PakMag Townsville - April 2022 Issue 137

Parents and Kids Magazine

RESETTING 4 YOUR CAREER

ISSUE: APR 2022

137

TOWNSVILLE

Things to Consider When

Scrumptious Easter Recipes

Parenting Power Struggles Kids Pull Out Mini Mag Inside

The World of Digital Art

FREE

WIN! Prizes for the Whole Family

Hop into the Easter School Holiday Guide Navigating Autism: Coping with Change

100

+

Family-Friendly

EVENTS Getting Brains On Board to Boost Learning

5

The Thing Is

Hello and welcome to our eggcellent Easter edition (if I do say so myself).

6

It’s Never too Late to Begin

YAY - another school holiday has already arrived.

or Reset Your Career 8

The World of Digital Art

11

Parenting Power Struggles

14

MMCNQ Celebrates Lent

15

What to do if You Suspect Your Child has Broken a Bone

17

Getting Brains on Board to Boost Learning

20 Bump, Bub and Beyond 23 All Things Health 24 Adult Colouring 25 Mini Mag 29 Easter Recipes 31

Autism - Helping Children and Families Cope with Change

35 The 3 Essential C’s to Help You Co-Parent During the Holidays 37 School Holiday Guide 43 Daddy Diary 44 Community Noticeboard 46 What’s On

PakMag Founder and Editor-in-Chief Bree James Creative Team Leader, Graphic Designer and Editor Clare Winter Marketing and Events Coordinator Alyssa Marino

If you’re like my household, the kids have hardly made it to school this term due to catching some sort of something that has meant they can’t go to school. Good thing is though that at least we have a few long weekends this month, and can hopefully enjoy some more quality time together.

We have lots of ideas for things to do during the Easter holidays in our cracker of a school holiday guide, don’t forget to use the #PakMagshare if you do anything eggciting.

This edition we have been blessed to have Sesame Street write an incredible feature on Autism, and we welcome back the amazing Dr Justin Coulson too, and so many other really great writers sharing their wisdom.

The PakMag team has quite a few ideas to get you eggcited about Easter I don’t know about you but, this is one of my favourite holidays of the year! The team and I hope you love this edition and that you get lots out of it. If you are wanting to share your voice, we are looking for more community contributors - you can find out more at www.pakmag.com.au/communitycontributor. We are also looking for mums who are making their mark in NQ to feature in our May for Mother’s Day edition, www.pakmag.com.au/mums-making-their-mark apply here.

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

Bree Contact Us: p 4053 3331 e admin@m2f.com.au a PO Box 7433 Cairns Qld 4870 www.paktownsville.com.au • www.pakmag.com.au • www.m2f.com.au

Videographer, Graphic Designer and Podcast Producer Monique Saggers Content Coordinator Sasha Rozhkova Accounts and IT Support Trent Stievano

Sales and Business Development Tracy Couper

Graphic Designer Sara Williams

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

PakMag would like to acknowledge the First Nations people of North Queensland; the first storytellers and Traditional Custodians of all the lands on which we work, live and enjoy. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

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

The ideas expressed within PakMag are not necessarily the views of the publishers, but those of individual writers.

We have done our best to ensure all events and information was correct at the time of going to print. Please check with individual businesses and authorities during these uncertain times.

Net Distribution Per Issue 10,000.

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 2022 3

The Thing Is

The Thing Is with Bree James Being a parent is certainly an interesting journey.

Our children are our biggest teachers, and they inherently know how to keep the lessons coming.

From exploding nappies to back seat voms, many of us have had to learn the hard way how this parenting gig works.

Parenting in the 21st century is so different to our own childhood, and at times it’s a challenge for the generations before us to understand the new territory we are walking through (with a half dead flashlight, in the dark, on a floor riddled with Lego).

The thing is, I can’t imagine my parents ever worrying about the things we have to consider now as parents.

I believe this is mostly due to new technology and a majority of us being so time poor. I see the strain among so many parents who are trying to juggle endless emotions, tasks, “I’m bored” remarks, trying to fit in a career, and (if you’re lucky) working from home if your child has even the slightest sniffle.

I think the judgement we feel as parents is actually the hardest to navigate. It’s tough enough being a parent, let alone with the added judgement from our family, friends and society on how we choose to do it. Be it our kids’ behaviour, diet and belongings, or whether we vaccinate or medicate them, let them play online games or have their own phones. No other generation before us has had to deal with so many decisions that we really don’t know if we are making the right one or not.

Sometimes it feels like we should just flip a coin and let luck decide.

“Oh you want to play Fortnite? Sorry mate, coin said no”.

We live in a time where we have information at our fingertips. We also have ample misinformation at our fingertips, and knowing what to believe is a challenge, making us more sceptical than a 6 year old looking at the spaghetti bolognese you’ve hidden tonnes of vegetables in.

It’s great - many of us are becoming more critical thinkers (not just critical people), but I think we need to be mindful of when we are more hypocritical too.

I don’t know how many times I’ve told my kids to get off a device, as I hop back on my laptop, or I tell them to stop yelling at me whilst I am yelling at them.

In the end, all we can do is what we think is best for the world, our family and ourselves, and learn as much as we can, with the information we trust, or from the experiences we’ve had.

And hey, at worst - we can always flip a coin.

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

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2022 5

Feature

It's Never too Late to Begin or Reset Your Career STORY Julie Holmes, Careers Coordinator at CQUniversity.

I often speak to prospective career-changers who are mid or late into their working lives and they all ask the question, “But isn’t it too late for me to change careers?” The good news is, it’s never too late, particularly in this new climate of lifelong learning!

Your work “why” involves exploring your motivations and determining what is important to you. Career planning is a lifelong process because life is constantly evolving - what might be priorities to your 20-year-old self, could be very different at 40.

Here are 4 things to consider if you are thinking about a career change.

Understanding your strengths and the elements of work you enjoy most will help provide career direction that will be fulfilling, expand on your potential and provide greater job satisfaction. This was the case for truckie turned oral health therapist, Samantha Barbeler, who in 2019 pivoted from her career in the coal industry.

1. Self-Awareness Start by dedicating some time to consider what your work “why” is.

6 April 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au

Feature

“I absolutely loved working in the coal mine, but I wanted to plan for the future,” Samantha says.

career goals that are recognised by industry and provide accreditation where required.

“I knew that if I were to ever start a family, working away and living at a mining camp would make that difficult.

So, I started thinking of other jobs that I could do.”

After reflecting on her time working as a Dental Assistant in her youth, Samantha recalled how much she loved the variety of the role and the patients, and realised that an oral health career was the path for her.

Further study is a great way to start a career change, like Stephanie Pasco who transitioned from a fitter and turner to engineer, and is now continuing her study to become a doctor. She started her career shift by enrolling in a Bachelor of Medical Science with aspirations to continue into medicine.

2. Occupation Awareness Thinking about making a career change can be overwhelming when there are so many different job options and emerging occupations to consider.

Additionally, pandemic disruption has caused significant changes to the job landscape. Skills shortages are on the rise with a recent federal Infrastructure Australia report (Oct 2021) that anticipated skilled job shortages could rise to around 100,000 by 2023.

If a new profession sparks your interest, do your homework on exactly what each occupation entails, including the typical tasks and responsibilities you would expect to perform in the role to help you make informed decisions.

3. Decision Making Time to weigh up all the information that you know about yourself and the occupations you have researched to make decisions about the most suitable career path for you. Some people may be required to upskill to bridge specific skill gaps. It is important to ensure you choose education providers that will support

“I completed my trade as a fitter and turner working at the local power station. It was a great experience, but I was interested to learn more and further myself,” Stephanie says.

“I had kind of fallen into engineering because of my trade, however, my lifelong dream has always been to be a doctor”.

4. Action Planning The final step in the career planning process is to create an action plan. This is the time to start putting steps into place that should identify your short-term and long-term goals. In your action plan, you can identify education and training requirements to ensure that you can enrol in your identified course, develop a job search strategy, identify potential employers or prepare for future job applications.

Making the decision to explore further learning opportunities or a change in careers can be a daunting and exciting journey. Be mindful that nothing happens overnight, but it is an investment in your future. And if you’re still not sure, consider this - if you look back on today in three years’ time, will you regret not having started sooner?

Julie Holmes is CQUniversity’s Careers Coordinator with 10 years of experience in career guidance and consultation across tertiary education, secondary education, community and employment service settings.

The CQUni Careers team supports prospective, current and graduate CQUniversity students in achieving their career development and professional aspirations through career education, guidance and information. CQUni Careers are about building employability and job search skills as students prepare to be work-ready in their chosen careers.

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2022 7

STEAM

The World of Digital Art STORY Sasha Rozhkova As tech continues to develop and change the way we live our daily lives, art is following suit and embracing all that the digital world has to offer.

From digital design software and GIFs, to NFTs and techy installations, we delve deep into the ever growing world of digital art and the new data medium.

So, What is Digital Art? Combining tech, coding and creativity into one, digital art encompasses everything that is created on a digital platform that utilises technology for an immersive or interactive experience, or that is created using data as its medium. The term itself is boundless, and so are the possibilities.

Digital art encompasses a range of styles of art but also has applications outside of being a creative output.

For example, 3D printing can be used to mimic and repair ancient pieces of cultural significance, graphic designers create digital art daily for advertising and marketing, and super realistic CGI scenes are created for films. The field is constantly evolving, with Crypto Art and Non-Fungible Tokens now becoming big money makers for some creators.

Digital art can also expand on more traditional forms, and a good example of this is photography. Many of us now use a range of platforms to edit our photos, be it Instagram or Photoshop, and are regularly creating our own digital art. In essence, digital art uses data as its medium to create iterations of both traditional and new age art.

What is Crypto Art? Crypto art is now becoming more common and includes a range of types of creations such as digital graphics,

8 April 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au

music, virtual reality dreamscapes and programmable art. And just like traditional pieces, these creations can also be collected as digital assets in the form of images, GIFS, videos and music. However supply is finite, which fuels digital scarcity and trade. Purchases can also include rights and royalties to works, allowing for reproduction and commercialisation of the artwork.

To further complicate this world of crypto art, it can also go beyond the digital world and encompass real life physical creations that are tracked in a blockchain system. Many of these pieces are crypto themed and focus on digital culture, tech, politics, philosophy and cryptocurrency. The process of blockchain tracking of physical creations also helps to differentiate original pieces from forgeries, and verify creators and owners.

What is a Blockchain?

Blockchains are a database that store information via a digital format. This is different to a typical database in its structure as a blockchain bundles information in groups called blocks, that hold sets of information.

These blocks have storage limits, so when capacity is reached, the block is closed, linked to the previous block, and a new one begins. This creates a chain of data or information we refer to as a blockchain.

What are NFTs? NFT stands for Non-Fungible Token, which is a digital token redeemable for a digital piece of art. Each of these tokens is a unique code that is recorded on a blockchain housing all the relevant information such as authenticity, identity, ownership history and price of the NFT.

NFTs are designed to be creations that can’t be copied, however the original creator can choose to retain copyright and reproduction rights. This is similar to traditional art - anyone can purchase a print of a Van Gogh, but not everyone can own the original.

Unlike traditional art, NFTs can represent almost anything, be it physical creations or intangible and virtual items within video games, virtual currencies, music, collectibles, real estate, virtual land and even video footage of iconic or significant moments in history. A great example of this is the recent sale of the first-ever tweet by Twitter CEO that sold for a casual few million dollars.

How to Get Creating The digital tools used to create digital art are diverse.

These can include programs like Procreate and Photoshop, or social media apps like Instagram that offer basic photo editing, and even Facetune which allows users to alter the presentation, and subsequently the perception of subjects.

When it comes to physical tools, computers and tablets are a must, or at the very least a smartphone. These can be used to edit and create digital art like images and videos.

If you want to take your creation process to the next level and further explore digital art mediums, learning code can push you further into the world of crypto art and NFT’s.

If you’re looking to get your family involved, there’s a range of introductory resources available online to get their creativity flowing.

Helpful Resources • www.techlearning.com • www.jacksonpollock.org • www.krita.org/en • www.pixilart.com • www.sketch.io/sketchpad • www.giphy.com • www.bomomo.com • www.makebeliefscomix.com

Parenting

Parenting Power Struggles Why Kids Need us to Set Limits STORY Dr Justin Coulson, Parenting Expert and founder of Happy Families Have you noticed that children seem to always want to push the boundaries? It's almost as though they are wired to poke and prod us to see how much they can get away with.

Power struggles are an inevitable part of parenting and they start early on. For toddlers, it's wanting to stay up late, sleep in mummy's bed, eat ice-cream for breakfast, have daddy feed them - “No Mummy”... “No Daddy” or wear zero clothing. Actually, for toddlers everything is a power struggle.

For bigger kids it's almost always wanting more screen time. Or wanting that treat after you said no.

For teenagers? How about even more screen time, extended curfews, wanting to drive a car before they're ready or drinking alcohol before they're ready (or both).

Research tells us that our children need us to set limits, even though they fight against it like crazy. Kids without limits tend to have lousy outcomes throughout their lives, but it's a delicate balancing act because kids who have strict limits also often have lousy outcomes.

It almost sounds as though you're damned if you do (have limits) and you're damned if you don't.

we get positive outcomes, and again the number of limits is irrelevant.

It's Not What, It's How My friend, Peter Cook, explained it to his three-year-old daughter, Scarlett, in a way that is perfect for children at any and all ages. I've used it with my four-year-old and with my nearly eighteen-year-old.

It goes like this: Draw two circles side by side, overlapping slightly. In one of the circles, write the words "Parents decide". In the other circle, write the words "Kids decide" Explain to your child that there are some decisions that parents make for their kids regardless of what they think. And there are also some decisions that children get to make with no input from parents.

Parents Decide

Kids Decide

The truth is that the number of limits our children have is far less important than how those limits are set. When we set limits in lousy ways, we get lousy outcomes regardless of whether there are a few or a lot. When we set limits in positive ways,

We Decide Together

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2022 11

Parenting

Ask your child to identify some examples of decisions that parents make. Then ask your child to identify decisions that you stay out of.

Next draw an arrow from the overlapping component of the circles. Write "We decide together". Now explain that some decisions are made by negotiation.

Once you've made it clear that you are the parent and you are responsible for certain decisions, power struggles will shift. When there's a bit of pushback you can smile and say "This is a decision that is in the parent circle". That's the end of the story. Sometimes your child will sulk. There will still be occasional screaming and arguing. But the line has been drawn, the expectation is set and many power struggles will be defused.

So long as we don't abuse the power we have as parents, our children can feel secure with us calling the shots we need to call, and either negotiating with or deferring to - our children for other decisions.

What matters is that when negotiating to do the things they want, they do them in ways you feel good about, and if you don’t feel good, you negotiate until you do feel good. For example; agreeing for your teen to attend a party; they can do so as long as you can personally pick them up at an agreed time.

This may be the toughest and most “advanced” response to power struggles. The more you try and use your power to force an issue, the more you raise the stakes. Teenagers who are trying to form their own identity, separate from us as parents, and want to be seen as independent young adults will naturally push against power, attempting to assert their own.

So, when you start throwing your weight around, via threats, punishments or even rewards, they feel almost compelled to resist us.

How do you Avoid Making it About Power?

Tell them you trust them, you have faith in their ability to make good decisions and you want them to grow to be responsible.

Tell them you’re deferring the situation to them, but you’d like them to discuss it with you. Then, instead of rejecting their choices, ask them to help you understand why they’ve made their decisions. Probing, careful questions, combined with logic, patience and love -

remove power and allow “adult” conversations around decision making and limits.

There are some power struggles that you might argue are worth fighting. Our teenagers should not be drinking or using drugs. They should not be viewing pornography. They should not be breaking laws.

Depending on the age of your child and what they want to do, “No” might be the only appropriate answer.

But even in these circumstances, minimising our emphasis on power and using reason and logic will generally bring out the best results – because these habits emphasise internalisation rather than compliance due to extrinsic contingencies.

There is great irony in our use of power. The more we have to show we have the power, the less power we really have. When our teens are pushing us and we use our power to defend our position, we actually lose power to them. Counter-intuitively our demands for compliance indicate our powerlessness. We are out of control and we show our desperation to cling to that power by using force. We have the most power when we don’t have to use it, but instead, encourage and empower our children to make decisions for themselves.

One more important point: as your child matures and develops, your circles will overlap more and more.

Negotiations will become increasingly common. This is healthy and normal. Then a major shift will occur. The circles will almost entirely separate. And your circle will shrink while theirs enlarges. You will push increasingly large amounts of responsibility onto your child. If we want responsible children, we have to give them responsibility.

Sometimes setting limits with children is like dealing with a helium balloon on a string. They want to shoot off into the sky. They are full of enthusiasm and optimism.

They want to dance, and float, and fly, and have fun.

That might be in the form of more play time, more junk food, a later curfew or whatever else has them fired up.

To be fair, often that’s appropriate. But we always hold onto that string. Sometimes we bring that balloon nice and close because the conditions are unsafe. Other times we actually hold onto the balloon (like we would if it were floating in the car and getting in the way) so it is completely safe. But to the extent possible, we allow it space to play and dance and delight.

Dr Justin Coulson is the co-host and parenting expert on Channel 9's Parental Guidance, the founder of www.happyfamilies.com.au, and one of Australia’s most trusted parenting experts. Dr Coulson has a PhD in Psychology, is a best-selling author of six books and father to six daughters. Justin writes and speaks about parenting and family – because nothing matters more.

12 April 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au

Advertorial

MMCNQ Celebrates Lent During this month, the season of Lent begins.

Lent is a period of six weeks (40 days) leading up to the celebration of Easter. Liturgically, Lent is marked by the colour purple and is a time for penance; for reflection on how to become closer to God and live the gospels more truly. Lent is also a time of reflecting on what might need to change within, in order to become better people.

While traditionally in the Church Lent is a time of repentance and seeking forgiveness for our sins, the important message for children is that the church is getting ready to celebrate Easter. Part of this “getting ready” is for us to think about the things we do and the ways we treat each other, and try harder to be better at these aspects of our lives.

The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) notes that children’s learning is dynamic, complex and holistic, with physical, social, emotional, personal, spiritual, creative, cognitive and linguistic aspects of learning all intricately interwoven and interrelated. By promoting spiritual development, educators are able to create a more peaceful environment while educating children who are prepared to participate in society in positive ways. MMCNQ educators embrace the time of Lent to plan learning opportunities that promote spiritual development within young children. This is achieved in a variety of ways.

14 April 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au

Shrove Tuesday: This is the day traditionally when we make pancakes with the children. Educators explain that they are making pancakes to clear out the pantry in preparation for Lent.

Ash Wednesday: For those of you who are familiar with this day and the normal church celebrations, people get the sign of the cross marked on their forehead with ashes on this day. In 2021, the Pope asked that in light of the Covid situation, churches worldwide return to the ancient practice of sprinkling ashes on the heads of the congregation rather than making the sign of the cross on their foreheads.

How can we be good friends? Throughout Lent, children may experience many planned opportunities of understanding friendships, making friends, being friends and restoring friendships - all of which are key themes in the season of Lent.

The use of story: Educators can use story to focus children’s attention on change, transformation and new life as a way of exploring with children the changes of Jesus' life throughout this time.

As we celebrate the season of Lent we set aside time for reflection and the sacrifices made. Through spiritual development MMCNQ believes children can learn to be capable of acknowledging differences and comfortable with qualities such as respect, responsibility and acceptance of themselves and others.

Advertorial

What to do if You Suspect Your Child has Broken a Bone Fractures and broken bones are an unfortunate part of childhood. In fact, they are the fourth most common injury in kids under six. Most often breaks to bones in the wrist or arm are caused by a trip while running or a fall at the playground.

So how do you know if your child has broken a bone?

In some instances, the arm can look crooked or you may see bone poking through the skin. In these situations, it is best to head straight to the emergency department of your nearest hospital. But more commonly there is no obvious injury apart from pain and some localised swelling. In younger children who may not be able to talk yet, they may cry and you'll likely notice a hesitation to use the limb in question.

To diagnose an injury, our therapists at Apricus Health will take a history of the injury and check your child’s movement and pain points. If a fracture is suspected they’ll arrange an X-ray. The X-ray is an important step as we can review the type, severity and location of the fracture to ensure optimal treatment options are considered. Most child fractures are able to be treated with a cast or a custom-moulded thermoplastic orthoses – and our therapists are able to explain which may be the best option for your child. For complex fractures we may consult with an orthopaedic surgeon and arrange follow up X-rays to ensure the best outcome.

• Elevate the limb to help with swelling

For most fractures, Apricus Health can manage all the ongoing follow up in-house. We will ensure parents have a very clear understanding of time frames for healing, activities that should be avoided, and how to manage pain. The good news is that after adequate time in the splint or cast children generally regain normal use of their limbs by re-engaging in gentle activities and play.

For those times however when movement or strength is an issue, our therapists will be able to focus the attention on exercises and treatment to get your child back to doing what they love, within the shortest time frame possible.

• Call our clinic - our staff can advise you and book you a same day emergency appointment if needed

For more helpful tips and advice from our expert Occupational Therapists, see our blog https://bit.ly/ApricusHealthBlog

If you think your child may have a broken bone the best steps are: • Give them pain relief (e.g. paracetamol) • Rest the injured area and stop movement, if possible apply a sling or splint. You can use a newspaper or rolled up towel • Apply an ice pack or a pack of frozen peas

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2022 15

Education

Getting Brains on Board to Boost Learning STORY Professor Ken Purnell, Head of Neuroscience Education at CQUniversity Want to help your child to love learning, but not sure where to start?

Begin by understanding their brain. But that doesn’t mean working out your little learner’s “type” of brain. Actually, decades of neuroscience research has shown that every human brain benefits from a range of learning strategies that nurture, challenge and ultimately grow our grey matter. Brain researchers have debunked the idea that a person has a single “learning style” that suits them best. And trying to just use one “best” strategy can actually be a roadblock to a child’s learning development.

CQUniversity’s Professor Ken Purnell is Head of Course for Educational Neuroscience, and he says effective learning requires information to be absorbed in ways that are most relevant to the content, while challenging the student and appealing to every part of their brain. Here’s Prof Purnell’s best tips to engage any learner, by starting with their brain.

Stay Social We often stereotype homework as a solitary activity – the student shut away in their room and buried in books. But actually, brains learn best in a social environment. Neuroscience tells us our brains need stimulation and connection to survive and thrive.

Close supportive relationships trigger positive emotions, neuroplasticity and learning – so reading or working through assignments with your child, and exploring topics with them, will help switch on their memorymaking and comprehension.

It’s not just up to parents though – friends and classmates are also vital. So don’t assume that your child’s Zoom or online chat is distracting them from learning. While the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many aspects of education, digital platforms have given students new ways to connect. In some cases, that’s also expanded their peer networks, which then expands language, experience, interests and ultimately learning.

A sense of belonging is fundamental for the brain to feel relaxed and comfortable to learn at its best – so it’s critical that families and schools build supportive environments for their learners.

Tip: Create a homework space in the family living area, and be involved in the learning, so your child knows they’re learning within a supportive community.

Same But Different Repetition is the key to most learning - but varying the repetition ensures our brains don’t get bored. “Nuanced repetition” means presenting the same information in different ways to consolidate our learning, initially at close intervals such as daily, and then less often across six months. On a molecular level, neuroscientists suspect there’s a physical process that needs to be completed to form a memory - and us not remembering something is a result of that not happening.

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2022 17

Education

Therefore, reading the information, seeing it illustrated, writing it down, experiencing it in ways that appeal to our senses, all prompt our physical memorymaking. And building the information into a story can supercharge connection to it. If the topic is volcanoes, what about a first-hand account from an eruption witness? Personal connection is also effective – could you recount how you learnt the information when you were at school? Then revisiting the information regularly trains our brain to recall the information that’s already stored in our long-term memory, and build on it.

Tip: Work with your child to create flashcards (either on cardboard or in a flashcard app like Anki or Brainscape) that captures information they want to learn. Put reminders in the calendar to revisit them over six months and be sure to celebrate their progress.

Balance the Brain The brain has two hemispheres – the right brain handles creativity, imagination and strong emotions, while the left hemisphere leads cognitive functions such as speech, language and logic. But people aren’t “right-brained” or “left-brained” – both sides of our brains work for every one of us, if we just decide to use them. Harvard researcher Professor Tracey TokuhamaEspinosa debunked the left-brained, right-brained myth, and many others, in her 2018 book Neuromyths. In fact, we all learn best if the teaching presents information in ways that trigger both sides of the brain.

Tip: Don’t just get stuck in the textbooks – look for songs, YouTube videos or even TikToks that cover the topic and challenge your student to create something of their own.

Move It! The brain and body aren’t separate, they’re both part of one whole – it’s only anatomy books that divide them up. Physical activity stimulates the entire brain with more oxygen, growing new neurons in the hippocampus (the learning and memory centre) and boosting frontal lobe (problem-solving centre) plasticity. Our kids can’t effectively learn if their bodies and brains aren’t being stimulated with physical activity, at least 30 minutes a day and ideally more than an hour.

Good nutrition and adequate sleep are also essential to learning. Australia’s sleep guidelines recommend children aged 5 to 13 get 9 to 11 hours uninterrupted sleep each night. And 14 to 17-year-olds should aim for 8 to 10 hours - concerningly, most only average 6.5 to 7 hours!

The good news - more physical activity throughout the day will also promote better sleep at night.

Tip: Trying to memorise times tables or spelling words?

Do it while throwing a ball in the backyard.

Brains Need Breaks More than 90 percent of learning is done unconsciously and only a small amount happens when our attention is really focused. Ever woken up with a great idea in the middle of the night? That’s because your brain is still processing, even when you’re asleep. Now that doesn’t mean don't study, but it does mean give yourself a break. Focus on challenging learning should be capped at about 20 minutes for primary kids and 30 minutes for secondary, before a five-minute break with plenty of opportunities to get up and get moving.

American neurologist, teacher and author Dr Judy Willis calls these “brain breaks”, that allow brain regions blocked by stress or high-intensity work to revitalise.

She advocates for brain breaks that switch activity to different brain networks and allow the resting pathways to restore their calm focus, for optimal mood, attention and memory.

Tip: Encourage your child to take breaks for brain-food snacks, get outdoors and get moving.

Keep Growing A student who believes they only learn one way might develop a “fixed mindset”. That’s the incorrect idea that human attributes, like intelligence or the ability to learn, cannot change. Instead of focusing on a preferred learning style as your child’s “best” one, help them appreciate all the different ways they take in information.

That requires an experimental approach – but it will help your child discover and connect with the many ways they can learn. Then make sure you celebrate with them when they realise a new approach is working.

Setting and working towards learning goals also helps the brain, as it gets a dopamine hit when that goal is achieved. Guide your child to ensure the goals aren’t too easy – you don’t want to bore them. But they must be achievable. Having a “growth mindset”, that you are capable of learning new things, is backed by science.

Neuroplasticity means brains can change, through creating, strengthening, weakening, or dismantling connections between its neurons.

Tip: Explore the power of “yet” with your child – it’s not that we can’t do something, it’s that we can’t do it YET!

CQUniversity is Australia’s most inclusive university, with more than 20 regional and urban locations offering hundreds of university and TAFE courses, online or on campus. Their commitment to quality education, student success and support services, means that no matter your background, postcode, or study preference, CQUni helps you achieve your dreams through training and education. www.cqu.edu.au

Professor Ken Purnell leads Neuroscience Education at CQUniversity, where he has worked for more than 25 years. He regularly contributes to the curriculum and assessment authority for Queensland K-12, and he is passionate about skilling teachers for brain-based education.

18 April 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au

Bump, Bub and Beyond

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

My Little Morphée $149.00 - www.morphee.co - available for purchase from JB HIFI, Amazon AU, Temple & Webster, and Officeworks.

My Little Morphée contains 192 meditative journeys to prepare children before bedtime or help calm them down during the day.

These sessions include visualisation, breathing and relaxation exercises. All sessions were carried out by sleep experts.

The Morphée Sleep Aid is non-digital for optimal efficiency wave-free and without a screen.

My 1st Doll Emma $24.95 - www.target.com.au My 1st Doll Emma is the perfect play and sleepy time companion. This soft little baby doll easily changes between Day and Night modes to provide the perfect friend for your baby. In Day mode the two soft buttons trigger nurturing play, fun melodies and sing-along songs; and in Night mode trigger soothing lullabies and nature sounds to give your little one comfort when time to go to sleep. The cute turtle on the baby doll’s clothes will light up with the singalong songs, sounds and melodies and will calmly fade in and out with the lullabies and nature sounds.

20 April 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au

Little Change Creators Re-FUN-able Colouring Sets $39.95 - www.littlechangecreators.com These innovative sets take colouring books to a whole new level with erasable surfaces and captivating illustrations for endless creativity. Ideal for travel, dining out, and multi-purpose play.

Each set comes with 12 child-safe marker pens, 1 magic-clean cloth, 1 fabric storage bag, 1 pay-it-forward token and repurposable packaging.

Sets are available in 8 gender-neutral designs. The best bit is - every purchase supports kids who provide unpaid care to family members with a disability, addiction, or chronic illness through a partnership with Little Dreamers Australia.

Bump, Bub and Beyond

Parenting Styles Lawnmower: These parents “mow down” a path for their children by removing all obstacles that may cause any form of discomfort, struggle or challenge. They are also likely to do a lot of their child’s work, or at the least ensure that it is done correctly.

Tiger: Known for prioritising academic and extracurricular performance, these parents are mostly authoritarian with high, if not unattainable expectations.

The epitome of tough love, challenges faced by their children are viewed as obstacles for them to overcome and rise from.

Elephant: The opposite to a tiger parent, elephant parents put value on emotional wellbeing, connection and safety. These parents recognise that negativity is not as an effective motivator as positivity is. They seek to not raise their voice, and value words of encouragement and participation over results.

focus on developing connection through baby wearing, breastfeeding and co-sleeping. They focus on rewarding positive behaviours and removing privileges for negative.

Free Range: These parents can be viewed with controversy, especially in our unpredictable harsh world. They allow more freedom in movement and life in general in the hopes of promoting self reliance and independence.

Babies and Fear Although a healthy and natural emotion, fear itself doesn’t begin to develop until around 6 months.

In babies, fear is not the same, it’s borne out of startlement, unfamiliar noises and sudden movements.

If you’ve got a bub that’s struggling to settle and appears disgruntled there’s a few things you can do.

Helicopter: Always hovering above are the helicopter parents. It’s a term used for parents who are perhaps a little too involved in their child’s lives, always working to minimise risk and consequently reduce growth and skill development. This can follow through to adult children too, with many helicopters hovering over their children once grown and moved out.

Dolphin: Dolphins seek collaboration, flexibility and balance. These parents focus on play, exploration, downtime, rest, exercise and sleep.

They create rules and expect them to be followed, but are open to compromise. They also value creativity and independence, and promote the development of essential life skills.

Attachment: Attachment parents are, you guessed it, super attached. They tend to

It’s key to remember to be gentle, calm and smooth with your movements. With everything so new, it’s no wonder babies get startled easily. Avoid immersing them in hyper stimulating environments, this can be sensory overload.

Empathy from parents is also powerful, and babies need this daily to eventually connect, trust and feel safe with you. So next time your little one appears fearful, comfort them and don’t force them to confront it exposure therapy is only for us big kids.

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2022 21

Health

All Things Health Jana Gorski

Myths and Misconceptions about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Naturopath - Calanna Whole Health Pharmacy Dear Jana, my partner and I have been trying for a baby for 10 months, and I’m starting to think it might be a problem for us. What can I do?

Despite significant recent developments in our understanding and determination of symptoms, there are still many myths and misconceptions that plague our perception of ASD. These misconceptions promote misinformation and ignorance and are detrimental to people and families living with ASD. It’s becoming an epidemic: The myth that ASD is becoming more and more common is merely a representation of progress. Progress in education and understanding in diversity of symptoms and implications of ASD. This gain in knowledge leads to a more accurate diagnosis at an earlier age and has also led to a higher rate of diagnosis in adults that were once overlooked, misdiagnosed or misunderstood.

Everyone with ASD is the same: This couldn’t be further from the truth. Everyone with ASD will exhibit varying symptoms and can be further diagnosed into an array of disorders that fall under the umbrella of ASD. Some of these include ADHD, Tourette’s, Asperger’s, Gifted and Anxiety.

Vaccines cause ASD: Autism is not a disease, nor is it caused by vaccines. This myth has been not only debunked through research, but also by admission from the disgraced doctor that simply made it up. In fact, there is no significant difference in the rates of ASD between vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

It can take up to 12 months for a healthy couple to conceive, but you may be able to optimise your chances with some well-timed attempts at conception and some lifestyle changes. Smoking, alcohol, inactivity, high fat diets and obesity can all impair fertility in both males and females so make those changes a priority. Sometimes nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances play a part that a health professional can identify and correct with herbs or nutrients. Given the 24 hour window for conception, timing is important. Most Apps inaccurately predict ovulation so consult with a trained professional to learn how to identify it correctly.

Calanna Whole Health Pharmacy www.calannapharmacy.com.au

For more information check out www.autism.org.au

Qiara Pregnancy and Breastfeeding The experts at Calanna Whole Health Pharmacy know which supplements are safe and beneficial throughout your baby journey. A probiotic they recommend for new mums and mothers-to-be wanting to maintain or restore their microflora is the Qiara Pregnancy and Breastfeeding probiotic.

Using a probiotic isolated from breastmilk, Qiara Pregnancy and Breastfeeding helps reduce the severity and recurrence of mild mastitis, while increasing the presence of good bacteria in breastmilk. That’s a win for you and baby.

It is suitable for women from preconception, during pregnancy and throughout the breastfeeding period. Available now from Calanna Whole Health Pharmacy.

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 2022 23

Adult Colouring

WIN an MKM Active Two-Piece Set $150.00 - www.mkmactive.com.au MKM Active is an Australian activewear brand designed by a mum, for women of all ages and sizes. The activewear is made for all-day wear, perfect for the busy mum. Its breathable material comes in a variety of cuts and patterns, plus is 100 percent squat proof (even the white pair).

100 percent money-back guarantee on all products.

Visit www.pakmag.com.au/win for your chance to win! Competition closes 31/03/2022. No need to submit colouring to enter.

24 April 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au

A boy threw a milk chocolate bar at me.

Why shouldn’t you tell an Easter egg a joke?

How dairy!

It might crack up!

A man said to the chocolate maker, "Are you a magician?"

"No," said the chocolate maker, "but I do have a couple of Twix up my sleeve!"

What do you call an ant dipped in chocolate?

Decad-ANT!

What day does an Easter egg hate the most?

R E T S EA KES JO Pu kids ll-out acti mag vity !

Fry-Day!

What kind of jewellery do rabbits wear?

14 carrot gold!

How does the Easter Bunny keep his fur looking so nice?

He uses Hare Spray!

Colour

Use the grid to copy the picture in e m

Connect the dots

WIN a Wahu Skim ‘N’ Hoop! $79.99 - www.wahu.com.au - Cool off this summer with Wahu's Skim 'N' Hoop! This large, multi-functional inflatable (Measuring approx. 150cm x 145cm x 86cm when inflated), can be used both in and out of the pool! Featuring 2 basketball hoops, 3 circular skim scoring targets, a detachable net on the rear plus an 11cm ball, you'll be all set for summer! Ideal for unlimited rounds of pool basketball challenges, water polo, pool football/soccer, or skim ball challenges!

For Ages 6+.Available from all leading retailers.

Visit www.pakmag.com.au/win for your chance to win! Competition closes 30/04/2022.

No need to submit activities to enter.

Help the bear find 10 presents on his way to the party

Whose piece of cake?

What Am I? Having Fun with Hedbanz! $24.99 - Available at all major retailers nationally.

Perfect for a game night, Hedbanz is a rapid-action family guessing game where players ask “yes” or “no” questions to find out what they are – an animal, food or object! Great for helping kids develop deductive reasoning and problem-solving skills in a fun and wacky way, and perfect for bringing the family together.

Visit www.pakmag.com.au/win for your chance to win! Competition closes 30/04/2022.

No need to submit colouring to enter.

Complete the crossword below using the numbered images as clues.

Colour in the images as you go.

Reveal the secret word that runs vertically through the crossword.

Colour the underwater scene using the colour code below. Complete the math to match up the answer with the correct colour.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Lonely Planet Kids’ - The Travel Book $29.99 - shop.lonelyplanet.com - Travel dreamers unite! Whilst we can’t all hop on a plane; we can still get to know our diverse planet with the amazing second edition of Lonely Planet Kids’ The Travel Book. Covering the entire globe with a full page dedicated to every independent country from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, The Travel Book is brought vividly to life with maps, full-colour photography, original art and easy to read text. Sit back and learn all about all the incredible - and incredibly different - lands that make up our planet without leaving your bedroom!

Visit www.pakmag.com.au/win for your chance to win! Competition closes 30/04/2022.

No need to submit answers to enter.

Recipes

Easter Recipes

Vegan Easter Bundt Cake Cake Ingredients • 250g plain flour • 3 tsp McKenzie’s Baking Powder • 1 tsp McKenzie’s Bi-Carb Soda • 190g caster sugar • ½ tsp salt • 4 tsp McKenzie’s Egg Replacer

• • • •

8 tbs water 160ml plant-based milk 1 tbs apple cider vinegar 150g dairy free margarine, melted • 1 tsp vanilla extract Chocolate Drip Indredients • 100g Lindt dark chocolate • 1 tsp coconut oil

Method Preheat oven to 170 C fan forced. Grease a 20cm Bundt tin with non-stick spray.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, bi-carb soda, sugar and salt.

In another bowl, mix together the egg replacer and water, whisking for 20 seconds to remove any lumps.

Add milk, vinegar, margarine and vanilla. Mix well.

Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy for approx. 2 minutes.

Pour mixture into cake tin and bake in centre of oven for approx. 40 - 45 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched.

Allow to cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to coolcompletely.

Note: Handle cake very gently. Vegan cakes are generally quite soft in texture and require the extra cooling time so that they don’t fall apart.

For chocolate drip, break the chocolate into a glass bowl with the coconut oil. Microwave in 30 second bursts until melted. Mix thoroughly and allow to cool slightly before pouring over the cake.

Lemon Shortbread Eggs Shortbread Ingredients • 250g butter, diced and softened • ¾ cup icing sugar • 1 ¾ cups plain flour • ½ cup McKenzie’s Rice Flour • ½ tsp McKenzie’s Baking Powder • 1 tsp lemon zest “Yolk” Ingredients • 100g store bought lemon curd • Extra icing sugar to dust Method Place butter into the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until smooth. Slowly add the icing sugar, mixing in well.

Add the flours and baking powder gradually, until all incorporated. Fold in lemon zest. Remove to a lightly floured surface and bring together with your hands.

Roll out to ½ cm thickness and use egg shaped cutter to press out shapes and place onto lined oven trays.

Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.

In the meantime, pre-heat oven to 170°C (150°C fan forced). Bake trays of shortbread for 20 minutes or until just golden underneath. Allow to cool for 5 minutes on trays before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

To decorate, dust each shortbread with a generous layer of icing sugar. With a small ice-cream scoop, place one dollop of lemon curd to resemble an egg yolk.

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2022 29

Education

Autism – Helping Children and Families Cope with Change STORY Dr Rosemarie Truglio, Senior Vice President of Curriculum and Content at Sesame Workshop All children like routines. They help them to ease transitions and prepare them for what comes next.

For those on the autism spectrum, routines are especially important. Knowing what to expect helps to create a sense of safety and calm.

All children can get thrown off when schedules and routines change, but children with autism can have an especially tough time.

Common changes or new situations might include leaving the home, meeting new people, going somewhere new like the doctor, doing things in a different order (like having dinner before a bath instead of afterwards), or a complete change in routine like having mum and dad work from home due to Covid-19.

There are however some simple ways to help your child cope with change, whether big or small:

Create Visuals Create visuals such as charts to help children understand new routines or changes. Visual schedules

can help prepare children for their day at home or school and show what is expected of them, and they’re a great tool to let your child know when certain things are going to happen throughout the day.

Start by keeping schedules short and sprinkle in lots of fun activities as rewards!

Preparation is Key Prepare your child, particularly when it comes to outings. Try to give your little one as much advance notice as possible that you’re heading out to let him or her know what to expect and what will be happening.

Some ways to prepare for an outing include: • Show some pictures of where you will be going and what you’ll be doing once you arrive.

• Repeat the information as much as possible – just before setting off, on the way there and upon arrival.

• You can also make a visual schedule with simple pictures that represent, for instance, a suitcase, car, grandma’s house, cousins, dinner, and home again.

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2022 31

Education

Acknowledge Achievements

The Big Changes like Covid

Embracing change is a huge achievement for any child.

Make sure you let your child know you’re proud of them when they show flexibility. “I am proud of you when…, you are being flexible.”

Your child may be wondering, Why is everything so different? or Why am I feeling scared?

Provide Alternatives Changes might feel a tiny bit less daunting when we feel we still have choices. For example, “We cannot go around the block, but we can play in the backyard.”

It might not seem like these efforts are making a difference at first, but with time and consistency, they can create an environment where change is easier on everyone.

Create Fun Family Traditions Traditions and rituals are an important part of routine, and can make new situations and change – like the start of school or going on a holiday – feel familiar and less frightening. And when children feel secure, they may be more likely to try something new.

So, create traditions that celebrate your family.

Make up a family cheer, a special handshake or hug.

These kinds of things reinforce the idea that you form a family unit together and that you’re all there for one another, no matter what.

Research Many venues have special passes for children with autism or other special needs. Call ahead to find out how you might be accommodated. If possible, look for quiet places in which your child can decompress away from any crowds so that you can all stay there longer and have more fun!

They might have heard words like Covid-19 or Coronavirus, know people who have been sick or may have missed some school. Perhaps their therapists and other community members have missed appointments due to lockdowns or restrictions.

For children that are verbal, find out what they already know and ask questions like: • “Have you noticed any differences in our lives right now?”

• “Do you know anything about what has been happening?”

• “Do you know what Covid-19 or the Coronavirus is?”

• “What questions would you like to ask me?”

Provide as much reassurance as you can, watch for any signs of stress and let them know that you’re working hard to keep your whole family safe.

For children that are not verbal, explain the changes right away and look for signs of stress.

Also, keep as many of their routines the same and emphasise the things that will stay the same, like eating breakfast, taking a bath, brushing our teeth, bedtime, getting dressed, etc.

These simple tips can help you to manage change and help your child deal with those changes in a way that will keep them feeling safe, calm and assured.

Dr Rosemarie Truglio Ph.D. has been a vital presence at Sesame Workshop for more than two decades. She is the Senior Vice President of Curriculum and Content at Sesame Workshop, overseeing content development across media platforms and product distribution and is an authority on child development. Dr Truglio is also author of Ready for School! A parent’s guide to playful learning for children ages 2 to 5.

Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organisation behind Sesame Street, has launched Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children a series of resources designed to help children and families cope with changes in routines and uncertainty.

Check out it out at autism.sesamestreet.org.

The range of resources include videos for kids and parents, storybooks, interactive games and more.

32 April 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au

Advertorial

The 3 Essential C’s to Help You Co-Parent During the Holidays STORY Eriola Sanxhaku This month we celebrate the Easter holidays, and for many people, this is an opportunity to connect with family and loved ones and create memories with those who matter most.

Unfortunately for two separated parents, this can also be a time that causes additional stress and anxiety.

Despite the best intentions, and as a result of Covid-19, some co-parenting arrangements can come under scrutiny during the holidays if one parent wants to spend more time with the children to make up for extended time away due to restrictions and lockdowns.

If you find yourself in this situation and arrangements are becoming challenging, remember the three C’s to avoid potential conflict and enjoy the celebrations as co-parents:

1. Communicate - Talk with your former partner in advance about sharing the days, or trying to work out a specific holiday solution that supports your kids.

If necessary, keep a dedicated communication book or share an online calendar / app that outlines the agreed events, dates and times, so everyone is across the arrangement.

2. Connect - If circumstances change suddenly or the new arrangement has caused challenges, try encouraging your child to maintain the connection with your former partner. They could email, phone or Facetime their other parent during their time with you. This shows support and positivity towards the relationship and places the child’s needs above your own.

3. Care - If the separation and time away from your child are causing you to feel lonely or anxious, use the time to care for yourself. Schedule time with friends, book a massage, take a short trip of your own or spend time doing more things that you love to do. Taking care of yourself during this time will allow you to remain positive and supportive, and to be a good role model for positive mental health for your child.

At the end of the day, it’s important to elevate the children’s needs above one’s own. Maintain an open line of communication and show flexibility. This will allow children to feel loved, cared for and connected to both parents and extended families.

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2022 35

School Holiday Guide

School Holiday Guide Cowboys Games

Townsville City Council

There will be two Cowboy games in Townsville in April.

Cowboys vs Sydney Roosters on 2 April, and Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans on 23 April. Both will be at the Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Check online for more info and tickets.

The City Council will be showcasing a variety of School Holiday activities this Easter Break. There will be a bevy of Easter themed activities for the littles ones to get amongst. Stay tuned online for the release of the program on 2 April.

www.cowboys.com.au

www.townsville.qld.gov.au

Youth Week

Jeremy Brockie Football Soccer School Holiday Program

This Easter break happens to coincide with Youth Week, so check out all the activities running in your community.

In Ingham there will be movie marathons and an Outer Limits Adventure Program. TYTO will be hosting a range of workshops at the gallery, Gel Blaster Games, and an Adrenaline Game of Laser Skirmish. And CityLibraries Aitkenvale will host a Youth Council Virtual Open Mic Night. Check online for dates and more info, there’s plenty on 1 - 14 April, and many activities are free. www.townsville.qld.gov.au www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au

Grill’d Kids Masterclasses If you’re after a tasty and affordable morning activity for the kids these school holidays, Grill’d will be running Kids Masterclasses. Classes will run 2 - 4, and 9 - 11 April, and will be held at all three Grill’d locations in Townsville, 9.00am - 10.30am. Classes are only $15.00 per day so make sure to get in touch and book a spot!

A Townsville, Fairfield Central, The Willows E info@grilldtownsville.com

Fairfield Central The centre will be hosting a range of FREE activities throughout the Easter break. There will be Easter themed crafts and projects to get amongst running 7 - 14 April, as well as a special visit from the Easter Bunny 16 April. Events will be running 10.00am - 1.00pm.

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

Recently retired footballer Jeremy Brockie is hosting a Soccer Clinic 4 - 6 April, 8.30am - 11.00am, at M A Olympic Park. Open to children aged 5 - 13 years, with a cost of $130.00, or $50.00 per day. Throughout the program your kids will have the opportunity to develop new skills, build confidence, and most of all have fun.

E jbrockiefootball@gmail.com JB Football

Sealink Ferry To Magnetic Island Make the most of our location and visit Magnetic Island, getting there couldn’t be easier with Sealink. Take the whole family for a day trip and explore the national parks, trails, and beaches. Tickets are available online, at the terminal or on-board the ferry. You can also grab a Family Pass for just $79.50.

A Breakwater Terminal on Sir Leslie Thiess Drive P 1300 624 443 www.sealinkqld.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 King Reef Resort www.kingreef.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 2022 37

School Holiday Guide

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 Care Centres. As part of the program, children aged 5 - 11 years will engage in fun activities and excursions that are supervised by caring and qualified staff, in a safe and nurturing environment that encourages free learning. Visit their website for more info.

P 4726 3299 E childcare@mmcnq.catholic.edu.au Townsville Catholic Education www.mmcnq.catholic.edu.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. Check out the galleries Youth Week program too, a range of activities are on offer including Gel Blasters and Art Workshops running 4 - 14 April. From TYTO you can explore Hinchinbrook, a place of beauty surrounded by attractions, including Wallaman Falls.

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

skate? Tobogganing is only $5.00 for six whole slides!

You can also get groovy at Disco Night, on every Friday and Saturday 7.00pm - 9.00pm.

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

Billabong Sanctuary Get a dose of native Aussie wildlife at Billabong Sanctuary these school holidays. Get up close and personal with their most cuddliest of creatures, then watch the giant crocs feast. Once it’s time for a little relaxation, grab a picnic spot and let the kids loose at the swimming pool. Open from 9.00am - 2.00pm every day.

A 17km South of Townsville on the Bruce Highway P 4778 8344 Billabong Sanctuary www.billabongsanctuary.com.au

PCYC Townsville The PCYC also offers Outside School Hours Care, and a variety of fun programs and activities for all ages and levels, including gymnastics, gym and fitness, plus other community activities. Visit their website and your local branch for more information.

A 130 Wellington St, Aitkenvale P 4781 9100 PCYC Townsville www.pcyc.org.au

Hinchinbrook Shire Council’s 2022 Youth School Holiday Program The Shire Council will be showcasing a variety of School Holiday activities this Easter Break. There will be lots of Easter themed activities for the littles ones to get amongst. Stay tuned online for the release of the program and opportunities to volunteer. www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au

Pandanus Park Golf Centre Kids of all ages can come and try golf at Pandanus Park Golf Centre’s undercover driving range. The golf centre is open seven days a week, bookings not required.

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.

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 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.

P 0424 155 171 Pimlico P 0417 070 826 Kirwan www.kumoneducation.com.au

Choi Kwang Do Master Academy

Warrina Ice Skating

At this academy, full-time professional instructors help kids from 3 years old to learn martial arts, discipline, self control, and goal setting. Helping grow confidence and technique, it is much more than just punching and kicking. There are a variety of classes and programs suitable for Tiny Tigers, children, teens, and adults, and there’s even the option to learn virtually.

Escape the heat and humidity and have a cool time these summer holidays with family and friends at Townsville’s very own ice skating rink. All sessions are 90 minutes long, 9.00am to 4.00pm. Don’t want to

A CKD Building 741 Riverway Drive, Thuringowa Central P 4773 9794 or 0481 749 607 Choi Kwang Do Master Academy www.choikwang-do.com.au

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

38 April 2022 | 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.

School Holiday Guide

Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts Creative Kids Creative Kids is Umbrella’s digital art program for kids aged 3 to 11. They can follow instructions through the workshops and let their imagination run wild as they use a variety of techniques and materials to create art.

They currently offer four digital experiences including Colouring NQ, Planimals, Print Experiments, and Rare & Wild. They also offer Creative Youth programs, kits, and workshops so stay up to date on their site.

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

Perc Tucker Gallery Check out what there is to do these school holidays through Perc Tucker Regional Gallery with FREE online Art Workshops and Resources. Don’t forget to pop in and view some of the amazing exhibitions on display too. Crafty Kids - A series of art workshops for families and kids of all ages is a great way to get their creativity flowing. Check out their online workshops, and for the older bunch, there’s Creative Crowd - Designed for teenagers, exploring art techniques and technology.

View the videos online to see what you can create and for upcoming workshops.

A Cnr Denham and Flinders Streets P 13 48 10 www.townsville.qld.gov.au

Townsville Golf Club Townsville Golf Club will be running an Autumn School Holiday Program 4 - 6 April. Each session starts at 3.00pm and finishes at 6.00pm and costs $39 per session, per child, including equipment. These clinics are for any child aged 5 -12 years old keen to learn golf for the first time or brush up on the basics. PGA qualified professionals will take the kids through putting, chipping and driving, followed by an afternoon snack and some on course play.

A Townsville Golf Club P 0490551188 www.townsvillegolfclub.com.au

AstarA Dance Company Running 6 - 8 April, AstarA Dance Company is hosting a School Holiday Workshop Program that is open to

everyone aged 3 - 18. Workshops will begin at 9.00am daily and run until 3.30pm, with a cost of $50.00 per day.

A great opportunity to get your young ones experiencing the joys of dance, and all its other benefits. Get in quick, bookings required.

A 4 Cooper Street, Currajong P 0430 321 542 E tarajhoward@hotmail.com Heading North? Here are some great things to do in FNQ:

Gallo Dairyland Well worth a drive and only an hour from Cairns, Gallo Dairyland is a go to this break. Positioned between Atherton, Malanda, and Yungaburra, it offers an insight into a fully operational dairy farm and gourmet cheese factory, with all the tasty goodies available at the restaurant. Not to mention their chocolate, worth the trip on its own.

A Malanda Road, Atherton P 07 4095 2388 www.gallodairyland.com.au

Historic Village Herberton Australia’s mining, timber, and farming heritage lives again at the Historic Village Herberton. With quirky Australian collectibles, olden day machinery, vehicles and thousands of genuine antique items, the Village is regarded as one of the most significant outdoor museums in Australia. Spend some quality family time together and make some great memories.

A 6 Broadway, Herberton P 4096 2002 www.historicvillageherberton.com.au

The Crystal Caves Explore the Atherton Crystal Caves and you’ll have a gem of a time. Traverse the caves and marvel at over 600 crystals and fossils. You’ll be immersed in tunnels and grottos, have the opportunity to take a shot and crack your own geode, then browse the shop for a keepsake.

Perfect for families looking to learn a little more about FNQ geology and the wonder of the Tablelands. Cost: $25.00 for adults, $12.50 for children, $65.00 for a family, and FREE for under 5’s. Check online for more info and to book a Crack a Geode Experience.

A 69 Main Street Atherton P 07 4091 2365 www.crystalcaves.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 2022 41

Daddy Diary

Daddy Diary And on the seventh day the good lord added tomato sauce and cheese atop a dough base. His finest creation. Take a bow big guy. Pizza is unleashed onto the world… Pretty sure the above doesn’t feature in the good book, but it should. Not only is pizza delicious, inexpensive, delicious, easy to eat and delicious - it’s also stacks of fun to make. And that last bit may be the reason my kids are actually eating it.

We have a problem in my house. My kids are always hungry. Or “starving” as Matilda (Miss 7) likes to put it. But when it comes to dinner time their hunger mysteriously disappears. Like a rabbit out of a magician’s hat. Abracadabra it’s gone. That was until I started getting them involved. Enter my new favourite food - Pizza. Side note definitely not my “new” fave food. Always has been, always will be.

Recently I’ve started letting the kids make their own pizzas. We wash all the nasties off their hands (kid’s hands are gross) and line them up along the kitchen bench. They get a base each and small bowls of pizza sauce, cheese and ham. One day we might actually get

a vegetable added to that list. They then proceed to make one hell of a mess on the pizza base. As long as it’s on the dough base and not on my floor I don’t care.

After their Frankenstein like pizza creations are cooked they gobble them up completely. Can’t get enough.

What a transformation.

The interesting thing is they never liked my home-made pizza at all. Charlie (Mr 3) once told me my creations were “Yuk”. That’s a huge insult in the mind of a 3-year-old. It’s amazing what getting their hands dirty(er) has done. The act of them making dinner is like a badge of honour. Every last morsel must then be consumed. Of course, now that I know my little trick is a winner I must exploit it. And that my friend is how I scored myself a couple of sous chefs at dinner time.

There’s nothing they won’t do. Getting their hands all mincey on rissole night, rolling out meatballs another, and the other day I even had my daughter bang out a chicken breast with a rolling pin for a schnitty night.

The options are endless.

Also, in a world of iPads and Netflix it’s nice to spend a few extra minutes together with the kids in the kitchen the heart of the home. Even if the ground does start to resemble the floor of the Bega Cheese factory on pizza night.

Happy cooking kids!

Cliffo Hit 103.1

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2022 43

Community Noticeb o ard

ANZAC Day, 25 April There will be various opportunities on ANZAC Day to pay your respects. Anzac Day is a day of remembrance that is held on the anniversary of the landing of the First Australian Imperial Force and New Zealand Army troops, at Gallipoli in 1915.

A Dawn Service will be held at Thuringowa Cenotaph, beginning at 5.40am, followed by the Parade at 8.30am at the Weir State School. There will also be a Mid-Morning Service at 9.30am for those unable to make the early morning service.

Find Your Furever Friend When: 1 - 2 April / 9.00am - 3.30pm The Animal Care and Adoption Centre is offering a 50 percent discount on cats, kittens, dogs, and puppies. If you’re looking to adopt, bring along your current pets to meet the newest member of the bunch. And if you’re renting, written permission will be required. www.townsville.qld.gov.au

In Townsville City, a Dawn Service will be held at Anzac Park, The Strand. It will begin at 5.30am, followed by the Parade at 8.15am, and a Wreath Laying opportunity at 10.00am. whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au/events/anzac-day-2022

B2B Sales Professional Wanted Marketing to Families

Nation al Aware Autism ness M o nt h

Aiming to impro ve awa and the reness lives of all Austr the auti alians o sm spe n ctrum, their fa as well milies. F as in d www.a utismaw out more at areness .com.au

44 April 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au

We’re looking for someone who can help local businesses effectively market their products and services to families in NQ. Offering a range of services through both print and digital media, this position is responsible for helping businesses engage with families through the PakMag brand.

Casual or part time. Flexible hours on offer. Find out more: www.paktownsville. com.au/job-position-available

‘All Sho

ok Up’

d by T Presente

he Cath

edral Sc

hool

ril turing 2 - 23 Ap atre Fea When: 2 Civic The le il e v s th n s Tow xplore Where: e story e m ongs, th s is our drea y lv E g 7 in 3 ville s of follow n e c w n o T a . rt impo ail yourself 97 or em g true to : 4727 97 e and bein ic ff O op Box ov.au Ticketsh ville.qld.g @towns p o h ts e tick

Queensland Youth Week Youth Week is a celebration of all young people aged 12 - 25. This year it runs 1 - 11 April and celebrates all the positive contributions young people make to our communities. It’s important to acknowledge these contributions and build a better future for communities.

Townsville runs a Youth Council for young locals who are passionate about improving the quality of youth life in Townsville. Candidates will be required to attend fortnightly meetings and proactively engage with and share ideas with other young people. To find out more check out their Facebook page Townsville Youth Council.

Check online for local events in your community celebrating Youth Week. www.townsville.qld.gov.au / www.des.qld.gov.au/youthweek

A Moment with Mario Calanna Calanna Whole Health Pharmacy is the largest family-owned and first wholehealth pharmacy group in regional Queensland. For over 45 years they have been operating an authentic wholehealth model to help people pursue more from life. Founded by Mario Calanna in 1976, Mario graduated in 1970 and worked initially in John Brosnan’s pharmacy in Cairns. In 1975, the Calanna Medical Centre was built on the land where the family farmhouse had stood for over 50 years.

Mario’s family home is on two of the blocks of land that were originally part of the family cane farm. Geographically, he has only moved about five hundred metres in over sixty years.

Mario is married to Linda, and they have a son, Matthew, a daughter, Catherine, as well as granddaughter, Madeline.

Mario has been heavily involved in community service clubs since 1971, and has been President of the Jaycees, Rotaract, and Rotary. In 1978, he founded the ‘Junior Speaking Contest’ while a member of Trinity Jaycees. The contest is now called the Calanna Junior Speaking Contest.

Get Involved!

We’d love to hear from you! Head to www.paktownsville.com.au/community to submit community news or a notice, and also view the full community noticeboard online.

www.mariocalanna.com.au

Please confirm the above details are correct before visiting during these uncertain times.

We have done our best to ensure all details are correct at time of print.

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2022 45

What’s On FRIDAY 1 APRIL Sexual Assault Awareness Month www.nsvrc.org/saam National Autism Awareness Month www.autismawareness.com.au Queensland Youth Week Runs until 11 April www.des.qld.gov.au/youthweek Townsville Youth Council Find Your Furever Friend The Animal Care and Adoption Centre is offering a 50 percent discount on cats, kittens, dogs and puppies. Runs until 2 April 9.00am - 3.30pm / Cats $49.50, Kittens $90.00, Dogs $132.50, Puppies $180.00 www.townsville.qld.gov.au Groundswell Exhibition Runs until 23 April Pinnacles Gallery 10.00am - 5.00pm / FREE / G www.townsville.qld.gov.au Ristographomania Runs until 10 April Perc Tucker Regional Gallery 10.00am - 5.00pm / FREE / G www.townsville.qld.gov.au DISINTEGRATION. Metadrawing and Expanded Drawing Runs until 10 April Perc Tucker Regional Gallery 10.00am - 5.00pm / FREE / G www.townsville.qld.gov.au School of Rock the Muscial Runs until 2 April Townsville Civic Theatre 7.30pm - 10.30pm / $30.00 $50.00 / PG www.nqomt.com.au

46 April 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au

Nourishing the Heart and Spirit 8 week program, runs until 12 April Townsville South State School 6.30pm - 8.30pm / $192.00 / 18 + www.yogaaspirations.com.au Laurie Spina Shield A 2-day rugby league carnival.

Runs until 2 April Brothers Leagues Club www.cowboys.com.au/ community SATURDAY 2 APRIL World Autism Awareness Day www.autismawareness.com.au Junior State Cup North Junior touch football teams from across Queensland participate and compete.

Runs until 4 April Queens Park Touch Fields & Townsville Sports Reserve www.nqtouch.com.au Sensational Girls Network Mother Daughter Retreat Runs until 3 April Amaroo on Mandalay Resort $300.00 - $450.00 / G www.sensationalgirlsnetwork. com.au Cowboys vs Sydney Roosters Queensland Country Bank Stadium 6.30pm / FREE - $25.00 / G www.cowboys.com.au Townsville Electric Vehicle Experience Strand Park

With HIT 103.1’s Cliffo & Gabi

9.00am - 1.00pm / FREE / G Solar Citizens

www.townsville.qld.gov.au/ libraries

2022 Youth Week Welcome to Movie Marathon: Ghost Busters: Afterlife Ingham Picture Theatre 5.00pm - 6.30pm / Gold coin donation / PG www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au

Jeremy Brockie Football Soccer School Holiday Program Runs until 6 April M A Olympic Park 8.30am - 11.00am / $130.00, or $50.00 per day / Ages 5 - 13.

E: jbrockiefootball@gmail.com JB Football

Grill’d Kids Masterclass Runs until 4 April Grill’d, all three Townsville locations 9.00am - 10.30am / $15.00 per day / G, email to book E: info@grilldtownsville.com SUNDAY 3 APRIL Attracting Native Birds to Your Garden Discover how to create a bird friendly garden that offers shelter food, drinking water and bath, and nesting material.

Carville Villas 1.00pm - 4.00pm / $70.00 / PG www.globalgardener.org MONDAY 4 APRIL 2022 Youth Week - Adrenaline Games: Gel Blasters TYTO Wetlands and Precinct 9.30am - 1.30pm / FREE / Ages 12 + www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au Stay and Play in the Park after collecting your Easterthemed Take Home Messy Play pack and borrowing a mystery bag of children’s picture books.

Strand Water Park 8.30am - 11.00am / FREE / Ages 0 - 5

Story Walk (One Remarkable Reef) Collect an activity pack and check out the Storywalk. Runs throughout the week until 19 April Strand Water Park 9.00am - 5.00pm / FREE / G www.townsville.qld.gov.au Kids Autumn School Holiday Golf Program Runs until 6 April Townsville Golf Club 3.00pm - 6.00pm / $39.00 per session / Ages 5 - 12 www.townsvillegolfclub.com.au TUESDAY 5 APRIL Delta Goodrem – Bridge Over Troubled Dreams Tour TECC 8.00pm / $100.00 - $400.00 / G www.tecc.net.au Live Life Get Active Active Yoga Runs daily until 1 April The Strand 6.00am - 6.45am / FREE / G www.livelifegetactive.com Fantastic Frisbees Runs until 8 April Perc Tucker Regional Gallery 10.00am - 12.00pm / FREE / G www.townsville.qld.gov.au

Sleep for Children Over 6 Months CityLibraries Aitkenvale 9.30am - 10.30am / FREE / 18 + www.townsville.qld.gov.au

Dance for Absolute Beginners Final week of the course Dancenorth 6.00pm - 7.15pm / $90.00 / G www.dancenorth.com.au

Resume and Cover Letter Workshop CityLibraries Thuringowa Central 9.30am - 11.30am / FREE / G www.townsville.qld.gov.au

AstarA Dance Company April Holiday Workshop Program Runs until April AstarA Dance Company 9.00am - 3.30pm / $50.00 per day / Ages 3 - 18 P: 0430 321 542 E: tarajhoward@hotmail.com

Plastic Science Come along and learn more about recycling, repurposing and micro electronics. Use recycled shredded plastic lids, design, create and assemble a pendant light over two workshops Runs until 7 April Riverway Arts Centre 1.00pm - 5.00pm / FREE / 12 + www.townsville.qld.gov.au/ WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL Free Microchipping Day Animal Care and Adoption Centre 9.00am - 2.00pm / FREE / G, Bookings required P 13 48 10 A Morning of Celtic Music Townsville Civic Theatre 11.00am - 12.30pm / $15.00 $20.00 / G Townsville TicketShop 2022 Youth Week Outer Limits Adventure Program Including Mini Olympics, Archery Tag, Team Building, and Catapults.

Ingham Showgrounds 9.30am - 4.00pm / FREE / Ages 8 + www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au 2022 Youth Week - APT Kids on Tour Workshop by QAGOMA TYTO Regional Art Gallery 10.30am - 12.30pm / G www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au

Turtle Connection A virtual learning program about the sea turtles. Learn about sea turtle life cycles, breeding and feeding adaptations as well as simple actions that you can take to protect the sea turtle. Take home activities and story walk packs for all participants.

CityLibraries Thuringowa Central 10.00am - 10.45am / FREE, Booking required / Ages 6 - 12 www.townsville.qld.gov.au THURSDAY 7 APRIL School Holiday Free Activities Runs until 14 April Fairfield Central 10.00am - 1.00pm / FREE / G www.fairfieldcentral.com.au Townsville Cinema Group Screening BCC Cinema Townsville Central 7.00pm - 11.00pm / $15.00 / M www.cinemagroup.org.au FRIDAY 8 APRIL Shane Muspratt Cup Runs until 9 April Ayr Rugby Park E: shanemusprattcup@gmail. com P:0429 630 493 2022 Youth Week - Adrenaline Game: Laser Skirmish Runs until 9 April TYTO Regional Art Gallery

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

9.30am / FREE / Ages 12 + www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au Townsville Youth Council Virtual Open Mic Nights Also runs 29 April CityLibraries Aitkenvale 6.30pm - 8.00pm / FREE www.townsville.qld.gov.au Tropic Tales - (Not) Just another Day on the Job Arcadian Surf Club on the Strand 6.15pm - 8.00pm / FREE / 16 + P: 07 4727 9667 E: livestoryevents@iinet.net.au CommBank Matildas Vs New Zealand Queensland Country Bank Stadium 7.45pm / $26.40 / G www.ticketmaster.com.au SATURDAY 9 APRIL RESPECT – The Aretha Franklin Story TECC 8.00pm / $60.00 - $90.00 / G www.tecc.net.au 2022 Youth Week Welcome to Movie Marathon: Spiderman Ingham Picture Theatre 6.30pm - 8.00pm / Gold coin donation / PG www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au Rebel Sport Ross Dam 10km Time Trial Ross River Dam 6.30am - 8.30am / FREE / PG www.townsvilleroadrunners. com.au Grill’d Kids Masterclass Runs until 11 April Grill’d, all three Townsville locations 9.00am - 10.30am / $15.00 per day / G, email to book E: info@grilldtownsville.com

SUNDAY 10 APRIL Elliot’s Revenge Trail Run Alligator Creek Day Use Area $15.00 / G www.outerlimitsadventure. com.au 2022 Youth Week Welcome to Movie Marathon: The Addams Family Ingham Picture Theatre 10.00am - 11.30am / Gold coin donation / PG www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au Legacy 100 Triathlon Riverway Complex 6.00am - 11.00am / $100.00 donation / M Legacy100 Triathlon Growing Flowers and Potted Colour A hands-on workshop planting annual flowers that look gorgeous during the dry season Carville Villas 1.00pm - 4.00pm / $95.00 / PG www.globalgardener.org 2022 Youth Week APT Kids on Tour Workshop

by QAGOMA TYTO Regional Art Gallery 10.30am - 12.30pm / FREE / G www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au MONDAY 11 APRIL 2022 Youth Week Canvas Sculptures Workshop

by David Rowe TYTO Regional Art Gallery 10.30am - 2.30pm / FREE, Registration required / G www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au TUESDAY 12 APRIL Bouncing Bunnies Runs until 14 April Pinnacles Gallery 10.00am / FREE / G www.townsville.qld.gov.au

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2022 47

What’s On

With Triple M’s Pricey

TUESDAY 12 APRIL

FRIDAY 22 APRIL

MONDAY 25 APRIL

2022 Youth Week - Create Your Own Headpiece Workshop by Mariangela Bison TYTO Regional Art Gallery 10.30am - 12.30pm / FREE / G www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au

All Shook Up Runs until 23 April Townsville Civic Theatre Various times / $25.00 $39.00 / G www.cathedral.qld.edu.au

ANZAC Day Dawn Service Thuringowa Cenotaph, Riverway Precinct, Riverway Drive 5.40am / FREE / G whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au

WEDNESDAY 13 APRIL 2022 Youth Week Introductory Digital Media Workshop by Daniel Marolla TYTO Regional Art Gallery 10.30am - 12.30pm / FREE / G www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au Thai New Year - Songkran Runs until 15 April THURSDAY 14 APRIL 2022 Youth Week - Pen and Washed Effects Workshop

by Kristina Fontana TYTO Regional Art Gallery 10.30am - 12.30pm / FREE / G www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au FRIDAY 15 APRIL Cache QLD Townsville Mega Event Geocaching event.

Runs until 17 April Townsville Turf Club 9.00am - 1.00pm / FREE / G www.geocaching.com SATURDAY 16 APRIL Easter Bunny Visit Fairfield Central 10.00am - 1.00pm / FREE / G www.fairfieldcentral.com.au

SATURDAY 23 APRIL Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans Queensland Country Bank Stadium 6.30pm / FREE - $25.00 / G www.cowboys.com.au Canefield Ashes Carnival Runs until 24 April Home Hill Cricket Club E: homehillca@gmail.com Burdekin Junior Netball Carnival Runs until 24 April Home Hill Netball Courts Burdekin Netball Association Burdekin Auto Festival A three day event with up to 200 classic cars, hot rods and motorcycles on display.

Runs until 1 May Ayr Showgrounds Burdekin Cruisers Car Club Inc Growing Vegetables in Pots and Containers Carville Villas 9.00am - 12.00pm / $85.00 / PG www.globalgardener.org

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

ANZAC Day Parade Weir State School 8.30am / FREE / G whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au ANZAC Day Mid-Morning Service Thuringowa Cenotaph, Riverway Precinct, Riverway Drive 9.30am / FREE / G whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au ANZAC Day Dawn Service Anzac Park, The Strand 5.30am / FREE / G whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au ANZAC Day Parade Strand Park 8.15am / FREE / G whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au ANZAC Day Wreath Laying Anzac Park, The Strand 10.00am / FREE / G whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au FRIDAY 29 APRIL 50 Years On Queen Bohemian Rhapsody Townsville Civic Theatre 8.00pm - 10.30pm / $50.00 $80.00 / G www.benmaioran aentertainment.com.au Home Hill Sugar Bowl Home Hill Tennis Club www.tennisnorth.com.au

2022 Townsville North Queensland Games Runs until 2 May Townsville 8.00am - 8.00pm / G www.nqgames.com.au SATURDAY 30 APRIL Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow Townsville Civic Theatre 7.30pm - 9.45pm / $30.00 $35.00 / M www.comedyfestival.com.au Josh Solomon Cup 2022 Townsville Skateboarding Championships Runs until 7 May Northshore Skatepark www.australianskateboarding.com SATURDAY 7 MAY Pioneer Weekend Country & Folk Music Festival.

Runs until 8 May Historic Village Herberton 9.00am - 5.00pm / Stay tuned for programs and ticket costs / G www.historicvillageherberton. com.au SATURDAY 21 MAY The Cathedral School Open Day Take a guided tour or just follow the Open Day Trail.

The Cathedral School of St Anne & St James 9.00am - 12.00pm / Register online www.cathedral.qld.edu.au/ open-day

www.pakmag.com.au | April 2022 49

Regular Events MONDAYS

WEDNESDAYS

Qi Gong Runs sporadically until 19 December Inner Light Meditation Centre 6.30pm / $15.00 / G www.innerlightmeditation centre.com

Baby Rhyme Time During school term.

CityLibraries Thuringowa Central 9.30am / FREE (bookings required) / for parents and babies 0 to 24 months www.townsville.qld.gov.au

KUMON Free Trial Available for new and current students.

Kumon Kirwan Education Centre www.au.kumonglobal.com TUESDAYS Toddler Time During school term.

Townsville Stadium 9.00am / FREE (bookings required) / for carers and toddlers aged 24 + months www.townsville.qld.gov.au Baby Rhyme Time During school term.

Townsville Stadium 10.30am / FREE (bookings required) / for parents and babies 0 to 24 months www.townsville.qld.gov.au

Toddler Time During school term.

CityLibraries Thuringowa Central 10.30am / FREE (bookings required) / for carers and toddlers aged 24 + months www.townsville.qld.gov.au Zumba with Merryl Runs weekly until 22 June, except public / school holidays Heatley Community Centre 6.00pm / $10.00 per session / G - All ages whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au THURSDAYS Yoga for Happiness 5 week programs, run weekly until 15 December Townsville South State School

6.30pm - 8.00pm / $100.00 / M www.employsure.com.au/ seminars Playtime at the Library with First 5 Forever Runs weekly Hinchinbrook Shire Library 10.30am / FREE / Ages 0 - 5 www.library.hinchinbrook.qld. gov.au Baby Rhyme Time During school term.

CityLibraries Thuringowa Central 10.30am / FREE (bookings required) / for parents and babies 0 to 24 months www.townsville.qld.gov.au Storytime During school term.

CityLibraries Thuringowa Central 9.30am / FREE (bookings required) / for carers and children aged 3 years + www.townsville.qld.gov.au

until 17 June Riverway Oval 7.00pm - 8.30pm / FREE / G whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au Moulin Rogue Runs until 17 December Stage Door Theatre Restaurant, Magnetic Island 5.00pm - 9.00pm / $95.00 / PG www.stagedoortheatre.com.au Breathwork Sessions Runs weekly until 24 June Inner Light Meditation Centre 7.00pm - 8.00pm / FREE / G www.innerlightmeditation centre.com SUNDAYS Establishing the Basics Yoga 5 week programs, run weekly until 17 December Townsville South State School 8.00am - 9.15am / $100.00 / M www.yogaaspirations.com.au

FRIDAYS Riverway Movie Screening Runs every third Friday

Regular Markets Many markets are subject to weather conditions and community guidelines, so please check with market organisers and relevant communities before visiting during these uncertain times.

Bluewater Twilight Markets

Balgal Beach Markets

Cotters Markets

February - December Second Saturday of the month 4.00pm - 8.00pm Bluewater Community Centre

First Saturday of the month 8.00am - 1.00pm The Esplanade, Balgal Beach

Every Sunday 8.30am - 1.00pm Flinders St

Strand Night Markets

Magnetic Island Markets

Bushland Beach Markets March - December First and third Sunday of the month 8.00am – 12.00pm On the foreshore, End of Mount Low Parkway

Renegade Handmade Markets Second Sunday of the month 8.00am – 12.00pm Marian School Hall

50 April 2022 | www.pakmag.com.au

March - December First Friday of the month 5.00pm - 9.30pm Strand Park, North Ward

Mundingburra Markets Third Sunday of the month 7.30am - 12.00pm Mundingburra State School

Willows Rotary Markets Every Sunday 7.30am - 11.30am Willows Shopping Centre Car Park

April - January Every Sunday 9.00am – 2.00pm Foreshore in Horseshoe Bay

Mercer Lane Markets April - December First Saturday of the month From 8.30am – 12.00pm Lannercost St, Ingham

New Look Conroy Markets March - December Second Saturday of the month

8.00am – 12.00pm Conroy Hall, Ingham

Wulguru Markets Every Sunday 7.00am – 12.00pm Wulguru Soccer Grounds 14 Edison Street, Wulguru, Ingham

Raintree Community Markets First and Third Sunday of the month from 7.00am - 12.00pm Rotary Park, Ingham

Forrest Beach Markets May - October Fourth Sunday of every month 8.00am – 12.00pm 9 - 11 Palm St, Forrest Beach

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