SPRING 2020
A new service
CONNECTING MUMS The rise of
RUBY NOOSA Dad advice from
STEVE BIDDULPH BROUGHT TO YOU BY
About Us
A spring in our step HI everyone! Welcome to the spring edition of Sunshine Coast Kids Today. This year has certainly been far from what anyone could have expected. The world has changed but it hasn’t stopped. There’s no denying that COVID-19 is part of our new reality. But it’s not something we wanted to focus on in this magazine. Instead, we wanted to bring you uplifting stories and parenting advice from the experts. There are stories about Sunshine Coast locals doing great things. You
may have heard of Ruby Noosa, a social influencer known globally for her live streamed cooking shows. Ruby grew her global brand while raising two kids on her own.
Our parenting experts include renowned psychologist Steve Biddulph, who returns with a piece that offers plenty of good advice about what makes a good dad.
We also feature Renee Bennett, a Noosa local who has created a new service, Mumma & Co, to offer vital support to mums. The idea was born after Renee experienced post natal depression.
Throughout our magazine you will also find plenty of things to do. If you are looking for an adventure, turn to our Focus on Gympie Region feature.
You’ll also enjoy reading about Ella Woodborne, a local teen who grew up next to an elephant reserve in South Africa and is now committed to making a real difference to our environment.
For some family fun closer to home, be sure to check out our spring calendar of events.
Sunshine Coast Kids Today will be published quarterly prior to each of the school holidays. Sunshine Coast Kids Today c/o Noosa Today
Have fun and take care,
36 Mary Street, Noosaville, Qld, 4566 Online: sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au Facebook.com/SunshineCoastKids Today
Contents
Editorial Melissa Grant
IT’S YOUR LIFE
ENTERTAINMENT
How to know if your child is school ready
Mum’s road to resilience
Take your kids on a virtual tour
PAGE 17
PAGE 3
PAGE 13
How to save at the checkout
Family movies
PAGE 4
PAGE 13
Time to get selfish, mums PAGE 5
EDUCATION Flinders launches new precinct
Experience drives disability expo
PAGE 14
PAGE 6 Exceptional education and care Steve Biddulph on ‘dadding around’
PAGE 14 A happy start to school PAGE 15 The small centre with a big difference PAGE 15
PAGE 9 The push for early career education A bright upgrade for Hinterland park
PAGE 16
PAGE 9 Creating calm from chaos Cooloola Berries is a top pick
PAGE 17
PAGE 10 An escape Ready 2 Go PAGE 10 Head to Haven these school holidays
FOCUS ON GYMPIE REGION
Phone: 07 5455 6946
SPRING 2020
School holiday fun at Gympie Regional Art Gallery PAGE 18
PAGE 19
PAGE 19
A new service
REALITY BITES
The rise of
CONNECTING MUMS RUBY NOOSA Dad advice from
Ella recognised for making a difference
STEVE BIDDULPH
PAGE 20
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Ruby turns her passion into a global brand COVER: Addison enjoys a day out at the beach. Picture: Rob Carew
PAGE 21
BOOKS
Experienced nannies and babysitters
PAGE 22
PAGE 11
Children’s books
An affordable family law firm
PAGE 22
Bumps and Babies with Dr Bronwyn Hamilton
phill.lepetit@noosatoday.com.au
PAGE 18
Finding a way to teach kids about anxiety
HEALTH
Advertising Sales Manager
A colourful past
PAGE 11
PAGE 11
Advertising Phill Le Petit
A magical historic ride
PAGE 8 Skate into new playspace
Phone: 07 5455 6946
A trip down memory lane
PAGE 7 Making nutrition for kids simple
editorial@sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au
KIDS CALENDAR What’s on this spring PAGE 23
PAGE 12 Everything you need to know about thermometers PAGE 12
sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au 2 SPRING 2020
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It’s Your Life
Mum’s road to resilience
Founder of Mumma & Co, Renee Bennett with her children, Lucinda and Aidan.
By Abbey Cannan EXPERIENCING first-hand the lows of postnatal depression, a Noosa resident is now wanting to empower other mums by offering vital support through real, honest, and humorous viewpoints. “How do I keep this human alive?” is a question many first-time mums, including Renee Bennett, have asked themselves after bringing their newborn home from the hospital. Renee said it was an overwhelming and confusing time when the “honeymoon period” of being in a private hospital with supportive midwives came to an end. “I experienced the highs, but mostly lows, of childbirth and early motherhood,” she said. “For a long time, I tried to convince myself that I was sane and everything was going well, when realistically it was a lie.” Her first-born Lucinda was nine months old when Renee finally realised she was suffering postnatal depression.
“It was a Friday afternoon, she refused sleep, she was overtired, which is the least I can say for me,” Renee said.
“It helps reduce the stress and mum has a more positive attitude towards bub and the household.”
“She cried, and all I could do was grip my hands at the cot and cry and cry. I gently succumbed to her stubbornness and my lack of control and put her in the pram and went for a walk.
After leaving her job as a Newborn Hearing Screener at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne to move to Noosa three years ago, Renee knew she wanted to work with mums and babies again.
“I cried so loud and collapsed in the street when neighbours came rushing to me, I was saved. I will never forget my beautiful neighbours for this. I was heard. Finally, I felt I the carer was being cared for.” It’s just the baby blues. It starts right after birth. It goes away on its own. It only happens to women. It can be prevented. These are just some of the common misconceptions around postnatal depression (PND). “You won’t just get over it or snap out of it. PND is a treatable medical condition,” Renee said. “Support is vital for both mental and physical health of the mother and the family.
“Loads of research later I discovered there was limited postnatal support options in Noosa for new mums,” she said. “Noosa is a transient market popular with interstate families with lack of family support and the vibe of a tribe. Unfortunately, most of the support services are inconveniently located further down the coast as far as Caloundra.” That’s when she decided to create a new service for Noosa, called Mumma & Co. “Whether you’re a first, second, or fifth time mum, the challenges of the first months after baby arrives are uniquely different to any other time in your child’s
life ... and your own,” she said. “Research shows that mums, dads, and babies (the whole brood) have an easier time with a transition into their new life if a good support team is in place. “Mumma & Co. will provide evidenced-based information on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, mother-baby bonding, infant soothing, and basic newborn care. “While that’s all important, so is the self-care of the mother. So aside from the practical and serious stuff, I will connect new mums to all the fun stuff that mums need for time out. “I want to engage and support newborn mums in an approachable yet professional manner providing resources, local services and advice from health professionals in Noosa and the surrounding areas here on the Sunshine Coast.” For more information on Renee and her new business, visit https:// mummaandco.com.au
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SPRING 2020 3
It’s Your Life
How to save on your groceries By Melissa Grant
pasta dishes including spaghetti bolognese, and soups.
FEEDING a family is an expensive exercise.
Rebecca says sticking to in season fruit and vegetables and buying in bulk saves money.
It doesn’t matter how many mouths you have to feed or the ages of your children - grocery shopping is one of the biggest expenses for a household. It’s also an expense that constantly increases and one that seems to have gone up significantly for many families during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re not careful it’s easy to spend way more than you want to at the supermarket checkout. So how do you keep your food bill under control? It’s a topic many money savvy mums are tackling online. There are a growing number of blogs and social media accounts dedicated to providing tips on how families can save money on food.
Avoiding the checkout can also help. “Write a shopping list and stick to it. Grocery shop online to avoid impulse buys,” she said. Grocery shopping is among the biggest expenses for a family, but there are ways you can save at the checkout.
She spends about $180 per week on groceries, which includes nappies for one child, dog food and clearing products. She has a few simple tips for families wanting to reduce their shopping bill. “The simplest way is to meal plan,” she said.
Among them is Budget Mum Blog, run by frugal mum of two Madonna Bechaz.
“I know everyone recommends it, but once you’re organised it saves a ton of money.
Madonna started her blog while on maternity leave with her first son. Her Facebook page has more than 20,000 followers and her Instagram account isn’t far behind.
“Cook once, eat twice - if you’re busy this makes life and the budget run smoothly. Cooking extra and freezing it for a busy night, saves using take away as plan b.
Madonna wanted to show that living on a budget can be fun and liberating, rather than restrictive.
“Also having vegetarian nights cut down on meat costs.” Madonna’s go-to budget meals
include spaghetti bolognese with extra veggies and lentils, tuna mornay and chilli con carne. Another advocate for meal planning is mum of four Rebecca Sayers, the woman behind the frugal_family_of_6 accounts on Instagram and Facebook, which have a combined following of 20,000. Her weekly grocery bill is around $220, up from about $200 before the pandemic. She says it’s always a good idea to audit the cupboard or fridge before hitting the supermarket. “Go through what you already have in the kitchen and make meals from there.” Rebecca loves to cook and her favourite frugal feeds include fried rice,
FRUGAL FAMILY OF 6 TUNA BAKE
@budget_mum_blog @frugal_family_of_6 @growingfamily_on_a_budget @money_meals_me @mrs_thrifty_ @perthbudgetmum @that_aussie_budget_mum_to_six @justbudgetmums @ourlittleozfamily
METHOD 1. Preheat oven to 200C (180C fan forced). Boil pasta and set aside.
BUDGET MUM BLOG’S CHILLI CON CARNE
2. Add chilli powder and tomato and allow to simmer for 15 minutes.
3. In a large rectangular baking dish combine pasta, tuna, sauce, parsley and veg. Top with remaining cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
• 500 grams mince
3. Add drained kidney beans and allow to simmer for another 10 minutes.
• 2 red capsicums (or green)
4. Serve.
• 800g tin tomatoes
Noosa’s most praised service
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic • 1 teaspoon chilli powder (add more to taste)
- servicing Hotels across the Sunshine Coast
4 SPRING 2020
If you want to save money on groceries and need some inspiration, check out these Instagram accounts:
2. In a pot over medium heat, melt butter and oil. Fry onion for 5 minutes. Add flour and fry for another 2 minutes. Add milk gradually, and whisk with each addition to get rid of lumps. Season with salt pepper. Stir in garlic powder and chicken stock powder. Allow to simmer on low for 5-10 minutes, or until it thickens, whisking frequently. Stir in half a cup of cheese. Take off of heat.
• 800g red kidney beans
• Serve with steamed rice, avocado and sour cream (optional)
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1300 659 619 nanniesofnoosa.com
“Don’t go shopping on an empty stomach!” Rebecca advises.
INGREDIENTS • 500g penne pasta • 425g tin tuna drained and flaked • 1 brown onion diced • 1/4 cup plain flour • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley • 3 cups milk • 2 teaspoons garlic powder • 1/2 teaspoon chicken stock powder • 1 tin corn kernels drained (or 2 cups cooked veg of choice) • 2 cups tasty cheese grated • 50g butter • 1 tablespoon olive oil • Salt and pepper for seasoning
INGREDIENTS
- all your childcare needs - local and visiting families
If you head to the shops, be sure you fill up before filling up the trolley.
METHOD 1. Place capsicum, mince and garlic into pan. Break up and fry until browned.
Note: Don’t be tempted to add kidney beans early - they will break down and go mushy. If you need to bulk it out more (for extra guests) or if you’re out of kidney beans try a tin of corn. It’s delicious! TIP: Chilli is like lasagne and gets better on the second day. Leftovers can be served in wraps (like soft tacos) or made into nachos. It’s also delicious in baked potatoes. www.sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au
It’s Your Life
Time to get selfish, mums By Danielle Galvin READING mum of three and time management specialist Kate Christie’s new book, ‘Me First’, it’s impossible to feel anything but inspired. Inspired to change something in your daily routine, to find time in the day to do something just for you. It’s a tough ask, to stop taking on the entire domestic load and doing every odd job that needs doing. As Kate rightly points out, mums everywhere are programmed to put the needs of others first, and to do all of those incidental tasks rather than asking for help. But, she says, it’s time for change. “It’s a people pleaser thing we have going on in our brains,” she said. “No one is giving you a gold star for being busy, or for mother’s guilt. “There’s so much we need to let go of.”
“When it comes to your kids - don’t do anything for you kids they can do for themselves,” she explains.
There’s practical exercises and stories from women around the world, and plenty of hilarious tidbits too, like the ridiculous tasks we all take on (ironing underwear, anyone?) that we need to say goodbye to.
“We have to create a sense of independence and an ability for our kids to feel capable and make choices and be involved in chores.
And then there’s some of the powerful ‘stop you in your tracks’ lines that will make every mum reading really think twice. “Do I want to invest my time - or do I need to decline?” Kate writes. “Busyness is not a badge of honour.” It’s simple enough - but Kate says we need to get better at saying ‘no’. She says, it’s time to be selfish.
“One of the real issues I see with women who work, there’s almost a guilt or an overlay of guilt that they have because they work. “It’s almost like they overcompensate at home and do everything and we have got to stop doing that.” In the book, the fictional character Alice is based on women Kate meets all the time.
Just because you gave your children life, that doesn’t mean they are your whole life, she writes.
Alice is first introduced as she sips a glass of wine late one night, preparing herself for a busy, chaotic and anxious day. Jobs to do, children to tend to, a husband trying to engage in conversation and an ever-increasing workload.
“It’s about designing or curating your own life.
We shouldn’t feel obliged to “do it all” just because we work and have guilt about that.
For Kate, Alice is the character who epitomises the selfless, overworked mum.
To find out more or order the book visit timestylers.com/books/
As an example, Kate says teaching kids a few basic things can go a long way.
“Family is a team sport,” she said.
“For too long we have sat in the passenger’s seat and it’s time to get in the driver seat.”
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‘Me First’ is a practical guide for working mums to find that extra time with a few hacks - and it’s all data driven.
She asks her readers to sit down with a whiteboard and nut out where those hours go each day.
Kate Christie is an expert in time management.
RISE & SHINE KINDERGARTEN MAROOCHYDORE Rise & Shine Kindergarten Maroochydore Watch your childCHILD Rise & Shine WATCH YOUR RISE & SHINE UÊ Õ ÞÊ V Õà ÛiÊi`ÕV>Ì > Ê«À }À> ÃÊ V Õ` }ÊvÀià ÞÊV i`Ê i> ÃÊ UÊÈÊÜii ÃÊ ÊÈÊÞi>ÀÃÊUÊ"«i ÊÈ\ÎäÊ> Ê ÊÈ\ÎäÊ« ÊUÊ ÝVÕÀÃ Ê Õà i UÊ- iÊ `Û> Ì>}iÊ ÕÀÀ VÕ Õ ÊÌ >ÌÊ V Õ`iÃÊ-/ ]Ê-« ÀÌÃ]Ê9 }>Ê> `Ê > Vi
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SPRING 2020 5
It’s Your Life
Experience drives disability expo By Melissa Grant
“Even if you have a super GP, even they don’t know everywhere (you can go).”
SUNSHINE Coast mum Sharon Fulwood knows how hard it can be to find products and services for children with disabilities.
Sharon said while there were disability expos around when her boys were teenagers, they were much smaller.
Sharon is a mum of three, including two who have disabilities.
This meant it was difficult to find all the products and services she needed for her sons who have different conditions (Spina bifida and high functioning autism).
When her boys were growing up, she struggled to find information about what was available to help them. It was this struggle that fuelled her desire to help Sunshine Coast families, carers and people with disabilities find what they need to improve their quality of life. So she created the Regional Disability Expo, an annual event to connect businesses and networks within the disability sector with families and carers. The Sunshine Coast expo is in its third year, and the event has expanded to include annual exhibitions in Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Hervey Bay and Toowoomba. This year’s Regional Disability Expo on the Sunshine Coast will be held at Caloundra Indoor Stadium on Thursday 29 October. The event is a godsend to Coast parents and carers with children who have disabilities.
Sunshine Coast mum Sharon Fulwood, the woman behind the Regional Disability Expo.
The Regional Disability Expo showcases a range of products and services.
always surprised with what is exhibited.
your child have just been diagnosed, or you have just come out of hospital after an accident you are overwhelmed.
“I have lots of friends who have children with disabilities who have come along (to the expo). They’ve been shocked with how much is around,” she said. “They have found things that they desperately needed but didn’t know it was there.”
This year’s Sunshine Coast expo will feature 80 plus exhibitors and around 15 half hour workshops. Entry to the expo is free, however you can register online to save time at the gate. To register, visit https://www. disabilityexposc.com.au/
It’s a feeling Sharon knows first-hand.
Some attendees have even been offered employment. Often, Sharon says, people don’t know where to start when looking for services and products within the disability sector. “People are overwhelmed. If you or
Sharon says those who attend are
“You can’t take in what’s available, especially if it’s on the computer or phone. Because you are in survival mode.”
That’s why she’s made it her mission to have an disability exhibition that’s a one-stop shop.
“One of my children was diagnosed at birth and believe me you are in survival mode,” the Buderim resident recalled.
REGIONAL DISABILITY EXPO
“You are learning what might happen. You are in overwhelm. Then you have doctors and people telling you this and that, telling you that you need to see this therapist.
Thursday 29 October - Sunshine Coast Caloundra Indoor Stadium Free entry. Runs 9.30am-4pm
Berry Fun Day!
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New free attraction!
The Gruffalo is coming to the Ginger Factory this September 16th 2020! Find out more at www.gingerfactory.com.au/gruffalo
Bring the family for a great day out! Cafe & Farm Open 7 Days 8:00am - 5:00pm | 856 Tagigan Road, Wolvi, Sunshine Coast Farmgate: 07 5486 7512 | Mobile: 0400 331 216
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6 SPRING 2020
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It’s Your Life
Dadding around
By Steve Biddulph ONE of the good things about being old is that I can figure out exactly what I should have done 40 years ago, after finally having time to think about it.
years - being always that bit too rushed, worried about being a provider, radiating a feeling of ‘person doing urgent and important things’. And kids pick up on that. If I had that time over again, I would dial it way down, trust that we’d get by, and just plain enjoy life more, and give them more of the feeling that life was fun, at least most of the time.
It’s definitely true for fathering - if I could have it over again, I would do it so differently. Although in parenthood this also applies to the last 24 hours too!
We did have lots of fun. My kids had me around a lot more than many dads, and I was affectionate and close to them, but I was still too wound up.
Being a man and a dad, there are some key things to remember (and hello to all dads reading this, much love to you).
So my take home message? You’ll have your own view, but my idea of a wonderful dad is someone who young kids think hasn’t a worry in the world. He is amiable, slow, takes time with them, listens, and is good fun, while also being clear about boundaries. He is good mates with their mum. Only when they get older do they figure out you did all that other stuff like saving the world. And be impressed that you never let on!
Almost always, we men are the largest and loudest person in the family. We don’t think of it that much but it’s a key feature for everyone else, especially the littlies. So a dad often sets the mood in the whole house when he is around. For good, or for ill.
beside Niagara Falls!
I am not sure if you remember being a small boy and your dad kind of looming like a mountain wherever he went. So the ‘weather’ on that mountain had a big effect on you. Sunny was wonderful, stormy was not good.
But mostly with dads it’s their voices that kids are aware of. When researching my book Raising Girls, I discovered that some girls have far more acute hearing and they hate it when dad is too loud, and love it when he speaks gently. Our idea of normal sounds like shouting to them, and that sets off their adrenaline.
Luckily my dad was gentle, because he was also huge. I remember being in the bath, and him coming into the bathroom for a pee - it was like being
Being very serious for a moment, somewhere deep down a small child knows that an adult that big could badly hurt them. This only comes into
awareness if they ever see us really out of control, but then that memory remains with them for life. A boy who is hit is three times more likely to hit his wife when he grows up. Luckily people who read magazines about parenthood are generally pretty gentle, but some of us remember being a child in a home like that.
Steve’s renowned talks on Raising Boys and Raising Girls are now being hosted online. Have a look at his website for more info. www.stevebiddulph.com Steve Biddulph AM,
For most of us, it’s just anxiety that we bring too much of into the family environment.
Author - 10 Things Girls Need Most, Raising Girls, Raising Boys.
I am pretty sure I spent the years between 28 and 48 - my parenting
Complete Secrets of Happy Children, and The New Manhood
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It’s Your Life
Making nutrition for kids simple By Melissa Grant SUNSHINE Coast mum Lindsey Hendicott is passionate about children’s nutrition. Lindsey had her children Levi, now 5, and Lily, 3, while studying nutrition, allowing her to put theory into practice. As she completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Lindsey was navigating infant feeding, the introduction of solids and cooking toddler meals. Now the qualified nutritionist is taking the valuable information she learned and using it to help other parents deal with the sometimes challenging task of feeding their little ones. Lindsey - who grew up in the US and moved to Australia 15 years ago - says we are fortunate to have such a great variety of fresh produce readily available. “Sometimes I think we forget just how lucky we are on the Sunshine Coast, with year round farmers markets and so many wonderful fruit and veg shops.” Here, Lindsey shares her top tips for getting kids to become good eaters. DEVELOPING POSITIVE FOOD RELATIONSHIPS The goal isn’t to get kids to eat certain foods right now, but help them develop healthy relationships with food. Sometimes simply interacting with food, with no pressure to eat it, can be a great way for them to gain exposure to something that might overwhelm them if it were just put on their plate. Simple ways we can help our little ones have positive experiences with food include: ■ Let them help in the kitchen: Even when they are very young they can help by mixing and scooping/
Lindsey’s children Lily and Levi love helping out in the kitchen.
pouring ingredients. There are many benefits and they’re more likely to try foods they have helped make. ■ Take them food shopping: Trips to the grocery store and farmers markets are great opportunities to explore new foods. Ask them to find something they have never seen before or pick out a new ingredient to take home. ■ Start a veggie or herb garden: Keep it simple and even just grow something in a pot. When it’s time to harvest, they might just surprise you and try something new. MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT NUTRITION On social media I keep coming across children’s supplements marketed towards parents. These supplements are often unnecessary. For example, we
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■ 1/2 tsp Italian herbs
CHILDREN WHO DON’T EAT VEGGIES
■ 2 tbsp tomato paste
You shouldn’t necessarily be worried. Look at their diets over the course of a week or a month. Their appetites and foods they like to eat can change all the time. A lot of children who don’t eat many veggies, absolutely love their fruit! Fruit contains many of the same wonderful nutrients as veggies (vitamins, minerals, fibre). The opposite is true for kids who love veggies but not fruit. Our job as parents is to make sure we are offering a wide variety of nutritious foods, and if we are patient and consistent, they will learn to like them in their own time.
■ 700g jar of passata
Kids learn best when they aren’t stressed or anxious, and one of the most basic things we can do is to ensure we are creating a relaxed, comfortable eating environment.
Parenting arrangements Financial support for you and your children Property arrangements on separation Obtaining a divorce Free initial half an hour consultation Ph: 5430 667
know that Vitamin C provides plenty of benefits in supporting our immune system and it’s easy to think we should be giving it to our children. However, the recommended amount for 1-8 year olds is 35mg/day. To put this into perspective, 100g of strawberries (1/2 cup) provides 59mg of Vitamin C. Before you spend money on supplements, always have a look at food first. If you are concerned about a nutrient deficiency, discuss it with your GP who can do the appropriate testing.
VEGGIE LOADED SAUCE ■ 1 tbsp olive oil ■ 1-2 cloves garlic ■ 1 small onion diced ■ 2 carrots grated ■ 1 zucchini grated ■ 1/2 cup mushrooms diced
METHOD: 1. Heat the oil in saucepan on medium. 2. Cook the garlic and onion until onion softens, then add the rest of the veggies and herbs. 3. Cook for a few minutes and add tomato paste and passata. Simmer uncovered for 10-15 mins. 4. Leave it until it’s cool enough to pop in the blender and blend until nice and smooth.
FUSSY EATERS
We will help you with: • • • • •
Qualified nutritionist and Sunshine Coast mum Lindsey Hendicott, with children Lily and Levi, is passionate about children’s nutrition.
Try to eat together as a family as much as possible. Role modelling what we want our kids to do is the best way for them to learn about being adventurous eaters. It’s completely normal for kids to be fussy or picky eaters. It’s very common for young children to have neophobia, or fear of the new/unknown, when it comes to food. To get past this, we need to make these ‘new to them’ foods become familiar. The best way to get them to try
new foods is to keep offering them. Eventually they will see these foods as safe and will hopefully feel comfortable to try them. NUTRITIOUS DINNERS KIDS WILL EAT Every week I make a batch of simple veggie loaded sauce and use it in different meals. You can substitute in any vegetables and it’s a great way to reduce food waste by using up any sad looking veggies. Serve it with fun shaped pasta or use it on homemade pizzas, so even if they want only cheese they are still having a veggie loaded pizza. Follow Lindsey on Instagram @ www.sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au
It’s Your Life
Skate into new playspace
A bright upgrade for Hinterland park
PEREGIAN Springs now has its own skate park. The skate park is proving popular within the community, which had requested council build a new outdoor play area for older kids. The new skate elements, pathways and landscaping complement the Peregian Springs Multipurpose Active Play Space’s existing basketball/netball court and barbecue area. Twin sisters Emily and Hannah Azzopardi, aged 12, say the play space is the perfect place to hang out after school or on weekends. “Having our own skate park in Peregian Springs means we can ride our scooters close to home without having to ask mum or dad to drive us somewhere else,” Emily said.
Montville’s recently upgraded Russell Park. Pictures: Sunshine Coast Council
The Peregian Springs Multipurpose Active Play Space. Picture: Sunshine Coast Council
“I like that it has really bright colours and artwork, which makes it a cool place to spend time.”
“It’s awesome. You can either play sport or relax with your friends or family. I think kids of all ages are going to love spending time here.”
Hannah says it’s also a great spot to meet friends for a game of basketball or netball.
The Peregian Springs Multipurpose Active Play Space is located at 222 The Avenue, Peregian Springs.
Some of the new play structures at the park.
MONTVILLE’S Russell Family Park has been given a colourful facelift.
and interweaving paths for children to ride and play.
The nature-based playground features a 10-metre high cone play structure topped with butterflies.
Russell Family Park is located off Western Avenue in Montville.
There’s also a spinner bowl, waterlily spring toy and a slippery slide that twists to the ground. The new playground is aimed at kids aged 2-12. It’s part of a 75,000 square metre recreational park and green open space. The upgraded park also boasts new rock seating walls, colourful artwork
However it is best accessed via the public carpark at 198 Main Street. Upgrades have also delivered improvements to the amenities block, drainage, lighting and signage. “This much needed upgrade now provides enhanced recreation and business access for the Montville community, which I believe will be a fantastic asset for residents and visitors,” Division 5 Councillor Winston Johnston said.
PUT SOME SPRING INTO YOUR CHILD’S STEPS THESE HOLIDAY’S will keep your children entertained with action a plenty just like a Ninja Warrior these school holidays
September 2020 Tuesday 22nd - Gymnastics Thursday 24th - Ninja Warrior Monday 28th - Circus Tricks Wednesday 30th - Ninja Warrior BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
All camps are conducted from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm $35 for members $45 non Members (Payment required at time of booking) Try something new and see how they go in the Ninja Warrior time trials........... they will love it
Limited spaces available Book NOW to secure yours today maroochydore@myfirstgym.com.au or 0498 036 608 www.myfirstgym.com.au 12459046-DL37-20
It’s Your Life
Cooloola Berries is a top pick Ready 2 Go Boat Hire is perfect for kids’ birthday parties.
FOR a ‘berry fun day’ for the whole family, look no further than Cooloola Berries.
An escape Ready 2 Go
Located between Noosa and Tin Can Bay, Cooloola Berries is an awardwinning agri-tourism farm with a picturesque setting. The working farm, cafe and events venue is the perfect place to take the kids strawberry picking. There are no entry or bucket fees you just pay for what you pick.
There’s also the famous Paella in the Paddock, held each Sunday from 1pm-4pm, where adults can enjoy live music while the kids play. Kim and Jason Lewis are the husband and wife team behind the farm, which is on the Noosa Country Drive Map. One of the couple’s greatest achievements has been opening the gates of the family farm, welcoming
Kids will enjoy picking their own fruit at Cooloola Berries.
visitors and offering a taste of the region on the ‘Snail of Approval Slow Food’ locally inspired menu. Kim says Cooloola Berries says the farm is popular with both tourists and locals. In fact, many locals return year after year. “For a lot of families it’s a tradition they will come each season to pick the fruit,” she said. Cooloola Berries is open daily 8am - 5pm all year round. You will find them at 856 Tagigan Rd, Wolvi.
These boats have been specially designed to ride very smooth, stable and safe through the water, powered by a brand new quiet 25hp Yamaha engine. If you’re looking for something different, fishing or a simply relaxing tour, you can stop at any of the sandbanks on the Beautiful Noosa River where you will enjoy swimming, fishing, bird watching and a whole lot of family fun in the sun.
Your business can connect with families on the coast!
“I feel blessed that the locals have voted me as the number one boat hire in Noosa,” he said. “It’s obvious they appreciate my luxury pontoon boats having toilets on board, running water to wash your hands, barbecues and even pizza ovens. “You can enjoy all of those luxuries without even needing a boat license.” To book, call Dennis on 0420 208 680 or visit http://www. ready2goboathire.com.au for more information.
I NEED TO GO TO THE TOILET
Sunshine Coast Kids Today is a powerful combination of social, online and print channels delivering reach into the lives of young families across this important growing region and it is free.
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Dennis said he wanted to thank the community and visitors for continuing to support his business after a tough time for everyone during the pandemic.
LUCKY WE HAVE TOILET ON BOARD
• A free gloss family magazine available every quarter • Distributing from Caboolture to Noosa • 287 Targeted locations up and down the coast • Circulates prior to every school holiday • Informative and engaging parental editorial
LUXURY PONTOONS 12459550-JW37-20
Don’t miss our Summer 2020 edition * Booking deadline Monday 9th November * Artwork by Monday 16th November * Distributes Monday 30th November
The practicality and luxuriousness Ready 2 Go Boat Hire owner Dennis Algerie’s boats allow for complete comfort while you cruise.
WITH TOILET ON BOARD! READY 2 GO BOAT HIRE LARGE BBQ PIZZA OVEN ESKY RUNNING WATER
TABLE & CHAIRS FOOD PREP STATION SINK TO WASH HANDS TOILET ON BOARD
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Afterwards, you can enjoy a strawberry ice-cream or sip a strawberry lemonade in the beautiful surroundings. September is a great time to visit Cooloola Berries as it’s when the farm has its highest volume of fruit. There are five varieties of strawberries to try.
READY 2 Go Boat Hire at Noosa Marina offers the perfect escape for families. You can cruise over 20km of the river and canals without having to worry about your kids having to go the toilet as there are toilets on board. Whether you have a birthday that needs celebrating, are hosting an event or just looking to have a fun day out with family, hiring a luxury barbecue pontoon boat along Noosa River is the way to go.
BOOK TODAY! sales@noosatoday.com.au Phone 0439 377 525 www.sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au 10 SPRING 2020
0420 208 680 Ready2goboathire.com.au Noosa Marina - 2 Parkyn Ct, Tewantin QLD 4565 www.sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au
It’s Your Life
Haven Tween Workshops.
Head to Haven these school holidays IF you’re looking for something to keep yourself and the kids entertained these school holidays, Haven has got just the thing for you. Haven is Noosa Civic’s creative and mindful space where they will be running a series of fun kids and adults workshops during September school holidays. There’s a whole range of exciting workshops to choose from including; statement earring making, macrame (for adults) and craft sessions with the Botanical Collective, sustainable beeswax wraps with Glitter and Goop, kids balloon twisting with Miss
Donna and more. Noosa Civic marketing coordinator, Melanie Noble said a small donation of $5 or $10 per attendee was required when booking, with 100 per cent of workshop sales going to Waves of Wellness, a local mental health and surf therapy charity promoting positive mental health and wellbeing through a range of innovative programs. “Waves of Wellness is extremely important to us,” she said. “They do amazing work with mens’ mental health in particular and throughout the whole community.” Melanie said the founder of Shine
Experienced nannies and babysitters FOR nanny and babysitting services you can trust, look no further than Nannies of Noosa.
from Within, Amanda Rootsey, was hosting three mini-workshops for tweens, including food facials. “Perfect for ages 9-12 each workshop is designed to boost confidence and provide a fun space to learn life skills,” she said. “Get a group of kids together or send your child along on their own - they’ll quickly make new friends. “All workshops will be hands on and interactive and each participant will go home with a copy of Amanda’s bestselling book Shine from Within; a teen girl’s guide to life.” Melanie said they had a Covid-19
Workshops will be held at the Community Space (near Woolworths) at Noosa Civic, with bookings essential via the Noosa Civic website at www. noosacivicshopping.com.au
An affordable family law firm RB Family Law are experts in all aspects of Australian family law and highly skilled in family mediation.
Since being established 28 years ago, Nannies of Noosa has flourished into a large dependable team of qualified and insured carers.
They can help you with parenting arrangements for your children, support for your children, property arrangements when you separate and obtaining a divorce.
Owner and manager Roxanne Rennie says all carers are locals who are individually interviewed with a Certificate III in childcare and 100 hours of paid experience.
When your marriage has ended, the last thing you want is for the separation and divorce process to drag on.
“We only hire qualified people who live here. This means we can try to give each family the same nanny every time they use our service,” she said.
Nannies of Noosa carers provide, including games and crafts.
“It’s lovely because families, even those who are visiting Noosa, have the opportunity to develop a long-term relationship with a nanny.”
Nannies of Noosa service Noosa and the Sunshine Coast, plus Rainbow Beach and Tin Can Bay.
www.sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au
“We’ve got hand sanitiser when you enter and it’s a ticketed event so details are already collected for Government requirements.”
You want to have the right lawyers on your side to tackle the legal issues and give you the space and energy to deal with the emotional exhaustion.
Nannies of Noosa is also COVID-19 safe, with its carers having undergone infectious control training.
Kids will enjoy the many activities
“We are adhering to the social distancing requirements and all seating arrangements are the specified 1.5m apart,” she said.
FAMILY disputes and divorce can be messy, not to mention stressful.
The reputable company offers qualified, experienced and professional childcare to local families and holidaymakers.
With carers who are professional, fun and responsible, parents can feel comfortable about leaving their children.
safety plan in place with small group sessions.
Nannies of Noosa offers professional and quality child care.
The specialists in casual care also service Brisbane and the Gold Coast. To book, or for more information, visit https://www.nanniesofnoosa.com/ or phone 1300 659 619
RB Family Law will advocate for your interests while resolving your matter in a timely and cost-effective manner. “I established RB Family Law to provide a reliable, efficient and affordable legal service to family law clients,” Principal Candice Rosborough-Ball said. “My aim is to assist clients to achieve the best outcome with minimal stress. “We strive to exceed clients’
RB Family Law Principal Candice Rosborough-Ball.
expectations. From the outset, we provide clear and timely legal advice so our clients know what the likely outcome will be, how long it will take and the cost.” RB Family Law focuses on resolution by negotiation, settling most matters before court proceedings commence or at an early stage in the court process. With over 10 years of specialised expertise in family law, they are the family law lawyers of choice on the Sunshine Coast. For more information, visit https://www.rbfamilylaw.com.au or phone 07 5430 6667 SPRING 2020 11
Health
Reasons to see a gynaecologist IN Australia, a gynaecologist is a women’s health specialist doctor who has trained for up to six years at medical school, undertaking rotations in general medicine and surgery at hospitals as a junior doctor, and then a further six years in speciality training in obstetrics and gynaecology (managing pregnancies, delivering babies and learning now to manage women’s health conditions). We are well qualified to help out with any issues you have with your reproductive tract, whatever they may be. Reasons you may need to see us can include: 1. Painful or overly heavy periods. If you are concerned that your periods are heavy, you have large clots or flooding during your period then it is time to seek help. If you are
BUMPS AND
BABIES WITH DR BRONWYN HAMILTON
experiencing pain for more than a day or two and not relieved by simple pain relief medications such as Nurofen and Panadol you should also seek medical review. You would usually see your local doctor (GP) first and they would arrange referral to a gynaecologist if needed. 2. Irregular periods. If you are having
large breaks between your periods (eg skipping a few months at a time), this can be a sign that something isn’t right with your cycles. It can be a sign of things like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disease or other hormonal imbalance issues. Similarly, bleeding more frequently than once a month is also not normal. 3. Painful intercourse. Pain with intercourse is not normal. Please seek help if you have new or longstanding pain with intercourse as there are many things we can do to help this. 4. Abnormal discharge. No one likes talking about vaginal discharge but it’s a part of everyday life for all women. You will find the days around ovulation (mid cycle) you will have some clear and watery discharge as your estrogen levels
increase. During the one to two weeks leading up to your period this will be thicker and a creamy/white colour. If there are any variations to this like increased odour, itchiness, increased volume or green/grey in colour this could be a sign of infection so go get this checked out! 5. Issues trying to conceive. If you have been trying for a baby for more than six months if over age 35, or 12 months if aged 35 or under then you should be seeing a gynaecologist or fertility specialist. This is particularly important if you are aged over 35 as time is of essence when trying for a baby. For more information on women’s health visit: https://www.instagram. com/drbronwynhamilton/?hl=en or www.drbronwynhamilton.com.au
Everything you need to know about thermometers By Eliza Henry-Jones WHEN your child is sick, often one of the first things you do is reach for a thermometer. With so many thermometers on the market, you may be wondering which one is best to use. From glass and mercury through to smart thermometers with their very own apps, this article has you covered! Mercury Thermometers You’ve probably heard of (or seen) mercury thermometers, which were invented in the 1700s. These glass contraptions have a thin line of mercury, which expands when heated. Given the toxicity of mercury and the fragility of glass, they’re no longer recommended for measuring body temperature. Ear Thermometers Ear thermometers rest in the ear in order to measure body temperature.
There’s a bit of controversy about whether they should be used in children under six months. When using an ear thermometer, watch out for a build up of ear wax (which can alter the reading) and be careful of how far you put the reader into the ear canal. The cost of ear thermometers varies. For instance, the Omron TH839S Ear Thermometer retails for $59.99, compared with the Safety 1st Easy Read Ear Thermometer, which costs around $24.99. Forehead (Temporal) Thermometers These thermometers need to be moved across the forehead to get a reading and can be used on children from birth. Although potentially not as accurate as a rectal measurement, they’re far less invasive. While basic models will set you back about $49.95 (the Oricom IR Thermometer from BubMania), you
Digital thermometers can be used orally.
can purchase smart forehead thermometers which link to your phone or computer, allowing data to be saved for the whole family. For instance, when using the Withings Thermo Smart Temporal Thermometer, the measurements will sync automatically with your iPhone or iPad. Based on the age, fever history and symptoms of the person being measured, the Thermo app will even give you health advice. This thermometer is available from the Apple store for $179.99. Digital Thermometers Digital thermometers are relatively cheap and can be used rectally, orally
and under the arm. Obviously, if you’re planning to take both oral and rectal temperatures, make sure you purchase two thermometers and have them clearly labelled! Digital thermometers can be used under the arm from birth and - like temporal thermometers - are much less invasive than oral or rectal measurements. Digital thermometers are the cheapest option - you can purchase a Vicks Insight Thermometer for $21.49 from a chemist. If you’re unsure about what thermometer might suit you or how to use them effectively, give your family doctor a call!
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Entertainment
Take your kids on a virtual tour By Melissa Grant VIRTUAL tours are a great way for your child to experience the world from the comfort of your lounge room. There are so many landmarks and attractions to discover online - and it won’t cost you a cent (well apart from the internet connection). You can check out zoo cams, live feeds from aquariums and even rollercoasters. Here are 14 of the best virtual tours for kids: ANIMALS ■ LONE PINE SANCTUARY: Kids love koalas so why not check out one of the live feeds from Brisbane’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Discover the ‘koala cuddle train’ and jumping koala joeys or discover the park platypus or the eagles, owls and falcons. https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCGL4W-Vvt7ndkXrPQ1im_A/ ■ SAN DIEGO ZOO: Polar bears, giraffes, pandas and tigers are just some of the animals you can check out at San Diego Zoo. The zoo has live videos of 12 different animals! https://zoo. sandiegozoo.org/live-cams
■ GEORGIA AQUARIUM: Take a virtual tour of the Ocean Voyager gallery, one of the largest single aquatic exhibits in the world. It is home to four whale sharks, four manta rays and thousands of fish. https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/ webcam/ocean-voyager/ ■ ZOOS VICTORIA: As part of an #animalsathome campaign, Zoos Victoria is sharing footage from live stream cameras at its Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo. Recent videos include the zoo’s Snow Leopard Cubs. https://www.zoo.org. au/animal-house ■ SEALIFE SYDNEY AQUARIUM: Discover some of the animals you’ll find at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, including penguins and baby seahorses. https://www.sydneyaquarium.com. au/explore/virtual-aquarium/ ■ HOUSTON ZOO: Kids will love taking a look at the animals that reside at Houston Zoo. See a herd of Asian elephants, watch giraffes nibble lettuce at the feeding platform and witness rhinos rolling in muddy puddles. https://www.houstonzoo. org/explore/webcams/
Children can explore some of the world’s best zoos via a virtual tour.
FAMOUS ATTRACTIONS ■ DISNEYLAND: To bring a bit of magic to kids during the coronavirus pandemic, Disney has started streaming its newest parade, Magic Happens. It’s a spectacular virtual viewing kids are sure to love! https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=rRKP8KH1Ng&feature=youtu.be ■ DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE PARK: For a real thrill, take the kids on a virtual ride of the park’s Incredicoaster https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=Cz_c6WTyxwo ■ THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA: You can see the Great Wall of China from out of space ... and from your lounge room! https://www.thechinaguide. com/destination/great-wall-of-china ■ THE LOUVRE: Do a virtual tour of France’s famous Louvre. There are four tours to pick from, including an exhibition of Egyptian Antiquities. https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-enligne ■ YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK: Discover
Virtual Yosemite, an interactive virtual reality tour of one of America’s most spectacular destinations Yosemite National Park in California. https://www.virtualyosemite.org/ virtual-tour/#node27 MUSEUMS ■ QUEENSLAND AIR MUSEUM: Take a 3D virtual tour of Queensland Air Museum where you can discover the huge collection of historic planes, including bombers, fighters and replicas. https://qam.com.au/ collection/virtual-tour/ ■ THE BRITISH MUSEUM: Move backwards in time at the British Museum. The virtual timeline features some fascinating exhibits from centuries gone by. https:// britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/ ■ MELBOURNE MUSEUM: Explore the exhibitions, including the dinosaur walk, by following cameras on Google Maps throughout the Melbourne Museum. https:// museumsvictoria.com.au/ melbournemuseum/at-home/
FAMILY MOVIES THESE new release titles are available on a variety of digital platforms including: Apple TV app/ iTunes, Fetch, Foxtel Store, Google Play, Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store and Telstra TV Box Office
100% Wolf
Scoob!
The Wishmas Tree
Dolittle
Sonic The Hedgehog
A computer animated film the whole family will love. The story of 100% WOLF centres on Freddy Lupin, heir to the leadership of a proud family line of werewolves. Freddy is sure he will become the most fearsome werewolf ever. However, things go pearshaped on his 13th birthday when he is turned into a poodle. Freddy is thrown a bone by the pack elders, and given until the next moonrise to prove he has the heart of a wolf, or risk being cast out forever. With the help of an unlikely ally in a streetwise stray named Batty, Freddy must overcome his pink and fluffy exterior to prove he is still 100% Wolf.
Scooby and Shaggy are back! This comedy reveals how the lifelong friends met and how they teamed up with young detectives Fred, Velma and Daphne to form the famous Mystery Inc. In Scoob!, Scooby and the gang face their biggest, most challenging mystery ever: a plot to unleash the ghost dog Cerberus upon the world. As they race to stop this global “dogpocalypse,” the gang discovers that Scooby has a secret legacy and a destiny greater than anyone imagined. The film features some familiar voices too, with Zac Efron and Mark Wahlberg among the stars.
An Australian-made computer animated family film about a young possum’s wish for a white Wishmas. It’s a misguided wish - the possum not only freezes her entire hometown of Sanctuary City, but also threatens the lives of all who live there. Before the magical Wishmas Tree wilts and dies, she must venture into The Wild - there she will battle selfdoubt, ghostly predators and ultimately, extinction itself, in a bid to reverse the damage she has caused and save her city. Comedian Ross Noble and actor Miranda Tapsell lend their voices to this cute animated Aussie adventure.
Robert Downey Jr stars in a vivid reimagining of the classic tale of the man who could talk to animals: Dolittle. After losing his wife seven years earlier, the eccentric Dr John Dolittle (Downey), famed doctor and veterinarian of Queen Victoria’s England, hermits himself away behind the high walls of Dolittle Manor with only his menagerie of exotic animals for company. But when the young queen falls gravely ill, a reluctant Dolittle sets sail on an epic adventure to a mythical island. While searching for a cure, Dolittle regains his wit and courage as he crosses old adversaries and discovers wondrous creatures.
Remember Sonic the Hedgehog from Sega? This movie tells the story of the world’s speediest hedgehog as he embraces his new home on earth. In this live-action adventure comedy, Sonic and his new best friend Tom (James Marsden) team up to defend the planet from the evil genius Dr Robotnik (Jim Carrey) and his plans for world domination. Sonic The Hedgehog’s move to film has been a success - it had the highest-grossing opening for a video-game adaptation, making over $300 million dollars at the global box office before being made available to view at home.
www.sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au
SPRING 2020 13
Education
Exceptional education and care RISE & Shine Kindergarten Centre is passionate about educating and inspiring children. Led by a team of highly qualified and experienced educators, the family-owned and operated centre is designed to engage young children. Its indoor learning spaces and outdoor nature areas will captivate your child’s imagination and support their growth and development.
Matthew Flinders Anglican College aims to provide high quality, functional, expertly designed facilities as part of its 15-year master plan.
Flinders launches new precinct AN innovative precinct for Year 7 students is the first finished project of Matthew Flinders Anglican College’s $30 million master plan. The two-storey, state-of-the-art precinct is an agile and technology-rich space for students to learn and develop the skills of collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, communication, citizenship and character.
■ Smart Start: Focuses on cognitive development, with pre-reading, pre-writing, maths, science, problem-solving and geography education ■ Fit: Educates children about their physical wellbeing, and includes sports, yoga and dance ■ Inspired: Focuses on promoting
■ Crew: An emphasis on only recruiting passionate and nurturing educators who will create wonderful memories for each child The centre’s fully inclusive educational programs and care includes access to the Rise & Shine Online Kindergarten, excursions on the Rise & Shine Kindergarten bus, nappies, wipes, sun protection, enrolment pack, and home-cooked meals that are prepared on-site by qualified cooks, with a rotating menu each week that caters to the nutritional needs of growing bodies. Rise & Shine Maroochydore/ Buderim is located at 26-32 Wises Road, and is open 6.30 am-6.30 pm on weekdays. For more information, phone 07 5430 7737 or email maroochydore@ riseandshine.edu.au
A popular design aspect is the giant courtyard artwork of the periodic table of elements, set into the tiles on the ground floor - a playful invitation to learn. Principal Stuart Meade said Flinders, located at Buderim, had a 15-year master plan for the future.
The new precinct gives the Year 7 students a dedicated space to grow as a cohort and develop a sense of belonging, confidence and connectedness as they transition into the secondary school.
“Our vision is to ensure the college continues to strive for excellence,” Mr Meade said.
The expansive verandas provide
The curriculum consists of five key elements:
■ Unite: Teaches children to be socially responsible towards others and the environment
views of the college’s manicured sports oval and rainforest, and are designed for use as peaceful breakout learning spaces and also for students to gather at break times.
At Flinders, Year 7 marks the beginning of secondary school and also of the middle school journey.
The precinct features three science laboratories and three general-purpose classrooms that can be opened into one large collaborative space. There is also ‘The Hive’, a breakout space for students to brainstorm, present, discuss and relax, and ‘The Bungaree Room’ which provides a space for staff to meet in their professional learning teams.
Rise & Shine also boasts a unique Shine Advantage Curriculum designed to help children learn and develop holistically.
creativity, exploration and inspiration in children
“We want to provide high quality, functional, expertly designed facilities that are richly integrated with the latest technology to support effective teaching and learning. “The new Year 7 Precinct is the first project to be completed as part of our college’s master plan and we are very proud to open its doors to our Year 7s. “It is wonderful to see the students’ excitement as they settle in and explore the limitless opportunities for learning that this facility enables.”
Rise & Shine has outdoor nature areas to captivate children’s imaginations.
Discover why Flinders is one of Queensland’s leading schools and how we educate from Prep to Year 12 for excellence in learning and life. Come and explore our new innovative Year 7 Precinct and learn about our Years 5 and 6 Precinct, opening January 2021.
Discover Flinders 14 SPRING 2020
Book your personalised tour today at www.mfac.edu.au
Stringybark Road, Buderim | find us on 12459063-LB35-20
www.sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au
Education
A happy start to school STARTING Prep can be a challenging time for a child. That’s why Sunshine Beach State School goes above and beyond to ensure each student has a smooth and happy start to ‘big school’ life. Families can be confident that their child will happily settle into the school, which begins its Prep Transition Program well before the first day. The transition program includes a number of experiences for children and their families, beginning early in the year prior to a child beginning Prep. These experiences include events such as bush playgroup, parent information sessions, school tours and activity mornings. The events are a great opportunity for children to become acquainted with staff, classrooms, playground and new friends.
Children from local childcare centres also frequently visit Sunshine Beach State School for story sessions and bush playgroup. However, bush playgroup sessions are currently on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions. With so many opportunities for pre-school children to familiarise themselves with the school, they will feel a sense of belonging before they begin their primary school journey. Parents will feel a sense of reassurance as they wave goodbye to their child on that milestone first day. Sunshine Beach State School is located at 105 Ben Lexcen Dr, Sunshine Beach. For more information about the school’s Prep Transition Program, email ptp@sunshinebeachss.eq.edu.au.
The transition to prep is a smooth ride at Sunshine Beach State School.
The small centre with a big difference early learning years of your children.
KinderMarlee believes in the importance of their early years, how they learn about who they are and what they can do as young citizens of their community.
Early learning is best developed through time at play, hands on experiences and social interaction.
It is a place where each child can be a stronger, wiser, braver and kinder than they were the day before.
Young children need strong supportive relationships and the freedom to experiment and explore. They also need to occasionally fail ... and to overcome bumps and bruises.
KinderMarlee’s philosophy, practice and environment are based on a ‘quality of life’ and ‘children’s rights’ approach. We advocate for all children to be treated as competent, confident and contributing young people of today.
Early learning is all about unlocking HOW to think - not WHAT to think.
KEY PEOPLE
As families arrive in the morning, belongings for our youngest kids are taken into ‘The Nest’ to store for easy access throughout the day. Parents can
KinderMarlee’s warm and responsive team of ‘key people’ is there to enable, enrich and encourage the important
PREP 2021 ENROL NOW
KinderMarlee’s key people do not just teach children, rather they unleash their potential. THE KINDERMARLEE TRIBE ■ Children from 15 months old
All children are able to move freely between our rooms and spaces; and with different educators during the day - according to their interests and confidence. This is a natural, holistic human approach that mimics traditional childhoods where many loving adults support children’s play and experiences. Siblings can spend as much time together, or apart, as they want. Younger children develop capabilities much faster through their exposure to older children; and older children have opportunities to show leadership and nurture. Experts from many different disciplines recognise this as critical to the balanced development of important
social and life skills. ■ Children over 3 years and of kindergarten age Belongings of older children are stored in ‘The Lab’ lockers. Children of all ages are able to participate in experiences planned by our two bachelor qualified Early Childhood Teachers. The kindergarten program is informed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines; and Belonging, Being, Becoming - The National Curriculum for birth to five years. Each of the centre’s spaces are shared spaces - rich, purposeful, child-owned environments freely accessible to all the children throughout the day.
NATURE PLAYSPACE • PERMACULTURE GARDEN
LEARN • GLASSER • EXCEL • ENVIRONMENT • GLOBAL DAVID LOW WAY • SUNSHINE BEACH QLD 4567 (07) 5474 6333 • WWW.SUNSHINEBEACHSS.EQ.EDU.AU
www.sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au
help their children put their lunchbox in the fridge and take off their shoes to start the day.
PREP 2021 INTERVIEWS HAPPENING NOW
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KINDERMARLEE believes in children.
SPRING 2020 15
Education
Getting kids thinking about a range of careers starts earlier than some parents realise.
The push for early career education
Some of the more noteworthy career aspirations from SA students: ■ Become a palaeontologist and farm succulents and sell stick insects when I grow up 11-year-old ■ Meet Jeffy on Youtube and Be a pet detective - 8-year-old
By Danielle Galvin A fascinating snapshot of young Australians and their career aspirations has raised the prospect of a formalised career education beginning as early as primary school. South Australia’s Commissioner for Children and Young People Helen Connolly recently released the results of two surveys of young people and children. In ‘The Job Aspirations of 8-12-yearolds’ thousands of postcards were sent out to school kids asking what they care about, their hopes for the future and early career aspirations. Their responses are fascinating. Being a professional athlete was the single most popular choice, although teaching and being a ‘YouTuber’ were also mentioned frequently. For many children, jobs and careers are generally explored in the senior years of high school. However children are naturally curious much earlier than that. “Research has found that a majority of seven year olds can say what they would like to be when they grow up,” Commissioner Connolly said. “Other research has said that the subjects you enjoy and have an interest in at primary school will probably stay with you and it is unlikely you get turned onto science, technology, engineering and maths out of the blue in high school. “In primary school, the focus should be on creating more contact with jobs and careers to increase exposure to possibilities and interest in learning areas that relate to their interests and passions.
16 SPRING 2020
“This contact with the world of work can also help demystify and debunk commonly held misconceptions about the types of jobs available in particular industries, including gender stereotypes. “While many kids hear that they can do anything they want, if they don’t know what they don’t know, they can limit their dreams from the beginning.” By way of example, if a child is interested in dinosaurs, it makes sense to introduce them to palaeontology and what that profession entails. “Or if a 10-year-old wants to be a dolphin trainer get Sea World to run a virtual class,” she said. “We just need to get students excited about their future and dream big. “We have often said you ‘can’t be what you can’t see’ but now after COVID-19 there is no excuse for not seeing everything, albeit online.” Wanda Hayes, the CEO of the Career Development Association of Australia, said children from a very young age form ideas about work roles. “They start to decide which roles have a connection to them, and which roles don’t,” she explained. “By the time they have reached high school, most children have internalised some (mostly unconscious) perceptions that some roles are somehow ‘out of reach’ or not appropriate for them - and those jobs are automatically ‘ruled out’ when they are considering their future options. “Then in upper secondary schooling, the focus of career education is often skewed to be about making decisions (about subjects; about university courses; about future jobs). “But in fact, career education at school should be about opening young people up to possibilities, not narrowing down their options.
“And the earlier this process starts, the better: get them thinking broadly before they start developing fixed ideas about what is and isn’t possible for them!
■ Be a bee keeper with my dad - 10-year-old
“That’s how career education at primary school level can make a real and positive difference.”
■ Go to markets and sell my scrunchies from my business 12-year-old
There’s also a role for parents to play in all of this too.
■ Build a spider robot - 9-year-old
“The role for parents is to expose children to opportunities through reading, talking and visiting online museums across the world,” Commissioner Connolly said. “Whatever it takes to enthuse passion and not cut off possibilities with negative facts. “If your child says they want to be an astronaut, or an astrologer, or an abalone diver, don’t put up all the reasons why not.” But the simplest thing parents can do is to let their kids play. “Play fires up the area of brain responsible for planning skills, organisation, critical thinking, reasoning and understanding,” Commissioner Connolly said. “Play facilitates the development of confidence, self-identity and independence. “If we want critical and creative adult thinkers, it is essential that playfulness be embedded in the lives of young people in childhood. “Parents should support curiosity and fuel wonder in children as there are too many other systems waiting to drill it out of them. “If you don’t have big dreams and feel invincible as a child, I’m not sure when you will.”
■ Be a dolphin trainer when I grow up - 10-year-old
■ Create a company to help solve environmental issues - 9-yearold ■ Work on a Ferry - 12-year-old
Tips for parents to encourage your young child’s curiosity on future careers from the CDAA: ■ Encourage their natural curiosity and imagination. ■ Avoid the drive to make a decision: asking young children “what they want to be when they grow up” can create a level of anxiety about the need to decide. Instead, ask them about their interests. Notice and remark upon their talents. Encourage them to explore and play with the idea of using those interests and talents in different kinds of ways and in different kinds of work roles. ■ Most importantly, treat every career idea as if it could be plausible. Our world of work is changing so rapidly there really is no such thing as a “silly idea” when it comes to career options. Helping your children to explore and evaluate how their ideas might work will always be better than dismissing ideas on their behalf.
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Education
Creating calm from chaos By Jessica Macdonald - Director Jessica Macdonald Coaching ARE you sick of feeling distracted and tetchy with your children?
Experts talk about school readiness, but what does it mean?
How to know if your child is ‘school ready’ By Danielle Galvin AS the end of 2020 nears, many Sunshine Coast parents will be readying their child to begin their primary school journey next year. Experts in early education have long discussed a child’s ‘school readiness’ as their ability to transition into a more formal schooling environment. It’s a change from the unstructured play and familiarity of kindergarten or childcare. But it’s not just about whether they can recite their ABCs, easily write their name or rattle off their numbers. It’s so much more than just surviving in the classroom. Your child could be ready academically, but are they ready emotionally? Do they have the maturity to speak up in class - to ask their teacher a question if they’re lost? And when there’s limited adult supervision around, can they cope in the playground with new friends and an entirely new dynamic? Renowned education consultant and expert in the field, Kathy Walker OAM, has authored numerous books on the issue in her long career in early education. “Essentially, it’s having that developmental maturity particularly in the area of social and emotional,” Ms Walker explained. “It’s not really about writing and the reading, they get that at school. “Most principals and prep teachers will tell you - it doesn’t matter how smart a child is - you can pick those emotionally immature ones out immediately. “It’s not that there’s anything wrong with them - they just need another year for their emotional maturity.” There are a few things that are beneficial for your child to be able to do before they start school, Ms Walker explains.
There should be minimal separation anxiety when you leave them at kinder, they should be able to choose their own activities without too much guidance from the teacher, they should be able to approach little groups and insert themselves into the play, and more practical things like remembering their kinder bag.
Parenting is the most important job that we will ever do. The problem is there’s no performance review, or systems to support learning or development or human resource department to take complaints to. Nor is there any process improvement department or finance section to come to your rescue. American paediatrician Dr Benjamin Spock was right when he said that when it comes to parenting “you know more than you think you do”. I am passionate about parenting and believe that families should be enjoyed not endured. My goal is for people to be able to sort out the chaos in their heads and connect with their kids. You are the expert on your child or children and your family. And if I can help you to keep your calm, you can bring your intuition to the parenting game and create that lasting connection. I coach people to find their calm. What are the thoughts that play on
Jessica Macdonald.
repeat in your mind? It might be: Why do my children never listen to me? Or perhaps it’s: How do I get my kids to put their stuff away? I am running a six-week course for parents to create calm from chaos, the chaos in their heads and the chaos in their homes. If you could do with more calm and less chaos, this course is for you. I go through the science and provide tools, techniques and thinking frameworks to bring the calm. This course is not about getting your children to behave perfectly. It’s about keeping you calm so that you can sail through the storms. And giving you some tools so you can help your kids as they face their turbulent times. For more information, visit www. jessicamacdonaldcoaching.com.au
For some parents, it can be confronting if you’re told your child may not be school ready, even if their age permits them start prep the following year. But it’s important for parents to know that while “holding them back” or “repeating” 4-year-old kinder has negative connotations, it shouldn’t. “I’ve always described it a bonus year,” Ms Walker said. “I used to say to parents, think about the school yard. “You’ve got to feel pretty confident they can fend for themselves there.” So what does an emotionally immature child look like in a classroom setting? “A prep teacher would say they often look really young, they still have that baby face,” Ms Walker said. “And they often appear vague, they can’t follow two or three directions at once, because they are so not coping they are not able to listen and relax. “They are generally followers rather than leaders. “You don’t want to send your child off for the next 13 years of schooling hoping that they will just cope. “You want them to feel really confident and to have as much going for them as possible.” Kathy Walker’s books include Ready Set Go - School Readiness and Preparation, Parenting, What’s the Hurry, Play Matters and Engagement Matters. To find out more, visit https://www. penguin.com.au/authors/kathy-walker 12459230-SN37-20
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SPRING 2020 17
FOCUS ON GYMPIE REGION A colourful past Gallery holiday fun THERE will be plenty to see and do this school holiday season as part of Gympie Regional Gallery’s spring holiday art program.
IN 1867, James Nash discovered 72 ounces of gold in just six days. His discovery started the Gympie Gold Rush and it became known as the town that saved Queensland from bankruptcy. Since then Gympie has seen the rush for alluvial gold, deep reef mining, reprocessing of tailings and the reopening of the mines in the mid 1980s. With the recent cessation of mining, there still remains the lure of residual gold and there may well be more to be found. Visitors can learn all about Gympie’s colourful past at the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum. The 5 hectare site contains over 30 display areas in and around 15 major buildings. The main museum building, is The Tank, which was opened as a historical museum in 1970. The building was originally a water reservoir constructed in 1902. The Tank was part of the mining lease for the No.2 South Great Eastern Mine, but now it serves as the main exhibition building, housing a snapshot of the contents of the entire museum site. The other remnant of the original mining operation is the stamper battery and, although only 10 head of the
Discover Gympie’s colourful mining past at the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum.
original 80 remain, they are still on the original footings and give a feel for the magnitude of the early mining operations. At the No 2 South Great Eastern Shaft, accessible via a reconstructed gantry, is an operational boiler house and steam powered winding engine, air compressor, generator and ancillary machinery. Check the events page online for steaming dates. As well as the mining theme, the museum features exhibits from the timber industry, dairy industry, primary production, gems, transport, military and a wide range of social history covering Andrew Fisher an early Australian Prime Minister, as well as religion, family and floods.
Clay Club Make some clay decorations and pots at a two-day workshop with either Prue McLeod from Pesart Art and Ceramics or Kerry Saunders from Heartfired Designs. Clay Club Workshop details: Pinch Pot Garden Creatures: Wednesday 23 September and Tuesday 29 September, 10am - 12pm Curly Coil Pot: Wednesday 23 September and Thursday 1 October, 1pm - 3pm.
inspired to create your own designs. ■Date: Thursday 24 September, Time: 10am - 12pm, Ages: 12+, Cost: $10 Art Play Bring your little one and share some creative time together with the Gallery’s Education Officer, Sandra Ross.
For Ages 8+. Cost $20 for each workshop.
â– Date: Friday 2 October, Time: 10am - 11pm, Ages: 2-4 years, Cost: $15
Paint Club
Art Stars
Explore the joys of making art using paint, textures, images and mark making with Gympie artist Cathy Condon.
Come and play with art materials and learn a new art technique with the Gallery’s Education Officer, Sandra Ross.
â– Date: 25 September, Time: 10am to 12pm, Ages: 6+, Cost: $10 Fashion Club
â– Date: Saturday 3 October, Time: 10am - 12pm, Ages: 6-9 years, Cost: $10
Designer stylist Cindy Vogels will take you on a creative journey using music as inspiration. You will gain insights into her design process and be
For more information call Gympie Regional Gallery on 1300 307 800 or view the entire program at www. gympie.qld.gov.au/gallery-whats-on
Discover Gympie Gold these school holidays! Come and have fun You won’t be disappointed
Gympie Gold Mining & Historical Museum
Open 9 AM to 4 PM every day (Except Good Friday, Christmas and Boxing Day)
Gympie Gold Mining & Historical Museum 215 Brisbane Rd, Monkland, Gympie | Phone: (07) 5482 3995
HOLIDAY Specials include: • Train Rides • Blacksmith Demonstrations • Gold Panning
Gympie Regional Gallery
Celebrate Spring at the Gympie Regional Gallery over the school holidays! Clay Club: Wednesday 23 September & Tuesday 29 September, 10am – 12pm Wednesday 23 September & Thursday 1 October, 1pm – 3pm
T UL
D A E RY E FR ENT
on presentation of this coupon at the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum Valid to January 31, 2021. ____One coupon ONLY per entry.
Paint Club: Friday 25 September, 10am – 12pm & 1pm – 3pm Art Play: Friday 2 October, 10am – 11am Art Stars: Saturday 3 October, 10am – 12pm $OO ERRNLQJV WKURXJK (YHQWÀQGD _ _ J\PSLH TOG JRY DX JDOOHU\ _ J\
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Fashion Club: Thursday 24 September, 10am – 12pm
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18 SPRING 2020
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FOCUS ON GYMPIE REGION A trip down Ride through history memory lane REDISCOVER the magic of a bygone era aboard the historic Mary Valley Rattler.
Sit back, relax and enjoy a nostalgic rail journey through one of the most beautiful parts of Queensland.
KILKIVAN, with a population of about 500 people, is only half an hour west of Gympie and is worth a visit for its fascinating museum.
The scenic Mary Valley is a place where you can experience the friendly laid back atmosphere of rural living at its best. The Rattler’s journey crosses over the Mary River, and makes its way around an abundance of curves, across bridges and numerous gentle hills.
Did you know that the first recorded discovery of gold in Queensland was near Kilkivan in 1852? The landowner of the time kept the exact location a secret, but a gold rush did occur in 1868.
These and other fascinating historical stories can be explored at the museum, which was opened more than 40 years ago. Displays include: â– A small military collection including uniforms and several rifles â– A grocery shop from the past â– A research facility detailing the lives of past residents of the Kilkivan region
The museum includes an original slab hut.
■An old railway barracks showing a kitchen and a classroom from a bygone time ■A slab stockman’s hut just as it was lived in it over 100 years age The museum also has one of the most significant collections of minerals in regional Queensland. The collection, which consists of approximately 5,000 specimens, covers the full range from throughout the world. This wonderful collection was donated to the museum. The museum is at 12 Bligh Street, Kilkivan.
Pass through Dagun, home to a beautiful heritage station, before continuing to the quaint community of Amamoor nestled in the centre of the Mary Valley. It’s here that you’ll marvel at the restored turntable installed at the Amamoor Station and the fascinating process required to turn the locomotive around. Make sure you leave plenty of time to explore the beautifully restored Gympie Station, which houses a historic display dedicated to sharing stories of the century-old Mary Valley Railway line and the vital role it played in lives of local residents. Reputed to be the largest timber
railway building owned by Queensland Rail during the 20th century, the historic Gympie Station is arguably one of the most stylish and elaborate in the context of timber railway architecture. There’s a gift shop too, along with the Platform No.1 Cafe offering dine in or takeaway options to enjoy aboard one of the lovingly restored heritage carriages. The magnificent Mary Valley is a patchwork of grazing properties, macadamia farms, rain forests and endless rolling hills providing a tantilising hinterland experience characteristic of rural Australia. The Mary Valley Rattler is more than a train ride; it’s a half-day adventure into history. See the website for itineraries and times. Book now at maryvalleyrattler.com. au.
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Did you know that Cinnabar, which is the base material for Mercury, was mined in the local district of Cinnabar during the second World War?
The Mary Valley Rattler is more than a train ride.
YOU WILL BE AMAZED BY OUR
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HOP ON BOARD A HERITAGE
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Come and enjoy a day out you will be fascinated by our display. Historic Gympie Station 10 Tozer Street, Gympie, QLD 07 5482 2750 @maryvalleyrattler
www.maryvalleyrattler.com SPRING 2020 19
Reality Bites
Ella recognised for making a difference
By Melissa Grant YOU could say Sunshine Coast teen Ella Woodborne was born to be an ecowarrior. Ella’s dad is a veterinarian who worked as a bushranger in his younger days, tracking, tagging and monitoring many different forms of wildlife. He also worked on shark tagging boats where he tracked great whites, tiger and bull sharks, and helped rescue seals trapped in plastic and netting. The 16-year-old’s mum volunteered for animal welfare and busted dog fighting rings. When she was younger and living in Kenya, she spent time out in the bush and often helped with cattle work in both Kenya and Uganda. Ella grew up alongside pitbulls and boxers that had been rescued from the townships or the fighting rings.
Ella Woodborne started her own “Green Team” at Sunshine Coast Grammar.
She also spent some of her childhood living next to an elephant reserve in South Africa.
Shepherd and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
But it was in Year 5 that she became really passionate about the environment. It was then that she learned the basics of recycling and composting and, for the first time, heard the term climate change. After spending a lot of time researching climate change and deforestation, Ella knew she had to do something. “It was terrible for me ... I realised how much the world I loved was in danger,” she said.
So far, they have raised around $1000 and have sponsored a sea turtle and snow leopard through the WWF. The Green Team is now run by teachers and has really become part of the Sunshine Coast Grammar community. Ella’s work with The Green Team led to her being named the winner of the inaugural Les Hall Conservationist Award. The Award is a tribute to Dr Les Hall OAM, who died in February last year after 40 years of major achievements in the zoology world.
Ella spent some of her childhood living next to an elephant reserve in South Africa.
solutions,” Ms Hall said.
a career in the environment. The Year 11 student has already started subjects for a University of the Sunshine Coast arts degree, focusing on literature.
Three years ago, Ella started her own “Green Team” at Sunshine Coast Grammar.
The Sunshine Coast Council partnered with the Hall family for the award.
The team started off as a few friends getting together at lunchtime to focus on environmentalism.
“As my father offered his brightest charges, Ella will receive an opportunity to participate in a wildlife conservation field experience.”
Entries were judged over five criteria - leadership, innovation, environmental impacts/outcomes, social impacts and reach, and vision.
Ella will get to track turtles for a day on the Great Barrier Reef, sometime during spring.
She wants to do a second degree focusing on ecology and conservation biology.
Mr Hall’s daughter, wildlife biologist Clancy Hall, praised Ella’s environmental efforts.
It’s not the first time Ella has been recognised for her efforts to improve the environment.
“My home is Africa, so I would like to head back over there and help wherever I can,” she said.
She was named Sunshine Coast’s Young Citizen of the Year in the 2020 Sunshine Coast Australia Day Awards.
“It’s in the third world countries where the change really needs to be made.
They worked on sustainability projects like waste reduction and eliminating single use plastics. There were rubbish runs, where students would compete to see who could collect the most rubbish on the school campus. As the team grew, there were fundraisers for Greenpeace, Sea
20 SPRING 2020
“What Ella has achieved with the Green Team, in both action and intention shows incredible passion, grit, awareness and understanding of both environmental problems and their
Ella, who currently resides on a property in Kenilworth, plans to pursue
“If we can teach those who are uneducated (about environmental issues) we can create change.”
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Reality Bites
Ruby turns her passion into a global brand By Abbey Cannan AFTER moving to Australia from Italy 13 years ago, a Noosa local has managed to turn her passion into a job, all the while raising two kids and being an advocate against domestic violence. Ruby Sillato arrived in Noosa when she was six months pregnant with her first child, choosing a quiet and tranquil place to raise kids. “I owned a little Italian restaurant in the Junction called Ipazzi, and ran it successfully for four years,” Ruby said. “I then had some relationship/ family issues and decided to move on and start a new chapter of my life. “All of the sudden I had no income, I was living in a small unit and had two very young children to raise on my own, with no family and friends support around. “It was a very difficult time, starting again to work as a waitress, and having no security whatsoever made that time of my life a very tough one.” Just for fun, Ruby decided to explore a type of social media that was still building popularity in Australia, live streaming. “I discovered it by mistake and thanks to a Twitter owned app, Periscope, I opened up myself to the world,” she said. “I started to talk to the camera to strangers, which was so much easier since there was no type of personal connection and people were from other countries, mostly USA and Europe. “Those strangers became my friends and connections, they became a digital family that helped me so much. “I shared my experiences and talked a lot, so much that people started to appreciate my ‘talk shows’ and the audience continued to grow. “It was my free therapy, live streaming helped me immensely, to overcome a very dark moment of my life, and especially to appreciate myself, to value myself.” While unleashing her potentials through social media trends, Ruby also learnt how to deal with and confront online bullying. “The more I learnt, the more I helped people to find a positive outcome of life and the more I shared my past experiences and personal stories, the more I felt free,” she said. “I speak about domestic violence a lot based on my personal journey, but I mostly want that to be a way to inspire people to speak up and share their story too. “I helped so many women and men with similar stories, and that gave me the motivation to keep going.”
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Ruby Silantro has made a name for herself as Ruby Noosa by sharing her love of cooking with the world. Ruby Sillato has always loved cooking.
While doing her live shows, Ruby started to receive many requests from her viewers for recipes. Those requests then sparked the idea for her cooking show in a live streaming format, which has now been going for four years. “I always loved cooking because of my mum, she’s a great cook and the typical Italian mum that never stops cooking for others,” Ruby said. “Since I also owned a restaurant I learnt a lot about food and cooking on a more professional level, but I’m not a chef nor do I pretend to be one, my cooking shows became popular almost by mistake while filming my lives. “People loved my Italian recipes, and the authentic touch I brought. “I do Italian dishes on my social media and my strong dishes are pasta dishes, especially the Sicilian ones, which is where I come from originally.” Ruby’s shows started to produce income and so three years ago, she decided to quit her waiting job and focus on this new venture, and it worked. “Slowly my cooking shows became a business and my social media handle became a brand,” she said. “Ruby Noosa is now a global brand that accumulated, over the years, 80k followers and more than 45 million impressions (likes) on my videos. “Funny because not many people around Noosa know this, since my audience grew organically in USA and Europe mostly. “If you would have told me five years ago that I would create an income cooking my favourites dishes at home in my tiny kitchen and in front of an
Ruby does her cooking show in a live streaming format.
iPhone talking to myself, I would have laughed so hard and probably thinking you were crazy. “But we do live in a world that is moving fast and so social media. “Now managing social media accounts for Noosa businesses has become my second business and once again I have to thank this amazing town for trusting me and making me believe that with hard work and passion, anything is possible.”
FOLLOW RUBY NOOSA You can find Ruby Noosa at instagram.com/rubynoosa and at facebook.com/rubynoosaofficial/
Ruby says she’s not a chef and doesn’t pretend to be one.
SPRING 2020 21
Books
Finding a way to teach kids about anxiety Kids can be scared and brave at the same time.
By Danielle Galvin PSYCHOLOGIST Karen Young’s latest book, But We’re Not Lions, aims to teach children about anxiety, being resilient, and courageous in the face of peer pressure. Dr Young, a well-known public speaker and author, hopes it gives children some helpful strategies to stay true to themselves, even in difficult times, and recognise the emotions and the physical manifestations of anxiety. “It’s a book about social resilience - so it’s basically about bullying without using the word bullying,” she explained. “With But We’re Not Lions what I wanted to do was to find a way to help kids feel powerful, even when someone is trying to take away from that courage and keep doing what they think is right.”
breakage or a deficiency to feel those feelings.
But We’re Not Lions is a beautifully illustrated book which takes readers on a journey with a group of animals, being forced to do something that doesn’t feel right.
“Whenever you’re anxious you’ve got just as much courage in you,” she said. “One of the things I say to kids is ‘what is the feeling you have before you do something brave - you feel anxious, you feel scared, so they happen together all the time’.
Dr Young explains that she isn’t fond of the term ‘bully’ because in her view, it builds a relationship too much. “It lessons our power - you’re doing something and it does hurt me but it doesn’t change me, I am still strong and powerful,” she said.
Karen Young’s latest book.
“I feel like the word bully puts other people in a position of power that they don’t deserve.”
“We need to normalise it, we need to take the pathology and shame of it away,” she said.
Dr Young has also penned Hey Warrior and Hey Awesome, which also deal with the symptoms of anxiety and finding your strengths.
“If we are anxious, we are still brave, it has nothing to do with your character or your courage.”
She believes it’s important for children to recognise anxiety.
She says it’s imperative to teach children that although anxiety can get in the way of doing things, it’s not a
“Sometimes anxiety feels so big it’s hard to believe there’s courage there. “If we can get kids understanding this from a young age then we are giving them something valuable. “We don’t get rid of feelings by pretending they don’t exist.” But We’re Not Lions can be purchased through www.booktopia.com.au For more information on Karen Young, her books and blogs, visit https://www.heysigmund.com
Children’s books...
Vote 4 Me
Grandmas are Lovely
Bin Chicken
Krys Saclier, Illustrated by Cathy Wilcox
Meredith Costain, Illustrated by Nicolette Hegyes
Kate & Jol Temple, Illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh
WANT to teach your child about Australia’s preferential voting system? There’s a book for that!
THERE are few children’s books as beautiful as this gem. Grandmas are Lovely is a watercolour picture book about the bond between a child and their grandmother. Written in simple rhyming text, it explains all the ways in which grandmas are great. For instance, grandmas are fearless, courageous and smart, they’ll love and protect you with all of their heart. The book features stunning illustrations of various animals including koalas, kookaburras and lions.
THIS fun book explores how the ibis went from being a sacred bird in ancient Egypt to a pest in the modern world..
Preferential voting is explained in Vote 4 Me. It is a story about the fictional Mount Mayhem Public School where students want to elect a new class representative to instil some much-needed change. The book is written by author and electoral educator Krys Saclier, with illustrations by political cartoonist Cathy Wilcox. With the US election all over the news, it’s a great chance for Aussie teachers and parents to talk to kids about our voting system.
Perfect for grandmothers to read to their grandchildren. For ages 3+ Scholastic Australia, RRP $17.99
We all know the Australian name for the ibis is Bin Chicken. After all, there’s been a fair bit of media on the much maligned bird in recent years. As the book states, the ibis went from the banks of the Nile to the top of the rubbish pile. But sometimes in life, you’ve just gotta do what you have to do to survive. A flapping good read for kids aged 3+. Scholastic Australia, RRP $17.99
Timmy the Ticked-off Pony and the Poo of Excitement
The Baby-Sitters Club, Kristy’s Great Idea
Magda Szubanski
THE Baby-Sitters Club is back! The classic series have been reprinted with new covers to tie in with a Netflix reboot.
MUCH-LOVED Aussie comedian and actor Magda Szubanski ventures into the world of children’s books, with a three-part series about a spoilt and cranky pony. Inspired by Magda’s actual nickname given to her by friends when she gets ticked off, the first book follows the show pony who had the most fabulous life until he got so excited that he pooed on a movie set. To make matters worse, his camera crew aired his excitement poo. A ‘poogate’ ensues - will Timmy be able to recover or will it be a case of deja poo? Scholastic Australia, RRP $16.99
Ann M. Martin
It begins when Kristy Thomas decides to form a baby-sitters club as a way to earn money and spend time with her friends. However, she has no idea how much the club will change her life. There are crank calls, uncontrollable toddlers, wild pets, untruthful clients - and that’s just the start of it. Kristy and co-founders, Mary Anne, Claudia, and Stacey, are sure they can handle anything. But only if they stick together! Scholastic Australia, RRP $12.99
Wild Dog Books, RRP $24.99. 22 SPRING 2020
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Kids Calendar
What's on this spring
Workshops include ceramics, statement earring making and kids balloon twisting with Miss Donna. A small donation fee of $5 or $10 per attendee when booking, with proceeds donated to Waves of Wellness. For bookings or more information, visit www.noosacivicshopping.com.au
On Sunday 27 September from 8am4pm, the main show will see Kombis and surfboards on display at Mooloolaba Beach. There will be a kids area with facepainting and activities. For more information, visit https:// www.alexandrarotary.com/
28 SEPTEMBER - 2 OCTOBER 13 SEPTEMBER
SPRING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS WHEELY FUN CAMP
SUNSHINE COAST COLOUR FRENZY
GRUFFALO AT THE GINGER FACTORY
Colour Frenzy is coming to the Sunshine Coast.
These September school holidays come and explore the rainforest and follow the trail in search of the Mouse, Fox, Owl, Snake and the hungry Gruffalo with a augmented reality app. Using The Gruffalo Spotter 2 App, look for the markers along the way to bring the characters to life. There are five markers that activate Mouse, Fox, Owl, Snake and The Gruffalo! You can jump behind or beside the marker to take photos with the characters.
Raising money for the Sunshine Coast Animal Refuges, this colourful event is a fun run / walk for all ages. You can walk, jog or run around the 1.25km track - and you can choose to do one or all four laps. There is also plenty of entertainment with giveaways, music, face painting and more. The event runs from 8.30am-10am at Lake Kawana, Sunshine Coast Stadium. For tickets and more information, visit https://colourfrenzy.com.au/ sunshinecoast
13 SEPTEMBER, 11 OCTOBER, 8 NOVEMBER
A new and exciting event that brings bike riding into children’s daily lives. In a fun, traffic free environment, the Australian Cycling Academy program teaches primary school children aged from 5 to 12, how to ride properly and road safety.
2020 ROTARY WALK FOR MENTAL HEALTH AT MOOLOOLABA Raising money for Australian Rotary Health’s Mental Health research, this walk is for everyone who has been impacted or cares about mental health. The walk is from Mooloolaba Surf Club to Maroochydore Surf Club and back, with participants having the option to turn around at Alex Surf Club. The walk starts at 8am in the area behind the Mooloolaba Surf Club. Entry is $30 and includes a t-shirt. Kids aged 15 and under walk for free. To enter, visit https://www. mooloolabarotary.org/walk
8am-11am at Coolum State Primary School
26-27 SEPTEMBER
Payment can be made on the day from 7am (credit cards accepted)
SPRING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS SURF SHOW AND SHINE HAVEN AT NOOSA CIVIC Haven is Noosa Civic’s creative and mindful space. During the school holidays, Haven will be running a series of fun kids and adult workshops. www.sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au
The Kombi show by the beach is back! The Kombi parade event is on Saturday 26 September. Meet at the Mooloolaba beachfront car park for the parade at 4.30pm.
6.30am-11am, starting point at 31 Sportsman Parade, Bokarina Cost: Adults from $35, children from $25 (11+ years) or from $10 (3-10yrs), kids under 3 free. Corporate Teams: $500 up to 10 people (min four team members)
25 OCTOBER, 29 NOVEMBER
You can find the Ginger Factory at 50 Pioneer Road Yandina
Coffee van on site. Entry is free.
There’s plenty of fun for families, with live entertainment, face painting, a jumping castle and more.
For prices and more information, visit https://cycling.org.au/qld/whatwheely-fun
11 OCTOBER
Grab some preloved children’s and baby items at this popular market. Items for sale include clothing, shoes, accessories, toys, highchairs, books and portacots. The market also supports women’s health, wellness and wellbeing, with stalls may also featuring women’s fashion and accessories, health products and more.
The event, in its third year, raises money for Wishlist, the Sunshine Coast’s hospital foundation.
University of the Sunshine Coast, Athletics Track. Program runs daily from 8.30am-3pm
For more info about this free attraction, visit the Ginger Factory’s Facebook page.
NOOSA KIDS AND BABY MARKET
The Wishlist Fun Run has a picturesque running course along the lake, across the road from Sunshine Coast Stadium.
18 OCTOBER
SUNNY COAST BABY AND KIDS MARKET Discover the largest indoor baby and kids market on the coast. Secondhand stalls plus new business and handmade stalls. Entry $2, kids enter for free. Hot food and coffee is available and there are free bounty bags.Sunday 25 October, 9am-12pm at Mountain Creek State School Sunday 29 November, 9am-12pm at Talara Primary College For more information visit www. sunnycoastbabykidsmarket.com.au
29 OCTOBER REGIONAL DISABILITY EXPO An exhibition for Sunshine Coast families, carers and people with disabilities find the support, services and products to help them improve their quality of life.
WISHLIST FUN RUN
9.30am-4pm, Caloundra Indoor Stadium
Dust off your joggers and get involved in this charity fun run event around Lake Kawana.
Entry is free. Register to save time at the gate by visiting https://www. disabilityexposc.com.au/ SPRING 2020 23
HAVEN KIDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CREATIVE WORKSHOPS SEPTEMBER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
BOOK NOW USE THIS LINK: www.noosacivicshopping.com.au
12459144-NG37-20