Yarra Ranges Kids Autumn 2019

FREE AUTMN 2019

MIDWIFE CATH'S VIEWS ON

motherhood

EXPERT ADVICE ON

raising boys

triplets DEFY INCREDIBLE ODDS

A Star N News Group Publication bl

Proudly supported by

INTO GOOD WASTE HABITS

Fun

grows +(5( 12411690-RC13-19

($67(5 6&+22/ +2/,'$<6

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Week 2 Easter Scavenger Hunt

Monday 8 – Friday 12 April 11am – 2pm daily Near Target

Monday 15 – Saturday 20 April

Children can meet with Peter Rabbit whilst decorating their very own planter and receive their own plant to take home!

Participants will receive chocolate Easter goodies and go in the draw to WIN 1 of 5 major prize packs. Visit the website for full details.

Start from Customer Service Desk during open hours

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Disclaimer: BEATRIX POTTER™ © Frederick Warne & Co., 2018 Frederick Warne & Co. is the owner of all rights, copyrights and trademarks in the Beatrix Potter character names and illustrations.

Licensed by Silvergate PPL Ltd. Part of the Silvergate Media group of companies.

2 AUTUMN 2019

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

about us . . .

Falling back into routine WHERE has the start of the year gone?

With the warm weather behind us, autumn still delivers some beautiful days but increasingly it can get tricky to entertain the kids. On the upside, by now, most of us have settled back into work, a new school or kinder year, and charging full steam ahead into 2019.

I love autumn and this time of year. I am grateful that the winter bugs are yet to make an appearance, and the days still feel long, but those sticky hot nights are no more.

The autumn edition of the Yarra Ranges Kids magazine, our 10th so far, truly has an array of stories, interviews, columns and more for local parents.

We've spoken to a couple of mums who are doing great things in their communities, hoping to turn the tide on the use of plastics in our beautiful Yarra Ranges community (story on page 4).

Prominent author, public figure and expert in all things parenthood, Midwife Cath chats to us this edition. She has some truly eye-opening things to say, particularly when it comes to dealing with toddlers on page 5. We love them

but they are opinionated, and we know they can't go past a good tantrum. She's got a simple way of dealing with it all, that parents may find helpful.

sold millions of books offers some great advice for raising boys on page 10.

One of the best pieces in our edition this time is a beautifully heartwarming story of the Temby triplets.

On a personal note, I'm off for one edition to have my second baby, but planning to be back for the spring edition, although probably a little more weary-eyed.

Three vivacious, active little toddlers whose doctors almost didn't give them much of a chance to survive.

Wish me luck managing my energiser bunny 3-year-old and a newborn!

They were naturally conceived. Now they certainly give their parents a run for their money! That's on pages 12 and 13 (accompanied by some adorable pictures).

In the meantime, to keep up to date with the latest parenting news, be sure to visit www.yarrarangeskids.com.au and our Facebook page. We are also on Instagram - just search for Yarra Ranges Kids.

We also spoke to two mums completely different stories - who have embarked on their own incredible journeys into motherhood, both using IVF treatment.

Two women in Melbourne, one mum and one mum-to-be, who very bravely share their stories and also why it's OK to go it alone (stories on pages 14 and 23).

In this edition, we are also lucky enough to feature a piece written by world renowned author Steve Biddulph.

The psychologist of 30 years who has

If you have any story ideas, local events, fundraisers, insights or experiences related to parenthood, kids, raising children locally and teens, please do get in contact with us. The best part of our magazine network is the local stories - but we need to hear from you, you're our eyes and ears in this beautiful community.

Yarra Ranges Kids magazine is a Mail News Group publication.

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

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

Editorial Melissa Grant melissa.grant@starnewsgroup.com.au

Phone: 5945 0666

Advertising Kerri Shinkfield kerri.shinkfield@mailnewsgroup.com.au

Phone: 5957 3700 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.

Cover

contents

FREE AUTMN 2019

IT'S YOUR LIFE

ENTERTAINMENT

BOOKS

PAGE 4 Two local mums and their kids waging war on waste

PAGE 18 Paintball Games deals in fun

PAGE 26 Book to ruffle feathers in education sector

PAGE 5 Midwife Cath's fascinating insights into early parenthood PAGE 6 Local foster parent shares his rewarding experience PAGE 7 Hills baby's dramatic entrance into the world PAGE 8 CIRE's focus on incorporating Indigenous culture PAGE 10 Renowned author Steve Biddulph on raising boys

PAGE 19 Zane's School of Rock stardom

Children's book reviews

A new space for Yarra Ranges teens

KIDS CALENDAR

HEALTH

PAGE 27 Events, activities and things to do in autumn

PAGE 20 Expert tips on dealing with a picky eater

MIDWIFE CATH'S VIEWS ON

motherhood

EXPERT ADVICE ON

raising boys

triplets p DEFY INCREDIBLE ODDS

REALITY BITES PAGE 21 Mountain Men join forces to keep connected PAGE 22 Psychologist's views the gender disappointment phenomenon

The importance of teaching kids about money

PAGE 23 Insta-blogger's solo journey into motherhood

PAGES 12 - 13 Miracle triplets defy the odds

PAGE 24 Local mum's unique story

PAGE 14 MS diagnosis won't hold back young mum

Just for Dads column on rough play in childhood

A Star N News G Group Publication P bl

Proudly supported by

INTO GOOD WASTE HABITS Lucy and Matilda at Emerald Lake Park.

EDUCATION PAGE 15 A new way at Hei Why kids don't walk to school anymore PAGE 16 Is your child ready to start school?

New site for Lilydale Community Childcare PAGE 17 Lilydale Lakeside Children's Centre's open for business

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

AUTUMN 2019 3

your life Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Mums

forging their own war on

waste

Waste conscious ... Mum Bec Brannigan with her two children Isla and Flynn, front, and Catherine Grbac with Michelle Collins from the Store Miss Spelts in Healesville. Picture: Rob Carew

By Danielle Galvin TWO local mums have joined forces to run their own war on waste in two towns in the Yarra Ranges, forging a new eco-friendly way forward.

Catherine Grbac started the Instagram account plasticfree_ healesville in the hope she could help protect the environment in the shire for years to come, for future generations.

She says she knows how lucky they are to be raising kids in such a beautiful part of Australia.

"Growing up the bush I had an interest in environmental conservation from a young age; I remember arranging a fundraiser for a koala hospital at around eight years old," she said.

groups should be applauded and supported for their efforts to reduce plastic waste.

One of the small steps Bec has encouraged in Mt Evelyn is making the community nearly plastic straw free.

"I have received a lot of support for the plastic free cause from Healesville community members and local businesses.

"Already I have worked with Julie Hanman facilitator for River to the Bay and she has organised stainless steel straws to be given to the local community," she said.

"Many are already working on their own initiatives, by minimising plastic use, recycling and/or composting waste and finding eco-friendly substitutes.

"The few traders who have declined to participate, due to the cost of moving away from single use plastic, have only encouraged me to find more affordable and sustainable alternatives.

"It might only be a small step switching to paper straws or using biodegradable food packaging - but every little step counts."

"As a mum, I've spent time fundraising for animal shelters and marine conservation campaigns.

She has big aspirations for an environmentally conscious Healesville moving forward.

"I started plasticfree_healesville because I care about wildlife and our natural environment and believe that we humans can make change for the better.

"Ideally, I'd love to see Healesville become Australia's first plastic free town ... how great would that be?

"The Yarra Ranges is an environmentally stunning and significant area, comprising natural wilderness, crystal clear streams, fresh air and an abundance of wildlife."

Starting the Instagram account is all about raising awareness, showing the local community there's other options than single use plastics.

"Some cities, like Wollongong, are committed to reducing their plastic use by 70% in the next two years.

"It's about creating a model that can be rolled out across Australia. It would be fantastic to see the whole of Yarra Ranges on board with a initiative like this."

The motivation for Bec Brannigan is much the same.

"After it's used and thrown away, it often ends up in our waterways and eventually the ocean.

As a Mt Evelyn mum to two young kids, she first took up the fight to reduce plastic waste and encourage recycling in her town after seeing a video online from Erin Rhodes, The Rogue Ginger, talking about removing single use plastic from her life.

"Plastic is extremely dangerous to fish and wildlife - like the platypus - who think it's food and digest it.

"I looked around me, saw all my plastic waste and made my first ever New Years Resolution," she explained.

"The only way to stop this happening is to avoid plastic as much as possible.

"To hold myself accountable I put a post on my Facebook page announcing my new plan and asked my friends to help me, support me and hold me accountable if they saw me without my Keep Cup etc.

"Plastic lasts a lifetime - it takes hundreds, maybe thousands, of years to break down," she said.

"I try to maintain a positive vibe and refrain from sharing upsetting images of animals and our environment suffering from the use of plastic.

"The aim is to engage the community to create a sense of ownership of the issue."

So far, traders and community groups have been incredibly supportive of the campaign. As the saying goes, from little things big things grow.

Sometimes it's the small steps that make a difference.

"Our local traders and community 4 AUTUMN 2019

"The support was so overwhelming I started a blog so some friends could follow my change and change with me; that group grew so fast that it's now 4000 families and no longer revolves around me.

"I do try to steer clear of using the phrase 'Zero Waste' as I feel that makes the target impossible before even starting; so the group became known as 'Minimal Waste Families'."

"They have also sell reusable shopping and produce bags.

"It is amazing having so many people wanting to make a change in the area."

Both mums have found they are not alone in their campaign.

For Bec, she found Mt Evelyn to be an environmentally conscious town.

"Most of Mt Evelyn's cafes and schools now have these available, and we hope that by starting with something like this we can keep plastic straw waste from our precious Olinda Creek and other local waterways. Like Catherine in Healesville, Bec has been spurred on by the support of community groups.

"Many of the small businesses are doing so much - the butcher allows BYO containers, some of the cafes have brought in compostable packaging for takeaways, plastic bags are being phased out," she said.

"The Mt Evelyn Community House have also been amazing," she said.

"Hopefully I can be a small light to help some change occur.

"They have many workshops to help create change and have also held viewings of sole amazing documentaries on the impact of waste.

"Avoiding plastic really isn't that hard once you're aware.

"These are great, but there is always more and with more awareness comes more demand for change.

"Any small change can go a long way; it's about progress, not perfection."

Kids become enviro warriors AS the state government moved to ban plastic bags in Victoria, and as schools increasingly teach kids about waste, being resourceful, recycling and picking up rubbish from the ground, there's a whole new generation of environmental warriors.

"Kids are very perceptive," Bec said.

"I realised early into my shift that my kids (who were one and three when we actively started) were picking up on our changes and I starting hearing them talk about how the produce at the supermarket was packed.

"My daughter chooses her fruits for the week based on packaging and opts to not have her fruit wrapped in plastic.

"Luckily we have a great option in Organic Empire in Mt Evelyn where I can buy all our produce plastic free in my own produce bags."

They're also members of the local toy library.

"My kids don't miss out on anything," she said.

"While we don't own many toys (mainly due to space constraints anyway) we always have an abundance of amazing things thanks to this awesome service.

"My biggest wish is that a Toy Library could open in the area, I would love to see more services encouraging borrowing."

Part of their education is also teaching kids about recycling effectively, and being aware of the environment they live in.

"My daughter often wants to collect rubbish on our walks and apparently does this at school as well," she said.

"At home we have a few bins: recycling, REDcycling (soft plastics can be recycling at Coles & Woolworths), compost, and we have a tub for landfill.

"The kids are aware what can go where."

With the advent of technology, kids are also more aware of climate change, and human impact on the environment.

"My own kids have found it easy to use different bins for landfill, compost, soft plastic recycling and recycling, just as they are taught in school and kinder," Catherine said.

"The recent anti-coal demonstrations, organised by school kids, are inspiring because it shows that children are committed to taking action towards our planet's survival in the future." www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Pregnancy

Baby B

Midwife Cath's VIEWS ON MOTHERHOOD IN THE MODERN ERA

CATHRYN Curtin, or Midwife Cath as she's more fondly referred to, believes being a parent these days isn't easy.

She says parents aren't always given the necessary tools to raise children, and that's why she continues to teach, to share her wisdom and guide parents through the beautiful, intimidating, terrifyingly magical journey of parenthood.

A midwife, renowned author, public speaker and former maternal child health nurse, Cath is outspoken in her views.

"Google is a shocker," she points out.

"Why I tell women not to Google is that when you get the answer you don't know what to do with those words, you don't understand the answer and it makes you more confused."

The other problem she sees parents face these days is knowing where to get advice, when and how to seek out an expert, and who to listen to.

Closed Facebook groups for parents can be as good as a village, she says, but they can also be a hotbed of

misinformation and judgement for a parent vulnerable and desperate for answers.

It's certainly not just adjusting to life as a new parent that she has her sights set on - she believes parents in early childhood, particularly toddlers with their wild ways, tantrums, negotiation skills and hilarious comebacks, can sometimes hit you for six.

"It's not a put down of parents at all, you learn a lot in the first six weeks and then you start to make it up," she says.

"And I say to them, I couldn't do your job, so let me help you."

When it comes to toddlers, she agrees parents are often left to their own devices and there's minimal training, advice and help.

Cath draws on an example from The Simpsons, when Homer talks to the dog, and all the dog hears is 'blah bah blah'.

"You just shouldn't try and negotiate with a three-year-old, you basically tell them what to do and that's it," she said.

"Their brain is not developed enough to understand negotiation. You sort of think as a parent you should talk and negotiate, and have a big long

discussion with them, and it's just like 'blah blah blah'.

"You have to understand the brain development. I say to parents your 18-month-old can't write a sentence - so they can't understand a sentence (but) they can comprehend you saying do this, do that."

In light of that, she disagrees with the 'terrible twos' tag often thrown around.

"The best thing with toddlers is distraction. Their brain is egocentric, it's parallel play, it's all about them," she says.

"You've got to distract in order to help them learn and help them play, rather than sitting down and having a long discussion.

"Toddlers are absolutely amazing, they are scientists, little sponges and you can teach them absolutely anything, but it's the way you teach them and the way you talk to them."

Cath's advice is simple when it comes to tantrums.

"Make sure they are safe and let them have it," she advises.

"Tantrums are usually around tiredness, hunger, and taking them to

places they are not up to.

"If you're out, get up and go. If you're at home, let them scream until they stop screaming, and you say are you finished now?

"Don't keep taking about the tantrum.

Wipe their face and get on with it.

"All they are doing is screaming from frustration."

She takes particular aim at the way check-ups are run these days through the maternal health service.

She says too often it's about "ticking boxes and weighing babies" but there's not enough teaching going on.

"Our role is to teach," she says.

"It's part of engaging people and having the skill to talk to them and encourage them about wonderful parenting is and how good it can be, when you do it as a positive loving approach."

Cath's Masterclass series is running across the country in 2019. For dates, information and to book a consultation with Cath, visit midwifecathsvillage. com.au or follow her on Instagram @ midwifecath

MUCH TO DO AT MANSFIELD ZOO

12413065-SN13-19

By Danielle Galvin

Open Daily From 10am Lion feeding at 1.30pm every weekend and every Vic public/ school holiday, followed by feeding of the Meerkats!

Hand feed most animals. Camp overnight if you dare

www.mansfieldzoo.com.au 1064 Mansfield Woods Point Road, Mansfield Phone 03 5777 3576 www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

AUTUMN 2019 5

your life It’s

Becoming a FOSTER CARER to help vulnerable KIDS IN NEED

ADRIAN Evans and his partner Kelly Wilson have been foster carers through Anglicare Victoria for more than two decades, and he says helping to give vulnerable kids a stable, safe environment is incredibly rewarding.

They have cared for more than 60 children, and it all started when they saw an advertisement for Anglicare pop up on TV all those years ago.

Mr Evans' kids had grown up and moved out, the pair only had Kelly's eight-year-old daughter living with them at the time. She had a fantastic attitude and was happy to share her world with numerous children over many years.

"We looked at ourselves and thought, we have a lot we can give, apart from the care and affection the ability to share with someone else things we could experience, things like travel," he said.

"I feel that is my contribution in life, giving back to these children."

He describes the accreditation process as robust, to ensure it attracts the best kind of potential carers and people to look after the most vulnerable children and teenagers in our community.

"To look after someone else's child, who is in desperate need of a safe and secure environment, is one of the most selfless and rewarding things any human being can do," he said.

Mr Evans can't speak highly enough

FO A E M

of the support Anglicare provides its incredible base of carers in the Maroondah and Yarra Ranges area.

"They are brilliant, I have nothing but praise for Anglicare," he said.

"Their workers are really caring people, the support network they have is amazing. They will always respond to your calls, there's always someone on duty."

He says for your own children and family, it is incredibly rewarding to teach them about the realities of other

S

RE A C TER

"I don't see myself ever stopping, it keeps you young, it keeps you interested," he said.

Foster carers receive 24-hour on-call support, ongoing training and are reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses related to care.

It's all about making a difference in a child's life, making them part of the family.

All prospective carers must pass required checks, attend training and undergo an accreditation process.

"Above everything else, they are safe and they get that really quickly," he said.

For more information about becoming a foster carer with Anglicare Victoria, please call 1300 889 335, email fostercare.eastern@anglicarevic.org.au, or register for a local information session www.anglicarevic.org.au/foster-caring

people's lives and what they face.

Anglicare is looking for new foster carers to provide a stable, safe environment for Yarra Ranges children.

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6 AUTUMN 2019

Book online at www.paintballgames.com.au

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Tuesday 30 April – MC Square, Doncaster Room, Doncaster Monday 17 June – Anglicare Victoria, Lilydale

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

your life Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Baby Mitchell's surprise roadside birth at the

1000 Steps

By Danielle Galvin WHEN her contractions started at home late one night in January, Amanda St Leger wasn't convinced she was in labour.

In fact, she readily admits she was probably "in denial".

Little did she know that the mild contractions, at 40 weeks and one day pregnant with her second baby, would suddenly get very intense, very quickly.

She is the local Olinda mum who made headlines for giving birth in the carpark of the 1000 Steps.

She hastens to add, it wasn't planned that way. But nonetheless, it's a memorable story to tell.

Despite some thinking maybe she'd just attempted to walk up the popular tourist track, in fact, it's just that she didn't quite make it to The Angliss Hospital, only two minutes up the road.

Beautiful baby Mitchell just couldn't wait.

"I was having very mild contractions probably for two hours before I left home," she said.

"Because my first labour was quite fast, it was only six hours, so (my husband) Drew was like 'well this time we have to get to the hospital early' so he called the midwife and the midwife said 'go to hospital'.

"And I was nowhere near ready to go and I was angry at him for making me go. As soon as I got dressed and ready to go, contractions stopped.

"So I spent the first five minutes of the car ride yelling at him for making me go to hospital!"

But Drew was right to hurry her along, their baby was on his way.

In the car on the way down the mountain, Amanda's waters broke.

Resting up afterwards in hospital; Drew with big sister Millie, Amanda and bub.

Listening back to that Triple Zero call was an emotional experience at first, an incredible record of the moments Mitchell took his first breath and cried in his dad's arms.

"It was hard to listen to the first time, I cried. And now I just think it's funny," she said. "(Drew) stayed very calm."

Hilariously, there had been no signs or indications of the very dramatic entrance Mitchell would make into the world.

Amanda, a nurse, said she started thinking she'd have to be induced.

Even when she called her mum that night to pick up their eldest daughter Millie, 2.5, around 9.30pm, her mum didn't really believe she was in labour either.

When she called at 12am, Amanda's mum was in shock she had indeed given birth in the car on the side of the road. Until she showed her the proof of the photo in the ambulance, she thought her daughter was just pulling her leg.

"And then two more contractions and I told him to pull over because the baby is coming, it's time to pull over and he's still not believing me, and then I said 'call an ambulance right now'."

Thankfully, everything was smooth sailing from then on, with Mitchell a healthy weight, feeding and sleeping as well as to be expected for a newborn.

The second-time parents stayed remarkably calm and there's no doubt they'll be sharing the story for years to come.

With the help of Triple Zero operator Maddie, who advised Drew to pull over, Mitch was born.

"I was thinking about it recently, how lucky we were everything did line up properly," Amanda said.

"I said this baby is going to come in the car and he's laughing!" she said.

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Not sure what all the fuss is about, baby Mitchell's happy and healthy.

Just moments after baby Mitchell's dramatic entrance into the world.

AUTUMN 2019 7

your life Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Cire Children's Services educator Karen Kearns with children singing and playing instruments.

Picture: Rob Carew

Embedding Indigenous Culture into CIRE CHILDREN'S SERVICES AT Cire Children's Services, the educators take seriously the need to embed an Indigenous perspective in the early year's program. Through a range of engaging initiatives and strategies, Cire's educators are committed to nurturing in children tolerance, understanding, appreciation and respect for others from as early an age as possible.

Cire Children's Services is currently working on a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which is a formal statement of commitment to Reconciliation.

Culture is an important building block for every child's future, the communities in which they live and society as a whole. In terms of a child's rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child provides that cultural identity, language and values should be respected. The National Quality Framework requires that Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are valued throughout all education and care services.

They will adopt practices which acknowledge and celebrate our heritage. As stated in the Department of Education RAP, "While the symbolism behind Reconciliation is extremely powerful, it must also be backed up by practical and deliberate actions that contribute to improved quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - both within our organisation and in the broader community". Cire Children's Services has been an enthusiastic participant in cultural celebrations for both Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week but it has raised the bar. Its educators want to do more to nurture an understanding of our roots and to embed indigenous culture into their programs on a daily basis.

One of the underpinning philosophies at Cire is to educate children about the importance of our Indigenous culture and the many rich lessons we can learn and apply to our everyday lives, whether it be spiritual in terms of connection with the land and Dreamtime or more tangible through growing bush tucker, music and storytelling.

8 AUTUMN 2019

Throughout this process, Cire's educators will continue to build their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and develop ways to incorporate cultural acceptance into daily practice.

As one of the educators says, "It is imperative to teach children from a young age about our history of the first

peoples". They acknowledge country and our traditional landowners at all meetings and our children themselves acknowledge country at special events such as kindergarten graduation. Cire's educators immerse different aspects of Aboriginal culture into their practice.

For example, aboriginal learning techniques such as a yarning circle are used in Cire's pre-kinder room every day to include Aboriginal perspectives into the children's routines.

This activity begins with an interactive acknowledgement of country to thank indigenous people past, present and future and for us to learn on the land of the Wurundjeri people.

This is always met with great enthusiasm by the children who are curious learners wanting to know more about the yarning circle and its purpose. The children are engaged in conversations about what they would like to learn in the circle. Some of the children's favourites are reading stories and discussing the Indigenous languages.

The children love using the clapping sticks while listening to the song Inanay, a traditional lullaby of the Yorta Yorta

language. Cire Children's Services is fortunate to have a bush block at its Yarra Junction site which provides a unique opportunity to further reinforce a respectful Indigenous journey for our students. Local Indigenous elders have visited Yarra Junction to advise on which plants to grow and how best to care for them. The educators hope to continue furthering this wonderful relationship.

Children's Services has also welcomed visitors who have introduced Woiwurrung, the language of the Wurundjeri people. The children have greatly enjoyed picking up new words such as 'waa' for crow and practising with their peers.

This experience will be further enhanced through an exciting Aboriginal Language program that will commence in 2020. Through music, language, and intentional teaching Cire Children's Services can continue to provide children with opportunities to learn about the rich culture and history of Australia's Indigenous nations.

It is hoped that such activities plant the seed children at Cire to develop into adults who genuinely respect and honour the rights of all people and lead others to do likewise.

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Scan here for more info

HOLIDAY PROGRAMS Fun for kids during the school holidays

Badger Creek

Woori Yallo

Mt Evelyn

WEEK 1 8th - 12th Apr

WEEK 1 8th - 12th Apr

WEEK 1 8th - 12th Apr

> Colours of the rainbow - a day to

> Messy fun day > Colours of the rainbow - a day to

> Music and arts party day > Messy fun day > Space adventures - lets explore

celebrate the colours of the rainbow |_uo ]_ 1u-[ķ vrou|v -m7 =oo7ĺ

> Music and arts party day > Space adventures - lets explore the universe with games and space 1u;-ঞomvĺ

ck

celebrate the colours of the rainbow |_uo ]_ 1u-[ķ vrou|v -m7 =oo7ĺ > Space adventures - lets explore the universe with games and space 1u;-ঞomvĺ

the universe with games and space 1u;-ঞomvĺ

> Healesville sanctuary excursion > Colours of the rainbow - a day to

> Messy fun day > Healesville sanctuary excursion

> Healesville sanctuary excursion > Music and arts party day

WEEK 2 15th - 19th Apr

WEEK 2 15th - 19th Apr

WEEK 2 15th - 19th Apr

> ‘Minute to Win It’ game day > Scavenger hunt adventure on wheels - bring your bike or scooter

> ‘Minute to Win It’ game day > Hopping Easter fun! - b|_ 1u-[vķ

> Scavenger hunt adventure on wheels - bring your bike or scooter

and don’t forget your helmet!

> Ace Space excursion > Hopping Easter fun! - b|_ 1u-[vķ

bonnet parade and Easter movie (PG)

> Ace Space excursion > Scavenger hunt adventure on wheels - bring your bike or scooter and don’t forget your helmet!

bonnet parade and Easter movie (PG)

Badger Creek Primary School now taking bookings 0499 400 250

Woori Yallock Primary School now taking bookings 0458 278 228

celebrate the colours of the rainbow |_uo ]_ 1u-[ķ vrou|v -m7 =oo7ĺ

and don’t forget your helmet!

> ‘Minute to Win It’ game day > Ace Space excursion > Hopping Easter fun! - b|_ 1u-[vķ bonnet parade and Easter movie (PG)

Mt Evelyn Campus now taking bookings 0408 203 797

www.cire.org.au 12407221-SN13-19

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

AUTUMN 2019 9

your life It’s

Raising Teenage Boys

World renowned author Steve Biddulph.

TO BECOME THE MEN WE WANT THEM TO BE

IN raising a boy, you have to know what kind of man you are aiming for writes Steve Biddulph.

When you first learned you were having a boy, how did you feel? What thoughts and images sprang to mind, and were they good ones? Boys - and men - seem to be in a lot of trouble lately, and so we need to have clear goals for how to raise them for now, and not the past. We don't need men who can wrestle buffaloes any more!

Sometimes in a workshop I ask people to call out what qualities they like most in a man. There are some ribald comments of course, but for the most part they are very heartfelt, and often reflect what the women have NOT received, always, from the men in their lives. So kindness comes high on the list, trustworthiness, being good humoured. Self-sacrificing, not selfish. Patient. Fun to be around, cheerful. There are two main qualities when you boil it down, in what makes a good man, and in fact a good human being. Backbone, and heart.

Heart is the capacity to be kind and look out for other people. Boys who are warm-hearted make the best friends, girls really like them, and they actually have more fun in life. When you encourage your four year old to care for his baby sister, or even his pet or toy, you teach him gentleness and pride in caring.

Backbone is the capacity to be true to your word. Hang in and finish something hard. Be reliable with commitments or promises. You have to teach boys that this is what manliness means. Strength is a mental thing, its got nothing to do with muscles. Sticking up for a friend.

Disagreeing when others say something stupid or hurtful. Your son will understand easily that this takes courage, and

courage is something boys admire.

close to passing out.

Sooner or later, these qualities will be a matter of life and death. So you can't start too soon. When your son shows these qualities, TELL HIM. It will become a part of who he thinks he is, and just grow stronger.

In the half dark, some boys began to touch her, then paw her more obviously, daring each other to go further, laughing and scoffing in their own alcohol fuelled haze. One of the other boys, seeing this, said "hey guys, leave her alone, she's had way too much to drink, she needs help".

And moved in closer, inserting himself into the picture. He asked the girl for her phone, and not getting much answer, he took it and started to call her parents.

Then sat with a glare until the other boys got the message, or felt shamed enough, and with some scornful remarks, moved off for greener pastures.

Some boys I know were at a party where the adults seemed to have vacated the scene, wanting to be friends rather than be seen as uncool grown ups. Alcohol was abundant. So in other words, a disaster looking to happen. One of the girls had way too much to drink, and already not over-dressed, was now in disarray on a couch among her laughing peers,

You can talk to your sons about

specific situations like this - what would sp you do if ... ? This makes it more likely yo that they will be able to think on the th spot - something we all find hard to do.

Celia Lashley said that most of the men in her prison were there because of a decision made in five seconds.

Raising your son to be the kind of man you want needs to be a deliberate project, which he knows you are set on carrying out. Talk lots about what a good person, and a good man, is, and he will be well on the way.

Steve Biddulph's book Raising Boys in the 21st Century is out now - published

by Simon and Schuster.

Steve will be doing his world famous shows across Melbourne starting in May. www.stevebiddulph.com for details.

Talk money WITH YOUR CHILDREN EARLY

By Melissa Meehan CHILDREN whose parents have good money behaviours are often better equipped to manage their money, no matter how old they are.

Saver Plus program manager Dan Crotty says because of this, parents should talk to their kids about money as early as preschool.

"This will help establish good money habits for life. It's easy to find ways to talk to children about money, no matter how old they are," he said.

Mr Crotty said these lessons are even more crucial as we become an increasingly cashless society.

"Children no longer have a tangible connection to money as we move to digital banking and tapping cards at the checkout. They also have little understanding of how credit works and the potential impact of debt on their finances."

10 AUTUMN 2019

SAVINGS TIPS FOR KIDS FROM PRESCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL

PRE-SCHOOL ■ You need money to buy things ■ Money includes notes and coins ■ You earn money by working

PRIMARY SCHOOL ■ Comparing prices and shopping around before you buy something is a good habit ■ You need to be patient when saving up ■ You can choose how to spend your money ■ Let your kids pay for small expenses with their pocket or birthday money.

This helps them work out how far money goes

HIGH SCHOOL ■ Doing a budget helps you work out how you should spend your money ■ Credit is money that you borrow and have to pay back with interest ■ It is good to have savings in case of a money emergency ■ Keep track of mobile phone data and expenses to make sure you don't run out of credit or get a larger bill than you expected Source: ASIC MoneySmart website: www.moneysmart.gov.au/life-events-andyou/families/teaching-kids-about-money

SAVER PLUS FACTS The Brotherhood of St Laurence and ANZ developed Saver Plus in 2003.

The program is funded by ANZ and the Australian Department of Social Services. Saver Plus assists people on lower incomes to develop a savings habit and achieve a savings goal. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

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Call (03) 8892 2561 or email enquiries@lilydalechildrenscentre.com.au JARLO DRIVE, LILYDALE lilydalechildrenscentre.com.au www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

AUTUMN 2019 11

your life Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Miracle triplets Asha, Sophie and Jade Temby.

Picture: Catherine Smith

MIRACLE TRIPLETS defy incredible odds

By Melissa Grant ASHA, Jade and Sophie Temby are three little miracles who defied extraordinary odds just by being born.

The tough triplets turn 3 on March 30 - an incredible milestone given medical experts said there was no chance they would all be delivered alive.

The girls weighed a combined 3.879kg when they were born at 30 weeks and had a rocky start to life.

After a heartbreaking medical diagnosis early in their pregnancy, Megan and Adam were advised to abort two of the girls to save one.

Two of the triplets were sharing a placenta and had developed Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). The disease results in one baby getting too much blood flow and the other not enough, causing one to accumulate fluid in their sac and leaving the other without fluid.

The disease is deadly - if left untreated the odds of survival are, at best, 10 per cent.

12 AUTUMN 2019

Shortly after discovering she was expecting, Megan strongly suspected she was going to have a challenging pregnancy.

She felt much sicker than when she was pregnant with her two boys, Lachlan, now aged 11, and Dylan, 9.

In fact, she felt so sick she actually thought she was having four babies.

"I went to the GP and demanded a scan," she said.

"I had my first scan at eight weeks - I was relieved there weren't four babies.

At the routine 12-week scan, the triplets were growing well and Megan was told to come back for another scan at 20 weeks.

Feeling uncomfortable with the lengthy gap between scans, Megan and Adam contacted a major hospital and were linked to a high-risk foetal monitoring clinic.

The 16-week appointment was the first time they became aware of TTTS and the risk to identical babies. Megan was feeling very uncomfortable and her stomach had really popped out - an

early warning sign of increased fluid levels.

The girls sharing a placenta already had already progressed to Stage 1 of TTTS - a serious diagnosis requiring urgent treatment.

The Tembys were told about an amazing procedure called fetal laser surgery which cuts off blood connections to try and equal our the share of blood flow between babies.

But sadly their hopes of having the surgery were quickly dashed. The procedure wasn't possible as cords had grown into Sophie's placental wall.

The prognosis was grim.

"They said 'do you want to terminate so save one?" Megan said.

"There are only five surgeons in Melbourne who could do the procedure, so I said 'can you put our case out there?'

"Four of them said to terminate and save one because there's just no chance (all would survive). One said to let nature take its course, so they thought they wouldn't survive."

"TTTS has a 90-100% fatality rate and we were at the extreme end due to it developing so early and (them) being triplets and the cords growing into Sophie's placental wall."

After being given the devastating news, Megan and Adam decided to wait a week before making any decisions on the future of their babies.

When they had their next scan, the TTTS had progressed to Stage 2.

Specialists told the Tembys to consider the possibility of long-term disabilities and the danger that one of the girls would die in the womb and give another a stroke.There was also a chance the girls could develop Twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS), a chronic form of TTTS. "They were saying if you want to walk away with one, then terminate," Megan said.

"We just went back every week.

Every time they were expecting the little one (Jade) not to have a heartbeat.

"At 24 weeks Jade wasn't growing.

They didn't think she wouldn't reach the 500 gram mark. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Megan holding Jade and Sophie when they were five days old.

The triplets having a cuddle in hospital at two months of age.

The girls home together at age four months.

The girls on their first day home together at three months of age.

lives after they were born - it was touch and go when they were born," Megan said.

Looking at the Temby triplets, you would have no idea they had such a difficult start to life.

The trio are outgoing, cheeky and love tearing around their bikes in their Skye backyard.

Each have different personalities.

Sophie, Asha and Jade riding around their backyard. Picture: Catherine Smith "There were long-term disabilities they wanted us to think about.

"Jade, if she passed, could give Asha a stroke."

Delivery wasn't an option until all the girls weighed at least half a kilogram.

So, as tough as it was, the Tembys decided to continue and let nature take its course.

Then at 28 weeks, the incredible happened - tiniest triplet Jade made it over 500 grams.

But they weren't out of the woods yet.

"Jade is very tough and very cheeky.

If there is mischief to get up to Jade usually starts it.

Asha was the first to come home.

Sophie joined her three days later, but was sent back to hospital for a week after catching bronchiolitis.

"If anyone is up to trouble it is always Jade and Asha working together, with Sophie always telling them off."

Jade came home for weeks later but remained on a feeding tube.

The Temby's case has amazed medical experts.

The girls not only survived but have no serious long-term health issues.

The girls were born one minute apart at Monash Medical Centre on the morning of March 30, 2016.

Apart from Jade facing some growth delays and Asha having some fluid on the brain, the Temby triplets are healthy.

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

"Sophie is the boss and organiser. She is really observant and catches onto new things so quickly.

The girls spent the first two months of their little lives in intensive care, and another month in hospital.

Two weeks later, doctors decided it was time for a c-section delivery.

Asha tipped the scales at 1.391kg, Sophie weighed 1.424kg and Jade was the smallest at 1.064kg.

"Asha is the very sporty, cheeky and an outgoing girl. She loves to also dress up and is a real girly girl," Megan said.

"I cannot praise the Monash (Medical Centre) enough. They saved the triplets

As the girls go from strength to strength, Megan is on a mission to raise awareness about TTTS, a disease few parents are aware of.

She wants parents expecting identical multiples to be aware of the condition and demand regular scans.

"The mortality rate is 90-100 per cent," she said.

"Anyone with identical babies needs fortnightly scans early on into the pregnancy.

TWIN-TWIN TRANSFUSION SYNDROME - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ■ A serious disease that affects identical twins (or higher multiple gestations) who share a common monochorionic placenta ■ The shared placenta contains abnormal blood vessels which connect the umbilical cord and circulations of the twins. The common placenta may also be shared unequally by the twins ■ Blood can be transfused disproportionately from one twin to the other, causing one twin to have decreased blood volume. This leads to slower than normal growth than its twin and poor urinary output causing little to no amniotic fluid or oligohydramnios.

■ Isn't hereditary or genetic, and the events in pregnancy that lead to TTTS are all random ■ Is estimated to affect 15% of monochorionic identical twin pregnancies Source: TTTS Foundation

"We are so incredibly lucky."

AUTUMN 2019 13

your life Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

: d r a w r o f y a w A new E F I L r e h e n i f e d Loz won't let MS

By Danielle Galvin

what her plans were, and whether she wanted to have children one day.

GROWING up, Loz Hunt just knew she wanted to be a mum.

"He said 'is having kids on the radar' and I said '100 per cent, that's all I've ever wanted to do'. And I said 'Mr Right is not here at the moment', he said 'well, if you want to, look at other avenues'," Loz said.

It was in the stars and her remarkable journey into motherhood is certainly not one you'd read every day.

It all started five years ago when Loz was out for dinner with her mum and dad, and she noticed a sharp burning pain in one of her legs. Her dad encouraged her to get it checked out.

Her physiotherapist conducted a series of hot and cold tests. She failed them all on that side.

So that she did. She told her mum she'd call Monash IVF, and from there, Loz got the ball rolling.

She always knew she'd find a way to have a baby.

Eventually she would see a neurologist, who would suggest a spinal tap after an MRI revealed a lesion on her spine.

Aged just 29 at the time, Loz began the process of looking through the donors, having numerous medical appointments and tests all the while undertaking the counselling required to go through with IVF treatment.

It came back positive for Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

"We called a family dinner to go through all of the donors!"

Since then, Loz has raised an amazing $30,000 for MS research. She puts it mildly, but she has been "unlucky" to have reacted badly to treatments.

It was overwhelming choosing a donor, but Loz always remembers the nurse that responded when she sent back her nomination.

And one fateful day, after a particularly bad reaction left her struggling to breathe and in the back of an ambulance, her neurologist asked

For two weeks she was following the very strict schedule of hormone injections - she says it is down to the minute.

Lauren Hunt with beautiful blue-eyed Bailey.

Picture: Rob Carew

Loz fell pregnant with Bailey on her first round of IVF.

"She wrote - it's a match!"

She even had to miss seeing her beloved Robbie Williams in concert. Her sister Erin had purchased tickets but because she was due to have the all important "trigger shot" when Robbie would have been belting out one of his tunes, she had to miss out.

The embryologist told Loz she had the "most perfect embryo she'd ever seen" which was implanted, and then the agonising 14 day wait began to see if it had taken.

"It was the longest two weeks of my life," she said.

"Everyone said just to keep busy but at night you still get that ticking brain."

Two weeks on, she got the call.

"I didn't even know if I could answer.

And then she just said 'it's positive, you're pregnant!"

Loz counts herself as blessed that it was her first round of IVF. After that initial conversation with her neurologist, she really never looked back.

Her determination and fighting spirit is truly incredible.

"I would never want to do life without having a child. I always thought that - I thought that I would make it work," she said.

"For me, the decision was easy, it just was what I was going to do.

"I don't think I could have ever come to terms with the fact that I wasn't going to be a mum.

"And I don't think i will ever fathom the process itself - it is incredible.

"I always think of it like an organ donor, or when you give blood, you do

14 AUTUMN 2019

that so that someone else can have a better life.

"The donor gets nothing out of it - they do it just simply to help others have children. That in itself is a very special kind of person."

Loz welcomed Bailey Dane Hunt into the world on 7 November via emergency c-section, with her mum by her side.

His movements had slowed, trusting her instincts, she phoned her obstetrician who advised her to come in and check on the baby. She told her mum it was fine, she'd go in by herself and keep her updated.

But when the baby didn't move for five minutes on the CTG, her OB told her they'd be taking her straight to theatre.

A blubbering mess, Loz insisted she move her car and called her mum and sister, telling them to tell her dad it was happening, the baby would born soon.

It was a whirlwind, but he was healthy, happy and Loz will always remember the moment she heard him let out a big cry in the moments after he was born.

She says simply her heart is full.

"It's hard to imagine life without him. I don't know what we ever did without him. What did we talk about?" she laughs.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Loz has a beautiful, doting village just as smitten as she is, who have fallen in love with the blue-eyed, beautiful baby.

Bailey sure is one lucky boy. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

your life It’s

Fears stop parents letting kids walk or ride to school PARENTS are afraid to let their kids walk or ride to school, a new study shows.

Most Australian children almost never walk or tide to school, according to new research by The Royal Children's Hospital.

A recent poll shows that seven out of 10 kids are driven to school every day as time-poor parents juggle work and family schedules.

■ More than half (52%) of primary school children live less than 2km from school, while a quarter (26%) live less than 1km ■ One in five (18%) parents have used a geolocation device to monitor the location of their child, saying tracking their child's location made them feel more comfortable to let them travel without an adult.

But what is sad, is that although parents know it's healthier for their kids to walk to school - it's the fear of stranger danger, bullies and traffic that make them think twice.

Royal Children's Hopsital National Child Health Poll Director Anthea Rhodes said primary school aged children needed 60 minutes of physical activity a day - and walking or riding to school was a great way to do it.

The poll of 1745 parents nationwide caring for 2849 children aged from five to 18 years found:

"For many children, the trip to school is short, and yet most get there by car,'' Dr Rhodes said.

■ The majority of children (58%) are driven to or from school by car most days of the week

"Work and life pressures make it hard for parents to walk or ride with their children to school, but even one day a week of active travel to school is better than nothing at all."

■ 71% of children do not walk or ride to school at all in a typical week

Oh what a wonderful time for kids at HEI SCHOOLS EARLY LEARNING CENTRE HEI HEI, welcome to HEI, HEI HEI, welcome to HEI, let's have a wonderful day!

This is the sound of children's singing each morning at the new HEI Schools Early Learning Centre in Emerald.

It was with great anticipation that the doors were officially opened at HEI Schools Emerald on 22 February.

Many months of hard work and dedication resulted in the complete physical transformation of an existing child care centre.

On opening day the entire team were proud to present calm and modern learning environments, natural materials and even our very own gymnasium for the children to practice their strength and agility in.

The HEI Schools focus for learning is to consider each child holistically and individually. Their health, social interactions, community involvement and individualised learning are just a few of the foundation blocks that are promoted through HEI teaching research and techniques.

The team at HEI Schools Early Learning Centre are excited to be providing a curriculum and pedagogy

The new look early learning centre opened in February. that is founded on internationally recognised research into providing the most successful learning outcomes for children.

The HEI pedagogy and the Australian curriculum standards blend seamlessly to allow us to provide the optimal learning environments, teachers support and guidance and experiences for children.

Why not come to one of the free Experience mornings, every Tuesday and Thursday during March.

Call the Centre Director, Amanda Patris, to discuss how HEI can assist you and your child on 5968 5820.

HEI SCHOOLS EMERALD Long Day CarH g Funded Kindergarten Program Before and After School CarH g Vacation Care Enrollment has started. Call to arrange a tour!

www.heischools.com.au Search for us on Facebook: HEI Schools Emerald

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

BRINGING UP CHILDREN WHO WILL CHANGE THE WORLD.

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Early Learning Centre

(03) 5968 5820 267 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Emerald VIC 3782 emerald@heischools.com.au

AUTUMN 2019 15

Education ■ THE CHILD'S THOUGHTS: Does the child think they are ready to go to school? Parents should be talking to their child about going to school and seeing what that means for the child.

What does the child think school is about, how do they think they will go at school, do they know anyone else going to school?

■ THE OTHER OPTION: If a child doesn't go to school with their cohort of friends, what are they going to do?

Are they going to have another year of preschool? How is that extra year of preschool going to challenge them differently to the year they've just done?

ADVICE ON

■ DANGERS OF REPEATING: I'm not at all enamoured with the notion of repeating any year of a child's education. Some parents make the decision their child can go to school as soon as they are age eligible as there is a fallback position that they can repeat and it won't be a big deal. But it is a big deal. It is a big deal in the way the child will lose a group of friends and it is a blow to a child's prestige.

school readiness

By Melissa Grant

starting school if they are old enough.

IS my child ready to start school?

"I basically come from the position that if a child is age eligible to go I would need to know some reason why they shouldn't go," he said.

It's a question many parents agonise over before enrolling their son or daughter in prep.

Moving from pre-school to primary school is a big transition - the teaching hours are longer, the playground is bigger and there are lots of older kids.

In Victoria, a child needs to turn five by 30 April of the year that they begin school, but mums and dads often debate whether to hold their son or daughter back.

Education transitions expert Emeritus Professor Bob Perry says parents need to ask themselves if there is a compelling reason why their child shouldn't be

"I think children thrive on the challenge at school as long as they are supported by the teachers. We shouldn't deprive them of that challenge."

Here, Prof Perry explains what parents need to consider before sending their child to primary school.

■ CHILD'S AGE: The first thing a parent has to look at is their child's age - will their child be old enough to start school? There are different age cut-offs in different states, and sometimes different areas, such as the Catholic system, have different age cut-offs.

Glitz Gymnastics Academy Lilydale

■ THE RESEARCH: Children who start school when they are a bit older will of course function better in the first year of school because they are a bit older, they are wiser, they know a bit more. But the research is clear - that washes out after a while. There is no great advantage in being older later in school.

■ ASK FOR ADVICE: Parents should be taking advice from people who know their child - that means other parents and preschool teachers. The school teachers don't know your child and they don't get to know them during orientation weeks. If a child is age eligible they can go to school providing the child is comfortable about going to school and the parent can work on that, unless there are special circumstances. Of course there are some children who are developmentally delayed and they may need special provision.

Everything else being equal, prep teachers are trained and prepared to take children as they come.

■ BOYS V GIRLS ARGUMENT: There are suggestions that boys should start school later than girls. But what about

TRY CHEERLEADING

the individuality of this whole thing?

There are very young boys who will flourish in school. There are older boys who will go to school and not flourish. Same with girls. It's an individual thing.

■ EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL SECURITY: The key for starting school is that the child feels they belong there, that school is actually a place suitable for them. Parents also need to look at their child's makeup and how certain issues can be addressed. If your child is shy, if they don't have many friends, if they don't like to be around other people - I think they are actually signals for the parents and teachers to do something about it, rather than signs of school readiness.

The parent might arrange some playdates with other children who are going to the school. There will be things that the children are a little bit worried about - but we don't know until we ask them. Some children can be apprehensive about school toilets.

That can be addressed by visiting a public toilet. There are things that the parents can do. The signals are emotional and social.

■ ACADEMICS AREN'T IMPORTANT: I don't think it matters if your child can write their name, count to 10 and say the alphabet. They are not necessary.

It's useful for the child to be able to recognise their name as it helps them find their hat, jumper and bag. The challenges for children as they settle into school are social and emotional challenges. Look at how your child functions with other children, look at how they talk with adults, look at how they are happy to occupy themselves.

■ BEWARE OF CHECKLISTS: There are lots of schools that have checklists for school readiness. I actually get frightened when I look at those lists as there are some things that I can't even do. I've seen lists with things like 'can deal with difficult situations successfully, can deal with criticism successfully'. What does that mean for a four and a half, five year old child? The important things are that you want the child to wake up in the morning and be pestering you to be getting into the car and going to school.

A fast paced, dynamic sport that encompasses stunts, jumps, tumbling, tosses and dance.

Classes run Mon 5.30-7.30pm and Sat 9-11am Competitions are held between June and November

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Feel free to email glitz.gymnastics@gmail.com, message us on Facebook if you have any questions or call us on 9739 5588 to book in a party.

Part y Tim es 1.00 Saturda y p s m 3.30 pm 2.45p -5 m 11.0 Sund .15pm ay 0 1.30 am - 1 s 2 4.00 pm - 3 .45pm .15p pm 5.45 m Oth er pm be times a m on r vailable ay equ est

Call us on 9739 5588 Lilydale Industrial Park, Fact 18, Trade Place, LILYDALE www.glitzgymnastics.org.au 16 AUTUMN 2019

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Glitz Gymnastics Birthday Parties Parties are run Saturday afternoons and Sundays Parties for Kinder age and younger can be on weekdays

New kinder on the way

THE site for a new Lilydale kinder hosted an indigenous smoking ceremony to pay respect to the land, its elders, and ward off bad spirits.

Local elder Perry Wandin performed the ceremony at 435-437 Maroondah Highway, Lilydale, on Thursday 15 November.

By 2020, Lilydale Community Childcare will open a Swinburne Children's Centre facility, in partnership with Westrock.

Construction on the 122-place purpose-built early childhood service and kindergarten is due to start this

month and be completed by December next year.

The smoking ceremony marked the sod turning for the site and was in line with a Lilydale Community Childcare commitment to inclusiveness and respect for the traditional landowners, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.

Among attendees on the day were Vision Australia, Yooralla, Yarra Ranges Council, Victorian Aboriginal Childcare Association and EACH representatives, along with families and committee members and friends. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Education

Della's direction

AT LILYDALE LAKESIDE CHILDREN'S CENTRE Centre director Della Vella.

Photo: Rob Carew THE most rewarding part of Della Vella's day as the director of the new look Lilydale Lakeside Children's Centre is seeing a child leave happy.

She explains that it's heartwarming to see a child showing their parent what they have done while talking about their day, happily recounting the activities and learning they've taken part in."I enjoy the interactions with the children and forming those close

As an educator who has worked across all age groups since starting her career in 1994, Ms Vella's teaching philosophy is simple."I believe that children learn best by doing," she said.

day."I see our role as an extension of each child's home life."We like to work closely with families and communicate with families each day so they too are involved in their child's day and the learning that has occurred."

"During your child's day at our centre they will be encouraged to try a variety of activities so they'll likely come home dirty at the end of the day as they have been hands on and involved during the

The not-for-profit centre is different from the rest with a strong focus on nature play and the education and learning that occurs in nature. Ms Vella explains all of the children's rooms are

relationships with them," she said.

accessed from a communal courtyard.

"Siblings spend time with each other and we see friendships blossoming between children from different rooms," she said.

"I encourage people to come and have a look and learn more about us and what we offer."

Call the centre on 8892 2561 or visit www.lilydalechildrenscentre.com.au for more information and to book a tour.

Little Yarra Steiner School & Kindergarten Book a tour to visit our Preschool or contact us to join Playgroup

205 Little Yarra Rd, Yarra Junction, 3797 ph: 5967 1953

www.lyss.vic.edu.au

Learning and growing with the rhythms of nature 12412609-LB13-19

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

AUTUMN 2019 17

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Established in 1988, they have been serving up the best paintball experience to Melburnians.

Visit our farm cafe and check out our latest range of Jams, chutneys, preserved fruit & fruit leathers.

Daniel Cumming is one of the managers at Paintball Games and says they host Bucks and Hens parties, kids parties and plenty more.

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"For the last four years we have been about to run children from the age of 8 up, which is using spring loaded guns rather than the gas powered ones the parents use," he said.

"We get heaps of kids running around. We do get a lot of basketball teams and soccer teams."

And it's not just a game for the

boys, there are plenty of women who love a game of paintball, the thrill and the adrenaline. Not to mention the fun and the adventure!

"We also have low impact paintball for all groups," Mr Cumming said.

"We do Hens and Bucks parties, wedding parties, we've got a 60th birthday coming up."

They also host scenario games and events, such as the one coming up on April 1.

Anyone can come and join in on the weekends or during the week, or book a party today.

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18 AUTUMN 2019

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Entertainment

Zane's

Rita and Norvi at the new youth space.

Picture: Yarra Ranges Council

school of rock

By Melissa Meehan IF you had of told Zane Blumeris a year ago he'd be travelling across Australia and overseas as one of the stars of the School of Rock musical he would have never believed you.

But that's exactly what this Mooroolbark boy is doing.

Zane, 12, is revelling in his very first commercial stage role - and a Andrew Lloyd Webber production at that.

School of Rock: The Musical is based on the hit move of the same name and follows the story of wannabe rock star Dewey who falls into the role of substitute teacher at a prestige private school.

Zane plays Zack, the lead guitarist on the show, whose father has no time for him and thinks music is a waste of time.

"When Dewey teaches him to be a rock god he finally stands up to his parents - in a nice way." he said.

But is character couldn't be any further from his own life.

Zane's got a gig in School of Rock.

"I didn't even know it was a musical - we'd known the movie for our whole lives because it was a family movie for us," he said.

Danielle will also travel with Zane when he goes with the show to China and Brisbane next month.

A new space for teens in Yarra Ranges

His sister and brother, Alaska and Jett, have been very supportive too.

"They've seen almost all of my shows and are coming to China for a week," Zane said.

"They're so excited for me."

His rising star is no surprise to his family.

Zane has been filming his own videos since he was five years old and would love to continue his career in stage shows.

By Danielle Galvin YARRA Ranges Council has launched a new Valley Youth Space where high school aged teens can hang out and access free WiFi, services and more.

"I'd love to do more shows, but I'm not sure right now what they would be," he says.

Zane's mum Danielle and dad Craig, an actor himself, have been supportive in his quest to become a star.

"Harry Potter would have been pretty cool to be in, or if they made one for The Greatest Showman that would be awesome."

Craig broke the news to Zane that School of Rock: The Musical was coming to Australia and that he should audition.

But for now he's spending 38 hours a week on School of Rock: The Musical and any down time is at home with his family.

Youth worker Rita Leuzzi says the new project is run at the Upper Yarra Family Centre in Yarra Junction, on Mondays from 3pm-5pm.

after school," she said.

But when it started outgrowing the library, Rita wanted to find a new space and set it up for the teens in the area.

There's musical instruments, a ping pong table and access to services like Headspace and others.

"The best part is that we teach them how to cook snacks," she said.

Currently, there are students from a range of different high schools in the area who attend.

"So if they're at home alone, they can look in the fridge and think I know how to make a toast, sushi or pizza or something.

"I found out the library would have 20-30 kids rocking up already there

"It's skill building, confidence building socialising. It's great."

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your life Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

TIPS FOR DEALING WITH

fussy eaters and meal-time battles

By Danielle Galvin CHILDREN of all ages can be picky eaters, leaving parents feeling concerned their child is missing out on vital nutrients and healthy foods as they grow.

Often as babies they start out eating everything, happily taking a bite of a piece of broccoli or trying a piece of sweet watermelon.

But parents can sometimes see a change when the toddler years hit, and suddenly the child who ate everything will only eat plain pasta and vegemite toast, turning up their noses at green vegetables, fruit and protein-packed meat.

Miriam Raleigh is a Melbourne paediatric dietitian with some ideas, and explanations for those fussy, difficult eaters.

She spoke to Danielle Galvin with some practical tips about navigating a phase of childhood many parents will have to face.

Firstly why do some children end up seeing someone like yourself - what sort of issues might they be having?

Parents will bring their children to see me for lots of different reasons. Some children might have tummy upsets such as tummy pains, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea or a combination of any of these problems. Some children might be underweight for their age, others might be overweight for their age, or have food allergies, while others want to be vegetarian or vegan or might be being raised in a family that is vegan and they are seeking advice on how to do this safely. Many children present with fussy eating behaviours which might mean that they have a limited range of foods from certain food groups.

What's your best piece of advice for parents with children who are fussy, difficult eaters who refuse either vegetables or fruit? (I have one myself who's anti-fruit).

My best advice for parents of children who are fussy is to lead by example every opportunity they get! Eat with your

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children as often as possible, don't just sit with them, but actually eat with them, what they are eating. Show them how to eat certain foods, show them how much you enjoy eating those foods. Keep meal times calm and enjoyable and try to avoid any argument when it comes to food. Encourage children to be involved with meal preparation whenever you can and be mindful that it takes time for children to explore and broaden their palate and repertoire of meals and foods.

What do we need to look out for, when it comes to packaged snacks? It can be tricky to navigate!

Always start by considering where a certain snack fits on the healthy food plate (previously the food pyramid we know so well from our childhood). If a packaged snack is chips, biscuits, or some sort of sweet treat, it is unlikely to be the best choice for a daily option, but a good choice to have sometimes as a special treat.

When reading labels of food snacks, try to choose food products with less than 15g sugar per 100g, less than 400mg sodium per 100g (ideal would be less than 150mg/100g but this is very hard to find).

can then binge on them when they have a free opportunity to do so.

Grandparents do love to treat their grandchildren, particularly with sweets (that we never would have been allowed as children ourselves). Depending on how often your children are in the care of their grandparents really determines how much of an issue this needs to be. If they are only with them once a week or fortnight, then as long as the treats are not excessive, it can be a nice bond with their grandparents. If they are cared for several times each week, then boundaries should be discussed to ensure that the treats are only occasional, rather than daily.

I often recommend that families have set days of the week when they have treats so that everyone can look forward to it and to normalise 'sugary' foods as being allowed a balanced diet It might sound silly, but how do parents know if their child is getting enough of the good stuff - and too much of the foods we should only consume in moderation?

Miriam Raleigh, a paediatric dietitian, has some ideas for parents of picky eaters.

Again it can be a difficult one for parents to keep track of. Sometimes the best thing to do is write it down. Write down what your children have to eat each day for a whole week and see what it looks like.

Break their intake down into the five food groups (fruits, vegetables, breads and cereals, dairy/dairy alternatives, meat/meat alternatives) and see whether they have variety within each food group.

Each day may not be perfect (because life isn't perfect), but as long as over the course of the week they have a range of different foods from all core food groups, you probably have nothing to worry about.

If food groups are missing, or your child has food allergies or intolerances that restrict their diet in some way and you are concerned about their nutritional adequacy, it is always best to make a time with a dietitian specialising in children's nutrition.

Packaged snacks can be tricky to navigate and wherever possible (if time and skill allows), try to minimise packaged snacks but instead opt for fresh foods (fruits/vegetables), dairy options such as cheese or unsweetened yoghurt or some homemade snacks.

How do we, as parents, avoid or limit sugar intake especially when children spend time with well-meaning grandparents who love giving them treats, and they're so exposed to marketing ploys in the supermarket, like chocolate at the check-out or toys?

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www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

reality bites

Paul Rogers with Lilith, Michael Colling with Maya and baby Roman, Rob Giddion with Aspen and Heath Pawley with ultrasound of his child.

Photo: Yarra Ranges Council

Mountain Men making mates and memories

By Danielle Galvin AFTER working in the youth space for two decades, Michael Colling knows all too well how important maintaining friendships and a sense of social connectedness is, especially after becoming a dad.

The Dandenong Ranges dad was a youth worker for 20 years before becoming CEO of a charity.

When his daughter Maya was born three years ago, he was beginning to feel burnt out, working long hours, spending time away from his family, as well as navigating the transition into parenthood. And although it was undoubtedly one of the happiest, greatest times in his life, it was a difficult time as well.

"I found myself just feeling incredibly disconnected from past friendships," he said.

"I knew from all of the research having worked with boys for 15-20 years, telling them how to look after themselves and things that could and www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

would happen if they didn't, I was experiencing it myself, and thought it was time I practice what I preach.

"I was sitting out the front (of my house) after staring at my phone on Facebook for three hours, after trying to connect and not having that same connections - thinking what am I doing?

"For many men, they struggle to maintain positive and meaningful relationships with other men as they get older."

As Michael points out, for many men, if they don't belong to a footy club, it can be hard to stay connected.

So he put up a post on Facebook, in a local Ranges group, wondering if anyone else was feeling the same way.

"Within a couple hours I was receiving emails from people - probably a couple of dozen," he said.

It wasn't just men reaching out, with varying stories, it was also women who said they thought their partner needed someone to talk to, some mateship too.

He was also contacted by numerous

community groups supporting what he was proposing, and even in its infancy, it was clear that Michael had tapped into a real need.

"It all came from that original post and it kind of exploded!" he said.

From there, the idea of Mountain Men was born.

The community group aims to bring men together in the Dandenong Ranges, better engage them in the community, to come together to provide a safe, open, space to participate in a number of social activities. In its simplest form, to help men build those friendships.

"A lot of the guys who emailed us in the very beginning were new dads or stay at home dads, who felt very socially isolated, or had become socially isolated because they didn't know how to talk about their kids with their friends or didn't have the opportunity," he said.

"Or some identified they were only dads going to some of the mums groups."

But Michael says it's certainly not a

group just for dads, or first-time fathers.

It's much more than that. His aim is to get members who have reached out engaged and linked into other events and happenings, services in the community.

Maybe even reigniting a passion, a hobby, something that's fallen by the wayside after kids or work has gotten in the way.

Yarra Ranges Council is also supporting Mountain Men, with a community grant to help get them off the ground and running, with local events already being held.

In January, the group held a Dad's and Kids morning in Belgrave at a local park, and there was also a games night, garden clean-up event, as well as a hiking group, coffee catch-ups and more.

In 2019, the executive committee are also hoping to run events with various speakers covering mental health, men's health and plenty more.

To find out more, visit www. mountainmen.org.au AUTUMN 2019 21

reality bites

The 'WRONG' SEX and getting over

gender disappointment

By Danielle Galvin THE non-invasive prenatal test, also called the harmony test, has almost become standard procedure in the last couple of years for pregnant mums, giving expectant parents unprecedented access to find out about their baby's medical footprint.

One of the things that the simple early blood test reveals is the gender of an unborn child, and many elect to find out.

No longer do parents have to wait until birth, or the 20 week scan, to be told if it's team pink or team blue.

But with this knowledge comes a new, fascinating phenomenon that some parents are finding hard to navigate.

And with it comes a great deal of shame, guilt, loss and confusion.

For some parents, when they're told the gender of their unborn child, the moment is not a happy one.

Instead, they might put on a smile, but are desperately saddened by the news revealed by an obstetrician or ultrasound technician.

It's called gender disappointment.

As more and more people find out what gender they are having well before baby arrives into the world, it's perhaps a phenomenon that we'll see more of.

22 AUTUMN 2019

Dr Di McGreal is a consultant psychologist at Mereweather Counselling in Frankston, Victoria.

can be hard not to dismiss those gender disappointment emotions as just being selfish, or ungrateful.

She's spoken about gender disappointment in the past, as a type of loss.

"Shouldn't you just be happy to have a healthy, happy baby?"

"The clinical definition is anxiety or depression experienced by an expectant parent when the sex of the baby does not match his or her preference," she said.

Dr McGreal said it can be more common in second pregnancies, when people are still holding onto some romantic ideas about what their child should be.

"With the first they say let's not find out, let's have a surprise, and sometimes that's a good thing," she said.

"But sometimes there has already been an expectation in the parents mind that I'm having a boy or I'm having a girl and that can be quite a surprise for the person.

"It's almost like a real grief experience when you think about the sex, it's like grieving for a real person, grieving for a baby you didn't have."

More so, it can be difficult for some to understand how any parent-to-be could be disappointed or at a loss when they find out what the sex is.

Especially for anyone who has experienced fertility issues in the past, it

Dr McGreal said it's true parents who feel this way can encounter some judgement or feel ashamed.

"Many people are leaving it to much later these days, and if you're leaving it until 40 you may encounter great difficulty," she said.

"So if you are talking to someone who has encountered great difficulty or haven't been able to had baby, and you talk to them about being disappointed, they many not think that's appropriate at all."

Thankfully, she said the feelings do often pass when bub is born.

"Our brains have this wonderful capacity once we hold a baby in our rooms, for most of that to fade away but grief in the pregnancy stage can be quite strong," she said.

In her view, an expectant parent can go through the five stages of grief when experiencing gender disappointment.

they've made a mistake'."

For someone who is experiencing gender disappointment, it can be difficult to know where to turn, where to seek help, and how to articulate that loss.

Dr McGreal suggests writing a letter to the baby that won't be, a letter of goodbye and acknowledging that grief.

And then, perhaps writing a letter of hello to the new baby saying how excited you are to hold them and gaze into their eyes.

She said it's important not to disregard those feelings of loss and disappointment, as grief is powerful and dangerous if not dealt with.

"It's really important you listen to your body speak and if your heart is hurting, go and speak to somebody about it," she said.

As for somebody with a loved one struggling with gender disappointment, the worst thing you can do is dismiss their feelings.

Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

"As soon as you say you should be happy - you completely roadblock any healing for them and any future chance they might actually trust you and talk to you," she said.

"I once had somebody say to me, 'it's the wrong test, I've been told I'm having a girl but I'm having a boy and I think they have done the wrong test, and

"We don't have any rights to tell anybody how they should feel about anything. Accept where they are and help them by loving them anyway." www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

reality bites The one of a kind announcement received an amazing response.

Photo: Instagram, ourlifeinmelbourne

MELBOURNE MUM'S

solo mission INTO MOTHERHOOD

Sarah Mill exploring the city.

Photo: lie, myclicksdont m ra ag st In

Sarah shared sh e's expecting a little boy.

Photo: Instagram , ourlifeinmelbo ur ne

By Danielle Galvin WHEN Instagram blogger Sarah Mill began documenting her life through something_about_melbourne, she might not have predicted its success.

With more than 12,000 flowers, she says she was motivated to start showcasing her love of Melbourne, after living in London and Canada.

become one," she said.

"In my early 30s, I told myself that 37 would be the year I started, it came and went and I wasn't ready. I dated on and off, but struggled to find 'that one'.

"I knew that even if I found someone, the chance was high it may not last or it could still take years to start a family.

She realised she had fallen in love all over again.

"So I thought, I can do this! I am a strong independent woman, and I am going to take my destiny into my own hands."

"From sights, food, pop ups, fashion, things to do, it's showcasing how amazing this city is," she said.

The more Sarah thought about it, the more she realised she just didn't want to miss out.

"I love where I live and really wanted to show it off through my eyes.

She spoke to friends who had begun the process in their 40s, and at 38 she booked in for her first appointment to see a fertility specialist.

"The one thing I have loved about starting this page, is that it's made me find places that I didn't even know existed. "Places like the Redwood forest in Warburton or laneway art I hadn't seen and then inspiring other people to check it out and explore more."

"I went in with a really open mind and had the attitude of if it works, it works and if it doesn't it's not meant to be, so I may have to look at other options," she said.

On her Instagram account you'll find foodie pictures, some rare gems in Melbourne's bustling CBD streets, photos from her getaways, art works on hidden laneways.

"I was very blessed and it worked first go."

But there's something else Sarah shared last year, much to the delight of her thousands of followers.

"I was very lucky to have eight eggs in the first go and six made it to freezing.

Even more blessed to have success first go when transferred," she said.

A picture of an ultrasound, sharing the news there would be a 'mini me in Melbourne' and that she was embarking on her journey into motherhood solo after receiving IVF treatment in the hopes of becoming a mum.

In the post she wrote: "Earlier this year I made the decision to become a solo mum by choice via IVF. ?It's not a decision I made lightly but I am so proud to undertake this new journey to become a mum.? I know how hard this road will be but I wanted this little one so badly that I couldn't wait anymore."

As fate would have it, she had planned to do two rounds of IVF, given the cost of treatment.

"I went into the whole IVF experience with a pretty open mind, and wasn't stressed and I think that made a big difference for me.

"It was weird at first to have to inject yourself three times a day, but thankfully it didn't really hurt.

"It's a lot of information to absorb, so often I would record the appointments, because I have a bad habit of not listening properly."So at least I could re-listen to the video if I missed something.

She is happily forthright about the decision.

"From start to finish, I think it took about eight months.

"I think becoming a mum is something I've always thought about, but wouldn't say I was super clucky to

"I also didn't realise at the start, that you will need to do two counselling sessions, a police and child protection

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

check. So things like that can add a short amount of time as well."

The moment she found out she was expecting, she was on her way back to her office building when the call came through.

"When they do the transfer, you have a two week wait," she said.

"The longest two weeks of my life!

There is also no point doing a pregnancy test along the way as it can give off false readings and I didn't want to get my hopes up.

"After two weeks, I was heading back into the office from lunch and I got the call.

"I ducked to the side of the lifts and held my breath and was shocked when she said 'congratulations'."I am pretty sure that my first reaction was something along the lines of 'holy crap I am?'!"

Rushing back into a meeting room on a different floor, Sarah hurriedly Facetimed her sisters and mum, to tell them the news.

Needless to say, there was a lot of jumping around, tears, excitement and elation.

"It was then really hard to keep the secret for the first trimester, you want to tell people, but know that you should try and wait," she said.

Entering into this journey, Sarah says she wants other women in a similar situation not too leave it too late and assume it will be easy going.

"I would say start out by just going to your GP and having a chat and doing some tests," she said.

"You will have a clearer picture of where you are at.

"I think I also kept putting it off because I thought I would never be ready, or couldn't afford it.

"But at the end of the day, you will make it work."

Her friends and family knew about her plan, and were incredibly supportive.

And of course her mum has

accompanied her to every appointment, eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new grandchild.

Sarah's story is a unique one, and she's proud of that.

"I announced on both my personal and public social media accounts. I am super proud of my decision and wanted to bring awareness to it single mums doing IVF," she said.

"I was extremely overwhelmed by all the beautiful messages and congratulations I received.

"There was so much positivity and it was so nice to read messages from people who had done the same thing, or are going through it and then people asking for advice because they had always thought about it."

After posting her pregnancy announcement, Sarah was touched by the support.

Even more so, she realised she is certainly not alone.

As to whether 'mini me in Melbourne' will be making an appearance on her Instagram account, she's undecided.

"My account is about my life in Melbourne, and that's about to change and I am not sure what direction my Instagram will take," she said.

"I also know that I won't have the free time I did as a single person with no cares in the world.

"I love that my page has showcased Melbourne, and it could possibly now show a different side of it now that I have bubs, but I don't think I will be oversharing the little one.

"My page was never about being just me but more about how cool this city is - with snapshots of my life occasionally.

"There may be photos here and there of bubs, but I am not a mummy blogger and don't think that's the direction I will go down.

"But you never know what shape my page will take."

Sarah has recently changed her Instagram account to ourlifeinmelbourne AUTUMN 2019 23

reality bites

Little Evie's Why a fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role in child's play is important THE role of play in a child's learning and development has been well documented and some researchers even attribute a lack of free, unsupervised play to rising levels of mental illness in children.

Play assists children in navigating their world, engaging in social interactions, solving problems and coping with adversity.

Play comes in many forms and is typically defined as self-chosen and self-directed; motivated by means more than ends; guided by mental rules; includes a strong element of imagination; and is conducted in an alert, active, but relatively nonstressed frame of mind.

the icing on the cake

for Kate Mum Kate and baby Evie. Picture: Rob Carew

By Danielle Galvin

When fathers play with their children it generally takes the form of physical play, also known as rough and tumble play.

THE last two years for Maroondah mum Kate have been eventful, to say the least.

This type of play consists of vigorous behaviours such as wrestling, grappling, jumping, tumbling and running.

She married her beautiful husband Jack, had a double mastectomy, and together they welcomed darling baby Evie.

Research has shown that pre-school aged boys and girls prefer to engage in physical play with their fathers and that doing so has many benefits for early development.

In her first trimester, Kate recalls how she awoke one night and crawled to the bathroom in pain.

Researchers have said that rough and tumble play between children and fathers helps shape children's brains so that they develop the ability to manage emotions and thinking and physical action altogether.

This is most crucial for children ages two to five years as this is the developmental stage where they learn how to pull these together.

Furthermore, fathers who let their children occasionally win can give their children a sense of achievement and help build self-confidence and resilience.

By holding back strength the father can also build trust with their children, and evidence has shown when fathers play in a supportive and gently challenging way it has positive long-term effects on attachment.

One thing that is important for fathers to understand is that the quality of play is a critical component of healthy development.

It has been shown that when fathers allow their children to dominate the play session, that is, playing rough without boundaries, the children will develop aggressive behaviours. On the other hand, children whose fathers set boundaries did not appear to develop aggressive behaviours.

So all in all it appears that the way fathers play is important for their children's development, and the key to good play is to set boundaries, make it challenging and occasionally let the child win.

- Jarred Kellerman, Business Support Manager at Cire Corporate Services 24 AUTUMN 2019

Fearing the worst, she alerted her husband and told him he needed to take her to the hospital.

Her appendix was beginning to rupture and it was impossible to know how, if it all, it would affect the growing bub.

Thankfully, the baby was still fighting fit after Kate's surgery and even despite that scare early on, she says she had a great first pregnancy.

She managed to work up until 36 weeks, despite an unstable pelvis and without knowing precious Evie would be making an appearance earlier than expected, which is why she's big on trusting your instincts in pregnancy.

At 37.5 weeks, Evie's movements changed dramatically. The normally active, kicking little baby was quiet, noticeably, for a few days.

"It got to Thursday morning, I hadn't felt anything since probably the lightest little touches on Wednesday," she said.

She went to the hospital to get checked, presuming she was being "silly" or just wasting their time, but also starting to feel more alarmed that her normally active baby had been so quiet.

you decided to come in today".

she decided it was the right call.

It was agreed that Kate should be induced. The obstetrician believed either the placenta was detaching, or Evie was struggling as Kate had been struck down with a bit of a cold.

"I made the decision because I didn't want to end up getting cancer during my pregnancy, because the BRCA1 hormones ... that can happen," she said.

"I was so glad it had been confirmed on the ultrasound, what I had been feeling - that they could see what I had been feeling," she said.

An animated, vivacious Kate describes (and in some parts re-enacts) her labour in a wildly comical fashion.

After labouring intensely from 8am in the morning until 2.30pm, she was dancing, feeling empowered and strong. But when she was checked, she'd barely progressed.

That's when Kate's "inner demon" came out, she laughs.

In that moment, Kate said she found it difficult to calm herself down.

Later, after Evie had been born, Kate assured the midwives she felt she was so elated she could do it all again.

"They laughed and said - maybe wait a bit!"

As women everywhere can appreciate, labour is wonderfully intense, emotional and can bring out an animalistic side in us.

"The second you get your baby, it doesn't matter how traumatic your birth is, you have the baby and everything is perfect," she said.

"It is the most amazing thing ever, I can't even explain it. Life is wonderful."

If there's one thing to be said about Kate and Jack, it's that family truly is everything to them.

By the time she arrived, and was hooked up for fetal monitoring, she was reassured that the heartbeat was strong.

They both come from incredibly close-knit families, and Kate is the first to say the support of her husband, and both of their families, had been crucial in the last couple of years.

She even thought she might meet her dad for dumplings at lunchtime. She jokes she was "hungry the whole time" during pregnancy.

When it came to it, the decision to have a double mastectomy before having kids was incredibly painstaking for Kate.

But it was decided an ultrasound might be a good idea.

There are times she questions the decision - she can't lie on her chest, she still has occasional pain. It hasn't been a easy ride and recovery was long but Jack was there always, loving her regardless and incredible as always.

It was a confronting experience, to see Evie not move on the screen, and she ended up calling Jack hysterical as she made her way back up to see an obstetrician.

The sonographer said to her: "I'm glad

After months of deliberating, counselling, discussions with experts,

"That can spur on that growth. When you do get a BRCA1 cancer they are quite aggressive and fast growing.

"But also, because of my age and family history, I had entered my high risk years."

At age 27, she was told she would need a full hysterectomy during her mid-30s before turning 40.

"That's what made us think we'd start trying so soon," she said.

Kate has been incredibly vigilant about her checking her breasts for lumps since her teen years.

Her mum, who also has the BRCA1 gene, has overcome cancer four times.

She is amazing, Kate says.

"The way she dealt with it all is admirable," she said.

"She epitomises strength and bravery.

"My family, and Jack supported me through every step. Without them, it would have been a very different journey."

When Kate was offered the genetic testing, she decided to go ahead and find out if she too carried the gene.

While she describes it as a "gut punch" she wasn't shocked when she was told she had it.

In August 2017, Kate held an incredible fundraiser hilariously named "Ta ta, tah-tah's" encouraging friends and family to come along to the Heathmont Bowls Club to raise money for The Cancer Council, ahead of her big surgery.

All up, more than $5000 was raised.

"Mum is the reason behind all of my fundraisers over the last 10 years, and all of our family and friends we have lost over the years to cancer, this is for them."

Everyone who came had to dress up in the 'B' theme.

Her mum summed up the night perfectly.

"We are indescribably proud of our beautiful and courageous daughter," she wrote.

Indeed. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

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www.lyss.vic.edu.au

AUTUMN 2019 25

books

BOOK EXPECTED TO

RUFFLE FEATHERS IN

Education Sector themselves rather than be systematically, explicitly taught, was the moment reading scores began to take a nosedive.

Lyn Stone doesn't care if she ruffles some feathers with her new book.

"We are begging initial teacher training institutes and school leaders to stop creating ideological casualties of the Reading Wars," Ms Stone said.

"Those who can afford external tutoring, get help, but woe betide those who can't. So many end up in the criminal justice system."

By Melissa Meehan A new book that aims to upskill teachers and parents attacks the kind of thinking that allows poor practice in schools and leads to unacceptable levels of illiteracy in society.

Reading for Life: High Quality Literacy Instruction For All, is linguist and literacy consultant Lyn Stone's third book and is bound to ruffle some feathers in the education sphere.

But she doesn't mind.

"Too bad," Ms Stone said.

"I speak for thousands of specialists in literacy instruction when I say enough is enough."

According to the OECD, 43.6 per cent of Australians between the ages of 15-74 are below proficiency level in literacy.

That's more than seven million people in this country who risk unemployment and social exclusion.

Similarly depressing figures can be found all over the English-speaking world.

The moment education systems started embracing the notion that children should 'discover' learning for

Ms Stone's book provides fully referenced definitions of all the key terms in reading instruction, including phonics, whole language, balanced literacy and dyslexia.

soon to be available online.

"I'd like to be redundant. But instead, my colleagues and I spend thousands of hours a week undoing dreadful habits embedded in literacy instruction," she said.

"This robs vulnerable children of crucial decoding practice and creates weak spellers."

Though it's common to be accused of teacher-bashing, Ms Stone maintains that nothing could be further from the truth.

"I have the greatest admiration for teachers and have worked alongside them throughout my career," she said.

It outlines the history of the Reading Wars and lists the key players and their contribution to the field.

"But I won't cynically suck up to them either and tell them everything is fine.

It's not."

There is a section devoted to flaws in thinking that lead to poor practice and finally, a whole section packed with ideas and guidance to help struggling readers get back on track.

Her first two books, Spelling For Life and Language For Life have been popular with educators worldwide since their release.

This is accompanied by a one-day workshop, touring Australia in 2019 and

Reading for Life is available at www.lifelongliteracy.com and all reputable online book outlets. RRP $35

Children's books..

Der Glumph Went the Little Green Frog

Shoelaces Are Impossible

So That's How I Began!

Ed Allen & Nathaniel Eckstrom

Illustrated by Matt Shanks

TYING your shoelaces can seem impossible when you are little, but imagine how hard it would be if you were a caterpillar!

Gina Dawson, Illustrated by Alex Mankiewicz

"WE all know frogs go la-di-dadi-da! La-di-da-di-da!"

Yes, we all know the words to this much-loved nursery rhyme!

However, this book features a distinctly Australian version of the popular song. Various Australian outback animals are featured, including a spiky echidna that scritches and scratches one day, and a little red roo that hops.

This colourful book has playful and humorous illustrations with easy to read and rhyming text, making it a fantastic to read with your little one (although your tongue may get twisted). Great for kids aged 1+ Scholastic, RRP $15.99 26 AUTUMN 2019

This fun book follows the shoelace tying efforts of a caterpillar desperate to learn how to tie his laces so he can be a tap dancing star.

The book Includes step-bystep instructions for shoelace tying so your child can learn and practice. It also encourages them to keep trying, even when tying their shoelaces seems impossible.

Perfect for young kids aged 3+ Scholastic, RRP $15.99

IT can be awkward when a child starts asking questions about how they came to exist.

This book is a great resource for parents trying to tackle those tricky questions by spelling out the facts about where babies come from in a age-appropriate manner. It explains how the modern family comes in many different forms, the important functions of the male and female bodies, the 'special cuddle' that leads to a baby, IVF, pregnancy and birth. It's a very handy book as you can just turn to the page that answers the question your little one is asking.

New Holland Publishers, RRP $14.99

George and the Great Bum Stampede

Liars #2 No Survivors

Cal Wilson, illustrated by Sarah Davis

A viral phone app harbouring secrets about a criminal mastermind is at the centre of this story, the second instalment in a thrilling five-book series by best-selling Australian author Jack Health.

When a plane crash destroys a house at Kelton, it's clear something strange is going on.

All the passengers are missing and nobody knows the cause of the crash. But then Jarli's Truth App discovers a secret at a crash site - a secret that crime boss Viper, who has previously threatened Jarli's family, doesn't want uncovered.

MEET the Peppertons - an unusual family about to experience the 'worst week ever'.

George is the youngest, but not the smallest - that's Poco due to an incident with the 'shrink ray' machine created by mum Pepperton, who is an inventor. Of all her inventions, the most amazing is the replicator which can replicate anything. It seems amazing until it replicates pinching hands and 500 bums! To make matters worse, the replicator ends up with the school bully who moved in next door.

Written by comedian Cal Wilson, this is an hilarious read for kids aged 7+

Jack Heath

A gripping read for kids aged 10+.

Scholastic, $14.99

Scholastic, RRP $12.99 www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

' kids ids

calendar

WHAT'S ON

this autumn

22 MARCH - 31 MAY

27 MARCH

6 APRIL

EXPLODE YOUTH A YOUTH GROUP

PARENTS AND CARERS MORNING TEA

ALL FOR KIDS MARKET CROYDON

Operating during school terms, this is a varied program for secondary school aged youth in a safe environment, facilitated by Maroondah Council.

Special morning tea for parents and carers of pre-school and/or primary school aged children. Relax with a cuppa and meet other local parents and carers

Salvation Army Hall, 49 Wantirna Road Ringwood.

7pm-9pm

Arrabri Community House, 42 Allambanan Drive Bayswater North 10am-11.30am

There's over 70 stalls of quality pre-loved baby and kids designer clothes, toys, ride-ons, nursery furniture as well as new/boutique and handmade baby and kids items. Free face-painting until 11am, free kids art and craft activities all day. $3 entry, kids free!

23 MARCH A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 19 MARCH, 2 APRIL, 30 APRIL, 14 MAY, 28 MAY TUESDAY FORTNIGHTLY FREE KIDS PLAY

Family friendly fun at Mont De Lancey. Cost is $5 per family and includes a scavenger hunt, tours, craft. BYO picnic or there's a sausage sizzle.

3 APRIL & 1 MAY Babes to Kids Market A market where you can pick up or sell some new or pre-loved clothing, toys, maternity wear, cots, prams, change tables, bibs, blankets and more.

Caribbean Gardens and Market, 1280 Ferntree Gully Road, Scoresby 8.30am-3pm

11 Civic Square, Croydon 9am-1pm

16 APRIL EASTER CRAFT Join in for some Easter fun over the school holidays! Bring the kids along for lots of Easter craft and finish the session with an Easter egg hunt!!

Bookings essential as spaces are limited, tickets $10

Every second Tuesday and running during school terms, children and their families are invited to Kids' Play at Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre.

Mont De Lancey, 71 Wellington Road Wandin North 6pm-8.30pm

19 March: Cooking Classes (Healthy Bread Sushi) 2 April: Zoo Animal Masks 30 April: Pot Holder Decorating 14 May: Superhero Masks 28 May: Mitten Puppets Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre, 271 Police Road Mulgrave Sessions run 10am-1pm

24 MARCH

A regular market held around the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne featuring pre-loved, new and handmade items for babies and children.

22 MAY

21 MARCH & 16 MAY

With 40 - 60 stall holders you are sure to snap up some bargains on new, handmade and pre-loved baby and children's goods for all ages! Everything related to little ones is on hand, ranging from maternity to primary school aged products/services including clothing, books, toys, high chairs, prams, nursery items and activity sets.

Is your child ready for kinder or school? Your child may be able to start kinder or school in the new year due to their age, but are they actually read to embark on the next 13+ years of their education?

Yarra Ranges Council and Manchester Primary School are provided a free information session facilitated by Early Life Foundation which will discuss the importance of kinder and school readiness and strategies to support your child's transition.

TWILIGHT OPEN EVENING AT CIRE Parents and guardians are invited to come along to find out how CIRE's kinder program, which runs together with their children's centre, prepares your child to take the next step in their educational journey â&#x20AC;&#x201D; an excellent opportunity to check out the facilities and meet the team.

Further information call 1300 835 235 Cire Children's Services - Mt Evelyn: Thursday 21 March 5.30pm Cire Children's Services - Yarra Junction: Thursday 16th May 5.30pm www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Seville Community House, 8 Railway Road, Seville 10.30am-12pm

BUMBLE BEE BABY AND CHILDREN'S MARKETS RINGWOOD

$2 entry for adults (children under 12 free).

Central Ringwood Community Centre, Bedford Park, Rosewarne Lane in Ringwood 9am-12pm

KINDER AND SCHOOL READINESS 5 APRIL MAROONDAH NIGHT RUN This 5km event is designed for all ages and athletic abilities. Runners and walkers are welcome to join us for a glow filled evening, sweeping through Ringwood Golf Course.

The 5km course sweeps through the 18 holes of Ringwood Golf, with the event finishing off with an after party at Mr Fox Cafe. The course path will be illuminated by glow lights.

352 Canterbury Road Ringwood 6pm-8pm

Manchester Primary School, Monomeith Street Mooroolbark 7pm-8.30pm AUTUMN 2019 27

12389718-SN25-18

28 AUTUMN 2019

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au