SUMMER 2022
Raising boys with
Steve Biddulph Mum welcomes
rainbow triplets Hy-larious hijinx with
Nazeem Hussein
About Us
Time to enjoy the outdoors! LIKE so many of you, we sure are excited to leave the wet winter and spring behind for some glorious summer weather. The sound of cicadas, beautiful sunsets and warm nights make some of the best childhood memories, and like all of you we are looking forward to making them with our families. The kids are finishing school for the year and we are busy running around in preparation for Christmas Day and the holiday season. For many, the summer holidays can’t come fast enough.
We have a wonderful edition for you - so many beautiful families have shared their stories with us. We speak to a mum who struggled to breastfeed, another who’s creating pockets of peace for struggling mums, and medical professionals about what feels like the endless run of viruses many households are experiencing. We have our regular special guests as well, including world-renowned author Steve Biddulph, Kidsafe with sound summer advice, and Lucy Stewart with yet another yummy recipe for us to try.
around us and there is no better place to be than where you live. We’re sad to say we’re taking a break while the world continues to find its feet following a turbulent few years. We are so grateful for the continued support of our readers and advertisers and hope to bring you more content in the future. Until then, from all of us at Kids Today, have a Merry Christmas and an awesome start to 2023.
Yarra Ranges Kids magazine is a Mail News Group publication. Yarra Ranges Kids will be published quarterly prior to each of the school holidays.
Yarra Ranges Kids 244 Maroondah Highway, Healesville, Vic 3777 Phone: 5957 3700 Fax: 5957 3777
The warmer months are here and it’s time to get outside and explore the world
Editorial Melissa Meehan melissa.meehan@ starnewsgroup.com.au 945 0666
Contents
Group Advertising Sales
IT’S YOUR LIFE
EDUCATION
REALITY BITES
Mum’s stillbirth shock
Reading turns on imagination
Mum welcomes rainbow triplets
PAGE 3
PAGE 11
PAGES 18-19
Raising boys around the world
An education for the future
PAGE 4
PAGE 12
BOOKS
Finding the right formula
Marion bids farewell
Discover new children’s books
PAGE 5
PAGE 13
PAGE 20
Hope for a virus reprieve
Swimming lessons save lives
Nazeem Hussein’s hy-larious hi jinx
PAGE 6
PAGE 14
PAGE 20
Check pool barriers to save lives
Support your child to thrive
PAGE 6
PAGE 15
CALENDAR
Belgrave girl’s folding fund-raiser
School’s community connections
What’s on this summer
PAGE 7
PAGE 15
PAGE 21
Gut-loving mango jelly gummies
Sustainability at Cire
PAGE 8
PAGE 16
Manager Mandy Clark mandy.clark@ starnewsgroup.com.au Phone: 5945 0608 Published by Mail News Group Pty Ltd ACN 99 006 310 498. Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas. All material is copyright to Mail News Group Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible.
SUMMER 2022
Raising boys with
Steve Biddulph Mum welcomes
Finding pockets of peace
rainbow triplets
PAGE 10
Hy-larious hijinx with
Nazeem Hussein
COVER: Ruby, 3, splashes around at Seville Water Park. Picture: Melissa Meehan
yarrarangeskidstoday.com.au 2 SUMMER 2022
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It’s Your Life
The pain of losing Chase By Casey Neill
“I needed to get him out. I didn’t get any sleep that night.”
“IT was so out of left field. We’d just put the baby seat in the car. We thought we were too far along to have this problem.”
They offered her a general anaesthetic for the cesarean, but Ashlee opted for a spinal block so Marcus could be in the room with her.
Losing son Chase at 37 weeks blindsided Mooroolbark parents Ashlee and Marcus Hottes. “The first person I called was Mum,” Ashlee said. Other family members soon followed. “Everyone’s devastated because they’re in it with you. They’re expecting a new baby,” she said.
“The next time I think is going to be
“We got to spend the next couple of days with him in our room.” This was possible thanks to a CuddleCot with a cooling system.
She was nauseous throughout the pregnancy but things otherwise went smoothly - until labour kicked in.
“It was probably, out of the whole experience, the hardest thing we’ve done,” she said.
“I got to the hospital and within an hour I was pretty much pushing,” she said.
“But we’re so glad we did that because we’ve got those memories.” Ashlee posted about their loss on Facebook, to save having multiple conversations..
“They had to put me to sleep because I hadn’t had any epidural.
“So many people private messaged me, telling me about their experience with stillbirth,” she said.
“I woke up and Tilly was in Marcus’s hands.
“It’s a lot more common than I thought, which is really eye-opening.”
Ashlee with daughter Tilly, and a memorial to son Chase.
“This time around we’d planned to do a c-section anyway, and I just wanted to be awake.”
A member of her mother’s group lost her baby two weeks later, at 21 weeks.
Picture: Rob Carew
“You can’t have the naps you do in your first pregnancy,” she said. “He was a perfect pregnancy. He was on the heavier side all the way up. “There was not really any indication that there was anything wrong. “I was bang on 37 weeks on the Monday. The Monday night I was on the couch. At night time was when I really felt him kick a lot. “I said to Marcus that I hadn’t felt him kick all day, come to think of it.” They decided to see what happened overnight. “Doctors said if I’d gone in straight away, it would have been the same outcome,” she said. “None of us could have done anything. That gives me a bit of peace. “It wasn’t until 4pm the Tuesday that I remembered and thought ‘I haven’t felt him’ because usually during the day I didn’t feel him too much.” She called Marcus, followed by Box Hill Hospital and was soon receiving an ultrasound. “As soon as the nurse put it on I could tell something was wrong,” she said. “They didn’t hear a heartbeat so they got one of the senior nurses to come in. Then they got the main doctor to come in for a third try. “As soon as he was searching around I said ‘there’s no heartbeat is there?’. He said ‘no’. “Marcus and I were distraught. “I had to go home, which was so bizarre. This was about 8pm at night. “They said ‘hopefully you’ll have surgery tomorrow’.
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“Until the baby’s in your arms, you’re not going to feel comfortable.”
“The hospital was amazing. They were so supportive and just everyone was really ‘take your time, at your own pace’.
They were also offered professional photography, free of charge.
Ashlee had no morning sickness during her pregnancy with Chase, only fatigue.
stressful,” she said.
“We got through it OK,” she said.
The 34-year-old gave birth to daughter Tilly two years earlier.
“But her heart rate was too low so they had to get her out straight away, so that was an emergency c-section.
She’s had counselling and received support from Red Nose.
“I’ve become a lot closer with her. We’re a good support for each other, and our girls are so close,” she said. Tilly doesn’t quite understand what happened to her brother. “In the lead-up she kept saying ‘baby’ and touching my belly,” Ashlee said. “We have conversations about Chase daily. She does bring Chase up a lot which is really nice, we want to keep that going.” They’ve set up a small memorial to Chase in their living room to assist. Marcus made a return to local footy mid-season to help deal with the loss. “That was his ‘counselling’,” Ashlee said. “He’s been good at talking about it with me. At night we sit down and chat about Chase. “It definitely has brought us closer as a whole family.” Doctors offered an autopsy but Ashlee and Marcus declined. “We didn’t want to do anything invasive but we got a swab from the mouth,” she said. They tested his blood and took swabs from Ashlee. “A month later we had an appointment to go through the investigation,” she said. “They did brief us at the start that there was only a 3 per cent chance of knowing what was wrong. “We went back to get the findings and they basically said everything looked normal. “It’s what we were expecting, but not what we were hoping for.” Doctors will keep a closer eye on any future pregnancies, and recommended Ashlee wait 18 months before trying to conceive, to be physically and mentally prepared.
SUMMER 2022 3
It’s Your Life
Raising boys around the world Raising boys around the world, writes STEVE BIDDULPH A COUPLE of months ago, I received some amazing news. The sales of my book Raising Boys in its Chinese translation had just passed a million copies in just one year! This brought my worldwide book total to six million, making me the top selling parenting author - so far - in the 21st Century. For a shy psychologist living in country Tasmania, this was rather hard to take in. The last century’s star performer of parenting books was of course Benjamin Spock, who put me well in the shade with 50 million copies of his book Baby and Child Care sold in his lifetime. Spock is my hero - he was the first writer to really respect parents, telling us that we should trust our own instincts first. And he went in to bat for a generation reared with his books, by opposing the Vietnam War and the nuclear arms race, arguing that as a paediatrician he had to care for the
4 SUMMER 2022
lives of all children everywhere. I’m a natural worrier, and so my first worry was whether the ideas in Raising Boys would help in a Chinese setting. But back at the time of the translation, I had already been talking to many Chinese parents here in Australia who knew the culture back home, and I was much reassured - not only was the message appropriate, but it was very much needed. What are the key messages of Raising Boys? Well the first has to be that boys need to be around their dads a lot, to receive affection from them, and really know them in a deep way as they grow up, so they see that men have feelings too, and can be vulnerable and loving. Single mums can raise boys very well, and they have done for thousands of years, but in my work I talked to thousands of single mums over the years, and found that part of their secret was in making sure their son met good men along the way, to role model what healthy masculinity was like. It might be a school teacher, grandad, the gay man next door, or a guitar or karate teacher - as long as they were safe good men who a boy could get to know well and imitate and learn from. Because of their often greater muscle
strength, and the poisonous messages sent by porn culture and the long history of sexism in our world, boys need to see respect shown to women especially their mother by their father. And as they get a little older, to be explicitly taught never to hurt, exploit or sexually or otherwise misuse girls or women. The book also broke new ground in sharing research that boys’s brains were slower growing. So they might not be ready for school at the same age as girls, especially if they were born later in the year. We began to discover that males in fact are the weaker sex, that their delayed development made them more socially awkward, more prone to separation anxiety, and perhaps because of this, suicide and prison rates were many times higher than for girls. But this could be prevented affection, not rushing them into school, helping them with reading and talking, and allowing their energy to be expressed in lots of activity rather than calling them naughty for just being physical. One astonishing much quoted piece of research was the hormonal change at age 4, when their testicles begin to lay down testosterone making “Leydig” cells, and they often become super
active and drive their quiet loving parents quite crazy. Mums and dads were so relieved that their boys were not naughty, but like having a large dog - you just had to run them around a lot. The great discovery of this century of course is that no two boys are alike, and they are on a testosterone spectrum, some boofy and a bit slow to learn language, and some sensitive and more gentle, that there a many different ways to be a boy. Understanding what you have got is your first job - you can read lots of stories and have lots of quiet chats alongside your boofy boy, while helping your quiet boy to know how to stick his chin out and sound loud when necessary, but otherwise know that he is just a much a boy as any other! The final message which was so taken on around the world was the boys must learn housework - that by age nine they should be making at least one meal a week for the family cleaning their room, helping around the house - brought smiles, and hopefully a generation of far more likeable men in families of the future. Less men in jail, more men happy in their relationships and in their own skin. I couldn’t be happier that this might be the case in China as well!
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It’s Your Life
The right formula By Casey Neill ALY Backman’s anxiety around breastfeeding started soon after her daughter Daisy was born. The Lilydale mum’s milk came in on day two and her breasts “just exploded”. Daisy was struggling to latch and Aly was in pain. “I was told ‘it will calm down, it will calm down’,” she said. “It never calmed down.” She experienced her first blocked duct about a month in, and frequently thereafter. Daisy just didn’t need all the milk Aly’s body was producing. “I was so disconnected from Daisy, with the birth trauma and then the breastfeeding trauma on top,” she said. Aly saw a local lactation consultant, describing the visit as “useless”. She saw a breastfeeding guru that her GP recommended, and a women’s physio who performed an ultrasound on her breasts. She tried different latches. She tried feeding more frequently, but Daisy just wasn’t hungry. She tried cabbage leaves, heat packs, ice packs… “I spent upwards of $1000 on intervention. Nothing worked,” she said. “I wanted to fix it so badly but nothing ever fixed it. “It was awful. I really didn’t even want to leave the house. “I always had a pump with me to try and take off a bit of milk. “I very rarely had that feeling of deflated boobs. My boobs were always full. “I slept on my back for nine months because I was terrified to sleep on my side. “I didn’t wear a bra for nine months, I wore those crop singlets. “Something that should have been so natural was so s***.” Nine months in, Aly had blockages in both breasts and decided it had to end. She sought advice from her maternal and child health nurse. “She made me feel confident enough to go ‘we have to go cold turkey here’,” she said. A doctor prescribed medication to help dry up her milk. Scared of mastitis and suffered three weeks of rock-hard, lumpy breasts, using a manual pump for some relief, plus ice packs and cabbage leaves. “I didn’t shower for days because I didn’t want them to get warm,” she said. Daisy was hysterical on day one, and it took all Aly’s strength - and stern words from her partner, Tom - to resist breastfeeding her. They bought “every single bottle” to find one Daisy would accept formula from, and ended up finally succeeding with a baby drink bottle. And then it was over. “I felt the biggest relief and weight taken off my shoulders,” Aly said. “I wish it had been different, but there was never a solution.” Aly finally felt like herself again. “It was a very long time, a really www.YarraRangesKidsToday.com.au
lonely time,” she said. “Tom found it really hard because I don’t think he knew how to help. “But he was so supportive the whole way through, and so supportive of the decision to bottle feed Billy.” Breastfeeding was immediately off the table when she fell pregnant with her son. “But the further we got along in the pregnancy, the more I started to question my decision and feel really guilty,” she said. “I thought ‘what if he gets sick and I can’t give him antibodies from breastfeeding?’.” Midwives could see how traumatised Aly was, and referred her to a clinical midwife consultant in the Perinatal Emotional Health Service. “I had a couple of appointments and explained everything,” she said. “She was going to play devil’s advocate, but said ‘after hearing your story, you are 100 per cent making the right decision not to breastfeed’.” Aly was told she’d receive medication to stop her milk from coming in, but shortly after welcoming Billy she was told her body would actually still produce some milk. “I had a massive panic attack in the hospital. I freaked out,” she said. “This was on day two. Day two was where it all happened with Daisy.” So the consultant advocated for her to stay in hospital another night. “My milk did come in but it did go away pretty quickly. It wasn’t anywhere near as crazy. “I just felt guilty, and I still hold onto that guilt, even though I know it was the right decision for our family, and for me - if I had got a blocked duct, I would have lost it.”
Aly found formula feeding overwhelming. “How many bottles do I need? What formula do I buy? Breastfeeding would be so much simpler,” she said. “But I found I was way more connected to Billy than I ever was with Daisy. “He would gaze into my eyes and I would gaze into his. “Even though there was a bottle in his mouth and not a boob, it was beautiful.” The trauma hasn’t affected the relationship she has with Daisy today. “But the experience that I had with Billy was just so much nicer and natural - which sounds so stupid because it was formula in a bottle - but it felt like the experience I should have had with Daisy. “Don’t feel guilty about deciding if it’s best for you to use formula. “Breast milk is best, but it’s hard work.”
Aly with Daisy and Billy. Pictures: Rob Carew
Lilydale mum Aly Backman. SUMMER 2022 5
It’s Your Life
Hopeful for a virus reprieve EMERGENCY rooms across Australia have been inundated with children struggling to breathe - and it’s not because of COVID-19. Respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus and influenza, have been hitting kids more frequently and in patterns not before seen. According to Perth paediatrician Asha Bowen, Western Australia and the Northern Territory are experiencing a peak in RSV cases - something that would usually happen in June. But during the pandemic, RSV surprisingly peaked nationally in January and February. For RSV to climax in September and October, it gives hope that things are moving back to normal and towards the depths of winter - but it’s anyone’s guess if that is actually going to happen, Dr Bowen said. The days of regular peaks and troughs are gone, with practitioners noticing numerous changes in the way viruses are presenting. Couple that with limited immunity, thanks to spending months indoors
during the pandemic, and children seem to be getting more of the viruses out there. “Normally we see RSV and then influenza and then the other spring viruses like rhinovirus, metapneumovirus and others,” Dr Bowen told AAP. “But there has been no sort of usual pattern this year ... they are cropping up whenever now and maybe it is because COVID has left them room. “We found COVID had its peak nationwide in January and February and then the other viruses came.” She said the increased number of respiratory illnesses in children meant an increase in hospital presentations and added pressure on the system. Royal Australasian College of Physicians president and paediatrician Jacqueline Small said it had been a tough winter for all but especially children. “Now we’ve entered spring, we’re hoping for a reprieve from the volume of viruses circulating in the community,” she said.
“We must remain vigilant and remember we can always do more to protect ourselves and our children, such as keeping up good hygiene and staying home if you’re sick.” Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer Associate Professor Deborah Friedman said high vaccination numbers helped reduce flu infections in 2022. She said the flu season was early, short and sharp in Victoria but more cases may emerge later this year when holiday-makers return from overseas. Influenza peaked in Victoria with about 18,000 cases in May and declined to 350 in August. It was overtaken by the number of notified cases of RSV in mid-June. RSV mostly affects younger children, with 42 per cent of cases notified in 2022 aged under three. The number of people presenting to emergency departments with respiratory illnesses other than COVID-19 and asthma increased over the winter months, with children under five making up an increased proportion.
Medical director of infection prevention and epidemiology at Monash Health, Professor Rhonda Stuart, said everyone was catching up on viruses they didn’t get during the pandemic. There was hardly any influenza and very few other respiratory viruses in 2020 and 2021. “It’s not necessarily immunity,” she said. “These viruses often like to transmit in the winter because we’re all indoors and we don’t physically separate so much, and it’s much easier to transmit during the winter months. “But as spring comes and the doors open, and we have good ventilation, and people are outdoors, respiratory viruses and COVID won’t transmit nearly as easily.” The Department of Health and Aged Care said COVID-19 testing likely had an effect on identifying the number of people with respiratory viruses but it was unable to quantify those statistics as the data was de-identified. - AAP
Swimming lessons save lives In a country surrounded by beaches, it’s important that Aussie kids learn how to swim efficiently.
WITH summer approaching, it is important to give your child the best grounding to be able to enjoy and survive in the water. Children who are happy and confident in the water will be more able to think themselves out of a difficult situation and be in a position to most quickly, safely and enjoyably, learn to swim. It is concerning to see the drowning statistics released from Life Saving Victoria, highlighting that those most at risk include young children, teenagers and young adults. In particular, those participating in high risk activities or alcohol affected are at a higher risk, as 6 SUMMER 2022
are recently arrived citizens who possibly do not speak or read the English language. While there has been a decrease in the drowning statistics over the past ten years through education and advertising campaigns, the challenge is to create and maintain a water safety culture in Victoria while increasing participation in aquatic activity. Children need regular and ongoing lessons until they reach the required skill level. By swimming all year round they retain skills and build techniques easily. Breaks in learning to swim,
Picture: Supplied
mean valuable time is lost and when lessons resume, skills must be revised and often re learnt. Those who do year-round lessons are stronger and better able to resist colds over the winter months. Geelong Aquatic Centre which has operated for the past 25 years, is a specialist Learn-to-Swim centre which is the ideal venue for infants, children of all ages and adults to learn swimming and survival skills. All levels can be catered for in their two 25m and one recently enlarged learner’s pool, which are all heated and salt chlorinated. Lessons are taught in a sequentially
developmental program where children are not progressed until each skill is attained to a proficient standard, so that confidence and competence is maintained. All staff at Geelong Aquatic Centre are well qualified and passionate about teaching those in their charge to become confident and capable in the water. Enrolments are being taken for term four, which starts on Monday September 26. Phone the centre on (03) 5222 5530 and speak to the friendly reception staff for bookings. www.YarraRangesKidsToday.com.au
It’s Your Life
Folding fund-raiser By Casey Neill
exploring harder design, particularly tessellation and moving designs.
A 12-YEAR-OLD Belgrave girl turned to origami to help save her family dog.
“That one would probably take me maybe half an hour, an hour,” April says, flattening a ball-shaped paper creation then expanding it back into an orb.
April started making origami when she was 5 years old, inspired by her older brother Kai.
“The most complicated one has taken four hours to make.” Most designs rely on interconnecting paper for strength and stability - no sticky tape.
She loves the challenge of
She uses guides in books and online tutorials, and has even been working on making her own tutorials to share. April launched a website in 2020 and sells her pieces at markets and some stores.
April and Paddy
“I started off with just a stall out the front of our house, just selling the individual origami pieces - the cranes and things,” she said.
“Eventually I started to make the origami into earrings and cards and then I started doing markets.” She turned to her talent to save Padfoot, a black labrador intended as a support dog for Kai. “He had an x-ray when he was about 10 months old and it showed his hip bone was completely out of the socket,” April’s mum Rachael says. The vet told them he’d need a total right hip replacement, and he had arthritis in his elbows and a loose left hip. They were facing the prospect of saying goodbye, unable to pay for the surgeries. So April ran a campaign through her business, receiving about 100 orders and raising $5000. “It was too much for one person to do so April taught some of us to do it,” Rachael says. April says: “And I have a friend who also likes origami so she helped me out.” The family also ran a GoFundMe fund-raiser and was able to give Paddy a new right hip in August. He’s since had surgery on his elbows, and will likely need more intervention in years to come. “In terms of him being a support dog, we haven’t been able to do training for a long while, but it will be a different
Some of April’s origami.
path,” Rachael says. “He will be a great emotional support dog, but might not be able to get accreditation and pass the tests he needs to. “He’s just the sweetest. His nature is just gorgeous.” Rachael says April learns so much through her business. “She’s so self-driven. I follow her lead,” she says. “One day it could be a side hustle for her, or it could become her career.” See more of April’s work at Folded by Me on Instagram.
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SUMMER 2022 7
It’s Your Life
Gut-Loving Mango Jelly Gummies Ingredients Picture: Studio 74 Photography
■ 1 cup diced mango ■ 1 cup filtered water ■ 3 Tbsp gelatin powder ■ 1 Tbsp maple syrup or honey *optional, if your mango is tart
in the kitchen
Instructions 1. Combine mango, water and maple syrup in a blender and process in to a puree.
with Lucy Stewart JELLY gummies are a cheap, easy and fun way to include the ancient superfood, gelatin, in our kids diet. They’re just like jelly lollies but without all the sugar, colours and flavours that you’ll find in the store-bought ones – they’re the kind of lollies you’ll be happy for the kids to eat, by the handful! Gelatin is derived from collagen found in animal bones, skin and cartilage that’s been dehydrated and ground in to a flavourless powder. It’s nutritionally the same as collagen, just a more refined version of it. Collagen works from head to toe in our bodies to: help repair and restore the lining of the gut, support muscle, hair & nail growth and repair, keep joints flexible and
2. Pour mango puree in to a saucepan and sprinkle over gelatin 1 Tbsp at a time, allowing it to bloom (turn in to a jelly blob) in between. bones strong – everything kids need to support them during their rapid period of growth and development. Gelatin also promotes healthy liver detoxification, nourishes our adrenals, and is a major component of skin, so don’t think these jelly gummies are for the kids alone to enjoy. Because they’re loaded with protein they also help to balance blood sugars, provide a steady release of energy and keep kids tummies feeling fuller for longer.
Making these jelly gummies is so easy and a fun way to get kids in to the kitchen and involved in the cooking process. We’ve made the most of the in-season mangoes in this recipe, but you could easily replace the mango with berries. You’ll find gelatin it stocked in most healthfood stores – favour one from pasture-raised Australian or New Zealand cows. Unfortunately, the gelatine at the supermarket doesn’t carry the same health benefits
3. Gently heat the mixture over low and stir until the gelatin has completely dissolved. 4. Pour mixture in to moulds or a baking tray (you can slice in to squares once set), then place in the fridge to set for at least 2-hours. 5. Remove gummies from the moulds and store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5-days – if they last that long!
Well Fed Kitchen is a range of healthy snacks for kids that you can make at home. 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. Well Fed Kitchen provides an easy snack alternative to the sugar-laden, healthy pro- cessed options, guaranteed to fill kids tummies, satisfy their hunger, provide a steady release of energy and some essential growing nutrients too. www.wellfedkitchen.com.au @wellfedkitchen_snacks 12562706-MS36-22
8 SUMMER 2022
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SUMMER 2022 9
It’s Your Life
Jay creates calming and nurturing artworks with a neutral colour palette.
Jay’s art helps to create pockets of peace.
Jay with sons Banjo, 3, and Baxter, 4.
Finding pockets of peace for mums By Casey Neill JAY Young didn’t see postnatal depression coming. “I don’t want to say it was a rough start to parenthood, but it was a rough start to parenthood,” the Yarra Glen mum to sons Baxter, 4, and Banjo, 3, said. She went into labor three weeks early while at the hospital for a birthing class, with no time to return home for her bag or ease into the idea of meeting her first child. Jay was “still in business mode” when midwives were encouraging skin-to-skin cuddles and breastfeeding. “I was expecting to have a couple of hours’ labor at home,” she said. “As soon as he was born I didn’t want to touch him. I just wanted to get up and have a shower. “I just needed my time.” Jay didn’t recognise the signs of depression, and neither did her partner or family. “It was the most gorgeous midwife. She asked me ‘what do you look forward to?’,” she said. 10 SUMMER 2022
Jay said ‘nothing’, that she had a baby to look after and couldn’t do anything. The midwife asked Jay what she saw when she looked around her home. She saw mess - toys sprawled everywhere, unclean dishes, spew rags, bottles… “It’s an overwhelm of the senses,” Jay said. “I think that’s why I fell into my postnatal depression. “Every part of my body was sensory overload.” Where Jay saw mess, the midwife saw a fed family, and a cared for baby. “She was helping me to put a bit of a spin on what I was seeing as such a negative,” she said. The midwife told Jay to create an oasis to escape to when she felt overwhelmed.
with a neutral colour palette. “I’m a firm believer that sitting down with your phone isn’t giving your brain enough time to switch off,” she said. “It dulls what your triggers are and then you can’t move through it. “You need to sit down and clear your mind without distraction. “Art is something to look up at and draw your eye away from the phone and let your mind wander. “Letting your mind wander and letting your mind process what you’re going through is so valuable.” Baxter’s room became Jay’s pocket of peace, with nothing but a cot, a rocking chair, and hand-drawn art on the walls. “I would retreat and sit quietly with Baxter on the boob, looking at the artworks,” she said. “I had little sketches of a koala, a wombat and a platypus.
“I now call it my pocket of peace,” she said.
“They were all snuggled up and they were all sleeping.
“That’s the whole mantra behind my business.”
“I hadn’t started painting at that point.
Her business is Young By Design. She creates calming and nurturing artworks
“I’ve always drawn but I’ve never actually painted.
“That was me doing something for myself - I taught myself watercolour. “It really connected me back to who I was. “It helped me heal. “As soon as the lights go out, that’s when my brain and my soul turns on. “I do love my sleep, but I’ve found the benefits of painting far outweigh the sleep deprivation. “There are some times when I look at the clock at 2.30am and think ‘the kids are going to wake me up in two or three hours’. “But when I look at what I’ve created throughout the night it gives me so much fulfilment that I can carry on through my day.” She said it was essential for new mums to find something that made them feel like themselves. “It doesn’t need to be art,” she said. “It can be singing, it can be cooking, if you’re into fitness I’m all about getting your baby looked after for an hour so you can go for a walk.” For help with postnatal depression, call the PANDA national helpline on 1300 726 306. www.YarraRangesKidsToday.com.au
Education
Reading turns on imagination By Casey Neill Reading is a good habit best formed early, says author Phil Kettle. “And that habit isn’t formed at school. It’s not a teacher’s responsibility,” he said. “Good reading habits begin at home with parents, where they create an environment where reading is part of their everyday life, like brushing their teeth.” Mr Kettle said parents often bought books they’d like their child to read. “What your parents like isn’t necessarily what you like,” he said. “You need to find out what they are interested in, then get them reading material that is suitable for their interest.”
good education, that it turned on your imagination switch and allowed you to go into another world. “I was very fortunate, in the area I grew up in television never came until I was 12 or 13,” he said. “We stayed outside until it was dark, had dinner and then all you had to do was read.” About 25 years ago he wrote a book series with a character named Toocool to encourage young boys to read, and has since written two others - The Xtreme World of Billy Kool, and Clancy of the Outback.
“We’re entertained in a different way,” he said.
“They still use their imagination. They still dream of the things they’d like to do. “With all children, and all people, people like to feel good - feel good about themselves, about what they do, what they achieve.”
“Kids have computers and mobile phones that we didn’t. “But the simple fact is that students still like to be entertained
“One of my great joys in life is going into schools and speaking with students,” he said. “As I always say to students, they write to please one person, and that one person is themselves.
“In two weeks you’ve created the reading habit,” he said.
“I write a story imagining that I was that 8, 9, 10, 11-year-old child. I write to what I would have liked.
Mr Kettle said his father instilled in him that reading was the foundation of
Despite the technology infiltrating today’s world, Mr Kettle doesn’t believe kids today are all that different from his childhood self.
Mr Kettle travels to schools around the country, encouraging a love of reading and writing.
He said creating the habit was simple from there: start off reading for one minute, then build on it.
“Once that’s created, your parents will be knocking on your door at 10.30pm and you’ll be saying ‘one more chapter’.”
ownership of the story.”
Phil’s granchildren enjoying his books.
“I liked reading stories written in the first person. It helps you as the reader to be that person. “I encourage young people to write in the first person. It helps give them
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SUMMER 2022 11
Education
An education for the future Education focused solely on skills and knowledge will no longer sufficiently prepare young people to keep pace with the demands of a rapidly-changing world.
WITH schools around the world having to re-invent the way in which they teach their students, it is never more relevant to ask whether our educational approach adequately prepares children for the uncertainties of the modern world. Research shows that a dramatically different future for young people will be required to live a viable and sustainable life, with an increasing shift towards personal growth, development and learning becoming a lifetime commitment.
Steiner education is based on a developmental and pedagogical understanding of children that builds the capacities and qualities needed for the future. Working out of a developmentallybased approach means that the methodology shifts as the children grow and progress through their schooling. Simply put, the approach is to steadily shift the locus of self
management from outside of the child to within.
there are consequences of the choices they make.
In kindergarten, the children are held by the loving authority of their teachers, who consciously model appropriate social interactions and behaviour.
In the high school, our students are supported to become consciously responsible for their own
Later, the students begin to experience more clearly-stated rules and carefully chosen stories arising out of the cultural epochs that guide them. In their early teens, through their studies in history and of the biographies of people who impacted the world by their actions, the students learn that
world view and actions, in both real and virtual environments. The ethos behind the teaching is to guide students to become flexible and creative thinkers who can work independently with initiative and imagination. To learn more about Little Yarra, visit www.lyss.vic.edu.au.
12578309-JC50-22
Education focused solely on skills and
knowledge will no longer sufficiently prepare young people to keep pace with the demands of a rapidlychanging world.
12 SUMMER 2022
www.YarraRangesKidsToday.com.au
Education Stimulating movement skills help children to become capable with their coordination and concentration and therefore to feel more confident. The philosophy which underpins GymbaROO is to empower parents to play a vital role in understanding the importance of early neurological developmental milestones to their child’s health, behaviour and learning ability, and why specific activities are essential stepping stones for children to reach their full potential. “We believe the more information a parent has and acts upon, the more interesting, exciting and successful parenting will be through these formative years and beyond,” Marion said. “This period is no longer just a time for waiting for children to mature, but a time that will have a profound effect on their lives.
Marion Stott receives a miniature parachute from Naomi Mason-Dean and Bernadette Lamberg as a reminder of her fun time at Mooroolbark GymbaROO.
Marion bids farewell AFTER establishing the second Toddler Kindy GymbaROO Centre at Mooroolbark 38 years ago, plus four other centres in the outer east, Marionis
now retiring. Over all these years Marion has enjoyed presenting the GymbaROO Program to thousands of families.
Children are never too little to learn - the first five years of life are critical in laying down the foundations for future academic tasks.
“The pure joy of providing our program to the parents, who then nurture their children as they navigate each natural stage of development, has been just so rewarding.” Marion has worked with a wonderful team, with Marg staying 33 years and Ros 19 years, and Naomi and Bernadette having a wealth of experience between them. A new leader is now required for Mooroolbark GymbaROO to continue into 2023. If this has sparked your interest, don’t hesitate to make contact. Careful consideration will be given to any enquiry.
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Enrolments for 2023 now open!
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SUMMER 2022 13
Education
Swimming lessons save lives With the impacts of Covid closures over the previous two years, regular, formal swimming lessons were limited. According to the Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2021, drowning deaths increased by 20 per cent on the previous year and, tragically, deaths among children aged 0-4 years increased by 9 per cent compared to the 10-year average. It’s therefore incredibly important to teach children skills to swim safer and encourage adults to know what they can do to reduce the risk. According to the American Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, participation in regular, formal swimming lessons was associated with up to 88 per cent reduction in the risk of drowning. With the warm weather around the corner, now is the time to enrol in regular swimming lessons to ensure you and your family enjoy a safer summer. You can start regular, formal swimming lessons with babies as young as 4 and 5 months old. By this age babies are able to regulate their body temperature for the duration of a 30-minute class.
BOOKINGS NOW OPEN FOR TERM 1, 2023
It is a great time to start water familiarisation and a great opportunity for parents and carers to connect with their babies. From around three years and above, children go into swimming lessons on their own, without their parents. At Paul Sadler Swimland Ringwood, learn to swim classes provide great opportunities for children to develop life-saving water safety and survival skills and become competent swimmers in a tension free, fun and exciting environment. They teach survival skills at every level in their children’s swim lessons.
This allows the teacher to review where your swimmer’s current skill and confidence levels are, in order to place them in the right level for their development. You can book straight into parent/ child classes or book your free assessment online today. For more information and to book visit lessons.paulsadlerswimland.com. au/ringwood. Paul Sadler Swimland Ringwood is at Yarra Valley Grammar, Kalinda Road, Ringwood, with entry via Plymouth Rd – Sporting Complex.
From around three years and above, children go into swimming lessons on their own, without their parents.
Call 9879 9136.
In lower levels, Paul Sadler Swimland Ringwood spend a minimum of 10 minutes per lesson in deep water, where they teach treading water, deep water recovery (safety circle) and mobility on front and back until children have achieved two minutes unaided treading water. Paul Sadler Swimland Ringwood offer children entering their Learn to Swim program a FREE 15-minute, one-on-one assessment.
Participation in regular, formal swimming lessons can help reduce the risk of drowning.
?
WHY
It’s FUN & LEARNING TOO! MOVEMENT is the KEY to LEARNING Australian researched and designed essential skills Program Nurturing each natural stage of neurological development Explorative challenges on the specially designed equipment Structured sensory activities with music, exercise and dance Professionally qualified instructors extend the experience Parent information plus home activities to practice
Celebrating our 38th year in the Yarra Ranges SESSIONS
CONTACT US
Babies: 6 weeks - 12 months
MOOROOLBARK GYMBAROO
Toddlers: 1 - 2 & 2 - 3 years
Mooroolbark Community Centre
Pre School: 3 - 4 years
125 Brice Ave, Mooroolbark VIC 3138
School readiness: 4 - 5 years
mooroolbark@gymbaroo.com.au 0455 506 614 www.gymbaroo.com.au
MOVEMENT IS THE KEY TO LEARNING Move Learn Shine
STOP PRESS - ‘EXCITING NEWS’ After 38 years, Marion is about to Retire. For GymbaROO at Mooroolbark to continue to flourish, a New Leader for our Professional Team is required. • Do you seek an Interesting Challenge ? • Are you Enthusiastic, Dedicated & Energetic ? • Is your Passion with Early Childhood Development ? • Do you have a Tertiary Qualification ?
Rewarding Lifestyle Opportunity GymbaROO Franchise @ Mooroolbark
FOR SALE - BARGAIN Just follow GymbaROO’s Proven Programs, of • Nurturing the Natural Stages of Development. • Operate within School hours of School Terms. • Substantial data base of previous & current clients. • Two sets of Equipment enables expansion, PLUS - option to include the ‘Remarkable Resources.’
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SWIMMING lessons are one of the few lifesaving interventions we can do for our children.
Enquiries: Email - mooroolbark@gymbaroo.com.au 04 555 066 14 Marion Stott OAM
REWARDING OPPORTUNITY FOR SALE
Baby, Toddler & School Readiness Classes
Move Learn Shine
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14 SUMMER 2022
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Education
School community connections
Mini Maestros harnesses the impact of music on the brain.
ST BRIGID’S Catholic Primary School students have been focusing on creating and strengthening connections with the community. Recently all of the students across the whole school held a mini fete - making and selling their products, all with the purpose of raising funds for the community Care Group and the Heart Foundation.
Mini learners WE all want to best prepare our children for the increasingly uncertain future. Children who are creative, capable, resilient, and aware will be best placed to thrive. Mini Maestros understands children’s developmental needs. It harnesses the impact of music on the brain to develop the whole child; language, listening, physical, social and emotional skills. In the past two years alone, Mini Maestros music and movement classes for 0 to 5 years have received more than 1000 excellent reviews from parents, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars for all reviews. Supporting your child to thrive is as easy as 1,2,3. 1. Enrol in a Mini Maestros class near you
There was a buzz of excitement in the air as the students engaged in the activities on offer - from shooting basketballs, watching movies, taking funny photos, to having faces painted and buying goods.
- in-person or online - for a full term, a three-week trial or a free first online lesson. 2. Let the program accelerate your child’s development. 3. Experience and share in your child’s developmental breakthroughs. New students are welcome to join at any point in the teaching term, subject to availability. Mini Maestros also has online courses for babies to 5 year olds, so that you have the opportunity to share the learning and fun with your child at home in your own time. Enrol now and support your child to thrive. Call Croydon on 9850 5566, Ringwood on 0417 104 729 or visit www. minimaestros.com.au.
Students across the whole school recently held a mini fete.
It was a very successful day with lots of fun had by all, and in the process raising over $1600 for local families in need coming up to Christmas and $800 for the Heart Foundation.
The Year 6 students are looking forward to shopping for Christmas hampers, packing and preparing gifts and hampers for the community.
The student ministry leaders and student voice teams collaborated with class teachers to ensure the day was a wonderful success.
St Brigid’s students are really showing their leadership skills and capabilities through their active involvement.
Throughout the year, the senior students have also provided and served morning tea for the elderly, written cards and read stories at local kinders.
Some students have also created a logo to represent our involvement with our local care group, called ‘Advent Angels’.
These are all memorable occasions that provide students with the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities that support the community and demonstrate practical leadership skills.
The students, parents and families are very proud of the active role they play and connection with the broader community, especially in caring for those who are struggling in these challenging times.
St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School, Healesville
in ions t a c Lo od & o w g Rin don Croy Accelerate Your Child’s Development & Prepare Them For School
Music & Movement Classes for 0-5s
What makes us different? Online Courses
Mini Maestros has been providing fun, active & educational music classes for 0-5’s for over 35 years.
At Mini Maestros, your child will learn about lesson structure, how to listen & follow instructions, & how to participate & cooperate with others. They’ll also get a head start on important literacy and numeracy skills.
Mini Maestros also has Online Courses for babies to 5 year olds, so that you have the opportunity to share the learning & fun with your child at home in your own time.
• Small class sizes • Supportive culture • Strong community • Catholic identity
St Brigid’s supports the spiritual, intellectual, physical, social and emotional growth of all students. We continually strive to improve and build on the foundations laid by parents to enable each child to flourish. We pride ourselves on our values and strength as a school community. We welcome enrolments throughout the year across all year levels. Please contact the office to arrange a tour. (5962 4200)
Croydon 9850 5566 Ringwood 0417 104 729
minimaestros.com.au www.YarraRangesKidsToday.com.au
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ENROL NOW Support Your Child to Thrive!
• Personalised Learning • Student-centered • Foundational Values • Core Wellbeing initiatives
Now accepting 2024 enrolments
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SUMMER 2022 15
Education
The children become young stewards of our environment, sharing their knowledge and creativity at home with their families.
An early start on sustainability THE three Rs of sustainability - REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE – are becoming a focus at Cire Early Learning centres in the Yarra Ranges in Melbourne’s outer east, driven by a big ‘C’ for creativity. The creativity flows with abundance and with much excitement as the children brainstorm about what they can create from items that may have otherwise ended up in landfill, or they take on the challenge independently. It has become part of their mindset to subtly embrace the messages of environmental sustainability, to help inform how they think and what they do, and to develop many other skills along the way. The three Rs of sustainability also demonstrate a great alternative to rampant consumerism and how to have fun, be productive and make a positive contribution at virtually no cost. The children become young stewards of our environment, sharing their knowledge and creativity at home with their families. Of significance, sustainability was the 2022 organisation-wide theme for parent organisation Cire Services Inc, one of the largest not-for-profits in the Yarra Ranges in Melbourne’s outer east and unique to the region. Environmental sustainability is vital to ensure we have healthy communities with clean air, natural resources, and a non-toxic environment. We all have a responsibility to do our part to change the carbon footprint in the world and to teach our children how to protect and respect the world they live in. UNESCO states “that long-term sustainable development can be
16 SUMMER 2022
achieved only if individuals and societies change how they think and act. Education is key to achieving this transformation”.
water are in our community.
Living sustainably can be challenging, but it needs to be done with gusto.
The children have created vertical gardens using empty 1-litre plastic bottles and converted tins to planter ‘boxes’.
We must explain to children why we are doing things differently, recycling, composting using worm farms and minimising water usage. “When we explain the significance of our choices, children can begin to understand the impact human beings can have on the future of our planet.” Cire Early Learning has embedded sustainability into its daily curriculum to promote this sense of responsibility and respect for the natural environment. The three Rs of REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE underpin this approach. Families are encouraged to bring in materials from home that can be used for craft activities. We make fantastic items from things usually thrown away, like cardboard tubes from paper towels, tins, pine cones, plastic bottles, glass jars, wool scraps, material scraps, and bubble wrap. We also reuse what we can. We minimise waste by giving food scraps to our staff members to feed their farm animals or use them for our worm farm and have a compost bin for any additional scraps to keep waste to a bare minimum. We have created vegetable gardens to teach the children the importance of growing your own food and understanding how precious food and
With a Junior Landcare and Biodiversity grant we established beautiful butterfly habitats.
Smaller plastic bottles have been transformed into sensory items for Early Learning’s baby room by filling them with water, rice and anything else that moves and makes a noise. Towards the end of last year, some of Cire’s Early Learning sites had a spring clean of cupboards, unearthing a treasure chest of materials for Christmasinspired craft activities and including rolls of wallpaper, an assortment of boxes, and ribbon. One of the sites was Early Learning’s Out of School Hours Service (OSHC), catering for ten local primary schools. So the sustainability message was extended even further. Early Learning also helps embed the messages of reducing and being conscious of energy and water consumption at its sites. During Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week in November, the children ramped up their efforts and brainstormed their ideas of how they could further help look after the environment. They also chatted about how to recycle and what happens to our recycling once it has left our hands. With parent organisation Cire Services Inc’s 2022 theme of sustainability, the three Rs and C are
certainly gaining momentum through Cire Community School for at-risk youth; Cire Training, a registered community training organisation (RTO); Cire Community Hubs and Cire Corporate, as well as Cire Early Learning. With a staff of 240 people, plus their families and friends, and hundreds of learners of all ages, the impact and reach is enormous. Of significance is that Cire Training secured a grant through Sustainability Victoria to deliver upcycling workshops in 2023 through its First Impressions Clothing Exchange (FICE) program for vulnerable women. A large percentage of donated clothing is not fit for use, so the community workshops aim to turn what would otherwise be landfill into items such as shopping and tote bags, quilts for the homeless, bags of rags for home use, fabric wreaths and pet rugs. Other Cire-wide initiatives include: ■ Cire’s Level Up after-school program for 8-17 year olds is planning to use upcycled materials in some of their craft activities. ■ Removal of under-desk bins at head office and replace with central waste and recycling bins. ■ Community School VCAL students participated in the Tree Project to help return healthy, sustainable and indigenous ecosystems to the Victorian landscape. Year 5 and 6s visited businesses to learn more about responsible practices, including the issue of single-use plastics, as well as sewing a roll-up pencil case using an up-cycled pillowcase.
www.YarraRangesKidsToday.com.au
Cire Early Learning At Cire we adopt a Reggio Emilia Philosophy and are committed to providing a high quality, holistic educational program that recognises each child is capable and competent. We provide a warm, nurturing and stimulating environment where children feel safe to explore, experiment and take risks. Our aim is to encourage a positive relationship with education and create a life-long love of learning.
“You all do such amazing work with the children and make everyone feel we lcome and accepted. Cire is amazing!” - Cire Early Learn
ing Parent, 2021
Why choose Cire? Passionate educators Purpose-built facilities Large outdoor playspaces Six weeks to school age
Cire Early Learning will be providing free kindergarten in 2023! This means that our sessional kindergarten will be free and long day care services will offer a rebate of $2000 for each child enrolled in kindergarten. Take advantage of this amazing opportunity! Enrol your child in one of our programs today!
12579791-SN50-22
Did you know?
Chirnside Park | Mount Evelyn | Yarra Junction Badger Creek - Outside School Hours Care only
www.cire.org.au | 1300 835 235 | earlylearning@cire.org.au
www.YarraRangesKidsToday.com.au
SUMMER 2022 17
It’s Your Life
Triple rainbow follows storm By Melissa Meehan
that she had lost the baby.
THEY say that things come in threes.
It wasn’t until they were walking their bags into the departure line at Denpasar Airport that Jaimee began to feel contractions.
And this is certainly true for Jaimee Fraser. She has lost three babies and recently welcomed triplets into the world. Her journey to motherhood hasn’t been an easy one. She welcomed her first son Arlo without any issues. As he was about to turn one, she and her husband Cam decided it was time to expand their family. She fell pregnant straight away, as expected. Her mum had four children, including one set of twins, without any issues and Jaimee had no reason to believe she would be any different. She’d never met anyone who had lost a baby and pregnancy loss couldn’t have been further from her mind. But the day before a family trip to Bali - their last as a family of three Jaimee was shopping and noticed something wasn’t right. She went to emergency and was reassured that light bleeding was completely normal in early pregnancy. She was told her HCG levels were rising and she had nothing to worry about. SO THEY LEFT FOR THEIR BALI HOLIDAY THE NEXT DAY… The first week of their holiday was everything they dreamed it would be. They spent it exploring and relaxing by the pool. But during their second week, Jaimee again started to bleed. It was different than before. She was raced to Denpasar Hospital for an ultrasound and was told her baby had no heartbeat and hadn’t grown in two weeks. They wanted to operate right away, but Jaimee refused. She hoped the little one would hold on until they returned to Australia.
Doubled over in pain, she ran to the bathroom and lost her baby at eight weeks. Autumn is remembered as her first angel. They welcomed Theo into the world with much excitement shortly after. AS COVID RESTRICTIONS EASED…. Jaimee and Cam booked a weekend away in the Yarra Valley for their fifth wedding anniversary. In the depths of Melbourne’s lockdown they had decided to try again for another child, but were in no hurry. As she was packing her bags for the trip, Jaimee had an inkling she was pregnant.
SHE DIDN’T IMMEDIATELY PANIC…. She had some light bleeding with her second son, Theo, and he was a perfect, healthy baby. Jaimee and Cam went for a scan. She was 11 weeks and begged the technician to tell her the baby was OK. But there was no heartbeat, and her body had not registered that her baby had died. She named her Summer. At that point, Jaimee described being broken. “I was just devastated,” she said. “I had a lot of support offered to me which was great, but I was just exhausted from the trauma and the grief.” A month after losing Summer, Jaimee found out they were pregnant again. “We weren’t expecting it to come so soon, and we were petrified,” she said.
They waited until nine weeks for their first scan, and the baby was “perfect”. The ultrasound technician noted there was a 4 centimetre subchorionic haemorrhage but that it was very common and should heal. They had another scan before their harmony test, and the haemorrhage had shrunk by half. But at 11 weeks, Jaimee woke up to another bleed and went straight to emergency. A scan found her baby alive and well, as would be the case many times during her pregnancy. At 12 weeks he was perfect. At 20 weeks he was perfect. But the haemorrhage kept growing and doctors couldn’t fix it. Jaimee went to bed on 13 July to pain coming in waves.
She couldn’t bring herself to take a pregnancy test, but packed one in her case. Jaimee took it the next morning and it was POSITIVE! “I was terrified,” Jamiee told Kids Today. “But I reasoned with myself that lightning never strikes twice in the same place.”
Jaimee with her growing belly of triplets, said she found it difficult to express her excitement about the future while she was pregnant. Pictures: Rob Carew
She booked a scan for Christmas Eve. Cam was working so she went alone. She was 7.5 weeks and felt a wave of calm wash over her when she heard the heartbeat. It would be the first and last time she would see her baby alive, and she regrets Cam wasn’t there to enjoy it too. They went to their holiday house to spend the silly season with family and friends and share their happy news. But the morning some friends were to arrive, Jaimee started bleeding again.
She went back to her villa, where she was staying with her sister and mum, and told them she was pregnant - and
18 SUMMER 2022
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Jaimee Fraser has experienced her share of loss.
Her waters had broken and at 21 weeks she was dilating and her placenta was coming away. Her baby, still perfect, was about to be born. A doctor entered the room and explained if they could get the baby to stabilise they could be moved to the Royal Children’s Hospital in a few weeks. She then asked the baby’s name. “We hadn’t settled on a name, but decided on Remi,” Jamiee said. She went to sleep in the room, hoping for the best, but was woken by intense contractions and rushed to the bathroom. “And in the lonely light of the morning, while the world slept, Remi was born,” she said. “The silence was heavy, not a cry or murmur could be heard. I was frozen. Afraid to look at him. Afraid he was dead. Afraid he was alive.” Cam called for the midwife, who confirmed their worst fears - Remi had passed away. SOCIAL MEDIA PROVIDED AN OUTLET… “I started an Instagram page,” Jaimee said. “About pregnancy loss and my loss and a place that I can share photos and stories and my journey so that other people like me don’t feel alone.” The account @rememberingremi helped Jaimee find others who have experienced loss. It’s also where she sensitively announced she was pregnant - with triplets. “As if picked by their three siblings in the stars, we are so happy to announce that we are expecting three precious rainbows,” she wrote. Conceived naturally, without the help of IVF or fertility drugs, the news blindsided Jaimee and Cam. She sensitively shared her journey on the page, too, expressing her concerns about viability and her obstetrician’s advice that getting to 26 weeks was the goal. She welcomed Ziggy, Daisy and Sonny on 14 September. They were born at 32 weeks via emergency c-section thanks to the same placental abruption that had taken Remi. They spent some time in special care and Jaimee, Cam, Arlo and Theo are looking forward to enjoying life with three new babies in their lives.
www.YarraRangesKidsToday.com.au
SUMMER 2022 19
Books
Hy-larious hi jinx By Melissa Meehan COMEDIAN Nazeem Hussain has written a childrens book and takes no responsibility for your children’s behaviour after you read it. The Melbourne-based comedian has just released his first book Hy-larious Hyena, and is still pinching himself to have the opportunity to do so. “It about a very cheeky hyena who is a bit naughty and likes to prank his friends and family, but doesn’t really know the responsible boundaries of joke telling and pranks,” Hussain told Kids Today. “In a way its semiautobiographical… he comes from a pretty large family. He lives with his cousin (who is his best friend) and his mum and aunties. “ Harry’s family is not well off, and struggle to make ends meet – but they do, and have a good time doing so. Hussain says the story is based on lots of experiences he had growing up. “We lived in a family where we didn’t really have everything but we had a lot
of fun and we always made awkward situations funny. Because we all had a good sense of humour,” he said. The father of two said he had an idea of writing a childrens book with characters he had played out with his son. He was approached by Scholastic Publishing but was too busy. And then the Covod-19 lockdown happened and he had time to write. So Harry, his family and nemesis Larry came to life. “One of the themes is that the grass is always greener and we see that with Harry and also his, his nemesis, Larry, the lion,” Hussain explains. “Harry wants to live like lions like Larry, the lion comes from an affluent neighbourhood. They’ve got everything made for that, like it’s all they live in the light. “But we find that maybe Larry thinks the same way about Harry you know, he’s cool. And so really, it’s important to like hear stories that better reflect on things and, you know, growing up.” Since becoming a dad, Hussain says
he’s taken a different approach to life. “When you’re when your dad get to know the highs and the lows and the nuances of your child’s personality,” he says. “Your worldview sort of broadens, so I feel so having thinking about my time before being a parent, you feel like you know it all. And I feel like I’ve just learned so much more about myself but also about the world and how they view the world and all that sort of thing.” Hussain says his words would mean nothing without the amazing illusrations by Heath McKenzie. “In my view, he’s the best illustrator in the country,” he said. Hussain is already working on his second book. Hy-larious Hyena is available from 1st October 2022.
Comedian Nazeem Hussain is excited to release his first children’s book.
Children’s books...
GRACE NOTES Karen Comer A debut YA verse novel about what happens when the paths of a young busking violinist and an aspiring street artist collide during a pandemic. Set in one of the most locked-down cities in the world – Melbourne, 2020. Grace Dalfinch is a talented violinist who longs to play contemporary music in bars, but her mum forbids her. James Crux is an aspiring street artist who promised his dad he wouldn’t paint in public until he’s finished school. When Crux witnesses Grace’s impromptu performance on a deserted tram, he’s inspired to paint her and her violin; and when Grace stumbles across her portrait in a Melbourne alley by an anonymous street artist, she sets out to find its creator. Lothian Children’s Books $19.99
THE GREAT AUSSIE EASTER EGG-AND-SPOON RACE Sophie Sayle & Daron Parton A heartwarming Easter picture book featuring Australian bush baby animals, which will appeal to fans of Little Bilby’s Aussie Easter Egg Hunt. Slow, sleepy Echidna is always trailing behind the other bush babies. And now it’s time for their great Easter egg-and-spoon race. Can Echidna keep up with her friends and enjoy all the fun on this special day? Lothian Children’s Books $19.99
MY FEELINGS BINGO
BUSY BETTY
Emily Midouhas & Bee Grandinetti Help children understand and express their emotions while playing a game! A fun and engaging way for kids and adults to talk about their emotions. The gameboard features 48 emotions, ranging from happiness and sadness to anger, apathy and anxiety, as characters illustrated by Bee Grandinetti whose warm and sensitive illustrations have been featured by Headspace and Airbnb. Each player gets a card with sixteen emotions – be the first to get all sixteen emotions on your card to win BINGO! The accompanying booklet by developmental psychologist Dr Emily Midouhas explains each emotion in child-friendly language and gives tips on learning to express emotions and allow them to be felt in healthy ways. Dr Emily Midouhas, a developmental psychologist and associate professor at UCL, specialises in the effects of social and built environment on the emotional and behavioural problems of children and the mental health of children with special educational needs, particularly children with ADHD and autism.
From Academy Award–winning actress, founder, and bestselling author, Reese Witherspoon, comes Busy Betty, a story about a creative, curious, and exuberant young girl who has big plans and an even bigger heart. Busy Betty has always been busy . . . even when she was just a baby! When Betty gives Frank a big hug, she realizes he needs a bath, PRONTO! Her best friend, Mae, is coming over, and Betty can’t have the smelliest dog in the whole world! But giving Frank a bath is harder than she thought and just when everything seems impossible, with Mae’s help, Betty learns she can accomplish anything with perseverance, teamwork, and one great idea. From Reese Witherspoon comes a smart and larger-than-life character who encourages young readers to celebrate what makes them unique and realize that anything is possible! Puffin $19.99
Laurence King Publishing $45 20 SUMMER 2022
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Kids Calendar
What's on this summer UNTIL FRIDAY 6 JANUARY
SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER
SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER
TUESDAY 10-FRIDAY 13 JANUARY
MYER CHRISTMAS WINDOWS
MONTROSE COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CAROLS
FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVENING ON SOUTH WHARF
THE THREE LITTLE PIGS
Enjoy a relaxed carols event presented by Montrose Church of Christ, from 5.30pm to 8pm at Montrose Community Centre.
Head riverside to South Wharf for a very Christmas afternoon and evening for the whole family - and it’s all free, 5pm to 8pm.
Bring your picnic gear and enjoy a free sausage sizzle, performances by local schools, a visit from Santa, and gifts for all the children.
Enjoy a 60-minute outdoor carol concert by the Australian Girls Choir on the Dukes Walk stage, then make your way to the Common Lawn on the riverfront to watch a family Christmas movie on the big screen.
The Walt Disney Company’s renowned classics have been brought to life in the 67th year of Myer’s iconic Christmas Windows. Windows include Mary Poppins, Bert and the Banks children; Mickey and Minnie soaking up the sun, sea and sand on their Hawaiian Holiday; the coronation of Elsa from Disney’s Frozen; Peter Pan taking Wendy and her brothers on a magical flight across the London night sky; the Lion King’s Simba, Nala, Timon, Pumba, Zazu and Rafiki on Pride Rock; and the famous Disney Studios’ opening sequence featuring Tinker Bell. Visit Bourke Street 7.30am to midnigh
UNTIL MONDAY 10 APRIL JULIAN OPIE: STUDIO FOR KIDS This interactive exhibition for children and families was developed with Julian Opie, one of Britain’s leading contemporary artists. Visitors are invited to create portraits in an inspiring studio setting featuring displays of the artist’s artworks. Sessions run 10am to 5pm at National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne.
SATURDAY 10 DECEMBER KNOX CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
MELBOURNE CHRISTMAS TREASURE HUNTS From 9.30am to 3pm, follow the clues to discover hidden places and iconic landmarks around the city, with the chance to win prizes. Dress in your best Christmas themed get-up for bonus fun. Plus, every child gets a prize.
The event kicks off at 3pm, with the concert starting at 8pm.
MONDAY 12-FRIDAY 16 DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS EVE CIRCUS SPECTACULAR
SANTA’S LAB
The circus comes to town in this special Christmas Eve matinee performance at Melbourne Town Hall, at 11am.
Visit Santa’s Lab for all kinds of science fun these holidays, 3pm to 4pm at Library at The Dock, 107 Victoria Habour Promenade, Docklands. Curious kids will love learning through Christmas-themed experiments in these free workshops run by STEM Sisters.
SUNDAY 18 DECEMBER
Visitors are invited to create portraits in an inspiring studio setting featuring displays of the artist’s artworks.
Head riverside to South Wharf for a very Christmas afternoon and evening for the whole family - and it’s all free, 5pm to 8pm.
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This free evening for the whole family will include a traditional carols program with some of Geelong’s best artists and choirs, plus a concert band, and Christmas market stalls.
Visit the Royal Society of Melbourne to pick up your treasure map. Locations are accessible by walking, cycling or public transport within the free tram zone.
This free event celebrates the spirit of Christmas, 4pm to 10pm at Wally Tew Reserve, 6 Lyndale Court, Ferntree Gully.
Sessions run 10am to 5pm at National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne.
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT GEELONG
FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVENING ON SOUTH WHARF
Enjoy a 60-minute outdoor carol concert by the Australian Girls Choir on the Dukes Walk stage, then make your way to the Common Lawn on the riverfront to watch a family Christmas movie on the big screen.
Grab a picnic rug, food and hamper, friends and family and head to Johnstone Park.
Children and families will delight in this hilarious circus comedy adventure. Plus everyone goes home with a treat. The performances will be highly interactive. A quiet room and family room will be available. All children must be accompanied by an adult. All proceeds from ticket sales go to Make Room, a project assisting people out of homelessness. Tickets are $5.
Watch the story of the three little pigs, with catchy tunes, colourful costumes and audience participation, at 10.30am and 1.30pm at the Potato Shed, Drysdale. Tickets are $10.50, or $35 for a family of four.
THURSDAY 26-SUNDAY 29 JANUARY FESTIVAL OF SAILS The Festival of Sails combines history with tradition, heritage with technology, tactics with teamwork and is a free event to view. First held in 1844, Festival of Sails is held at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club (RGYC) and along Geelong’s waterfront. Festival of Sails is particularly famous for its Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race – the oldest sporting event in the Southern Hemisphere – which will be celebrating its 180th birthday in 2023.
SATURDAY 11 FEBRUARY GEELONG BABY AND CHILDREN’S MARKET More than 70 stalls of new and preloved baby and children’s clothing, toys and accessories will be available from 9am to 1pm at Barwon Valley Activity Centre, Belmont. Kids enter free. Entry for adults is $3.
SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY PAKO FESTA RETURNS Victoria’s largest free celebration of cultural diversity returns home to Pakington Street for the 41st edition of City of Greater Geelong’s biggest outdoor street party. The theme will be ‘Sharing and Connecting Cultures: The Reunion’ and is about human reconnection.
SUNDAY 4 MARCH KNOX FESTIVAL This free community event will run 10am to 10pm at Wally Tew Reserve, 6 Lyndale Court, Ferntree Gully. SUMMER 2022 21
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SUMMER 2022 23
OPEN NIGHT SHOWCASE 2023 Mooroolbark Campus Thursday 30th March 2023, 5.30pm-8pm
Mount Evelyn Campus Tuesday 4th April 2023, 5.30pm-8pm
Introductory Sessions at 5.30pm, 6.15pm and 7pm Self-guided tours only School Tours outside our Showcase Night are available. Please contact the campus office to book. Mooroolbark Campus 16 Reay Road Mooroolbark, Victoria 3138 P. +61 3 9839 8800 | F. +61 3 9839 8888 Mount Evelyn Campus 15 Burdap Drive Mount Evelyn, Victoria 3796 P. +61 3 9736 3650 | F. +61 3 9736 1840 E. yarra.hills.sc@education.vic.gov.au
www.yarrahills.vic.edu.au 24 SUMMER 2022
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