FREE School LearningActivityLift-OutImperfectionEmbracingActivityHolidayGuideKidsMiniMagDifficulties and How to Support Your Child Father’sGiveaway!Day SpookyTreatHalloweenRecipes 9MEETINGSSCHOOLTipsforEffective TEACHINGChildrenPerspectiveRisingEVENTSFamily-Friendly100+HowtoManagetheCostofLivingTalkingtoYourChildAboutRaceTakingforSocialDevelopmentWhenParentsAvoidareLeftVulnerableCONSENT MagazineandParentsKids 91ISSUE: Sept & Oct 2022 MACKAY WHITSUNDAYS&
Fathers, like mothers, are pillars in the development of a child’s emotional well-being. Father involvement has increased dramatically over the past several decades. Simultaneously, the role of fathers in their families has evolved from conceptions of fathers as distant breadwinners to a more holistic recognition that they are equal co-parents. It’s no secret that involved dads have a direct impact on their children’s future. To all the children blessed with fathers actively involved in their life, use this Father’s Day to acknowledge their awesomeness and spoil them with breakfast in bed and some fun together. In reality we should be doing this more often than once a year, because awesome fathers and mothers deserve to be celebrated!
Aside from Father’s Day activities, there is a lot happening festival-wise, so make sure you check our website and our What’s On Guide to stay up to date. We are also preparing you for the next school holidays; yep, they will be here again before you know it, and we’ve also included some Halloween inspo for you too.
The team and I hope you love this edition as much as we do and that you get lots out of it. If you want to share your voice, you can find out more about becoming a contributor at www.pakmag.com.au/ communitycontributor Until next time, happy parenting, and remember to tell everyone you read it in PakMag.
5 The Thing Is 7 Embracing Imperfection by Silencing Your Inner Critic 9 The PakMag Experts 10 Perspective-Taking 12 Self Regulation - Why Our Kids Need to Learn This Life Skill 15 How to Support and Advocate for Your Child with a Learning Difficulty 19 All Things Health 20 Bump, Bub and Beyond 22 Tips and Tricks to Manage the Rising Cost of Living 24 Parent’s Puzzle 25 Mini Mag 28 Mega Father’s Day Giveaway! 29 Cross-Parenting 30 Spooky Halloween Recipes 32 Talking with Your Child About Race 35 Talking to Your Teen About Their Future 36 When Parents Avoid Teaching Consent, Children are Left Vulnerable 41 School Holiday Guide 45 Daddy Diary 47 What’s On
www.pakmag.com.au | September / October 2022 3 families f i p 4053 3331 e admin@m2f.com.au a PO Box 7433 Cairns Qld 4870 www.pakmackay.com.au • www.pakmag.com.au • www.m2f.com.au PakMag would like to acknowledge the First Nations people within the Mackay, Whitsunday and Issac Region. The first storytellers of country in which we work, live, and enjoy. PakMag would like to pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. 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 ideas expressed within PakMag are not necessarily the views of the publishers, but those of individual writers. We have done our best to ensure all events and information was correct at the time of going to print. Please check with individual businesses and authorities during these uncertain times. Please keep this issue for future reference, pass onto your friends and family, use for craft projects or place into the recycling bin. Bree Our Global Parenting Channels PakMag Thepakmag_nationalOnlinePakMagGiveItAGoGroupForParentsPakMagTVThePakMagParentsPodcast PakMag Founder and Editor-in-Chief Bree James Creative Team Leader, Designer and Editor Clare Winter Marketing and Events Coordinator Alyssa Marino Sales and DevelopmentBusiness Tracy Couper Videographer, Designer and Podcast Producer Monique Saggers Writer and Content Coordinator Lis Rooks Accounts and IT Support Trent Stievano Our North Queensland Channels PakMag Mackay Parents of North Queensland pakmag_nqParentsand Kids of North Queensland Welcome Hello and welcome to our September/October edition, which is dedicated to all the dads in our world, and of course a touch of Halloween!
Lately, I have been thinking deeply about my childhood versus the one I give my kids.
The Thing Is with Bree James
The thing is, it’s so easy to let your kids do things because it’s “the norm”. My kids love telling me that their friends are allowed to do things they are not allowed to do, and I am sure their friends do the same with their parents.
As a child, I grew up quickly and did more adult than kids things, such as selling Avon at age 10 because I wanted to earn my own money. I also organised and paid for my Mum’s 40th surprise birthday party at age 10, and I was singing in clubs with my dad at age 14. I never let my age determine what I could or could not achieve.
Love to hear your thoughts on this, so reach out editorial@pakmag.com.au Bree www.myvisionbook.com.auwww.breejames.com
My kids put the “but everyone else has one” argument to me once, and we had a great discussion about it. We thought deeply about the positives versus negatives, challenging our thinking and the “norm” on this topic. For now, our family has decided no to have personal phones. Sure, this will change in the future, and I am aware that our kids need to learn how to use technology in a healthy way. But if their own parents struggle to use their phones healthily, there is no way I can expect them to. Sometimes parenting isn’t about doing what is easy, and following what is perceived as ‘the norm’. You need to do what you feel is right for your family, and every family is different. So there you have it. My kids have no phones, and at this point, it’s staying that way. I am going to challenge more of my parenting in the future and see what 80’s parenting I can bring back into their lives because let’s face it, the 80’s were awesome for many reasons!
While I sometimes worry I expect too much from my kids, in our house, chores are a family sport and we all pitch in. My 13 year old can cook a restaurant quality 3 course meal without supervision. Sure, it’s taken a lot of patience, confidence and trust to get there but I know that by not teaching him, I wouldn’t be doing him any favours. He needs to know these valuable skills when he leaves home. Plus it’s super awesome to get him to cook one night a week; he absolutely loves it and that is a huge bonus. My boys also fold and put away their own clothes and somehow we now don’t have so much washing to do! What I have challenged myself on more than anything is my kids wanting their own phones. I remember my childhood, having to be where I said I would be and having no way to contact my parents if they weren’t at home. I had a lot of time waiting and wondering, without a device to kill the time with. I had 1800Reverse if I really needed to speak with my parents, that is if they answered the home phone. I walked to and from school and caught public transport and I rarely felt unsafe. If I did, I knew how to seek help and protect myself.
This day and age nearly everyone has a phone, but is that really necessary? Sure, stranger dangerbut really? If your child is suddenly feeling unsafe, they should be running to the closest safe adult to protect them, not grabbing their phone trying to call you where you can only listen and freak out.
www.pakmag.com.au | September / October 2022 5 The Thing Is
Feature
Why is perfection killing us, and how can we embrace imperfection?
Feature
Being your own cheerleader means keeping your spirits up and cheering for yourself even when others belittle what you're trying to achieve. By being your own cheerleader, you give yourself permission to unashamedly care about what you're trying to accomplish, and you don’t let anything or anyone stop you. How can we silence our inner critic? 98 percent of your thoughts, feelings and emotions you pick up from others. It’s great practice to ask “Who does this belong to?”, and “Is this mine?’’ to any thoughts, feelings and emotions that come about. If they're not yours, that's an acknowledgement that you're picking them up from other people. In the past I have woken up with a sense of overwhelming depression - a sense of not knowing if I could even spend another day on the planet. I asked myself “Who does this belong to?”, and all of a sudden it disappeared. It was gone. All you have to do is return it to the sender. Don’t be burdened by all of these things that you're aware of from other people's worlds. How can we curb our self-judgement and increase our happiness and self-love?
STORY Bree James Imagine a life where you love yourself, warts and all, and you allow others to do the same. People who truly care about you, don’t expect you to be perfect; they want you to be authentic. Just like we can’t have night without day and rainbows without rain, we all have a bright and dark side to us with positive and negative attributes.
The funny thing is, we often connect with others over our insecurities, quirks, and struggles.
Embracing Imperfection
www.pakmag.com.au | September / October 2022 7
Perfection is basically the highest form of judgement, and we inherently know that judgement never feels good. Someone once said to me “Breathe, you know no one likes anyone that's perfect”, and I was like, “Ah, that's really true”. So why does everyone strive for perfection when you know no one wants to see anyone perfect anyway? Why be your own cheerleader?
I love this saying. “What if everything I thought was a wrongness of me is actually a strongness of me?” by Your Inner Critic
I interviewed Dain Heer, author, change-maker, speaker and co-creator of Access Consciousness on the PakMag Podcast to find out more about how we can embrace imperfection.
Silencing
Those that strive for perfection; everyone hates… well, dislikes vehemently. That’s because we know these people are doing it to prove themselves and are full of doubt. They're not doing it for the joy of it, they're not doing it to contribute to other people, and this striving for perfection is unhealthy and unproductive.
Dr Dain Heer is an author, change-maker, speaker and co-creator of Access Consciousness, one of the world’s largest personal development companies. Heer is also the founder of International Being You Day. For more than twenty years, he has travelled the world, sharing his unique insights on happiness, relationships, getting over the yuck, and everything in between! In his talks and workshops, he uses a set of tools and provides step by step energetic processes to get people out of the conclusions and judgments that are keeping them stuck in a cycle of no choice and no change. www.drainheer.com / www.accessconsciousness.com/youarenotalone
For more on this topic with Dain, tune into Episode 113 of the PakMag Parents Podcast at www.pakmag.com.au/podcast
Another aspect is that these types of posts will most certainly be used by the other parent in Court proceedings. I have had experiences where parties file pages and pages of annexures to their affidavit evidence of screenshots of these sorts of online posts. One affidavit in particular I witnessed contained over 100 pages of screenshots. The Court does not view this type of behaviour by parents very positively and it could negatively impact a parent’s case.
Community services encompass a diverse range of jobs and functions, covering children’s education and care, disability and aged care, community care, counselling, social assistance, welfare services, and youth work.
RTO 40939.
A career in community services allows you to make a difference in other people’s lives by providing valuable support and assistance. While these jobs are often demanding, they are also rewarding, and with lots of opportunities available, CQUniversity’s community services programs can help you break into the sector.
is an exciting and growing profession with strong employment prospects. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for example, which employs many people with community services qualifications, has predicted job growth of 20 percent or more in key areas of aged and disability care, social work, and health and welfare service managers.
a 34 Wood St, Mackay www.swc.net.au
Education support qualifications can lead to Teacher Aide positions in schools, and often casual work is available in aged and disability care. Many community service occupations are family-friendly and offer flexible work Affordablehours.access to training is now available thanks to Australian and Queensland Government funding initiatives, such as JobTrainer, which provides free and low-fee training in many certificate and diploma courses. These courses teach technical skills and soft skills such as interpersonal skills, adaptability, and flexibility, which are essential for careers within the community services sector.
For example, in one recent case, a mother continuously posted threatening and derogatory comments on her social media about my client, a father of a 9 year old boy. Due to these comments, a protection order was taken out against the mother. That didn’t stop her though, as she continued to make the comments and breached her protection order. The result of that was that rather than the protection order issue remaining a civil law matter, it became a criminal offence for which she was found guilty, and a criminal conviction was recorded.
Disputes in family law are extremely emotional, stressful, and traumatic, so it is understandable that sometimes parents want to vent online. However, social media is definitely not the place to do that. My advice is that you should talk to your support network, such as family and friends. If that support network is not available, then you should seek out external counselling and support services.
www.pakmag.com.au | September / October 2022 9
The PakMag Experts
Dear Michelle, Why is a career in community services so rewarding, and how can I get started?
Functions may include working directly with clients in the field or at a specific location, as well as administration and Communitymanagement.services
To learn more about courses in community services, visit www.cqu.edu.au/tafe or contact our friendly customer service team on 13 27 86.
Expert Advice
Katrina Peters Statewide Family Law Dear WhatKatrina,shouldI avoid online when going through a separation?
When meeting clients for the first time, and particularly in parenting cases, my first point of advice is to be very careful about what you publish online. People use social media platforms differently. For some, it is simply used as a tool of entertainment. For others, unfortunately it’s their way of “airing dirty laundry” or garnering sympathy or support. The latter is not so bad if there are no identifying features or if the user’s settings are not set to public, however I have witnessed many clients and ex partners of clients run into trouble for the content that they share online.
Michelle Carr Teacher Education Support, TAFE
• Use story time to discuss the emotions of story characters. Ask questions about the characters: How do you know they are angry? Why does the character feel that way?
Children are never too young to learn perspectivetaking skills. As parents, we can start by teaching our children about emotions.
Young children are by nature egocentric and must first see the world from their own point of view to develop self-awareness. However, in line with their cognitive development, specific experiences and activities can help children develop better perspectivetaking skills.
Parenting
• Notice the emotions of others. If another child is upset, name the feelings and identify how you know the child is upset. Cues might include identifying the other child’s facial expressions, the sound of their voice, their body language, etc. Talk about why the child would feel that way and ask about ways to help make the child feel better.
As parents, we may aim for a life of ease and tranquillity for our children, but the reality is that there will always be challenges along the way. The secret is to empower young people so they can navigate their way through challenges while interacting positively, responding appropriately, and building resilience as each difficulty arises. To do this, various skills are required, including the ability to consider our own perspective as well as the perspective of others.
Why is Perspective-Taking Important?
When children lack good perspective-taking skills, they may appear inconsiderate or rude and are often viewed as children with behavioural problems. They often make decisions according to their wants and needs, disregarding what is best for anyone else. This can make it difficult for them to maintain friendships or be a team member.
Pre-school Perspective-Taking Skills
10 September / October 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au
Perspective-taking skills help to develop social awareness as they assist us in thinking critically about social situations and relationships. Essentially, these skills give us the capacity to look beyond our own point of view and consider how someone else may think or feel.
• Label your emotions. Model talking about emotions and ways to make yourself feel better.
What is Perspective-Taking?
STORY Simone Cook, Guidance Counsellor, Catholic Education
The Importance of PerspectiveTaking for Social Development
• Model and encourage the use of ‘I statements’ “I feel ___________ when you ___________, could you please _____________?” to ensure their feelings are being communicated effectively. This assists with understanding and helps others consider how another is feeling.
• Notice when others display strong reactions and discuss these with your child. Why might the other person be behaving that way? How was he or she feeling in that situation?
www.pakmag.com.au | September / October 2022 Parenting11
During this time, children begin to focus more on developing their friendships. They are beginning to realise that their friends’ perspectives differ, and they are trying to navigate the reasons why they are thinking, feeling, and behaving in a certain way. The motives at this point become more complex as children see that the reasons for their friends’ choices vary. Open communication with your child is essential to help them navigate these more complex situations.
• If your child is confused about a decision, discuss the positives and negatives of that decision. This teaches your child to make well-considered choices. Reflect on the idea that choices are different for everyone depending on the individual. Reinforce the idea that it is okay to make a different choice than a friend and discuss the possible impact this can have on others.
• Ask your child about their friendships. Listen to the difficulties the challenges they encounter in their friendship groups and the dynamics of those relationships.
• Ask your child to consider the situation witnessed from their perspective. How would you have responded? Would you have behaved like that? This conversation helps your child identify the emotions, make links to the behaviour, and connect with how the other child felt.
During the early school years, children begin to connect thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. As time passes, your child will begin to understand how others think and feel by observing how others behave. You can help your child understand and interpret the thoughts, feelings and behaviours of others by engaging in the following activities:
• Model being fair when dealing with conflicts and openly consider alternative points of view from all involved.
Perspective-Taking Skills in Junior School
• Similarly, you may use characters in stories to discuss why characters felt or acted in a certain way. Stories with multiple characters may also help your child see differences in perspectives, especially as situations, feelings and behaviours of individual characters can be interpreted differently.
As relationships become more complex during this developmental stage, young people begin to realise that a range of factors, including family values, cultural beliefs, their environment, etc. influence people’s decision-making and behaviours. During this stage, our discussions on perspective-taking need to widen so that young people can learn to make cause-andeffect connections.
• Talk openly about differences among people and the possible reasons for their perspectives. These reasons can include their cultural background, family situation, experiences, etc.
• Share stories about people’s and families experiences, including stories of adversities and challenges.
Middle School Perspective-Taking Skills
• Providing some social scripts may be helpful: “I can see what you mean” “I understand where you are coming from” “I hear what you are saying” “I respectfully disagree because...”
Simone is an experienced educator, counsellor and mother of three who has worked for 30 years in both primary and secondary schools. Simone has a Bachelor of Education majoring in Health and Physical Education and a Masters in Guidance and Counselling and has held various positions in North Queensland schools advocating for the health and wellbeing of all students. Simone currently works as a Guidance Counsellor at Ryan Catholic College.
High School Perspective-Taking Skills
• Avoid generalised statements that are racist, sexist or derogatory and instead foster tolerance and curiosity to understand differences.
• Discuss historical examples where a different perspective or change in attitude and thinking was required to move forward as a society. These examples may come from a unit of study in History or Literature at school.
• Discuss the motives behind certain decisions or behaviours by asking ‘why do you think they made that choice?’ or ‘why do you think that happened?’
As a community, our hope for children is to develop mutually respectful relationships, so that we can work together, collaborate, communicate and problem solve effectively. This can only occur if we are mindful of the connections between our thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and are considerate of the differing perspectives of others.
• Talk to your child about body language and facial expressions to assist with interpreting feelings. Discuss sarcasm and the ‘true meaning’ behind this form of communication.
STORY Dr Rosina McAlpine BCom, MCom (Hons), MHEd, PhD
As our children grow under our guidance and loving care, we teach them how to eat well, exercise, get enough rest, manage their emotions, and we assist them in gaining the knowledge and skills required to navigate the world safely and happily.
Why Do Children Need to Learn This Important Skill?
Everyone understands that toddlers have outbursts when they’re tired or things don’t go their way. Instead, over time, children need to learn how to manage their emotions. While many factors play a role in children’s emotional development, we need to support them to
Self Regulation - Why Our Children Need to Learn this Important Life Skill
While self-regulation has multiple definitions, it is commonly known as the ability to understand and manage our thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Self-regulation comes from within, rather than from an outside influence like a parent or carer. For example, emotional self-regulation is when a child can selfsoothe, calm their own anger, manage their nerves, or lift their emotions if they’re feeling down, rather than relying on an adult or a peer to help.
Self-regulation is one of the key life-skills that supports a person’s success in many aspects of life as it determines how we interact with the world. The ability to self-regulate allows people to resist impulses and engage more independently and productively as adults.
What is Self-Regulation?
Over time, the aim is for parents, carers, and teachers to “do themselves out of a job” by supporting our children to learn how to take care of their own physical, emotional, social and psychological wellbeing so that they’re ready to lead their own lives when they leave home. Aside from the many life skills that prepare children for adult life, one important key to success in life is self-regulation.
Evidence indicates that people who can self-regulate lead happier, healthier and more successful lives, than those who can’t manage their emotions, behaviours and thoughts. The best way to illustrate this is with examples.
Emotional Self-Regulation
12 September / October 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au
Feature
Feature
“I love eating fast food, chips and lollies and drinking soda… so that’s what I do.”
Dr Rosina appears regularly in the media and her practical evidence-based parenting programs resource parents, carers and educators across Australia and internationally. You can connect with Dr Rosina at www.winwinparenting.com or www.drrosina.com
“That’s mine, you can’t touch it. I’m not going to share it with you!”
“I can’t stop thinking about the mean comments… I’m ugly and stupid, just like they all said.”
“Everything is too hard… I just can’t cope.”
Managing Impulses and Regulating Behaviours
“I don’t want to do my assignment; I’d rather keep Behaviouralgaming.” self-regulation allows children to use their inner compass, inner conscience, and self-control to act in their own best interests and in the best interests of others. For example, how can a child do well at school if they can’t regulate their impulses, find it difficult to stay on task and keep distracting their peers? Sure, it might be more fun to interrupt and chat with a peer instead of completing the maths sheet, or it may be more tempting to check social media accounts rather than finishing an assignment, but being able to curb those urges and stay on task is crucial for academic success.
“I’m so angry at John for not inviting me to the party and every time I see him, I just get angrier. I don’t care that it happened years ago. I’ll never forgive him.”
We all know that eating healthy, nutritious food, staying hydrated, exercising and getting enough sleep promotes physical wellbeing. When our children learn to self-regulate, they are more likely to eat nourishing meals and it takes self-discipline to get up and go for a walk or run, rather than staying in bed, watching TV or gaming. So, while “party food” is fine now and then, as parents we want to know that our children can take care of themselves when they leave home. We hope that our guidance and role modelling has set our children up to self-regulate and live a balanced lifestyle that supports their physical wellbeing.
Making Friends and Keeping Them Humans are social beings; we thrive when we engage with others and we languish when we feel disconnected.
Teaching children breathing techniques, self-soothing words and calming strategies will, overtime and with practice, support their ability to self-regulate better.
How does self-regulation work? The prefrontal cortex of the brain, the part behind the forehead, is like a “control centre” that supports people to manage their emotions and behaviours. This important part of the brain continues to develop from early childhood and reaches maturity in the early to mid-twenties for girls, and in the mid to late twenties for boys. This explains why teenagers have erratic emotions and engage in risky behaviours during the adolescent years. Their “control centre”, the part of the brain that supports emotional regulation and impulse control is not fully developed. Helping teens master and understand the importance of managing their behaviours and curbing their impulses is critical if we want them to be safe while driving a car, going to parties and enjoying life in those adolescent years. I hope these examples have illustrated the importance of supporting children in developing self-regulation. We all want our children to manage their emotions, curb their impulses, engage in positive behaviours, and turn negative thoughts around so they can live happy, healthy and successful lives. Being able to self-regulate will help children navigate life’s challenges and become caring family members, friends and citizens of the world.
Psychological wellbeing is about mental health which includes optimism, positivity and resilience. When children focus on the negative aspects of life, repetitive negative thoughts and feelings can harm their mental health. Through self-regulation, children can learn to stop negative thoughts and replace them with positive thoughts instead. By focusing on solutions rather than problems, children will feel happier and become more resilient, no matter what challenges come their way.
For more information on this topic, listen to episode 139 of the PakMag Parents Podcast at www.pakmag.com.au/podcast
Dr Rosina McAlpine is an author, parenting expert and CEO of Win Win Parenting.
Win Win Parenting delivers workplace parenting education programs supporting busy working parents in effectively navigating work and family life successfully. Parents learn practical strategies to manage day-to-day parenting challenges such as struggles with screen time, emotional outbursts and keeping calm even in the most volatile situations.
Brain Development and the Teen Years
www.pakmag.com.au | September / October 2022 13 develop emotional intelligence in the same way as we teach children the alphabet. We can do this by helping them to become aware of their emotions as they are happening, and then help them manage those emotions.
Friendships can have their ups and downs and resolving issues is more challenging with heightened emotions or harmful behaviours. Overcoming misunderstandings or missteps with friends or family starts with selfregulation. Peaceful conflict resolution requires both parties to manage their emotions, listen to each other, have empathy and resolve differences collaboratively.
When children are able to regulate their emotions and their behaviours, they are able to make friends and have more positive social interactions.
Psychological Well-Being
STORY Morgan Lund, Inclusive Education Coordinator, Catholic Education Schools in Australia aspire to promote equity and excellence so all young Australians can become successful learners, confident and creative individuals, and active and informed citizens. As parents, there is great excitement, hope and a degree of trepidation that our child’s schooling will result in this aspiration.
www.pakmag.com.au | September / October 2022 15
How Can You Help?
Foster resilience towards challenges. Model how to approach learning challenges with optimism, hard work and a sense of humour. Your child will follow your lead and see challenges as speed bumps instead of roadblocks.
But what if your child encounters learning difficulties?
Many parents or carers notice that their child is struggling at school but are unsure about the steps they should take or how best to support their child.
Discuss the learning difficulties openly. Speak with your child’s teacher to understand the concerns. See your GP and consider referrals to other health professionals and specialists who may be able to better assist e.g. a paediatrician, psychologist, speech pathologist, audiologist etc.
Education
Learning difficulties is a term used to describe a wide variety of learning problems. They can be caused by external factors such as experiences, opportunities, family, communities, or internal factors such as medical, physical and neurological. It’s important to remember though that this is an umbrella term and learning difficulties present differently from one child to another.
Keep things in perspective. Learning difficulties are not the defining characteristic of your child and everyone faces challenges. It will be important to highlight their many strengths and unique gifts. Nurture your child’s gifts and talents, and make plenty of time for them.
How to Support and Advocate for Your Child with a Learning Difficulty
Reflect on your own view of disability and difference. A medical model of disability views the problem being within the individual, focusing on what’s “wrong” rather than what the individual needs. A social model of disability sees the barriers as being within the environment and how these disable individuals. This view assists us to identify barriers and proactively address them, so individuals have more independence, choice and control.
Make generous assumptions about teachers and school staff. Schools are complex systems that are constantly changing. School staff are there to help all students be successful and are doing their best. Sometimes this means letting little issues go. Don’t get caught up in micromanaging the school.
7. Prepare for uncomfortable conversation topics with scripted answers.
Learn from these people but also don’t lose sight of your unique parent perspective. The insights of parents on their child’s learning, individual interests, strengths and personalities are invaluable in planning for adjustments in the classroom and school.
8. Be curious rather than defensive in the face of a proposal you disagree with. Ask questions and seek to understand. Remain calm and if needed ask the topic be revisited at another time.
Morgan Lund is the Inclusive Education Coordinator for the Townsville Catholic Education Office. She combines her clinical knowledge and experience as a Speech Pathologist working in education, with a passion for advancing inclusive education. Inclusive education means all students attending their local school in age appropriate classes, and are supported to learn, contribute and participate in all aspects of the life of the school. Inclusive education is the means of acknowledging all students' fundamental human right to education, providing high quality education for all students and achieving a more inclusive society.
Nine Tips for Effective School Meetings
4. Present a calm, friendly and confident demeanour.
Acknowledge positives and find opportunities to praise the teacher and the school.
9. Summarise what you understood as the plan or decisions moving forward. Emailing notes or the summary of outcomes/actions after the meeting can assist with record keeping.
6. Focus on solutions and next steps. Being collaborative about problem solving rather than expecting your solutions are the only options.
1. Know who will be in attendance and their role and purpose for being there.
Learn about policies, standards and legislation regarding inclusive education. It helps to know your rights. Seek out experienced advocates or parent advocacy groups to assist with developing your knowledge and advocacy skills. Take care of yourself. This is a challenging part of parenting and it’s easy to get caught up in what your child needs. However looking after yourself is important to avoid burning out from neglecting your own needs.
Commit to collaboration. Collaboration means working with others to pursue a common goal, such as ensuring your child’s learning difficulties are understood, supported, progressed and monitored over time. There are benefits to bringing together a group of people on a regular basis who can work collaboratively to support a student. Teachers are required to consult with parents prior to providing adjustments in the classroom and families can invite associates to engage in collaboration.
16 September / October 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au Trust you are an expert for your child. There may be many experts - teachers, therapists, doctors etc, weighing in on the learning difficulties observed.
Clarify the plan or steps forward. Communicate openly and ask how your child’s learning difficulties are being supported. Your child may be progressing with adjustments in the classroom instruction or there may be more targeted and intensive instruction or intervention being planned. Ask questions and engage in proactive conversations to understand the support available in the classroom and within the school.
Establish a good relationship with the teacher. Speak enthusiastically and acknowledge the positives of what is happening for your child at school. Be respectful about booking meeting times by asking how (i.e. phone, email, video-conference or face to face) and when (i.e. before or after school) they prefer to communicate.
2. Ask for a proposed agenda or the goal of the meeting, to support staying focused on this.
3. Bring an associate or support person with you to the meeting if you need this.
5. Avoid language indicating blame (i.e. instead of “you” use “I” and “we”).
Education
Tending to your emotional and physical needs means you can be in a healthy place to help and support your child.
How to Advocate for Your Child with Their School
Interesting Liver Facts
The BioHawk Range aids digestion to help manage symptoms of food intolerances and sensitivities, naturally. Digestive health is key to our overall wellbeing, and BioHawk makes it simple to manage.
A holistic approach is the best way to stay healthy. Include fresh produce, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats in your diet, supplementing with multivitamins and probiotics as needed. Aim for 9 hours of sleep, keeping devices away as they block melatonin production.
HealthDeb
www.pakmag.com.au | September / October 2022 19 All Things
| September /
Exercise at least one hour daily and spend time outdoors for a dose of Vitamin D. Manage your stress levels. Magnesium and B Complex or Ashwagandha supplements can be beneficial. Lastly, wash your hands regularly and cover your mouth when sneezing or TerryWhitecoughing.
BioHawk Natural Digestion Aid Range
Chemmart www.terrywhitechemmart.com.au
Dear Deb, How can we boost our immune systems and ward off illnesses?
The range offers products for symptom relief and improved digestion all made using natural ingredients such as ginger, green tea and turmeric. Help heal your gut and reduce inflammation, pick up your BioHawk DigestEasy today. Available at your local Calanna TerryWhite Chemmart.
Health Consult your local health practitioner, doctor or pharmacist for advice on these topics first to ensure the best health outcomes. www.pakmag.com.au
Ipson
NaturopathTerryWhite Chemmart
The liver carries out over 500 functions. One function is to break down food, convert it into energy, and store it as glycogen. When energy is required, the liver rapidly converts its glycogen store back into glucose, ready for use. A healthy liver keeps your brain healthy. The liver changes substances in the body from potentially damaging to harmless, preventing toxins from entering your bloodstream and keeping your nervous system healthy. The liver is the largest solid organ in the body, about the size of a rugby ball. If you place your right hand over the area under the ribs on the right side of your body, it will just about cover the area of your liver. It’s the only organ in the body with the ability to regenerate. When other organs in the body are damaged, scars form. The liver, however, replaces damaged tissue with new cells, regenerating itself.
20 September / October 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au Bump, Bub and Beyond Bump, Bub andSplashBeyondandPlayOctopus from Vtech $34.95 - www.bigw.com.au Join Splash and Play Octopus for bath time fun! Featuring a cute octopus character with a light-up mask button triggering fun phrases, songs and sounds. Includes three sing-along songs, 15 melodies and cute phrases to introduce language development. Suitable for 12 - 36 months. Available at Big W, good toy stores and online retailers. Backpack Nappy Bag from My Sweet Little Trio $109.00 - www.mysweetlittletrio.com.au This is a compact bag that packs a punch! Features of this nappy bag include padded straps, lots of internal pockets including two insulated pockets in the front compartment. There is a convenient key chain located inside so you never have to dig for your keys again. Featured products, reviews and prizes. Visit www.pakmag.com.au/win for your chance to win! Tarramarra Baby Shearling Booties $45.00 - www.uggexpress.com.au These newborn shearling booties are soft, gentle and comfortable and can be worn with or without socks. The non-skid rubber sole to ensure your little one doesn’t slip and slide around.
Newborn Poop (Meconium) is generally a greenishblack, tarry, sticky sludge that looks like motor oil when you open your newborn’s diaper. Despite its strange appearance, meconium does not smell. After a few days, baby’s poop will change to a lighter colour and become less sticky. This so-called transitional stool is a sign that bub started digesting early breast milk or formula, indicating that their intestinal tract is working fine.
4. Scrub stain gently with a soft toothbrush.
1. Rinse from the inside out under cold running water.
6. Sprinkle bicarb soda over any remaining stains prior to washing.
3. Let it soak in for five minutes.
How to Remove Spaghetti Bolognese Stains
5. Soak in warm water for 20 mins or leave overnight.
Every kid loves spaghetti, but parents don’t love the stains that come with it. No matter the age, it’s hard to keep all the pasta sauce on our plates and in our mouths. Our clothes become the casualty of the delicious pastawar, which is inevitably followed by a laundry battle where we try to combat those stubborn stains. Lets make your life easier with the below tips and tricks, and remember that early intervention gets the best results.
Breastfed Baby Poop comes in many shades. It can be yellow or slightly green with a mushy or creamy consistency or resemble diarrhoea. Sometimes, poop looks like Dijon mustard, dotted with little seed-like flecks. Interestingly, it smells slightly sweet. A greener tone can signify changes in your diet, while bright green and frothy poop mean that baby might be getting too much foremilk. Foremilk is the low-calorie milk that comes first in a feed, while hindmilk is the higher-fat, super-nutritious stuff that comes near the end. It could also mean that you’re not feeding your baby long enough on each breast. To remedy this, start each new breastfeeding session on the breast you ended on the last time. Formula-fed babies have thick, pasty, peanut butterlike poop on the brown colour spectrum. Shades range from tan-brown to yellow-brown and greenish-brown. Formula is slightly harder to digest than breast milk, so some ingredients pass straight through your baby’s digestive system without getting absorbed. Formulafed baby poop is also more pungent than poop from breastfed babies, yet a little less intense than poop from babies who are eating solid food. If you switch formula brands, expect your baby’s poop to change too.
2. Spray a combination of dishwashing liquid and vinegar over the stain.
www.pakmag.com.au | September / October 2022 21 Bump, Bub and Beyond
Signs of a Healthy Baby Poop
STORY Nicole Gibson, Director Soka Australia
7. Wash in machine as per care instructions. Old stains 1. Hang item in the sun. 2. Spray stain with straight white vinegar.
3. Repeat as required. Vinegar’s acidity helps lift stubborn stains and odours, while dishwashing liquid removes oily substances. For more stain removal tips and laundry advice head to www.sokaaustralia.com.au
Fresh stains
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We all know that raising kids is expensive, and with the rising cost of living, staying on top of your finances may feel even more challenging. While the changing economy and inflation challenge many, there are steps you can take to future-proof your bank balance and manage tougher times better.
You can use smart money apps linked to online banking, easy-to-use third-party mobile apps, or approach it manually with Excel spreadsheets.
Remember that tracking your expenses isn’t as dull as it sounds; you might be surprised to see where your money is going!
Cover the Basics of Budgeting
Anyone familiar with budgeting knows that keeping track of your expenses will give you insight into what you spend, and help you identify essential and non-essential outgoings. Luckily, there are many ways to approach expense tracking, and not all of them include trawling through your bank statements.
Although planning and managing family finances may sound tedious, keeping an open mind can make the process more enjoyable and help you develop innovative and creative solutions. Including teenagers and other family members in the planning process can also help motivate and teach young people essential life skills.
Families with more than one child may also want to consider novelty expenses such as online gaming purchases, after-school shopping sprees with friends, STORY Lis Rooks
Tips and Tricks to Manage the Rising Cost of Living
22 September / October 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au
With wages lagging behind the rising cost of living, many families experience a lower income threshold, requiring a different budgeting and financial planning approach. While government support can help, additional finance management options can improve a family’s financial position and alleviate anxiety and worries about the future.
One often overlooked pitfall is recurring subscriptions managed by PayPal. You may have signed up for free trials that automatically switched to paid subscription plans after expiration. You can check these by logging into your PayPal account and cancelling any recurring payments you no longer need or could do without.
• Income, trauma, or serious illness insurance policies
While financial pressures can plunge us into an anxious state of mind, being creative with budgeting will help you feel more at ease, and teach your young ones valuable life skills.
3. Preventing impulse purchases by buying groceries online or from small local shops and sticking to a meal plan.
6. Incorporating free self-care practices such as tenminute meditations or a walk in the park to curb any online shopping addictions.
www.pakmag.com.au | September / October 2022 23
tuckshop expenses, and other non-essential costs.
• Life Insurance
5. Rethinking your commute by carpooling, biking or working from home if that option is available to you.
7. Sharing childminding with friends and family instead of paying high vacation care or after school care fees.
2. Cut down on food waste by getting creative with your food scraps. You can pickle watermelon rinds, make your own stock, use up stale bread by making bread pudding, bread crumbs or croutons... the list goes on!
Some of your expenses may be tax deductible, so speak to your tax agent or accountant. Remember to do this annually as government entitlements and tax deductions often change. Compare insurances and utility providers, make the switch, and cancel services you no longer require. Aside from this, there are options such as trust funds, superannuation contributions, salary packaging, living away from home allowances, scholarships for students and much more. For someone unfamiliar with these options, navigating what works best can be incredibly confusing and overwhelming. So, instead of spending endless hours researching online, connect with a reputable financial advisor or accountant who you can trust, and talk to friends and family about ideas and options.
1. Cut down on your electricity bill by checking if there is a better electricity tariff for you and your family. You could also hang the laundry out to dry, rather than using the dryer - good for the planet and your pocket!
As you become more comfortable with tracking and learning about your finances, you might feel more relieved knowing your family’s needs will be met, which boosts your mental health, interpersonal relationships and overall well-being too.
3. Check out free reward programs like ShopBack, where you can get a percentage of cash back from eligible purchases. Stores that are currently participating with ShopBack include Target, Big W, Uber Eats and more. Be mindful to only purchase the things that you would already be buying and don’t get sucked into buying more than you otherwise would. To get $5.00 when you join, use the referral code 0kE47b. www.shopback.com.au
At some stage in life, most people worry about their future, especially when it comes to financial security. As part of a personal financial plan, you might want to consider some of the following products to give yourself and your family extra protection:
Be Creative and Stay Positive
Setting aside quiet time to plan and review is especially important for parents and carers of children with complex needs, as this allows you to concentrate and take your personal wants and needs into consideration too. Various local not-for-profit agencies and NDIS service providers offer professional respite care services, giving you the space to breathe and focus while knowing your child’s needs are fully met.
Hot tip: Instead of spending hard-earned dollars on streaming services, join your local library and access Kanopy for free, which lets you stream up to 20 free movies per month!
While this is easier said than done, taking time out can help calm your mind and regain the strength to approach your finances from an objective perspective.
Knowing your entitlements and taking advantage of them means extra money in the bank, so don't be shy to ask questions and explore your options. Becoming financially savvy can help you discover new ways to reduce costs and keep more of your income, allowing you to work smarter not harder.
Planning for the Future
• A will that is specifically structured to meet the needs of your family
1. Community Exchange Systems (CES) and Local Energy Trading Systems (LETS).
• Savings plans to achieve long-term goals
4. Use the 30 day rule for any non-essential purchases. Instead of buying that item on the spot, take 30 days to think about it. This helps curb any impulse purchases you might later regret.
Aside from the options discussed above, there are seven creative ways to reduce the cost of living and increase your cash flow:
Know the System and Make it Work for You
Always remember that by approaching budgeting with a goal-focused mindset, you can learn to feel less stressed and anxious about covering unexpected or significant costs. Having a plan B in place can also be a huge relief.
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4 More Money Saving Ideas
2. Offering cash-in-hand services within your local community.
4. Switching to less expensive mobile phone and broadband providers.
Lastly, if there is any extra income after essential expenses, think about what you most want to spend that money on.
Setting aside a set amount per week or fortnight can teach your teen budgeting skills and help you restrain expenses to a reasonable amount.
24 September / October 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au Parent's Puzzle: Criss-Cross Fill in the blanks with the words. To help you get started, two letters are already in place. 4 Letter Words TOURLARK 5 Letter Words VISITVALUEUSINGTIGERTENORTEMPOTAROTSCALERURALPURSEPIANOMUSICINPUTGUIDEGREATEARTHDUCATCREEKAVIANATTIC 6 Letter Words URCHINSMOOTHAUTUMNADVICE 7 Letter Words USUALLYTOPIARYTONIGHTTOASTERSUCCESSSTICKERREGATTAPREPAIDORATORYMORNINGKETCHUPGROUNDSFLORISTFIGURESELEGANTECHIDNAEARINGSCUPCAKECRAYONSCONCERTCAMPINGBOBTAILBISCUITBEARDIE 12 Letter Words TRANQUILLITYTHANKFULNESSGRANDPARENTSACCORDIONIST Puzzle WIN a Sleep & Skin Renewal Super Powder from INTU $89.00 - www.intuwellness.com - Feel the power of this super powder Sleep & Skin Renewal. A powerhouse that combines eight stellar ingredients, starring the potent antioxidant astaxanthin that has been proven to be 65 x stronger than vitamin C, Lemon Balm and Passionflower to reduce restlessness and promote deeper sleep, marine collagen to hydrate and regenerate the skin, and magnesium to relax nerves and relieve tension. Make it part of your nightly routine and wake up to a re-energised body, mind and hydrated skin. Visit www.pakmag.com.au/win for your chance to win! Competition closes 30/09/2022. No need to submit answers to enter. Answers can be found at www.pakmag.com.au/answers
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For your chance to WIN a family pass to DC League of Superpets, enter at www.pakmag.com.au/win Competition closes 30/09/2022. ONLY IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 15
For your chance to WIN a family pass to Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, enter at www.pakmag.com.au/win. Competition closes 30/09/2022.
1 2 4 5 6 3 WIN
Mega Father’s Day Giveaway!
3. Touring 2.0 Travel 2 in1 Duffel Stone Grey - $589.00 - www.victorinox.com.au - A luggage chameleon if ever we saw one. Our Touring 2.0 Travel 2 in1 Duffel sets a new standard in product agility. Innovatively designed to change shape from duffel to backpack in a few simple steps, it’s ready to blaze a trail. Integrating an expandable shoe compartment, it covers all bases. 4. Spartan Swiss Army Knife - $57.95 - www.victorinox.com.au - When you hear the words Swiss Army Knife, chances are you think of the legendary Officer’s knife. And that legend continues with the Spartan pocket knife. This is the pocket knife that started it all. The one that helped people all around the world to get the job done. Wherever your everyday adventures take you, the Spartan is ready.
5. Ultimate Australia Travel List by Lonely Planet - $39.99 www.shop.lonelyplanet.com - The Ultimate Australia Travel List by Lonely Planet is a must-own bucket list ranking the top 500 unmissable experiences and little-known sights across Australia. Each entry listed gives a taste of what to expect from the sight or experience, plus some practical advice to start planning your own trip. Discover eclectic and different experiences including museums, galleries, wineries, little known alleys, pubs and places that will surprise and inspire.
6. Globber ONE NL 205 Scooter - $335.00 - www.globber.com.au - The Globber ONE NL 205 adult scooter is made for a super smooth ride with the easy braking system. A simple one second folding system collapses the scooter, making it easy to store in a car boot, under a bed or use in trolley mode when walking. The handlebars adjust to three heights, so you can get the most comfortable set up for your height. Visit www.pakmag.com.au/win for your chance to win!
1. Thermacell Portable Repeller - $49.95 - www.thermacellrepellents.com.au - This portable repeller is the perfect gift for dads who love to go camping, fishing, hiking or simply relaxing in the great outdoors. They can be taken on any adventure, with a 98 percent efficiency rate it successfully repels mosquitos and insects by creating a 21m2 zone of protection. Easy to use and scent-free, is the ideal companion for all types of outdoor activity.
2. 322GW Dash Cam from Nextbase - $279.00www.thegoodguys.com.au - The Nextbase 322GW is from the world’s first range of dash cams that provide Emergency SOS. This revolutionary new feature will alert emergency services to your location in the event of an accident, providing additional safety for you and your car. A 2.5” HD IPS touch screen provides easy menu selection and playback. Bluetooth 4.2 and Quick Link Wi-Fi will automatically sync crash footage to your Bluetooth enabled phone. This allows for a quicker connection, so you can easily share footage using the MyNextbase Connect app (Android 5+ & IoS 12.1 or above).
Dr. Daniel Golshevsky (AKA Dr. Golly) is a Melbourne-based paediatrician and father of three. Specialising in unsettled babies and poor sleep, Dr. Golly developed this program through his work with thousands of babies over more than a decade of practice. With a focus on empowering parents and protecting mothers, Dr. Golly turns up the volume of that innate parental instinct to maximise parents' understanding of their baby's cues and bring everyone closer to a full night's sleep.
Bump, Beyond
Cross-parenting is not just for families with generous paternity leave packages: in the first few weeks of life, these jobs are 24/7, so for some families, the switch may happen in the mornings, the evenings, night settling and on weekends.
Three months is the average window of time that a child will enjoy a new toy, before becoming tired of it and wanting to move on to something else. When it comes to a newborn, we can’t just pop them in a box at the top of the cupboard at 3 months of age. So toddlers understandably become frustrated that this now-old toy continues to divert attention. In a nuclear family, they become especially perturbed by the decreased availability of their mother. How does this affect parents, and how can they cope better?
The idea is to swap parental roles almost entirely. The father takes care of the newborn, and the mother manages the toddler. With a breastfed baby, the only act that a father cannot do is breastfeed the baby. Everything else, however, is possible. In cross-parenting, the dad performs all the baby duties, from winding to changing and settling to bathing. Mum is now free to rest, replenish milk if breastfeeding, recover and spend time with her toddler – making them feel that they remain the centre of their mother’s universe. Will mothers miss out on the newborn love bubble? This does not in any way dent the mother-baby bond, nor does it diminish the father-toddler connection. An emotionally available, well-rested mother with an emotionally balanced toddler will find attachment to all children easier. It brings parents closer, with more collaboration and communication within the family unit. How does “cross-parenting” work for parents without generous paternity leave packages?
SwappingCross-Parenting;ParentalRoles
In my experience, parents often struggle with toddler behavioural deterioration, especially when combined with sleep deprivation. Thankfully this is entirely preventable; not only is there a solution, the idea of “cross-parenting” is irrefutably backed by science.
Once a sibling is born, parents often notice behavioural deterioration in their child. Combined with sleep deprivation, parents can find themselves with little tether, quick to anger and struggling to juggle the rapid family expansion. In short, they become cross parents. Thankfully this situation is entirely preventable, and most importantly, it’s incredibly simple to implement. What causes this behaviour deterioration?
www.pakmag.com.au | September / October 2022 29
Bub and
STORY Dr. Daniel Golshevsky
Enter – “cross-parenting” How does one “do” “cross-parenting”?
In this aforementioned nuclear family – with mother, father, and 2 children – the ostensibly logical play is to have mum care for the newborn and dad spend time with the toddler. While this allows for beautiful motherbaby bonding and terrific father-toddler relationship growth, it drives immense toddler frustration with family-wide consequences.
To make Spiders: To make the spiders, top frosted cupcakes with chocolate sprinkles. Unroll licorice rolls and cut them into 2” sections. Lay 6 licorice legs onto each spider, slightly pushing the inner end into the frosting. Top with additional sprinkles and add two candy eyes. To make the eyes stick better, add a small amount of frosting underneath.
Frosting Directions: Whip butter and cream cheese on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until light and creamy. Then add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and cream and mix on low speed for 1 minute until combined. Increase speed to medium-high and whip for 2-3 minutes. Frost the cooled-down cupcakes.
30 September / October 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au Hairy Spider Cupcakes Ingredients (Makes 12 - 15) •Spider:Chocolate sprinkles • Candy eyes • Haribo string licorice rolls •Frosting: 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature • cup cream cheese, room temperature • 2-3 cups icing sugar, sifted • Pinch of salt • 2-3 tablespoons whipping cream, if needed •Cupcake: 1 cup all-purpose flour • 1 cup sugar • cup Cocoa powder • 1 teaspoon baking soda • ½ teaspoon baking powder • ½ teaspoon salt • 1 egg, at room temperature • ½ cup buttermilk, at room temperature • ¼ cup vegetable oil • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract Method: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and line muffin tins with cupcake liners. In a large bowl, sift together all dry ingredients and lightly stir until combined. In a medium bowl, combine all the wet ingredients using a whisk. Next, make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients. Mix for 2 minutes on medium speed, scraping the sides and bottom of bowl. Mix for an additional minute on medium speed; don’t worry if the batter looks thin. Divide the batter evenly between the liners and bake cupcakes for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out almost clean. Cool cupcakes on wire racks completely. Meanwhile, start with the frosting.
Food
Grilled Mini Mummy Pizzas pita breads teaspoons pizza sauce Cheddar or sandwich cheese slices black olive slices Method:
/ October 2022 31
Heat the oven to 220 degrees Celsius. Place the pita bread on a baking sheet and spread each bread with a teaspoon of pizza sauce or more sauce if desired. Cut the cheese slices into thin strips. Place the strips onto each pita bread at angles so they look like a mummy. Next, place two sliced black olives on each bread. These will create the eyes. Bake each Mini Mummy Pizza for 10 minutes or until the cheese melts and begins to turn www.pakmag.com.augolden.|September
Ingredients (Makes 4) • 4
•
Frightfully Delightful Finger Food Food Jack O’Lantern Cheeseburgers Ingredients (Makes 6) • 6 slices of sandwich cheese • 500g Mince beef • ½ cup breadcrumbs • 1 egg • 1 tbsp Ranch salad dressing • ½ tbsp Tomato sauce • Black pepper to taste • 6 Hamburger buns Method:
• 4
• 8
Next, cut the cheese faces. Start by cutting eyes, nose, and mouth shapes out of each cheese slice to create a Jack-o’-lantern effect. Once the patties are cooked, place the cheese slices on the burgers and grill until the cheese is slightly melted. Serve on lightly toasted hamburger buns with your favorite toppings.
Heat the grill section in your oven to medium-high heat, 180 to 200 degrees Celsius. Spray the grill rack with nonstick cooking spray or place baking paper onto the rack. Next, combine ground beef with ranch seasoning mix, ketchup, and pepper. Use your hands to mix well. Once mixed, shape the beef into 6 patties. Place the patties on the grill rack to cook. Check intermittently and flip the patties over when brown on top. Cook for approximately 20 minutes until through.
Dr Rosemarie Truglio, Senior Vice President of Curriculum and Content at Sesame Workshop
Talk About Skin Colour
STORY
Talking with our children about race helps them grow to feel positive about themselves and about others, especially those who don’t look like them.
Share Family Stories
32 September / October 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au
Follow Your Child’s Questions and Observations
To have open conversations about this part of our identity is known as “race-conscious parenting.”
So, how can we help children feel pride and confidence in their own skin and develop a positive racial attitude about other children? We can start by having simple, honest, conversations during our everyday routines.
Each families’ race, ethnicity and culture are important parts of their identity. Children, including very young children, understand and want to have a sense of belonging to their families’ racial, ethnic and cultural group or groups. Yet, one part of our family’s identity can be challenging to talk with our children about - Race. A common misconception is that children are “colour blind”. Research shows that children, even babies, do notice physical differences, from skin colour, to eye shape and hair texture. So, their observations will lead to them asking questions guided by their natural curiosity.
If your child mentions a physical difference in someone, e.g. “They have brown skin”, don’t shut them down by saying, “We are all the same.” Instead, acknowledge their observations and take time to explain the reasons why and celebrate these differences. You could say something simple like, “We all have different and beautiful skin colours” and “We are all unique and special, isn’t that amazing?!”
Make sharing stories, artifacts, and traditions about your family’s culture and heritage a routine, much in the same way you read and share stories at bedtime.
Children’s questions about others may make us feel uncomfortable, as if the questions are impolite.
When they are ready, we can further share: “We all have something in our bodies called melanin. It’s the amount of melanin in our body that makes us have this skin colour. Some people may have more melanin. Their skin will be darker than ours. Other people have less melanin. Their skin will be lighter.
Talking with Your Child About Race
Parenting
During a simple routine such as washing up in the morning, pause to look in the mirror to celebrate the beauty of the similarities and differences in your skin colours.
Talk About Physical Differences and the Reasons Behind Them
Children are naturally curious about our diverse world and asking questions is a good way to learn about oneself and others.
When children observe unfair treatment of others based on race, ethnicity, or culture, acknowledge their feelings, “That is unfair.”
Encourage and Celebrate
So, whether you and the children in your care are directly affected by racism or you’re allies of those who are, engaging honestly and directly with little ones is the beginning of building racial literacy, the skills needed to talk thoughtfully about race and to identify and respond to racism.
Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organisation behind Sesame Street, has launched the ABCs of Racial Literacy and its Coming Together initiative to provide parents with tools to talk to their children about race and racism. Further tools can be found at sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/racial-justice
www.pakmag.com.au | September / October 2022 Parenting33
You can also teach Breathe, Feel and Share when something stressful related to race happens (for instance, when a child is excluded or teased):
Dr Rosemarie Truglio Ph.D. has been a vital presence at Sesame Workshop for more than two decades. She is the Senior Vice President of Curriculum and Content at Sesame Workshop, overseeing content development across media platforms and product distribution and is an authority on child development. Dr Truglio is author of Ready for School! A parent’s guide to playful learning for children ages two to five.
To encourage a positive self-identity in your young child, finish sentences together like “I am good at…” and “I feel confident when…”
Breathe: Take three deep belly breaths.
Feel: Notice how you are feeling and think of words you might use to respond (for instance, “I don’t like that,” “That’s wrong,” or “That hurts my feelings.”).
Acknowledge Unfair Behaviour
Sometimes parents don’t have all the answers, and that’s okay. If, for example, your child asks some questions about a topic like the Holocaust or the history of First Nations Australians, and you don’t have all the facts, you might say, “Let’s go to the library and see what books they have that we can read together.”
You can explore that subject or question together and remember that not everything has to be answered in the Also,moment.reading books or watching videos with characters from different backgrounds is a wonderful way to introduce little ones to people from differing backgrounds and cultures. These books can also provide an easy way to spark conversations.
Explore ways of incorporating empathy and identity into your family’s everyday moments. For example, to build empathy, ask questions to help children consider others’ experiences. Questions such as “How would I feel if…?” and “How do you think that person feels?” are great starting points to help your child consider a situation from somebody else’s point of view.
Children naturally have optimism for a better society. Encourage and celebrate this. Everyone should be proud of who they are, inside and out. The way other people treat us doesn’t change who we are.
Resources to Support Your Parenting
Share: Tell a grown-up what happened.
When they ask “Why?” provide a deeper explanation, “When people treat others unfairly because of their skin colour, eye shape, hair texture, or language they speak, that’s called racism. And that’s wrong and hurtful. We are all a part of one race, the human race.”
Everyday Family Moments
WATCH THE VIDEO IN OUR ONLINE MAG
Recently, Sesame Street introduced two new Muppets, five-year-old Wes and his father Elijah. Elmo was curious and wanted to know why Wes’s skin is brown, so Elijah explains the concept of melanin and that the colour of our skin is an important part of who we are.
Being surrounded by a strong social circle of university students who will support them through the tough times and become friends and colleagues after graduation is an essential part of the experience. This social circle can also be helpful for finding employment opportunities.
In other words, there is no need for students or their parents to feel pressure to choose a course. It’s good to keep in mind that many university courses include elective components and the units completed in the first few terms may be credited towards the new degree. If a school-leaver is still unsure, there is always the option to find employment or undertake some Ultimately,travel.entry into some university degrees can be competitive and some students may not be successful. However, universities often offer related degrees that have lower entry requirements. After successfully completing a first year of study in the other degree, it is possible to apply for their “first choice” degree.
All Things Tweens and Teens
Talking to Your Teen About Their Future
To make this transition easier the student should stay in contact with the lecturers and tutors and ask questions to know what is expected of you and how to use university systems.
What will employers of the future be looking for? What types of education and skills may be needed by employers of the future and consequently, what careers will pay a good return on the investment of time and money for a university education? It’s understandable that students and their parents feel pressure to choose “the right degree”.
What are their skills and expertise? If they are passionate about becoming an engineer, but have no skills in mathematics, then it would be wise to seek some advice from the school’s careers counsellor.
It is best to consult directly with their university of choice if this could be a good option for your teen. It is important for new university students to recognise that university study will be very different from studying at high school. University students are expected to manage their own time, including enrolling in classes, attending lectures, handing in assessments and preparing for exams. Self-management is often complicated by moving away from home, part-time work and new social opportunities.
Chris has experience working as a psychologist in Queensland Health acute care, community mental health and rehabilitation. He also has experience as a private practitioner with referrals from General Practitioners, WorkCover and Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Since 2015 Chris has been a lecturer at CQUniversity teaching in undergraduate psychology focusing on therapeutic interventions and biological psychology. His areas of research interest include mental health outcome measures, resilience development and the use of mindfulness strategies.
www.pakmag.com.au | September / October 2022 35
What are they passionate about? Students are about to potentially spend years of their lives studying at university and possibly decades in a career resulting from their study. It’s important they pursue something they find rewarding and satisfying.
While exploring these questions is an important step, enrolment records consistently show that university students will often change their area of study. For example, people who might initially enrol in psychology might change to engineering or nursing or education (and sometimes the other way around).
STORY Chris Crawford, Lecturer at CQUniversity Life is full of transitions, but the transition from high school to university can be a big step for your teenager. The pressure to choose a course and career can be overwhelming, so how can parents help make this process easier for their kids? There are three key aspects parents or carers should discuss with their teen when considering university study.
So, how do you go about it? How young is too young and at what age should we start having these critical conversations? As a child psychologist and CEO of Act for Kids, my answer is simple - start early and have these conversations often!
Parenting
When Parents Avoid Teaching Consent, Children are Left Vulnerable STORY Dr. Katrina Lines, CEO of Act for Kids
Ahead of Child Protection Week last year, we conducted research into Australians’ attitudes towards teaching consent, children’s bodily autonomy and when we should be having these conversations with our kids. Shockingly, the research reveals that less than half (44 percent) of parents, carers and grandparents have been open with their children about consent, despite 89 percent of adults saying it is the parents’ responsibility to educate them. We found that there is a considerable lack of knowledge about why it is important to talk about consent, relationships and body ownership with children in the first five years of their life, despite the early years being crucial to development. Over half (56 percent)
Our newsfeeds are often awash with stories about sexual abuse, so you aren’t alone if you’re thinking about how you might start tackling conversations about consent, sex and relationships with your kids to help protect them as they grow up.
36 September / October 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au
Worryingly,dialogue.ourresearch
The concept of bodily autonomy continues to be misunderstood, with 69 percent of Australians believing that adults shouldn’t have to ask children for permission before they touch them and only 29 percent of parents admitting penis and vagina are normal in their child’s vocabulary. While naming your child’s private parts with a euphemism such as ‘pee pee’ or ‘jay jay’ is quite common and might make parents feel more comfortable, it can affect your child’s response if they are inappropriately touched.
My best advice for parents is to start by educating yourself, digest as much information as you can and then begin by using age-appropriate language and conversations with your children.
found more than a third (36 percent) of parents with children under the age of 18 doubt their child understands what consent is and unfortunately, we know not everyone is having conversations about consent, sex and relationships with their kids, which is leaving too many children vulnerable.
The early stages of a child’s life are crucial for development and early education is key to empowering children to feel safe. It’s where they grow physically and emotionally, but also begin forming social connections and learning when to seek help if they need it.
I also think it’s really critical for parents to monitor their child’s internet usage to ensure they aren’t talking to someone they don’t know and aren’t getting misinformation when it comes to sex, consent and relationships from unknown online resources.
Research shows us when children use the correct words for their private parts it helps them to clearly articulate who can and can’t touch them. We recommend making words such as penis or vagina a normal part of your family’s
www.pakmag.com.au | September / October 2022 Parenting37of Australian adults believe school age is an appropriate age to start teaching consent to children. This raises serious concerns for children aged between 0 - 4 as they are most at-risk of abuse and neglect. In 20192020, a staggering 11,700 infants under the age of one received child protection services in Australia.
As the National Office for Child Safety implements the National Strategy to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse, Act for Kids is encouraging parents to educate their children on consent and the correct anatomical language for all body parts. This comes as sex offenders were found to be less likely to act on a child if the child knew correct names for their body parts.
The overarching message of this year’s Child Protection Week is ‘Every Child In Every Community Needs a Fair Go’ and at Act for Kids, we strongly believe every child deserves a fair go when it comes to protecting their own body. Act for Kids wants to see a minimum standard set for mandated evidence-based programs in schools to address interpersonal safety and the issues surrounding consent so that children and young people can learn about healthy, safe relationships and safe sex.
Act for Kids is a leading children’s organisation with a purpose to help keep kids safe, heal from trauma and lead happy lives. The organisation provides therapy and support services to children and families who have experienced or are at-risk of child abuse and neglect. Act for Kids has helped thousands of children and families over the past 30 years across its 30 centres from Adelaide to Cape York Peninsula. Services include therapy for children and their families, support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in remote communities and education programs empowering children to feel safe.
www.actforkids.com.au
Teaching children consent from a young age can be as simple as using the correct language for body parts rather than euphemisms, or explaining your actions in your child’s routines, such as bathing. Rather than just forcing them to bathe, try explaining what you’re doing and why it is important. You can also introduce books and resources normalising consent and bodily autonomy to your children and most importantly, give them language and alternatives for when they don't want to be touched e.g "It’s okay if you don’t want to give Grandpa a cuddle, how about a high five? It’s up to you”.
For more on the importance of teaching bodily autonomy and consent to our children tune into Episode 110 of the PakMag Parents Podcast with Dr Katrina Lines and mother-of-four Michelle Derrig. www.pakmag.com.au/podcast
Competition 12 Sept – 9 Oct Major Prize plus daily instant win prizes up for grabs* Follow us on Facebook for www.canelandcentral.com.au*T&Csdetailsapply,visitfordetails 1. Scarlett Wide Leg Jumpsuit - $149.95 - Portmans 2. NAK Hair Rose Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner 500ml Duo Pack - $54.95Price Attack 3. Floral Print Neckerchied Scarf - $19.95 - Myer 4. Archer Carafe 1125ml - $29.95 - Bed Bath N’ Table 5. Guess Alexie Crossbody Flap Bag - $189.00 - Strandbags 6. Midsummer Star Celestial Sterling Silver Drop Bracelet - $69.95 - Silvershop 7. Kodak C300R Mini Shot 3 Retro Instant Camera in Yellow - $249.00 - Garricks Camera House 8. Wide Fit Rina Boot in Tan$119.95 - City Chic 9. Cassidy Linen Balloon Sleeve Blouse - $49.95 - Sportsgirl 10. Dress Ring with Ocean Green Simulant and 1.82 Carats of Diamond Simulants in Sterling Silver - $349.00 - Secrets Shhh 11. Fiorelli Birdie Rose / Clear Blue Light Lenses - $69.95BrightEyes 12. Evelyn Acrylic Croissant Claw Hair Clip - $16.99 - Forever New 13. Refreshing Passionfruit Body Mist - $20.00 - The Body Shop Shop New Season Trends at Caneland Central Spring is Here 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.10. 12.11. 13. 14. 15.
14. White Crystal Double Point Necklace - $135.00 - Tree of Life 15. Kenny Strappy Block Heel Mule - $49.99 - Famous Footwear 16. R. M. Williams Script Crew Neck - $119.00 - R. M. Williams 17. My Little Morphée Kids Relaxation & Sleep Aid Device - $159.99 - PTC Phone Tech & Comm 18. Bluey 3D (Lenticular) Jigsaw Puzzle 48 Piece - $4.00 - Target 19. Mocha Rapture Viscose Shirt - $79.99 - Tarocash 20. Vans Sk8-Low - $139.99 - Platypus Shoes 21. Bubble O’Bill 2 Wick Scented Candle - $49.99 - Dusk 22. Blue Bin Chicken Sock - $7.99Connor 23. Florentina Daisy Mug - $12.99 - Adairs 24. Santana Deep Green Plant Stand - $69.99 - Adairs 25. Smoosho’s Pals Pineapple Table Lamp - $49.88 - Sanity 26. Betty Crochet Top - $34.95 - Ghanda 27. Miss Mango Acid Wash Skirtall - $30.00Best&Less 28. Mediterranean Regular Tee - $24.95 - Ghanda 29. Bailey Swim Short - $19.99 - Cotton On Kids www.canelandcentral.com.au Caneland Central caneland.central 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29.
The Rumble On The Reef Championships run from 20 to 24 September with lots of events on offer for all ages. Kick off the week with the Seabreeze Hotel Official Rumble on the Reef Launch Party where you can meet international pros, competitors, sponsors, and more. Kids can learn skills with skate lessons at the Mackay skatepark, and adults 18+ can party at this year’s Rhythm & The Reef music event. For the full program check the website. www.rumbleonthereef.com
School Holiday Guide
Rainforest Plant Identification Workshop
A Department of Transport and Main Roads Mackay www.jcu.edu.au/events
The JCU STAR program offers year 12 students the opportunity to learn and revise academic subjects including English, Chemistry and Maths Methods. Refine your english skills with the school holiday workshop running from 19 - 23 September from 8.15am12.15pm. Cost is $325.00 - $375.00
www.pakmag.com.au | September / October 2022 41 School Holiday Guide
A JCU School of Medicine and Dentistry www.jcu.edu.au/star-program
A Anderson Family Chiropractic Health Centre www.parentmedic.co
Retro Music Bingo Have fun with Retro Music Bingo at Northern Beaches Bowls Club on 16 September 7.00pm in the Marquee. Hosted by Just 4 Fun Entertainment, the theme is Retro and prizes for the best dressed will be handed out! There are also raffles and games on the night. Tickets for music bingo only are $28.00 and cost for Bingo and Dinner is $50.00
On 17 September, Parentmedic North Qld provides Baby / Child First Aid education for carers of young children. In this 2 hour session you learn about Infant CPR, Choking, Fevers, Rashes, Allergies and Anaphylaxis, Poisons, Burns, Head Injuries and more. Runs 1.00pm3.00pm with tickets costing $88.00.
A Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre www.themecc.com.au
Rumble On The Reef Championships
Wallaby Creek Festival
Get ready to kick some serious putt when Pixar Putt heads to Mackay for the first time this September. Australia’s much-loved open-air mini golf sensation is made up of interactive putt-putt holes inspired by the stories, characters, and icons from some of Pixar’s most beloved films including Toy Story, Cars, Monsters Inc., The Incredibles, Luca, plus many more. Putt your way around 9 or 18 holes for a strictly limited season starting 16 September 3.00pm until 9 October. ‘Pixar Putt After Dark’ sessions for adults 18+ will also be available from 7.00pm Thursday to Saturday nights.
Parentmedic North Qld Baby / Child First Aid
www.mnbbowls.com.au
This free three day introductory Rainforest Plant Identification short course is presented by the Australian Tropical Herbarium. A guided tour of nearby rainforest, and hands-on learning through identification of local native plants are included. Participants will receive a statement of attendance, morning tea and lunch are provided. The course runs from 20 - 22 September, 8.00am - 4.00pm.
JCU STAR: School Tuition and Revision Workshops- Yr 12 Maths Methods
This year’s Wallaby Creek Festival runs from 23 to 25 September, celebrating its 20th anniversary. The three day program offers original music on three stages, with entertainment including Poets Breakfasts, workshops, circus, dance, Roving Street Theatre, a complete children’s festival, delicious food stalls, healing spaces, and market stalls. Camping is included, with bush showers and toilets accessible to everyone. Cost is $5.00 - $480.00 A Wallaby Creek Festival Grounds P 0402 600 264 www.wallabycreekfestival.org.au
A Northern beaches Bowls Club
Pixar Putt
A Palmyra Drag Racing Club Inc Aeroflow Nitro Funny Cars & Hot Rods Mackay Art Deco Walking Tour Meet and gather at the front of The Australian Hotel before heading off on a walk down Victoria Street and the surrounding city area. Discover buildings rich in historical significance to the time period and learn about the local Mackay heritage. The event is held on 1 October 6.00pm. Cost is $15.00 A Australian Hotel, Mackay Sugar City Art Deco & Modernism Society
A Mangrove Rd, Mackay P 4944Caneland7111 Central www.canelandcentral.com.au
Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro funny cars and Palmyra Dragway are pleased to announce the Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Cars “Nitro Showdown” on 1 October at 10.00am, featuring four flame throwing Nitro burning Funny cars. This is an unmissable day of entertainment for motorsport fans of all types.
Mackay’s newest Twilight Market is set to be a great family night out. The market will be held at The Big Shed at Mackay Showgrounds on 24 September from 4.00pm - 9.00pm. Cost is FREE - $2.00 A Mackay MackayShowgroundsTwilightMarket
BMA Kidspace offers online and in-person activities for kids with their program specifically designed for 0 - 5 year olds. Activities include painting, glow-in-the-dark art, projects with recycled materials, sing alongs, and more.
A Artspace Mackay Artspace Mackay Sarina Sugar Shed Sarina Sugar Shed offers an award-winning insight into sugar production. From paddock to plate; the tour will teach you and your little ones just what happens when cane is planted, how it is used, and what it makes. You’ll get the opportunity to observe, touch, feel, and taste the different stages of sugar production, their non-alcoholic ginger beer brewed onsite, the freshly spun fairy floss, and freshly squeezed cane juice. There’s plenty of goodies for the adults to try too. Cost: $13.30 for kids, $26.50 for adults, kids under 5 are free. Bookings essential.
42 September / October 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au School Holiday Guide
The Mackay Council Libraries, along with their usual offerings, run holiday programs that include music programs, movie screenings, storytime, craft activities, science programs, and writing workshops. Bookings are essential for all events. For more information visit www.mackay.qld.gov.au/libraries
The Grounded Festival (Battle of the Beans) Third Ground Coffee House is holding a coffee competition, “Battle of the Beans”, for all the local coffee lovers. Aside from mouth watering flavours, there will also be local market stalls, family fun, coffee stalls, jumping castles, live music, food vans, and much more. This family friendly event runs 1 October 2.00pm to 8.00pm and costs $5.00 - $17.00.
www.cqu.edu.au/events
With the new and improved shopping experience at Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre, they’ll be hosting school holiday activities throughout September and October. Check the Facebook page for more info. Plus don’t forget they have a bevy of shops and food outlets to keep you and the little ones fed and entertained, but they also provide two parents rooms. One is located in the Food Court, how convenient, and the other in the corridor behind Nextra.
A Third Ground Coffee House Backyard www.thirdground.org Caneland Central Visit the largest shopping centre in Mackay for their huge variety of stores and keep the kids entertained these holidays with games, music and movies or toys.
Mackay Twilight Market
A Field of Dreams Parkland, Railway Square P 07 4943 2801 www.sarinasugarshed.com.au
Bone-A-Fide feat Jeremy Borthwick Immerse yourself in a night of pop, jazz and blues featuring trombone superstar, Jeremy Borthwick, and CQCM’s Bachelor of Music students. Presented by the Bachelor of Music course at CQUniversity, this concert features the extraordinary trombone playing of Jeremy Borthwick alongside CQCM students and staff. The family friendly event takes place on 30 September 7.00pm - 10.00pm. Cost is $15.00 A CQCM Theatre
Pop down to the Centre Court for LEGO® activities from 19- 30 September, 10.00am to 2.00pm daily. Join in at the LEGO® Rebuild the World play zone and meet LEGO® Policemen each Tuesday and Wednesday during the school holidays. There are also $500 worth of LEGO® prizes to be won.
Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Cars
Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre
A Mackay Bucasia Rd P 07 4969 2400 Mount Pleasant Centre www.mountpleasantcentre.com.au
Mackay Library Events
Artspace Mackay
| September 2022
If you ask my kids, I’m pretty sure they’d tell you I’m a regular Jerry Seinfeld making them belly laugh at a whim with the ease of a professional. If you ask my wife, she would tell you I’m like that unfunny, weird uncle everyone tries to avoid at a wedding. The thing with kids is, they’re a captive audience that’s easily pleased. Two points this wannabe funny man is going to run with.
www.pakmag.com.au | September / October 2022 45 Daddy Diary Daddy Diary
Cliffo Hit 100.3 www.pakmag.com.au
For example, recently, after returning from a work trip, my 3-year-old son Charlie pulled a wig out of my luggage. Don’t even ask why there was a wig in my carry-on. Radio announcing is a weird job. The point is, he pulled out the wig and the laughs were on. It’s shocking how much laughter a $10 mullet brought my son and eight-year-old daughter Matilda. Easily pleased. But it’s not just wigs that get the kids in It’shysterics…timetotalk about how funny kids find farts, whether they are the ones dealing them, or are simply there to witness a ripper. Letting fluffy off the chain is enough to bring on tear-inducing laughter at the Clifton house.
Tonight, dinner’s on me! TheClassics.important thing to remember is that our kids are not an accurate gauge of whether or not we are actually funny. It is not rare to pull a gag in front of the kids and have it kill, only for the same joke to bring on crickets in front of workmates. But don’t let this get you down.
Of course, the other one I’m allowed to pull out these days is the dreaded by some, loved by many - drumroll please – dad jokes! What do you call a factory that makes okay products?
A WhatAnd…Satisfactory!didoneplate say to another plate?
A few weeks ago, my son was sitting on my lap eating a Zooper Dooper when he casually dropped one that I’m pretty sure measured on the earthquake Richter scale. That was enough to keep us three kids (yes, I class myself as a kid) in hysterics for a good 10 minutes.
The thing is, we only have to be around our workmates for a few hours a day, whereas our kids live under our roofs full-time. You’ll be at home and back to being a regular Chris Rock before you know it. Oh, and did you hear the one about the surgeon who enjoyed performing quick surgeries on insects? He did one on the fly! Boom-tish!
www.pakmag.com.au | September / October 2022 47 With HIT 100.3’s Cliffo & Gabi THURSDAY 1 SEPTEMBER Music at the Library Runs until 29 September Mackay Libraries Various times / www.mackay.qld.gov.au/librariesFREE Watercolour Mums & Bubs The Creative Art Studio 9.30am - 11.30pm / $45.00 / M michellemdv.comwww.handdrawndesignsby English Conversation Circles Dudley Denny City Library 1.00pm - 2.00pm / FREE / www.mackay.qld.gov.au/librariesPG FRIDAY 2 SEPTEMBER FRI 5km Every MackayFridaySurf Life Saving Club 5.30pm / FREE / G For Fitness Sake Mackay Themed guided walks - Botanical Gardens (Spring in the Tropics) Botanic Gardens Visitor Information Centre 10.00am - 11.00am / FREE / www.livelyphysiotherapy.com.auPG Opening Event - Four Exhibitions Runs until 20 November Artspace Mackay 6.00pm / FREE / www.artspacemackay.com.auPG Cocktails & Canapés in The Greenery Runs every Friday Mackay Northern Beaches Bowls 4.00pmClub-8.00pm / Various Prices / www.mnbbowls.com.auPG Breathing and Meditation Gordon White Library 1.00pm - 2.00pm / FREE / www.mackay.qld.gov.au/librariesPG SATURDAY 3 SEPTEMBER BMA River 2 Reef Ride Mackay Botanic Gardens Various times / $25.00 - $64.00 / www.river2reefride.com.auPG MKC: Club Race Day Mackay and District Kart Club 7.00am / $25.00 - $60.00 / PG www.mackaykartclub.com Karaoke Under The Stars Mackay Northern Beaches Bowls 8.00pmClub-12.00am / Various Prices / www.mnbbowls.com.auPG Mackay SLSC Sign On Day Mackay Surf Life Saving Club 9.30am / FREE / www.lifesaving.com.auPG Gospel Garden Party Holy Trinity Church 2.00pm - 5.00pm / Various Prices / MackayPGAnglican Cluster Mackay Art Deco Walking Tour Runs every Saturday Australian Hotel, Mackay 6.00pm / $15.00 / PG Sugar City Art Deco & Modernism Society SUNDAY 4 SEPTEMBER The Natural Culture ‘One Night Only’ Tour Sails Sports Bar 4.30pm / FREE / www.sails-sports-bar.business.siteM Modern Embroidery Workshop The Creative Art Studio 10.00am - 1.00pm / $89.00 / PG bymichellemdv.comwww.handdrawndesigns TUESDAY 6 SEPTEMBER Ask A Genie - Genealogy Gordon White Library 1.00pm - 3.00pm / FREE / PG librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/ C&K Mackay KindergartenCommunityOpenWeek Events C&K Mackay 9.30amKindergartenCommunity-1.30pm/FREE/ PG www.candk.asn.au Minibeasts Dudley Denny City Library 3.45pm - 5.15pm / FREE / Ages 12librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/18 Reminisce Café Gordon White Library 9.00am - 10.30am / FREE / PG librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/ WEDNESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER Be Connected One-to-One Dudley Denny City Library Mackay What’sWhitsundaysandOn 10.00am / 11.00am / FREE / www.mackay.qld.gov.au/librariesPG Minecraft Gordon White Library 3.30pm - 4.30pm / FREE / Ages 8www.mackay.qld.gov.au/libraries12 THURSDAY 8 SEPTEMBER English Conversation Circles Dudley Denny City Library 1.00pm - 2.00pm / FREE / www.mackay.qld.gov.au/librariesPG R U OK - safeTalk Training Dudley Denny City Library 10.00am - 1.00pm / FREE / www.mackay.qld.gov.au/librariesPG Cairns Amateurs Runs until 10 September Cannon Park Racecourse Various times / $25.00 - $320.00 / www.cairnsamateurs.org.auPG FRIDAY 9 SEPTEMBER Kane Muir - One Man Blues Band Runs until 10 September Empire - Alternacade and Events 9.00pm / FREE / www.empiremackay.comM ERTH’S Prehistoric World Tour Runs until 10 September Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre (MECC) 6.00pm / $16.50 - $60.00 / Ages 5+ www.themecc.com.au MSHS Drama Excellence Presents “Teen!” Mackay State High School 5.00pm - 8.00pm / FREE / www.mackayshs.eq.edu.auPG Friday Jazz at the Con CQUniversity’s Central Queensland Conservatorium of 6.00pmMusic - 7.30pm / $5.00 - $15.00 / www.cqu.edu.au/eventsPG Themed guided walksBotanical Gardens (Threatened species in the Botanic Gardens) Botanic Gardens Visitor Information Centre 10.00am - 11.00am / FREE / www.livelyphysiotherapy.com.auPG Race Nite Mackay Riding For Disabled The Metropolitan Hotel Mackay 7.00pm / $50.00 / PG Whats Happening in and around Mackay Adam Harvey & Beccy Cole ‘The Great Country Songbook Volume III’ Tour Mackay Northern Beaches Bowls 7.00pmClub/$32.00 - $60.00 / PG Mackay Northern Beaches Bowls Club C&K Mackay KindergartenCommunityopenDay C&K Mackay 9.00amKindergartenCommunity-10.00am/FREE / PG www.candk.asn.au A Touch Of Teal Soirée Mantra Mackay 5.00pm / $197.00 / com.auwww.trudycrowleyfoundation.18+ MSHS Drama Excellence Presents “Teen!” Mackay State High School 5.00pm - 8.00pm / FREE / www.mackayshs.eq.edu.auPG Photo Restoration, Editing and Presenting - Made by You! Gordon White Library 9.30am - 10.30am / FREE / 18+ librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/ Artist in Residence: Leonie Wood - Life DrawingMade by You Gordon White Library 10.00am - 12.00pm / FREE / 18+ librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/ SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER Pasifika Mackay Mackay Botanical Gardens 12.00pm - 5.00pm / FREE / PG Tu Te Awaroa Maori Cultural Group Rockhampton Floral Art Sip & Paint Grand Opening Special Event The Creative Art Studio 4.00pm - 8.00pm / $89.00 / M michellemdv.comwww.handdrawndesignsby SUNDAY 11 SEPTEMBER Kane Muir Live The Gallery Lounge & Bar 4.30pm / FREE / M The Gallery Lounge and Bar Please check with individual businesses before visiting during these uncertain times.
Dexter’s Storytime Gordon White Library 10.00am - 10.30am / FREE / 18+ librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/ BMA Kidspace Artspace Mackay 10.00am - 2.00pm / FREE / www.artspacemackay.com.auPG
Fantasy Festival - Mackay Runs until 17 September Mackay Showground 9.00am - 2.00pm / $5.00$6.99 / FantasyPG Festival Explore Calmness and Mindfulness Denny City Library 1.30pm - 2.30pm / FREE / librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/ City Powerfest #3 Runs until 18 September Palmyra Drag Racing Club 2.00pm - 5.00pm / $5.00$30.00 / www.palmyradragway.com.auPG Music Bingo Northern Beaches Bowls Club 7.00pm / $28.00 - $50.00 / PG www.mnbbowls.com.au
Jazz In The Park Queens Park, Cnr Goldsmith & East Gordon Streets 2.00pm - 5.00pm / FREE / PG www.cqu.edu.au/events
Be Connected One-to-One Gordon White Library 10.00am / 11.00am / FREE / PG librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/ Coding Progression Gordon White Library 3.30pm - 4.30pm / FREE / Ages 8librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/12
English Conversation Circles Dudley Denny City Library 1.00pm - 2.00pm / FREE / PG librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/ West End Readers Book Club Walkerston Library 5.00pm - 6.00pm / FREE / PG librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/ Manga Club White Library 5.30pm - 7.00pm / FREE / Ages 12librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/18 Studio Induction White Library 4.30pm - 5.15pm / FREE / librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/ 16 SEPTEMBER
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48 September / October 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au Please check with individual businesses before visiting during these uncertain times.
Sew Centre Open Days Gordon White Library 9.00am / 1.00pm / FREE / 18+ librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/ ‘Free to Run’ (PG) Movie Screening Dudley Denny City Library 2.00pm - 4.00pm / FREE / PG librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/
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Sacred Kirtan Meditation Tranquil Yoga Mackay 4.00pm - 6.00pm / FREE / PG Tranquil Yoga Mackay Rock Paper Scissors Art and Design Markets Artspace Mackay 1.00pm - 4.00pm / FREE / www.artspacemackay.com.auPG
SATURDAY 17 SEPTEMBER Faulty Towers - The Dining Experience The Seabreeze Hotel 7.00pm / $97.00 / www.seabreezemackay.com.auM A World of Imagination MECC 7.00pmAuditorium/$11.90-$48.90 / PG www.themecc.com.au Parentmedic North Qld Baby/ Child First Aid Anderson Family Chiropractic Health Centre 1.00pm - 3.00pm / $88.00 / PG www.parentmedic.co Mackay School Library Holiday Workshops Runs until 1 October Mackay Libraries Various times / FREE / librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/PG Kids & Guardians Watercolour The Creative Art Studio 9.30am - 11.30am / $45.00 / PG michellemdv.comwww.handdrawndesignsby Mackay Whitsundaysand What’s On SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER Hockey Queensland U15 Boys State Championships Runs until 21 September Mackay Hockey Association 8.00am - 8.00pm / FREE / PG www.hockeyqld.com.au Pour and Sip The Creative Art Studio 2.00pm - 4.00pm / $99.00 / 16+ michellemdv.comwww.handdrawndesignsby MONDAY 19 SEPTEMBER JCU STAR: School Tuition and Revision WorkshopsYr 12 Maths Methods Runs until 23 September JCU School of Medicine and 8.15amDentistry-12.15pm / $325.00www.jcu.edu.au/star-program$375.00 TUESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER Rainforest IdentificationPlantWorkshop Runs until 22 September Department of Transport and Main Roads Mackay 8.00am - 4.00pm / FREE / PG www.jcu.edu.au Rumble On The Reef Skate Championships Runs until 24 September Various locations Various times / FREE / www.therumble.com.auPG Azure Glass ArtMini Sugar Skull Dish Azure Glass Art Studio 9.00am / 12.00pm / $30.00 / PG www.azureglass.com.au WEDNESDAY 21 SEPTEMBER Wall hanging Runs until 25 September The Neighbourhood Hub 10.00am - 3.00pm / $150.00 / PG Beamazed - Unique Gift Ideas FRIDAY 23 SEPTEMBER Wonders of MackayKeswick Island Art Trail Wildcat Mackay 8.00am - 4.30pm / $80.00$205.00 / AdventureM Seeking Yogi SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER Mackay Twilight Market Mackay Showgrounds 4.00pm - 9.00pm / FREE - $2 / PG Mackay Twilight Market Women in Wellness Mackay Northern Beaches Bowls 5.00pmClub/$43.00 / M Nu You Aesthetics & Beauty MONDAY 26 SEPTEMBER Azure Glass Art - Mini Sugar Skull Dish Azure Glass Art Studio 9.00am / 12.00pm / $30.00 / PG www.azureglass.com.au TUESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER Azure Glass Art - Mini Sugar Skull Dish Azure Glass Art Studio 9.00am / 12.00pm / $30.00 / PG www.azureglass.com.au Ink & Drink Mackay Town Hall 5.30pm - 8.30pm / $7.00 / M Printbank Mackay THURSDAY 29 SEPTEMBER Wakehouse Open Runs until 1 October Wake House Australia 12.00pm - 6.00pm / FREE / www.rumbleonthereef.comPG Festive Bunting - sewing class 4 George Street 10.00am - 1.00pm / $75.00 / PG Beamazed - Unique Gift Ideas FRIDAY 30 SEPTEMBER Bone-A-Fide feat Jeremy Borthwick CQCM 7.00pmTheatre-10.00pm / $15.00 / M www.cqu.edu.au/events Neon Night Sip & Paint The Creative Art Studio 6.00pm - 8.00pm / $69.00 / 16+ michellemdv.comwww.handdrawndesignsby SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Cars Palmyra Drag Racing Club Inc 10.00am / FREE / PG Aeroflow Nitro Funny Cars & Hot Rods Mackay Art Deco Walking Tour Australian Hotel, Mackay 6.00pm / $15.00 / PG Sugar City Art Deco & Modernism Society The Grounded Festival (Battle of the Beans) Third Ground Coffee House 2.00pmBackyard- 8.00pm / $5.00$17.00 / www.thirdground.orgPG
/ 15+ www.themecc.com.au Mackay West Rotary Charity Wine Dinner 2022 Harrup Park Country Club The Greater Whitsunday Farmers’ Markets Every Bluewater6.30amWednesday-10.30amQuay,River Street, Mackay City Centre Showground Markets Every Mackay6.30amSaturday-10.00amShowgrounds Eungella Community Markets Second Sunday of the month 9.00am - 1.00pm Eungella Memorial Hall, North Street Seaforth Community Markets Every Seaforth8.30amSunday–11.00amBeachfront Seaforth Mega Market First Sunday of every month in place of regular markets 8.30am – 12.00pm Seaforth Beachfront Sarina Showground Markets Last Sunday of the month 8.00am - 12.00pm Sarina Showgrounds Regular Markets Troppo Treasure Markets Second Sunday of the month 7.00am - 11.30am Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre Carpark Paxtons Night Markets Second Friday of every month 5.00pm – 8.00pm 10 River St, Mackay Many markets are subject to weather conditions and community guidelines, so please check with market organisers and relevant communities before visiting during these uncertain times. 7.00pm - 10.00pm / $153.00 / M www.harruppark.com.au SUNDAY 23 OCTOBER BABBA - An International ABBA Spectacular MECC 5.00pmAuditorium/$49.90- $79.50 / PG www.themecc.com.au Marble & Quartz Earrings The Creative Art Studio 6.00pm - 8.00pm / $89.00 / M michellemdv.comwww.handdrawndesignsby TUESDAY 25 OCTOBER Ink & Drink Mackay Town Hall 5.30pm - 8.30pm / $7.00 / M Printbank Mackay SATURDAY 29 OCTOBER Jane Eyre | A Shake & Stir Theatre Co Production MECC 7.30pmAuditorium/$22.00- $42.00 / PG www.themecc.com.au Halloween Runs until 30 October Souths Leagues Club 5.30pm - 9.00pm / FREE / PG Souths Leagues Club Mackay SUNDAY 13 NOVEMBER Cloudland The Musical MECC 6.00pmAuditorium-8.00pm/ $5.00 - $75.00 / 5+ www.themecc.com.au
Multicultural Comedy Gala MECC
/ www.twofeetheartbeat.org.auPG TUESDAY
www.pakmag.com.au | September / October 2022 49 WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER STEAM Club - Minibeasts Gordon White Library 3.30pm - 4.30pm / FREE / PG librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/ THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER Family History Online Dudley Denny City Library 5.30pm - 7.00pm / FREE / www.mackay.qld.gov.au/librariesPG FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER Morning Melodies 2022 | 1954: Ella, Etta & Eartha MECC Plenary Halls 11.00am / $13.50 - $15.00 / PG www.themecc.com.au SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER Lost & Found Music Festival Mackay Showgrounds 2.00pm / $109.00 - $299.00 / 18+ Lost & Found Music Festival The Stone Apes Empire - Alternacade and Events 9.00pm - 1.30am / $22.00 / 18+ www.empiremackay.com Mackay MS Swimathon Pioneer Swim Centre 6.00am - 6.00pm / Donation / PG www.msswimathon.com.au Cocktails & Canapés in The Greenery Runs every Friday Mackay Northern Beaches Bowls 4.00pmClub-8.00pm / Various Prices / www.mnbbowls.com.auPG Chakra Sun Catcher Making Workshop + Meditation Tranquil Yoga Mackay 3.00pm - 5.00pm / $45.00 / www.tranquilyogamackay.com.auM Monthly Breast Cancer Support Group Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens 9.00am - 12.00pm / FREE / M Mackay Breast Cancer Support Group MONDAY 10 OCTOBER Chris Hammer - Meet the Author Gordon White Library 6.00pm - 7.00pm / FREE / www.mackay.qld.gov.au/libraries18+ WEDNESDAY 12 OCTOBER STEAM Club - Forensic Science Workshop Gordon White Library 3.30pm - 4.30pm / FREE / www.mackay.qld.gov.au/librariesPG SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER Beach Sounds Music Festival The Surf Club Mackay 7.30pm / $20.00 - $57.50 / 18+ The Surf Club Mackay Parentmedic North Qld Baby/ Child First Aid Anderson Family Chiropractic Health Centre 1.00pm - 3.00pm / $88.00 / PG www.parentmedic.co Summer House Private Pool Party Pioneer Pool Mackay 10.00am - 1.00pm / $22.00 / www.allabilitiesmackay.org.auPG
Two feet and Heartbeat Walk Mulherin Drive
/ FREE / www.artspacemackay.com.auPG FRIDAY
SUNDAY 16 OCTOBER 3.00pm / $75.00 18 OCTOBER 10.00am - 2.00pm 21 OCTOBER 7.30pmAuditorium/$49.50- $59.50
BMA Kidspace Artspace Mackay
Gordon White Library 10.00am - 11.00am / librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/FREE
Story Time During school term Cannonvale Library 10.00am - 10.30am / FREE / 3 - 5 years, Bookings libraries.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.aurequired Time During school term Dudley Denny City Library 10.30am - 11.00am / FREE / 3 - 5 years, Bookings www.mackay.qld.gov.au/librariesrequired
50 September / October 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au With Triple M's Jay and Dave
LIttle Library Play During school term Cannonvale Library 10.00am - 10.30am / FREE / Walking to 3 years, Bookings libraries.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.aurequired
Toddler Time During school term Mirani 9.30amLibrary-10.00am / FREE / Up to 2.5 years, Bookings librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/required
Mackay RegularWhitsundaysandEvents
TUESDAYS Baby Bounce
Story Time During school term Bowen 10.00amLibrary-10.30am / FREE / 3 - 5 years, Bookings libraries.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.aurequired
Story Time During school term Mirani 9.30amLibrary-10.00am / FREE / 3 - 5 years, Bookings librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/required
STEAM Club During school term Gordon White Library 3.30pm - 4.30pm / FREE / Ages 8librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/12
Baby Bounce During school term Mirani 9.30amLibrary-10.00am / FREE / 0 - 2 years, Bookings librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/required
Baby Bounce During school term Sarina 9.30amLibrary-10.00am / FREE / 0 - 2 years, Bookings librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/required
Story Time During school term Collinsville Library 9.00am - 9.30am / FREE / 3 - 5 years, Bookings libraries.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.aurequired
Story Time During school term Proserpine Library 10.30am - 11.00am / FREE / 3 - 5 years, Bookings libraries.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.aurequired
Tech Talks
WEDNESDAYS LIttle Library Play During school term Proserpine Library 9.30am - 10.00am / FREE / Walking to 3 years, Bookings libraries.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.aurequired
MONDAYS Baby Bounce
Story Time During school term Sarina 9.30amLibrary-10.00am / FREE / 3 - 5 years, Bookings librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/required
Story Time During school term Walkerston Library 9.30am - 10.00am / FREE / 3 - 5 years, Bookings librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/required
THURSDAYS
Toddler Time During school term Gordon White Library 9.30am - 10.00am / FREE / Up to 2.5 years, Bookings librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/required
Baby Bounce During school term Gordon White Library 10.30am - 11.00am / FREE / 0 - 2 years, Bookings www.mackay.qld.gov.au/librariesrequired Maker Spaces During school term Cannonvale Library 3.00pm - 4.30pm / FREE / Ages 6 + libraries.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au Tech Talks Dudley Denny City Library 10.00am - 11.00am / www.mackay.qld.gov.au/librariesFREE FRIDAYS Baby Bounce During school term Bowen 9.30amLibrary-10.00am / FREE / 0 - 2 years, Bookings libraries.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.aurequired Conversations with Art 3rd Friday of each month Artspace Mackay 9.30am - 10.00am / FREE / www.artspacemackay.com.auPG Toddler Time During school term Dudley Denny City Library 9.30am - 10.00am / FREE / Up to 2.5 years, Bookings www.mackay.qld.gov.au/librariesrequired SATURDAYS Maker Spaces During school term Proserpine Library 9.00am - 11.00am / FREE / Ages 6 + libraries.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au Maker Spaces Mini 9.00amBowenMakersLibrary-11.00am / FREE / Ages 6 libraries.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au+ Mini Makers Mini CannonvaleMakers Library 9.00am - 11.30am / FREE / 0 - 5 libraries.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.auyears
During school term Cannonvale Library 10.00am - 10.30am / FREE / 02 years, Bookings libraries.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.aurequired
Story Time During school term Gordon White Library 9.30am - 10.00am / FREE / 3 - 5 years, Bookings librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/required
During school term Dudley Denny City Library 11.00am - 11.30am / FREE / 0 - 2 years, Bookings librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/required
Book Club Runs libraries.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au2.00pmCannonvalemonthlyLibrary-3.30pm/FREE
Please check with individual businesses before visiting during these uncertain times.
Baby Bounce During school term Walkerston Library 9.30am - 10.00am / FREE / 0 - 2 years, Bookings librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/required
Chess Club During school term Cannonvale Library 3.00pm - 4.30pm / FREE / All libraries.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.auages
Baby Bounce During school term Proserpine Library 10.30am - 11.00am / FREE / 0 - 2 years, Bookings libraries.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.aurequired
Toddler Time During school term Sarina 9.30amLibrary-10.00am / FREE / Up to 2.5 years, Bookings librarieswww.mackay.qld.gov.au/required
Story
