits very good for you (obviously!), they can brighten up your kitchen and the waste they leave behind is easy to turn into compost to help your garden thrive.

Plants, plants, plants: Big and small, plants work wonders.

Some are known to be particularly effective at filtering the air in your home, thus creating a healthier living space.

Recommended plants for this include ferns, lilies, palms, and ivy. These will have your home looking good and smelling great too.

Chlorine-free play: Have you considered a chlorine-free swimming pool? A pool that is fully enriched with oxygen, has no odours, no taste, that is soft and gentle to your skin and reduces water waste with no shower needed after swimming! Check out your local pool products supplier to see how you can implement this into your home.

Watch your life transform with these little changes to your home and lifestyle that will have you feeling not only healthier but also happier because you are helping to make a difference.

1. Photography by Crate and Barre 2. Photography by Sarah Sherman Samuel via Mydomaine 3. Lightly Planter Grey - RRP $102.30 www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au 4. Yumbox Tapas 4 Compartment in Amalfi Pink - RRP $45.95 - www.ellej.com.au 5. Kinderboards by Kinderfeet - RRP $159.00 - www.playmackay.com.au 6. Design Twins Pinstripe Pot, Small - RRP $170.50 www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au 7. Design Twins Rim Pot White & Gold Large - RRP $302.50 - www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au 8. Gingersnap Cedarwick Candle by Sohum - RRP $32.00 www.prettylittlesomething.com.au 9. Moss Rim Cotton Rope Basket RRP $19.95 - www.ellej.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au | March 2018 47

Celebrate

PARTY VIBES WITH THE TIDES We know that keeping a party of little ‘sea goers’ riding high on waves of happiness for a couple of hours can be a challenge.

But we assure you, you won’t be asked to walk the plank at your child’s party with these fantastic ocean-themed ideas.

You’ll ‘sea’ what we mean!

Feeding frenzy Snacks are a must to keep the hungry sharks at bay. Set up a table that is full of adorable munchies. Serve up colourful ‘saltwater’ popcorn - popcorn drizzled with blue candy-melts - or set their imaginations a sail with a pirate ship shaped watermelon!

This is a great trick to get some healthy snacks into their stomachs.

Thirsty? Serve up some refreshing drinks for your guests to keep

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them refuelled for more ocean exploring.

Decorate bottles, cups or glasses with strings and starfish paper-shapes to match the theme of the party.

Finding lost treasure Draw a mud map of your home and let the curious explorers search the house and yard for ‘lost treasure’ party favours.

This interactive way of gift-giving is an exciting experience and will be a memory not quickly forgotten by your guests. Who knows what they will find! You could hide away pirate or mermaid dolls, whalethemed educational games or other ocean-themed bits.

Sweet ocean treats

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The most anticipated event at any party is always the cake! Get creative with fondant, icing and edible glitter to create an impressive underwaterthemed tiered cake or adorable mermaid tail cupcakes for your guests to enjoy.

Or, let Cakes Annietime take the helm.

They can create perfectly scrumptious custom cakes that can even incorporate a photo frame to truly personalise your child’s cake.

With plenty of nibbles, games, and adventure fun, we are sure your party will go swimmingly and is ‘shore’ to be a great success.

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1. Mermaid Doll in Grey - RRP $ 49.95 - www.ellej.com.au 2. www.catchmyparty.com 3. Custom Birthday Cake. The possibilities are endless with Cakes Annietime - www.cakesannietime.com.au 4. www.karaspartyideas.com 5. Mobi Maths Game - RRP $29.99 www.playmackay.com.au 6. Big Waves Cushion by Bonnie & Neil - RRP $174.35 - www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au 7. www.docediafestas.com.br 8. www.thecakemamas.com 9. www.leaf.tv 10. Hand Squeaker Pirate - RRP $17.95 - www.ellej.com.au 11. Hattie Navy Spot Dress - RRP $44.95 - www.ellej.com.au

DADDY Daddy Diary DIARY It’s Easter time, the time of year where a white bunny with loads of chocolate appears and also a time where many families celebrate the religious meaning as well.

It’s something my Dad knows a lot about, having been the minister at St Pauls Church on Macalister Street for years. But a word of warning from experience, please don’t mix the two. Do not take your chocolate Easter eggs into Church and start munching during the sermon; it’s apparently not appreciated!

With Easter also comes the first school holidays of the year. A chance for families to recharge their batteries after a very fast start to 2018. A great chance to reconnect with your kids if the day to day back to school and work routine craziness has gotten in the way.

I have a few ideas that could help, obviously weather dependent though, remembering that this time last year was when Tropical Cyclone Debbie came to say hello to us all. But if the weather is good, my suggestion would be to get the kids out of the house and out and about exploring. Hit the road, take a drivew up to the Pioneer Valley and find a creek to go swimming in, or take a drive up to Eungella and check out the views from all the amazing vantage points up there. Walk through the rainforests and get in touch with nature.

With Star 101.9’s Rob Kidd

Take along notepads and pencils and encourage your kids to draw the things they see, or if they are smaller, you could help them to do some nature tracing. Collect fallen leaves and make a cool collage out of them all when you get back home. Get crafty, and the kids will love you for it.

Getting out and about will also help you with the negative impact that Easter can have on you and the family’s waistline with all that chocolate! You might want to try and find those eggs with a 100 per cent fat-free label on them. I haven’t found one as yet after nearly 50 years of searching, but I’m sure they are out there somewhere.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you have a great Easter and enjoy the time with your kids - connecting, talking to and interacting with them. Give them your time so they can become great people and leaders for our next generation.

Rob Kidd Star 101.9 Mackay and the Whitsundays

Welcome to Dadsville by Pete Graham - RRP $14.99, newhollandpublishers.com A collection of Pete Graham’s favourite Dad jokes. A nice, healthy list of jokes to add to your repertoire for when it’s time to embarrass your children, impress your workmates or just make yourself chuckle.

Visit www.pakmag.com.au for your chance to win!

50 March 2018 | www.pakmag.com.au