PakMag Townsville - February 2019 Issue 99

ISSUE: FEB 2019

99

TOWNSVILLE

WORK-LIFE BLENDING BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS UNDER 5’s ACTIVITY GUIDE

PREWORKOUT RECIPES PRIZES GALORE WORKOUT SPACES

FREE www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 1

WELCOME 4

Entertainment: Check it Out

7

The Thing Is…

8

Building Friendships

11

Education: Performing Arts

Hello and welcome to our February edition of PakMag! The kids are back at school, some normality is kicking back in and I hope you have managed to stick to your New Year’s resolutions.

15 Work-Life Blending 19 The PakMag Experts 21 First I-Med Radiology

Clinic for the Community 23 Health 27 Bump, Bub and Beyond:

New Born Facts 28 WIN – Bump,

Bub and Beyond 31 What’s On Guide

I for one didn’t make any New Year’s resolutions this year, as last year’s - “I want to slow down” - was a disaster. The universe delivered. I injured myself, resulting in knee surgery and a year of recovery, 2018 was indeed a slow year!

So this year, I am just going to go with the flow, set some goals and standards to live by, and cross my fingers and toes that 2019 is my best year yet.

For now, it’s all about new routines, school lunches, homework, and creating new habits to get life back on track, and hopefully making some time for ourselves and our BFFs. Enjoy “getting things in order” month, and having routine again. I love my kids, but boy it’s nice to have them back at school.

33 Kids Activity Mag – MiniMag

Have a great month, and don’t forget to tell everyone, you read it in PakMag.

40 Superhero Party 42 Home with Caro and Kingi –

Workout Spaces 44 Recipes

Bree James Grand Publishing Founder and Editor-in-Chief

47 Convincing Your Tween

to Hang Out with You 48 Starting High School 51 Terrific Teachers 53 Labour is Making

Education a Top Priority 55 Under 5’s Activity Guide 63 Mater Snapped

Contact Us: p 4053 3331 e admin@grandpublishing.com.au a PO Box 7433 Cairns Qld 4870

64 Daddy Diary

Grand Publishing Founder and Editor-in-Chief Bree James

Lead Graphic Designer Clare Winter Graphic Designer Sara Williams

Marketing to Families Manager Lisa Gillman Marketing to Families Experts Dan Kendrick Colleen DuBois

Journalist Jenna Galley Videographer Monique Saggers

Marketing, Events and Administration Assistant Alyssa Marino

Content Creator Kalisha Fitsch

Accounts Trent Stievano

Podcast Producer Alana Scalici

Our North Queensland Channels PakMag Townsville Parents of North Queensland pakmag_nq Parents and Kids of

North Queensland Our Global Parenting Channels PakMag Online pakmag_online PakMag The Give It A Go Group

For Parents The PakMag Parents Podcast PakMag TV

Disclaimer: No part of this magazine, including the advertisements within it may be reproduced, in part or in whole without the expressed permission of the editor. Whilst the greatest of care is taken to ensure that the information in the magazine is correct at the time of going to press, readers are advised to check details before visiting. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions.

The ideas expressed within PakMag are not necessarily the views of the publishers, but those of individual writers.

Net Distribution Per Issue 10,000 CAB Publisher Statement Period ending 31st March 2019

families

Sudoku answer:

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 3

Entertainment

CHECK IT OUT Townsville World Travel Expo 2019 When: Sunday 3rd February, 9.00am - 4.00pm Where: Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre More info: www.travelexpo.net.au Are you planning your family’s next adventure? Explore your options at the Townsville World Travel Expo!

Discover cheap flights, discounted tours, unbelievable cruise deals as well as accommodation packages, car hire, extra activities and much more. Pack a suitcase, grab your passport and make your dream holiday a reality.

Whole School Welcome Back BBQ When: Friday 8th February, 5.00pm-7.00pm Where: The Cathedral School of St Anne and St James More info: www.cathedral.qld.edu.au It’s back to school time! Welcome the 2019 school year with a delicious welcome back BBQ at The Cathedral School. Complimentary BBQ, beer, wine, and soft drinks provided.

Little Legends - Kids Eat FREE When: Every Saturday and Sunday night, 6.00pm-9.00pm Where: Star Graze at Cowboys Leagues Club More info: www.cowboysleagues.com.au Mealtimes don’t have to be a recipe for disaster.

Kick back with family at Cowboys Leagues Club!

Cowboys Community Day When: Friday 8th February, 5.30pm - 7.30pm Where: Strand Park More info: www.cowboys.com.au Help the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys kick off the 2019 season at the Cowboys Community Day! There will be a player signing session, live music by 1RAR band, giveaways, amusements, new season merchandise on sale and great entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Special gift packs are available to collect for the first 1000 members.

4 January February2019 2019 | | pakmag.com.au www.pakmag.com.au

Featuring a delicious kids’ menu, indoor playground with sound proof walls and supervised sessions, mum and dad won’t have anything to worry about.

Parent Information Session: Sleep for Toddlers When: Tuesday 12th February, 9.30am - 10.30am Where: CityLibraries Aitkenvale More info: www.townsville.qld.gov.au Who knew sleep could be so complicated to learn? Children need a good night’s sleep so they have enough energy to learn and play the next day, while parents need adequate sleep to work, look after the kids and ensure their own needs are being met. This session will help you discover how to help your toddler develop good bedtime routines.

Children welcome. No bookings required, but please bring your Medicare card for QLD Health.

Castle Hill Trail Run 2019 When: Sunday 25th February, 5.00am-11.00am Where: West End State School and Castle Hill More info: www.outerlimitsadventure.com.au Get into trail running and take on Castle Hill with your family!

The race starts and finishes from West End State School and the course will cover trails on the western side of the iconic hill. The race includes a 3km course for beginners and kids as well as 6km and 9km for more advanced runners.

Save the Date North Queensland Babies & Kids Market When: Saturday 2nd March, 8.30am - 12.30pm Where: Emmaus Hall, Ryan Catholic College More info: www.nthqldbabiesandkidsmarket.com Browse a huge number of stalls, have a bite to eat and grab one of 500 free bounty bags. Let the kids bounce around on the jumping castles, create to their heart’s content at the craft area or have their face painted. Keep your fingers crossed and you may win a lucky door prize!

Entry is just $2 for adults and free for children under 16.

The Thing Is

The Thing Is...

STORY Bree James

Don’t you love the beginning of something?

A relationship, a new hobby, a new home, a new car.

It gives you that warm fuzzy feeling, lifts your spirits and gives you an energy that lights up your face.

It’s a beautiful feeling, many of us love this feeling of new and exciting. The end has a different feeling to it. Mostly nostalgic, sometimes regret, but it gives you an energy too. The middle? Well that’s a whole different beast.

The thing is... the middle is tough. The middle is the longest. The middle can sometimes feel like a hamster wheel of never-ending ups and downs. The middle is where many of us give up on a career, a business, a relationship, a lifestyle, because it’s not how it felt at the beginning. It’s the same with raising a child. The beginning is exciting, then reality hits us and the middle is a rollercoaster, then they are 18 and leaving our homes and the end feelings kick in.

So how do we enjoy the middle more? I think it comes with acknowledging that the middle is the part where the learning, growth, and work is done. It’s the part where we need to be patient, caring, empathetic, and mindful of our emotions so we aren’t becoming resentful or hardened from what life has put on our path to deal with. I think it’s the time we need to give ourselves, our partners, our kids and our expectations of them a little bit of slack. I am in no way saying you should tolerate a crappy situation, but if you honestly love your partner, your job, your business and you are having a rough time - know it’s all part and parcel of being in the middle and take a breath.

Let’s face it, the reason we don’t enjoy the middle some days is because it’s not how we expected it to be, our expectations or wish is that life will feel like the beginning forever. It’s completely unrealistic.

The middle is where you see people lose themselves, or become someone they are not because they have been put in so many challenging situations and it’s really sad.

I read a story once where a grandmother put three pots of boiling water on the stove. She filled one with eggs, one with carrots, and one with coffee beans. She explained that even though all had to face the same problem boiling water, each of them reacted differently.

The carrot seemed strong, but with pain and adversity (boiling water) it wilted, became soft and lost its strength. The egg that had a soft heart, hardened.

The coffee bean, became better and changed the situation.

We all experience boiling water in our lives, the key is not to get soft and give up, and not to get hard and uncrackable, but to be like a coffee bean, and become better from being put in boiling water (facing adversity).

To keep the feeling of beginning in your life and get out of the middle blues, there is only one solution. Make the effort. Try new things, give more things a go, and go places you’ve never been before, and enjoy the middle for what it is - the most important and longest years of your life.

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 7

Feature

Building Friendships At All Ages STORY Jenna Galley For your child, nothing beats family time. But we all need a bit of social interaction outside of our safe family unit.

This is where friends come in.

Building friendships is tricky at any age, especially for kids (and adults) that tend to be more on the reserved side.

But hopefully these tips will help your kids (and you) find a tribe to encourage social interaction, build confidence and discover the joy that a solid friendship can bring.

8 February 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

Finding A Tribe for Your Tot Let’s start with your little one. Most kids under the age of five are more interested in being with you. After all, you are their tribe. But all kids will benefit from a bit of outside stimulation with children their own age.

It can teach them how to get along, to share their toys and space and to communicate with each other.

Feature

Plus it will prepare them for the daycare/kindy/school environment to come.

Children at this age aren’t able to make their own play dates so it’s up to us to do it for them. It can also take kids a bit of time to open up to other children. Often kids under the age of five play side by side rather than together. This is completely normal and their ability to play together will grow as they do. Here’s a few tips on finding a tribe for your tot: •• Go where the kids are - Parks, playgrounds, libraries, swimming pools, waterparks – Townsville is bustling with great places to take the kids. You may find that your child connects with one of the children at the park. If so, strike up a conversation with the parent and make a plan to meet again. Yes, it can be a little confronting to do this, but most parents are more than happy for a chat. And they are probably just as sleep deprived as you.

•• Enrol in a program - Attend a regular or drop-in class every week. This adds a bit of social stimulation to the weekly routine and can be great for parents too!

One of the great things about these programs is that they tend to go through a full term so you have 10 - 12 weeks to become comfortable with the others in the class. What programs are available? So many! Check out our Under 5’s Activity Guide on page 55 for a list of ideas.

•• Keep in the loop with what’s on - Be sure to have a look at the Pakmag What’s On Guide and Regular Events Guide for a list of events happening every month - there's lots of events suitable for all ages.

Building Friendships with Primary School Kids When school starts you may find your kids wanting to play with kids their own age. “Mum, can so-and-so come over?” becomes a regular request as do birthday invitations and sleepover desires. Here's some tips on nurturing friendships in kids: •• Say yes - It’s up to you to decide what invitations to accept based on how comfortable you are with the other family. If you don’t feel comfortable dropping your child off for a play or party, then stay for a bit and see how it goes.

•• Be the host - Another way to encourage friendships is to invite people to your house which might work best if your child is new to playdates.

ertainme n Ent

uide tG

PakM ag

•• Join a team - Primary school kids will benefit from the social stimulation of regular activities. Ask your kids if they would like to join a club or a sports team.

February is the time for sports sign on so now’s the perfect time to sign them up! Check out our January Extra-Curricular Activity Guide at www.pakmag.com.au to see a complete list.

•

g ma

he

in re i n the onl

e

k Clic

•

Check out our PakMag Entertainment Guide and experience the best of North Queensland. You and your kids are sure to make new friends while out and about.

Read at www.pakmag.com.au/peg

Tween/teen tribe tips When our kids reach that tricky tween/teen stage, friends often trump family. Sometimes these friendships flourish without a hitch. Sometimes they can cause serious complications and concerns. Check out these tips on ensuring positive friendships for your tween or teen: •• Always communicate - Talk to your children about how things are going at school and with their circle of friends. Ask questions, take an interest in their circle and offer them opportunities to get together with their friends. Gently remind them that friends can come and go… but you are ALWAYS there if they need someone to talk to.

•• Be aware of sour friendships - Your tween’s tribe may change on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

This is fine, as long as it hasn’t turned toxic and led to bullying. Be aware of the signs of bullying including changes in mood, eating habits and behaviour.

•• Don’t let friends become their everything Encourage plenty of family/screen-free time with your tween or teen. Yes, friendships are important, but family will always be number one, even if your tricky teenager thinks otherwise.

Finding your Own Tribe When we have kids, we put them first. Often this means our social life suffers. We simply don’t have the time or the energy for late night dinners, long, leisurely ladiesonly brunches or wild weekends away.

But it’s so important for our mental health to stray away from the family every once in a while and soak up the support that can come from friendships. Here's some idea's on how to maintain or build friendships as an adult: •• Make it a monthly thing - Schedule one afternoon every month for a catch-up with your crew, with or without the kids. Meet for lunch or drinks, go for a walk or simply head out for a quick coffee.

•• Join a club - Looking to make new mates?

Push yourself outside of your comfort zone and the constraints of child-related activities by joining something that’s just for you - a weekly pilates class, a fitness class, a netball team, a painting class.

Have a look at our Get Out! Get Active Feature at www.pakmag.com.au for more ideas.

•• Speak up - Regardless of where you are going, the easiest way to make new friends is to be friendly and initiate conversation. If you do seem to click with someone, whether at a park, a gym or in the nappy aisle at Woollies, make the next move, offer your phone number and ask if they would like to meet up.

Yes, family is important. But friendships are too.

A fabulous friendship multiplies the good in life, no matter how old you are. To find your tribe, be sure to check out The Give It A Go Group - for parents on Facebook.

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 9

Education

Lights, Camera, Action! the Performing Arts STORY Jenna Galley Some kids are born performers. They are energetic, engaging and entertaining. They can captivate any audience, command attention and create drama out of pretty much any situation.

The good news for parents who have performers on their hands is that there are plenty of opportunities to foster this energy and let your child’s unique talents shine through. The even better news is that encouraging your child to take a leap into the world of performing arts is incredibly good for them.

All the world’s a stage. Just ask any child who loves to entertain.

What are the performing arts, exactly? Performing arts relates to any creative activity that involves performing in front of an audience. This includes drama, music, dance, singing, spoken word, magic shows, musical theatre, puppetry, comedy, circus acts, public speaking and many more.

What can the performing arts do for your child?

Build their confidence - Is there anything better for a child’s self-esteem than a standing ovation at the end

of a performance? In addition to a confidence boost, performing arts can also teach kids life lessons like teamwork, responsibility and commitment.

It (hopefully) reduces their anxiety - Getting up on stage is terrifying, even for the most confident child.

But let’s face it – in life there are a lot of moments that terrify us. And we have to do them, even if we’re about to pee our pants from fear. Giving children an opportunity to get on stage, to master these jitters and to control those nerves will benefit them now and later in life.

It provides them with a chance to express themselves Let them be free to sing like no one is listening, to dance like no one is watching, to realise that this creative energy is not only healthy, but encouraged.

It helps them to be quick thinkers and problem solvers - In many instances, performers have to be quick thinkers. They have to improvise and be flexible depending on the show, the audience and the circumstances. This is an incredibly hard skill to teach and one that many children who do performing arts will master at a young age.

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 11

Education

It teaches kids that it’s okay to make mistakes Forget a line? Miss a note? Fall at the end of the dance?

It’s okay. It happens. It’s all part of the performance fun.

The show must go on and performance arts teaches kids this important lesson of resilience.

studios, theatre companies, music programs and so much more. Check their websites for program information and a break down of the different classes.

Ask other parents for recommendations and see what grabs your child’s interest.

It helps them understand emotions - Performance art is often about pretending. For children who struggle to express themselves, getting into character can help them open up. It’s a very safe way for kids to figure out certain feelings. After all, children learn through play and performing arts nurtures this imaginative play. This is the case with many different avenues of performance arts, not just acting.

Bring the performing arts home - Let them be performers by giving them the tools they need. This doesn’t mean you have to transform your garage into a ballet studio.

It helps children cope with stress - Many children can lose themselves dancing, singing or playing an instrument. It’s a healthy way to escape, to release tension and to get rid of negative energy.

It nurtures their individualism - It gives kids a chance to realise just how special they are and celebrates their creative energy.

Nurturing their Creative Side If your child does love to perform, he or she is in great company! There are countless little stars out there, already on the stages, just waiting to be discovered.

Here’s what we parents can do to help bring out this creative energy.

Guide To Sc ag

ols ho

Pak M

Choose a school that includes performance arts programs - Many schools will have performance arts programs (or certain aspects of it) as part of their curriculum.

•

ma

in re i n the onl

e

k Clic

he

SCHOOLS

g

GUIDE TO

•

Have a look at our PakMag Guide to Schools to see which schools in the area have special programs available.

Read online at www.pakmag.com.au

Look into different performance arts programs There are also plenty of organisations in the community that specialise in these types of programs – dance

12 February 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

Instead, create a dress up corner for your little actor, purchase a magician’s kit so your little trickster can practise, set up a game of charades or help your child choreograph a dance routine that she can perform in front of the family. For older kids, consider starting a charades family night.

Add to their interest through books, shows and movies - Does your child love acrobatics?

Browse through Booktopia to see if you can find picture books that feature this theme. Is your little one obsessed with dance? Introduce them to shows like Angelina Ballerina, where the main characters are, you guessed it, dancers!

Consider board (and video) games - There are plenty of board games that are great for nurturing this creative side. Charades is one of them but others include Taboo, Keep on Humming and Cranium. On the video game front, games like Rock Band, Just Dance and Karaoke Revolution are fun for budding performers.

Introduce them to the wonderful world of real life performances - There are heaps of professional and amateur performers that come to Townsville.

In addition to the paid performances, many schools, companies and organisations will put on plays, concerts and recitals a few times a year featuring their students.

Tickets tend to be quite affordable and most are open to the public.

Whether your child is brand new to the performing arts or a seasoned player, they will benefit from the enthusiasm, professionalism and lasting friendships that are developed through these creative activities.

Parenting

Parenting

Work-Life Blending STORY Jenna Galley Work-life balance. It sounds lovely, right?

Finishing work in the allocated hours, making it to dance class (on time), not burning the glutenfree brownies required for the kids’ cake stall, hitting the gym for that recommended 30 minutes of cardio, cooking a fantastically healthy and delicious dinner, enjoying some quality family/ couple/mummy time AND sleeping an uninterrupted eight hours.

Sure, in a perfect world, we could do it. One where the average day has 55 hours, where plans never change and where we all commute to work on magical unicorns that poop glitter.

But guess what? Finding that happy medium to balance all of our roles and responsibilities is seriously impossible. Well, in a 24-hour time frame at least.

So let’s be real and forget about finding that work-life balance. Instead, let’s focus on work-life blending.

It’s a lot more realistic. And it doesn’t involve glitterpooping unicorns.

Why Work-Life Balance Isn’t Working We all wear a number of hats on a regular basis.

We’re employees (or business owners). We’re wives (or partners). We’re friends. We’re members of a community. We’re probably members of a few groups and organisations too. And, best of all, we’re mums.

But, underneath all of these hats, we’re only one person.

Work-life balance tends to forget this. Just because we’re meant to be wearing our Mum Hat doesn’t mean a deadline will just magically go away. It doesn’t work like that, unfortunately. And just because we’re at work doesn’t mean we stop being mums. Any parent who has received a dreaded “your child is sick” phone call from day-care and has had to leave work early (and bring the guilt with them) can relate to this.

Sometimes work seeps into our home life and sometimes our home life comes to work with us.

This isn’t a problem at all. The problem stems from the fact that we assume it doesn’t have to be this way - that we can find that balance and separate these different threads.

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 15

Parenting

And when we can’t, it feels like we’re failing on all fronts.

•• Made three sales at work

The truth is that the deadlines and the dirty dishes, the cuddles and the conference calls, the errands and the emails, the meal planning and the meetings - they are all part of us. They all flow together. So why try to separate them?

•• Picked the kids up on time EVERY DAY this week •• Walked the dog three times •• Cooked four meals the kids actually ate without whinging

Work-life blending is all about embracing the daily hats we wear and the chaos that comes with them. It’s about prioritising the things we need to find time for each day, and about letting some things go.

Writing these things down is a great way to prove to yourself that, yes, you’re a work-life blending queen.

If you are having trouble finding positives and feel like you’re not quite getting it, make adjustments. Jotting things down is good for this too.

Here are a few tips on accepting that work-life blend and making it work for your family:

Accept that blending can be messy

Prioritise!

Our generation have been told it’s completely possible to have it all. I blame social media for this belief. And caffeine. But it’s not sustainable to be juggling all these different things. Eventually, the balls are going to come crashing down.

You don’t need to be doing ALL the things.

Sometimes, you can say no to attending yet another school assembly. Some days, you can skip the gym.

And some nights, you can choose sleep. It’s okay to skip things. It doesn’t make you a bad mum, a bad coworker, a bad friend, or a bad person. It simply makes you human.

Think about what matters to you most. And put those on top of your to-do lists. Every. Single. Day. Track your progress Although it’s adding another thing to do to your list, tracking how you’re doing can be a great way to put things into perspective. Similar to gratitude journaling, tracking your progress can actually leave you feeling less stressed, more appreciative and more confident that you’re doing a good job.

Jot down a few ways you’re winning at the different elements of your life. This doesn’t have to be a daily thing – a weekly thing works too. Just be sure to stick to the positives.

16 February 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

It can mean managing three tasks at once and pushing two other things to the side. But multi-tasking is something we parents are already experts at!

So embrace your inner master multi-tasker. Just make sure you give yourself time to breathe and, if you start to burn out, stop, take a step back or ask for help.

Outsource You don’t have to do everything on your own.

Part of finding that perfect blend is sharing the load with those around you. Get the kids to help out where they can. Look into outsourcing some of the tedious tasks that you keep skipping or that can easily be done by someone else.

For many parents, hiring someone to do the cleaning, for example, can free up a valuable two hours a week for family time.

Ditch the guilt This is by far the hardest thing for us parents to do.

We have so many things going on that it’s natural to feel like we’re letting someone down if we can’t do it all.

Don’t let that internal guilt get you down. The kids are going to be perfectly fine if you leave them with dad for an hour and go for a solitary walk for your own sanity.

The world isn’t going to end if you don’t vacuum and mop the floors for a week. And the school isn’t going to collapse because you decided against taking your burned gluten-free brownies to the school cake stall.

Expert Advice

THE PAKMAG EXPERTS Coastal COASTAL Kids KIDS SPEECH PATHOLOGY

BLOMBERG DENTAL

Dear Melanie,

My son is going to play AFL this year. How can I make sure his teeth are protected?

My five-year-old has just started Prep. How can I help him with his learning?

One of the key skills that kids need in their first year of school is called phonological awareness – this is the understanding that words are made up of sounds, and allows children to ‘sound out’ the words when they are reading.

You can check out your child’s skills in this area by playing ‘eye spy’ but sounding out the words you see.

For instance, “I see a s-u-n. What is it?” Can he pick out and create words that rhyme? Can he break up a word into its sounds? Playing with sounds in words is one of the best things you can do to help your Preppie get off to a good start with learning to read and write.

Speech Pathologists are a great first call if your child isn’t picking up reading by the end of Prep.

Dear Blomberg Dental,

Knocking a tooth can be a difficult experience for your child – and for you too!

Likely your sports team and dentist would recommend a custom-made mouthguard. There are a variety of mouthguards available, however the best protection is from a mouthguard made by a dentist to fit exactly to your child’s teeth. The benefit of a well-fitting mouthguard is that it will protect not just the teeth but also the bony support, jaw, and soft tissues around the teeth.

If a tooth is knocked and a piece or pieces break off – keep them and bring them along to your dental appointment. If a tooth is knocked out, we recommend placing the tooth in milk and then arranging a dental appointment ASAP.

0427 922 387 www.coastalkidsspeech.com.au

4772 3466 www.blombergdental.com.au

RUHL FAMILY LAW CENTRE

TOWNSVILLE PAEDIATRICS

Dear Diane,

Why is it a good idea to take notes when your child hits milestones?

My partner and I have just decided to separate.

How should we proceed to make sure the family comes through this relatively unscathed?

Separation is challenging, but there are things you can do to soften the blow: •• You are mourning a loss, so give yourself time.

You don’t have to be okay immediately.

•• Remember the good times in your relationship, rather than focusing on the bad at the end. If you have children this will be especially important, as your ex will be part of your life for some time.

Dear Dr Betty,

Firstly, parents do a lot of comparing with other parents in the first years, and it can be a source of worry and stress. However, the vast majority of children develop normally and achieve milestones within a normal broad range of times. Children learn from play and exploring the environment to experimenting, observing and learning problem solving skills.

•• Don’t involve the kids or ask them to pick sides.

This is a difficult time for them as well, without adding this stress.

Use the Personal Health Record (Red book) to record your child’s milestones at from 6 months to 4.5 years.

The Parents’ Evaluation of Development Status (PEDS) is included in the red book provided to the parents of every newborn in Queensland, and is designed to pick up developmental and behavioural issues in children aged from birth up to five years.

•• Make sure you have a good support system for you and your children. If any of you need to speak to a professional, that is okay.

Early identification means children can be referred to services that will help ensure they reach their full potential.

4772 7672 www.ruhlfamilylaw.com.au

4427 5817 www.townsvillepaediatrics.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 19

Advertorial

WILLOWS SHOPPING CENTRE

DR

R HE

VEY

RA

NG

ER

D

PIONEER PARK

DR EER PION

Thuringowa HIGH RAN GE

DR

RIVERWAY DR

ERS OTH N BR KER

RY RD ERBU CANT

THURINGOWA DR

First I-MED Radiology clinic for the community of Townsville

ROSS RIVER

Residents of Townsville now have access to the latest in medical imaging in smart new surroundings, thanks to the new I-MED Radiology Network clinic just opened in Thuringowa.

After working at I-MED’s Rockhampton and Mount Isa clinics he understands the importance of ensuring patients and healthcare practitioners located in regional Queensland have access to the latest in medical imaging.

This is I-MED’s first radiology clinic in Townsville, located across the road from Willows Shopping Centre in Thuringowa. It is one of four new clinics recently opened in Queensland by Australia’s largest medical imaging network.

The new Townsville clinic offers a welcoming and comfortable environment for patients. The clinic provides a comprehensive range of medical imaging including X-ray, OPG (dental X-ray), ultra low dose CT scanning, ultrasound (including vascular, obstetric and musculoskeletal scanning), 3D mammography (tomosynthesis), bone mineral densitometry (DEXA), echocardiography and 3T MRI scanning. A comprehensive range of interventional procedures are also performed and reported daily by our on-site specialist radiologist. The clinic is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm.

Led by specialist radiologist Dr Robert Cargile the I-MED team is excited to be servicing a new region in Queensland. “The opening of our Thuringowa clinic confirms I-MED’s strong commitment to referrers and patients, and addresses the increasing need for regional healthcare services. We are pleased to be able to support the community of Townsville with world-class imaging and medical diagnosis,” Dr Cargile commented.

Dr Cargile is a highly skilled radiologist with a keen interest in MRI and musculoskeletal imaging.

The clinic can be contacted for appointments and enquiries on (07) 4447 1650. Visit www.i-med.com.au for more information

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 21

Health

HEALTH BACK TO BASICS Have a Laugh (It‘s Good for You) Had a rough day? Pull up a chair and share a laugh with a loved one (or a funny movie on Netflix). It really is the best medicine.

Here’s 10 great reasons why we all should make it our daily mission to laugh ‘til we cry (or wee our pants just a little bit).

Laughter can: 1. Relax your whole body.

2. Decrease the stress hormone, cortisol.

3. Increase immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies 4. Trigger the release of endorphins (those natural feel-good chemicals).

5. Improve the function of blood vessels and increase blood flow.

6. Burn calories – laughing for 10 minutes a day will burn about 40 calories.

7. Ease anxiety, tension and other distressing emotions.

8. Improve your mood, even on those especially awful days.

9. Strengthen your relationships – there’s nothing quite like sharing a good belly laugh with a mate.

10. Help push away anger, fear, resentment and other not-so-happy feelings.

Why am I So Tired?

We all could use a weekend to do nothing but sleep.

But if your tiredness is starting to drag you down and cause complications in your everyday routine, then it might be time to look at the why behind your extreme exhaustion. Below are a few things that could be contributing to your tiredness.

Your sleep routine Even if you’re going to bed at a decent time and not waking up too early, you might not be getting a good night’s sleep. Why? Perhaps you have co-sleeping toddlers who constantly kick at night? Or a snoring husband? It might be because the bedroom is too light or that you’re overstimulated from the day.

Make the bedroom a happy sleep zone by keeping it quiet, cool and device-free. Limit caffeinated drinks after 3.00pm and avoid alcohol before bed as it can cause fragmented sleep. As for the constant night waking from the kids, well, you can always try bribery to keep them in their own beds.

Your health There are a number of health conditions that can cause fatigue including low iron, underactive thyroid, anxiety, depression, food intolerance, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, among many others. Contact your GP to check to make sure there isn’t an underlying medical condition causing your tiredness.

How Well Do You Know Your Body?

For many of us, staying healthy can be a constant battle. Trying different diets, methods of exercise, and medication and receiving little to no results can be incredibly frustrating. That "magical" exercise program your friend told you about may not have the same outcome for you as it did for them. The journey to a healthy life can be long, difficult, and confusing.

You may be surprised to learn that your DNA can have a lot to do with all of this. Not all diets, exercise routines, and medications work for everyone. Thankfully, taking a simple MyDNA Diet and Exercise or Medication test available from Calanna Whole Health Pharmacy can help you figure your body out.

The test itself requires one simple painless mouth swab which in turn shows you which types of food, exercise, or medication your body will have the most successful response to. The Diet and Exercise Test will provide a custom report just for you, including example exercise videos and meal plans suited to your genetic make-up. The Medication Test will help you identify

what medicines are best suited to your body, including optimal dosages and how to best reduce interactions and side effects.

The tests are accurate and results are completely confidential, giving you peace of mind while you learn more about your body.

You’ll receive personalised guided support from the Calanna staff throughout the whole process.

For more information, visit www.calannapharmacy.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 23

Health

HEALTH Natural Pain Relief Did you know that 1 in 5 people suffer from chronic pain?

It has a huge variety of causes and it’s definitely not uncommon. Medication doesn’t agree with everyone and surgery is often not a favourable option, leading many people to seek out natural ways to manage pain.

A few natural ways to manage pain include: Acupuncture – While no one is quite sure how acupuncture works in the sense of pain relief, it’s been proven to work in individuals with fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, back injuries and many more.

Wheat bags – These bags can be reheated over and over again in the microwave, and prove themselves to be very useful for back and neck pain. They can often be frozen attnd used as ice packs too.

Eat healthy – Foods and ingredients such as capsicum, turmeric and cloves can alleviate chronic pain as well as providing many other benefits.

Massage therapy – Not only can a good massage help you relax, it can alleviate chronic pain symptoms too.

Massaging spurs blood flow, in turn nourishing and healing soft tissues throughout the body.

While there’s a wide range of options available, each body is different and not every type of treatment works. If you have any doubts when it comes to trying natural pain management options, be sure to run it past your GP.

24 February 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

What to do if you suspect your child has autism?

STORY Dr Adele Heyer, Townsville Paediatrics Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition. The range and severity of symptoms can vary, therefore the term Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is often used. The main difficulties a child with ASD will have is difficulties interacting with other people. This means the child will struggle having back and forth conversations, understanding social cues and body language and they also struggle or are unable to make friends. The other group of difficulties relate to having a rigid way off thinking about things. The child can engage in stereotypical or unusual behaviour, have a narrow range of interests, be inflexible about changes in routine or have difficulties processing sensory information. These differences in behaviour is normally evident from a young age.

The diagnosis of ASD is often complex and done over a few visits. Normally the child will be evaluated by a range of health professionals trained in evaluating developmental difficulties in children. This includes a speech, occupational therapist or child psychologist. A formal diagnosis can only be made by a paediatrician or psychiatrist. If you are concerned that your child might be showing some symptoms then ask your GP for a referral to a paediatrician or child psychiatrist.

Bump, Bub and Beyond

10 Crazy Facts About Newborns STORY Jenna Galley Newborns: Eat. Sleep. Poop. Repeat.

6. Tear-free tantrums

Pretty much. Except, of course, the countless surprises that newborns can throw your way. As a mum with a brand new squishy bundle of joy, I thought it would be fair to share some of the crazy cool facts I’ve recently stumbled on.

Newborns don’t have tears, but this doesn’t stop them from letting you know what they want. Tear ducts develop several weeks after birth.

1. Babies don’t have kneecaps How weird, right? But it’s true! Babies’ kneecaps are nothing but cartilage and only develop around six months of age.

2. 300 Bones!

Think back to your anatomy classes. Remember the number of bones in a human body? 206… except babies are actually born with 300! As they grow their little bones fuse and eventually get down to the magic number of 206.

3. Tastebuds overload In addition to extra bones, babies also have around 30,000 tastebuds, WAY more than adults. These tastebuds are not just on the tongue but on the sides, back and roof of the mouth.

4. Salt-free diet Despite these tastebuds, babies cannot taste salt until four months old.

5. Baby got blood Babies are born with only around one cup (250ml) of blood in their bodies. The average blood content in adults is around the five-litre mark.

7. Swallow and breathe Babies have this amazing ability to swallow and breathe at the same time, which is why they are so good at chugging back that milk! They will lose this talent around seven months.

8. Pee patrol Feel like your baby is constantly peeing? Probably because she is! A newborn urinates about every 20 minutes. By six months, this will decrease to roughly every hour. That’s a whole lotta nappies!

9. Big baby blues While every part of a newborn’s body grows at an incredibly speedy rate, there is one part that remains the same size it was at birth. The ears? Nope. The nose?

Try again.

Yep. It’s the eyes! Well, the eyeballs to be specific. The eyeball is the only part of the body that doesn’t grow from birth, meaning that a newborn’s eyes are fully grown when s/he is born.

10. Black, white and red all over Babies are born with limited vision, especially in terms of colour. The first colour to develop - red! They will be able to see the full spectrum of colours by the time they reach five months of age.

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 27

Bump, Bub and Beyond

BUMP, BUB AND BEYOND Featured products, reviews and prizes. Visit www.pakmag.com.au for your chance to win!

PONO Baby Probiotic Powder www.ponoprobiotics.com RRP $49.95 We are passionate about nourishing and supporting your new favourite person. Our Baby Probiotic has the magic touch and is suitable for even the littlest of littles. You can mix a dose into expressed breast milk or formula, add it to their solids or place straight onto mum’s nipple before a feed.

It contains a wide variety of probiotic strains, so we know it can truly nourish the goal of balance and biodiversity in your cherub’s squishy, perfect little bod. It may: •• Assist the build-up of a newborn's gut flora, supporting healthy digestive function now •• Strengthen the immune system •• Help control harmful bacteria •• Relieve symptoms of colic and irregular bowel movements

Oil Garden Baby Trio Prize Pack www.oilgarden.com.au RRP $59.97 Protect, relax and energise your baby with the power of Oil Garden essential oils. Oil Garden baby pack includes: Baby Sleep: The powerful calming properties of sweet orange, mandarin, lavender and roman chamomile essential oils assist with the relief of mild insomnia, sleeplessness and the symptoms associated with nervous tension, restlessness, stress, and mild anxiety.

Baby Play: Traditionally used in aromatherapy to revive and uplift when feeling weary and suffering from mental fatigue, while the stimulating action of sweet orange, lime, lemon and grapefruit have been known to energise and sharpen the senses.

Baby Protect: The powerful decongestants of eucalyptus and myrtle essential oils have been traditionally used in aromatherapy to help relieve symptoms of cold and flu.

28 February 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

Thermos® FUNtainer® Drink Bottle and Food Jar Available at Baby Bunting, Howards Storage World, Victoria’s Basement RRP from $27.99 Thermos® FUNtainer® offers a variety of fun, novelty products for kids – a fun, exciting way for children to keep their drinks cool and lunch hot with their favourite characters such as Star Wars, Frozen, Cars and many more!

Thermos® FUNtainer® Food Jars keep contents hot for up to 5 hours, and cold for up to 7 hours, whilst FUNtainer® Water Bottles keep contents cool for up to 5 hours - perfect for after-school pick-up snacks, road-trip essentials or school packed lunches.

Bump, Bub and Beyond

First Foods Checklist: Maximise Fun, Minimise Mess Food glorious food! It’s time for baby to discover the joy that comes with taste testing. In addition to fruits, veg and rice cereal, here are a few other things to add to the shopping list.

Diy Shadow Box Whether your little one is brand new or just turned two, it’s never too late to gather their newborn memorabilia and create your very own baby shadow box. A baby shadow box is an easy way to display those itty bitty baby things for years and years to come.

What you need:

Plastic spoon and bowl - Choose a spoon with smooth rounded edges and a bowl that suctions to a mat, table or high chair tray. This will limit the risk of bub emptying the contents on the floor. Which WILL happen. More than once.

•• A shadow box frame - You can get one at Kmart or Target

A bib - Look for a plastic one that comes with an extra pouch to catch any food that doesn’t quite make it into his mouth.

What to include in your shadow box:

Baby wipes - Good to have handy for any excess spills.

•• A glue gun or pins •• Various baby goodies from those newborn days

This depends on the look you want and how many of these items you actually remembered to keep. Here are a few ideas to add to the box:

A naked (or nappy-only) baby - Eliminate the need to spot stain all bub’s clothes. How? Eliminate the clothes. Easy.

•• Hospital ID bracelet

Baby food cooker - You can purchase steam cookers especially designed for baby food which can puree and mash to different textures based on your child’s age and stage. Check out Beaba for a range of baby cooker options. Or, you can also do this yourself by steaming the foods and then putting them into a blender.

•• Baby birth announcement

Ice cube moulds - These are great for freezing individual portions of food.

•• Stickers to spell out baby’s name

Food storage containers - Pick up some small containers as well which are great for those meals on the run.

•• Ultrasound photo •• Newborn photos from those first days •• Baby’s footprints or handprints •• Baby hat, gloves, shoes, socks, onesie •• Dummy, a piece of baby’s swaddle or small stuffed teddy

Gather your items and arrange them in the shadow box.

Once you’re happy with the layout, use pins or a hot glue gun to secure each item into place. Then choose a location to hang your shadow box and admire your craftiness.

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 29

WHAT’S ON FEB FEB FRIDAY 1 FEBRUARY Wicked Runs until 10 February Burdekin Theatre www.burdekintheatre.com.au 8.00pm / $45 Adult / Family Object - A City of Townsville Art Collection Exhibition Runs until 10 March Perc Tucker Regional Gallery www.townsville.qld.gov.au 10.00am / Free / Family Junior and Senior Netball Sign On Corcoran Park www.townsvillenetball.org.au 4.30pm / Free / Family Bohemian Rhapsody - Sing Along Event Reading Cinemas Townsville www.eventcinemas.com.au 8.45pm / $11 / Family SATURDAY 2 FEBRUARY World Wetlands Day Rowes Bay Sustainability Centre and Wetlands www.townsville.qld.gov.au 9.00am / Free / Family 80s Aqua Fundraiser Townsville Rockpool www.fitbynatureaus.com 8.30am / Free / Family Waitangi Day 2019 Brothers Leagues Club Townsville Waitangi Townsville 9.00am / Free / Family Kitty Flanagan - Encore Townsville Civic Theatre www.whatson.townsville.qld. gov.au 8.00pm / $54.90 / 15+

Creative Kids: Introduction to MC Escher Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts www.umbrella.org.au 10.00am / $75 / 6-14 Yrs 2019 Wisdoms Within Sundalah House Sundalah Community Townsville 9.30am / Check Website / Adults Saints JCU Junior Rugby League Club Sign On & Come and Try Saints JCU Junior Rugby League Club www.jcusaintsrugbyleague.com.au 9.00am / Free / Family Adult Free Come and Try Day Tennis Townsville Tennis Townsville 4.00pm / Free / Adults Townsville Toy Library Open Session Townsville Toy Library www.townsvilletoylibrary.org.au 9.30am / Free / Family Townsville Hockey Expo Day Townsville Hockey Association www.townsvillehockey.com 4.00pm / Free / Family Pregnancy / Prenatal Yoga Kirwan Muscle & Fitness Lodgical Fitness, Yoga, Massage & Wellbeing 12.00pm / $80 Full course / Adults SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY Townsville World Travel Expo 2019 Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre www.travelexpo.net.au 9.00am / Free / Family

Sensory Friendly Screening: Ralph Breaks the Internet Event Cinemas (Townsville City) www.eventcinemas.com.au 10.30am / $6 / Family MONDAY 4 FEBRUARY Loud Lounge Young Artist Hangout CityLibraries Thuringowa Central www.townsville.qld.gov.au 3.00pm / Free / Family

Cowboys Community Day Strand Park www.townsville.qld.gov.au 5.30pm / Free / Family

Townsville Races Townsville Turf Club www.townsvilleturfclub.com.au 12.00pm / Free / Family WEDNESDAY 6 FEBRUARY MoneyMinded Workshops Carers Queensland Carers Queensland Northern Queensland 10.00am / Free / Adults

Vincent Van Gogh: Exhibition on Screen World Theatre Charters Towers www.bookings.venuetickets. com.au 10.30am / $20 Adult / Family Skate Night PCYC Charters Towers PCYC Charters Towers 6.00pm / $5 / Family SATURDAY 9 FEBRUARY

Townsville Home Buyers Seminar Fish Inn At Rockpool www.auswidebank.com.au 6.00pm / Free / Adults

Lano & Woodley - FLY Townsville Civic Theatre www.townsvilleticketshop.com.au 5.30pm and 7.30pm / $54.90 Adult / 15+

THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY Mums with Bubs Pilates Class Castletown Townsville www.nurturehealthcentre.com 9.30am / Free / Family

Come and Try Ice Hockey Warrina Ice Rink

Bunnings Townsville Ladies Night Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au/ townsville 6.00pm / Free / Adults FRIDAY 8 FEBRUARY

TUESDAY 5 FEBRUARY

Kids Yoga Club 2019 YogaHealth Townsville www.yogahealth.net.au 3.45pm / $125 / 6-11 Yrs

www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 6.15pm / Free / Family

Poker Chase 4 Chase Charity Event Toyworld Townsville Toyworld Townsville 6.00pm / $50 / Adults Wasted Paint Pop-Up Paint and Sip Evening Runs until 10 February That Place on Sturt Wasted Paint 6.00pm / $45 / Adults

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 31

WHAT’S ON FEB FEB SUNDAY 10 FEBRUARY February Renegade Marian School Hall Renegade Handmade 8.00am / Free / Family Brothers Junior Rugby Union Club Sign On Day Brothers Junior Rugby Union Club www.tdru.com.au 10.00am / Free / Family TUESDAY 12 FEBRUARY Townsville Races Townsville Turf Club www.townsvilleturfclub.com.au 12.00pm / Free / Family Story Rhyme Time with CityLibraries Castletown Townsville www.castletown.com.au 9.30am / Free / Family Parent Information Session: Sleep for Toddlers CityLibraries Aitkenvale www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 9.30am / Free / Family WEDNESDAY 13 FEBRUARY What Men Want Chicks at the Flicks Event Cinemas (Townsville City) www.eventcinemas.com.au 6.00pm / $30 / Adults

www.sk8way.com.au 6.30pm / $10 / Family Poker Chase 4 Chase Charity Event Townsville Sport Reserve North Ward Sandcrabs 5.00pm / Free / Family

WEDNESDAY 27 FEBRUARY

KangaOnWheels Riverway Kangatraining Townsville 4.30pm / Check Facebook / Family

PlayTown Disco Party Castletown Townsville www.castletown.com.au 10.00am / Free / Family

Wasted Paint Valentines Day Special - Pop Up Paint & Sip That Place on Sturt Wasted Paint 7.00pm / Check Facebook / Adults

THURSDAY 21 FEBRUARY

FRIDAY 15 FEBRUARY

SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY

Creedence - The John Fogerty Show Dalrymple Hotel www.oztix.com.au 8.00pm / $25 / 18+

Escape - Youth Activities PCYC Charters Towers PCYC Charters Towers 1.00pm / Gold Coin / 12-17 Yrs

SATURDAY 16 FEBRUARY Lukewarm Music Festival Quayside Terminal www.lukewarmtsv. eventbrite.com.au 12.00pm / Check Website / 18+ Gaming on Saturday Pokemon and Lego CityLibraries Thuringowa Central www.whatson.townsville.qld. gov.au 9.30am / Free / 6+ SUNDAY 17 FEBRUARY

The Lounge Suite Morning Melodies Burdekin Theatre www.burdekintheatre.com.au 10.00am / $15 / Family

Introduction to Wildlife Care Workshop NQWC Wildlife Centre www.nqwildlife.org.au 1.00pm / $20 / Adults

THURSDAY 14 FEBRUARY

Hypnobirthing 1 Day Intensive Hypnobirthing Envision Health Qld www.hypnobirthingtsv.com.au 9.00am / Check Website / Adults

Valentine’s Skate Night Sk8way Townsville

TUESDAY 19 FEBRUARY

32 February 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

100 Club Race Day Townsville Turf Club www.townsvilleturfclub.com.au 12.00pm / Free / Family

Nashville Live Townsville Civic Theatre www.mellenevents.com.au 7.30pm / $79.90 / Family

THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY Ocean Film Festival 2019 Riverway Arts Centre www.oceanfilm festivalaustralia.com.au 7.00pm / $30.50 Adult / Family Taylor Henderson: Love Somebody Tour World Theatre Charters Towers www.bookings.venue tickets.com.au 7.00pm / $39 / Family SAVE THE DATES: SATURDAY 2 MARCH

Queensland Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Open Ryan Catholic College www.afbjj.smoothcomp.com 10.00am / $80 / Family

North Queensland Babies & Kids Market Townsville Emmaus Hall, Morindo Drive www.nthqldbabiesand kidsmarket.com 8.30am / $2 / Family

SUNDAY 24 FEBRUARY

THURSDAY 14 MARCH

Castle Hill Trail Run 2019 Townsville West State School www.outerlimitsadventure. com.au 5.00am / Check Website / Family

Room on the Broom Runs until 15 March Townsville Civic Theatre www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 6.30pm / $15 Adult / Family

MONDAY 25 FEBRUARY

SATURDAY 16 MARCH

Video Workshop - Grow Your Business with Video Mercure Townsville Girl Director 9.00am / $125 / Adults

NQ Cowboys vs St George Illawarra Dragons 1300 SMILES Stadium www.cowboys.com.au 6.35pm / Check Website / Family

Pull-out kids activity mag!

Enter for your chance to win a family pass to A Dog's Way Home

2018 CTMG.RESERVED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. © 2018 CTMG.©ALL RIGHTS

For your chance to WIN a family pass to A Dog's Way Home Tell us the name of the pup in this colouring in. Enter at www.pakmag.com.au/win Competition closes 28/02/2019

Enter for your chance to win a Cactus Smartwatch Activity Tracker

Kate

Alice

Steven

For your chance to WIN a Cactus Smartwatch Activity Tracker tell us what colour Cactus Smartwatch Kate owns. Enter at www.pakmag.com.au/win Cactus Smartwatch Activity Tracker - RRP $99.95 - www.cactuswatches.com - It counts steps, calculates distance, monitors heart rate and sleep quality. Get vibration alerts that remind you to move or the alerts for incoming calls and texts. Perfect for tech savvy kids and teens. Connects with Bluetooth to your smartphone, Android 4.4 & above, IOS 7.1 & above. Comes in 5 colours and interchangeable bands are available. Competition closes 28/02/2019

Puzzle

YOUR TIME TO PLAY Take a time out and enjoy some colouring in and a Sudoku puzzle. To complete the Sudoku puzzle, fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in a row, column or box. Answers can be found on the contents page.

36 February 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

REGULAR MARKETS Castle Hill PCYC Markets Date: Every Sunday Time: 7.00am - 11.00am Location: Castle Hill PCYC Bluewater Twilight Markets Date: 2nd Saturday of the month Time: 4.00pm - 8.00pm Location: Bluewater Community Centre Label Traders Markets Date: 3rd Sunday of the month Time: 8.00am - 12.00pm Location: Mundingburra State School Riverway Moonlight Markets Date: 3rd Friday of the month Time: 5.00pm - 9.00pm Location: Riverway Seabreeze Markets Date: 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month

Time: 8.00am - 1.00pm

Cotters Markets

Location: Bushland Beach Park

Date: Every Sunday Time: 8.30am - 1.00pm Location: Flinders St & Townsville Bulletin Square

Carlyle Gardens Arts & Crafts Markets Date: 1st Saturday of the month (Mar - Dec) Time: 9.00am Location: Carlyle Gardens Retirement Village, Beck Drive, Condon North Shore Markets Date: Every Saturday Time: 7.00am - 1.00pm Location: North Shore Town Centre Renegade Handmade Markets Date: 2nd Sunday of the month Time: 8.00am - 1.00pm Location: Marian School

Strand Night Markets Date: 1st Friday of the month (runs from May to Dec) Time: 5.00pm - 9.30pm Location: Strand Park Willows Rotary Markets Date: Every Sunday Time: 7.30 - 11.30am Location: Willows Shopping Centre Car Park

Horseshoe Bay Markets Date: Every 2nd and last Sunday of the month Time: 9.00am - 2.00pm Location: Horseshoe Bay Foreshore Mountainview Plaza Markets Date: Every Saturday (excluding Jan) Time: 8.00am - 2.00pm.

Location: Mountainview Plaza

Balgal Beach Markets Date: 1st Saturday of the month Time: 8.00am - 1.00pm Location: Fisherman’s Landing Balgal Beach

Magnetic Island RSL Markets Date: Every Friday (excluding Good Friday) Time: 5.30pm - 8.00pm Location: Magnetic Island RSL

Email your event or market to admin@grandpublishing.com.au to be included. Spaces are limited.

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 37

Regular Events

REGULAR EVENTS TOWNSVILLE GALLERIES Art-Box - Free Art Activities for Kids Under 5 Days: First and third Tuesdays of the month Time: 10.00am Location: Pinnacles Gallery More Info: 4773 8871 Free Family Fun Day - Art Activities for the Family Days: Third Sunday of the month Time: 10.00am Location: Perc Tucker Regional Gallery More Info: 4727 9011 BELGIAN GARDENS STATE SCHOOL PLAYGROUP Days: Mondays Time: 9.00am - 11.00am Location: Belgian Gardens SS Hall More Info: 4717 1333 or rickandjules4@bigpond.com Cost: $2 per person FIRST FIVE FOREVER Parent Information Sessions Days: Second Friday of the month Time: 9.30am Location: City Libraries Aitkenvale More Info: www.townsville.qld.gov.au Cost: Free

Newborn and Family Drop-In Service Days: Tuesdays (9.00am 2.00pm), Saturdays (9.00am - 12.00pm) Location: City Libraries Aitkenvale More Info: www.townsville.qld.gov.au Cost: Free Messy Play

MAINLY MUSIC For babies to pre prep aged children. Fun, music, morning tea and free play Days: Thursdays (during school term) Time: From 9.30am Location: St Peter’s Anglican Church, West End Cost: $3 per child More Info: 0414 807 179

(bookings required) Days: Wednesdays Time: 9.15am & 10.30am Location: City Libraries Aitkenvale

MOPS - Mothers of PreSchoolers

RIVERWAY PARKRUN

Days: Fridays – fortnightly during chool terms Time: 9.30am - 11.30am Location: Mount Louisa House of Praise (425 Bayswater Rd) Cost: $9 per session More Info: 0421 658 535 (Juliana)

Days: Saturdays Time: From 6.45am Location: Meet at the front of Tony Ireland Stadium on the grassed area near the ticket box.

Riverway parkrun is a 5km course along Ross River that you can complete by running or walking (or both) and is for all ages. Children, prams and dogs are all welcome to join in the fun. Please note: Scooters and bikes are not allowed for safety and insurance reasons.

This course is wheelchair friendly.

Registration is free and available at www.parkrun.com.au/riverway

38 February 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

For mothers with children 0-6 years. Connect, relax and recharge.

GET ACTIVE + HEALTHY TOWNSVILLE Free Fitness + Activities Days: Every day Location: Various Locations More Info: www.townsville.qld.gov.au TOY LIBRARY TOWNSVILLE (THE TOY SHED) Days: Second Thursday of month (excluding January) Time: 3.30pm - 5.30pm Days: Second Saturday

(excluding January) Time: 9.00am – 12.00pm Location: Fitzroy Street, Heatley Librarian: 0420 585 069 or childsplaytownsville@gmail.com Secretary: 0400 815 279 or facebook Toy Library TOWNSVILLE TOY LIBRARY Days: Every Tuesday and Saturday Time: 9.30am - 11.00am Location: 23 First Street, Railway Estate Community Centre More Info: Check their Facebook page Townsville Toy Library for updates GIGGLE N GROW PLAYGROUP Come along for arts, craft, sensory play, a healthy morning tea, connect with other families and more. Children 0 - 5 years.

Days: Every Wednesday Time: 9.00am – 11.00am Location: Aitkenvale State School More Info: 4753 0650 Days: Every Thursday Time: 9.00am – 11.00am Location: Garbutt State School More Info: 4753 0650 Days: Every Friday Time: 9.00am – 11.00am Location: Heatley State School More Info: 4753 0650

Celebrate

SUPERHERO PARTY Grab your capes, masks and shields and get ready for a thrilling superhero party! Whether you’ve got a little batman or wonder woman in training, you certainly don’t need to be a super parent to put on a fantastic party. We’ve got all you’ll need to host a smashing superhero party.

Fancy photobooth When it comes to creating a superhero photobooth, there are endless possibilities. Utilise some of those empty cardboard boxes collecting dust around the house and create towering skyscrapers. Raid your scrap paper drawer for coloured paper and glue on some windows, make clouds and lightning bolts, or anything else that your superhero wants to add to the scene. Your cardboard city might include birds and butterflies - it's all up to your imagination. Or a simple cardboard frame decorated to your theme will look great in photos too.

Snacks for a hero Boom! Pow! Saving the city is no easy job. Keep your little superheroes fuelled for adventure with a range of party snacks. Cutting some simple batman stencils can turn your snacks from regular to super. It’s easy, it’s cheap, and it’s sure to wow your little guests.

Daring games A party isn’t complete without party games. Here are some adventures for your young superheroes to embark on…

1. Obstacle course - The perfect way to practise superhero skills! Assemble the course from household objects such as cardboard boxes, hula hoops, pillows, and whatever else you can find.

2. X-ray vision - Let the little superheroes practise their X-ray vision skills by putting their hand into a box filled with mystery objects and guessing what they are.

3. Pin the superhero - Put a superhero twist on the classic “pin the tail on the donkey.” Make the objective to pin a mask or cape on a cardboard cut-out of your child’s favourite superhero.

4. Villain hunt - One to play towards the end of the party. Explain that a villain has hidden the lolly bags around the house, and the superheroes must go looking for them.

Superhero parties are a timeless classic and a perfect theme choice for a heroic child (or parent). With a crafty brain and a little bit of effort, you’ll find it’s easy-peasy to throw a super party that won’t drain the wallet.

1. DC Comics Character Photobooth and Props - RRP $19.99 2. Iron Man 3D Mug - RRP $29.99 3. Batman Kids Egg Cup and Toast Cutter Set - RRP $19.99 4. DC Comics Wonder Woman Strength and Beauty Barrel Mug - RRP $12.99 - (Get $10.00 off when you spend $80 or more with Yellow Octopus! Use code PAKMAG389926) - www.yellowoctopus.com.au

40 February 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

www.sometimesibake.wordpress.com

1

2

www.catchmyparty.com 3

4

www.getcreativejuice.com

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 41

Home

WORK-IN WORKOUT SPACES TO YOUR HOME With The Block’s Caro and Kingi Keeping the family fit and active doesn’t mean you have to join a gym. With a few modifications at home, you can have your own “work-in” place so you and the kids have no excuse not to be burning a few calories.

Step One - Find some underutilised space inside or outside your home. Is there room for a permanent structure, or only room for removable items?

Could you fit in some sports equipment like a removable basketball hoop or totem tennis set or have you got space for some more permanent items like a treadmill or exercise bike?

If your space only allows for removable items, think about ways you can have an obstacle course, or even circuit training; use cans of food as weights, and pieces of furniture to exercise on like arms dips or push ups using the side of the dinner table. The kids will love it.

Step two - Buy a few items. A yoga mat, Pilates circle, and exercise bands are all simple things that build core strength, won’t cost a fortune, and take up next to no space. Plus, you can use these in nearly any room of the house that has some floor space!

Step three - Write up your exercise plan and different routines. Mondays could be shooting hoops with the kids, Tuesday could be totem tennis, and Wednesdays could be the silly circuit. Plan it out with the kids, add a few sit ups and push ups in between and we are pretty sure the kids will love doing “Work-In’s” with you. As a bonus you can all get fit and have a few laughs together.

1

2

www.contemporarygardenrooms.co.uk

42 February 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

www.rafa-kids.blogspot.com

3

Home

HOME HELPERS DIRECTORY Pristine Pools NQ

4

Locally owned business, servicing the community with residential and corporate pool servicing and maintenance. p 0407 790 704 www.pristinepoolsnq.com.au

www.mattyangel.com

Roofguard Roofguard are Townsville’s best roof beauticians ready to restore and beautify your roof. p 0402 110 704 www.roofguardroofpainting.com.au

About Town Removals About Town Removals is a family run business, servicing the entire Townsville region. p 4774 7170 www.abouttownremovals.com.au

Grand Gazebos and Cubbies

5

Turn your backyard from bland to grand! Cubbies, decks, fences, daybeds, gazebos, playgrounds and more. p 0407 631 660 www.grandgazebos.com.au

www.tingeinteriors.com

April & Oak

1. Kinderfeet Natural Kinderboard - RRP $169.00 - www.playmackay.com.au 2. Deimos Metal Dome (1.8m wide) - RRP $179.95 - www.playmackay.com.au 3. Happy Hoppers Gold Giraffe - RRP $54.99 - www.playmackay.com.au 4. Insulated Galaxy Oasis Water Bottle 500ml - RRP $19.95 www.zandtee.com.au 5. Customisable Monkey Bar and Swing Set Pricing Varies - www.grandgazebos.com.au

Fascinating and stylish products for the home from around the world.

Get $40 off your order when you spend $150 or more. Use code PAKMAG11. www.aprilandoak.com.au

Koru Furniture and Homewares Koru is a boutique homewares store and Interior Design & Style studio located in Tropical North Queensland. p 4053 3152 www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au

Be seen here!

Do you help with home improvement or maintenance? You need to be seen here! e admin@grandpublishing.com.au p 4053 3331 www.pakmag.com.au www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 43

Recipes

PRE-WORKOUT RECIPES Fill up with goodness. Healthy eating and workouts go hand-in-hand. Start your day off the right way by feeding your body just what it needs in preparation for your workout. We’ve got some delicious recipes to fuel your body with amazingly nutritious superfoods.

WHEY TO GO PANCAKES RECIPE Dorothy Richmond, Dorothy Dietitian Pre-workout snacks should be; •• High in carbs to fuel their growing bodies •• Eaten about 1-2 hours before a work out

POWER PORRIDGE Oats are a fantastic source of carbs and fibre and make a good long-lasting source of energy. They can lower your cholesterol and keep your heart healthy.

Together with toppings of fruit and nuts, they make an ideal breakfast.

Ingredients 60g rolled oats cup almond or coconut milk cup water 1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen) 1 ripe banana, sliced 1 tbsp almond slivers Method 1. Combine rolled oats, milk and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to the boil and stir for 2-3 minutes until the oats are creamy.

2. Transfer to a bowl and top with sliced banana, blueberries and almond slivers. If you’re not a fan of the toppings we chose, feel free to add your own favourites.

PakMag tip: Looking to sweeten this recipe up a little?

Add a drizzle of maple syrup before serving.

44 February 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

•• Ensure snacks are eaten along with fluids, preferably sipped, to hydrate It’s Saturday morning, the kids have got a full morning of sports ahead and you want to fuel them in high energy healthy food. This recipe is a perfect start to their active day.

Ingredients 150g sifted self-raising flour 1 egg 250ml buttermilk Pinch salt Pinch of sugar Butter or margarine to grease fry pan Method 1. Whisk all ingredients together in a large jug together with half of the buttermilk. When smooth add the remaining buttermilk.

2. Add 2-3 tablespoons of mixture to fry pan. Flip pancakes when bubbles appear and cook until golden brown 3. Serve with peaches (or in season fruit) and a dollop of Tablelands ricotta cheese. Add a drizzle of honey Dorothy's Tips: Pancake batter can be used with sweet and savoury items. Use fruit in season for flavour and cost. Serve with tuna or salmon for a light pre-workout lunch or after school savory snack. Adults may like to add capers to the salmon or sumac to ricotta cheese to add some extra zing.

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 45

All Things Tweens (and Teens)

Convincing Your Tween You’re Still Cool Enough to Hang Out With STORY Jenna Galley One day you are your children’s everything – their best friend, their favourite play mate, their constant entertainer. You can literally do no wrong.

Then the next. Well, you’re still their everything, but behind closed doors only. In public it’s a whole other story. When kids get to a certain age (ahem…TWEENS), they realise something – turns out, their parents aren’t really that cool.

I’ve known for years I’m pretty unhip. Unless all the cool kids these days spend their Friday nights in front of the telly, folding laundry and preparing for their big weekend of grocery shopping AND going to Kmart.

But my kids thought I was cool so I went with it.

Well, the façade is over folks. Lately my eldest would much rather ditch me for his mates. Any day of the week. EVEN when I bribe him.

This is all part of the ‘parenting tweens’ fun. On the plus side, it’s great to watch our kids grow independently and to have some freedom back. But it can also be a bit sad. Truth be told, I miss being my son’s BFF. I miss hanging out with him.

Be Seen with Your Tween Recently we have introduced a parent-child outing into the routine – a chance for me and my main not-so-littleman to enjoy one-on-one time outside of the house.

Yes. In public.

Essentially, these outings are similar to a date. But with your child. And without the awkward conversations about who is paying. Because, we all know it’s going to be you!

Child-Parent Date Ideas So book in some time, choose an activity, leave the phones at home and enjoy these parent-child date ideas.

•• Get active – go for a bike ride, a scoot or a skate along the Strand. Grab an ice cream at the end.

•• Hit some balls – Head to the driving range and take a few swings together.

•• Take a class together – A painting class, cooking class, a cupcake decorating class.

•• Play a round of laser tag – Indoor, outdoor – both are great fun for tweens, teens and adults.

•• Get competitive – Go bowling or play mini golf.

Winner pays for donuts after.

•• Go to the video arcade – There’s heaps of great games that you can play together – car racing, zombie shooting, basketball, skeeball, air hockey. Old school fun.

•• Take in a show –Book some tickets and see a show!

•• Head out for a meal – Sure, it’s a classic date, but it’s also a good one! Follow it up with a movie and popcorn.

•• Go to a game – Check the Cowboys’ schedule and book tickets to a home game.

The purpose of these little adventures is simple – to give you and your tween or teen a chance to connect, catch up and share some laughs. But, a word of advice – whatever you do, DON’T refer to it as a date.

Unless you want your child to run for the hills before you even get out the door. After all, dating your mum is so NOT cool.

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 47

All Things Tweens (and Teens)

Starting High School on a High Note STORY Jenna Galley So, your baby is starting high school. Congrats mum and dad! This is a huge milestone for the whole family and one that is probably leaving you just a little bit emotional.

Another task to look forward to? Helping with extra hard homework and school projects. Get ready to become good friends with Google. And coffee.

It may feel like only yesterday that you were wiping the tears from your eyes as you dropped your little preppy off on that first day of school.

Less lunches to pack

And now… well now that little preppy is taller than you, wearing a fancy high school uniform and about to embark on a whole new world.

But before you let this happy occasion be tinged with sadness, remember all the beneficial things that come with your little one growing up and embarking on this new adventure.

Freedom… sweet sweet freedom You’ve been holding their hand for several years now. But when they enter high school, their sense of independence really shines. Which means you get to take a back seat and put yourself first for a little while!

Heck, this independence in school might even follow them home and they may even start helping out more about the house – doing their own laundry, for example.

One can only hope!

New tasks to tackle… together And while your high schooler won’t need you to wrap them up in a cuddle after class (not in front of their friends at least), they still need you in other ways. Yes, driving them to sports, lessons, friends’ places, is definitely on the job list, but so is offering plenty of support and ensuring they are coping okay with the change.

48 February 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

You’re not off packed lunch duty just yet. But you may find that your high school student prefers to pack their own lunch or even purchase lunch more often than primary school students. Which means you can FINALLY stop cutting the crusts off sandwiches every morning. Hoorah!

More events to enjoy (and film to play on their 21st) While there may be less packed lunches, you can expect lots of opportunities to watch your child in action – through sports’ carnivals, drama concerts, spelling bees and much more.

Independent learner High school is the ideal time for your children to learn about their strengths and nurture their passions.

There’s a lot more opportunity to nurture a certain subject, hobby or sport through class selection and extra-curricular activities. Watching your children grow into individuals, find their passions and thrive is such a rewarding experience. It’s what we’ve been preparing them for all this time.

So, to all the mums and dads who are releasing their children into the wild world of high school, good luck!

Be strong, stay positive and don’t forget the large sunglasses and tissues, just in case.

Terrific Teachers

TERRIFIC TEACHERS CATRINA CAMAKARIS Townsville Grammar School “My favorite subject to teach is Science. I love teaching kids about the world around them. Now, more than ever, it is so important that the next generation not only appreciates how beautiful our world is, but is equipped with the knowledge and tools to protect it.

I remember when I was at school one of my friends asked our Geography teacher if tectonic plates were dishwasher safe… The best thing about being a teacher is that it’s a profession like no other, it’s challenging and all-consuming, but incredibly rewarding. I’ve been a teacher for nine years but started as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist at a Special School. My funniest memory is when I arrived at work and realized I had forgotten my shoes!”

MAREE Maree LA La SPINA Spina St Clare’s Kindergarten, Burdell “I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher, in year twelve I made the commitment that this was the career path I was going to choose, and now I’ve been a teacher for over 26 years with Catholic Education.

I absolutely love it.

I was born in Ingham, and as a student I was a very quiet and well behaved child. My funniest moment as a teacher, well there are simply too many to pick one! My favorite thing about being a teacher is reading stories to the children, and teaching them literacy skills. My favorite food is ice-cream!”

tgs@tgs.qld.edu.au www.tgs.qld.edu.au

kindergarten@tsv.catholic.edu.au www.stclarestsv.catholic.edu.au

NICOLE Kennedy KENNEDY Nicole

KELLY HARRIS

Ryan Catholic Kindergarten and Care

St Joseph’s Kindergarten and Care, The Strand

“My funniest memory as a teacher would be when a young boy brought in a lizard for show and tell. He dropped it and everyone including me ran for cover. We eventually caught it, but it was a very funny moment.

“I believe that children are our future, I can instill an early enthusiasm for learning that will hopefully stay with the child for years to come. One little boy told me that if he was an engineer, he would build me a robot so that I could have a day off.

I was born in Cairns, and I have been teaching for over nine years, I love it. I became a teacher because my Early Years teacher was amazing and I wanted to be that for other kids. A song that represents my life right now is Mary Poppins, Lets Go Fly A Kite, and my favourite food is pasta.” jcoffice@ryan.catholic.edu.au www.ryan.catholic.edu.au

I was born and bred in Townsville, this is my third year as a teacher and 14th year being involved in early childhood environment. My favourite subject to teach is Maths, I love it when children can make the link to their everyday life and go home and teach their families mathematical concepts such as AB patterning. A song that represents my life right now is A Million Dreams by P!NK, and my favorite food is chocolate and pasta.” enquiries@sjnwtsv.catholic.edu.au www.sjnwtsv.catholic.edu.au

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 51

Advertorial

Labor is Making EDUCATION a Education A TOP Priority PRIORITY

As the New Year begins, families are thinking about settling their young children back into preschool and focussing on the new school year.

I have worked closely with my colleagues in Canberra and I am proud to be a part of a Shorten led Labor team who is prioritising all levels of education to ensure a brighter future for our children.

Townsville families with young children will benefit from Labor’s National Preschool and Kindy program guaranteeing 700,000 Australian children access each year to subsidised preschool. This is the largest investment in early childhood education.

Labor will also extend the current arrangement for four year olds accessing preschool, by creating a quality, two-year program, which will support the most important years of a child’s development. In order to do this Labor will invest an additional $1.75 billion into early education.

Townsville residents will also benefit from Labor’s $14.1 billion public school’s announcement, which is the largest investment in public schools in Australian history. This will deliver a $23.5 million investment in Herbert public schools in the first 3 years, which will ensure that every child gets the best possible needs based education that they deserve.

Labor’s public school funding investment in Herbert is the equivalent of 60 teachers or 100 teacher aides. Labor’s investment will transform public schools in Herbert and across the country, which will give every child the opportunity to reach his/her full potential; no matter where he/she lives, or how much his/her parents earn.

Labor has also announced our support for a review of the National Assessment Program (NAPLAN) to examine how the program can best serve students, parents and teachers.

As a former TAFE teacher I am well aware of the importance of vocational education and training. Only Labor will ensure that two thirds of Government funding for vocational education and training goes to TAFE. Labor’s commitment will ensure a future for TAFE in Townsville and across the country, which will assist in bridging the gap relating to a range of skills shortages.

A Shorten led Labor Government will also scrap up-front fees for 100,000 TAFE students who choose to enrol in the courses that will develop the skills that Australia needs. This will make it easier for students to gain the skills they need in order to find a quality job and for businesses to fill skills shortages.

Only Labor has a plan to properly fund all levels of education.

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 53

Tiny Tots

UNDER 5’s ACTIVITY GUIDE KUMON If your little one is starting school next year, Kumon will help prepare them by developing their concentration and the confidence to learn independently. Studying the Kumon maths and English programs will develop their counting skills and a daily reading habit.

If you would like to help your child develop these abilities and prepare them by giving them an early start, why not give Kumon a try?

Program runs Monday and Thursday (Pimlico); Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (Kirwan) Time: 7:00am-8:00am & 3:00-6:00pm (Pimlico); 2:30pm – 6:30pm (Kirwan) $140 per month (per student, per subject) P 0424 155 171 (Pimlico) P 0417 070 826 (Kirwan) www.kumoneducation.com.au

LOVE2SWIM SCHOOL ‘Giving our students the correct fundamentals they need to be champions in the future’.

Heated pools 32 degrees + Lessons are held at Aquatic Centres so you can stay and play and practise after lessons to give your child extra swimming time or stay for a picnic after swimming.

The award-winning program is progressive and certificate based to allow parents and swimmers to see where they are up to and where they can get to.

Each level and skill have been designed to follow the next one creating swimmers from a younger age.

•• The baby level has three stages and is age appropriate following their land reflexes. Aquababy, AquaMobileBaby, AquaTot – 3 months to 3 years (parent in the water for these classes).

•• The Pre-School Program has mirrored our school age skills but has been adapted for the younger child to learn. Tadpole, Froglet and Frogs– 3 years – 5 years •• The 5 years plus program is based on school aged children using all the fundamentals learnt in the previous programs. School Aged Tadpole, Starfish and Goldfish – 5years+ The baby levels are more than water familiarisation and socialising for babies. Classes have been researched over 20 years and Love2Swim educates the parent on how to hold their baby to teach them to swim independently at an early age and to be in the correct position to learn strokes and progress quickly. Love2Swim pride themselves on seeing young swimmers confidently swimming on their own.

All Pakmag readers receive one free lesson to trial the program and see what Love2Swim can offer.

Two great centres to choose from: Kirwan Aquatic Centre - P 4723 3447 Kokoda Memorial Pool - P 4725 5357 www.love2swimschool.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 55

Tiny Tots

TOWNSVILLE ACADEMY OF PERFORMING

CITYLIBRARIES TOWNSVILLE

ARTS (TAPA)

You never know what you may discover at your local library. There’s a variety of activities to suit kids of all ages – including under 5s!

Dance classes for 2 to 5-year-olds.

Offering a fully air-conditioned complex with a friendly encouraging atmosphere, with well-supervised classes taught by highly qualified teachers, their classes capture the attention of all pre-schoolers. From girls who love to twirl on their toes to boys who like to bust some moves (and everyone in between), their classes are a whole lot of fun for everyone!

Tiny tots classes – 3-5 years Ready set ballet – 2-5 years Acro pre-school – 3-5 years Kinder ballet – 5 years Mini modern/jazz – 5 years Tiny tap – 5 years Primary highland classes – 4/6 years Bookings are essential.

P 4723 2101 E admin@tapa.net.au www.tapa.net.au

Baby rhyme time – Sing songs and rhymes, clap, move, and explore books together. Designed for children from birth to 2 years.

Toddler time – Develop your toddler’s early literacy skills and concentration with fun songs, dance, and a story.

Storytime – Encourage and nurture your child’s love of books while helping them develop early literacy and social skills. Sessions involve several story readings as well as rhymes and a craft activity.

Suitable for ages 3-5.

First 5 forever – This program focuses on supporting stronger language and literacy environments for children aged 0-5 years.

Messy play – Your child will develop their fine and gross motor skills by exploring fun, sensory, and creative messy play.

Branches are located at Thuringowa, Townsville City and Aitkenvale.

COWBOYS LEAGUES CLUB

www.townsville.qld.gov.au

Enjoy a scrumptious meal while the kids play to their heart’s content at the Little Legends play area.

SWIM STUDIO

Little Legends is a play area like no other, featuring an indoor zone with iPads, TVs and games, and an outdoor area with a full jungle-gym style playground including climbing sections and a slide. Both areas are completely sound proof.

Supervised sessions from 5.30pm – 9.00pm Tuesday to Saturday and from 11.30am – 3.00pm on Saturday and Sunday.

P 4724 8000 www.cowboysleagues.com.au

56 February 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

Not only is swimming fun, it’s a skill that will stay with your little one for the rest of their life.

Swim Studio offers lesson plans to suit all skill levels, from babies to preschool aged children. Lessons are available Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm and Saturdays 8.30am – 12.00pm.

Located at 389 Woolcock Street, Garbutt.

Your child’s first lesson is free!

P 4725 4121 www.swimstudio.com.au

Tiny Tots

TOWNSVILLE TENNIS ANZ Hot Shots Programs for children aged 3 years+.

For our littles we have modified red, orange, and green balls with lower compression making them easier to learn and play with to learn the basics of tennis.

P 4721 5129 E tennis@tennistownsville.org www.tennistownsville.org

A two- and half-hour session is $11.00 for under 5s.

Book online to save.

Don’t forget your socks!

P 4755 4422 Inflatable Kingdom www.inflatablekingdom.com.au

PAUL SADLER SWIMLAND Swim classes from 4 months of age.

TYTO TYTO is eclectic and unexpected; a place where the discovery of art, culture, nature and knowledge unfolds. There is so much for the family that you could easily spend a jam-packed day here doing activities and games.

There is plenty to do for even the youngest of visitors.

Tiny tots at TYTO 10.00am - 11.00am on Thursdays Storytime at TYTO 10.30am - 11.30am on Thursdays Head over to their Facebook page for details on fantastic regular events for children and teens.

A Swim Australia 5-star accredited, private swim school where they ensure that every child learns the skills needed to swim confidently, to enjoy the water, and to feel relaxed in a safe environment. Lessons at Swimland are fun for all.

Swordy Tots - Baby, infant and toddler swimming from 4 months old.

Learn to Swim – For children aged over 3 years.

If you are looking for great value, then check out their unlimited make up policy for missed regular classes (for current customers) plus their new defence discount.

Bookings are essential.

P 4776 4792 Visit TYTO

For more information check out their website or give them a call.

CITY CHEER & DANCE STUDIOS

P 4779 4647 www.paulsadlerswimland.com

Fuel the dreams of the littlest aspiring dancer in your family with City Cheer & Dance Studios Townsville.

With classes in jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, cheerleading and tumbling, there’s sure to be something that piques your child’s interest.

Classes are offered for various age and skill groups in an exciting, safe, and friendly environment where lifelong friends are found.

PCYC Kindy Kidz is a parent involved movement education program designed for children 1 to 4 years.

E info@citystudiostsv.com.au City Cheer & Dance Studios Townsville www.citystudiostsv.com.au

Kindy Kidz is a fun early learning program based on active and especially spontaneous play for young children. It is about learning through exploring and play. Play is fun and fundamental to children’s development and promotes children’s physical development, self-confidence, self-esteem and creativity. Parents/caregivers have an important role in supporting their child’s development through play and are a role model and a source of ideas and encouragement during the classes.

INFLATABLE KINGDOM

TOWNSVILLE PCYC

Get your tiny tot having fun in an active environment on massive jumping castles, a ball pit, climbing shapes and so much more.

Mon - 2-4yrs 9:30-10:15am / 4yrs+ 10:30-11:15am Wed - Kinder Free Play 9:30-10:30am Fri - 4-months-1yr 9:30-10:15am / 1-2yrs 10:30-11:15am Sat - 2-4yrs+ 8:15-9:00am

Discover where the world of dance can take you!

Private coaching and choreography available.

During the school term: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.00am to 1.00pm, Saturday 1.00pm to 5.00pm and Sunday 9.00am to 12.00pm.

During school holidays: Monday 9.00am to 3.00pm, Wednesday 1.00pm to 4.00pm, Friday from 9.00am to 3.00pm, Saturday 1.00pm to 5.00pm and Sunday 9.00am to 12.00pm.

BURDEKIN PCYC Contact the branch for further details P 4781 9100 - Townsville P 4783 1009 - Burdekin www.pcyc.org.au

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 59

Tiny Tots

RUGBYTOTS Rugby for 2 to 7-year-olds.

to become socially adept from a young age, giving them a kick start in life and ensuring they arrive at school ready to learn.

This program, based on the skills of rugby, was designed to develop your child’s physical and social skills whilst having fun. They offer sessions throughout the week and on weekends at various Townsville locations for boys and girls in three different age groups: 2 to 3.5-year-olds, 3.5 to 5-year-olds and 5 to 7-year-olds.

Classes are structure including free play, mat time, equipment time, music time, and home activities information for parents. Sessions are offered from 6 weeks to 6 years of age.

Term 1 has started, but you can join at any point during the term and only pay for the remaining sessions.

NORTH QUEENSLAND FOOTBALL

To be involved in this great program, visit their website and book today to secure your child’s spot.

P 0407 731 647 www.rugbytots.com.au

LA LUNA YOUTH ARTS

P 0432 686 306 www.gymbaroo.com.au

Kick off with FNQ Football!

The ALDI MiniRoos introductory program caters for children aged 4-9. Sessions run on a weekly basis for 45 minutes allowing little players to build skills through games and simple drills.

Performing Arts Classes from 3 years of age.

It’s the perfect way for children to get involved in football while learning skills and making lifelong friendships along the way.

La Luna offers many different activities for your tiny tot and are excited to be a part of creating the artists and audiences of today, tomorrow and the future!

Each child receives an ALDI MiniRoos Participants Pack when they register, including a bag, ball, and a water bottle.

Shuffle and Shake Dance Class – For 3 to 5-year-olds.

Held on Mondays from 9.30am to 10.30am.

Head on over to the website to find a club near you.

Pint-sized Picassos Art Class – For 3 to 5-year-olds.

Held on Thursdays from 9.30am to 10.30am.

Rumble Tumble Circus Workshop – For 3 to 5-year-olds.

Held on Tuesdays from 9.30am to 10.30am.

Curly Whirly Drama Classes – For 3 to 5-year-olds. Held on Fridays from 9.30am to 10.30am.

Their workshops are held primarily at the Riverway Arts Centre and are run over a 9-week term. Bookings are essential.

P 4773 6377 E info@lalunanq.com www.lalunanq.com

www.nqfootball.com.au

SPORTY KIDS AUSTRALIA Providing specialised physical activity classes for kids, Sporty Kids Australia allows kids to get fit while having fun and developing fundamental movement skills.

Little ones will build strong bones and muscles, develop balance and coordination, increase strength and endurance and improve posture and flexibility. The program also provides a range of social, emotional and cognitive benefits, including boosting confidence, independence and self-esteem.

Jump on in to GymbaROO where learning has never been so much fun!

Active Bubs – Pre-crawling babies from 4 months Active Tikes – Crawling and new walking babies Active Walkers – Walking babies over 18 months Active Tots - 2 ¼ to 3 ½ years Active Kids – 3 ½ to 5 years Gymnastics for Children – 3 ½ to 8 years

GymbaROO classes lays the foundation of physical activities in a fun and safe environment. Children learn

P 0484 080 189 www.sportykidsaustralia.com

GYMBAROO

60 February 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

snapped

2

1

3

1. Annalise Channel 2. Eliana Qinya Lu 3. Elijah McLennon 4. Maximus Giancarlo Pozzebon

62 February 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

4

Mater Snapped

5

7

6

Photography thanks to: Flicka Photography www.flickaphotography.com

5. Willow Pope 6. Natalie Pia Pascoe 7. Ayla Grace Bartholemew

www.pakmag.com.au | February 2019 63

Daddy Diary

DADDY DIARY Move over Scotty Cam. There’s a new block-head in town named Cliffo and he means business. Serious baby nursery business. As I’ve mentioned in previous columns, my wife Michelle and I are super pumped to welcome another little human into the world come April this year. A little boy we’re going to name Charlie.

Even our four-and-a-half-year-old daughter Matilda is excited to meet her baby brother. Well, she is for now… let’s see how long that lasts.

But the arrival of a new member of the family has unfortunately meant the death of another.

After the better part of a decade the time sadly came to say goodbye to my bachelor bed. A solid old queen ensemble setup I picked up on special at a Domain Central bed shop circa 2011. It was the bed I slept in before I even met my wife. The spare room she called home is our new baby nursery and the bachelor

bed has fallen on the sword. We had some good times.

Well, I assume we did. I was asleep for most of them.

Upon seeing the spare room transformation, the two girls who currently occupy the house both expressed concerns. “Don’t hurt yourself!” My wife proclaimed as she watched me scurry past with a cordless drill and hammer. My daughters’ concern is a tad more personal.

“But where will mummy sleep when daddy is snoring too much?” She asked. “She’ll be right” I replied.

Well, two days after the room swap began, I’m happy to report all has gone well. The spare bed and the DVDs that once called the room home have all made way for a bassinet, change table and rocking chair.

The musty old curtains have been replaced with new blue ones with cute little cars on them. The Star Wars alarm clock that once sat next to the bed even fled to a new galaxy. And I must say I’m proud of the baby nursery setup we have in place for our little man.

We can’t wait to welcome him into our home and into our hearts. Plus, if Scott Cam was to see the nursery we’ve set up, we’d be a shoe in for the next season of The Block. The Gatwick ain’t got nothing on us.

Cliffo Hit 103.1 Townsville

64 February 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au