IT’S always a special feeling, spotting those first few spring blossoms bursting from bare tree branches.
It’s a glimmer of hope - that the year’s coldest, wettest days are behind us and summer is just a stone’s throw away.
Nature turns on the charm, sprouting ubiquitous buds and blooms across the suburbs and beyond. The outside world is just beckoning you to get up from the couch, drop the blanket, grab a hat and get outdoors!
Spring is the perfect time to stretch the legs after a long winter and check
Steve Biddulph: Where is it in your body?
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Kidsafe’s essential garage safety checklist
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‘He’s not very resilient, is he?’: Hugh van Cuylenburg talks parenting
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Kids in the Kitchen: Probiotic coconut and strawberry panna cotta
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Homebirths to be introduced at Royal Women’s Hospital
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Ahoy! Creekwood Park playground gets a pirate makeover
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Banking on generosity: A new pathway for would-be parents
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Navigating the NDIS
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Safer hospital care for kids
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Dad urges men to seek postnatal support
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Mum shares obstacles to getting girls on the court
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Life with HG: Mum’s battle to leave the bathroom
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How to be a teachable and askable parent
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Keeping kids safe from online grooming
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Find your dream design at Parklea’s Kaduna Park
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out parks and playgrounds before the heat of summer sets in. There’s no better way to tire out the kids while nurturing both their bodies and imaginations.
For a while there, every playground we visited became a cafe. The ‘tanbark as food and money’ phase seems to be a rite of passage for children everywhere.
One of our children is deep in a swing stage currently, but thankfully she’s mastered swinging herself, so sometimes Mumma gets to take a seat and soak up the gentle sunshine and fresh air.
Victoria’s child mental health first
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Health Barn celebrates two years in business
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Dentists back vape ban
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Orthodontic treatment for kids and teens
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Helping patients achieve radiant smiles
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Smile with great confidence
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Creating Connections: Supporting your child in their learning
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St James: High-quality education
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St Patrick’s: Help your child start school with confidence
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St Clare’s: Nurturing students ROCKS
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Hillcrest and Rivercrest: Purpose-built precinct opening next year
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Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House: Helping mums to find themselves
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Officer Primary: It’s all about the kids
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St Agatha’s: Nurturing excellence
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Little singers free their voices
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We’d love to hear your go-to park and playground games - we could all do with a little inspiration! Whether it’s an independent play scenario to set the kids up with, or a parent-friendly all-in game, we want to hear it. Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to share your tips or pick up an idea, and to find all our latest stories.
Casey
Casey Cardinia Kids Cnr Princes Hwy and Army Road, Pakenham, 3810 PO Box 9, Pakenham, Victoria 3810 Phone: 5945 0666 Fax: 5945 0777
Editorial Melissa Meehan melissa.meehan @starnewsgroup.com.au
Casey Neill casey.neill@starnewsgroup.com.au
Photography Rob Carew Group Advertising Sales Manager Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au
Phone: 5945 0608
Scholarship opportunities at Wesley College
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Making mistakes is crucial for kids
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Young adventurers navigate their expedition
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Minaret College: Putting students’ needs first
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Empowering young athletes and scholars
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Free events for your school holidays
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Experience Walhalla Goldfields Railway
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Hamlet makes a (skid)mark on Pakenham
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A party centrepiece that takes the cake
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Party pressure: Managing costs and expectations
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Bring a mobile zoo directly to you
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Dance with Cathy-Lea
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Spring styles at Billy Lidz
PAGES 43-45
Published by Star News Group Pty Ltd ACN 005 848 108.
Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas. All material is copyright to Star News Group Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible.
Cover Evie,3,allsmileswithanarmfulof sunflowers. Picture:RobCarew
Cara Oliver re-writes her next act
PAGES 40-41
Family tragedy inspires teen novel
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Dive into Mim’s world
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Discover new children’s books
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Ridgelea is a premier development nestled in the newly-created suburb of East Pakenham featuring over 3,000 residential lots ranging from 350m2 to 667m2
From schools to aged care, with an array of shops and the brand-new East Pakenham train station at your doorstep, Ridgelea has everything you could want in a sustainable and self-contained community. Enquire now on 1300 925 349 or visit ridgeleaestate.com.au
“I hate her! I don’t want to be her brother anymore.”
“OK! Can I ask you Ravi, can you feel the bad feeling in your body?”
He replied, “Yes.”
“Where does that bad feeling live right now?” his mum asked.
There is a pause. “It’s in my throat.”
“OK, just feel it there. What is it like?”
Ravi said, “It’s tight, my whole throat is tight.”
Our bodies hold unique and “right now” wisdom about our situation, known as “felt sense” and if we follow this it can often uncover hidden truths.
Ravi isn’t angry at his sister, really. He is grieving that she is growing up and not his little friend like she was.
It helps them realise that “there is something inside them” which is angry, or sad, or frightened, but that’s not the whole of them.
Perhaps they can draw the bad feeling, choose a colour for it, and this helps to explore it, listen to it, and get it to a more peaceful place.
RAVI is eight years old; a sweetnatured boy who adores his older sister Satya.
Despite the four years between them, they have always been the dearest companions.
But this morning, getting ready for school, there was a huge blow-up between the two of them.
Satya ended up yelling at the top of her lungs for Ravi to “stop bugging me!” and stormed off to catch her bus.
Ravi was distraught. He went to his room in tears.
His mum gave him a few minutes and then went in to see if she could comfort him. She worried that he would be late for school but knew that without some calming down, his day would not go very well.
She sat beside him on the bed.
“How are you going?” she asked gently. He didn’t answer.
“Satya was really loud and mean to you back then. It must have been a surprise?”
“Yes,” Ravi snuffled.
“And now it’s left you feeling awful?”
“She hates me!” he said.
“Well, it feels pretty bad to be talked to in that way.”
OK. A pause. “Ravi, what do you think your throat is wanting to say to you?”
He thinks for a bit. “Mum, remember when we went ice skating? And Satya held my hand and we skated around?”
“Yes, it was your birthday,” she replied.
“Satya isn’t the same, Mum. She doesn’t want to play with me anymore.” He starts to cry.
“You’re really sad; you wish it was like it used to be with you two, when we first moved here.”
Ravi is sitting up now, leaning into his mum. “I had better get going to school!”
“Yes, I will help you get going…”
Often when children get upset, it’s hard to know what to do or say.
When I was a kid, parents used to say things like, “Quit crying or I’ll give you something to cry about!”
Even today, we still get it wrong - we try to distract children, or reason with them, or try and talk them out of feeling bad.
Ravi’s mum knew something extra that she could do. She asked Ravi whereabouts in his body the feeling lived and, when he found it, “what does the feeling want to say to you?”.
Life has sadness built in sometimes, and all we can do is be there for our kids as they suffer through that.
He came a long way in the three or four minutes they spent, and knows something new: that bugging his sister won’t turn back the clock, but they can still be friends in a growing way as she enters puberty and lives more in the world of her girlfriends.
Ravi’s mum might have a word with her to not forget her little brother and still have some times with him, but she won’t force her to stay a child. She knows her daughter is growing up.
Listening to body feelings is often a wonderful help for kids with their difficult emotions.
We can help our kids with strong feelings by teaching them to notice their body sensations, and what they are trying to say, writes
STEVE BIDDULPH
HUGH van Cuylenburg has always wanted to be a dad.
“I never even questioned it,” the Resilience Project founder said.
“It was always something I was definitely going to do.
“From a young age, I remember Mum telling me I’d be a really good dad.
“I wanted to have that unconditional love for my own kids.”
Fast forward to today and the teacher, author and podcaster has three children with wife Penny Moodie - Benji, 6, Elsie, 3, and Patrick, 1.
Hugh thought he had fatherhood in the bag before welcoming his first child. After all, he’s known for championing resilience. Surely being a parent was a role he could weather?
“I felt very confident until the moment we brought him (Benji) home,” Hugh said.
“Until the reality of a screaming baby at 1am then 2am then 3am set in. The realisation that ‘this is it for the next however long’.
“I was 36 when we had Benji. So since leaving school, basically, life was completely on my terms.
“For the first time in a very long time, it absolutely wasn’t about me anymore.”
Spending time with other parents and children in his life hadn’t opened his eyes quite wide enough to see what he was in for.
“People are very keen to put on a front that they’ve got everything sorted and life’s great,” he said.
“I have noticed that pressure among people I hang out with.
“I often think, ‘Surely you’re not flying through this, surely I’m not the only one struggling right now?’”
Early in his parenting journey, Hugh felt huge pressure to live up to his profile as the ‘Resilience Project guy’.
“Especially in public,” he said.
Volunteering in India in 2008, he was blown away by how happy everyone was despite living in poverty.
He learned the value of practicing gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness for a more fulfilling life, so devised a program to share in schools.
The Resilience Project today works with thousands of students, parents, workplaces, and sporting clubs.
Hugh recalled toddler-aged Benji having a meltdown outside a cafe, and a comment from a passer-by: “He’s not very resilient, is he?”
“I kind of laughed but it made me quite angry,” he said.
“From then on, I felt enormous pressure to have everything under control.”
That is until he spoke vulnerably about his parenting journey - and other aspects of his life - on his podcast.
Hugh launched The Imperfects in 2019 with his brother, Josh, and comedian Ryan Shelton.
They chat with well-known Australians and experts in various mental health fields about embracing imperfection.
“It’s very liberating,” he said.
“Now I feel very comfortable. If the kids have a meltdown in public, I don’t care.”
Elsie was two and a half when Penny suggested the family add a third child to the mix.
“I remember saying to her, ‘Are you serious? We’re nearly out of the woods here’,” Hugh laughed.
“I could see light at the end of the tunnel for the first time in six years.
“I thought, ‘I just don’t understand this’.”
He said he’d accepted the reality of parenting three children more often than not, but there were times he caught himself picturing an alternative reality with a little more freedom.
“Last week I got asked last-minute to go to the footy in a corporate box,” he said.
“I couldn’t because I had the three kids with me. It wasn’t fair to Penny. I had to say no.
“I’m trying to practice acceptance.”
That applies to his career, as well.
“I’ve been less able to do the work that I want to do,” he said.
“I feel like every time a child came along I was able to put a bit less effort into it.”
He likened combining work and parenthood to a scene in the movie Gladiator.
Joaquin Phoenix’s character drives a knife into the back of Maximus, played by Russell Crowe.
Maximus fights on, concealing his pain.
“No one knows how exhausted I am,” Hugh said.
Benji and Elsie continue to be “terrible sleepers”, waking multiple times a night.
“It’s affected how much I can put into the Resilience Project,” he said.
“I’m very happy being vulnerable with how much I’m struggling.
“It connects you to the audience, rather than pretending you’re fine and giving a lacklustre performance.”
Hugh wrangles the older kids upstairs at night while Penny handles Patrick.
“I already know he’s just going to be so much more resilient than the other two because he’s already had to fend for himself so often,” he said.
“The amount of times I’ve forgotten where he is…”
He said the hardest part of parenting was seeing his kids struggle.
In his two books and a recent appearance on ABC’s Australian Story, Hugh has shared his sister Georgia’s struggle with an eating disorder and trauma from a man abusing her as a toddler.
“I think my background, with my sister being sick, I’ve always been very finely attuned to unhappiness in the household. I find that extremely difficult,” he said.
The best part of parenting?
“When they smile and laugh, that’s just my favourite thing,” he said.
“It’s just the greatest thing in the world.”
Heading into parenthood, Hugh wanted to be a really fun dad. He said
he’s succeeding - possibly too much so.
“I think I need to be a bit more firm with setting boundaries and sticking to them,” he said.
“Whatever makes them happy is my philosophy. I don’t have the right balance yet.”
Hugh is experiencing parenthood alongside Josh.
“It’s the dream for me,” he said.
“I never thought it would happen because I’m six years older than Josh. I always thought my kids would be much older.
“It just turned out that his first and our second were born five days apart.”
There are only 23 hours between Hugh’s third and Josh’s second. Their wives were put up in the same hotel to recover post-birth - very convenient for grandparent visits.
Hugh loves the idea that the cousins might one day listen to the podcast.
“I hope it finds its way into their life at a time they need it,” he said.
“I just know from the feedback we’re getting that it’s helping so many people.
“I’d love for it to help them one day, too.
“If my dad had done a podcast with his brother, I would be listening to it and I would just love that.”
Guests on The Imperfects have included respected educator and speaker Lael Stone and in-demand developmental paediatrican Billy Garvey.
How does it feel to have parenting experts at his fingertips?
“It’s been great, it’s incredible and I feel very lucky,” Hugh said.
“But not everything works. Every child is so different.
“You can give general advice but there’s no guarantee everything’s going to work for you.”
The Resilience Project is touring kids’ show 3 Happy Tricks around in Victoria this September school holidays.
The high-energy Martin Heppell uses music, storytelling and laughs to provide primary school-aged children and their parents some practical strategies for being happier and more resilient.
it’s decedent enough for dessert and nourishing enough for breakfast too.
I love cooking with coconut milk because it’s naturally sweet and high in
THIS creamy probiotic coconut panna cotta is fresh, light and super easy to make, utilising some of this seasons sweet strawberries. Rich in gut healing compounds, probiotics and healthy fats,
These fats provide a quick source of energy for kids bodies and brains and also have potent antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory
Coconut kefir is a delicious, tangy drink that contains a much-higher and broader range of probiotics than yoghurt, but this recipe works well with either.
Gelatin is what makes our panna cotta jiggle. It’s great for healing the
gut, supporting healthy joints, bones and skin and promoting restful sleep too. In order to receive all the health benefits, it’s important to choose a good quality gelatin from a health food store as the chemically-treated packs of gelatine powders at the supermarket don’t offer the same health advantages.
Strawberries top the Environmental Working Group’s list of produce that contain pesticide residue, so to reduce this, wash your strawberries by adding 1 tsp of baking soda to 4 cups of water and soak for 5-minutess. Then, rinse with cold running water and pat dry.
Ingredients:
■ 250ml canned coconut milk
■ 250ml coconut kefir (or yoghurt)
■ 250g strawberries
■ 2 Tbsp honey or maple syrup
■ 1 tsp vanilla extract
■ 3 tsp gelatin
Instructions:
1. Lightly grease 6 ramekins with a little bit of coconut oil
2. To a small bowl add gelatin and 1 Tbsp water, mix and leave to “bloom”
3. Blitz strawberries in a blender until smooth then press the mixture through a sieve to remove the seeds, reserving the liquid
4. In a small saucepan, gently warm coconut milk over low heat
5. Add vanilla, honey and bloomed gelatin stirring to combine then turn off heat
6. Allow the mixture to come to room temperature – this is important as heat will damage the probiotics - then add the coconut kefir and strawberry liquid and whisk to combine
7. Pour mixture into ramekins and place in the fridge for 2-4 hours or until set
8. Once set they can be served as is or turned out. To remove from ramekins, dunk in hot water for a few seconds, then run a sharp knife just around the edge to loosen it from the sides. Place a plate over the top and holding the ramekin and plate together invert the ramekin and the panna cotta should plop out on to the plate – it may need a little jiggle of encouragement.
9. Serve with extra sliced strawberries.
■ Serves: 6
■ Prep time: 10 minutes
■ Cool time: 2+ hours
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
in
kitchen with Lucy StewartPicture: Lucy Stewart Kids Nutrition
A publicly-funded homebirth program is set to be introduced at Victoria’s leading women’s hospital.
While the initiative is only in the planning stages, a Victorian government spokesman confirmed it was expanding its public homebirth program to include three additional hospitals, including the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne.
The program already runs at Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Sunshine and has previously been available at Casey Hospital in Berwick.
“It’s so important that women have choice in the care they access,” the government spokesman told AAP.
Currently, as many as 80 women give birth through the public program in Victoria each year.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) said it supported the expansion of the program.
“The home birth program is a positive step forward for women and their babies,” a RANZCOG spokesperson said.
“Where it is appropriate and safe, having the choice of a planned home birth program provides women with shared decision making, which is an important factor in pregnancy care.”
After having three homebirths herself, Farrah Panozza, 29, celebrated news that such births would be available to more women.
She welcomed a daughter into the
world last week in Bellingen, NSW, unassisted, as her midwife did not make it in time.
Ms Panozza had previously given birth at her homes in Selby and Belgrave in Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges.
“Giving birth in hospital was never an option for me,” she told AAP.
“I feel that homebirthing opens more of a space for women and both parents to be in touch with that organic, innate body-driven process.”
Ms Panozza said the relationship with her midwife was an important part of her homebirthing experience.
She said the midwives were her biggest source of education and spent time getting to know her and partner Joseph, and later their children.
“It allowed me to be left to it (focusing on the birth), because we’d already discussed what I consented to, or if I didn’t want to be touched,” she said.
“Because we’d already discussed what my intentions for the birth were, as well as my previous birth experiences and what I did and didn’t want within my birth space.
“I feel that is really important leading into the experience of birth and is therefore so important to have a midwife who knows you well and can support you to achieve your birth vision.”
National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists president Gino Pecoraro said homebirths were uncommon in Australia with less than three per
cent of all babies delivered at home.
In the US homebirths are also uncommon, accounting for 1.26 per cent of all births, according to a report released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics.
“At the moment there is no hard evidence to recommend one place of delivery over another for low-risk screened patients,” Associate Professor Pecoraro said.
But he said it was important that hospitals undertaking homebirthing programs stuck to a strict criteria and fully informed patients of both the pros and cons.
He said it was also important to be aware of the availability of ambulances, and ramping at Emergency Departments if something did go wrong.
In Australia, less than three per cent of all babies are delivered at home. Picture: Chapter and Song PhotographyA pirate ship with towering masts is the focal point of the Creekwood Park playground, on Oaklands Way.
The space received a full upgrade from Cardinia Shire Council and the State Government, including work to fix drainage issues across the parkland.
Community feedback informed the final playground design, and local school children have been invited to create artwork for the area.
From a telescope to swings, slides, trampolines and monkey bars, there’s plenty of equipment for scallywags of all ages.
Shiver me timbers! You best check it out.
AUSTRALIA’S first public sperm and egg bank is now accepting donations - right here in Victoria.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Acting Health Minister Gabrielle Williams visited the bank at the Royal Women’s Hospital in July.
“Public IVF is already helping hundreds of Victorians make their dream of having a baby a reality,” Mr Andrews said.
“Helping someone start their family is one of the most generous gifts you could give someone, and our new public egg and sperm bank will help even more Victorians, do just that.”
The bank is the first of its kind in Australia and features state-of-the-art laboratory facilities staffed with highlyqualified fertility experts.
It is now focused on recruiting donors to grow its stocks.
The bank will accept altruistic donations from Victorians who meet certain criteria and want to give someone the chance at starting a family.
In our autumn edition, Ms Williams shared how a sperm donor helped her to become a mother.
She started the IVF process while married, but when the relationship broke down she was determined to continue the process alone.
Ms Williams thought hard about asking someone she knew but decided an anonymous donation was the best option for her.
“Statistically, there are more and more women having children on their own,” she said.
“There’s going to be more of us, not less, which means the role of donors
then becomes more important.”
On 2 July she said a sperm or egg donation was the greatest gift a person could give.
“Every day I am grateful for the generosity of the man who chose to donate sperm so that people like me can realise our dream of having a family,” she said.
“Victorians are a generous people.
“So, if you meet the eligibility criteria, have a think about it.”
The initiative is making the joy of starting a family a reality for single parents, couples with fertility challenges and LGBTIQ+ families, plus supporting Victorians being treated for medical conditions that compromise fertility, like cancer, to freeze their eggs or sperm.
Eligible Victorians seeking to access Victoria’s public fertility care – including the use of donated eggs or sperm – will
need to be referred by their GP or specialist.
In addition to the egg and sperm bank, Royal Women’s Hospital and Monash Health are co-delivering Victoria’s public fertility services, offering IVF treatments, fertility consultations, diagnostic tests and procedures, ultrasounds, counselling, and more.
Satellite fertility services are also being established across the state to help people access fertility care closer to home.
Once fully operational, this almost $120 million program will help up to 5000 Victorians to start a family every year, saving them up to $10,000.
Since launching in October last year, more than 550 Victorians have started their IVF journey.
People interested in helping Victorians start their family can visit thewomens. org.au/egg-and-sperm-donate.
MUMS, dads and carers can breathe a sigh of relief, after NDIS minister Bill Shorten assured them the scheme is here to stay.
His statement comes after the architect of the insurance scheme labelled it as a “magic pudding” with many service providers treating it as an endless resource.
“We must stop thinking of the NDIS as though it is a limitless magic pudding,” said Professor Bonyhady, who is leading a review of the scheme that is due to report in October.
The NDIS cost $35 billion in the past financial year and is on track to exceed $50 billion by 2025/26, overtaking the annual cost of Medicare.
The government has pledged to rein in spending growth of the scheme to eight per cent by July 2026.
NDIS Minister Bill Shorten reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the scheme in an address to the summit.
“It is here to stay and it will become more sustainable so that future generations can benefit from the scheme,” he said.
“The eight per cent target is not a cap, but a target to curb growth. The NDIS will remain demand driven.”
Earlier he told Nine’s Today Show he wanted to make sure every dollar got to the people who needed it.
“I want to reassure all the mums and dads who have got their kids on the NDIS getting ready for special school this morning, the scheme is here to stay,” he said.
Mr Shorten said reforms were being carried out to ensure money involved in the scheme was not being wasted, with measures already starting.
Melbourne mum Zoe* said without the NDIS funding made available to her family through early intervention, they simply couldn’t afford to pay for the support her daughter so desperately needs.
She said crippling anxiety and other issues only came to light when her five-year-old started school this year, and there was a mad rush to get some funding before she turned six.
If a child applies before they are six years old, they do not need an official diagnosis of autism, or similar.
But after numerous meetings with their NDIS support worker, as well as psychologist and occupational therapist, her daughter was diagnosed with a developmental delay.
“While we were waiting for our application to be approved, which was actually seamless, we were paying more than $1300 a month to see a psychologist fortnightly and a OT weekly,” she said.
“With rising interest rates and the cost of living – without being able to access the NDIS funding it would be really tough for us financially.”
She said she understood the need to ensure money wasn’t being wasted –but felt it was important to provide intervention for kids early, in the hope they wouldn’t need support later in life.
- with AAP
YOUNG hospital patients will have a stronger voice in their care under a new system.
The State Government announced Safer Care for Kids on 7 August.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the new family-led project from Safer Care Victoria (SCV) would improve outcomes for children in emergency care.
The escalation system will be available across the state, giving parents and carers an alternative pathway to raise concerns if they feel they are not being listened to.
It will be designed in close consultation with health services, and follows the successful implementation of similar processes in other jurisdictions.
Since the government established SCV in 2017, its annual Sentinel Events Report has shared investigations and outcomes from tragic events in hospitals, providing recommendations to prevent similar events from ever happening again.
‘Sentinel events’ refers to events that result in serious harm or death of a patient in health service care.
This year’s Sentinel Events Report documented 240 event in 2021-22, up from 168 the previous year.
The report showed an increase in notified sentinel events related to patient deterioration, particularly among children, and provided three key recommendations.
“Every sentinel event is a tragedy,” Ms Thomas said.
“We will learn from each and every event to honour the children affected, and to ensure that it does not happen again – that’s why we’re making these important changes.
“We will implement the three key recommendations to make sure all Victorian children receive the best possible care.”
“Families who have lost their children because of a paediatric sentinel event have driven the launch of Safer Care for Kids and will be critical to its success – we thank them for their tireless and passionate advocacy.”
The report highlighted deterioration as the most significant factor contributing to paediatric sentinel events, and the recommendations will support clinicians to better recognise and respond to patient deterioration.
A virtual paediatric consultation system will also be introduced, which will provide 24-hour access to specialist paediatric experts and services. This will be particularly beneficial to smaller regional health services when treating acutely unwell children.
The third change will be the mandated use of standardised and age-specific charts whenever a child’s vital signs are recorded. The standardised charts, known as the Victorian Children’s Tool for Observation and Response (ViCTOR), are already used in many Victorian health services to recognise and respond to clinical deterioration in children.
MATT Carter felt ‘empty and quite lost’ when he welcomed his first child.
“I never knew that having postpartum depression was something that men could go through,” he said.
“When we brought baby home I felt really, really empty and quite lost.
“The cries really, really cut through me like a knife.
“I wanted to hold her and I wanted to be nurturing and be a father, but I was so scared that I was going to hurt her in some way or going to break her.
“That would lead to me just having really weird outbursts where I’d just start crying uncontrollably and wouldn’t really know what to do.”
Matt was diagnosed with postnatal depression seven weeks after welcoming his first child and referred to Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA).
“I didn’t know about PANDA until I was already deep in it,” he said.
“If I had of known about PANDA from the get go I may have been able to save myself some weeks where I could have enjoyed parenthood instead of feared it.
“I felt numb a lot and I felt like I was on autopilot a lot, but I also felt a lot of sadness.”
Matt urged other dads struggling with a new baby to talk to friends, family or health professionals.
“Reach out to anyone and everyone,” he said.
The number of new and expecting dads completing PANDA’s Mental Health Checklist more than doubled in the 12 months to December 2022.
One in 10 calls to the PANDA Helpline are made by men.
PANDA CEO Julie Borninkhof said one in 10 dads developed perinatal anxiety and/or depression symptoms during pregnancy or after a baby was born.
“We often set the men of our communities up to feel that they have to be strong and weather the storm,” she said.
“It’s really important to stop and experience what you’re going through.
“Dads have a really big weight on their shoulders and we don’t expect them to carry it alone.
“Even rocks crumble.”
Ms Borninkhof said dads experienced a significant adjustment to their sense of identity when a baby arrived.
“That throws up a whole range of emotions and feelings,” she said.
“Culturally we set people up to think that it’s going to be an amazing golden time.
“We really want dads to feel that that experience is valid and not to push it down and to reach out and have conversations.”
Signs dads might be struggling include disrupted sleep, being unable to eat or eating too much, or turning to drugs or alcohol.
“They’re also the same things that you’d expect to experience as a new parent,” Ms Borninkhof said.
“We also know for dads that they quite often have a tendency to overwork as a way of disengaging from the household and turning to a space where they feel a little bit more functional.
“If people aren’t sure what they are feeling is normal, or if they are seeing signs of mental health distress in loved ones, our website offers 24-hour access to our online mental health checklist.”
PANDA also works closely with free service SMS4dads.
Associate Professor Richard Fletcher, from University of Newcastle’s Fathers and Families Research Program, said SMS4dads came about “because fathers told us that the health system doesn’t provide services that speak directly to dads”.
The service sends brief text messages that support men in their role as fathers and increase awareness of their influence on baby’s brain development.
“It also provides tips on working collaboratively with their partner and checks in on their wellbeing and offers professional support if needed,” Ass Prof Fletcher said.
More than 12,000 dads have enrolled since the service launched.
Anyone needing support during pregnancy or post childbirth can call the PANDA Helpline on 1300 726 306 Monday to Saturday, 9am to 7.30pm. For more information or to access PANDA’s Mental Health Checklist, visit panda.org.au.
HER daughter’s involvement in basketball inspired Jo White to start a podcast.
It’s not a route most courtside parents take, so why did Jo jump behind the mic and launch Pause Beyond the Court?
“It’s about empowerment,” she said.
“I think it’s really important to address those barriers in sport for girls.
“I really wanted to make sure my daughter was equipped and empowered to keep moving forward with something that she was interested in.”
The qualified social worker gathered teens, experts, Olympic champs, and more to chat about navigating the challenges for girls in sport.
“I want to be part of challenging the stereotypes when it comes to female sport,” she said.
“The community level are the elite athletes of the future.
“We want to build women’s sport. We want to acknowledge and give it the recognition it deserves.
“The more we can celebrate the role models, the better that is.
“Women’s sport and that gender focus is really prominent at the moment.
“The more people talk about it, the better for future generations.”
Jo said her daughter has flourished from being part of a team sport - and her family has, too.
“We’ve met people in our community that we would probably have never met before if it wasn’t for playing team sport,” Jo said.
“We’ve been able to come out and be part of something.
“The community connection for kids and families as a whole is really important.
“A lot of parents talk about the commitments of sport and the running around.
“I try to look at things from that silver lining.
“There’s a lot of driving, but the quality time I get to spend with my daughter is something I think I will hold onto forever.
“It won’t always be that way so I think I’m trying to embrace it.”
That driving time is also a great opportunity to dip into a podcast. Listeners have told Jo they’ve found tuning in with their kids to be a great conversation starter.
One episode covered sports
bras and body changes, while another tackled periods.
“Watching young girls on the court be self-conscious about their bodies…” Jo said.
“It’s about making sure the parents are also equipped with the information so that they can support their young people.”
In another episode, Jo spoke with an Olympic athlete about how winning was great, but it was the broader experience of team sport that stuck with you.
“At the community level, it’s really around that engagement for kids and being with others,” Jo said.
“All those other experiences that wrap around that on court time or training time; the conversations and fun you have.”
IMAGINE having gastro-like symptoms for nine months, battling to keep down a glass of water and most foods.
Now imagine being pregnant at the same time, because that’s what it is like to suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).
Hyperemesis is a “potentially lifethreatening condition that may cause weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration, and debility due to severe nausea and/ or vomiting, and may cause long-term health issues for mother and baby(ies)”, according to The HER Foundation, a global charity advocating for better HG awareness and treatment.
It’s believed the condition affects between one and three percent of pregnancies and has a recurrence rate of about 80 percent.
I’ve been unfortunate enough to suffer from it in both my pregnancies.
In my first pregnancy, HG lasted until I gave birth to my son at 38 weeks, and it’s showing no signs of going away anytime soon in pregnancy number two.
So, what’s it like to actually suffer from HG?
In my experience, nausea and vomiting are the worst parts of the condition. I take a cocktail of drugs three times a day to keep the nausea, vomiting, and acid reflux under control.
Without them, I would never be able to leave my bathroom.
Before I found the right mix of medications in this pregnancy, I would be nauseous 24/7 and everything I ate was just about guaranteed to come back up.
Once I found the right medications, I still had to lock myself in my bedroom at the other end of our house while food was being cooked and eaten until I was well into my second trimester.
The smell of chicken or red meat cooking would have me reaching for a bucket.
Even now, in my eighth month, I’m still overcome by waves of nausea when certain foods are being cooked.
Then there are food aversions.
While other pregnant women carefully follow eating guidelines, giving up soft cheese and sushi for nine months, I struggle to find foods that I can actually keep down.
I can’t eat meat, most vegetables, or anything sweet. Trying to work out what to eat each day is exhausting!
In the early days of this pregnancy, I survived on buttered toast and twominute noodles – hardly a nourishing diet - and some days even those ‘safe foods’ would fail me.
I also can’t keep a glass of water down, which ultimately makes hydration an ongoing battle.
This pregnancy, I’ve tried cordial, orange juice, apple juice, sparkling water, Powerade, and Coke - the saviour of many HG sufferers - in a desperate attempt to stay hydrated.
It’s a constant battle and I often need IV fluids to reverse my dehydration.
As you can imagine, all of these things combined make it difficult to go about your everyday life.
When you are constantly nauseous and on the verge of dehydration, everyday tasks like taking care of your family, cleaning your house, or working become too much to handle.
As a result, I have missed out on a lot this pregnancy. There has been less time to play with my son or take him on outings, less quality family time, and missed family functions, including a wedding and significant birthdays.
While missing out on all those moments hasn’t been ideal, these decisions have been necessary to keep me out of hospital and well enough to function on a basic level.
I’ve been able to work more this pregnancy than I did the first time around – largely thanks to my GP’s persistence in finding the right combination of medications - but that doesn’t mean that showing up to work each day has been any easier.
Working with HG, especially in weeks nine to 12 – referred to as ‘the death zone’ by sufferers because that is when symptoms are at their worst – can be almost impossible. It is very difficult to concentrate and give your job your all when all you want to do is throw up and sleep.
Showing up to work each day means I spend my evenings and weekends bed-ridden, recovering from the exhaustion of working and relying on my husband, Tim, to look after me and our son, Harrison.
Tim does all the cooking and the majority of the household chores and keeps Harrison entertained, all while trying to work himself.
My parents religiously visit us every Saturday to help clean, entertain Harrison, and cook batches of whatever meals I think I might be able to tolerate that week.
Without all of their support, I would not be able to turn up at work Monday to Friday.
For many HG sufferers, one of the most frustrating parts of the condition is the lack of awareness about hyperemesis.
For the most part, people don’t understand just how debilitating the condition can be unless they have suffered from HG or watched a loved one go through it.
As a result, HG can be a very isolating condition.
Most people expect you to be overcome with joy that you are expecting, but the intense sickness that HG brings often means joy is the last thing you are feeling.
It can be very hard for people to grasp the extent of the condition and well-meaning friends and family will often tell me to ‘just try and drink some water’ or ‘just try and eat some meat’ without really understanding why I can’t do these things.
It is also widely misunderstood by medical professionals.
I’ve encountered plenty of doctors, pharmacists, and midwives across my two pregnancies who have tried to treat HG like regular morning sickness, reluctant to offer the medication and intervention I need to survive.
There is also a community of HG sufferers past and present who lend their support to one another on Hyperemesis Gravidarum Support Australia Facebook page, helping you feel like you are not going through this alone, while charity Hyperemesis Australia has a wealth of resources to help get you through.
These resources are invaluable and cover everything from the SOMANZ (Society of Obstetric Medicine Australia and New Zealand) guidelines on treating nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum, to useful tips on staying hydrated, when to seek intervention, and even how to prepare for future HG pregnancies.
As hard as an HG pregnancy can be, I know the months of suffering and sacrifice will all be worth it when the baby is born and my son meets his longed-for sibling.
Until then, I’ll just be taking it one day at a time.
THE word sex is in the title, but Vanessa Hamilton’s new book has little to do with ‘sex’ itself.
The mother of three and sexuality educator released Talking Sex in September, following on from her popular online resources and school presentations.
“It’s a conversation guide for parents to speak with their kids about sexuality, respectful relationships, and consent,” she said.
“It also covers typical development and behaviour.
“These topics have hardly anything to do with sex.
“Sex is a very limiting, unhelpful word.
“When you ask parents what sex broadly means, it comes down to heterosexual intercourse.”
Vanessa said many parents had difficulty discussing sexuality with their children.
“They didn’t receive the information as kids. They don’t know the language to use. They carry shame and taboo,” she said.
“Many parents find it difficult to talk to their partner, let alone their kids.
“But they’re getting an education every day, whether we like it or not. Is it the one you want them to receive?
“Who do you want to tell your child about each topic related to sex, human sexuality, consent, and respect? Hopefully the answer is you.”
Vanessa hopes the book will give parents the confidence to discuss these tricky topics.
“To be the teachable and askable parent their kids need them to be,” she said.
“Our children’s safety and wellbeing is our responsibility.”
As parents, we take our children to swimming lessons and teach them road safety.
“Their sexual well-being is just as important,” Vanessa said.
She encouraged parents to speak openly to their children about sexuality in an age-appropriate way from a very early age.
Start with naming body parts in a shame-free way from when they’re a baby, then move on to body safety.
“Consent starts in the playground,” Vanessa said.
Manage their disappointment when a friend says ‘no’ to play.
“Those skills are then embedded for when they have their sexual encounters,” she said.
“They also need to know about puberty before it happens.”
Educating children about their bodies gives them better outcomes, such as the prevention of assault and abuse, Vanessa said.
“It’s never too late or too early to start,” she said.
“Teenagers might plug their ears with their fingers. It is awkward. You can say that.
“Call out situations on the TV and make comments about it.
“Talking in the car is a good one.
“Just get started.”
NEARLY half of all kids online have been approached by someone they thought was attempting to befriend and manipulate them.
New research from Thorn, a technology non-for-profit dedicated to defending children from online sexual abuse, also reveals tweens, aged between nine and 12, believe that flirting or dating adults they meet online is common among their age group.
The study, Online Grooming: Examining risky encounters amid everyday digital socialization, finds that the traditional ‘stranger danger’ approach to digital safety education is out of touch with how young people tend to view their interactions online.
Roughly one in three young people said friends they made online were among their closest confidants.
Thorn’s latest study builds on its earlier research examining the
experiences of young people who shared explicit imagery (‘nudes’) of themselves.
The research explores young people’s attitudes and experiences with making friends and flirting online, and how minors respond to online threats of manipulation, grooming, and abuse.
“While online socialization and exploration offers young people the opportunity to connect over shared interests and provides critical support, the anonymity also gives the opportunity for bad actors to build false friendships, isolate, and victimize youth,” said Thorn CEO Julie Cordua.
“The importance of online relationships for children is only going to continue as new platforms for virtual socialization develop, which is exactly why we urge parents and caregivers to have open and honest conversations with their children about what they are doing online. “
Summary of findings:
■ One in four 9-12-year-olds saw it as normal for kids their age to date adults aged 18-20. This group also reported flirting with or dating older adults aged 21-29, and adults age 30 or older, at similar rates.
■ Two in five minors (40 percent) said they’d been approached online by someone they believe was attempting ‘to befriend and manipulate’ them, with 47 percent of teen girls saying they had experienced this.
■ Forty percent of minors have experienced cold solicitations for nudes online, including roughly one in four (28 percent) 9-12-year-olds. Many who have experienced it claim it wasn’t a frequent experience, but around one in seven (14 percent) reported this as a weekly or daily experience.
■ Online-only contacts often ask young people to move conversations from
public platforms to private chats, increasing the vulnerability and opportunities for abuse. Nearly two in three (65 percent) said they had experienced this.
■ Roughly one in eight (12 percent) minors surveyed qualified as individuals at higher risk for online exploitation based on their sharing behaviors with online-only contacts. Thirty percent of all LGBTQ+ minors surveyed fell into this category, as well as 20 percent of all 15-17-yearolds, and 18 percent of all teen girls.
The study also showed that where kids learned about grooming mattered. Those young people considered at high risk of being groomed were far less likely to have learned about online grooming from their parents or caregivers than other minors.
The study also notes that platforms, including private messaging services, must evolve how they understand and approach online grooming.
THE state’s first mental health care child and family centre will open in the coming months.
Mental Health Minister Gabrielle Williams toured the new 12-bed centre in Macleod in June.
It will deliver residential mental health and wellbeing treatment to children aged under 11 years, with their families able to stay and support them.
“Mental health support is critical for all ages,” Ms Williams said.
“Our new Statewide Child and Family Centre will ensure that care and support is available for young Victorians experiencing trauma or mental illhealth.”
The $7.3 million centre will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Up to three families can stay onsite at one time to receive flexible, familycentred therapy and support from specialist clinicians.
The centre is focused on the needs of children and families who have experienced trauma and require additional support.
It’s designed to create a safe, welcoming and healing atmosphere for children and their families.
It features private rooms and shared living spaces, including communal kitchen, dining, lounge, laundry and family activity areas, outdoor garden areas, and clinical consulting spaces.
The new centre responds to key recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System to provide more tailored models of care. Services with an early intervention focus are designed to support children and prevent their mental health challenges from escalating and becoming more complex. The centre is due to open later this year.
THE Health Barn is all about helping to support local families through every season.
Come in and see its friendly staff, who will be delighted to point out family-friendly supplements, foods, and more.
Some customer favourites this winter have been:
Bone broth - A great all-rounder that may assist gut and immune function.
The gorgeous Nutra Organics range - Featuring a whole army of kids’ supplements, which taste great and can easily be incorporated into drinks and food. Perfect for even the fussiest kids.
Sea moss - An incredible new product that the whole family can enjoy, full of trace nutrients and all packed into a sweet, lemon-flavoured jelly that can be eaten off the spoon.
Brauer Kids - A fabulous range of supplements for kids and adults with plenty of options for even the smallest members of the family. The great product range can be taken from birth.
Formula Health greens and collagen
- Essential ingredients for mum and dad to keep that spring in their step! Super easy to take in a smoothie, water, or juice. Make it your daily routine! If you are yet to discover the benefits of adding that extra nutrition to the daily routine of your family, spring is the perfect time to start!
With new products arriving daily,
The Health Barn aims to cater for every family member.
Come and check out what the store has on offer.
For those who require extra support, the store has an on-site practitioner who is available Mondays and on Wednesday by appointment. Give the store a call today to book.
Sabine treats all members of the family, from little ones to big ones, and even pets! With a sister store located in Drouin, no matter where you live The Health Barn has a store close to you. Keep posted on the store’s socials for upcoming events.
The Drouin store will celebrate 10 years in business this December, so be sure not to miss its sale and celebration day!
Get amongst the excitement of The Health Barn’s twice monthly sale days, with 20 per cent off storewide every first Wednesday of the month, plus a pop-up Saturday sale once a month (excluding cafe and breads). All the store needs is a name and number and you’ll receive a text reminder the day before. The store is open 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 2pm on Saturdays.
Call The Health Barn with any enquiries or to book your appointments with Sabine on 5940 1233.
Keep up to date on Instagram at the. health.barn or Facebook The Health Barn.
CELEBRATING TWO YEARS IN BUSINESS THIS MONTH WE THANK ALL OF THE LOCAL FAMILIES WHO HAVE SUPPORTED OUR FAMILY BUSINESS!
We are all about helping to support local families through every season- Come in and see our friendly staff, who will be delighted to point out all of our family friendly supplements , foods and more.
Spring is the perfect time to start fresh! With our sister store located in Drouin, no matter where you live The Health Barn has a store close to you. Keep posted on our socials for upcoming events.
Get amongst the excitement of our twice monthly sale days, with 20 percent off storewide every first Wednesday of the month, plus a pop-up Saturday sale once a month (excluding cafe and breads).
Book an appointment with our resident homeopath/herbalist for some extra personalised advice. Available by appointment Mondays & Wednesdays. 128
THE nation’s dentists back vaping law changes that would end over-thecounter-sales of non-prescription vapes.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced a major crackdown on flavoured vapes in May.
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) said one in four people aged 18 to 24 and one in six aged 14 to 17 had vaped, and some schools were installing vape detectors in bathrooms.
“Apart from the effects on general health, the use of vapes is setting the next generation up for a raft of oral health issues,” ADA president Stephen Liew said, “some of which are shown to be more detrimental to mouth health than years of smoking.”
He said effects on oral health included an increased level of carcinogens in the
saliva of e-cig users, as well as concerning oral lesions, and increased risk of dental decay and gum disease.
Vaping and its effects on oral health will be a key topic at the ADA-hosted international World Dental Congress this September.
The American Dental Association’s spokesperson on vaping, Purnima Kumar, has done extensive research into vaping harms and will be presenting her research to the congress.
“Vaping for six months has the equivalent effect on a user as a smoker who has been smoking for five years,” she said.
“Compared to smoking, vaping is the greater of the two evils as changes occur quicker and cause more damage to the mouth.”
ORTHODONTIC treatment helps align crooked and overlapping teeth to improve smiles and fix problems between upper and lower jaws.
Endeavour Smiles Group recommends bringing your child in for the first time when they’re aged about 8 to 9 years. While your child might be missing teeth or still have some baby teeth, their permanent molars and incisors will be in, which gives a good idea of treatment needs.
If you notice the following with your child(ren) at an early age, they might benefit from orthodontic treatment:
■ Early, late, or irregular loss of baby teeth;
■ Difficulty or discomfort in chewing/ biting;
■ Mouth breathing;
■ Protruding teeth;
■ Thumb sucking beyond age 5 years;
■ Under or overbite;
■ Crowded, crooked, or misplaced teeth;
■ Jaw/teeth out of proportion to the rest of the face;
■ Problems speaking;
■ Large gaps; or
■ Jaw pain.
Be sure to involve your child in all aspects of the treatment – what to expect, how long the treatment will take, and the possible outcomes of the treatment.
Usually, the younger the child is, the shorter the treatment time.
Whether you can already see your child developing orthodontic problems or want to know if they would benefit from orthodontic treatments such as braces, ESG is here to help.
The ESG team is dedicated to finding a solution that works for you and your child - not only when it comes to the most suitable treatment plan relevant to your child’s lifestyle, but also with flexible payment options and excellent service.
Get started today with a free consultation.
ADAM WALLACE, a dental professional with more than 17 years of experience, has established himself as a prominent figure in the field of dentistry.
Born and raised near Leongatha in South Gippsland, Dr Wallace’s journey in the dental profession has been marked by academic excellence and a commitment to providing exceptional patient care.
Dr Wallace’s educational background is impressive, having completed his dentistry and orthodontic specialist training at the prestigious University of Melbourne.
Even after graduating in 2005, he has continued to contribute to the field by lecturing, demonstrating, and examining students at his alma mater.
His dedication to academics led him to pursue a Master’s degree, during which he conducted significant research on the effects of
bisphosphonate use on the treatment of benign bone disease and impaired dental healing.
Throughout his career, Dr Wallace has actively engaged in various academic roles with Melbourne University, including serving as the Clinical Practice and Specialist Areas in Dentistry (Orthodontics) Convenor for the Bachelor of Oral Health program.
Additionally, he has been associated with the Australian Dental Council and is an active member of esteemed professional organisations such as the Australian Society of Orthodontists and the Australian Dental Association. He has also expanded his professional network by being a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and the World Federation of Orthodontists.
Dr Wallace’s dedication to advancing the field of dentistry is evident through his ongoing research efforts.
His doctoral thesis - a comprehensive study comparing the treatment outcomes of Invisalign and traditional braces - holds significant promise and is expected to be published in the near future. By contributing to the body of knowledge in orthodontics, Dr Wallace aims to enhance the effectiveness and
efficiency of dental treatments, benefiting patients worldwide.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr Wallace finds solace in the tranquility of his farm in the Strzelecki ranges. Engaging in farming activities and tending to his animals - including Angus cattle, sheep, alpacas, and two border collie-cross-kelpie dogs - provides him with a much-needed respite from his demanding professional commitments.
Additionally, his devotion to familyparticularly his two nephews, who bring immense joy to his life - highlights his commitment to maintaining a harmonious work-life balance.
Dr Wallace’s remarkable journey in the dental profession exemplifies his unwavering commitment to excellence.
Through his academic pursuits, patient-centered approach, and contributions to the scientific community, he has become a respected figure in dentistry.
With his gentle nature and expertise, Dr Wallace continues to transform lives by providing specialist care and helping patients achieve radiant smiles. South East Orthodontics is situated at Suite 5, Level 1/18-24 Clyde Road, Berwick. Call 9330 0702.
DR NISHAN FERNANDO, KIP HOMEWOOD AND DR ADAM WALLACE MAKE
THE team at Straight Smiles Orthodontics is thrilled to see its teen clients transform from shy and too nervous to smile to grinning from ear to ear as they walk out of the clinic.
Parents also agree that they notice an improvement in their child’s selfesteem and quality of life after treatment at Straight Smiles Orthodontics.
Many teens are hesitant about going through orthodontic treatment to straighten their teeth.
They are usually worried about the stigma of ‘metal-mouth’, but today there are other options when it comes to having orthodontic treatment.
Straight Smiles offers traditional braces as well as clear aligners treatment.
This treatment is a series of aligners that are worn on the teeth 22 hours a day and are changed usually on a fortnightly basis at home.
Every new aligner that is worn is a different shape, which means the teeth are moving toward that straighter result.
Appointments are generally every 12 weeks at the clinic.
Straight Smiles have noticed that patients going through clear aligners are much happier with this discreet way
of straightening their teeth.
During the treatment, teen patients can still smile confidently while taking their group photos and selfies and no one would even notice that they are in the process of having orthodontic treatment.
Clear aligner patients also get to enjoy the foods they have always eaten and can keep their teeth a lot cleaner.
The number of appointments throughout the treatment is much less than traditional treatment, which can mean less time out of school for kids and
less time off work for parents and adult patients.
It is never too late for orthodontic treatment, but adolescence is the optimal time to address problems as teens haven’t finished growing and they get to enjoy their straighter teeth for longer.
Dealing with any teeth misalignment issues early on might simplify and fast-track treatment time.
Straight Smiles sees children at any age and can monitor their growth free of charge for these assessment appointments up until they are ready to start treatment.
Orthodontics isn’t just about straightening teeth, but also helping adolescents gain confidence as they grow into adulthood.
A good smile can do wonders for self-esteem.
To book your free first orthodontic consultation and start the first step on your smile journey, call 59415188 or email info@straightsmiles.com.au.
Straight Smiles Orthodontics has offices in Pakenham, Mulgrave, and Drouin: Suite 1/63 Main Street, Pakenham; 389 Police Road, Mulgrave; and 3/9 Bank Place, Drouin.
“CONNECT and understand who they are as little people.”
It seems like simple advice from parent engagement specialist, author, and mum of three, Rachel Stewart.
But in the wild world of parenting, sometimes the little things can have the greatest impact.
“Kids teach you so much about yourself,” Rachel explained.
“Parenting is challenging, but it can also be really exciting and fun if you make it that way.”
Her book, Creating Connections: Thriving children through inspired parent engagement, came out earlier this year.
She explores the vital role of parents and carers in their children’s education, in particular during the transition to learning at school.
Rachel describes how parents and carers can learn alongside their children, and form a powerful learning team with their children and teachers.
“I started thinking about writing a book when my children were in primary school,” she said.
They’re now aged 21, 19, and 16.
“When my first daughter started school, I felt like there was a bit of a disconnect between myself as a parent and her learning at school,” Rachel said.
“I really wanted to keep supporting her.
“Before school, you’re part of their learning and you’re seeing them learn.
“There is that sense of not really being with them on the journey once they start school.”
She started talking to her daughter’s principal about parent engagement.
“He was taking me to all of these professional learning sessions for teachers on parent engagement,” she said.
“But there weren’t really any resources for parents.”
So he asked her to start a parent group at the school, and Rachel searched for resources to support her in the role.
“This is a book I wish I had when my kids were at school,” she said.
“I wanted parents to understand how they can support their children’s learning at home.
“It’s a partnership with the teachers.
“There’s not a lot of information or awareness from parents because it’s not really something schools focus on when they begin school.
“It’s all about the children.”
Parents get caught up in buying uniforms and wading through school policy.
“But the actual joy that comes from parenting your kids through school is watching them learn,” Rachel said.
“That’s where parents need to be guided to find those joyful moments with their kids.”
She drew on her own experience to write the book.
“One of the most important areas of the book is around relationships and supporting their teacher-child relationship.
“I think the biggest challenge for schools is they assume that parents know what to do.
“It’s not about parents teaching their children curriculum, which is the teacher’s job - they’re trained to teach children the curriculum.
“It’s more about supporting them through conversations about their learning, encouraging them; it’s about providing extra learning opportunities at home that support their learning at school.
“Learning’s not just at school.”
Rachel urged parents to support learning by broadening their child’s awareness of the world around them; giving them opportunities to soak it all in and inspire their imagination.
Go camping. Visit a farm. Attend a free community event.
“These experiences create very important connections in the brain,” Rachel said.
“If a teacher asks them to do creative writing, they need to be able to access their imagination.
“What are they going to write about if they haven’t really had life experiences?”
As a mum of three, Rachel has explored learning alongside three different personalities.
“I really emphasise in the book that every child is different and a unique individual and have their own ways of learning,” she said.
“Sometimes what works with one child won’t work with the next.
“You really have to get to know your children and your own self-awareness -
recognise how you’re responding to each child individually.
“That really transformed how I parented. I had to work on my own challenges to be able to be a better parent.
“Parents need to recognise that children are like mirrors to us - they show us our flaws.
“I had to shift the way I approach things and how I respond to them to be able to support them.”
She shares tips in the book for parents to practice self-care and self-love.
“I share a bit about some of the things that I do,” she said.
“When you’re tired or run down or grumpy, that impacts your family.
“It can just be a very small thing that you like doing every day, even a 10-minute meditation or five-minute quiet time.
“It just needs to be something that’s just for you. It’s about prioritising your own self-care.
“You have control over your own life. That’s the message I want to get through, too.
“We can use other people or our children as an excuse not to do things for ourselves.
“Modelling is so critical, especially for women, for girls.
“I watch my older daughter now. She’s modeling me being busy all the time.
“When I was young I was always busy and she saw that.
“In general, our culture is not really geared to self-care.
“In the book, I talk about selfmastery.
“That’s been the biggest shift in my life that I want to share with other people.
“When you focus on yourself, you become the person you want to be and you become happier.
“Then your kids become happier.”
Creating Connections is aimed at parents of preschool and primary school-aged children, but can also support secondary school parents.
“There is some information in there that they probably haven’t heard before,” Rachel said.
“It’s never too late to change.
“Learning is a lifelong journey.
“There’s a lot of information in there. You don’t have to be doing every single thing straight away.”
Above all else, Rachel urged parents to enjoy their time with their children.
“The more we stress or feel anxiety about our children, the more it impacts them,” she said.
“We should enjoy the now, and not worry too much about their future.”
AT St James Catholic Primary School we strive to provide high quality education where the dignity, individual strengths and talents of every learner are celebrated and catered for.
We challenge our students academically with an explicit focus on engagement, independence and empowering student voice while nurturing a sense of curiosity and wonder of the world.
We provide a range of diverse learning experiences for our children across all curriculum areas within a safe and inclusive environment. Our
CREATING a school environment that students find exciting and engaging assists in a smooth transition into school life.
This transition can be particularly challenging for Foundation students as school days can seem quite daunting.
This is why our dedicated teachers work closely with the families and our leadership team to create an environment that all students feel welcomed and supported in.
The first term for our Foundation students focuses on this transition, with the first four Wednesdays of the term being a day off.
On this day, it allows our students to get a feel for the school week without it becoming overwhelming.
Within this semester, we also had a couple of fun and engaging incursions, with our local fire department visiting for two sessions where our students had the opportunity to learn about personal safety and use the firetruck’s water hose. Later in the term, we also had a lesson on responsible pet ownership
specialist classes include Japanese, physical education, art, performing arts, STEM and Digi Tech.
Last week our students celebrated the Japanese Festival of Stars by writing their wishes and attaching them to the wishing tree. Our children enjoy learning about the culture of Japan and of other countries around the world.
Camps and excursions are highly valued and provide students with opportunities to work as a team and share in a range of experiences.
This year we have been fortunate to offer a range of school-based activities
including cyber safety awareness, hockey, basketball, athletics, cross country, softball, dance and interschool sports.
We invite you to visit and celebrate our school, experience our welcoming and nurturing community, our commitment to our faith and everything we have to offer your child.
Enrolments for Foundation to Year 6 are currently open.
Call 5940 5404 to arrange a personalised tour of our school and amazing before and after school program.
We pride ourselves on being a Catholic, welcoming school where everyone is valued and respected. Our committed and professional staff provide a safe, caring environment where we aim to engender a love of learning in every student.
where a very sweet dog came to visit and students learned the safe way to interact with animals.
This expanded into having chicken incubators for two weeks, where our students saw first-hand the life cycle of chickens and had a teary goodbye as they were taken home.
To finish this semester off, they headed off for their very first school excursion to Myuna Farm. Our students and staff had a great time exploring the farm and learning about many different animals.
From patting sheep to milking cows, this was a very hands-on and interactive excursion that all our students enjoyed.
With next semester full of new fun experiences, we are very much looking forward to watching as our Foundation students continue to grow and build relationships within our school. St Patrick’s Primary School is at 136 Princes Highway, Pakenham. Call 5943 9000.
IN 2024, a wider range of cutting-edge prospects will be accessible to senior students from Hillcrest and Rivercrest Christian College.
These students will have the opportunity to select one out of three pathways within a contemporary pre-tertiary educational setting.
In 2024, the senior learning precinct will enable students to learn in a qualification that suits their educational needs.
They will have access to the IB Diploma Program, Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), VCE Vocational Major, and VET studies.
These options will provide all Year 11
and 12 students access to a Christian Education of the highest quality.
On Monday 31 July, Brendan Kelly, the executive principal at CREST Education, visited the senior learning centre (SLC) to check on the construction progress.
He expressed his excitement about the day, as they were in the process of pouring the concrete slab for the second level of the building.
“The second level of the construction is a perfect blend of form and function,” he said.
“Apart from accommodating traditional classes, it has been thoughtfully designed to revolutionise
how senior students learn and collaborate.”
The incorporation of multi-level spaces allows students to interact, share ideas, and engage in discussions within small peer groups, all while receiving guidance from the dedicated teaching staff within the overall space.
Mr Kelly also emphasised the
significance of the senior learning precinct’s design, which caters to the well-being of students on the ground level and prioritises a learning-driven approach on the second floor.
The main focus remains on providing the best possible opportunities for the students of Rivercrest and Hillcrest Christian College.
EVERY school has a motto or mission statement that outlines how each member of the community can benefit from being part of the school community.
St Clare’s Primary School in Officer has the following motto: Faith leads to courage, wisdom and compassion.
In order to live out this motto, all members of the school community are asked to follow the school-wide expectations of respect, optimism, courage, kind, and safe – ROCKS. Students follow these in their daily actions at school by doing their job, having a go, making positive choices, seeking help when needed, modelling and practising kindness, and keeping themselves and others safe.
At St Clare’s, these expectations are modelled and explicitly taught and
reinforced in an ongoing way.
Student awards are based on living out ROCKS and the school links these expectations to scriptures in the Bible.
The St Clare’s team hopes all members of our community will leave the school with ROCKS and the motto instilled in their minds as they go through life.
The school looks to nurture the holistic development of each child at the school.
For the St Clare’s family, numeracy and literacy skills are core elements of education; but so are religious education – developing empathy, social justice, and a strong moral compass.
The school encourages active play and healthy bodies; understanding other cultures through learning languages; and the confidence that
• International Baccalaureate World School
• Inquiry Learning with a Christian World View
• New Secondary Campus
• Year 11 starting 2024 (continuing to Year 12)
comes with developing creativity through the performing and visual arts.
Student achievement is measured not only by academic growth, but by each child’s emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing.
Being part of faith-filled community instils St Clare’s students with a sense of identity, a feeling of belonging and, above all, a powerful sense of selfworth.
At St Clare’s, the aim is to have each child reach their potential to be a well-rounded individual, within a supportive and caring learning environment.
Visit www.stclaresofficer.catholic.edu. au and take a virtual tour to get a real feel for the school. School tours are also available. Call 5940 6777 to book a time.
If you are looking to enrol for 2024, contact the school now as it is now accepting enrolments for next year for all year levels.
For all enquires or to receive enrolment documentation, call 5940 6777 or email enrolments@stclaresofficer.catholic. edu.au.
FINDING time for yourself when you are a parent can feel impossible, but finding time for yourself when you are a parent is important!
We’ve all heard the saying “you can’t pour from an empty cup” and in today’s day and age it is so true.
Finding something for YOU to do is so important. It could be something from your younger days or something new, as long as it gives you an outlet and connection - that is what you should be looking for.
The Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House team’s passion is running and hosting activities for the whole community, and that means programs for all ages.
While the centre is well-known for its playgroup program, it also has an expansive range of activities for mums.
Terrie from ‘Be The Example Health and Wellness’ runs four mums and women’s fitness sessions a week on Mondays and Fridays.
These classes run at two levels -
beginner and intermediate - but, of course, the exercises are also personalised to your fitness ability.
Terrie is a fitness and life coach who is passionate about helping mums connect with who they are as well as be the example they want their children to have in their lives.
As well as the mums’ fitness classes, Brentwood Park runs a gentle yoga class on Tuesday mornings in the multifunction room, where you look out on the community garden space while finding your balance, physically and mentally.
For mums looking for more of a social connection, there is the Brentwood women’s group on Tuesdays, midmorning.
This group’s focus is on women finding friendship, community, and connection while bonding over food.
These programs - along with a range of art and craft and their community garden programs - form an important part of Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House’s programs for the community.
OFFICER Primary offers a traditional, inclusive, safe, and healthy school environment together with high expectations for student success.
Its staffing culture promotes a natural vibe of care, connectedness, and an engrained notion that students are at the centre of everything the team does. It’s all about the kids!
Officer Primary School’s dedicated leadership team encompasses literacy and numeracy learning specialists, inclusion and wellbeing leaders, and student engagement leaders.
The school team prides itself on its exceptional Student Attitudes to School survey results.
These show a very strong positive student endorsement across the school, and about how students feel at the school in areas of teaching and learning, bullying, wellbeing, and connectedness to school.
Overall, Officer Primary has a very strong student voice body across the school and every student has an opportunity to take on leadership roles.
The school uniquely offers AUSLAN as a language across all year levels. Its student enrichment program targets high achievers along with students who require intervention support.
Classroom sizes are large and class numbers are generally small.
For more information visit www.officerps.vic.edu.au. Call 5943 2315 to arrange a private tour or seek more information about Offier Primary’s unique programs and structures.
NESTLED in the heart of the Cranbourne community, St Agatha’s Catholic Primary School is recognised for its commitment to providing a holistic learning environment that embraces diversity, fosters inclusivity, and places a strong emphasis on developing literacy and numeracy skills.
St Agatha’s warmly welcomes every student into its community. The school’s motto of Courage, Faith, and Love is centred around cultivating a strong sense of unity, where each child is encouraged to thrive and discover their unique talents.
“Our aim is to create a safe and nurturing environment that fosters academic, social, spiritual, and emotional growth,” says principal, Michelle Bruitzman.
“We firmly believe that every child has the potential to succeed, and it is our duty to equip them with the necessary tools and support to reach their full potential.”
Diversity is celebrated at St Agatha’s Catholic Primary School, where students from all walks of life come together to learn and grow.
The school promotes inclusivity as the key to building a compassionate and understanding community, where differences are embraced and valued.
The school’s commitment to spirituality and faith development is a defining feature, with a strong connection to the St Agatha’s Parish, liturgical celebrations, prayer, and religious education aimed at fostering spiritual growth and instilling a sense of moral responsibility.
St Agatha’s takes pride in its passionate and dedicated teachers who play a pivotal role in the students’ achievements.
As a school committed to academic excellence, St Agatha’s places special emphasis on literacy and numeracy skills.
Targeted programs are designed to enhance students’ proficiency in these core areas. Specialist programs are also offered in physical education, performing arts, visual arts, music, and Japanese.
The school also recognises the importance of parent partnerships in
supporting each child’s development. Parents and guardians are valued, welcomed, and respected members of the school community.
A warm invitation is extended to families to book a school tour and to see St Agatha’s in action.
Enrolments are being accepted from Foundation to Year 6 for 2024.
Call 5996 2724 to book a tour or obtain enrolment information, or visit www.stacbourne.catholic.edu.au.
THE Flying Free Choir is going to perform for the first time ever at Melbourne Youth Chorale’s Showcase Concert on 2 September.
The group has been working up to this for 18 months and the team behind them is so excited that they’re ready to perform.
Although performing is a significant milestone, it’s only one aspect of this unique choir.
Children with additional needs meet once a week for a class that explores socialisation and
communication skills through music and singing.
MYC believes that music is a gift that should be accessible to everyone.
The Flying Free choir enables children to make progress while learning at their own pace.
Come to MYC’s Showcase Concert and watch Flying Free and MYC’s other choirs perform, on 2 September at Rivergum Performing Arts Centre in Hampton Park.
Tickets can be purchased at app. tickets.org.au/MYC/mycshowcase.
WESLEY College is a leading independent, coeducational, IB World School, catering for both day and boarding students.
Supporting the growth and development of more than 3500 students across three Melbourne campuses, Wesley’s inclusive and diverse community enables every student to become thoughtful, engaged, and contributing citizens of the world.
Through Wesley’s exceptional opportunities and holistic education, students discover their passions and nurture their talents in academia, the arts, music, performance, sport, service, and leadership.
Academic excellence is a hallmark of a Wesley education.
Wesley’s scholarship program provides opportunities for exceptional students who are enthusiastic to learn, reach their potential, and contribute to the Wesley community. Scholarships for 2025 entry will open in September 2023 and include:
Academic Excellence – for students who demonstrate academic excellence across a broad range of disciplines.
General Excellence – for students who demonstrate high academic performance and achievement in one or more of sport, music, performance and creative arts, leadership, and
community; or other skills such as debating, chess, and e-sports.
Boarding Scholarships - for students from rural and regional Victoria entering Years 9, 10 or 11.
Rennie Coutts STEM Scholarship for Girls – for girls with a passion and aptitude for STEM.
Scholarships to Wesley College are highly sought-after and recipients are awarded between a 25 to 75 percent reduction in tuition fees.
Wesley scholarships are offered on merit to outstanding students, with the number and value of scholarships offered dependent upon the applicant pool.
Families may also choose to have their application considered in relation to financial need by completing the means-tested component about personal and financial circumstances through the application process.
At Wesley College, students can find their voice, develop their talents, ignite their passions, and inspire meaning in their lives.
If you’re thinking of applying, sign up on the Wesley website to receive a reminder when scholarship applications open.
To find out more about scholarship opportunities, visit www.wesleycollege. edu.au/scholarships.
IT’S important for children to learn that it’s OK to make mistakes, a parenting expert says.
Dr Justin Coulson is the author of nine parenting books and co-host of Channel Nine TV show Parental Guidance.
“From toddlerhood to teenage years, one thing is certain – we all make mistakes,” he said.
“How we handle mistakes and how we learn from them in childhood can set us up for life.”
Dr Coulson shares his top tips on mistake-making:
Calm the storm
Emotions can start to rise as your child tries a task for the first time, or learns something new.
“They’ll try and try and then – bam – it all ends in tears,” he says.
“The item is thrown, the artwork screwed up and your little one is kicking their legs on the floor.”
Dr Coulson says it’s easy to jump in and try to fix the problem for them.
“But the best option is to wait calmly and quietly for the temper to subside and tears to dry,” he says.
“Then, when they’re calm, encourage them to try again.
“It may take some gentle guidance from you but, in the end, they will feel proud that they achieved their goal and they learned something along the way – if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.
Fear of failure
Parents with school-aged kids often tell Dr Coulson they see their child becoming despondent or disengaged with schoolwork and after-school activities.
“This presents an opportunity to connect with your child and find out what’s really going on,” he says.
“Often it can be a confidence issue down to fear of failure.”
He urges parents to explore the ‘worst case scenario’ with their child - what would happen if they did try and fail?
How bad would it be and what would they learn from it?
“Sometimes, by taking them down the path of failure, they can actually feel empowered to take control and move from fear to acceptance by trying something new,” he says.
Attitude
As with everything in life, having a good attitude can change your perspective.
“Having a ‘never mind, try again’ attitude can really help take the fear out of mistake-making and help children place their mistakes into perspective,” Dr Coulson says.
“Bouncing back from mistakes is a valuable lesson in resilience –something that will stand your children in good stead in life.”
Lighten up
Kids learn by example.
“If they see you bounce back from a fail, they are likely to bounce, too,” Dr Coulson says.
EVERY child’s journey through life is a remarkable expedition, filled with countless opportunities for growth and discovery.
The Expeditions Early Learning Journey team members take it upon themselves to be steadfast guides, helping young adventurers navigate their way through the uncharted territories of learning and development.
The centre is committed to fostering an environment that not only ensures safety, but also nurtures curiosity, exploration, and educational enrichment through play-based experiences.
Expeditions recognises that each child’s expedition is unique, and it is the centre’s unwavering mission to provide the highest standard of care to ensure that every child thrives.
The centre’s foundation rests upon the belief that every child deserves access to exceptional early childhood education.
This belief is not merely a sentiment but a driving force that propels staff to
empower young learners to take the reins of their learning journey. With a team of passionate and dedicated educators, Expeditions strives to create a space where children become architects of their own knowledge and understanding.
The essence of an expedition goes beyond the ordinary; it signifies a purposeful journey. At Expeditions Early Learning Journey, the name embodies this essence in two profound ways.
Firstly, the centre leads the way by setting new benchmarks in quality care and innovative curriculum. Its commitment to excellence is evident in every facet of its approach, creating a culture of continuous improvement and exceptional standards.
Secondly, Expeditions understands that its role is not just to lead, but to walk alongside young explorers, arming them with essential tools and knowledge.
The centre aims to prepare them for their next expedition - life’s transitionsby equipping them with the resilience,
confidence, and skills they need to thrive.
The Expeditions vision extends beyond the classroom walls. It aspires to be a beacon of excellence, equipping its educators through ongoing professional development and collaborative reflection.
This synergy fosters a learning culture that ripples through the centre’s team, creating an environment of perpetual growth and shared knowledge.
In the end, the Expeditions mission is clear: to provide unparalleled care, unwavering support, and expert guidance as children traverse the path of learning, development, and self-discovery. Each day at Expeditions
Early Learning Journey is an invitation to embark on a lifelong expedition, where the destination is not just success, but a deep-rooted love for learning and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
“Share with them your success and failure stories.
“Throw in some humour to make them laugh. There’s something about laughter that can really lighten up the ‘heaviness’ and fear of mistake-making.”
Share the outcomes and learnings, too, so kids know that mistakes can lead to understanding and new beginnings or different ways of doing things.
Practice again and again
Researchers have found that our kids feel pressure when we ask them to do something perfectly.
“But when we ask them to do something over and over again, the pressure comes off - and they improve,” Dr Coulson says.
“The mistakes don’t matter because it’s about quantity rather than quality… but with quantity comes the expertise that practice promotes, which ultimately drives quality.
“This builds competence for kids, which is incredible for their resilience.”
MINARET College is constantly investing in creating the most conducive environment for its students, as the college believes these students deserve the best facilities for learning and personal growth.
A prime example is the college’s new VCE building in the Springvale Campus, which caters to the needs of Year 12 students putting in extra hours of study in the lead-up to their final VCE exams. This facility boasts open study areas, collaboration areas, a pantry, and much more.
The college’s student-centric approach also means that the campuses are constantly upgraded to ensure that students are comfortable, with amenities such as heaters in the open waiting areas, and new filtered water drinking fountains across all three campuses.
With a new primary school building at the Officer campus in the pipeline, Minaret College is constantly working towards providing even more learning spaces for the growing number of students.
The college has more than 2800 students across three campuses –Springvale, Officer, and Doveton – in an environment that nurtures students’ identity as Muslims and develops confident, capable young people who are ready to contribute to the community.
The Springvale and Officer campuses
include an early learning centre as well as Foundation to Year 12.
The newest campus in Doveton is dedicated to the primary years.
Alongside the Victorian curriculum, Quranic, Arabic, and Islamic studies are also offered, and prayers are incorporated into the daily timetable.
The college also offers a daily Hifz program, where students are supported in the memorisation of the Holy Qur’an.
Minaret College is a popular choice for local Muslim families looking for a supportive, nurturing environment that believes in providing quality secular education, while establishing solid Islamic foundations.
Enrolment applications for 2024 should be submitted early to avoid disappointment.
To find out more about the college, book a tour at the campus closest to you by calling 9574 0567. More information is available at www. minaret.vic.edu.au.
I am delighted to introduce Australia’s largest multi-sport program for children aged 1.5 to 6 years.
At Ready Steady Go Kids, we believe in the power of early childhood development.
Our program, meticulously designed by paediatric physiotherapists and occupational therapists, aims to foster children’s gross and fine motor skills
and instil a love for sports in a noncompetitive environment.
One of the hallmarks of our program is its comprehensive approach to skill development.
We expose children to 10 different sports, enabling them to acquire a broad range of skills.
This diverse curriculum not only builds a solid foundation of sporting
knowledge but also ensures continued interest and enthusiasm throughout the program.
By offering this variety, we strive to nurture a lifelong love for physical activity.
Our program goes beyond sports training. We integrate basic counting and colour concepts into our classes, fostering cognitive development alongside physical skills.
Through teamwork and sportsmanship, children learn the value of collaboration and fair play, while also building social skills that will benefit them in their future interactions.
Our carefully designed activities also enhance listening skills and concentration, laying a strong groundwork for success in the early school years.
At Ready Steady Go Kids, we understand the importance of individual attention.
To ensure optimal learning outcomes, we maintain a low student-to-instructor ratio of 1:7, with class capacities limited to 14 children.
This allows our dedicated instructors to provide personalised guidance and support to each child,
tailoring the activities to their unique needs and abilities.
We believe that this individualized attention fosters greater self-confidence, enhanced self-esteem, and a genuine sense of achievement, all of which contribute to the overall well-being of our young participants.
We pride ourselves on our unwavering commitment to delivering our program, come rain, hail, or shine.
With our indoor facilities, we guarantee that every class will proceed as scheduled, regardless of inclement weather.
We also offer multiple make-up classes at any one of our locations at any time should you ever be unable to attend a class.
This reliability ensures that your child’s progress and development are never hindered, offering peace of mind to parents and a consistent learning environment for our eager participants. Come and join us for a FREE TRIAL class at one of our Balwyn North, Templestowe Lower, Hawthorn or Doncaster East locations. Visit readysteadygokids.com.au for more information.
Lachlan Price, Franchise owner - Balwyn and Hawthorn Regions
IT’S easy to get overwhelmed with what to do over the school holidays, with budgets tighter than ever before.
So, why not support local businesses by buying a coffee or small treat while you take advantage of one of the many free attractions around Melbourne and beyond. You won’t regret it!
■ Ride a tram in Melbourne’s CBD
■ See the St Kilda penguins
■ Visit the Queen Victoria Market
■ Take in the art at NGV Ian Potter Centre
■ Cuddle up to an animal at Edendale Farm in Eltham
■ Take in native beauty at Cranbourne Botanical Gardens
■ Find your inner bookworm at the State Library
■ Find unique family fun at CERES in East Brunswick
■ Enjoy ‘Melbourne’s best playground’ at Booran Reserve, Glen Huntly
■ Explore the sculptures and more at Heide Museum of Modern Art
■ Climb aboard a train and more at Marie Wallace Train Park in Bayswater
■ Splash around at Altona Beach
SPEND an unforgettable day with the family at Walhalla Goldfields Railway.
Relax and take in the breathtaking views as the train winds its way through the spectacular Stringers Gorge on what is considered one of the country’s most picturesque rail journeys.
Departing the historic Walhalla Station on your one-hour journey you will travel through the station yards with the sheer, stunning cliff face on one side and the winding Stringers Creek on the other side.
Winding through the gorge past Happy Creek Station on your way towards Thomson Station you cross seven bridges which in themselves are a marvel of engineering before reaching the spectacular Thomson River bridge.
Upon arrival at Thomson Station passengers disembark and have the opportunity to peruse the station and surroundings before re-boarding for your return journey.
For young train buffs, we also offer a Ride in the Cab Experience for a small extra fee.
Get up front and experience a different perspective from the vantage point of the locomotive cab.
See the amazing track work and bridges and chat to our
Huddy enjoys a ride.
knowledgeable crew along the way. Make Walhalla Goldfields Railway your next family day out.
Trains depart Walhalla at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday weekly, and daily during school holidays. Bookings can be made at www.walhallarail.com.au.
Call 5165 6280 for more information
KIDULT Comedy Superstars The Listies are back with a b-adaptation of the Bard the whole family will loveHamlet: Prince of Skidmark
After winning over audiences with a huge summer season at the Sydney Opera House, The Listies’ very cheeky, very clever, utterly irreverent riff on Hamlet - made especially for young people - is back for a return season at Cardinia Cultural Centre this September.
The duo is thrilled to be back on the road after the production was stalled in 2020, saying it was “a great opportunity for us to revisit an important work like
Hamlet and put in more zombies, fart jokes and body-flossing. Which, to be frank, it needed.”
The Listies pulled apart Shakespeare’s classic and glued it back together with hilarious costumes, loads of silliness, and plenty of interactivity with the young people in their audiences.
According to The Listies, the time is right for Hamlet’s return.
“Shakespeare is on the way up at the moment. In 2020 no one knew who he was. He was super niche and indie, like only hipsters ‘got’ him. But then he went on The Bachelor, did Celebrity Big
Brother UK, and now he is massive on TikTok. We’ve heard something about a Stan special, Lego Masters, and a Kombucha endorsement, but his agent is being super cagey.”
Hamlet is already full of things kids love in a good story: ghosts, castles, sword fights, body fluids, and fun spooky stuff. Add supersonic gags and expertly timed stage magic to the mix and you have a brilliantly-disguised Shakespearean tragedy for everyone aged five years and over.
Expect bonus pillow fights, pirates, ninjas, ninja pirates, aliens, ninja pirate
aliens, zombies, and a bunch of other hilarious stuff as The Listies take kids - and their adults - on a fun-filled hour of theatre. The only thing you can be sure of is that everyone dies at the endincluding the audience!
Cardinia Cultural Centre will host Hamlet: Prince of Skidmark at 10am and 1pm on Wednesday 20 September.
Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for children aged 16 years and under, or $55 for a family of four.
Visit www.cardiniaculturalcentre.com. au for tickets and more information.
BOTH of my daughters are born in August.
Which meant for a number of years there, we celebrated their birthdays in lockdown - thanks Covid!
Thus, I had the time to get a little creative when it came to birthday cakes.
So much time.
It started out as a Barbie cake for my oldest, who was three at the time.
I quickly learned that icing melts pretty fast in the hot hands of a stressed mama - and let’s just say that by the time I had finished making rosettes for the dress, it was a weird mess of melted colours dripping into a puddle on the bench.
I mean, the three-year-old still thought it was the best cake she had seen in her life. But I vowed to do much better next time.
Another year, another birthday in lockdown and I got a little better at
making the cakes.
This time I had a two-year-old and a four-year-old to bake for.
The two-year-old just wanted sprinkles and chocolate cake, which was a wonderful request.
But the four-year-old was desperate for something a little more fancy.
So we attempted a Bluey cakeand let me tell you, you need a little more preparation than mixing the flour, eggs, and butter and giving it a go.
It barely looked like Bluey - but my daughter loved it all the same.
When she turned five, I really hit my straps.
We were out of lockdown and were actually able to have a party.
She chose the theme ‘Disney princess’ and we went all out.
I made numerous practice cakes and was able to pull together a princess castle that I was kind of proud of.
I even enjoyed it.
This year my youngest turned four, and begged for a Super Mario cakeshe even clarified that it should be half
FAIRY bread, pass the parcel, and pin the tail on the donkey are all solid pieces of the perfect party.
Throw in some hot food, cake, and even some other sweet treats and you cannot go wrong!
But there are so many options for a party now - add in the choice of a theme and the world is your oyster.
There are so many wonderful venues to have a party - you can have a gymnastics party, a circus party, a slumber party, a fairy party, a trampoline party.
There are almost too many options.
And let’s not forget the option of having something at home.
There is something wonderful about having a celebration where the kids can roam free and enjoy the simple things.
Just last week I had my daughter’s 4th birthday party at home.
She invited seven friends and they loved jumping on the trampoline, and especially loved a dance party and game of freeze we played.
The simple things in life are always a good choicebut not always cheaper.
After buying the ballooons, themed plates, serviettes, party bags, food, and more, it probably ended up costing just as much as hiring a venue.
But as long as the kids enjoy themselves, there isn’t a bad option.
THE Reptile Encounters mission is simple: to be a voice for those that don’t have one.
The team is passionate about inspiring and educating the next generation on conservation, because it believes that together we can make a difference.
For more than 16 years, the Reptile Encounters team has been bringing wildlife up close, providing unforgettable experiences for its guests. Its headquarters houses a diverse range of Australian animals that its team cares for every day of the year.
Reptile Encounters specialises in educational programs for kinder to Year 12, engaging students in interactive learning experiences that foster a deep appreciation for our environment. Furthermore, the team takes pride in making kids’ parties extra special by bringing a touch of wildlife wonder.
The aim is to have fun, create memories, and leave a lasting impact on the world.
Make your child’s party memorable with a selection of wild animal parties from Reptile Encounters!
The experienced team will bring a mobile zoo directly to you.
Your guests will be dazzled by interactive shows, ensuring your party is a huge success.
With every encounter, Reptile Encounters strives to create lifelong memories and a deeper connection with the natural world.
Its team of experts are committed to providing engaging and informative experiences that leave a lasting impression.
Whether it’s meeting a python, holding a lizard, or observing a crocodile, Reptile Encounters aims to spark curiosity and cultivate a sense of wonder.
Join Reptile Encounters as it embarks on an exciting journey of education, exploration, and conservation. Have fun, create memories, and make a difference for the planet we call home.
For bookings or more information, visit www.reptileencounters.com.au or call 1300 427 627.
FAMILIES from all over Melbourne are flocking to the recently-completed Kaduna Park display village at Officer South, keen to find their dream design among the 35 homes on show.
The display village boasts a range of quality homes, each featuring the latest design innovations and trends by Victoria’s top builders.
The roll call of builders includes Premier Traditional Homes, Fairhaven Homes, Dennis Family Homes, Beachwood Homes, Boutique Homes, Homebuyers Centre, SJD Homes, Home Group, SoHo, Metricon, Hotondo, ABC Home Group, Burbank, Orbit, Kialla Homes, Sienna Homes, and Simonds.
To celebrate the completion of the village, developer Parklea hosted two launch events and a ‘Visit, Vote, Win’ competition.
Entrants simply had to nominate their favourite home for the chance to win a $5000 Harvey Norman voucher as the top prize.
Parklea corporate general manager Jarod Mills said the launch events, which featured Nova FM’s Casanova team, were a great way to involve the community and celebrate this latest milestone for Kaduna Park.
“We’ve had strong interest from visitors from across Melbourne, especially those looking to purchase
land in Parklea’s newest project, Ridgelea at Pakenham East,” Jarod said.
“Kaduna Park is home to Cardinia Shire’s only display village, and this new village is an exciting development as it gives Melbourne’s best builders the opportunity to showcase innovative new floor plans and home styles.
“I would encourage anyone thinking of building in the south east to visit
MEET Kayla
Kaduna Park and spend time in the display village.
“You won’t be disappointed with the quality and innovation on display. It’s a great way to start gathering ideas and planning the perfect home for your family.
“Parklea is very proud of this new display village, which has set a new benchmark in the region.”
SHE is 10 years old and has been training at Cathy-Lea Studios for eight years.
Kayla takes classes in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, commercial jazz and acrobatics.
She trains in the studio’s Elite Training Program which includes conditioning and troupe work. She also has private lessons to learn solos for competitions.
Kayla received 100 percent for her Cecchetti International Grade 4 Ballet examination and 100 percent for her Bronze Star Jazz examination in 2022. She won the Cecchetti Ballet Junior
Encouragement Award in 2022 and is a finalist in the 2023 Rose Medal Award.
Kayla is also a member of the prestigious Cecchetti Ballet Junior Scholars program.
In December 2022, Kayla performed in the State Youth Ballet Company’s production of Alice in Wonderland.
Kayla loves that “the teachers (at Cathy-Lea) challenge me and push me to be my best. I’m always learning new things”.
She wants to let people know that “classes are fun and everyone is really nice”.
She says that unlike other studios,
Cathy-Lea “offers a lot of different styles and you can pick what you like”.
Kayla’s favourite event is the annual Cathy-Lea concert which is presented as a fully themed production with acting, singing and dancing involving all students from the age of 3 to adults.
Kayla hopes you will come and dance with her at Cathy-Lea in 2023. Enrol now or register for a free trial class at www. cathy-lea.com or 9704 7324.
At Kaduna Park a country lifestyle, connected community, and modern conveniences come together.
Stage 14, the Clements Release, is the latest stage to go on sale at Kaduna Park.
For more on the Clements Release or the new display village, call 1300 523 862 or visit kadunapark.com.au.
really nice.
SURPRISE! You’re having another baby.
There’s no bigger reality check than seeing those two strong blue lines on the pee stick… especially when you thought you’d packed up those parts of your body eight years ago!
Forty-year-old Cara Oliver, mother of kids aged 10 and 8, could not believe her eyes when she discovered she was about to be revisiting the nappy aisle at the supermarket.
But in her true improvisation style, the performer-turned-builder simply shifted her mindset and re-wrote her next act.
She’s like a bag of mixed lollies – full of sweet surprises.
Cara has thoroughly explored her creative side with decades of performing in things such as a onewoman risque comedy show, Captain Starlight children’s entertainer at the Royal Children’s Hospital, and lead roles in local musical theatre shows such as Sweet Charity.
Now she has switched into her brilliant business mind and swapped her tap shoes for steel caps as she brings people’s dream homes to life through her business, Geelong Built.
Cara started Geelong Built in 2021 with her co-director Andrew Carroll. Both spouses also work in the business so they have a really great balance of sharing family life with business.
Tell us about young Cara, before marriage and babies.
Well, I’m the youngest of three girls. We grew up in Geelong and went to school at Sacred Heart. Dad was a local GP and Mum ran businesses. There was no TV during the week but we were always flat out with activities such as dancing and sports.
I was strangely academic in school – right into maths and all that sort of stuff. But I also really loved performing and wanted to pursue that. If you had asked my teachers, they might have thought I’d study medicine or something like that. Um, but blood freaked me out - still does!
But I had a bug for performing from a fairly young
Tom, Clementine, Cara and Alfie. Pictures: Louisa Jonesage. So after school I moved to Sydney to study dance full-time and then came back to study music theatre at VCA in Melbourne.
Through VCA I got introduced to the world of cabaret and did some really fun solo shows, which at the start terrified me because you have to be yourself and not a character and that was kind of, you know…Performing is easy, in a way, because you can hide behind the character that you’re performing but when you do a cabaret, it’s about you and that really made you feel very vulnerable. But once you’ve done it, it’s very addictive.
How did you meet your darling husband, Tom?
I studied full-time dance with Tom’s sister, Jessie, and we became great friends. When I came back from Sydney, randomly, Jessie was in Geelong. I met her at the Wharfshed Cafe and her brother Tom was there. I was like. “Oh my God, you
never told me you had a hot brother!”
I remember after lunch we went back to the Waterfront Apartments and randomly watched a Kylie Minogue DVD, which is hilarious because Tommy’s so not into Kylie or anything like that. He was obviously into me enough to fake it (laughs). The rest is history!
So let’s dive straight into your birth stories. How were they both?
Ugh…Horrendous! So my first birth was pretty traumatic. I had 40 hours of labour which ended in an emergency caesar. Alfie was stuck and when they got into the caesar, they still had a lot of trouble getting him out. It took them about three hours and they thought they had cut my bladder. The obstetrician’s words were, “Uh, he’d kind of rearranged the furniture in there so we think we might have cut into some of your internal organs.” This is all while I’m lying on the table having a fullblown panic attack! It all worked out in the end but it was a pretty terrifying experience.
For my second birth, for Clementine, I was so traumatised by the caesar that I really didn’t want to have one again. I decided to try for a natural birth which was unfortunately unsuccessful. I had about 15 hours or so of labour and ended up with another Caesar which wasn’t as bad.
But they were both healthy, beautiful babies and the difficulty getting them here was far outweighed by the joy they brought with them.
As for number three? Well, this time I’m going to have an incredibly calm elective C-section. It’s going to be amazing, and instead of feeling terrified I’m actually really looking forward to it. Speaking of little number three, how did you feel when you found out you were pregnant at 40?
Um, shocked! It was a complete surprise!
Getting pregnant wasn’t easy for us the first time around. It took us about two years to fall pregnant with Alfie and I was in my prime at that point in time.
He’s nearly 11 now, so I certainly didn’t think it would happen by chance at 40. Clementine’s eight and a half, so we’re well past the babies, nappies, toddlers, and all of the preschool stage but we are now very excited to welcome this new little being into the world.
Bubs will be so adored by Alfie and Clementine and, as parents, we can’t wait for those newborn snuggles again. We know how fast it goes by this time around so I’m really looking forward to enjoying every moment (except perhaps the sleep deprivation - that part is no fun!)
Give us a snapshot of your children, what their personalities are like, and how you parent them.
Alfie’s quite sensitive and can be a bit shy and nervous in new situations. He’s incredibly academic, very driven, and very sporty. He has this amazing determination to better himself in everything he does. He’s also incredibly affectionate and oh-so-loving. I think that’s something a lot of boy mums notice that really surprised me at the start.
And then there’s Clementine, who is just an absolute bundle of joy. She’s energetic beyond anything you could imagine. She’s exuberant, fun, incredibly confident (and exhausting!) but she’s just absolutely glorious. She’s a natural performer. She’s also very academic and talented at sports, dancing, and singing. But she doesn’t take anything nearly as seriously as Alfie does. For Clementine, it’s all fun! I find it absolutely fascinating how very different two children from the same parents can be. It will be intriguing to see how different little number three is, too!
Is there anything you learnt from your parents that you use to parent your own children?
They parented in a very different era to us and I actually think that I take a lot from that era of parenting. I feel there is far too much pressure these days to be the ‘perfect parent’. I think you can read too many books, listen to too much advice, and, at the end of the day, every family is so individual and every child needs totally different things at different times.
I think I’m fairly relaxed in comparison to the pressures that a lot of parents put on themselves these days. I want to be present with them, but I don’t want to be present with them in the way that I’m thinking about what I should or shouldn’t be doing and comparing myself to other parents. I remember growing up we entertained ourselves and we found things to do. These days there is a huge pressure to entertain your children and activities for them to do at home. I don’t prescribe to that. I love spending time with my kids and we do spend quality time together doing specific things, but the majority of the time that we’re at home it’s their job to find something to do, not mine. I think it’s so important for their brains to find creative ways out of boredom.
Speaking of entertaining kids, you actually worked as the ultimate kids’ entertainer as Captain Starlight for sick children at the Royal Children’s Hospital. How was that whole experience?
I worked as Captain Starlight for just
over three years. It was an absolutely incredible job. It was a real privilege to have the opportunity to be a part of a family’s journey when they have a child going through illness. At times it was incredibly difficult, but it was also incredibly rewarding.
Being able to provide such release and joy for these kids was something I’ll never forget.
Kids have the ability to be very much in the moment, so if they’re hurting in the moment, they’ll be screaming and crying. But if you tell a joke that they find funny in that moment, they’ll still laugh. I think they are better than adults at being truly present and allowing themselves to be changed in that moment. It was such a magical thing to see. You could walk into a room and someone could be experiencing extreme fear due to a procedure that was about to take place, but we had an opportunity to turn that around by just being a total dork and being really silly and making them laugh.
You become quite close to families as well because they’re spending sometimes an awful lot of time in there. I remember my first day as Captain Starlight, I met this child who had been in hospital for more of her life than she’d been at home. Her family lived a long way away and had quite a few other kids, so weren’t able to be in the hospital very often. We went in and spent time with her and she was giggling and having a ball with us. But I was so upset by the thought of what she was going through that I got in my car and I couldn’t stop bawling. I thought, ‘my
God, I don’t think I can do this job’. Then I had this realisation of, ‘well...if you don’t do it, she’s still there’. It doesn’t change it for her. She’s going to be in that hospital regardless of whether or not I was willing to acknowledge it. I could run away, but she couldn’t. And it was this pivotal moment of, OK, I can either keep turning up, and try to make a difference to her day, or keep my head in the sand and pretend it’s not happening.
What advice would you have for new parents?
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, enjoy it! Parenting is really fun. It also can be challenging, but there’s no one right way to go about it. As long as at the end of the day, those kids feel loved and you’ve had a laugh you’re doing well.
For some people, a routine that’s really rigid works for them. For me, when they were newborns, leaving the house in the morning with a pram, some nappies, and boobs full of milk and going for big walks, visiting the grandparents, and sitting in a cafe having a coffee while feeding was what I loved to do. That’s what worked for me and they slept wherever they slept. Newborns are very portable!
But some people swear by routines and that’s fantastic if that’s what works for them. I think we just have to pull ourselves out of the trap of comparison. With social media now being such a huge part of our lives, we compare ourselves in every aspect of our lives and I think there’s actually not just one way to do anything.
SUZY Zail’s young adult novel Inkflower is a work of fiction.
“But it’s the truest thing I’ve ever written,” she said.
Readers immediately learn that Emil has motor neurone disease and six months to live.
He gathers his family, including 16-year-old daughter Lisa, to reveal the truth about his past.
“Like Lisa’s dad, my father was diagnosed with motor neurone disease and given six months to live,” Suzy said.
“Like Lisa’s dad, mine sat us down and told us his story.
“The challenge was revisiting the feelings my dad’s death stirred in me 20 years ago.
“This book was my chance to dig deeper and truly grieve.”
Inkflower is about a Holocaust survivor who buried the horror of his teen years to build a new life in Australia.
“My dad, when he came out of the war, he didn’t just survive - he thrived,” Suzy said.
“Everything was possibility and hope.
“He never spoke about what he went through. He put walls up.
“I grew up doing the same thing.
“Even when he died, I just took his lead and put the walls up.”
The Brighton author tore them down to imagine how a teen would have lived her experience.
“I just started bawling,” she said.
“It was the first time I’d really properly let myself.
“Lisa is younger, angrier, and more unsure of herself than I was ... but she’s me.”
Suzy wrote down her father’s life story when he became ill and let down his walls.
“It was a beautiful project we could do together,” she said.
Inkflower features the tales he shared with her, along with details from a video memoir he made for the Melbourne Holocaust Museum.
“Telling it to a stranger, it was different to him telling us,” Suzy said of discovering the tape.
“He was still protecting his kids. He was cushioning us.
“He spoke about being hungry, not starving. He told us about death, not murder.
“He didn’t want to be the one to introduce us to hate.”
Suzy contrasts his story with chapters told by Lisa, set in the 1980s.
Her schoolmates and boyfriend don’t know that she’s Jewish or that her father is dying.
“When my father was sick I took a good three or four weeks to tell my best friend,” Suzy said.
Lisa at first listens to her father’s story because she’s forced to, “Later because she wants to understand who she is and where she comes from.”
“Maybe, in Inkflower, I’ve created something healing; something kids can
take forward into their lives when they encounter someone who’s sick or someone in the schoolyard who’s being bullied.
“A book that lets them hold onto hope and build resilience.”
Suzy’s three children are now aged in their twenties.
“They were all toddlers and young children when my father was sick,” she said.
“They didn’t have all these ideas in their mind about what it means to be sick.
“He was just their grandpa.”
She fondly remembers her dad giving them rides around the garden in his wheelchair, and them helping to feed him.
“I think it was an incredible lesson for them, too,” she said.
“To be patient, to listen, and to just love him for what he could give them.
“He lived his illness so beautifully and bravely.
“It can be a time of learning and growth and connection.
“It can be a beautiful, rewarding experience.”
Suzy started her working life as a lawyer. Recording her father’s story changed her path.
“After I’d written about my father’s tragic, brave life in The Tattooed Flower, I couldn’t go back to being a lawyer,” she said.
She quit her job, wrote for local papers and magazines, went back to university, and wrote several more books.
FIND fun and breezy spring additions for your child’s wardrobe at Billy Lidz.
The Berwick boutique’s team has been doing the hard work for shoppers since 2009, selecting the best highquality designer baby and kids wear from Australia, Europe, and America.
Brands range from Illoura the Label, Goldie and Ace, and Rylee and Cru to Munster Kids, Wilson and Frenchy, Olli Ella, By Billie, and Quincy Mae.
Plus there’s i dig denim, Donsje and Charlie Crane, Dapper Maentje and Studio Noos from Europe, and Crywolf and Nature Baby from New Zealand.
Clothing sizes range from newborn baby to size 12 in girls and boys.
Footwear from Bobux, Pretty Brave
and Saltwater Sandals is available for the first walker through to European size 36, with soft soles available for newborn babies. The Billy Lidz team takes the time to provide expert advice on fit.
The boutique stocks baby accessories and giftwear, along with educational toys, lactation cookies, and breast pumps from Haakka.
Billy Lidz launched online in 2017 for parents who are time-poor or those not local to the boutique.
The store aims to provide a fast, efficient, and effective way for shoppers to purchase its collection from the comfort of their own home.
Visit the boutique at Blackburne Square, Berwick, or check out the range via www.lovemybillylidz.com.au.
MEET Mim is the perfect bed time book to read with your kids after a long day.
It’s got some beautiful pictures, it’s informative and it’s not too long.
The images immerse young readers in the wonders under water, taking them on a deep dive under the waves for a cheeky guessing game and sharing the wonders of little-known mimic octopus.
A master of disguise, the mimic
octopus can change colour, shape and skin texture in all kinds of amazing ways.
Sandra Severgnini shows how the mimic octopus deters predators by shapeshifting into creatures that are known to be poisonous, such as the spiked lionfish and the banded sea snake.
It can even imitate jellyfish and sea stars.Sandra, a talented author and illustrator, is well-known and loved for her books that bring children closer to nature.
Her 2022 release Grub was named a Notable Book by the Children’s Book Council of Australia, while Tree Beings, written by Raymond Huber and Illustrated by Sandra, won the Wilderness Society’s Environment Award for Children’s Literature Award.
This book is for everyone from inquisitive little people who love nature
to adults who can still be fascinated. Budding marine biologists will delight in the wealth of accurate detail presented in the illustrations.
Adult and child readers alike will be left with a new appreciation for the life in our precious yet threatened marine environments.
Sophie Blackall
From two-time Caldecott Medallist Sophie Blackall, a joyful picture book that captures, with exuberant illustrations, the astonishing spectacle of a child imagining life as a horse.
Gallop along with two-time Caldecott Medallist Sophie Blackall through this riotous day in the life of a child who imagines their life as a horse. Sophie’s delightful text and resonant illustrations that feature a giant horse in familiar settings offer a visual feast, a grand dose of joy and a celebration of the real power of imagination to help us navigate the world.
Lothian Childrens Books
$24.99
Nick Pine
A perfect stocking filler for readers aged 5+!
Fans of The Christmasaurus will love this funny and festive story about a magical, mischievous gnome that’s ideal for sharing aloud or reading independently.
Noah can’t believe his eyes - or his luck - when a magical gnome called Tommy turns up on the 24th of December.
He’s sure it’s going to be AWESOME! But Tommy’s spells keep going WRONG...
Hachette $14.99
Cheese and crackers, it’s Christmas! The countdown is on, but can you find Bluey and Bingo? There’s lots of hidden surprises too, so join the festive fun in this search-and-find book.
A gorgeous Christmasthemed search-and-find book for kids of all ages.
Bluey is an award-winning preschool show about Bluey, a blue heeler pup, and her family. Airing on ABC KIDS, the show has amassed legions of dedicated fans and hugely popular ranges of books, toys, clothes, games and more.
Puffin
$16.99
Matthew McConaughey
Renee Kurilla
Filled with his trademark humour and wisdom, Academy Award–winning actor and #1 New York Times bestselling author Matthew McConaughey has crafted a soulful and irreverent collection of life lessons that empowers readers, big and small, to celebrate how we are all full of possibility.
Why? Just because.
Puffin
$24.99
50 Women Who Stand Up, Speak Out, Inspire Change A collection celebrating boldness, bravery and brilliance.
Here are fifty times a woman did something brave. Something disruptive. Something exceptional. We saw them. And we were inspired to be more confident and maybe a little bold.
It’s time to stop saying yes all the time.
It’s time to stop apologising all the time.
It’s time to stop avoiding conflict all the time.
It’s time to be true to our emotions, whatever they are Puffin
$22.99
We are an Australian owned company and have been operating since 1990. In addition to our strong background of shower screens and wardrobes we also offer 10mm Frameless Screens, Vanity Mirrors, Splashbacks & Built-in-Robes.
