PakMag Townsville - November 2018 Issue 96

ISSUE: NOV 2018

96

TOWNSVILLE

HELPING KIDS FIND THEIR PASSION

FARMING FAMILIES HAPPY 8 TH BIRTHDAY PAKMAG!

DIY GIFTS PICK UP YOUR COPY TO WIN!

FREE www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 1

CONTENTS 4

Entertainment: Check It Out

6

Feature: Farming Families

9

The Thing Is: With Bree James

11

Jobs of the Future

15 Family Organisation

and Goal Setting 19 Principal’s Pen 21 Teacher Gifts 23 The PakMag Experts 24 Mater Snapped 27 Bump, Bub and Beyond:

Save My Sleep 28 Bump, Bub and Beyond: WIN 31 What’s On Guide 33 Mini Mag 40 Celebrate: End of Year Parties 43 Townsville Party Guide 44 BBQ Recipes:

Turn up the Heat

Hello and welcome to the November 8th birthday edition of PakMag! This edition, we hope to inspire you to buy local! We interviewed some amazing local farmers, including the Fryer family who are Cattle Farmers in Harvey Range. We also cover jobs of the future to help you prepare your children for the future of work, and give you some great tips on getting organised and goal setting so you can make 2019 your most successful year to date!

A big thank you to everyone who was lucky to win tickets to our exclusive preview of Goosebumps. Our Christmas PakClub is coming up soon at Cowboys Leagues Club, so keep an eye out to be one of the lucky readers to win tickets to that one. Mums, we have a special night planned for you!

PakMag’s Mums’ Night Out on Wednesday the 28th of November is going to be so much fun. We have an exclusive advanced screening of Second Act starring Jennifer Lopez. It’s going to be great, so make sure you enter to win tickets on our website - see page 60 for more information.

Until next time, I hope you have a fantastic month and thanks so much for your support.

Don’t forget to tell everyone, you read it in PakMag.

47 Supporting those with

Special Needs 49 Your Disability

Support Partner

Bree James Grand Publishing Founder and Editor-in-Chief

51 Exploring Play:

Fine Motor Skills 53 Health 57 Local Lovin’ 59 Life’s a Beach 61 Helping Kids Find

Their Passion 64 Home with Caro

and Kingi: Outdoor

Summer Living 66 Daddy Diary

Grand Publishing Founder and Editor-in-Chief Bree James Content and Marketing Manager Naomi Porter Marketing to Families Manager Lisa Gillman Marketing to Families Experts Dan Kendrick Colleen DuBois

On the cover Lisa, John, Lily and Clayton Fryer Cover Photography Vicki Miller Photography, www.vickimillerphotography.com Contact Us: p 4053 3331 e admin@grandpublishing.com.au a PO Box 7433 Cairns Qld 4870 PakMag Townsville t #pakmag

Lead Graphic Designer Clare Winter

Journalist Jenna Galley

Graphic Designer Sara Williams

Videographer Monique Saggers

Marketing, Events and Administration Assistant Alyssa Marino

Content Creator Kalisha Fitsch

Accounts Trent Stievano

Podcast Producer Alana Scalici

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

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 3

Entertainment

CHECK IT OUT PakMag Parents Podcast When: Friday 2nd November More info: www.pakmag.com.au Let PakMag join you on the parenting journey through the brand-new PakMag Parenting Podcast! We’ll ask the questions you have asked yourself and get the answers to make the journey a bit smoother. From parenting tips to comic relief and everything in between, the PakMag Parenting Podcast launches on the 2nd of November.

Listen to it on iTunes, your favourite podcast app or the PakMag website.

CastleTown PlayTown Opening When: Friday 2nd November Where: CastleTown Shoppingworld More info: www.castletown.com.au Townsville’s favourite shopping centre for families, CastleTown, opens a free activity park. PlayTown aims to provide an indoor space for inquisitive children under the age of eight to explore and reimagine the outdoors of iconic Townsville.

Launching on 2 November, children will rediscover their everyday under a lifelike fig tree before stepping into the driver’s seat and making use of a two-lane road. From here, they can skip or climb along to Magnetic Island and visit the crocodile book corner before taking a dip into the rock pool filled with thousands of balls. For those that are still finding their feet, crawl or nose-dive onto soft surfaces and enjoy sensory play panels and soft play floor elements.

If your little one loves to crawl or toddle, CastleTown’s brand new PlayTown is for you!

McHappy Day When: Saturday 17th November Where: Your local McDonald’s Restaurant More info: www.rmhc.org.au/mchappyday The Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) provides homes for families of seriously ill kids to stay in while they receive treatment at a nearby hospital. Throughout the years it has been their goal to keep families together through difficult times. This McHappy Day, head on over to your local McDonald’s to see how you can help families in need.

4 November 2018 | www.pakmag.com.au pakmag.com.au

When will Santa be arriving in Townsville?

Fairfield Shopping Centre Santa will be in centre: Wednesday 5th December - Sunday 9th December, 10.00am - 1.00pm Tuesday 11th December – Sunday 16th December, 10.00am - 1.00pm Tuesday 18th December - Monday 24th December, 10.00am - 1.00pm Thursday 20th December, Santa will also be in centre 5.00pm - 7.00pm Sensitive Santa Sessions: Tuesday 11 December 9.00am - 10.00am Tuesday 18 December 9.00am – 10.00am CastleTown Shoppingworld Santa will arrive on Saturday 10th November at 11am, with photos commencing at 12.30pm.

Customers will be able to book their Santa photo online.

Willows Shopping Centre Santa will arrive at Willows on Thursday 22nd November at 6.20pm, starting from Hinchinbrook Drive and ending at The Coffee Club entrance.

Bring the kids to see the arrival of Santa, over 40 colourful floats built by hundreds of locals from community groups, sporting clubs and business groups. Enjoy a meet and greet with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo & Raphael followed by a fantastic fireworks display.

Stockland Shopping Centre Townsville Santa arriving Saturday 17th November, with Santa Photos commencing from 10.00am. The first 100 families will receive a free Santa Photo. For full details, visit Stockland Townsville’s website.

Stockland Shopping Centre North Shore Pet Santa Photos, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th November between 10.00am and 3.00pm each day. Photos starting from $18.95. For full details visit the Stockland North Shore website.

Mums’ Night Out - Our treat! PakMag Advanced Screening Movie - Second Act When: Wednesday 28th November How: Check the PakMag Townsville facebook page to WIN tickets More info: www.pakmag.com.au Do you need a mums’ night out? We want you to come to the movies with us! Head on over to our Facebook page and website for your chance to win a double pass. Advanced screening only open to ticket winners. Enter to win and be the first to see the exclusive PakMag screening of Second Act!

Save the dateS North Queensland Babies and Kids Market When: Saturday, 1st December, 8.30am-12.30pm Where: Emmaus Hall, Ryan Catholic College More info: www.nthqldbabiesandkidsmarket.com Don’t miss out on the last North Queensland Babies and Kids Market for 2018! 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.

Stable on the Strand When: Tuesday 18th December - Saturday 22nd December, 5.30pm - 9.30pm Where: Strand Park, Townsville More info: www.stableonthestrand.com.au This family Christmas tradition is on again in 2018. Visit the traditional Town of Bethlehem and engage with the characters, see the Nativity Scene, enjoy entertainment and interactive activities for the kids, watch a film at the Christmas Film Festival, grab a bite to eat at the Food Fair, ride on the traditional carousel and much, much more.

Stable on the Strand is sure to ignite the Christmas magic in both the young and old.

Vicki Miller Photography

Feature

Farming FamilieS Juggling farm work and raising a family is no easy job. PakMag recently reached out to a few local farming families and asked them to share their story about raising kids on a farm, from the struggles to the happiest of times.

Lisa, John, Lily and Clayton Fryer – cattle farmers Lisa and John, together with their kids Lily, four, and Clayton, 18 months, live on a cattle farm together with four family generations. With the ongoing farm work and raising two little ones, life is certainly never boring.

“We balance farm and family life pretty well, as everything we do, we do as a family,” Lisa told PakMag. “We are lucky to be able to take the kids to work with us, they love to come mustering in the buggy!” The family lives close to Townsville, giving them the best of both

6 November 2018 | www.pakmag.com.au

worlds with the peaceful feeling of living on a farm while also enjoying the benefits of living close to a city. “We like spending time visiting friends or going to gatherings, like our recent weekend away at Ewan races.”

By far, the drought has been the family’s biggest struggle when it comes to living on a farm. “This increases the work load immensely,” Lisa told us. “John also works away contract mustering and fencing to earn extra income.”

Despite the struggles, the family loves farm life and wouldn’t have it any other way. “Lily has said her favourite thing about living on our cattle station is living right next door to her bama and pop, also known as grandma and grandad!” Lisa told us. “We feel very lucky that we are able to work and live in what we believe is the best industry and lifestyle there is.”

Leanne, Dan, Adele and Hayley Cordner – poultry and sugar cane farmers Dan together with his wife Leanne and children Adele, seven, and Hayley, five, packed up their life in Townsville three years ago and moved to a property just outside of Ingham to follow their dream of running a chicken and sugar cane farm.

“We produce heritage style Sommerlad meat chickens and sugar cane,” dad Dan told PakMag. “We get to spend heaps of time with the kids, and it’s fantastic having them grow up with open spaces and in touch with the land and environment. We love being our own bosses.”

While the family believes there’s probably no such thing as “spare time” on a farm, they do find the moments to spend quality time together. “We schedule in family activities regularly - trips to Forrest Beach or Broadwater for a walk, swim or BBQ. We also enjoy the simple pleasures, like fish and chips at TYTO wetlands or Lucinda.”

Although farming is by far the hardest thing the family has ever done, they wouldn’t change it for the world.

“When it gets tough, we pull together and work hard.

The community around us bands together in times of need which we love!” Farming with young kids is no mean feat, but the girls get themselves up, fed, and dressed for school (most of the time) – making for two super proud parents.

When asked what they love the most about living on a farm, Adele and Hayley answered with the crocodile pond, the frogs and riding their bikes around the property.

Vicki Miller Photography

Feature

Jade, Bruce, Kale and Lane McKenzie – cattle farmers Parents Jade and Bruce together with boys Kale, seven, and Lane, four, turned their lives upside down when they packed up their lives and moved from Townsville to the remote community of McKinlay where they oversee numerous cattle stations.

The move has been a huge change from town life.

“I was a real estate agent and Bruce was working at a metal refinery,” Jade told PakMag. “The change in lifestyle has been the best decision we have ever made!”

Dad Bruce handles most of the farm work while Jade teaches the kids, who study through a School of the Air. “The kids love finishing school and going to help dad on the Station,” Jade told us.

Transitioning from a mainstream school to distance education has been a big change for the boys.

“It was hard at first, but we are managing,” Jade said.

“There are always local events on and around the area, so the kids get to socialise a lot.” Kale also plays football, meaning the family regularly drives two and a half hours to get him to practise… and another two and a half hours back home!

Jade believes getting back to what really matters in life is very important. “If you don’t like what you’re doing every day, it’s not really living. It’s been the best thing for our marriage, our family and our bank account!”

When asked what they like the most about living on a farm, Kale and Lane answered “The freedom of being able to ride our motorbikes, and hunting and fishing right in our backyard.”

The drought isn’t over, so don’t forget to support our farmers. The drought affects each farm differently, and is a cause for uncertainty, anxiety and worry for many farmers. Donate to trusted charities such as Buy a Bale, Drought Angels or look for local restaurants participating in Parma for a Farmer.

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 7

The Thing Is

The Thing Is...

STORY Bree James

I am not sure about you, but there are two words my husband says that make me want to stab him in the eye with a hot fork.

For. You. These two words - “for you” - drive me nuts.

If I hear them at the wrong time; when I am tired, hangry, grumpy, stretched, or I’ve just completed my millionth task for the day - the two words “for you” are heard as if they are hot chilli in an open wound. It takes all of my strength and self-control not to lose it and snap.

I mentioned my fury of these two words in the office and my whole team agreed, we all got pretty fired up about these two little words.

The Thing Is… this statement “for you” insinuates that it’s our job or we’ve been done a favour: I looked after the kids (for you) I cooked dinner (for you) I folded the washing (for you) I cleaned the car (for you) I picked up my clothes (for you) I washed the dishes (for you) I picked up the kids (for you) To even, I had a shave (for you). What the!?

I can feel your blood boiling as you read this. I can see your head nodding so much it’s going to fall off.

Well…. I don’t know.

It’s not just our partners. Other people in our lives say it too: It’s so great your partner is so hands-on with the kids “for you”.

Maybe we need to say nothing. Maybe we need to keep our volcano emotions simmering a little longer.

Or maybe, we need to do what we do with our kids when they mispronounce a word, and say “yes, you looked after the kids - for our family”, “yes, you folded the washing - for our family” and replace “for you” with “for our family” and maybe they will get the subtle hint….

OK, it may not be subtle.

So instead of getting mad, and doing it back (let’s face it if we started saying “for you” we’d say that more than “No”) let’s try and reframe and see if that works.

I don’t know. But right now, if someone says “for you” to me and it’s not really “for me” then you may all be hearing from me from a deserted island. So, people reading this who have the tendency to put “for you” at the end of a job, make sure it’s really true. In my world, unless it’s, I prepared this bath “for you” or I booked a surprise massage “for you” and it’s really something for me then no more saying “for you” OK? No more for you.

Feel free to leave this article open somewhere obvious “for you” to read. You’re welcome.

So, what are we going to do about this annoying “for you” statement?

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 9

Education

Jobs of the Future STORY Meg O’Donnell (B.Ed, SAHM) Every parent wants to help their children develop into independent, functioning and successful adults of society. But with technology advancing at such a rapid rate, how can we ensure that we are truly helping prepare them for the future?

Gone are the days of simply being able to ask our children what they want to be when they grow up.

Dell Technologies and Institute for the Future estimates that 85 per cent of children today will end up in careers that don’t exist yet. Let that sink in for a moment. Our world is developing and advancing at such a rapid rate that not only are many of the age-old professions becoming obsolete, but these replacement professions haven’t even been created yet!

How do we prepare for the jobs of the future?

Well, for starters, try not to panic. The good news is that children are so immersed in new technologies and ways of learning that they are conditioned to be adaptable to change. So while it may seem daunting to us, for them it’s just the norm.

Next, we need to look at expanding our own minds.

Enrolling in short courses, embracing this new technology, and trying to advance our own knowledge

are all steps we can take to learn how to prepare our children. The more WE know, the more we can help our children.

Things that once didn’t seem a feasible employment opportunity to us are now very real possibilities for our children. Back when I was a child if I had told my parents I wanted to play with toys for a living, I would have been given a harsh dose of reality. Today people are earning entire wages by uploading videos online of themselves (or their children) opening and building toys. And with such a large percentage (85 per cent remember!) of our children’s future career choices not even thought of yet, who are we to say that our children don’t have a future in toys? Or video games? We just don’t know.

Skills of the future Experts agree that it is critical that students “learn how to learn.” That means they need to be able to acquire new information and then evaluate it on their own with a combination of critical thinking skills and higher levels of emotional intelligence. The future generation need to be resilient, adaptable and willing to re-skill and retrain, according to consulting firm, 6 Degrees Consulting.

Other skills to focus on? Complex problem solving, creativity and collaboration.

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 11

Education

How do we prepare our children?

4. Monitor their learning

Parents can help by teaching our kids how to think outside the box, how to collaborate with others and how to analyse situations in various ways. Sounds complex, right? Here are some tips for helping our kids build these skills.

Keeping an eye on your child’s progress is always a good thing. These days it can be streamlined with the help of a digital portfolio. Creating an online space designed to hold scans of their artwork, stories from their class, videos of them discussing their lessons and notes from their teachers makes it easier to track their progress.

1. Embrace extracurricular activities Help your child make meaningful connections with people outside of their direct family by signing them up to extracurricular activities. These activities away from their family help to foster independence and confidence amongst their peers, both vital qualities for later in life.

2. Try intentional talk Too often we talk to our children with small talk, simply asking them how their day was. We need to try to be intentional with our talk. Ask open-ended questions.

Communicate with a purpose and direction. Ask for your child’s opinions. Discuss your family values and what they believe are most important to them and why.

Involve your children in the discussion as peers instead of as lesser participants. Help them to see their own value and develop their own worth.

3. Treat your child as an individual We often see our children as an extension of ourselves. Unfortunately, this can somewhat limit them. Treat your child as their own individual by figuring out what activities motivate them and using that to spark their curiosity.

5. Get connected Allow your child to work online at home (under supervision of course) on computers, tablets, or phones when they are of school age. You can guarantee they are going to be using similar technology at school, and so allowing them to also play and learn at home will reinforce that learning can happen in any setting. It is not just limited to instructional learning at school.

6. Consider a new set of career questions Lastly, instead of asking our children, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” we could rephrase it. “What problem do you want to solve? What subjects interest you?

What do you want to contribute to the world? “ Malcolm X was quoted saying, “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” This is just as true now as it was back then. We need to encourage our children to prepare by applying and developing skills that will build their confidence, their adaptability and their resilience. As parents, we need to keep our eyes and our minds open to the million possible ways they can succeed.

2030: How the Job Industry Will Look According to Dell Technologies and Institute for the Future: •• 85 per cent of jobs haven’t been invented yet •• We can expect massive spikes in the video game, emotional intelligence and drone industries, especially related to coding, robotics, drone insurance and racing •• Future workers will spend twice as much time problem-solving, 77 per cent more time using science and maths skills, 41 per cent more time on critical thinking, 30 per cent more time on job training and 17 per cent more time using communication and interpersonal skills •• Workers will have 17 different employers by the time they retire at 75 •• A majority of workers will juggle two or more careers at the same time •• The traditional 9-5, Monday to Friday will be replaced with flexible work hours, shorter working weeks and three-day weekends

12 November 2018 | www.pakmag.com.au

Parenting

Family Organisation and Goal Setting STORY Jenna Galley Somehow (and I’m still not sure how it happened), but we’re only two short months away from farewelling 2018 and welcoming yet another year.

Like many parents out there, I vowed that 2018 would be THE YEAR to get organised and get stuff done. We were going to set some serious goals, regain some structure in our chaotic routine, tick off all those things on our todo lists and enjoy a productive future.

Then we blinked and the first ten months of the year disappeared. It’s suddenly November and, well, our best laid plans are still just lying there. Probably covered in a decent layer of dust.

But never fear. We still have two more glorious months left to get our lives together and ensure 2019 is our most successful year to date. Not just for us, but for our kids too!

So where do we begin?

The Fine Art of Family Organisation Family organisation is an important way to ensure order in all aspects of your home life. It involves setting goals, tackling tasks and celebrating minor victories as a family. Rather than you taking on all the responsibility (and eventually losing the plot when things come crashing down), the mission of family organisation is that everyone does it together.

Every family member has his or her own tasks to stay on top of and goals to work towards but everyone works collaboratively to all achieve these goals together. This is a great way to teach children about responsibility, promote the importance of teamwork and help them stay motivated and on track.

Setting Goals as a Family You first step on your road to family organisation is identifying everyone’s goals. Sit down as a family and go through a list of things you want to accomplish as a family and as individuals.

What kind of tasks and goals can you work towards?

For parents, this could be large scale financial or personal goals such as saving $500 a month, losing 5kg, running a 10km or setting some time aside every weekend to read a book. It could also be family-oriented and relationship goals such as going on a family holiday or planning a date night once a month. You will probably also need to set tasks to help achieve your goals. For example, you may want to set up a monthly budget, plan your weekly meals or start an exercise routine. This is where the family organisation comes into play – in order to keep the household ticking along smoothly and everything on track for the future, we need to be on top of things.

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 15

Parenting

For kids, daily tasks and goals will probably be slightly different. Your children may want to get to a certain level in reading or maths, learn a new skill or win an award in sport. You may want them to take on more household responsibility each day (such as making their bed or unpacking their bags after school) which contribute to the organisation at home.

The pathway to complete these tasks and reach these goals remains the same - make a plan and stick to it.

Make up a homework schedule. Start an extra-curricular calendar (and keep it updated). Break down the daily jobs with a chores chart.

Invest in Tracking Tools You will want to keep track of these goals and weekly tasks somehow. Many parents love spreadsheets or even vision boards but this is entirely up to what works for you.

There are a number of different tools you can use to track these goals – printable charts, diaries and journals and apps such as Trello, to name a few.

Consider the Individual

Set up Motivational Meetings You don’t have to call them ‘Motivational Meetings’ though. I can see my son rolling his eyes at me if I tried.

Instead, just casually set up a time to talk about your progress, such as during your Friday evening dinners.

This keeps it stress-free but ensures you stay on top of how everyone is going. It also lets you praise the kids if they are keeping on track or gently remind them what they need to do. Ask them questions about how it’s going and help them with any problems they might have.

Be Flexible Rules are made to be broken. Goals are made to change. If you notice your little one is having trouble, losing confidence or feeling anxious, then switch it up.

For example, let’s say your child made a goal to get to a level 30 in reading. Halfway through you may realise that his progress isn’t quite as quick as anticipated.

Rather than accepting failure, modify the goal to something more realistic. This ensures he remains motivated and confident that yes, he can do it.

Indulge in Rewards (as a Family)

We’re all different. While a goal of running 10km seems IMPOSSIBLE to me, it would be a walk in the park for my partner. This is the same with our kids.

We all need a bit of a push to keep going. Call it what you will, rewards, incentive, bribery, but hey it works.

And we’re all for it! It’s entirely up to you what you use as bribery, I mean, rewards. Toys. Treats. Money. Time.

For some children, the task of keeping their room clean is a no-brainer but for others, it is seemingly impossible.

Many kids actually enjoy having a bit of organised chaos surrounding them. It’s what makes them comfortable.

Help them pick realistic goals and tasks that are catered to their individual personalities, keeping their strengths and weaknesses in mind.

To keep with the theme of family goal setting, look into rewards you can enjoy together - dinner or ice cream out, a night away in a hotel, a family trip to the reef, an afternoon at the movies. We all need incentives to keep going, especially when taking on those more mundane organisational tasks.

And remember to help set goals that they want to achieve and will be proud to accomplish, not just what you’d like to see them do.

Yes. It’s November. It’s nearly 2019. But it’s never too late to master the fine art of family organisation, kick some serious goals and work towards a successful 2019, together.

Tips to Try This Week •• Head online to find some printables to help you become an organised goddess. Check out www.pakmag.com.au for our favourite organisational charts and downloadables.

•• Set some time to prepare and make your meal plan, homework routine, chores chart and extracurricular calendar.

•• Prepare for the morning routine the night before – have lunch boxes, sports bags, work clothes, and school uniforms out and ready.

•• Set up a school organisation station to keep track and store school bags, books, homework folders, shoes, sports gear, etc.

•• Set up a time for your ‘motivational meeting’.

16 November 2018 | www.pakmag.com.au

Principal’s Pen

PRINCIPAL’S PEN

Townsville Grammar School Timothy Kelly, Principal

The Cathedral School Luke Baills, Head of Junior School What do you want to be when you grow up? We hear it said to children as soon as they grasp the concept of being ‘something’ or ‘having a job’. I am amazed at our school community and its belief in skilling students for the future and introducing them to a wide range of professions. We cannot predict the future for our children, but we can share with them the skills they will require to be successful in whatever the future looks like.

Exposure is one of the greatest tools you can offer a child. In the Wonder Hub, Junior School students are exposed to a variety of guest presenters who provide the opportunity for students to participate in a diverse range of profession and skill specific workshops.

We’ve explored the creatures that inhabit our very own lagoon, with the help of an environmental scientist; tried on a firefighter’s uniform and examined the tools of their trade; explored taxidermy and gained an appreciation of why we need to taxidermy animals. Students met with a meteorologist and they participate in monthly sessions in our Artefact Room - it rocks! We have a real Ichthyosaurus fossil to explore and community members to help our students become young archaeologists!

We encourage all children to be effective communicators, critical thinkers, informed learners, active participants, self-directed and creative people. This allows our students to understand the role played by different community members in our society and in turn get a taste for what each role entails. At Cathedral we provide experiences through exploration, provocation and inquiry! e tcs@cathedral.qld.edu.au www.cathedral.qld.edu.au

When first enrolling your children in a school your decision-making process may not be overtly influenced by something as far distant as a school’s career guidance process. However, this is one of the most vital roles a school will play in your child’s journey to adulthood. At TGS, the career education programme encourages the development of knowledge, skills and attributes assisting students to make informed decisions about their study and work options. This occurs through a planned programme of learning, encompassing: •• The world of work and its changing nature •• Expectations of employers and the demands of the workplace •• Understanding personal interests, abilities, weaknesses, desires and values, and •• Developing awareness of career options and alternative pathways.

A TGS student’s journey into the “world of work” commences in Year 9. Students investigate their interests and skills linking them to certain jobs. They learn about the qualifications required to be able to work in those occupations and the pathways that can lead to that position.

Our Year 10 students further their understanding of their strengths and values. Students learn how to make decisions about subjects and ultimately careers, ensuring they reflect on and analyse their decisions. Students also undertake a week of work experience to gain exposure to the workplace.

In Years 11 and 12, we gradually remove the support scaffolding so our seniors become independent in their decision making. With their teachers and families, our career development programme serves to support the journey towards creating valued employees who are innovative, entrepreneurial, reflective and critical in their thinking. e tgs@tgs.qld.edu.au www.townsvillegrammar.com

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 19

DIY Gifts

TEACHER GIFTS Gifts that show those special teachers the appreciation they so deserve.

www.southernrevivals.com

www.hellobee.com

With the end of the school year in sight, get the kids together and assemble something crafty to show appreciation to the teachers that have guided them through this school year.

Pencil Desk Organiser Supplies

Snazzy Succulents Supplies 1 Clay pot 1 Foam brush Roll of painter's tape White acrylic paint Acrylic paint in colours of your choice Wooden skewers Coloured paper of choice Black marker Potting mix Succulent of choice

Acrylic paints in pink, silver metallic, light yellow and black 45cm 2x4 wood Saw Drill 25mm drill bit Sand paper Painter’s tape Light wood stain Method 1. Work out the size of your pencil tip. From there, draw out the angles on the wood plank.

Method

2. Using the saw, cut away the triangles along the lines drawn on the wood to form the tip of the pencil.

1. Tape off the lower section of your pot by sticking painter's tape around it. Use several short pieces of tape to get all the way around the pot to create an even divide.

3. Using the 25mm drill bit, drill out the holes on top of the pencil for holding stationery. Drill them 2.5cm apart and approximately 8cm deep.

2. Apply a layer of white paint below the painter's tape, all around the pot including the bottom. This base coat will help the colour of the next layer stand out more.

3. Once the white layer has fully dried, apply several layers of your coloured paint of choice. Neon shades of pink, yellow and orange look spectacular!

4. When the paint is completely dry, gently peel off the painter's tape. Carefully pot the plants into their new home.

5. Cut a small flag-shape out of a sheet of coloured paper, then fold this over around a wooden skewer and glue shut to form a flag. Write a note of appreciation to the teacher and stick the flag into the soil.

4. Roughly sand the pencil. Pay attention to the rubber end and ensure you achieve the rounded look you're going for.

5. Use a light stain on your wood to mimic the look of a real pencil.

6. Using painter's tape, tape off the rubber, tip, lead and main sections.

7. Paint the lead with black paint, main section with light yellow paint and rubber with pink paint.

Carefully remove the painter's tape and paint the section underneath the rubber a metallic silver colour.

PakMag tip: Write the teacher's name or a thank-you message on the side of the pencil organiser.

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 21

Expert Advice

THE PAKMAG EXPERTS BLOMBERG DENTAL

RUHL FAMILY LAW CENTRE

Dear Blomberg Dental,

Dear Ruhl Family Law Centre,

Why do my kids grind their teeth?

My children live with me, so does that mean I’ll automatically get child support?

You might have noticed your child grinding their teeth when they are asleep. If regular and ongoing, teeth grinding can wear a child’s teeth down, and lead to sensitive teeth or pain, as well as jaw aches or even headaches. As well, parents might notice their child having restless sleep, breathing through their mouth or snoring, with associated tiredness during the day or difficulty concentrating at school.

The causes of tooth grinding in children can be different to that in adults. Your dentist is trained to check your child’s teeth and jaw development, as well as signs of grinding on their teeth or jaw muscles. Research has also found a link between obstructed breathing from airways issues and teeth grinding, and your dentist can refer you for investigation if this if required. As always, a check-up at your dentist from a young age allows for early assessment.

You won’t automatically receive child support because the children live with you. You are able to apply for a Child Support Assessment, which may mean you are entitled to payment of an amount in child support from the other parent, but the other parent won’t receive a bill in the mail upon your separation.

The amount of child support you may be entitled to pursuant to a Child Support Assessment is dependent on a number of factors, including the income of both parents and the number of nights that the children live with each parent each year as well as the ages of the children. Because of this, if one parent earns more than the other, you may still be entitled to (or liable to pay) child support if the children live with you in an equal shared care arrangement.

COASTAL KIDS SPEECH PATHOLOGY Dear Melanie, How can I help my four-year old be talking well for school?

By four years of age, your child should be really motoring with their speech and language. You should be understanding them most of the time, and starting to hear more complex vocabulary and sentences.

Research shows that kids with really strong language skills have had more exposure to story structures at the four to five-year age range. This includes hearing stories through books, but also the type of stories we tell each other about our day. Encouraging family members to talk about their day over dinner is a nice simple way of modelling these story structures to young children, and it gives kids the opportunity to try them out themselves. It’s also really important to make sure reading a variety of stories is part of your daily routine.

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 23

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1. Haylea & Mitchell Low with baby Zarco Jonathan Low 2. Nick & Ronata Murray Ferrari with baby Maya Murray Ferrari 3. Isla Mae Lindenberg 4. Phil & Monique Garland with baby Isabelle Mae 5. Millie Quinelle Mitchell 6. Zarco Jonathan Low 7. Oliver Robert Ray Hiette 8. Renee & Jim Bournas with baby Samuel Nicholas Bournas

24 November 2018 | www.pakmag.com.au

Mater Snapped

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Photography thanks to: Maria O‘Brien (Josephine Carter Photography) www.josephinecarterphotography.com

9. Mat Corradi & Renee Hayward with baby Ramsey Laine Corradi 10. Werner Lindenberg with baby Isla Mae Lindenberg 11. Elyce & Stephen Mitchell with baby Millie Quinelle Mitchell 12. Georgia Grace Heading 13. Maya Murray Ferrari 14. Isabelle Mae Garland 15. Ramsey Laine Corradi 16. Jay Nilaweera with baby Binara Shakya

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 25

Bump, Bub and Beyond

Save my sleep STORY Rebekah Barrie, Mater Health Services North Queensland I remember the early days - everyone tells you about the sleep deprivation, and how hard it will be.

But they were my favourite times…sleep, eat, nappy change, repeat. Sure, there were 3am tears and even times I wished the newborn stage away, but then I had a toddler!

Even though babies only sleep for few hours at a time… sometimes minutes... on average they need about 16 hours every day in the first three months. This is their time to do lots of growing and get those big cheeks and gorgeous leg rolls that only a newborn can pull off.

I loved my babies night time routines. It helped so much as they got older. Bath time, a dark room and some white noise. They learnt to associate this with sleep.

It all sounds so easy right? You feel like you have finally got this parenting thing down pat and then they start to teeth, or have a growth spurt and all your routines go up in flames.

Letting them learn to self soothe is what really saved my sleep, it won’t hurt them to cry. If you know they’re fed and changed, go to them and place a hand on them until they’re soothed and leave the room again. Eventually they’ll learn to settle themselves.

A baby’s sleep is so much more important than ours… and they definitely let us know that in the early stages.

Our sleep and even our sanity come second best to our beautiful mini humans. Meeting their sleep needs supports their learning, growth and development.

Sleep plays such an important role in their everyday lives and influences their lifelong development and health.

Of course, these needs become less and less as they get older. The naps get shorter, then they skip a nap and they fight sleep like it’s the worst thing in the world.

Babies show us when they’re tired, some days their needs are more than others – it’s all about knowing what to look for. Just like a newborn has feeding cues, our babies and toddlers have sleeping cues. Cues I noticed were eye rubbing, yawning and an increasing need for cuddles.

No two babies are ever going to be the same.

You go back for baby number two thinking you have some idea what you’re doing and they throw a spanner in the works. They might have different sleeping cues, or sleep associations. There’s not one “how-to” book on parenting that is going to work for everyone, and that’s okay. Every parent does what works for them and there’s no judgement in that. With social media everywhere we turn, showing us the “perfect” parenting styles; the clean house, the happy babies. When really, we just need to strive to be “good” parents; a fed, changed and loved baby is a happy one.

Congratulations to Maria O‘Brien (one of PakMag’s incredible photographers) and her family on welcoming Josepha Maria O’Brien into the world!

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 27

Bump, Bub and Beyond

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

Bubba Organics Lavender & Chamomile Deluxe Nursery Gift Box www.bubbaorganics.com.au RRP $77.95

Dreambaby ‘Herbert’ the Turtle - Room and Bath Thermometer www.dreambaby.com.au RRP $19.95

Experience a little luxury with Bubba Organics pure and natural bath, body and nursery deluxe baby gift box. Featuring our soothing and calming Lavender & Chamomile premium baby skincare and the gently scented Lavender & Chamomile nursery spray to assist with a lovely sense of calm and relaxation.

Herbert, like his award-winning friends the Croc and Duck room and bath thermometers, is made from BPA free and phthalate safe durable waterproof material.

The temperature display is clearly visible on all these thermometers and gives fast and accurate temperature readings, whilst doubling as safe and fun toys for little ones!

They also make great stocking fillers.

Gift box contains:

Features:

•• Lavender & Chamomile Baby Hair & Bath Wash – 250ml

•• Helps prevent baby’s room from overheating, and scalding from hot water - eliminates temperature guess work

•• Lavender & Chamomile Baby Moisture Lotion – 250ml •• Lavender & Chamomile Baby Room Spray – 125ml

•• Large easy-to-read digital display •• Rechecks temperature every ten seconds

Lil Puppet Rufflebum

•• 30-minute auto shut-off

www.lilpuppet.com.au RRP $22.99 One of our most popular items, our rufflebums. These are a must have staple in every girls’ wardrobe.

Layers upon layers of the softest tulle to make every princess outfit complete.

Our elastic waistband is designed to provide comfort and a flexible sizing.

Super stretchy waist for comfort.

Multiple layers of the softest tulle.

Generous sizing. Also suitable for newborn photography as the beautiful tulle is delicate on soft skin.

28 November 2018 | www.pakmag.com.au

•• Water temperature warning indicator, flashes when too hot

Bump, Bub and Beyond

Baby Brain Strain STORY Jenna Galley Pregnant and feel like you’re losing the plot?

That’s probably because you are! Several studies have confirmed that baby brain is a genuine and measurable condition. And it can last up to TWO YEARS after having bubba.

Hello motherhood. Goodbye functioning brain cells What is baby brain? It’s a mental fog four out of five women experience during pregnancy (usually around the third trimester) which can continue to impact your cognitive functioning for two years after birth.

Symptoms include: •• Memory lapses and forgetfulness •• Problems planning and multi-tasking •• Issues with concentration For most women, the symptoms are mild and are not a cause for concern. But it can make for a rather interesting final trimester of pregnancy!

Blame Baby Blunders The good news for new and expecting mums is that you at least have a valid reason for forgetting your phone password. Or your partner’s name. Here are a few more signs that, yep, you’ve got baby brain!

Have you…

•• Lost your keys, only to find them in the refrigerator?

•• Accidentlly added juice to your morning coffee?

•• Called your baby by your pet’s name. Or vice versa?

•• Forgot where you’ve parked the car. And wandered around the carpark aimlessly for half an hour?

•• Washed the same load of clothing three times because you keep forgetting to take it out of the washing machine?

•• Unintentionally left the house without shoes on.

Or pants?

Hey, it happens. And you have baby brain to blame!

Keep (Baby) Calm and Carry On with Babywearing STORY Jenna Galley Every mum has certain must-have baby essentials.

A car seat comes to mind. A cot, most likely.

Probably a pram too. But for this mum-of-two (soon to be mum-of-three), my must-have go-to baby item is a baby carrier.

Babywearing is the easiest way to keep baby comfortable, content and close to you when out and about. It’s ideal when you’re running errands, attempting to do chores around the house or chasing after older kids. Like all baby items on the market these days, there are HEAPS of different carriers, wraps and slings out there. So which one do you choose? This all depends on what you’re looking for: Wraps are made up of long fabric that can be tied in a number of ways to make a comfortable carrier for bub. Considered the origami of baby wearing, wraps take some time to master but once you do, they offer a practical and pretty way to wear bub, especially sleepy newborns.

Our top picks: bobawrap, Bykay, hug a bub Slings are worn off the shoulder, often tied with a ring (aptly called Ring Slings) or a sash. These are much easier to work out than wraps, come in heaps of lightweight materials and offer a convenient way to transport newborns, infants, even toddlers.

Our favourite brands: Manduca, Beco Ring Sling and Chekoh Carriers: For more adventurous treks, soft structured and mesh carriers are the popular choice for parents.

They offer shoulder support, padded waistbands, multiple carrying options and pockets to hold small items like keys or dummies.

Our favourite brands: Ergobaby, BabyBjorn, Tula and Pognae

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 29

WHAT’S ON NOV NOV THURSDAY 1 NOVEMBER Building North Queensland’s Defense Supply Chains Forum Townsville RSL Growing Queensland 8.00am / $35 / Adults Dinner at the Vegetable Patch A Touch of Salt A Touch of Salt 6.30pm / $65 / Adults Creative Kids Reef Art Day #1 Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts www.umbrella.org.au 10.00am / $75 / Family FRIDAY 2 NOVEMBER The Ultimate Eagles Experience Townsville Civic Theatre www.whatson.townsville.qld. gov.au 7.30pm / $65 Adult / Adults SATURDAY 3 NOVEMBER Ride 4 Farmers Rising Sun Townsville Rising Sun Townsville 12.00pm / Check Website / Family

Mobius Opening Night Pinnacles Gallery www.mobiusexhibition.com 6.00pm / Free / Adults Milestones Early Learning Milestones Early Learning Wulguru www.wulguru.milestones.com.au 11.30am / Free / Family Harry Potter Marathon Runs until 4 November Event Cinemas Townsville City www.eventcinemas.com.au 10.00am / $22.50 / Family SUNDAY 4 NOVEMBER Super Sunday Every Sunday in November Kirwan Aquatics www.kirwanaquaticcentre.com.au 4.00pm / $10 Family / Family Cyclone Sunday - Educational Community Event Strand Park www.townsville.qld.gov.au 3.00pm / Free / Family MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER Bohemian Rhapsody Warrina Cineplex Rotary Club of Mundingburra 6.30pm / $20 / Adults

Disney Villain Film Festival - 101 Dalmatians Runs until 4 November BCC Cinemas Townsville Central www.eventcinemas.com.au 10.00am / $8 / Family

TUESDAY 6 NOVEMBER

CaJam Spooky Circus Cajam Circus Cajam Circus 7.30pm / $20 Adult / Family

Melbourne Cup Luncheon Cowboys Leagues Club www.cowboysleagues.com.au 11.30am / $65 / Adults

Melbourne Cup in The Pavilion The Ville Resort-Casino www.tecc.net.au 11.00am / $175 / Adults

Melbourne Cup Hats and High Tea The Balcony Restaurant Townsville City www.townsvilletickets.com.au 12.00pm / $55 / Adults

Disney Villain Film Festival - Peter Pan Runs until 11 November BCC Cinemas Townsville Central www.eventcinemas.com.au 10.00am / $8 / Family

Prosecco and Ponies Melbourne Cup 2018 Shorehouse www.shorehousetownsville.com.au 11.30am / $65 / Adults

Mermaiding in Townsville Kokoda Memorial Pool www.mermaidacademy.com.au 12.30pm / Check Website / Family

Melbourne Cup at the Banquet Centre The Brewery Townsville www.stickytickets.com.au 11.00am / $110 / Adults FRIDAY 9 NOVEMBER Veronica at The Ville Casino The Ville Resort-Casino www.tecc.net.au 8.00pm / $35 / Family Alex Williamson ‘So Wrong, It’s Wrong’ Kirwan Tavern www.tickets.oztix.com.au 8.00pm / $37.51 / Adults SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER Mirusia - From the Heart The Ville Resort-Casino www.tecc.net.au 3.00pm / $69.90 Adult / 7+ Live Simulcast Don Quixote Townsville Civic Theatre www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 7.00pm / Check Website / Family

SUNDAY 11 NOVEMBER Remembrance Day at the Races Townsville Turf Club www.townsvilletickets.com.au 10.30am / $10 / Family Townsville Wedding Expo - Ideal Bride Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre www.tecc.net.au 10.00am / Free / Family Dancing with our Stars - Show 2 Townsville Civic Theatre www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 4.00pm / $18 Adult / Family TUESDAY 13 NOVEMBER Men In Pink Tights Townsville Civic Theatre www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 8.00pm / $69.90 Adult / Family Five Week Beginner Yoga Course Tracy Armstrong Yoga www.tracyarmstrongyoga. wordpress.com 5.30pm / $70 / Adults

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 31

WHAT’S ON NOV NOV THURSDAY 15 NOVEMBER

THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER

SATURDAY 24 NOVEMBER

Looking After Your Postnatal Self Kangatraining Townsville Kangatraining Townsville 11.00am / Check Facebook / Family

Willows Annual Santa Parade Willows Shopping Centre www.willowsshopping centre.com.au 6.20pm / Free / Family

FRIDAY 16 NOVEMBER

FRIDAY 23 NOVEMBER

Angel-Paws Inc Adoption Day Petstock Domain Central Petstock Townsville Angel-Paws Inc Animal Rescue North Queensland 10.00am / Free / Family

Riverway Movie Night - Ferdinand Riverway www.whatson. townsville.qld.gov.au 7.00pm / Free / Family

PBR Australia Grand Finals 2018 Runs until 24 November Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre www.tecc.net.au 7.00pm / Check Website / Family

The Superjesus Sumo 20th Anniversary Tour Dalrymple Hotel www.oztix.com.au 8.00pm / $39.80 / 18+ SATURDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2018 ROLL-a-thon Sk8way Townsville Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association Townsville 6.30pm / $12 / Family Awesome 80s Show Cowboys Leagues Club www.cowboysleagues.com.au 6.30pm / $20 / Adults Hand Made and 2nd Hand Community Market Day Riverway Salvos Beck Drive Salvos Townsville Riverway Recovery Mission 8.00am / Free / Family Trivia Night Ignatius Park College www.ipc.qld.edu.au 7.00pm / $10 / Adults

Behind the Red Carpet of Hollywood with Richard Reid The Ville Resort-Casino The Castle Club 6.00pm / Check Facebook / Adults British India The Office www.oztix.com.au 8.00pm / $34.70 / 18+ Christmas Comes Early Free Entry Friday!

Townsville Turf Club www.townsvilleturfclub.com.au 12.00pm / Free / Family Bluewattle’s Christmas Movie in the Park Birdwing Park, Rasmussen Bluewattle 5.00pm / Free / Family Cliff Richards Tribute Riverway Arts Centre www.ticketshop.com.au 8.00pm / $60 / Adults

32 November 2018 | www.pakmag.com.au

Reclining Rockers The Avenues Tavern The Avenues Tavern The Av Tav 5.00pm / Check Facebook / Adults Christmas Party at Melvilles Melvilles Farm At Melvilles 6.00pm / Check Facebook / Family Mega Market Runs until 25 November Calvary Christian College Renegade Handmade 2.00pm / Free / Family 2018 Tropical Townsville Gymnastics Competition Runs until 25 November Gymnastics Townsville www.northwestgymnastics. com.au 8.00am / Check Website / Family SUNDAY 25 NOVEMBER Peter Powers The Naughty Naughty Hypno Show The Ville Resort-Casino www.tecc.net.au 6.30pm / $35 / 18+

2018 Salvo’s TDMRA Toy Run Riverway Stadium Mra Townsville 7.30am / Free / Family MONDAY 26 NOVEMBER Global Eco Conference 2018 Runs until 28 November Rydges Southbank Convention Centre www.globaleco.com.au 8.30am / Check Website / Adults WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER Morning Melodies - A Couple of Song and Dance Men Townsville Civic Theatre www.townsville.qld.gov.au 10.30am / $14 / Adults Mum’s Night Out – PakMag Advanced Movie Screening – Second Act BCC Cinemas Townsville Central PakMag Townsville 6.30pm / Free / Adults FRIDAY 30 NOVEMBER Mr Paramedic 2018 Charity Golf Day Townsville Golf Course Mr Paramedic 12.00pm / $60 / Adults SEE PAGE 37 FOR DECEMBER’S SAVE THE DATES

Pull-out kids activity mag!

One Grinch is feeling especially grumpy because he doesn't quite look like himself Can you spot that particularly grouchy Grinch?

A

B Enter for your chance to win a family pass to see The Grinch

C D

For your chance to WIN: Spot the particulary grouchy Grinch for your chance to win a family pass to The Grinch.

Enter at www.pakmag.com.au/minimag Win a Family Pass to The Grinch.

Competition closes 30/11/2018 342018 November | www.pakmag.com.au © Universal2018 Studios; Based on Dr. Seuss characters TM & © 1957 Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P.

E

For your chance to win tickets to the Disney Villains Film Festival, keep an eye on the PakMag Facebook page

Spot The Differences for your Chance to WIN!

A FUNKITA PENGOO PARADE TODDLER GIRLS ONE PIECE!

Tell us the four differences for your chance to WIN a Funkita Pengoo Parade Toddler Girls One Piece!

Enter at www.pakmag.com.au/minimag. Competition closes 30/11/2018 Funkita Pengoo Parade Toddler Girls One Piece - RRP $34.95 - www.funkita.com Known for playful, colourful designs, the new Funkita swimwear collection makes a big splash with stand out prints and new designs all made from chlorine resistant, durable fabric that offers 50+ UV protection. The Pengoo Parade one piece is available in sizes 1-7. With full back coverage and a racer strap finish, this simple style is easy to put on and take off, perfect for your little water baby. Made from superior Italian fabrics, this high quality swimwear will keep its shape and colour long after the summer sun goes down.

Proudly brought to you by Townsville City Council

36 November 2018 | www.pakmag.com.au

WHAT’S ON DEC DEC SAVE THE DATE

SAVE THE DATE

SAVE THE DATE

SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER

MONDAY 17 DECEMBER

TUESDAY 18 DECEMBER

North Queensland Babies and Kids Market Ryan Catholic College www.nthqldbabiesand kidsmarket.com 8.30am / $2 Adult / Family

PakMag VIP Christmas Party Cowboys Leagues Club www.pakmag.com.au/win Get in quick to WIN!

Stable on the Strand Runs until 22 December Strand Park www.stableonthestrand.com 5.30pm / Free / Family

REGULAR MARKETS

Seabreeze Markets Date: 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month Time: 8.00am - 1.00pm Location: Bushland Beach Park

Cotters 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

Carlyle Gardens Arts & Crafts Markets Date: 1st Saturday of the month (Mar - Dec) Time: 9.00am Location: Carlyle Gardens Retirement Resot, 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

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

Willows Rotary Markets Date: Every Sunday Time: 7.30 - 11.30am Location: Willows Shopping Centre Carpark 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 | November 2018 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 November 2018 | 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

END OF YEAR PARTIES As we approach the end of another year, it’s time to take stock and celebrate your achievements, no matter how big or small! Host an end of school year celebration, have some drinks with work mates, or tuck into a BBQ with family and friends and share some of your significant 2018 moments.

If the thought of organising and hosting your own party sends shivers down your busy, busy spine, there are some fabulous local party venues and suppliers.

They can take over the hard work, leaving you to just have fun! But for those of you who love to party at home or host your own celebrations, we’ve got some ideas to add a bit of pizazz to your next event.

Garden gala Make use of the space in your backyard by lighting up some citronella torches and placing them around the garden to create a cosy atmosphere. Set up a table outside and decorate it with an array of flowers, leaves, and branches to create a cheerful summery vibe.

Once the sun goes down, your citronella torches will not only add a gorgeous ambience but will also help keep the mozzies at bay.

Pass the Platter Go wild. Think of all the yummy finger food you and your guests love and create a colourful platter, or two.

A refreshing, healthy plate full of tropical fruit kebabs are always a hit with the little and big kids (adults) at any party.

Fire up the BBQ. We’ve given you a couple of recipe ideas on page 44 to get your started. Or take out the prep work and drop into the Strand Gourmet Meats.

Fun in the Sun Why should the kids have all the fun? Turn on the sprinkler and get everyone running through it.

If you’ve got a pool, get the kids to lead some games. Of course, if your idea of fun is to sit back and watch, all you need is a comfy chair and a refreshing bevvy.

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www.pinterest.com

1. Amalfi Carrie Table Runner - RRP $89.00 - www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au 2. Kip & Co Cheese Knife RRP $25.00 - www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au 3. KW Ceramics Vintage Lace Serving Board - RRP $63.50 www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au 4. Coconut Shell Bowl - RRP $12.95 - The Source Bulk Foods, Shop T9, Fairfield Shopping Centre / The Source Bulk Foods, Shop 9, North Ward Shopping Village

40 November 2018 | www.pakmag.com.au

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Party Guide

Townsville Party Guide Does your child have a birthday coming up? Take the effort out of party planning with some help from a local business to make your little one’s big day one to remember forever.

KIRWAN AQUATICS

INFLATABLE KINGDOM

With the months getting warmer, what’s better than a pool party? Make a splash at Kirwan Aquatics Centre by choosing from one of seven party packages, featuring access to the shaded waterpark, exciting waterslides, inflatables, hosted games for an hour and a half, optional catering and more.

Bounce on in to Inflatable Kingdom for your next party!

Secure your own party table for up to two and a half hours of jumping fun on the numerous inflatables. For just an additional $10 per child, the party guests will receive four chicken nuggets, hot chips, a small drink and a party bag.

Party packages cater for different age groups and some offer discounts if your guest list exceeds ten children.

Free party invites included!

Free invitations available. Don’t forget your socks!

4723 3447 www.kirwanaquaticccentre.com.au TOWNSVILLE RSL Townsville RSL offers numerous versatile event spaces available for function hire. Choose from a number of function packages, or speak with the friendly staff who are happy to customise a package to suit your needs.

Take the food preparation out of the party and choose from a number of yummy platters to suit even the pickiest of eaters!

If you’re a member with Townsville RSL, your children will have access to the fully supervised Cadets Kids Club, suitable for 3-12 years.

4759 9500 www.townsvillersl.com.au

4755 4422 www.inflatablekingdom.com.au COWBOYS LEAGUES CLUB Head on over to Cowboys Leagues for your next birthday party. There are four room options available for party functions, with the Star Gaze room including access to the Little Legends Play Area. Offering a range of menu options, a mascot, games, climbing equipment and a slide and both indoor and outdoor play areas, no one will get bored at Cowboys Leagues Club.

4724 8000 www.cowboysleagues.com.au THE SOURCE BULK FOODS Take the trouble out of making snacks for your little partygoers by swinging by The Source Bulk Foods.

Choose from a range of nibbles straight from the source such as veggie chips, chocolate-covered pumpkin seeds and apricot slices. They’re sure to be a hit – and you can buy as little or as much as you need!

4724 0788 www.thesourcebulkfoods.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 43

Recipes

TURN UP THE HEAT BBQ recipes to enjoy on these hot summer nights Summer is right on our doorstep, which means longer days, afternoons spent by the pool or at the beach, and scrumptious BBQs with friends and family. Next time you’re hosting a meal, be sure to WOW your guests with one of these deliciously tropical dishes.

Tropical Kebabs Serves 4 (2 kebabs each) Ingredients

Avocado and Prawn Salad Serves 4 Ingredients

For the dressing

400g prawns ¼ of a red cabbage 2 avocados 2 cups rocket leaves 2 cups spinach leaves 1 lime

½ garlic clove ½ cup olive oil 1 tbsp soy sauce 2 tsp rice vinegar (unseasoned) ½ tsp sesame oil Pinch of salt and pepper

Method Finely crush the garlic clove. Whisk crushed garlic, rice vinegar and soy sauce in a small bowl, gradually adding olive oil then sesame oil. When the dressing has thickened, season it with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Shell the prawns and let them marinade in your homemade dressing for an hour.

Heat up the BBQ to medium-high. Lightly oil the surface and transfer your prawns to the BBQ to cook for approximately 2-3 minutes per side or until they change colour.

Shred the red cabbage and cut up the avocados into thin slices.

Mix your salad leaves, cabbage and avocado in a bowl.

Squeeze a bit of lemon juice on top and serve with fresh crusty bread.

44 November 2018 | www.pakmag.com.au

2 chicken breasts 4 rashers of bacon 8 cherry tomatoes 1 red onion 1 zucchini 1 cup white button mushrooms 1 yellow capsicum 8 wooden skewers, soaked

For the marinade 2 tsp rosemary 2 tsp thyme 2 tsp parsley 1 tsp sage 1 lemon ¼ cup olive oil

Method To prepare your marinade, in a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, squeezed lemon juice, rosemary, thyme, parsley and sage. If you can prepare this dish early, marinating the chicken overnight or for a few hours is preferable.

Chop the yellow capsicum, zucchini and red onion into chunks. Keep the cherry tomatoes whole (or cut in half if you don’t want them squirting you when you skewer them).

Slice chicken into 4cm cubes and slice bacon into strips and roll up to ensure they snugly fit on the skewer.

Either remove your marinated chicken from the fridge and assemble all ingredients onto the soaked skewers.

Or marinate the kebabs once assembled. Distribute the bite-sized foods evenly along the skewers to allow a taste of everything!

Heat up the BBQ to medium-high heat.

Lightly oil the surface of the BBQ and cook, turning occasionally for ten minutes. You can cut open a piece of chicken to ensure it’s fully cooked. Serve with a refreshing salad.

Challenges

10 Ways We Can Support Those with Special Needs STORY Niki Naylor, ECEI Program Manager and Megan Ahern, Senior ECEI Coordinator, Mission Australia One in five Queenslanders have some form of disability, although the type and degree will vary immensely. Odds are, each and every one of us is close to someone with a disability. It may be a family member, a friend, a neighbour, a colleague or a child’s classmate.

This is why it’s so crucial that we all understand how to support the members in our community who may have special needs.

The little things make a big difference and this is especially the case when showing our support. Below are a few things we all could be incorporating into our day to day lives to help make the world a more inclusive, more accepting place, especially for our next generation.

this condition. If you are planning a party, make sure you consider everyone’s dietary requirements. Don’t be afraid to ask the parents so that you can ensure you’ve got foods that everyone can enjoy together.

8. Consider their wants Children and adults with disabilities want the same thing we all want – to be included, to be invited, to be accepted, to be valued, to be welcomed, to be supported and to be cared for, to be needed and to be loved.

If you keep these basic wants in mind when meeting people of all abilities, then you are helping more than you may realise.

1. Don’t shy away

9. Don’t pity

Say hello. Smile. Be warm and welcoming to everyone.

Don’t treat children or families with disabilities any differently than others in the community. This can be isolating for the family and individual.

Yes, living with special needs can be different. But there are so many positives. Some days are harder than others and if you do notice a friend or even a stranger, struggling, don’t offer pity. Instead, offer your support and assistance. Offer to listen, to buy them a coffee, to be a shoulder to cry on if they need.

2. Be aware and considerate of all abilities Remember, not all disabilities are visible. Many people struggle on the inside, with mental disabilities, learning disabilities and communication disorders. So before you judge, take a step back and consider that there may be more than meets the eye.

3. Look beyond words There are many ways to communicate including sign language, gestures, body language, language boards, writing and much more.

4. Consider a quick lesson in sign language This isn’t just beneficial to those who may use sign language, but you as well. Learning another language, even if it’s just a few simple phrases, can be incredibly rewarding. You’re never too old to learn something new.

5. Leave those disabled parking spots alone Don’t assume that no one will need it or that you’ll only be a few minutes.

6. Practise patience We’re programmed to go, go go. But we need to be aware that it can take those with special needs a little longer when it comes to communication and moveability.

7. Be considerate of all disabilities, including allergies Having severe allergies can be debilitating for the family.

Often children with allergies will feel left out due to

10. Be open with your children It is our responsibility to teach our kids how to act appropriately in all situations. Talk to your kids about how we all learn and act differently and how this is okay. Be honest about special needs and make an effort to teach your children about different disabilities. The more they know, the more they are aware and the more comfortable they will feel.

Advice from our PakMag mums: Townsville mum, Jess Balestrin, shares some beautiful words for us to remember. Jess is mum to Ava, 4, who has Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), a type of brain injury. She tells PakMag, “Please remember that our kids are just like yours. They want to play and be seen. When you tell your child not to stare at the supermarket, or not to touch at the park, I know you mean well, I do, but it breaks my heart. This is a wonderful opportunity to talk to your child about disability, and to make mine feel 'seen'. When your kiddo is staring, tell them to wave and say hello!”

Mackay mum, Lori Punzell, whose little girl Lexi has Down Syndrome adds, “We never knew quite what to say when we met kids with a disability before we had Lexi. Now we do. Don’t be scared, be kind. Smile, let your kids say hello. You could end up making a child’s day.”

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 47

Advertorial

Centacare North Queensland is your disability support partner

With 40 years’ experience supporting the community, our professional staff will work with you to determine your goals and your choices for your future. We will work with you to deliver your NDIS plan your way. So that you reach your ultimate potential in life.

As a registered NDIS provider, we can provide assistance with accessing the scheme, assistance with self-care and daily living in home, along with community access and capacity building activities. Centacare also offer Support Coordination and Plan Management.

Disabilities Services Program Manager Lee-Anne Whalley said the staff at Centacare NQ understand that the NDIS is about your personal choice and control.

“Our staff will work with you to help you dream big and then achieve big. Your quality of life is our first priority,” Ms Whalley said.

“Short term respite accommodation is also available – so you can experience some time away from home in a supported, safe, positive, and fun environment. Don’t hesitate to talk to Centacare about your needs, we are more than happy to work with you step by step to find the best solutions that benefit you and your family.”

For help achieving your goals with an experienced and professional local team, call Centacare NQ on 1300 NQ Care (1300 672 273) or visit www.centacarenq.org.au

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 49

Exploring Play

FINE MOTOR SKILLS STORY Nicole Brown, Occupational Therapist, Townsville Occupational Therapy Service Fine motor skills involve the smaller muscles of our hands. To have good fine motor skills we need several “components” or building blocks. These include adequate strength and coordination of our hands, fingers and thumbs, using both hands together, and being able to manipulate objects in our hands.

Fine motor skills are important for performing everyday activities such as using cutlery, dressing, playing with toys, and using tools such as pencils, scissors and computers.

Without adequate fine motor skills children can have trouble completing these activities which can impact on their overall development.

You can help build your child’s fine motor skills by doing the following activities: •• Playing with Play-Doh and building blocks

•• Encouraging your child to open lunchboxes, containers and ziplock bags •• Doing arts and crafts activities such as threading, drawing, colouring, cutting, gluing and origami •• Playing manipulation games such as Jenga, Connect 4 and marble maze runs.

If you are worried about your child’s fine motor skills consult your GP who can refer you to an Occupational Therapist for an assessment.

TOYS FOR FINE MOTOR PLAY 1

3 5

2

1. Globe Puzzle by Goki - RRP $16.00 - www.playmackay.com.au 2. Early Start Safety Scissors - RRP $6.00 - www.theplayprojects.com 3. Cubebot Small Wooden Robot Puzzle - RRP $29.99 - (Get $10 off when you spend $80 or more with Yellow Octopus! Use code PAKMAG389926) - www.yellowoctopus.com.au 4. 1001 Nights Puzzle by Goki - RRP $39.95 - www.playmackay.com.au 5. Crayon Rocks (8 Colours) - RRP $8.95 - www.theplayprojects.com

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 51

Health

HEALTH Set the Scene for Sunscreen Success Nothing beats days spent in the sun. The family all together. The kid splashing in the water. The hubby relaxing. Even the dogs are happily chilling out.

And then there’s you, yelling at your children to PUT ON THEIR BLOODY HATS and chasing them down the beach trying to reapply their sunscreen.

Yes. Summer is coming. And so is the essential need to keep their skin safe, even if it means constantly reminding them about sun safety. Reduce the risk of melanoma and sunburns with these tips to getting sunscreen on your kids: Apply in the car – This gives the sunscreen time to work.

Plus, it’s a lot easier to do when they are strapped in!

You’ll still need to fill in the gaps and spots you couldn’t reach, but it’s a good start.

Make it a family affair – Lather up together. If mummy does it, then it can’t be that bad, right?

Set a timer – If you’re out in the sun all day, set a timer to go off so you know when to reapply.

Consider spray – A bit more expensive, but a lot easier to use, especially when the kids are keen to run off.

Try spotmyuv stickers – Stick one on your child’s skin. The detection sticker turns purple when the skin isn’t protected, letting you know it’s time to reapply!

For more information check out www.spotmyuv.com.au

CHILDHOOD OBESITY Children become obese due to a range of factors involving food beliefs, emotions, body image and lack of food knowledge.

Dear Dorothy, If I tell my child they’re obese will they end up with an eating disorder?

Discussion of weight with a child is a difficult subject.

Rather than focusing on weight, the discussion should centre around eating preferences and behaviour.

The whole family have a role in avoiding energy dense foods, controlling food portions and increasing physical activity.

Parents should encourage a positive view of food, involvement in healthy cooking methods at home and minimising the frequency of meals or food purchased outside of the home.

“Dieting behaviour” should be avoided with an emphasis on preparing and planning meals as a family.

My doctor said my 12-year-old is overweight, but I think it is just puppy fat. What’s an OK amount of fat?

Adolescence is a critical period as there is a change in the quantity and location of body fat. During adolescence there is often a decrease in physical activity, decreased sports performance and increased consumption of food outside of the home.

Dorothy works closely with GPs to assist children at risk of adulthood obesity.

Check out Dorothy Dietitian’s full blog at www.pakmag.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 53

Health

HEALTH Buzz off, Dengue Fever!

STORY Kalisha Fitsch Living in North Queensland, we've all heard about the dangers of dengue fever. It's spread to humans by infected mosquitoes and is similar to a serious case of the flu, but has the potential to lead to hospitalisation and serious complications.

Apart from spraying the exposed parts of your skin with mosquito repellent, what else can be done to prevent dengue fever?

Mosquito be-gone! - You probably know about citronella candles and mosquito coils, but did you know vanilla, lemongrass, and coffee grounds deter mosquitoes as well? It’s a good idea to surface spray under beds and behind curtains because the dengue mosquito (Aedes aegypti) actually prefer to live indoors. They can be identified by the black and white stripes on their body and legs.

Remove breeding grounds - Eliminate anything capable of holding still water from your yard. Remove old tyres and palm fronds, turn buckets and kids toys upside-down, and keep bird baths and plant pots thoroughly clean.

Long clothing - Wear long sleeves and long pants to cover your skin. Remember that dark colours are more prone to attract mosquitoes, so it's recommended to wear lighter colours.

While dengue fever often clears up within a week, if you or anyone in your family is experiencing nose bleeds, breathing difficulties, persistent vomiting or has cold, clammy skin, consult your GP.

Back to Basics - The History of Handwashing STORY Kalisha Fitsch Hand washing - we're all taught from a young age that it's important. It’s hard getting kids into the habit of it, and the daily before-meals hand washing struggle can become quite an ordeal.

Let’s get back to basics and understand how hand washing came to be.

Surprisingly, the link between handwashing and health was made less than two centuries ago! In 1846, Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis noticed that rates of death within the hospital he worked at fell dramatically when handwashing was introduced to medical staff on maternity wards.

Despite this, the handwashing habit was not widely adopted until 1980, when a string of infections led to the United States Centers for Disease Control identifying hand hygiene as an important and cost-effective way to keep viruses and ailments at bay. Other parts of the world soon followed, with handwashing now being a normal part of life.

Taking some time to thoroughly wash your hands can save you a trip to the doctor in the future, and is a proven way to prevent kids from getting sick. No matter how crazy life gets, don't underestimate the importance of hand washing!

Source: www.globalhandwashing.org

MAKE MORE MILK Alleviate those frustrating nights and days where bub isn’t getting enough milk for you both to sleep well. 100 per cent natural wheat, dairy, refined sugar and preservative free Feeding Cookies range will help you: •• make more milk naturally •• ensure optimal nutrition for both you AND your baby, and •• breastfeed with ease and confidence.

Available at Calanna Whole Health Pharmacy

54 November 2018 | www.pakmag.com.au

Local Businesses Love Local Families

LOCAL LOVIN' STORY Jenna Galley One look around the Townsville region is all it takes to see that we’re living in a pretty amazing place.

There’s natural beauty in every direction, excellent schools and facilities in every suburb and friendly faces in every neighbourhood.

Yes, we certainly are lucky to call North Queensland home. But part of what makes our city so charming is the local vibe. There are heaps of local professionals, farmers, artists, vendors and companies that we often overlook. It’s quite easy for our local businesses to miss out when the big guys keep coming and expanding.

So before you head to the big guns for your shopping and service needs, consider the locals! Here are a few reasons why: You’re keeping the money in Townsville Buying from a local family may mean you are helping a local family enrol their kids in school, rather than helping to buy an unknown CEO another holiday home in the Maldives.

You’re getting more than just a product We all know how big of a difference love can make.

Local companies do what they do because they want to. They are proud of their goods and services and they are passionate about their business.

This passion shines through in the quality and service delivered.

You’re helping to stop the unjust labour laws overseas By supporting local businesses that produce, grow, make and manufacturer their goods in Australia, you can be sure that it’s not just the quality of the goods that are up to standard, but also the quality of the workplace where the goods are made.

You’re supporting local growth It’s the ripple effect. When you buy from a local company, you are growing their business, allowing them to afford to expand, to create more jobs, to employ more people, to keep Townsville thriving.

You’re helping the environment Every time a product is shipped, it’s impacting our environment. Shopping locally means less carbon miles which is always a good thing for the earth.

Plus, shopping for foods locally means the product isn’t being shipped from halfway across the world, travelling for days and losing that fresh flavour and goodness.

The less travel, the better!

You’re buying cool, unique stuff Not mass-produced meaningless items. Every item you buy locally has a story, whether it’s a handmade outfit, a birthday cake, a steak or a punnet of berries. This is what makes shopping local so worthwhile – you are getting so much more than just a product or service.

Not sure where to go? PakMag are long-time, passionate supporters of North Queensland local communities and business’. You’ll find a range of local business’ you can support, throughout the mag, on our facebook page and at www.pakmag.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 57

Advertorial

Life’s a Beach at King Reef Resort

You need a break; but you don’t want to be spending a fortune. You need some time to relax; but you have kids. You need a change of scenery to re-energise; but you don’t want to travel too far. You need King Reef Resort in beautiful Kurrimine Beach.

As soon as you arrive the kids will be off exploring.

It’s the kind of place you feel comfortable not being a helicopter parent and letting your kids have a bit of freedom.

Our 2-bedroom beach shacks are located, you guessed it, right on the beach with ocean views. They’re a home away from home, with a large fridge, full kitchen, lounge room, bunk beds for the kids, and two cabins even have a spa bath. The other three cabins have a shower.

The pool is cool, refreshing, relaxing and shady. If the kids have had enough of the water they can ride their bikes, or you can hire one of our family pedal bikes and take the family for a ride around Kurrimine Beach!

Even though there are BBQ facilities, and the cabins have a kitchen, to truly relax it’s wonderful not to have to cook every meal. King Reef Resort has a great pub attached to it, with yummy meals, cold beers, and live entertainment some nights too. There is also a BYO café across the road that is open from 8am EVERY DAY offering breakfast, lunch and dinner with menu items like pizza, fish and chips, burgers and loads more. They make a great coffee and their milkshakes are pretty great too!

Bree James recalls her family’s visit…

“Before we had even unpacked the car my kids were off playing with children they had met five minutes prior. We got to have uninterrupted adult conversation without nagging children or anyone double dipping their chips. The kids were too occupied to even notice and this set the tone for our entire weekend.”

Kids (and adults) love playing on the beach and exploring the low tide looking for starfish. At certain times of year you can walk out to King Reef and see all sorts of amazing sea life. If you have a boat, then this is a great place to go fishing. Or simply fish from the beach.

WATCH THE REVIEW IN THE ONLINE MAG Check out Bree's video here to see the fun time she had or head to Parents & Kids of North Queensland on Youtube to see the video review.

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 59

After School Activities

Helping Kids Find Their Passion STORY Jenna Galley Mum, I’m bored. Dad, I’m bored!

It’s something we’ve all heard from time to time. Yes, children need a lot of social stimulation and plenty of parental playtime. But they also need to be able to entertain themselves and find something that ignites a spark within. Because, let’s face it, we can’t be responsible for entertaining them ALL the time.

Sorry, not happening kids.

Helping your children find something they love doing is a great way to build their confidence and develop a sense of pride. It also gives them a focus, a purpose, and something to do other than announce that they are bored. So how can you help your kids find this passion? Here are a few things to try: Give it a go with them Often kids don’t feel confident enough to try new things unless you

are by their side, at least for the first few tries. Yes, you might be way out of your comfort zone, but so are your little ones.

So get out there. Kick the footy at the park. Hit golf balls at the driving range. Go roller skating, even if you are awful at it. If mummy can do it, then so can they.

Have resources on hand You don’t have to buy the most expensive sporting equipment the moment your child kicks a ball.

But you can plant the seed by getting basic materials.

Buy some pens, paints and paper if your little one likes to draw, paint or write. Give them your old camera to take photos. Pick up some different balls, rackets, bats, etc. if they are showing an interest in sport.

Ask around What’s out there? You may be surprised! The best way to find out about these programs, sporting clubs and organisations, other than checking PakMag, of course, is to talk to other parents.

Go to free trial days Most clubs offer children a chance to try for free to see if they like it before signing up for the term or year.

Support them from the sidelines Doing something new is always scary. For the first little while, don’t do the drop and go. Instead, stay with them, watch them, wave to them, cheer for them. The best way to help them overcome their initial fear and find their passion is to be there to support them every step of the way.

www.pakmag.com.au | November 2018 61

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www.stockland.com.au/Townsville

Home

OUTDOOR SUMMER LIVING With The Block’s Caro and Kingi Summer is right around the corner - well, OK, it’s here, but the calendar insists it is just around the corner!

Take the fun outside this summer.

Modifying your outdoor living space can turn your regular backyard into a tropical oasis and create a wonderful space for the kids to play, explore and create.

Take your usual family activities outside. Install an outdoor kitchen and prepare meals on the patio. If that is not an option, a BBQ will do the trick. Play boardgames on the deck. Spoil yourself with some comfy lounge chairs and a good book.

Add a cubbyhouse: the kids can use it or you can turn it into a relaxing, shady haven for all the family.

Extending your living space outdoors is a fabulous option for North Queenslanders.

1

3

5

2

1. Wooden Picnic Table with Parasol - RRP $149.95 - www.playmackay.com.au 2. Sunnylife Inflatable Moby Dick Whale Sprinkler - RRP $49.99 $29.99 - www.yellowoctopus.com.au 3. Giant Wooden Dominoes 28pc - RRP $59.99 (Get $10 off when you spend $80 or more with Yellow Octopus! Use code PAKMAG389926) www.yellowoctopus.com.au 4. Customisable Daybed House - www.grandgazebos.com.au 5. Design Copper Dip Medium Pot - RRP $210.00 www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au 6. Lightly Salad Servers Brass - RRP $66.00 www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au 7.

Bonnie and Neil Napkin Evergreen Set of Six - RRP $135.00 - www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au 8. Tara Dennis Azores Placemat 35cm Natural - RRP $29.95 - www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au 9. Uniqwa Cape Town Natural Occasional Chair - RRP $950.00 - www.korufurnitureandhomewares.com.au

64 November 2018 | www.pakmag.com.au

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

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

DC Constructions Local construction company focusing on extensions and additions to the family home. p 0439 754 174 e daniel@dcconstructionsnq.com.au

www.stylecurator.com.au

6

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

Grand Gazebos and Cubbies 7

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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Yellow Octopus

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Yellow Octopus scours the globe for all the latest gadgets, toys, gifts and games.

Get $10 off your order when you spend $80 or more! Use code PAKMAG389926. www.yellowoctopus.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 | November 2018 65

DADDY DIARY “The Birds and the Bees”. An English euphemism referring to courtship and sexual interco......Actually there’s no real need for me to go on there. If you’re old enough to read this column you’re old enough to know the door I’m knocking on. And isn’t it a scary yet familiar door that all parents must open at some point in their kids’ lives. It’s just not a path I expected to cross at four and a bit years of age with my own daughter, Matilda.

It was a regular Sunday afternoon. My wife was rostered on weekend shift so I had the pleasure of my daughter’s company for the whole weekend. Anyone else know that feeling of longing for adult conversation after a day with the kids? Yeah well I was at that point.

We had a busy morning of housework and grocery shopping. We ticked off a lot on the to-do list. After the chores were done I breathed a sigh of relief when Matilda asked if we could watch some Harry Potter.

What a great idea. Chill and watch something that we both like. Secretly I’m really glad my love for all things Witchcraft & Wizardry has rubbed off on my daughter.

The movie arvo started off innocent enough. That was until Harry had to get all hormonal teen and pashed on with a Cho Chang. This was the point where the afternoon took an interesting twist.

The Harry movie we were watching was “The Order of the Phoenix”, the fifth film in the Harry Potter franchise.

If you’re a casual Potter fan it’s the film where that cruel

woman in pink, Dolores Umbridge, takes over Hogwarts, then Harry and co are forced to rise up against her guerrilla style. It’s also the film where Harry gets his first snog. It’s a long, wet, passionate one too. Yuk. It was during this kiss that it happened. It was an innocent enough question but sadly it was one I was not prepared for. During the kiss little miss four turned to me and said “Daddy what are they doing?”.

“They’re kissing” I replied. Matilda looked at me with bewilderment then quick as a golden snitch blurted out, “So Daddy should I start kissing like that?” SHOCK, HORROR, NOOOOOO! You’ll be glad to know I handled the situation like a true adult (after I stopped awkwardly laughing of course).

“Well Matilda that was a Mummy and Daddy kiss” I sheepishly explained. “Sometimes when two adults (even though Harry was 12 and not a father) love each other very much that’s how they kiss”. “But that’s just a kiss for mummies and daddies and not Matildas”. At first she seemed a little perplexed by my explanation.

Luckily for me the scene on the telly quickly changed and the witchcraft that ensued was enough to grab my daughter’s attention and for me to scurry off to the kitchen to grab a Pepsi Max. I earned it.

But you know what. I’ve since come to realise that the whole thing was not that big a deal. We shouldn’t be awkward about this stuff. Our kids are our own flesh and blood and it goes without saying that having conversations about birds and bees stuff is so much better coming from us as their parents than it is from any other place. So next time a tough question comes my way I’m going to step it up, put on my big boy dad pants and not laugh. I’ll just answer the question openly and honestly......Either that or I’ll just say “ask your mother” like my dad did. Actually, on second thoughts that may be the way to go. Her mother always has had a way with words!

Cliffo Hit 103.1 Townsville

66 November 2018 | www.pakmag.com.au