PakMag Townsville - October 2019 Issue 107

ISSUE: OCT 2019

107

TOWNSVILLE

FREE

MASSIVE PRIZES / HALLOWEEN FUN / STORIES OF SURVIVAL SCHOOL HOLIDAY GUIDE / MANAGING TRANSITIONS

WELCOME Hello and welcome to the October Halloween edition of PakMag.

4 Entertainment 7

The Thing Is…

8

I Survived

11

Managing Transitions

Whether you love it or loathe it, Halloween is well and truly on our shelves, which only means one thing, Christmas will be too before we know it!

Now that is scary!

15 Terrific Teachers 17

Inspiring Young Women

18 Inspire Your Kids to

Explore Space 21 Things That May

Freak You Out 22 WIN: Bump, Bub and Beyond 24 Haunted Halloween Party 27 What’s On Guide 28 MiniMag

Last year I convinced my children that we would participate in Halloween by giving out lollies. They loved it and so did our neighbours and it cleaned out the lollies in our cupboards. So, if you want your children to care more about giving instead of getting, try this mum hack!

This edition has some incredible stories from locals who have survived something significant - I hope you are truly inspired by their stories, just like the PakMag office has been.

Their stories are a gentle reminder that things can change in an instant, that life is precious, and that we need to be grateful and live life to the fullest every single day.

We only live once, or as Snoopy would say, “We only die once, we live everyday”.

36 Home with Caro

and Kingi: Lady Llama

Enjoy this edition, and don’t forget to tell everyone, you read it in PakMag.

38 1300Smiles Snapped 41 The PakMag Experts 43 Finding Children’s Voices 45 Health

Bree James PakMag Founder and Editor-in-Chief

47 School Holiday Guide 51 All Things Tweens

and Teens 53 Local Produce Recipes 55 Shining The Light on

Mental Health Week

Contact Us: p 4053 3331 e admin@m2f.com.au a PO Box 7433 Cairns Qld 4870 www.pakmag.com.au

56 Daddy Diary

PakMag Founder and Editor-in-Chief Bree James

Senior Graphic Designer Clare Winter

Sales Manager and Marketing to Families Expert Lianne Van Ballegooyen Marketing to Families Expert Dan Kendrick Marketing and Events Coordinator Alyssa Marino Media Interns Blair King Emily Bremner

Graphic Designer Sara Williams Videographer & Podcast Producer Monique Saggers Journalist Jenna Galley Content Creator Kalisha Fitsch Accounts Trent Stievano

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. Most recent CAB Publisher Statement Conducted September 2019.

We encourage recycling. Please keep this issue for future reference, pass onto your friends and family, use for craft projects or place into the recycling bin.

families www.pakmag.com.au | October 2019 3

Entertainment

CHECK IT OUT Swan Lake - Imperial Russian Ballet Co When: Saturday 5th October at 4.30pm, Sunday 6th October at 2.00pm Where: Townsville Civic Theatre, 41 Boundary St, South Townsville More info: www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au The Imperial Russian Ballet Co return to Australia in October with Swan Lake the most loved classical ballet of them all. Swan Lake is a story where love and forgiveness conquer evil and betrayal, presented by 40 dangers from the major ballet schools of Russia.

Townsville World Record Attempt When: Thursday 10th October, 4.00pm (World Record Attempt at 5.30pm) Where: Bunnings Fairfield Waters, 2 Darcy Dr, Idalia

Spot

More info: www.1010.org.au

When: Thursday 17th October at 6.30pm and Friday 18th October at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 6.30pm

Help Townsville beat the World Record for ‘most people wearing highvisibility vests at a single venue’ on World Mental Health Day, 10th October. The current Guinness World Record sits at 2,136. All you need to do is register via the website and head on over on the day (high visibility vests provided).

There will be free activities and entertainment all afternoon, including a sausage sizzle, VIP appearances and giveaways. Under 18's welcome, but will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Where: Townsville Civic Theatre, 41 Boundary St, South Townsville More info: www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au Eric Hill’s beloved puppy comes to life on stage with puppetry, songs and puzzles that are sure to captivate the hearts of 18 month to seven year olds (and their parents).

Spot and his friends are off to visit Spot’s Dad on the farm, but when they arrive, all the farm animals are lost. Can Spot and his friends find them all - perhaps with a little help from the audience?

Riverway Movie Nights - Louis & The Aliens

Garage Sale Trail

When: Friday 18th October, 6.30pm - 8.00pm

When: Saturday 19th - Sunday 20th October, from 6.00am

Where: Riverway Oval, 20 Village Blvd, Thuringowa Central

Where: Townsville-wide

More info: www.whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au

Townsville City Council is bringing Australia’s biggest community and sustainability event to Townsville this October. The weekend will be jam-packed with garage sales all around town. It’s a great way to declutter, meet your neighbours, fundraise and discover treasures. Take a look at the Garage Sale Trail map, discover a sale near you and indulge in some guilt-free retail therapy.

Cosy up under the stars and enjoy a FREE screening of Louis & The Aliens.

12-year-old Louis befriends three aliens and embarks on an adventure together to return the extraterrestrials to their mothership.

4 August October2019 2019| |pakmag.com.au www.pakmag.com.au

More info: www.garagesaletrail.com.au

Save the dateS PakMag Expo & Family Funday When: Sunday 3rd November, 9.00am - 3.00pm Where: Townsville RSL Stadium, Murray Lyons Cres, Annandale More info: www.pakmag.com.au Get the cake and the candles ready, because PakMag is turning nine! To celebrate, we are hosting a massive FREE event! This year, we are bringing our very first PakMag Expo & Family Funday to Townsville. There will be entertainment all day, thousands of $$$ worth of prizes to be won including a family holiday on the Gold Coast staying at the amazing Paradise Resort.

There will be lots of competitions and of course the best Townsville family businesses on display and more.

It’s an event your family doesn’t want to miss, and we hope you come celebrate with us. To book a stall, contact alyssa@pakmag.com.au

Bree’s Vision Voyage When: 14th - 17th January 2020 Where: Various locations around Bali More info: www.breejames.com/visionvoyage This is not your average retreat. Getting a clear vision of what you want for your life is a thought-provoking journey that takes time, space and sometimes a group of likeminded people to inspire you to think big.

Let's have fun, explore the country and ourselves and set an incredible vision for 2020 and beyond.

And of course, there will be time for massages, great food, lots of laughs and spa treatments. See the sights in Kuta, Seminyak, Ubud, Uluwattu and Sanur.

Taking expressions of interest now.

The Thing Is

The Thing Is...

STORY Bree James There’s nothing better than a clean out. The past few months it seems to be the theme of my life.

From cleaning out old storage areas and decluttering our house to throwing out all the freshly-bought freezer food after the kids left the freezer door open (bloody kids!).

Heck, I’ve even undergone a colonoscopy and – wow! Wasn’t that a true ‘clean out’ experience that I’d like to forget.

Yep, it’s been a month of non-stop clean-up, and it’s left me realising just how much I have in my life that is weighing me down.

The thing is, as much as decluttering sucks, it’s also so good for the soul. And I’m not just talking about old clothes, broken toys and untouched kitchen accessories you no longer have a use for.

I’m also talking about our time. Because, let’s face it, no one needs to be weighed down by things that aren’t ‘sparking joy’.

The more ‘adult’ we become, the more we realise our time is precious and our tolerance for crap and time-wasters becomes very low…This is especially the case with people.

I used to be so tolerant before kids.

Old Bree: Cancel our plans last-minute? No worries, I’ll easily find someone else to hang out with.

New Bree: Cancel our plans last-minute? I may possibly kill you (unless you are really sick and I’ll bring you soup).

Old Bree: Sure, I’ll tolerate the fact you are treating me poorly. It’s ok I can handle it. It’s been like this for years.

New Bree: Step up or step off. Ain’t no mumma got time for this type of treatment!

And no mumma does! We don’t deserve to be treated poorly or to spend time with those who may be toxic to our lives. Life is getting more and more convoluted and sometimes, it’s better to just wave away the clutter, the chaos and the crap.

The only way we can have more of what we want, is by making space. The only way to make space is by letting go of what is no longer sparking joy in our life.

So, here’s my mission for all of us: To focus on what matters - belongings we really love; the people who love us for who we are, warts and all; and the things that make us light up. Let’s get clearer about what we want in life, and more importantly what we don’t want in life, and let’s do our damn best to live the life of our dreams.

Who’s with me?

Bree is hosting a special Vision Voyage retreat in Bali in 2020, see page 57 for more information.

www.pakmag.com.au | October 2019 7

Blueclick Photography

Feature

I Survived Life is precious, and it’s easy to forget that it can be over in a flash. This month, PakMag spoke to three incredible North Queensland locals who have survived something significant. We are sharing their amazing stories to raise awareness and remind us to enjoy life to the fullest.

Sarah Sexton Sarah has been dealing with illness her entire life, but over the years her hardships have taught her many lessons about life. Together, with her husband Blake and 10 year old step-son Jackson, she manages to find positives in every day.

“I have survived a lot. I was born with Cystic Fibrosis – by 17 I had lung disease, and I was told at 25 that I wouldn’t live to see 30 without a transplant.

That was a scary thing to hear at such a young age,” Sarah told PakMag. “I was rejected from being listed for a transplant the first time because I was too underweight, so they couldn’t operate on me until I put on weight.

Thankfully, at 27 I had a double lung transplant.”

However, a lung transplant doesn’t bring a cure.

“After that, I got diabetes, kidney and liver failure, I had a hysterectomy and in 2017 I got bowel cancer, all from

8 October 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

being immunosuppressed after the transplant. I always knew the transplant day would come, but cancer wasn't something I was expecting, so it was really scary to hear.”

Fighting a battle over so many years has been exhausting for Sarah. “Sometimes, I feel like I don’t have the energy to fight another battle, but I have to do it for my family. I think that’s the hardest part mentally dealing with pushing through,” she explained.

“My biggest learning is that stressing over things you have zero control over only makes it all worse.”

Sarah’s advice for others is that "Your mind is your most powerful tool when going through tough times.

Your health may have been taken away, but you are still in control of how you deal with that mentally.

Sinking into a hole is going to make it worse, so you need to talk to people. Nobody can take away your smile or the memories you make – find a positive in every day, it doesn’t have to be big.”

Something Special Photography

Feature

Sonja Tinsley

Glenn Dickson

It was like any regular day for Sonja and her son Kye (who was 17 months old at the time) in Kirwan in 2006.

She loved being a mum and prided herself on juggling her work-life balance. She had just buckled her son into her car and they were on their way home, until she pulled into a roundabout and her life changed forever.

Passionate about fitness, Glenn lives in Mission Beach with his wife Jessie-lee and children Reef, six, Lylah, four, and Aurora, two. However, his life was turned completely upside down on the 18th of February 2017, when he was attacked by a shark, causing him to lose his lower right leg.

“Suddenly, I heard a loud smashing sound. I screamed, and I remember hearing Kye start to cry in the back.

Then, everything went black,” Sonja explained. “When I came to, he was still crying. I tried to turn in my seat to soothe him, but I couldn’t. That’s when I noticed a sharp stabbing pain in my right arm, and recoiled in horror to discover that my arm was in tatters.”

“One of the most difficult parts was staying alive whilst my body shut down from bleeding out. I had a total blood loss of 45 per cent, and I was brought back six times,” Glenn explained to PakMag. “The experience made me realise how easily life can be lost, and how quickly we can lose everything we hold dearest to us.

Death itself isn’t scary. It’s leaving the ones we love behind that’s scary.”

Sonja shouted for help, feeling terrified. A woman and a man appeared, helping her stop the bleeding and lift her son out of the car, who appeared fine. “Relief flooded through me,” Sonja said. “A little later, my dad arrived, as did the fire brigade closely followed by the police and three ambulances. I was scared, and I couldn’t feel my arm anymore.”

When she arrived at the hospital, Sonja received devastating news. The doctor gently told her she would be losing her arm. “Oh no, I can never pick my son up again,” she remembered saying.

“When I woke from surgery, my arm was heavily bandaged. For the next couple of days, I tried not to think about how much of my arm I had lost. However, one afternoon, I went to the bathroom on my own and the bandage slipped off. I burst into tears because it was much worse than I thought; my arm had been amputated above the elbow.”

The next few weeks were filled with appointments with occupational therapists helping Sonja re-learn how to perform basic tasks. “I’m right-handed, which was the arm I’d lost, so simple things were really difficult,” she recalled. “But my confidence grew. One afternoon I changed Kye’s nappy and got him dressed without help, and I was really chuffed.”

People have told Sonja that she’s incredibly strong. “I have Kye to thank for that,” she explained. “He’s my pride and my joy. I was determined to carry on with my life and be the best mum possible to him. What happened was awful, but what matters is that we both survived.”

The whole situation was extremely tough on Glenn’s family. “Our lives were turned upside down, but we managed to get through it as a team,” he told us.

“It taught me to cherish every day and enjoy the small moments in life that matter.”

Glenn’s survival was somewhat of a miracle, but he got through it because of three things. “I have a well-trained friend who knew what to do, and I had three friends work as a team to help my chances of survival. Being extremely fit was the reason my body could make it through such trauma and blood loss. Fitness is more than just making our body look better.”

His advice for others is that “Our outlook can alter our perception of life each and every day. We must lay the foundation of positivity to create a chain reaction of positive vibes around us which will in turn help you make better decisions, leading your heart and mind to a happier place. Doing this will help you overcome adversity.”

Humans prove to be extremely resilient time and time again. It’s easy to go through the daily motions of life, forgetting how easily our lives can be changed forever.

It’s important to raise awareness of medical conditions, to look after ourselves and to be mindful of what others may be going through, even if they seem fine from the outside.

If you are interested in becoming an organ donor, head on over to www.donatelife.gov.au

www.pakmag.com.au | October 2019 9

Education

Managing the Transitions of Education Life is full of transitions. From the smaller, everyday developments to the larger milestones of starting school, transitions occur often for children.

Director of Early Education at Townsville Grammar School, Ms Cyndi Friend, says it is important for parents to know that each child will develop at their own rate and will have a different starting point.

challenge - sometimes more for the parents!” said Ms Friend.

In general circumstances, transitional stress can be lessened by employing a few simple strategies, such as: •• Talking confidently about the changes ahead and building a sense of security through your own confidence.

“Every family has individual circumstances, and each child will start with a different set of life experiences and abilities,” said Ms Friend. “The most important factor in creating the right foundations for your child’s learning journey is to be engaged in the process.

We know that when parents are involved and engaged, the child feels a sense of confidence and security, which has a significant influence on learning and growth.”

•• Creating a sense of excitement in your conversation about the change, focusing on the things that will be of particular appeal to your child.

From Home to Pre-Prep

•• Developing a morning, evening and bedtime routine.

“Transitioning from home to childcare, early learning or an early education environment can be an emotional

•• Getting to know your child’s teachers and developing respectful relationships.

•• Visiting the centre ahead of time, and if possible, spending some time there together. This helps build familiarity of faces and places, helping reduce first day stress.

•• Reminding your child about what to expect.

www.pakmag.com.au | October 2019 11

Education

“Talk to your child’s teachers and carers if you are having any concerns or challenges and they will work with you to support your child to transition to their new environment,” Ms Friend explained. “There are also many fantastic websites and online resources for helping children transition through the various stages of childhood and education.”

Starting Prep According to Mr Noel Nethery, Head of Junior School at Townsville Grammar School, children who are comfortable in their environment will be more open and receptive to learning.

“It is important to choose a school that feels right for your child and family. Every child will develop at different rates and face challenges along the way in terms of their social, emotional and intellectual learning.

Your school should support you in each of these stages.”

“In most cases, children will move from year level to year level at primary school with the same group of students,” said Mr Barrett. “Year 7 often brings a change of location, a change of student groups and a change of routine.

“Commencing secondary school is a transition for the whole family. It is important to understand the school’s Year 7 transition program and if relevant, pastoral care structure, to ensure that students have time to ‘grow into’ secondary school.”

Mr Barrett noted that parent engagement in the primary school setting can be quite different in the secondary school environment, and parents are often unsure about their level of involvement and the expectations of the secondary environment.

There are a number of simple ways that parents can prepare children for Prep by encouraging language development, communication skills and confidence, such as:

“Generally speaking, parent engagement tends to be more hands-on in the primary setting, and this changes throughout the secondary years,” said Mr Barrett.

“Parent engagement can be as simple as keeping up with school communications through to attending parent-teacher interviews, coming along to school events and encouraging your child to become involved in the life of the school.”

•• Reading with your child as much as possible.

Starting University, Employment or Other Study

•• Engaging your child in conversation and providing them with learning opportunities in simple contexts, such as in the supermarket (identifying colours, numbers and letters).

The time has finally come for your child to spread their wings and begin their journey to their desired career.

All the ‘what do you want to be when you grow up’? conversations have led to this moment. As for options, there are several paths they can take upon graduating high school.

•• Helping your child build a sense of ageappropriate independence and confidence through encouragement, praise and support in taking small, healthy risks.

•• Teaching your child simple manners such as hello, goodbye, please and thank you.

•• Asking your child questions about their day and encouraging gratitude, for example – “What was the best part of your day?”

“We also find that parent engagement is critical to a child’s development and success at school,” Mr Nethery said. “Parent engagement can look very different from family to family, year level to year level and school to school. There are always a number of ways in which parents can be involved, from classroom-based support and activities through to attending events and celebrations, and regularly discussing your child’s progress with their teacher. Engagement with your school makes a difference to the child and importantly, provides parents with a support network.”

Starting High School The transition to Year 7 is a significant process, according to Mr Connor Barrett, Head of School at Townsville Grammar School’s North Ward Campus.

12 October 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

University or other study – Starting a university degree is exciting, but can be overwhelming for any young adult. Picking a course, and potentially moving away from home in order to study can be a bit daunting.

During this big transition, your child still needs your support, even if it may not appear to be the case.

Encourage them to do their best, reminisce on your own experience at university or if they move away, let them know they can call you any time they need.

Employment or training – Your child may choose to go straight into employment after high school. They may take a gap year and work a casual job before they go on to further education or training, or they may enter an apprenticeship, traineeship or join the armed forces that educates them in a field of interest. Sit with your child and discuss their employment and training options and encourage them to follow a path they are passionate about.

Sometimes, it can take a while for your child to figure out what exactly it is they want to do in life. It is a big question! Reassure them that it’s okay if they don’t know the path they want to take, and it’s okay to change their mind.

Advertiser Feature

TERRIFIC TEACHERS NATALIE RYAN

ANNABEL JONES

The Cathedral School of St Anne and St James

Townsville Grammar School

“I have always had a love for children and teaching.

I remember as a child playing teachers with my friends, and I always loved school. I have been teaching for 14 years.

One of my funniest memories was one day when I was teaching Year 2. One of my students came to school with his entire school uniform back to front. He had dressed himself that morning.

When I pointed that out to him, he thought it was the funniest thing and thought it was pretty cool. I had the whole class asking if they could do the same the next day.”

“It is an honour and privilege to be involved in the upbringing of children. My favourite experiences as a teacher have been those where I have been able to talk about wider themes with my students. It is incredibly uplifting to hear and observe the ways in which the next generation will improve our world.

I loved reading with my Year 5's. A couple of years ago, I recall laughing so hard at one point – crying, really – that I was unable to even read aloud the words.

My students laughed with me. It’s so nice to have a belly laugh with children.”

tcs@cathedral.qld.edu.au www.cathedral.qld.edu.au

tgs@tgs.qld.edu.au www.townsvillegrammar.com

LAURA KING

PAULA LALOR

St Benedict’s Kindergarten

St Joseph’s Catholic School, The Strand

“I was involved in coaching gymnastics as a teenager, and I loved helping kids learn and develop new skills. I loved celebrating their achievements with them and seeing how excited they were when they learned a new skill. My coaching taught me that you have to make sure children have a very good foundation. This is why I was drawn to Early Childhood Education, where you can help lay that foundation for them to build on as they move through school.

“I come from a family of teachers and I could see the joy that teaching and being part of a school brought them. I'm also from a very big family, lots of kids and cousins and taking care of the little ones was part of life and I loved it. I studied Psychology first, but my heart led me back to Education. This is my 16th year of teaching.

As a Kindergarten Teacher you encourage children to learn through play so my favourite activity is when we do Messy Play days!”

My favourite subject to teach is Art. I love seeing children express themselves creatively, they are totally free and there is beauty in all students' work.”

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

equiries@sjnwtsv.catholic.edu.au www.sjnwtsv.catholic.edu.au

www.pakmag.com.au | October 2019 15

Advertorial

Inspiring Young Women with Innovative Learning Spaces

At St Margaret Mary’s College, we have been passionate about education and providing the best in pastoral care and enrichment for our students since the college was founded over 50 years ago. We are constantly striving to improve our college to support a technologically advancing world, so recently, we have opened several learning spaces to support and inspire students on their journey towards their desired career.

Over the years, St Margaret Mary’s College has been transformed by a number of major building projects. These have resulted in exciting new learning spaces such as a Performing Arts studio, Visual Arts exhibits and Student Wellbeing Centre, which includes a full suite of offices for Pastoral, Guidance and Career Counselling as well as Health and First Aid. A new, state-of-the-art library was proudly opened earlier in 2019, and for the next stage of our Master Plan, we are focused on the construction of an innovative Science and Technology Centre.

However, the excitement doesn’t stop there; at the start of 2020, we will have a brand-new Music Centre and an enlarged and purpose-built theatre for our performing

arts classes and events, all to support the students in their endeavours in an ever-changing world.

As an all girls’ school, we are able to cater directly for the needs and learning styles of girls. We never waiver from our vision of helping to form young women of spirit and purpose, and we engage the community in many social justice initiatives.

St Margaret Mary’s College offers excellence in girls’ education, including Vocational Education and Training for young women aged 12-18. We offer many opportunities for sports, cultural activities, STEM experiences, and camps and retreats. We work closely with parents and families to ensure a nurturing environment, and our teaching staff are professionals with years of experience and passion for their specialist teaching areas. This is a place where young women are educated, inspired and inspirited, and we promote inclusivity and kindness.

Visit us at the PakMag Expo Interested in finding out more? Head on on the 3rd of over to www.smmc.catholic.edu.au or call November our College on 4726 4900. We would be happy to arrange a tour and show you around.

www.pakmag.com.au | October 2019 17

STEM

INSPIRE YOUR KIDS To TO EXPLORE & LOVE OUTER Outer SPACE Humans have dreamt of leaving Earth and exploring outer space for centuries. In recent decades, we have made some awesome progress in terms of landing on the moon, sending rovers to Mars and taking the first photo of a black hole, all in pursuit of finding out what else is out there amongst the stars. We are still in the early days of space exploration, which is very exciting.

If your child decides to turn their interest of space into a career, there is so much that is still to be discovered and explored.

can even invest in a telescope for them to use in their learning journey.

3, 2, 1… blast-off! - Prepare your little astronaut for their cosmic adventures with a space rocket playset that is sure to get them interested in outer space.

There are even playsets of entire space stations for them to discover. Play is the best way to learn, and your child can make up entire play scenarios and act them out using toys.

Space is incredible and fascinates the young and old – here are some ways you can inspire your kids to explore and love outer space.

Create a space station - Spark their imagination and ignite their curiosity by turning their room into a space station. Planet wall stickers, glow-in-the-dark ceiling stars and galaxy-themed bedsheets are sure to do the trick. If your little one is a dedicated space-explorer, you

Look up - The sun goes down, and the curiosity comes out. Stargazing is not only a great way to relax, it can teach you a lot about the universe. Encourage your children to stargaze as a calming bedtime activity, and work together to point out planets, stars and constellations. You may even see shooting stars or satellites if you look really closely! Check out the APP Skyview, it’s a fantastic way to learn about planets, constellations, and the names and meanings of stars (and it’s free!).

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Get 15% OFF! Use code: PAKMAG

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Visit www.pakmag.com.au/win for your chance to win!

18 October 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

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GLOWS IN THE DARK!

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1. Playmobil Mars Space Station - RRP $98.00 - Let your kid explore a new planetary frontier during playtime with Playmobil Mars Space Station - www.harveynorman.com.au 2. Outer Space Wall Stickers RRP $59.95 - This wall sticker kit will work on all kinds of walls and is completely removable & reusable. Perfect for renters or people who like to change their minds - www.brightstarkids.com.au 3. Under The Stars - Astrophysics For Bedtime by Lisa Harvey-Smith - RRP $39.99 - This book transports kids and adults alike on an incredible journey through the night sky. Kids will be able to explore the solar system from the comfort of their bedrooms, find out why the sky is blue, fly around a black hole and peer inside and learn why Jupiter has stripes - www.mup.com.au 4. Cosmic Rocket Set by Tender Leaf Toys - RRP $94.95 - A Wooden rocket play set that is ready for cosmic adventure - www.littlesprout.com.au 5. Wow Toys Ronnie Rocket - RRP $55.00 - Explore the universe with the Wow Toys Ronnie Rocket. Take off for an intergalactic mission by pulling its cord and counting along with its countdown window www.harveynorman.com.au 6. Earth and Space Book - RRP $15.00 - Marvel at the beauty of the Earth, discover amazing facts and learn incredible information about the universe with the Earth and Space. Comes with amazing facts and a bounty of information to entertain and enrich the knowledge of readers. Showcases 3D artworks of various sights, such as deserts, oceans, and the universe - www.harveynorman.com.au 7. Outer Space Glow in the Dark 100 piece Puzzle - RRP $29.95 - Visit a magical place with Mudpuppy’s Outer Space Glow in the Dark Puzzle.

Turn out the lights to see the puzzle glow! - www.littlesprout.com.au

Bump, Bub and Beyond

7 Things That May Freak You Out After Giving Birth STORY Jenna Galley Hello Baby, Hello Surprises. What surprises are waiting for you at the end of the labour finish line?

Engorgement, post-birth contractions and baby body hair, oh my!

Here are a few of the strange things to expect from your baby and your body after birth.

Baby’s Appearance - Many newborns will come out with an oblong-shaped head, hair on their body (known as lanugo) and possibly a port stain birth mark (known as a stork bite). All a bit freaky, but also normal. Over time, baby’s head will change shape, the hair will fall off and the "stork bite" will fade.

Belly Button Stump - After you leave the hospital and start bathing bub, you may notice their umbilical cord stump. This stump will slowly darken, dry and fall off their teeny bodies like a scab which may leave you horrified. Don’t stress – it’s meant to do that.

The First Poop - It’s gonna be a doozy! Known as meconium, baby’s first (or few) poops after birth will be black, sticky and tar-like. It’s strange to see this intense poop come out of something so small and sweet but don’t worry – it won’t last long and soon bub will start pooping good ol’ fashion yellow and brown poops.

Baby’s Super Sleepiness - Many newborns will sleep A LOT during the first week. You may even need to wake them for feeds. Don’t stress, just enjoy it (trust me, it won’t last). Your newborn is probably exhausted from

the birth journey and still getting used to things. But if baby isn’t waking for feeds or looks a little yellow, then discuss your concerns with your midwife.

The Afterbirth Pain - You’re prepared for the labour pain but after you have the baby, you may get these shooting pains in your stomach and down your legs as your uterus contracts. They are often worse while feeding baby and in subsequent births. Known as afterbirth pain, they can be a little bit scary if you’re not expecting them. Prepare with heat packs and painkillers.

Your New Massive Assets - Get ready to sprout the Mount Everest of mum boobs as your milk comes in.

This usually happens around day three postpartum and will leave your breasts huge, sore and rock hard. It may also leave you wondering how in the heck you are going to contain your new balloon-like assets. Rather than express (which can bring on more milk), use ice packs or cabbage leaves to relieve the engorgement.

Fourth Trimester Tummy - You may also be surprised to discover your stomach didn’t get the memo that you are no longer pregnant. In fact, it may look like you’re still sprouting a six-month baby bump. Your tummy will be soft to touch, your skin extra wobbly and your belly button confused as to whether it’s an innie or an outie.

It’s a bit of a postpartum horror show, but, hey, it’s all part of the new mummyhood journey. Try not to stress and enjoy the crazy ride.

www.pakmag.com.au | October 2019 21

Bump, Bub and Beyond

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

Grafico – Walls $100 voucher - www.grafico.com.au Grafico - Walls custom print wallpapers and wall art have been featured extensively on The Block TV series including the latest 2019 season. Grafico can design and produce a range of custom printed self-adhesive wallpapers to transform your next project, from kids’ bedrooms to nurseries and even commercial spaces.

With your $100 voucher, you can choose to purchase a range on our online shop or have the creativity to customise your wall using an image of your choice.

Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump & Limited-Edition Pink Flower Stopper RRP $41.90 - www.milkbarbreastpumps.com.au The Haakaa Breast Pump is a 100 per cent food grade silicone, eco-friendly and simple to use breast pump. Minimal components mean it can be used quickly in the middle of the night or if your baby has had a longer nap than usual.

Simple and cost effective for mums looking to create a stash of expressed breastmilk with minimal fuss. Simply suction to your breast and let the pump do the work for you as it draws your milk using suction. 100 per cent eco-friendly and safe for mum, baby and our environment.

22 October 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

LeapFrog Learn & Groove Shaking Colours Maracas RRP $24.95 - www.bigw.com.au Shake and learn with the Learn & Groove Shaking Colours Maracas. Each shake of these clever maracas helps promote bilingual play by introducing babies to both the English and French language.

These fun maracas introduce the core learning skills of motor skills, counting and colours. With two different maracas to shake, one with shaking beads and one with colour changing lights and musical responses, babies can explore and create music, learn creatively and play in an open-ended way.

Bump, Bub and Beyond

POOP COLOURS While it’s not the most glamorous topic, you can tell a lot about your baby’s health by what’s in their nappy.

Different colour poos may signify various health issues and when it’s time to pay a visit to the doctor’s office.

So, what can your baby’s poo tell you?

Orange, yellow and brown – This colour is normal in both breastfed and formula fed babies.

Green – Green poo occurs when a baby is given an iron supplement or when they are first introduced to solid green foods, such as peas, spinach and beans.

White – Chalky white or gray poo could be an indication that your baby is not digesting food properly.

Black blood – While this can be alarming, little specks of black blood in baby’s poo usually means they have ingested blood while breastfeeding from mum’s cracked and bleeding nipples. To be sure it’s not the cause of something else, speak to your GP. Red blood – Your baby’s poo may turn red if they have eaten tomatoes, beetroot or fruit punch, but may also be a sign of blood in the stool. Take your little one to the GP if you are in any way uncertain.

Green mucus – Seeing slimy, green-coloured streaks through baby’s poo means that mucus is present, which may be a sign of infection.

HELPFUL TIP Life after the birth of your baby will be exciting, exhausting, and a little daunting. Keep your energy levels up by fuelling your body with nutritious homecooked meals.

Get into the kitchen before the arrival of your newborn and cook up a number of homecooked meals to freeze, ready to be defrosted when you're hungry and have no time or energy to cook. Alternatively, organise a meal train where friends and family can bring you food. Your future self will thank you for it!

When you first became a parent, chances are nothing could have prepared you for all the types of poo you’d encounter. If alarming changes occur, don’t hesitate and speak with your GP.

DID YOU KNOW? Babies remember being in the womb. A study revealed that newborns did not startle to noises they had heard before; such as the bark of the family dog.

They can even remember melodies, such as those from songs or nursery rhymes, and may even react to the sound after birth. Newborns also recognise mum’s voice right from the start.

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Celebrate

HAUNTED HALLOWEEN PARTY! Pumpkins and bats and ghosts, oh my! Halloween is right on our doorstep, which means so is the decoration buying, costume deciding and sugar rushes. Whether you’re taking your little ones on a trick or treating adventure or staying indoors for a spooky celebration, we’ve got you covered with awesome ideas that won’t drive you batty.

Creative Costumes Perhaps the most exciting part of a Halloween party is getting to dress up. Popular options nowadays include superheroes, book characters, animals and mermaids, and there are some seriously impressive costumes out there. It’s also surprisingly easy to DIY a costume using clothes, cardboard boxes, paint, pipe cleaners, and a little creativity. Even if it doesn’t turn out perfect, your child is sure to appreciate the effort and it’s a memory you’ll both cherish forever.

Spooky Nibbles If there is not an overload of sugary snacks, is it really a Halloween party? It’s one day, after all! Put a twist on classic party snacks by baking cookies in the shapes of ghosts and witches’ hats, pouring milkshakes into Jack-O-Lantern themed glasses or serving hot chocolate with teeny marshmallow ghosts. ‘Bone’ appetit!

If you’re looking to step up your snack game, go ham with a platter. You can go for the classic, can’t-gowrong option of crackers, cheese, fresh fruit and sliced meat, or create a spooky extravaganza on a plate.

If you go for the traditional option, you can add a ghostly touch to your platter with decorative pumpkins and a hungry skeleton hand reaching out – simple, but delicious.

Alternatively, create jalapeno popper ‘mummies’ using puff pastry, pizza ‘spiders’ using pitted and sliced black olives and apple ‘monsters’ using green apples, peanut butter and nuts. Add sliced mini marshmallows and drops of melted dark chocolate for eyes, and you’ve got a platter dressed to impress.

Daring Decorations Halloween means pumpkins, skeletons and zombies galore. While it’s traditional to hang up some decorations in purple, black and orange colours, you can theme your party while simultaneously keeping up the spooky vibes. Paint your usual decorations in pastel shades of blue, pink and green for a softer theme.

You can even DIY an adorable garland from smaller items, such as pumpkins, ghosts and spiders. If all else fails, a pumpkin-carving session together with the family is never a bad idea.

24 October 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

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1. DIY Pumpkin Garland - www. lovelyindeed.com 2. Halloween Snacks www.foxeslovelemons.com 3. No Carve Pumpkin - www.blissmakes.com 4. Where's Wally Child Costume - RRP $29.95 - www.costumes.com.au 5. Octopus Rubber Duck - RRP $9.95 - www.juniorsonline.com.au 6. Lil' Mermaid Child Costume - RRP $63.95 - www.costumes.com.au 7. Pink Poppy Mermaid Bag - RRP $19.95 - www.juniorsonline.com.au

WHAT’S ON OCT OCT TUESDAY 1 OCTOBER

SUNDAY 6 OCTOBER

Science Rocks!

Runs until 7 October Museum of Tropical Queensland www.mtq.qm.qld.gov.au 9.30am / Check Website / Family

Magnetic Island Triathlon 2019 Picnic Bay Magnetic Island www.magnetic islandtriathlon.com 7.30am / $25-85 / Family

Tackers School Holiday Program Runs until 4 October Townsville Sailing Club www.townsvillesailing.com.au 8.00am / $300 / 7 - 12 Yrs The Great Moscow Circus Runs until 6 October Reid Park Complex www.thegreatmoscow circus.com.au Various times / $25-55 / Family Kids Event - Bowl and Exercise Burdekin Bowl Burdekin Bowl 3.00pm / $15 / 5 - 15 Yrs SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER Swan Lake - Imperial Russian Ballet Company Runs until 6 October Townsville Civic Theatre www.russianballet.com.au 7.30pm / $59-89 / Family Townsville Sensor Sprint Rowes Bay Sustainability House www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 8.00am / Free / Family 80's Dance Party with Attori Herbert River Sub Branch RSL, Ingham Herbert River Sub Branch RSL - Ingham 7.00pm / $20 / Adults

Oktoberfest 2019 The Brewery The Brewery Townsville 10.30am / $25-150 / 18+ Yrs TUESDAY 8 OCTOBER Expectant Parent Information Night Townsville & District Multiple Birth Association Inc. Townsville & District Multiple Birth Association Inc. 7.30pm / Free / Family WEDNESDAY 9 OCTOBER MM The Beggars Townsville Civic Theatre www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 11.00am / $13.50-15 / Family THURSDAY 10 OCTOBER Townsville High-Vis Vest World Record Attempt Bunnings - Fairfield Waters www.1010.org.au/townsville 4.00pm / Free / Family FRIDAY 11 OCTOBER Ronald McDonald House Charity Golf Day Rowes Bay Golf Club www.rmhc.org.au 9.00am / Check Website / Adults

With Triple M’s Pricey

The Glenn Miller Orchestra Townsville Civic Theatre www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 7.30pm / $89.90 / Family

9.00am / Check Website / Family SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER Renegade Handmade Market Marian School Hall Renegade Handmade 8.00am / Free / Family

Light the Night The Strand www.lightthenight.org.au 5.00pm / Free / Family

High Tea for Her St Anthony's Catholic College, Assisi Campus www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 2.00pm / $10 / Family

Spring Fair Calvary Christian College www.calvary.qld.edu.au 5.00pm / Free / Family SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER Glendi Festival Riverway Oval Glendi Festival Townsville 10.00am / Free / Family

Otto's Oktoberfest for Adults Otto's Fresh Food Market www.ottosmarket.com.au 11.00am / $25 / 18+ Yrs

Kindness Walk 2019 The Strand www.bekindtownsville.com 6.00pm / $5 / Family

Otto's Oktoberfest for Families Otto's Fresh Food Market www.ottosmarket.com.au 11.00am / $25 / Family

Vera Blue - The Way That You Love Me Tour James Cook Uni Bar www.moshtix.com.au 7.00pm / $53.98 / 18+ Yrs

WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER CATS Townsville Civic Theatre www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 8.00pm / $35-50 / Family

Family Fun Day The Townsville Toy Shed www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 9.00am / Free / Family Maccas Mini Meet Come + Try Little Snappers Swim School Northside Little Snappers Swim School Northside 1.30pm / Free / Family Millchester Festival of Dirt Runs until 13 Oct Millchester Motor Sport Recreation www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au

FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER Spot Riverway Arts Centre www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 10.30am / $15 / Family Skate Night PCYC Charters Towers PCYC Charters Towers 6.00pm / $5 / 12 Years and Under

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WHAT’S ON OCT OCT Riverway Movie Nights Louis & The Aliens Riverway Oval www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 6.30pm / Free / Family JCU Townsville Fire VS Adelaide Lightning Townsville Stadium www.townsvillefire.com.au 2.00pm / Check Website / Family

10.00am / Free / Family Celebration of Strings Townsville RSL Stadium www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 3.00pm / $5 / Family Family BBQ Afternoon The Ville www.frontline mentalhealth.com.au 12.00pm / $55 (2A +2C) / Family

SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER

THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER

Star 1063 Fire In The Sky Strand Park Beach Star 1063 Townsville 4.00pm / Free / Family

Dinner Under the Stars Outer Limits Adventure Centre www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 5.00pm / From $15 / Family

Townsville Community Fun Fair National Dental Care National Dental Care (Townsville Confidence Dental Kirwan) 9.00am / Free / Family Free Microchipping Day Greenwood Park, Kirwan www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 8.00am / Free / Family Garage Sale Trail Runs until 20 October Various Locations www.garagesaletrail.com.au 6.00am / Free / Family SUNDAY 20 OCTOBER Townsville 5k Colour Frenzy Riverway Stadium Park www.townsville colourfrenzy.com.au 7.00am / Check Website / Family Family Fun Day Perc Tucker Regional Gallery www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au

Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase Townsville Civic Theatre www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 7.30pm / $32-35 / 15+ Years SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER Guns&Hoses Festival 2019 Riverway Oval Guns & Hoses - Combined Emergency Services Page 9.30am / Free / Family Free Halloween Photos The Strand Time Essence Photography 3.00pm / Free / Family Step UP! For Down Syndrome Jezzine Barracks www.stepupfor downsyndrome.org.au 9.00am / $5 / Family Ingham Maraka Festival Rotary Park www.hinchinbrookway.com Check Website / Family

28 October 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

Let's Dance with the Barrier Reef Orchestra Townsville Civic Theatre www.nqorchestra.com.au 7.30pm / $15-38 / Family Mentally Healthy City Wellness Expo The Palmetum www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov 9.00am / Free / Family SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER JCU Townsville Fire VS Deakin Melbourne Boomers Townsville Stadium www.townsvillefire.com.au 4.00pm / Check Website / Family WEDNESDAY 30 OCTOBER Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Runs until 3 November and from 6 - 10 November Full Throttle Theatre Company www.fullthrottletheatre.com 7.00pm / $15-30 / Adults THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER Halloween Primary School Disco PCYC Charters Towers PCYC Charters Towers 6.00pm / $5 / Primary School Halloween Secondary School Disco PCYC Charters Towers PCYC Charters Towers 7.30pm / $5 / Secondary School SAVE THE DATES FRIDAY 1 NOVEMBER Queensland Country Home Hill Harvest Festival

With Triple M’s Minty

Runs until 9 November Home Hill Main Street www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au TBA / Free / Family SUNDAY 3 NOVEMBER PakMag Expo & Family Funday Townsville RSL Stadium www.pakmag.com.au 9.00am / Free / Family Disaster Ready Day Jezzine Barracks www.townsville.qld.gov.au 9.00am / Free / Family FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER Riverway Movie Nights Flying the Nest Riverway Oval www.whatson.townsville.qld. gov.au 6.30pm / Free / Family SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER Free Microchipping Day Bluewater Community Centre www.whatson.townsville.qld. gov.au 8.00am / Free / Family SUNDAY 17 NOVEMBER Free Family Fun Day Perc Tucker Regional Gallery www.townsville.qld.gov.au 10.00am / Free / Family WEDNESDAY 18 DECEMBER Stable on the Strand Runs until 22 December The Strand www.stableonthestrand.com.au 5.30pm / Free / Family

Pull-out kids activity mag!

EDITION

SPOT THE DIFFERENCES For your chance to WIN an Engino Discovering STEM Mechanics Cams and Cranks, tell us the five differences in the images above.

Enter at www.pakmag.com.au/win - Competition closes 31/10/2019 Engino Discovering STEM Mechanics Cams and Cranks - RRP $59.99 www.shop.australiangeographic.com.au - Build eight working models such as a fishing crane, an oil pump, a moving figure, a moving bridge, a sewing machine and a flying eagle. Learn how to transmit power using Cams and Cranks and how they can be used to convert reciprocal to linear motion. Discover how the mechanisms are crucial elements of many machines.

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CRACK THE CODE TO WIN!

For your chance to WIN a Designer School Labels Value Kit, tell us the code.

Enter at www.pakmag.com.au/win - Competition closes 31/10/2019 Designer School Labels Value Kit - RRP $44.95 - www.brightstarkids.com.au Save your kids’ stuff from lost property with these personalised Designer School Labels. The pack has 200 name labels for all of your school supplies. This value kit includes a collection of iron on name labels, book labels and durable name tag stickers. Label everything and make sure all of your kid’s things come back home.

For your chance to WIN a set of Mama & Me or Papa & Me Matching liliLife Socks plus two pairs of kids ankle socks, tell us what kind of bird the black bird above is that is usually pink?

Enter at www.pakmag.com.au/win - Competition closes 31/10/2019 liliLife Socks - Prize RRP $48.85 - www.lililife.com.au - liliLife is a Brisbane-based lifestyle brand with a cause. l i l i is an acronym for "love it live it", referring to life. They produce a great collection of socks for adults and kids. Bright, colourful and fun! The Kids Crew Socks are for little guys and girls that want some fun foot bling.

Whatever your little guy or girl fancies, they will feel just a little bit of happy happy joy wearing liliLife Crew or Ankle Socks. They also offer Papa & Me or Mama & Me matching socks sets.

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 Mundingburra Markets Date: 3rd Sunday of the month Time: 7.30am - 12.00pm Location: Mundingburra State School Riverway Moonlight Markets Date: 3rd Friday of the month Time: 5.00pm - 9.00pm Location: Riverway Bushland Beach Markets Date: 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month

Time: 9.00am - 1.00pm Location: Bushland Beach Park Carlyle Gardens Arts & Crafts Markets Date: 1st Saturday of the month (Mar - Dec) Time: 9.00am - 12.00pm Location: Carlyle Gardens Retirement Village, 60 Beck Drive, Condon North Shore Night Markets Date: 2nd Friday of the month Time: 5.00pm - 9.00pm Location: North Shore Display Village Renegade Handmade Markets Date: 2nd Sunday of the month Time: 8.00am - 1.00pm Location: Marian School

Cotters Markets

Strand Night Markets Date: 1st Friday of the month (runs from Feb to Dec) Time: 5.00pm - 9.00pm Location: Strand Park

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

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 Mount View Plaza Markets Date: Every Saturday (excluding Jan) Time: 8.00am - 2.00pm.

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

Balgal Beach Markets Date: 1st Saturday of the month Time: 8.00am - 1.00pm Location: Fisherman’s Landing Balgal Beach Aitkenvale Uniting Church Markets Date: 3rd Saturday of the month Time: 8.00am - 12.00 noon Location: Cnr Anne St and Ross River Rd

www.pakmag.com.au | October 2019 33

Regular Events

REGULAR EVENTS TOWNSVILLE GALLERIES Free Family Fun Day - Art Activities for the Family Days: Third Sunday of the month Time: 10.00am - 12.00pm Location: Perc Tucker Regional Gallery More Info: 4727 9011 Cost: Free TOWNSVILLE CITY COUNCIL Townsville Eats Days: Last Friday of the month Time: 5.00pm - 10.00pm Location: 334 Flinders St More Info: www.townsville.qld.gov.au Cost: Free entry 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: Gold coin donation 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 (bookings required) Days: Wednesdays Time: 9.15am & 10.30am Location: City Libraries Aitkenvale Cost: Free RIVERWAY PARKRUN Days: Saturdays Time: From 7.00am Location: Meet at the front of Tony Ireland Stadium on the grassed area near the ticket box.

MAINLY MUSIC For babies to pre prep aged children. Fun, music, morning tea and free play.

Days: Thursdays (during school term) Time: 9.30am - 11.00am Location: St Peter’s Anglican Church, West End More Info: 0414 807 179 Cost: $3 per child MOPS - Mothers of PreSchoolers For mothers with children 0-6 years. Connect, relax and recharge.

Days: Fridays – fortnightly during chool terms Time: 9.30am - 11.30am Location: Northreach Baptist Church, Kirwan More Info: 0428 926 442 mops@northreach.org.au Cost: $8 per session

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.

GET ACTIVE + HEALTHY TOWNSVILLE

This course is wheelchair friendly.

TOY LIBRARY TOWNSVILLE (THE TOY SHED)

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

Days: 2nd Saturday of every month (excluding January) Time: 9.00am - 12.00pm

34 October 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

Free Fitness + Activities Days: Every day Location: Various Locations More Info: www.townsville.qld.gov.au Cost: Free

Location: Fitzroy St, Heatley Cost: $80 / year membership.

Hire upto 10 toys per month.

More info: 0420 585 069 Or 0400 815 279 Townsville Toy Shed TOWNSVILLE TOY LIBRARY Days: Every Tuesday and Saturday Time: 9.30am - 11.00am Location: Townsville Grammar School (Brazier Dr, Annandale) Cost: $100 / year membership.

More Info: Townsville Toy Library 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.

Cost: Free 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

Home

LADY LLAMA KIDS ROOM With The Block’s Caro and Kingi One of the main factors of getting a good night’s sleep is sleeping in a comfortable space. Your room should make you feel relaxed and peaceful, and the same rule applies to your kids’ bedroom. Setting up a comfy place to sleep at night that doubles up as an exciting place to play during the day doesn’t need to be difficult. Step into a dreamy wonderland with a little help from Lady Llama.

Pastel shades - A big role in creating a peaceful bedroom space lies in deciding the colour scheme.

Shades of pink, blue, white and beige go hand-inhand perfectly. Incorporate some tassels and patterns to bring in a hint of that boho-vibe while simultaneously still keeping the space calm with a soft colour palette.

Keep it organised - After they have finished playing, your child will want somewhere to store their toys.

Easily keep the room looking tidy by investing in a handy storage bench (that doubles-up as a comfy seat) and a

set of matching tassel baskets will make cleaning up a breeze when playtime is over, no prob-llama!

Soft lighting - Lighting is a big element when it comes to creating a tranquil space. A dimly-lit table lamp will give the room some soft lighting in the evening, signalling to your little one’s brain that it’s almost bedtime while still having enough lighting to silently read a book or play. You can even add a string of fairy lights for a magical touch.

Soft and snuggly - When the stars come out and it’s time to get some shut-eye, a comfy bed is just where your little one wants to be. A spacious king-sized single bed, cosy throw and adorable tassel or Lady Llama cushions are sure to make the bed a cosy place to be.

Hang a canopy above the bed and snuggle up under it together for story-time.

When it comes time to sleep, your little one can have their very own cuddly Lady Llama toy to snuggle up with as they dream of tomorrow’s adventures.

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36 October 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

Home

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

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

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

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Grand Gazebos and Cubbies

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

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April & Oak 12

1. Bobbie Pink King Single Bed - RRP $799.00 www.freedom.com.au 2. Lady Llama Cushion 45cm x 45cm - RRP $49.00 - www.freedom.com.au 3. Tassel Canopy Rose Smoke - RRP $49.00 www.freedom.com.au 4. Pina Deco Object - RRP $19.50 - www.freedom.com.au 5. Noam Table Lamp 50cm - RRP $39.00 - www.freedom.com.au 6. Polka Dot Cushion 40cm x 40cm - RRP $24.00 www.freedom.com.au 7. Raffaele Rose Smoke Cushion 50cm x 50cm - RRP $44.00 - www.freedom.com.au 8. Amalfi Jardine Cane Mirror - RRP $140.00 www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au 9. Lady Llama Cushion Large 68cm - RRP $129.00 - www.freedom.com.au 10. Bobbie Pink Storage Bench - RRP $449.00 - www.freedom.com.au 11. Tassel Basket - From RRP $9.00ea - www.freedom.com.au 12. Odense Throw 130cm x 150cm - www.freedom.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 | October 2019 37

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1. Louis Pearce - Ancient Wisdom Festival 2. Amelia, Savanna and Zac Hunt - Ancient Wisdom Festival 3. Shae O'Brien - Ancient Wisdom Festival 4. Will - Mundingburra Market 5. Sunny Hagiaglou - Ancient Wisdom Festival

38 October 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

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Photography thanks to: Josephine Carter Photography p 0455 295 416 e josiarnold87@gmail.com Josephine Carter Photography www.josephinecarterphotography.com

6. Cheryl, Chris and Sonny Macklin - Ancient Wisdom Festival 7. Lucy Ziemnicki - Ancient Wisdom Festival 8. Olivia - Mundingburra Market 9. Zachary - Mundingburra Market

www.pakmag.com.au | October 2019 39

Expert Advice

THE PAKMAG EXPERTS DR SIVA

CASSANDRA CHIESA

Townsville Paediatrics

Helping Hands - Hand, Wrist & Arm Clinic

Dear Dr Siva, What milestones should my baby reach by two years of age?

In terms of motor development, they can generally walk, run and climb up and down steps with support. They should be able to jump up and throw a ball, build a tower of four to eight blocks and copy vertical lines with a pencil. At this age, most still need help dressing and undressing.

In terms of speech and language, they can clearly say up to 50 single words and combine two to three words to make sentences and follow two step commands. They show interest in books and stories and begin to show imaginative play.

4427 5817 www.townsvillepaediatrics.com.au

DIANE RUHL Ruhl Family Law Centre Dear Diane, My ex and I want flexible arrangements for our children.

How can we do this?

Dear Cassandra, I think my son has broken a bone in his hand. What steps should we take?

If the hand looks crooked or a bone is coming out of the skin, you should call an ambulance or head straight to the ED of your nearest hospital. If it is just feeling sore and maybe a bit swollen, reduce the movement by making a splint out of a rolled-up towel or magazine, pop some ice on it and keep it elevated.

A hand therapist like us can then examine your child (arranging X-rays if required) to determine the type of injury and the treatment needed.

4755 2337 www.helpinghandsclinic.com.au

MATTHEW CALANNA Calanna Whole Health Pharmacy Dear Matthew, What are the different types of nappy rash?

Arrangements for the care of children can be formalised by a Parenting Plan or Consent Orders. Parenting Plans are easily changed; however, aren’t binding. Consent Orders are binding, which provides you with security in relation to the time you are to spend.

However, they are difficult to change. You can agree on alternate arrangements for one-off occasions, but if you wish to permanently change the arrangement, you’ll need new Orders.

Irritant nappy rash is caused when the skin is in contact with the child’s urine or faeces for too long. Symptoms include red, swollen skin and discomfort, and can be treated by changing nappies frequently and applying barrier cream.

If you can’t agree on a new care arrangement, there must be a substantial and significant change in circumstances for Orders to be changed.

Bacterial nappy rash may also occur following irritant nappy rash. The rash may have yellow crusting and the child may have a fever, and it’s important you see a doctor.

4772 7672 www.ruhlfamilylaw.com.au

Calanna Whole Health Pharmacy www.calannapharmacy.com.au

Fungal nappy rash may occur following irritant nappy rash, and is common in North Queensland due to the heat. It appears bright red and shiny, and can be treated by fungal nappy rash creams.

www.pakmag.com.au | October 2019 41

Advertorial

Finding Children’s voices Communication is the foundation of everything that humans do. From socialising to shopping, enjoying a good book to getting a job, good communication skills are essential to finding our place in the world.

Coastal Kids Speech Pathology provides individual speech therapy sessions for children with a range of communication difficulties – stuttering, speech delay, language delay, autism spectrum disorder as well as feeding and literacy difficulties. We are locally owned and operated, and having the owner of the business working with children in the clinic means we can provide quality supervision and support for our team, as well as a more personal, flexible service to families.

We know that life with kids is a crazy rollercoaster of joy and stress and we do our best to accommodate individual family needs. We have recently been lucky enough to employ a new full-time speech pathologist which will assist in easing the high demand for speech pathology services in Townsville. We now have four therapists available every weekday, as well as our Saturday clinic open and we are wait-list free.

I really feel that Speech Pathologists have the best job in the world. We get to help kids and their families, while we have a heap of fun. We spend over half our day playing on the floor – it’s where kids learn best.

Being able to support parents in giving their kids skills they need to get by in the world is really rewarding.

Those times when a child with Autism says ‘bye’ to you for the first time without being prompted, or when someone finally gets the ‘k’ sound they’ve been struggling with – that just totally makes our day.

If you are concerned with the amount of words that your child is using or are having difficulties understanding them, a speech pathologist is the first step to assist.

We have well researched tools for assessing the skills your child has, and comparing that with what is typical for children of that age. The nature of the problems puts you on the right path to helping your child to communicate well.

Give Sarah, our administration officer, a call. She can arrange a free meet and greet session with one of our therapists to see if we are the right fit for your family.

www.pakmag.com.au | October 2019 43

Health

HEALTH 5 Facts FACTS about ABOUT Breast Cancer Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let's explore a few facts about breast cancer.

All About Bone Health Bones allow us to move and they protect our important organs from injury. Most people don’t tend to think about their bone health unless something is amiss, but the reality is that there are various conditions that can affect anyone, including children.

If we don’t eat right or don’t get the right kinds of exercise, we put our bones at risk of becoming weak, leading to long-lasting health issues.

Over six million Australians suffer from musculoskeletal conditions such as scoliosis, sciatica, osteoporosis, rickets, and poor healing fractures.

Thankfully, protecting your bone health is easier than you might think.

Calcium – Including plenty of calcium in your diet helps keep your bones strong. Calcium can be found in dairy products, almonds, broccoli, kale, sardines, and soy products.

Vitamin D – The body requires vitamin D in order to absorb calcium.

Great sources include oily fish, egg yolks, fortified milk, and going out in the sun (just a few minutes in the early-morning to late-afternoon sun is adequate).

Physical activity – Getting out and getting active may improve your bone health, especially weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging, tennis, and climbing stairs.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Australian women. According to Cancer Council Australia, the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85 is one in eight for women.

Some people have no symptoms, and the breast cancer is found through a mammogram or physical examination.

It’s more common in women over 40, and women aged 50 - 74 should have a mammogram every two years.

Breast changes don’t always mean you have cancer. However, if you have symptoms, get them checked out by your doctor as soon as possible.

Qiara QIARA Probiotics PROBIOTICS Through the isolation of the breast milk strain, lactobacillus Fermentum (CECT5716), Qiara Probiotics are able to promote a healthy digestive microflora throughout preconception, pregnancy, infancy and childhood, which aids as a defence mechanism for the body.

This healthy digestive microflora helps to prevent diseases, thus increasing chances of contraception and reducing the risk of disease in newborns. Qiara Probiotics also reduce breast aching and discomfort, which are symptoms of mastitis frequently experienced by breastfeeding mothers. By reducing the pain associated with breastfeeding, mothers are able to feed and further develop close relationships with their newborns without pain and discomfort.

Qiara Probiotics are available at all Calanna Wholehealth Pharmacies.

You can reduce your risk. Be physically active, maintain a healthy body weight and reduce alcohol.

www.pakmag.com.au | October 2019 45

School Holiday Guide

SCHOOL HOLIDAY GUIDE TOWNSVILLE SAILING CLUB Townsville Sailing Club is one of the oldest clubs in Townsville, with over 120 years of history. If your child loves being out on the water, they’ll love to have a go at sailing.

Tackers School Holiday Program – Designed for participants who wish to have fun and learn the basics of sailing through games on and off the water. Suitable for children aged seven to 12.

Register via the website.

A 3 Mariners Dr, Breakwater Marina P 4772 1105 Townsville Sailing Club www.townsvillesailing.com.au COOTHARINGA Make new friends, learn new skills and have a whole lot of fun at Cootharinga’s School Holiday Program.

Learn how to build objects, enjoy the art of cooking and participate in awesome creative water games.

When: Monday 23rd September – Friday 4th October, 9.00am – 3.00pm Who: 5 - 15 year old participants For more information, contact their friendly team.

Building a better world with people of all abilities.

GRILL’D

Get FREE Chips!

Enjoy a delicious burger with your Mention family these school holidays. With a PakMag range of menu options including wagyu beef, pork belly, grilled chicken and vegan burgers as well as salads, chips, and an extensive children’s menu for both younger and older kids, the family certainly won’t leave Grill’d feeling hungry.

Grill’d Palmer Street also have free family movie screenings over the school holidays every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday from 6.30pm. Call the restaurant for movie details.

Mention PakMag to receive FREE chips for the family.

A 3 Palmer St, Townsville City P 4976 9990 Grill’d Townsville www.grilld.com.au PERC TUCKER GALLERY Funky Fridge Friends – Join a workshop and create your very own funky critter using various elements to hang on the fridge. Runs from Monday 30th September – Friday 4th October from 10.00am – 12.00pm. Free and no bookings required.

A House of Praise, 485 Bayswater Rd, Mount Louisa P 1800 COOTHARINGA or Tracy on 4759 2000 www.cootharinga.org.au

A Cnr Flinders St and Denham St, Townsville P 4727 9011 Townsville City Galleries www.townsville.qld.gov.au

LOVE2SWIM SCHOOL

CITYLIBRARIES TOWNSVILLE

Love2Swim School’s holiday swimming programs are the perfect way for your child to get active, cool off on those warm days and improve their swimming skills.

My Two Blankets Community Quilt – Share the story of ‘My Two Blankets’ with author Irena Kobald and create a square for the community quilt.

There is one swimming program for the remainder of the School Holidays, happening from the Monday 30th September – Friday 4th October. Contact your preferred centre to book.

When: 3rd October 1.00pm - 2.00pm and 2.30 - 3.30pm Where: CityLibraries Thuringowa

A 29 Hudson St, Kirwan P 4723 3447 Kirwan Aquatic Centre A 41 Wellington St, Mundingburra P 4725 5357 Kokoda Memorial Pool Love2Swim School www.love2swimschool.com.au

A 86 Thuringowa Dr, Thuringowa Central P 4773 8811 A 4 Petunia St, Aitkenvale P 4727 8310 CityLibraries Townsville www.townsville.qld.gov.au

When: 2nd October 1.00pm - 2.00pm and 2.30pm - 3.30pm Where: CityLibraries Aitkenvale.

www.pakmag.com.au | October 2019 47

School Holiday Guide

CAIRNS COLONIAL CLUB Fancy a drive up the coast? Relax and unwind amidst 11 acres of tropical rainforest gardens with three lagoon style pools, a brand-new children’s playground and contemporary Poolside Bar & Dining facilities at the gorgeous Cairns Colonial Club.

Kids aged 12 and under stay and eat for FREE (conditions apply).

A 18-26 Cannon St, Manunda P 4053 8800 Cairns Colonial Club Resort www.cairnscolonialclub.com.au REEF HQ Visit the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium right in the heart of Townsville and meet the residents of the Great Barrier Reef including turtles, sharks, and fish without getting your feet wet.

With amazing ever-changing exhibits and fascinating creatures, a trip to Reef HQ is sure to impress.

With a resort-style swimming pool, foreshore playground, peddle carts, jumping pillow and school holiday activities, there is no way anyone will be bored.

A 4-28 Tinaroo Falls Dam Rd, Tinaroo P 4095 8238 Lake Tinaroo Holiday Park www.laketinarooholidaypark.com.au 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 to do that you could easily spend the whole day there.

Tiny tots at TYTO 10.00am – 11.00am on Thursdays Storytime at TYTO 10.30am – 11.30am on Thursdays Mini Military Museum 10.00am – 4.00pm daily A Cooper Street & Bruce Highway, Ingham P 4776 4792 Visit TYTO www.tyto.com.au

A 2-68 Flinders St, Townsville P 4750 0800 Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium www.reefhq.com.au

INFLATABLE KINGDOM

KING REEF RESORT

Book online to save 10% off entry price.

If you need to revitalise in paradise, gather the family and head to the gorgeous King Reef Resort at Kurrimine Beach.

Explore all day, swim in the tranquil ocean or pool, build sandcastles to your heart’s content and return to a yummy pub meal at the end of the day or enjoy a gorgeous sunset view from your beachfront shack.

You can also hire a family pedal bike, have a BBQ, go horse riding or go fishing – the possibilities are endless.

A 75 Jacobs Rd, Kurrimine Beach P 4065 6144 King Reef Resort www.kingreef.com.au

Inflatable Kingdom provides a high-energy, action-packed environment with inflatables of all shapes and sizes.

Open every day of the school holidays 9.00am - 4.00pm. Don’t forget your socks.

A Sk8way Townsville, 72-88 Hervey Range Rd, Condon P 4032 2844 Inflatable Kingdom www.inflatablekingdom.com.au MUSEUM OF TROPICAL QUEENSLAND Science Rocks! Visit the museum these school holidays to find out just how much science can rock your world with live shows, workshops, volcano explosions and much more. Happening every day of the school holidays at various times.

LAKE TINAROO HOLIDAY PARK

Cost: Free with museum admission. $15 for adults and $8.80 for children aged three to 15. Townsville residents get half price.

From budget cabins to deluxe waterview villas, it’s the ultimate place to stay and play in the gorgeous Atherton Tablelands. Why not treat your family to a little getaway?

A 70-102 Flinders St, Townsville P 4726 0600 Museum of Tropical Queensland www.mtq.qm.qld.gov.au

48 October 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au

All Things Tweens and Teens

ALL THINGS TWEENS AND TEENS INSTILLING Exercise EXERCISE

THE first FIRST bra BRA the

Throughout adolescence, teenagers experience a range of physical changes happening with their bodies, including gaining weight and growing in height. Ensuring teens stay physically fit can set them up for healthy adulthood, and while some teens are sporty by nature, it can take a bit more convincing for others.

While each girl develops at her own pace, some situations might indicate that it’s time to start having the bra conversation.

There may be some indicators, such as when her breasts start to develop, she mentions all her friends wear one or if she is showing discomfort.

It’s a good idea to start small. Take a ten-minute walk after school, slowly building it up to twenty minutes and so on. You can also sign them up to an extracurricular activity of their choice, such as AFL, swimming, tennis, horse riding or dance – which is a great way to turn exercise into fun.

There are a ton of bra options available to suit your teen’s needs. Training bras are a good option for girls whose breasts are just starting to develop, while sports bras are great if she needs a little more support.

Cupped bras give necessary support, have light padding and are ideal for school.

If your daughter feels uncomfortable about the idea of bra shopping, online shopping is an option too.

It’s vital to be a good role model for your teen in terms of motivating them to exercise. They might think, “why should I go out for a walk when mum and dad never do that?” So get out there and get moving together, it may even help strengthen your bond.

LEARNING TO COOK WITH MARLEY SPOON

Get $35 OFF! Use code: PAKMAG19

Cooking is an essential life skill, and it doesn’t get much easier than this. Marley Spoon delivers fresh ingredients and recipes of choice right to your door every week, making dinnertime easier than ever - perfect for your teen who is learning the ropes.

From coconut chicken laksa to tofu stir fry, pesto pasta to oven baked salmon and everything in between, there’s something to suit every set of taste buds.

Instil a love for cooking and ensure your teen is ready for adulthood by teaching them the wonderful skill of cooking with Marley Spoon – and they’ll feel oh-so accomplished to produce such a delicious, healthy meal.

www.pakmag.com.au | October 2019 51

Recipes

LOCAL PRODUCE recipes RECIPES

HAWAIIAN POKé POKÉ BOWLS RECIPE Matthew Calanna, Calanna Whole Health Pharmacy Serves 4 Eat the rainbow and fuel your body with these tropical, nutritious and very customisable Hawaiian Poké Bowls.

Ingredients 1 ½ cups white rice 1 cup fresh spinach 2 cups cubed sashimi grade salmon or tuna ½ cup shredded carrot ½ cup shredded red cabbage ¼ cucumber, sliced 1 fresh mango, sliced 1 avocado, cubed 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Dressing Ingredients ¼ cup soy sauce 2 cloves minced garlic 2 tbsp rice vinegar 2 tbsp sesame oil

Method Cook the rice until fluffy. Place all the dressing ingredients into a bowl and whisk to combine.

Divide rice between four bowls and add desired toppings. Finish with a generous splash of soy sauce dressing and garnish with sesame seeds. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Matthew's Tips: Toppings can easily be switched out if desired.

Other delicious options include edamame, mandarin wedges, shredded nori or pickled ginger.

Swap out the fish for tofu to make it vegan, or switch out the white rice for cauliflower rice to make it extra healthy.

Calanna Whole Health Pharmacy www.calannapharmacy.com.au

RAW MANGO CHEESECAKE RECIPE Tracey Ryland, The Source Bulk Foods Serves 8 Mango season is almost upon us, and this is the perfect treat for a warm day.

Crust Ingredients 1 ¼ cups almonds ½ cup shredded coconut ¾ cup dates 1 tbsp coconut oil Zest of 1 lemon

Garnish Ingredients 1 fresh mango, thinly sliced 1 passionfruit

Filling Ingredients 2 ½ cups raw cashews, soaked overnight 2 cups mango 1 cup coconut milk 2 tbsp cacao butter Seeds from 1 vanilla bean Method To make the base, process shredded coconut and almonds in food processor until chopped. Add the dates one by one, then add remaining ingredients until well combined. Line the base of a spring form cake tin with baking paper, and transfer mixture into it. Press the mixture down with a spatula and around the outside of the tin, place in the freezer to firm up.

Blend all the filling ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Remove the crust from the freezer and pour the filling over it. Place in the freezer for a few hours to set.

Garnish with thinly sliced mango and passionfruit pulp, and enjoy.

Tracey's Tip: Delicious served with whipped coconut cream.

Fairfield 4729 1010 North Ward 4724 0788 www.thesourcebulkfoods.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au | October 2019 53

Advertorial

Shining the Light on Mental Health Week STORY Coralee O’Rourke - Member for Mundingburra, Minister for Communities and Minister for Disability Services & Seniors Mental Health is extremely important for every one of us. Sometimes with such busy lifestyles, people get caught up in their own cycle of life and it is quite easy to overlook the mental health of yourself or those around you. You are not alone.

We are committed to delivering mental health services in our hospitals and non-government organisations across the State. This, without question will strengthen mental health and related systems to make a real difference for individuals and the community.

We don’t need to be an expert to talk to our friends and loved ones. It’s the simple conversations and connecting with others that can give people a sense of security, support, purpose and happiness. There is a multitude of factors that contribute to our healthy and unhealthy mental health.

During Mental Health Week, many people and organisations come together to participate in events to raise awareness of the importance of positive mental health and wellbeing. This month in my electorate of Mundingburra, the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health propose to co-host the Mental Health Australia Guinness Book of Records Hi-Vis attempt in Townsville.

Queensland Mental Health Week (5th – 13th October 2019) is an opportunity to shine the light on what everyone can do to take care of our mental health and also reach out to those who need support during this time and beyond.

The Palaszczuk Government is committed to reducing Queensland’s suicide rate by 50 per cent by 2026.

To achieve this, we have committed $61.9 million in the 2019-2020 budget to ramp up action against suicide.

This is part of our investment of $350 million towards improving mental health right across Queensland.

There are people who need help but cannot access NDIS support, which is why we’ve invested more than $28 million for psychosocial supports for people not covered by NDIS.

Our city has been through a great deal of emotion this year following the severe weather event, and I encourage residents to support this opportunity for Townsville to share our resilience, courage and humour to raise awareness to challenge perceptions around mental health, and hopefully break the record.

To be a part of this great attempt on Thursday 10th October, visit www.1010.org.au/townsville to register.

If you feel someone or yourself requires additional support, seek advice from a professional or visit: Beyond Blue - www.beyondblue.org.au Lifeline at 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au

www.pakmag.com.au | October 2019 55

Daddy Diary

DADDY DIARY If I could hit "pause" on life right now, I'd probably do it.

Of course, I'm talking hypothetically here. If the good lord came down and handed me the remote control of life and gave the choice, well that's a different matter entirely. But for now, as I sit here sipping my Moccona (we've upgraded from Blend 43), I believe I'd lock in the family life I have now, forever.

You see, my tribe is in a really good place. My wife Michelle has taken to motherhood a second time like a duck to water. Our little boy Charlie isn’t so little anymore, and we've managed to keep him kicking for a full six months, and he's just awesome.

He's not the only one kicking goals – Matilda (Little Miss Five) has really found her place at big school. She is learning so much, and more importantly, loves going.

My wife and I couldn't be prouder of both the kids.

And right now, family life is bliss – so yeah, maybe I

Head to Parents and Kids of North Queensland YouTube Channel to see Bree’s up close interview with Cliffo.

would hit pause. I'm under no illusion Townsville, I'm sure there must be a bend in the road coming.

Right now, Charlie is pure perfection. He is full of love, smiles and burps; everything a six-month-old should be. But what lies ahead for him is the ever-challenging T's. I'm talking teething, terrible two's and toilet training.

Yuck. Also, being such a chilled baby, I'm dreading the toddler years. That has to be payback time, right?

As for Little Miss. Where has all this attitude come from?

You're five, not 15. It's like her fifth birthday came with a free injection of sass - rolling her eyes at us, covering her ears when she doesn't like what she's hearing and of course, playing Mum and Dad against each other.

Oh, what fun. If this is a taste of the teenage years, I'm packing a bag to sleep over at work.

Look, there is no doubt raising kids has difficult patches.

But for me, the light at the end of the tunnel is my own parents. I'm well into my thirties and my relationship with my Mum and Dad is better than ever. I see the same thing with my wife and her parents.

So, I guess there's that light at the tunnel. I'll just have to wait the better part of three decades for it. Maybe I won't hit that pause button after all.

Cliffo Hit 103.1 Townsville

56 October 2019 | www.pakmag.com.au