SPRING 2022 meeting the MikMaks Sophie Cachia talksfamily Little kids, big feelings with SteveBiddulph
2 SPRING www.KidsWest.com.au 12562608-MS35-22
Take a deep breath, spring is here!
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SPRING 2022 meeting the MikMaks Sophie Cachia talksfamily Little kids, big feelings with SteveBiddulph kidswest.com.au facebook.com/kidswestmagazine instagram.com/kidswesttoday CONTENTS IT’S YOUR LIFE Meltdowns turned to closeness PAGE 4 Tips to keep kids safe PAGE 4 Grieving mum finds joy PAGE 5 Angie meets The Mik Maks PAGES 6-7 Sophie Cachia on family life PAGES 8-9 Pregnancy news surprises mum PAGE 10 Make crunchy chocolate granola PAGE 15 EDUCATION Preschool and childcare shakeup PAGE 11 Students inspired to aspire PAGE 12 Developing individual wellbeing PAGE 13 FATHER’S DAY Rob’s a dad to everyone PAGE 16 Dad’s marathon effort for sick kids PAGE 16 ACTIVE KIDS This Girl Can Week PAGE 17 Studio encourages skating PAGE 17 HEALTH Screens harming young brains PAGE 14 Organ transplant waiting list grows PAGE 19 REALITY BITES Gender discimination in private health PAGE 20 BOOKS Arabella’s Alphabet Adventure PAGE 22 Discover new children’s books PAGE 22 KIDS CALENDAR What’s on this spring PAGE 23 AboutUs Hezekiah,Cover 2, ponders his next move at his Essendon home.Picture: Damjan Janevski SPRING has sprung! Yes, it’s a cliche - writing it made me roll my own eyes a little - but indulge me?The transition from our cold and dreary months to this milder season really has put a spring in my step. This time of year is brimming with hope. Warmer days are ahead, flowers and foliage are bursting forth, andfingers crossed! - we’re on the other side of a hectic virus season.
So take a deep breath of that fresh spring air and enjoy its calming effects…before the festive season sneaks up on us.
As the mum of a toddler, the prospect of spending more time outdoors is a literal breath of fresh air. Opportunities for her to stretch her legs and use her outside voice have been few and far between this winter, thanks to rain and cold and illness. A little extra sunshine helps us all to get off the couch and away from screens.Ifyou need more reason to put down the iPad, we spoke to Dr Michael C Nagel about how screen time is causing autistic traits in otherwise neurotypical kids.Spring does bring its share of rain, so we’ve found some great new books for your kids to get lost in. And speaking of great reads, our chat with the ever-honest Sophie Cachia about parenting is a refreshing look at modern parenting. Kidsafe has shared some timely reminders to keep our kids safe, and Lucy Stewart has found a healthy chocolate breakfast!
■ Check each room of your home for any loose or looped curtain and blind cords and secure them out of reach of children - at least 1.6m above floor level - with cleats or cord tensioning devices. Depending on the type of cords, these can be ordered free through Consumer Affairs Victoria or purchased from your local hardware store or curtain and blind cord retailer.
Little Kids, Big Feelings
■ Is the gate propped open?
THE hardest thing with small children, and sometimes big ones, is that they just dpn’t always do what we ask! Our lives have become busy, and so we want our kids to move quickly and smoothly through the day, eating, dressing, getting in and out of cars, going to and from school or kindy. We want them to co-operate in our busyness, and often the little blighters don’t. Or sometimes, can’t. Our worst moments of the day are often when our kids suddenly have “big feelings” and go into meltdowns of tears, or rage or anxiety, and make a train wreck of our plans, let alone our image of a well run family! What a nuisance! Of course, these worst times might be good times to remember something important. To take a deep breath or two, get our own feet steady on the ground, and remind ourselves that the aim of parenthood isn’t to get it over with. Our goal in life is not, however nice it sounds, to rest at the end of a day when nothing went wrong. Because there is no such day. The aim of parenthood, and of family life, is to nurture a small person into a big one who other people will find trustworthy, loyal, loving, and empathic enough to love, and value as a friend, team member, spouse, or mum or dad themselves. Someone, in short who will have a good life, and be good for other lives. So, dear reader, check before you read on - is that your goal? Am I making this up? If your aim in parenthood is to take good photos for Insta, from their birth to their glamourous wedding, then this is where we part ways. Be off with you. (last two sentences might make a good pull quote M) But if you are still reading, then here is the thing. Kids have meltdowns and big emotions and make our plans fall in a heap, not because they are defective, or want to make our lives hard. They do it because they are busy growing their brains. And they need our help with that. Karen Young, an excellent psychologist who writes about kids emotions, points out that just as you won’t let a five year old cross a busy street, because their brain just isn’t ready, you can’t expect small children to be able to self regulate emotions either. The busy streeet of their own brain is sometimes way too much, and their Youthis.likelooksWell,practice.meandoestheiryouTheysemi-trailer.atemotionsowncomethemlikeaneedtoholdhand.Whatthatinit
■ Check that items of furniture such as cots, beds and high chairs are kept away from windows where children can reach the curtain or blind cords. For more Kidsafe tips and advice, visit kidsafevic.com.au.
It’s important to empty any objects that can hold water straight after use, and to restrict access when an adult isn’t able to actively supervise children.
4 SPRING www.KidsWest.com.au
are on the way to doing something, or going somewhere, and needing (you think) to get a bit of a wriggle on. And suddenly your small person is in tears, or digging their heels in, or has gone all wobbly. You run a quick check. Are we being chased by a bear? Fleeing a volcano or a terrorist attack? If the answer is no, then perhaps you can spare five minutes. This chance might not come again. Breathe a big slow breath, if it comes out sounding like a sigh that’s still alright. Soften your heart, and remember that we are all soft and fragile beings who get out of our depth. And then crouch down or sit down or bend down nearer to your child, and ask them “are you feeling a bit rough right now?” “where in your body are you feeling it?” and perhaps “sounds like something in you is a bit angry now (or scared, or sad)”. Find the words that are most natural to you, as long as they are reaching out to their inner storms with a compassionate energy that says “I understand”. Ask them to telll you about what is going on for them. Perhaps they will need to sob, or shudder, or rant a bit about something that was unfair or mean or unjust when seen through their eyes, and you should make room for that. Don’t try and talk them out of it. Perhaps what they tell you might bring a change of plan. Perhaps you might have to strike a compromise. Perhaps nothing changes except they are calmer and are okay to move on. You will know you got it right when you feel closer to them now, and they to you. Learning to “regulate” your emotions - to give them space, and make them welcome, and take them on board, even in a harsh and often uncaring world, depends on having a few people around us who can cope with our messy side. Who don’t put us down or go all cold or hard when we aren’t coping.
4. Secure curtain and blind cords
3. Store poisons out of reach, inside and outsideAspart of any spring cleaning, take the time to go through your cupboards and ensure that any potentially poisonous products are stored up high in a locked cupboard, out of the sight and reach of children.
It’sYourLife
Gradually your child will become better able to ride life’s bumps, and use words to join their heart to yours, or other people’s. How long does this process take? My guess is about 90 years! But you can get much better at it, and having a parent’s help is what makes the difference. Long after you are gone, they will have you inside them saying “its okay, you’ve got this”. They will carry your love in their bones.
There are four main safety issues which are important to regularly check and maintain: ■ Is the gate or door still self-closing and self-latching?
Steve Biddulph is the author of Fully Human, Raising Boys, and The Raising Girls Workbook. He lives in the Tamar Valley in Tasmania, and is very very old.
Springtime safety from Kidsafe Victoria
STEVE BIDDULPH
Common poisonous items include medicines (ie prescription medicines and paracetamol), cleaning products, dishwasher powder/liquid, bleaches, fertilisers and pesticides, swimming pool and spa chemicals andYoucosmetics.mighthave a shed or garage which has tins of paint, petrol, weed killer, rat bait, power tools and other gardening supplies lying around. Again, make sure any outdoor poisons or tools are locked up well out of reach of the hands of our little helpers, including unplugging any power tools and/or removing batteries.
■ Are there any climbable objects near the pool barrier eg barbecues, outdoor furniture, trees Poolsetc? are not the only bodies of water that you need to be mindful of. Toddlers can drown in just a few centimetres of water, which means that fishponds, eskies, buckets, laundry tubs and even pet water bowls all pose a drowning hazard.
FINALLY, the weather is starting to warm up and we are looking forward to enjoying more outdoor time with the Asfamily.wemove towards the brighter colours and sounds of spring, Kidsafe Victoria has provided its top four tips to help you keep your family safe this 1.season.Signup to Kidsafe Victoria’s Free Baby Safety Guide If you are expecting your first baby, then this one is for you!
How to turn meltdowns to moments of closeness
2. Check pool barriers for wear and tear When was the last time that you checked your pool barrier and the surrounding area? Pool barriers are exposed to the extremes of weather all year roundthis can lead to rust, damage, missing parts and wear and tear over time.
Kidsafe Victoria has launched its new Baby Safety Guide to reduce the overwhelm you might experience as a first time parent. The Baby Safety Guide takes the guesswork out of your parenting journey by providing information and advice on products such as cots, prams and high chairs, including what to look for when purchasing these products and how to use them safely.The second module covers other important information on home, road, water and play safety to help keep your baby safe as they grow. To access the free Baby Safety Guide, visit Kidsafe Victoria’s website.
Little Kids, Big writesFeelings,
Loose curtain and blind cords, particularly those with loops, pose a significant strangulation hazard for children as they can place the loop over their head and/or become tangled in the loose cords. Whether you live with children, or might have an unexpected little one visiting one day, here are some steps you can take to help ensure that your curtain and blind cords are safe:
■ Are there any gaps, holes or spaces in and under the barrier which a child can get through?
“It’s been a wild journey. All of our huge milestones in life have been done together,” she said. Her grandpa and grandma escaped war together and had been married 72 years when her grandma passed away. Her grandpa was heartbroken, and Covid lockdowns only made him feel more alone. His health declined.
“I cancelled it. “I couldn’t say goodbye to someone and welcome someone within hours.” But she stopped feeling Maddison move, went back into hospital for induction, and welcomed her baby girl two days after losing her grandpa.
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“It’s just amazing how one life ends and one begins,” she said. She left hospital 24 hours after giving birth and was at her grandpa’s funeral two hours later.
By Casey Neill CASSIE Hycenko farewelled her grandpa and welcomed her first child in less than two days. The Essendon teacher had always dreamt of being a mum “with lots of kids” and fell pregnant shortly after she and partner Ryan Jones decided to start a family. The pair met in Year 12 and have been together 16 years.
“It made me so stressed,” she said. “He just sat there with his hand on my stomach every night. “The pressure was just too much.” Her midwives decided to induce her.
“He literally walks across the road to
“My grandma is around the corner as well so I could wheel the pram up to her door.“My dad was renovating our place at the time, too, so he had a permit. “Ryan runs his own business. He’s an accountant and financial advisor.
“The mental load of day to day activities and stuff, when someone says ‘you do nothing’, it really hurts,” she said. “Although it looks like we’re having fun all the time, I’m doing more than I probably should. “I’m exhausted but I’m doing it because it makes her happy.
“I love teaching, I love my job, but I’d rather put all my energy into my child.” People often ask her when she’s going back to work, and she has dipped her toe in through emergency teaching. “I have the opportunity to stay home and I’m going to do it well,” she said. “It’s the hardest job and it’s the most rewarding job. “I’m actually working harder at home than I was at school. “We judge ourselves enough, we don’t need others to judge.”
Maddie had just turned 2 when we spoke, and Cassie was heavily pregnant with baby number two. “My worry is that I won’t have the time for Maddie, as much as I have at the moment,” she said. “We do so many activities. We have a full schedule every week. “What’s going to happen when the baby“Howcomes?amI going to give her the same time and energy I do now?”
Cassie will rely heavily on routine to get through the transition from one child to two - something she’s found doesn’t resonate with everyone in her life. She urged those without childrenand those with older children - to remember the mum when planning events and consider what’s involved just for her to get out of the house.
“Kids are so unpredictable, having some sort of routine in your day makes it easier for the mum,” she said. “Before (I was a mum), maybe I was judgemental too. “I used to laugh about people trying to get home for kids’ routines.
Maddie.
“My grandpa passed away the morning I was booked in to give birth,” she said.
It’sYourLife
“It was chaotic. It was a sad time but I also had something to keep me so happy,” she said. “Covid helped. I didn’t have to be anywhere.“Inoneway it was sad, not being able to introduce her to family members. “But Covid was good to us and we’ve been so lucky. We had the baby at the most perfect time.
Cassie and Maddie. work, and he can be home within five minutes.“Because it’s his business he can take time off when he needs to. “There’s been no pressure to go back to work, so I’ve been able to do things at my own pace.” Her own pace is pretty full-on.
tosadFromgoodbyehappyhello
Cassie Hycenko and daughter Maddie, 2. Pictures: Damjan Janevski
“The pressure was on for me to have this baby before he passed away,” CassieHe’dsaid.stopped eating, and nursing home staff were telling Cassie that he was holding on for his grandchild.
Cassie has activities scheduled each morning, does household chores when Maddie naps, and makes toys and craft activities during nap time or after Maddie goes to bed.
“My parents are three streets away from me, so my mum was my carer and she could come and drop off food.
“I don’t judge a single mum now for anything they do. “Everyone’s just trying to survive. “Everyone’s judged enough. “You do what feels right and what works for your family.”
They liked us to make our own mistakes, which was wonderful. They really let us have a bit of rein and gave us the freedom to make our mistakes in a safe environment. It must have been a big step to leave such a small town. Where did you head after Wickliffe?
Al: Brian or Dean? It wasn’t us! (laughs) No, we were pretty tame. Brian broke the ice as the eldest. He got in the most trouble and I think Mum and Dad just gave up a bit over time and became more chilled –especially by the time Dean came along.Hewas definitely the naughtiest, but never got in as much trouble being the youngest. Would you say you had a strict Joel:upbringing?
Picture: Louisa Jones
It’s mind-blowing to think just a few years back, that while sitting around a campfire (and after a couple of drinks) they pulled out the guitars and jokingly wrote a song about a hairy crocodile calledNow,Bruce.who could have ever predicted that in a few years’ time they would shoot to internet fame with 5.5 million YouTube subscribers (FYI The Wiggles are at 2.45 million) and streams of nearly 5 billion. That’s the second top channel in the country!Chatting with Al and Joel, you get a real sense of just how tight their family unit is and what a loving, humble, values-based upbringing they must havePure,had.respectful gentlemen. But for all the success, they have also faced heartbreaking sadness with the tragic loss of their youngest brother and Mik Maks front man, Dean, in 2018. The boys at a glance… Al:Family? Kids: Layla 14, Jaz 12, Isla 6. Wife: Shannelle. Joel: Kids: Ava 14, Willow 12, Sam 9. Wife: Tennille. Guilty pleasure? Al: A box of chocolates. Joel: Slow-cooked Texan beef brisket. Go-to karaoke song? Al: Africa by Toto. Joel: Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice. Three people living or passed you’d like to invite to a McInnes barbecue?
Al: Walt Disney, Keith Urban, Dean McInnes. Joel: Hugh Jackman, The Norris Nuts, Dean McInnes. Growing up in a household of four boys must have been a hoot! How would you describe your childhood?
Al: I also moved to Ballarat to study secondary teaching, taught for a few years in Ballarat then went overseas. I spent a couple years in England and in 2005 moved back to Geelong. By that stage, the other three boys had already made the move from the farm to Geelong as well so that kind of became our base. We all lived within a suburb of each other, so always kept that brotherly friendship going. Dean and I also started our cover band Good Faces For Radio in 2006 which is still going today.This is how we discovered Drums the Panda (Adam Giles). He randomly said to us one day, “I’ve always wanted to drum in a panda suit”. How did you meet the loves of your Joel:lives?
Joel McInnes, Ava McIness, Al McInnes, Isla McInnes, Jaz McInnes.
6 SPRING www.KidsWest.com.au
Joel: We were born and bred on a farm in a little town called Wickliffe, population of 30 to 40 people. It was very community focused where the town would all come together around sport. Being on 700 acres Mum always had that luxury of saying ‘get outside, go and do Theresomething’.werenodevices to play on but there were plenty of trees to climb, balls to kick and neighbours to visit over the back fence.
By Angie Hilton MEET Al and Joel McInnes. Two of the loveliest blokes you’ll ever comeTheseacross.arethe men who might help you sit down and have a cup of tea, or go to the toilet in peace, or get your washing folded.
Al: Yes it was mum who instilled the musical bug into us from an early age. She’d get us in to perform at Christmas events for the community or the church. Mum still performs to this day. She has directed the town plays back at our local community for probably the last 15 years. I’m actually heading back tonight to watch her in the Lake Bolac town musical.It’samateur theatre but they have a lot of Thefun.prompter is the busiest person in the whole show (laughs).
Joel: I did my teaching degree at BallaratCameuniversity.out,taught for a couple of years then did the overseas thing to the UK and worked there for three years, which was a wonderful experience.
Tennille and I met at a wedding. She was a bridesmaid and I was the bridesmaid car driver. We met at the wedding a few days after I got her phone number off the bride and the groom and I invited her to thisSheparty.said, “no, I’m already going to the party”. And I said, “How? you don’t know anyone this party?” And she said, “No, I’m going with the best man from the wedding”. I didn’t know that her and the best man had shacked up that night. (laughs)SoIwas like “oh no. So, sorry. See ya.” That’s the story, but things obviously didn’t work out with the best man, and she called me up a few days after that. How about you Al? Al: Shanelle and her family owned The Max Hotel. I taught her younger brother as a secondary teacher in Ballarat in the Year 12 outdoor ed class. I walked into the Max one day to see about getting a gig and her brother Ricky was working behind the bar. He yelled out “Hey Mr Mac!” so I got the gig and met Shanelle. Now on to your babies…I often get birthing stories from the ladies I interview, but I’d love to know the husbands’ perspective from the birthing Al:suite?
All of my children’s births were memorable, but Layla my first child was definitely the most eventful. Shanelle my wife was in labour for two days and by the end I was waking her up for the contractions, she was so exhausted.Fromthere, our other two kids were caesareans.Whowould want to go through that again? And Joel, what about your birthing Joel:experience? Oh, it was simply incredible, it’s just something that you never, ever forget.With the first one there was a lot of fear.Ikept thinking ‘hurry up, because this is going to kill her’. It was so foreign. You can do all the courses but nothing prepares you for seeing your wife in so much pain for so long.Tennille was always in control, she did an incredible job. All three were a natural births and unassisted and she was just brilliant. They were nice sizes ranging sort of between seven to eight pound.
It’sYourLife
It was a very stable, secure childhood where all the values of hard work were instilled. Dad was a very hard-working, quiet, sensitive, shy kind of man and still is - he’s 72 and still exactly the same. He was very principle-based, very proud. Was mum the musical influence? Where did the talent come from?
Yes, many parents have bucket loads of gratitude for these guys for creating The Mik Maks! Endless amounts of mesmerising tunes and video clips that our young ones just can’t get enough of. Free NotHallelujah!!babysitting.tomentionthe bonus joy they bring when the parent finds themselves walking around the supermarket singing about bellybuttons!
Music was never really at the forefront for us until we became teenagers.Itwassort of quite late into our twenties when we realised ‘hey, we could do this for a living’. Who was the naughtiest?
Bucket loads of entertainment
Al: Now a lot of our business is almost passive.Youdo an hour of work filming and creating content, but then you get paid small bits of revenue for that hour’s work over the next few years, which is a great business model. Tell us about your success on YouTube, where are you sitting at the moment? Subscribers are sitting around five and a half million and actual streams we’re approaching 5 billion. Our YouTube strategy is all about finding new audiences and getting into different countries. I mean one stat is that only 1 per cent of our audience on YouTube is Australian.TheUSis the biggest market at about 17 per cent. The next biggest is probably 6 or 7 per cent, which India, Brazil, India, Philippines.Wegetmore streams in Los Angeles a day than we do in all of Australia. Often it’s countries where English is the second language that we often receive messages from parents saying “Thank you for teaching my child how to speak English”. How big would you like to get, or is the sky the limit? In our niche, we’re still ranked about 30 or 40th CocoGlobally.Melonis YouTube’s biggest kids channel and they have 120 million subscribers.It’sjustendless how far you can take it. I think the main thing is that we are family first. I can’t imagine being in the days of The Wiggles when they were starting out.They were on the road 24/7. You read Anthony’s book and he talks about family breakdown and depression and health and that sort of stuff. For all the success you have certainly had indescribable heartbreak to work through with in the tragic loss of your brother and front man Dean in 2018. How did you cope with such a big loss?
Joel: Plato: “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind and life to everything.”
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And are your children drawn towards Al:performing?
Joel: They can all sing pretty well with the exception, of a couple who have to work extra hard and find it far more confronting.Mydaughter Ava has joined the team and is doing a great job. How would you describe your parenting Joel:philosophies?
Joel: It was our most challenging moment as a family when we lost him. We were all lost. The music kept us connected to him. Because so much of his energy and his creative work went into the Mik Maks songs. So when we finally got back on stage, about eight to 10 weeks after Dean passed, we really felt that connection with him and we knew that that’s what he would want us to do. It’s been really cool having this enormous catalogue of Dean performing.Especially for his young son Max to watch clips of his dad doing what he loved to do best and what he was incredibly good at.
I’ve learned that even though they might shut you out and walk away, they’re still taking it in and just don’t want to admit it. Tell us about the birth of The Mik Joel:Maks.I guess it was initially my idea. Tennille and I were sitting on the balcony one day and she said, “Joel, if you won tattslotto tomorrow and you never had to work again, what would you do?” and I said, “I’d play music for kids.” And she said, “Why don’t you do it now?”Forsome reason, it struck a chord and I thought I’ve got these brothers that are very talented musically and have got all the experience. So I floated the idea past them while we were camping. I said, “Hey let’s write a kids song.” We had the guitars out and may have had a couple of beers under our beltwhich is often the secret to great kids songs (laughs) - that or lots and lots of coffee.And we wrote Bruce the Hairy Crocodile within two hours. We shared it with some of the kids in the neighbouring caravans and the response was instant. We continued to share some ideas and about six months later we’d had about 10 songs. So this was in January and then by October we had enough content to put together for our first stage show, which was at the Anglesea Music Festival. The three of us got up there with an acoustic guitar and we just basically performed and the feedback was instant. It just lit a flame.
Al: I feel like I’m still learning where the line is as to how much we encourage them to do something and then how much we allow them to just be their own person. I think the most important thing is to just be involved. I personally find the biggest challenge of what we’re doing is to balance being part of this growing business with being a parent to three kids who have completely different interests and share your time equally. And especially with teenagers when you feel like they’re not listening to you at all - they are.
It’s been a lot of ups and downs with it, but having our own kids really step up and be more active with it all has really helped as well. He has left a wonderful legacy and the Mik Maks is a big, big part of that for him. How would you describe him as a Al:person? He was just cheeky with a big beaming smile. Kids loved him, mums loved him, parents loved him. He had this really infectiousEveryonelaugh.wanted to be his mate, because he just had that kind of personality.Andhewas unbelievably talented.
Favourite quotes?
Al: Forrest Gump: “Life’s like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
Joel McInnes, with his daughter Ava McIness Al McInnes and hisIsladaughters,andJaz.
Yes, at different levels. They have different confidence levels and different skillTheylevels.also have such different passions, which is great. But just to stand in front of a camera and speak or act, they can all do that incredibly well.
Joel: If he had have been on the earth longer, he would’ve been playing lead guitar in some famous rock band. Al: Or he would’ve been a famous country artist by now. All of us will inevitably face major challenges in our lives, was there anything that really helped you get through at the time that you could share? We leaned on a lot of people, especially early.And we took our time to grieve and work through the process. One of the best bits of advice I was given was from Carl Waddell from Rivers Gift, who lost his son a few years before that - he said, “Right now you wonder if you’ll ever smile again, but trust me in four or five year’s time you will. Don’t rush it. Just know that it will feel better.”
Pictures: Louisa Jones
Growing up where we did, there are obviously some amazing opportunities for us, but we also missed out on a lot. We were all so keen on our sport as young kids, but we didn’t have the opportunities like coaching and facilities and mentors and all those sort of things.Tennille and I have the philosophy that we’ve got all these amazing opportunities around us here in Geelong of things to go and try. So we probably lean towards pushing the children into areas of interest, not being afraid to say go and do this for a month and just do it intensively and see what you think and learn from it.
To look back and see yourselves writing Bruce the Hairy Crocodile around a campsite, I’m sure you would never have imagined turning such a fun activity into a thriving global business. Can you give us a snapshot of the Joel:journey?That’s right. It was fun and we could see all the potential from the responses, but there were moments where we really had to weigh everything up. We sat around the table we’re at right now just banging our heads against the wall as to how we can make this sustainable without having to be doing live gigs constantly. There were about three years for me of pretty sleepless nights. You go from having left a great job, with great security, great pay, great conditions, great for the family and then cutting that rope. Taking the chance and putting everything at risk to do this. But it’s been through our strategy with online streaming over the last three or four years that’s really taken that pressure off.
Finding new family
8 SPRING www.KidsWest.com.au SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN 4 KIDS
Mon - Wed 21 Sept | 22 - Fri 23 Sept | 11am - 2pm Mon 26 - Fri 30 Sept | 10am - 3pm
SOPHIE Cachia is a Melbourne mum, entrepreneur and author with a huge social Meeting basketballer Maddie Garrick while happily married to former AFL player Jaryd Cachia turned her life upside down, as detailed in her new memoir Then There Was Her.Soph spoke to Casey Neill about navigating her new-look family life with son Bobby, daughter Florence, fiance Maddie, and Jaryd and his partner Jacinta. How and what did you tell Bobby and Floss about the end of your marriage to Jaryd? It was a gentle and slow approach not only for them, but because the reality was it was also something we needed to do softly to ourselves too. I recall having a discussion with Bobby about Daddy possibly having his own house one time, and that Bobby would have not one but TWO bedrooms which he was excited about.
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media following.
We’ve always been very upfront and honest that just because we wouldn’t be ‘married’ anymore, that we are always family and highlighted the different types of ‘families’ that exist. Florence was too young to comprehend, so it was Bobby that I had to focus those gentle conversations with more and his emotional maturity is so advanced, he took it on board so well. What did you learn from the experience that other parents might find valuable? That kids certainly notice more than what you give them credit for. Bobby often knew things already before we told him and he would pick up a lot of our conversations in moments where we thought we were talking quietly or out of reach of their ears. Don’t treat them as naive. Be open and transparent with them but always speak about the other person with respect.Inany moments Jaryd and I even became heated, we were always able to put our egos aside and say ‘can we step outside for this conversation?’ or continue it later in order to save the kids from any distress through difficult moments. How did you introduce them to Maddie, and how did they react to seeing you with someone new? Very easily. When she first started coming around, I assume they thought she was just another of Mummy’s friends. They took to her SO well (and even at times when we had broken up and were apart, they continually asked about her and when they could see her again).Asour relationship developed, I asked them how they felt about her living with us and they were so excited. Bobby asked ‘is Maddie now my step-mum?’ and I said ‘Maddie can be whatever you want her to be, darling’. I imagine your kids were less fussed about you having a female partner than many fans and followers werewas that the case? Absolutely! My kids didn’t even bat an eyelid, and that’s simply down to the parenting Jaryd and I provided them with from such a young age. Even as a happily married couple and before I discovered my sexuality, we openly spoke about all types of humans in our home - whether that be gender-based, cultural, identity or sexuality - and the need to accept humans as they are. My kids have been raised to know and accept humans in all forms, and as we both have quite a lot of friends in the LGBTQIA+ community, there was no shock factor when I said ‘Mummy has a girlfriend’.Kidsonly have prejudice and judgment if it’s taught to them, and that didn’t exist within our home. How have you navigated co-parenting with Jaryd, Maddie and Jacinta, both in logistics and being on the same page with discipline? Discipline is difficult, but that’s not because we are separated, that’s simply down to being humans and all being wiredJaryddifferently!andIwould parent and discipline differently at times even when we were married, so that hasn’t changed now we are apart.
daily Located in the Kmart quad.
It’sYourLife Sophie Picture:Cachia.Regina
Karon, Karon Photography
11am - 2pm daily Located at Walker’s Doughnuts in the Coles quad. Thur
Bobby’s only 8 and Florence is just 5, and I feel like it’s stepped up a notch and I am hopeless at keeping up-to-date with school admin. I know it’s only going to get busier the older they get, so please send help haha! Bobby and Floss clearly have a beautiful bond. How do you foster that? The way I love them, I hope, fosters that love amongst each other. They are your typical siblingsbickering and fighting over who gets the blue cup at dinner and who gets the bloody yellow - but in moments of sadness, the way I see the other look after their sibling shows me that I am doing something right. I teach them to love with respect and boundaries, allowing mistakes to be made and forgiveness to be provided; to respect each other’s things and spaces.Words such as ‘fat’, ‘idiot’, ‘loser’ etc are strictly banned in our home and their vocabulary. How do you talk to your kids about your fame, and potentially following in your footsteps? I really don’t talk about it, they just pick up on Kidsit.at school regularly tell Bobby that ‘my mum follows your mum on Instagram’ or ‘we have your mum’s pjs at home’ so he’s used to it. I don’t really think Florence gets it, but Florence is more often than not in Florence’s world so that doesn’t surprise meBobbyhaha.is a super cool, quirky kid who loves gaming and collectables and tells me he wants his own YouTube channel one day. Florence will most definitely end up on Broadway! Was your kids one day reading your book on your mind as you wrote it, and did that make you change anything? It honestly didn’t cross my mind during the entire process, but if that day comes, it doesn’t bother me. I wouldn’t put things in a book that I was uncomfortable with anyone reading, including my children. I encourage them to own their lives and be proud of who they are regardless, so I act exactly the same and own my story. What do you hope other parents take away from your book? That true love is allowing your children to be whoever they want to be. To know that life can change at any point, even when you didn’t necessarily want it or chose it to. That you can still love someone so deeply, but not romantically. That respectful co-parenting situations can exist - you just have to both make that choice. That there are no rules in life - it is yours to write. Maddie, Florence, Bobby and Sophie. Bobby, Florence and Sophie.
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I have a more gentle approach, a more ‘sit down and communicate’ style of discussions, feelings and why someone may have behaved in a way. Jaryd is more traditional ‘right from wrong’ and that’s OK - we are allowed to beButdifferent.regardless of our styles, we all have the same end goal and it’s to encourage our children to be the best versions of themselves they can be, knowing that as humans we all make mistakes along the way. What advice would you give other parents navigating ‘unconventional’ family units? I strongly believe the word conventional family is soon going to be a thing of the past.Yes, they will still exist, but all families - no matter how they present - should be accepted. Nothing has changed about the fact I am their mother and Jaryd is theirWefather.justlive separate lives now but we still love and care for our children. What’s your favourite thing about being a mum? That no matter how sh***y, stressed or tired I feel, a cuddle at the end of your day from your children can instantly put everything into perspective and make it all go away. What aspect of motherhood have you found most challenging? Honestly - right now - it’s keeping up with school commitments, homework, excursions, after school sports etc!
Finally, she opened up to her sister and husband about her struggles, which included continuing anxiety as well as weight gain. “I wanted to exclusively breastfeed,” she“Isaid.won’t do that next time.
A beautifultough,journey
Being a mum is hard, but he’s not hard.”
It’sYourLife
“He would look for comfort to go back to sleep and I would give it to him. “He was waking four times a night. I was exhausted. “I felt like I was going to lose my mind.”Ange turned to comfort food to combat her sleep deprivation. “If I wanted something I just caved. I just had what I needed,” she said.
Ange’s active labour was two hours, and she pushed for 10 minutes to bring Hezekiah into the world. “I was lucky at the end,” she said. “My body was really preparing and preparing. It was quite smooth.” In hindsight she enjoyed being in the comfort of her own home for most of her labour, but kept feeling like she should be at the hospital. “Just get comfortable,” was her advice.Ange felt lucky with breastfeeding, as Hezekiah latched right away. “But I was absolutely exhausted for about six months,” she said.
10 SPRING www.KidsWest.com.au
By Casey Neill ANGE Mumporeze didn’t know she was pregnant with son Hezekiah until her husband told her the good news. They’d been trying to fall pregnant for about 10 months, which meant lots of negative tests. So the Essendon mum didn’t think anything of it when she returned yet another negative test, despite some pregnancy symptoms. “I saw my husband that day and he said ‘you’re definitely pregnant, I can see something different about you’,” she said. So she took another test and left it in the“Hebathroom.wentto the bathroom before I did, because I wasn’t interested in seeing the negative again,” she said. “So he’s the one that showed me the positive test. “That was surreal. We’d been waiting for so Angelong.”described her pregnancy as “smooth” but still difficult. “Every day was a struggle; every day was a different experience, the bizarre things that would happen to your body,” she Pregnancysaid.anxiety struck out of nowhere, mostly stemming from friends’ experiences with miscarriage. Ange had never experienced anxiety before, but suffered from physical symptoms throughout her pregnancy. When it came time to meet Hezekiah, Ange was in pre-labour for 48 hours. “I was just at home in agony. I was making farm animal noises,” she said. “It went on for so long; through the day, through the night, through the day, through the night. “I thought there was something wrong.”Hercontractions were five minutes apart but hospital staff advised her to stay home until she was further dilated. “I didn’t expect that,” she said. “To help with that, I was in the shower with a chair, letting the water alleviate my pain.”
“I will breastfeed as much as I can, but I don’t want to die for it.” Working out and eating well helped Ange to get back on track. “(The anxiety) reduced significantly once he started sleeping properly,” she said. “I think I’m a bit more grounded, a bit more“It’sclear.stillthere, but it’s just different.
Ange Mumporeze and her son Hezekiah, 2. Hezekiah. Pictures: Damjan Janevski
“One thing I did as well from a young age with him, was I separated in my mind the responsibilities of being a mum and“Hehim.wasn’t a difficult baby. “The responsibilities of being a mum is what was hard. “Being a mum is hard, but he’s not hard.“The more we speak about these things, the more we can feel normal about how hard it is to become a mum. “It’s a hard, beautiful thing. “Let’s just be honest with each other.”
“At the same time, it will benefit hundreds of thousands of working families. Helping more mums and dads return to work on terms that work for them,” he Thirdly,said.theState Government will establish 50 government-owned and affordable integrated childcare centres in areas with the greatest unmet demand, with the first to open in 2025. Where possible, they’ll be co-located with schools to avoid the double-drop off, and alongside hospitals, TAFEs and major employers to create convenient access for working parents.
AN early childhood education and childcare overhaul will roll out in Victoria over the next decade. The Best Start, Best Life program expansion is designed to save families money and help women return to the workforce.Firstly,from next year kinder will be free, saving up to $2500 per child every year.Secondly, over the next decade four-year-old kinder will transition to Pre-Prep – a universal 30-hour a week program of play-based learning for every four-year-old child in Victoria, delivered through kinders and long day care Premiercentres.DanielAndrews said it was a year dedicated to growing and learning, new friends and new experiences, giving them the skills they needed for school and life.
Education
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“Our childcare system isn’t working for women – in fact, it’s holding them back,” then-Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams said. “Affordable and accessible childcare is vital to giving women more options –meaning they have more economic power and driving gender equality across every aspect of work and life.”
childcaremorekinder, Four-year-old kinder will become Pre-Prep.
Free
Where there is demand, centres will operate extended hours and on weekends so parents working in industries like hospitality and healthcare have more support and more options.
The typical household is spending 20 per cent of its income on childcare fees, and some women who wanted to return to work were staying home because of thisMrcost.Andrews said our economy missed out on their skills and experience.Hesaidbeing a stay-at-home parent was a legitimate choice, but it should be based on what worked for individual families, not forced by the childcare system’s limitations.
familiesCommunityliasonstaffworkcloselywithatCopperfieldCollegetointegratenotonlystudents,butfamiliesintotheschool’scommunity.
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College also has a two-year scholarship program for students starting Year 7. There are three areas; Academic Excellence, Performing Arts and Leadership/Community Scholarships. Students who demonstrate excellence in their field are encouraged to apply as this is a wonderful opportunity to be supported in playing to their strengths. Information is available on the school’s website.Copperfield College’s motto is ‘one family, three homes.’ Once students become part of the Copperfield family, they are nurtured until they realise their potential and leave the college as well rounded, caring citizens with a positive lifeWithpathway.three locations, Copperfield College has Years 7 to 10 campuses in Sydenham and Kings Park, and senior students have the choice of completing VCE, VET or VCAL at the Copperfield College Year 11 to 12 campus in Delahey. For more information, visit copperfield.co@edumail.vic.gov.au.copperfieldcollege.vic.edu.auwww.oremail
12 SPRING
Throughout the semester students are asked to take part in an inquiry research project that directly relates to the City of Melbourne. Students build a hypothesis and survey the public to prove or disprove their hypothesis. From this research, students find out the opinions of the public, and use this to make recommendations on how they can improve the issue they were looking to research.
COPPERFIELD College’s mission is to empower every student to aspire and achieve, with a particular emphasis on the aspect of every student. With a strong focus on the values of collaboration, inclusiveness and growth, Copperfield College embraces all learners into its family, knowing that every young person can learn, progress and create opportunities for themselves andHowothers.Copperfield does this is by investing in people to provide wraparound support for each childwith home group teachers, team leaders, campus leaders, campus principals, wellbeing staff, expert literacy, numeracy and EAL teachers, pathways staff and staff who support extracurricular activities, as well as, of course, expert classroom teachers. The school’s student survey data reflects its success, with the data being in the top quartile of the state for teacher student relations, safety, not experiencing bullying, motivation and interest and high expectations.
Investing in student
CHALLENGE DAY www.copperfieldcollege.vic.edu.au
The school community’s diversity is also a strength, with families coming from many different countries. Community liaison staff work closely with families, providing translations and information sessions in community languages. This brings a richness and vibrancy to the college as community members live out the school’s values everyCopperfieldday.
each
eachCopperfieldCollegeinvestsinextensivesupportforstudent.Pictures:Supplied
In the past students have researched issues such as; homelessness and the attitude around this, if Melbournians really do think graffiti art is art, if the public think there is too much rubbish and pollution in Melbourne and whether the public believe Melbourne to be a safe place. Through these inquiry projects students have gained confidence in their communication skills, personable skill and the ability to collate data, all while navigating the streets of Melbourne. The experience of Challenge day gives even the most disengaged student an opportunity to use real life skills to support their education. Through the P.E side, students build knowledge on the different types of sport and non-sport related physical activities. They look at understanding how participation in both changes according to data trends. Finally, students are asked to challenge themselves by participating in physical activities they may not have done before and then use their experience to reflect on in their P.E sessions. Finally, the structure of Challenge day allows for great student and teacher relationships. The students and staff divide their time, having 2 sessions of P.E and two sessions of Humanities on the one day dedicated to them. This way once a week students are spending the whole day with their two teachers. This is not only beneficial for students but also for the teachers. Teachers have a partnership with each other, sharing the class and collaborating across different subjects with each other. This rarely happens as each teacher stays within their teaching subject. Students can model collaborative behaviours through seeing how well the teachers work with each other. Challenge day is a great way to build relationships, independence and confidence in the Copperfield College Sydenham student. Email: copperfield.co@education.vic.gov.au
Education
The year 9 students of Copperfield College Sydenham take part in a subject called Challenge Day. This subject incorporates life skills, research skills and challenges students out of their comfort zones to participate in activities such as rock climbing and ice skating.
College ‘Confidence to Achieve’ • VCE results consistently at or above state average • A safe, inclusive and secure learning environment • Supporting student’s wellbeing by understanding the needs of each child • Recently modernised & upgraded facilities • Accelerated Curriculum & Enrichment (ACE) program • Students are known and cared for as individuals Our work is underpinned by our College values: Respect | Resilience | Ambition | Community A co-educational school with dedicated teachers who implement innovative ideas to stimulate learning Contact 9744 0500 or sunbury.downs.sc@education.vic.gov.au 148-174 Mitchells Lane, Sunbury VIC 342912536718-ET35-22 opportunitiesManyforeveryone
www.KidsWest.com.au SPRING 13
Supplied Education
Sunbury Downs College is located at 148-174 Mitchells Lane, Sunbury. For more information or to book a tour, visit www.sunburydowns.vic.com.au or phone (03) 9744 0500.
Sunbury Downs College has educational opportunities available for all students to thrive and grow. Picture:
Sunbury Downs College is proud of the work and support provided to students and the college community by its wellbeing team, learning support team and careers coordinator. Wellbeing programs complement teaching, learning and extra-curricular programs. Learning support focuses on assisting students with additional needs while the careers coordinator provides valuable advice as students transition to university, TAFE and the workforce. The college values of Respect, Resilience, Ambition and Community are embedded within the school’s teaching and learning practices. These core values support a culture of participation and excellence based on developing positive relationships and personal growth by all community members.
Sunbury Downs
SUNBURY Downs College is a vibrant Year 7 to 12 coeducational secondary college in Sunbury, offering a rich educational experience in an environment that encourages excellent outcomes for all students. The college offers a wide range of programs catering for all students, with a strong emphasis on developing individual wellbeing and positive interpersonal relationships. The curriculum provides a comprehensive teaching and learning program in core subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Health and Physical Education, Arts, Technology and Languages (Italian). The college also offers a range of VCE subjects, including Vocational Education and Training (VET) together with a structured and rigorous VCAL program in Years 11 to 12 which caters for students with an interest and passion for appliedSunburylearning.Downs College is the only secondary school in the area that offers an Accelerated Curriculum and Enrichment (ACE) program, extending students through a challenging curriculum including early commencement of VCE. The ACE program is a select entry course with enrolment from the feeder primary schools for students in Years 7 to 9. The college offers a wide range of inclusive activities and programs which cater to all students, including debating, public speaking, maths club, drama club and choir. There are year level and specialised camps and excursions, including a bi-annual overseas Italian study tour. It also offers instrumental music and presents a highly acclaimed musical production, enabling students to excel in an environment that fosters participation, responsibility and teamwork outside the classroom.
14 SPRING www.KidsWest.com.au 12562533-JW35-22
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in kitchenthe Lucywith Stewart Crunchy Chocolate Granola Picture: Studio 74 Photography
Instructions 1.Preheat
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www.KidsWest.com.au SPRING 15
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3.In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cacao and carob powder. Pour mixture over dry ingredients and mix together until everything is well mixture evenly over prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-minutes, turning halfway to ensure it cooks cool then store in an airtight container.
It’sYourLife
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5.evenly.Allowto
Ingredients cups rolled oats 1 cup chopped almonds cup flaked coconut cup sunflower seeds ¼ cup pumpkin seeds Tbsp cacao powder 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup Tbsp olive oil Tbsp carob powder 1 tsp vanilla extract ½ tsp cinnamon oven to 100°C and line a baking sheet with baking paper.
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4.combined.Spreadthe
2.In a large bowl, mix together oats, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flaked coconut and cinnamon.
CHOCOLATE for breakfast? Why not! This delicious crunchy chocolate granola is super easy and fun to make with the kids, and it’s a more nutritious way to start the day than anything you’ll find in a box at the supermarket. When it comes to kids, it’s true what they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast has the opportunity to provide kids with the fuel they need to be active and play, to be motivated, to concentrate and learn, as well as remember and harness new skills – how our kids start their day can greatly influence their success at school. Whilst cereal is the breakfast of choice for many kids, most commercial breakfast cereals are made with refined grains and high amounts of sugardelivering very little in the way of nutrients, causing blood sugar spikes and leaving kids feeling hungry and irritable, not long after. But a breakfast cereal that includes protein, fibre and fats will not only satisfy their hunger, it will keep kids tummies feeling fuller for longer, fuel their brains and sustain their energy throughout the morning. This crunchy chocolate granola is made with a mix of rolled oats, nuts, seeds, coconut and cacao to nourish growing bodies and brains. Raw cacao - commonly referred to as the ‘food of the Gods’ - is not only the highest food source of antioxidants, it also contains tryptophan (a precursor to moodboosting serotonin), a huge amount of phenylethylamine (aka the ‘love chemical’ that increases motivatingdopamine & serotonin) and is one of the most potent food sources of magnesium, a mineral that’s important for kids growth, development and energy production.Butthebest part, is drinking the chocolate milk that’s left at the end.
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Mr Morgan climbed the seven highest summits across all seven continents during the past three years. Mr Morgan said the support he had received had been “extremely humbling” but hoped his journey would inspire those struggling with Type 1 diabetes to try new things and persevere.“Youcan achieve whatever you want to,” he said. “If I can make it to the top of the world, anything in life is surely achievable.”
WILLIAMSTOWN’S David Morgan joined a club of about 300 people across the world, after conquering the seven highest mountains across the seven continents.Ontopof being the second known Australian to have achieved the feat over the past 10 years, he also completed seven of the world’s greatest marathons as part of a fund-raiser that raised $60,000 for Type 1 diabetes research.MrMorgan’s three-year journey came to a close on 12 June when he completed the Cairns Ironman, which involved swimming 3.8 kilometres and cycling 180 kilometres before running his seventh and final marathon. Suffering from salt depletion and cramps during the cycling leg of the event and then passing out five kilometres through the run, doctors told him to However,stop. he completed the event at 11pm, 15 hours after the event’s 8am start.Mr Morgan said the journey began in essence in February 2018, when his fouryear-old daughter Finlay was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
Father’sDay
The 50-something father of two, based near Seattle in the US, shares how-to videos for many basic tasks, with plenty of dad jokes thrown in with his earnest fatherly advice. When he was a kid, Father’s Day was “a pretty normal celebration” of his own dad.“By the time that I became a dad, my relationship with my dad was pretty distant, because he left the family when I was 14, so it was more my special day,” he said. “It’s a time that I get together with my wife’s family, and we celebrate all of the dads.“Ithink it’s cool to be a dad, and I hope to encourage other dads to see what a great privilege they have (if they don’t already know).”
“I have no prior experience, I was just trying to talk to the camera like I was talking to my own kids.
“I honestly thought that I would have 30 or 40 subscribers. “Had I known that my videos would have so many views, I would have paid closer attention while I was filming.
By Matthew Sims
Marathon effort for diabetes research
“Anything I can do to help the next generation to be encouraged, empowered, and to be good humans, I am all for it!”
“After learning to cope and manage Finlay’s condition, my attention turned to what I could contribute to the diabetes community,” he said.
“I have several years’ worth of content that I would like to share on my channel, but I also am keeping track of the many suggestions that I receive,” he said.He said the response was completely unexpected.“Ididn’tstart my channel to switch careers, so I had to grapple with what my new life looked like,” he said. “Now that we’re two years into it, I finally feel like I am in a good place with it.
“The highs were definitely the small moments upon the summit of the various mountain peaks after extended periods of effort to simply be in that moment,” he said. “To know I’d finally summitted all seven summits as I stood atop of Denali in Alaska was pure relief. “Arriving home to my family was always the biggest highlight.”
By Casey Neill
Williamstown resident David Morgan started the challenge to raise money for Type 1 diabetes research after his daughter Finlay was diagnosed.
16 SPRING www.KidsWest.com.au
“The need for funding to support diabetes research quickly became evident.“Inaddition to raising awareness and vital funds to assist with research for a cure, I also hoped to bring encouragement to children and individuals that they can overcome life’s challenges and accomplish anything in life.”Mr Morgan said some of the harder moments of his climbs included contracting Covid-19 at Mount Everest base camp, battling altitude sickness, and suffering frostbite during his climb of Denali in Alaska after his boot heaters failed during his descent of Mount Everest.
“YOU got this. I love you. I’m proud of you.”It’s easy to see why Rob Kenney has become a father figure to millions of people through his YouTube channel ‘Dad, how do I?’.
Rob Kenney is a dad to millions.
Rob’s a dad to millions
One reason Rob started the channel was to pass along things he “had to learn the hard way, to save others some of the struggles that I went through”.Fromjump-starting a car to tying a tie, he’s helping people of all ages and walks of life to learn new skills.
THE Skate Studio was created to encourage and promote rollerskating within the local community and beyond. The studio’s focus is to teach skating fundamentals, which will provide confidence and key skills that are transferable in all disciplines of skating.
“Skating has given me so much, and I am very passionate about ensuring my students get the opportunity of getting as much out of it as I have,” Victoria says. As well as providing skating lessons, in 2021 The Skate Studio became an official ambassador for Liptember, raising much-needed funds for women’s mental health.Thisyear, The Skate Studio will again be joining the fundraising effort and raising money via its classes and through its limited-edition merchandise.
ActiveKids
Victoria Reynolds is the owner and head coach at The Skate Studio. She has been involved in artistic rollerskating in Australia for more than 25 years, having skated at local, national, and international levels, and competing at the World Championships in 2012. She has been a qualified coach and judge for more than 10 years, teaching skaters of all ages and experience.
www.KidsWest.com.au SPRING 17 12563358-SN35-22
During its time in operation, The Skate Studio expanded to include Zoom, kids and specialised artistic classes. Its venues now include the addition of the Sunshine Skate Centre as well as school holiday classes at the Seabrook Community Centre. Priding itself on providing a learning environment which is supportive, informative, and inclusive, The Skate Studio coaches are knowledgeable, encouraging, and approachable.Theybelieve in learning skills the right way, and not the fast way.
Rock and roll at TheStudioSkate
Skate Studio owner Victoria Reynolds has skated at local, national and international levels, and competed at the 2012 World Championships.
Classes are open to skaters of all ages and abilities, and The Skate Studio has welcomed skaters from four years old to those in their sixties!
The Skate Studio offers classes for all ages and abilities. Pictures: Supplied
For more information, visit www.theskatestudio.com.au.
“I realised it wasn’t like I was bad at sport, it’s just that I never gave myself the chance to be any good.”
The ReadAlyzerTM is an eye movement analysis technology that records and understands how eyes perform when they read. It produces a complete eye tracking analysis when reading, looking at whether reading speed, eye movement accuracy, and comprehension, are inefficient or normal for age.
“I alternate between absolute exhilaration and fear of making a fool of myself,” she said.
girlEverycan
During This Girl Can Week, physical activity providers, clubs, gyms, facilities and organisations offer fun, beginnerfriendly and come-and-try events to help get more girls and women walking through their doors and trying new ways to get active. Whether it’s walking, hiking, cycling or chasing the kids around the park, there are fun ways to get active this spring.This Girl Can research shows more than half of Victorian women are worried about being judged while exercising and 41 per cent of Victorian women were embarrassed to exercise in public. They worry about being judged for how they look, how good they are or how they prioritise their time.
VicHealth social marketing and communications executive manager Rebecca Ahren said they were everyday women with real stories and realistic bodies.
18 SPRING www.KidsWest.com.au More than just 20/20 yecarePlus Visit our vision therapy website at www.visionadvantage.com.au www.eyecareplus.com.au/altonaor 90 Railway St. South, Altona I 9398 1344 altona@eyecareplus.com.au 12535618-DL10-22
“We hope other women will relate to their struggles and triumphs and think ‘if she can, I can too’,” she said.
Celebrate Children’s Week at GAC Geelong kids will be spoilt for choice at this year’s Children’s Week celebrations, with a variety of interactive activities at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre. Picture: Supplied
Local ambassadors across the state are leading the way and empowering girls and women to follow their lead.
GEELONG Arts Centre has been dishing out an amazing range of arts experiences for families and young people this year, and there’s still so much more to discover ahead of 2023!
At Eyecare Plus Altona, we understand that vision is much more than just seeing 20/20. Our examinations assess eye function as well as eyesight and eye health. Assessment of eye movements, eye alignment (using two eyes together) and focusing skills are crucial to understand how well our visual system is working, especially when visual demands are high. An eye test in early childhood, before starting school and during the school years ensures that your child has strong visual skills that are needed to learn efficiently.
ActiveKids
Celebrated in October, Children’s Week 2022 is all about supporting children’s wellbeing and development. What better way to celebrate than by engaging in awesome arts events? Whether it’s an alphabetical science race with The Alphabet Of Awesome Science for primary-aged children, or a night of craft, creativity and confidence at the 2022 Children’s Week Tweens Night, kids of Geelong are spoilt for choice with the variety of engaging and dynamic multi-arts experiences on offer at Geelong Arts Centre.Plus, joining the stacked line-up of family fun this year is Parrwang Community Arts’ ‘This Is Me’; a free, inclusive, innovative animation workshop delivered by Geelong animation pioneers, Pillowfort Creative, exclusively for young First Nations people. With opportunities to get creative, get dancing and get connected, what more are you waiting for? Head to geelongartscentre.org.au to learn more about the endless opportunities for growth and discovery for our region’s young people.
GIRLS can do anything, especially when it comes to physical activity. And there’s a whole week dedicated to spreading that message to girls and women of all ages, from 12 to 18 September.ThisGirlCan – Victoria is an uplifting, energetic and empowering campaign.It’sdesigned to overcome the fear of judgement stopping too many girls and women from joining in and being active to improve their health. It has a message for all girls and women, no matter their age, background, size or abilities: focus on how physical activity makes you feel, instead of on your fears.
Ambassador Angela Dalla Rosa, from Burnside Heights, is taking a break from football this year, has taken up cricket in the role of captain, and also recently completed a marathon. Angela thought she was too uncoordinated to play sport until she saw her sister run a marathon, and realised she could too.
“It was like, ‘is it possible?’ and then we found out that obviously she got the call.”Not only was Hussein finally going to receive a kidney, he was scheduled for surgery that same day.
Hussein’s experience inspired Ikram to study nursing and register as an organ donor. “I’d love to help people as much as they’ve helped my family, and sort of repay that favour,” she said. “Your registration as an organ donor can have a major effect on a person’s life.”DonateLife state medical director Rohit D’Costa is renewing calls for people to sign up. “We’ve seen about a 25 per cent decrease in donation and transplantation over the past two years due to the impacts of Covid-19,” he said. “This is why it’s never been more important to encourage more people in the community to register as organ and tissue donors and to have the conversation with family.”
DESPITE Australia being a world leader for successful transplant outcomes, the Royal Children’s Hospital says there are more children on the waiting list for transplants than there are organs available.
“We know many religions and cultural groups support organ and tissue donation and we need organ and tissue donors from all these communities and cultures,” he said. “Blood and tissue types need to match for a transplant to be successful, and while ethnicity is never a consideration in either donor or recipient selection, having more diversity in organ donors can help with finding a match.“Itdoesn’t matter how old you are, your medical history, your lifestyle, what country you’re from, or how healthy you are – you can still register as an organ and tissue donor. Even if you’ve had Covid or the flu, you can register.”Hussein is now 15-years-old, and Ikram is in her last year of studying nursing.Shesaid the selfless act of a donor meant her younger brother got to experience life.
Dr D’Costa said about 1750 Australians were on the organ transplant list, an additional 13,000 people on dialysis who could benefit from a kidney transplant, and others who required an eye or tissue to improve their quality of life.
Ikram, 10, Hassan, 6, Huda, 8, and Hussein, 4, in late 2010. Hussein and Ikram a year after the transplant.
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Fatima Halloum speaks to the family of an organ recipient about the life-changing procedure.
Zooming down slides at playgrounds and splashing in the shallows of a public pool are some of the simple joys of childhood.Atonlysix-years-old, Hussein Ahmed knew he couldn’t do what other kids could.Hisolder sister Ikram said her brother was desperate to live a normal life.
www.KidsWest.com.au SPRING 19 Health
When Hussein was about eight years old, his condition further worsened, and he was placed on a waiting list for a newFourkidneyyears later, Ikram was startled awake by her mother’s screams in the living room.
“He tended to attract a lot of attention, and he didn’t like that at all. He didn’t like people kind of treating him differently or just singling him out,” sheTheresaid.are some illnesses that are easier to hide, but when Hussein was diagnosed with nephronophthisis in 2013 and his kidneys began declining, doctors attached a nasogastric tube to the young “Essentially,boy.it’s a tube through his nose which goes all the way to his stomach, and he had nutrients that he took at night that helped him grow, because he wasn’t growing,” Ikram said. Sleepless nights and constant trips to the hospital became normal in the Truganina family’s household. Ikram said her brother’s kidney function levels rapidly decreased, and he was put on dialysis for about two years.“He was always aware of his condition, he would take everything as it goes,” she said. “He’s a very firm believer that God does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear.”
“We were just crying out of pure excitement and happiness,” Ikram said. That day was the first time Hussein cried,“Wetoo.don’t know who the organ donor is, but we’re just obviously really grateful…always keeping them in our dua (prayers),” she said.
Ikram Ahmed said it was very hard to see her brother Hussein struggle.
“I wanted to see what was going on and I just saw a massive smile on her face, but like, tears quickly coming down from her eyes,” she said.
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20 SPRING www.KidsWest.com.au Community Hub, Sydenham 3037 Phone: 9361 3888 | Fax: 9361 3899 Email: copperfield.co@education.vic.gov.au 12562643-AV35-22 Copperfield College Sydenham Campus Sunbury Downs College 148-174 Mitchells Lane, Sunbury VIC 3429 Contact 9744 0500 sunbury.downs.sc@education.vic.gov.auor 12562644-AI35-22 Follow our Facebook or Instagram for news, events and giveaways at Craigieburn Central. STAY IN THE KNOW! craigieburncentral.com.au 12537267-SN10-22 12562645-DL35-22 “Vision care for kids” 12562673-LB35-22 LOCATIONS: ALTONA MEADOWS COMMUNITY CENTRE - SEABROOK COMMUNITY CENTRE - SUNSHINE SKATE RINK BOOK YOUR CLASS NOW HTTPS://THESKATESTUDIO.COM.AU GROUP + PRIVATE CLASSES SKATE HIRE BOOKINGSAVAILABLEONLINE LEARN TO SWIM WITH THE We’ve been teaching survival techniques such as treading water since 1972! Enrol now at any one of our eight great Paul Sadler Swimland centres located in Melbourne’s West: Bacchus Marsh / Braybrook / Essendon / Hoppers Crossing / Laverton / Melton / Parkwood Green paulsadlerswimland.com.auWESTGATE ALTONA OPENING THIS SEPTEMBER!! 12562647-JW35-22 It’sYourLife
“Other issues go to the nature of research and the nature of clinical trials, including devices that are generally designed around a male body,” he told AAP.
Health fund hurt into private health insurance for birth and pregnancy cover a form of gender the peak group for obstetricians claims. National Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists president Gino Pecoraro says it’s the only service excluded from lower-level health insurance based on gender, and he’s taken the matter to the Human Rights Commission.
“These claims are high because often the mother and baby need to be in hospital for a prolonged period. This does not occur in male reproductive health.”Tiering has made health fund products easier for consumers to understand, but much harder for funds to spread this risk across the insured population, which has made gold hospital cover more expensive, they said.Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said gender bias in the health system was an important issue.
discrimination,
Dr Pecoraro said more needs to be done to lighten the load on public hospitals, and widening access to private care through cheaper insurance policies would help. He said many were shocked to discover women were forced to pay extra to get cover for reproductive health, when men’s reproductive health issues were covered at a lower level. Almost all policies cover testicular tortion or cancer and prostate issues, but pregnancy and birth were only covered in top-level cover, he said. Dr Pecoraro said the association made a complaint to the Human Rights Commission a year ago but has yet to hear back.
“The Albanese government is having a range of discussions about our approach to this issue.”
A spokesperson for the commission said it is not able to comment or provide any information about complaints it has received.Private Healthcare Australia says the tiering of health insurance products into gold, silver, bronze and basic was introduced by the previous government.
“It’s criminal in a country that prides itself on trying to eliminate gender discrimination,” Dr Pecoraro told AAP.
A spokesperson for the
“Pregnancy is covered in the highest tier because the risk of something going wrong is very costly. The cost of preterm labour and delivery often exceeds $200,000 to $300,000 for example,” a spokesperson told AAP.
basedincludetheypotentialofiscriminatemadeDiscriminationagainstdiscriminationeliminatingcommittedgovernmentDepartmentAttorney-General’ssaidthe“wastowomen”.ThefederalSexActitunlawfultoonthebasispregnancyorpregnancy,said,butexceptionsforinsuranceonreasonabledata.
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Dirt by Sea Explore our wonderful coastline and the joy of a family roadtrip with Dad and Daisy! Featuring 40 pages of extraordinary comic-style illustrations, this unique picture book will have you dreaming of a holiday around Australia or maybe even planning a van life with the help of the journey map in the endpapers. The hugely popular creators of Why I Love Footy and Why I Love Summer are back together with a moving family story that is also a true celebration of what we love most about the Australian landscape, family holidays and classic Kombi vans. Daisy lives in inland Australia with her dad and her grandparents. It’s home, and she loves the red dirt land around her.
$12.99 Hachette Australia
$24.99 Penguin
The third children’s book by bestselling mindset author and two-time Olympian, Matthew Syed, will help readers to find their voice, flex their social superpowers, and speak up with kindness and confidence. What if you could disagree with someone without it turning into the argument of the century? I’m here to tell you that it can be done. What Do YOU Think? will help young readers to discover what is influencing their ideas, from peer pressure to fake news. They’ll learn how to form and change opinions, and how to debate their views with empathy.
$14.99 Hachette Australia
Thank You, Teacher from The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show your teachers how much you appreciate them in this colorful book of thanks featuring The Very Hungry ShowCaterpillar.friends and family how much you appreciate them with the Very Hungry Caterpillar’s colorful book of Perfectthanks.for any day of the year, this charming book of pictures is the colorful way to tell loved ones “thanks!” Featuring art from the World of Eric Carle, this joyful book follows The Very Hungry Caterpillar and celebrates all that makes us most thankful.
22 SPRING www.KidsWest.com.au
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Chippy Chasers: Chippy Jackpot Who loves a delicious, hot, salty chippy? Seagull mates Steve-O, Stanley and Stacey do . . . A hilarious graphic novel for readers aged 6+ from actor, animator and Tiktok sensation Sam Cotton. On a sunny Sydney wharf, Stacey and Stanley watch enviously as customers feed on as many hot salty chippies as they want. Fed up with having to scab for scraps with all the other seagulls, they seek out legendary chippy thief Steve-O to help them pull off the ultimate heist . . . But first they’ll have to get past a seagull-hating chippy chef, deal with some bully bin chickens, and convince the World’s Best Chippy Chaser to overcome his dark past and join the team.
Children’s books... A withinbookabook
AMAZING JOURNEYSANIMAL
Books
When she wrote Arabella, Suzy had small children who devoured books. “I’d read them stories and we’d all escape for a while, so the library was our happy place and the perfect setting for my first picture book,” she said.
Suzy is quite happy for her book to land on the kids’ shelf, susceptible to sticky fingers.
“Books had always kept me company, even as a small child, so it wasn’t a stretch to make my main character an ABC book who longs for adventure.”
By Casey Neill ARABELLA’S Alphabet Adventure features a book taking a daring adventure and learning she’s perfect just the way she is.
“Arabella’s Alphabet Adventure is a gentle reminder to love ourselves and those around us; to learn to live in the moment and find happiness in the things we already have, and to recognise that we all have value.”
“We so often forget to be grateful for what we have, especially with the pervasiveness of social media and the constant pull to compare ourselves to people whose lives look shinier.
“I’d only ever written books for adults and teens and was grateful for the opportunity to work with an illustrator (Christopher Nielsen) and engage with young children,” she said.
$14.99 Penguin
“I also loved the challenge of whittling my words down to the ones that really counted and conveying big ideas in just a few hundred words. “It’s harder than it looks because picture books are read over and over and out loud.“Read anything that often and you’ll see every flaw.”
Author Suzy Zail.
$15.99 Penguin
A beautifully illustrated title chock- full of fascinating animal facts from our bestselling, CBCA awardwinning Tasmanian children’s author/illustrator, Jennifer Cossins, that focuses on 25 animal species from Australia and around the world with intriguing migration Didjourneys.youknow that Arctic terns have the longest migration of all birds, flying from the Arctic to Antarctica and back each year? Or that the wildebeest migration in east Africa is so vast it can be seen from outer space? Come along on these amazing animal journeys! Perfect for readers aged 7+ who delight in learning about the animal kingdom and the world around them.
“I’m an ABC book and that’s all I’ll ever be,” Arabella complained to her capital C. Hers is the most beautiful and most borrowed book in the library - but only ever by children, often those with sticky fingers.“Arabella forgets she is special. She longs for words and paragraphs,” Melbourne author Suzy Zail said. “She wants to be adored by adults so she travels to Africa as a stowaway in search of a better life, only to learn that she is perfect - and loved - just the way she is.
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This event celebrates the food, wine, language and culture of France from 10am to 5pm. There’ll be market stalls dotted across the grounds of The Heights, plus a main stage, roving entertainment, and a dedicated kids’ zone. The Heights Heritage House and Garden is at 140 Aphrasia Street, EntryNewtown.is$15 for adults, $7.50 for children, $35 for a family of four. Visit www.lefestivalfrancais.com.au for more.
23 CHILDREN’SOCTOBERWEEK
Tickets are $10.50 for adults, $35 for a family of four, and free for under-2s. Call 5251 1998 or visit geelongaustralia.com.au/potatoshed.www.
SPOOKFEST
This free community event features entertainment, interactive arts experiences, sporting activities, music, dancing and good times. There will also be food trucks and roving entertainers. It will run from 10am to 4pm at Werribee Park, K Road, Werribee. Visit www.wyndham.vic.gov.au.
BAZAAR TWILIGHT MARKET
22 & 23 ANTIPODESOCTOBERFESTIVAL
27-30 SEPTEMBER THE SUBMARINE ADVENTURE
TALK As part of Wyndham Learning Festival 2022, Julia Gillard Library Tarneit will host award-winning author Morris Gleitzman for a free author talk at 4pm. Bookings are required. Call 8734 0200 or visit www.wyndham. vic.gov.au.
22 SEPTEMBER TO 2 OCTOBER MELBOURNE ROYAL SHOW
KidsCalendar
THE BEST Join experts from the National Institute of Dramatic Art Open (NIDA) to gain skills and confidence in public speaking.
Dress like a pirate to celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day, 5pm to 9pm. Bizarre Bazaar twilight markets showcase local stall holders in the Big Shed and an outdoor space overlooking the Melbourne skyline. Food vans will also be on hand, plus live entertainment, dance performances, roaming entertainment, door prizes and more. Seaworks is at 82 Nelson Place, Williamstown.
Join best friends Jude and Penny on a musical under the sea adventure featuring Beatles favourites at the Potato Shed, 41 Peninsula Drive, Drysdale.
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This free two-day event features cultural performances, food, and drinks, at Queensbridge Square, 3 Queens Bridge Street, Southbank.
Also known as the Lonsdale Street Greek Festival, this is the world’s largest celebration of Greek culture outside of FestivitiesGreece. will run 10am to 11pm at this free event.
10 & 11 SEPTEMBER MOON LANTERN FESTIVAL
EVERYTHINGMAKINGOCTOBERART:IMAGINEISREAL
22 SEPTEMBER & 28 OCTOBER THE ALPHABET OF AWESOME SCIENCE
LE FESTIVAL FRANCAIS
What's on this Spring
Lighting displays, celestial oddities, street eats and powerful, diverse voices will mee the theme: Everything on the land is reflected in the sky. The free event runs 7pm to 1am in central Geelong. Visit whitenight.com.au/geelong for more.
This free event promotes awareness of Indonesia – its culture, its people - in Argyle Square, Carlton, from 10am to 4pm. KIDS+ KITES FESTIVAL
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The free session for young people aged 15 to 19 will cover the basics of body language, vocal techniques, storytelling and Juliamore.Gillard Library Tarneit will host, from 4pm to 5.30pm. Call 8734 0200 or visit www.wyndham. vic.gov.au.
www.KidsWest.com.au
SPRING 23
Professor Lexi Con has curated her favourite words - one for every letter of the alphabet - and Professor Noel Edge uses each one to inspire 26 quirky scientific Recommendeddemonstrations.forchildren aged 5 and Theabove.22September show starts at 11am at Knox Community Arts Centre, 790 Mountain Highway, Bayswater. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for children and $45 for a family of four from eventbrite.com.au.
On Saturday night adults can check out what’s in store for the kids on Sunday, which will include food vans, games and Potatoentertainment.Shed,41Peninsula Drive, Drysdale, will host this free event. Visit potatoshedwww.geelongaustralia.com.au/formore.
The 28 October show is on at 5pm at Costa Hall, Deakin University Geelong Waterfront, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong. Tickets are $12. Call 1300 251 200 or visit www.geelongartscentre.org. au.
This free all-ages exhibition invites kids and their families to experiment with innovative ways of making their own works of art. It runs 10am to 5pm daily at National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne.
This free family event will include a giant kite flying display, music, food and more. It will run 11am to 2pm at Rippleside Park, 42 Bell Parade, Rippleside. Visit www.kidsplus.org.au for more.
29 & 30 OCTOBER
This event returns after two years off promising new attractions, more fun, bigger smiles and greater value. Children aged 14 years and under attend free, entry after 5pm is $25, save 25 per cent on rides by purchasing a ride pass with an admission ticket, and more. Gates are open 9.30am to 9pm. Tickets are only available from royalshow.com.au. Melbourne Showgrounds is on Epsom Road, Ascot Vale.
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24 SPRING www.KidsWest.com.au 12561955-SN35-22
