Yarra Ranges Kids Today Autumn 2021 by Star News Group

AUTUMN 2021

Seville mum’s

MIRACLE BOY Tips for parents to

KEEP FIT WITH KIDS How to shake the

MUM GUILT

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

AUTUMN 2021 1

About Us

Excitement for autumn HELLO everyone! 2021 certainly gave us an interesting start, didn’t it? I hope you’re settling in and are excited to make plans for the rest of the year. In this edition of Yarra Ranges Kids Today, we’ve tried to keep it local and showcase some incredible people in our community. Seville mum Sarah Honeybone shares her amazing story about her son James, who caused a few headaches while she was pregnant but is now happy and healthy. We’ve got a chat with a Boronia mum who has many tips to help other mothers get back to work after taking time off to look after the kids, and an Upwey mum who is using her side hustle to empower mothers to be a little selfish and take time for themselves. We’ve got a nice informative piece about why drawing is actually more

beneficial for kids than colouring in - it’s an interesting read! How did you handle lockdowns in 2020? While some of us found it pretty rough going, there were others who used their time productively and funnelled their energy into getting crafty. We speak to a local mum who honestly put me to shame with what she got up to in 2020! Seriously creative. And please do check out the beautiful pics our wonderful photographers Rob Carew and Stewart Chambers took in and around the Yarra Ranges - some nice picnic spots to check out this autumn! Maybe even ones you didn’t know about. As always we have a bumper education and health section - with some nice feature stories on bringing chalk back to the classroom, and why we need more male teachers.

George Georgevski (aka ‘The Lunchbox Dad’) who’s back with a fabulous new book “Air Fryer Express’. I am convinced I need to buy an Air Fryer, honestly the recipes are mouth watering and I am actually excited to cook again. Which is shocking in itself! We also spoke to leading parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson - and we tackled an interesting topic - sleepovers. When do you let your kids have a sleepover at a friend’s house? And under what rules? It’s a good read. He raised points I had not even considered. We’re so glad to be connecting with you again! Don’t forget to reach out to us through Facebook and Instagram. We always love your feedback, and more importantly, to hear from you! Enjoy!

Yarra Ranges Kids Today magazine is a Star News Group Publication. Yarra Ranges Kids will be published quarterly prior to each of the school holidays.

Yarra Ranges Kids 244 Maroondah Highway, Healesville, Vic 3777 Phone: 5957 3700 Fax: 5957 3777

Editorial Melissa Meehan melissa.meehan@ starnewsgroup.com.au

Wealso spoke to Insta-famous dad

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CONTENTS

Advertising Andy Jukes andy.jukes@ starnewsgroup.com.au

Weaning kids off sugar

TV host’s amazing trips

PAGE 16

PAGE 22

Sarah’s miracle boy

What is induction?

How to get back to work

PAGE 3

PAGE 16

PAGE 23

Picnic spots to while away the autumn day

EDUCATION

Name disappointment

PAGES 4 & 5

The need for more male teachers

Have fun getting fit

PAGE 17

BOOKS

PAGES 6 & 7

Schools stepping back in time

Inspiring the hero in all of us

Sharing culture with the world

PAGE 17

PAGE 25

PAGE 8

Saying goodbye to Gymbaroo

Understanding boys

PAGE 18

KIDS CALENDAR

PAGE 8

Waste is out of fashion

Mums need more time

PAGE 18

PAGE 9

Deep play

How to get back to work

PAGE 19

MIRACLE BOY

PAGE 9

Your kinder of choicce

Tips for parents to

Sharing indigenous culture

PAGE 19

IT’S YOUR LIFE

PAGE 10 Active kids PAGES 12-14

HEALTH

AUTUMN 2021

What’s on this autumn PAGE 26

Seville mum’s

KEEP FIT WITH KIDS How to shake the

REALITY BITES

MUM GUILT

The benefits of drawing PAGE 20 www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

AUTUMN 2021 1

Cover Nikki and Archie at the Badger Weir Picnic Area. Picture: ROB CAREW

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2 A AUTUMN UT MN 2 UTU 202 2021 02 21

Published by Star News Group Pty Ltd ACN 005 848 108. Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas. All material is copyright to Star News Group Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible.

PAGE 23

Lunchbox Dad’s secret to success

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5945 0643

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It’s Your Life

Sarah’s miracle boy By Melissa Meehan A slight sniffle or cough can bring on an anxiety attack in an instant for Sarah Honeybone. She lives on tenterhooks, forever scared that her one-year-old James will stop breathing again. “I am so worried that he’s going to stop breathing, I’m still a little bit traumatised,’ the Seville mum explains. “That image of James not breathing still sits there in the front of my mind.” It was just one frightening chapter to a rather long journey but James is none the wiser - now happy and healthy playing with his farm animals. Their journey started when Sarah was just 13 weeks pregnant. She went in for her usual scan and they found he had a large nuchal fold in his neck, and later found a abnormality in James’ heart. The left side was marginally smaller than the right. Already a mum to a 12-month old, Ebony, Sarah was sent to specialist in cardiology and genetics to get to the bottom of it. All the scans came back clear and Sarah, who was booked to have James at the Angliss Hospital, was transferred to Mercy Hospital for Women and told it would be a long journey. “We weren’t given any definitive answers, but they threw a diagnosis out there of hyperplastic left heart syndrome which needs many, many surgeries to survive,” she said. “Even the chances of death or severe illness are extremely high. “We were pretty broken by that.” Faced with a rather life changing decision whether to proceed with the pregnancy, Sarah worried about Ebony. She didn’t want her brother’s illness, and expected countless hospital stays and surgeries, to affect her life and learning. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

James had a number of trials but has come out healthy and happy

“We had so many appointments and conversations based around medically interrupting the pregnancy, but before we could make a decision we needed a second opinion,” she said. That’s when they met Dr Paul Brooks from Melbourne Paediatric Cardiology. He did a scan on James’ heart and gave a realistic, but more optimistic idea of that to expect. And he was almost certain that it wasn’t HLHS. It was the news they needed. Sarah was 23 weeks pregnant at the time, and they needed to make the decision whether to interrupt the pregnancy at 24 weeks. They decided that James would fight. At 27 weeks, Sarah lost her mucus plug and went into spontaneous labour. By the time the paramedics had arrived, she was already starting to have contractions. They raced for an hour to get to Mercy Hospital where they were able to stop the labour progressing. But Sarah gave birth to James two days later on December 6, 2019. He was immediately rushed to NICU and put on drugs to ensure his heart would survive until he was strong enough for surgery. He was born at 27 weeks and 3 days, weighing just 1457 grams. The Mercy Hospital would become the duo’s home until January when James was moved to the Royal Childrens Hospital. They ruled his heart was functioning within a normal range and sent him back to Mercy Hospital to “grow big, fat and happy”. He allowed to finally go home at 37 weeks.

Sarah and her son James

had to perform CPR while we waited for the ambulance to arrive,” Sarah said. “It was pretty scary - I had brought him to bed with me because he was snuffly and in the morning I noticed he was quiet, unresponsive and grey.” Bronchiolitis, simply put, is a common cold.

But was rushed back to hospital three days later.

This all happened in February and then the coronavirus pandemic hit in March.

“He was diagnosed with bronchiolitis and had three episodes of apnoea and I

“That for us was so scary, because we had seen what had happened to

him with a cold - and we, honestly thought coronavirus would kill him if he contracted it,” she said. He’s a happy and health one-yearold now - meeting all of his markers and milestones. Sarah admits she’s still on tenterhooks, rushing to the doctors whenever he gets so much of a cold and self-isolating as a precaution during the pandemic. But it’s all worth it - because through the hardship, she’s got her perfect baby boy. AUTUMN 2021 3

It’s Your Life

Picnic spots to while away the autumn days By Melissa Meehan

while he visited.

AUTUMN has to be one of the most magical times of the year to spend in the Yarra Ranges.

If you are wondering what makes such a wonderful family picnic spot, we’ve narrowed it down to a few important points.

Most days are warm and sunny, but you couldn’t complain about some clouds and a light breeze.

There must be picnic tables, open spaces or playgrounds for the kids to place and beautiful views.

The leaves of some trees turn red, yellow or brown and others fall to the ground making a colourful wonderland for the kids to explore.

And we’ve put together a list of the best places in the Yarra Ranges.

It’s no surprise that for many, their favourite way to wind down is to find a tranquil picnic spot to meet some friends, unpack the picnic basket and while away the autumn afternoon.

■ Badger Weir Picnic Area, Badger Creek

But where are the best places to take the family for a picnic? Yarra Ranges Kids has done all the hard work and found some wonderful spots to share with your friends.

All you need to bring is some food, friends and fun.

■ Olinda Falls Picnic Ground, Olinda ■ Kays Picnic Ground, Monbulk ■ Mount Dandenong Arboretum, Mount Dandenong ■ Birdsland Reserve, Belgrave Heights ■ Donnellys Weir Picnic Area, Healesville

We’re sure to have missed some, the area has an abundance of wonderfully shady, breezy parks perfect for lounging and playing.

■ Yarra River, Warburton

Our favourite has to be Badger Weir Picnic Area - it’s popularity is no surprise and it’s difficult to find the words to describe its beauty.

■ Gallipoli Park, Marysville

So much so, photographer Rob Carew, took some amazing cover shots

■ Fernshaw picnic ground, Healesville ■ Maroondah Reservoir Park, Healesville ■ One Tree Hill Picnic Ground Ferntree Gully ■ Emerald Lake Park, Emerald

Pictures: ROB CAREW AND STEWART CHAMBERS

■ Lysterfield Lake, Lysterfield

Donnellys Weir Picnic Area 4 AUTUMN 2021

Artie enjoys a picnic at favourite Badger Weir Picnic area.

Birdsland Reserve. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Morley Walking Track, Fernshaw

Fernshaw picnic ground

Olinda Falls Picnic Ground Emerald Lake Park

Grants Picnic Ground www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Artie enjoys a picnic at favourite Badger Weir Picnic area.

Maroondah Dam AUTUMN 2021 5

Brea Kunstler exercises with her daughter Abby.

It’s Your Life

Getting fit while busy with kids AFTER Covid-19 lockdowns, lives across Australia have changed. Mums (and dads) are working longer hours, many of them at home, leaving many to question when they have time for exercise. Life is busy. It always has been. But blurring the lines between work hours and life hours has become an even more delicate balance since Covid. If spending more time at home, away from loved ones and friends has taught us anything, it’s that life is short. And we need to look after ourselves. But with even less time in the day (whether that be true or perceived), how can we get our 30 mins a day of exercise in?

This could be because it was easy to do this during lockdown or while physically distancing (eg. online pilates class in your lounge room). Many people might have been doing these classes while watching the kids and making use of the time and opportunity they suddenly had. We have also seen many people take up activities that can be done solo and without a gym membership (handy since they have been closed so often). We have many more recreational runners than before (‘those people’ who throw on the activewear to get a quick jog in before the kids get up). We need to take this idea into 2021 and beyond - make the most of the time and opportunities you have.

Hughesdale mum Brea Kunstler is as busy as they come. She’s a physiotherapist and run coach and a research fellow at Monash University.

Are people finding it more difficult to find time to exercise?

Brea says the key is to make the most of the time you have, not to add more tasks to your ‘to do’ list.

However, I often encourage my clients to put their day on a page and see when they have at least 15 minutes to move.

Yarra Ranges Kids Today reporter Melissa Meehan sat down with her to discuss how we can find time to get moving. Have you noticed a shift in peoples’ exercise habits since the pandemic? We (researchers at BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash University) conducted a survey of over 1000 Australian adults early in the pandemic and noticed that physical activity levels weren’t hugely different to usual, we were still seeing the majority of adults not meeting the physical activity guidelines of 150-300 minutes of activities like walking, as well as two sessions of strength exercises, weekly (these recommendations differ by age). However, when we looked a little closer, people seemed to be exercising in a different way. For example, people were doing more strength activities than usual during the early stages of the pandemic. 6 AUTUMN 2021

Time has often been reported as a barrier to exercise.

Often, we can find at least 15 minutes to ourselves and, if we can’t, we can look at where we can be active WHILE doing other things. How can they go about changing that mindset? We need to think about time versus priority. Often, people say they don’t have time to exercise but they are able to find two hours a day to watch TV. So, TV watching is a higher priority than exercise in this instance. You have the time, but you have prioritised something else. I get it! I have two suggestions for this: exercise while watching TV, or split the time. Let’s say you have two hours to watch two episodes of your favourite show. Awesome! Consider doing 3x12 push ups, squats and ab crunches in the ad breaks (or

Brea Kunstler says exercise can be fun.

just during the episode if there’s not breaks).

Pictures: Stewart Chambers

enjoy and getting some activity in too.

This will take about 10 minutes in total.

Buy some hand weights and exercise bands to make your home exercises that little more challenging.

Then, once they are out of the way, sit down and relax to enjoy your show.

Why is it so important to get that exercise in?

Enjoying time to yourself watching your favourite program is important too.

There are so many benefits of regular physical activity.

Alternatively, consider watching one episode, and using the other hour to go for a walk and listen to a podcast or audiobook.

It strengthens muscles, bones and vital organs like heart and lungs. This is important for kids to grow into healthy and strong adults, and for adults to maintain their health.

So, you are doing something you

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Brea Kunstler.

It improves balance and coordination. These skills are necessary for kids to safely participate in sport and for adults to avoid injury and falls as they age. Maintaining a healthy weight, which is important in our increasingly obesogenic environment. It maintains mental health by breaking up less enjoyable tasks like school work and facilitating socialising with friends (eg. online exercise challenges for teens and adults (eg. 55 squat challenge in March 2021) and family bonding (e.g. family walks after dinner). Improve concentration during school and paid work. Enhanced sleep. It gives something fun to enjoy during a stressful time (stress and poor mental health was increasingly reported during the pandemic but these issues remain outside these times too). You don’t even need to accumulate heaps of exercise to reap the benefits because something is literally better than nothing. We have seen people achieve significant health benefits by simply adding a short walk to their day (eg. walk to the shops instead of driving). Remember, your kids learn so much from you. If you are active, then they will see this as normal behaviour, and will be more inclined to do some exercise too.

that you can claim for yourself. This can be 15 minutes when the baby is sleeping, or you could be lucky enough to get a couple of hours. After I had my daughter I claimed 5am-7am as my time. I would feed my daughter (4.30am was a common feeding time) and then escape the house. I would go into the garage to do an online exercise class, go to my 24hr gym and go on the treadmill or do another activity, or run outside (I felt safe enough to do this). I was lucky enough to have my husband at home during that time so he could get up to her before he would wake for work at 7am, meaning I could leave the house. However, if you would prefer to use this time to read a book or do something else, then find ways to exercise with bubs! Mother and baby classes are available that are run by physios that can support you to get back into exercise safely and allow you to include your child (or you can try this virtual option). I am a physio and provide online exercise programs to mums eager to get back into exercise but want to do so safely and in a place and time that suits them.

See one example above when I talk about time versus priority.

If you have toddlers, use your environment! Local parks are your friend, and so are online kid-focussed song and dance classes on days where you can’t get out.

With babies, treat your day like a 24 hour cycle. Find a space in that time

Do lunges as you walk around following your toddler around. Lunge as

What are your main tips on how to stay fit and healthy?

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

you reach down to take the rubbish out of their hand before they put it in their mouth! Climb the equipment with them. Lift them up so they can touch the monkey bars. Do a squat, push up or burpee in between each push on the swing. Suddenly you are getting a good arm and leg workout while hanging out with your kids! There are endless opportunities for activity in the park if you use your imagination. If you have babies and toddlers, get the pram out and walk (or run, if you’re able). Walk to the library or to the shops. Walk to the park. Just walk instead of drive! The kids get to see and hear the outdoors while you get to pound the pavement. Think about taking a hilly route for a harder workout or even stocking the pram up with groceries to make it harder to push. With tweens and teens, it’s important to respect that your kids are starting to crave independence and have autonomy in their decision making. So ask them what they want to do. If you get a “nothing” then try setting an example by getting active yourself or making it more appealing by including things they enjoy. If you sit on your iPad all day, then your kids see that and think that’s normal. If they see you on your iPad for an hour, then going for a quick walk around the block before dinner, then

suddenly that becomes normal. They might then appreciate an invite to this previously exclusive walk. Also, don’t demonise screens, use them! There are so many fun online options for kids to use to get active. Try a scavenger hunt and make sure there are prizes that the kids actually want (i.e. they choose the prizes, like a night off doing the dishes!). Or access free exercise classes offered via council that are appropriate for teens and adults. It’s important that you seek professional support if you haven’t exercised in a while (lots of people post-pandemic!) or are new to it. GET THE KIDS OFF THE COUCH What are some tips to get your kids off the couch, away from the TV and engaged in physical activity? Listen to them, understand their interests, and get their interests involved in the activity (eg. they enjoy basketball, shoot hoops with them and make it a competition). Yes, it’s important to establish healthy behaviours early as then kids learn that exercise is a normal behaviour. In saying that, they need role models to learn this behaviour. So their parents must be active too! This doesn’t mean that you need to be at the gym at 5am every morning. Going for a walk before dinner each night is a good example of integrating regular physical activity into your day AUTUMN 2021 7

It’s Your Life

Sharing culture with the world By Melissa Meehan

blown - they loved it and wanted to read it all of the time.”

PERCY Shozi could never find what he was looking for.

Who Am I? follows it’s character Zola (a nice play on his daughters names), a young guru of mixed African/Australia descent growing up in Melbourne, speaks Zulu and dreams about Africa.

He went to book shop after book shop In search of a book whose characters adequately reflected the culture and experiences of his daughters Nala and Zara.

It covers culture, music, food and everything about South Africa. Things you wouldn’t normally know unless you knew someone of that background.

So, with a noticeable gap in the market - he set out to write his own.

But it’s not just for those with African heritage. Percy says he’s had wonderful feedback from people of all backgrounds.

Who Am I? is the first book in the Zola series, a series that covers topics such as missing family overseas and learning about culture.

“Now that we are in a sense cut off from the rest of the world, thanks to Covid-19, sharing our culture and experiences is more important than ever before,” he said. “And when the book was released, just before Christmas, I had much interest from Australian’s wanting more stories like this.

“I want my girls to grow up seeing kids that look like them in books,’ Percy said. “I want them to see brown superheroes and strong brown girls. Growing up in Africa I never saw kids that looked like me, or houses that looked like mine in books. “Sadly, little has changed so I decided to do something about it, for my kids.” Percy’s own love of books started when he was a young boy growing up In South Africa. But it was the stories he

Author Percy.

loved the most. “Our stories of our culture are so beautiful - I just love them,” he said. So what better place to start when writing a book.

“I said to my wife, even if It’s just for them (my daughters) to read It and be part of the character, to me that’s enough,” he said. “So that’s the thing, my mind was

Follow ‘Percy Shozi Childrens Author on Facebook to stay up to date with future books in this series. Who Am I? is now on sale at www.percyspoems.com and some local book stores.

Understanding boys Boy or girl does it matter? You have to discover the unique child you have got, writes Steve Biddulph CONGRATULATIONS they say to you. It’s a girl! Or, it’s a boy! And straight away your ideas and images about their future start to take shape. You can’t help it, and nor should you, as its by dreaming that we mobilise ourselves for the great journey of raising a child. But we have to keep an open mind. Gender does not tell you everything about a child. There are boys, for example, who are sensitive, quiet and gentle, and girls who are thick-skinned, boisterous and noisy. You have to wait and find out ‘what you have got’. But taken as a whole, gender still has some risk factors that will apply and are really worth knowing. After all, the whole secret of raising children is finding out their nature and working with that. I often say that the world doesn’t need men who can wrestle buffaloes any more, so we need to raise our sons to be good communicators with open hearts. But, the world is still harsh and terribly sexist, so we have to raise our daughters with backbone and fire. By knowing what you start with, it makes working towards equality more likely to succeed. The biggest biological difference between boys and girls is in rate of 8 AUTUMN 2021

We need to raise our sons to be good communicators with open hearts.

brain maturity. Even as a newborn, a baby girl has a more finished brain and that difference continues all through. Most girls are ready at five for sit-down schooling, they are settled and patient, and their fingers work well, their words and language are coming along. Meanwhile, most boys are simply not. So we have to be wary of starting boys in school too young. Boys also go through very different stages, at very different times. In updating the Raising Boys book last year, we found that new hormone research explained the phenomena of the ‘full-on fours’ when many parents noticed their four-year-old sons becoming incredibly active and physical. In fact, it’s been one of my key themes over forty years that we must let all children feel okay about their need for movement, activity, and exercise. Mothers in many countries have told me that they felt enormous relief that their

boys weren’t ‘bad’ for being lively. That just as with a big dog in your home or apartment, you need to run off all that energy. It’s actually helping them to grow their brain. We also found new research about the ‘emotional eights’ when early hormone changes, about four years before actual puberty, cause them to have more intense feelings. Explaining to our little boys that “it’s okay, sometimes feelings get big” and helping them know the warning signs, when to walk away and chill for a while, and to be able to talk to you when they are sad or afraid, or feel like punching out their best friend. I always remember a little boy who heard his best friend was moving to another school - he hit him! We males have to be able to stay with our grief sometimes. I once heard a dad saying to his son, who was struggling on the edge of tears “you are a great kid, you have such an open heart”, and then nestling against

him with a sideways hug. The boy turned towards him in a full embrace and let the tears come. It was so healing. When I began in the 1970s, the theory of the time was - raise kids the same, without any gender messages, and they will turn out the same. And that is very worthwhile to pursue. We have to make absolutely sure that we don’t box children in by saying girls must, and boys must. At the same time, if we can learn all we can about the biology of being a boy, and being a girl, then we can do equality better. Next time I’ll write about the strengths, and vulnerabilities of being a girl, and how to make sure she is strong, equal, and comfortable in her own skin. So she can wrestle her own buffaloes! www.stevebiddulph.com Steve Biddulph AM Author - 10 Things Girls Need Most, Raising Girls, Raising Boys. Complete Secrets of Happy Children, and The New Manhood www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

It’s Your Life

Getting back to work By Melissa Meehan HEADING back to work after maternity leave can be a daunting task. It can be even more daunting for those mums wanting to get back into the workforce after a lengthy period at home. Boronia mum Rebecca Jones says there is no shame in taking some time out to care for your kids. A resume writer and career consultant at Mumma Bird Resume Services, Rebecca says confidence is key. “Don’t feel guilty about having that gap,” she said. “I had my two kids 17 months apart and I know it’s daunting not knowing where you want to be and what you want to do. “But you need to harness those skills you gain as a parent and believe in yourself.”

And while you might be happy to go back to your old job or career, there’s no guilt in finding something different, closer to home and more flexible. Rebecca says the best thing is to sit down and work out what you want, what you enjoy and what kind of flexibility you need Then, write down your skills - not forgetting all the skills you’ve learnt and applied as a mum. Once you have realised that the “gap” was actually an amazing and intense training camp that taught you new skills, you can go about confidently writing your resume. “Women are traditionally hesitant and uncomfortable in selling themselves, but a resume is the best place to do this,” she said. “Believing in yourself is really important and when looking at gaps in your resume it is perfectly fine to say you were raising your children. “There are plenty of workplaces who

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed about returning to the workforce.

understand this and they are accommodating.” The mentality that women can’t be mums and have a career is changing - and if you need help, there is professional help out there. Tips for planning your resume: ■ Understand that your skills have changed (don’t forget the skills you have acquired as a mum!) ■ You have the freedom and right to look for something different - you may want to enrol in a course ■ Write a list of your skills, your top 10

- these can be technical & personal ■ Envision how your personal life looks like that ties into your family situation (then discuss the coaching tips) ■ Be kind to yourself! ■ Do you want to pursue that passion now? ■ Believe in yourself! ■ Become resourceful - place a profile on seek/linked in, join social media groups, meet with recruiters - search various job boards to gain an idea of what job /industry you are considering

Taking time for yourself, without the guilt By Melissa Meehan MUMS sometimes need a break. It’s a fact, and more and more women are finally realising it. They are losing the mum guilt and recognising that they shouldn’t be the bottom of the pile in terms of looking after themselves. And Upwey mum Sinead Phillips says that is something worth celebrating. The local travel agent strongly believes that this break shouldn’t come in 10 minute bursts while rushing to the toilet alone. But instead actual time our away from the family and home. “I think women are starting to take more time for themselves and I think that is because they are getting more help at home which is great,” she said. “The old theory that mum is the housewife and everything else around the house is gone. “And there is a focus on not just physical health and mental health too. “It’s just so good to see the old cliches getting driven out.” Of course there will always be some that can’t shake the mum guilt - but more and more women are taking some time out for themselves. For some it’s going for a run, taking a yoga class, having a glass of wine - or going out for a delicious meal. But there is no doubt that wellbeing looks different for everyone. That’s why Sinead started her own side hustle called Mumscapes. A chance for women with shared experiences to get away and relax. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Sinead Phillips with her kids Owen and Cora

“I don’t believe health retreats are the be all and end all,” she said. “It’s all about reconnecting and recharging - and something magical happens when women get together.” She said that, especially post-Covid, so many women are trapped behind their computers, laptops and other devices that often they’ve lost a sense of connection. “So by women actually coming together, face to face, and letting their guard down - they are making an

investment in themselves,” she said. “You can’t fill everyone else’s cup if yours is empty.” Sinead is hoping that mums realise that 10 minutes to yourself, or even going to do the grocery shopping isn’t a break. “You need more than that,” she said. “I want women to realise that they are worth more than that. “It takes a village to raise a child - but it’s the same to have a happy life.”

Sinead Phillips AUTUMN 2021 9

Culture is an important building block for every child’s future, the communities in which they live and society as a whole

Our rich Indigenous lessons AT Cire Children’s Services, the educators have a responsibility to embed Indigenous perspectives into our early year’s program.

Cire Children’s Services is currently working on a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which is a formal statement of commitment to Reconciliation.

Through a range of engaging initiatives and strategies, Cire’s educators are committed to nurturing in children tolerance, understanding, appreciation and respect for others from as early an age as possible.

Throughout this process, Cire’s educators will continue to build their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and develop ways to incorporate cultural acceptance into daily practice.

Culture is an important building block for every child’s future, the communities in which they live and society as a whole.

They will adopt practices which acknowledge and celebrate our heritage.

In terms of a child’s rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child provides that cultural identity, language and values should be respected. The National Quality Framework requires that Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander cultures are valued throughout all education and care services. One of the underpinning philosophies at Cire is to educate children about the importance of our Indigenous culture and the many rich lessons we can learn and apply to our everyday lives, whether it be spiritual in terms of connection with the Land and Dreamtime or more tangible through growing bush tucker, music and storytelling. 10 AUTUMN 2021

As stated in the Department of Education RAP, “While the symbolism behind Reconciliation is extremely powerful, it must also be backed up by practical and deliberate actions that contribute to improved quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - both within our organization and in the broader community“. Cire Children’s Services has been an enthusiastic participant in cultural celebrations for both Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week but it has raised the bar.

young age about our history of the First Peoples“.

a traditional lullaby of the Yorta Yorta language.

They Acknowledge Country and our Traditional Landowners at all meetings and our children themselves acknowledge country at special events such as kindergarten graduation.

Cire Children’s Services is fortunate to have a bush block at its Yarra Junction site which provides a unique opportunity to further reinforce a respectful Indigenous journey for our students.

Cire’s educators immerse different aspects of Aboriginal culture into their practice. For example, Aboriginal learning techniques such as a yarning circle are used in Cire’s pre-kinder room every day to include Aboriginal perspectives into the children’s routines. This activity begins with an interactive Acknowledgment of Country to thank Indigenous people past, present and future and for us to learn on the land of the Wurundjeri people. This is always met with great enthusiasm by the children who are curious learners wanting to know more about the yarning circle and its purpose.

Its educators want to do more to nurture an understanding of our roots and to embed Indigenous culture into their programs on a daily basis.

The children are engaged in conversations about what they would like to learn in the circle. Some of the children’s favourites are reading stories and discussing the Indigenous languages.

As one of the educators says, “It is imperative to teach children from a

The children love using the clapping sticks while listening to the song Inanay,

Local Indigenous elders have visited Yarra Junction to advise on which plants to grow and how best to care for them. The educators hope to continue furthering this wonderful relationship. Children’s Services has also welcomed visitors who have introduced Woiwurrung, the language of the Wurundjeri people. The children have greatly enjoyed picking up new words such as ’waa’ for crow and practicing with their peers. Through music, language, and intentional teaching Cire Children’s Services can continue to provide children with opportunities to learn about the rich culture and history of Australia’s Indigenous Nations. It is hoped that such activities plant the seed children at Cire to develop into adults who genuinely respect and honour the rights of all people and lead others to do likewise. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Cire Children's Services

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AUTUMN 2021 11

Active Kids

Paint your own pottery ROBERT Gordon Pottery offers pottery painting workshops for all ages. You don’t need to be an artist - all you need to do is pick a pot and get painting!

PAINTBALL Games is one of the longest running operators in Victoria.

Anyone can get creative at Robert Gordon. The pottery outlet hosts workshops for all ages. If you’ve never painted pottery before, you needn’t worry. Friendly staff are on-hand to show you how. Once fired, you’ll be able to take home a unique piece of pottery that’s microwave, oven and dishwasher safe. All you have to do is: ■ Choose your pot. Mugs, plates, bowls and many other shapes available. There are even piggy banks! ■ Paint. Glazes, brushes and aprons are e all provided.

Robert Gordon is located at 114 Mulcahy Road Pakenham and is open 7

types of celebrations.

Paintball fun for young and old

Pottery workshop, retail and Nancy Cafe e

■ Finished pieces are ready for collection in 14 days. Postage can be arranged upon request.

Paintball Games offers fun for all

Kids can get creative at Robert Gordon.

days 9am-5pm. Online bookings for the Paint Your Own Pottery and workshops are essential. Phone 03 5941 3302. www.robertgordonaustralia.com

teams and soccer teams.”

With three sites across Melbourne, in Ballan, Coldstream and Cockatoo, Paintball Games sure does deal in fun.

And it’s not just a game for the boys, there are plenty of women who love a game of paintball, the thrill and the adrenaline. Not to mention the fun and the adventure!

Established in 1988, they have been serving up the best paintball experience to Melburnians.

“We also have low impact paintball for all groups,” Mr Cumming said.

Daniel Cumming is one one of the managers at Paintball Games and says they host Buck’s and Hen’s parties, kids parties and plenty more.

“We do hens and bucks parties, wedding parties, and birthday parties.”

“For the last four years we have been about to run children from the age of 8 up, which is using spring loaded guns rather than the gas powered ones the parents use,” he said. “We get heaps of kids running around. We do get a lot of basketball

They also host scenario games and events. Anyone can come and join in on the weekends or during the week, or book a party today. To find out more, visit http://www. paintballgames.com.au/ or find them on Facebook https://www. facebook.com/PaintballGamescomau-145266922240167/

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114 MULCAHY ROAD PAKENHAM VIC 3181 CONTACT 03 5941 3302 ROBERTGORDONAUSTRALIA.COM 12 AUTUMN 2021

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Active Kids

Discover and reignite creativity DISCOVER or reignite your creative passion at T and Bisque-it; a new art and ceramic cafe/studio in Lilydale. T and Bisque-it aims to create a fun and creative space for people of all ages and skill levels to explore their creativity. Owners Terri-ann Varga and Glenn Butler are passionate about creating a strong creative community where people can have fun as a family, with friends or individually in an easy-going environment. A key area of the business is supporting kids’ creativity and development. Art is great for mental health, motor skills and helps with social interaction. The studio offers kids after school art classes, pre-school art and clay classes during school hours, adult art classes, ceramic painting, pottery and a whole host of new workshops coming up in resin, life drawing, alcohol ink, macrame, art journaling, Autism and Anxious Kids sessions and much more. Follow on Facebook and Instagram for the latest course/art information. At the studio, there is a large variety of ready-to-paint ceramics to choose from including: figurines (mermaids and unicorns to cars and dinosaurs to name a few), mugs, plates, pots and much more. This all-ages activity is fun for the whole family. The studio has a free playground and small cafe with great

T and Bisque-it is a great place for people of all ages to discover their creativity.

coffee, milkshakes, pies and cakes. T and Bisque-it also hosts all-ages birthdays, hens’ parties, corporate team building and school fundraising opportunities. Pop in or call to chat to about your next big event.

Not artistic? At T and Bisque-it there is no minimum skill level to having fun. The staff will support you to create a piece you’ll love. The staff have many tips and tricks, stencils, inspiration and ideas to help you enjoy your art experience.

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• equipment hire included • 50cal low impact markers • BBQ area available Call Daniel 9777 0613 or book online at www.paintballgames.com.au

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AUTUMN 2021 13

Active Kids

Getting involved in local sport By Melissa Grant THERE has never been a better time to sign-up your child to a local sports or recreation club. Covid-19 lockdowns left Victorian children inside their homes for months last year. They missed out on physical activity, not to mention social connections. We spoke to VicHealth Physical Activity and Sport Manager, Chris Lacey, about the benefits of getting children involved in a sport or local club. PHYSICAL BENEFITS Signing your child up for local sport is a great way to ensure they get enough physical activity. Australian guidelines recommend that children aged 5-17 get at least an hour a day of ‘moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity. It’s advised that kids aged 2-4 have at least 180 minutes a day of physical activity, including energetic play.

chance to forge friendships and connections outside school. Also, it often provides children with a new positive role model in their life.

reached primary school. “Auskick, Cricket blasters, Hot Shots (tennis) all target that kind of age,” he said.

Mr Lacey said while kids generally make a lot of mates at school, it was important for them to have other places they could make friends. “The social connection you get from being involved is important for kids’ mental and social development,” he said. “Being part of a team makes us feel like we’re part of something bigger than ourselves, which is important. “Having social connections can reduce the incidence of anxiety and depression.” SKILLS FOR LIFE Children involved in their local sporting club or recreation group learn various skills that they will use throughout their life.

“It’s important for kids to remain physically healthy and sport is a great way to do that,” Mr Lacey said.

This includes leadership skills. In junior sport, for example, captaincy is often rotated so that each child can learn what it’s like to lead a team. They can also learn how to tackle challenges and that winning isn’t everything.

SOCIAL BENEFITS Sport and recreation gives children the

“They learn that you don’t always win and that’s okay,” Mr Lacey said.

HOW TO FIND A CLUB The best way is to ask a friend for a recommendation or simply get onto a search engine and type ‘sport near me’.

Signing your child up for local sport is a great way to ensure they get enough physical activity.

BENEFITS FOR PARENTS Children’s sport is good for parents too as it provides an opportunity for social connection. Mr Lacey said studies have shown that one in three Victorians are worried about their loss of social connection in the wake of Covid lockdowns. More than half said they want to get involved in their community clubs, he said. WHEN TO JOIN A CLUB Your child is never too young to join a local club. These days, as Mr Lacey points out, there are sport-type programs for babies and toddlers. He said it was important for a child’s physical activity to ramp-up once they

There are the obvious local sporting clubs like AFL, basketball, netball, cricket and soccer. But there are also clubs for gymnastics, dancing, swimming, diving, skateboarding, skating, hockey, sailing and even paddleboarding. The list goes on. But what if your child says they hate sport? “It’s good to encourage kids to get involved in physical activity but not force them. If there’s something they don’t enjoy try to pivot them towards something else,” Mr Lacey said. That could be something like dancing or swimming. If sport is a no-go, then you can try music or arts clubs, or get them involved in the local Scouts or Girl Guides group. “There’s no excuse really these days not to get involved because there’s something out there for everyone to enjoy,” Mr Lacey said.

A new skate park is on the cards for Monbulk. Monbulk

Skate park getting a facelift SKATERS will be stoked with news of a new stomping ground - with rad upgrades planned for Monbulk Skate and Scooter Park.

The revamp is being partly funded through the State Government’s 2019/2020 Growing Suburbs Fund program.

Already having a lot to offer for its size in its current form, the new skate park at Monbulk Recreation Reserve will keep the existing half pipe, while new features such as a street section, flow area and intermediate bowl will be added.

The current skate park is popular for both locals and visitors alike, with its five ft concrete mini ramp with traditional steel coping and heaps of street obstacles.

14 AUTUMN 2021

It’s also surrounded by many trees so

visitors don’t feel like they are trapped in a concrete jungle. Residents were given their choice of four layouts for the upgrades, which will shape the council’s design. Once designs have been completed, the council will program the skate park to be constructed. It is expected the project will be fully complete by 2022.

Residents were given four choices of design. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Health

George Georgievski is a best-selling author with his recipe books.

Lunchbox Dad’s secrets to success By Danielle Galvin SCHOOL Lunchbox Dad, George Georgievski, was a little freaked out to hear he has something in the order of a quarter of a million followers across his social media accounts. For your everyday Geelong dad (in his words) he sure does know how to make waves with his creative school lunchboxes, down to earth style, and seriously inspiring recipes. It’s impossible not to see the appeal: he is a dad with a vision to make lunchboxes healthy and easy to put together. It’s that simple. His new recipe book is all about his new obsession, the Air Fryer, which follows his first book, Lunchbox Express. In Air Fryer Express, he’s got tips and tricks to get the most out of your Air Fryer, as well as 60 recipes for parents on the go, keen for quick, easy, healthy and delicious meals. If you don’t have an Air Fryer, prepare to be converted. There are pizza scrolls, heavenly bread rolls, cheesy balls - and the dinner ideas and bar snacks are truly nothing short of inspiring for those of us who bemoan dinner time and making lunchboxes every day. As for Air Fryers - he loves them. “They are not expensive, I just think the world of them,” he said. “They are so versatile, multifunctional, time saving, economical, I reckon they are the way to go. “If you want to reheat something - it’s like a third of the time - you don’t have to preheat the oven. It is so quick and the fact you don’t need oil - or you use very little oil.” It’s fair to say the success of Air Fryer

This is his second book, after Lunchbox Express.

Express has taken him by surprise. It became the number one cookbook on Amazon based on pre-orders alone, and his first book was number two at the same time - with people buying his second book at the same time. Georgievski’s not a chef, he says, and has a full-time day job. His laidback approach helps him too, he is a straight talker, self-deprecating, engaging. It all started on his Instagram account, when he got sick of seeing difficult recipes that many parents wouldn’t even bother with. And he wanted to make it as easy as possible to well, to follow the rules “eat a few veggies, and three fruit”. He wants others to see what he does and think that they can do it too.

There are 30 pages of lunchbox inspiration to inspire even the fussiest of kids. “In the past, when we were kids, we didn’t have technology to occupy us, so we’d burn off the rubbish we ate ... now kids are so technology minded so we have to look after their intake of foods.” On his Instagram account, you’ll find bento style lunchboxes, the ones he creates for his two girls each week, as well as cooking videos, instructions and more. But his formula is simple: create wholesome, colourful, easy, delicious lunchboxes, and quickly. It’s not about how they look or spending hours baking. He uses readily available ingredients, but he’ll put a spin on it. There’s not a bland sandwich in

sight, there are mini croissants, baguettes, scrolls. “My daughter made those scrolls (that you see in the recipe book) and we made them together, she’s eight. That’s how easy it is.” The success of his books and the fact he’s got followers from all over the world still blows him away. “My daughter’s calculated (them), she’s like ‘dad you’ve got nearly a quarter of a million (followers)’ and I’m like ‘don’t, that freaks me out’, so I don’t look at the numbers anymore! I look at the messages I get and try to respond to everybody, just food related questions.” Air Fryer Express by George Georgievski, Published by Plum, RRP $26.99, Photography by Nikole Ramsay

The day-after toastie recipe HERE we get a sneak peek into one of the recipes in the book! We’ve all had that ‘day-after’ moment; the times when we’ve celebrated a little too hard and realised that we’re not that young anymore. This little recipe has helped me in the past, so it’s time to share with you my saving grace. Inspired by the Cubano sandwich, it is pure bliss and a fabulous pick-me-up. I don’t care what anyone else says about the perfect toastie; for me, it’s all about the following ingredients. So take a photo of this list and get to the supermarket (but don’t drive if you’re recovering from the night before). YOU WILL NEED ■ 1 tablespoon butter ■ 2 x 2 cm thick slices of crusty Vienna bread www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

■ 1 tablespoon American mustard ■ 2 slices of Swiss cheese ■ 4cm piece of chorizo sausage, finely sliced ■ 2 slices of cheddar ■ 2 slices of ham off the bone ■ ½ teaspoon smoked paprika ■ 2 dill pickles, finely sliced lengthways, plus extra to serve (optional) ■ Thin plain chips, to serve WHAT TO DO Butter both sides of the bread slices and let’s start stacking. Here’s how it works: Smear the mustard on one side of the bread slices, then top with one slice of Swiss cheese, half the chorizo, one slice of cheddar, one slice of ham and a dusting of smoked paprika. Take a breath and get ready to keep

layering. Add one slice of Swiss cheese, the remaining chorizo, one slice of cheddar, one slice of ham and the pickle. Top with the other slice of bread and finish with a dusting of paprika. You should now have a tower of deliciousness, so what we need to do is give it a little squash (I use a frying pan to push it down, but I guess your hands will work, too). Line the base of your air fryer with baking paper and pop the toastie in. Cook on 180°C for 5 minutes. The cheese and oil from the chorizo should be oozing out the sides, while the top of the toastie will be lovely and golden from the butter and paprika. Cut the toastie on an angle because that’s how everyone does it these days, top with some extra dill pickle, if you like, and serve with a handful of chips. AUTUMN 2021 15

Health

Stopping the sweets By Danielle Galvin

Ways of birth

LET’S talk about the sweet stuff: sugar. Many of us eat way too much of it, including children.

BUMPS

In recent years, studies have shown how addictive it is. Over the summer months, many of us have watched as our children’s sugar intake increased, with way too many ice-creams, treats and sweets. We asked for some advice from nutrition consultant at That Sugar w Movement, Angela Johnson, about how to slowly wean your child off sugar or even start to reduce it slowly.

FOR

BABIES WITH DR BRONWYN HAMILTON

Angela Johnson has some tips for parents to wean kids off the sweet stuff.

Here are other tips for helping your family reduce added sugar (and ultra-processed food) intake:

What advice do you have for parents who might be concerned about managing their child’s sugar intake around holidays? After Christmas/the summer period I spoke to a few parents who were concerned that their child was consuming way too much sugar. First, try to keep things in perspective. The holiday season can involve multiple social events, extended periods away from home, and disruption of the usual weekly routine. Therefore, the consumption of homemade whole foods can decrease, while exposure to (and intake of) sweetened and industrially-made, ultra-processed stuff can increase. If your child or children consumed more sugary foods than usual over the summer holidays and Christmas period, know that this shift doesn’t need to be the new normal. Starting today, you can take gradual steps to reduce the intake of added sugars and ultraprocessed, packaged foods. Each day, throughout and after the holiday period, aim to have at least one wholesome, homemade meal, and keep any snacks as fresh or minimally processed as possible. Lunches and snacks, whether at home or to have when out and about, are great opportunities to serve healthful whole foods, including vegetables, legumes, and sources of healthy fats and quality protein. It is helpful to prepare foods in advance for you or the kids grab and go as needed - think vegetable and egg muffins, portions of raw nuts and seeds, whole pieces of fresh fruit, plain yoghurt with berries, or pre-cut vegetables sticks with a favourite dip. You may wish to explain to your children that the increase in sweet and ultra-processed foods over the holidays is temporary and now, as a family, we are having more of the foods that help us feel better, grow stronger, and have more energy. Importantly, be sure to set a healthy, caring and kind example. You cannot expect your kids to eat healthier foods when you are consuming mountains of cake and cookies! At the same time, I recommend using neutral language with kids around food. Avoiding language around ‘diet’ or weight, or labelling sugar as a ‘poison’ or ‘bad’. Similarly, try not to use words such as ‘treat’, especially if referring to ultra-processed foods; instead such foods should be considered ‘once in a while’. Keep in mind that our kids’ bodies are resilient. So long as you attempt to make real, whole foods the foundation of what your child eats, the once in a while cookie or cake or brief period of increased added sugar intake will not have long-lasting effects. 16 AUTUMN 2021

Angela Johnson, nutrition consultant at That Sugar Movement.

What are some signs your child might be sugar addicted? Sweet-tasting foods are highly desirable. Too much added sugar and sweeteners, and the ultra-processed foods they often come in, create a strong preference, habituation and desire for sweeter tastes, making subtler or bitter tastes less tolerable. While there is continued research into the area of food addiction, it is believed excessive consumption can impact the brain’s reward centre in a way that results in symptoms similar to addiction to other well-known addictive substances, such as intense cravings, shifts in mood, and energy highs and lows. I’ve read rewarding your child for good behaviour with a sweet treat is a bad idea - do you agree? Using food as a reward (or punishment) is not ideal. It can set up a disordered relationship with food. Of course, you will feel there are times when tempting your child away from the playground with something tasty is the only way to get moving! Don’t be hard on yourself if you do. Try not to make a habit of it so your child won’t make the association between certain foods and behaviours, and if you offer something, choose a healthy whole food, such as a piece of their favourite fruit. How do you wean your child off sugar, or work to lower their intake on a weekly/daily basis? When reducing intake of added sugar and ultra-processed food, be gradual, patient and consistent. Adapt one meal or snack at a time, swapping something sugary or ultra-processed for a whole food option. Importantly, do not give up too soon! Research shows repeated exposure is helpful to acquire a taste for something new - up to 8-10 times. A really helpful guide for parents is this: The adult chooses what goes on a plate or into the lunchbox. The child chooses what and how much to eat. Try not to pressure the child into eating something they do not want, they will eat if they are hungry. Just be patient and consistent with the healthier foods you offer.

• Focus on real whole food: Make the foundation of the food you offer real, whole food. Think vegetables, fruit, unsweetened dairy, nuts, seeds, and eggs. For drinks, offer water. Infuse with slices of orange or lemon if you need to make it more enticing. Swap out sugary cereals, sweet spreads and snack bars for something more wholesome. Slowly reduce the amount of sugar or syrup in recipes by experimenting with swapping some of the added sugar for mashed or blended fruit and vegetables, such as banana, stewed apple or steamed pumpkin. • Have options available: Have prepared several options of tasty whole foods that include a source of fibre, healthy fat and/or quality protein. Kids can have the autonomy to choose from what is on offer, and enjoy a food that provides a source of sustained energy (and therefore, a reduced desire for sugar). • Limit access: Keep sugary drinks, such as soft drinks and juices, and ultra-processed foods either out of the house or to a minimum. • Crowd it out: Limit added sugar and ultra-processed food intake by crowding out meals with real, fresh food like fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and plain dairy. By enjoying mostly homemade meals and snacks, over time eating habits and taste preferences will adjust also. • Get them on board: Help your child understand why they will see a shift in the food they are served. For example, whole foods help bodies and brains grow strong and smart. Get them involved in food preparation. Pair well known favourites with a new whole food or flavour. Trust that your child has an innate sense of what makes them feel better. Above all, be gentle when weaning off a high sugar diet. The transition period toward a less-sweetened way of eating may feel tricky at first. Know that it needn’t be all or nothing. Your child does not have to abstain from sweet or packaged food altogether. A little is okay for most, just limit how much and how often. In fact, banning certain foods can make a child want them more! It is recommended that children over two years limit intake to six teaspoons per day, and those under two shouldn’t have any added sugar at all. Remind yourself that every bite of healthier food makes a difference, so do not be hard on yourself - you are doing great! Finally, if you have serious concerns that your child is not eating well or refusing to eat at all, please seek out advice from a qualified health professional.

AN induction of labour is a process whereby we can bring labour on, even if your body is not thinking about it itself. There are many indications for induction of labour and it is becoming more common due to increasing indications for having a baby earlier than the due date. There is also research supporting routine induction of labour in all women at 39 weeks if they prefer this as it may improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce caesarean section rates (from a study called the ‘ARRIVE’ study). Reasons for being induced include but are not limited to: diabetes, high blood pressure/ preeclampsia, big babies, growth restricted babies (small babies), certain ethnicities such as South East Asian ethnicity, low fluid level around the baby, other placental issues, being overdue, etc. Methods to induce labour used in Australia include: 1. Breaking the waters (amniotomy) and starting a syntocinon infusion/drip (via a cannula placed in your hand/ arm). This will encourage you to get into labour by making your uterus have contractions. 2. Having prostaglandin gel/ pessary called Prostin or Cevidil. This mimics the natural hormones which set labour off and help the cervix to change and uterus start to contract. 3. Having a balloon catheter placed in the cervix. This is a long thin catheter with a small balloon filled with water that sits next to the baby’s head. The pressure of the balloon over time opens the cervix. PROS and cons of being induced include: • Pros: convenient, able to plan especially if having first baby. May improve mum and baby outcomes due to delivering before babies get too big, and before placentas start not to work properly. • Cons: It is ‘intervention’ and some women prefer to go into labour naturally. Also, you will need to be continuously monitored (heart rate monitor on your belly) to check your baby is happy throughout the labour if induced. For more details on the ARRIVE study, visit: https://www.nejm. org/doi/full/10.1056/ NEJMoa1800566

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Education Do we need to do more to attract male teachers?

The need for more male teachers By Danielle Galvin BACK in 2017, Macquarie University researchers tracked a worrying trajectory of a declining number of male teachers in Australian classrooms. The study lead them to ask the question: Are male teachers headed for extinction? The research showed a steady decline in numbers in the past 50 years. Granted the research is now four years old, but the question remains: are there enough male teachers out there? Dr Matthew Zbaracki is Head of School of Education at the Australian Catholic University. The former primary school teacher said the latest statistics, from 2019, estimated 18 per cent of teachers in primary schools were male. In secondary school, there was a huge jump to 39 per cent. “That’s the big difference, it’s very obvious in primary schools,” he said. “I think there are a couple of reasons. “One; there could be a gender stereotype around who teaches in primary school. I think there’s a lack of

respect around the teaching profession in general which has an impact as well.” While there’s no suggestion that any gender performs better in the classroom or gets different results, Dr Zbaracki said there’s a couple of reasons why it’s important. “The reason why they are important is that children need to be able to have these experiences with teachers of both genders, and they need to have role models as well. “Boys need to have role models that are men in the classroom instead of just females. “I think it’s really important, learning styles and teaching styles are so critical. “Being exposed to as many different teaching styles you possibly can, as well as positive role models (is important).” He said partly there’s still a stigma still around men teaching, particularly in the junior years, but more needs to be done to build back respect for the teaching profession. He hopes doing that will help attract more people to the profession. The divide is even more stark when it comes to early education.

South Australia research, men accounted for between 2-3 per cent of the workforce. In Dr Zbaracki’s view, all educators bring different teaching styles to their environments, regardless of gender. He said male and female teachers

engage students in different ways. “It’s important we don’t get complacent and be aware of this type of issue. “Those statistics are pretty shocking, 18 per cent in primary schools, that’s shocking.”

In 2018, according to University of

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AUTUMN 2021 17

Education

Schools and lunches

Saying goodbye to GymbaROO IT was an exciting time 37 years ago establishing the second Toddler Kindy GymbaROO Centre at Mooroolbark, now centres are throughout Australia and right around the world. However, it is time I retire and pass this rewarding business onto a new passionate, enthusiastic and energetic team, to assist future generations. So if this is of interest to you or anyone you know, do not hesitate to make contact. With the ethos of GymbaROO being that ‘movement is the key to learning’, our aim is to provide a safe and challenging environment for children, from infants to four years old, because they learn more in these formative years than at any other time of their lives. Research has confirmed that age appropriate learning experiences and stimulating activities have such a positive impact on a child to reach their full potential. At GymbaROO, every song sung, every game and activity played, is specifically designed to increase a child’s ability, leading to enhanced co ordination, concentration and confidence.

Not wanting Marion to go, on left Marg Tull, centre Marion Stott, right Ros Holz.

Our GymbaROO Program provides exploratory free play, with different specialised equipment circuits each week. Plus structured group activities through our visualisation theme each term, which provides age appropriate, fine and gross motor essential skills development. Over all these years of working with many wonderful staff, the pure joy of providing our incredible program to parents and their children, by nurturing each natural stage of development, has been just so rewarding. - Marion, Toddler Kindy GymbaROO Centre at Mooroolbark

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Fashion

Waste is totally out of fashion WITH six tonnes of textiles and clothing going to landfill in Australia every 10 minutes, retailers offering pre-loved and recycled goods have never been more vital. Tucked in amongst the trees in the heart of Mount Evelyn, Pipsqueakz Recycle has the local community covered. There’s a growing demand for recycled goods as people continue to recognise the financial and ethical benefits of pre-loved rather than new. It’s something the local Mount Evelyn community has been embracing since Pipsqueakz Recycle opened in 2000. The store has been offering recycled (and new!) baby and children’s clothes, toys and other products for over 20 years, catering from newborn through to 12 years of age. In a time when disposable, cheap clothing abounds, it’s important to remember that a lot of cheap clothing is often poorly made and ends up in landfill after only a few washes and wears. That’s why Pipsqueakz Recycle offers up a different alternative for parents, rather than buying some of the cheaper brands that don’t last. They only sell excellent quality brand names. “People will bring things in and say ‘oh that’s done three kids and it still looks fantastic, even though it’s been washed 18 AUTUMN 2021

AN idea out of Flinders University could have parents rejoicing: what if schools provided lunches for Australian students? Researchers from the university’s Caring Futures Institute investigated whether it would be more nutritious, and there would be better learning outcomes, if the school provided lunches. The institute’s deputy director Professor Rebecca Golley said it was a common practice in other countries such as the UK and would mean less room for treats high in sugar or salt. “A universal school-provided lunch model could help to ensure all children have access to food at school, reduce stigma of children not having lunch or having different types of foods to their peers, and help to ensure children are provided with healthy lunch options,” she explained. “The meal would be prepared on site and served to children in their classroom, school hall or school yard, compared with the current school food model in Australia where generally parents provide lunch to their child/children, either as a lunchbox packed from home or purchased from a school canteen. While there will need to be an initial investment to set-up the necessary infrastructure and getting the right policies and guidelines in place, what is emerging from some work around Australia is that this public health strategy can deliver in terms of learning, student engagement and wellbeing. “By children being provided with

Pipsqueakz Recycle only sell excellent quality brand names.

over and over’,” Rachel, the owner of Pipsqueakz Recycle, said. Rachel says it’s quality, but on a budget. “It’s a real community,” Rachel said. “It’s a very family oriented place. Everyone talks, everyone’s happy and it’s very laidback.” Pipsqueakz also offers a consignment service, where goods are priced and sold on behalf of clients. Rachel notes that the store is a regular haunt of many local parents, who take advantage of the thousands of goods on offer as well as trading in and picking up items as their children grow. They have now introduced a new ballet and dancewear section as well as still selling secondhand dancewear. Pipsqueakz Recycle is worth a visit, whether you’re local or from further afield.

healthy meals at school, we think it will help children to concentrate in the classroom and support their learning.” In a separate study, the university’s research team examined the dietary intake of children aged 5-12 years during school hours. The study found 40 per cent of the energy kids consume at school comes from unhealthy food, with most children consuming no or very few serves of vegetables, protein-rich foods, or dairy during school hours. Flinders University nutrition and dietetics researcher Brittany Johnson said good nutrition supports growth, learning and development. “Australian families constantly face the challenge of packing lunchboxes that are nutritious, safe and quick, and that their children will eat.” The Caring Futures Institute’s tips for healthier lunchboxes: ■ Keep lunchboxes and snacks basic: go back to the less packaged foods - grainy sandwich, vegie sticks, fruit and yoghurt, researchers say. ■ Reduce unhealthy foods by cutting portion sizes in half or limiting the number of days in a week your children eat these foods. ■ Head to the supermarket with clear plans and stick to them. Avoid the snack aisle. If there are no unhealthy foods brought into the home this can make it easier to eat healthier alternatives from the five food groups

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Education

Deep Play MODERN research has confirmed the nourishing, uplifting and therapeutic qualities of play - for people of any age.

Long service awards ceremony

Rudolf Steiner spoke of this when he prepared the teachers of the first Steiner School in 1923.

Your kinder of choice

He put play at the heart of the preschool years. Deep play, sustained play. Imaginative play. “ Play is the child’s work,” he said. “It works from the inside to the outside.”

years has the potential to seed these qualities. The child explores his environment in play, and assumes responsibility for it.

Play enables the child to develop his potential and to prepare himself for formal learning. When he is immersed in Deep Imaginative Play he is building up his facilities in a wholesome way.

When the child is immersed in the activity of play he strengthens his concentration. In many a situation he needs initiative and creativity. Practicality is often tested. Independence and confidence begin to flower.

During play the child’s capacity for thinking, feeling and willing are, so to say, exercised. This is “Inner work” The fruits of this inner work are visible in the early years when the child applies himself to Literacy, Numeracy… to learning in general… to friendships… and to Life.

Play gives the child opportunities to practise caring and helping… the animals in his little farmyard call out for food and water, the tiny people in his city need shelter and friendship… Play seeds empathy.

Our community needs people with initiative, workers who are creative, true, enthusiastic, confident. People who relate well to others.

The Foundation Year at Ghilgai prepares the child for Class 1. Each day the children are given time for Deep Play. Each child is supported by loving adults who foster the development of his play.

Compassion, trust, humour, responsibility. Concentration, purpose, love. These are the words we use to express our hope in the individual. Regular Deep Play time in the early

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A big THANK YOU to parents past and present for your support

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www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

A Big Thank You to all. Established in 1996, Yarra Ranges Kindergartens Inc (YRKI) is a not-for-profit community-based organisation managing 21 kindergartens conveniently located across the Shire of Yarra Ranges. For more information, please call 9726 0439 or visit www.yrkinders.com

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2021 also welcomed three new kindergartens into the YRKI family, Mooroolbark Early Childhood Education Centre (MECEC), Mt Evelyn Memorial Preschool and Wandin Preschool. All kindergartens in the cluster have a unique philosophy providing quality and enriching early years education through structured and/or play based programs with emphasis on outdoor play, arts & craft,creative play and much more. YRKI prides itself in ensuring that each kindergarten maintains its individual identity in providing parents and children alike an

More importantly the support and co operation of parents past and present together with the individual Parent Advisory Groups, DET, Yarra Ranges Council and the Board played a major role in Yarra Ranges Kindergartens achieving this milestone.

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Established in 1996 with 4 kindergartens in its cluster, today it has grown to a medium sized community-based organisation managing 21 kindergartens.

enjoyable and memorable early years’ experience. All this would not be possible without the dedication, commitment and passion of our highly experienced Teachers, Educators and Headoffice Team.

YRKI

IT’S exciting times at Yarra Ranges Kindergartens Inc (YRKI) celebrating 25 years as an Early Years Manager.

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AUTUMN 2021 19

Education

The benefits of kids drawing HOW often do you draw with your children? Research points to the importance of drawing for school readiness, developing fine motor skills, as well as being a precursor to writing. And it’s a lovely, quiet one-on-one activity to do with your child, a chance to bond, chat and engage with them. Paediatric occupational therapist Debbie Isacc and Lauren Gardiner, a local children’s author, have joined forces to come up with Squiggle Kids.

and provides a creative outlet. Colouring activities can also have a calming effect and can be fun.

a and the world around them and for the c child to express their emotions and their v views.

But, drawing for pre-school aged children is better. Drawing for pre-school aged children has all of the above benefits of colouring and more. In particular, drawing:

Sitting down together to draw can a also be a way to get your otherwise d disinterested child to start drawing. If y you’re interested, they might be too! S Show your interest by commenting on w what they are doing and asking q questions.

• is a way for children to express themselves, in addition to talking, to use their imagination and to tell a story

They run workshops and have activity books to encourage shared drawing between parents and kids.

• provides an opportunity for kids explore making meaning using marks on a page using a variety of mediums

Below, they share some insights into why drawing is actually better than colouring in, and why sitting down together to drawn can be a wonderful, beneficial activity to do with your child!

• builds the foundations for writing, with children exercising a combination of visual, fine motor and working memory skills in drawing, all of which are required to write

It’s hard to walk out of a major retailer without a colouring book for your pre-school aged child.

• can happen anywhere with anything! Napkins, notepaper, recycled materials, newspaper!

Fronted by your child’s favourite TV or movie character, you know it will be a hit (and with mum and dad too if it buys a few minutes without the noise of electronic devices)!

• Drawing is actually better shared!

Colouring is good for pre-school aged children. For example, it helps children develop fine motor skills, hand and finger grip strength, colour awareness

While we all need activities for our kids that can be completed independent of us and with little supervision from time to time (in fact, our kids need independent play too), drawing is one activity that is even better shared with a responsive adult. Drawing activities shared between

Does your child have trouble starting a drawing off? Start it for them! Breaking d down the barrier of a blank page may b all that is required - we all know that be f feeling of writer’s block, your child might h have what we like to call “blank page f fright”! Or - even contribute to the creation f from go to whoa!

There’s many benefits to shared drawing.

parent and child can provide an opportunity to bond and to have fun together. Shared drawing activities also provide an opportunity for the parent to teach the child about colours, shapes

And why not take a “leaf out of a [ [colouring] book” and use the same a approach that colouring book publishers u to get us and our little ones in -draw use h or her favourite TV or movie his c character! This integrated approach, t that responds to children’s own interests, i one used in kindergarten programs is and schools to increase interest and engagement. But, there’s no need to bin your colouring books! Colouring books have their place and colouring is good. But drawing (and shared drawing in particular) is better!

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Offering full time and part time care and education for children from 0-6 years. We have an integrated 4 year old kindergarten program focusing on school readiness. Our highly trained and qualiﬁed educators empower our children to develop enquiring minds and experiment in a trusting setting. Proudly, all our centres have been assessed as ‘Exceeding’ the National Quality Standards Croydon 12-50 Norton Road Croydon T: 9725 4189 E: croydon@swincc.vic.edu.au

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OUR PROMISES TO YOU Ź Safety and Security Ź Highest Level of Care Ź Successful and Capable Learning Ź Quality Educators Ź Equality, Inclusion and Diversity Ź Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures Valued Ź Parents and Families Are Respected Wantirna 369 Stud Road Wantirna T: 9887 1564 E: wantirna@swincc.vic.edu.au

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With Reggio Emilia inspired learning environments we offer a diverse range of indigenous cultural inﬂuences and many community programs for children and families.

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Reality Bites

Creative cubby hacks and more! By Danielle Galvin

Tanja is hopeful her ideas and hacks may inspire other parents.

EVERY family adapted and managed Melbourne’s two lockdowns differently.

“The best way to encourage other parents to get creative is to just think how can I make life magical for the kids? And just watch those ideas pour in. “There are so many tutorials on YouTube and inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram to give you ideas, then you just make it your own by using what you have laying around and getting the kids involved, whether it’s collecting any little treasures to create a fairy garden, to cutting up scrap fabrics to make a bunting!”

“What kept me motivated during isolation was finding fun ways to get the kids outside and away from those screens,” Tanja Mitrov said. “We kept ourselves busy by finishing off those home projects like painting, or started new ones that were on the to-do list, like building a veggie garden with them.” Tanja, who runs a business called Art Deco Collective, got seriously creative to keep her girls engaged.

■ Follow Tanja on Instagram @ tanjamitrov.styling

She wanted to share some of what they got up to, and she’s even grateful for the “crazy and unpredictable” year that 2020 was.

Tanja’s tips for transforming your cubby! Little hacks to really create that charming look for your cubby is so easy! Oh the power of paint is a huge one. You can instantly give your cubby some personality just by painting the door a different colour.

From transforming their cubby multiple times to making a not so scary scarecrow, she set the bar high. “Since we couldn’t visit cafes anymore, I thought why not bring the cafe to us?”Lemons were in season which could only mean one thing ... a lemonade stand! So that was the first transformation the cubby had. “I found a little online shop Olive Eve and Co that had cute lemonade printouts. “Then we just put the rest together by setting up their table and chairs outside, they had a go at squeezing lemons, and collected whatever we could find in the home from straws, to the drink dispenser, to making a menu using one of our Moodyboards.” Similarly when October rolled around and trick or treating was off the table, Tanja transformed their cubby into a pink haunted house. They painted pumpkins pink, had a pink balloon garland leftover from a birthday and she ordered some spider and bat balloons online. “We made whimsical witches www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

1. Changing the window and door is a cheap and effective thing to do. We went from timber knobs to brass ones and even a little brass knocker and added a bell to really tie it all in. 2. If your cubby has windows, turn one side into the cafe window. My daughters love serving me coffees and burgers through it. broomsticks from dried up twigs in our backyard, painted a sign and turned the veggie garden into a Cinderella pumpkin patch. “It was so much fun!” The other big project was the veggie patch which needed a not-so-scary scarecrow. “The scarecrow was a great one to make because we were able to use left over dowel or garden stakes, baby clothes (size 1 or 2 is perfect) and a hat that didn’t fit anymore,” she said. “The only supplies we needed to get

was the foam ball, burlap to cover the ball, wool for her hair, and raffia for stuffing. All from Spotlight!” They also built a fairy garden with little trinkets, built a macrame swing to hang from a tree in the backyard, and made a treehouse platform using some old doors that were laying around in the shed. “We will eventually make it a bit more aesthetically pleasing, but the most fun of it was salvaging what we had laying around and getting creative. The girls loved it. And so did we.”

3. Add festoon lighting! It really creates the most magical feeling at dusk and they are not expensive to buy at all. We ordered ours from Temple and Webster. 4. And make use of every corner of your garden, including the back of your cubby! We got a huge piece of marine ply from Bunnings, primed and covered it with blackboard paint, and attached it to the back of the cubby. It covers the whole back of the cubby, and would you believe that we still run out of room to draw on it? AUTUMN 2021 21

Reality Bites

TV host’s amazing family trips AS the host of The Amazing Race Australia and a former rugby league player, Beau Ryan has travelled to some pretty awesome places around the world. However, his favourite holidays have been in a motorhome with his wife and children. He spoke to Kids Today editor Melissa Grant about hosting the latest series of the reality game show, travelling with kids and his favourite family-friendly placesto holiday in Australia. The second series of The Amazing Race Australia has just gone to air. Due to Covid, the team raced around Australia. What were the highlights for you? Meeting the cast was great. We’ve got such a diverse cast, not only from all over the country but from backgrounds all over the world and belief systems, which was fantastic. And then exploring Australia properly. I mean, we’ve all travelled in Australia but obviously not to the extent we did and just some of the places, you know in the outback and down in Tasmania just really blew me away. Tassie was fantastic and the middle of the country, Alice Springs, all around there, was just breathtaking. It’s hard to sell it in terms of what you see, you’ve just got to see there to believe it - the animals, the night sky, the landscapes, the weather - you have to be there.

Beau Ryan, pictured in Coober Peedy SA, says the Australian outback is spectacular.

What was it like filming? It must have been a lot of fun but hard being away from your family for that time? Yeah, it was hard. It was tough, it was physically tough and mentally draining. But seeing it all come to life now and the reaction from Australia makes it worth it. I’m really happy with how the show turned out. I put everything I had into it physically and mentally, and it’s a wonderful show. I understand you recently returned from a caravanning trip with your kids. How was that? It was beautiful. It was probably my favourite holiday as a family, and we do go on a lot of holidays. We just went up the north coast of NSW, stayed in caravan parks - no phones, no iPads, went fishing, jumped off rocks, swam in the ocean, swam in rivers, stayed at caravan parks and we just loved it! It was our favourite trip. We liked Yamba. We went all the way up the coast and we got to Yamba and we liked it.

kids to experience that. Port Douglas I hold close to my heart - that’s where I had my honeymoon but I’m a massive fan of Coolangatta. I’m a huge Coolangatta fan. The bottom end of the Goldy - I love it.

We have been unable to travel overseas due to Covid. Where are the best places to holiday in Australia with kids in tow? Up in the Whitsundays and North Queensland - anywhere where it’s warm does make it easier for kids. We started in Cairns, so Cairns, Port Douglas, The Great Barrier Reef are amazing. Wildlife everywhere. The scenery is beautiful, as good as anywhere in the world and I’ve travelled a lot. The Great Barrier Reef is just breathtaking. So the safe option is always up there - where there is good weather, good food, the climate is warm enough. I really like Tasmania. I would like to get in a van and go around Tasmania. There is a lot of history there, which is boring for my kids (daughter Remi, 8, and son Jesse, 3), but good people, the food is great, the rainforests, Cradle Mountain and the dam - I really want to take my kids up there but maybe when they are a bit older. It’s quite breathtaking. I had a lot of wow moments in Tasmania and I want my

Not really. I went to Bali once when I was really young but I don’t really remember it. I went to Foster, I went once. Port Macquarie. We didn’t have a lot of money, we just went where we could drive up (from home in Wollongong) and our friends had a holiday house, we used to stay with them. My kids have been everywhere. We took them to Asia, Thailand, Bali, America - we’ve been everywhere. But my favourite holidays have been in Australia with my kids and I honestly stand by that. I think because when you are at home, we go somewhere and we go back to basics. So we will go fishing, swimming, in the bush, go off-road. We do stuff where we get away. We don’t camp. My wife won’t camp and I won’t camp either. But we get in like a Winnebago or one of the motorhomes and go up the coast. I’ve got one of those Let’ s Go Motorhomes, one of the big campervans and that’s our base. Then we just explore. Because I went to

22 AUTUMN 2021

Beau Ryan in Tasmania, a place he plans to explore when his children are a bit older.

Did you go on many holidays as a child?

Host of The Amazing Race Australia, Beau Ryan.

Port Macquarie and Foster (when I was a child) I want my kids to have the same experience. And the water is cleaner over here, it’s safer living standards, I don’t have to worry about problems overseas, the food’s great, the coffee’s great and it’s just good to get to small country towns and give back. And we just love it!

care less. My son said the other day that he wants to play footy which is out of nowhere. I’m not really concerned about what he does, actually I wouldn’t mind getting him into surfing. I can’t surf, I wish I could. Because we are up in Cronulla, everyone is a surfer. I’d like him to do something in the water. He’s a good swimmer.

Travelling with young children can be a challenge. Do you have any tips to help entertain the kids?

But yeah, he went down to my mum and dad’s house at the weekend and found one of my old jerseys... my little Bulldogs jersey and put it on and now he wants to play footy.

I like to stay near the coast where there is plenty to do. We went out to see the saltwater yabbies with my son, went fishing, kayaking, swimming, we found waterholes. We just kept moving all day, so when we did get back to the van they were tired. We just had them outside and active. They forgot about phones, they got off their iPads. We stayed at a caravan park at Yamba, it was called The Blue Dolphin, and they had two water slides so we were out all day and when you come back you can just have them in the base and not worry about them. It was just good. We ate takeaway. We didn’t have to worry about anything. You played NRL professionally. Has your daughter or son shown any interest in the sport? My son (has), my daughter couldn’t

Also growing up in Cronulla there’s a big footy culture there, so I think inevitably he will go and play but I’m easy if he doesn’t want to. Do you have any other trips planned this year with the family? Not with the family. We will be going away again soon with The Amazing Race. Hopefully we get to Croatia and Lebanon. I want to go to Far North Queensland (with the family). I think they (the kids) are too young for Tasmania, but I do want to take my kids up to Cairns because you can get out to the reef and have a base in Cairns, and I really like Cairns. It’s warm. My kids are happier when it’s warm. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Reality Bites

What’s in a name? By Nicole Williams

our families but, personally, didn’t capture my heart in the same way.

LIKE many young children, I spent time daydreaming about what my life would be like as an adult - my career, the person I would marry and the names of our future children. As I got older, settled into a career and found someone to spend my life with, the idea of children became more than a daydream.

Turns out we were destined to have two beautiful little boys whose names ended up being perfect for them. While I never experienced gender disappointment, I will admit to a little heartbreak at the realisation that our carefully selected, and much loved, girls name would never be a part of our family.

When my husband and I decided that children would hopefully be in our future (the distant future at that time), we discussed names and settled on a girl’s name very quickly. The names, both first and middle, had special meaning to our families and we fell in love with the combination. We didn’t find out the gender for either of our two successful pregnancies and it was a long search before we settled on a boy’s name. Again, the names we selected had significance to

I have never thought ‘what if’ we’d had a girl and I am in love with our complete family of four (although I am outnumbered, even including the dog), so it is a unique feeling to mourn the combination of a few letters. I had spent years, and two long pregnancies, imagining the reactions of our families when we called to tell them the name of our newborn, murmuring it to calm an unsettled baby in the middle of the night or calling out the name at the playground.

Nicole with her two boys.

Since our youngest son was born in mid-2020, we have had many people ask us what we would have called a little girl. We’ve been happy to share the name when asked but I have also been open with my disappointment. Some people even suggested using the name for any future pets we might have. Not out of the question, but not quite how we imagined honouring our family members! I am not sure if it is an uncommon feeling or if it just goes unspoken. We feel many things as new parents and much of what we truly experience was

Picture: ROB CAREW

considered unmentionable for years before I became a mum. The taboos of parenthood are slowly being broken down and the real feelings - the adoration alongside the terror, the relentlessness alongside the joy - are finally being normalised. Therefore I know, that while it may not be a common experience for many parents, my feelings of sadness and disappointment are valid. We will never have a little girl to bestow with a special name, but that combination of letters will always hold a special place in my heart.

The happy fashion By Jed Lanyon

When it was available, money wasn’t even an issue.

AN independent children’s clothing business in Warburton has launched a new line of sustainable clothing made from recycled plastic bottles.

“Any soft plastics like we can recycle in the local supermarket can be transformed into clothing lines. As far as the fabric, you can’t even tell that in a previous life it was a plastic bottle. It doesn’t feel stiff or edgy or anything like that.

Edo and Shlomit Moria started Deezo in 2009 with the aim of spreading positivity and bringing a new take to kids clothing. Mr Moria speaks of his inspiration for Deezo after having trouble finding a variety of clothing for his own children. “Back at the time we couldn’t get anything colourful for them,” he said. “Everything was black or navy for boys and pink and red for girls, so we wanted to break that.” And so, Deezo was born, formed from the names of the Moria children Dean and Zoe. “We decided that everything was going to be positive with happy motives,” Mr Moria said. “You’re not going to find anything with skulls or anything like that. “I was already in fashion as a wholesaler. We started in 2009 and it was the great recession, so as a wholesaler I lost most of my shops that I was selling to. Back at the time, my wife was a graphic designer and she was pretty fed up with working in front of the screen ... So I already had all the shop lists and we thought why don’t we start Deezo.” “When we have ideas we come to the kids. When we find our kids love certain topics like dinosaurs or horses we try to put it on the clothes. And now Deezo is aiming to promote awareness of sustainability for the next generation.

Edo Moria showing off the Deezo shirts made from recycled plastic bottles. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Picture: JED LANYON

“When the opportunity presented itself where there was such a product as recycled polyester, which came from plastic bottles found in the ocean ...

“We are ‘the happy fashion’ and we want to do good in life. We want the kids to wear the Deezo clothes so they will be happy. People will look at them and see the bright colours and the funny ideas and they will smile. “We want to make the world a better place and it doesn’t go hand in hand with having a mountain of rubbish after the kids move on from a size six to a size eight and so on.” The Moria family emigrated to Australia from Israel in 2003. Edo and Shlomit spent their time travelling from city to city until they finally settled upon Warburton. “When we arrived here, I had never been to Australia before, so I didn’t know where to go ... For some reason we landed in Melbourne thinking we will find the right place and we didn’t. “But every second weekend we ended up going to Warburton and we were invited to a party in Millgrove and everyone was so friendly. Everytime we went to Warburton the local people were so friendly. “When we finally ended up buying a place, it had to be in Warburton and I think that was one of our best decisions ever.” Mr Moria shared what made Warburton so special. “It’s the fern trees for me, I love the fern trees,” he said. “I can’t get over walking inside the rainforest, it just blows my mind. I’ve been here for 15 years and it’s just fantastic, I just can’t get enough.” AUTUMN 2021 23

Entertainment

Bluey top of the music charts CHEESE AND CRACKERS! Bluey: The Album has made history by reaching number 1 on the ARIA Album Chart, becoming the first children’s album to take out the top spot. The weekly ARIA Charts are released each Saturday at 5pm (AEDT) and are the official record of the hottest singles and albums in Australia. The album, which was released in Australia and the U.S. on 22 January 2021, reached number 1 on the Australian iTunes album chart and reached number 5 on the U.S. iTunes album chart within days it’s of release. Bluey’s composer, Joff Bush, composed the album with his music team and the cover artwork is designed by Joe Brumm, the creator of Bluey at Ludo Studio. The perfect soundtrack fun and play at home or an outdoor adventure, the album features 17 tracks, all original compositions from Series 1 of the animated series. “I’m a bit blown away. This is really thanks to the Bluey fans, Ludo and the awesome Bluey music team who I get to make magic with every day here in Brisbane,” ’ Bluey composer, Joff Bush said. The album is available to stream or

download from digital platforms, including Amazon, Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube Music. In a special treat for Australian fans, they can also get their paws on the CD from participating retailers, including Amazon Australia, Big W, JB Hi-Fi and Sanity. Bluey is a multi-award winning Australian children’s series that has taken Australia by storm and is charming audiences across the globe. In Australia Bluey is the most watched series ever on ABC iview, with over 480 million plays across series 1 and 2. The series has enjoyed critical success, winning an International Emmy Award in the ‘Pre-school’ category in March 2020 and recently winning its second AACTA Award for ‘Best Children’s Program’. Created by Joe Brumm and made entirely in Brisbane, Australia, Bluey is produced by the multi Emmy awardwinning Ludo Studio for ABC Kids (Australia) and is co-commissioned by ABC Children’s and BBC Studios, with production support from the Australian Government through Screen Australia, and Queensland Government through Screen Queensland.

Bluey now has her own album.

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Books

Teaching girls how to love themselves By Melissa Meehan NOW that the glass ceiling is smashed, girls are told they can do anything they want - but the fear of embarrassment or judgement can often create a hurdle to success. But if we can teach them to like themselves and have the confidence to achieve anything then the sky is the limit, according to a new book by Kasey Edwards and Dr Christopher Scanlon. In a world full of parenting books that can often leave you feeling overwhelmed and guilty, Raising Girls Who Like Themselves tells girls their flawed is refreshingly different. Not only does it work from seven basic ideas, but it clearly shows ways to introduce them into an already busy family life. And, authors Kasey and Chris, who share two daughters themselves, have proven it’s possible because they’ve done it all themselves. “We were very aware of the issues ahead, some of the statistics for girls are really scary,” Kasey said.

“We were talking to a friend about it at a party and she said, we don’t have time to research and find all those things out, can’t you put it in a book?

Good advice ... authors Kasey Edwards and Dr Christopher Scanlon have girls of their own.

there, but by following their seven qualities and getting them right between toddlers to tweens your daughter’s life will be easier.

“And that’s how it started.” Thanks to their ‘day jobs’ as researchers and journalists, the pair had the privilege of being able to call on leading parenting experts as well as those with a great knowledge of social and cultural issues. “Mainstream advice at the moment doesn’t seem to be working. We all want to raise girls who thrive, but we still have horrific rates of anxiety, depression, eating disorders and self-harm,” Kasey said. “Girls are drowning in anxiety and doubt. The prescription at the moment just isn’t working,” Chris added. So what makes their book so different to the rest? “Girls need to like themselves,” Kasey said. “We believe that if she knows who she is and genuinely likes who she is they will achieve every dream and want.”

Because she loves herself. And you won’t feel guilty once you finish the book, because the steps are practical and easy to slot into already busy family life and all that comes with trying to be a good parent.

Raising Girls Who Like Themselves.

Chris said: “They’ll have the confidence to achieve and won’t be defined by failure. And from there they will have good physical and mental health because it’s natural to care for what you love.” And by extension, she will expect the same from those around her. Both Kasey and Chris agree there is so much parenting information out

Alarming statistics ■ More than 55 per cent of Australian girls aged eight and nine are dissatisfied with their body ■ A quarter of 14-15 year-old girls have had thoughts about self-harming in the previous 12 months ■ Fifty-one per cent of girls say that girls often feel pressured to take ‘sexy’ photos of themselves and share them ■ The third most common chronic illness for young females is eating disorders.

Children’s books...

Round and Round the Garden

How to Make a Friend in 6 Easy Steps

Illustrated by Matt Shanks

Dhana Fox & James Hart

Little ones will love this very cute Australian take on the classic nursery rhyme Round and Round the Garden. In this book, the kids are playing in the garden with magical Aussie creatures around them.

All Rosie the shark wants is a friend. So she reads a book about how to make one.

“Round and round the billabong like a kangaroo. One hop. Two Hops. Wiggle your nose too!” There are so many cool animals featured in this beautifully illustrated book, including a lorikeet, crocodile, wild brumby and a big wombat.

Ready to forge a new friendship, she swims down to a shipwreck where there are a heap of sea creatures. Then, she starts going through the six steps outlined in her book. Easy, right? Wrong! Although each step is pretty straightforward, making friends is not as easy as Rosie thinks … because she’s a shark!

Lola Online #1: #TheSecretUpstairsFanClubParty Shannan & Tayla Steadman A fresh and funny fiction series for the YouTube generation. Characters leap off the page in this book that explores friendship, managing online presence, sibling rivalry and country music loving felines! Leading little lady Lola has her own YouTube channel, a little brother, and a lot to say as well as a cat that loves country music. When Lola’s crazy top fan hijacks her birthday party plans, drama ensues.

A fun, rhyming read in a special hardback edition for kids aged 2+.

A playful read that introduces the concept of making friends. For kids aged 3+

Perfect for reluctant readers aged 7+

Scholastic Australia, RRP $15.99

Scholastic Australia, RRP $17.99

Scholastic Australia, RRP $15.99

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Friday Barnes 9: No Escape

The Lake

R.A Spratt

A scary and suspenseful read from best-selling young adult author Natasha Preston.

Girl detective extraordinaire Friday Barnes returns with a new mystery that needs to be solved. In this instalment, Friday has been released from prison but is a shell of her former self. She has sworn she won’t be solving mysteries again. But you guessed it ... you can’t keep her away from some muchneeded detective work. Friday’s uncle wants her to fly to Italy to help him protect the Uffizi Galleries from thieves. So she goes, even though her ex-boyfriend/nemesis is living there.

Natasha Preston

The Lake is about a summer camp filled with dark secrets. Esme and Kayla are excited to be returning to Camp Pine Lake as counsellors in training. That’s despite the fact they once did something bad there when they were campers. However, they have moved on and are both looking forward to a summer camp filled with sun and flirting. Until... they get a note.Their secret is about to resurface.

For kids aged 9-12 years

A thrilling read for kids aged 12+

Penguin, RRP $15.99

Penguin, RRP $18.99 AUTUMN 2021 25

Kids Calendar

What's on

this autumn

MARCH - JUNE

personal voice, non-fiction, slam poetry, screen writing, and science writing.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE PLAYGROUP

There are six boot camps to choose from, each with four sessions.

The Parents Hub, Mooroolbark has just added Outdoor Adventure Playgroups to their wide range of family-friendly offerings. Session includes group time, music and messy play with a focus on getting outdoors, exploring and having fun! Best for walkers - preschool and just $110 for the term. To learn more and make a booking simply head to www.theparentshub. com.au/playgroup

All boot camps are open to teens aged 13 to 18 years old from all around Australia.They are free to attend, but require consent from a parent or guardian.

APRIL 25

Contact 8664 7099 or inquiries@slv.vic. gov.au for more info.

LIGHT UP THE DAWN MARCH 12 VCE CREATIVE SHOWCASE CLOSING NIGHT Celebrate another year of stellar talent at the VCE Creative Showcase closing night. The Showcase is the largest exhibition of emerging artists in the Yarra Ranges, a testament to the creativity and hard work of VCE Art and Studio Art students. 6PM - 8PM entry free, bookings essential Burrinja Cultural Centre, 351 Glenfern Rd, Upwey 3158

APRIL 2 GOOD FRIDAY APPEAL The 90th annual Good Friday Appeal on Friday 2nd April 2021, brings together the community to raise money for the Royal Children’s Hospital.

APRIL 11 BELGRAVE BIG DREAMS MARKET

UNTIL MARCH 21

www.belgravebigdreamsmarket.com An all weather market. They run rain, hail or shine except for code

The RCH150 Anniversary Art Trail

red days. Live music too.

The cities of Melbourne and Geelong will be taken over by 100 UooUoo (pronounced you-you) sculptures, each one uniquely designed by Australia’s most talented artists, to form walking trails of imagination and adventure for all to enjoy.

St Thomas More Primary School, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave

HOLIDAY FUN DAY

Teenaged budding writers are invited to attend the State Library of Victoria’s writing boot camps online, designed for budding writers of all backgrounds and skill levels!

Me and UooUoo brings communities back together to rediscover the adventure of our cities, while celebrating and raising funds for The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Melbourne.

These creative crash courses will be hosted by accomplished and diverse authors throughout March, April and May. Choose from a range of topics to hone your skills, including fiction,

After entertaining children, adults and families alike, the legacy of Me and UooUoo continues as each sculpture is auctioned to raise funds for the future of paediatric healthcare.

2 MARCH-27 MAY TEEN WRITING BOOTCAMPS (VIRTUAL)

26 AUTUMN 2021

Anzac Day marches may have been cancelled in 2021, but you can still pay your respects by lighting a candle and gathering in our driveways.

MAY 6 YARRA GLEN RACECOURSE MARKET www.craftmarkets.com.au/yarra-glen Armstrong Grove, Yarra Glen 9AM - 2PM

9AM - 2PM

UNTIL DECEMBER APRIL 14

Belgrave Lake Park Cottage Playgroup is holding a holiday fun day. It’s free for members, $10 for non-members (per family), and there’s a morning and afternoon session. For more information see www.facebook.com/events/ 1110604226109215 or the Try Booking link www.trybooking.com/BPFAB

WORLD’S IMMERSIVE LEARNING LAB, MELBOURNE MUSEUM Worlds Immersive is a 5-minute cinematic journey from the origin of the universe, through the building blocks of nature, to explore the patterns and connections that bind us and the natural world together. Using state of the art motion capture technology, all imagery is created without the use of CGI and is true to the natural world. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

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