Yarra Ranges Kids Winter 2018

Year of The Babes At home WITH Alison Lester Winter

Warmers

Time for FUN IN THE

WINTER 2018

A Star News Group Publication

snow!

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It’s

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about us . . .

a warm welcome

winter SOMETIMES I feel like a million things are running through my head; from the time the alarm goes off I am compiling and checking off a never ending to-do list, barking orders and trying to rush everyone through the door. And then the kids are in bed, and I wonder if I did enough that day - did I stop and listen to that (long) story, did I sit down and read a book?

It's a hard juggle, and one I'm sure that every parent can relate to.

If you have ever had any doubt about your parenting skills, or whether your child is on the right track, you need to read adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg's advice on page 9.

Dr Carr-Gregg's key advice to raise happy, healthy kids is to model a positive outlook for your children; take care of yourself, and try and see the funny side of life. (So heading out to an

exercise class, brunch with friends, or enjoying a long bubble bath while you read a book? A+ parenting, my friend) He also advocates a minimum of eight minutes a day of undivided attention - you and your child, no screens, no distractions. Sounds easy, right? For working parents with a couple of children, it's actually pretty tough.

Research shows that eight minutes is what it takes to make children feel like they have been heard. It's also best to start this as young as possible, before your child hits their teens and responds with monosyllabic grunts.

Chatting to Australian Children's Laureate Alison Lester was just as enlightening. Alison has published 25 books and raised three kids; she is now relishing her role as a grandmother, while also working with sick children at the Royal Children Hospital's school and

Yarra Ranges Kids magazine is a Mail News Group publication. as an ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation . She is passionate about children's literacy and education - read, read, read.

Yarra Ranges Kids will be published quarterly prior to each of the school holidays.

There are so many people in the Yarra Ranges doing good things for our community - in this edition Melissa Grant visits The Babes Project to hear about their crucial work supporting pregnant women (and meet their new ambassador, Jordan Ablett) and we talked to Holy Fools about their work supporting local families in financial crisis.

Yarra Ranges Kids

I hope this edition inspires you to abandon the washing to be folded, put the phone away, and grab the kids to play silly games, or read a book, or go for a walk outside. You won't regret it.

Page 3 Everyday Therapy at Noah's Ark

Health Page 15 Nurse's tips on respiratory illness

Reality Bites Page 24 Charlotte a hero

Education

Birth without fear

Page 18

Pages 26-27

Lilydale Lakeside Children's Centre - a new approach to quality care

Jack breaks family's 107-year record of girls

Entertainment

Competitions

Page 20

Page 28

Dreaming of a white winter

Win a Very Busy Bag

Page 21

Winners are grinners

Page 10

Wild winter at the York

Games and Gadgets

Active play at Cire

Party Time

Page 29

Page 6 Scooters get Five Stars

Jade Glen jade.glen@starnewsgroup.com.au Phone: 5945 0666

Advertising Kerri Shinkfield kerri.shinkfield@mailnewdgroup. com.au Phone: 5957 3700

Cover

Get cosy with new autumn fashion now instore at Billy Lidz Children's Boutique, Berwick.

Page 25

Pages 4-5 At home with Alison Lester

Editorial

Published by Mail News Group Pty Ltd ACN 99 006 310 498. Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas. All material is copyright to Mail News Group Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible.

contents It's Your Life

244 Maroondah Highway, Healesville, Vic 3777 Phone: 5957 3700 Fax: 5957 3777

Year of The Babes At home WITH

Page 7 Games and gadgets for rainy days Page 9 Dr Michael Carr-Gregg's top parenting tips

Page 12 Project helps mums and their babes Page 13

Page 22

Shapeeze Please

Alison Lester Winter

Warmers

Time for FUN IN THE

WINTER 2018

A Star News Group Publication

Our great cake expectations

Jordan Ablett working alongside babes

Fashion

Page 14

Page 23

Kids are going hungry: report

Stay on trend this winter

Books

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LAKE MOUNTAIN ALPINE RESORT HAS YOUR WINTER SORTED - CHECK OUT ENTERTAINMENT FOR MORE.

Page 30 A raw, honest take on motherhood

Calendar Page 31 Winter Warmers

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

WINTER 2018 3

It’s

your life

AT HOME WITH we've got the shop at Fish Creek and a brother and sister and some friends down there, so I drive down there all the time, it doesn't feel like any distance at all.

AUTHOR Alison Lester is one of Australia's best-known Children's authors and illustrators, with more than 25 children's picture books and two young adult novels. Her picture books are often influenced by her childhood on a farm in Gippsland's Yanakie, near Wilsons Promontory - enduring favourites My Farm, Noni the Pony, and Magic Beach all draw inspiration from her farm adventures.

YRK: It sounds like an amazing kind of childhood to have, growing up on a farm and doing all of those things that are in your books.

AL: Yes. And I guess a lot of people around here would relate to it, growing up on the land.

Alison's career has seen her travel the world and remote Australia; she was the inaugural Australian Children's Laureate with Boori Monty Prior, is an Indigenous Literacy Foundation ambassador and has a long-standing residency at the Royal Children's Hospital.

Jade Glen caught up with Alison to chat about her career, becoming a grandparent, and the importance of reading to children.

YRK: You've done lots of artist-inresidence and writers-in-residence in some amazing places. Do you say yes to everything?

AL: Well I try not to because we've got heaps of grandkids now. I think oh yes that sounds great - and then when I have to do it I think oh I don't really want to go, because I would rather be home with the babies. It's nice to get out to the places but it also means you are away from home.

YRK: And how many grandchildren do you have now?

AL: There's six, and another one coming soon. The oldest one has just turned four.

YRK: And what are your children up to now?

AL: Will, the oldest one is the district veterinary officer at Leongatha and he's got three little kids with another one on the way, so they've got a really busy life. Clair, my daughter, has got two babies and one of them's really new, and she's a Children's Book Publisher with a company called Affirm Press in the city, and Lachie, the youngest one is a grain trader. He's got a little girl called Francesca and she was born prematurely last year, she was in the Royal Children's Hospital for three months, but she's going really well.

YRK: Do you think that's important for kids, to be mucking around outside with animals and having those adventures?

Alison Lester's latest book, The Silver Sea, was co-authored with Jane Goodwin and created with art by children at the Royal Children's Hospital. 179626 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS YRK: How premature was Francesca?

them to the school.

AL: She was about 10 weeks premature.

For that three months, she had her own nurse for the entire time. It's amazing the care we can get.

YRK: How long were you in Antarctica for?

YRK: And this book, The Silver Sea - this is what you wrote in collaboration with the children at the Royal Children's Hospital?

AL: Well that's what we planned originally. While I was a children's laureate I started going to the hospital and then after a while Jane Godwin, who used to be my editor at Penguin and is also an author, was interested in coming too. So we've been going together, and it's nicer doing it as a double gig. For a while the teachers there were really keen for the kids to write a story. But because we weren't there all the time, and the kids were coming and going, we decided we would write the story and get the kids to illustrate it. Years ago I went to Antarctica and did a project called Kids Antarctic Art and we sell those images all the time and use them in books as well. And because they are not really mine, I did them with children, the profits from them I've always said would go to the Royal Children's Hospital. But it's always been complicated to donate to the hospital and get it through to the school, so we've gotten around that by me just buying art supplies and giving

AL: The first time I was there for six weeks, on the Aurora Australis, a lovely ship.

YRK: Was Antarctica what you expected?

AL: I guess it was - I just love it, I've been back five times now. It's so incredible, it's like going to a different planet really.

YRK: And how did you become involved with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation?

AL: I'd been doing work in remote communities for a long time, and when I heard about it I thought oh wow, that sounds like a really good fit for me. So eventually we met up and I've been doing work for them every since: usually going to communities and helping them make books. I've just been to Amata helping make books with the playgroup there.

YRK: Your books have a strong connection to Yanakie, where you grew up, and nearby Fish Creek. Do you go back there a lot?

AL: Yes, that's where I grew up and I've inherited a little bit of the farm, so we've got a house there that we go to, and

AL: I think it's really important. When I flew back in to Melbourne recently I came in from the north and there were just acres of houses, these huge houses with a backyard as big as this kitchen table. And you think what are those kids doing? They must be inside all the time. I just know with my kids and grandkids, they always get so ratty if they are inside too much. Being outside and being in the world is just a tonic, you know, and for us too. If you are in a bad mood there is nothing better than going for a run or a walk and just seeing what's around you.

YRK: When I was young one of my favourite books was The Quicksand Pony. Was that based on a story that happened to you, or to someone you knew?

AL: When I was a little girl my dad and my uncle used to lease the southern part of Wilsons Promontory and run cattle there. And we had this beautiful horse called Taffy, a big Buckskin horse and he got bogged in Quicksand on the way home. So it was a combination of that story, and also the story of Biddy, who was, depending on who tells the story, either an aboriginal woman or a convict who escaped from jail in Tasmania, and she came across Bass Strait in a rowboat with other people, which was wrecked on the coast of the prom and she was the only survivor.

And she lived for a long time out there by herself until she was found. I don't know if she needed rescuing, but she was 'rescued.' So it was really a combination of those two stories, and as a kid I loved that thought of living in the bush by yourself.

The Yarra Valley is a great place to live and raise a family. I want to know how we can make it a better place.

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It’s life YRK: So how did you get from the family farm to Melbourne?

AL: I boarded at St Margaret's (in Berwick) for four years, and then I went to Melbourne Uni and did a year of Arts and just mucked around the whole time.

I went to the pub and was a ratbag really. And after that my parents kind of pulled the pin and said you've got to do something, so I trained as a Secondary Art teacher. And that was a lot about art but not a lot about teaching, so when I actually went teaching I didn't like it very much. Eddie and I got married and went to South America and travelled around there for a year, and when we got back we started our family, and that's when we came here.

About the same time I thought I don't want to be home with nothing to do, so I thought maybe I could get some work as an Illustrator - I rang a publishing house and asked for some work and was really lucky to get the right person on the end of that phone who said come in and meet me. She gave me my very first break and we are still really good friends. I probably illustrated other people's work for about five years and then started on my own stories.

YRK: Did you consider yourself more of an artist, or more of a writer?

Bigsy, of My Dog Bigsy fame, rules the roost. 179626 mine are quite short, so I do a lot of it in my head. While I'm driving I will often just say stuff aloud as I go, just trying to get the words right. I've done a couple of novels for kids but I can't imagine having the time now to just sit down and write a novel. Maybe when the grandkids are older and I can't walk or something like that I'll sit down and do some more writing.

YRK: Does it take quite a while to do a picture book - what's the process?

AL: I'm getting much faster now, because I just don't have much time. I think the longest was 10 years for Are We There Yet. I mean I did other things in the meantime, but it was a really long process. I probably aim to do one book a year.

YRK: And when you were young, did your parents read to you on a regular basis?

AL: Yes we were always read to. We didn't have nearly as many books - I don't think there were as many books

YRK: So did you read to your own children every day?

AL: Well, I would like to say I did. We read a lot, but Lachie, the littlest one, often missed out because we were so busy. He would be down in bed calling mum, come read to me! And I'd yell out I'm coming! And then I'd get down there and he'd be asleep, or I would read to him and I would fall asleep. But anyway, he's turned out to be a bookworm so that's OK. YRK: It can be hard. I've got two little kids and there's so much to do - reading competes with doing the dishes or a million other things.

AL: Yes, it's really important though isn't it. And it's not natural for all kids - with one of our grandkids you would sit down and read a page and he would wander off. But he's really grown to love it. And there are so many good things about it, like sitting down, spending proper time together, the physical contact. It works in all sorts of ways.

YRK: Do you think the message is getting through, with libraries and the Premiers'

Reading Challenge and things like that - do you think parents are aware of the importance of reading to their children?

AL: I get the feeling that we are always preaching to the converted, we are always getting to the people who read books anyway. And there are lots of families who really have been generationally disadvantaged, who don't have books in their houses, who you don't get to. And I think there needs to be massive government help.

YRK: Do you find being a grandparent different to being a parent?

AL: Yeah, I think I'm a much better grandparent then I was a parent. You have time. When you are a parent you've always got so much to do. But when you are a grandparent you can go well actually there's nothing I have to do today, I can just sit here on the floor and hang out with these kids. But I miss them so much if I don't see them for a few days. You know you start getting older and life's a bit hmm, you know, nothing's happening - and then you have grandkids and life's fantastic.

YRK: When you were younger, did you ever imagine you would be a highly successful and acclaimed children's author?

AL: Haha - what did I think I would be? I probably thought I'd be living in the country. I always thought I would live in an old weatherboard house with a verandah all the way around, and I'd have lots of kids, and doing something arty. I didn't imagine that I would have a career that has been so much fun.

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AL: A bit of both I think. It's funny, when I'm writing I think it would be easier to be drawing, and when I'm drawing I think it would easier to be writing. I find writing, the actual physical act of writing, very boring - that you just have to sit there and do it. Because I do picture books

around. I can really only remember having a few picture books but once we could actually read, we had masses of books. I could remember struggling to read John and Betty in Grade 2. Kids read a lot earlier than that now - a lot of kids can read by the time they go to school - so it's really changed. But there are heaps of kids too that don't ever learn to read properly, that's the big thing.

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skye Douglas, 13 MY brother and sister really like their Globber and Grit scooters and so do I. They look pretty cool. I have friends who have scooters, so I often just follow along and we hang out together on our scooters at the park. I guess many people still have their bikes and ride their bikes to school.

But I prefer my scooter, because I find it a fun way to get around. They're pretty easy to look after, too. I just keep it in the garage and get it out when I want to go out for a scoot.

Dayne Carberry, 15 I like my Grit Scooter because it’s versatile. It is fast enough and comfortable enough to ride that I can scoot off to the shops in my spare time. I have also ridden it to school a few times. But I can also try out a few new neat tricks when I need something to do. I make sure I always wear a helmet, though. Just in case I don't pull off one of my tricks.

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FOR RAINY DAYS LOOKING to stock up on winter clothes, snow gear and things to keep the kids entertained indoors, but don't want to fork out a fortune?

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Pipsqueakz owner Rachel Shepherd, a mum-of-two, has plenty of ideas to help.

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"We would have games days, Uno was always a winner. I love board games for teaching kids that they don't always win and that its a part of life to not always be first!

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Dr Michael Carr-Gregg's TOP PARENTING TIPS IMAGINE this: you buy your child brand new white shoes - they cost a small fortune, as shoes do. On the way home you stop by the park and your child runs around wearing their new kicks.

Everything's going swimmingly - and then your kid skids through a steaming pile of fresh dog poop.

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, acclaimed psychologist and parenting expert, says there are two ways you can react in this scenario.

"One is oh no, my shoes are ruined, this always happens to me, and misery will prevail," he said.

"Or if I have got to that child, the moment they step in that dog poo, the first thing they think is hey, at least I was wearing shoes. I want your child to be an at least I was wearing shoes thinker. How do they do that? by copying you. I want you to be an at least I was wearing shoes thinker."

As keynote speaker at Pakenham Library's 'Together With Me' Summit in April - an initiative of Together We Can to bring together support services and tackle domestic violence in Casey and Cardinia - Dr Carr-Gregg shared his key tips to help parents raise happy, confident and respectful young people.

Dr Carr-Gregg said there was a key piece of wisdom in the above scenario.

"In life you can't always change something, but the thing that makes us different from all the other creatures on this planet is that we, and we alone, actually have the capacity to change the way we think about it.

"It is really important you understand.

You can't choose what happens to you, but you can always choose the way you respond."

Dr Carr-Gregg said the journey from childhood to adulthood now had more risk factors than preventative factors.

"A lot of people are coming out on the other end actually quite damaged.

What I'm interested in is prevention, and what you, as mums and dads and community members, can do to make this journey better."

Parents often asked if their child was normal - and while Dr Carr-Gregg said normal was merely a 'setting on a washing machine,' there were four things he looked for.

"The ability to obtain, maintain and retain friendships is, according to all the childhood psychologists in the whole wide world, the greatest predictor of well being. You may think it is being good looking, having lots of money - completely irrelevant.

"If they are 12 or 13 and they can't stand being away from you, this is problematic. I need them to be able to go on a school camp, I need them to go in woollies or coles and buy a carton of milk. So we need them to be able to emancipate from you.

"Then the school thing. They need to understand and enjoy school. What is the single most important predictor of a good schooling experience - the statistics clearly show the greatest predictor is the relationship they have with the teachers, and that is down to respect.

Personally I think teachers should be paid more, I don't think we pay them www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

"You can't choose what happens to you, but you can always choose the way you respond."

- DR MICHAEL CARR-GREGG enough; if I was Premier I would in fact double the salary of teachers. I would probably bankrupt the state but that would be the first thing I do, because they hold the future of the country in their hands.

"Finally, do they have a spark, something that gets them up in the morning? Something they feel passionate about.

"When my son was eight he was passionate about leg spin bowling. I would walk in to his bedroom and he had pictures of Shane Warne everywhere. He played grade cricket at 15-years of age. We lived in Balwyn and I carted him to Casey Fields to stand in the hot sun for two days while he bowled.

"When he was about 17 it dawned on me that after two days in the hot sun at Casey Fields, he was actually too tired to go down to St Kilda and inject himself with heroin. So here's the thing - while kids are busy doing one thing, they can't be doing another. So if you want to inoculate your kid, make sure they are busy. Talk to anyone and the will say to you - bored kids are trouble. Because if they are bored they hang out with other kids that are bored, and those bored kids will find something to do to entertain themselves, which won't necessarily be all that constructive."

The 'spark' didn't have to be a sport; it could be music, drama, gymnastics, art, a football team or the library itselfanything that was not materialistic and was 'bigger than them.'

Dr Carr-Gregg said he could tell a child was travelling OK if they fulfilled the previous four requirements. But not all children did - and that is where early intervention was crucial.

"Now there are some kids that are not happy kids - about 1 in 7 Primary School students will have these sorts of symptoms. They will have frequent sadness. Now everyone is allowed to be sad: sadness lasts minutes, hours or days and is a normal response to something bad that happens.

Depression is a pervasive and relentless sense of despair that lasts much longer, feels much worse, and we suspect is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. It's an illness, it's got to be diagnosed and treated first," he said.

"They may no longer enjoy the things they used to enjoy. They feel hopeless,

they've got no sense of optimism, concentrating and focusing becomes difficult, they will be irritable or will withdraw from their friends. They will also talk of, or attempt to, run away.

They don't have energy, they are lethargic, have thoughts of self-harm and sometimes will do it. Somatic symptoms - tummy aches or headaches.

They are actually more irritable than sad, nothing makes them happy, and they are quite hard to be with.

"The reason I'm giving you this list is this - because I'm really concerned that early identification and prompt treatment is not happening. The earlier we get to a kid, the quicker we can start treatment and the better the outcome.

The longer we leave it, quite often depressed kids will act out, will maybe drink or take drugs, and therefore we have two problems, depression and the substance abuse, then they don't do well at school and we have academic problems, legal problems, and it continues."

Dr Carr-Gregg said parents had a very important role to play in helping to manage their child's wellbeing.

"We need to talk to our children when

they are young, because when they are teenagers virtually everything is met with a Neanderthal grunt.

"One of the things I always say is try and spend at least 8 minutes a day with them without any where we get down on our knees, look them in the eyes and ask them about their day, listen very carefully and then this is the trick, reflect it back to them. Eight minutes per day, per kid - awfully sorry if you have 14 children - but 8 minutes a day is what we reckon really makes a big difference.

"Self-respect comes from them feeling really good about themselves, and one thing that makes them feel good about themselves is if we give them time. Very easy to say, harder to do."

Dr Carr-Gregg said it was crucial that parents could strike a positive balance between their work and home life.

He also listed getting enough sleep - 10 hours for Primary students and 9 hours for Secondary students - enough exercise, and a mediterranean-style diet heavy on vegetables as crucial for mental wellbeing.

Parents needed to prioritise self-care to provide an example for their children.

GymbaROO Mooroolbark 12361161-CG37-17

By Jade Glen

Expensive white shoes, a park in winter...what could pos sibly go wrong? According to Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, you can't control what happens but you can control how you rea ct.

WHY? LEAR I t ’s F U N a n d Introductory Trial Offer In Your Specific Age Group Bookings Essential

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Mooroolbark Community Centre All Enquiries Welcome – Marion 9726 8740 E: Mooroolbark@gymbaroo.com.au • www.gymbaroo.com.au WINTER 2018 9

It’s

your life

Outside adventures help children learn about working together, building relationships and making connections.

Pictures: ROB CAREW

Active Play AT

Cire

ACTIVE Play is an extremely important part of a child's development; think about how good you feel when you take part in physical activities. Active Play allows children not only opportunities to develop their physical skills, such as running, walking, kicking, throwing and balancing but many other lifelong skills such as language, socialising, working together, building friendships and making connections.

Playing alone, making up characters, pretending to be a superhero or playing with others are all forms of play that help develop relationships and communication skills.

The more children are engaged in play the stronger their relationships form with their peers and the quality of these interactions strengthen giving children the skills they need to become resilient adults.

Playing outside gives your child the chance to explore their natural environment and have adventures.

Children can play games, push themselves to try new thing, express themselves, use their imagination and build their confidence. Children don't mind if they're doing it right or wrong as long as they're getting out there and taking part. Rain, hail or shine. Mud pies, playing hide and seek with friends, gardening, riding a bike, climbing a tree, splashing in puddles, playing with pets, swimming, remember back to your 10 WINTER 2018

childhood and what made you happy!

Outdoor play doesn't have to be a big deal, unplanned play activities can be just as much fun if not more than planned play. Playing with the cardboard box the toy came in can be more fun than the actual toy. Extending on this play by giving children paint, texta's, glue, left over fabric or ribbons can take this activity to a whole new level. Children can then be pirates on the sea, a racing car driver or a fairy in their own castle, a child's imagination is endless.

Playing outside is fantastic for helping children to practise their physical skills.

Activities such as running, jumping, skipping and playing ball games are fantastic for overall health and wellbeing of children.

Exploring the natura l environme nt in Yarra Ju at Cire nction.

portant part of the Active Play is an im ren's Services. ild Ch e Cir at program

Toys that require balance, such as skateboards, scooters and bikes, teach children new skills and encourage the development of self-confidence and coordination.

Playing and learning outside also helps children to understand and respect nature, their environment, animals, plants, and habitats.

You can see the enjoyment and sense of wonder and excitement that is generated when children actively engage with their outdoor environment and physical active play.

So go outside and have fun! www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

It’s

your life

Andreza Rodriguez with baby Bella, The Babes Project founder Helen Parker, Vienna Magan and baby Isabella Magan with ambassador Jordan Ablett.

Picture: Miranda Mayle

Project helps MUMS AND THEIR BABES

The Babes Project founder, Helen Parker, outlines her vision for the service.

Picture: Miranda Mayle

experiences shared by other mums.

By Melissa Grant

Andreza said facing motherhood would have been worrying, and perhaps sad, had she not found The Babes Project.

WHEN Andreza Rodriguez found out she was going to be a mum, one of the first things she did was Google 'pregnancy support'.

After helping navigate her pregnancy, The Babes Project's lunches gave her something to regularly look forward to between the constant feeding and nappy changes.

Hailing from Brazil with a Columbian partner, Andreza had no family nearby and knew she would need help and care before and after birthing their first child.

"It's my out from the house," she said.

"It's very nice being part of something."

What Andreza found was The Babes Project, a crisis pregnancy support service with centres in Croydon and Frankston, that has helped hundreds of women over the past nine years.

The Babes Project has helped Andreza make new mum friends, including Vienna Magan.

Vienna, mum to Isabella, described the service as both welcoming and empowering.

They are women, like Andreza, who want help to navigate through the joyous but challenging world of pregnancy and mothering a newborn.

"It's good to have a support that's not a clinical type of service," she said.

"I literally googled 'pregnancy support' when I knew I was pregnant," Andreza recalled while cradling her daughter Bella.

"It (The Babes Project) came up, and I think I mailed them and then they rang me up and I told them my story.

"I literally just Googled it because I don't have anyone here."

The Babes Project offers free holistic support for women during their pregnancy by giving them access to midwives, life skills and baby care workshops, and labour support programs.

The service was born when Helen Parker was shocked to discover a lack of holistic support for expectant women when she encountered her own crisis pregnancy a decade ago.

12 WINTER 2018

Vienna and Andreza both shared their experiences as The Babes Project showcased its perinatal program and previewed its app at an International Women's Day brunch in March.

Mums from The Babes Project gathered for a special brunch in Kilsyth on International Women's Day. Picture: Miranda Mayle "I was in my third year of architecture and I progressed with my pregnancy, but was really alarmed that there wasn't any holistic support for women, it's all sort of band-aid options," she said.

"We are trying to be a little more proactive, a little more long-term to make sure that we aren't just birthing the babies and go 'oh what do we do with this?'

There was clearly a need for service

like The Babes Project - its centres have waiting lists.

The service is looking at expanding and has just launched a free smartphone app based on its perinatal program.

The app, developed in Melbourne, offers timely information about pregnancy and the first year of a baby's life along with contacts and services, an interactive calendar, photo diaries and

The event also welcomed the service's new ambassador, Jordan Ablett.

Jordan, wife of AFL star Garry Ablett, said supporting the project was a natural progression for her after working with children through volunteering and as a youth worker.

"I am really excited about the heart behind The Babes Project, the genuine passion this organisation has for the mothers and babies it works with, and how the support transforms their lives," Jordan said.

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

It’s

your life

JORDAN ABLETT working alongside babes

now

with Helen Parker (founder and managing director of The Babes Project) and had a really good, deep and meaningful conversation about the project and the heart and motivation behind it. As I listened to Helen, it was really obvious to me how passionate she is about getting alongside these women in what is a really significant season in their lives... pregnancy and becoming a mum! Instantly I knew that I wanted to be a part of The Babes Project (TBP) and to use the platform that I have to help make a real difference in the lives of these beautiful women and their babes.

It's a role where you interact with a lot of pregnant women and newborns have you learnt anything surprising about pregnancy or babies?

I've definitely learnt many things from them. However something I want to touch on is what has mostly stood out to me and that has been their personal stories around the incredible impact that the project has had on them and how supported they now feel. We recently had a breakfast together and I found myself holding back tears when I listened to one mum in particular being really honest about how she often feels really judged in public for being a

Jordan Ablett cuddles baby Isabella during a gathering for The Babes Project.

Photo: Miranda Mayle young mum and how people aren't afraid to express their opinions. She then went on to talk about how TBP has made her feel valued and empowered and totally loved and appreciated. I loved hearing that!

You're also a teacher's aide and have been a youth worker. What do you love about working with kids?

I'm passionate about working with people who are vulnerable. I tend to be drawn to those who are mostly vulnerable, whether that be kids, people with special needs and disabilities, youth or the elderly.

My work over the years has involved spending time with a young boy with autism one-on-one after school where we'd have a real focus on social interaction. I also lead and mentored youth in my role as a youth worker at a high school southeast of Melbourne. I really enjoyed this as I would often have students come into my office and

really confide in me about what was going on in their world both at school and at home. I loved being able to sit with them and listen, especially when they didn't feel valued and understood in their family and friendship circles.

Separate to my role as a youth worker, I would also assist as an integration aide working closely with students with special needs and/or learning difficulties.

Finally, you've got strong connections with family and friends in Geelong and Gary has publicly said he'd love to have a family of his own one day - do you see yourself here long-term?

We're currently in the process of building a house together in Jan Juc. The plan has always been that once it's ready to move into we will live there for as long as G continues to play football and then we'll reassess post football.

12389656-CG25-18

JORDAN Ablett is no stranger to the spotlight and now she's using her profile to make a real difference to vulnerable women making the joyous, but often tough, transition to motherhood.

The wife of AFL superstar Gary, is the new ambassador of The Babes Project, a crisis pregnancy support service with centres in Croydon and Frankston.

The important role is a natural progression for Jordan, who has worked as a teacher's aide and youth worker.

She tells Melissa Grant, about her passion for working with children, her own childhood and her future plans with Gary.

First of all, welcome back to Victoria.

How does it feel being back here permanently with Gary?

Thank you very much! We're really happy to be back as Victoria is very much home to us. Despite missing the constant sunshine up on the Gold Coast, nothing beats being home and spending time with family.

You've recently become an ambassador for The Babes Project, a not-for-profit pregnancy support organisation. How have you been enjoying the role?

It wasn't too long ago that I sat down

! n e op

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Offering families a premium standard of early education for children 6 weeks to school age, Nido Early School provides: • World-class Reggio Emilia approach to learning, facilitated by degree-qualiied kindergarten teachers and industry-best educators • Wholesome, seasonal and delicious food made fresh every day in our Cucina • Architecturally designed creative spaces and beautiful nature inspired environments • An inclusive village-style approach, which engages child, parent and community

To ind out more or to register online now, visit nidoearlyschool.com.au 12 Leith Road, Montrose | To book a personal tour phone 9068 8179 www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Bringing learning to life.

WINTER 2018 13

It’s

your life

KIDS ARE GOING HUNGRY: report MORE than one in five Australian kids went hungry last year.

New research unveiled in the Foodbank Hunger Report paints a worrying picture about the number of children living in food insecure households - with some kids regularly going without fresh food, enough food, or in some cases, entire days without any food at all.

Going hungry is a common occurrence for the 22 per cent of Australian children identified as being food insecure. Almost half of these children skipped a meal at least once a week.

Parents reported large bills, unexpected expenses, and meeting the rent or mortgage repayments were the main reasons they could not afford enough food for their family. More than half of the respondents said they had sometimes not paid bills in order to buy food for the household. Contrary to some common misconceptions, only 8 per cent said they could not afford food because money was spent on cigarettes, drugs, alcohol or gambling.

Food insecurity is a very real problem in the Yarra Ranges - Neal Taylor, CEO and Community Worker at Holy Fools in Lilydale, said he had seen an increase in people seeking emergency assistance with food, housing and bills.

More than one-in-five Australian children are living in ''food insecure'' housing.

Picture: Stock Image.

"We often see people struggling to pay their rent or pay their bills or feed their children, and in some cases you find families are skipping meals to meet those costs.

"Just recently we've had a family who were living in a couple of tents with their children because they can't find anywhere to live. We've provided some help in the way of a bit of food, referrals, and showers with the help of Lilydale Football Club.

"We are also seeing a couple of young ladies that are about to have babies, that are homeless - what's going

to happen to their child once they are born?"

Foodbank Australia's CEO Brianna Casey said it was both heartbreaking and unacceptable to hear that children were going hungry anywhere in the world, let alone in Australia.

"As the cost of living continues to rise, parents are really feeling the strain of these financial pressures on their household budgets, forcing some to make impossible decisions for their families," she said.

Most parents reported feeling

ashamed or embarrassed about the situation, and many had tried to cut down on portion sizes, take their children to a family member's house for a meal, or sought food assistance from a charity, to address their child's hunger.

More than half of parents reported that their child's behaviour changed as a result of being hungry - with more outburst or tantrums, a decline in happiness, children becoming more agitated and irritable, or acting up at school and at home.

Foodbank provides food for over 652,000 people a month, but its frontline charity partners have reported an increasing demand for food relief.

About 65,000 people are turned away every month due to a lack of food.

Mr Taylor said food insecurity, homelessness and the rising cost of living required a response from the whole community.

"It's so easy for a family to end up homeless. It's just someone losing their job, or someone getting ill, particularly if they don't have the network of family and friends in the area as well.

"We need a community effort. We've got to become a community that cares about our neighbours and what goes on down the street, what goes on next door. We need everyone in the community getting up and saying that's it, enough's enough, people shouldn't be starving in our backyard."

CRYSTAL BROOK

12336224-ACM13-17

By Jade Glen

TOURIST PARK Crystal Brook Tourist Park is a perfect combination of a city park with the atmosphere and natural attractions of a bush park and its wildlife. It’s the perfect base from which to explore some of Melbourne’s and Victoria’s great attractions and events. It is located within an easy drive of the CBD of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley and has public transport at the front gate.

FEATURES AND FACILITIES INCLUDE: • Range of cabins and villas • Powered, ensuite and tent sites • Heated alfresco BBQ area • Camp Kitchen • Fully equipped laundry

• Jumping pillow, games room • Heated pool • Pet friendly sites and cabins (Conditions apply) • We welcome group bookings • New Off Leash Area

Crystal Brook Tourist Park 182 Heidelberg - Warrandyte Rd, Doncaster East 3109 (Melway Map 34 F3) 14 WINTER 2018

Phone: 03 9844 3637 Email: info@cbtp.com.au Web: www.cbtp.com.au www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Nurse's tips

on

respiratory illness

By Jade Glen THE Speech Tree is a Paediatric and Adolescent Speech Pathology clinic in Mooroolbark offering a range of therapies to suit everyone, from one-year-old toddlers to young adults in their early 20s.

A local resident, Speech Pathologist Frances Brennan brought The Speech Tree to Mooroolbark in March 2017 after previously operating from a clinic in Bulleen.

“I really understood the value of a community based speech pathologist who knew the local playgroups, schools and kinders,” she said.

Starting primarily as a paediatric practice catering for pre-school and young school age children, The Speech Tree has grown to reflect Frances’ professional interests in mental health and literacy. One of the most popular programs is the regular social skills groups, which helps children and adolescents navigate common social scenarios in a safe and supportive environment under the guidance of Frances or her fellow pathologist, Emily.

“A lot of people don’t know what to expect when they come to speech pathology. Quite often they get a referral for their child from their Maternal and Child Health Nurse or kindergarten teacher and say why, they are talking fine.

“They may have a language delay and not be using enough words to communicate, or it may be for playbased therapy - delays in play can be part of a broader delay and can be a real barrier to kids developing friendships and childcare or kinder.”

Emergency nurse and Parentmedic ambassador Prudence Fletcher.

“It’s always best to ask if you’ve got concerns of any kind - most of us happy to give a bit of advice over the phone.”

While The Speech Tree caters for a wide range of clients, they all have something in common - for the most part, they really enjoy coming.

“I have a lot of kids that call it Frances’ house, and look forward to coming to ‘play with Frances.’ I had one little girl who started a wall calendar counting down to her speech sessions - it’s pretty special to me that the kids feel so supported and valued here.”

Some people may be eligible for Speech Pathology under the NDIS, while some could be eligible for a Medicare rebate on five sessions.

A Parentmedic chart to help par ents identify respiratory illness in their child.

For more information call The Speech Tree on 9726 9283 or visit www. speechtree.com.au

The Speech Tree also caters for older clients with intellectual disabilities, Down Syndrome or autism.

The social skills groups have proven so popular that there are now 8 running for different age groups.

“We work on how to be a good friend, reciprocal conversation, and being flexible in our thinking. We start at the pre-school level, learning about taking turns and playing together. These programs are in demand and we are getting a lot more calls about them.

“Some parents joke about wanting to do the social skills group themselves! We all have social interactions every day, and as we get older those goal posts are constantly moving.”

Frances said about half of her clients came from referrals, and about half was from parents self-referring. She stressed that she was always happy to speak to parents over the phone about their concerns.

“I really want parents to know they are able to call. Probably about 20 per cent of the calls I get I say actually that sounds really normal, or that sounds about normal until this age, I’ll call you in a few months to see how you are going. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Parents learn first aid in a Parentmedic class.

WINTER 2018 15

directory 12 1. LITTLE YARRA STEINER SCHOOL

205 Little Yarra Rd 17. GLOBBER - THE WORLD ON WHEELS

Yarra Junction Ph: 5967 1953 www. lyss.vic.edu.au

www.globber.com.au

2. CIRE SERVICES - YARRA JUNCTION

16. RUCCIS CIRCUS

2463 Warburton Hwy, Yarra Junction Ph: 1300 835 235

130-132 Bayfield Rd E, Bayswater North

www.cire.org.au

Ph: 0433 037 085

13

3. CIRE SERVICES - MT EVELYN

15. PIP SQUEAKZ RECYCLE

20 Old Hereford Rd, Mt Evelyn

8/10 York Rd, Mount Evelyn

Ph: 9736 1457

Ph: 9736 2211

www.cire.org.au

www.pipsqueakz.com

11 14. YARRA VALLEY PSYCHOLOGY

5 14

9

4. GHILGAI SCHOOL

14

295 Liverpool Rd Kilsyth

Boronia Level 1-109 Boronia Road, Boronia Croydon Level 1, 148 Maroondah Hwy Croydon Lilydale 28 A Hardy Street Lilydale Ph: 9723 1441 www.yvp.com.au

3 7

2

15 6

Ph: 9728 5819

1

www. ghilgai.com.au

16 4

10 5. SOLE STUDIOS

13. YARRA VALLEY MIDWIVES

8 14

2/329 Main St

254 Maroondah Highway

Lilydale

Healesville

E: mail@solestudios.com.au

0410 692 292 / 0448 866 655

www.solestudios.com.au

www.yarravalleymidwives.com.au

6. GYMBAROO MOOROOLBARK

Mooroolbark Community Centre, Brice Ave

17 12. LAKE MOUNTAIN RESORT

Mooroolbark Ph: 9726 8740

IllustrativeTrail maps

Regional Tourism websites

MAP PROVIDED COURTESY OF

• visitdandenongranges.com.au • visityarravalley.com.au • visitwarburton.com.au

www.gymbaroo.com.au

Wantirna & Chirnside Park

• visityarravalley.com.au/places-to-go/top-trails

1071 Lake Mountain Rd, Marysville

• visitdandenongranges.com.au/places-to-go/top-trails

5957 7222 | lakemountainresort.com.au

Wantirna & Chirnside Park

11. CHOICE CAKE DECORATING 7. SPEECH TREE PATHOLOGY

8. KINGSWIM WANTIRNA

9. KINGSWIM CHIRNSIDE

10. NOAH’S ARK INC.

8/96 Manchester Rd, Mooroolbark

141 Mountain Highway, Wantirna

286-288 Maroondah Highway, Chrinside Park

78 Cuthbert St

Chirnside Park

Ph: 9726 9283

Ph: 9800 2555

Ph: 9727 5800

Heathmont

Ph: 9735 5375

www.speechtree.com.au

www.kingswim.com.au/wantirna

www.kingswim.com.au/chirnside-park

P: 1800 819 140

www.choicecakes.com

16 AUTUMN 2018 WINTER 2018

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

89a Switchback Rd,

WINTER 2018 17

Education

Lilydale Lakeside Children’s Centre -

A New Approach to Quality Care

By Jade Glen IN a few short weeks, the children at Lilydale Lakeside Children's Centre will be moving up the road in Jarlo Drive, to their new, state-of-the-art centre at Box Hill Institute's Lilydale Lakeside campus.

The Integrated Children's Centre will be a community hub: offering Long Day Care, three and four-year-old Kindergarten programs, a Maternal and Child Health Centre (moving from the current Lilydale site) family services, a playgroup, and the provision of a toy library.

Centre Director Carol Ong has played a key role in the new building's design. With 25 years' experience in Australia and internationally, and as a trainer at Box Hill teaching the next generation of educators, she is passionate about early childhood education.

"One of the best things about this Centre is the beautiful outdoor space," she said.

"There is an engineering zone, with mud patch and sandpit, a water pump with pebbles, and all different terrains.

We've even got a cubby house and tricycle track.

Lilydale has a unique Primary Caregiver approach to ensure every child receives quality care. 180474

"There is also a communal space that has been designed for the children of all ages, allowing them to play with their friends, siblings and carers.

Ms Ong said hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) learning was a key feature and focus of the Centre, enabling the children to learn and grow through play and activities. It promoted and developed their natural curiosity, problem solving and critical thinking skills.

"To parents it might look just like play

- but it is hands on STEM learning, and when we articulate that to the parents, they really value what we do here. It is so important because zero to five-yearsold is where it all happens," she said.

Lilydale is also unique in its Primary Caregiver approach - assigning each educator the responsibility of a small group of children in their room, rather than having a room leader responsible for the education of every child.

"In some centres, all the educators are busy caring for the high needs children at once. Then those that are independent and settled can just go under the radar for the whole day, just doing their thing and nobody actually spends time with them.

"Whereas here, if I've got a small group of children, I can make sure that every child will be attended to. At the end of the day there is somebody accountable to the family - this child's learning and care has been taken care of."

The Centre also has two Mandarinspeaking educators, giving children early exposure to a second language.

"It's not about acquiring a second language - it's about listening to different sounds and different intonations so when they go to primary school, their ear is attuned and it is easier to learn," Ms Ong said.

"It is such an important time in a child's development. If you give the child enough opportunities during this early period, you really open up their minds in terms of learning and flexibility, and it can make their primary schooling so much easier.

"That's my passion. I love watching children learn and grow, observing their play and why they do things the way they do."

Hands-on STEM learning is a key feature of the program at Lilydale Lakeside Children's Centre. 180474 Pictures: ROB CAREW

12389775-LN25-18

18 WINTER 2018

Lilydale Lakeside Children’s Centre Director, Carol Ong, is passionate about Early Childhood Education. 180474

An artist's impression of the central courtyard at the new Lilydale Lakeside Children's Centre. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Entertainment

Dreaming

of a

By Jade Glen There's plenty of fun to be had at Lake Mountain this winter, with a whole host of new events on offer.

LAKE Mountain is the perfect first time snow-play destination. Experience the delights of a winter wonderland, build a snowman, take a toboggan ride, make snow angels or have a snowball fight.

Introduce the kids to the thrills of snowboarding at Burton Riglet Park (for kids aged 3-6), or the brand new for the 2018 season Learn-To-Ride Park for those aged 7-14, or start them on a love of Nordic skiing with lessons at the Fischer Nordic Fun Park.

something completely zany - and show it off in the snow. Hold it tight while you ski, snowboard or toboggan down a slope. Place it on your snowman and post your happy snaps. Join us in the bistro for some Mad Hatter fun foods and enjoy the colourful themed decorations. A great weekend for kids of all ages.

This year Lake Mountain has LearnTo-Ride Snowboarding lessons for 7-14 year olds, which include boots, helmet and snowboard hire. There are also two new Magic Carpets to carry little legs, saving energy for more fun.

Teddy Bear's Picnic June 31 - July 1 HAS teddy been to the snow? This year is a special time for all teddies to play in the snow, so bring along ted (or dinosaur or rabbit ... ) post your teddy bear snow snaps, make snow teddies, bring your own yummy picnic or order

a scrumptious teddy bear's picnic from the bistro. (Prizes for best snow teddies.)

Order your teddy bear's picnic boxes in advance to save time. Individual picnic packs include mini tablecloth, paper plate, napkin, teddy bear cupcake, bear shaped honey sandwich, toasty puff pastry mini frankfurt & fruit box drink.

Mad HaTTer's MounTain MayHeM July 14-15 BRING your warmest, craziest, most colourful or old favourite hat - or make

lake MounTain Mandala FesTival augusT 4-5 Have you ever made a snow mandala?

Buy one of our snow dye packs or coloured spray & stencil packs and help us decorate Lake Mountain's snow with

Mountains Of Fun Visit Lake Mountain Alpine Resort this winter for a mountain of fun for the family. At just two hours drive, Lake Mountain is the closest snow resort to Melbourne and is the perfect place for first time snow-play and snow activities, lessons and events for young families.

TEDDY BEAR’S PICNIC 30 June-31 July 10AM-4PM Has teddy been to the snow? Bring along ted (or dinosaur or rabbit) or make a snow teddy.

Prizes for best snow teddies.

MAD HATTER’S MOUNTAIN MAYHEM 14-15 JULY 10am - 4pm Bring your warmest, craziest, most colourful or old favourite hat and show it off in the snow.

Prizes for best hats.

LAKE MOUNTAIN MANDALA FESTIVAL 4-5 AUG 10am-4pm Help us decorate Lake Mountain’s snow with colourful mandalas (dye packs available). Enjoy Indian dancers, food and colourful decorations.

T 03 5957 7201 E admin@lakemountainresort.com.au W www.lakemountainresort.com.au

12389802-ACM25-18

CHINA PANDA PANDEMONIUM 18-19 AUG 10AM-4PM

Check out our great kids events calendar at www.lakemountainresort.com.au 20 WINTER 2018

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Entertainment

white winter Chou, Kobe and Tara check out a bearded dragon. your colourful mandalas. The weekend will be themed with Indian dancers, some scrumptious Indian food and colourful decorations. Great for budding artists of all ages. Just have a go and post your best photo @lakemountainresort. Prizes for best mandalas.

Wild Winter

Mother & Daughter Days august 11-12

at the York

MUM, bring your daughter, or daughter, bring your mum to a fun day in the snow together. This weekend is all about togetherness and celebrates the joy of the mother/daughter relationship.

Special high tea share picnic packs will be available for pre-order, fun activities, and souvenir photo opportunities.

THE Winter School Holidays are set to get wild at the York on Lilydale.

To celebrate the soon to be released Jurassic World 2 movie, Toby T-Rex and Razor Raptor are coming to visit on the 5th and 12 July.

This is a free meet and greet for all those booked in to the family bistro - make sure you book ahead so you don't miss out!

So make your way up to Lake Mountain for a family snow adventure this winter. Clothing and equipment are available for hire and pre-ordering is available online via Click & Collect - see www.lakemountainresort.com.au.

Alpine clothing, footwear and accessories are available in the shop at prices comparable to Melbourne, and you can also grab a special souvenir to remember your visit.

And for the animal lovers, on Sunday 8th July is an amazing reptile encounter experience - tickets are now on sale for $15 per person, or $50 for two adults and up to two kids.

To book your reptile encounter, phone 9736 4000 or drop in to reception between 8am and 8pm daily.

TOBY AND RAZOR STORM THE YORK

Kids just want to have fun

MEET AND GREET IN TH E FAMILY BISTRO BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL WITH KIDS EAT FREE *conditions apply

REPTILE ENCOUNTERS

12389237-CG25-18

day July 12th Thursday, July 5th | Thurs

12389725-RA25-18

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE FOR $15 PER PERSON OR $50 FOR FAMILY TICKET (2 Adults & up to 2 Kids)

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

WINTER 2018 21

party time

Cake 2 the Rescue owner Lou Duggan and the superhero cake she helped bake for 5-year-old Emilee.

'great cake expectations'

Our

By Melissa Grant

daughters having birthdays just days apart.

AS I squeezed the last bit of bright pink buttercream icing out of the piping bag, the clock ticked past midnight.

"I'd end up trying to make two cakes in one night and my husband would leave at 3am because I'd be in tears," she said.

Dotting the icing onto the doll's vanilla butter cake skirt had taken much longer than anticipated and I began to worry I'd be yawning through my daughter's first birthday celebrations.

Although the cake looked a treat, the bar was probably set a bit high when I decided to recreate the Dolly Varden cake at my own first birthday party.

Turns out many parents suffer from 'great cake expectations' when it comes to kids birthday celebrations.

As daughter Emmy tucked into the cake that took six hours to create, many mum friends recalled how they too had stayed up late to make a special cake for their child's birthday.

"I was up all night making a caterpillar cake. I was so tired for the party the next day," one friend said.

Staying up into the wee hours of the morning to bake birthday cakes is something mum of three Lou Duggan knows all too well, with two of her 22 WINTER 2018

It was this annual event that put Lou on the path to creating her unique business Cake 2 the Rescue seven years ago. Her company sells do-it-yourself cake kits that contain everything a parent needs to whip up a birthday cake except for the eggs, milk and butter.

"We don't offer anything that makes you cry and nothing that's not achievable after a couple of glasses of wine," the former engineer and interior designer said with a laugh.

The rainbow unicorn kit, by far, is the company's best-seller, while shark, dinosaur, dirt cake, monster trucks, superhero, diggers and dolphins are also popular among the 200-plus designs.

However, Lou said she received many crazy birthday cake requests from parents who had ridiculously high expectations.

"People will say 'I've never baked before can you help me' and it's a

A unicorn cake made using a Cake 2 the Rescue kit. three-tiered masterpiece," she said.

"I have to talk them back down to a sensible cake that won't make them cry."

Gold Coast based Lou said too many mums and dads wrongly believed their birthday cake making skills reflected

The doll cake Kids journalist Melissa Grant made for her daughter's first birthday. whether they were doing a good job as a parent.

"I think we have to take the pressure of ourselves. All your child sees is their mum or dad went out of the way to create something beautiful for them," she said. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Stay on trend KEEP warm while looking cool this winter with the trendiest clothes, shoes and accessories from Billy Lidz Children's Boutique. Billy Lidz stocks leading Australian designer children's clothing brands and overseas favourites for kids aged 0 to 14, plus a selection of toys, gifts and accessories. The winter range is in store and features a collection of new labels. Check out the range in their new online store at www.lovemybillylidz. com.au.

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

WINTER 2018 23

reality bites

By Peter Douglas UPWEY'S Charlotte Perry, 4, has become one of the youngest recipients of the coveted Junior Triple Zero Hero awards, an acknowledgement of her ability to stay calm and collected in a crisis.

Charlotte contacted triple zero when her mother, Tracey, fell unexpectedly and became pinned underneath a chair.

Tracey suffers from a chronic complex migraine condition, which causes her to lose consciousness without warning, leaving her susceptible to falls and potentially significant injuries.

Thankfully for the entire Perry family, young Charlotte, an Upwey Primary School student, was able to help out when needed.

Charlotte explained to the operator what was happening, in addition to caring for her mother until the paramedics arrived. Tracey said she was in awe of her daughter's resilience and cool head. "Because of my falls, my husband (Andrew) and I had spoken about what would happen if he wasn't around," she said.

"So, we tried to teach her as best we could. But she really stepped up when we needed her. If she hadn't have helped, I hate to think what may've happened.

"On that day, I didn't completely lose consciousness. But I brought down a chair with me and it had pinned me down. I've had hip replacements and

Charlotte a hero

couldn't move."

Tracey said her condition had been hard for the family, but Charlotte had been brave throughout.

the past three years.

She believes it stems back to a car crash in which she was involved in 2000.

Tracey had a hip replacement in 2001, then again in 2015.

grateful towards the whole Upwey community for the help she has received during her health battle.

Meanwhile, in total, 31 young Victorians - between the ages of four and 13 - were named Junior Triple Zero Heroes by the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA).

The awards, now in their 14th year, recognise young people for their bravery and clear thinking in emergencies.

Monbulk MP James Merlino praised all the recipients, as well as the fine work of ESTA's triple zero operators.

"Victoria's brave Junior Triple Zero Heroes remained remarkably cool, calm and collected and are shining examples of how preparing children for an emergency can save lives," Mr Merlino said.

ESTA's chief executive officer, Marty Smyth, said, "teaching your children how and when to call triple zero, including knowing your home address, really can save lives".

"We've all heard about the dangers around onepunch attacks and that it can kill. In my case, it's similar, because it's the fall that can get you, too," she said.

She said since the 2015 replacement, she has endured her present health battles, from which she is still hoping to recover but has no clear answer on when or how.

"I can't warn anyone around me that it's going to happen, because I don't know when it will happen.

Tracey chose not to attend the formal presentation of Charlotte's award, which she said "broke her heart".

In 2015, Montrose youngster Tiana Dewhurst, who was then also four years of age, was a recipient.

"It's not so scary for me, because I only know about it when I come to. But for those around me, it can be hugely scary, including for my daughter."

"It was Charlotte's day and I wanted it to be all about her. I felt that if I'd attended, it would've put too much pressure on her and my family. I'm incredibly proud of her achievement."

Tiana dialled triple zero after her mother hit her head and lost consciousness.

Tracey said only recently she had reached 27 days without an episode, during a health battle she has fought for

In addition to praising her daughter, Tracey said she was enormously

Charlotte's feat continues a long line of brave heroes from the Yarra Ranges.

In 2017, Jamie Le Sueur, also from Montrose, was acknowledged after calling triple zero when his mother, Susan, began having a seizure.

Pictured (l-r) with Charlotte Perry, 4, (centre) is her father, Andrew, Monbulk MP James Merlno, Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy, and former Hawthorn footballer, Shane Crawford. 180021 24 WINTER 2018

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

reality bites

Birth

witho ut

By Jade Glen

CECILIA Preston achieved her goal of a natural home birth with the help of Yarra Valley Midwives.

fear

Baby Joseph.

Cecilia, who lives in Wandin North with husband Sam, was originally booked in to birth at the Angliss Hospital - but as her pregnancy progressed, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was not quite right.

"I didn't feel it was enough. It was a few little things, I just felt they weren't listening to my thoughts and feelings, and they were always pushed for time.

I did a lot of research and came across Yarra Valley Midwives, had a meeting and it was definitely the right care I was looking for.

"They were so thorough and took heaps of time, and were really thoughtful. They went above and beyond," she said.

Cecilia was studying Early Childhood Development full-time, working parttime, feeling nauseous and vomiting most days through the first two trimesters. Her nausea eased as she approached 30 weeks, She and Sam decided to birth at home with the support of Lisa and Robyn from Yarra Valley Midwives.

Parents Sam and Cecilia with Baby Joseph.

"I didn't want to make a choice out of fear; I wanted to make a choice where I could feel comfortable and where I could have a natural birth with the best support," Cecilia said.

"I felt like I couldn't have as natural a birth at hospital."

Cecilia's labour began "basically bang on time - but it was all week, like a week-long saga," she said.

"I went in to hospital about two days before feeling very nervous, I just wanted to check his movement. His movement was fine but they did a test and found there was a tiny bit of (amniotic fluid) leaking," she said.

The hospital midwives recommended Cecilia book in to be induced later that week, if nothing happened before then.

"That night at about 2am my waters fully broke. I thought great, this is it! And then nothing happened for the next 24 hours," she said.

"Then I went in to pre-labour and that was quite painful, and it was another day of pre-labour before labour began."

Cecilia said she felt a lot of pain in her back during pre-labour and labour itself.

"In the early stages when I was still in pre-labour we called (Lisa and Robyn) because I just didn't feel like I was coping. They actually stayed two nights," she said.

"It was just a lot of reassurance really, they didn't have to be there that early but they were just there supporting me.

They were really calm and really professional, making sure everything was fine.

"It was quite painful - I had a lot of back pain - I found it quite tough to be honest. I was nauseous and I was vomiting as well.l I pushed for about two hours and by the end I just felt like it was a marathon."

Cecilia and Sam's baby was being monitored by Lisa and Robyn and was coping well with the labour. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Parents Sam and Cecilia with Baby Joseph.

"I was pushing in the pool for quite a while and it wasn't working. Lisa and Robyn suggested I go try to push on the toilet and along the way I had two major contractions and gave birth on the floor."

HOSPITAL BIRTH WITH YOUR PRIVATE MIDWIFE*

Baby Joseph Peter Preston was born in the morning of 22 February weighing 7pd 12oz.

"He came out crying and perfectly healthy... I was so relived and thankful to God for my perfect boy," Cecilia said.

"I was exhausted, so exhausted that I couldn't even stand up but so grateful that I had the natural birth that I wanted. I think in hospital I would have had a lot of interventions."

Lisa and Robyn stayed for a few hours post-birth and helped Cecilia establish breastfeeding. Cecilia, Sam and baby Joseph were visited once a day for the next four days. Cecilia took then took Joseph to Yarra Valley Midwives' Healesville rooms every week for the next six weeks.

"It was a bit of a haze, but it was such good support (post-birth)," Cecilia said.

"Definitely give them a call if you want the extra support. It's the way to go, especially if it is your first birth sometimes you are not sure what's going on and it's nice to have someone that has done it all before."

COMING SOON FOR WOMEN OF THE YARRA VALLEY

yarravalleymidwives.com.au

Enquiries welcome www.midwife@yarravalleymidwives.com.au *places are limited, private midwifery charges apply

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WINTER 2018 25

reality bites

Jack with mum Belinda and Dad Tom, and sisters Indie (left) and Harlie.

Jack breaks '

family s

107-year record

of girls 26 WINTER 2018

PICTURES: ROB CAREW

By Melissa Grant IN the seconds after giving birth to her third child, Belinda Denney couldn't stop looking down as she pulled her newborn close to her chest.

It was a moment she and her family thought would never arrive, so she had to be sure she wasn't just imagining it.

Still on the hospital ward floor after a six-hour labour, tears of joy began streaming down Belinda's face as she realised something truly remarkable had indeed just happened.

"It was super emotional. I was the first to see," Belinda recalled.

"I looked down three times to check and process it. I was like 'it's not a boy, oh it's a boy, it's a boy!'

"I looked up to (my husband) Tom and he just broke down in tears. There were midwives crying as they knew the story as well."

The story was that a baby boy had not been born on Belinda's side of the family for more than a century.

After 17 girls and a number of miscarriages over four generations, Jack Thomas Denney entered the world on 3 May, 2017.

Belinda and her husband Tom had decided not to find out the gender during the pregnancy, as they had done with their two girls Harlie, 5, and four-year-old Indie.

However, keeping the sex a secret until the birth was much harder as this time the couple had taken steps to conceive a boy.

They only decided to try for a bundle of blue after seeing a geneticist, amid concerns there was a reason there had been no males born Belinda's family

since her grand uncle.

The grand uncle (Belinda's nanna's older brother) was born in 1910, which means Jack is the first boy in the family for 107 years.

The geneticist told the Denneys there was a chromosomal issue, although this wasn't the reason why no boys had been born for generations.

The couple wondered whether it was actually a good idea to try for a boy.

"I was nervous trying for a boy because in our minds the boys were the miscarriages. We were really nervous should we try it and risk a miscarriage?"

Belinda said.

"In the end, we thought we'll do it - we'll see what happens."

Belinda and Tom researched at length how they could boost their chances of conceiving a boy.

The couple came across a variety of methods, from ones which boasted high rates of success to the downright wacky.

In the end, the Denneys settled on the Shettles Method, a concept which claims the timing of intercourse can help determine a baby's gender. The method was developed in the 1960s by Dr Landrum B Shettles, who believed Y (male) sperm were faster but more fragile than X (female sperm) and that acidic environments were harmful to Y sperm. So, he believed conceiving a boy was more likely to occur when intercourse happened on the day of ovulation or shortly afterwards.

Apparently caffeine makes the male sperm swim even faster, so Tom founding himself knocking back shots of coffee.

A diet high in potassium is also said to improve a woman's chances of conceiving a boy, so Belinda started eating a lot of bananas, broccoli and brussels sprouts while avoiding dairy. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

reality bites One-year-old Jack was the first boy born on his mother's side of the family for more than 100 years.

The Denneys weren't convinced any of these methods would actually work, but thought they would be fun to try.

recalled.

"These are all just claims. There's no scientific evidence these things will give you a boy," Belinda said.

Looking back on the pregnancy, Belinda said it was funny they couldn't decide on a girl's name but only ever had one name for a boy.

"We were happy either way with a boy or a girl."

The couple fell pregnant quickly and soon enough Belinda got an inkling that she may be carrying a son.

The pregnancy was much different to that of her girls. This time, she was carrying lower and rounder, experienced morning sickness, had a very active baby and didn't put on much extra weight.

All was going to plan until the baby's movements slowed around 30 weeks and Belinda was sent in for an ultrasound.

Jack weighed 8lb 11oz - smaller than both of the couple's daughters.

Belinda wanted to name her son after her grandfather Jack Thomas, which was fitting given the first-born son in her husband Tom's family is traditionally given the father's name as a middle name.

More than a year later, the Denneys - who are busy renovating their dream home at Upwey - still can't believe they have a son.

"We all just look at Jack and go 'wow how blessed are we to have him?'"

Belinda explained to the sonographer why she didn't want to know the baby's sex, yet moments later the baby's gender appeared to jump out on the screen.

"He went across the stomach and I saw a penis!" she recalled.

Although Belinda's sister, Leanne, saw the same thing, she didn't want to get her hopes up.

"I didn't let it overtake my thoughts and I only told my mum and Tom," Belinda said.

"I kept telling myself it was the umbilical cord."

In case it wasn't the umbilical cord, Belinda organised a photographer to capture the birth.

Belinda, a photographer herself, didn't go into labour until about a week after her due date, but it was worth the wait. She had her boy.

The excitement didn't end there, with the couple wrapping up Jack in a gender neutral blanket so they could surprise family and friends who visited the hospital.

"A couple of friends were so excited they jumped up and down," Belinda www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Front from left, Harlie, Leah, Sophie and Indie; middle from left, Leanne Hohmann, Rhonda Cawley, Olivia Colbourne, Holly Colbourne, Belinda Denney with Jack; and behind from left, Merilyn Cawley-McKelvie, Brooke Kirkpatrick, Leonie Cawley, Kelly Colbourne, Sylvia Cawley and Felicity Hohmann.

WINTER 2018 27

Competitions

Win A VERY BUSY BAG! YARRA Ranges Kids Magazine has one Very Busy Bag to giveaway this winter.

Valued at $49.95, the reusable calico bag contains 9 carefully selected, high quality, age-appropriate unisex toys that your kids will love.

Jam-packed with everything you need to keep your kids occupied, take it anywhere you need to wait or need some time for yourself.

Very Busy Bags are designed for children aged 2-5 but bags for younger toddlers can be made on request.

To enter, head to yarrarangeskids. com.au/ and tell us what keeps your children very busy!

Casey Grammar offers tailored education from Prep to Year 12.

Competition closes Friday 20 July 2018.

Win a Very Busy Bag!

To find out more about Very Busy Bags and to browse the range, visit verybusybag.com

Winners ARE GRINNERS CONGRATULATIONS to Kim Taylor, who won our fabulous Summer giveaway!

Kim's girls enjoyed a Glam Tribe Day Spa Dreamer party package valued at $450.

The Taylor girls and their friends enjoyed the royal treatment with a foot soak with rose petals and toe polish, a mini-manicure, facial treatment, pink

28 WINTER 2018

lemonade, popcorn, personalised party invitations and Glam Tribe Beauty Bags for each guest."Thank-you so much - the girls had an amazing time at the party and are still talking about it," Kim said For more information on Glam Tribe's party packages, check out glamtribe.com.au

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Games and gadgets Lucy was stoked to get her hands on a Shapeeze Activity Pad.

Shapeeze

Please

The first pages helped Lucy match colours and shapes.

By Jade Glen IF you want a self-contained activity pack that will entertain your child for hours – Shapeeze is for you!

My three-year-old daughter Lucy took a Shapeeze pack for a test run recently.

Trying an activity pad for 3-6 year-olds, she was stoked to help me open it and see that it came with a glue stick, pencils, and a sharpener.

Inside, there was heaps to do – each page has a different and engaging activity. Pre-cut shapes are pushed out

of the paper (she needed my help with this, but older children would be able to do it themselves) and glued on to pages to create rockets, ships, fish, people and flowers.

The activities changed and got slightly harder as we progressed, which helped Lucy build confidence on the skills learnt.

The pad has instructions for parents, too, to facilitate further learning.

Through the A3-sized book we talked about shapes, colours, sizes and practiced writing letters and numbers.

Shapeeze pre-schooler activity pads

were developed in consultation with qualified early learning educators, and are designed to help you get your toddler, pre-schooler or primary-school aged child away from screens and enjoying some educational play.

Creating ''Mr Shapeeze'' introduced some new shapes and encouraged fine motor skills.

The activity pads are available for ages 3-6 and 4-7, and can be ordered in A4 size for when you are out and about and an A3 size to spread out at home.

After some help popping the shapes from the pages, Lucy spent almost two hours sitting and working on her Shapeeze – interrupted only when we had to head out. Two thumbs up from us!

Hand writing ! Attention span OT & CHI LD ! Fine motor approved ! Problem solving ! Independent learning g ! Hand-eye coordination...

Every pre-schooler loves a rocket.

@Shapeeze shapeeze.com.au

12386098-CG25-18

!

Any of these a concern? Visit shapeeze.com.au/shop/ to purchase your pack today!

Enter the code YARRA for 20% discount on any 2 or more kits ordered (expires 30th Sept 18) www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

WINTER 2018 29

Author Jamila Rizvi brought together The Motherhood as a way of paying it forward to new mums.

A raw, honest take on motherhood

By Melissa Grant

coming back - hit me like a punch in the face."

THE first few months of motherhood is an experience like no other.

A comforting letter from her friend, musician and actor Clare Bowditch, assured Jamila she would get through what was a tough time.

It can be a joyous yet overwhelming time filled with doubts, moments of frustration and feelings of loneliness.

The Motherhood is a refreshingly honest book about life with a newborn, featuring raw and compassionate accounts of those precious but challenging months from some of Australia's favourite women.

For author and commentator Jamila Rizvi, it felt like her once tightly controlled life evaporated shortly after her son Rafi was born.

"My confident, proud sense of identity replaced with a zombie who couldn't tell day from night," she writes.

"The reality that the life I'd lived up until then was gone - and wouldn't be 30 WINTER 2018

Jamila, once an advisor in the Rudd and Gillard governments and editor-inchief of the Mamamia Women's Network, brought together The Motherhood as a way to pay it forward to new mums.

"Primarily, I wanted to write the book I wish I had," the well-known Melburnian told Casey-Cardinia Kids.

"I read a lot of books ... none of them were about looking after yourself in what is a huge transitionary period."

The Motherhood contains 32 raw letters from prominent Aussie women that they've written to themselves about their first few months of motherhood.

They touch on everything from the crushing sleep-deprivation to breastfeeding struggles to postnatal depression.

"I loved all the letters," Jamila said.

"There are similarities between mine and (climate change campaigner) Anna Rose's - I really related to her self identity being tied up with her work quite a lot and losing a sense of identity."

"Some were very unlike my experience but I really liked them."

Comedian and radio presenter Em Rusciano's letter is an hilarious account of her introduction to motherhood, revealing the horrors of the first postbirth poop and the lengths she would go to in order to get her daughter to sleep. Em declares the worst thing about giving birth is going to a mother's group, however author Holly Wainwright insists you should never miss a meeting.

Journalist Lanai Scarr gives an insight into what it's like to raise triplets, while TV presenter Sarah Harris writes about she became a trending story during her pregnancy for 'slamming body shamers' after declaring on-air "Bugger it. I'm growing a baby".

For Jamila, being pregnant wasn't enjoyable and, like many first-time mums, she was focused on getting through it and the birth rather than what would happen afterwards.

Jamila said many new mums going through those first few months had told her they were feeling much more positive after reading The Motherhood which, fittingly, was launched to a chorus of crying babies.

"I think it makes a great gift for mums to be and a companion for mums getting through that first year," she said.

The Motherhood, edited by Jamila Rizvi, Viking, RRP $34.99 www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Winter

Warmers

JUNE 9 - Wine & Wildlife, Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville - 11am -4pm. Over the Queen's Birthday long weekend, Wine & Wildlife will bring you the best in food and wine against the backdrop of the Sanctuary's stunning bushland setting.

10 - Belgrave Big Dreams Market, Reynolds Lane Belgrave - 9am to 2pm. Dog-friendly market with playground, bouncy castle, fresh produce, craft and design.

12 - Baby Settling Talk, Norwood Family & Children's Centre, Croydon - 1.30pm to 3pm. Learn about your baby's behaviour and how to establish and develop a daily routine based on feed/play/sleep. Suitable for families with babies aged zero to three months.

Bookings essential - book through Maroondah.vic.gov. au 16 - Audition for the National Boys Choir of Australia, 3/9 Pilgrim Court Ringwood - 9.30am to 1.30pm. The National Boys Choir will be auditioning boys in Grades 1 and 2 for its 2019 intake. Bookings are essential. Call the National Boys Choir of Australia on 03 9872 4480 to make an appointment for your son or email office@ nationalboyschoir.com.au for more information.

17 - WHYLD Winter Warming, Wickhams Reserve, Launching Place - 3pm to 7pm. Enjoy a winterthemed event with free activities for all ages. Share your musical or performing talents on the open mic stage; enjoy WHYLD subsidised hot food, drinks, roast chestnuts and toasted marshmallows. Marvel at the amazing fire show performed by local volunteers with Fireworks Dance Company and The Dreaming Space.

17 - Radio Controlled Gliders, VARMS Field, George Street, Wantirna - 10am to 1pm. The VARMS club run free training in the flying of radio controlled gliders every second Sunday throughout the year. Training is open to the public. No Bookings required by for enquiries contact Ross Armstrong on rossoshe@ bigpond.net.au.

23 - Josephine Wants to Dance, Arts Centre, Warburton - 11am and 2pm. A brand new musical based on the book by Jackie French and Bruce Whately. Josephine is a kangaroo - who loves to dance. Her little brother, Joey, tells her that kangaroos www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

do not dance, they hop - but Josephine doesn't care and continues to point her toes and leap through the air. From the award-winning duo of Diary of a Wombat comes another hilarious tale of a bush animal you will never forget. Contact Arts Centre for tickets.

23 - Belgrave Lantern Parade, Belgrave - Light the longest night and celebrate the winter solstice. Watch the event from the side of the road or join the parade if you carry a lantern. Lantern making workshops will be held throughout May and June. Activities start from 4.30pm and the parade starts at 5.30pm - Public Transport recommended as parking is very limited.

Food vendors, campfires, musicians, circus performers will make a magical evening of entertainment.

30 - Josephine Wants to Dance, The Memo, Healesville - 11am and 2pm. A brand new musical based on the book by Jackie French and Bruce Whately. Contact The Memo for tickets.

31 - Teddy Bear's Picnic, Lake Mountain Alpine Resort, Marysville - bring along your favourite teddy, make snow teddies, and order a teddy bear picnic box from the bistro. Prizes for best teddies.

imaginary play. Aimed at children 3-9. Purchase tickets through knox.vic.gov.au 12 - Baby Settling Talk, Norwood Family & Children's Centre, Croydon - 1.30pm to 3pm. Learn about your baby's behaviour and how to establish and develop a daily routine based on feed/play/sleep. Suitable for families with babies aged zero to three months.

Bookings essential - book through Maroondah.vic.gov. au 14 -15 - Mad Hatter's Mayhem, Lake Mountain Alpine Resort, Marysville - wear your warmest, craziest, most colourful hat - or make something completely zany.

Mad Hatter themed foods and decorations.

AUGUST 4- 5 - Mandela Festival, Lake Mountain Alpine Resort, Marysville - Snow dye packs and stencils available to make mandalas. Indian themed dancers, food and decorations. Prizes for best mandalas.

JULY

5 - Bumble Bee Baby and Children's Market, Bedford Park, Ringwood - 9am to 12pm. A regular market held around the southeastern suburbs of Melbourne featuring preloved, new and handmade items for babies and children.

2 - First Foods for Babies, Norwood Family & Children's Centre, Croydon - 1.30pm to 3pm. An information session regarding introducing solid foods to your baby. Suitable for families with babies aged 4-6 months. Book through Maroondah.vic.gov.au

6 - First Foods for Babies, Norwood Family & Children's Centre, Croydon - 1.30pm to 3pm. An information session regarding introducing solid foods to your baby. Suitable for families with babies aged 4-6 months. Book through Maroondah.vic.gov.au

4 - Head First Acrobats: Aaaarrrrr We There Yet?, Karralyka Theatre, Ringwood East - 11am & 2pm. A rip-roaring adventure in which three sailors hit the high seas in search of treasure! Free art & craft session runs 45 minutes before the show. Book at karralyka. com.au

11-12 Mother-Daughter weekend, Lake Mountain Alpine Resort, Marysville - Special high-tea picnic packs and fun mother-daughter activities.

8 - Belgrave Big Dreams Market, Reynolds Lane Belgrave - 9am to 2pm. Dog-friendly market with playground, bouncy castle, fresh produce, craft and design.

10 - Dinosaur Time Machine, Knox Community Arts Centre, Bayswater - Learn about dinosaurs and the world they lived in, presented in a fun and visual way with circus, puppets, simple narrative and

12 - Belgrave Big Dreams Market, Reynolds Lane Belgrave - 9am to 2pm. Dog-friendly market with playground, bouncy castle, fresh produce, craft and design.

16 - Baby Settling Talk, Norwood Family & Children's Centre, Croydon - 1.30pm to 3pm. Learn about your baby's behaviour and how to establish and develop a daily routine based on feed/play/sleep. Suitable for families with babies aged zero to three months.

Bookings essential - book through Maroondah.vic.gov. au WINTER 2018 31