Life on the land: the dairy crisis
MAY 2019 / ISSUE 5
a beginner’s guide to capsule wardrobes VICTORIA’S FIRST FEMALE TOWN CLERK:
A LOCAL TRAILBLAZER
IN THE SPOTLIGHT:
FEATURES
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FASHION & BEAUTY
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LIFESTYLE
112B McLennan St, Mooroopna Ph: 5825 1401
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SHEPPARTON BMW 2018 BMW DEALER OF THE YEAR
2018
BMW Dealer of the Year
BMW Australia would like to congratulate Aaron Brain and his team at Shepparton BMW for claiming the title of 2018 BMW Dealer of the Year. Their commitment to excellence in professionalism, presentation and performance has been recognised as the best in our Australian network for the past year. Shepparton BMW delivers the experience and dynamism the Ultimate Driving Machine is known for, and we invite you to visit Aaron and his award-winning team today. Shepparton BMW 8002 Melbourne Road, Shepparton. Ph (03) 5823 2940. sheppartonbmw.com.au.
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Book a test drive at Shepparton BMW today. Shepparton BMW 8002 Melbourne Road, Shepparton. Ph (03) 5823 2940. sheppartonbmw.com.au. LMCT11214
33 from the editor Betty brings women to the front. Every woman has a story to tell.
Some have reached great highs in their fields, some have faced unimaginable hardship, some are just starting out.
Betty celebrates mothers — whether they be step-mothers, foster carers, single mums or grandmothers.
To mark Mother’s Day, Katrina Hennessy — the mum of a cheeky five-year-old daughter with a limb difference — shares her motherhood journey; from page 11.
Betty celebrates trailblazers like Pat Gibson.
Read her tale of becoming the first female town clerk in the 1970s, a time when married women had only just gained the right to work in public service; from page 19.
Betty celebrates hard-working women — dairy farmers, small business owners, those helping others in their time of need.
From page 25 read about an often hidden issue affecting regional families — food insecurity.
At 27 my story is largely unwritten.
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I grew up on a farm but I’ve lived in cities like Adelaide, Montreal and Rouen before landing in the Goulburn Valley straight out of university and have worked my way up to the editor’s chair. I love nothing more than a glass (bottle) of pinot noir and a cheese board.
It’s no surprise I find Tara Carbis’ platter skills captivating, and from page 73 you can see her passionate dedication to her startup. I’ve had the uncomfortable experience of being the only person in a group of friends not high on drugs at a music festival.
But I haven’t had to have the uncomfortable conversation with teenagers in the wake of a summer of festival deaths. From page 16, Betty talks the war on drugs. Women are inspiring, and Betty wants to build all women up.
Jessica Ball Editor
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features The challenges of motherhood War on drugs
The tale of a trailblazer
In the spotlight: food insecurity
Life on the land
A diabetes diagnosis
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25
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fashion & beauty Embracing the grey
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The shoot: capsule pieces in action
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Capsule wardrobe 101
Natural skincare
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Avoiding the winter slump
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Navigating the milk fridge
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Mother-daughter travel
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A beginner’s guide to yoga Platters on point
The watch list
contact us
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lifestyle See Shepparton
Cover shot Photographer: Zweck Photography
Editor Jessica Ball 5820 3194 jessica.ball@sheppnews.com.au
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Advertising Aaron Brown, Leesa Haeusler, Lisa Ryan, Leonie Limosani, Simone Dunn 5820 3188 advertise@sheppnews.com.au
Writers
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Jessica Ball, Sharon Wright, Pat Patt, Liam Nash, Ashlea Witoslawski
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Sub-editors Wendy Russell
Design
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Alysha Bathman
Advertising Design Bella Considine, Alysha Bathman, Jacqui Maskell, Brendan Cain, Nathan Cook
Image editor Lance Simpson
Photography Rodney Braithwaite, Megan Fisher
Published by Shepparton News PO Box 204, Shepparton, Victoria, 3632 (03) 5820 3183
magazines@sheppnews.com.au
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betty magazine is published by Shepparton Newspapers Pty Ltd (ABN 044–406–946) at the registered office, Goulburn Valley Hwy, Kialla, 3631
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS AT RIVERLINKS EASTBANK Riverlinks Eastbank is a spacious, flexible, “one-stop” venue for your next social function. From the courtyard to the main auditorium and function rooms, there is a space for all your needs.
Riverlinks Eastbank 70 Welsford Street, Shepparton 03 5832 9865 bookings@riverlinksvenues.com.au www.riverlinksvenues.com.au
lifestyle
YOUR CITY As the weather starts to cool it’s easy to retreat home to hibernate for the winter, but there is plenty to do in Shepparton even when the weather turns grey. Betty shares her top five things to do during the cooler months.
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#2
A DATE WITH SAM
HEAD TO THE LOCAL Leave Jack Frost out on the street as you relax in the comfort of Shepparton’s newest hot spot Shepparton Brewery. Tuck in to a woodfired pizza or burger with a freshly drawn pint of locally brewed craft beer.
#3. TUNE IN
Situated at the heart of town, Shepparton Art Museum is recognised as one of the most established art museums in the country with its installations representing the rich cultural influences in the area. Pop in to the Eastbank café next door for a coffee or hot chocolate, and take part in one of the many workshops running during winter.
Live, local music, tummy filling food and a drink or two, The Winter Sessions is Shepparton at its best. The Vault is a hidden gem, providing the ideal cozy atmosphere while the tunes will warm you up in no time.
#4
CATCH A MATCH Weekends in winter throughout the Goulburn Valley are packed with some of the best local sporting talent. Whether they are out on the oval, soccer field or netball court, why not cheer on the hometown heroes from the sidelines?
GET WALKING Shepparton’s crown jewel — Victoria Park Lake — is picturesque no matter the season, and a leisurely twilight stroll is a great way to get your exercise in during the colder months. Taking in the scenery and the crisp evening air is the perfect way to unwind after work.
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all mums are unique. so are our gifts. Shop At Sam For Mothers’ Day Open 10am - 4pm daily
70 Welsford Street, Shepparton VIC 3630 p + 61 5832 9861 e art.museum@shepparton.vic.gov.au w sheppartonartmuseum.com.au @SAM_Shepparton #SAM_Shepparton
INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR SHEPPARTON DISTRICT
Happy Mother’s Day On this Mother’s Day, I would like to pay tribute to INDEPENDENT FOR SHEPPARTON all our mothers, and to allMEMBER the women in our livesDISTRICT who support and nurture us in our endeavours. I would especially like to acknowledge my own
Tel: (03)who 5831passed 6944 away www.suzannasheed.com.au mother earlier this year.
@SheedSuzanna
Suzanna Sheed
@SheedSuzanna
Suzanna Sheed
She shared her long life of love and wisdom with me and all her children, for which I will be ever thankful.
Tel: (03) 5831 6944 www.suzannasheed.com.au
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A TALE OF
MOTHERHOOD They say the birth of a child is an experience like no other, able to change a person in ways they never imagined.
STORY: ASHLEA WITOSLAWSKI PHOTOGRAPHY: RODNEY BRAITHWAITE
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For Shepparton’s Katrina Hennessy, the birth of her daughter Ava was unlike anything she imagined and something that ultimately changed her life for the better in more ways than one.
During her 20-week scan, Katrina found out her unborn child was missing half of her left arm.
“It was quite upsetting because I didn’t know what to expect,” Katrina said.
Already a single parent, the then 30-year-old she said the support of family and friends kept her strong during this difficult time. Katrina began a number of tests and scans to learn more about her child’s deformity.
Originally, she was told the limb difference was caused by amniotic band syndrome, a rare condition caused by strands of the amniotic sac becoming entangled around limbs or other parts of the foetus.
However, it was later discovered this was incorrect and after much research Katrina discovered limb differences were a common occurrence. Unsure what the future held, Katrina was shocked when she was asked if she would like to terminate her pregnancy. She was even more surprised to find out that it was common practice in Australia.
“I think people need to be a bit more accepting,” she said.
On November 18, 2013, Katrina welcomed her healthy daughter Ava Rose into the world.
“When she was born, I fell in love,” she said. “Her arm was perfect to me.
“It was still a little bit of a shock; but we grew together, I guess you could say.” Katrina Hennessy found out her daughter Ava Snowdon-Hennessy, now 5, was missing part of her left arm during her 20-week pregnancy scan.
From the day Ava was born, Katrina has always taught her daughter to be proud of her arm.
“I don’t hide her arm,” she said, “I’m very upfront with it.
“I don’t allow her to hide her arm and I have taught her to be strong and independent.”
“SHE CAN DO THINGS THAT A LOT OF CHILDREN STRUGGLE WITH WITH TWO HANDS − SO IT’S BEEN A BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY FOR US.” – KATRINA HENNESSY
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Katrina always believed it was important to teach her daughter how to do everything, to ensure she understood she was able to overcome any challenge that might come her way.
“She can do things that a lot of children struggle with with two hands — so it’s been a beautiful journey for us,” she said.
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“A lot of people are amazed by her and I’m just so grateful.”
Now five years old, Ava recently started her first year at St Mel’s Primary School in Shepparton.
Katrina said the transition had been smooth, and she and Ava were confident talking about the limb difference.
“We haven’t had any bullying and we haven’t had any rude remarks,” Katrina said.
“Once a child knows, they’re happy, they walk off, and they don’t ask any more questions. “If they want to touch it, they touch it.”
Describing her daughter as active, happy and intelligent, Katrina said watching Ava grow had been the most rewarding experience of her life and one that had changed her for the better.
“It has changed me a lot as a person,” she said.
“I wasn’t a very nice person when I was younger.
“I was very judgemental, and as I’ve grown I’ve realised not everything is perfect.”
Katrina said raising her daughter had been a blessing.
“It has made me more accepting towards other people and I just feel blessed,” she said. Katrina said she believed it was important to talk openly about her daughter’s limb difference, rather than shy away from the topic. She said she would prefer people and children asked questions so they knew and could move on easily.
“Ava loves to joke around sometimes; she’s told a few people a crocodile ate her arm,” Katrina said with a laugh. In November 2017 the duo went to Melbourne for a health check where Ava decided she would be interested in trying out a prosthetic limb.
“We went to Melbourne and they showed us all the prosthetics you can get,” Katrina said. “She (Ava) actually put one on herself and
she started using it, so we made the choice that we would go through the process of getting a prosthetic.”
In March this year Ava was invited to visit the Royal Children’s Hospital in April, to choose the design and have the new limb fitted.
Katrina said Ava was very excited for her new arm, an experience made even more exciting by its blue design.
“She wanted a blue one because she’s a tomboy, so whatever makes her happy,” Katrina said.
Inspired by Ava, Katrina has decided to study a diploma of nursing at Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE beginning in July this year.
Although concerned about the lack of sleep she might experience while juggling study and work as a single parent, Katrina is excited about the future.
“We’ve got lots of things that we’re excited about,” Katrina said.
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shopping
MOTHER’S DAY GOES METALLIC
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1. Riverlinks membership from $25; 2. Cosmetic case, Bag City, $79.95; 3. Lorna Jane leggings, Fit and Folly, $116; 4. Lorna Jane sports bra, Fit and Folly, $74.95; 5. Elm beanie, Boutique on Binney, $39.95; 6. Najo, ‘Mobo’ hoop earrings, Purdeys Jewellers, $189.00; 7. Classique ladies 40mm watch, Purdeys Jewellers, $279; 8. Clock, Sabac, $39.95; 9. Modapelle clutch bag, Bag City, $99; 10. Silver and pearl imitation necklace, Focus Cards and Gifts, $40; 11. Beurer heated snood, Harvey Norman, $99.
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shopping
Nothing says “I love you” like silver and gold! Give the kids (or Hubby) the hint they need. Circle your dream gift and then leave it where they will see it.
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1. Vera May handbag, Bag City, $155; 2. Elm navy crew, Boutique on Binney, $89.95; 3. Najo, ‘Piedra’ long triple necklace, Purdeys Jewellers, $239; 4. Kelly lane photo frame, Focus Cards and Gifts, $23.95; 5. Remington Infinite Protect hair straightener, Harvey Norman, $78; 6. Willow tree ‘Tenderness’ figurine, Focus Cards and Gifts, $62.95; 7. Najo, ‘Piedra’ bracelet, Purdeys Jewellers, $139; 8. Zac Posen ‘Kane’ sunglasses, Graham Hill Eyecare, $418; 9. Photoframe, Sabac, 39.95; 10. Photoframe, Sabac, 29.95; 11. Joseph Ribkoff top, Pampens Boutique, $215.
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conversation START THE
The spate of drug-related deaths at music festivals has reignited the debate about pill testing and affirmed the war on drugs is far from over.
It’s left parents and families grappling for information and advice on how to best prepare their children, teenagers and young adults for a world where illicit drugs seem prevalent.
The Australian Community Support Organisation, which has an office in Shepparton, works on the front line of supporting people who misuse drugs and alcohol and offers advice to Betty readers about how to broach the topic with young people. BETTY: How do I create a relaxed and safe environment for broaching the topic of illicit drug-taking and alcohol consumption with my children? ACSO: Choosing a good time and place is important so that the teen or young adult can feel comfortable and not feel like they’re being lectured or interrogated. On the way to or from school in the car might be an option for discussion time;
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otherwise, during a family discussion at dinner, during a walk together, or while taking them out for a milkshake or coffee might work. Be conscious of your non-verbal cues; less eye contact and a casual, relaxed voice and body language is best in these situations. BETTY: Where can I learn more about drugs and alcohol before discussing this issue with my child? There are some great online Australian resources for parents and young people. The Australian Drug Foundation offers tips and advice on how to talk with young people about alcohol and other drugs. They also have fact sheets on alcohol and drugs. Another useful site to help young people is www.ysas.org.au Take a look at the list of resources available for young people by clicking on the For Youth tab. In Shepparton we have drug treatment and mental health services
for young people including headspace, Primary Care Connect, Rumbalara (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support) and Goulburn Valley Health’s Alcohol and Other Drugs team. For example, Primary Care Connect often runs information sessions about talking with your child about alcohol and other drugs as well as support groups for families living with someone who is a substance user. Most of these services are offered free to the consumer; however some may have a small fee. It’s best to check with the service provider. And don’t forget schools, which have part of their curriculum dedicated to educating young people around substance use. BETTY: Is it important to have ongoing conversations as children move through their teenage years and become young adults? Absolutely; talking about substance use should be an ongoing conversation, not just a “one-off ” topic.
BETTY: Is discussing the negative impacts of drug and alcohol use important during these conversations? It is important to be honest and open about all facets of alcohol and other drug use during your discussions. However, don’t base conversations on urban myths or generalisations. Do your homework and support your discussion with evidencebased facts. BETTY: What sort of language should I use, and avoid? Use language that is inviting to the young person. Go for “I” statements such as, “I am concerned about, rather than, “You should”. Don’t use judgmental or dismissive language. You want to create an environment that creates further opportunity for discussion. BETTY: Should I be open about my own experiences with drugs or alcohol? It is important to remain the adult and not the young person’s “friend” when discussing
substance use. Modelling good substance usage behaviours, such as responsible drinking of alcohol, provide more benefit than discussing times when you may have consumed alcohol irresponsibly. BETTY: What are some of the signs my child may be using drugs or alcohol? Look for changes to their usual habits and behaviour. They might appear to be more withdrawn or aggressive, or even both at times. Are they staying out more? Has their circle of friends changed? Have they dropped out of school, are they at risk of dropping out or are they having lots of days off from work? BETTY: What do I do if I suspect my child is engaging in risk-taking behaviour with drugs or alcohol? Share the problem with other family members and ensure there is a consistent approach from everyone.
Offer the opportunity to talk to your child and plan that time without other distractions such as video games or mobile phones.
Rather than accusing them of suspected substance use, or searching their room for evidence, instead voice your concern about their behaviour and how it’s impacting the rest of the family. Use “I” statements such “I am concerned about …” rather than “You’re’ not …” And listen. Listen to what they’re saying without judgement and give them the opportunity to speak.
Repeat back to them your understanding of what they are saying to avoid confusion.
Don’t try to solve the problem for them. It’s their problem, they own it and they must resolve it themselves to create longterm change, however it is important that you support them along the journey. If the young person is still living at home while using, be clear around boundaries and expectations, along with the consequences of breaking those rules. Don’t give ultimatums if you’re not prepared to follow them through.
Discuss possible treatment options they might be willing to consider and recognise any improvements, no matter how small.
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profile
Town clerk Pat Smith, State Development, Decentralisation and Tourism Minister Digby Crozier, and Shepparton Mayor Murray Slee at Breakfast in Melbourne in 1977. STORY: PAT PATT
A TRAILBLAZING TALE In 1976, Pat Smith became the first female town clerk in Victoria. Ten years earlier the so-called ‘marriage bar’, banning married women from working in the public service, had been lifted but businesses and government were still male-dominated. Pat had been employed by the council since leaving school, and her hard work, friendly nature and commitment to local government earned her steady promotion to the highest office in the organisation. betty May 2019
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profile When a young Pat assisted at citizenship ceremonies as part of her duties with the local council, she noticed that many of the women being naturalised found the occasion quite overwhelming, so when she became town clerk she changed the way the events were run.
Years later she was humbled to learn that her gentle approach had been remembered.
“I was recently on the train to Melbourne when a couple approached me and hugged and kissed me saying that I had naturalised them,” she said.
“It’s nice to know I made a difference to people’s lives.”
When Pat joined the council staff in 1949 as a junior stenographer/telephonist, secretarial skills were not the only requirement of the job; she also had to have a bicycle. Part of Pat’s job was to deliver the council papers to all the councillors on Friday afternoons, hence the need for a bike.
Like many other people in Shepparton, her bike was stolen during summer.
“Pickers in town would steal a bike to get back out to the orchard, where they would chuck it in the channel,” Pat said.
“I had to buy a new bike, paying it off week by week, but I got my old bike back when they emptied the channels at the end of the season.” After two years as a junior, Pat was offered the position of secretary to town clerk Raymond West.
“Working for Mr West was great experience,” she said. “He was very particular about doing things
Photography: Rodney Braithwaite.
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profile correctly and insisted on everyone being treated with respect and consideration.”
Although Pat was committed to the council, in 1959 she took leave of absence to go overseas with a friend. It was a bold move for the times; the two girls worked in a travel agency in London for several months and visited as much of Great Britain as they could in their spare time, then took a tour of Europe.
When she returned to Shepparton, Pat found it hard to settle down to the flat landscape.
“My brother said he would take me up Mt Major every night for a week,” she said. “He said, ‘You’re home. It’s flat. Get used to it’ − and I did.”
Having developed a taste for travel, in 1962 Pat entered the Develop Victoria Council’s Country Girl Quest, which offered a round-the-world trip as first prize.
“Apparently a local bloke was the coach at the time.”
Pat passed her exams with flying colours, topping the country in one of the subjects.
On gaining her qualification she was appointed chief clerk and soon learnt the difference between knowing the Local Government Act and applying it, but obviously made a good job of it as in 1969 she was made deputy town clerk, an unusual position for a woman at that time.
Then deputy town clerk Pat Smith with Nell Porteous, who had retired from local government.
“All the talk was of the Tigers and I had no idea what they were and had to ask for an explanation.
A group of women gathered to make the flowers, and someone came to teach them how to do it.
Pat’s dedication to her community didn’t stop when she retired from local government.
As her brother had suffered a very painful death from cancer, Pat wanted to do something for people who were dying.
Her mother won, and in a sign of the times it was reported in the Shepparton News that Pat was ‘chaperoned’ by her father.
While Pat was studying she didn’t go out much, but she remembers making the effort to go to a party one night.
During her time as town clerk the idea of promoting the city became very popular and one year the city decided to enter a float in the Moomba parade in Melbourne, in the form of a flower-covered basket.
When the local councils were reorganised, Pat was appointed chief commissioner of Delatite Shire.
Pat asked her parents to decide which of them would come with her, and each championed the case for the other to go.
“The tutors were brilliant, many of them were serving town clerks.”
“I arranged to have a rehearsal before the ceremony so that people knew what to expect.”
Pat retired from the position of town clerk in 1981 when she married, but was excited to return to local government 11 years later when she was asked to relieve at Violet Town and later at Waranga Shire as Acting Shire Secretary.
As she was 28 at the time, Pat didn’t think she would stand much chance − but her record of fundraising for the Intellectually Handicapped Children’s Centre, leading her local Sunday school kindergarten, and no doubt her confidence and personality impressed the judges and she was thrilled to win for Shepparton.
“The course was all done by correspondence,” she said.
“Some only had enough English to repeat the oath and would be in tears.
“I was pretty hopeless at making flowers,” Pat said, and so the town clerk was soon relegated to sweeping the floor and making tea.
The aim of the quest was to foster a spirit of self-help in country community organisations and to reward community service.
Settling back into work, Pat decided to study for the town clerk qualification
“I loved dealing with the new citizens,” Pat said, “but I’d seen that the ceremony could be quite intimidating, especially for the women.
She was asked to join the committee trying to set up a local palliative care service.
As deputy, Pat filled in for the town clerk Roy O’Brien when he was absent, and when he retired Pat was appointed to the post.
“It was a huge thing, appointing a woman,” Pat said.
“Council was very brave, but I had been around a long time and everyone knew me pretty well.” Pat was pleased to have the chance to change how citizenship ceremonies were organised and conducted.
“I accepted without a second thought,” Pat said, “and I’ve been involved for about 27 years.”
She left the committee on turning 80 but is still actively involved with Friends of Hospice. Pat’s contributions to the community are recognised by having the Patricia Smith Children’s Centre in north Shepparton, and more recently a meeting room at the Shepparton City Council offices, named after her.
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fitness with Aquamoves
WAYS TO AVOID THE WINTER SLUMP
There’s no denying it can be hard to keep motivated once the cooler weather sets in but if you put Aquamoves gym instructor Tegan Crawford’s simple tips into practice you won’t lose sight of your fitness goals.
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PHONE A FRIEND Find someone who motivates you and brave the cold together. Whether it’s a walking pal or a gym buddy, having someone waiting for you will make you accountable for getting out of bed on a frosty morning.
JOIN A GYM No matter what the weather is like outside, gyms are a climate-controlled environment where you can join a group fitness class (remember your gym buddy from tip one) or do your own thing.
BE PREPARED Plan your fitness sessions at the start of the week and pre-organise your workout gear. Then, when you finish work and it’s cold and dark outside, you’re ready to go rather than getting home to your warm house and having to motivate yourself to head out again.
GET EQUIPPED Always having an umbrella in the car and a scarf, beanie, gloves and rain jacket handy will make the weather conditions much more bearable. If you’re equipped with winter warmers, you have no excuse not to park and walk the rest of the way to work or go for a lunch-time walk.
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HOME WORKOUT Purchase simple gym equipment for home like dumbbells, a mat or a workout DVD for when you want to do a quick workout but don’t feel inspired to leave the house. Remember some activity is better than no activity.
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES On those rainy days when you just want to watch movies, there are plenty of ways to get active. Try bowling, rock climbing, go shopping, deep clean your home, join a sports team or take advantage of the winter and head to the snow.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT Don’t force yourself to eat cold salads during the cooler months. Swap salads for hot vegies and opt for soul-warming soups — healthy, low calorie soups can easily be meal prepped in bulk by chucking them in the slow cooker before work.
COFFEE HABIT You don’t have to pass up a hot drink, whether it’s a tea or coffee, just think about what you’re putting in it — consider the type of milk and eliminate any added sugar.
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some days can feel like hard work finding someone to talk to doesn’t have to be We’re headspace — we’re here to help young people (12–25 years) feel as good as they can. That’s why we provide info, support and services across four key areas that can affect your wellbeing: mental health, sexual health, alcohol and other drugs and work and study support. Your nearest headspace centre is headspace Shepparton. To learn more visit headspace.org.au/shepparton
Celebrating
International Midwives Day and International Nurses Day GV Health has a dedicated team of nurses and midwives who provide outstanding care to families in our local community every day. On International Midwives Day (5 May 2019) and International Nurses Day (12 May 2019), we say for your care and compassion.
thank you
Graham Street, Shepparton P 03 5832 2322 E enquiry@gvhealth.org.au Like us on � � �
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food insecurity
STORIES: SHARON WRIGHT AND ASHLEA WITOSLAWSKI PHOTOGRAPHY: RODNEY BRAITHWAITE AND MEGAN FISHER
HELP IS AT HAND More than four million Australians have experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months and those living in regional and remote areas are 33 per cent more likely than their city counterparts to go without. Those startling statistics, revealed in the Foodbank Hunger Report 2018, come as no surprise to the team at Shepparton FoodShare, an organisation that collects essential food items and distributes them via 75 active agencies.
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food insecurity Dawn said they tried to keep the process as relaxed as possible to make sure people felt comfortable when they arrived.
Shepparton FoodShare co-ordinator Bec Nicoll said churches, welfare agencies, schools and community groups went through the warehouse on a weekly or fortnightly basis to help individuals and families struggling to put food on Operations co-ordinator the table.
About 25 tonnes of tinned, packaged, fresh and frozen goods donated by local manufacturers, salvaged from supermarkets or gleaned from Foodbank Victoria, SecondBite and OzHarvest are distributed each month.
Bec said the amount of food leaving the warehouse was driven by the amount of food the organisation could source, so it was difficult to quantify if there had been a marked increase in the need within the community.
“We don’t ask for identification or anything like that,” she said. “We just do it on an honesty sort of basis, so they can feel like it’s just a normal occurrence, not government regulations or anything like that.
Bec Nicoll says the agencies that collect food from Shepparton FoodShare are reporting increasing requests for assistance.
“It takes a lot of courage for someone to walk in, and we don’t want to make them feel uncomfortable.” For Dawn and the centre, the number of families accessing the service with young children is worrying.
“It’s very, very concerning to see the number of families with children,” she said. “We have quite a few families with two to four children access the service.”
Although they changed frequently, Dawn said an average of four families needed basic items per week. She said SSCC was often asked for baby formula and nappies, however supplies and donations were usually low.
“But anecdotally the agencies are telling us that there has been a huge increase in people seeking assistance in recent months,” Bec said.
“They’re telling us that cost-of-living pressures like high electricity costs through the summer, high rates of homelessness, the casualisation of the workforce and the seasonal nature of work in the Goulburn Valley are factors.” Sera Sita from New Day Assembly of God church in Shepparton was collecting food when Betty visited the Mooroopna warehouse.
The church is planning to host a weekly community meal utilising produce from FoodShare, and supports three or four families each week who are struggling to buy food.
“Some of those families are unemployed or have finished seasonal work; we try and help anyone who needs it,” Sera said.
“The food doesn’t go far if you have four families come in and you’ve got to feed them,” she said.
“We just try and give them as much as we can, and we do what we can.”
As a registered distributor with Shepparton FoodShare, SSCC has spent years providing essential food items and hygiene products to those in need. Dawn said many different people accessed the centre’s services including new arrivals, those experiencing homelessness, pensioners and low-income earners. Each week, a volunteer from SSCC visits the food donation facility in Mooroopna to pick up donations.
On average, the centre receives five boxes filled with basic food items such as cereals, tined foods, pasta and other long-life items.
They also sometimes receive meat and produce if they are available.
PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE
“The amount and the variety of food can fluctuate,” Dawn said.
For South Shepparton Community Centre manger Dawn Taylor, reducing food insecurity is essential for the sustainability of local families.
The team puts together the boxes and can also sometimes provide special items such as lightbulbs and bread if they are available through donations to the centre.
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“Each week we don’t know how many are going to come in. You might have one or two for the whole week or you might have 10.”
South Shepparton Community Centre manger Dawn Taylor puts the boxes together with Shepparton FoodShare items and other donations.
food insecurity Dawn said the need for the service was stronger now than ever, with a number of people who accessed it taking part in the program through referrals from local support agencies.
She is determined to continue supporting as many families as possible.
“There are so many people living under the poverty line these days, but everybody deserves to be able to at least have basic food for living.”
Food donations can be picked up from South Shepparton Community Centre at 11 Service St, Shepparton during business hours.
For more information, phone 5821 6172 or email administrator@southcom.org.au
FUEL FOR LEARNING Nutrition is linked to a child’s wellbeing and academic success Mooroopna Park Primary School principal Hayden Beaton is determined to make sure all students are well equipped to get the most out of their education.
With a successful breakfast program already in place at the school, Hayden was inspired to take things to the next level by expanding the program to include morning tea and lunch.
“All research and statistics show that students perform better when eating a nutritionally balanced diet,” Hayden said.
lunch program with daily exercise has to have an impact on their ability to concentrate while they’re at school − and ultimately their academic success.”
As the first mainstream school to implement the program in the local area, Hayden hopes more schools will take on the program to support all young people to have the best possible start in life.
behaviour, so we’re pretty confident we’ll see more kids at school and more kids focused because they’ll have a full belly and they can concentrate.”
Hayden estimates about 80 per cent of his students do not bring lunch or snack foods, with the majority bringing non-nutritious options to school each day.
“All our staff are on board and pretty much everyone I’ve ever spoken to about it in the school and in the community think it’s a wonderful idea,” he said. “We’re all pretty proud of it and we think it’s going to change our school, and the community that come to our school.”
“With the amount of kids we have to give food, there is a need to take it a step further,” he said.
Hayden is determined to further tackle childhood obesity within the school by providing the majority of the students’ daily food intake, alongside a strong physical education program.
“We hope we’re doing our part to help bring up a community of kids that are going to be healthy and fit,” he said. “I think the whole
Mooroopna Park Primary School principal Hayden Beaton and student Karma Atkinson.
“Unfortunately we have some students either coming to school without food or bringing along foods that aren’t nutritious. “This has an impact on their learning, attendance and engagement at school.”
Hayden first discovered the new program after visiting Mahogany Rise Primary School in Melbourne’s south-east.
Sharing a similar demographic, Hayden decided the lunch program was something well worth implementing in his own school.
“They started this program about two years ago and it’s just gone from strength to strength,” he said. “The absentee data has improved, more kids are coming to their brekky program, they think they’ve seen a difference in
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beauty
? y e gr GOING STORY: SHARON WRIGHT
A woman’s decision to stop colouring her hair and embrace her natural grey tones is a personal one.
Maria-Aleece Brown and her team at Lavish Hair in Shepparton can guide their clients through the options when they decide to take this step.
There were usually two pathways, Maria-Aleece said; either stop colouring altogether or incorporate a gradual program that allowed the regrowth of grey hair to blend in over time.
“It really is a massive decision because some women are so used to having their hair a certain way,” Maria-Aleece said. “When their hair starts to go grey, they associate that with ageing, but it’s just what the hair does, what the body does. “Having grey hair doesn’t change who you are.”
For some, it’s a ‘spur of the moment’ decision and they simply stop colouring their hair, for others it’s a longer-term process.
“It really comes back to the individual; a person’s hair means different things to different people,” Maria-Aleece said.
“At the end of the day it’s their hair and we’re here for them, we want to give them the best service we can.”
After taking into account the client’s natural hair colour and any artificial colour they may have, a mix of lighter-toned and darker foils can help blend the grey as the hair grows.
“People have to be ready to go grey, we have some clients that are 50 to 80 per cent grey but they’re not ready to go completely grey,” MariaAleece said.
“Having grey hair is definitely not no-maintenance.
“Grey hair has no colour pigment so will often grab onto any colour from a product you use, that’s why you sometimes see yellow or purple-toned grey hair. It’s important to use good quality products to keep a nice tone to your grey hair.”
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MATURE HAIR CARE
+
Grey hair can often become coarse, so use regular treatments to hydrate and nourish the hair.
+
Using quality shampoo and conditioner can improve and maintain the tone of your hair.
+ +
Mature hair can be more susceptible to heat damage, so reduce the use of heat tools as much as possible.
For those continuing their colouring journey, a variety of touch-up sprays in a range of colours from warm blonde to black can be used to mask regrowth between salon appointments.
SKIN CARE SHOULD BE LIKE YOUR FRIENDS … NON-TOXIC
BEFORE Asthetique Skin Care prides itself on using non-toxic skincare products.
AFTER
BEFORE AFTER
And yes, you can still achieve amazing, real, long term results.
UP TO 80% OF CHEMICALS USED IN COSMETICS HAVE NOT BEEN RIGOROUSLY TESTED And this is without taking into consideration what happens when they are mixed together in a chemical cocktail and applied to our faces and bodies. It is easy for us to forget that our skin is an organ. It also has the ability to absorb what you put on it, making it extremely important to think about what you are applying to it!
CLEAN SKIN CARE That is designed for you and the health of your skin Dermaviduals are leading the way in how skin therapists all over the world, treat the skin. Through the principal of corneotherapy they ensure that we repair and protect the barrier of your skin at all times. Leaving the outer most layer healthy and intact so that it can do its job and protect what is underneath it.
DERMAVIDUALS IS FREE FROM EMULSIFIERS, MINERAL OILS, SILICONES, PRESERVATIVES AND FRAGRANCES, FREE FROM ALL THE NASTIES.
proud stockist of 12 Edward St, Shepparton • 5822 1833 asthetiqueskincare.com.au
GOOD PEOPLE
GREAT RESULTS
Dressed to the nines as a 25-year-old full of ambition, Rocky Gagliardi climbed the steps to Roland Cosby’s office in 1999 with one thing on his mind. To make the leap into the real estate industry and build a name for himself as an agent. Fast forward to the present day and Rocky now serves as the Principal/Director of Gagliardi Scott and has just recently ticked over the major milestone as a servant of 20 years to the industry. “I always wanted to be an agent,” Rocky said. “I approached Roland Cosby smartly dressed in a suit, he didn’t know why I made the appointment to see him, but he gave me an interview and I got the job. “A few months later I was qualified and all ready to go.” Over the years he has witnessed an elevation of the standards within the industry and has seen it evolve into a much more smoothly run industry. “The market has progressed a lot since I began in terms of professionalism and the services that are provided to buyers,” he said. “The education as well, it is second to none.” Starting off as small boutique business in July 2016, Gagliardi Scott is one of Shepparton’s fastest growing real estate firms, with Rocky’s name at the forefront. “I am very happy to be a representative of the firm,” he said. “I never intended to have my name on the business, but my clientele prefer to deal with the person rather than a brand.” Rocky has been able to transition from a residential agent where he began, breaking into the commercial market ten years ago establishing relationships in the rural sectors as well as making a name for himself in Melbourne. Being able to form intimate relations with people and achieving personal goals have been amongst Rocky’s greatest triumphs as an agent. He credits his affluence and durability throughout his career to character traits that are instilled in him from his vast experience in the real estate industry. “Firstly, it would have to be my honesty; people definitely respect that. Also, my ability to adapt and evolve with the market. I try and stay ahead of the game as well as much as I can.”
www.gagliardiscott.com.au
182 High St, Shepparton | 0358 31 1800
GSRE have experienced a really strong 12 months lead by Directors Rocky & Gerald who have one of the highest median sold price ($344k & $325k) compared to the industry average of $273k and boast the lowest days on the market (21 days & 14 days) respectively within the Shepparton area compared to average of 75 days. Both agents agree the high selling price and low days on the market come down to a combination of quality marketing campaigns, presentation and photography and our strong personal relationships with buyers within our data base. Along with our expert knowledge of the current market trends we utilise this information to help our Vendors achieve asking price or higher.
$344k
21 days
Rocky
$325k 14 days
Gerald
$273k
75 days
Sold Price Days on the Market
SOLD 4-6 Xavier Crescent, Shepparton
Average
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT What do you look for in a Property Management team? An agency with proven Property Managers. An agency with a reputation that precedes them. An agency that knows The Goulburn Valley better than anyone. We offer all three. Our objective, always, is to lease your property promptly, to high calibre tenants, and maximise your rental return. Property management is about people; those who manage your valuable investment, and those who live in it. We get that.
www.gagliardiscott.com.au
70 Melville St, Numurkah | 0358 31 1800
BUILT WITH
ELEGANCE
THAT CERTAIN
something
Stunning collections in store now 215 Maude St Mall Shepparton 5821 0037 Shop online now www.arcadefashions.com.au 32
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Fashion for all ages. Womens sizes 8-24 185 Maude St Mall, Shepparton. Ph: (03) 5821 2161
fashion
THE CAPSULE
wardrobe
Fashion trends come and go but style is forever. We’ve all been there, staring blankly at a wardrobe cluttered with clothes thinking, ‘I have nothing to wear’.
In those moments many of us will reach for the same few items — those comfy jeans that fit just right, that black top that goes with everything or that dress that makes you feel confident. But sometimes those favourite pieces just won’t cut it, sometimes they make us feel unfashionable and overcome by a desire to buy a brand-new wardrobe full of the latest fast fashion trends. Enter the capsule wardrobe.
This concept is about limiting the number of items you own but making sure each item works with the others. It’s a small collection of useful and versatile pieces that you love wearing. There are many ways you can create a capsule wardrobe. You can follow strict rules like having 37 pieces including tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear and shoes. You can exclude or include practical items like formalwear, active wear and pyjamas. You can even have a workwear capsule and an everyday capsule.
You can mix it up each season; moving summer essentials into storage during the cooler months and unpacking winter warmers, giving you space to add a few new items with the seasonal change without going overboard. It’s all about what works for you and your lifestyle.
However you decide do it, the best place to start is by assessing what’s already in your wardrobe.
Think about the items that are on high rotation — what do they have in common; and then the pieces that still have the tags on — what don’t you like about them? A simplified wardrobe halts that ‘I have
Photography: Zweck Photography.
nothing to wear’ mentality, getting dressed is easier and it can ward off the desire to hit the shops. With a bit of creativity, you can get that brand-new outfit feeling by building from what you already own. And when you do shop, you can invest in quality pieces because you know they will get the wear.
In this edition’s photoshoot Betty explores the concept of capsule wardrobes with our local fashion stores.
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fashion
capsule starter kit A good capsule wardrobe needs strong building blocks. With the help of local fashion stores, Betty shows how to mix up a selection of basic and statement pieces with a neutral colour palette to create a broad range of outfits.
tops
Soyaconcept shirt, Pampens, $88; Apero beaded T-shirt, Arcade Fashion, $79.95; Reverse top, Arcade Fashions, $59.98; Caroline Morgan animal print top, Shop 221, $39.95; Luvalot white cami, Arcade Fashions, $39.95; Bardot body suit, Traffik Boutique, $69.99; The Art white shirt, Pampens, $289.
jumpers and knits
Cue black knit, Traffik Boutique, $180; Fields Australia & New Zealand cape, Shop 221, $149.95; Jump brown jumper, Shop 221, $154.95; Jump green cardigan, Shop 221, $164.95; Cue animal print knit, Traffik Boutique, $195; Mossimo grey knit, Arcade Fashions, $89.95; Marco Polo yellow jumper, Shop 221, $119.95.
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dresses
Lou Lou Australia mustard dress, Pampens, $133; Elle Zeciton dress, Arcade Fashions, $310; Veronica Maine dress, Traffik Boutique, $329; Jump printed dress, Shop 221, $154.95.
pants
New London jeans, Pampens, $160; Bardot white pants, Traffik Boutique, $129.99; Country Denim Australia jeans, Arcade Fashions, $69.98; Levis blue jeans, Traffik Boutique, $139.95; Joseph Ribkoff khaki pants, Pampens, $215; Wish pants, Traffik Boutique, $139.95; Jump blue jeans, Shop 221, $129.95; Levis black jeans, Traffik Boutique, $119.95.
skirts
Keepsake the Label skirt, Traffik Boutique, $179.9; Soyaconcept skirt, Pampens, $82.
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fashion
jackets
Fresh Soul cape, Arcade Fashions, $139.95; Wish blazer, Traffik Boutique, $189.95; Cue trench coat, Traffik Boutique, $400; Pingpong grey jacket, Pampens, $329; Pingpong blue jacket, Shop 221, $329.95; PAQME raincoat, Pampens, $162; Goondiwindi Cotton khaki vest, Pampens, $162; Mossimo puffer jacket, Arcade Fashions, $129.95.
Your award-winning fashion store Corner of Maude and Fryers St Shepparton | (03) 5821 4980 36
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fashion
Fashion and accessories: Arcade Fashions, Shepparton; Graham Hill Eyecare, Shepparton; Pampens, Mooroopna; Shop 221, Shepparton; Traffik Boutique, Shepparton. Hair: Lavish Hair, Shepparton. Location: Dookie Quarry, Dookie. Makeup: Lavish Beauty by Stacey, Shepparton. Model: Kadime Mehmet. Photography: Zweck Photography. Shoes: Model’s own.
ACCESSORIES This page: top left: Jendi maroon bag, Shop 221, $89.95; Zac Posen sunglasses, Graham Hill Eyecare, $473; bottom left: Morgan + Taylor black hat, Traffik Boutique, $69.95; bottom right: The Scarf Company scarf, Shop 211, $89.85. Previous page: Angels Whisper headband, Arcade Fashions, $19.95; Zac Posen sunglasses, Graham Hill Eyecare, $418.
ACCESSORIES This page: Top left: Jendi cream bag, Traffik Boutique, $89.95; top right: Zac Posen sunglasses, Graham Hill Eyecare, $473. Next page: Angels Whisper neck scarf, Traffik Boutique, $19.95; Oroton sunglasses; Graham Hill Eyecare, $235.
ACCESSORIES This page: Oroton sunglasses; Graham Hill Eyecare, $235.
ACCESSORIES This page: Top left: Oroton sunglasses; Graham Hill Eyecare, $235; top right: Jendi brown hat, Shop 221, $89.95; Calvin Klein sunglasses; Graham Hill Eyecare, $169; bottom left: Morgan + Taylor black hat, Traffik Boutique, $69.95; Zac Posen sunglasses, Graham Hill Eyecare, $473; bottom right: Zac Posen sunglasses, Graham Hill Eyecare, $473.
ACCESSORIES This page: top right and left: Zac Posen sunglasses, Graham Hill Eyecare, $418; bottom right: Calvin Klein sunglasses; Graham Hill Eyecare, $169. Next page: Olga Berg black bag, Traffik Boutique, $99.95.
VIDA AW 19
244 Wyndham Street, Shepparton 5821 4679 61 Bridge Street, Benalla 5762 6150 www.purdeys.com.au
shopping
COOL COMFORT Rugging up never looked so good with coats and jackets for every occasion.
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1. Cue Beige coat, Traffik, $665; 2. Paper Closet coat, Arcade Fashions, $89.95; 3. Elm rain jacket, Boutique on Binney, $139.95; 4. Pingpong, Blue coat, Traffik, $289.95; 5. Joseph Ribkoff jacket, Pampens Boutique, $250; 6. Pingpong khaki coat, Pampens Boutique, $229; 7. Pingpong Teal Coat, Shop 221, $329.95.
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At Choices Flooring Shepparton, we know that good interior decorating starts
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profile
STORY: LIAM NASH PHOTOGRAPHY: RODNEY BRAITHWAITE
THE LIFE OF A
dairy farmer The agricultural industry has long been seen as a male-dominated enterprise, but the efforts of women driving the trade should not be underestimated.
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profile
Having been introduced to farming from a young age by her father Neil, Chloe Goodfellow’s interest in agriculture began with taking calves to compete in the Royal Melbourne Show. Having purchased her first Jersey at the age of 10, Chloe’s passion for breeding took her down the farming avenue and she hasn’t looked back.
“I am usually up at about 5 am to go and get the cows,” Chloe said. “I don’t have a bike, so I just walk to get the cows, that doesn’t worry me one bit. “Once I do the jobs that need doing after milking, I sit down for an hour or so and just try and have a break, otherwise I get really tired.”
Chloe has had valuable lessons ingrained in her through experience working on Scott and Anna Fitzgerald’s farm, local farmers who have a predominantly female workforce.
“Scott has five employees and four of us are girls; it is just by coincidence,” Chloe said. “To me he’s been a big help as a mentor. “Not only in the dairy industry, it is just
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the people that they are, they are very encouraging, and I have learned a lot just from watching them in their lives.
“I used to do both milkings and have every second weekend off, so that was a bit of a culture shock.
“When you start getting to the end of that two-week stretch it starts to affect you a bit, especially as I have chronic fatigue.” As a woman in farming, Chloe said she had experienced some negativity when she first entered the industry.
“When we took over the farm and we decided to go with the company that was picking up the milk originally … the transport person thought he could lay down the law,” she said. “It was frustrating, it was how he spoke.
“In the end Dad had to ring them and explain how I was treated, and it was sorted just like that, and that is what concerns me. “Especially when you are young, it’s quite intimidating and you don’t want to come across as arrogant but also you want to be heard. “I am really big about everybody being entitled to their opinion.”
But since that initial incident, Chloe has not encountered any of the gender-related issues she was made wary of by family members.
“My ‘towny’ family said I would never get
a job in a male-dominated industry, and I have,” she said.
“I think they see it as being hard work, and it is, but I like it and I wouldn’t do anything else. “I think if you have that passion, those sorts of obstacles don’t seem as big in a way.”
“That has saved me money as I am always conscious of my breakeven point. Sometimes things go wrong, but it is just about managing it.” Aware of the unpredictability of the farming industry, especially of late, Chloe has made the decision to study a Bachelor of Accounting degree online.
The good experiences vastly outweigh the bad ones in Chloe’s opinion, with many doors being opened for her so far.
“I do care about it but it’s not something I am passionate about.
“I was lucky enough to go to Queensland and New Zealand on exchanges through the breed societies, and I don’t think I would have had them if I wasn’t so involved.”
“Some people might laugh at what I am doing, but Dad has always been able to make a living.
“The opportunities I have been given have probably been the things I have enjoyed the most,” Chloe said.
With an alarming number of farms exiting the industry due to the drought driving feed and water prices upwards, many are worried about whether there is a future for agriculture.
“I am doing it because I know about the volatility of the industry and I have always had an interest in numbers, so it made sense,” she said.
“I guess the bonus is that if I had to, I could branch off and work off-farm and still be able to milk — because that’s what I love to do.”
With much of the region’s economy dependent on the local farming industry, Chloe has been forced to make strategic decisions in order to keep her farm afloat.
“That’s been the biggest challenge, I have not been buying water,” she said.
“We made the decision to split the herd up, and when we started doing that there were noticeable increases in the VAT and protein.
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beauty STORY: JESSICA BALL
natural A
The skin care industry is one of the largest producers of toxic and potentially harmful ingredients, and Asthetique Skin Care owner Shellie Pearson said it was tricky to decipher what was good and what was not.
Those who decide to fuel the skin with the good stuff are met with a minefield of labels and marketing hype.
approach Most people don’t think twice about paying for their daily dose of caffeine, but when it comes to holistic skincare they find the cost is prohibitive. Yet in reality the price tag is similar to a coffee a day.
“Just because a label says it’s organic or natural doesn’t mean that it’s the best for your skin,” Shellie said.
“There are a lot of products out there that use not very nice ingredients so it’s about knowing what ingredients to look for.”
Shellie said these nasties were doing a lot of harm.
“Up until recent years we have been led to believe that constantly scrubbing the top layer of your skin will help improve skin conditions such as blackheads and pimples, acne, ageing, pigmentation and more,” she said.
“And yes, for a week or two, a chemical peel, microdermabrasion or an abrasive scrub might seem to be doing the job, however you will soon find your skin becomes irritated, dry, itchy, sensitive and overall not happy or that the results are short-lived.
The naughty list Take the time to look the ingredient list of each product you use in your routine — if they include anything from this list, avoid them.
1 2
Fragrance — the most irritating and allergystimulating ingredient in almost all skin care formulas. We all love those nice-smelling products, but they are not good for your skin’s health. Tetra disodium ETDA — this is often used in place of parabens (perhaps so a product can claim it is ‘paraben free’ or ‘natural’) but it is a known carcinogen, meaning it’s known to cause cancer.
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Methylisothiazolinone — a pesky preservative that is cytotoxic (toxic to cells) and it is also known to be a culprit in the development of contact dermatitis.
May 2019
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Mineral oil — a petroleum byproduct that coats the skin like plastic, clogging pores, and promoting skin conditions such as acne. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) — both are common ingredients found in 90 per cent of personal care products that foam but are well documented to be a skin irritant affecting the skin’s immune system and ability to maintain its protective barrier. DMDM hydantoin — another type of preservative, but it is another nasty one as it is formaldehyde-releasing (formaldehyde is a carcinogen).
beauty
Test drive
“In actual fact, these ablative (removing) treatments can actually lead to premature ageing and further development of pigmentation months after having them.” And the good ingredients don’t make up for the bad ones.
“If you look at the first three to five ingredients, they are the main ingredients in that product; and, unfortunately, the things that are probably good — vitamin A or vitamin C — you’ll often find them right down in the last couple,” Shellie said. “Those ingredients that aren’t as good end up taking over those ones at the bottom which means they pretty much don’t do anything because it’s such a minute amount.”
Instead Shellie recommends ‘clean’ products that nurture your skin using plant-based ingredients in their most pure form and use food-grade preservatives.
“They don’t take away from your skin, instead we are correcting and protecting what you’ve already got,” she said.
No matter what you’ve been using off the supermarket shelf, don’t be embarrassed or intimated, it’s worth seeing a professional for a bespoke skin care routine.
Whenever I scroll through Facebook of late, I see ads for natural deodorants. I took the bait; I wanted to see if they really worked. I went into Asthetique Skin Care in Shepparton, bought myself an unscented Body Crystal deodorant and decided to report back. Initial thoughts After being bombarded with Facebook ads I was expecting to purchase a balm, but I was a little relieved to find natural deodorant in a somewhat familiar format — the roll-on. My last foray with roll-ons was in the midst of early puberty when my mum put one in my school bag, ‘just in case’. Looking back, this may have been a subtle hint. The roll-on leaked all through my bag leaving one horrified 12-year-old, and I haven’t been back, until now.
Day one The directions say three rolls should do the trick but, petrified of BO, I may have laid it on a little thick, leaving a bit of a damp feeling to begin with. Spending a lazy day on the couch with the type of friends you don’t bother putting makeup on for, never mind a bra, there was no odour to complain about here.
Day two Time to put it to the test by taking my puppy for a walk around the block. Rodger didn’t report me to be smelling any more interesting than usual.
Day three
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Sodium hydroxide — used a lot in products as a pH balancer but considered an extremely strong skin irritant. Methylparaben — a paraben that is well-known to also be an endocrine disruptor.
Acrylates copolymer — a plastic polymer that helps create a nice thickness to a cream but ‘plastic’ means a skin and eye irritant. 1 Peg-80 sorbitan laurate — not safe to use on damaged or broken skin — including those spots you’ve picked. PEG-16 soy sterol — an emulsifying agent that binds water and oil together, found in a lot of cleansers.
Its biggest test yet. As the editor of Betty, you never know what your day is going to look like, and my Monday started with heaving pallets around to create the set-up for our grazing article on page 73. I knocked off early to go to a friend’s business launch, planning to run in the door, refresh myself with a makeup touch-up and an extra roll of deodorant (just like I would have done with my normal spray-on). Instead I found Rodger wasn’t looking good and rushed him to the vet. The deodorant withstood an unexpected morning arm workout, an anxious puppy owner and everything in-between.
Day four Work as normal. Nothing new to report.
Day five No matter how many times I do it, public speaking, even just in front of a class of Year 7 students, makes me sweat and today was no different. But despite the uncomfortable start to the day, I still felt fresh when I headed home.
The verdict Other than making the switch to roll-on, using a natural deodorant made no difference to my day-to-day life. It preformed just as well as I expect my regular choice to, so in the end why not treat my skin a little better and give it the natural alternative?
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Contemporary styles for all women Lavish Beauty
by Stacey
96 Fryers St, Shepparton
Phone: 5831 1599
Email: lavish@outlook.com.au
MODERN INDUSTRIAL, BOHO OR TRADITIONAL Something for every style
167-171 HIGH STREET, SHEPPARTON | (03) 5831 2500 | INFO@SABAC.COM.AU WWW.SABAC.COM.AU | /sabaconhigh 54
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fitness
STORY: ASHLEA WITOSLAWSKI PHOTOGRAPHY: MEGAN FISHER
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO
yoga Heidi van Maanenberg believes yoga should be accessible to everyone, no matter a person’s age or ability.
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From the age of 18, Heidi has practised yoga on and off, however it wasn’t until she sustained an injury through running that she took things to the next level.
“I had a newborn and I couldn’t go out and run or do what I wanted to do,” Heidi said. “I started doing yoga as part of the healing process.
“From there, I enjoyed the feeling of clarity and started thinking ‘why aren’t I doing this more?’” In 2013, Heidi decided to undertake yoga teacher training and began running some casual classes before opening b.YOGA in Euroa. Opening another studio in Kialla at the end of 2018, Heidi believe it is important for yoga to be fun, honest and authentic,
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catering to all abilities.
“Yoga is preparation to meditation, we get the breath with the movement and then we start to clear and declutter the mind,” she said. “Everything that we do is in preparation for meditation.
“The first thing we work on is the breath and then we start to work on the postures and then we work though from there.” Heidi believes although yoga can be challenging and confronting at times, the numerous benefits are essential for overall wellbeing.
“We’re working on the hardest of all to train, and that’s the brain,” she said. “That is the muscle we are working on because the brain can take us anywhere, we
can do anything if we train the brain.
“Yoga is a tool to be able to start to categorise and start to look at why we’re feeling the way we do and learning it’s okay to feel those feelings, nothing is forever.” Heidi says yoga helps balance the nervous and endocrine systems, aids sleep habits, helps create lean muscle tone to ensure our bodies are aligned and supports digestion.
She said yoga stimulated a free flow of energy in the body and increased a person’s self-awareness and self-confidence.
Heidi believes yoga has gained popularity in recent years because of the over-stimulated state many of us find ourselves in every day.
“We’re in this state of fight or flight all the time,” she said. “We start to get irritated, our nerves get
fitness
“WE’RE IN THIS STATE OF FIGHT OR FLIGHT ALL THE TIME” – HEIDI VAN MAANENBERG
frayed, we get distracted and we get snappy, so this is what’s happening because we’re in this state all the time and we don’t take the time to give our body the recognition to come out of that state.”
Heidi said people were crying out for downtime.
“We can’t go on like this as people, we cannot maintain this level of excitement all the time,” she said. “We are not a gym, we’re a specialty space where people give themselves time to rest and really let go.” Heidi stressed the importance of yoga as a tool for developing strength of the mind, body and spirit.
She is passionate about importance of doing yoga for personal growth, rather than how it is currently portrayed via social media.
“Today most people see yoga as it’s portrayed via social media with skimpy clothes, splits or pretzel positions in tropical beautiful locations − but that’s not what yoga is.
“That is a part of yoga, but it’s the tip of the iceberg.” Opening her studio to all willing to give something new a chance, Heidi is determined to leave everyone feeling accomplished and more aligned when they walk out the door.
“You don’t just come and do your stuff; it’s when you roll up the mat and leave the studio, that’s when your real yoga starts,” she said. “I’m just here to guide and teach what I know.”
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fitness
YO G A 1 0 1 COW POSE: With
your knees directly under your hips, you will feel an opening through your chest. Cow pose held at its peak releases tension of the upper back and neck.
CAT POSE: Holding the same stance as cow pose, release the crown of your head toward the floor, but don’t force your chin to your chest. The combination of the two poses increases flexibility of the neck, shoulders, and spine. The movement also stretches the muscles of the hips, back, abdomen, chest, and lungs.
CHAIR POSE:
Keep your knees hip-width apart, knees bent, hips back, and chest forward. This pose tones the leg muscles and strengthens your hip flexors, ankles, calves, and back. It also strengthens your chest and shoulders.
MOUNTAIN POSE:
Standing solid and grounded on both feet, this pose helps improve posture, balance, and calm focus. When practised regularly, the pose can help reduce back pain. This pose strengthens the thighs, knees, ankles, abdomen and buttocks. The block placed between the thighs is good for improving your pelvic floor. 58
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To our generous community we
thankyou
Forget Netflix. Give Amazon the flick. FREE video streaming and eBook downloads with your library membership. Read watch listen learn enjoy – we have it all! gvlibraries.com.au 1300 374 765
The GV Health Foundation is committed to raising funds to enhance the clinical and community services for everyone who live in our Goulburn Valley. With the ever increasing demand for Hospital and Health care services, and the rapid advancement of modern medical technology, realising this goal is a never ending task. Each year many individuals, organisations and patients give generously to the Foundation with donations, dedicated bequests and grants. One hundred percent of donations received by the Foundation are allocated to the particular areas nominated by our generous donors.
Your libraries are located in Mooroopna, Shepparton, Tatura, Cobram, Numurkah, Nathalia, Yarrawonga, Euroa, Nagambie, Violet Town and a Mobile Library service.
If you would like to support the Foundation please contact:
GV Health, Graham Street, Shepparton Phone (03) 5832 2192 Email carmel.johnson@gvhealth.org.au betty May 2019
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fit and
Stylish
At Fit & Folly we stock performance womens fashion designed for an active life. Stocking garments constructed from high performance, technical fabrics the team at Fit & Folly will help you find the pieces you need to move with you no matter the activity. Fit & Folly proudly stocking Lorna Jane, Jaggad, Nike and 2XU.
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• 228 Maude St, Shepparton • 5821 1555
Celebrate your style with the world’s latest eyewear at Graham Hill Eyecare
98 Maude St Shepparton | 5821 2811 | www.hilleyecare.com 60
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shopping
THINK INK A Mother’s Day tradition turned on its head with statement blue instead of traditional pink.
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1. KitchenAid KSM150 Artisan stand mixer, Harvey Norman, from $579; 2. Beanie, Pampens Boutique, $20; 3. Elm spot dress, Boutique on Binney, $89.95; 4. Ceramic ‘Milky Way’ vase, Sam, from $60; 5. Modapelle hand bag, Bag City, $240; 6. Equilibrium necklace, Focus Cards and Gifts, $43.95; 7. Najo, ‘Freya black onyx bangle, Purdeys Jewellers, $299; 8. Ceramic ‘Stripe’ bowl, Sam, $40; 9. Blue and white throw, Sabac, $64.95; 10. Large ceramic ‘Dot’ bowl, Sam, $266.
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GOT MILK? Low fat, no fat, full cream, high calcium, high protein, soy, light, skim, omega-3, high calcium with vitamin D and folate, or extra dollop? It’s been almost a decade since the iconic Pauls Milk television commercial that listed the variety of milk choices available to the consumer but the milk fridges have only become more confusing. Ripe Health dietitian Bec Monk grew up on a dairy farm drinking fresh milk straight from the cow, but with so many options out there she is here to help work out which is best for you.
“Going to the supermarket can be quite overwhelming and in 2018 there were over 110 milks available and no doubt there are more than that these days, including camels’ milk,” Bec said. “It blew my mind how many are available.
“There’s so much information out there and people genuinely want to do the best by their health, so they are looking at the alterative to try and improve it, but I would say most of the time there isn’t a need.”
It’s easy to get caught up in what’s ‘healthy’ but Bec said people were overcomplicating food and it was best to focus of the whole diet when choosing the foods we eat. In the end for most it comes down to preference of flavour and even mouth feel, but for Bec, she just wants milk that tastes like real milk.
Cows’ milk Unless you have medical or nutritional needs Bec suggests sticking with good old cows’ milk.
“We know in terms of nutrition cows’ milk provides us with the most complete nutrition profile,” she said.
But even with cows’ milk there is a smorgasbord of options including reduced fat, skim, and it can even be modified to be lactose-free which Bec said was a good option for those with an irritable-bowelsyndrome-like intolerance.
“It’s recommended to choose a reduced fat cows’ milk after the age of two but it’s also important to think of how much we’re having of our dairy-based serves across the day,” she said.
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Goat, sheep and camel milk
How much is enough?
When looking at alternative milks, Bec said dietitians always strived for the nutrition profile of cows’ milk.
Whatever your choice, it is important women get their recommended daily dairy intake.
“Goat and camel milk are becoming increasingly popular in our multicultural society as they are the milk alternatives in the Middle East, Asian and African communities.” she said.
Between 14 and 18 years old — a vital time for ensuring good bone health — and over 50 or postmenopause due to hormone changes and the high risk of osteoporosis, women should consume four serves of dairy daily.
Women between 18 and 50 should aim for three serves per day.
One serve of dairy is 250 ml of milk, 200 g of yoghurt or two slices of cheese and Bec said coffee culture was helping women meet these needs.
“For the modern-day woman a great source of that is getting a latte or flat white from a café which is something that has improved women’s consumption of dairy in the past decade.”
Photography: Megan Fisher.
Plant-based milks For those who prefer a vegan or vegetarian diet, Bec suggests plant-based ‘milks’ like soy, almond, oat and rice.
“If there are genuine intolerances, allergies or health needs that’s when the alternatives are valuable but they don’t necessarily provide you with any more health benefits than standard cows’ milk,” she said. But Bec said it was essential to ensure the alternatives were fortified with calcium.
“For women it’s really important that we have adequate calcium from our dairy or alternative dairy sources,” she said.
“It’s best to verify that they are fortified; and looking at the per 100 ml column on the nutrition information panel you want the calcium to be greater than 120 mg.”
However almond milk must be avoided by those with a nut allergy, while oat milk is fine but should be avoided by those with coeliac disease, and soy milk isn’t recommended for those with a cows’ milk allergy.
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Jai Sneddon has lived with diabetes since he was two, and his mother Kim is one of his biggest supporters. Photography: Rodney Braithwaite.
diabetes
STORIES: SHARON WRIGHT
diabetes – a life-long journey An estimated 1.2 million Australians have been diagnosed as living with diabetes, that’s one in every 20 of us. Rates are increasing, creating confusion and challenges for families and placing significant pressure on the nation’s health system. A diabetes diagnosis can cause stress, grief and anger but help is at hand from health professionals, support groups and state and national bodies.
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ONE IN ‌ A type 1 diabetes diagnosis came out of the blue for this young family but through education and support its members are living their best lives.
Jai Sneddon has lived with type 1 diabetes since age two, but with the support of his family including mum Kim, brother Sonny and sister Ruby is a happy and healthy 11-year-old boy. Photography: Rodney Braithwaite. 66
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Shepparton’s Jai Sneddon is a typical 11-year-old boy who loves football, basketball and athletics and has dreams of playing AFL for the Sydney Swans. He eats well, trains regularly, participates in school life and enjoys playing with the new family pet, border collie pup Buddy — named after his idol and Swans star Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin.
But in between all those activities Jai has to factor in another daily regime; routinely testing his blood glucose levels and injecting himself with insulin.
On July 2, 2010, aged just two, Jai was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and rushed to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne by his parents Brad and Kim.
“Jai had been unwell; he had a cold so we were holed up at home for a few weeks. We started toilet training and that wasn’t going so well, everything he drank seemed to go right through him,” Kim said.
“We went to the local footy and a few people commented he had lost weight, but because we saw him every day we hadn’t noticed. “Brad’s mum was a nurse and said she didn’t want to alarm us but thought Jai may have diabetes. We went to the doctor on the Monday morning, and after having a finger prick test it was confirmed,” she said.
What followed was an urgent road trip from their then-home at Blighty in the NSW southern Riverina to Melbourne, where the young parents underwent a crash course in learning to manage their son’s condition.
“Jai’s condition was deteriorating as we drove, and by the time we got there it took two days to stabilise his ketone levels,” Kim said. “We were there for eight days and it was all about educating us how to care for Jai. He wouldn’t be released into our care until the hospital was 100 per cent sure we would be okay.
“We were taught how to inject the insulin and that was the hardest part for me. They had us practise on an orange, but he was my two-year-old child, I just couldn’t do it.
“Jai just seemed to know, and he just said, ‘go Mum’,” she said.
The diagnosis changed their lives, Kim said, and initially they were devastated knowing that type 1 diabetes was a life-long condition and there could be long-term health implications.
“We just found out as much as we could. You’ve got this little child that’s already reliant on you, and then you have diabetes on top of that. We didn’t let him out of our sight for two years or more,” Kim said.
Each stage of Jai’s development has brought challenges and anxious moments. When he started school Kim or Brad would attend daily for the lunchtime blood sugar glucose test and administer insulin; that continued until Jai was confident enough to do it himself, in about Year 2.
The couple wakes every night at 2 am to check Jai’s levels and is helping to establish good long-term management skills to ensure his continued health and independence.
“Jai doesn’t really know anything different, he’s never been ashamed of diabetes, which I’m proud of. He checks his levels and injects in front of people, his mates at school all know and it’s good for us to know that other people are watching out for him,” Kim said.
“It hasn’t held him back at all; it’s just a bit of a balancing act. He knows if he goes to a party he can have a piece of birthday cake, it just means he’ll need another insulin injection.
“As a family we have a balanced diet, which is how people should eat. One positive that has come out of Jai having diabetes is that we’ve all become fitter and healthier,” Kim said.
The Sneddon family will ride bikes from Wangaratta to Bright to raise funds for the JDRF, which conducts research into type 1 diabetes, on May 11 and 12. To donate to the cause go to teamcurediabetes. everydayhero.com/au/jai-s-ride-for-type-1
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diabetes
POSITIVE After recovering from the shock of a type 1 diabetes diagnosis, Therese Kennedy’s practical thought processes kicked in and she quite simply got on with her life. “I was 24 and I’d been travelling in India for four or five months when I became unwell. I was diagnosed when I got home and up until then I’d been perfectly healthy and had probably only been to the doctor two or three times in my life,” Therese said.
“I was hospitalised, and the education started straight away. I’m a very practical person; they said I couldn’t leave hospital until I could inject myself, so I said, ‘where’s the needle?’” Now 57, Therese has become skilled at managing her diabetes and has always embraced new technology and medical advancements to improve her quality of life.
Therese has used an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor for the past 10 years and in December 2018 underwent a pancreatic islet transplant, a procedure that has been available in Australia for the past decade.
“I also have hypo-unawareness, which means I’m not symptomatic when I’m hypoglycaemic (low blood sugar levels),” Therese said. She’s had more blackouts as the result of the hypos in the past 10 years than she can count, and is hopeful once she has a second islet transplant these will cease and she can regain her driver’s licence.
“The insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor have been life-changing,” Therese said. The equipment works in tandem to alert Therese when her blood sugar levels are too low or high, so she can treat herself accordingly.
“Both these items are expensive, but they improve my life so I make sacrifices in other areas so I can afford it,” Therese said.
plays sport and cares for her family.
“I’m prepared to do what it takes to maintain good health and I have a positive outlook, that’s just my philosophy on life,” Therese said. “Diabetes is not the worst thing to get; it is manageable and there is support.”
“I’ve always looked after myself so hopefully I can avoid long-term side effects like amputation or blindness down the track. I feel how I managed my diabetes when I was first diagnosed has stood me in good stead.”
Therese said she tried not to let her diabetes restrict her. Apart from thinking about her diet more than people who don’t have diabetes, she is like anyone else; she works,
Therese Kennedy hasn’t let type 1 diabetes restrict her life. Photography: Megan Fisher.
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diabetes
Support for families
What is diabetes? TYPE 1 DIABETES Is an autoimmune condition that destroys the cells in the pancreas responsible for producing the hormone insulin.
Insulin acts like a key to open cells and allow glucose, which comes from the food we eat and gives us energy, to enter the blood. Type 1 diabetes usually develops in children and young adults, but can occur at any age and only about 10 to 15 per cent of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
Cause The exact cause is unknown but a person will only develop the disease if they have genes for type 1 diabetes and are exposed to a trigger such as a viral infection.
Symptoms Symptoms of high blood glucose levels can include: • Thirst
• Tiredness
• Going to the toilet a lot to pass urine • Weight loss
• Feeling unwell
• Being dehydrated
Treatment
When Tamara Currie’s young daughter fell ill, was hospitalised in Ballarat and diagnosed with type 1 diabetes six years ago, the mother-of-three returned home to Shepparton expecting to find a support group. While she found great assistance from health professionals at the diabetes centre at Goulburn Valley Health, the lack of a community-based support group for families of children with type 1 diabetes was glaringly obvious. And so began GV Type One Peer Support, or GV TOPS, a group that still operates today. With the encouragement of paediatric diabetes educator Judith Wilkinson, Tamara and another parent, Rika Beaton, started the group, offering support for families and raising awareness within the community. “When we started the group I was surprised by the number of other families that were impacted by diabetes,” Tamara said. “Parents can be stuck in grief, they’re shocked and sometimes angry that their child has diabetes. We offer support to realise those feelings are normal and they are not alone. “Sometimes people don’t want to talk to a counsellor or social worker but they’re happy to talk to other parents,” she said. The group’s meeting days and formats change according to the needs of members but can include talks from health professionals, such as dieticians and podiatrists, group outings for the children and family evenings. “And we always have a diabetes educator in attendance,” Tamara said. For further information about GV TOPS, or meeting dates, phone Tamara Currie on 0427 760 680.
The only treatment for type 1 diabetes is insulin, which can’t be given in tablet form, so people with type 1 diabetes must have insulin injections every day to live.
The goal is to keep blood glucose levels as close to the normal range as possible to help reduce long-term complications. This can be achieved by having insulin via injections or a pump, balancing insulin doses with the amount of carbohydrates eaten and physical activity, and monitoring blood glucose. >>
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diabetes
TYPE 2 DIABETES The most common form of diabetes and affects 85 to 90 per cent of all people with diabetes. It usually develops in adults over the age of 45, but is now being seen in younger people too. Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the beta cells in the pancreas still make insulin, but may not make enough, or the insulin that is being made does not do its job properly.
Cause While there is no single cause for type 2 diabetes, there are well-known risk factors. These include:
• People with pre-diabetes • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged 35 and over • People aged 35 and over who are Pacific Islanders, Maori, Asian (including the Indian subcontinent, or of Chinese origin) Middle Eastern, North African or Southern European • People aged 45 and over who are obese or overweight, have high blood pressure or have a first-degree relative with type 2 diabetes • All people with cardiovascular disease such as heart attack, angina, stroke, narrowed blood vessels • Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who are overweight • Women who have had gestational diabetes (GDM) • People aged 55 or over • People with a first degree relative with type 2 diabetes • People taking certain antipsychotic medicine or corticosteroid medicine
Symptoms • • • •
Feeling thirsty Feeling tired Feeling hungry Needing to go to the toilet more often to pass urine • Infections, such as urinary tract or thrush • Skin rashes / itching
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• Headaches • Blurred vision • Cuts that heal slowly
Prevention Up to 60 per cent of type 2 diabetes can be prevented. People at risk of type 2 diabetes can delay and even prevent this condition by following a healthy lifestyle including: • • • • • •
Maintaining a healthy weight Doing regular physical activity Making healthy food choices Managing blood pressure Managing cholesterol levels Not smoking
PRE-DIABETES Is the condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for the person to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Nearly one in four adults over the age of 25 years has either diabetes or pre-diabetes.
The risk factors for pre-diabetes are the same as those for type 2 diabetes.
Diagnosis If you have a higher than normal blood glucose level on any blood glucose test this needs to be checked further and your doctor may order an oral glucose tolerance test, which can determine if you have: • • • •
Normal glucose levels Impaired fasting glucose Impaired glucose tolerance Type 2 diabetes
Treatment If you are diagnosed with pre-diabetes, the treatment involves the same lifestyle changes that are recommended for people diagnosed with diabetes. For most, this will include: • Regular physical activity • Healthy eating • If necessary, weight loss
If you have pre-diabetes you have a higher risk of developing heart disease so it’s important to have your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly.
GESTATIONAL DIABETES Is diabetes that is first picked up in pregnancy and goes away after a baby is born, although in some women the diabetes may not disappear after birth.
During pregnancy a woman’s body needs two to three times more insulin than usual to keep blood glucose levels normal, and when a woman develops gestational diabetes her pancreas is unable to produce the extra insulin needed at this time.
Management Eating a healthy balanced diet, increasing physical activity and monitoring blood glucose levels are key management strategies for gestational diabetes.
It is essential to see a dietitian who will make sure you are getting the proper nutrients for you and your baby, while helping you to make healthy food choices for the gestational diabetes. Insulin injections are often needed to help bring blood glucose levels into the target range.
Facts In Australia, three to eight per cent of pregnant women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
• The most common time to develop this condition is between weeks 24 and 28 of the pregnancy. • All women should be routinely tested for gestational diabetes around the week 26 to 28. If there is a previous history of gestational diabetes, the test may be done earlier. Source — Diabetes Victoria
diabetes
Knowledge is key Understanding the gravity of the complex and multi-systems disease that is diabetes, and learning self-management strategies is crucial for the long-term health of those living with the condition.
Credentialed diabetes educator Sue Crowther is an important part of the health-care team for people living with diabetes. Photography: Megan Fisher.
For many, that knowledge is gained by regular contact with teams of health care professionals including credentialed diabetes educators such as Sue Crowther at Primary Care Connect. Sue and her credentialed diabetes educator colleagues have completed intensive further study and their in-depth knowledge means they are often on board in the early stages of an individual’s journey with diabetes.
Most of the people making their way into Sue’s clinic live with type 2 diabetes or have pre-diabetes and have been referred from their GP or practice nurses within medical clinics.
“An initial consultation will take about an hour, it’s mostly me listening to them and finding out what they understand about diabetes. It’s not an easy disease to explain to people,” Sue said. “I take their blood pressure, glucose level, height and weight. I look at their blood results, take their family history and look at any medications they may be taking.
“It’s also important to know what’s going on in their life too; stress can increase glucose levels. “We take a holistic approach,” she said.
Once the assessment is complete, Sue identifies any immediate issues and offers initial education, tailored to the individual’s
level of understanding.
“Diabetes is complex so I have to bring the information I give back to a level where it makes sense to people,” Sue said.
“When I explain the role of insulin in the body I like to use the analogy that carbohydrate is the primary source of energy (fuel) for our bodies and without that energy it’s like driving a car to Melbourne, if you don’t fill the car it won’t go far.
diabetes is a progressive disease.
“Initially people living with type 2 diabetes may be able to control glucose levels through diet and exercise, but then we might have to add in medication, and eventually they can end up on insulin. I make them aware of that early on,” she said. Pre-diabetes (impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance) are early signs of diabetes and this can be diagnosed with a simple blood test.
“Diabetes is like pulling into a petrol station to fill your car and the hose is like the insulin, without it you can’t get the petrol (fuel) in the car; without the insulin you can’t get the energy into the cells of your body.
“Research tells us if we reduce our weight, waist measurement, eat healthy and be more physically active we can delay the onset or reduce the risk of developing diabetes if we have pre-diabetes,” Sue said.
Those complications include eye disease, renal (kidney) disease, cardiovascular disease, problems with the feet, and dental caries.
As a member of the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, Sue continues to remain abreast of advancements in management to offer up-to-date guidance and support to the community.
“I have to be very careful not to overwhelm them, and instead spread the information over several visits. We know that good management early is crucial to managing complications in the long term,” she said.
“We review the annual cycle of care that involves other health professionals, such as dietitians, podiatrists, optometrists, dentists and of course, the GP,” Sue said.
“Some people get very frustrated when they can’t control their glucose levels, despite their best efforts, but I explain early on that
“We also link people to exercise programs because we know strength training helps glucose uptake by the muscles.”
There are also plans to re-establish a diabetes support group in Shepparton. Type 2 diabetes is the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia. A risk calculator tool can be found on the Diabetes Australia website at www. diabetesaustralia.com.au/risk-calculator
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diabetes with University of Melbourne Shepparton Medical Centre
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT Credentialled diabetes educator Jane Rinaldi from the University of Melbourne Shepparton Medical Centre sat down with Betty to answer some common diabetes questions.
1: What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is generally auto immune related, sudden onset and requires insulin injections for life. Generally affecting younger people but can also affect all ages.
Type 2 diabetes is of slower onset, and is considered to be lifestyle related. This is generally managed with lifestyle measures, medications and may require injectable therapies over time. Unfortunately we are seeing younger people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes even here in the Goulburn Valley. 2: Who is most at risk? Risk factors for type 2 diabetes may include: • Family history
• Ageing population
• Some ethnic groups have a genetic predisposition such as Indian, Asian, Mediterranean, Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander populations • Overweight • Inactive
• Unhealthy diet • Smoking
• Family history
3: What are some misconceptions about diabetes? A common misconception is that diabetes can be cured. Diabetes can be well managed to live a long and healthy life, but health professionals do not consider diabetes can be cured.
physiologist, podiatrists, optometrists and GPs. These health professionals can be accessed through your GP, Community Health and GV Health.
Diabetes Australia Victoria and Baker IDI provide quality evidence-based information to support self management.
4: What lifestyle changes can people make to prevent type 2 diabetes?
Local support groups such as Primary Care Connect offer chronic disease self management groups.
Type 2 diabetes may be considered a lifestyle disease. Making changes to your lifestyle will improve your overall health and wellbeing, not just your diabetes management:
6: How can you help a loved one
• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Losing even 5 – 10 per cent of your body weight can reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes by as much as 58 per cent • Achieve a healthy diet
• Achieve a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five days per week 5: What type of help is out there? In the Gouburn Valley we are fortunate to have access to a multi disciplinary team of health professionals who can work with you to manage your diabetes. The team includes diabetes educators, dietitians, exercise
dealing with diabetes diagnosis? Support for anyone living with a chronic disease is important, particularly when life is not working out as planned. No judgment and no blame when you fall off the wagon with lifestyle measures. Perhaps asking “how can I be of support?” rather than making assumptions about diabetes care. 7: What does life look like with diabetes? Living with diabetes takes a little more care to manage your health well. Diabetes increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. Regular review with your health care team to support you is essential to living well.
Shepparton Medical Centre 49 Graham St, Shepparton // 5823 3100 72
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Get grazing A Shepparton mother of two has turned a passion for platters into a business. “I decided I needed to do something for myself, and I loved it,” Tara Carbis said. Juggling seven-year-old-Liam, one-year-old Mia and a day job, she hopes to one day turn Graz’d by Tara into a full-time gig. But Tara is also happy to share her tricks of the trade — a no-fail recipe for a picture-perfect platter.
Photography: Megan Fisher. betty May 2019
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entertaining
Photography: Megan Fisher.
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G rab a platter and start by placing the bulky stuff
like ramekins of olives, sun-dried tomatoes and dips. Use these to balance the colours and shapes.
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N ext comes the cheese. It’s hard to go past a trio of cheddar, brie and blue.
TARA’S TIP: If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to take it off and start the step again — and always be generous.
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P ositioning the all-important crackers
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between the ramekins will help them stand up.
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With all the larger items accounted for, it’s time for the
I t’s time for the deli meats. To add texture to
the platter, try rolling the prosciutto and salami to create a soft ruffle.
accompaniments — think dried fruits, chocolate and pretzels. Dried fruits like pears pair well with cheese, dark chocolate is the fitting end to a grazing and pretzels add a salty crunch.
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F inally it’s time to look for the gaps and make sure
everywhere is covered by adding nuts such as smoked almonds, roasted cashews and hazelnuts, plus a burst of berries for colour.
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The New home of luxury in the Goulburn Valley. Your adventure begins as you enter our new showroom. Your pulse quickens as you gaze at the range of sleek Jaguars – ‘The Art of Performance’ in a true gallery setting. The purposeful elegance of the Land Rover range emerges as you walk through past the internet bar, through the café and towards our new customer business centre. Your owner journey continues with our commitment to go ’Above and Beyond’ supporting your journey in our new 16 bay service centre. Come in, experience, explore and enjoy this new hallmark of luxury – where you can truly start to make the most of your world with Jaguar and Land Rover.
Shepparton Jaguar Land Rover 8-10 Carrol Road Shepparton East 03 5822 5885 www.retailers.jaguar.com.au/shepparton | LMCT9883
www.retailers.landrover.com.au/shepparton
travel with Lyn McNaught Travel
TRIP OF A For as long as Karen Collins can remember her mum Gwenda Collins had dreamed of a European river cruise With the help of Lyn McNaught Travel, Karen was able to give her mum the gift of a lifetime; they would celebrate her 80th birthday cruising down the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.
“Every time it came on the tellie she told me that was her thing; that was on her bucket list,” Karen said.
shop, enjoyed a Strauss and Mozart concert, and went back in time to Anne Frank’s house and war-torn Europe.
Karen said it was a first-class experience.
“It’s the way they organise their trips into the towns, they have different levels; Mum
On Christmas morning, surrounded by family, Gwenda was overwhelmed when she opened her present.
“It was very emotional because my grandchildren all knew what was coming, it was just so special,” Gwenda said.
But the cherry on top was Gwenda’s 80th birthday spent in Regensburg, in Bavaria.
Nine months later the mother-daughter duo set out to Amsterdam.
Travel agent Tara McPherson was a step ahead and had considered the challenges that could have stopped Gwenda enjoying every moment of her once-in-a-lifetime trip.
A wheelchair met her at every flight to get her to her next destination without long walks through airports or standing in lines, and while on the ship Tara had selected the most accessible room.
“It was really good for Mum because there was no rushing and if we were late they would wait for us,” Karen said.
“I think Tara had thought about everything and planned accordingly — my only challenge was finding another suitcase to bring everything home in.”
Together Karen and Gwenda spent 17 nights relaxing aboard the ship and exploring the cobbled streets and architecture of quaint heritage towns by day.
They visited towns that are a part of their family history, the world-famous Christmas
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Photography: Megan Fisher.
could go in a low walking group and they might get bused to a place that other people might walk to. They took into consideration all abilities,” she said.
“But you could just sit with the door open in the cabin and watch the world go by — you feel like you’re just floating down the river.”
Karen surprised her with flowers from a Nuremberg market which were smuggled aboard by the cruise director, and she enjoyed an Oompah foot-slapping performance, while a birthday cake was marched through the dining room to the tune of Happy Birthday.
As a memento Gwenda brought home a babushka that now sits on her mantelpiece to remind her of the special memories she shares with her daughter.
For Gwenda one of the most memorable moments was an afternoon tea with a German family.
“They welcomed you into their home like you were an old friend, it was lovely to seeing their house,” she said.
“She cooked a beautiful German apple cake and a cheese cake and they made their wine.”
50 McLennan Street, Mooroopna (03) 5825 1866 // lynmcnaught.com
shopping
JETSET IN STYLE Whether you’re escaping the winter for Europe or traveling closer to home, these stylish essentials must be on your packing list.
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1. Lorna Jane sweater, Fit & Folly $99.95; 2. Scarf, Boutique on Binney, $39; 3. VS Sassoon Travel Pro hairdryer, Harvey Norman, $34.95; 4. Eleven Shampoo $23.95 and Conditioner $24.95, Lavish; 5. Bose noise-masking sleepbuds, Harvey Norman, $375; 6. Base cream, Asthetique Skin Care, $99; 7. Yellow ‘Futura’ luggage, Bag City, $185; 8. Walnut ‘Amy’ sneaker, Boutique on Binney, $129.95; 9. Oroton ‘Revolve’ sunglasses, Graham Hill Eyecare, $225; 10. Wide brim hat, Pampens Boutique, $39.95; 11. Catherine Manuell luggage, Bag City, $225.
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Grace and Frankie In Grace and Frankie, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin star as two women whose lives are suddenly turned upside-down when their husbands reveal they are gay and leave them for each other. Both sparring partners and partners in crime, they form an unlikely bond.
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The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann
The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann takes a detailed look at the most high-profile missing child case in British history, which reverberated around the world as the Portuguese police together with England’s Scotland Yard mobilised a major investigation.
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to all the mums of the Goulburn Valley and to the grandmums, step-mums, foster mums, honourary mums, not-yet-mums, & the mums we won’t forget.
Damian DRUM MP
NATIONALS FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MURRAY 426 Wyndham Street, Shepparton, VIC 3630 03 5821 5371
damian.drum.mp@aph.gov.au
DamianDrumMP
damiandrum.com.au
DamianDrumMP
DamianDrumMP
Authorised and by Damian Drum MP, National Party of Australia, 426 Wyndham Street, Shepparton VIC 3630.
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