By JORDAN DUURSMA
LOCAL author, Suzie Quartermain, has
The
clusive
for children to identify with or help them understand how people are different, and also as a resource for parents, carers and educators.
Suzie has been writing poems and stories for years and after her experiences as a mother and teacher she decided to write ‘When Louie Listened’ and ‘When Daisy Daydreamed’.
Suzie said as a teacher for 28 years, she has watched the rise of challenging behaviours and varying degrees of diagnoses in children.
“It has been a steep learning curve and has taught me understanding, patience and skills in inclusivity in the classroom,” she said.
‘When Louie Listened’ was written about a little boy she taught in prep who constantly moved and made noises during teacher instruction.
“I initially thought he was being “naughty” but soon realised he needed to move in order to listen and learn,” Suzie said.
“He was quite an incredible boy.”
‘When Daisy Daydreamed’ is based on a little girl she taught and her own daughter who was diagnosed with Inattentive ADHD at 18.
“Her diagnosis explained so much and helped her understand herself which is just so important,” Suzie said.
■ Continued Page 6
and
EDUCATOR: Suzie Quartermain’s experiences as a mother
teacher have prompted her to publish story books exploring neurodiversity.
PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
Protect your pet from paralysis ticks
ENYA the Border Collie was brought into the clinic after her owners noticed she was having trouble breathing and using her back legs.
Enya and her family had recently visited NSW but unfortunately Enya was not on tick prevention.
She was found to have a paralysis tick hiding behind her ear.
Tick paralysis is a medical emergency that requires immediate tick removal and tick antiserum administration.
Enya was quickly admitted to hospital and administered antiserum and has made a full recovery.
Ixodes holocyclus (the eastern paralysis tick) and to a lesser extent, Ixodes cornuatus (the southern paralysis tick), are known to cause tick paralysis in dogs and cats in Australia.
Adult ticks are found in greatest abundance in spring and early summer, making
this the highest risk period for tick paralysis.
However, it is incorrect to speak of an absolute ‘tick season’, as adult ticks may be found throughout the year, and juvenile forms may also rarely cause paralysis.
As it feeds on blood, the tick secretes numerous toxins.
One of them is a potent neurotoxin that can cause paralysis of the body and respiratory muscles and affect the ability to swallow correctly.
Enya was showing early signs of this paralysis.
If you are travelling to coastal New South Wales or Queensland this festive season please ensure your pet is on tick prevention.
This Day in History, 1905
A MOTION PICTURE SPECIAL
ONE of the most dramatic of the early picture entertainments was “The Sign of the Cross”, which was introduced to Wangaratta audiences on this night in 1905.
The epic, produced by the Salvation Army, was a visual and aural experience the like of which audiences had never experienced before - a blend of motion picture, live acting, music, and sound effects.
GONE FISHING
Not ideal start to Murray cod season, but it will get better
MURRAY cod season has just opened and at the time of compiling this report I have not had any reports of fish being caught.
By next week’s report I should have a much better idea of where the cod are biting and what they’re biting on.
For now, I know that a lot of Murray cod anglers were met with high, dirty water on cod opening after last week’s rain and thunderstorms.
The downside to those conditions is that it meant that cod opening was washed out for many anglers.
The upside is that these high and dirty water levels will be loaded with food for any Murray cod fry that may have just hatched recently.
Murray cod spawn in the spring time, and when the eggs hatch the fry feed off their yolk sacks for a few days.
Once the yolk sacks are depleted they then feed on microorganisms that are most abundant in floodwaters.
So for now the high dirty water means tougher fishing, but possibly better natural cod recruitment.
I believe that once the water settles down
we will experience some really good cod fishing here in North East Victoria.
In other ‘non cod’ news, Lake Nillahcootie has been fishing quite well for yellowbelly. I have head reports of yellowbelly being caught in good numbers off the bank, as well as by boat.
Anglers using both bait and lures have been catching fish, with worms and small yabbies being the best baits.
For those wanting to catch a large trophy sized yellowbelly, Lake Hume is fishing very well at the moment.
Anglers are catching yellowbelly up to, and sometimes well over 60cm, with the best fishing being around the standing dead timber. Lipless crankbaits seem to be catching the most fish, while a few have been trolled on medium sized diving lures.
◆ GOLD: Yellowbelly are on the bite at Lake Nillahcootie and Lake Hume at the moment.
◆ FULL RECOVERY: Enya the Border Collie has made a full recovery after paralysis tick was found hiding behind her ear.
With Dr Emily Foss WANGARATTA VETERINARY CLINIC
Robbie Alexander WANGARATTA
By B R
Can I just exercise to help me lose weight?
IT’S a common question “can I just exercise to lose weight?”.
While regular physical activity is essential for overall health, weight loss isn’t as simple as lacing up your sneakers.
In reality, exercise alone may not deliver the results you’re hoping for.
To effectively lose weight and maintain it, a holistic approach that includes nutrition, lifestyle changes, and even natural therapies is essential.
When it comes to shedding kilos, your diet plays a far bigger role than exercise.
Think of it this way: you can burn off 300 calories with a solid workout, but it only takes a slice of cake to undo all that effort.
A ketogenic diet, which focuses on reducing carbs and increasing healthy fats, is particularly effective for weight loss.
By encouraging your body to burn fat for fuel instead of glucose, keto can lead to steady, sustainable results.
Pair this with nourishing whole foods, plenty of vegetables, and simple food remedies like apple cider vinegar, which aids digestion and balances blood sugar, and you’re setting yourself up for success.
Natural therapies can also enhance your weight-loss journey.
By Christos Miliankos
Addressing underlying issues like stress, poor sleep, or hormonal imbalances can make a big difference.
For example, practicing mindfulness or using herbal adaptogens can reduce stressrelated eating, while a good night’s sleep supports metabolism and energy levels.
Of course, exercise is still an important piece of the puzzle.
Activities like strength training and walking not only help burn calories but also boost metabolism and improve mental health.
The key is to combine it with a thoughtful approach to nutrition and lifestyle.
I have lost 25kgs since my late teens and I am acutely aware that it takes a holistic approach to maintain weight loss.
So, can you just exercise to lose weight?
Not quite.
But with a holistic plan that integrates movement, nourishing foods, and natural therapies, you’ll find it much easier to achieve your goals - and feel great while doing it.
Victoria’s new probate fees: what you need to know
THE State Government of Victoria has recently announced significant changes to probate fees, and if you’re planning your estate or have been named as an executor in someone’s will, you’ll want to understand how these changes might affect you or your loved ones.
When someone passes away, their executor typically needs to obtain a grant of probate from the Supreme Court - this is the court’s formal recognition that a will is valid and gives the executor authority to deal with the estate assets.
Like many legal processes, there are fees involved, and these are about to change substantially.
The new fee structure reflects a significant shift in how the probate system operates.
While smaller estates won’t see dramatic changes, those with substantial assets will face higher fees.
It’s important to understand the changes, whether you’re planning your estate or preparing to act as an executor.
For those making their wills, these changes offer an opportunity to review your estate planning.
The role of executor has always carried significant responsibilities, and these new fees add complexity.
You’ll need to arrange payment of probate fees before you can access the estate’s assets.
For those planning their estates, these changes highlight the value of professional advice.
A wills and estates lawyer can help you understand how the new fees might affect your estate and suggest strategies to
manage these costs effectively. This might include ensuring there’s sufficient liquidity in your estate to cover fees or exploring alternative ways to transfer wealth that don’t require probate.
For executors, the message is clear: seek professional advice early.
A lawyer can help you understand your obligations, plan for fee payments, and navigate the probate application process efficiently.
The key is to be proactive - understanding the changes now puts you in a better position to manage their impact. Whether you’re making plans for your own estate or preparing to act as an executor, professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances will help you navigate these changes effectively and ensure the best outcomes for all involved.
With JONATHAN GREEN JONATHAN GREEN LEGAL
NORTH EAST NATUROPATHIC GROUP
Not naughty or bad, just different
■ From page 1
“I want the stories to convey the perceived behaviours of children I’ve taught and my own child as not naughty or bad, just different.
“They can learn too and if we strive to understand how they learn, the sky is their limit.”
Suzie’s books are written for children, in a child’s format but they have another layer aimed at parents, carers and educators.
“Children may find a character they relate to - either themselves, a classmate or sibling,” Suzie said.
“Adults may learn to see beyond challenging behaviours and see the child underneath and be able to address their individual needs.
“For teachers I hope I can help them find a way to see the best in all children and give them ideas how to cope with challenging behaviours.”
Suzie’s own experiences as a mother of a neurodiverse child
have informed her approach to the writing process.
“My own daughter was led to believe she’d amount to nothing by one of her teachers,” Suzie said.
“She’s now almost finished university and is ready to work in the world of fashion - so my message is, neurodivergent children can achieve their dreams with encouragement, understanding, patience and someone who believes in them.”
Suzie grew up in Tarrawingee, attended Wangaratta High School and began teaching kindergarten in 1997 before moving onto primary teaching in the early 2000s.
Suzie went on to teach in kindergartens and primary schools in Wangaratta and small towns around the district.
“Firstly I wrote the story of Louie - that was the easy part because it was written from real life experience.
“Then I wondered how I could illustrate and publish it so the whole thing came to life.
“I found a course online on how to publish your own books and just began the process.
“I absolutely loved creating the illustrations and spent hours and hours getting them right.
“I had to publish them both a couple of times before I was happy with the layout and final product.
“I hope my stories are engaging for children and an easy way to start conversations about neurodiversity within the family and the learning spaces.
“Children are naturally very accepting but I feel my books can help them understand why some children behave differently to others.”
For more information, visit www.suzieqbooks.com.au or contact Suzie via email at onegoldcoin@gmail.com.
◆ CHILD-FRIENDLY RESOURCE: Suzie Quartermain’s storybooks are written for children, but they have another layer aimed at parents, carers and educators.
FEATURE STORY
