SPRING 2022 Little thoughts, big emotions BiddulphwithSteve Sophie Cachia talksfamilyandfame Getting kids kitcheninthe
baysidegleneirakids.com.au facebook.com/baysidegleneirakids instagram.com/baysidegleneirakids Bayside Glen Eira Kids magazine is a Star News Group publication. Bayside Glen Eira Kids will be published quarterly prior to each of the school holidays. Bayside Glen Eira Kids Cnr Princes Hwy and Army Road, Pakenham, 3810 PO Box 9, Pakenham, Victoria 3810 Phone: 5945 0666 Fax: 5945 0777 Editorial Melissa @starnewsgroup.com.aumelissa.meehanMeehan Photography Rob Carew Group Advertising Sales Manager Mandy Phone:starnewsgroup.com.aumandy.clark@Clark59450608 Published by Star News Group Pty Ltd ACN 005 848 Publisher/Managing108. Director, Paul Thomas. All material is copyright to Star News Group Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible. Little thoughts, big emotions BiddulphwithSteve Sophie Cachia talksfamilyandfame Getting kids kitcheninthe Cover Little Adina picks some spring blooms. Picture: Rob Carew Contents IT’S YOUR LIFE Sleep brand’s sales soar PAGE 3 Meltdowns turned to closeness PAGE 4 Tips to keep kids safe PAGE 4 Doc’s take on PND and anxiety PAGE 5 Sophie Cachia on family life PAGES 6-7 Supporting Montessori mums PAGE 8 Make crunchy chocolate granola PAGE 9 Community rallies for kids after fire PAGE 10 Dads support skin and teens PAGE 11 Gender discimination in private health PAGE 13 Emotional support for new mums PAGE 13 Angie meets The Mik Maks PAGES 18-19 FATHER’S DAY Rob’s a dad to everyone PAGE 12 EDUCATION Fostering young entrepreneurs PAGE 15 Early learning is pivotal PAGE 16 Bed wetting a common problem PAGE 16 HEALTH Organ transplant waiting list grows PAGE 14 Mums turn to public system PAGE 17 Mental health support in schools PAGE 17 ACTIVE KIDS This Girl Can Week PAGE 20 BOOKS Fergus the Ferry gets animated PAGE 21 Arabella’s Alphabet Adventure PAGE 22 Discover new children’s books PAGE 22 KIDS CALENDAR What’s on this spring PAGE 23 AboutUs SPRING has sprung! Yes, it’s a cliche - writing it made me roll my own eyes a little - but indulge me?The transition from our cold and dreary months to this milder season really has put a spring in my step. This time of year is brimming with hope. Warmer days are ahead, flowers and foliage are bursting forth, andfingers crossed! - we’re on the other side of a hectic virus season. As the mum of a toddler, the prospect of spending more time outdoors is a literal breath of fresh air. Opportunities for her to stretch her legs and use her outside voice have been few and far between this winter, thanks to rain and cold and illness. A little extra sunshine helps us all to get off the couch and away from screens.Ifyou need more reason to put down the iPad, we spoke to Dr Michael C Nagel about how screen time is causing autistic traits in otherwise neurotypical kids.Spring does bring its share of rain, so we’ve found some great new books for your kids to get lost in. And speaking of great reads, our chat with the ever-honest Sophie Cachia about parenting is a refreshing look at modern parenting. Kidsafe has shared some timely reminders to keep our kids safe, and Lucy Stewart has found a healthy chocolate breakfast! So take a deep breath of that fresh spring air and enjoy its calming effects…before the festive season sneaks up on us. Take a deep breath, spring is here!
Is it hard to find a work life balance? Does it even exist? Finding a work life balance is always something I am trying to manage. Trying to be the best mum I can be while running my business puts my multitasking skills to the test! In saying this, I love the fact that running my own business means doing things when I want, whether it be starting at 6am or 10pm. Just having that flexibility helps. I always make sure the kids have what they need before turning my focus to the business. What is next? Recent events have seen a surge in our PJs as people are spending more time at home, working from home and understanding the importance of a good night’s sleep more than ever. We have received a lot of requests to create a luxe loungewear collection...
Leveraging my background in men’s suiting and the fact I couldn’t find any pyjamas I liked, it inspired me to develop a range of sleepwear based on the principles of suiting and Savile Row Tailoring. From here, I came up with the idea of “his shirt for her” in the form of pyjamas. As I started to research this concept, I realised you couldn’t sleep comfortably in a business shirt and I just didn’t like any of the fabrics available. So I spent a couple of years researching and ultimately developed my own bespoke fabric. I designed the perfect blend for comfort and style – a custom cotton-modal blend. After many rounds of handlooms and sampling, I launched my first collection. Have you always been interested in fashion? I have always loved fashion particularly fine detailing. I love how it’s the little details that can make one piece different from the next. I am always
Sherri Kiernikowski, her brand is
Starting my own business and having a young family was a bit of a juggling act. Trying to be the best mum I can be while running my business puts my multitasking skills to the test!” looking for everyday pieces where comfort and style coexist and thought why can’t I have the same feeling with what I wear to bed. How did you start the business? Were there many hurdles? After coming up with the idea of ‘His shirt for Her’ in the form of pyjamas, I start researching fabrics and designs to ensure the perfect blend of comfort and style. This was a lengthy process as I struggled to find fabrics that made sleeping in a man’s shirt comfortable. Ultimately, I decided to design my own range of bespoke fabric; a custom cotton-modal blend. Picking the right fabrics took months and months of going back and forth. We not only had to get the blend right, but we also had to make sure it passed the wash test and stood the test of time. After extensive testing and sampling, it was from here that I launched my first collection. How did you manage being a mum and starting your own business?
Starting my own business and having a young family was a bit of a juggling act. It was my supportive husband and family who believed in me, which is what made it Wanderluxe Sleepwear possible.
Maternity leave turns to dream come true It’sYourLife
I grew up in Melbourne immersed in my family’s business - the fourth generation of a men’s suiting business which started back in 1907. I spent the beginning of my adult life working corporate roles in telecommunications and it was when I was on maternity leave after having my twin boys that I decided I didn’t want to go back – that it was time to do something for myself and see how far I could push myself. It was my background in men’s tailoring that is where I came up with the concept ‘His shirt for Her’ in the form of pyjamas and where the idea of Wanderluxe Sleepwear began. What is Wanderluxe and how did it come about? After maternity leave from my corporate role, I decided that I wanted to do something on my own where I could be flexible with my hours. With twin boys, I spent a lot of time at home and a lot of time in pyjamas. During this time, I couldn’t find any pyjamas I liked that were comfortable yet stylish in which I would be happy to answer the door in or have friends and family visit.
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By Melissa Meehan WITH a head full of knowledge and a passion to work while raising her twin boys, Brighton East mum Sherri Kiernikowski started Wanderluxe Sleepwear and it’s gone from strength, MELISSA MEEHAN spoke to her about how it all started and if its possible to find a work life balance. Tell us a bit about yourself; are you a mum, where are you from, and what is your business background?
■ Are there any climbable objects near the pool barrier eg barbecues, outdoor furniture, trees Poolsetc? are not the only bodies of water that you need to be mindful of. Toddlers can drown in just a few centimetres of water, which means that fishponds, eskies, buckets, laundry tubs and even pet water bowls all pose a drowning hazard.
It’s important to empty any objects that can hold water straight after use, and to restrict access when an adult isn’t able to actively supervise children.
Little Kids, Big Feelings
4 SPRING 2022 www.BaysideGlenEiraKids.com.au Little Kids, Big writesFeelings, STEVE BIDDULPH
■ Check each room of your home for any loose or looped curtain and blind cords and secure them out of reach of children - at least 1.6m above floor level - with cleats or cord tensioning devices. Depending on the type of cords, these can be ordered free through Consumer Affairs Victoria or purchased from your local hardware store or curtain and blind cord retailer.
■ Check that items of furniture such as cots, beds and high chairs are kept away from windows where children can reach the curtain or blind cords. For more Kidsafe tips and advice, visit kidsafevic.com.au.
It’sYourLife
■ Is the gate propped open?
Gradually your child will become better able to ride life’s bumps, and use words to join their heart to yours, or other people’s. How long does this process take? My guess is about 90 years! But you can get much better at it, and having a parent’s help is what makes the difference. Long after you are gone, they will have you inside them saying “its okay, you’ve got this”. They will carry your love in their bones. Steve Biddulph is the author of Fully Human, Raising Boys, and The Raising Girls Workbook. He lives in the Tamar Valley in Tasmania, and is very very old.
Loose curtain and blind cords, particularly those with loops, pose a significant strangulation hazard for children as they can place the loop over their head and/or become tangled in the loose cords. Whether you live with children, or might have an unexpected little one visiting one day, here are some steps you can take to help ensure that your curtain and blind cords are safe:
FINALLY, the weather is starting to warm up and we are looking forward to enjoying more outdoor time with the Asfamily.wemove towards the brighter colours and sounds of spring, Kidsafe Victoria has provided its top four tips to help you keep your family safe this 1.season.Signup to Kidsafe Victoria’s Free Baby Safety Guide If you are expecting your first baby, then this one is for you!
3. Store poisons out of reach, inside and outsideAspart of any spring cleaning, take the time to go through your cupboards and ensure that any potentially poisonous products are stored up high in a locked cupboard, out of the sight and reach of children.
How to turn meltdowns to moments of closeness
4. Secure curtain and blind cords
Kidsafe Victoria has launched its new Baby Safety Guide to reduce the overwhelm you might experience as a first time parent. The Baby Safety Guide takes the guesswork out of your parenting journey by providing information and advice on products such as cots, prams and high chairs, including what to look for when purchasing these products and how to use them safely.The second module covers other important information on home, road, water and play safety to help keep your baby safe as they grow. To access the free Baby Safety Guide, visit Kidsafe Victoria’s website.
Springtime safety from Kidsafe Victoria
There are four main safety issues which are important to regularly check and maintain: ■ Is the gate or door still self-closing and self-latching?
■ Are there any gaps, holes or spaces in and under the barrier which a child can get through?
2. Check pool barriers for wear and tear When was the last time that you checked your pool barrier and the surrounding area? Pool barriers are exposed to the extremes of weather all year roundthis can lead to rust, damage, missing parts and wear and tear over time.
THE hardest thing with small children, and sometimes big ones, is that they just dpn’t always do what we ask! Our lives have become busy, and so we want our kids to move quickly and smoothly through the day, eating, dressing, getting in and out of cars, going to and from school or kindy. We want them to co-operate in our busyness, and often the little blighters don’t. Or sometimes, can’t. Our worst moments of the day are often when our kids suddenly have “big feelings” and go into meltdowns of tears, or rage or anxiety, and make a train wreck of our plans, let alone our image of a well run family! What a nuisance! Of course, these worst times might be good times to remember something important. To take a deep breath or two, get our own feet steady on the ground, and remind ourselves that the aim of parenthood isn’t to get it over with. Our goal in life is not, however nice it sounds, to rest at the end of a day when nothing went wrong. Because there is no such day. The aim of parenthood, and of family life, is to nurture a small person into a big one who other people will find trustworthy, loyal, loving, and empathic enough to love, and value as a friend, team member, spouse, or mum or dad themselves. Someone, in short who will have a good life, and be good for other lives. So, dear reader, check before you read on - is that your goal? Am I making this up? If your aim in parenthood is to take good photos for Insta, from their birth to their glamourous wedding, then this is where we part ways. Be off with you. (last two sentences might make a good pull quote M) But if you are still reading, then here is the thing. Kids have meltdowns and big emotions and make our plans fall in a heap, not because they are defective, or want to make our lives hard. They do it because they are busy growing their brains. And they need our help with that. Karen Young, an excellent psychologist who writes about kids emotions, points out that just as you won’t let a five year old cross a busy street, because their brain just isn’t ready, you can’t expect small children to be able to self regulate emotions either. The busy streeet of their own brain is sometimes way too much, and their Youthis.likelooksWell,practice.meandoestheiryouTheysemi-trailer.atemotionsowncomethemlikeaneedtoholdhand.Whatthatinit are on the way to doing something, or going somewhere, and needing (you think) to get a bit of a wriggle on. And suddenly your small person is in tears, or digging their heels in, or has gone all wobbly. You run a quick check. Are we being chased by a bear? Fleeing a volcano or a terrorist attack? If the answer is no, then perhaps you can spare five minutes. This chance might not come again. Breathe a big slow breath, if it comes out sounding like a sigh that’s still alright. Soften your heart, and remember that we are all soft and fragile beings who get out of our depth. And then crouch down or sit down or bend down nearer to your child, and ask them “are you feeling a bit rough right now?” “where in your body are you feeling it?” and perhaps “sounds like something in you is a bit angry now (or scared, or sad)”. Find the words that are most natural to you, as long as they are reaching out to their inner storms with a compassionate energy that says “I understand”. Ask them to telll you about what is going on for them. Perhaps they will need to sob, or shudder, or rant a bit about something that was unfair or mean or unjust when seen through their eyes, and you should make room for that. Don’t try and talk them out of it. Perhaps what they tell you might bring a change of plan. Perhaps you might have to strike a compromise. Perhaps nothing changes except they are calmer and are okay to move on. You will know you got it right when you feel closer to them now, and they to you. Learning to “regulate” your emotions - to give them space, and make them welcome, and take them on board, even in a harsh and often uncaring world, depends on having a few people around us who can cope with our messy side. Who don’t put us down or go all cold or hard when we aren’t coping.
Common poisonous items include medicines (ie prescription medicines and paracetamol), cleaning products, dishwasher powder/liquid, bleaches, fertilisers and pesticides, swimming pool and spa chemicals andYoucosmetics.mighthave a shed or garage which has tins of paint, petrol, weed killer, rat bait, power tools and other gardening supplies lying around. Again, make sure any outdoor poisons or tools are locked up well out of reach of the hands of our little helpers, including unplugging any power tools and/or removing batteries.
The good news is that there is help out there.
Dr Elizabeth Maher says not only is there suddenly an enormous amount of relentless responsibility, but there are dramatic hormonal shifts, constant and often unwanted parenting advice from you know and sleep deprivation.
Dr Maher says many mums and dads who need support, and have noticed that more and more patients with perinatal (during pregnancy or in the first 12 months after birth) depression and anxiety over the past two“Theyears.pandemic has definitely had an impact, beaseline levels of anxiety have been higher for most people due to the constant feeling of uncertainty, rapid change and worry about their own health and the health of their loved ones,” Dr Maher told Kids Today. “Social isolation has added another level of stress to new parents, who have suffered from a lack of support when they needed it most.”
Current statistics show that one in five mums and one in 10 dads in Australia suffer from perinatal depression and/or anxiety.“These numbers are far too high,” Dr Maher“Theresaid.are so many pressures on new parents, from keeping up with social commitments, pressure from others to return to work or stay at home, keeping the house perfectly clean… all while posting photos of a perfect life on social media? It’s not possible.”
The important thing for new mums to remember is to see out help earlier than later.The longer you wait, the harder it can be to engage with therapies that can help, according to Dr Maher.
By Melissa Meehan
“But no matter how bad it is, there are effective treatments out there,” she said.“If you are suffereing from perinatal depression or anxiety, you are definitely not alone – the more you reach out and talk to people about it, the more you will hear similar stories.”
The first step is to see your GP for advice, they can offer a mental health care – which means you can access Medicare rebates for consultations with a psychologist.Andsomepsychologists are still offering telehealth appointments – so you won’t even need to pack up the baby and head out to your session.
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Here are some other great resources: PANDA National helpline (Mon-Fri 9am – 7.30pm) – 1300 726 306 PANDA website: www.panda.org.au MumSpace website: www. mumspace.com.au Center of Perinatal Excellence website: www.cope.org.au Beyond Blue website: www. beyondblue.org.au Dr is a GP and founder of The Happy Baby Sleep and Settling Clinic in Moorabbin.
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Dr Maher said for many, by the time they seek help, they are no longer able to function.Shesaid some feel like it’s a sign of failure, but she assures them it’s not.
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HAVING a baby is a huge life change –and it’s often underestimated. Many mums and dads suffer from postnatal depression and anxiety.
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“PANDA is another fantastic resource we have here in Australia, for both mums and dads,” Dr Maher says. “They have a website packed with information, they offer free telephonebased counselling and have a national helpline open every week day.”
Asking for help is a sign of strength, she“Itsays.takes courage to acknowledge something isn’t right and to do something about it,” she said. “That feeling of helplessness can be a symptom of depression.”
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It’s OK to not be OK It’sYourLife
■ Being isolated from family and friends Suffering from mental illness in the past A family history of mental health issues A perfectionist personality A traumatic birth or complications during pregnancy Relationship difficulties including family Financialviolencedifficulties.
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Some people are more at risk of PND than others. These risk factors include:
Sophie Picture:Cachia.Regina
Finding new family
SOPHIE Cachia is a Melbourne mum, entrepreneur and author with a huge social media following. Meeting basketballer Maddie Garrick while happily married to former AFL player Jaryd Cachia turned her life upside down, as detailed in her new memoir Then There Was Her. Soph spoke to Casey Neill about navigating her new-look family life with son Bobby, daughter Florence, fiance Maddie, and Jaryd and his partner Jacinta.
Karon, Karon Photography Sophie and Maddie with Bobby and Florence.
It’sYourLife
It was a gentle and slow approach not only for them, but because the reality was it was also something we needed to do softly to ourselves too. I recall having a discussion with Bobby about Daddy possibly having his own house one time, and that Bobby would have not one but TWO bedrooms which he was excited about.We’ve always been very upfront and honest that just because we wouldn’t be ‘married’ anymore, that we are always family and highlighted the different types of ‘families’ that exist.
How and what did you tell Bobby and Floss about the end of your marriage to Jaryd?
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Florence was too young to comprehend, so it was Bobby that I had to focus those gentle conversations with more and his emotional maturity is so advanced, he took it on board so well. What did you learn from the experience that other parents might find valuable? That kids certainly notice more than what you give them credit for. Bobby often knew things already before we told him and he would pick up a lot of our conversations in moments where we thought we were talking quietly or out of reach of their ears. Don’t treat them as naive. Be open and transparent with them but always speak about the other person with respect.Inany moments Jaryd and I even became heated, we were always able to put our egos aside and say ‘can we step outside for this conversation?’ or continue it later in order to save the kids from any distress through difficult moments. How did you introduce them to Maddie, and how did they react to seeing you with someone new? Very easily. When she first started coming around, I assume they thought she was just another of Mummy’s friends. They took to her SO well (and even at times when we had broken up and were apart, they continually asked about her and when they could see her again).Asour relationship developed, I asked them how they felt about her living with us and they were so excited. Bobby asked ‘is Maddie now my step-mum?’ and I said ‘Maddie can be whatever you want her to be, darling’. I imagine your kids were less fussed about you having a female partner than many fans and followers werewas that the case? Absolutely! My kids didn’t even bat an eyelid, and that’s simply down to the parenting Jaryd and I provided them with from such a young age. Even as a happily married couple and before I discovered my sexuality, we openly spoke about all types of humans in our home - whether that be gender-based, cultural, identity or sexuality - and the need to accept humans as they are. My kids have been raised to know and accept humans in all forms, and as we both have quite a lot of friends in the LGBTQIA+ community, there was no shock factor when I said ‘Mummy has a girlfriend’.Kidsonly have prejudice and judgment if it’s taught to them, and that didn’t exist within our home. How have you navigated co-parenting with Jaryd, Maddie and Jacinta, both in logistics and being on the same page with discipline? Discipline is difficult, but that’s not because we are separated, that’s simply down to being humans and all being wiredJaryddifferently!andIwould parent and discipline differently at times even when we were married, so that hasn’t changed now we are apart.
Maddie and Sophie with Florence and Bobby.
I don’t really think Florence gets it, but Florence is more often than not in Florence’s world so that doesn’t surprise me haha. Bobby is a super cool, quirky kid who loves gaming and collectables and tells me he wants his own YouTube channel one day.
I have a more gentle approach, a more ‘sit down and communicate’ style of discussions, feelings and why someone may have behaved in a way.Jaryd is more traditional ‘right from wrong’ and that’s OK - we are allowed to beButdifferent.regardless of our styles, we all have the same end goal and it’s to encourage our children to be the best versions of themselves they can be, knowing that as humans we all make mistakes along the way. What advice would you give other parents navigating ‘unconventional’ family units? I strongly believe the word conventional family is soon going to be a thing of the past. Yes, they will still exist, but all families - no matter how they present - should be accepted. Nothing has changed about the fact I am their mother and Jaryd is their father. We just live separate lives now but we still love and care for our children. What’s your favourite thing about being a mum? That no matter how sh***y, stressed or tired I feel, a cuddle at the end of your day from your children can instantly put everything into perspective and make it all go away. What aspect of motherhood have you found most challenging? Honestly - right now - it’s keeping up with school commitments, homework, excursions, after school sports etc! Bobby’s only 8 and Florence is just 5, and I feel like it’s stepped up a notch and I am hopeless at keeping up-to-date with school admin. I know it’s only going to get busier the older they get, so please send help haha! Bobby and Floss clearly have a beautiful bond. How do you foster that? The way I love them, I hope, fosters that love amongst each other. They are your typical siblingsbickering and fighting over who gets the blue cup at dinner and who gets the bloody yellow - but in moments of
sadness, the way I see the other look after their sibling shows me that I am doing something right. I teach them to love with respect and boundaries, allowing mistakes to be made and forgiveness to be provided; to respect each other’s things and spaces. Words such as ‘fat’, ‘idiot’, ‘loser’ etc are strictly banned in our home and their vocabulary. How do you talk to your kids about your fame, and potentially following in your footsteps? I really don’t talk about it, they just pick up on it. Kids at school regularly tell Bobby that ‘my mum follows your mum on Instagram’ or ‘we have your mum’s pjs at home’ so he’s used to it.
www.BaysideGlenEiraKids.com.au SPRING 2022 7 Weekly at Yoga Station, Bay Road, Sandringham Session are 40 mins only $20 Saturdays 9.30-10.10am (3-7yo), 10.15-10.55am (7-12yo), 11.15am (Teens) Sundays 11.15-11.55am (5-10yo), 12.15-12.55pm (11-17yo) MONTHLY parent-child bonding sessions available, please check website for dates Only $30 • www.jemchildrensyoga.com • email: Jemchildrensyoga@gmail.com 0421 476 221 JEM CHILDREN’S YOGA 12561914-ET36-22
Florence will most definitely end up on Broadway! Was your kids one day reading your book on your mind as you wrote it, and did that make you change anything? It honestly didn’t cross my mind during the entire process, but if that day comes, it doesn’t bother me. I wouldn’t put things in a book that I was uncomfortable with anyone reading, including my children. I encourage them to own their lives and be proud of who they are regardless, so I act exactly the same and own my story. What do you hope other parents take away from your book? That true love is allowing your children to be whoever they want to be. To know that life can change at any point, even when you didn’t necessarily want it or chose it to. That you can still love someone so deeply, but not romantically. That respectful co-parenting situations can exist - you just have to both make that choice. That there are no rules in life - it is yours to write. Bobby, Florence and Sophie.
Mum Tribly Dsouza with Daughters Ezme (4 in pink) and Ife (7 in blue).
By Melissa Meehan
Let your kids play and learn without the flashing lights
It’s a lot of work, especially because Ms Dsouza holds a full time job too.
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It’sYourLife
It’s something she doesn’t like, but can’t change. “I came from India, so education is very important to me – so I thought this is a space that I can do something in,” she said.
WHEN Tribly Dsouza lost her job during the Covid-19 pandemic she decided it was time to do something for herself. So the Bentleigh East mum, who follows the Montessori philosophy for her two daughters Ezme and Ife, started Nino Mondo.
She began the business with another parent, who was a qualified Montessori teacher, but her friend has since returned to teaching and is no longer a part of the business.
“I just love the philosophy of supporting independence in children, which is why we send our daughters to a Montessori school,” Ms Dsouza told Kids“ButToday.noteveryone can access a Montessori school due to cost or location – so I wanted to create toys for those who can’t access it.” Ms Dsouza said Montessori education was first started for underprivileged children, but is sadly only available to people who can afford it.
Nino Mondo is her side hustle, she often works on the business from 5am and then once she’s home from work and the kids are asleep. “I’m very passionate about it, and my boxes and toys are nothing like you can get from a large department store,” she said.“They are made for each developmental stage and don’t have instructions or the right way to use it. It allows the children to learn and explore on their own.” She said it was very clear that kids barely play with plastic, noisy and flashy toys – because put simply, they areTheoverstimulating.businesswent live in May 2021 and is going from strength to strength –the toys, for now, are only available on herhttps://www.ninomondo.com/website.
Whilst cereal is the breakfast of choice for many kids, most commercial breakfast cereals are made with refined grains and high amounts of sugardelivering very little in the way of nutrients, causing blood sugar spikes and leaving kids feeling hungry and irritable, not long after. But a breakfast cereal that includes protein, fibre and fats will not only satisfy their hunger, it will keep kids tummies feeling fuller for longer, fuel their brains and sustain their energy throughout the morning. This crunchy chocolate granola is made with a mix of rolled oats, nuts, seeds, coconut and cacao to nourish growing bodies and brains. Raw cacao - commonly referred to as the ‘food of the Gods’ - is not only the highest food source of antioxidants, it also contains tryptophan (a precursor to moodboosting serotonin), a huge amount of phenylethylamine (aka the ‘love chemical’ that increases motivatingdopamine & serotonin) and is one of the most potent food sources of magnesium, a mineral that’s important for kids growth, development and energy production.Butthebest part, is drinking the chocolate milk that’s left at the end. cups rolled oats cup chopped almonds ½ cup flaked coconut ¼ cup sunflower seeds ¼ cup pumpkin seeds Tbsp cacao powder Tbsp pure maple syrup Tbsp olive oil 1 Tbsp carob powder tsp vanilla extract ½ tsp cinnamon Instructions
2.In a large bowl, mix together oats, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flaked coconut and cinnamon. a small bowl whisk together olive oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cacao and carob powder. Pour mixture over dry ingredients and mix together until everything is well mixture evenly over prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-minutes, turning halfway to ensure it cooks cool then store in an airtight container.
Well Fed Kitchen is a range of healthy snacks for kids that you can make at home.
www.wellfedkitchen.com.au @wellfedkitchen_snacks 12562712-LB34-22
CHOCOLATE for breakfast? Why not!
It’sYourLife Ingredients ■ 2
This delicious crunchy chocolate granola is super easy and fun to make with the kids, and it’s a more nutritious way to start the day than anything you’ll find in a box at the supermarket. When it comes to kids, it’s true what they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast has the opportunity to provide kids with the fuel they need to be active and play, to be motivated, to concentrate and learn, as well as remember and harness new skills – how our kids start their day can greatly influence their success at school.
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Created by Nutritionist and mum, Lucy Stewart, they’re made with only real wholefood and plant-based ingredients – no additives, nothing artificial, and without nuts, dairy, soy and wheat.
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1.Preheat oven to 100°C and line a baking sheet with baking paper.
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in kitchenthe Lucywith Stewart Crunchy Chocolate Granola Picture: Studio 74 Photography
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Well Fed Kitchen provides an easy snack alternative to the healthy processed options, guaranteed to fill kids tummies, satisfy their hunger, provide a steady release of energy and some essential growing nutrients too.
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sugar-laden,
Christ Church Grammar School principal Neil Andary said the fire, in May, completely destroyed the part of the church building leased by the school for their Early Learning Centre. As many as 100 children used the centre and its loss was devastating for the whole school community.
AN early morning fire sent thick smoke over Melbourne and partially destroyed a South Yarra church building that was being used as a kindergarten.
By Melissa Meehan
Order now aussietoysonline.com.auon $15.00 SoftPeterAnimatedRabbitPlushToy22cm
It’sYourLife
Principal Neil with the Fire followingrepurposedhallTheELCdamagedBuilding.school’swasthefire.
pullsCommunitytogetherafterELCfire
“We were very blessed with the support we got from our community.” Students were lucky to only miss a day of school, the day of the fire, but were able to return with some reshuffling of classrooms and the use of the school’s multipurpose hall. The wider school community also pitched in, with schools as far away as Geelong and Bacchus Marsh offering support and some even sent morning tea,“It was truly heart-warming,” Mr Andary said. “The kids were really resilient too, many of them didn’t see the fire because it started so early in the day – but they’ve taken the changes in their stride.”The church will rebuild in due course and the school will continue to house the preps and Grade one’s in the main school and move the kinder kids into the current prep building before taking on a new portable (passed on by another school) before school starts in 2023.
“The parents and friends were just wonderful,” Mr Andary told Kids Today. “They really rallied to support us in the first 24 hours and that extended into the first week and beyond.
Peter Rabbit
Be the punk who Beethovanlikes
Unlabelled is a social enterprise developed by award-winning skincare professionals, Anthony McDonough and Chris Glebatsas, who turned their backs on successful corporate careers to focus on helping future generations instead. The South Yarra dads were inspired by their 18-year-old daughter Grace. She completed her final two years of high school during the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns and while Anthony and Chris say they are lucky to have a strong relationship with her, some kids aren’t so lucky. “These kids were isolated and alone and away from their friends and school,” Chris said. “So what we had heard from Grace is that some, who had no mental health issues prior to the pandemic, had developed eating disorders and depression… and that was only the tip of theDumbfoundediceberg.” by the issues so close to home, after experiencing bullying themselves as teens, the couple put their heads together to come up with a way to help – and Unlabelled was born. They chose body and hand wash because it was something that everyone uses every day. The next step was to decide how to brand it, and again Grace came to the rescue.“Wewere talking to Grace when we were walking The Tan together and we were asking her about her generation and she was like, we just don’t want to be labelled,” Chris said. “She said they want to be able to kiss a boy or girl and not be labelled for it and we thought that was perfect, and it goes beyond sexuality too – teens are labelled for their race, religion and body type too.”
A loud and proud range of hand and body skincare products is encouraging young Australians to just be themselves, without the need for any labels.
By Melissa Meehan
It’sYourLife
www.BaysideGlenEiraKids.com.au 12555724-ET36-22
Chris and Anthony with their daughter Grace. made, and the bottles are made from 100% recycled post-consumer waste plastic.Thenew packaging will be hard to miss in the aisles, with playful positive messages; like, “be yourself, everyone else is taken”, “be the goth who likes colour” or “be the punk who likes Beethoven”.“Wewere looking for a way to help kids who are locally impacted,” Anthony said. “We didn’t want some high and mighty vision to end world poverty, we wanted to make a change in our own backyard.”100%ofprofits go to charity and the products can be purchased at Chemist Warehouse.
A recent study by headspace found that social exclusion was one of the biggest challenges faced by young people in Australia. So Anthony and Chris decided to ensure their products didn’t exclude anyone.“Wesay your identity is you – it’s unique and you can be whoever you choose without a label,” Anthony sad. Unlabelled celebrates diversity and helps tackle youth suicide, donating 100% of its profits to Black Dog Institute, QLife, Headspace and Kids Helpline. Their focus is on dealing with identity, body image, anti-bullying, depression and LGBTQIA+ issues that can lead to youthAnthony,suicide.an organic chemist, wanted Unlabelled hand wash, body wash and body bars to have a luxurious feel that invigorate the senses, using Tasmanian Sea Kelp Extract (Marine Collagen).Theirproducts are natural, vegan, cruelty-free and proudly Australian
“I honestly thought that I would have 30 or 40 subscribers.
By Casey Neill
“I have several years’ worth of content that I would like to share on my channel, but I also am keeping track of the many suggestions that I receive,” he said.He said the response was completely unexpected.“Ididn’tstart my channel to switch careers, so I had to grapple with what my new life looked like,” he said. “Now that we’re two years into it, I finally feel like I am in a good place with it.
One reason Rob started the channel was to pass along things he “had to learn the hard way, to save others some of the struggles that I went through”.Fromjump-starting a car to tying a tie, he’s helping people of all ages and walks of life to learn new skills.
“YOU got this. I love you. I’m proud of you.”It’s easy to see why Rob Kenney has become a father figure to millions of people through his YouTube channel ‘Dad, how do I?’.
Rob’s a dad to millions
Father’sDay
The 50-something father of two, based near Seattle in the US, shares how-to videos for many basic tasks, with plenty of dad jokes thrown in with his earnest fatherly advice. When he was a kid, Father’s Day was “a pretty normal celebration” of his own dad.“By the time that I became a dad, my relationship with my dad was pretty distant, because he left the family when I was 14, so it was more my special day,” he said. “It’s a time that I get together with my wife’s family, and we celebrate all of the dads.“Ithink it’s cool to be a dad, and I hope to encourage other dads to see what a great privilege they have (if they don’t already know).”
“Had I known that my videos would have so many views, I would have paid closer attention while I was filming. “I have no prior experience, I was just trying to talk to the camera like I was talking to my own kids.
“Anything I can do to help the next generation to be encouraged, empowered, and to be good humans, I am all for it!”
12 SPRING 2022 www.BaysideGlenEiraKids.com.au 12562635-HC36-22
Rob Kenney is a dad to millions.
Dr Pecoraro said more needs to be done to lighten the load on public hospitals, and widening access to private care through cheaper insurance policies would help. He said many were shocked to discover women were forced to pay extra to get cover for reproductive health, when men’s reproductive health issues were covered at a lower level. Almost all policies cover testicular tortion or cancer and prostate issues, but pregnancy and birth were only covered in top-level cover, he said.
Health
Dr Pecoraro said the association made a complaint to the Human Rights Commission a year ago but has yet to hear back.
“From the moment I met my Ray, I knew that this program was going to be a huge beacon of support for myself and my family,” mum Lara said. “Ray’s natural, calm way when she spoke to me, as well as her ‘words of wisdom,’ were so helpful during this daunting, yet exciting chapter in our lives.”Caring Mums is a program of NCJWA Vic, a not-for-profit organisation committed to empowering women to achieve their potential and improve the quality of life for all women, girls and their families. If you are pregnant, a new mother, or if you know of someone that would like to add to her village of support, visit caringmumswww.ncjwavic.org.au/orcall0481081 242.
A spokesperson for the commission said it is not able to comment or provide any information about complaints it has received.
Private Healthcare Australia says the tiering of health insurance products into gold, silver, bronze and basic was introduced by the previous government.
Many new mothers - especially now, due to the pandemic - feel alone and isolated as their own families may not be able to be present at a time when a woman most needs ‘her village’.
“Pregnancy is covered in the highest tier because the risk of something going wrong is very costly. The cost of preterm labour and delivery often exceeds $200,000 to $300,000 for example,” a spokesperson told AAP.
HOW close is your dream of motherhood to your Fromreality?thetime a woman finds out she is pregnant she begins to make plans. She dreams about the birth and about what life will be like with this new baby.Ifthe baby is not her first, she will be imagining what it will be like sharing herself with all her children, how they will play together and be best friends. The dreams keep on coming. Dreams are wonderful – they help us to find direction, set goals and to prepare ourselves for what we imagine liesWhatahead.happens when our dreams do not become our reality? Caring Mums knows that many women struggle with their reality not being their dream. The Caring Mums program was created 10 years ago to emotionally support new mothers on their journey, to share in the joys and the challenges and encourage them as they transition into their new role. Many programs are out there for mothers that offer medical or practical help, Caring Mums offer emotional support, and few programs do this.
www.BaysideGlenEiraKids.com.au SPRING 2022 13
A safe space is created in which the mother can share the joys and challenges of her new role without fear of being judged or instructed.
New mum Lara with mentor Ray. Caring Mums helps fill that void. The goal is to support the mother in a way that empowers and builds confidence.CaringMums offers someone to talk to that is outside of the mother’s inner circle.Itsfocus is the mother because if mum is well nurtured, she will then be able to be a better nurturer herself.
“Other issues go to the nature of research and the nature of clinical trials, including devices that are generally designed around a male body,” he told AAP.“The Albanese government is having a range of discussions about our approach to this issue.”
AAP
FORCING women into top-level private health insurance for birth and pregnancy cover is a form of gender discrimination, the peak group for obstetricians claims. National Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists president Gino Pecoraro says it’s the only service excluded from lower-level health insurance based on gender, and he’s taken the matter to the Human Rights Commission.
“These claims are high because often the mother and baby need to be in hospital for a prolonged period. This does not occur in male reproductive health.”Tiering has made health fund products easier for consumers to understand, but much harder for funds to spread this risk across the insured population, which has made gold hospital cover more expensive, they said.Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said gender bias in the health system was an important issue.
Health fund hurt
Specially trained volunteers are matched to new mums - not necessarily first-time mums - and pregnant women, with the goal of developing secure, trusting relationships. They meet weekly for up to 12 months.Thevolunteers become mentors, cheerleaders, bearing witness to, and walking alongside her ‘mum.’
A spokesperson for the AttorneyGeneral’s Department said the government “was committed to eliminating discrimination against women”.
“It’s criminal in a country that prides itself on trying to eliminate gender discrimination,” Dr Pecoraro told AAP.
forEmotionalsupportnewmums
The federal Sex Discrimination Act made it unlawful to iscriminate on the basis of pregnancy or potential pregnancy, they said, reasonablebasedforexceptionsbutincludeinsuranceondata.
Ikram Ahmed said it was very hard to see her brother Hussein struggle.
“He tended to attract a lot of attention, and he didn’t like that at all. He didn’t like people kind of treating him differently or just singling him out,” sheTheresaid.are some illnesses that are easier to hide, but when Hussein was diagnosed with nephronophthisis in 2013 and his kidneys began declining, doctors attached a nasogastric tube to the young “Essentially,boy.it’s a tube through his nose which goes all the way to his stomach, and he had nutrients that he took at night that helped him grow, because he wasn’t growing,” Ikram said. Sleepless nights and constant trips to the hospital became normal in the Truganina family’s household. Ikram said her brother’s kidney function levels rapidly decreased, and he was put on dialysis for about two years.“He was always aware of his condition, he would take everything as it goes,” she said. “He’s a very firm believer that God does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear.”
“We were just crying out of pure excitement and happiness,” Ikram said. That day was the first time Hussein cried,“Wetoo.don’t know who the organ donor is, but we’re just obviously really grateful…always keeping them in our dua (prayers),” she said.
Hussein’s experience inspired Ikram to study nursing and register as an organ donor. “I’d love to help people as much as they’ve helped my family, and sort of repay that favour,” she said.
“Your registration as an organ donor can have a major effect on a person’s life.”DonateLife state medical director Rohit D’Costa is renewing calls for people to sign up. “We’ve seen about a 25 per cent decrease in donation and transplantation over the past two years due to the impacts of Covid-19,” he said. “This is why it’s never been more important to encourage more people in the community to register as organ and tissue donors and to have the conversation with family.”
Dr D’Costa said about 1750 Australians were on the organ transplant list, an additional 13,000 people on dialysis who could benefit from a kidney transplant, and others who required an eye or tissue to improve their quality of life.
“We know many religions and cultural groups support organ and tissue donation and we need organ and tissue donors from all these communities and cultures,” he said. “Blood and tissue types need to match for a transplant to be successful, and while ethnicity is never a consideration in either donor or recipient selection, having more diversity in organ donors can help with finding a match.“Itdoesn’t matter how old you are, your medical history, your lifestyle, what country you’re from, or how healthy you are – you can still register as an organ and tissue donor. Even if you’ve had Covid or the flu, you can register.”Hussein is now 15-years-old, and Ikram is in her last year of studying nursing.Shesaid the selfless act of a donor meant her younger brother got to experience life.
Ikram, 10, Hassan, 6, Huda, 8, and Hussein, 4, in late 2010. Hussein and Ikram a year after the transplant.
14 SPRING 2022 www.BaysideGlenEiraKids.com.au Health
Zooming down slides at playgrounds and splashing in the shallows of a public pool are some of the simple joys of childhood.Atonlysix-years-old, Hussein Ahmed knew he couldn’t do what other kids could.Hisolder sister Ikram said her brother was desperate to live a normal life.
DESPITE Australia being a world leader for successful transplant outcomes, the Royal Children’s Hospital says there are more children on the waiting list for transplants than there are organs available. Fatima Halloum speaks to the family of an organ recipient about the life-changing procedure.
When Hussein was about eight years old, his condition further worsened, and he was placed on a waiting list for a newFourkidneyyears later, Ikram was startled awake by her mother’s screams in the living room.
“I wanted to see what was going on and I just saw a massive smile on her face, but like, tears quickly coming down from her eyes,” she said. “It was like, ‘is it possible?’ and then we found out that obviously she got the call.”Not only was Hussein finally going to receive a kidney, he was scheduled for surgery that same day.
atchanceaDonatingsecondlife
Wesley’s budding entrepreneurs: Samantha Nguyen, Maxi Cadden, Abby Szprinc, Luella Nass,Zeek Saville and Rupert Ockleshaw
Scan here to book your tour or enquire today.
• High teacher-to-student ratios Purpose-built learning spaces
Year 5 and 6 students undertaking the International Baccalaureate (IB) Unit of Inquiry, ‘How We Organise Ourselves,’ at Wesley’s Elsternwick campus recently learnt about consumer needs and what it takes to make a business succeed by participating in the first ever Wesley College Market Day. Working in multi-aged teams with a budget of just $50, they brainstormed ideas for products and services that would appeal to ‘customers’ within the school“Therecommunity.wasalotto think about before we got started, like who we were targeting as customers,” said Year 6 student, Summer. “It was hard for everyone to agree, so we had to learn to collaborate.”
Where imaginationsyoungsoar.
www.BaysideGlenEiraKids.com.au SPRING 2022 15
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Entrepreneurship challenges are eagerly sought after by older students, with many participating in the Wesley College Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP), which challenges students in Years 8 to 11 to design and launch a business venture of their own with the support of industry experts and Wesley alumni. Whether problem-solving through experimentation and investigation, creating in music, visual arts, dance and drama, or learning a new language, your child will enjoy many opportunities to develop their talents, discover their passions and try new things at Wesley College.
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• Leading VCE and IB World School
Budding entrepreneurs at work Education
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• Chinese language program Specialist offerings in Visual Arts, Dance, Drama, Music and Physical Education Strong focus on student wellbeing
Providing your child with the best start to their educational journey.
• All ECLCs at Wesley College awarded the highest rating of ‘Exceeding’ by ACECQA Limited places in Early Learning and Prep available for 2023 and 2024 at our Elsternwick Campus.
Students brought their product ideas to life by developing unique store names, logos and marketing strategies to attract the attention of customers. The result was a wide range of crafty creations and delicious treats, from stress balls, fridge magnets and pet rocks to cupcakes, homemade lemonade, hot chocolate, and the over-whelming winner on the daydespite the wintery weather - ice slushies.“Coming up with a list of everything we needed, creating a budget and setting a price to see if we could make a profit was exciting,” said Year 6 student, Matilda. “I’ve never done anything like this before, so it was great to be given the opportunity to learn through experience.”Perhapsthe best part of the day was seeing students think on their feet and deal with challenges as they arose, dropping prices and offering discounts for bulk purchases as customers ran out of money towards the end of the day.
12554107-SN36-22
INTRODUCING the concept of entrepreneurship and teaching students how to think entrepreneurially has many benefits, from creative thinking to problem-solving as well as honing planning, numeracy and communication skills.
A: Ensure your child drinks plenty of water throughout the day. Have them drink at least one cup in the morning before school and finish their entire drink bottle by the end of the school day. Also, encourage regular toileting. Tell your child to do ‘first time listening’ to their bladder throughout theEliminateday. sugary, caffeinated, or carbonated drinks in the afternoon and evenings, although water should not be restricted at all. Please avoid getting frustrated with your child or punishing them for something they have no control over.
Q: Why is my child still wetting the bed?
Q: What can I do to help my child?
A: If you are seeking a drug-free, long-term solution for your child, then you should consider the ‘Practitioner Assisted Bell and Pad Alarm Therapy’ approach. This is an evidence-based treatment which gets nearly every child dry in about 10 weeks. If you are wanting treatment, Dry Time Kids will issue your child a Ramsey Coote Bell and Pad alarm and meet with you and your child via video call regularly to monitor and help your child to get dry. Medicare rebates will also apply with a GP referral. Maria Dhroso, an educational and developmental psychologist, runs Dry Time Kids which exclusively treats children’s bedwetting (enuresis) throughout all of Australia. Maria also runs My Vibe Psychology in East Bentleigh.
“The entire school journey has wellbeing woven into the education plans of each child for every stage of their development.”
Melanie Smith, head of campus at Turner House – Firbank Grammar’s Junior School in Brighton – says the importance of getting a child’s educational journey started on a sure footing is often undervalued. Melanie says the key to overcoming this misconception is acknowledging the outstanding skill level and dedication of early lead the next generation onto an educational pathway,” she says. She says this critical development stage for young people is a once-off opportunity.Shesaysto ask any athlete: “You can’t finish well in any race if you don’t get a good start.” “When we showcase the quality of the programs in our ELCs at Firbank Grammar School in Brighton and Sandringham, we not only attract much-needed teachers into the industry as the dedicated professionals they are but eliminate any misconceptions about how vital this stage of learning is to a developing child.” At Firbank Grammar School, the educators offer innovative curriculums that foster the unique qualities and abilities of all children, helping nurture their holistic development.
IT’S hard to finish well when you don’t get a quality start – that’s why early learning is pivotal. The first five years of a child’s life are monumental for building the foundations for lifelong learning and social-emotional wellbeing.
“Our wellbeing initiatives start from the ELC and go all the way through to senior“Programsschool.include mindfulness and yoga practices, the embedding of our wellbeing practices and the continual research into best practice teaching and learning – which involves implementing a variety of key literacy and numeracy programs across the centre.
Education
She says that considering the impact of such programs on a young person’s development after two years of ELC and 13 years of junior and senior schooling, in this setting, the ability to thrive and grow as a person in education, health and overall wellbeing is limitless.
“Our educators are enthusiastic about the importance of early childhood education and giving children – and their families – a safe, loving and supportive environment to learn, play and grow,” she said. As there can be a waitlist to join Firbank’s programs, families are invited to register for 2023 and 2024 by emailing admissions@firbank.vic.edu.au or going to www.firbank.vic.edu.au to register.
16 SPRING 2022 www.BaysideGlenEiraKids.com.au CHILDREN’S BEDWETTING • Treatment for children 6 years + • From your own home via Telehealth • Evidence based (97% success) • Medicare rebates with GP referral • Positive, self-esteem building process Call 0413 255 451 to discuss your child’s needs and get started info@drytimekids.com.au www.drytimekids.com.au 12558499-AV36-22
Early learning expert
Getting a child’s educational journey started on a sure footing is often undervalued.
Children’s bedwetting
Avoid getting frustrated with your child over bed wetting.
WHILE bedwetting is a very common childhood condition, there is a wide variety of contradictory and confusing information for parents about what to do.So, what do parents need to know?
Q: What treatment options are there?
A: When a child still wets the bed past 5 years of age, the child may be diagnosed with nocturnal enuresis. It is commonly a genetically inherited condition. If a child has not outgrown bedwetting by around 6 or 7 years of age it is a good idea to consult a GP to rule out any medical issues and arrange treatment.
“Theseeducators.people
Jess’s eldest, Aston, is now aged 10. Will is 8 and her youngest, Freddie, is 4. She was 28 and one of Australia’s first fashion bloggers when she had Aston.
And the clothes that don’t quite fit your new post-baby shape?
The Armadale mum of three boys and fashion blogger was in that familiar “mum“You’rerut”.stuck at home, you haven’t slept, you’ve got this newborn baby and you’re still trying to come to terms with what you’re doing,” she said. So Jess paused and gave herself a moment to think about herself. “I could be a little bit more confident knowing I’m not just this newborn baby’s mum, I’m me too,” she said. “I had that revelation and looked in my wardrobe and thought ‘right, what fits me? What’s really my style?’ and tried to reconnect with my personal styleJessagain.”searched for items that made her feel good and fit her new body. “Before kids I was trend-driven,” she said.“It’s actually not about trends, it’s about what looks good on me.” Still hanging around in your maternity and breastfeeding clothes? “I think it’s OK,” Jess said. “If that’s what makes them feel good, they’re doing it for a reason. “Maybe those styles suit them. “Maybe they’re concerned that they’ve got a tummy they haven’t had before, and they feel better.”
“It’s not about what other people are wearing.“It’sabout you, what makes you feel good, what you feel you look best in, rather than following that trend. “If you feel comfortable, you radiate that.”
Buy a new pair of jeans in a size that’s comfortable and makes you feel good“Getnow.something that’s fitting and flattering, rather than holding onto something that might not ever be,” she said.“Those ripped skinny leg jeans might not be cool anymore anyway…”
It’sYourLife
Style that makes you shine Jess Dempsey with her boys Aston, 10, Freddie, 4, and Will, 8. Pictures: Rob Carew Jess Dempsey.
“There’s no point holding onto something in your wardrobe taking up space,” Jess said. “Move them on to a friend or the Salvos and look at embracing you now. “Life’s too short to worry and stress about ‘I can’t squeeze into these’.”
FASHION is generally the furthest thing from a new mum’s mind. But Jess Dempsey says feeling comfortable and confident helped her reconnect with herself post-kids.
“I was hesitant to talk about my pregnancy and show my pregnancy, but as time went on my audience was growing with me,” she said.
“It got me out of the house by 8am with three children, off to school and kinder, and off to pilates,” she said. She said mum fashion was about what worked and “that grab-and-go outfit”.“Itdoesn’t have to be anything fancy, it just has to be something that you’re happy to be out and about in,” she said.“Mums are fashionable now. Mums know how it works.
“If you like a striped oversized T-shirt, go to Decjuba or Country Road and find something similar. “That’s their first step of moving away from that maternity identity.”
“I started sharing slowly about being a mum and the fact that I could still be fashionable but still be a stay-at-home mum. “People started to feel that connection, people started to jump on to relate to me.
“It wasn’t until my third son that I documented my entire pregnancy journey. “My audience were hanging out to hear it.” Jess said her boys had always loved doing photos with her, but she listened to their opinions and took no for an answer.“Things have evolved. I haven’t blogged about parenting for a long time,” she “Sharingsaid.afew little things on Instagram about my wild little child or the way he’s grown through that - it’s all about the connection. “They want someone to relate to. “Of course I’m careful with what I say, what I show, what I do. “There’s a lot that I keep private.” Jess was wearing leggings, runners and a jumper when we caught up with her.
To mums who want to break out of the maternity wear, Jess suggested moving the clothes on to another mum-to-be.“ThenIwould find something similar that’s not a maternity or breastfeeding piece,” she said.
It’sYourLife
Joel McInnes, Ava McIness, Al McInnes, Isla McInnes, Jaz McInnes. Picture: Louisa Jones
Bucket loads of entertainment
Joel: I did my teaching degree at BallaratCameuniversity.out,taught for a couple of years then did the overseas thing to the UK and worked there for three years, which was a wonderful experience.
It was a very stable, secure childhood where all the values of hard work were instilled. Dad was a very hard-working, quiet, sensitive, shy kind of man and still is - he’s 72 and still exactly the same. He was very principle-based, very proud. Was mum the musical influence? Where did the talent come from? Al: Yes it was mum who instilled the musical bug into us from an early age. She’d get us in to perform at Christmas events for the community or the church. Mum still performs to this day. She has directed the town plays back at our local community for probably the last 15 years. I’m actually heading back tonight to watch her in the Lake Bolac town musical.It’samateur theatre but they have a lot of Thefun.prompter is the busiest person in the whole show (laughs).
By Angie Hilton MEET Al and Joel McInnes. Two of the loveliest blokes you’ll ever comeTheseacross.arethe men who might help you sit down and have a cup of tea, or go to the toilet in peace, or get your washing folded. Yes, many parents have bucket loads of gratitude for these guys for creating The Mik Maks! Endless amounts of mesmerising tunes and video clips that our young ones just can’t get enough of. Free NotHallelujah!!babysitting.tomentionthe bonus joy they bring when the parent finds themselves walking around the supermarket singing about bellybuttons! It’s mind-blowing to think just a few years back, that while sitting around a campfire (and after a couple of drinks) they pulled out the guitars and jokingly wrote a song about a hairy crocodile calledNow,Bruce.who could have ever predicted that in a few years’ time they would shoot to internet fame with 5.5 million YouTube subscribers (FYI The Wiggles are at 2.45 million) and streams of nearly 5 billion. That’s the second top channel in the country!Chatting with Al and Joel, you get a real sense of just how tight their family unit is and what a loving, humble, values-based upbringing they must havePure,had.respectful gentlemen. But for all the success, they have also faced heartbreaking sadness with the tragic loss of their youngest brother and Mik Maks front man, Dean, in 2018. The boys at a glance… Al:Family? Kids: Layla 14, Jaz 12, Isla 6. Wife: Shannelle. Joel: Kids: Ava 14, Willow 12, Sam 9. Wife: Tennille. Guilty pleasure?
Who was the naughtiest? Al: Brian or Dean? It wasn’t us! (laughs) No, we were pretty tame. Brian broke the ice as the eldest. He got in the most trouble and I think Mum and Dad just gave up a bit over time and became more chilled –especially by the time Dean came along.Hewas definitely the naughtiest, but never got in as much trouble being the youngest. Would you say you had a strict Joel:upbringing? They liked us to make our own mistakes, which was wonderful. They really let us have a bit of rein and gave us the freedom to make our mistakes in a safe environment. It must have been a big step to leave such a small town. Where did you head after Wickliffe?
Music was never really at the forefront for us until we became teenagers.Itwassort of quite late into our twenties when we realised ‘hey, we could do this for a living’.
18 SPRING 2022 www.BaysideGlenEiraKids.com.au
Al: A box of chocolates.
Joel: We were born and bred on a farm in a little town called Wickliffe, population of 30 to 40 people. It was very community focused where the town would all come together around sport. Being on 700 acres Mum always had that luxury of saying ‘get outside, go and do Theresomething’.werenodevices to play on but there were plenty of trees to climb, balls to kick and neighbours to visit over the back fence.
Al: I also moved to Ballarat to study secondary teaching, taught for a few years in Ballarat then went overseas. I spent a couple years in England and in 2005 moved back to Geelong. By that stage, the other three boys had already made the move from the farm to Geelong as well so that kind of became our base. We all lived within a suburb of each other, so always kept that brotherly friendship going. Dean and I also started our cover band Good Faces For Radio in 2006 which is still going today.This is how we discovered Drums the Panda (Adam Giles). He randomly said to us one day, “I’ve always wanted to drum in a panda suit”. How did you meet the loves of your Joel:lives?
Tennille and I met at a wedding. She was a bridesmaid and I was the bridesmaid car driver. We met at the wedding a few days after I got her phone number off the bride and the groom and I invited her to thisSheparty.said, “no, I’m already going to the party”. And I said, “How? you don’t know anyone this party?” And she said, “No, I’m going with the best man from the wedding”. I didn’t know that her and the best man had shacked up that night. (laughs)SoIwas like “oh no. So, sorry. See ya.” That’s the story, but things obviously didn’t work out with the best man, and she called me up a few days after that. How about you Al? Al: Shanelle and her family owned The Max Hotel. I taught her younger brother as a secondary teacher in Ballarat in the Year 12 outdoor ed class. I walked into the Max one day to see about getting a gig and her brother Ricky was working behind the bar. He yelled out “Hey Mr Mac!” so I got the gig and met Shanelle. Now on to your babies…I often get birthing stories from the ladies I interview, but I’d love to know the husbands’ perspective from the birthing Al:suite?All of my children’s births were memorable, but Layla my first child was definitely the most eventful. Shanelle my wife was in labour for two days and by the end I was waking her up for the contractions, she was so exhausted.Fromthere, our other two kids were caesareans.Whowould want to go through that again? And Joel, what about your birthing Joel:experience? Oh, it was simply incredible, it’s just something that you never, ever forget.With the first one there was a lot of fear.Ikept thinking ‘hurry up, because this is going to kill her’. It was so foreign. You can do all the courses but nothing prepares you for seeing your wife in so much pain for so long.Tennille was always in control, she did an incredible job. All three were a natural births and unassisted and she was just brilliant. They were nice sizes ranging sort of between seven to eight pound.
Joel: Slow-cooked Texan beef brisket. Go-to karaoke song? Al: Africa by Toto. Joel: Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice. Three people living or passed you’d like to invite to a McInnes barbecue? Al: Walt Disney, Keith Urban, Dean McInnes. Joel: Hugh Jackman, The Norris Nuts, Dean McInnes. Growing up in a household of four boys must have been a hoot! How would you describe your childhood?
Al: Forrest Gump: “Life’s like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
There were about three years for me of pretty sleepless nights. You go from having left a great job, with great security, great pay, great conditions, great for the family and then cutting that rope. Taking the chance and putting everything at risk to do this. But it’s been through our strategy with online streaming over the last three or four years that’s really taken that pressure off.
Subscribers are sitting around five and a half million and actual streams we’re approaching 5 billion. Our YouTube strategy is all about finding new audiences and getting into different countries. I mean one stat is that only 1 per cent of our audience on YouTube is Australian.TheUSis the biggest market at about 17 per cent. The next biggest is probably 6 or 7 per cent, which India, Brazil, India, Philippines.Wegetmore streams in Los Angeles a day than we do in all of Australia. Often it’s countries where English is the second language that we often receive messages from parents saying “Thank you for teaching my child how to speak English”. How big would you like to get, or is the sky the limit? In our niche, we’re still ranked about 30 or 40th CocoGlobally.Melonis YouTube’s biggest kids channel and they have 120 million subscribers.It’sjustendless how far you can take it. I think the main thing is that we are family first. I can’t imagine being in the days of The Wiggles when they were starting out.They were on the road 24/7. You read Anthony’s book and he talks about family breakdown and depression and health and that sort of stuff. For all the success you have certainly had indescribable heartbreak to work through with in the tragic loss of your brother and front man Dean in 2018. How did you cope with such a big loss?
Joel: If he had have been on the earth longer, he would’ve been playing lead guitar in some famous rock band. Al: Or he would’ve been a famous country artist by now. All of us will inevitably face major challenges in our lives, was there anything that really helped you get through at the time that you could share? We leaned on a lot of people, especially early.And we took our time to grieve and work through the process. One of the best bits of advice I was given was from Carl Waddell from Rivers Gift, who lost his son a few years before that - he said, “Right now you wonder if you’ll ever smile again, but trust me in four or five year’s time you will. Don’t rush it. Just know that it will feel better.” Favourite quotes?
Joel: It was our most challenging moment as a family when we lost him. We were all lost. The music kept us connected to him. Because so much of his energy and his creative work went into the Mik Maks songs. So when we finally got back on stage, about eight to 10 weeks after Dean passed, we really felt that connection with him and we knew that that’s what he would want us to do. It’s been really cool having this enormous catalogue of Dean performing.Especially for his young son Max to watch clips of his dad doing what he loved to do best and what he was incredibly good at.
Joel: Plato: “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind and life to everything.”
www.BaysideGlenEiraKids.com.au SPRING 2022 19
Joel: They can all sing pretty well with the exception, of a couple who have to work extra hard and find it far more confronting.Mydaughter Ava has joined the team and is doing a great job. How would you describe your parenting Joel:philosophies?
Growing up where we did, there are obviously some amazing opportunities for us, but we also missed out on a lot. We were all so keen on our sport as young kids, but we didn’t have the opportunities like coaching and facilities and mentors and all those sort of things.Tennille and I have the philosophy that we’ve got all these amazing opportunities around us here in Geelong of things to go and try. So we probably lean towards pushing the children into areas of interest, not being afraid to say go and do this for a month and just do it intensively and see what you think and learn from it.
Yes, at different levels. They have different confidence levels and different skillTheylevels.also have such different passions, which is great. But just to stand in front of a camera and speak or act, they can all do that incredibly well.
Pictures: Louisa Jones
Al: I feel like I’m still learning where the line is as to how much we encourage them to do something and then how much we allow them to just be their own person. I think the most important thing is to just be involved. I personally find the biggest challenge of what we’re doing is to balance being part of this growing business with being a parent to three kids who have completely different interests and share your time equally. And especially with teenagers when you feel like they’re not listening to you at all - they are. I’ve learned that even though they might shut you out and walk away, they’re still taking it in and just don’t want to admit it. Tell us about the birth of The Mik Joel:Maks.I guess it was initially my idea. Tennille and I were sitting on the balcony one day and she said, “Joel, if you won tattslotto tomorrow and you never had to work again, what would you do?” and I said, “I’d play music for kids.” And she said, “Why don’t you do it now?”Forsome reason, it struck a chord and I thought I’ve got these brothers that are very talented musically and have got all the experience. So I floated the idea past them while we were camping. I said, “Hey let’s write a kids song.” We had the guitars out and may have had a couple of beers under our beltwhich is often the secret to great kids songs (laughs) - that or lots and lots of coffee.And we wrote Bruce the Hairy Crocodile within two hours. We shared it with some of the kids in the neighbouring caravans and the response was instant. We continued to share some ideas and about six months later we’d had about 10 songs. So this was in January and then by October we had enough content to put together for our first stage show, which was at the Anglesea Music Festival. The three of us got up there with an acoustic guitar and we just basically performed and the feedback was instant. It just lit a flame. To look back and see yourselves writing Bruce the Hairy Crocodile around a campsite, I’m sure you would never have imagined turning such a fun activity into a thriving global business. Can you give us a snapshot of the Joel:journey?That’s right. It was fun and we could see all the potential from the responses, but there were moments where we really had to weigh everything up. We sat around the table we’re at right now just banging our heads against the wall as to how we can make this sustainable without having to be doing live gigs constantly.
Joel McInnes, with his daughter Ava McIness Al McInnes and hisIsladaughters,andJaz.
Al: Now a lot of our business is almost passive.Youdo an hour of work filming and creating content, but then you get paid small bits of revenue for that hour’s work over the next few years, which is a great business model. Tell us about your success on YouTube, where are you sitting at the moment?
It’s been a lot of ups and downs with it, but having our own kids really step up and be more active with it all has really helped as well. He has left a wonderful legacy and the Mik Maks is a big, big part of that for him. How would you describe him as a Al:person? He was just cheeky with a big beaming smile. Kids loved him, mums loved him, parents loved him. He had this really infectiousEveryonelaugh.wanted to be his mate, because he just had that kind of personality.Andhewas unbelievably talented.
And are your children drawn towards Al:performing?
20 SPRING 2022 www.BaysideGlenEiraKids.com.au ActiveKids
Ambassador Angela Dalla Rosa, from Burnside Heights, is taking a break from football this year, has taken up cricket in the role of captain, and also recently completed a marathon.
During This Girl Can Week, physical activity providers, clubs, gyms, facilities and organisations offer fun, beginner-friendly and come-and-try events to help get more girls and women walking through their doors and trying new ways to get active. Whether it’s walking, hiking, cycling or chasing the kids around the park, there are fun ways to get active this spring.
“At the age of 53 I debuted. It’s liberating to be breaking that stereotype that girls can’t do it.” She wished AFLW had been around when she was a kid, “‘cause I’d have been there in a flash”. Sue, from Murrumbeena, took up AFL at age 53.
It has a message for all girls and women, no matter their age, background, size or abilities: focus on how physical activity makes you feel, instead of on your fears.
This Girl Can research shows more than half of Victorian women are worried about being judged while exercising and 41 per cent of Victorian women were embarrassed to exercise in public.Theyworry about being judged for how they look, how good they are or how they prioritise their time.
GIRLS can do anything, especially when it comes to physical activity. And there’s a whole week dedicated to spreading that message to girls and women of all ages, from 12 to 18 September.ThisGirlCan – Victoria is an uplifting, energetic and empowering campaign. It’s designed to overcome the fear of judgement stopping too many girls and women from joining in and being active to improve their health.
Chiquita, from Berwick. Body-positive personal trainer Natasha.
Every girl can
“I alternate between absolute exhilaration and fear of making a fool of myself,” she said. “I realised it wasn’t like I was bad at sport, it’s just that I never gave myself the chance to be any good.”
Chiquita, from Berwick, never thought she would be the kind of person to play sport, but things changed as she approached her forties.
“We hope other women will relate to their struggles and triumphs and think ‘if she can, I can too’,” she said.
“It’s calming, you’re just looking towards the horizon, and once we get that stride, that’s when we fly,” she said.Every time she gets active, bodypositive personal trainer Natasha, from Monbulk, is blown away by how great she“Therefeels. are 100 reasons to exercise and trying to look a certain way doesn’t have to be one of them,” she said.Natasha once had doubts about running a fitness class because of how her body looked. “I’ve had my moments where I’ve gone, ‘should I really be running a fitness class – do I look fit enough?’” she said.“My body is my business card and it’s a bloody brilliant business card because it’s a real body – it’s not photoshopped, it’s not flawless, but it’s perfect!”Sue,from Murrumbeena, always wanted to play Australian rules football but was repeatedly told she couldn’t –at school, by her dad and even by her daughter.Inspired by the launch of AFLW, at 53 years old Sue finally made her footy debut.Sue has continued to play alongside five of the women she met at the original ‘come and try’ day for AFL Women’s Masters.
VicHealth social marketing and communications executive manager Rebecca Ahren said they were everyday women with real stories and realistic bodies.
Angela thought she was too uncoordinated to play sport until she saw her sister run a marathon, and realised she could too.
Angela Dalla Rosa.
“As I believed in myself more, I thought ‘stuff it, I’ll give that a go’,” she said.Now outrigger canoeing – or ‘waka ama’ – connects her to nature and her Polynesian culture.
Local ambassadors across the state are leading the way and empowering girls and women to follow their lead.
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“The greatest pleasure I got when Tom was growing up was when he was in bed and it was time to read a story,” he said. “I love the idea of other people doingVisitthat.”fergusferry.com or www.youtube. com/c/fergusferry for more. the water
“Getting the music was just fabulous,” John“They’resaid. just so talented. It’s a joy to see the music videos.”
Books By Casey Neill
“There’s lessons there about how we all learn…there are messages about bullying,” John said. “Two big Manly ferries bully the little ferry, but in the end they need help from the smaller ferry.
John still receives letters about how much joy he’s brought readers. “And the amount of joy it’s giving me, you just can’t measure it,” he said. He said it would be lovely if the new videos led kids back to the books.
Peter has now taken Fergus and his harbour friends from paper to the screen, in animated episodes on YouTube. “I sort of think of Fergus as a pal,” John said.“To see him brought to life is brilliant.” Brothers-in-law Greg Townley and Mitchell Lanham produced original songs for the series, which are also available on Spotify.
Fergus and his friends encounter crashes, accidents and rescues, with ferries getting lost, hitting reefs and being beached. But John said the stories were really about families; about inclusion, respect and being kind. Kids aged 2 to 6 years are the target audience.
“The themes are there but they’re very subtle. They’re not preachy books.”
A LITTLE ferry is sharing life lessons on screens, decades after first finding an audience in books. Author John Williamson Noble wrote Fergus the Ferry to share with his son Tom while travelling to work on Sydney Harbour.These tales became a 24-book series. Scholastic published the first six, and brought illustrator Peter Townsend on board.“Tom and I would get the roughs sent through the post,” John said. “We’d see them coming to life, first in black and white and then in colour.”
Life lessons on
Books A
$14.99 Hachette Australia
Chippy Chasers: Chippy Jackpot Who loves a delicious, hot, salty chippy? Seagull mates Steve-O, Stanley and Stacey do . . . A hilarious graphic novel for readers aged 6+ from actor, animator and Tiktok sensation Sam Cotton. On a sunny Sydney wharf, Stacey and Stanley watch enviously as customers feed on as many hot salty chippies as they want. Fed up with having to scab for scraps with all the other seagulls, they seek out legendary chippy thief Steve-O to help them pull off the ultimate heist . . . But first they’ll have to get past a seagull-hating chippy chef, deal with some bully bin chickens, and convince the World’s Best Chippy Chaser to overcome his dark past and join the team.
withinbookabook
The hugely popular creators of Why I Love Footy and Why I Love Summer are back together with a moving family story that is also a true celebration of what we love most about the Australian landscape, family holidays and classic Kombi vans. Daisy lives in inland Australia with her dad and her grandparents. It’s home, and she loves the red dirt land around her.
ARABELLA’S Alphabet Adventure features a book taking a daring adventure and learning she’s perfect just the way she is.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
$14.99 Penguin
22 SPRING 2022 www.BaysideGlenEiraKids.com.au
$12.99 Hachette Australia AMAZING JOURNEYSANIMAL
Dirt by Sea Explore our wonderful coastline and the joy of a family roadtrip with Dad and Daisy! Featuring 40 pages of extraordinary comic-style illustrations, this unique picture book will have you dreaming of a holiday around Australia or maybe even planning a van life with the help of the journey map in the endpapers.
Thank You, Teacher from The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show your teachers how much you appreciate them in this colorful book of thanks featuring The Very Hungry ShowCaterpillar.friends and family how much you appreciate them with the Very Hungry Caterpillar’s colorful book of Perfectthanks.for any day of the year, this charming book of pictures is the colorful way to tell loved ones “thanks!” Featuring art from the World of Eric Carle, this joyful book follows The Very Hungry Caterpillar and celebrates all that makes us most thankful.
$15.99 Penguin
By Casey Neill
When she wrote Arabella, Suzy had small children who devoured books. “I’d read them stories and we’d all escape for a while, so the library was our happy place and the perfect setting for my first picture book,” she said. “Books had always kept me company, even as a small child, so it wasn’t a stretch to make my main character an ABC book who longs for adventure.”
Children’s books...
Suzy is quite happy for her book to land on the kids’ shelf, susceptible to sticky fingers.
“I’m an ABC book and that’s all I’ll ever be,” Arabella complained to her capital C. Hers is the most beautiful and most borrowed book in the library - but only ever by children, often those with sticky fingers.“Arabella forgets she is special. She longs for words and paragraphs,” Melbourne author Suzy Zail said. “She wants to be adored by adults so she travels to Africa as a stowaway in search of a better life, only to learn that she is perfect - and loved - just the way she is.
“Arabella’s Alphabet Adventure is a gentle reminder to love ourselves and those around us; to learn to live in the moment and find happiness in the things we already have, and to recognise that we all have value.”
“I’d only ever written books for adults and teens and was grateful for the opportunity to work with an illustrator (Christopher Nielsen) and engage with young children,” she said.
Author Suzy Zail.
The third children’s book by bestselling mindset author and two-time Olympian, Matthew Syed, will help readers to find their voice, flex their social superpowers, and speak up with kindness and confidence. What if you could disagree with someone without it turning into the argument of the century? I’m here to tell you that it can be done. What Do YOU Think? will help young readers to discover what is influencing their ideas, from peer pressure to fake news. They’ll learn how to form and change opinions, and how to debate their views with empathy.
“I also loved the challenge of whittling my words down to the ones that really counted and conveying big ideas in just a few hundred words. “It’s harder than it looks because picture books are read over and over and out loud.“Read anything that often and you’ll see every flaw.”
“We so often forget to be grateful for what we have, especially with the pervasiveness of social media and the constant pull to compare ourselves to people whose lives look shinier.
$24.99 Penguin
A beautifully illustrated title chock- full of fascinating animal facts from our bestselling, CBCA awardwinning Tasmanian children’s author/illustrator, Jennifer Cossins, that focuses on 25 animal species from Australia and around the world with intriguing migration journeys. Did you know that Arctic terns have the longest migration of all birds, flying from the Arctic to Antarctica and back each year? Or that the wildebeest migration in east Africa is so vast it can be seen from outer space? Come along on these amazing animal journeys! Perfect for readers aged 7+ who delight in learning about the animal kingdom and the world around them.
10 & 11 SEPTEMBER MOON LANTERN FESTIVAL
18 SEPTEMBER DOVETON SHOW
The Doveton Show runs 10am to 4pm at Myuna Farm and features rides, animals, stalls, show bags and other attractions - all for a donation. Visit dovetonshow.org.au for more.
Professor Lexi Con has curated her favourite words - one for every letter of the alphabet - and Professor Noel Edge uses each one to inspire 26 quirky scientificRecommendeddemonstrations.forchildren aged 5 and above. The 21 September shows start at 10am and 1pm at Bunjil Place, Narre Warren. Tickets are $18 from bunjilplace.com.au.The22September show starts at 11am at Knox Community Arts Centre, 790 Mountain Highway, Bayswater. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for children and $45 for a family of four fromTheeventbrite.com.au.28Octobershowis on at 5pm at Costa Hall, Deakin University Geelong Waterfront, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong.Tickets are $12. Call 1300 251 200 or visit www.geelongartscentre.org.au.
In this workshop at Hawthorn Arts Centre, kids aged 5 to 12 years will use collage techniques and colourful materials to create their own stickers. The cost is $25 and all materials are provided.Theevent runs 10.30am to noon. Visit boroondara.vic.gov.au.
21 SEPTEMBER DJIRRI DJIRRI DANCE WORKSHOP
18 OCTOBER PEVAN AND SARAH IN CONCERT
Kids aged under 13 years can join the Djirri Djirri Dancers to learn traditional Wurundjeri dances and how to sing in the Woiwurrung language. The show starts at 11am at The Memo, Healesville, 235 Maroondah Highway, Healesville. Tickets are $12 for children and not required for accompanying adults. Call 1300 368 333.
UNTIL 9 OCTOBER MAKING ART: IMAGINE EVERYTHING IS REAL
KidsCalendar
BUNKASAURUS BY BUNK PUPPETS
STICKER FACTORY
Tickets are only available from royalshow.com.au. Melbourne Showgrounds is on Epsom Road, Ascot Vale.
21 & 22 SEPTEMBER, 28 OCTOBER THE ALPHABET OF AWESOME SCIENCE
20 SEPTEMBER YARNBOMBING WORKSHOP
ESCAPE FROM TRASH MOUNTAIN
19 SEPTEMBER SPRINGTIME BOTANICALS
23 OCTOBER ELWOOD CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL Elwood Toy Library will present this event from 10am to noon at Chicken Park, 87 Tennyson Street, Elwood. There will be a crepe van and coffee cart, face painting, Play Doh, interactive art, clay and nature crafts, a bubble show, garden games and Indigenous culturalTicketslearning.goonsale on 1 October at www.elwoodtoylibrary.org. All proceeds will support the not-for-profit Elwood Toy Library.
22 SEPTEMBER TO 2 OCTOBER MELBOURNE ROYAL SHOW
A significant Bayside landmark is going to be yarnbombed next winter, thanks to Bayside City Council and GLAD Rappers - and the Contributecommunity.atthisschool holiday activity for the whole family at Brighton Town Hall, 2pm to 4pm.
This event returns after two years off promising new attractions, more fun, bigger smiles and greater value.= Children aged 14 years and under attend free, entry after 5pm is $25, save 25 per cent on rides by purchasing a ride pass with an admission ticket, and more. Gates are open 9.30am to 9pm.
This free all-ages exhibition invites kids and their families to experiment with innovative ways of making their own works of art. It runs 10am to 5pm daily at National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. 3 SEPTEMBER CASEY PET EXPO
What's on this Spring
Bunk Puppets performances bring a focus on DIY puppet making using simple materials, and household items. The show starts at 11am at Arts Centre, Warburton, 3409 Warburton Highway, Warburton. Tickets are $20. Call 1300 368 333.
27 SEPTEMBER
Two silly guys are continually distracted from the serious work at hand and use puppetry and silent comedy to create a theatrical universe, steeped in imagination and creativity.
Hawthorn Arts Centre is hosting this ink painting workshop for kids aged 5 to 12 years from 10.30am to noon. The cost is $25, including materials. Visit boroondara.vic.gov.au.
This school holiday feature show is an epic tale of trashy proportions, featuring puppets and a message of sustainability. Recommended for ages 4 and above, the show starts at 11am at Knox Community Arts Centre, 790 Mountain Highway, Bayswater. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for children and $45 for a family of four from eventbrite.com.au.
Enjoy a fun day out with your furry four-legged friend at Wilson Botanic ParkExploreBerwick.the park, participate in workshops, watch live demonstrations and chat with stallholders from the pet industry, from 11am to 2pm.
www.BaysideGlenEiraKids.com.au SPRING 2022 23
This free two-day event features cultural performances, food, and drinks, at Queensbridge Square, 3 Queens Bridge Street, Southbank.
After two years of being beamed into classrooms and homes for remote learning, Pevan and Sarah are bringing the joy of their Cub Club music to Bunjil Place.Students can sing, learn and laugh their way through a 50-minute adventure on a ‘typical’ day in the classroom, with shows at 10.30am and 12.30pm.Alltickets are $17 from www. bunjilplace.com.au.
30 SEPTEMBER THE PLANETS WITH LAURA THE ASTRONAUT Inventi Ensemble plays The Planets against an animated backdrop in this narrated concert about cosmic adventurer Laura the astronaut. The show starts at 11am at Montrose Town Centre, 935 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road,TicketsMontrose.are$20. Call 1300 368 333.
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