PakMag Townsville - April 2021 Issue 125

ISSUE: APR 2021

125

TOWNSVILLE

FIND 7BALANCE Strategies to

Talking to Your Kids about Peer Pressure

5 STRESS Tips to Take the

OUT • OF •

TESTING

WIN

Awesome Prizes in the

MOTHER’S DAY

Navigating Grief and Loss Relax with a Parent’s Puzzle

30 SCHOOL Townsville

+

HOLIDAY Activities to Enjoy

Giveaway

Hop into Easter Recipes and Activities

FREE

Welcome 5

The Thing Is with Bree James

Hello, Happy Easter and Happy Holidays!

6

Finding Balance

8

STEAM: Easter Activities

11

Navigating Grief and Loss

This time last year all of our Easter and holiday plans changed overnight, along with so many other things we took for granted as we dealt with COVID-19.

15 Strengthening Children and

Teens Against Peer Pressure

16 All Things Tweens and Teens 19 All Things Health 23 Recipes: Easter Treats 25 The Importance of Playtime 27 Safe Toys and Safe Homes 28 Bump, Bub and Beyond 31 A Supportive Environment for

Learning and Expression

32 Parent’s Puzzle: Criss-Cross 33 Mini Mag 36 Mother’s Day Mega

I know, these moments are more treasured now than ever before after having them taken away from us last year. For us, we missed seeing you at our annual events over the last 12 months and were so grateful to be able to celebrate with you at our Easter Eggstravaganza last month. It meant so much to our entire team to be able to get out there with you again. We love connecting with you face-to-face and thanking you for your support.

From all of us at PakMag, we wanted to wish you a happy and safe Easter and holiday season.

Until next time, happy reading and don’t forget to tell everyone, you read it in PakMag.

Giveaway 38 Easter Craft for Kids 41 Taking The Stress

Fortunately, life is getting more and more ‘back to normal’, albeit with the addition of contact tracing, sanitiser and social distancing. A few minor inconveniences, so we can enjoy our beloved outdoor lifestyles. Aussies truly have a heart of adventure, which has been challenged with travel restrictions. But this year we get to dust off those adventuring shoes and enjoy some of those plans we missed last year – including for many families – the annual Easter camping experience.

Out of Testing

45 Welcoming Our Families 47 School Holiday Guide

Bree Bree James PakMag Founder and Editor-in-Chief Contact Us: p 4053 3331 e admin@m2f.com.au a PO Box 7433 Cairns Qld 4870 www.pakmag.com.au www.paktownsville.com.au • www.pakmag.com.au • www.m2f.com.au

57 Daddy Diary 58 Check it Out 61 Get Out and About

PakMag Founder and Editor-in-Chief Bree James

Graphic Designer Sara Williams

Content & Marketing Team Leader Bec Dent

Videographer & Podcast Producer Monique Saggers

Marketing and Events Coordinator Alyssa Marino

Content Creators Annamarie Booysen

Sales and Business Development Tracy Couper

Accounts Trent Stievano

Creative Team Leader Clare Winter

Marketing Assistant Emily Bremner

Design & Client Support Blair King

Digital Team Leader Lawrence Fox

Our North Queensland Channels PakMag Townsville Parents of North Queensland pakmag_nq Parents and Kids of

North Queensland Our Global Parenting Channels PakMag Online pakmag_online PakMag The Give It A Go Group

For Parents The PakMag Parents Podcast PakMag TV

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.

Net Distribution Per Issue 10,000. Most recent CAB Publisher Statement Conducted September 2019.

We encourage recycling. Please keep this issue for future reference, pass onto your friends and family, use for craft projects or place into the recycling bin.

families www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 3

The Thing Is

The Thing Is with Bree James If there is one thing I have learnt, it’s that the only constant in life is change. I love change when it’s for the best, but some changes are hard to swallow and take some getting use to.

Twelve months ago, all our lives changed as COVID-19 forced us into lockdowns and a new way of living.

We slowed down, spent more time at home and focused on what really mattered to us as individuals, families and communities.

I was actually one of those people that quite enjoyed this time and it’s been quite hard to shake off the desire to live a simpler life. It was the first time in my life that I had no guilt about not trying my heart out. I relaxed and enjoyed the fact that my world had in many ways come to a huge halt and I could just ‘be’ instead of ‘do’.

Something I have often struggled with in the past as an obsessive ‘doer’.

The thing is, many of us for the first time in our lives had an opportunity to stop and think - “Is this what I really want for my life?”

I know many people made big changes in their life as they realised that no matter how good they are at what they do, or how much preparation they have put into building a solid life, in an instant it could all disappear.

Change can literally happen in a flash. Time is short and life needs to be lived.

I salute those brave enough who made big changes, and to those who got through this time and realised how blessed they truly are. But for some of us, we realised we want change, but we don’t know what to do in order to achieve that, or we are too scared to.

Some changes are hard.

Many of us have pulled back on being 100 percent committed to getting what we want from life. We’ve had so much uncertainty about where we are going, what we want, and are fighting between what our heart desires and what our head tells us we need - that it is causing so much tiredness and disconnection.

When we are 100 percent all in - we have energy, we are passionate, committed, we have purpose and we are unstoppable. When we are anything less than 100 percent - life gets tougher. We have doubt, we start to lose energy, passion, commitment, purpose and we stall.

Being 100 percent committed is much easier to stick to than being anything less than.

Being 100 percent committed to a diet is much easier to stick to than sometimes being on a diet. Being 100 percent committed to a relationship is much easier than having one foot out the door. Being 100 percent all in - having no doubt, distraction, or excuses - is a much easier life to enjoy.

Where in your life do you have one foot out the door?

Where are you not 100 percent committed? Imagine your life if you were 100 percent committed to what you want and you had no doubts? How would you feel?

Covid has rattled us all and made us reconsider everything. Some of us haven’t recovered from this shake up.

There are a lot of people doubting themselves, doubting their ability, their life, their work or business and losing confidence in who they are and what they want.

As we start seeing the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, we need to regain faith in who we are, what we want and to get back to being 100 percent committed.

Sure, it may not be achievable in every aspect of our life, but it’s certainly worth a shot.

Whether it be to lose weight, change jobs, move house or city, start or stop a business, or even commit to a new habit - many of us have been in this weird limbo of uncertainty where instead of making things happen we are waiting to see what happens.

Bree

Being in limbo is a real challenge, especially when it’s universal.

www.breejames.com www.myvisionbook.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 5

Feature

Finding Balance STORY Dr Jenny Brockis In a world full of so many competing demands, all tugging at your shirtsleeve trying to get your attention, finding balance can be hard.

No wonder we feel tired. Being buffeted in this way is exhausting, overwhelming and stressful.

What happened to make us feel this way?

The answer to this will be different for each one of us but may include:

Your Work Ethic If you were brought up to believe that hard work and lots of it was the only way to achieve a successful and fulfilling life it can be hard to recognise what is “enough” in a 24/7 world.

Your Personality If you’re a perfectionist highly motivated to always do your best, driven to do more, give more, no matter the personal cost - it can be hard to retain sight of what’s realistic to achieve.

Your Lifestyle The daily choices we make, determine how happy, healthy and energised we feel each day. Too little sleep, insufficient physical activity, downtime or too much junk food are all counterproductive to retaining balance.

6 April 2021 | www.pakmag.com.au

Our Technology There is so much that technology provides us to make our lives easier, simpler and faster. But it’s also easy to become a slave to the very technology designed to help.

Can you switch off from your computer, turn off your mobile phone or choose to leave the house without it, without experiencing FOMO (fear of missing out)?

Studies have shown the more time we spend online the greater our sense of time passing too quickly. Taking a digital detox - even for 15 minutes can help.

Excessive work demands can make us feel guilty about spending too little time at home. Too many home demands and worries can make us feel we’re not giving our work sufficient attention. No wonder it’s hard to find balance.

There are a number of strategies to help.

1. Practise a Marie Kondo Moment Simplifying your life by prioritising your priorities and then deciding how much time needs to be allocated for each (it’s easy to underestimate this). This process allows you see what doesn’t require your attention today. Having only three “must do” things each day, provides the extra headspace needed to do those three things well. Decluttering your mind can feel liberating!

Feature

2. Respect your Boundaries If these got lost over 2020, it’s time to reinstate them.

Being human, not machine - means accepting that overwork, and overcommitment, even if you’re wearing your super-hero cape doesn’t work.

Decide your boundaries, such as start and finish time of work, when to switch off from technology, how much sleep you need etc. Then share them with family and work colleagues, so they learn to respect them.

3. Let Go of Perfectionism No one is perfect, even those who think they are.

Imperfection is not a flaw, it’s reality. When time has run out and you’ve got 10 minutes to find something for your child’s shared morning tea, buying something is not a cop out.

4. Set the Intention Preplanning the night before reduces the morning rush and lowers stress. Choosing to smile, puts you in a positive mood and helps keep things in perspective.

Then ask, “what do I need to make today a good one?” and make your good day - great.

5. Give Yourself Permission for Your Own Self-Care You’ve heard that self-care isn’t selfish, so what’s stopping you? If you’re putting everyone else’s needs

before your own, it means it’s time to place a higher value on yours.

Why not give yourself permission to go to bed 20 minutes earlier, take time out for a daily walk, meditate or listen to your favourite podcast?

6. Dance Like No One is Watching Having fun, doing those things (dancing included), that make you feel happy is essential for balance.

If you can’t remember the last time you did something just for the sheer joy of it, it’s time to book something in.

The anticipation is enough in itself to lift your spirits and raise resilience.

7. Show Someone How Much You Care It might sound weird but one of the best ways to find greater balance in your life is to help someone else.

This is a win-win - making two people feel better, reducing stress and boosting wellbeing. Whether you volunteer your time on a regular basis or help out as needed, feeling part of a tribe or community, knowing others know you and care for you as much as you care for them is a bonus for everyone.

Finding balance matters. It’s dynamic and always a work in progress but it’s the one thing that makes the biggest difference to being the happy thriving human you know you can be.

What do you do to retain balance in your life?

WIN a Copy of Thriving Mind by Dr Jenny Brockis As a parent what do you wish for your kids, other than to be happy and healthy? But isn’t that something we can also aspire to? If the demands of the modern world are wearing you out and draining your energy, it’s time to reset and draw your own roadmap for the future because there are three things that help us truly thrive; choosing more happiness, deciding to thrive and seeking true connection and Thriving Mind will help you get there.

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

Competition closes 30/04/2021

Dr Jenny Brockis is a medical practitioner, board-certified lifestyle medicine physician, keynote speaker, consultant and best-selling author. Her new book Thriving Mind: How to Cultivate a Good Life (Wiley) is now available for purchase www.drjennybrockis.com

For more on how you can find balance with Dr Jenny Brockis – tune into Episode 92 of the PakMag Parents Podcast.

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 7

STEAM

Easter-Themed STEAM Activities

www.thebestideasforkids.com

Looking to add a little extra fun into your Easter holidays? Why not try these Easter-themed STEAM activities that go beyond the standard Easter egg hunt in the backyard for next-level Easter fun!

Easter Bunny Slime What You Need Slime White Elmers glue ½ teaspoon baking soda 2 – 4 tablespoons of water 1 tablespoon contact lens solution (must contain boric acid) Food colouring

Jars Small clean jar Googly eyes Pipe cleaners (white) Pom poms Felt (in white and your chosen slime colour) Glue dots / glue gun

www.mamapapabubba.com

Egg Heads What You Need Eggshells (well-washed) Craft glue Googly eyes Permanent marker Soil (potting mix)

Teaspoon Seeds (quick-sprouting – e.g. radishes, beans) Empty egg carton Spray bottle

www.thebestideasforkids.com www.mamapapabubba.com

Method Pour ¾ cup of glue into a mixing bowl, add 2 – 4 tablespoons of water (depending on how stretchy you want your slime. It gets stretchier with more water).

Add ½ teaspoon of baking soda, a couple of drops of food colouring and mix well.

Slowly add ½ tablespoon of your contact lens solution.

Stir well. Measure another ½ tablespoon and add a few drops at a time, stir. Stop, when the slime starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Remove slime from the bowl and knead for 7 – 10 minutes.

Fill your jars with your slime. Take 3 pipe cleaners and twist them in the middle to create your whiskers. Glue approximately halfway up the side of the jar. Glue your ‘pom pom’ nose and googly eyes onto the jar to complete your face.

Cut your ears out of the felt, with your coloured piece being slightly smaller but in the same shape as your white felt to create the ‘inside of the ear’. Glue together, before gluing to the jar lid.

8 April 2021 | www.pakmag.com.au

Method Glue the googly eyes to the eggshell, you can use a cotton tip to help apply the glue. Once the glue is dry, use your permanent marker to draw your face (nose and smile) on the eggshell.

Place all eggshells into the empty egg carton.

Using your teaspoon, fill the egg shells with potting mix.

Sprinkle your seeds on top of the soil before sprinkling a little more potting mix on top. Gently pat the surface down with your fingertips.

Find a safe, sunny spot to place your egg heads.

Put water in a spray bottle. Give your seeds a good misting. Continue spraying them daily and within a week you’re egg head will have some nice green hair!

Enjoy for a couple of weeks, before removing the googly eyes and planting your egg heads (shell and all) in your veggie garden! Tip: don‘t forget to give the shell a crunch before planting.

www.thebestideasforkids.com

Fizzy Dino Eggs What You Need Baking soda Food colouring Dropper

Water Vinegar Small plastic dinosaur toys

www.thebestideasforkids.com

Method In a small bowl, add 1 – 2 drops of food colouring to 2 tablespoons of water. Use any colour you want to create your eggs.

In another bowl add ½ cup of baking soda. Add your coloured water to the baking soda and mix well.

It should feel crumbly and should be easy to mould.

If the mix feels too wet to mould, simply add a little more baking soda.

Repeat this process for as many eggs as you would like to make, changing the food colouring each time.

Take half of one of the mixes and place your dinosaur on top. Mould the mix around the dinosaur, keep adding the mix until your dinosaur is completely covered and you have formed the baking soda into an egg shape.

Once they are all complete, freeze for 15 minutes.

Remove eggs from freezer and with your dropper, start dropping vinegar on the eggs and watch them ‘fizz’ away, until your dinosaurs are uncovered!

Feature

Grief and Loss STORY Jenna Galley Last year we unexpectedly lost our dog to cancer.

Like most pets, she was part of our family and my kids didn’t know a world that didn’t include her in it.

This was our family’s first encounter with grief and it was one of the hardest things we’ve ever had to go through.

you may feel grief after a divorce as you mourn the loss of the traditional family unit. You may experience grief during your child’s graduation as you realise your little baby is no longer a baby. You may feel grief if a good friend moves away and you mourn the loss of this support person.

For many families, losing a pet is their first experience with death, especially for children. For other families, it may be the loss of a grandparent. In incredibly unfair circumstances, it could be the loss of a parent, a child or a sibling. Whatever has brought this grief on, it’s important to navigate these complex emotions with patience, understanding and compassion; not only when helping your children through their loss, but also when coming to terms with it yourself.

Grief is a part of life. At times it’s overwhelming and feels like it will rip through you. But it’s also proof of how strong we love.

What is Grief?

Grief is the response to loss. It most commonly refers to the feelings after losing a loved one, but it’s possible to experience grief after other situations too. For example,

The Stages of Grief According to authors David Kessler and Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, there are five main stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

Not everyone experiences all stages, there is no set limit on each stage and it’s not always in this order. But this is the general framework used to help understand how grief impacts us.

Denial is characterised by a state of shock or numbness.

In kids, you may find that they don’t even acknowledge

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 11

Feature

what has happened and continue to act as if everything is the same. This is a perfectly normal reaction.

Anger is another natural part of the healing process, and one of the most intense stages. Your child may lash out, blame others and question why this happened.

It’s normal to feel deserted and disconnected during this stage.

Bargaining refers to making a deal, often with God, or yourself, that you would do anything to change things. Please God, let her live. I would do anything to get her back, I would give anything to see her again.

Depression is often the longest stage of grief.

It’s normal for kids to withdraw and to experience bursts of intense sadness as they come to terms with what has happened.

Acceptance is the fifth stage of grief where we begin to accept a reality that doesn’t include our loved one.

Kessler also identifies a sixth stage – finding meaning – which I think is so important for anyone experiencing an intense loss (more on this below).

How to Help Your Children Through Grief Let them feel – There is no right or wrong way to feel after losing a loved one. Communicate to them that it’s okay to feel sad, angry, anxious or nothing at all.

Do something special to remember - You may decide to bring your children along to the funeral or you may think it’s too much. Either way, do something special as a family to commemorate your loved one apart from the funeral.

We painted rocks with our dog’s name on it and dropped them at her favourite spots – the beach, the park, along our walking routes. You could also build a scrapbook or plant something that represents the person or animal you have lost.

Stick to routine – Children find comfort in structure.

Although it is important to grieve over the death of a loved one, it is also important for your child to understand that life does go on.

Communicate freely about life after death – The idea of an afterlife can be very helpful to a grieving child. You don’t have to be religious to believe there is life after death, whether through an afterlife, reincarnation or any other belief. I found that my kids felt much better trusting their dog was watching us from above.

Finding meaning in grief – Although it’s hard to see the positives when it comes to death, it’s important to remind yourself and your children that without this loss, you wouldn’t appreciate how much you loved and still love. Grief, after all, is simply proof that the love is still there.

On those extra sad days, remind yourself (and your kids) of something Winnie the Pooh once said: “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

This little quote from a very wise bear made my kids feel a lot better when we lost our dog and I hope it helps you and your children too.

Where to Get Help If you or your children are not coping, speak to your GP who can refer to you a therapist or psychiatrist.

The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (www.grief.org.au) has a list of websites and hotlines that may also help.

Explaining Grief: The Ball in the Box Analogy

One of the best ways to explain grief and how it works is through a ball in the box analogy. This is especially helpful for kids who are visual. You may want to draw a picture to show how the ball, the box and the pain button works. Grief is like this:

Over time, the ball gets smaller and smaller.

It ricochets around the box but is small enough to not always hit the pain button on the wall. Some days you won’t feel pain at all. But the downside is that the ball randomly hits that button when you least expect it.

Picture a box. Inside there is a ball and on one side of the walls there is a pain button.

This ball never disappears and when it does hit the pain button, it hurts just as much. But it happens less and less. Just like grief. While grief never fully goes away, with time, the feeling becomes less consuming and less frequent. Gradually, you are able to bounce without pain again.

In the beginning, the ball is huge. It takes up most of the box and hits the pain button over and over.

You can’t control it - it just keeps hurting. Sometimes it seems unrelenting.

12 April 2021 | www.pakmag.com.au

All Things Tweens and Teeens

Strengthening Children and Teens Against Peer Pressure STORY Karen Young Peer pressure comes from the need to belong or the need to avoid exclusion. This pressure can come from a person, a peer group, a community, or a society.

We humans feel safest when we are connected to our important people or groups. Sometimes, the need to belong can be so great, that any threat of exclusion from the ‘pack’ can be strong enough to sway our children (or any of us) into making decisions that aren’t right for them.

We want them to be brave in claiming their voices and standing their ground when they need to. We want them to feel the power of their ‘no’, or their ‘yes’, and to use both of those wisely and with strength. But we won’t teach this by telling them. We will teach it by showing them.

Children will first experiment with the power and validity of their own mind, thoughts and opinions on their important adults first. If we want our children to be able to claim their own minds and their own voices, we first have to create a safe space for them to experiment with that.

They will refuse us, defy us and disagree with us.

Sometimes this will be brutal. Sometimes there will be raised voices and words that aren’t so… adorable.

But like so many other skills and qualities we want to nurture in our children, claiming their voices and protecting their boundaries will take time to master.

Most importantly they will take experience. If we shut our children down, override their decisions, or close space for disagreement, we squander precious opportunities to grow them.

To armour children against the negative effects of peer pressure, it’s also important that we acknowledge how

difficult it can be to resist pressure from peers. Let them know they aren’t alone on this by sharing stories from your own world or when you were younger.

Give them permission not to like and permission not to be liked. They need to be kind, but it’s always okay for them to go their own way – sometimes it’s the bravest thing they can do. Letting go of friends can be difficult, but letting go of friends who aren’t right for them creates space for the friends who are. This will be easier if they have other friendship groups outside their main group. Wherever you can, support their participation in activities outside of school. This will help to build different sources of belonging and dilute their dependence on a particular group.

Encourage your child to be curious about how they feel around their friends. What good things do their friends bring out in them? Do they feel good to be around? Not so good? What does your child feel like when they aren’t around that friend? Secure? Insecure?

Ask them to pay attention to ‘that little voice’ inside them. It’s intuition, and it’s a collection of all the learnings, experiences and wisdom that we’ve been exposed to, but which we don’t always hold in our awareness. When they get a feeling that something isn’t quite right, this is that wisdom talking. Listening to it can be hard, but so brave.

We can expand their capacity for healthy decisions, and for acting on their inner wisdom by making a safe, warm, loving space for them to explore and talk - free from judgement, lectures, or direction. The more we let them explore their own thoughts and feelings in a safe space with us by their side, the more we increase their capacity to do it on their own.

Karen began her career as a psychologist working extensively with children, teens and families. She is a sought-after speaker and consultant and works with schools, government bodies, and child and adolescent focused organisations both in Australia and overseas to build resources, implement procedures, and support the professional development of staff. Karen is the founder of ‘Hey Sigmund’, an internationally popular online resource that provides contemporary, research-driven information on anxiety. She is the author of three books, including the bestselling ‘Hey Warrior’, which creatively assist children to understand and manage anxiety. To hear more from Karen Young on this topic, tune into Episode 92 of the PakMag Parents Podcast at www.pakmag.com.au www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 15

All Things Tweens and Teens

All Things Tweens & Teens Inspiration Corner Every human wants to feel connected to and part of something – including friendship groups.

Our desire to ‘fit in’ can lead to us compromising our sense of identity and individuality as it gets swallowed up in the collective peer group personality.

We start wearing the same things, watching the same shows, going to the same places, saying the same things - in order to conform.

But that can lead you to making choices you don’t really feel comfortable with and that don’t align with who you truly are. The process of ‘growing up’ isn’t just about getting older and taller, it’s also about developing as a person. And, even though ‘being yourself’ seems like the simplest thing to do, it can be the hardest, because you are still trying to figure out who ‘you’ are.

Helping Your Teen Choose Their Tribe STORY Dr Rosina, CEO of www.winwinparenting.com Having friends – a ‘tribe’ – is beneficial for physical, social and mental health.

Friendships are particularly important during the teenage years and in fact, researchers have shown that for teens, peer approval is paramount.

The teen years are one of the most dangerous periods in life for self-inflicted injury and even death, and teenagers make much riskier decisions when they’re with their friends. So, finding the ‘right’ kind of friends – a supportive tribe - is key to keeping your teens safe and happy!

You can help your teenager find their tribe by having open and nonjudgmental conversations about: • Family and personal values like kindness, honesty and inclusivity The trick is to choose things that make you happy, but don’t compromise your principles or hurt others… what are you passionate about? What do you wake up in the morning excited to do? Do more of that! And surround yourself with people who accept you and encourage you to do those things.

I promise you – all you need to do to stand out is to be authentically ‘YOU’. Because there is no other YOU in this whole wide world.

• What it means to be a good friend like being caring and supportive • The importance of following their inner compass - knowing what is right and wrong and not just “following” peers to try and “fit in” These conversations will help your teen make good friends for life!

WIN a Cuddle Buddy Weighted Blanket!

Cuddle Buddy weighted blankets are designed to relieve stress and create a sense of calm. They do that by providing pressure on the body.

Research has found that the following conditions benefit from use of weighted blankets: Autism, ADHD, Anxiety, Sleeping Disorders, Osteoarthritis and Chronic Pain. From $129.95. www.cuddlebuddy.com.au Visit www.pakmag.com.au/win for your chance to win!

16 April 2021 | www.pakmag.com.au

Health

All Things Health Reading Labels

Matthew Calanna

STORY Melanie Sinclair, Holistic Nutritionist www.thenutritioneffect.com.au

Calanna Whole Health Pharmacy

I often find myself a little mesmerised in the isles of the supermarkets these days with so many products to choose from including the growing range of ‘health foods’ available.

Dear Matthew,

But how do we pick healthy options?

From energy crashes, weight gain, microbiome disruption, cancers, mental health issues, behavioural and developmental diagnosis in children, it is imperative to minimise exposures to artificial ingredients, keep sugar intake low and real food intake high.

Here are some quick tips as far as what you can look for, so you can feel confident that what you are buying will support nourishment and good health.

Sugars - Naturally occurring sugars in fruits, vegetables, dairy and grain won’t be listed as a type of sugar on the ingredients list but ADDED sugars will be. Get familiar with all the other names “sugar” can be disguised as and aim to buy products that have none or only one of these added sugars and isn’t listed as one of the top ingredients.

Additives and chemicals – Unfortunately there is still a long list of ‘ingredients’ that shouldn’t be making it into our food chain but still are. Look out for products which include the following and are all pro-inflammatory, disruptive to our microbiome and endocrine (hormonal) system: numbers (ie: yellow5, 222, 112), soy protein isolate, carrageen and nitrate/nitrites.

How can I prepare my child for their vaccinations?

Many parents find taking their children to get vaccinated daunting. However, there are things you can do to help the process: on the day, ensure they have a good breakfast and are feeling well - you can also give them panadol prior to help with the discomfort.

During their vaccination, they can choose to sit on their own or next to you, squeeze a comfort item or do slow breaths. For babies, breastfeeding, a bottle or dummy may help.

Afterwards, be sure to give your child extra fluids to drink and put a cold press on the area if it’s sore and red.

Calanna Whole Health Pharmacy www.calannapharmacy.com.au

Wholefoods – can you recognise any real foods on the product label? I recommend choosing products where most if not all of the ingredients you understand as a whole food.

Mario’s Herbal Immune Tonic With the cold and flu season coming up, it’s good to get prepared early. If you’re looking for a natural alternative to keep the family flu-free, try Mario’s Herbal Immune Tonic.

Available in both regular and kids versions, it consists of a combination of herbs such as Astragalus, Olea, Echinacea and Zinc that help to boost the immune system and fight off infection for those pesky flu symptoms that just won’t go away. This product is most effective when taken at the first signs of a cold or flu, so always keep a bottle on hand!

Available in all Calanna Pharmacies. Read instructions on the label for use.

Consult your local health practitioner, doctor or pharmacist for advice on these topics first to ensure the best health outcomes.

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 19

Health

All Things Health Easter Health Tips We love Easter and Easter Eggs, but, as you indulge in these sweet treats, here’s a few tips to keep in mind to give your health a hand: Say no to ‘binging’. Spread out the deliciousness and calories by eating a small amount after a meal.

Tea Tree Oil – A Natural Remedy for Blackheads A blackhead is a pore that’s clogged with the natural oil in your skin called sebum and dead skin cells.

Reduce the number of eggs given. Treats like books, colouring books, a puzzle, toy or even a movie ticket - make great alternatives to more chocolate. Suggest these alternatives to relatives, like Nan and Pop, if they want to give a treat.

Get Physical! Burn off those calories by getting active with the family.

Brush those teeth! Sugar can cause tooth decay. So, brush twice a day for two minutes. And don’t forget to floss!

Swap out sugary drinks for water. With all that sugar in those Easter eggs, it’s important to reduce the sugar you consume elsewhere.

The goal for treating blackheads is to break up the oil plug and remove the oil, but NOT damage your skin in the process.

There are many natural solutions for treating blackheads you can research, one of which is Tea Tree Oil. Tea Tree Oil is a blackhead-clearing topical. Tea tree oil is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

You can apply it directly to the blackheads on a clean cotton ball or make up pad. You can also combine a drop it with 1 – 2 drops of natural oil (jojoba, almond, or olive oil.)

20 April 2021 | www.pakmag.com.au

Consult your local health practitioner, doctor or pharmacist for advice on these topics first to ensure the best health outcomes.

Food

Easter Treats

Ham and Cheese Muffins

Carrot Cake Garden Buckets

Makes 12

Ingredients

Ingredients

2 cups plain flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 1 tsp bi-carb soda 1 tbsp ground cinnamon 2 tsp ground ginger Small can crushed pineapple in juice

250g diced ham 1 ½ cups grated cheese 1 cup plain flour 2 tsp baking powder 2 ½ tbsp melted butter 8 large eggs cup milk

1 tsp dried mixed herbs ¼ tsp onion powder ¼ tsp garlic powder Salt and pepper to taste Grated parmesan cheese Muffin cases

Method Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. Place muffin cases in your muffin tin.

Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl.

Add melted butter and stir to form a lumpy mix.

Crack your eggs into a mixing bowl, add milk, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper and whisk with a fork.

Add the cheese, ham and flour mix. Stir with a spoon, until you have an even consistency. If you like you can also add some cherry tomatoes cut in half or quarters.

Pour the mixture into the muffin cases. Sprinkle grated parmesan on the top.

Bake in the oven for 20 – 25 minutes until the muffins are firm and the cheese has become a nice golden brown on the top.

Top with a garnish of your choice (it could be parsley, micro-herbs or chopped fresh chives.)

½ cup brown sugar 3 cups grated carrot ¾ cup olive oil 4 eggs Butter or oil to grease the pan Small decorative buckets Fondant and food colouring to create the carrots

Method Pre-heat oven to 180°C. Place the dry ingredients in a bowl (flour, baking powder, salt, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon, ginger, brown sugar). Stir to blend well. Add the grated carrots, mix well.

In another bowl combine the oil, eggs and crushed pineapple. Don’t drain the pineapple – use the juice for flavour and moisture. Add this wet mixture to the dry mix and stir until combined.

Pour the cake mix into your greased pan and bake in the oven for about 45 - 50 minutes. You know your cake is cooked when the centre is ‘springy’ to the touch.

Once the cake has cooled, break up into pieces to make ‘soil’ to place in the small tin ‘buckets’.

Kneed the food colouring through the fondant.

We recommend using food-safe gloves so your hands don’t get stained. Start with a few drops and add more colouring as needed. There are no rules when it comes to creating your ‘carrots’ – be creative and have fun!

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 23

Advertorial

The Importance of Playtime STORY Dr Adele Heyer Yay, it’s the holidays! Time to relax and time to play.

What is play? Play can loosely be defined as voluntary, fun activities with no external goals. We often regard play as an enjoyable activity with no clear purpose, but this cannot be further from the truth. Play activities are essential to children’s development. Most life skills are learnt in childhood through play-based activities.

Children learn social and emotional skills through role play activities, they learn how to negotiate and compromise when negotiating the rules of games with peers and learn how to use their imagination to find creative solutions to problems. Physical play activities such as running, climbing and playing with balls help children to develop physical strength, develop coordination and balance and is important for an overall sense of physical and mental wellbeing.

Play activities can be structured or unstructured.

Today’s society is very focused on structured activities, often with an academic goal, that are introduced very early in the preschool years. Structured activities and play are often led by grown-ups, for example sports lessons, art classes or story telling at the local library.

These activities are important but can impact on time

available for unstructured play activities. Children also need unstructured free play and downtime to relax, recharge, use their imagination and to explore at their own pace.

Play activities develop with your children and change as they get older. Play activities start at a young age when babies start smiling in a social way. Babies love looking at other people’s smiles and faces, love listening to voices and songs, enjoy playing peek-a-boo and gentle tickles. Play slowly becomes more complex as children get older and their inquisitive brains will explore and play with anything in their surrounds. Expensive toys are certainly not needed. Regular household items and cardboard boxes often make the best toys and are great for building cubbyhouses.

Adults can also benefit from play activities. Play can help to strengthen relationships between parents and their children, improve communication and reduce stress within families. Seeing the world again through our children’s eyes can certainly bring back the joy of our own childhood experiences. Thus, please switch off the electronic devices these holidays and let your childhood imagination run wild.

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 25

Bump, Bub and Beyond

Safe Toys and Safe Homes STORY Kalisha Fitsch Babies are inquisitive. Everything in the world is new to them and provokes a sense of wonder, including things that are unknowingly dangerous for them.

For little ones, safety is the number one priority.

Even the most innocent of household items can pose a risk, so how do you know what’s safe for little hands and what isn’t?

Choosing Safe Toys New toys are exciting, and while most toys are perfectly safe, sadly toy-related injuries are a common occurrence. When shopping for toys, here are some things to keep in mind.

First, let’s state the obvious. Don’t buy a toy with a label stating it is “not suitable for children under three”.

This is a safety warning, as the toy (or any detachable parts) may pose a choking hazard.

Look for choking hazards. The biggest toy-related dangers are choking and suffocation. As a guide, if a toy (or any detachable parts) can fit into an empty toilet roll, don’t give it to them. This includes beads and buttons that can easily be pulled off.

Look for sharp edges and holes. Inspect the toy and make sure there are no sharp edges, points or rough surfaces. Check that there are no gaps or holes that your child could get their finger stuck in.

Watch out for traps. Toy chests and boxes should be designed not to trap children. It’s best if they have a lightweight lid or no lid at all, and if the child is big enough to crawl inside, the box must have ventilation holes.

Look for non-toxic art products. Painting is fun, but so is putting things in your mouth (at least to a toddler, anyway). Make sure art products are nontoxic,

just in case your child decides to see what the green paint tastes like.

Make sure batteries are inaccessible. Most toys that move around or make noise operate on batteries.

Batteries are very dangerous for children and can cause death or severe irreversible internal damage.

Ensure batteries are not accessible (eg secured with a very tight screw and checked regularly).

Babyproofing Checklist Once your baby can crawl, they no longer need to rely on you to move around. The world is their playground; and it’s important to ensure the home is babyproofed before they reach this stage.

Electronics – Hide any electrical cords, put safety covers over powerpoints and put away any electronics not in use (such as irons and hair straighteners).

Stairs – If your home has stairs, place baby gates at the top and bottom and keep them closed.

Harmful substances and tools – Make sure harmful substances such as bleach, cleaning products and medicine are out of reach. Do the same with knives and DIY tools.

Furniture – Cover all sharp furniture edges and corners with bumpers, lock any drawers or cupboards within reach and move tall, wobbly lamps behind furniture.

Backyard – Check the lawn is free of prickly plants (such as sensitive weed) and there are no poisonous plants in the garden.

Blinds- Ensure all chords from blinds and curtains are secured or removed to avoid strangulation.

Helpful Resources www.productsafety.gov.au www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 27

Bump, Bub and Beyond

Bump, Bub and Beyond Featured products, reviews and prizes. Visit www.pakmag.com.au/win for your chance to win!

MamaCare Premium Pregnancy Supplement From $34.99 (10 x 3 month supply) www.mamacare.com.au MamaCare Premium Pregnancy Supplement is a specifically formulated tasty vanilla shake which provides 26 essential vitamins and minerals for the health of mum and her baby. Simply add water.

Excellent for preconception, during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding. MamaCare is a gentle alternative to tablets and may be better tolerated particularly if experiencing morning sickness and nausea.

Cookbook Prize Pack $79.98 - www.panmacmillan.com.au Win a cookbook prize pack from Pan Macmillan including Ostro and The CSIRO Women's Health & Nutrition Guide! The CSIRO Women's Health and Nutrition Guide which covers all women's health issues including fertility and motherhood. Plus, the re-release of Ostro

by Julia Busuttil Nishimura, which is all about the pleasure that comes from slowing down and cooking with simple ingredients.

Owlet Smart Sock $479.99 - www.owletcare.com.au The Smart Sock is the first baby monitor to track your baby’s oxygen level and heart rate the best indication of baby’s health - while they sleep. If your baby’s readings leave preset “safe” zones, you'll receive a notification that lets you know your baby really needs you.

Now you can feel more confidence, more freedom, and more peace of mind knowing that Owlet is here to help you keep your baby safe.

28 April 2021 | www.pakmag.com.au

Bump, Bub and Beyond

Screen Time for Toddlers STORY Mary MacKillop Childcare Smartphones, iPads and TVs have become more popular in our society, especially in recent years.

They open up many doors for our children in terms of education, but also in terms of distractions; and while screen time isn’t necessarily a bad thing, how much is too much?

When? Babies under 18 months should have no screen time at all, while toddlers aged 18 to 24 months can start to enjoy a little screen time together with a parent. Little ones aged two to three should have no more than one hour of screen time per day.

Good vs bad screen time – not all screen time is created equal. For instance, playing an educational game together with your tot is much better than putting them in front of the TV to watch cartoons. Consider whether the media your toddler is being exposed to is age-appropriate and whether the media has a positive message. Avoid games that are violent or videos that are just about promoting toys.

Feeding Safety Tip How many times have you removed your lunch from the microwave, only to find out it’s piping hot on the top and cold in the middle? Many microwaves heat unevenly, so avoid microwaving your baby’s bottle as the hot spots can burn their mouth. Instead, run the bottle under warm tap water or submerge it in warm water.

When giving your baby a bottle, never prop the bottle up and leave them unattended as they could choke. Avoid giving them raw carrots, unpeeled apples and nuts until they are older as these present a choking hazard, too.

Disconnecting – it’s important to schedule plenty of activities into your child’s day that don’t involve screen time such as storytime, nature play and sensory play. Set rules limiting screen time and buy toys that encourage disconnected play.

Attending childcare or playgroup can help your child make some friends and advance their socialisation skills.

It’s also a good idea to keep the bedroom free of any media and to keep the bedtime routine screen-free, as this helps the brain settle down for the night.

Screen Time Fact It’s no surprise that screen time is on the rise. In fact, a study carried out by Common Sense Media in the US, kids under two years of age spend an average of 42 minutes looking at screens, while kids aged two to four spend 2.5 hours doing so.

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 29

Advertorial

A Supportive Environment for Learning and Expression Have you heard of Montessori education? Maria Montessori was an early theorist of education, she prioritised independence, and viewed children as naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a sufficiently supportive and well-prepared learning environment.

At Mary Mackillop Childcare North Queensland we recognise the importance of a thoughtfully planned, holistic learning environment, implemented to support the unique individual needs of each child in our care.

The Early Years Learning Framework guides our pedagogy, principles and practice. The framework states; “Children’s learning is ongoing and each child will progress towards the outcomes in different and equally meaningful ways. Learning is not always predictable and linear.

Educators plan with each child and the outcomes in mind.”

We ensure that all children experience quality teaching and learning with an emphasis on play-based learning.

Children’s play is an important context for learning that allows for the expression of personality and uniqueness, enhances dispositions such as curiosity and creativity, enables children to make connections between prior experiences and new learning, assists children to develop relationships and concepts and stimulates a sense of wellbeing. By scaffolding and facilitating inquiry-based learning within the children’s play experiences, educators begin to create an atmosphere that supports children’s learning and development.

In our setting, every day includes interactions, experiences, activities, routines and events that are

both planned and spontaneous. Educators identify strengths and interests to choose appropriate teaching strategies and design our learning environment to support all the age-appropriate learning needs of the children. Learning outcomes are designed to capture the integrated learning and development of all children - recognising the importance of emotional, social, cognitive, physical and language development and support continuing development of skills throughout the children’s individual learning journeys.

Our philosophy supports a strong connection between a child’s social and emotional development.

We provide a safe, positive and nurturing environment - understanding that children need this security for growth and development. Children learn about themselves and construct their own identity to feel accepted through positive experiences.

Giving the children a sense of agency within the classroom environment supports positive relationships that strengthen children’s interests and skills in being and becoming active contributors to their world.

Giving children the confidence to experiment and explore, developing competence and becoming active and involved participants in their own learning encourages all skills for development and learning in the years prior to school and is our priority at a Mary MacKillop North Queensland service.

For more information contact MMCNQ on 4726 3299 or childcare@mmcnq.catholic.edu.au

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 31

Puzzle

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

7 Letter Words

EVEN RULE

BOARD BONUS CANOE CLIMB DEPTH DUSTY ERROR KNIFE LEMON LOCAL NORTH PENNY QUIET ROCKY SEALS SKATE SNAIL START STEAM STRIP

ALTERED BEDROOM BREATHE CARAVAN COURAGE DENMARK GRAMMAR INVITED LEISURE LOBSTER MUSICAL NURSERY OCTOPUS PACIFIC PAINTER PEANUTS PERFUME SEASIDE SEVENTY SHORTLY STORAGE STUDIES THREATS TRAFFIC

6 Letter Words

12 Letter Words

ANNUAL FOREST TENNIS VACANT

ARCHITECTURE NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANISATION REFRIGERATOR

5 Letter Words

WIN a Pan Macmillan Book Pack Worth $111.97!

Win a pack of three amazing books published by Pan Macmillan Australia. Including Humans by Brandon Stanton (RRP $44.99), Simple Italian by Silvia Colloca (RRP $39.99), and Air Fryer Express

by George Georgievski (RRP $26.99), aka School Lunchbox Dad. This pack is full of great recipes and inspiring stories. www.panmacmillan.com.au Visit www.pakmag.com.au/win for your chance to win!

Competition closes 30/04/2021. No need to submit answers to enter.

32 April 2021 | www.pakmag.com.au

Answers can be found at www.pakmag.com.au/answers

Pull-out kids activity mag!

For your chance to WIN a family pass to Tom & Jerry enter at www.pakmag.com.au/win Competition closes 10/04/2021. No need to submit colouring in to enter.

Spot the five differences

Fill in the blanks to name the planets

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Use the colour code to reveal the rocket in the grid!

WIN a Curious Universe Prize Pack Worth $80.00 Explore the Curious Universe of cool and creative science experiments!

From the power of electricity and or robotics to uncovering the science of growing crystals. Feed your mind and find the answers! Prize pack includes Curious Universe Crystal Kids: Growing Kit, Incredible Earth, Making Machines and Discover Electricity. www.hinkler.com.au Visit www.pakmag.com.au/win for your chance to win!

Competition closes 30/04/2021. No need to submit answers to enter.

M

EG

A

EA GIV

WAY

1.

4.

2.

5.

3.

1. Funkita Swimwear Voucher - $40.00 - www.funkita.com - Spoil mum this Mother’s Day with some new Funkita swimwear. Known for high quality, comfortable designs that last, the bold and bright prints are perfect for mum and are even available for the whole family. 2. Suunto 7 - $599.00 - www.jbhifi.com.au - Smash your fitness goals and keep on top of any day’s challenges. Access to 70+ sports modes for when you want to work out and Google Wear OS software for all your everyday smart feature needs, including Google Assistant, Google Pay, music and more, mums won’t be left wanting with this all-encompassing device. 3. Thermos® Lunch Combo Pack - $119.95 www.petersofkensington.com.au - The ultimate lunch time set-up, this combo pack includes the Thermos® 470mL Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Food Jar and Drink Bottle and a Thermos® Raya® Lunch Kit. Easy for mum to take with her on commutes to work or while on the go. 4. Glamsteam - $129.00 - www.glamsteam.com - Glamsteam is the world’s first 5 in 1 steamer, can be used with dried fruits, dried flowers, dried vegetables, essential oils and or just with water. You can incorporate the facial steamer with your skin care routine, air diffuser, cold and flu remedy, towel and nail steamer and watch the results speak for themselves. 5. THERMOcafé™ 200mL Vacuum Insulated Travel Cup $23.99 - Stockists: Myer, House, Victoria’s Basement and Spotlight - This cup features double-wall insulation that retains hot or cold temperatures. 6. Laced with Kindness Candle - $49.95 - www.lacedwithkindness.com - The Laced with Kindness range of candles are a delight to your senses. Made from natural soy wax, they have 100+ hours of burn are |hand-poured in Australia. The perfect gift for you, or someone you cherish. 7. Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE™ Wireless Charging Stand + Speaker - $99.95 36 time Apriland 2021 www.pakmag.com.au

9.

6.

7.

8.

11.

10.

www.belkin.com/au - The Stand + Speaker combination allows you to listen to music, watch videos, and take phone calls, while charging their phone in multiple viewing angles. A simple one-touch Bluetooth button provides a seamless experience, and the wireless charging stand provides a steady charge up to 10W for Qi-enabled smartphones. 8. Personalised Cup and Water Bottle - $79.90 ($39.95 each) www.myordercup.com.au - Saying no to disposables has never looked so good. My Order Cup offers a stylish solution to the problem of single use plastic bottles and take away cups. Engraved with your name and coffee order or name only. 9. OC Naturals Hand and Body wash prize pack - $50.00 - www.naturesorganics.com.au - ‘Kind to your skin, kind to the planet’ prize packs include a range of products from its personal care range. OC Natural’s new Hand and Body Wash bottles are free from carbon black pigment, allowing them to be recycled into future bottles, rather than end up in landfill. 10. TCL 10 Pro - $749.00 - www.jbhifi.com.au - A cinema for your pocket, the 10 Pro is also part of a select group of smartphones that are Netflix-certified so that you can iso-binge your favourite shows and movies from the house or on-the-fly! 11. Bunny Slippers - $79.00 - www.everau.com.au - Ever's Bunny Slippers are the perfect year-round slipper, keeping your feet cool in summer and warm in winter. With a gorgeous fluffy woollen lining and super cute details you won't want to take them off. www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 37

Craft

Easter Craft for Kids

www.thehousethatlarsbuilt.com

Rainbow Easter Egg Wreath What You Need Crepe paper in rainbow colours Acrylic Paint Foam eggs from craft store (small and regular sizes) Metal wreath (30cm wide)

www.thebestideasforkids.com

Pasta Easter Eggs Craft glue or hot glue gun Painting drop sheet Paint brushes Optional: zip lock bags

www.thebestideasforkids.com

Variety of dried pasta Baking paper Empty cereal box or similar Acrylic Paints Scissors

Method Place your plastic drop sheet on the surface you are working on to protect it from paint splatter. Paint your dried pasta noodles any colours you like, either by hand or you can also place pasta in a small zip lock bag, adding a squirt of paint, sealing, and then moving the pasta around in the bag – coating them completely with paint. Place the painted pasta on baking paper sheet in the sun to dry.

While your pasta is drying, unfold your empty cereal box and draw easter egg shapes (approx. 15cm long) on the inside surface. Cut the cardboard easter egg shapes out. Paint these shapes – any way you like.

Once dry, glue your pasta to the egg shape with the craft glue. Be creative with your designs. A parent will be needed to help if you are using a glue gun.

38 April 2021 | www.pakmag.com.au

www.thehousethatlarsbuilt.com

What You Need

Tissue Paper (2 sheets) Scissors Craft glue and hot glue gun Green floral wire and tape

Method Unfold your crepe paper sheets. Paint brush strokes or splatter paint on them for fun effects. Allow to dry.

Cut the crepe paper against the grain into 2cm strips, then stretch the paper out to remove the ridges. Wrap the foam eggs in the strips, securing with craft glue or the hot glue gun (parental help required.) Repeat until all of your eggs are covered (approx. 30 eggs needed) Create a long roll of tissue paper and weave through the inside of your wire wreath. This is used to create extra surface to glue your eggs to.

Cut leaves from the green crepe paper (approximately 3 – 4cm long). Then, cut your floral wire into various lengths (between 6 – 15cm long) and attach the leaf to the end with hot glue. Wrap the wires in floral tape creating stems. Join 4 or 5 stems together and create ‘a bunch’, securing with floral tape and attaching the end to the wire wreath by bending the end around the frame.

Add your decorated eggs to the wreath by hot-gluing them to the tissue paper. Arrange in order of the rainbow colours. It’s okay to be messy with the placement - it adds to the look. Shape the leaves around the eggs as a finishing touch.

www.diycandy.com

www.onelittleproject.com

Craft

Handprint Paper Lilies

Easter Bunny Garland

What You Need

What You Need Felt tip pen 15cm long pipe cleaners (green and yellow)

Scrapbook paper in whatever design you choose White wool

www.onelittleproject.com

Method Using your pencil and paper, trace around your full hand and all of your fingers. Repeat three times.

Cut your handprints out of the paper with scissors.

Curl the bottom of your handprint around to form a cone shape, secure in place with sticky tape. Leave a little hole at the end big enough for a pipe cleaner to fit through.

Wrap the fingers (petals) of your hand print lily around your round felt tip marker. Curl the petals outwards.

Bend your yellow pipe cleaner in half, and create a little hook at the end of your green pipe cleaner. Join them together by pinching and twisting the end of the green pipe cleaner. Fold one side of the yellow pipe cleaner in half again, and then use the long end to wrap around this folded piece again and again from the bottom to the top. This becomes your stem and centre of your lily.

Poke this through the hole at the bottom of your hand print cone and voila! You have a beautiful lily.

Four-pronged fork Craft glue Scissors

www.diycandy.com

Pink craft paper Pencil Sticky tape Scissors

Method Create your own bunny template or head to www.diycandy.com to download theirs. Place the template on your scrapbook paper. Trace around the outline and then cut out the bunny shape. Repeat with various paper until you have at least 10 bunnies to create your garland. Please note: your bunny garland can be as long as you like - just add more bunnies.

Buy white pom poms, or use your fork and wool to create your own. Simply wrap your white wool around your fork about 40 times. Cut another 20cm piece of wool and tie it around the middle of the wool (as pictured). Tie it tight, as it will become the centre of your pop pom. Cut the loops on each side of the fork.

Fluff out your pom pom and trim any ends which may be longer than the others.

Cut a piece of wool, to at least 2m in length. Glue the ears of the paper bunnies to the garland. Continue gluing your bunnies about 3 – 4cm apart, until you have finished your garland.

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 39

Education

Taking the Stress Out of Testing STORY Nick Brooking Exams. For most, the mere mention conjures images of intimidating rooms with desks laid out in daunting rows, memories of stern looking invigilators, and breaking out in cold sweats. And this is just amongst those of us who have finished school, we whom never again need sit writing frantically as the clock ticks.

What practical steps can parents and teachers take to reduce this pressure and anxiety in our children?

It’s actually pretty simple. Get them to laugh!

Many of us have heard of adrenaline, the ‘flight or fight’ hormone that gets the heart racing and the body moving in times of stress and excitement. When you see that spider, snake or credit card bill and you have recoiled half way across the room before you even realise that you are moving, that is thanks to adrenaline.

It gets your muscles working instantly. But it has a cousin, cortisol.

Cortisol is a hormone that effects the brain during times of stress. Its role is to stall logical, analytical thought so that our instincts can take over. Imagine that you are

relaxing by a creek when you notice a crocodile on the bank beside you. You don’t want to sit there pondering how it keeps its teeth so clean without a toothbrush. You want to focus on getting out of there. You need to shut down the analytical part of your brain. That is cortisol’s job. Cortisol is triggered by stress. And unfortunately for our children, not only are tests and exams a time for analytical and logical thought, they are also stressful.

How many of us have experienced ‘brain freeze’?

Those moments when it seems that your brain is in open rebellion. When you can’t recall what it is that you need to know in that moment. When trying to think seems like swimming against the current in the wet-season. At times like these, our and our children’s instinctive response is “I’m stupid, I can’t do this.”

But now with our understanding of brain chemistry, we can teach them that this is a completely natural effect of cortisol. Simply realising this starts to reduce their stress. And if they reduce stress, they reduce cortisol. Which further reduces stress. Which further reduces cortisol. What a wonderful cycle!

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 41

Education

remember this during the exam and smile, particularly if they feel that their memory is freezing up and their cortisol levels will reduce. Their brain will unlock and they will be able to think again.

But there’s more! One of the most effective ways to reduce cortisol is to laugh and smile. On the morning of a test, find something to laugh about with your child. Share a joke, remind them of a funny story or a cherished memory.

Encourage them to

I have trialled a range of activities to reduce exam stress with my students, many aimed at bringing a smile to their face during exams. These have included teaching them about cortisol and its effects on the brain, giving them a lolly during an exam and including jokes and personal messages in their test papers. When surveyed, students reported a reduction of stress of over 20 percent.

Before taking these steps to reduce students’ exam anxiety, I expected there to be a small but worthwhile impact. Having recorded students’ reported anxiety levels before and after these steps were taken, I was honestly surprised by the size of impact that they had. I now use these stress reduction steps with all of my classes and encourage parents to get their children smiling and laughing on the morning of exams too!

Top 5 Tips for Reducing Exam Stress

1. Start studying early and do a little each week.

4. Don’t try to “cram” in the last hours before the exam,

2. Review work by writing tips and reminders to

but do read over your annotations, this will be much more helpful.

yourself as annotations.

3. Get a good night’s sleep before exams. Put devices away at least 30 minutes before going to bed, the blue light from screens prompts your brain to wake up.

5. If your brain starts to freeze, remember, it’s natural!

Breath, smile, relax and it will pass.

Australian trained educator, Nick Brooking, is passionate about pedagogy, engagement and effective curriculum delivery. Nick has worked with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority and James Cook University, Bath-Spa University, University of Bath and the University of the West of England in roles involving moderation, curriculum enrichment and teacher training. When not in his classroom, Nick can be found with his family, church or on his mountain bike.

42 April 2021 | www.pakmag.com.au

Advertorial

Welcoming Our Families Parents and families were once again welcomed into the Prep classrooms at Townsville Grammar School’s Junior School Campuses for the annual Prep Families Night.

and is a great opportunity for families to experience their child’s daily learning environments, and meet other parents in a social setting, as part of the School’s parent engagement focus.

As families visited classrooms and playground areas, the children delighted in having the opportunity to show off their learning spaces and introduce their teachers to their extended family members. “This is such an important part of building confident young learners,” said Mr Timothy Kelly, Principal of Townsville Grammar School. “We know that children learn best when they are comfortable and secure, and our Prep Program is designed to develop confident learners by creating welcoming learning environments and building genuine partnerships with families.”

“This event is a great way to start our Prep year,” said Mr Kelly. “Our parents are encouraged to be involved in the life of our School community, wherever possible. Parent involvement makes such a difference to a child’s learning experience and we work to provide a number of opportunities throughout the year for parents and families to engage with School life,” said Mr Kelly.

The annual Prep Family Night takes place at both Junior School Campuses at Annandale and North Shore,

“This is where it begins,” said Mr Kelly. “This is where our youngest Grammarians begin their formal learning journey, where they become familiar with our community, our culture and our learning ethos. This is where we must capture their imagination and instil a great sense of wonder for learning.”

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 45

School Holiday Guide

School Holiday Guide Online Resources from CityLibraries Take advantage of all of the resources online from Townsville libraries these school holidays.

Storybox is an online ‘reading room’ where kids can connect and get engaged with the Australian Children’s Literature on display and read on film.

Storytime, Baby Rhyme Time and Toddler Time take place during school terms only. They are great ways to develop literacy in your little ones while having fun and socialising as a group.

Messy Take Home Play Packs are perfect for entertaining the kids. Each pack contains ready-to-use Messy play activities and a booklet full of recipes to re-create activities, songs, a story, information about the First Five Forever (F5F) programs such as Toddler Time and more. www.townsville.qld.gov.au

Perc Tucker Gallery School Holiday Resources and Fun Check out what there is to do these school holidays through Perc Tucker Regional Gallery with free Art Workshops and Resources: Crafty Kids - A series of art workshops for families and kids of all ages. Check out the workshops online, including Playful Paper Clay Pots, Imagine Animal Portraits, Modern Masks and so much more.

Creative Crowd - Designed for teenagers, exploring art techniques and technology. View the videos online to see what you can create!

P 13 48 10 www.townsville.qld.gov.au

Burdekin Shire Council There are a variety of school holiday activities taking place with Burdekin Shire Council these school holidays - for both the kids and the whole family. Make sure to visit the website for all events this April.

7 April - Mask Making at Home Hill Branch Library - Come along and use your creativity to make a mask or two.

9 April - Weaving at Burdekin Library - Get creative with wool and paper weaving

13 April - Cellophane Stained Glass/Scratch Art at Home Hill Branch Library - Make some cellophane “stained glass” and try your hand at scratch art 14 April - Paper Craft at Burdekin Library - Craft with coloured paper and paper plates 16 April - Movie Time at Burdekin Library - Time for some popcorn and a movie www.burdekin.qld.gov.au

Mary MacKillop Childcare NQ Make this school holiday season less stressful by booking your child into part time or full time vacation care at one of the 14 Mary MacKillop Childcare NQ Outside School Hours Care centres. Vacation Care services are located at many Catholic Schools across the Diocese in Mount Isa, Charters Towers, Ingham, Proserpine, Bowen and Townsville.

As part of the vacation care program, children aged 5 11 years will engage in fun activities and excursions that are supervised by caring, qualified staff, all in a safe and nurturing environment that encourages free learning.

Care hours vary - visit their website to find a Vacation Care program near you.

P 1300 KINDERGARTEN E childcare@mmcnq.catholic.edu.au Townsville Catholic Education www.mmcnq.catholic.edu.au

Ninja Parc Ninja Parc is designed to get kids moving and learning new skills through an indoor obstacle course. It’s extremely fun and your child can improve their agility through the various rope climbs, bouldering challenges and much more. The school holiday program is fully supervised and available from 2.00pm – 5.00pm weekdays for kids aged 6 – 14 years old. Or join them for a single session at any time.

Cost: From $19.95 for a one hour Casual Play Pass (Food, drink, lolly bag and free Ninja Parc water bottle provided for the fully supervised school holiday sessions for $50.00) A 18 Black Hawk Boulevard, Thuringowa Central P 0427 139 762 E townsville@ninjaparc.com.au Ninja Parc Townsville www.ninjaparc.com.au

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.

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 47

School Holiday Guide

Inflatable Kingdom Inflatable Kingdom is every kid’s dream – a giant inflatable playground where kids are free to slide, climb and jump on 10 jumping castles in fully air conditioned comfort. Just be prepared to be met with “Just one more slide!” when it’s time to go. Sessions last a massive 2.5 hours. It’s a great way to let your kids enjoy themselves while getting out of the house and exercising.

Cost: Prices start from $12.00 for a 1.5 hour session.

Book online to save 10 percent off entry price. And don’t forget your socks!

A 72-88 Hervey Range Rd, Condon P 4755 4422 E admin@inflatablekingdomtownsville.com.au Inflatable Kingdom Townsville www.inflatablekingdom.com.au

Sk8way There’s nothing funner than speeding round a track with an awesome pair of skates on – whether you’re racing your friends or simply having a good time. Sk8way provides all Townsville locals with the facilities to do so and offers plenty of school holiday sessions for your kids to let that energy out, get exercise and develop their skating skills. Sk8way also have ‘learn to skate’ lessons starting from just $10.00 that run during both school terms and school holidays.

Cost: From $10.00 - $18.00. Skate hire is available for just $4.00 per person – or purchase your own pair from the Skate Shop.

A Unit 3/72-88 Hervey Range Rd P 4755 4422 E info@sk8way.com.au Sk8way Townsville www.sk8way.com.au

P 0424 155 171 Pimlico Kumon Townsville - Pimlico Education Centre P 0417 070 826 Kirwan Kumon Townsville - Kirwan Education Centre www.kumoneducation.com.au

Fairfield Central Sand Art Workshops The whole family can pop over to Fairfield Central these school holidays for FREE Sand Art Workshops, creating unique pictures and having fun with coloured sand.

Workshops will run from Wednesday 7 April - Saturday 10 April and Wednesday 14 April - Saturday 17 April. They will be held at 10.00am, 11.00am and 12.00pm.

Bookings are required - visit the website for more information.

A Cnr Waterfront Parade and Lakeside Dr P 4778 4249 Fairfield Central fairfieldcentral.com.au

King Reef Resort If you’re looking to revitalise in paradise, gather the family and head to the gorgeous King Reef Resort at Kurrimine Beach. Explore all day, swim in the tranquil ocean or pool, build sandcastles on the beach and return to relax with a gorgeous sunset view from your beachfront shack. You can also hire a family pedal bike, go fishing, and more – the possibilities are endless.

A 75 Jacobs Rd, Kurrimine Beach P 4065 6144 E info@kingreef.com.au King Reef Resort www.kingreef.com.au

Wildcatz Indoor Sports Wildcatz Indoor Sports offer a fun and social way to exercise, get fit and have fun. as well as plenty of fun for adults too - from social teams through to competitive levels. Nominate a team with your friends, or let the staff find a suitable team for you. Rain or shine, it’s always time for a game at Wildcatz Indoor Sports.

A 18 Black Hawk Boulevard, Thuringowa Central P 4723 1414 E info@wildcatzindoorsports.com.au Wildcatz Indoor Sports (Official) www.wildcatzindoorsports.com.au

Adelmo Park - Horse and Farm Retreat Adelmo Park is offering great Horse and Farm School Holiday Retreats, where children can learn to ride and participate in fun activities including horse relays and feeding the farm animals. All ages are welcome.

There are sessions running from 9.00am - 1.00pm on April 5, 8 and 15 for children 6 years +.

For children 6 years and under, two-hour sessions from 3.00pm - 5.00pm will be happening on April 6, 13, and 16.

Bookings are essential.

Kumon Maths and English Kumon’s Maths and English programs build students’ abilities step-by-step, at the students’ own pace.

Students who missed essential concepts in class can go

48 April 2021 | www.pakmag.com.au

back and catch-up, and if your child needs a bit of extra help after-school, or if they need a challenge, then Kumon is here to help. The flexibility of Kumon’s learning options and being a home based programme means Kumon will suit any family’s schedule.

A 118 Williams Road Alligator Creek P 0473 498 970 E adelmoparkequestrian@gmail.com Adelmo Park Equestrian www.adelmopark.com.au

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.

School Holiday Guide

Outer Limits Adventure Fitness

Danceformation

Junior Holiday Camp - Aimed at children aged 10 - 15 years old, this three day long Junior Camp is one of a kind. Kids can enjoy biking and hiking to beautiful locations, including waterfalls and breathtaking lookouts, all while socialising and exploring. The High Ropes Centre will challenge your balance and confidence - and there will even be a game of archery tag!

Get your body moving to the rhythm with weekly Kids Dance Classes through Danceformation. Kids aged 4 + to teenagers can come and try bare foot rhythm dance classes - simply bring a drink bottle and the excitement to learn new moves. It’s always time to have fun and get fit with your friends!

Cost: From $299.00. Learn more on the Outer Limits Adventure website.

Intermediate Holiday Camp - This camp is for all kids who love the outdoors and have some previous experience with either Outer limits camps or their own passion, e.g mountain biking. You will take a beautiful journey though the World Heritage Listed Wet Tropics rainforest, exploring the amazing Paluma Range National Park.

Cost: $379.00.

Note - Costs for both camps includes accommodation, fresh meals, activities and all activity equipment, plus priceless memories! Transport to and from Paluma is not included.

A Outer Limits Adventure Centre home base and Paluma National Park P 0421 484 211 E info@outerlimitsadventure.com.au Outer Limits Adventure Centre www.outerlimitsadventure.com.au

Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts Creative Kids | My First Gallery - Children aged 3 - 5 years old can have a blast on Tuesday 6 April, 9.30am - 10.30am, with a super fun and new arts experience.

Explore the Mudpickers exhibition and view, experience and make art - without all of the mess! Stories will be read and the group will talk about the muddy artwork, and more. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Cost: Tickets are $10.00 per child and there are limited spaces available. Materials will be supplied.

Creative Kids | Surface Graffiti Workshop with Lisa Ashcroft is another workshop taking place these school holidays on Sunday 11 April, 10.30am - 12.00pm. Kids aged 10 - 14 years can have fun creating their own abstract canvas piece - with guidance and using many different materials.

Cost: $40.00. Guardians do not need to be present but can still assist and watch.

A Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts, 408 Flinders St P 4772 7109 Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts www.umbrella.org.au

Cost: $10.00 per child per one hour class - classes run every week on Mondays from 3.45pm - 4.45pm.

Email consent form needs to be signed before starting class.

A Bluewater Scout Hall, Bluewater Station Rd, Bluewater E danceformation@hotmail.com Danceformation

Warrina Ice Skating Escape the heat and have a cool time these summer holidays with family and friends at Townsville’s very own ice skating rink. Test your abilities or simply have a fun time sliding and gliding around on any day of the week.

All sessions are 90 minutes long, starting from 9.00am and ending at 4.00pm, plus disco skate sessions from 7.00pm - 9.00pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Don’t want to skate? Tobogganing is only $5.00 for six whole slides!

Visit the website below for more information.

Cost (includes skate hire): From $10.00 (five years and under) - $65.00 (Family Pass, 2A + 2C). Ticket price is lower on Cheap Tuesdays from 7.00pm - 9.00pm.

A 3/5 Illuka St, Currajong P 0407 988 628 Warrina Ice Skating Rink www.warrinaiceskating.com.au

PCYC Townsville The Police-Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) is a provider of youth and community programs, facilities and more.

They provide a large number of children with Outside School Hours Care which includes quality leisure-based experiences focusing on the emotional, social and physical development of young people.

There are also a variety of fun programs and activities for all ages and levels, including Gymnastics, Gym and Fitness, plus other Youth and Community activities. This includes KinderGym, recreational gymnastics, Gym Sports, Competitive Gymnastics programs and more!

Visit the website to find your nearest PCYC branch and for more information.

A French St, Pimlico P 4781 9100 E townsville@pcyc.org.au PCYC Townsville www.pcyc.org.au

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.

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 51

School Holiday Guide

Mobile Mini Golf NQ Mobile Mini Golf brings you your own Nine Hole Mini Golf Course to a venue of your choice - perfect for parties, events, or simply a day of fun with friends or family these holidays. They will set up the course and provide golf clubs, balls and score cards, making everything easy for you, then return to collect it all up again once you’ve had all the fun.

Cost: From $300.00 including delivery and set up.

P 0432 678 846 E psspriggs@bigpond.com.au Mobile Mini Golf NQ www.mobileminigolf.com

Pitstop Karting Experience ‘The Ultimate Adrenaline Rush’ these school holidays at Townsville’s only go karting hire facility.

Pitstop Karting is a purpose-built outdoor kart track that offers the ultimate fun and thrill in a Junior, Senior or Dual Kart, so anyone can challenge themselves, their friends and their family. It will be a holiday event that you’ll want to come back to!

Cost: From $30.00. Pitstop License also (required): $5.00 for 12 months. Open hours vary and no bookings are required - please visit the website.

start learning martial arts discipline self control and goal setting at the full time martial art premises, open daily, 9.30am - Monday through to Saturday. It’s more than just punching and kicking & they can help anyone to become fitter, stronger, faster, more flexible and more successful. There are a variety of classes in both morning and evening as well as special offers available.

Cost: From $50.00 - mention you saw this in PakMag and get the school holidays special Unlimited Training Pass for the whole of the School Holidays. BYO uniform or buy one from the Pro-shop A CKD Building 741 Riverway Drive, Thuringowa Central P 4773 9794 or 0481 749 607 E info@ckdmac.com.au Choi Kwang Do Master Academy www.choikwang-do.com.au

Pandanus Park Golf Centre Get the kids off the iPad and outside for some fun!

Kids of all ages can come and try golf at Pandanus Park Golf Centre’s undercover driving range, where they can learn and practice how to hold a golf club, practice their hand-eye coordination, and see how far they can hit the ball. The gold centre is open seven days a week, bookings not required.

Cost: Free entry. Kids aged 14 and under can play from $10.00 each with the ‘Have-A-Go Pack’, which includes a small bucket of 45 balls and Kids Club hire. Adults from $12.00 each. Visit the website for more information.

A 1-7 Cardwell St, Garbutt P 4401 5045 E contact@pitstopkarting.com.au Pitstop Karting www.pitstopkarting.com.au

Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park The award-winning Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park is all about families. There are a number of accommodation options available if you’re after a little getaway – it’s a lovely family bonding and relaxing escape that’s only a short road trip away. If you’re hungry, have a bite to eat at the delicious licensed on-site café. All of this is only a short walk to the beautiful beach. On the 26 - 27 April you can also take part in the Walk to the Reef event, exploring rock pools and the Great Barrier Reef in shallow, safe water (solid shoes that can get wet are needed).

Visit the website for more information on both the park and the walk.

A 2 Tompkins Road, Shaw P 4774 6532 E hello@pandanusparkgolfcentre.com.au Pandanus Park www.pandanusparkgolfcentre.com.au

TYTO - The Hinchinbrook Way TYTO is open 365 days a year and is the perfect place for a family day trip of relaxation and education.

There is a Regional Art Gallery, a mini military museum, parklands and wetlands, a library and more. From TYTO you can explore Hinchinbrook, a place of beauty surrounded by attractions, including Wallaman Falls – the largest single drop waterfall in the Southern Hemisphere!

First 5 Forever story and singing time is also held at Hinchinbrook Shire Library every Thursday at 10.30am for children aged 0 - 5 years.

A 9 Coyle St, Kurrimine Beach P 4065 6166 E info@kurrimine.com.au Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park www.kurrimine.com.au

A 73/75 Mcilwraith St, Ingham P 4776 4792 Visit TYTO www.tyto.com.au

The Choi Kwang Do Master Academy At this academy, full-time Professional Instructors help kids aged three years old to adults all the way as they

52 April 2021 | www.pakmag.com.au

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.

Daddy Diary

e,

w

a

ay

Ch

rli

yo

ur t

r ail is on the w

on

g

Daddy Diary There is enough paper in our living room to keep the Australian Taxation Office running for the entire 2021 22 fiscal year. It’s on the floors, walls, dinner and coffee tables and last week a sneaky A4 sheet was found shoved in my two-year-old son’s nappy.

belief that paper makes a better canvas than our freshly painted walls; the whole paper thing was born and has continued to this day. Our fridge door perennially looks like judging day at the Archibald Prize. Thank God for free magnets from vets and fish and chip shops.

There’s so much paper in my life I feel like the copy boy in a cheesy American comedy film. My world is paper.

It is everywhere. Just one of the many pitfalls of a nearly seven-year-old daughter (my other kidlet) who thinks she’s Michelangelo painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

In traditional fashion, the love of all things “Art Attack” was passed onto my son who turns two this month.

His big sister does it - hence, he must do it. Only thing is, little Charlie didn’t get the “no drawing on walls” memo. He is one of those kids who believes his art must be shared with the world. A regular “Banksy” he is. Thank God for those little magic wipes you run under the tap. Also heads-up parents, at Coles they’re only $4.00 a pack and powerful enough to strip the wall back to Gyprock. They have saved us more than once.

The Mini-Cliffo obsession with all things paper and drawing started long ago. The moment my daughter could grip a pencil - she was off. And being of the firm

Head to Parents and Kids of North Queensland YouTube Channel to see Bree’s up close interview with Cliffo.

But of course, I’m being tongue-in-cheek about all this (minus the drawing on the wall part). It’s obviously amazing my kids want to pick up a pencil/pen/crayon/ anything pointy and draw with it. In a world full of computers, I-Crap and social media, the old creative outlets still seem to be the best. Now, if we could just keep that creativity off Mum and Dad’s bone white walls - that would be swell. Big Love.

Cliffo Hit 103.1

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 57

Entertainment

Check it Out Roady4Roadies Townsville When: Sunday 11 April Where: Central Park - North Queensland Stadium More info: www.roady4roadies.com and whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au

Bluey’s Big Play - The Stage Show When: Wednesday 7 April and Thursday 8 April, multiple showtimes Where: Townsville Civic Theatre More info: www.blueylive.com.au The Emmy® award-winning children's television series, Bluey is coming to life and to Townsville!

When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday arvo time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! Join them as they pull out all of the games and ingenuity at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag. This is Bluey’s first live theatre show, featuring brilliantly created puppets and all the things you love about Bluey!

Suitable for all ages, recommended 2 years +. Babies in arms permitted up to 18 months. 18 months and over must purchase a ticket. Children under 15 years must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets available from www.ticketshop.townsville.qld.gov.au Tickets $41.90 - $45.90 + Booking Fee / G

Roady4Roadies is a fundraising event for helping musicians and their crew to reconnect with friends, family, colleagues and more after the events of COVID-19. The day kicks off with a leisurely morning walk then a variety of performances and family-friendly activities will take place.

Grab those sneakers, a couple of friends or family members, get some light exercise and listen to good music, all for a good cause.

The walk begins at Central Park at 3.30pm and the route ends at North Queensland Stadium. Walk tickets also cover the live entertainment - feature artists will be announced shortly so make sure to keep an eye out online. Live Entertainment will begin from 1.00pm.

Note – Children under 16 years of age get FREE access. Learn more online.

TheatreiNQ's Alice Through the Looking Glass When: Runs 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18 April Where: Anderson Garden, Balls Lane More info: whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au and www.theatreinq.com Shows at 10.00am and 3.00pm.

For just $25.00 each, the whole family can enjoy watching Alice’s fun filled adventure with her friends after returning from the Rabbit-Hole.

Can she make sure her inner child doesn’t get forgotten despite being all grown up now? Directed by Terri Brabon, held in the beautiful Anderson Garden and featuring a variety of talents - this TheatreiNQ Original Production will be a thrill for anyone and everyone to watch.

© Chrissy Maguire

North Queensland Cowboys Home Games Get ready for two massive home games kicking off with our boys this April! Back to back rounds (6 and 7) will see the Cowboys up against the Bulldogs and Canberra Raiders. It’ll be the first time we host Canterbury at home in our new Stadium, let’s show them what North Queensland has got on the 18th. G - Tickets available through ticketmaster North Queensland Cowboys v Canterbury Bulldogs

NQ Cowboys v Canberra Raiders

When: Sunday 18 April, kick-off 4.00pm Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium More info: www.ticketmaster.com.au and www. queenslandcountrybankstadium.com.au

When: Saturday 24 April, kick-off 7.35pm Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium More info: www.ticketmaster.com.au and www. queenslandcountrybankstadium.com.au

58 April 2021 | www.pakmag.com.au

Entertainment

Burdekin Auto Festival

10 - 18 April - Queensland Youth Week

When: Saturday 24 April - Monday 26 April Where: Ayr Showgrounds More info: Burdekin Cruisers Car Club Inc and whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au

Let’s celebrate our youth! Every year Queensland Youth Week (QYW) celebrates young people aged 12 to 25 and the positive contributions they make to Queensland communities.

Run by the Burdekin Cruisers Car Club Inc, this three-day event is perfect for all classic car lovers; full to the brim with 200 classic cars, hot rods and motorcycles on display. There will be three on site driving events for those who want to experience the rides as well as plenty of live entertainment, dancing and fun competitions for the whole family to enjoy.

Find out more about the week and activities being conducted at www.des.qld.gov.au/youthweek

11 April - World Parkinson’s Day You can make a difference to those living with Parkinson’s, by raising funds and awareness this World Parkinson’s Day. There is 100,000 Australians living with the disease and your support helps fund research to find a cure.

Find out more: www.shakeitup.org.au/pause4parkinsons

25 April - ANZAC Day

The Wiggles: We’re All Fruit Salad Tour!

When: Wednesday 28 April, 10.00am - 12.00pm Where: Townsville Entertainment Centre More info: www.tecc.net.au or whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au Get ready to Wiggle! Emma, Lachy, Simon and Anthony and their Wiggly friends; Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus and their newest Wiggly Friend; Shirley Shawn the Unicorn will be coming to Townsville this April!

The We’re All Fruit Salad Tour! will feature Wiggly classics and new songs from the group. Don’t miss it.

Tickets will sell fast, so get in quick.

G / Tickets from $39.65

2 April - World Autism Awareness Day Autism Queensland is encouraging Australians to 'Go Blue for Autism’, raising awareness and funds to help support people living with autism. By participating you can increase greater understanding, acceptance and inclusion of people on the autism spectrum and help Autism Queensland provide much-needed facilities and resources to enable more people on the spectrum to live a life of participation, opportunity and choice.

When: Sunday 25 April, from Dawn Where: Several, see below More info: whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au and www.visitcharterstowers.com.au ANZAC Day is the day we remember all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Please note the following services and events in your local area commemorating the day: Riverway Stadium will host the Anzac Day dawn service, allowing the community to take part in the event while also complying with COVID safe requirements.

Townsville RSL will be holding a free community gunfire breakfast, open to all ages until 8.00am. After this you can attend the morning parade at the Strand or Thuringowa, and Townsville RSL will open again at 10.00am for anyone 18 years +.

Commemoratives services are held at Hervey Range, Pentland, Greenvale, Ravenswood and Sellheim. There will be a Dawn Service at the Charters Towers War Cemetery and morning service at the Cenotaph. Anyone can observe the Anzac Parade as it moves along Gill Street (from City Hall to the Cenotaph).

More info / donate: www.autismawareness.com.au, www.goblueforautism.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 59

Get Out and About Townsville THURSDAY 1 APRIL Life Festival 2021 Runs until 4 April Townsville Christian College www.lifefestival.net 1 - 4 April / FREE / G Storytime Runs every Thursday until 29 April CityLibraries Thuringowa Central whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au 9.00am / FREE / Bookings Essential / G Pickleball Townsville Every Tursday until 23 December Tennis Townsville whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au 3.00pm / $0.00 - $7.00 / G

www.townsville.qld.gov.au/ptrg 10.00am/ FREE / G Exhibition: Patricia Piccinini: Curious Affection on Tour Runs until 16 April Pinnacles Gallery www.townsville.qld.gov.au/ptrg 10.00am/ FREE / G Become a Friend of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) Runs until 31 August whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au All Day / $50.00 (student) $120.00 / Book Online / G FRIDAY 2 APRIL

Yoga for Happiness Five Week Programs Runs every Thursday until 16 December Townsville South State School whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au 6.30pm / $100.00 for five week program / 15 years +

Theatreinq’s Alice Through the Looking Glass Runs 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18 April Anderson Garden, Balls Lane whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au and www.theatreinq.com 10.00am and 3.00pm / $25.00 / G

Exhibition: Lauren Carter: Yonder Runs until 11 April Perc Tucker Regional Gallery www.townsville.qld.gov.au/ptrg 10.00am / FREE / G

Passover - Good Friday Dinner/Worship DakTech, Currajong. Hosted by Water of Life Community Church www.eventbrite.com.au 6.00pm / $6.36 online, $5.00 at the door / G

Exhibition: Sylvia Ditchburn: Mapping Loam Island on the Ross Runs until 11 April Perc Tucker Regional Gallery www.townsville.qld.gov.au/ptrg 10.00am / FREE / G Exhibition: Katya Venter: Curiouser and Curiouser Runs until 11 April Perc Tucker Regional Gallery

SATURDAY 3 APRIL Time Warp Runs every Saturday and every second Friday until August Stage Door Theatre Restaurant whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au 5.00pm / $79.00 - $89.00 / G Establishing the Basics Five Week Yoga Programs

Please check with individual businesses before visiting during these uncertain times.

With HIT 103.1’s Cliffo & Gabi

Runs every Saturday until 18 December Townsville South State School whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au 8.00am / $100.00 for five week program / 15 years + SUNDAY 4 APRIL Camera Photography Workshop Jezzine Barracks, North Ward www.eventbrite.com.au 3.30pm - 7.00pm / $96.04 / G (photographers - beginners and those wanting to refresh their knowledge).

Time2heal Every 2 weeks on Sunday until Sunday 25 April YogaHealth Townsville www.time2heal.com.au 2.00pm / $20.00 / 15 + MONDAY 5 APRIL Kids Dance Fitness Classes Runs every Monday until 2022 Bluewater Scout Hall whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au and Danceformation 3.45pm / $10.00 / G (Toddlers 4+ to Teens) Adelmo Park Horse and Farm Retreat Runs April 5, 8 and 15 118 Williams Road Alligator Creek www.adelmopark.com.au 9.00am - 1.00pm / $120.00 / 6 years+ TUESDAY 6 APRIL School Holiday Climbing Classes Runs until Friday 9 April Hot Rock Adventure Centre

www.hotrockadventure.com.au 1.30pm / $20.00 per climber / G Baby Rhyme Time Runs every Tuesday until 27 April Townsville Stadium whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au 10.30am / FREE / Bookings Essential / G Sleep for Children Over 6 Months CityLibraries Aitkenvale www.townsville.qld.gov.au 9.30am / FREE / Bookings Essential / G (parents) Creative Kids | My First Gallery Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts umbrella.org.au 9:30 am / $10.00 / G North Queensland Camera Group Runs 1st Tuesday of every month until December QWCA - Queensland Country Women’s Association www.nqcg.org.au and whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 7.00pm / First meeting FREE / G Adelmo Park Horse and Farm Retreat Runs April 6, 13 and 16 118 Williams Road Alligator Creek www.adelmopark.com.au 3.00pm - 5.00pm / $90.00 / Children 6 years and under WEDNESDAY 7 APRIL Bluey’s Big Play Runs until Thursday 8 April Townsville Civic Theatre www.blueylive.com.au and whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au 9.30am, 12.30pm and 4.30pm on 7 April, 10.00am, 2.00pm and 6.00pm on 8 April / $41.90 $45.90 / G

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 61

Get Out and About Townsville WEDNESDAY 7 APRIL Mask Making Home Hill Branch Library www.burdekin.qld.gov.au P 4783 9970 10.00am – 11.00am / FREE – Bookings required / 5 years + Recovery of the Great Barrier Reef Runs until 11 April Magnetic Island www.earthwatch.org.au 4 - 11 April / $795.00 / 18+ Junior Holiday Camp Runs until 9 April Outer Limits Adventure Centre www.outerlimitsadventure.com.au 9.00am / $299.00 / 10 - 15 years Pilates TYTO, Ingham www.hinchinbrookway.com.au 5.00pm / FREE / Bookings Essential / 60 + Fairfield Central Sand Art Workshops Runs 7 - 10 April Fairfield Central fairfieldcentral.com.au Fairfield Central TSV 10.00am, 11.00am, 12.00pm / FREE / Bookings Required Kidzfit Runs every Wednesday afternoon Genesis Health and Fitness Thuringowa 4723 1490 3.45pm / $3.00 per child / 5 - 10 years THURSDAY 8 APRIL Playtime at the Library Runs every week on Thursday Hinchinbrook Shire Library www.hinchinbrookway.com.au 10.30am / FREE / Bookings Required / 0 - 5 years Townsville Cinema Group Screening BCC Cinema Townsville Central www.cinemagroup.org.au 7.00pm and 8.40pm (two films) $15.00 non members / 15 + A Salute to Roy Orbison

P 4783 9970 10.00am – 11.00am / FREE – Bookings required / 5 years +

outerlimitsadventure.com.au 8.00am / from $379.00 / 10 - 15 years

SATURDAY 10 APRIL

TUESDAY 13 APRIL

Bluey’s Big Play Runs until Sunday 11 April Burdekin Theatre Auditorium www.burdekintheatre.com.au 6.00pm and 10.00am / $41.00 $45.00 / G

A Night of Feeling Groovy on the Peace Train Burdekin Theatre Auditorium www.burdekintheatre.com.au 7.00pm / $29.00 - $59.00 / G

African Drum and Dance Weekend Runs until Sunday 11 April 22 Ingham Road www.eventbrite.com.au 9.00am and 6.30pm / from $22.19 / G Growing Vegetables in Containers Carville Villas whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au 9.00am / $85.00 / G SUNDAY 11 APRIL Roady4 Roadies Townsville Queensland Country Bank Stadium whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au 03:30 pm / $30.00 plus BF / G Landscape Photography Workshop Jezzine Barracks www.eventbrite.com.au 3.30pm / $127.69 / G Creative Kids | Surface Graffiti Workshop With Lisa Ashcroft Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts www.umbrella.org.au 10.30am / $40.00 / G (10 - 14 years) Elliot’s Revenge Trail Run Alligator Creek Camping Grounds www.outerlimitsadventure. com.au 6.00am / $14.00 – $55.00 / G Time2Heal @ Yoga Health Yogahealth Townsville www.eventbrite.com.au 2.00pm / $22.19 / G MONDAY 12 APRIL

FRIDAY 9 APRIL

Business Camp at Smart Precinct Runs until Wednesday 14 April Smart Precinct NQ www.ase.edu.au/businesscamp 9.00am / $319.00 / G

Weaving Burdekin Library www.burdekin.qld.gov.au

Intermediate Holiday Camp Runs until Thursday 15 April Outer Limits Adventure Centre

Townsville Civic Theatre whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au 7.30pm / $59.00 - $69.00 / G

Please check with individual businesses before visiting during these uncertain times.

Cellophane Stained Glass/ Scratch Art Home Hill Library www.burdekin.qld.gov.au P 4783 9970 10.00am – 11.00am / FREE – Bookings required / 5 years + Townsville Youth Human Rights Forum Sports House 9.00am / FREE / G WEDNESDAY 14 APRIL Morning Melodies Gene and Judy Burdekin Theatre Auditorium www.burdekintheatre.com.au 11.00am / $15.00 / G Paper Craft Burdekin Library www.burdekin.qld.gov.au P 4783 9970 10.00am – 11.00am / FREE – Bookings required / 5 years + Bootcamp Also runs Sunday 25 and Wednesday 28 April TYTO, Ingham www.hinchinbrookway.com.au 5.00pm / FREE / Bookings Essential / 60 + Fairfield Central Sand Art Workshops Runs until Saturday 17 April Fairfield Central fairfieldcentral.com.au Fairfield Central TSV 10.00am, 11.00am, 12.00pm / FREE Bookings Required THURSDAY 15 APRIL Resilience Fundamentals Hotel Grand Chancellor www.eventbrite.com.au 8.00am / from $295.00 / G FRIDAY 16 APRIL Movie Time Burdekin Library www.burdekin.qld.gov.au P 4783 9970 10.00am / FREE – Bookings required / 5 years +

CIRCA’s Peepshow Runs until Saturday 17 April Townsville Civic Theatre www.ticketshop.com.au 7.30pm / $25.00 - $35.00 / PG 12 years + Western Suburbs Cricket & Vigoro Club 70th Anniversary Celebration Runs until Sunday 18 April Rydges Southbank, Palmer St whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au 6.30pm / $30.00 - $70.00 / G Exhibition: Martina Ah Sam – Kwatye Runs every day until 23 May Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au, www.umbrella.org.au 9.00am / FREE / G Exhibition: Lynn Scott-Cumming – Moon Phase: Chasing Transcendence Runs every day until 23 May Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts www.whatson.townsville.qld.gov. au, www.umbrella.org.au 9.00am / FREE / G Exhibition: Genine Larin – Emphatic Gestures Runs every day until 23 May Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au, www.umbrella.org.au 9.00am / FREE / G Ann Bartholomeusz – Shift Runs every day until 23 May Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au, www.umbrella.org.au 9.00am / FREE / G SATURDAY 17 APRIL 8 Ball Aitken Plays Bellevue Hotel www.eventbrite.com.au 7.00pm / from $20.00 / PG Revive Your Vibe Workshop Seagulls Resort whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au 9.00am / $330.00 / 18 + SUNDAY 18 APRIL NQ Cowboys v Canterbury Bulldogs Queensland Country Bank Stadium queenslandcountry bankstadium.com.au 4.00pm / from $13.20 (child 5 - 15 years) / G

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2021 63

Get Out and About Townsville SUNDAY 18 APRIL Aqua Aerobics Hinchinbrook Aquatic Centre www.hinchinbrookway.com.au 10.30am / FREE / Bookings Essential / 60 + Australian Bananas River Feast Fitzgerald Esplanade Innisfail www.feastofthesenses.com.au 9.00am - 3.00pm / FREE entry / Family SUNDAY 18 APRIL Simon Thielke - Classical Guitar Soloist performing with The Townsville Guitar Orchestra PIMPAC (Pimlico State High Performing Arts Centre) whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au 2.00pm - 4.00pm / $15.00 $25.00 / G TUESDAY 20 APRIL Circa’s Peepshow Burdekin Theatre www.burdekintheatre.com.au 8.00pm / $42.00 - $46.00 / 12 years + Toddler Time Also runs Tuesday 27 April Townsville Stadium whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au 9.00am / FREE / Bookings Essential / G WEDNESDAY 21 APRIL Free Microchipping Day Animal Care and Adoption Centre

whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au 9.00am / FREE / Bookings Essential / G THURSDAY 22 APRIL Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow Runs until Friday 23 April Townsville Civic Theatre www.ticketshop.com.au 7.30pm / $30.00 - $45.00 / MA 15 years + SATURDAY 24 APRIL NQ Cowboys v Canberra Raiders Queensland Country Bank Stadium queenslandcountrybankstadium. com.au 7.35pm / from $12.18 (children 5 15 years) / G Burdekin Auto Festival Runs until Monday 26 April Ayr Showgrounds Burdekin Cruisers Car Club Inc TBA - Keep an eye out online / G Cloudstreet Runs on 24, 25 April and 1, 2 May Full Throttle Theatre Company www.fullthrottletheatre.com 5.00pm / $20.00 - $40.00 / G Women in Fitness The Ville Resort-Casino, hosted by Business & Bubbles www.eventbrite.com.au 7.00pm / $200.48 / 18 years +

Regular Markets Bluewater Twilight Markets Date: 2nd Saturday of the month Time: 4.00pm - 8.00pm Location: Bluewater Community Centre

Bushland Beach Markets Date: 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month Time: 8.00am – 12.00pm Location: On the foreshore, end of Mount Low Parkway

Renegade Handmade Markets Date: 2nd Sunday of the month Time: 8.00am - 1.00pm Location: Marian School Hall

Balgal Beach Markets Date: 1st Saturday of the month Time: 8.00am - 1.00pm 64 April 2021 | www.pakmag.com.au

Location: The Esplanade, Balgal Beach.

Strand Night Markets Date: 1st Friday of the month (runs from Feb to Dec) Time: 5.00pm - 9.30pm Location: Strand Park, North Ward

Mundingburra Markets Date: 3rd Sunday of the month Time: 7.30am - 12.00pm Location: Mundingburra State School

Willows Rotary Markets Date: Every Sunday Time: 7.30am - 11.30am Location: Willows Shopping Centre Car Park

With Triple M’s Pricey

Barrier Reef Orchestra Back in 2021 Townsville Civic Theatre whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au 7.30pm / $15.00 - $40.00 / G SUNDAY 25 APRIL ANZAC Day Commemorative Services Riverway Stadium, Townsville RSL, Hervey Range, Pentland, Greenvale, Ravenswood and Sellheim. Dawn Services take place at Charter Towers War Cemetery and the morning service at the Cenotaph whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au www.visitcharterstowers.com.au Please check websites for more information on Service times, road closures and updates / FREE / G MONDAY 26 APRIL Walk to the Reef 2021 Runs until Tuesday 27 April Kurrimine Beach www.kurrimine.com.au All day / FREE / G WEDNESDAY 28 APRIL Mirusia Sings for You (Cinema Live) Burdekin Theatre Auditorium www.burdekintheatre.com.au 8.00pm / $20.00 / G

www.tecc.net.au 10.00am / from $39.65 / G SATURDAY 1 MAY Human Nature ‘People Get Ready’ The AAA Australian Tour Townsville Civic Theatre whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au 7.30pm / $89.90 / G Home Hill Sugar Bowl Runs until Sunday 2 May Home Hill Tennis Club whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au G FRIDAY 7 MAY Jimeoin Ramble ON! Townsville Civic Theatre whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au 8.00PM / $54.90 - $59.90 / M 15 years + SATURDAY 8 MAY NQ Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos Queensland Country Bank Stadium queenslandcountrybank stadium.com.au 7.35pm / TBA / G THURSDAY 20 MAY

The Wiggles: We’re All Fruit Salad Tour Townsville Entertainment Centre whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au,

NQ Cowboys v Newcastle Knights Queensland Country Bank Stadium queenslandcountrybank stadium.com.au 7.50pm / TBA / G

Cotters Markets

Location: Conroy Hall, Ingham

Date: Every Sunday Time: 8.00am - 1.00pm Location: Flinders St

Wulguru Markets

Magnetic Island Markets (Horseshoe Bay) Date: Every week on Sunday Time: 9.00am – 2.00pm Location: Foreshore in Horseshoe Bay

Mercer Lane Markets Date: 1st Saturday of the month Time: From 8.30am – 12.00pm Location: Lannercost St, Ingham

Conroy Hall Markets Date: 2nd Saturday of the month Time: From 8.00am – 12.00pm

Date: Every Sunday Time: 7.00am – 12.00 noon Location: Wulguru Soccer Grounds 14 Edison Street, Wulguru

Ingham Raintree Community Markets Date: 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month Time: from 7.00am - 12.00pm Location: Rotary Park, Ingham

Forrest Beach Markets Date: 4th Sunday of every Month Time: 8.00am – 12.00pm Location: Palm St, Forrest Beach

Please check with individual businesses before visiting during these uncertain times.