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Magazine
FREE LITTLE CONVERSATIONS | WALK THE WALK... WESTSIDE
PARENTS IN BUSINESS | SUPER DADS | A GOOD START FOR YOUR CHILD’S EYES
THE TEAM WIN!
Emily Raubenheimer
Eden Cox
Eden Cox Bubba West Co-Founder Editor Writer
Emily Raubenheimer
A BABY ACCESSORIES PACK Courtesy of Holly Bear Handmade, we are giving away one fabulous baby accessories pack with a Colour Pop Teething Necklace, a Teeth-it Clip and a Waterproof Clipper Bib: valued at $33. The winner also gets to design their own necklace, teether and bib! To win, email win@bubbawest.com with your best teething remedy by April 20th. www.facebook.com/hollybearhandmade
Bubba West Co-Founder Art Direction & Design Writer
And introducing . . . In March, we were super excited to welcome Aubrey Hamlett to the Bubba West team. Aubrey is our social media manager and guru. She is also known to cook some dangerously good-looking hot-cross buns.
OUR CONTRIBUTORS
Bec Heelan Liz Muller Sarah Lavelle Kelly Cairns Aubrey Hamlett Ali Webb Tina Van Winden Kerrie Buchanan Avrille M. Burrows Anne Hollonds
WITH THANKS TO . . . Our beautiful families. Our advertisers and sponsors. Our distributors.
MUMPRENEUR
BY ANNABEL KARMEL If you are a parent in business, or would like to be, Mumpreneur is for you. This new release is a complete guide to starting and running a successful business. Karmel shares with you two decades of personal business experience. Learn how to juggle the demands of motherhood and business! To enter, email win@bubbawest.com by Friday 1 May with your name and postal address. A winner will be chosen by random draw. Good luck!
Disclaimer: All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders. The editorial team, their staff and printer are not responsible for the accuracy or correctness of contributions in this publication, both advertisements and editorial, or for the consequences of any use made of any products, and the information included in this publication. The editorial team and their staff expressly disclaim all liability of whatsoever nature for any consequences arising from any errors or omissions, whether caused to a consumer of this publication or otherwise. The views expressed in the articles herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial team. It is impossible for the editorial team and their staff to ensure that the advertisements and other material herein comply with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth). Readers should make their own inquiries when making decisions and, where necessary, seek professional advice. Š Bubba West 2015. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.
welcome.
HELLO INSIDE
I
In 2015, we believe a new trend is emerging; parents are creating new futures for themselves and reshaping their communities by starting their own businesses.
We began the Bubba West journey with a desire to make a new space for ourselves – a space where we could work AND enjoy our kids at home; a space where our hours would not be dictated to us so we could work when it suits our families best; a space where we would be able to connect with, and mirror, the beautiful community in which we live.
So, what is this experience like? This edition, we investigate, and bring you local businesses that are run by parents just like you (pages 2–6). Why? Because we have been so inspired by the brilliant people around us who continue to innovate and enrich our community through their enterprises – it has been hard to pick only a few stories, so we will also be showcasing others on our blog (www.bubbawest.com) over the next few months.
07 Health and wellbeing
As always, we hope our magazine will inspire you to get out there and explore our wonderful westerly community with your kids!
22 Raising beings
Happy reading!
27 Handmade
Eden and Emily.
28 Make it!
t’s us again – Eden and Emily – and boy, are we excited to be bringing you edition 2! Producing our first edition was an exhausting, nerve-wracking and joyous experience.
It’s been a year since we launched the blog that started it all, and we have learnt that starting your own business is by no means easy. There are late nights, stressful moments juggling a hungry breastfeeding baby and important phone calls, as well as new freedoms that the 9-to-5 jobs just never gave us – such as stopping at the park with our tots at 11 am on a Monday because its sunny, because it brings our kids joy, and because we can. In the 1990s, parents, and especially mums, started to seek more flexibility in their workplaces in order to achieve balance. They campaigned for recognition in the workplace.
02 Feature
04 Parents in business
12 Read 14 Education 16 Party 18 Out and about 20 The parent hood
26 Relationships
Connect with Bubba West online at www.bubbawest.com, via Facebook at www.facebook.com/bubbawesthub, or by email at admin@bubbawest.com. We’d love to hear from you!
SNEAK PEEK 02 Walking two paths: Natasha at Rhubarb
Walk the walk... westside
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24 Little conversations BUBBA WEST /1
feature.
Image credit: HOLLY GRAHAM, SEVEN IS YELLOW
WALKING TWO PATHS: Natasha at Rhubarb WORDS EDEN COX | PHOTOGRAPHY HOLLY GRAHAM & EMILY RAUBENHEIMER
Tranquility is the vibe at Seddon’s Rhubarb Wholefoods cafe on a sunny Friday afternoon. Polished concrete floors and industrial-style light fittings lend an edginess to the rustic baskets and jars of organic ingredients for sale. The customer in front of me places a large bag on the counter between plates of delicate organic sweets. ‘Would you like some homegrown figs?’ she asks.
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hubarb Wholefoods is a cafe with a difference; it is vegan and vegetarian, and has the kind of community feel that inspires locals to donate their own homegrown produce. Owner Natasha Oleary tells us if that particular customer had returned that weekend, she could have ordered a dish made with her own figs! It’s a labour of love for Natasha, and part of the community vibe is thanks to the presence of her new baby, Daya, who spends each day cradled in his mother’s apron as she runs the store. Our visit to Rhubarb is like spending a relaxed afternoon in a friend’s kitchen. But Rhubarb isn’t a charity, or a social enterprise; its concept is less defined, and Natasha says the business is evolving organically. ‘What drives me is community, and the gift economy: a new way of doing business,’ she says. ‘People are coming to me to volunteer, people are dropping off homegrown produce, and it’s all happening naturally.’ In return, customers might take home discounted groceries or other items, along with a strong sense of community. A volunteer information evening is also in the works. It’s clear upon entering Rhubarb’s homely double doors that this is a labour of love for Natasha, who
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is also mum to Daya (three months) and his older brother Jasper (nine). ‘A few years ago, I realised that if I didn’t do this now, I never would,’ Natasha explains. ‘So, I handed in my resignation at work – as a single mum at the time – then I completed the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme. One thing led to another and things happened!’ The cafe was always a big dream, she tells me, and when the ball started rolling, she went to a seminar to hear Melbourne businesswoman Fabian Dattner speak about children and careers. ‘She was saying that it doesn’t have to be a choice between the two,’ says Natasha, ‘and that we, as women, need to be walking our purpose with our children alongside us. Later, I went to a business networking event for women and was preaching to all the other businesswomen about this new realisation I’d had. The very next day, I found out I was pregnant!’ Natasha says she cried for a week after the news, worrying about what was going to happen with her business now that she was pregnant. ‘Then I remembered what I’d been preaching to other women about, and I realised I just had to do it. Here was my chance to walk the two paths. As a woman, I think it is really important to include family.’ Curious about how one runs a cafe and store while raising a nine-year-old and an infant, I ask Natasha about the logistics of her day. ‘I’m really lucky that Daya is in tune with it all. The evenings are difficult, because when we get home, we are both tired and I can’t do the admin stuff I need to do. But during the day, I am very blessed.’ It seems luck is only a part of the equation, with dedication, ambition and hard work comprising the rest. Natasha says that a big lesson she has learned is to accept imperfection. ‘You can’t be a perfect mother and a perfect business owner. There are so many things in this café that I
Image credit: HOLLY GRAHAM, SEVEN IS YELLOW
haven’t been able to get to yet, but I just have to surrender to that. We shouldn’t be aspiring to be perfect. We should be aspiring to be real.’ She looks down at her peacefully suckling baby, adjusts him in her arms and smiles: ‘For example, I don’t mind breastfeeding in public, but as a business owner with customers coming in, it’s a bit different. I just have to let it go and accept things. Not everything is perfect, and that’s OK.’ But her greatest challenge? Like many mothers, it’s asking for help. ‘My mum is here helping, but eventually I will be doing this role ‘What drives me is while she helps keep the community, and the gift fires burning at home.’
economy: a new way of doing business.’
Natasha’s mother is a regular face behind the counter at Rhubarb, adding to the homely feel of the cafe, and making customers feel like part of the Rhubarb family. Impressed by her ambition and bravery, I ask Natasha if she has any advice for other mums with big aspirations. ‘It’s about not giving up. I think our role is changing and that a fulfilled mother who is following her purpose is a better parent. I read once that the best place for a baby to be is at the centre of an active person’s life. It’s not easy, but I think it is important to bring our children along with us.’ Truly one to lead by example, Natasha has plans to hang a Spanish baby hammock for Daya from Rhubarb’s ceiling. She looks wistful, and gestures to the cozy corner behind her, furnished with Persian carpets and floor pillows, ‘Yes, right about there...’ she says.
BUBBA WEST /3
So, what is it that you do?
Lahn U, Aware Health Massage & Pilates
My business is... a natural therapies clinic in Newport that offers remedial massage, myotherapy, and clinical and group reformer pilates classes for residents of the inner west. We specialise in postural correction, pain management, pre/postnatal massage and exercise, sports injuries and injury prevention. I am excited about... the amazing sense of community and support available to parents, and look forward to working with fellow westies to move without pain, and regain strength and stability. It’s no secret that parenting can be physically challenging. My top tip for juggling a business with parenting is... to have a great support network and reassess your work/life balance so you can be better at both. www.awarehealth.com.au facebook.com/aware.health 9399 1009 Aware Health – Massage & Pilates Suite 2, Level 1 22 Mason St Newport VIC 3015
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Brooke Taylor, Five Little Faces
Aly Walsh, Aly’s Books
My business is... Five Little Faces. It’s fun, totally affordable kids’ clothing. Think stars, think skulls, think funky and there you have Five Little Faces! I often get asked, 'Where'd you get that top?', even at our local supermarket. It makes my day.
My business is... Aly’s Books – a local, independent book publisher founded by and for authors. Our unique and cost-effective publishing system allows up-and-coming writers to transform themselves into published authors in a matter of months.
I am excited about... every day! I love that I can work from home, collect my son from school, cook dinner and then go back to work – ha! Five Little Faces' autumn/winter range is now online and it’s really fun; our customers love it!
I am excited about... supporting authors to achieve their dream – like mine – of seeing their words in print! In just over a year, we have helped over 20 first-time authors (with more on the way) to get published. If you’ve got an idea for a new book, drop us a line!
My top tip for juggling a business with parenting is... Don’t try to be perfect: you don’t need to be. I get lost in my world, but when Mac wants to play, we play.
My top tip for juggling a business with parenting is... have a great work/life balance – I do Metafit four times a week – and an amazing local virtual assistant helps immensely.
www.fivelittlefaces.com.au www.facebook.com/fivelittlefaces www.instagram.com/fivelittlefaces
www.alysbooks.com www.facebook.com/alysbooks info@alysbooks.com
parents in business.
Have you ever dreamt of starting your own business, or wondered what it’s like to juggle family with a fledgling enterprise? Local entrepreneurs with children offer their insights.
Danielle Ross Walls, Career Ideas for Mums Expo 2015
Raylene Varone, Confident Conveyancing
Alison Long, Feather & Noise
My business is... Confident Conveyancing, providing quality property conveyancing services to Melbourne and beyond. Whether you are buying your first family home or adding to your property portfolio, we provide professional advice in simple language you don't need a law degree to understand.
My business is... Feather & Noise (F&N), a ladies' online retail clothing business. F&N has a strong focus on beautiful, yet affordable ladies' knitwear and, believe me, the prints, colours and embellishments on cardis, jumpers and scarves this season are statement must-have pieces!
My business is... The Career Ideas for Mums Expo, which will showcase earning options including home business ideas and family-flexible employment. Come along on Saturday 10th October for inspiring talks and demonstrations, informative stands, and a gift bag on entry.
I am excited about... connecting people with property. There is nothing better than calling clients to tell them that settlement has gone through and they now own their new home.
I am excited about… all things knitted in ladies’ fashion for winter 2015. I’m also excited for my 19-month-old to turn two mid year and hopefully start talking, because all of this screaming and pointing is driving me slightly bonkers!
I am excited about... inspiring and empowering other mums to discover a family-flexible career that they love!
My top tip for juggling a business with parenting is... turn the computer off on the weekend! Weekends are family time.
www.confidentconveyancing.com facebook.com/confidentconveyancing www.truelocal.com.au/business/confidentconveyancing/yarraville
My top tip for juggling a business with parenting is... organisation and structure is essential for everyone.
My top tip for juggling a business with parenting is… try to be fully present. At the studio, I focus on work. When I’m at home, we spend time together.
www.featherandnoise.com/ facebook.com/featherandnoise info@featherandnoise.com
www.careerideasformums.com.au facebook.com/CareerIdeasForMumsExpo careerideasformums@gmail.com
BUBBA WEST /5
Parents in Business.
Super dads Sometimes, combining business and kids can be super fun. We chat to James from local business Heroes 4 Hire about how he converted a life-long passion for comics into a thriving business. The key to fulfilment? Doing what brings you joy.
Tell us about Heroes 4 Hire:
We are James and Jimmy, two old mates from high school and long-time comic book nerds! We provide superhero character entertainment for kids’ parties and corporate family days, including classic party games with a superhero twist and awesome face painting.
Tell us about how Heroes 4 Hire came about:
After taking my kids to a 6th birthday party, I was stunned by the ‘Batman’ they’d hired. He was really awful! He wore a terrible costume and made no effort to become the character. He was a big hit with the kids, but I thought I could do a better job! He didn’t come cheap, either, so I thought it would be a great way to earn some extra pocket money on the weekends. I then called my old school buddy Jimmy to see if he was keen to team up (as I knew he already had his own Spider-Man suit) and he was on board straight away!
It must be fun seeing kids’ reactions to a superhero at their party. Are you mad about superheroes too?
Some kids are convinced we’re really them! And yes, I’m still mad about superheroes! I feel like a kid again and am so pleased I can share all this with my son and daughter (8 and 6 respectively). It’s great to be able to sit around the dinner table and discuss who might be the next villain in the upcoming Avengers film. My wife gets a bit lost in it all, though!
I imagine kids want to know all about their favourite superhero. Do you have to research for your role as each superhero? Not really, because we did all the research in our teen years. We’re surprised sometimes by some pretty obscure facts that some kids throw at us! We definitely have all bases covered, though. 6/ BUBBA WEST
What do you love most about your job?
Getting to dress as superheroes is nothing but fun! Seeing the joy on the kids’ faces as we interact with them is great and watching the parents get a kick out of us is really cool, too! The mums tend to enjoy the show – some of them have asked us afterwards if we do hens’ nights! Somehow, I don’t think our wives would approve!
What has been your biggest challenge?
Promoting the business was hard at first, but thanks to Facebook and word of mouth, we’ve done really well. Getting our website, www.heroes4hire.com.au, found when doing a Google search, however, is a real struggle!
What would a typical work/family day look like for you?
My wife and I probably couldn’t have a more typical routine! I work for a designer furniture supplier and my wife is an event coordinator. Our kids are in grades one and three, so they keep us busy enough. Like most other families, we work towards the weekends. When the Heroes parties come along, they don’t take up too much family time.
Any advice for parents starting a business?
If you base it on something you already love, you’re bound to do well at it, even if it’s for a little extra income on weekends. Also, keep yourself open to ideas from family and friends, and try to network as much as you can.
And, finally, who is your favourite superhero?
Growing up, I’d say Spider-Man, but more recently, and thanks to the movies (and my awesome costume), it’s got to be Captain America!
health and wellbeing.
EXERCISING AFTER HAVING A BABY WORDS BEC HEELAN, PRE- AND POSTNATAL PERSONAL TRAINER, BEC HEELAN HEALTH AND FITNESS
B
eing a new mum can be physically and mentally tough. For some of us, it may be the hardest physical job we’ve ever had to do. And it’s a time when our bodies have never felt so sleep-deprived and susceptible to injury. There’s also the pressure of bouncing back post-baby, because that’s what everyone does, right? Well, that’s what we see on social media and in magazines, but that’s not the majority. There was a recent study out of the United Kingdom that said despite the myth that mums feel physically and mentally recovered from pregnancy and childbirth six weeks after delivery, the average is more like 12 months.
Before returning to Above all else, be kind to exercise, it can be yourself during this time. so beneficial to visit Your body has done an a women’s health incredible job and it’s not physiotherapist, because they will about beating it back into test the strength and submission. endurance of your pelvic floor and check for any abdominal separation. One in three women who have ever had a baby will experience incontinence. That’s huge! But just because it is so common, that doesn’t mean it should be accepted as normal. If left untreated, a weak pelvic floor can lead to prolapse, so it’s important to exercise in a way that supports your recovery. Exercise prescription for a postnatal client varies depending on their situation, but two of the most common issues are pelvic floor dysfunction and abdominal separation. Generally speaking, crunches (sit-ups) are a no-go zone, at least until you can be sure your abdominal muscles have come back together. Even then, there are better core exercises out there that don’t compromise your pelvic floor and back. Exercises like jumping, jogging, wide leg squats and lifting heavy weights should only be done once you’re sure your pelvic floor is strong enough. This also includes lifting babies. Of course, we have to pick up our babies, but the additional
Bec Heelan training one of her clients.
weight will compromise your pelvic floor, so it’s just something to think about before deciding to wear your baby, or do heaps of squats while holding your child. So what exercises are helpful? Restorative core exercises like glute bridges, toe taps (floating one foot up at a time), threepoint kneeling and two-point kneeling are all great when done with correct pelvic floor and transverse abdominus activations. You could use a workout DVD in the lounge room while your baby sleeps. I recommend The Healthy Mummy post-pregnancy exercise DVD. Clinical pilates can be really beneficial, or ‘mums and bubs’ personal training sessions. Just make sure your trainer has postnatal qualifications, and if they’ve had a baby and been through it firsthand, that’s a bonus. Boxing is great low-impact cardio exercise, as well as pushing the pram uphill; the heavier your baby gets, the harder the workout becomes! Above all else, be kind to yourself during this time. Your body has done an incredible job and it’s not about beating it back into submission. As well as building your strength and fitness back up, this is also a time of healing and recovery.
Who is Bec Heelan? Bec Heelan is a western suburbs-based mobile outdoor personal trainer who specialises in pre- and postnatal fitness, mothers’ groups and ‘mums & bubs’ classes. (becheelanhealthandfitness.wordpress.com) BUBBA WEST /7
With WynActive Bookings at Wyndham City’s newly redeveloped Leisure Centre will be available from the 13th of April! Sign up now for information or visit us at the Wyndham City Civic Centre, 45 Princess Highway, Werribee. www.wynactive.com.au
HEALTH AND FITNESS Health and Fitness Memberships available now. Call us on 8734 5678.
CRECHE Creche facilities available from opening, mid 2015.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES Come and join Wynston and friends on the slide. With waterslides and Inflatables call us to book your birthday party. Call us on 8734 5678.
To enquire, book or sign up for any of the above programs please contact our friendly membership staff
80 Derrimut Road, Hoppers Crossing 8734 5678 | www.wynactive.com.au Connect with us
health and wellbeing.
A good start for your child’s eyes
WORDS LIZ MULLER, B.APP.SC (OPTOM), BEHAVIOURAL OPTOMETRIST
It’s easy to assume that children will just naturally develop good vision. We open our eyes and there is the wonderful bright world around us. We see colours, shapes, faces, words, and so much more. How do we know that our children are seeing the same way we are?
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hile it’s easier for older children and adults to recognise changes in their vision, such as when print or street signs appear blurry, or due to other symptoms like headaches, babies and young children don’t know how they are supposed to see. Indications of problems in the rest of the body seem to be more obvious than problems with our eyes. Ironically, it can be harder to ‘see’ eye problems! Ideally, a baby should have their first vision assessment at six to 12 months of age. At this age, children have the ability to use the two eyes together, and more efficient binocular vision and depth perception develops. You can help to stimulate your baby’s vision by: • using lots of colourful, high-contrast decorations with different patterns • giving them lots of tummy time to help them learn to focus well. If your baby doesn’t like tummy time, try laying them on your chest; your face will be their favourite thing to watch
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•
playing games that encourage your baby to follow targets. Even a spoonful of food can be a great target: side to side and then ‘choo choo!’... right into the mouth!
Between the age of two and four, a child’s visual demands increase as they begin to interact with the world in a more controlled way. Problems such as eye turns and lazy eye often begin in this age group, and are best treated with early intervention. Movement and vision development are closely linked. Eventually, our vision guides movement. Give your baby the freedom to crawl and explore. Play pat-a-cake and peek-aboo games. It’s so important to let your kids move, move and move! Let them practise balancing, climbing, hopping and jumping. Screen time should be limited to very small amounts, particularly for children under the age of two, for whom no screen time is advised. A vision problem may also impact on your child’s learning at school. When having your child’s vision checked, it’s important to ensure that their near vision skills are assessed. Vision is
so much more than seeing 20/20. While we expect children to have good eyesight, their ability to use other aspects of their vision is what really counts. This means that to concentrate well, a child needs strong focus skills, good eye-teaming and efficient tracking. Good visual motor integration ensures efficient writing, which helps students submit work on time. Having a vision assessment should be a fun experience for a young child. Let them know they are going to play lots of games to check their eyes. Babies and young children are so much fun to work with, and no, they don’t need to be able to read letters to have an eye test!
Who is Liz Muller? Liz Muller is an optometrist with a special interest
in behavioural optometry and the development of vision for learning and literacy in children. She runs visual perceptual examination and vision therapy programs at EyeCare Plus, Altona Gate Shopping Centre, to develop visual skills in children who may be having learning difficulties. (www.visionadvantage.com.au).
Your child’s vision may affect their future Vision has stages of development, just like crawling and walking, and is one of the most important senses in children's development. As developmental Optometrists, we know that it is important to detect problems early so that children have the opportunity to develop the visual abilities they need to grow and learn. An eye examination every two years is the best way. A child is never too young to have their eyes assessed (we have even checked babies of just 3 months old!).
Upper level Altona gate Shopping centre, 124 Millers Rd. North Altona We provide assessment and advice on developing the best vision PH 9314 0196 outcomes for happy and healthy eyes! This includes children with special needs, on the autism spectrum, and with general www.visionadvantage.com.au developmental delay, who have a higher risk of vision problems. BUBBA WEST /11
read.
W HAT’S NEW AT T H WORDS SARAH LAVELLE, OUTREACH LIBRARIAN: CHILDREN AND YOUTH, HOBSON’S BAY LIBRARIES
One of the best things about being a children’s librarian is that it gives me a great excuse to enjoy picture books. Here is a selection of some of my favourites that have arrived at Hobsons Bay Libraries during the past couple of months. The Great Garden Mystery | Written and illustrated by Renée Treml | Random House Australia, 2014 Did you know that wombats do cube poos? I had no idea! I was so fascinated by this that I just had to do further research. One reason I found is that it takes 14 days for wombats to process food, so by the time it comes out, it is incredibly hard and dense. That doesn’t actually explain to me why it is square, so I will have to do further research on that one. I also learned that wombats use their poo to visually mark territory and this would be a problem if it were round, as it would just roll away. You won’t actually learn these fun facts in the book, but you may be just as intrigued as I was. Actually, I shouldn’t have told you that wombats do square plops as I have now solved The Great Garden Mystery for you. Sorry. Don’t tell the kids!
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The Bus is for Us | Written by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Gillian Tyler | Walker Books, 2015 There is a large community-driven campaign happening in the United States called ‘We Need More Diverse Books’ (google it, it’s great; they are fighting for a worthy cause). The first thing I noticed about this book is that it is diverse without making a ‘thing’ of being diverse. I love that and I also love books that challenge gender stereotypes. Diversity aside (as I’m sure that’s not actually the point of the book), this is a unique take on ‘transport’ books, with cute rhymes, gorgeous illustrations, and lots of cute kids. Dreamers | Written by Ezekiel Kwaymullina, illustrated by Sally Morgan | Fremantle Press, 2014 Sally Morgan has long been one of my favourites as both an illustrator and an author. Her illustrations in Dreamers are whimsical, musical and absolutely beautiful. Ezekiel Kwaymullina’s words perfectly capture the magic and potential that is inside the heart of every child.
HE LIBRARY? Thelma the Unicorn | Written and illustrated by Aaron Blabey | Scholastic Press, 2015 Who wouldn’t want to be a pink, sparkly unicorn? I sincerely hope that one day, a truck with a load of drums full of paint and glitter swerves near me and sends up a shower of sparkles for me to dance under. I hope that after the glitter shower, I don’t become a famous superstar living the ups and downs of celebrity life. This is what happens to Thelma in this fun exploration of thinking you want more, when what you really want is right there all along.
Sticks & Stones: Animal Homes | Written and illustrated by Tai Snaith | Thames & Hudson, 2014 Tai Snaith’s delightful words and illustrations come together like magic. This book is about sticks and stones and various resources that animals use to make their homes. The humorous illustrations and bouncy rhymes make it fun to explore the different ways animals procure their shelter. They are shown so beautifully that I almost fancied the idea of being a dung beetle... Until I got to the armadillo’s hotel and decided that was much more my kind of style.
Farley Farts | Written and illustrated by Birte Müller | NorthSouth Books, 2014 Everyone finds a fart funny, and here’s another funny fart book. But, if I farted as much as Farley does, I’d be off to the doctor and trying my hardest not to stink out the waiting room. However, alarm bells don’t seem to ring for Farley’s parents and instead of taking his excessive bottom burps as a sign of something going wrong in his poor little tum tum, they constantly tell him to control his uncontrollable smells. Like anyone, I find noisy smells emanating from the bottom incredibly hilarious, but I can’t help but feel bad for Farley in his moments of discomfort and embarrassment. Perhaps I am taking these wind emissions too seriously. Put your empathy aside and you will find this a giggle-worthy book.
The Underwater Fancy-Dress Parade | Written by Davina Bell, illustrated by Allison Colpoys | Scribe Publications, 2015 I’m not a runner and running races at school always made me want to flee. But I could never figure out how to flee without running. It’s a terrible conundrum to face when you are a little kid. Alfie is also panicked by running races, and many other things. He tries to tell himself that he is brave, but ends up hiding in his bed. This book is a lovely, gentle way to explore anxiety and self-confidence with children who feel like they have the weight of the world on their shoulders, just like Alfie does.
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ENRICHING LEARNING FOR YOUR TODDLER
WORDS KELLY CAIRNS, EDUCATOR AND LEARNING AND TEACHING CO-ORDINATOR
As a prep teacher, I was often asked by parents, ‘What more could I have done to help my child before they started school?’
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nriching your child’s learning prior to primary school involves two key strategies: 1. providing them with rich experiences; and, 2. communicating with them to guide the learning process.
What are ‘rich’ learning experiences? Children learn through their own discovery process, so go exploring! Take lots of trips to the park, zoo, museum and aquarium and introduce your child to the world around them. The key is to make the learning explicit.
Talk the talk:
Oral language forms the basis of all literacy learning. Many parents teach their toddler the alphabet, but before that, children need to be able to use speech appropriately so that they are able to communicate effectively.
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Oral language skills give children a head start when learning to read text and using the text to answer a variety of literal and inferential comprehension questions. So, let’s take a trip to the aquarium as an example. How would I enhance this learning experience for my toddler?
Prior to visiting:
Introduce the vocabulary you will use on your ‘excursion’. Depending on the age of your child, you could use flashcards with the different names of sea creatures you will see, or, for younger children, reading some stories with a sea life theme will begin to immerse them in the language they will be exposed to at the aquarium. Introduce the ‘f’ sound to younger children, and for those older ones, discuss their predictions, such as what they think they will see at the aquarium, in the days leading up to the visit.
education.
During the visit:
Younger children will be in awe and will experience sensory overload, so it’s important to allow them to explore at their own pace. Choose a few key words and repeat these, emphasising the initial sound (for example, the ‘f’ sound in ‘fish’). Point to the fish as you continue to say the key word to them. (Using the initial sound will assist your child when they begin reading. Teachers encourage children to use the initial sound and picture to help them predict what a word in a text is.) For older children, immersion in, and exposure to, sights, sounds and smells will allow them to explore at a deeper level. Questioning your child prompts them to verbalise their thinking and encourages them to ask their own questions. Asking them what they can see, hear and what a creature feels like are good beginning questions. Moving to deeper questions will encourage them to use their communication skills to draw their own conclusions – a valuable part of the learning process.
After your visit:
Using photos you have taken, children can continue learning long after they have left the aquarium. Photos are a great discussion prompt, helping children to remember the sea life they saw, and recall names, colours and simple facts. Laminate the photos and write the names of each creature underneath. Keep them accessible so your child can refer to them. When they are looking at them, point to the name and repeat the word, emphasising in particular the initial sound. By immersing your child in the language of the world around them, you will assist with their oral language development. With sound oral language skills, your child will be on the road to success in their early years of schooling.
Who is Kelly Cairns? I am mum to Carter. Before Carter came along, I was a year prep primary school teacher and junior school learning and teaching co-ordinator.
BUBBA WEST /15
PArty.
BAKING A CAKE FOR THE AGES WORDS AUBREY HAMLETT
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always made a big deal of my birthday. Apart from celebrating with family and friends, opening presents and ‘Happy Birthday’ being sung, seeing the birthday cake arrive alight with candles has always been a highlight for me.
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s a child, I can distinctly remember flicking through the pages of the Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book and choosing my favourite cake for my parents to re-create. With 107 cake recipes to choose from, this book has been a staple in households all over Australia since 1980 and had sold more than a million copies worldwide before its re-release four years ago. On my sixth birthday back in 1995, I remember choosing the pretty pink number four cake with flowers. From memory, my dad got the decorations spot on. My dad has always had this knack for being precise with baking and cooking. He’s the best at slicing vegetables julienne, and when he follows a recipe correctly (with minimal improvisation), he makes a delicious meal. So, I called my dad to ask if he remembered any of the cakes he baked for my older siblings and I. He recalls that my sister once requested the Easter Bunny cake and my brother asked for the Race Car Track cake for his eighth birthday. I also think Minnie Mouse might’ve made an appearance one year.
I asked Dad if he was the cake master, or if it was a joint effort from both my parents. ‘What do you think?’ said Dad cheekily. ‘We both made them, and that’s being diplomatic! I think Rose was good at baking the cake, and I would cut it up and make the design, so that worked out fine. You improvise as you go.’ This year, I requested a two and six cake for my 26th birthday. I got a tiramisu packet cake with a cocoa-dusted ‘26’ on top and jellybeans around the edges. He improvised by adding a layer of jam and cream inside. It was a far cry from Dad’s Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book creations, but it was still a delicious success. After a chat with Dad and a bit of research, I have compiled a list of some helpful tips when creating your novelty cake masterpiece: • • • • • •
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Be prepared and always opt for that extra packet of licorice or icing sugar. The last thing you want is to run out and have to pause everything for a supermarket run. Make the cake the night before the party to reduce stress. Don’t be afraid to improvise; it doesn’t have to look exactly like the picture. Ensure your cake has a good internal structure. Most recipes use madeira cake as it is firm and dense enough to support all the icing and lollies you’ll be piling on top. eBay is a great resource for all those unique, hard-to-find novelty cake toppers. Keep a packet mix back-up in your pantry – just in case!
I don’t think that you’re ever too old to request a birthday cake from your parents. I can only hope that I’m as skilled as Dad was at re-creating those fantastic cakes in the Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book when I one day have children of my own.
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out and about.
WORDS ALI WEBB | ILLUSTRATION EMILY RAUBENHEIMER
When my son Alfie was born, I had never held a newborn baby before. Ever. I had no idea what to do with him – or myself, for that matter. So, I started walking. I would harness up my pooch, tuck Alfie in his pram, tie up my laces and walk. I walked so much in those first 12 months that I fully wore out two pairs of sneakers, I lost all of my baby weight and more, and found that even though I was having minimal sleep, I was happy. Walking kept me sane – well, saner than normal. Here are my top walks in the inner west:
1
The walk to Rocco’s
There’s something so sweet about Cruikshank Park. I walk from Yarraville Village through the park, and I sometimes stop and let my dog swim in the creek, or let Alfie play on the wooden playground ship. We always take a ball and piff it along the track, grabbing a stick along the way to drag alongside the pram. We run around until we’re starving, then we head to Rocco’s Delicatessen on Roberts Street, on the other side of the park, for a Rocco’s roll filled with deli goodness, and a packet of fresh blueberries. Sometimes Rocco gives Alfie a sweet biscuit.
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The walk to handsome hairy men
I love watching boats. When I walk along the track by the water under the Westgate Bridge, towards Newport, I get somewhat freaked out by the huge boats carrying cargo that glide past so close. Once, we saw a boat go past carrying a huge digger. This was almost a whole morning of entertainment for my son and I. We love to walk along this track and then head towards Spotswood, cutting past Scienceworks and going straight down Hudsons Road towards Candied Bakery, where they serve DELICIOUS apple pie shakes and salted caramel doughnuts. Did I mention the handsome bearded men behind the counter? Ahem.
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The walk to house dreams
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The walk to the golden queen
Oh Seddon, with your sweet, sweet house porn. I’ve walked the many streets of Seddon looking into the pretty gardens, taking photos of letterboxes I want, pavers I need, macramé pot hangers to research online later that day, doormats that say ‘hello’ and mean it. If you’re renovating, this suburb should be your inspiration, or at least your life-sized Pinterest pin board! While it’s a few streets away from us, my son and I love the kookaburra letter box on Wales Street in Kingsville, and Hobbs Street, which is lined with homemade swings, just asking to be sat on. The walking and cycling track along the Maribyrnong River is a fresh look at the inner west. I love seeing the old dudes fishing under the bridge, hearing live music from Footscray Community Arts Centre, grabbing a coffee at Happy River, seeing the blacksmith heat up metal in the arts workshop, watching families cycle by ringing their bells, or dog walkers cruising with their pooches. Sometimes, a mate joins me on this walk, and we talk and laugh so loudly (while Alfie snoozes in the pram) that hours can go by. It’s at its best early on a Saturday morning, before the sun wakes up too much and blinds you as it bounces off the giant, golden Heavenly Queen statue that signals your arrival in Footscray.
The walk to seaside glory We cheat a little bit on this one and catch the train to Williamstown Beach. My son and I head towards the milk bar next to the station and select some goodies for a picnic. This milk bar is like no other. On offer are homemade dips, Lebanese breads and sweets
5
and a fine selection of baked treats. We walk down to the beach and run and swim, or just watch the dogs in the park. If the tide is low, we look in the rock pools and collect shells. Sometimes, I just perve on the joggers passing by. Alfie normally grabs a stick that he can drag along for the entire walk, while I push the childless stroller piled with picnic goodies, sippy cups and towels. Alfie normally sleeps on the train ride home. There is loads to see in our little neighbourhood, and plenty of people to meet. I hope to see you on the track.
Who is Ali Webb? I am a circus performer juggling the duties of being a mum, an arts publicist, a chef’s wife, and a pal. I steal clippings of succulents from nature strips and can take my bra off through my sleeve using one hand. I want to watch old Jack Lemmon movies with you in leggings. (Read more from Ali at houseofwebb.blogspot.com).
BUBBA WEST /19
THE BEST WESTIE ADVENTURE WORDS TEENA VAN WINDEN | COLLAGE OSCAR FIFER
Take it from a mumma whose two-year-old just gave up her daytime nap; the best westie adventures are closer than you think.
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tart at the doorstep. The front yard is filled with magical pleasures: grasses, sticks, stones and leaves of every conceivable size and texture. How wonderful to create your own piled artwork of leaf litter, or a never-before imagined shape made only from pebbles. At the front gate, we check for mail. Nothing yet, but we will check again four more times today. If we’re lucky, it’s bin day. We reminisce about all of the bits of rubbish we’ve put in the bin (not just this week, but in living memory) and we ‘hurrah’ as they spill into the truck’s cavernous mouth and the bin crashes down. Then there is mud – piles and piles of it. We’re so lucky to be extending our house. There are wheelbarrows and shovels and spirit levels. And, most exciting of all, a portaloo! Potty training was never so much fun. Now, around the block we go, on foot, bike, or with dolly. Our neighbourhood is filled with elderly people who don’t mind if we pinch a flower from a manicured garden (and maybe even squish it underfoot, just to see what happens). Often, they pronounce your name with a singsong Italian accent. Sometimes they invite us into the front yard to look at the fruit trees. Usually, they remember to speak to you in English. Crikey, here comes the street sweeper! Would you listen to that? Time to inspect the freshly
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The Parent Hood.
swept gutter, if you don’t mind. Now I understand the true value of my rates. Splash! Through the puddle left over from a sun shower. Keep up, little one. Okay, go back, splash again. Let’s go. Oh, alright, one more time. Come on then. Okay, one more...
My goodness, there are birds and cats and dogs and things all over this place. Noisy, cheeky birds you’ll never catch, but you’ll try. Lazy cats lolling in front windows. Shy dogs hanging out at the park. We’ll pat them, if allowed, and watch them flop on their backs for a belly scratch and laugh when pink tongues slurp across our palms. And oh, the park! Swings that take you into the sky like Hoot and Hootabelle. Another little person for you say ‘hello’ to. There is dry grass to crunch through and weedy weeds of every variety to be gathered. Time to venture further afield. This is where the real westie adventure begins. The library trip is not complete without several rolls in the giant bean bag and one turning up of your nose at the librarian before surrendering a cheeky grin. At the deli, you wear your shy face long enough to be rewarded with a piece of proscuitto sliced so thinly I can see your wrinkled nose through it. At the petrol station, the attendant insists on trying to teach you to say ‘hello’ in Arabic and laughs when you mangle it. From the seat of the shopping trolley, you delight at spotting a daycare chum and wonder whether he, too, was allowed to ride the travellator three times today. Back home, we strike gold. The postie has arrived and we stand on the front step to wave as he goes wheeling by. But wait, he is reaching into his mailbag and whizzing up the driveway! ‘G’day,’ he says, before putting the mail in your trembling hand and then zooming away. You may or may not tear open the envelopes or decide to perhaps decorate your room with their tiny, ripped-up insides. You’re not sure. There’s just so much to do. Sleep is not one of those things.
BUBBA WEST /21
Becoming a parent is confusing, beautiful
We hold our little babies and wonder how the world will ever be the same and what we did before they came along. Finding out how to care for these tiny beings can often be a steep learning curve. But what is it like for the babies? Oh, how we wish they could tell us. What must it be like for them to communicate without words in a world that is new and confusing? In our new section ‘Raising beings’, experts Kerrie Buchanan and Avrille M. Burrows give us their thoughts.
OUR BABIES’ EMOTIONS WORDS KERRIE BUCHANAN, MATERNAL AND HEALTH CARE NURSE, LACTATION CONSULTANT AND FAMILY THERAPIST
Famous English psychologist Donald Winnicott once said, ‘There is no such thing as a baby; there is always a baby and someone’. A baby cannot exist on his own; he relies on someone to take care of his needs. However, it is not just bathing and feeding that a baby needs, but also holding and loving, and an adult who is in tune with the baby’s emotions and needs.
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baby’s brain cannot develop fully in all areas without love. Many babies born into this world are abandoned from birth and live in overcrowded orphanages. They are left in barren cots all day with no play and no meaningful interaction with others. They are simply fed and scantily clothed. These babies do not cry; there is no point because no-one will come anyway.
The human baby is programmed to cry instinctively when he needs something. Think about a parent and a baby in a forest; if the parent puts the baby down, the baby has to cry to bring his parent close again to increase his chances of survival, otherwise he is vulnerable to attack from predators. A baby’s instinct to survive does not change just because he is living in suburbia where there are no hungry animals waiting to eat him.
Brain scans of these babies show that several areas of the brain do not develop and, if they reach three years of age in this environment without receiving consistent love attuned to their needs, much of this damage to the brain can be permanent. Some repair is possible if they begin to receive the nurturing they need at this stage, but still, the deprivation can have lasting effects.
A baby will cry for all sorts of reasons. Unfortunately, as parents, it is our job to work out what he wants – not an easy job if you have a baby that seems to cry constantly! And you will probably want to scream if one more person tells you to check the nappy, and questions whether he is too hot or cold, or tired, or hungry. Sometimes, however, the baby might just need to be held – much as we would for a friend who is upset and crying.
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l, tiring and awe-inspiring.
Let’s think about this friend for a moment. She comes to you crying and says she is feeling sad. How do you respond? Do you immediately start to tell her jokes, dance with her and show her new items you have just bought? She probably might enjoy these things the next day or next week, but what she needs in the first instance is empathy, a listening ear and a hug; a crying baby also needs these.
A baby’s instinct to survive does not change just because he is living in suburbia where there are no hungry animals waiting to eat him. If you respond to your baby’s cries with empathy, a comforting hug and a sympathetic face mirroring his sadness, over time the baby learns to recognise emotions and how to manage them with help from a caring adult. For example, when your baby has an immunisation, it hurts and your baby will cry. Sympathise with him and tell him you know it hurts and that you are sad because he is sad. As baby grows, he will learn that it is okay to be sad and that he can rely on someone to help him if he needs it.
raising beings.
child’s emotions and naming those emotions, your child will develop the ability to manage himself better as his brain grows and matures, and, in turn, will develop the ability to be in tune with others around him. I have used ‘him’ and ‘his’ throughout this article for ease of reading, but please read it as referring to either a girl or a boy.
Who is Kerrie Buchanan? I am a maternal and child health nurse, a lactation consultant and a family therapist. I am also a parent of three children who have grown like weeds over the last few years and are now older teenagers! I have worked (for too many years to count) with families with young children, helping them navigate the trials and tribulations, and also the joys, that come with parenting. Currently, I am working as team leader for the in-home service at Tweddle Child and Family Health Service (www.tweddle.org.au).
Likewise, we need to delight in our children’s delight at discovering new things. By responding appropriately to your BUBBA WEST /23
raising beings.
LITTLE CONVERSATIONS WORDS AVRILLE M. BURROWS, PARENT-INFANT RELATIONSHIP EDUCATOR
It’s a humming Saturday morning in Seddon. New parents carry backpack babies and steer training-wheel toddlers in the opposite direction of walls and legs. I watch as a mum brings the pram to a stop and takes a seat at the local café. And then… the very audible sound escapes from two tiny lungs: ‘Whhaaaaaaaa! What? Why, Mum? Why are we stopping, Mum? I want you to keep walking! This is about me… I thought you were taking ME for a walk?’
I
n most circumstances, the sound of an infant crying puts a smile on my face. Through the most biologically effective way of getting our attention, what are babies and children trying to say? I'm hungry… I'm tired... I want to feel comfortable… I want to play… I need help to figure this out… I need a hug… I want you to pay attention to me… I want to be heard… I smile because aren't these basic things asked for by a baby the same things we adults need, too? Do we not get cranky when we haven't eaten or slept? Do we not get annoyed when we wear the wrong undies or when it takes us hours to figure out something simple? Do we not
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love the comfort of loving arms and the presence of someone who is really listening? Life in utero is posh; everything is catered for and needs are met without having to ask. On the outside, however, infants are trying to figure out what they need and how to communicate this to their parents. In the first months, this usually plays out as a baby crying, and a parent playing the 'process of elimination' game to understand what their baby needs. Simultaneously, infants are also beginning to slowly separate themselves from their parent, differentiating their parent's needs from their own. This can be incredibly confusing and frustrating for both baby and parent, and this is when understanding your
infant's cues comes in handy. How a parent responds to their infant and their cues (attention/presence, timeframe, and mood) starts to lay down a pattern for how their baby experiences the world.
Do we not get cranky when we haven’t eaten or slept? Do we not get annoyed when we wear the wrong undies or when it takes hours to figure out something simple?
Who is Avrille M. Burrows? I’m a social worker, art therapist and parent-infant relationship educator. I work with lots of different families, but mostly with those who’ve had a difficult start to their parenting journey, and families who have experienced trauma. In another world, I’m a newbie westie, salad jar creator extraordinaire, and TED talk junkie.
I then got to witness this interaction between mum and baby: Mum uses her foot to begin to rock the pram: 'I'm sorry we had to stop; I know you were enjoying this walk', she says, and baby begins to calm. Mum lowers her head closer to the pram, speaking softly, causing baby to quieten and listen to her voice. 'It's ok, I'm here.' She waits until her baby meets her gaze. 'You have my full attention.' This mum and baby have developed their own method of communication and, on this occasion, mum was able to recognise that baby just needed to feel heard – to voice her disappointment that the pram had stopped. Every parent-infant relationship has its own style and rhythm, and it take time to figure this out.
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What's your baby experiencing? What are they trying to say? You'll find out if you just sit back, watch and listen. BUBBA WEST /25
relationships.
ASK ANNE
Anne Hollonds is a child and family psychologist, and media commentator on social issues. She is also a policy and strategy consultant, former CEO of the Benevolent Society, and CEO of Relationships Australia New South Wales. She answers your burning questions about relationships, child pyschology and family dynamics. ‘Our one-year-old is in childcare three days a week so that I can work. My husband wants me to go back to full-time work, but I want to spend time at home with my baby. We are at a stalemate... help!’ Maya, Maribyrnong. The decision about how to balance childcare and work is a big one and can be tricky to navigate. It’s time for you and your husband to discuss what matters most to each of you, what your hopes and dreams for the future are, and to make a plan to achieve the goals you agree on. Financial issues are usually the main sticking point. It may be that you have different ideas about how much money you need to support the family and how the money should be spent. Find out what you can agree on, and build on these things to resolve the things you disagree about. There’s no shortcut way to fix this issue – you need to do the hard work of understanding the family budget, agreeing on your future goals, and then negotiating on how you will achieve these goals. There are lots of advice services available to help you do this.
Your husband may be extra anxious about finances now that he is the main breadwinner. It’s common for new dads to feel this burden very heavily. Your partnership needs to support each of you with all the responsibilities you carry together: caring for your child, domestic responsibilities such as cooking and cleaning, and earning income. How you achieve this is entirely up to the two of you to decide. You are the architects of your own partnership, but you need to learn to collaborate to make it a sustainable partnership.
Have a question for Anne? Send your questions to admin@bubbawest.com
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*Unsettled children 0-4 yrs *Adjusting to parenthood *Infant & child behaviour *Parenting uncertainty *Sleep & settling *Breastfeeding (Lactation Consultant) *Baby & toddler feeding
Individual, family & relationship counselling: *Adjusting to parenthood *Birth trauma *Managing anxiety * Grief & loss *Overcoming depression *Bonding & attachment *Family/relationship concerns
53 Adelaide St Footscray Victoria 3011 26/ BUBBA WEST
Phone: (03) 9689 1577 www.tweddle.org.au
HANDMADE FINDS
handmade.
Opening Paragraph.
2.
3.
1.
5.
4.
Images: 1. Quirk & Co; 2. Hamb; 3 & 5 Post Industrial Design; 4. Maze & Vale
Maze & Val e
Quirk & Co Quirk & Co’s philosophy is to ‘tame the wilds’, so you can bring a little of the natural world into your home. The collection inside includes elegant fish puzzles, framed parrot prints, and gorillas of polished wood with movable limbs (toys for adults and kids alike), while vintage pots, toy dinosaurs and glass orbs make sweet handmade planters. 466 Victoria Street, North Melbourne 3051 9329 7057
Post Industrial Design
Founded and run by a graphic designer with an intense love of fabric, Maze & Vale is all about limited runs of hand-printed textiles. Colours are custom-mixed using environmentally friendly inks, and are printed on natural, sustainable fibres. They also offer fabric printing workshops, DIY packs, and gift certificates – perfect for that special crafty someone!
PO Box 155, Kingsville 3012 http://mazeandvale.bigcartel.com
The Chevron Market
Owners Mary and Jos have curated a fascinating and tantalising collection of handcrafted homewares, jewellery, toys, bags, furniture and even jams. The concept of the store is to resist the notion of the throw-away society, so most of the items in store are made from recycled materials, and many are expertly crafted to reveal the beauty and potential of everyday objects. There is also a cafe on site – called POD – so you can get your gifts and your coffee, too!
Designed to assist mums in business, The Chevron Market features small parent-run businesses selling mostly handmade gifts. Find all manner of gorgeous handcrafted children’s items, from clothing and accessories, to toys and games. There is also great kids’ entertainment at each market, such as face painting, craft activities, a petting zoo, and a mobile play centre.
Happy Maree
Hamb
638 Barkly Street, West Footscray 3012 9362 7703
This cute-as-a-button cafe/gallery/store features vintage items ‘lovingly reincarnated’ and original art, plus coffee, and sweet and savoury snacks baked in the tiny on-site kitchen. There is also a kids’ table with drawing materials to keep little hands busy.
229 Somerville Road, Yarraville 3013
601 Heaths Road, Werribee 3030 www.facebook.com/TheChevronMarket
Hamb makes limited-edition printed t-shirts and tops for men, women and kids. Their whimsical designs are hand-drawn and screen-printed in Footscray, and the fabric is locally sourced and 100 per cent cotton.
36 Moreland Street Footscray 3011 9689 3572 www.hamb.com.au
BUBBA WEST /27
handmade.
Make your own Easter bunny!
Meet Oscar and Esme. They like early morning picnics in the park, playing on slides (‘weeee!’), and munching on baby carrots. Cut them out and paste them onto some card (old cereal boxes are ideal). To attach the limbs, use split pins or paper fasteners (found at any good craft or art store; we got ours from West Art Supplies).
You will need:
Constructing your bunny: out the opposite page from 5 1 Cut Grab a paper fastener and push the magazine (make sure Mum and Dad have finished reading it!)
2 Paste your page onto some card. carefully around the 3 Cut bunny. a sharp pencil (and the 4 Using help of a big person) carefully
this through the hole you have made on the body of the bunny. Then push this same pin through the limb you want to attach.
• • • • •
Scissors Glue stick A sharp pencil Old cereal box or thin card Paper fasteners
6 Open the paper fastener and press
it flat so that the limb is secured to the body (see below). Repeat for all remaining limbs.
push your pencil through the black dots on each limb. (This is where your paper fastener will go).
CREATING UNIQUE PIECES FOR MUMS AND BUBS! www.hand-made.com.au/hollybearhandmade www.facebook.com/hollybearhandmade hbhandmade@outlook.com
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make it!
BUBBAWEST /29
WHERE TO FIND ME Keep an eye out for Bubba West Magazine at your local shops and cafes. If you miss out on your copy, visit one of our core distribution points listed below. CITY OF MELBOURNE
MARIBYRNONG
Kensington Maternal and Child Health Centre, 81a Altona Street, Kensington | North Melbourne Library, 66 Errol Place, North Melbourne | North Melbourne Community Centre, 49–53 Buncle Street,North Melbourne | State Library Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Footscray Angliss Maternal and Child Health Centre, Corner Vipont Street and Seelaf Square, Footscray | Empire Street Maternal and Child Health Centre, 8 Empire Street, Footscray | Footscray Library, 56 Paisley Street, Footscray | Town Hall Maternal and Child Health Centre, Community Services Building, Hyde Street, Footscray
BRIMBANK Braybrook Community Centre, 107–109 Churchill Avenue, Braybrook | Sunshine Library, McCracken Street, Sunshine | Sunshine Maternal and Child Health Centre, 20 Alexandra Ave, Sunshine | Sunshine West Maternal and Child Health Centre, West Sunshine Community Centre, 25 Kermeen Street, Sunshine West
Maribyrnong & Maidstone Burns Street Maternal and Child Health Centre, Corner Burns and Sonley Streets, Maidstone | Highpoint Shopping Centre, The Colour Club, 120–200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong | Maidstone Community Centre, 21 Yardley Street, Maidstone | Maribyrnong Community Centre, 9 Randall Street, Maribyrnong | Maribyrnong Library, 200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong | Maribyrnong River Maternal and Child Health Centre, 6 Wests Road, Maribyrnong
HOBSONS BAY Altona Altona Library, 123 Queen Street, Altona | Altona Maternal and Child Health Centre, 27 David Street, Altona | Hobsons Bay Council Offices, 115 Civic Parade, Altona Altona North Altona Gate Shopping Centre, 124–134 Millers Road, Altona North | Altona North Community Library, Corner Millers and McArthurs Roads, Altona North | Altona North Maternal and Child Health Centre, 180 Millers Road, Altona North Altona Meadows Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre, Central Square Shopping Centre, 2 Newham Way, Altona Meadows | Altona Meadows Cooraminta Maternal and Child Health Centre, Central Ave and Skehan Boulevard, Altona Meadows | Altona Meadows Maternal and Child Health Centre, 65–71 Powlett Street, Altona Meadows Newport & South Kingsville Famous Blue Raincoat, 25B Vernon Street, South Kingsville | Leroys Cafe, 5 Mason Street, Newport | Newport Gardens Maternal and Child Health Centre, 51 Maddox Road, Newport | Newport Library, The Substation, 1 Market Street, Newport | South Kingsville Maternal and Child Health Centre, Corner Brunel and Paxton Streets, South Kingsville | The Substation, 1 Market Street, Newport Spotswood Candied Bakery, 81A Hudsons Road, Spotswood | Chase Kitchen, 80 Hudsons Road, Spotswood Williamstown Williamstown Library, 104 Ferguson Street, Williamstown | Williamstown Maternal and Child Health Centre, 105 Ferguson Street, Williamstown | Jellybean Kids, Shop 4/17 Douglas Parade, Williamstown | Enchanted Years, 30 Ferguson Street, Williamstown
Yarraville Clare Court Maternal and Child Health Centre, 30 Court Street, Yarraville | Norfolk Street Maternal and Child Health Centre, 2 Norfolk Street, Yarraville | The Younger Sun Bookstore, 9 Ballarat Street, Yarraville | Yarraville Library, 32 Wembley Avenue, Yarraville West Footscray Church Street Maternal and Child Health Centre, 47 Church Street, West Footscray | Recwest, Corner Essex and Market Streets, West Footscray | Roberts Street Maternal and Child Health Centre, 35a Roberts Street, West Footscray | Vari's Fresh Fruit and Veg, 590 Barkly Street, West Footscray| West Footscray Library, 539 Barkly Street, West Footscray Seddon Seddon Foodworks, 85/87 Charles Street, Seddon | Finch Emporium, 86 Charles Street, Seddon | Rhubarb Wholefoods, Corner Buckley and Victoria Streets, Seddon | Sedonia, 41 Gamon Street, Seddon | Soul Scissors, 170 Victoria Street, Seddon
WYNDHAM Point Cook Let's Celebrate Parties, Shop 41, 22–30, Wallace Avenue, Point Cook | Hijinx Play Centre, 2/6 Wallace Avenue, Point Cook | Wyncity Bowl and Entertainment, 36 Wallace Avenue, Point Cook | Oz Tenpin Bowling, 1 Linmax Court, Point Cook Werribee Chevron Market events, 601 Heaths Road, Werribee | Wyndham City Council, 45 Princes Highway, Werribee VIC | Wyndham Library Service, 177 Watton Street, Werribee Hoppers Crossing Western Leisure Services, 80 Derrimut Road, Hoppers Crossing
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