PakMag Townsville – October 2015 Issue 59

ISSUE ISSUE NO. NO. 59 59 OCT OCT 2015 2015 TOWNSVILLE TOWNSVILLE

Balancing Study & Kids ADULT EDUCATION

TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR FACEBOOK

Balancing Study & Kids

TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR FACEBOOK

! n e e w o l l a H y p p Ha ! n e e w o l l a Happy H

ADULT EDUCATION

Free

44

WIN

35

HELLO

CONTENTS ISSUE NO. 59 OCT 2015

06 Entertainment: Check This Out 08 Feature: Gaining Control Of

Your Facebook

11 Education: Helping Your Kids

Hello and welcome to the Halloween edition of PakMag. I cannot believe how fast this amazing journey continues to go. In my nearly nine years of publishing we have printed over 1.95 million magazines! Amazing, right!?

I am so very grateful for all the support we have been shown over this time. It is this support that has seen PakMag go from strength to strength and there is so much more currently in the planning that I hope to be sharing with you very soon.

However, something I am excited about sharing with you now is the upcoming launch of our new national business magazine. If you are in business, check out page 46.

We have some great giveaways this month including tickets to our exclusive preview of Hotel Transylvania 2. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page to win.

Cope With Stress

15 CPL 17 Coralee O'Rourke MP 19 Adult Education: Reading,

Writing And Raising Children

21 TAFE 23 What's On 25 Mini Mag

Wishing you a fabulous second week to the school holidays! Until next time, don’t forget to tell everyone, you read it in PakMag.

33 Bump & Bub: Gender Predictors

Bree x

37 Health 39 McDonald Leong Lawyers 40 Craft Corner: Chilling

BREE JAMES / PAKMAG PUBLISHER

Creations For Halloween

42 Celebrate: Tricks, Treats And Net Distribution Per Issue 10,000 CAB Publisher Statement Period ending 30th July 2015

Ghoulish Sweets

44 WIN 46 What's News In Business 48 Snapped PAKMAG HEAD OFFICE P 4053 3331 F 4053 3350 E admin@pakmag.com.au PO BOX 761 Hyde Park QLD 4812 FB www.facebook.com/pakmagtownsville T #pakmag

50 Daddy Diary

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

TSV Ambassador Alisyn

Dashing Designer Sara

Events Extraordinaire Kelly

Darling Designer Clare

Grand Poobah Bree

Sales Guru Angelina

Admin Ace Janelle

Sales Star Cherie

Sales Golden Girl Tammy

Content Captain Jenna

www.pakmag.com.au OCTOBER 2015

5

pakmag

CHECK THIS OUT

ENTERTAINMENT

Get Involved in the Garage Sale Trail 2015 WHEN: 24 October WHERE: Neighbourhoods across Australia MORE INFO: www.garagesaletrail.com.au Australia’s fastest-growing sustainability and reuse event is a great chance to spring clean, declutter, make some money and meet the locals. To register a sale for free or to see what’s on offer at other local sales visit www.garagesaletrail.com.au

McHappy Day – Ronald McDonald House Charity Fundraiser WHEN: 17 October, All day WHERE: All McDonalds across Australia MORE INFO: mchappyday@ppr.com.au McHappy Day is the biggest fundraising event on the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) calendar. To show your support, simply visit one of McDonald’s restaurants on Saturday October 17, and make a donation into the donation buckets, buy a Big Mac ($2 from every sale will go to RMHC) or purchase a $1 in cinemas november 2015Hand !

Helping or a pair of $3 Ronald Socks at a McDonald’s restaurant from September 30 - October 17, 2015.

Meet Dave Gleeson from The Screaming Jets The Screaming Jets need no introduction to Australian rock fans.

They have been a permanent force on the live music scene since they burst onto the airwaves in 1989 from their hometown of Newcastle.

PakMag was lucky enough to speak to lead singer and self-confessed “rocker through and through” Dave Gleeson about life on (and off) the rock-n-roll road.

Tell us about your family: I have a daughter, Bella, who is 11 and a son, James, who is seven. We live on a 10 acre property in Adelaide Hills with our dogs and sheep.

Do your kids have their dad’s rockand-roll genes?

Both of them take drum lessons and both of them have a bit of performer in them. So, yes!

Who is the most inspirational person in your life?

It would have to be my wife and I'm not just saying that because she is right beside me. She works very hard and has been able to keep me on the straight and narrow for a good twenty years now.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?

You can’t eat gravy with a fork – my dad was a travelling salesman and those were his parting words.

in cinemas november 2015!

PaKMAG Movie Preview - WIN TICKETS WHEN: 1 November, 11.00am WHERE: Townsville City Cinema MORE INFO: www.pakmag.com.au Get reacquainted with Dracula and his Hotel Transylvania in this spooky sequel. This is a great one for kids of all ages and parents will love it too.

For your chance to win keep an eye on the PakMag Facebook page.

6

OCTOBER 2015 www.pakmag.com.au

Name your top five bands of all time: ACDC, The Doors, Kiss, Aerosmith and The Angels

The Screaming Jets Live in Concert WHEN: 18 October 7.30pm WHERE: The Venue, Townsville (719 Flinders Street) MORE INFO: www.thescreamingjets.com.au

' WHEN: 9 October, 5.30 - 8.30pm WHERE: Strand Park, The Strand MORE INFO: lightthenight.org.au Light the Night is a free community event to raise awareness and much-needed funds to support those living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood disorders.

The highlight is a positive and moving lantern lighting ceremony followed by a sunset walk with specially lit coloured lanterns - white for those who are living or have lived through a blood cancer diagnosis, blue for supporters and members of the community who want to see a world free from blood cancer, and gold to represent friends and family we have lost to blood cancer.

Grand

SUNDAY 25th OCTOBER

PARENTS DAY

Do something special with the kid’s grandparents today, whether it’s a nice lunch out, a visit to a park or a Skype call.

Step Up! for Down Syndrome Walk and Community Festival WHEN: 25 October, 9am WHERE: Strand Park, The Strand MORE INFO: www.dsaq.org.au The Down Syndrome Association of Queensland (DSAQ) is pleased to announce the annual Step Up! for Down Syndrome event. There will be a range of activities available for families to enjoy including live entertainment by Groove, performances, a jumping castle and other amusements, face painting, a petting zoo and pony rides.

The event also aims to raise awareness and funds to be used by the local community to provide support and activities for people with Down syndrome living in Townsville.

www.pakmag.com.au OCTOBER 2015

7

GAINING CONTROL OF YOUR K O O B E C A F

There is no denying that Facebook is an important tool in our personal and professional lives. Facebook helps keep our friends close and our families closer and an estimated 75 per cent of parents have an active Facebook account.

Liking posts, sharing stories and commenting on statuses are some of the ways many parents engage on Facebook but most mums admit that uploading photos is one of the best ways to make use of Facebook. According to a recent study conducted

by The Parent Zone in the UK, the average number of kiddie photos parents are posting online before their little ones turn five years old is 973. And, while experts do not advise against posting photos or engaging via social media entirely, they do suggest that all Facebook users need to be well aware of just what they are sharing (and with whom).

There are countless news stories circulating about the dangers of Facebook in regards to identity theft and often the issue comes down to your privacy settings. The Parent Zone reveals that “17 per cent of parents have never checked their Facebook privacy settings and almost half (46 per cent) have only checked once or twice, despite the social network being the most common platform for photo sharing”.

If your information, including photos of your children, get into the hands of the wrong people, the consequences can be shocking. So how can you ensure that you have full control of your Facebook? Our PakMag social media team share their tips: 1. GENERAL SAFETY SETTINGS Head to "Settings" and the "Privacy" tab. See what your settings are and edit accordingly.

Go to "Timeline and Tagging". Enable "Review Posts" and the "Review Tags" so that people can't post on your timeline without your approval of each post.

2. CATEGORISING YOUR FRIENDS (BEST DONE ON A PC) To categorise your Facebook friends go to the "Friends" tab on your "Home" page. Click on the dropdown box per friend and categorise them as a "Close Friend", "Acquaintance" or "Add to Another List" that you create.

You can create lists based on people you work with, people in your alumni, people in your mother’s group and much more.

You can also "Restrict" the person so they are your friend on Facebook but they can't see your photos or posts.

Another option is to “unfollow” certain friends and pages. That way you still remain friends but you are not bombarded with their status updates and posts.

8

OCTOBER 2015 www.pakmag.com.au

FEATURE

pakmag

3. SECURING YOUR PHOTOS Like categorising your friends, you can categorise your photos which is highly recommended for the safety of your family.

Most albums can be customised for viewing in similar categories that you have set up like your friends. (Ie: "Public" can view your photos, Friends, Acquaintances or Family).

We suggest no images of children in your profile and cover pictures. The Profiles Pictures Album has to be a "Public" folder so change or remove photos from this folder if you wish, then change the settings of each album or photo accordingly.

4. VIEWING YOUR ACCOUNT AS A CERTAIN PERSON Sometimes we don't want certain people to see things on our timeline.

You can check to see how they see your timeline and photo albums by using the "View As" feature to see what your timeline looks like to the "Public" or as we like to say - the biggest country on Earth - Facebook. If the security is not tight enough - fix it and view again.

Things to Avoid Sharing on Facebook YOUR PHONE NUMBER

YOUR HOLIDAY PLANS

If you want to include your phone number, make sure you hide it from your profile so only select people can see it.

Going away for the month? Don’t share this on Facebook until you have returned. This simply announces to your friends (and possibly others if you share publicly), that your house is empty.

• Go to Facebook and click on your name at the top of the page. When your profile page loads, click the “Update Info” button in the lower-right corner of your cover image.

• Go to “Contact and Basic Info” in the left column and next to your phone number click the “Edit” link.

Also, avoid status updates claiming “All alone tonight” or “Partner is away for the weekend” as you never know who could get this information.

• Click the “audience selector” icon and change it to “Only me.”

• Facebook is a great place to store family photos and albums from holidays but make sure you have the right settings on the album. “Only Me” or “Family” may better than “Public”.

YOUR HOME ADDRESS

YOUR KIDS IN THE BATH, ON THE POTTY OR NAKED

It’s best to avoid showcasing your home address.

Remove it from your profile as well as any events that you have hosted at your house in the past.

What you may think is a sweet moment in the bath could end up on a child pornography sight. It’s not a nice thing to think about, but it does happen.

• Follow the directions above to get into the “Contact and Basic Info” section of your profile information.

• If you are going to share these photos, make sure you select the appropriate audience.

• Look for “Neighbourhood,” and if there’s an address there, click the “Edit” link next to it and wipe out the information.

GROUP PHOTOS

• Then click “Save Changes.”

YOUR PAYMENT INFORMATION Facebook is free, but it still wants your credit card number. Adding your financial information lets you buy gift cards and other products straight through the website but this could be disastrous in the wrong hands.

According to The Parent Zone, “25 per cent of parents confess to never asking the permission of the people in photos before posting them and over half (53 per cent) have uploaded a photo of a child that wasn’t their own.”

• When uploading photos of other children, make sure you have permission from the parents first.

Many parents are not comfortable having their children’s faces on social media.

• Open your Facebook, click the upside-down triangle in the top right corner and choose “Settings.”

• In the left column select “Payments,” and then on the right go the “Account Settings” tab.

• You can see if you have any saved payment information and remove it.

www.pakmag.com.au OCTOBER 2015

9

EDUCATION

pakmag

Helping Your Kids

COPE WITH STRESS

STORY Rowena Prentice I often find myself wishing I was back in childhood, free of stress. But the reality is that childhood can be a very stressful experience. With increasing school demands, countless extra-curricular options and coping with life, more young people are experiencing overwhelming stress, sometimes leading to mental health issues.

Headspace (the National Youth Mental Health Foundation) tells us that anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem experienced by young Australians, affecting around one in five females and one in 10 males aged 16-24 years.

About half of people with anxiety experience their first symptoms by age 11. According to BeyondBlue, one in 16 young Australians experience depression. Both anxiety and depression are common results of overwhelming, prolonged stress.

WHAT IS STRESS? Stress itself is not a bad thing. It helps us learn and develop. Essentially, stress becomes a problem when it leads to prolonged distress.

In preschoolers, separation from parents can cause anxiety. As kids get older, academic and social pressures create stress. Too much exposure to 'adult' worries, major changes (like illness, death, separations or moving) and even everyday things like seeing disturbing situations in the media are all common stressors.

Fear, anxiety and worry are normal and often manageable in children; however, extra help may be needed when anxiety seems out of control, stops them participating in activities or prevents them from doing things their peers do easily.

WHAT DOES STRESS LOOK LIKE? While a certain amount of stress is useful, too much can lead to emotional crisis or serious physical illness. Common physical signs include sleeplessness, headaches, stomach aches, diarrhoea/constipation and susceptibility to illness.

You might notice changes in behaviour like 'nervous' habits, fears, difficulty concentrating, excessive shyness, acting out, withdrawal or lying, or a decline in academic ability.

www.pakmag.com.au OCTOBER 2015

11

pakmag

EDUCATION

HOW CAN YOU HELP? There are many simple things you can do to help reduce stress:

HOW DOES YOUR CHILD COPE WITH STRESS?

PLAY Children learn and make sense of their world through free play. Make sure they're getting as much unstructured, imaginative/creative free play time as possible, with plenty of time spent outdoors.

BREATHE Sounds simple, but learning calming breathing takes practice, and can help reduce the physiological symptoms of anxiety. Help your child to breathe deeply and slowly through mindful breathing or games like blowing feathers or bubbles.

Other useful calming techniques include muscle relaxation and visualisation exercises (there are plenty of these online, or from family/ health services), playing with sand and water, beading and colouring.

COMMUNICATE Include both family sharing and one-on-one time as much as possible. Dinner and bedtime are great opportunities to hear how your child is going. Try to use open-ended questions and simply listen. They're more likely to talk openly if you're accepting and non-judgemental. Sometimes kids just feel better when you're there. When children misbehave, try to understand why they might be behaving that way.

REFLECT Use everyday moments to help children understand their world. The news, TV programs and everyday events in their life are all opportunities to help kids discuss, reflect and make sense of what they see and hear. Let them know it's okay to feel angry, scared, lonely, or anxious and that other people share those feelings.

ENCOURAGE STRUCTURE Structure (like daily routines, family meetings and shared rules) can alleviate stress by helping children know boundaries and expectations. As children get older, they can contribute to how those structures look. You can also help by anticipating potentially stressful situations and preparing kids for them.

REST Make sure there's downtime in every day, and set healthy sleep patterns. Sleep can be improved by having regular bedtimes (even weekends), limiting night screen time and having calming activities before bed.

While most parents can support their child to cope well with stress, professional help may be necessary when behavioural or physical signs persist, when stress is causing serious anxiety, or significant problems at school or at home.

More detailed information on reducing your child's risk of depression and anxiety can be found at www.parentingstrategies.net

12

OCTOBER 2015 www.pakmag.com.au

Tamara A Hogan outlines several different coping methods common in children.

THE ATHLETE (GETS PHYSICAL) Pushes themselves extra hard in their exercise or sport routine.

THE COMEDIAN (USES HUMOUR) Tells jokes or finds the ‘funny’ in the problem.

THE EEYORE (PASSIVELY RESISTS) Disengages and gives up.

THE FAIRY GOD-MOTHER (POSITIVELY REFRAMES) Looks for the positive by reframing the situation.

THE NURSE (HELPS OTHERS) Distracts themselves by rushing to aid others who appear to need their help.

THE TALKER (TURNS TO VENTING) Expresses their negative feelings freely with others.

THE MARTHA STEWART (SOLVES PROBLEMS) Analyses and sources the problem before coming up with several solutions.

THE MASQUERADER (DANCES WITH DENIAL) Avoids the issue altogether by denying the problem exists.

THE MARTYR (BLAMES HIMSELF) Excessively blames themselves for a situation by internalising the issue.

THE TOLERATOR (EMBRACES THE CHANGE AND CHALLENGE) Accepts reality and the stress that comes with it and proactively adapts to new situations.

See www.tamaraliving.com for the full list of “Creative Coping” methods.

ADVERTORIAL

pakmag

PUT THE WRITE AND RIGHT FOOT FORWARD WITH CPL Make new friends while learning skills for life with CPL's therapy groups.

Being a part of a group is one of the quintessential parts of being a kid. Lifelong memories are made with your classmates out on the soccer field, in falling over with your brother when trying a new yoga pose or in splashing with new friends at the beach on the holidays. You may have fond memories of learning to paint or expressing yourself in speech and drama classes.

Groups are a wonderful way to build social skills, while also developing specific emotional, speech, language and movement skills. All while making new friends!

CPL offer many therapy groups in Townsville and each program is individualised to work on your child’s specific goals. Plus, they are a fun and cost effective alternative to individual therapy. Starting school for the first time is an adventure for every child and Ela Phan was no different. Ela’s mum, Maria, reached out to CPL in preparation for the school year to make sure Ela was on track.

“Ela came along to one of the literacy groups and she just loved it. I was so impressed that the therapists created a

CPL offers competitive rates for therapy services to the general public including physiotherapy, speech pathology and occupational therapy

plan just for her and it even included fun activities to do at home,” Maria said.

“She loved the first group so much that we signed up for another one right away.

Ela had some difficulty with balance, and the Turn n Tumble group helped her to set some goals for core strength and flexibility.

“I’ve seen a real difference in Ela after both of the groups and she has enjoyed making new friends too. I love that CPL is so passionate about each child achieving their own goals,” she said.

Run by experienced and passionate Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech Therapists and Social Workers,

CPL’s groups offer specialist, evidence-based programs embedded within exciting and engaging activities.

For more information about the groups on offer, you can contact CPL directly on 1800 275 753 to make an appointment. For more information about CPL’s children’s therapy services, visit their website at www.cpl.org.au. CPL Townsville is located at 22 Ridley Road, Kirwan.

CPL oFFERS MANY PROGRAMS, SESSIONS AND GROUPS for all your childs needs:

TOOLS4SCHOOL is a specialised program to help the whole family get ready for the first year of school.

This group helps kids to grow their reading and handwriting skills, as well as developing language and communication for the school year. At the end of the program, CPL will also provide information to your child’s new school so they are ready for the year ahead.

Tools4School parent sessions are designed to help you through the new adventure of starting school. A range of guest speakers will provide information on topics including resilience, bullying and managing change throughout the school journey.

SPORTS STARS is an energetic group focussing on developing the skills needed to participate in team sports and sports day activities. It’s a great way to practise things like dribbling, turn taking and shooting goals while also developing coordination, core strength and fitness. Our Sports Stars program can give your child all the support they need to join the local sports club!

TURN 'N' TUMBLE is an interactive gym group, filled with fun games and obstacle courses. This program can help with balance and coordination, using different surfaces to create just the right challenge for children to develop their gross motor skills with new friends.

Groups like BEACH BUDDIES and

BEND 'N' ZEN are perfect for Townsville’s beautiful outdoors.

CPL’s Beach Buddies combines the challenge of sand and water to work towards developing your child’s individual core, balance and fitness goals. Our Bend ‘n’ Zen program is a yoga style group that blends the principles of Pilates and Tai Chi to developing flexibility, breath control and core stability.

www.pakmag.com.au OCTOBER 2015

15

ADVERTORIAL

pakmag

MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER

Seniors/

GRANDPARENTS DAY Older people are the cornerstones of our communities - they give back as volunteers, employees, community leaders, carers, grandparents and advocates. They enrich our communities with their wide range of experience and achievements and play a significant role in the family structure.

As the only child of ageing parents, I understand that while there are challenges for some older people, their contribution to the state makes them Queensland’s most valuable assets.

Grandparents Day is an opportunity for Queenslanders of all ages to join together and celebrate the valuable contribution of grandparents. It is also an occasion to acknowledge the efforts and devotion of grandparents who are full-time carers for their grandchildren.

This year Grandparents Day will be celebrated on Sunday 25 October with the theme ‘Celebrate your special connection’.

Queensland was the first state in Australia to celebrate Grandparents Day, when it was held on 7 November 2010 to recognise the important contribution grandparents made to Queensland families and communities.

This year schools and community groups across the state will be

holding events to celebrate the special connection between grandparents, their families and the community. Information about these events can be found on the Grandparents Day 2015 website: www.qld.gov.au/grandparentsday.

I encourage all Townsville locals, both young and old, to get out and about on Grandparents Day and to take full advantage of the wide range of activities on offer.

Grandparents Day is an opportunity for Queenslanders of all ages to join together and celebrate the valuable contribution of grandparents.

The website also includes useful information and resources including ideas on how to celebrate, downloadable bookmarks and certificates of recognition for

grandparents, as well as templates for posters and e-cards.

The Palaszczuk Government understands the importance of investing in seniors, to ensure their wealth of knowledge and expertise continues to be valued. This is why we have supported the Council of Grandparents, by creating awareness about this important celebration.

Grandparents Day is a way of saying ‘thank you’ to all grandparents and acknowledging the valuable role they play in enhancing and supporting families and communities across Queensland.

I look forward to recognising and appreciating our Townsville grandparents on this special day and learning about your special connections.

The Honourable Coralee O’Rourke MP Member for Mundingburra, Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Seniors, and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland.

www.pakmag.com.au OCTOBER 2015

17

“Thanks to Gerlinda I no longer worry about what to wear...best of all it made me feel better about myself after having kids� Bree James - Owner of PakMag

Prices starting from $100 Gift Vouchers Available

ADULT EDUCATION

pakmag

Reading, Writing &

RAISING CHILDREN

STORY Jenna Gallina When it comes to adult education, finding the balance between being a parent and being a mum is tricky to say the least, but most multitasking mums would agree that the end result is certainly worth it.

You’ve seen the stock photos of a mum enjoying a coffee while she studies with her children happily sitting beside her. In reality, studying with children, especially young children, isn’t always such a pretty picture.

Returning to school after having children, whether studying online or on campus, can be a daunting and frightening idea.

Plus, tick off each item from your checklist – there is nothing better for your motivation than seeing your list of things-todo diminish.

ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS

How will I find the time to do everything?

Get all your chores out of the way before you study so you don’t hear the beep beep beep of the washing machine every time you turn a page. Plus, turn your phone off and log out of Facebook!

How will I find the motivation?

THINK OUTSIDE THE TEXTBOOK

Will I even remember how to study?

Taking the plunge and finding out just what you are capable of not only benefits you and proves that yes, you can do it, but it also sets an excellent example for your children. If mummy can do it, then so can they.

Whether you are thinking about enrolling in a program or are currently undergoing an adult education course, keep these tips in mind when juggling learning with little ones.

If you can, purchase a tablet so you can browse through the lecture slides while feeding bub on the lounge or rocking your little one to sleep. You may even be able to get some lectures through audio so you can play them through your phone or iPod while walking the kids to school or on your afternoon stroll to the park.

Top Ten Reasons to Consider Adult Education

Balancing Study with Kids SET A FAMILY STUDY TIME For example, make 4pm every week day family homework time where everyone sits down around the table and studies, reads, draws or does something creative.

KEEP THE KIDS HAPPY Have snacks prepared and some activities that your kids can do with minimal supervision.

One option is to set up four different activities (play dough, blocks, colouring and LEGO, etc.) and set the timer for 15 minutes each. This gives you an hour of study time and the kids get a taste of toy circuit training.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR PRODUCTIVE TIME AKA – their sleep time. This may mean getting up an hour earlier or going to bed an hour later, but it also means you don’t have to sacrifice your family time for study time.

USE VISUAL REMINDERS Make a timetable with study times, project due dates and check-lists for the different things you need to accomplish each week. Use coloured texters for every subject and make your visual board bright and fun. This will make it easier to actually do what you have to do.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

To increase your earning potential To challenge yourself To continue your quest for knowledge To get into something completely new To fulfil a personal goal To start a business To further your current career To meet new people and network To improve your self-esteem To set a good example for your kids

www.pakmag.com.au OCTOBER 2015

19

ADVERTORIAL

pakmag

Make

GREAT HAPPEN

FROM TOILET TRAINING TO TEXT BOOKS

One mum shares her story on making the transition from full-time mum to student with TAFE. When Jan Brassington first decided she wanted to do a Certificate IV in Education Support, she was nervous because it had been more than 17 years since she’d done any study.

The fulltime mother-of-six fell in love with the education industry after volunteering at her children’s school.

“I left my job so that I could take care of my kids, which was an amazing experience,” she said. “But now my youngest has gone to prep, I have a lot more time on my hands.”

“When I decided to study, I questioned myself a lot because it had been so long since I’d done anything other than care for my kids.”

“The way the course was set up was really different from how I studied back in the 90s – hardly anything was online back then – but it was very user-friendly and I was able to pick it up quickly.”

“I would never have been able to study in a traditional classroom environment because of the way my personal life is structured.

“It’s perfect because I can study at my own pace.”

Jan enrolled in an online course and said the support she’d received from her teachers, helped her with her confidence and before she knew it, she was loving every minute of her study.

Jan will graduate this year and said she wants to work as a teacher’s aide. She said she also wants to continue her studies, possibly going into more specialised areas of student support.

One of the most surprising things was her discovery of TAFE Queensland North’s Recognition of Prior Learning system.

“Another great thing about studying this Certificate is that I am able to get an understanding of the industry,” she said.

“Now I know where support is needed, I can plan further study around that.”

“I’d home-schooled my children and I found out that there’s a way to have those skills and that experience applied to my studies,” she said. “It saved me some time and money!”

TAFE Queensland North offers Education Support qualifications both in classrooms and online.

www.pakmag.com.au OCTOBER 2015

21

R

ANCHLANDS

EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

Come Riding With Us!

• Learn how to ride • Basic horsemanship • Training techniques - basics, dressage, jumping and horse sports • Enthusiastic positive instructors • Adult beginner classes • Fun and informative holiday programmes • Horse agistment • Saddlery shop

Ph: 47740 124 www.ranchlands.com.au 83 Hammond Way, Kelso Townsville Qld

Ride for Fun, Fitness and Friendships

WHAT'S ON OCT THURSDAY 1

SaturDAY 3

SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM (CRAFT) Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au 10.00am / Free / Family

CRAFT ACTIVITIES Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au 10.00am / Free / Family

FACE PAINTING Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au 11.00am / Free / Family ART ESCAPE - ZINE MAKING (Ages 8-12 - Bookings Required) Pinnacles Gallery, Riverway Arts Centre 4773 8871 10.30am / Cost / Kids

FRIDAY 2 SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM (CRAFT) Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au 10.00am / Free / Family FACE PAINTING Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au 11.00am / Free / Family SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM - OZOBOTS Bookings Required CityLibraries Aitkenvale 4727 8310 9.30am & 11.00am / Free / Family ART ESCAPE - REEF PRINTMAKING Ages 8-12, Bookings Essential Pinnacles Gallery, Riverway Arts Centre 4773 8871 10.30am / Cost / Kids

FACE PAINTING Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au 11.00am / Free / Family PETE MURRAY - YOURS ACOUSTICALLY TOUR The Venue, Townsville www.thevenuetownsville.com.au 7.00pm / Cost / Adult

SUNDAY 4 FAMILY YOGA -FOR ALL AGES YogaHeath Townsville Woolcock Centre, Currajong www.sundalah.com.au 3.00pm / Cost / Family CRAFT ACTIVITIES Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au 10.00am / Free / Family FACE PAINTING Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au 11.00am / Free / Family

TUESDAY 6

"Minty picks Pete Murray - Yours Acoustically Tour on Saturday 3rd" 10.00am / Free / Family PARENT INFORMATION SESSION - FUSSY EATERS CityLibraries Aitkenvale 1300 878 001 9.30am / Free

WEDNESDAY 7 CREEKWATCH ACTIVITIES Meet opposite Rowes Bay Caravan Park 4774 1693 8.00am / Free / Family SENIORS SCREENING THE INTERN Event Cinemas & BCC Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au 10.00am / Cost / Adult SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER Ends 10/10/15 Townsville Civic Theatre 4727 9797 7.30pm / Cost / Family STORYTIME - ROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF WITH LA LUNA YOUTH ARTS CityLibraries Thuringowa 1300 878 001 10.00am / Free / Family

THURSDAY 8

CREEKWATCH ACTIVITIES Meet opposite Rowes Bay Caravan Park 4774 1693 8.00am / Free / Family

VOLUNTEERING AT QUARANTINE STATION Quarantine Station Cape Pallarenda www.conservationvolunteers.com.au 8.00am / Free / Adult

STORYTIME - ROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF CityLibraries Flinders St 1300 878 001

BABY RHYME TIME CityLibraries Thuringowa 1300 878 001 10.00am & 11.00am / Family

LOUD LOUNGE - ROCKTOBER OPEN MIC ARVO 12 - 18 Years CityLibraries Aitkenvale 1300 878 001 3.30pm / Free / Kids

FRIDAY 9 LEUKAEMIA FOUNDATION LIGHT THE NIGHT Strand Park www.lightthenight.org.au 5.30pm / Family SAN CISCO The Venue, Townsville www.thevenuetownsville.com.au 7.30pm / Cost / Adult STORYTIME - ROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF CityLibraries Aitkenvale 1300 878 001 10.00am / Free / Family

SATURDAY 10 CRAFT ACTIVITIES Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au 10.00am / Free / Family FACE PAINTING Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au 11.00am / Free / Family SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER Townsville Civic Theatre 4727 9797 1.30pm / Family GLENCORE GREEK FESTIVAL Ends 11/10/15 Riverway Arts Centre www.greekfest.com.au Various times / Free / Family

www.pakmag.com.au OCTOBER 2015

23

WHAT'S ON OCT SATURDAY 10 POKEMON CLUB Ages 8+ CityLibraries Thuringowa 1300 878 001 10.00am / Free / Kids

STORYTIME ROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF CityLibraries Flinders St 1300 878 001 10.00am / Free / Family

wednesday 14

JCU TOWNSVILLE FIRE VS BENDIGO SPIRIT Townsville RSL Stadium 4727 9797 7.00pm / Cost / Family

STORYTIME - ROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF CityLibraries Thuringowa 1300 878 001 10.00am / Free / Family

SUNDAY 11

friday 16

CRAFT ACTIVITIES Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au 10.00am / Free / Family

RIVERWAY MOVIE NIGHT STAR WARS EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Tony Ireland Stadium www.townsville.qld.gov.au 6.00pm / Free / Family

FACE PAINTING Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au 11.00am / Free / Family TOWNSVILLE & THURINGOWA COUNTRY MUSIC FUN DAY St Joseph's Catholic School, Mundingburra www.ttcma.webs.com 1.00pm / Cost / Family

MONDAY 12 BABY RHYME TIME (Runs again at 11am) CityLibraries Aitkenvale 1300 878 001 10.00am / Free / Family

TUESDAY 13

RIVERWAY MOVIE NIGHT STAR WARS RETURN OF THE JEDI Tony Ireland Stadium www.townsville.qld.gov.au 8.00pm / Free / Family MULTICULTURAL STORYTIME CityLibraries Aitkenvale 1300 878 001 10.00am / Free / Family

SATURDAY 17

"Chooky picks The Screaming Jets on Saturday 17th" 10.00am / Free / Family FACE PAINTING Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au 11.00am / Free / Family THE SCREAMING JETS The Venue, Townsville www.thevenuetownsville.com.au 7.00pm / Cost / Adult THE WAIFS Townsville Civic Theatre 4727 9797 7.00pm / Cost / Adult

SUNDAY 18 CRAFT ACTIVITIES Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au 10.00am / Free / Family FACE PAINTING Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au 11.00am / Free / Family

CREEKWATCH ACTIVITIES Meet opposite Rowes Bay Caravan Park 4774 1693 8.00am / Free / Family CHICKS AT THE FLICKS THE DRESSMAKER Event Cinemas & BCC Cinemas www.eventcinemas.com.au 6.00pm / Cost / Adult LOUD LOUNGE - ROCKTOBER OPEN MIC ARVO 12 - 18 Years CityLibraries Thuringowa 1300 878 001 3.00pm / Free / Family

thursDAY 22 TOWNSVILLE GRAMMAR PREP INFO NIGHT Annandale Campus tgs.qld.edu.au 6.00pm / Free

TUESDAY 20

VOLUNTEERING AT QUARANTINE STATION Quarantine Station Cape Pallarenda www.conservationvolunteers.com.au 8.00am / Free / Adult

MCHAPPY DAY McDonalds Restaurants www.mcdonalds.com.au All Day / Family

CREEKWATCH ACTIVITIES Meet opposite Rowes Bay Caravan Park 4774 1693 8.00am / Free / Family

CRAFT ACTIVITIES Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au

STORYTIME - ROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF CityLibraries Flinders St

Keep up to date with local issues, competitions, events & all things parenting

/PakmagTownsville

OCTOBER 2015 www.pakmag.com.au

wednesDAY 21

JCU TOWNSVILLE FIRE VS UC CAPITALS Townsville RSL Stadium 4727 9797 1.00pm / Cost / Family

EMAIL EVENTS TO: PROMOTIONS@PAKMAG.COM.AU

24

1300 878 001 10.00am / Free / Family

www.pakmag.com.au OCTOBER 2015

25

in cinemas november 2015!

in cinemas november 2015! in cinemas november 2015!

WIN

A FAMILY PASS TO PAKMAG'S MOVIE PREVIEW OF HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 ON 1ST NOV, 2015

SonyPicturesAnimation.com SonyPicturesAnimation.com SonyPicturesAnimation.com

TO ENTER COLOUR IN MAIL TO:

NAME............................................................................................. AGE..............

PAKMAG, COLOUR IN OCT 2015 PO BOX 7433, CAIRNS QLD 4870

PARENT/GUARDIAN...........................................................................................

WIN A FAMILY PASS TO PAKMAG'S MOVIE PREVIEW ON 1ST NOVEMBER, 2015 (COMP CLOSES 31/10/15)

TSV 26

OCTOBER 2015 www.pakmag.com.au

ADDRESS............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................POSTCODE.............

PHONE.........................................EMAIL..............................................................

in cinemas november 2015!

inin cinemas november 2015! cinemas november 2015!

WIN

A FAMILY PASS TO PAKMAG'S MOVIE PREVIEW OF HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 ON 1ST NOV, 2015

SonyPicturesAnimation.com SonyPicturesAnimation.com SonyPicturesAnimation.com

TO ENTER COLOUR IN MAIL TO:

NAME............................................................................................. AGE..............

PAKMAG, COLOUR IN OCT 2015 PO BOX 7433, CAIRNS QLD 4870

PARENT/GUARDIAN...........................................................................................

WIN A FAMILY PASS TO PAKMAG'S MOVIE PREVIEW ON 1ST NOVEMBER, 2015 (COMP CLOSES 31/10/15)

TSV

ADDRESS............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................POSTCODE.............

PHONE.........................................EMAIL..............................................................

s e k Jo

Written by Lenny Bayer, PakMag's intern extraordinaire.

What is the most important subject a witch learns in school?

What goes round a haunted house and never stops?

Spelling!

A fence!

What room does a ghost not need?

What kind of desserts do ghosts like?

A living room!

I scream!

Why do ghosts make good cheerleaders?

Why didn’t the skeleton go to the ball?

He had no body to dance with!

They have a lot of spirit!

What did the skeleton say to the vampire?

Why didn’t the skeleton want to go to school?

You suck!

His heart wasn’t in it!

What do mums dress up as on Halloween?

What is a mummy’s favourite type of music?

Mummies!

Wrap!

Trick or treat

tips

If the front door is closed and the windows are shut, it’s clear that the owner doesn’t want you inside.

Make sure your voice is loud enough for the adult to hear you say, “Thank you!”

Make sure to wear your costume!!

Open for business: Turn on all the lights in your house and on your porch.

Secure all pets in a separate room. You know “little Gizmo” won’t hurt anyone, but the little ones aren’t so sure.

Don’t dress up in a costume yourself.

Children expect to open the door to a friendly adult, not a vampire.

WHAT'S ON OCT FRIDAY 23 MAGGIES' FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS Riverway Arts Centre 4727 9797 7.00pm / Cost / Family

SATURDAY 24 CRAFT ACTIVITIES Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au 10.00am / Free / Family INDIA FEST Riverway, Townsville www.indiafesttownsville.org

10.00am / family FACE PAINTING Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au 11.00am / Free / Family GARAGE SALE TRAIL Various Venues garagesaletrail.com.au Various times / Free / Family

SUNDAY 25 CRAFT ACTIVITIES Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au 10.00am / Free / Family FACE PAINTING

Bunnings Townsville Central www.bunnings.com.au 11.00am / Free / Family

MESSY PLAY IN THE PARK Dan Gleeson Park Playground 1300 878 001 9.30am / Free / Family

STEP UP FOR DOWN SYNDROME WALK Strand Park www.facebook.com/DSAQLD 9.00am / Cost / Family

THURSday 29 HALLOWEEN LOCK IN NIGHT Kingpin Bowling 13 26 95 6.00pm / Cost / Family

STEP UP FOR DOWN SYNDROME COMMUNITY FESTIVAL Strand Park www.facebook.com/DSAQLD 9.30am / Cost / Family

FRIday 30 STORYTIME ROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF CityLibraries Aitkenvale 1300 878 001 10.00am / Free / Family

WEDNEsday 28

EMAIL EVENTS TO: PROMOTIONS@PAKMAG.COM.AU

REGULAR MARKETS BALGAL BEACH MARKETS

COTTERS MARKETS Time/Date: 8.30am-1pm, Every Sun Location: Flinders St & Townsville Bulletin Square,

HORSESHOE BAY MARKETS Time: 9am-2pm Date: Every second and last Sunday Location: Horseshow Bay Foreshore

Time: 8am-2pm, Every Saturday (Exc Jan) Location: Mountainview Plaza

RENEGADE HANDMADE INDOOR MARKET EXTRAVAGANZA

Location: Bluewater Community Assoc Date: Every Second Saturday

Time: 8am-1pm Date: Every Second Sat Location: Aitkenvale School

BUSHLAND BEACH MARKETS

Time/Date: 7am to 11am, Every Sun Location: Castle Hill PCYC

MOUNTAINVIEW PLAZA MARKET

Time/Date: 6am-12pm, Every Saturday Location: North Shore Town Centre

BLUEWATER COMMUNITY CENTRE TWILIGHT MARKETS

CASTLE HILL PCYC MARKETS

Time: 5.30pm-8pm Date: Every Friday (Exc Good Friday) Location: Magnetic Island RSL

NQ FARMERS MARKET

Time/Date: 8am-1pm, First & Third Sat Location: Balgal Beach

Time/Date: 8am-1pm, First & Third Sun Location: Bushland Beach

MAGNETIC ISLAND RSL MARKET

LABEL TRADERS MARKET Time: 8am-12pm Date: 3rd Sunday of the month Location: Mundingburra State School

STRAND NIGHT MARKETS Time/Date: 5pm-9.30pm, First Friday Location: Strand Park (Runs from May to Dec)

TOWNSVILLE ARTIST MARKET Time/Date: August 1 at Strand Ephemera, October 24, Riverway Arts Centre, 9am-12pm

WILLOWS ROTARY MARKETS Time/Date: 7.30-11.30am, Every Sun Location: Willows Shop Centre Carpark

UPPER ROSS COMMUNITY Time/Date: 8.00am-1.00pm, 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month Location: Next to McDonalds at Rasmussen

www.pakmag.com.au OCTOBER 2015

29

REGULAR EVENTS TOWNSVILLE GALLERIES VARIOUS DAYS Monday Morning Art Group (Adults) Time/Day: 9.00am, Monday Location: Pinnacles Gallery, 4773 8871 Art-Box - Art Activities for Under 5's Time/Day: 10.00am, First Tuesday Location: Pinnacles Gallery Cost/Phone: Free (Kids) 4773 8871 Percival's Life Drawing (Adults) Time/Day: 6.30pm, Tuesday Location: Perc Tucker Regional Gallery Cost/Phone: $15, 4727 9011 Free Family Fun Day - Art Activities for the Family Time/Day: 10.30am, Third Sunday Location: Perc Tucker Regional Gallery Cost/Phone: Free, (Family) 4727 9011

BROTHERS LEAGUES CLUB TOWNSVILLE VARIOUS DAYS Membership Draw Time/Day: 7.00pm, Monday Location: Brothers Townsville Phone: 4773 8000 Membership Draw Time/Day: 6.30pm, Wednesday Location: Brothers Townsville Phone: 4773 8000

BARRA FUN PARK

MUSEUM OF TROPICAL QLD 2ND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

Free Day for Townsville Locals at the Museum of Tropical QLD (Excl School Holidays) Time: 9.30am to 5.00pm

Barramundi Fishing, Cable Ski & Inflatable Water Park Web: www.barrafunpark.com TIme: 10.00am - 4.00pm Cost: $23 (3-13), $29 (14+), $89 (Family 4)

RIDESNSLIDES

BELGIAN GARDENS STATE SCHOOL PLAYGROUP MONDAYS Location: Belgian Gardens SS Hall Cost/Phone: $2 per person, 4771 3655

EARLY YEARS INFORMATION SERVICE VARIOUS DAYS Parent Information Sessions (Bookings Required) Time/Day: 9.30am, First Tuesday Location: CityLibraries Aitkenvale Web: www.townsville.qld.gov.au Cost: Free (Except School Holidays) Newborn and Family Drop-In Service Time/Day: Tuesday (9am to 2pm), Time/Day: Saturdays (9am to 12pm) Location: CityLibraries Aitkenvale Web: www.townsville.qld.gov.au Cost: Free Messy Play (Bookings Required) Days: Wednesdays Time: 9am & 10.30am Location: CityLibraries Aitkenvale

Membership Draw Time/Day: 1.00pm, Sunday Location: Brothers Townsville Phone: 4773 8000

THURSDAYS AND SATURDAYS

KINGPIN BOWLING VARIOUS DAYS Nighttime Unlimited Bowling and Laser Squirmish Days: Sundays to Wednesdays Time: 7.00pm to Close Location: Kingpin Bowling, 132 695 Cost: $30 per person After School Unlimited Bowling and Laser Squirmish Days: Monday to Friday (During School Term) Time: 3.30pm to 6.30pm Location: Kingpin Bowling, 132 695 Cost: $15 per person

LAUNCH ZONE MONDAY / THURSDAY NIGHTS DodgeBall & VolleyBall Tournament Time: 6.00pm to 8.00pm Location: Launch Zone, 1300 528 624 Cost: $90 per team (Weekly - $15pp) Jump FITT Time/Days: Monday (6pm), Wednesday (5.30pm), Saturday (8am) Location: Launch Zone, 1300 528 624 Cost: $15 per person

MOUNT LOUISA SCOUT GROUP VARIOUS DAYS

Kids Club (Supervised) Time/Day: 6pm-9.30pm Every Night Location: Brothers Townsville Phone: 4773 8000

KIDZ MOVES

Brothers Kids Night Time/Day: 6pm-9pm Friday Location: Brothers Townsville Phone: 4773 8000 (Free)

Dance Classes: Children aged 5 to 9 Location: Dancenorth, Stanley Street Time: 4pm - 5pm

TUESDAYS

Facepainting Location: Kirwan Tavern Time: 6.00pm to 8.00pm Phone/Cost: 4724 4790 (Free)

Joeys and Cubs (6-10) Time/Day: Tuesdays, 6:30pm-8:00pm Scouts (10-14) Time/Day: Thursdays, 6:00pm-8:00pm Location: Mt Louisa House of Praise (Bayswater Rd) Phone: 0403 862 449 (Matt)

TOWNSVILLE TOY LIBRARY Days/Times: Every Tuesday and the 1 & 3 Saturday AND Thursday of the month from 9.30 until 11.00am.

Location: Toy Library is at the Railway Estate Community Centre, 23 First St

TOWNSVILLE PLAYGROUP TOY LIBRARY Days/Times: Last saturday of the month from 8:30am - 10.00am Location: The Toy Shed, Fitzroy St, Heatley

LEARN JAPANESE PLAYGROUP MONDAYS DURING SCHOOL TERMS Location Annandale Community Centre Time 9:30am to 10:30am Email oyakodejapanese@hotmail.com Cost Gold coin donation per family

www.pakmag.com.au OCTOBER 2015

31

BUMP & BUB

pakmag

Gender

PREDICTORS

HOW TO GUESS YOUR BABY'S SEX

Anxious to know the gender of your baby? Check out some of these old wives tales that suggest you can determine the sex of bub based on your cravings, how you are carrying and even through the chemical reactions between your wee and baking soda.

While there isn’t much scientific proof to these tests, they are fun to do. And, there is a 50 per cent chance that you’re going to get it right: HOW ARE YOU FEELING? • If you’re a nauseous mess, then odds are, it’s a girl.

• If you’re feeling fine, then there’s a higher chance it’s a boy.

WHAT ARE YOU CRAVING? • Sweets? Girl.

• Savoury? Boy. WHAT IS BUB’S HEART RATE? • If your scan reads above 140 bpm, then superstitions suggests girl.

• Anything below 140 bpm and it’s a boy.

HOW ARE YOU CARRYING BUB? • Round, low and mostly in front like a basketball? Then it’s a boy.

• All over, especially in the bum and hips. You have a daughter to thank.

HOW’S YOUR SKIN? • Glowing? Then it’s a boy.

• Covered in acne? Legend says it’s because your little girl is stealing your beauty.

HOW ARE YOU SLEEPING? • Sleeping on the right side? Then you’re having a girl.

• Prefer to sleep on the left? Then it’s a boy.

HOW DOES YOUR WEDDING RING SWING?

WHEN DID YOU OVULATE?

Dangle your wedding ring attached to a piece of string over your belly while lying flat on the bed.

There just may be some truth to this one, which is based on the Shettles theory that male sperm move faster, but do not live as long as female sperm.

• To conceive a boy, couples should have sex as close as possible to ovulation.

• To conceive a girl, couples should have sex two to four days before ovulation.

DOES YOUR WEE FIZZLE?

• If the ring swings back and forth (like a pendulum), then it’s a boy.

• If the ring swings in a circular motion, then it’s a girl.

WHEN WERE YOU BORN? The Mayans determined a baby’s gender by looking at the mother’s age of conception and the year of conception.

Pee in a cup and add a small amount of baking soda.

• If both are even or odd, then it’s a girl.

• If the baking soda fizzles, then it’s a boy.

• If one is even and the other is odd, then it’s a boy.

• If nothing happens, then it’s a girl.

WHAT COLOUR IS YOUR WEE? Cut one red cabbage into chunks and boil for 10 minutes. Head to the toilet and wee in a cup. In a separate cup, mix 1 part urine with 1 part cabbage water.

• If the water turns pink or red, this indicates boy.

• If the water is purple, it’s a girl.

www.pakmag.com.au OCTOBER 2015

33

WIN

BduBmUBp an

LARRY THE LAMB

.au www.mocka.com RRP $69.95 WEB of colour and to add a splash mb is a fun way La the the Lamb is a rry rry La La a’s Mock rsery or bedroom. nu ’s ild ch ur rse. Your yo al style rocking ho entertainment to ign of the tradition es making red mb ry La ora the mp fun conte ric covering Larry fab gle tog ft help to n so eat toy that ca child will adore the the Lamb is a gr rry La . on ination y ord pla co , to it comfortable luding balance lopmental skills inc ve de ’s ild ch ur build yo and imagination. kmag.com.au

ENTER www.pa

WIN

LOVE LOCKETS RRP $7.00 - $69.00 WEB www.lovelockets.com.au Love Lockets helps you capture your treasured moments. Using a genuine glass floating Love Locket, you are able to select from their huge range of interchangeable charms, crystals and plates starting from $7. Tell your story, piece by piece.

ENTER www.pakmag.com.au

34

OCTOBER 2015 www.pakmag.com.au

WIN

BLUEBIRD CANDLES RRP $20.00 WEB www.bluebirdcandles.com Bluebird Candles are handmade using biodegradable soy wax, cotton wicks and high quality scents and essential oils, creating premium eco candles. The candles are poured in small batches to ensure freshness and quality. The Spa Jars have an average burn time of 30 hours.

ENTER www.pakmag.com.au

TOMMEE TIPPEE CLOSER TO NATURE EXPRESS AND GO STARTER SET RRP $59.98 WEB www.closertonaturebaby.com.au Choosing to express gives you back some well-deserved freedom and flexibility, but the whole process can get messy and complicated. The Express and Go range from Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature makes everything easier. By using a single pouch to EXPRESS, STORE, WARM and FEED, there’s no need to transfer between bottles – so you’ll never lose a precious drop!

WIN

The Express and Go Starter Set (RRP $39.99) includes:1x extra slow flow teat, 1x breast pump adapter set, 1x breast milk pouch bottle with slow flow teat and 20x breast milk pouches. This prize also includes an extra 20 breast milk pouches (RRP $19.99) ENTER www.pakmag.com.au

WIN

ATTIPAS TODDLER SHOES RRP $29.95 WEB www.attipas.com.au Baby shoe experts Attipas Australia are proud to bring you their feature style for Spring/Summer 2015, Animal Leopard Brown! Featuring cheeky prints for both boys and girls, these gorgeous shoes will finish off any toddler outfit this season. Based on seven years of research, Attipas are award-winning and have been endorsed by Australian podiatrists. Lightweight. Flexible.

Convenient. Breathable. Safe. Attipas shoes are Walking Science.

ENTER www.pakmag.com.au

THULE URBAN GLIDE RRP $749.00 AVAILABLE AT Baby Bunting, Babies R Us and leading independents retailers.

WEB For your nearest stockist visit www.thule.com The Thule Urban Glide is an all-round sports stroller for the active family. The sleek and lightweight design makes it perfect for jogging on your favourite path and as an everyday stroller. Its Swedish style, quality and functionality will be the envy of Mums and Dads wherever you go.

One of the lightest sport strollers available, the Urban Glide has all the options you and your little one need. Featuring a one-handed folding mechanism, comfy reclinable seat, adjustable handlebar, a lockable front wheel for added stability, large storage compartments and much more.

It comes in Dark Shadow, Mars and Thule Blue.

ENTER www.pakmag.com.au

WIN

HEALTH

HEALTH

pakmag

+ Understanding Food Labels Can you judge a food by its label? Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift tells you how.

Light, low or no cholesterol, fresh, Australian-made, baked not fried, reduced-fat, no sugar?!

+ Eat more organic. Buy more organic

While food labels are a valuable source of information, they can sometimes appear cluttered and confusing.

Here is what you need to know:

Common catch-crys you might hear every day. But how concerned or convinced are you at making organic produce a priority in your household? Conventional farming uses pesticides and fertilisers made with harmful chemicals which are absorbed and ingested by our bodies and can remain there for a very long time.

• Ingredients are listed in order of the proportion they comprise in the total product. Try to avoid products that list sugar, fat or salt in the top three ingredients.

The combination of so many chemicals over a long period of time is a real concern and can negatively impact our health, in particular our immune and nervous systems.

• The NIP provides information on energy (in kilojoules), protein, total fat, saturated fat, total carbohydrates, sugars and sodium based on portion size.

Serious health risks such as cancers, Parkinson’s disease, foetal and fertility abnormalities, developmental and neurological issues and chronic fatigue syndrome. Nutrient depleted soils result in fruit and vegetables devoid of minerals and vitamins, covered in pesticides and fertilisers.

Our bodies need real food for fuel, not synthetic chemicals.

BEST- BEFORE DATE

Concerns are always expressed that organic food is expensive and not affordable for families. With gradual changes and substitutions you may be surprised at how this is not really the case.

HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO HELP • Grow your own and swap with friends doing the same.

• Join a community garden project or co-op in your area.

• Visit local markets.

• When you’re not able to buy organic, choose spray-free or no-spray produce. Ask the vendor and get to know your farmers.

• Always soak (apple cider vinegar and water is a good soak option), rinse and scrub any non-organic produce where possible. Norwex chemical-free cleaning have a Fruit and Vegetable Scrub Cloth specifically for this.

THE INGREDIENTS LIST

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PANEL (NIP)

• Foods with a shelf-life of less than two years must have a best-before or use-by date.

USE-BY DATE • Foods that should not be consumed after a certain date for health and safety reasons must have a use-by date and cannot be sold after that date.

HEALTH STAR RATINGS • The Health Star Rating (HSR) system was developed by Australian, State and Territory Governments, industry, public health and consumer groups to provide an overall rating of the healthiness of a product, as well as specific nutrient and energy information.

• It takes into account energy, saturated fat, sodium and total sugars. The more stars a product has, the healthier it is.

NUTRITION HEALTH CLAIMS • A new standard to control the use of health claims on food labels came into effect in 2013.

• Health claims refer to a relationship between food and health rather than a statement of content (e.g. ‘a good source of calcium’).

• All health claims are required to be supported by scientific evidence and are only be permitted on foods that meet certain criteria.

LABELLING TRICKS Don’t be misled by labelling tricks. Here are some common ones to look out for: • ‘Light or lite’ does not necessarily mean low-calorie or low-fat, it may just be light in colour, taste or texture.

FRUIT & VEGGIE SCRUB CLOTH RRP $16.25 WEB https://yvetteprice.norwexbiz.com.au This scrub and dry Microfibre cloth removes dirt, pesticides, bacteria and waxy coating using pure water.

• ‘Low or no cholesterol’ on foods like margarine and oil are often meaningless because all vegetable oils contain virtually no cholesterol, but can often be high in fat.

• ‘Baked not fried’ might sound healthier, but may have just as much fat.

So, it turns out you can judge a product by its food label.

www.pakmag.com.au OCTOBER 2015

37

BIZ INDEX

ADVERTISE HERE For as little as $100/month + GST Call 4053 3331 for more information

ADVERTORIAL

pakmag

Personal, Quality, Cost Effective Legal Service MCDONALD LEONG LAWYERS Compassionate lawyers who care about achieving the best outcome for your situation.

Following the retirement of Mark McDonald in May this year, Linda Leong has taken the reins as the Sole Principal of McDonald Leong Lawyers.

Being one of the first Graduates from James Cook University in 1991, Linda quickly established herself in the legal industry and was the first JCU Law Student to become a Partner of a private law firm.

At the age of 24, Linda became a Partner of McDonald Leong Lawyers and practices primarily in the field of Personal Injuries, Wills and Estates. With over 20 years’ experience in the legal industry, Linda brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to her Practice.

Since 1995, with Linda at the helm as Managing Partner, the firm has grown to cater to the needs of its clients and has 7 experienced Solicitors in the following areas: • Family Law; • Criminal Law; • Traffic Infringement; • Conveyancing; • Small Business; • Commercial Leasing.

Linda is a highly experienced advocate and is particularly mindful of the emotional and financial pressures that litigation places on her clients. She provides a personalised service and advice and appreciates each clients’ issue is unique.

Clients are not just a number and all Solicitors within the Firm are encouraged to devote the time needed to each individual file without question.

Linda’s practical and proactive approach results in her clients’ feeling confident in their choice of legal advisor.

Apart from being the Principal of McDonald Leong Lawyers, Linda is also a mother and involved in a number of community and sporting associations. She understands the pressures of parenting and the importance of maintaining a family/work life balance. Linda enjoys being involved in many aspects of her childrens’ lives. “I remember when I had my first child - a female Barrister, who’s since retired, gave me some good advice. She said “Make sure you don’t miss your children’s activities”, and that always stuck in the back of my mind. So I am always there for the kids, even if it’s not the whole time, but the last 15 minutes of training or the pick up. I believe that family time is important.”

www.pakmag.com.au OCTOBER 2015

39

pakmag

CRAFT CORNER

CHILLING creations for Get your house ready for Halloween with these easy and fun crafts to do with the kids.

SPOOKY TOILET PAPER ROLL EYES YOU NEED • Large black rubbish bag • Tape • Scissors • Black Sharpie pen HOW TO MAKE

1.

Lay your rubbish bag flat and trim off the sides and bottom so you are left with two big rectangles of plastic

2. Cut each piece into an approximate

square. Fold one of the squares in half diagonally to form a triangle.

3. Fold that triangle in half two more times to narrow it. Use a few pieces of tape to fasten the layers together where the loose folded edges come together. It will help hold the shape together when you're cutting.

4. Use a black Sharpie to sketch some

guides on the plastic: draw a "stem" from the folded point out to the end of your triangle. Then sketch some scallops that come off the stem.

YOU NEED • • • •

Empty toilet paper rolls Glow sticks Duct tape Scissors

HOW TO MAKE

5. With scissors, cut out the negative

1. Cut out eyes from the toilet paper roll 2. Insert a glow stick in each toilet paper

6. Tape several webs together and add

3. Place outside in the trees for a spooky

Thanks to How About Orange http://howaboutorange.blogspot.co.uk

Thanks to Rust and Sunshine: www.rustandsunshine.com

shapes and unfold your web.

extra strips of plastic to connect them if you like.

40

Rubbish Bag Spider Webs

OCTOBER 2015 www.pakmag.com.au

roll and cover the ends with duct tape

glow-in-the-dark surprise for your kids or trick-or-treaters

Ghoulish Lolly Gloves YOU NEED • 1 x disposable latex glove • Assorted lollies • Black ribbon HOW TO MAKE

1.

Fill plastic gloves with an assortment of small lollies and treats. To make the hand shape, include at least 4 round lollies that will fit into the finger sections of the glove

2. Tie the end of the hand shut with a piece of ribbon

3. Add a spider to one of the fingers for an extra scary twist.

4. Place next to the lolly container at the

front door to spook your trick-or-treaters.

Thanks to The Kitchn: www.thekitchn.com

www.pakmag.com.au OCTOBER 2015

41

pakmag

CELEBRATE

Tricks, Treats &

GHOULISH SWEETS Halloween PARTY IDEAS If you’ve embraced the American Halloween tradition, then have we got a treat (or trick) for you and your little ones! Go batty with these Halloween ideas.

Decorations Transform your home into the ultimate haunted house with these eerie embellishments.

• White candles with red wax dripping down the sides.

• Orange ‘pumpkin’ paper lanterns with black eyes taped to them.

• Paper plate bats. Paint paper plates black, add black wings, googly eyes and draw a scary face with white pen.

• Paper plate skeletons. Draw and cut out bones, skulls and ribs from white paper plates and combine each body part with zip ties and a hole punch.

• Toilet paper spooky eyes.

• Ghoulish lolly gloves.

• Rubbish bin spider webs.

Sweets and Treats

CHECK OUT PAGE 40 TO DISCOVER HOW TO MAKE SOME OF THESE CHILLING CREATIONS

Witch way to the treats? This way!

• White chocolate banana and strawberry ghosts. Dip a banana into melted white chocolate and add chocolate chips for eyes. Place each banana ghost on a paddle pop stick and let cool in the fridge. Repeat the process with strawberries.

• Halloween hot chocolate. With a black icing pen, add eyes and a funny face to your marshmallows before popping them into a cup of hot cocoa.

• Spider cake pops. Add eight legs and black sprinkles for a spine tingling twist on your cake pops.

42

OCTOBER 2015 www.pakmag.com.au

• Pumpkin biscuits. Get creative with orange icing and green embellishments.

• Scary finger biscuits.

• Milo mummy balls. Combine two tablespoons of milo, one tin of sweetened condensed milk and one packet of arrowroot biscuits in a food processor. Make balls out of the mixture and let them cool in the fridge. Dip each ball in melted white chocolate and add red sprinkles for the eyes.

• Graveyard chocolate mousse. Combine chocolate mousse with cookie crumble and place in layers in a plastic cup. Top with an arrowroot bickie with RIP written in a black icing pen to create the graveyard look.

• Frankenstein cake pops. Dip marshmallows in a mixture of melted white chocolate and blended spinach (to create the green colour) and decorate with a black icing pen.

Ghoulish Games It’s not a Monster Bash without a few freaky games!

• Mummy Wrap. Divide the kids into teams of two and give each team a roll of toilet paper. Choose some spooky Halloween music and get each team to wrap one team member in as much toilet paper as possible until the music stops.

• Pin the Wart on the Witch. Test out this hair-raising twist on the classic Pin the Tail on the Donkey.

• Apple Bobbing. Fill a bucket with green food colouring and water and dump apples into the bucket. Tie your guest’s hands behind their back and get them to ‘bob’ for the apples, using only their mouths to grab one.

• Decorate your own Trick or Treat Bag. Pull out the glitter, the texters, the felt, the feathers and anything else you have hidden in your doodle drawers. Help your kids make different scary monsters, pumpkins, bats, witches, ghosts and more.

• Guess the Body Part. Blindfold your guests and ask them to dip their fingers into various bowls of different “spooky” things, including spaghetti brains, grape eye balls and jelly guts. Have the guests guess what body part they are touching (and what food it could actually be).

Movie Madness

Keep up to date with local issues, competitions, events & all things parenting

/PakmagTownsville

End the evening with a fangtastic family-friendly Halloween classic that won’t leave the kiddies with nightmares: • The Nightmare Before Christmas (ages 7 and up).

• Coraline (ages 9 and up).

• Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie (aged 3 and up).

100% edible

• Hocus Pocus (ages 10 and up).

• Corpse Bride (ages 10 and up).

• Casper (ages 6 and up).

• The Worst Witch (ages 6 and up).

• Bedknobs and Broomsticks (ages 7 and up).

• The Witches (ages 8 and up).

• Halloween is Grinch Night (ages 4 and up).

Handmade decorations

for your cakes

Our icingbits turn your cakes into works of art!

For info call 0410 107 722 or visit www.icingbits.com www.pakmag.com.au OCTOBER 2015

43

WIN! WIN

SET OF 4X4 INCH POCKET PRINTS RRP $16 for a set of 24 prints WEB www.pocketprints.com.au

WIN

FIFO DADDY PRINT & ARMY DADDY PRINT RRP from $23.95 Sizes A4-A2 WEB www.bespokemoments.com.au

Download the app from the App Store or Google Play select photos from your phone, Instagram or Facebook then leave the rest to Pocket Prints. They'll print and post them to your door.

A special print for all the amazing FIFO and Army families.

Something to cherish especially during the times Daddy is away. This print can be personalised with your choice of blonde or brown hair, a yellow or orange high vis uniform and even his name personalised on his shirt.

It's time to free your photos from your phone.

Navy and Air Force variations are coming soon.

ENTER www.pakmag.com.au

ENTER www.pakmag.com.au

ECCO SOFT 7 LADIES LO-TOP SNEAKERS RRP $239.95 WEB http://au.shop.ecco.com/ ECCO Shoes are giving three lucky readers the chance to win a pair of their brand new Soft 7 sneakers in Black! Your new favourite comfortable sneakers, the brand new ECCO Soft 7 Lo-Top is a cool, contemporary long-lace sneaker made from rich full-grain leather for a light and soft feeling, all day long. A soft, comfortable textile lining, ensures a perfect inner climate, and the leather-covered inlay sole with ECFS™ is also removable for the option of extra width.

WIN

ENTER www.pakmag.com.au

FIZZY POP DESIGNS A4 UNFRAMED ART PRINT RRP $39.95 WEB www.fizzypopdesigns.com.au Surround yourself with laughter, creativity and all things Fizzy Pop. This is the lively philosophy behind online business Fizzy Pop Designs. Offering colourful imaginative kid’s framed and unframed art prints, they’re on a mission to help turn blah kids bedrooms into happy fun spaces.

WIN 44

OCTOBER 2015 www.pakmag.com.au

With plenty of designs to choose from you can find something that will tie back to the theme of your child’s room or choose a statement print that is truly ‘eye-catching’.

ENTER www.pakmag.com.au

WIN

pakmag

WIN

SPARROW & B FEATHER CROWN RRP $29.00 WEB www.sparrowandb.com.au Find the Whimsical, Follow your Heart, Embrace the Wild...

Sparrow & B create beautiful costumes for children, which inspire little imaginations around the world. Their entire range is proudly 100 per cent handmade in Melbourne, Australia, and is filled with bright, happy, colourful designs.

Their Feather Crowns are soft & comfortable, and made with a variety of coloured felts. Cute enough to wear everyday, a fun addition to any costume box, or fantastic included as part of room décor.

ENTER www.pakmag.com.au

WIN

INDIE & SLOAN TEE RRP $29.00 WEB www.indieandsloan.com Indie & Sloan tees are for kids with an adventurous spirit, those who like to stand out and explore and who aren’t afraid to get dirty. Their tees have attitude and a hint of cheek like the kids who wear them Indie & Sloan creates cool tee's for awesome babies , boys and girls. All the tee’s are very soft and durable 100 per cent cotton. Each tee is screen printed with only the best child friendly non-toxic water based ink.

ENTER www.pakmag.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au OCTOBER 2015

45

pakmag

WHAT'S NEWS

WHAt's NEWS in Business Meet: Julie Sexton and Jenna Mottin from TalkNQ Speech Pathology

MOB Magazine Launching in Early 2016 MOB Magazine, or Mother - Owner - Business is a bimonthly subscription magazine delivered cOUrses and to your door.

Finance Tips classes MOB Magazine sales and features inspirational markeTing advice stories from mums Solo-preneurS in business as well SMe’S digiTal as tips on juggling Start-upS media sTraTegy parenthood and business. The majority sUBscriBe nOW of the magazine prinTed Bi-mOnThly laUnching janUary 2016 delivered TO yOUr OFFice will offer tips and news from experts in business, finance, law, PR, marketing, digital marketing and sales. Read, reflect and implement the ideas into your business, all for the early bird rate of $6 per edition.

COMING SOON

Tell us about your practice: TalkNQ Speech Pathology is a private speech pathology practice that services Townsville, Ayr, Charters Towers and Bowen.

What is something that people do not know about the role of a speech pathologist? That we can work with children who are struggling academically. A lot of people assume we only work with people who stutter or can’t say their words correctly. Sometimes children who are not succeeding in the classroom with speaking or listening tasks or with their reading and their spelling may have underlying language difficulties. A speech pathologist can conduct an assessment and provide therapy and recommend classroom strategies for these children.

What do you suggest a parent does if they have any concerns about their child’s communication or literacy development? The most important thing a parent can do is to seek support from a speech pathologist early.

MUM - OWNER - BUSINESS

Head to www.mobmagazine.com.au to subscribe before the 1st of November to take advantage of this early bird discount.

If you have concerns about your child’s communication or literacy development contact TalkNQ Speech Pathology on 0467 239 554. Visit www.talknq.com or Facebook at www.facebook.com/talknq

MORNING SICKNESS & WORK STORY Megan Heywood Any mother or mother-to-be will know that “the juggle” between work and parenting starts well before the 9 month mark. There are appointments with obstetricians, blood tests, physio and chiropractic appointments, ante-natal classes, ultrasounds and this is without complications during the pregnancy!

For some women, getting to these appointments outside of work hours is practically impossible and sometimes you simply can’t work the hours you used to before falling pregnant. But what are your rights as a working pregnant woman?

In most cases, a woman is entitled to take sick leave for morning sickness and medical appointments. But what happens when your boss takes a different view?

Earlier this year, a pregnant Telstra employee took her employer to court and won after she was was humiliated and abused by her boss when she needed time off for sickness during her pregnancy. The case has sparked talk of changes to laws to make it easier for pregnant women to seek changes to their hours and working conditions.

This is an area that many women are reluctant to ask their employer about. It is for this reason that Fredericks Heywood Lawyers offer free initial consultations to women who feel they are at a disadvantage in the workforce due to pregnancy and want to know where they stand legally.

For advice regarding your particular circumstances, contact a workplace lawyer at Fredericks Heywood Lawyers on 4724 3003.

Events 46

BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS WEEK - DATE: 26 October - 30 October TIME: Varies VENUE: Varies WEB: www.townsvillechamber.com.au OCTOBER BUSINESS MATTERS LUNCHEON - DATE: 7 October TIME: 12.15pm - 1.30pm VENUE: Mercure, Townsville COST: Members- $10, Non-Members - $35 WEB: www.townsvillechamber.com.au CHAMBER COFFEE - DATE: Every second Thursday 8.00am - 9.00am VENUE: Bulletin Square, Flinders Street COST: Free WEB: www.townsvillechamber.com.au

OCTOBER 2015 www.pakmag.com.au

StOP WOrrying! are your kids too small for a phone?

Would you like to stay connected?

SOS Panic ButtOn VOice calling tO nOminated numBerS gPS tracking use the PedOmeter discount code "Pakmag" for a special offer!

www.one2watch.com.au

Order nOW! www.one2watch.c

om.au

nQ OWned and OPerated

SNAPPED TOWNSVILLE

PHOTOS THANKS TO: TOWNSVILLE GRAMMAR SCHOOL Grandparents Day At Townsville Grammar School

48

OCTOBER 2015 www.pakmag.com.au

THE GOLDEN AGE OF

GRANDPARENTS 25 October is Grandparent’s Day. We at PakMag want to wish all the Nanas, Papas, Omas, Opas, Nans, Pops, Marnies, Pas, Babushkas, Dedushkas, Nonas and Nonos around FNQ a happy Grandparent’s Day and a massive thank you for everything you do, not just on Grandparent’s Day, but every day of the year.

1

2

4

A grandmother is a “little bit parent, a little

3

bit teacher, and a little bit best friend.” Author Unknown

5

9

8

A grandfather “is someone with

7

6

silver in his hair and gold in his heart.” Author Unknown

10

11

12

13

14

15

Five Tips for Honouring Grandparents 1.

Enjoy a meal out followed by a nature walk.

2.

Create a scrapbook, collage or photo album to give to Grandma and Grandpa as a present.

3.

Play a game with the entire family – charades, Pictionary or Monopoly are fun for adults and children of all ages.

4.

Get your children to create a dance, puppet show or skit to perform for them. Bonus points if you join in on the performance too.

5.

If you’re in different cities, states or countries, plan a Skype session and enjoy afternoon tea together.

1. Jack, Peyton, Tyler & Hudson 2. Grandad, Nan Nan & Isla 3. Tony, Karen, Alex & Rubén 4. Lucas & Grandparents 5. Jade & Nana 6.

Joan, Alan, Reece, Tristan, Ruby, Georgia & Catherine 7. Great Grandfather Neville & Rominy 8. Jacob & Papa 9. Steven, Chloe, Cody, Ethan & Hunter 10. Grandma Nicky, Avara & Stella 11. Nana Erin & Paige 12. Isla & Maria 13. Lara, Maria, Isla, Madi, Jeffrey, Rhys & Ethan 14. Grandfather Barry & Ollie 15. Nana B, Olivia, Natasha & Makayla May

Daddy Diary Grandparents.

Aren't they just great? They're the first to put their hands up when we need help and the last people to leave once we've received it.

As kids they're the ones we run to when mum and dad say no.

And when we do something well no one on earth is prouder than a grandparent.

It's fair to say I love my grandparents.

I have/had four great ones. Sadly my dad's parents passed away when I was in my teens but my mums are still kicking. Being a father to a one year old daughter I've recently gotten myself into a position where I can view the phenomenon that is grandparenthood (if that’s a word) from a different angle. Because this time I'm not learning/living/loving with my own grandparents. I'm doing all those things with my daughter’s.

This is a totally different experience to anything I was ever a part of with my grandparents. Because instead of being on the receiving end of all that love I get to watch my little girl receive it. And for the first time in my life I'm able to see just how beautiful a grandparent’s love is. It's perfect.

By Cliffo 50

OCTOBER 2015 www.pakmag.com.au

Of course my daughter Matilda is lucky enough to have four of the best grandparents a little girl could ever dream of.

I’ll start with Mick and Heather.

That's my wife, Michelle's parents.

Even though Matilda is their third grandchild (since her birth a fourth little one has come along) their love for her comes so thick and fast you could bottle the stuff up.

Not only are they always there for Matilda but they're always there for Michelle and I. Living in the same town as them has been an absolute blessing and it's something I treasure.

Now to my parents - Peter and Lesley. Or Granny & Poppy Pete as Matilda will grow up calling them. I think my mum put it best when she recently said she never thought she and dad would experience falling in love again. Then Matilda came along and all that went out the window.

Putting it simply, becoming a grandparent has turned my mother into a different woman. She relishes the job and, despite living two thousand kilometres away, is outstanding at it. I've never seen my mum happier than when she is with

Matilda. So either my brother or I were rotten kids or there is something special about their relationship.

To be honest when I learnt that this month PakMag would be focusing on Grandparent Awareness Day, I was over the moon. I love mine and Matilda's so much. And they’re not the only amazing ones out there.

So to all the Nans, Pops, Grannys, Grandpas, Grammys and PapPaps out there, we love you so much.

Thanks for always being there for us, especially when we need a babysitter.

That's awesome...

52

OCTOBER 2015 www.pakmag.com.au