PakMag Mackay - March 2017 Issue 53 by Grand Publishing

ISSUE: MAR 2017

MACKAY

Best careers FOR PARENTS

THE IMPORTANCE OF ETIQUETTE

Birth a BUSINESS

Fertility TO FIRST YearS

MULTIPLE BIRTHS

MARCH 2017 www.pakmag.com.au

CONTENTS

HELLO

ISSUE NO. 53 MAR 2017 Hello and welcome to the March edition of PakMag.

04 Entertainment: Check This Out

I can’t believe we’re into March already, but I’m glad we are as this is one of my favourite editions, our Maternity Edition!

07 The Thing Is... With Bree James

Check out our Fertility to First Years feature on page 35 for tips on your options in BMackay for fertility assistance, pregnancy and post-natal healthcare, and buying for baby.

Our maternity theme runs throughout the magazine with a piece on the importance of tummy time one page 17, tips for more than one baby on page 19 and much more too. We also focus on parents and our Adult Education feature discusses the best careers for parents and how you can get the skills you need to land your dream job. And for those who are thinking about starting a business, the Birthing a Business story on page 8, is for you! As you can see, this edition of the magazine is jam-packed with great stuff and I really hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Until next time, have a great month and don’t forget to tell everyone, you read it in PakMag.

Bree

08 Is It Time For You To Birth A Business?

11 Parenting: The Importance

Of Etiquette

15 Developmental Disabilities And

Concerns In Early Childhood

17 Health 19 Baby: Multiple Birth Week 20 Bump and Bub: WIN 23 What’s On Guide 25 Mini Mag 35 Fertility To First Years 39 Adult Education: Best Careers

BREE JAMES / PAKMAG PUBLISHER

For Parents

42 Home with Caro & Kingi:

Net Distribution Per Issue 10,000 CAB Publisher Statement Period ending 30th July 2016

Nurturing Nursery

45 What’s News In Business 48 Snapped 50 Daddy Diary PAKMAG HEAD OFFICE P 4053 3331 E admin@pakmag.com.au PO BOX 7433 Cairns QLD 4870 FB www.facebook.com/pakmagmackay T #pakmag PAKMAG'S CORE VALUES

Create happier communities

Love connecting families & business

Collaborate with creativity

Lead & engage with heart

Publish authentic content with integrity

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

Awesome Administrator Gleisy

Daring Designer Lise

Bree's Wingwoman Rose

Sales Star Lisa

Darling Designer Clare

Talented Trent

Grand Poobah Bree

Pedantic Production Manager Janelle

Rad Sales Rep Jacqui

Word Wizard Jenna

www.pakmag.com.au MARCH 2017

Savvy Sales Sandra

pakmag ENTERTAINMENT

CHECK IT OUT 5th Mar 8th Mar NQ Babies and Kids Market

WHEN Sunday, 5th March 2017 WHERE Mackay Showgrounds Huge Hall MORE INFO www.nthqldbabiesandkidsmarket.com North Queensland Babies & Kids Markets have good quality, pre-loved, new, handmade, information and promotional stalls. Come along and join them for an exciting morning shopping for bargains and beautifully handmade items. They are not like any other market in town, they are a “Specialised Market” for babies, kids and mums and mums to be!

FREE ENTRY

Sarina’s International Women’s Day Expo WHEN Wednesday, 8 March 2017, 9.00am – 12.00pm WHERE The Cultural Hall in Sarina MORE INFO facebook.com/SarinaNeighbourhoodCentre Morning tea will be available for purchase. Featuring exhibitions with information on women's services, arts and craft, health & beauty, market stalls, plus more. For additional information contact the Sarina Neighbourhood Centre on 4961 9283 or email margaret.mcdowall@ mackay.qld.gov.au

8th Mar

Women Who Make Us Proud Awards WHEN Wednesday, 8 March 2017 WHERE MECC MORE INFO www.mackay.qld.gov.au/womenawards Give a shout out to a woman who makes you proud today. Nominations are now open for the Women Who Make Us Proud Awards. Award nominees will be invited to ceremonies being held at the MECC on Wednesday, 8 March. Applications close 20 February 2017. Mackay Regional Council is partnering with a number of local organisations to deliver the Women Who Make Us Proud Awards (#Mackaypride). The awards are an opportunity to showcase the hard work and achievements of local women across the region. These awards are part of International Women’s Day and Queensland Women’s Week Celebrations from March 6 – 12. This year's theme is “Be Involved Lead The Way”.

MARCH 2017 www.pakmag.com.au

9th Mar

Women’s Who Make Us Proud Awards 2017 WHEN Thursday, 9 March 2017, 9.00am Morning Tea Available for purchase WHERE RSL Sarina MORE INFO facebook.com/ SarinaNeighbourhoodCentre Award presentations (#MackayPride) Showcasing everyday women’s extraordinary achievements in our community. Bookings are essential. Call 4956 1814 to book. $25.00 per person.

16th - 19th Mar World’s Greatest Shave

WHEN 16 – 19 March 2017 WHERE Various MORE INFO www.worldsgreatestshave.com The Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave is 16th - 19th March, Australiawide. Child care centres and schools all around Mackay and surrounds will get involved by ‘colouring their hair to show they care’ on Funky Hair Day. Shave or colour at work, at school, at home or with family and friends to help support North Queensland blood cancer patients. Visit www.worldsgreatestshave.com for more information and tips on how you can get involved.

th Mar

17th Mar

Battle of the Brains – Pyjama Trivia Night! WHEN Friday, 17 March 2017, 6.30pm – 9.30pm WHERE St Patrick's College Hall MORE INFO www.thepyjamafoundation.com Battle of The Brains Pyjama Trivia Night is all about coming together with your family, friends and colleagues to go head to head with other teams to see which team is the smartest. It’s also about raising much-needed funds for children in foster care who deserve a brighter start in life. Participants are encouraged to don their pyjamas or onesies! Trivia questions are drawn from general knowledge, fun facts, music, movies and sports. Purchase tickets from www.thepyjamafoundation.com

Sensory Movie Day - Ballerina

Individual Ticket $11.50 or Team of 6 $63.50

WHEN Sunday, 26 March 2017, 11.00am WHERE BCC Mt Pleasant MORE INFO sensorymovieday.mackay@hotmail.com Sensory Movie Day is an inclusive event for families with special needs. Lighting is dim, and sound is lowered. Companion I.D. cards are accepted. No allocated seating in cinema. All tickets are $8.00. Please call the centre for further details (08) 9275 9255

th Apr

SAVE THE DATE

Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal Young People’s Theatre Season: Circus Oz: Model Citizens WHEN Saturday, 29 April 2017, 7.30pm Sunday, 30 April 2017, 1.30pm WHERE MECC MORE INFO: mecctickets@mackay.qld.gov.au Circus Oz explodes back onto stage, audaciously unpacking the myths of modern Australia with our latest high octane circus show Model Citizens, the first creation fuelled by the new artistic director Rob Tannion. Set in a beautiful yet chaotic model kit world, Model Citizens seamlessly blends the risk, beauty and rawness of acrobatic circus with pumping live music, stunning lighting, breathtaking physical improbability and no shortage of absurdity.

th Apr

SAVE THE DATE

Sensory Movie Day Smurfs 3 WHEN Sunday, 30 April 2017, 11.00am WHERE BCC Mt Pleasant MORE INFO sensorymovieday.mackay@hotmail.com Sensory Movie Day is an inclusive event for families with special needs Lighting is dim, sound lowered, volunteers monitoring fire exit doors. Companion I.D. cards are accepted. No allocated seating in cinema. All tickets are $8.00 Please call the centre for further details (08) 9275 9255

Purchase your ticket at: goo.gl/CGvlkW

www.pakmag.com.au MARCH 2017

The Thing Is... STORY Bree James

March 8th is International Women’s day, a day where women are celebrated around the globe. I think it’s a wonderful day and I am really looking forward to it. I grew up with a mother who is a feminist; I often had to do the “man” type work around the house to help her as I was raised to believe a woman can do anything she sets her mind to and that I must never rely on a male. I guess that is a big reason why I have taken on a role in life that is considered unusual for most women.

I am the breadwinner and a business owner, and I am a woman that can do anything she sets her mind to including dirt bike riding and many other things that makes me a proud tomboy. But the thing is, I am also a woman who doesn’t feel like she fits in with her own gender at times, and if I am honest, any gender really. Admittedly, it’s mostly my fault that I feel like I am an outcast, but my feeling is that women are feeling more and more misunderstood and alone these days. I believe the biggest reason for this is because we have become Judge Judy’s. Women are so judgmental of others, but mostly of themselves. We criticise, compare and analyse everything and a huge per cent of it is in a negative way. She works too hard. She doesn’t work enough and is lazy. She has too much of a social life. She has no life and is living through her kids. She must have lots of money as she is married to a doctor. She must have no money as she is a single mum. And the list goes on and on and on and on. Women are expected to do it all and can do it all, but it’s coming at a cost and it’s mostly our sanity and our connection with each other as women. We have a generation of women who are struggling because of what is socially acceptable and what is not. The world is confused as to what life should look like now for a woman, but now, no matter what a woman does, it seems to be WRONG.

Sixty years ago, most women had one aim, get married, have kids and look after the family. If you didn’t do this and you were one of the few women that had a career, you were judged. Now if you do either of these roles you are judged. Men are also feeling the heat too. If they take the role of “wife” in the family, they are judged just as harshly. The thing is, in many parts of the world, roles have changed, and I am grateful that gender is slowly becoming one big blend. Men and women are removing gender and doing what needs to be done, in particular in the home raising a family. But, what has to change is our attitude towards this blend. So, ladies and gents, this International Women’s Day and beyond, I hope you to do two things. 1. Celebrate others. Don’t be jealous of what others have, all it says about you is that you think you deserve it more than that person and that is yucky. 2. Don’t judge others for what they are doing, as what you see is often a reflection of what you need to work on. Judging a person doesn’t define who they are, it defines who you are. Happy International Women's Day, #BeBoldForChange, and with less jealousy and judgement, I am sure we can help forge a more inclusive and gender equal world.

Bree www.pakmag.com.au MARCH 2017

Is it Time for You to

birth a business? STORY Bree James

Starting a business is much like starting a family; it takes planning, preparation, a sense of humour and a never-give-up attitude.

Most people put off starting a business as they believe that they have to be 100 per cent dedicated time-wise to the business. But in reality, it doesn’t have to consume your every waking hour. In fact, it’s possible to work full time and have a small business on the side. And doing things this way means that the business is being run because there is a passion and desire to run a business. It’s not all about the money, and it gives you time to slowly transition from being employed to being self-employed, if that's what you dream of. Whether you want to have a business that you work on full time, or you want to only dedicate 10 per cent of your work time to a business, it’s still better than having a dream that you put zero per cent of your time into. Doing something is better than doing nothing at all. No matter how much time you are able to, or want to, commit to your venture, being 100 per cent committed to your business in your heart is an absolute must! So, you have an idea, where to from here?

First you need to ask yourself some hard questions. 1.

YOUR WHY?

Your why is very important. Your why for starting a business can’t just be to earn more money, to have more holidays, or to be popular. Your why must go deeper than that. In my opinion, it needs to be focused on your customer. I have a big why - it’s to make families happier and more connected to their community. A big why means that when the going gets tough, you can pull out your why and it will motivate you to keep going. Have it printed and put it on the fridge, or on your mirror at home

so that you are reminded of it every single day. My why means that even when I am having to put my family last to work on the business, I can justify it in my heart because what I am doing is making a huge difference to many families, so the sacrifice to me is justifiable. 2. YOUR LIFESTYLE It’s really important that you think about the lifestyle you want. If you want to start a business in a physical location, or the business’s main operating hours are going to be on the weekends, after a little while you may resent the business if it’s impacting the lifestyle you want. If you want a business that can operate from anywhere in the world, you need to ensure your idea can cope with that and will work. 3. YOUR INVESTMENT All businesses will take some investment, the biggest one will be your time, in most instances. A lot of us want to start a business on a shoe string budget, and it’s certainly much easier to do these days, but you need to have a budget that you are willing to spend on creating this business. Investing in a logo, a website, business cards, business registration and trademarking, if relevant, are

MARCH 2017 www.pakmag.com.au

all essential first steps. And, of course, setting a marketing budget, purchasing accounting software and deciding whether you need staff initially are all costs that need to be considered as a start. There are many, many other things too. Having a solid business plan to include all of your costings is important but to ensure the success of your business if things don’t go to plan you need a contingency. Look into the cost of all of the things you need to invest in, and then double it. However long you estimate to start the business, double that too. If you can manage the thought of the cost of the start-up at double what you think, and double the length of time it could take before you earn one dollar, let alone a profit, then you are good to go! If it freaks you out, good. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t launch your business, you should, but you need to think of the worst case scenario and be prepared for it. 4.

PLANNING TIME

You have your big why, you have found a business idea that will work with your lifestyle and you are prepared to put your hand in your pocket to pay for it. Now it’s time to do some testing to see if your idea has legs. You need to do some

FEATURE

research online, talk to people, and research everything you possibly can about your idea. Is there anyone else doing it? Will you have a point of difference? Why should people buy from you instead? What do you like about what they are doing? What do you dislike about what they are doing? Can you make money out of this idea? If the answer is still a yes, then it’s time to put it on paper. The dreaded business plan. There are many free templates online, especially ones provided by the Australian Government. Do one, you won’t regret it. Building a business without a plan is much like building a house without

a plan - not a good idea. If you aren’t planning on getting a loan to start the business, then it doesn’t have to be too intense with a hundred pages, but it does have to cover the main things you need to think about, including finance and how you are planning on rolling everything out and by when. Then, I’d suggest doing a marketing plan that covers a social media strategy too. And how do you want the business to end? Will you sell it, will you shut it down, will you amalgamate with another business and when would you like this to happen by?

pakmag

Researching any insurances, talking to your accountant about the best financial structure to set up the business, and checking if there are any legislative things to keep in mind are all necessary to ensure you’re on the right track to business success. Once you have these plans on paper, you can see what it's going to take to do this business. 5.

Lastly, it’s time to register your business name, a trademark, buy the domain name, get a logo designed, a website built, and basically put all of your plans into place.

EASIER BUSINESSES WITH LESS SET-UP STRESS

All of the hard work is done with a proven formula, you have support of head office and with some training you are good to go. Get involved with a multi-level marketing company Things like Arbonne, Nucerity, Enjo, Amway, Avon, Herbalife, Isagenix and hundreds more are all simple ways to have a sideline business. Buying a license or management rights Things like management rights to a hotel or property mean that you manage the building and earn

money from it running successfully. You can also buy the license to a product or service. Being the licensed seller of a certain software or having rights to print Micky Mouse on whatever you wish, for example.

www.business.gov.au www.smallville.com.au www.ato.gov.au/Business/ Starting-your-own-business www.business.qld.gov.au/ business

Be a virtual assistant

www.mahiweb.com.au

Work from home and do errands for people all over the world.

www.cciq.com.au

HELPFUL WEBSITES

Buy a franchise

Put your skills on websites like www.fiverr.com If you can do voiceovers, create logos, edit videos and more then this is a great site to get some extra work.

Starting a business will be one of the hardest things you do… but once it’s born, you are going to love it, and through the infant stage, toddler stage all the way to teenage stage there are going to be highs and lows that you will have to roll with. Enjoy them, celebrate your wins and learn from your losses, and have as much fun as you can along the way. I hope that your business makes our world a better place for you, your family and anyone else you can impact in a positive way. www.pakmag.com.au MARCH 2017

PARENTING

pakmag

THE IMPORTANCE OF ETIQUETTE:

Please, Poise and Nose-Picking STORY Teresa Jadvick, E&M Etiquette Training and Coaching

After interviewing for an exciting employment opportunity, a young candidate was rejected. "When I asked for real feedback, the interviewer told me that although my job skills and education were a good fit, some of my table manners raised a red flag. The position entails many client dinners and I guess I had a few bad habits that they saw at meals during the interview process." Acknowledging a gap in his etiquette education, the candidate continued, "I am quite frankly embarrassed by my lack of manners."

Sadly, the situation the interviewee faced is not uncommon. Competition is fierce for good schools, jobs and seats in good universities. There are many more highly qualified applicants than positions and being judged on how one presents and conducts oneself is now commonplace in our competitive culture.

and time again until good practices become habit. Remind children whenever a slip in manners occurs but don't scold or nag.

Every caring parent wants to launch their child into the world with the best possible advantage. We are judged by our manners and etiquette, and as our children’s first educators, it’s our job as parents to teach them the basics. But let’s be realistic, with the hectic schedule of most parents, balancing work and family activities, who has time to sit down of an evening to a family meal and manners training?

As children grow their motor skills improve (so they can hold cutlery correctly) and their ability to understand concepts and empathy develops, making teaching respect, kindness and politeness easier. With constant repetition, by the early teen years, children will have built up a comprehensive collection of manners which parents need only fine-tune for teens to be capable of behaving well or attending social functions.

Practicing good manners daily will eventually lead to mastery and manners will become second nature.

Why are Manners Important?

Good manners will often take people where neither money nor education will take them... So, how can you teach your children manners? Teaching our children manners is something that should be incorporated into daily life and can start in very young children, with more refined lessons as the child matures. Unlike maths or science, manners, in the early stages, at least, can be taught through correction of behavior or learning through practical examples as they arise, rather than formal lessons, meaning it doesn’t have to be a chore. Consistency and repetition are very important when teaching children. Parents should reinforce the rules time

1. Good manners give good impressions. Whether it’s a job interview or meeting your significant other’s parents for the first time, we all want to make a good impression. People want to deal with, associate with and generally know wellmannered people, and therefore the impression you leave on those you meet essentially garners the kind of relationship and involvement you’ll have with them. So, give a firm handshake, listen, make eye-contact and show a regard for good manners and you’ll be setting yourself up for getting that job, or getting her hand!

www.pakmag.com.au MARCH 2017

2. Good manners are not the norm. The emphasis on learning good manners is not as strong today as it was fifty years ago. Opening the door for others, not talking with your mouth full or even saying please and thank you are all manners which, whilst still considered important, are not necessarily exhibited by the majority. With that said, having impeccable manners makes you stand out. It makes you different, in a good way, and therefore memorable. 3. Good manners help when you least expect it. Ever needed to ask for a favour? The manners you’ve shown towards others in previous interactions might just be the difference between them saying yes or no when asked if they can help you out. If you’ve been helpful, gone out of your way or shown the right amount of gratitude in the past, you may just have the same done unto you in the future. 4. Good manners build good relationships. Life is all about relationships. Whether that be at work, amongst friends, or within your family, our relationships fundamentally shape our lives, so we need to ensure our behaviour gives us the best chance at creating good ones. Being kind, polite, respectful and showing genuine appreciation can go a long way to making people want to have you in their lives and show you the same qualities in return. 5. Good manners are good for the soul. Regardless of whether you’ve tried to build sound relationships, make good impressions or have someone do you a favour, good manners should be followed, perhaps most importantly, for yourself. Being able to rest easy in the knowledge that, in spite of how you are viewed, you’ve done all you can to be respectful, polite and kind to others is a wonderful feeling indeed!

Did You Know? In 18th century France, King Louis XIV was unimpressed with visitors to Versailles walking on the grass and so he had signs, or tickets, made up advising people to “Keep off the Grass”. These tickets, called etiquettes in French, expanded to include a list of rules issued by the courts for official functions on what to do and where to stand. Over time the word has been incorporated into other languages as a broad term to describe the rules which govern socially acceptable behaviour.

PLEASE KEEP OFF THE GRASS, THANK YOU

Sheryl Eberly, is an advocate for good manners. In her 2015 Q Ideas talk, she says “children just need to learn, this is how things are done in polite society… these are the rules that help us get along with one another.”

It’s an opinion that she’s held for many years and one of the reasons she wrote 365 Manners Kids Should Know in 2001, which was updated in 2011 in line with the more modern views of ‘acceptable behaviour’. We’ve picked our top ten manners from the 365, but highly recommend you pick up a copy of the book – you may even learn some manners you’d forgotten! 1. Say “Please” when asking for something and “Thank you” when receiving.

9. Smile and always have a positive attitude.

2. Don’t interrupt adults when talking.

365 Manners Kids Should Know is available online.

3. Say ‘I’m sorry’ not “I didn’t mean to”. 4. Say “excuse me” when asking for somebody’s attention. 5. Knock on closed doors before entering. 6. Have good table manners – no elbows on the table or talking with your mouth full, wait for everyone to receive their meal before you eat and ask permission to leave the table. 7. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. 8. Don’t pick your nose!

MARCH 2017 www.pakmag.com.au

10. Act like a guest at someone else’s house.

Developmental Disabilities

and Concerns in Early Childhood

STORY Keran Thomas, Birdwing Therapies Parents love to compare how their children are developing with others of a similar age. This can be a good way to get a sense of how your child is fairing developmentally. Keeping an eye on how they move, look, hear, speak, and socialise helps us to see if there are any concerns. If you feel that your child may not be developing at the same rate as other children of the same age, it may be time to take a closer look.

What is considered a developmental disability? A developmental disability is a chronic condition pertaining to mental or physical impairments. These disabilities usually cause the sufferer to have difficulties with living an independent life and often affect speech, mobility and learning. Intellectual Disability (ID) is one of the most common developmental disabilities. People with ID have a below-average intelligence for their age and often lack the understanding to perform tasks in everyday life without help. Other developmental disabilities include cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome and spina bifida. Diagnosis Early diagnosis of developmental disabilities is essential and whilst some conditions such as Down syndrome can be detected in pregnancy, some involve monitoring

your child’s development at home. When children are young and their brains are still developing, they are more responsive to therapy. It is, therefore, important you have your child assessed and diagnosed if you think there is a problem, to access early intervention services which ensure your child receives the best care, and best chance of living an independent life.

or you can book an appointment directly with a private paediatrician.

Who provides a diagnosis of developmental delay in MACKAY?

Feeling overwhelmed is not unusual, especially after diagnosis, and even parents who suspected a problem may have trouble processing the news, or knowing where to go from here. It is important, both for parent and child, that support is sought. There are a multitude of avenues for parents of children with disabilities to get help including support from friends, family, local groups and professional counsellors.

Paediatricians diagnose children with developmental disabilities in Queensland. Partly based on information provided by parents, paediatricians assess children on where they should be in their development at a given stage. Since developmental disabilities come in different forms, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists and child psychologists may be part of the diagnosis process too. In the first instance though, your GP can provide a referral to a paediatrician,

After diagnosis In order to meet the needs of the child, it is critical that parents and professionals create and maintain a partnership to help each other help the child reach his or her full potential.

After diagnosis, paediatricians generally work with the parent to help them understand the journey they will be taking with their child, and the help available to them in their local area.

How you can help: If you know a family with a disabled child, it is important that you understand your role in their lives. Whether you’re a close friend or acquaintance, a little support can go a long way to making isolated parents feel less alone. Offering to help in any way you can, can be extremely helpful, especially if parents are having a hard time managing their daily challenges at home alongside other commitments in their lives such as work. Be sure to suggest ways you can help, as it can be difficult to take someone up on an offer of, ‘Let me know what I can do to help’, when you don’t know where to start yourself!

www.pakmag.com.au MARCH 2017

HEALTH

pakmag

+ HEALTH The Health Benefits of Tummy Time STORY Dr. Muhammad Raihan Anwar, Dial A Home Doctor With the introduction of the Back to Sleep campaign there has been a lot of concern among many parents as to whether a small baby can ever be left on their tummy. Back to Sleep is no doubt an important step from avoiding cot deaths in babies, but at the same time some tummy time is essential for babies for their growth and wellbeing. The question that is most commonly asked by concerned parents is how to go about giving tummy time to their baby. The best way to go about it is to give tummy time while the baby is awake and an adult can supervise this at all times. It is important to note that a baby should be put on the back if the adult cannot supervise the tummy time. Tummy time is the time a baby lies on its tummy with the body supported on its forearms. The advantages of this activity if done on a regular basis are immense. Regular tummy time is thought to help baby digest milk well and may be quite helpful in avoiding gastroesophageal reflux. Another problem that babies who are always lying on their backs may face is Plagiocephaly (abnormal shape of the head). Regular tummy time can avoid this issue as well as lessen it for babies who already have developed some irregularity in their head shape. Tummy time, in addition to the above benefits, can help to develop a healthy spine and muscle tone in the baby, and helps them achieve their developmental milestones easily. The recommendation is to start this activity as soon as possible, as most babies should be able to lift their heads above the bed within the first few days of life (if this is not observed, the baby should be be reviewed by a doctor). Tummy time should be commenced gradually, initially for few minutes, and should be increased over a period up to 15 minutes daily. Placing soft toys close to the baby can help make it more interesting for him or her. Tummy time can be given on the lap as well, if the baby does not like it on the floor. It should be kept in mind that as the baby starts to get stronger, they can move while having tummy time, so all dangerous items should be removed from the vicinity as it happens.

TUMMY TIME FOR ADULTS

As it is said “Back to sleep; Tummy to play”.

Just as tummy time in babies helps develop a healthy spine, the constant hunching over computers and slumping in chairs can have the opposite effect on adults. Poor posture accounts for a multitude of secondary issues such as back, neck and shoulder pain, digestive issues and even depression. Adult tummy time can be a good way to combat these issues. Spending just a few minutes per day stretching out on our front, watching TV or just performing a backbend every day may be the key to change. For many of us, ‘lying around’ isn’t really seen as the best use of our time. So, how can we incorporate tummy time into our lives? The answer could be in an exercise regime that includes tummy time – think yoga and Pilates. Although regular visits to the yoga studio are better than intermittent trips, the health benefits of doing yoga just once per week have been proven to build muscle strength, help with focus and encourage better sleep. So, why not give it a go and see how adult tummy time can improve your health?

www.pakmag.com.au MARCH 2017

Multiple Birth Week STORY Rose Foster You may have heard about Perth woman, Kim Tucci, who conceived quintuplets (that’s five babies!) naturally in 2015. This one in 60 million chance lead to the popular Facebook page and blog, unsurprisingly named, Surprised by Five! It makes for a cute story, especially if you saw any articles about their adorable first birthday party last month. But in reality, for Kim, and the 2 per cent of Australian families with multiples, as they’re known, there are a unique set of issues that present themselves as a result of their miracle babies. Multiple Birth Awareness Week, held annually in March, seeks to bring much needed awareness to the challenges that can come with pregnancy, birth and quality of life for multiples themselves.

MOTHERS Excited, overwhelmed, terrified. However, for the multiple mummyto-be, the reality of possible complications during pregnancy and labour can be an unnerving prospect. Common issues include preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, both of which can be deadly if untreated. It is also common for mothers of multiples to have preterm labour, defined as labour prior to 37 weeks. And this becomes earlier with each additional baby. Pregnancies of single babies usually have a 39-week gestation length. This becomes, on average, 36 weeks for twin pregnancies, 32 weeks for triplet pregnancies, 30 weeks for quadruplets and 29 weeks for quintuplets.

SUPPORTING FAMILIES WITH MULTIPLES

And preterm labour can bring with it its own set of problems too. In addition to having low birth weights, premature babies can have ongoing

health issues such as intellectual disabilities, lung and heart problems and hearing and vision problems. CHILDREN Children from multiple families generally lead happy lives with their twin brother, trip sisters or quad siblings being a positive presence in their world. But sometimes, coming as a set can prove difficult when vying for parents’ attention, having friends and establishing oneself as an individual. Identity issues and social isolation are two major issues facing children of multiple births. It’s something that is not always recognised by parents and even less so with other adults and children in their lives. At home, parents of multiples should give equal time and treat their children as individuals, referring to them by name instead of ‘the twins’. At school, teachers should help by encouraging multiples who

do everything together to integrate with their classmates, have their own friends and follow their own educational paths. FAMILIES Immediate issues surrounding multiple births can have a big impact on family life and not simply because there are more babies in the house. Mothers of multiples are more susceptible to pre- and post-natal depression. What’s more, both initially and as children get older, financial pressure can also contribute to depression and related family issues too. The Australian Multiple Birth Association understands the challenges that come with multiples. That’s why the organisation is proactive on increasing awareness, providing support and connecting mothers, children and families from around Australia so they can enjoy their life with multiples for what it is – a wonderful miracle!

• Let them know it’s ok to accept help and that they are not alone. Whether that be in the form of you physically helping out or letting them know it’s normal and perfectly fine to seek the help of the medical professional. • Pitch in. Lending a helping hand to new mothers is always much appreciated but it can be a lifeline for those with twins or more. Hold the babies whilst mum showers, bring food or entertain older siblings for a while • Encourage parents to connect with others. The Australian Multiple Birth Association website (www.amba.org.au) has a multitude of resources for parents of multiples and connects them with other parents in similar situations. • Appreciate individuality as multiples get older. Issues surrounding identity can be lessened simply by acknowledging multiples as the individuals that they are.

www.pakmag.com.au MARCH 2017

WIN

BumBp

AND BU

www.pakmag.com.au FOR YOUR CHANCE TO Win!

VISIT

CoziGo WEB www.cozigo.com RRP $99.95 r is universal to all CoziGo (formerly Fly Babee) sleep cove inets too. CoziGo bass e airlin on fits and ers prams and stroll d. We’ve erhoo toddl can be used every day from birth to relaxing fers, trans rt airpo , flying for got your baby covered tasks as -day every and h beac the along walks dinners, Sun Protection on the simple as grocery shopping. Sleep and change when baby to have n’t does yle go, means your lifest – 100% breathable and comes along. It’s packed with features eight and compact lightw mely air permeable, UVP 50+, extre a happy baby and is baby ing sleep A light! of and blocks 97% in CoziGo… trust so – t a happy baby means a happy paren Sleep on The Go!

Bando SEAMLESS maternity band WEB www.fertilemind.com.au RRP $24.95 Bando maternity band has super seamless stretch to layer under regular tops when pregnant. Light relief support for pregnancy, ideal for feeling lighter when on your feet. Bando can be doubled over as a seamless boob tube.

MARCH 2017 www.pakmag.com.au

Perfect Mum: How to Survive the Emotional Rollercoaster of Motherhood WEB www.selfesteemonline.com.au RRP $29.99 Perfect mum provides a safe (private) support tool, which is filled with practical resources you can implement to raise your energy levels, increase your confidence, improve your health and feel more in control of your life and the lives of your loved ones. With Perfect Mum you will have access to a therapeutic manual loaded with tools to support you through the emotional roller coaster of motherhood. In addition, the book includes comments from a range of mothers, detailing their own experiences of motherhood to provide you with a deeper appreciation and understanding that you are NOT ALONE in your journey.

BABY

Positive goodbyes – tips for managing separation anxiety STORY Goodstart Early Learning There is no doubt that dropping your child at day care or moving your child from one early learning centre to another can be a stressful experience – for both you and your child.

Infantile Colic STORY Dr Liam O’Regan Infantile colic is a very common reason for worried parents to present to their GP with their new baby. Infantile colic, otherwise known as Irritable Baby Syndrome, is described as prolonged and unsoothable, painful-sounding crying. Infantile colic peaks at six weeks, usually resolves by around four months of age and occurs in about one in ten infants.

Separation anxiety is normal in the early weeks of a child’s first introduction to a centre. Particularly if you have recently moved and your child may already be feeling unsettled.

A normal six-week-old infant is expected to cry for on average three hours per day. Colic is usually defined as crying for more than three hours per day, on more than three days per week for more than three weeks.

Sometimes separation anxiety can peak between 14 and 18 months but it typically decreases throughout childhood. Sometimes it can last longer if there have been difficult separations in the early years.

There is no single recognised cause and several theories have been proposed. Some of these theories include excessive gas, reflux and the baby’s temperament.

When some children are separating from their parents at a new early learning centre, they may throw tantrums or refuse to get out of the car. Understanding this behaviour is important, as is speaking softly, stroking their hair or cuddling them. Separation anxiety can be very draining for everyone involved, making it very difficult for you to leave your child when they are upset. So, while there’s no magic formula to wave goodbye to separation anxiety, here are a few tips that may help. • Take your child to visit the new centre to meet the educators before they start. • Talk to your child about what will happen at the centre, when you will be leaving and reassure them that you will be coming back. • Work together with your children’s teachers and educators because they will be able to offer advice and guidance. • Make sure your goodbyes are quick – it’s important not to linger after you’ve said goodbye. • Let an educator settle your child with something they enjoy such as reading a book or playing with some blocks. • Be calm, respond to your child’s distress but be firm about leaving. • Spend extra time with your child at the end of the day and encourage them to talk about their experiences.

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The most important factor in diagnosing infantile colic is ensuring the baby is well and thriving. If this is not the case, other diagnoses should be investigated such as lactose intolerance, food allergy, reflux and infections. When dealing with a colicky baby one of the key factors is acknowledging the impact it has on the parents and the family. If there are no other conditions suspected, support and reassurance is often all that is necessary. Many parents have often tried simple things like feeding, playing and sleeping by the time they present to their GP. But are many other tips and tricks to try and sooth a colicky baby. Some infants respond well to distracting stimulation such as being carried in a sling, soothed by gentle music, or going for a ride in the pram. If you are worried about the amount that your baby is crying or you are having trouble soothing your baby go and speak to your GP or Paediatrician.

www.pakmag.com.au MARCH 2017

WHAT'S ON MAR Thursday 2 JASPER JONES Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au Check website for times / Cost / Family THE SPACE BETWEEN US Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au Check website for times / Cost / Family

Friday 3 STAND BY ME Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au Check website for times / Cost / Family

Saturday 4 CARNAGE IN THE CAGE VIII MECC Plenary Halls themecc.com.au 6.00pm / Cost / Adult THE WORLD OF MUSICALS MECC Auditorium themecc.com.au 7.30pm / Cost / Family WEEKEND FAMILY FLICKS MIDDLE SCHOOL Runs until 5th Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au 10.00am / $6.00 / Family

"Rob picks Dining at the Gardens on Saturday 11th"

DISNEY FILM FESTIVAL SLEEPING BEAUTY Until 5th Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au Check website for times / Cost / Family

THE WOMEN’S CENTRE –

Friday 10

DAY LUNCH

BRING YOUR BABY: HIDDEN FIGURES Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au 10.30am / $6.00 / Adult

INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE DESIGN 2DAY COURSE/MORNING TEA AND LUNCH PROVIDED Mackay Community Gardens www.facebook.com/ MackayCommunityGardens 9.00am / $150.00 for members / Adult

INTERNATIONAL WOMENS

Sunday 5 NTH QLD BABIES & KIDS MARKET Mackay Showgrounds Hall www.nthqldbabiesandkidsmarket. com 8.30am / $2.00 adult entry / Famliy ALL ABOUT WOMEN SIMULCAST MECC Auditorium themecc.com.au 9.30am / Gold Coin Donation / Adult

Wednesday 8 PEARL - THE JANIS JOPLIN STORY MECC Auditorium themecc.com.au 7:30pm / Cost / Family

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S The Women's Centre

www.eventbrite.com.au

1.00pm / $55.00 / Women DAY BREAKFAST

Royal Hotel Ingham

www.eventbrite.com.au

6.30am / $25.00 / Women SARINA'S 2017

INTERNATIONAL

WOMEN'S DAY EXPO

The Cultural Hall in Sarina 4961 9283

9.00am / Free / Women (Morning Tea Available for Purchase) WOMEN WHO MAKE US PROUD AWARDS MECC

www.mackay.qld.gov.au/ womenawards

Check website for further information / Women

Thursday 9 WOMEN WHO MAKE US

Saturday 11 WEEKEND FAMILY FLICKS BALLERINA Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au 10.00am / $6.00 / Family DISNEY FILM FESTIVAL THE LITTLE MERMAID Until 12th Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au Check website for times / Cost / Family DINING AT THE GARDENS Mackay Community Gardens www.facebook.com/ MackayCommunityGardens 12.00pm / $25.00 / Family BULBS, ROOTS & SEEDS CHILDREN'S WORKSHOP Mackay Community Gardens www.facebook.com/ MackayCommunityGardens 9.00am / $5.00 per child / 5+

PROUD AWARDS

Sunday 12

www.mackay.qld.gov.au/

MACKAY MS SWIMATHON Pioneer Swim Centre www.msswimathon.com.au Check website for further information / Cost / Family

Sarina RSL

womenawards

Check website for further information / Women

EMAIL EVENTS TO: ADMIN@GRANDPUBLISHING.COM.AU

www.pakmag.com.au MARCH 2017

WHAT'S ON MAR FAMILY FUN DAY – PEPPA PIG MY FIRST CINEMA EXPERIENCE PEPPA’S AUSTRALIAN HOLIDAY Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au 11.00am / $10.00 / Family

"EJ picks Battle of the Brains Trivia Night on Friday 17th"

Friday 17 LUKE KENNEDY - HIS VOICE MECC Auditorium themecc.com.au 7.30pm / Cost / Adult BRING YOUR BABY: THE SPACE BETWEEN US Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au 10.30am / $6.00 / Family

WEEKEND FAMILY FLICKS BALLERINA Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au 10.00am / $6.00 / Family

WORLD’S GREATEST SHAVE Various www.worldsgreatestshave.com Check website

Monday 13 BRING YOUR BABY: HIDDEN FIGURES Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au 10.30am / $6.00 / Adult

BATTLE OF THE BRAINS TRIVIA NIGHT St Patrick's College Hall www.thepyjamafoundation.com 6.00pm / $11.50 / Family Friendly

Tuesday 14

Saturday 18

MACKAY TOASTMASTERS CLUB MEETING Uniting Church Administration Building www.toastmaster.org 7.30pm / Cost / Adult

RUMOUR HAS IT - ADELE HER LIFE AND SONGS STARRING NAOMI PRICE AS ADELE MECC Auditorium themecc.com.au 7.30pm / Cost / Adult

JIMMY BARNES - WORKING CLASS BOY TOUR MECC Plenary Halls themecc.com.au 7.30pm / Cost / Adult

Wednesday 15 BRING YOUR BABY: HIDDEN FIGURES Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au 12.30pm / $6.00 / Adult

WEEKEND FAMILY FLICKS MONSTER TRUCKS Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au 10.00am / $6.00 / Family

Wednesday 22 BRING YOUR BABY: THE SPACE BETWEEN US Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au 12.30pm / $6.00 / Family

BRING YOUR BABY: LOGAN Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au 10.30am / $6.00 / Adult

Wednesday 29

Friday 24

STONES IN HIS POCKETS BY MARIE JONES MECC Auditorium themecc.com.au 7.30pm / Cost / Family

BRING YOUR BABY: LOGAN Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au 10.30am / $6.00 / Adult

BRING YOUR BABY: LOGAN Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au 12.30pm / $6.00 / Adult

Saturday 25

Thursday 30

CINEBUZZ CREW WEEKEND – THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au 3.30pm / $11.00 Cinebuzz members / Family

THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au Check website for times / Cost / Family

Sunday 26

WEEKEND FAMILY FLICKS MONSTER TRUCKS Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au 10.00am / $6.00 / Family

SENSORY MOVIE DAY BALLERINA BCC Mt Pleasant sensorymovieday.mackay@ hotmail.com 11.00am / Cost / Family

Sunday 19

CINEBUZZ CREW WEEKEND – THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au 10.00am / $11.00 Cinebuzz members / Family

MARIAN MARKETS Holy Rosary Church 4954 3242 8.00am / Free / Family

Monday 27

SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE Event Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au Check website for times / Cost / Family

Friday 31 HEALTHPOINT CHEMIST GROUP MORNING MELODIES 2017 GREAT COMPOSERS OF LONDON’S WEST END MECC Auditorium themecc.com.au 11.00am / Cost / Adult

EMAIL EVENTS TO: ADMIN@GRANDPUBLISHING.COM.AU

MARCH 2017 www.pakmag.com.au

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IN CINEMAS MARCH 23

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WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO THE BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (COMP CLOSES 31/03/17)

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PHONE.........................................EMAIL..............................................................

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TO ENTER COMPLETE & MAIL TO:

NAME............................................................................................. AGE..............

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WIN A DOUBLE MOVIE PASS TO PEPPA PIG MY FIRST CINEMA EXPERIENCE: PEPPA'S AUSTRALIAN HOLIDAY (COMP CLOSES 31/03/17)

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REGULAR MARKETS

EUNGELLA MARKETS

SEAFORTH MARKETS

TWILIGHT MARKETS

PORTERS COMMUNITY MARKETS

DATE 1st Sunday of the month (Apr to Dec) TIME From 9.00am LOCATION Eungella Memorial Hall - North Streett

DATE Every Sunday

DATE Third Sunday of each month

MARIAN MARKETS

DATE Every Saturday

LOCATION Northern Beaches Bowls Club TIME 6.00pm - 9.00pm INFO Please visit website for dates and theme www.nbbowls.com.au

DATE 3rd Sunday of the month TIME From 8.00am LOCATION Holy Rosary Church Anzac Avenue (Excluding May & Dec) SARINA SHOWGROUND MARKET DATE Last Sunday of the month TIME From 8.00am (Mar to Dec) LOCATION Bruce Highway Sarina

TIME From 8.30am

LOCATION Palm Avenue Seaforth SHOWGROUND MARKETS TIME From 6.30am

LOCATION Milton Street TROPPO TREASURE MARKET DATE 2nd Sunday of the month TIME From 7.30am to 11.30am LOCATION Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre

TIME From 8.00am LOCATION Porters at the Corner of Brisbane & Gordon Streets THE GREATER WHITSUNDAY

PAXTON’S NIGHT MARKETS

FARMERS’ MARKET

DATE* 2nd Friday of the month TIME From 5.00pm LOCATION Paxtons Warehouse

DATE Every Wednesday of the month

*Check their Facebook page as dates subject to change www.facebook. com/PaxtonsNightMarkets

TIME From 8.00am to 1.00pm LOCATION Bluewater Quay

www.pakmag.com.au MARCH 2017

REGULAR EVENTS

BIKE RIDERS

MACKAY REGIONAL COUNCIL LIBRARIES BABY BOUNCE Please note that Baby Bounce does not run during the school holidays. Gordon White Library Thursdays 10.30am - 11.00am Mackay City Library Mondays 11am - 11.30am Mirani Library Mondays 9.30am - 10.00am Sarina Library Tuesdays 9.30am - 10.00am

STORYTIME

SATURDAYS SOCIAL RIDES Meeting point Metro Café, River Street Start time 6.30am ABILITY LEVELS Team Caffeine (Beginner - intermediate): 15-20km/h Team Tour de Latte (Intermediate): 25km/h Team Slipstream (Intermediate-advanced): 30km/h Team Titanium (Advanced): 35km+/h More Info Visit Rock N Road Cycles Facebook page for ride details and updates.

TODDLER TIME Toddler Time is aimed at little ones who are walking to 2.5 years and their parents and carers and is held weekly during the school term. This half hour program of lively nursery rhymes, finger plays, action songs and a story encourages language development and social interaction in an interactive, fun-filled environment. The sessions encourage valuable one-on-one time between parent and child and are also a great networking opportunity for parents. TIMES AND LOCATIONS Gordon White Library Mondays 9.30am – 10.00am Mirani Library Wednesday 9.30am – 10.00am Mackay City Library Friday 9.30am – 10.00am 30

MARCH 2017 www.pakmag.com.au

LAZY RIDERS Held every second Sunday -stay for breakfast after the ride! Meeting point Bridges Café, Bluewater Quay Start time 7.00am Ability level beginner-intermediate More Info Visit Corry Cycles Facebook page for ride details and updates SIZZLE'N SAUSAGE SUNDAY SESH* Mountain bikers of all abilities are welcome to come out for a ride, held every Sunday and followed by a sausage sizzle from 8.30am. Meeting point Rowallan Mountain Bike Park, Glendaragh Road, Farleigh Start time From 6.00am Ability level Beginner-advanced More Info Visit Corry Cycles Facebook page for ride details and updates

WEDNESDAYS BICYCLE BELLES A social riding group just for ladies, held every Wednesday. Meeting point Bicycle Connection, 20 Victoria Street, Mackay Start time 6.00am Ability level beginner-intermediate More Info Visit Bicycle Belles Mackay Facebook page for ride details and updates. MUMS AND BUBS MORNING RIDE A social riding group for Mums with children who are not yet at school Held every Wednesday at the Gooseponds. Meeting point Car park at the end of Willis Street, North Mackay Start time 10.00am More Info Visit Bicycle Belles Mackay Facebook page for ride details and updates. MOUNTAIN BIKE (MTB) NIGHT RIDE* Meets every Wednesday to ride the trails – lights on bike and helmets are a must! Meeting point 1 Corry Cycles, 5 Kay Court, North Mackay at 6pm Meeting point 2 Rowallan Mountain Bike Park, Glendaragh Road,

6.00pm Club Raffles 7.00pm Live Entertainment Sports Bar 7.30pm Lucky Seat Gaming Room

THURSDAYS

SATURDAYS

THURSDAY NIGHT SOCIAL RIDE A weekly evening get together for a ride and catch up, on each Thursday. Meeting point Metro Café, River Street Start time 7.00pm Ability level Beginner-intermediate INFO Visit Bicycle Mackay Facebook page for ride details and updates.

11.00 - 12.00pm Happy Hour From 12.00 noon Auction Cup 12.30pm Club Raffles 1.45pm Membership Draw 3.00pm FREE Sausage Sizzle Sports Bar 3.00 - 4.00pm Happy Hour 7.00pm Live Entertainment, Sports Bar 8.00pm After Dinner Mint Gaming Room

RUNNERS

SUNDAYS

Storytime is aimed at 2 – 5 year olds and their parents and carers and is held weekly during the school term. This half hour program of stories, nursery rhymes, finger plays and songs enhances language and literacy development in an interactive, fun-filled environment. The sessions encourage a child’s love of books and promotes the library environment as an exciting place for the whole family. TIMES AND LOCATIONS Mirani Library Tuesdays 9.30am - 10.00am Walkerston Library Tuesdays 10.30am - 11.00am Gordon White Library Wednesdays 10.30am - 11.00am Fridays 9.30am - 10.00am Sarina Library Wednesdays 10.00am - 11.00am Mackay City Library Thursdays 10.30am - 11.00am Please note that Storytime does not run during the school holidays.

Farleigh at 6:30pm Ability level Intermediate-advanced More Info Visit Corry Cycles Facebook page for ride details and updates *MAD MTB or MTBA membership is required to use the trails.

THE LAYZEE RUNNERS CLUB Every Saturday from 5.45am Meet at the Metro Market Cafe, River Street, Mackay Every Tuesday and Thursday from 5.30am. Meet at the City Fitness Health Club, Victoria Street. Free More Info For more details visit www.mackaycitycentre.com.au

WALKING GROUPS MACKAY DOG WALKERS & SOCIAL GROUP Every Saturday at 6.45 for an 7.00am start. Departs from Bluewater Quay More Info For more information visit the Mackay Dog Walkers Facebook page.

HEALTH & HEART WALKING An initiative of the Heart foundation. Departs from 2 Tennyson St, Mackay Every Saturday at 6:45am Contact Heather 4957 7997

SOUTHS LEAGUES CLUB MONDAYS

9.00am Mother Hubbard Drawn 6.15pm 5.00 - 6.00pm Happy Hour 6.00pm Members Roast Night in Bistro 7.30pm FREE Trivia Night 7.30pm Pick The Pig Gaming Room 8.00pm Members Monthly Birthday Draw

TUESDAYS 1.00pm Green Grocer Gaming Room 5.00 - 6.00pm Happy Hour 6.00pm Gimme 5 for $12 in the Bistro 7.00pm Members Attendance Draw

WEDNESDAYS 12.30pm Souths CASH Bingo 1.00pm Supermarket Sweep Gaming Room 5.00 - 6.00pm Happy Hour 6.00pm Hump Day Rib or Rump 6.00pm Club Raffles 6.00 - 9.00 WOW promotion Gaming Promotion 7.00pm Free Texas Hold'em Poker with 888PL 7.30pm Souths Cash Bingo

THURSDAYS 5.00 - 6.00pm Happy Hour 6.00pm Kids Eat Free 6.00pm Club Raffle 7.45pm Membership Draw 8.00pm Major Tom Gaming Promotion

FRIDAYS 4.00 - 7.00pm Happy Hour From 5.00pm TGIFriday Wheel 6.00pm If you Crumb it They Will Come

SUNDAYS 9.00am Sunday Buffet Breakfast in Bistro 1.00pm Club Raffles 1.45pm Membership Draw 2.00pm FREE Texas Hold’em Poker with 888L 6.00pm Club Raffles 6.00 - 7.00pm Happy Hour 7.00pm Saints Bingo (Last Sunday Of Each Month) Souths MAJOR Promotion Drawn

MACKAY ANIMAL RESCUE SOCIETY

Monthly Adoption Day Last Sunday of the month, 9.00am to 12.00pm, Mackay Pet Superstore, Greenfields Fundraiser Markets Third Sunday of the Month Mackay Marina 9.00 - 1.00pm

LET THE CHILDREN PLAY TOYSHOP CHILDREN’S BOOK READING

Day Every Tuesday Time 9.30am to 10am Free - Bring your snack. Coffee/tea will be available Location 15b Macalister St Cnr Victoria & Macalister Sts Contact 4944 0180 or email info@playmackay.com.au

MARCH 2017 www.pakmag.com.au

Fertility First Years TO

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO PREGNANCY, BIRTH AND BABIES STORY Jenna Galley

Every couple’s journey to parenthood is different. Some couples struggle to conceive while others accidentally fall pregnant naturally. Regardless of whether you fall into the first category or the latter (or somewhere in between), there are a number of services that can help you conceive and ensure that both you and bub are healthy throughout the pregnancy, delivery and vital first year of bub’s life. Conception, pregnancy, labour and postnatal care can be a tricky road to navigate with plenty of bumps along the way. The good news is that there is a community full of support in Mackay. From fertility clinics to postnatal depression counsellors, from breastfeeding lactation consultants to family assistance, below are a few services that are here to help.

Your Birth Options One of the things you need to decide on is where you will give birth and what type of prenatal care you would like. This will depend on a number of factors including your budget, whether you have private healthcare and where you feel most comfortable receiving the care you and baby will need. In Mackay, you have the option of giving birth in the public hospital, Mackay Birth Centre or at home with the assistance of a qualified doula. In terms of prenatal and postnatal care, you can see your general practitioner, a private obstetrician/gynaecologist (ObGyn) or a qualified midwife through the public system. Another thing you might want to consider is a photographer. Many families are choosing to capture the labour and birth experience on film and, if this is the case, you will need to choose a photographer you feel comfortable with being present during the labour and delivery.

Indigo Blue and Ta Da Photography both offer a newborn photography service which will help you capture beautiful memories that you will cherish for years to come.

Healthcare Obviously, caring for your baby and keeping yourself in good health is so important, both during pregnancy and when your baby is born. Many providers in Mackay offer services right from fertility to the first few years of your baby’s life, and beyond, so the care you need is always at your fingertips. Something else you may want to consider is your partner’s health. Just like women, men can suffer from postnatal depression so make sure your other half is getting the care and attention he needs. Another thing many men think about is vasectomy. Dr Raj Selvarajan from Scalpel Free Vasectomy, offers a same day service with no scalpel, no stitches and no worries! Visit www.scalpelfreevasectomy.com.au or call 1300 677 647 for more information.

www.pakmag.com.au MARCH 2017

• Is the interior easy to clean? There will be messes of all kinds. • Is there enough anchor points for more baby seats? • Will it look clean if I can’t wash it for weeks? Light colours are best. • Will in fit in our garage?! You wouldn’t be the first to get this wrong. To find the perfect car that ticks all the boxes, you can check out Mackay’s widest selection of new and used cars at Mackay City Auto Group.

Entertaining Baby

Buying for Baby Every baby requires the basics – food, clothes and shelter. What tools and equipment you choose to use to provide these things will depend on your situation. However, regardless of whether you choose to breastfeed or bottle feed, to co-sleep or let baby sleep in her cot from day one, you can expect the list of baby goods to be a long one! Some of the essentials all parents will require include a car seat, a pram (and/or carrier), a nappy bag, a change table or dresser, clothing, baby blankets and swaddles, feeding equipment (bottles, formula, breast pump, etc.) and a cot (and/or bassinet). And this is only the beginning! You will also need to consider the smaller items such as nappies, wipes, creams, towels, soap and shampoos. You might want a rocker or glider, a swing or bouncer, a few toys for stimulative play and baskets to keep all of these items organised. Luckily, there are plenty of places in Mackay to help you with everything you need for your little one. The North Queensland Baby and Kids Market is a great place to pick up some baby essentials. The next market is on 5th March at Mackay Showgrounds Huge Hall.

Keeping baby comfortable, content and well-fed is only one aspect of being a mum. The fun part is exploring your world with your new little bundle of joy. There are plenty of organised activities and programs designed just for new parents where you can socialise with other parents, gain advice from professionals and introduce your little one to the fascinating world of fitness, music, books and more! Mackay City Libraries offer a range of activities for babies, including baby bounce and bedtime stories.

Useful Numbers PERINATAL ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION SUPPORT HELPLINE Ph: 1300 726 306 Helpline Hours: 10.00am - 5.00pm (AEST), Monday to Friday. DIAL A HOME DOCTOR Ph: 13 99 99 Helpline Hours: Mon-Fri: 4.00pm - 8.00am Saturday: After 10.00am Sunday and Public Holidays: 24 Hours BREASTFEEDING HELPLINE Ph: 1800 686 268 Helpline Hours: 24 Hours

And what about your car? What do you need to know if you’re thinking about upgrading? We asked the good people at Mackay City Auto Group for their family car checklist. • Is the boot big enough for our pram, groceries and golf clubs? • Does it have a 5-star ANCAP safety rating? • Will it be big enough if we have two, three or four kids?! • Do the doors open wide enough for easy access to rear seats?

MARCH 2017 www.pakmag.com.au

Good luck on the journey ahead and be sure to pick up your edition of PakMag every month for more familyfriendly activities to enjoy as your little one grows.

MARCH 2017 www.pakmag.com.au

ADULT EDUCATION pakmag

BEST CAREERS

for Parents STORY Rose Foster

Balancing family and work life can be challenging. With a huge number of parents reporting that their work impacts them taking care of their families, or being able to allocate enough quality time to their children, it begs the question, should we be making a career change to fit in with our lifestyles? Believe it or not, there are a number of career paths out there that will afford you the flexibility to both work and spend time at home. But what are these elusive jobs, and how do you get one? Check out our tips on the best careers for parents, and what you need to land one.

Child Care and Disability Support With disability support and child care, not only can hours be flexible, but many of the skills needed to provide a great service to clients/children are used by parents in their daily lives whilst looking after their own children. And whilst some additional training is required, the basics of being kind, caring and compassionate mean that these career paths can be great options for parents.

Marketing Assistant Parents are usually resourceful and organised, and often have marketing experience without even knowing it – ever helped with a fundraiser or school event? This means working in marketing can be a good choice for parents. The beauty about a job in marketing is that there are many rungs on the ladder (marketing assistant in a small firm or marketing manager in a national one) and you can choose which one you want to aspire to, based on your lifestyle and how much time and energy you’re willing to commit.

Teacher’s Aide Many parents are natural teachers. They are invested in their children’s education, and have been encouraging learning from an early age. Becoming a teacher is a great way to further your passion for teaching children, however, for some, investing in their own education to achieve this goal is not always a viable option. Becoming a teacher’s aide, however, can be much more attainable, and whilst teacher aide training is necessary, getting qualified can be much more

manageable. And what’s more, you’ll work whilst your kids are at school so you won’t miss out on time with them.

Work from home For many, working from home is the ultimate goal, but how do you find a company willing to pay you to work from your couch? Well, in actual fact, many roles, which have been traditionally located in a corporate environment are being outsourced to home-based workers. Project managers, business analysts and accountants are all jobs that can be done from home now. Not all companies have come around to this way of thinking so it may be that you have to work in the office and broach the subject of working from home once you’re a trusted member of the team. Alternatively, go for the interview and make your case – what’s the worst that can happen? Other jobs are solely advertised as home-based positions, such as data entry, freelance blogger, virtual assistant and inbound telemarketer, so if you’re set on working from home, one of these careers may be for you. There are a number of great sites out there that can help you find work-from-home opportunities such as www.workathomemums.com.au and www.stayathomemum.com.au, which are both for mums and dads, despite the name!

Create your own job If you have a passion for something and want to be your own boss, setting up your own business may be for you. It’s not for everyone, and certainly not for the faint-hearted, but get it right and you could be leading the life you want in no time. See Bree’s tips for starting a business on page 10.

www.pakmag.com.au MARCH 2017

pakmag ADULT EDUCATION

Your Education Whether you have the skills needed for your dream job or you’re still learning the ropes, there are a number of courses out there to help you get the recognised qualifications, experience and skills you need to launch yourself into your chosen career. With online and face-to-face options available, we’re in an age where getting an education has never been easier, no matter what your circumstance.

Study Online with Swinburne Leonie North, Bachelor of Business alumnus from rural Victoria, chose to study with Swinburne Online because she didn’t want to give up her full-time work and relocate her children to study in the city. “I always thought that I should go back and study a degree but it just kept being put on the back burner. “When I realised I could study online in my spare time that was when I thought I have to bite the bullet and make it happen. “There’s always been a bit of a stigma attached to not having a degree, so I always felt a bit defensive about my experience and my abilities. “Now having the degree, I can actually see the difference and the value in it. It does build your knowledge and your confidence, and I don’t feel the need to defend my

experience and my abilities now because I have achieved the qualification.” Visit www.swinburneonline.edu.au for more information about courses and applying.

Study with the Child Care Experts Looking to study Early Childhood Education or Childcare? Want the option to study online, face-to-face or a mix of both? Then Australian National Training Group might be for you. With their dedicated team, with you every step of the way and access to great trainers, ANTG makes returning to study easy and less intimidating. ANTG supports those looking to make a difference, inspire the next generation and develop tomorrow’s future by helping them gain the relevant skills to begin their career. For more information on their courses visit www.antg.com.au or call them on 1800 611 661

Adult Education Myths I’m too old to study.

It’s too late for a career change.

No matter how old you are or what stage of life you’re in, you can return to education. Online courses and TAFE classes usually do not set age limits. If you want to study something you’re passionate about, go for it.

Is it really? It’s common these days for people to have several different careers over the course of their life, and it’s becoming much more accepted amongst employers too. In fact, a new generation of middle aged apprentices are entering the workplace – you could be one of them!

I haven’t got time. The beauty of courses these days is that you can allocate as much or as little time to studying as you can afford. Full and part time options are

MARCH 2017 www.pakmag.com.au

available on many degrees offered by universities, and for those who have to study out of business hours, around looking after their children or other commitments, the number of online study options out there means that time is no excuse not to study.

I can’t afford it. Flexible payment options, government subsidies and loans can all provide assistance to those looking to return to study. Some course fees can be covered whilst you’re studying and paid back when you’re working. To check out the options available to you visit www.studyassist.gov.au or contact your course provider.

pakmag HOME

Nurturing Nursery

www.paigejones.us

With The Block's Caro and Kingi They may be teeny, but babies need a surprising amount of stuff!

Having a nursery not only allows you to keep bub’s stuff neat and tidy, but it also helps to instil healthy sleep patterns in your little one. While bub’s sleeping patterns will probably be all over the place for the first three months, having a cot and a familiar Ostheimer Wooden Trees - African Tree www.earthtoys.net (RRP $75.00ea)

sleeping setting where you place baby night after night can help create a bedtime routine that works for your family. Here are our tips for creating a calming and nurturing nursery: 1. Choose your big-ticket items first – This includes the cot, the dresser, the change table and possibly a rocking chair or glider. You may wish to purchase these items all in a similar colour of timber and then choose accessories that complement the colour of these items. Light coloured timber works well with monochrome and pastel colour schemes while brighter colours tend to work

Bamboo Mobile - Owl Family www.earthtoys.net (RRP $79.00ea)

Pastel Stacking Rainbow www.earthtoys.net (RRP $150.00ea)

better with darker timber furniture. 2. Decide on your nursery essentials – These will vary for

everyone, but, in addition to the big-ticket items above, you will probably want a rug or mat, a lamp, curtains and a storage system to keep baby’s items organised. Woven baskets can brighten up a room and keep things tidy. 3. Select your colour scheme – What will it be? Pink and black? Blue and green? Silver and red? Baby’s eye sight is not the best

when she is born and many experts suggest choosing bright, bold colours for the nursery. However, be careful, as too many colours can be confusing and overstimulating for bub. 4. Set the stage for night time – Block out curtains are a good

idea to help bub differentiate between night and day. A night light or lamp can help you navigate baby’s room in the middle of the night without tripping over a basket of toys. 5. Don’t over crowd – The last thing you want is a nursery that

is too cluttered to be comfortable. You want to create a calming space for both you and your baby, where you don’t have to worry about constant cleaning and clutter. Try not to get too carried away with toys, books, stuffed animals and every baby gadget on the market. You have plenty of time to buy these items – for now, Choosy Baby Animal Cushion Covers www.choosy.com.au (RRP $39.00ea) For your chance to WIN a Choosy Baby Lion Cub Cushion Cover goto www.pakmag.com.au

MARCH 2017 www.pakmag.com.au

just concentrate on the essentials with a couple of focus items scattered around the room to personalise the space and create a cosy environment for your new arrival.

Wooden Rocking Horse www.earthtoys.net (RRP $170.00ea)

Natural Sling Bookshelf www.earthtoys.net (RRP $129.95ea)

Ready To Frame Print Love Her But Leave Her Wild Etsy store: HelloFernAustralia (RRP $25.00ea)

Koala & Heart Teether Wooden Story www.playmackay.com.au (RRP $44.95ea)

Petite Rose Musical Rabbit - Kaloo www.playmackay.com.au (RRP $54.95ea)

Kip & Co Strawberry Shortcake Tassel Throw www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au (RRP $269.00ea)

www.pakmag.com.au MARCH 2017

WHAT'S NEWS pakmag

WHAt's NEWS in Business Coffee and chat with Jodie Miles FROM MACKAY HEARING A mum of three girls, with dual qualifications in speech pathology and audiology, Jodie Miles is the woman behind Mackay Hearing – Mackay’s only locally and independently owned hearing service. Tell us about your girls! Their age separation is only 18 months (eek!), but it never ceases to amaze me how vastly different their little personalities are. We love to get them outdoors on the weekend but they certainly don’t miss out on girly time. During the week, we are busy with three separate drop-offs and pick-ups – it’s like running a twice-daily marathon! How did Mackay Hearing get started? I’ve always had an interest in establishing a clinic. This was somewhat satisfied in previous jobs where I set up clinics in Mackay for two large state/nationwide companies. While I enjoyed these roles, I always felt our region lacked a hearing clinic with a commitment to the community and continuity of service – enter Mackay Hearing! There’s no doubt that juggling clinic, family and other commitments can be challenging at times, but I absolutely love what I do. Your #1 tip for parents… Hearing is vital for quality of life at any age, but it’s especially important in our formative years when learning foundations are being laid. Hearing is crucial for speech and language development which, in turn, is crucial for learning to read and write. If you suspect your child has any hearing issues, the sooner you act the better. Hearing and auditory processing tests are quick, painless and even a bit fun. We can test auditory processing ability from 6 years old. Where can we find out more? We have a wealth of information on our Facebook page and website, which are currently focusing on children’s hearing issues so it’s a great time for parents to ‘like’ us and check us out online (www.mackayhearing.com.au).

Balancing Baby and Business WITH WHEN BUSINESS MEETS BABY BOOK Balancing your home life and work life can be tricky, particularly if you’re in the midst of setting up a business. Rachel Allan, author of When Business Meets Baby, has openly embraced the role of mother to her energetic daughter. Her transition to supermum-entrepreneur didn’t happen overnight, and she discovered a LOT along the way. In her book, she shares her experiences, along with tips and tricks from parenting and selfcare experts, and women who have worked out shortcuts to success, providing a practical guide to being a successful parent and entrepreneur simultaneously. Check out the PakMag website to enter the draw to win a copy of When Business Meets Baby.

www.pakmag.com.au MARCH 2017

BUSINESS Have you Heard? You may have heard about or even used the services of Dial a Home Doctor, but did you know that this fantastic business aims to bring more to the community than simply providing an after-hours service? And with the introduction of their 90 minute wait time promotion, you won’t have to wait long for your doctor to arrive.

Our Pick for Business Resources Navigating which business resources we should be using can be difficult, with a number of apps, programs and websites claiming to be the best thing for our business. How do you pick the right one for you? In the spirit of not being over faced with options, we’ve come up with two great tips to help you become more efficient and successful in business, both operationally on a day-to-day basis and in the long-term, planning and overall goals sense. Doing: If you’ve never heard of Trello, you need to look into it, now! Trello helps you organise projects, create checklists and ensure your whole team knows what they’re doing and by when. This online platform is great for managing big projects with a big team or just managing your own workload. Visit www.trello.com to find out more. Learning: Business website Smallville is for small business owners who think big. Featuring awesome content from business experts, professional speakers, authors, entrepreneurs and marketing experts, Smallville provides business people with practical yet thought provoking article and a number or free resources. Check it out at www.smallville.com.au

Dial a Home Doctor commenced servicing the Mackay region in 2014 and are one of the pioneers in bringing after hour health services into regional Australia, in particular Queensland. Community-focussed, Dial a Home Doctor employs local doctors living in Mackay, with a large percentage of their doctors being local GPs too. In addition to local doctors, Dial a Home Doctor is completely staffed by local people and will continue to provide jobs to the local community with the introduction of their new office located directly across from the Mackay Base Hospital. Their quick and convenient service is available in Mackay City and the outer regions including Bakers Creek, Habana, Farleigh, Walkerston, Pleystowe, Marian and Mirani. Their commitment to reducing wait times, 100 per cent bulk billing and complimentary medicine when applicable means that getting medical help after hours is easy. And for families who have sick children this service is particularly useful when there are no pharmacies open beyond 9pm.

WEB www.myhomedoctor.com.au PH 13 99 99

MARCH 2017 www.pakmag.com.au

SNAPPED

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MACKAY

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Chinese New Year, City Heart 1. Vincent 2. Leah 3. Khiana & Cassidy 4. Grace 5. Jack 6. Millie 7. Michael 8. Natarsha 48

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9 12 15

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PHOTOS THANKS TO: INDIGO BLUE PHOTOGRAPHY www.indigobluephotography.com.au

Chinese New Year, City Heart 9. Charlotte 10. Bella & Zahra 11. Lion 12. Monique & Jason 13. Lion Dance 14. Jydah Benji & Charlotte 15. Sam & Lion 16. Grace Annabelle Haden Thya & Alexis 17. Lion Dance

www.pakmag.com.au MARCH 2017

Daddy Diary Kids are great. They do plenty of things for us every day of our lives. Obviously, they bring us endless joy (insert sarcastic comment here!), but it’s the chores that they can do that I’m talking about! Luckily for us parents, chores can be used as a behavioural tool. Don’t get me wrong, I love putting the bins out as much as the next person but getting my kids to do it, in return for the day’s Wi-Fi password is a valuable lesson I can’t afford them to miss out on! And even if it isn’t doing jobs around the house, I always think it’s important to make sure kids are doing the necessary things, before doing the fun things. Doing their homework before they go outside and play in the backyard is a must. And believe me, the value of how hard work can pay off is quickly

By Rob Kidd 50

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learned by kids. And if you can make chores seem fun, you’re winning the battle!

That was two months ago and I’m still

The other day I put an idea in my 13-year-old’s head and I reckon it will pay off.

going? Do I push the envelope or do

Two months ago, I moved house which now allows me to have a backyard with grass to mow, trees to see and a garden shed with a huge wall of very bland looking corrugated iron. I had an idea of asking my daughter to paint a mural on the wall facing the back deck just to break it up. In conversations since, it has been agreed that she wants to paint a whole bunch of flowers on it. While I love the thought, we agreed that she would first draw the idea on paper, colour it in and we’d talk about the design, and if it was OK then the painting would start.

waiting for an idea to present itself. Thing is, when do I ask as to how it’s I just sit back and wait for her to get back to me? I can’t wait to see what she comes up with and hopefully come Christmas time we’ll have a great looking piece of artwork to admire and enjoy in the backyard. I’ll have something beautiful to look at and she’ll have something to be proud of. It’s win-win! By the way, I won’t go as far as saying she could be a Jenny Kee or even a Ken Done, but time will tell. If she ends up being famous, that shed will be worth a fortune! Come in Spinner!

MARCH 2017 www.pakmag.com.au