Casey Cardinia Kids - Summer 2022

SUMMER 2022

Raising boys with

Steve Biddulph Tribal living in

Harkaway Hy-larious hijinx with

Nazeem Hussein

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

SUMMER 2022 1

PLAZA

PLAZA

PLAZA

TWILIGHT CHRISTMAS MARKET & LIGHTING OF THE TREE

FAMILY CHRISTMAS FILMS

HYPERCOLOUR FAMILY FILMS

Saturday 3 December, 3.00 pm – 9.00 pm Free entry.

We’ve got your gift ideas sorted for the festive season with a Christmas Market bursting with Christmas cheer.

Naughty? Nice? Everyone’s invited to enjoy live music, food trucks, FREE workshops and heaps of brands brimming with fab present ideas. We’ll even be lighting up the Christmas Tree at 8.00 pm.

Presented in partnership with Westfield Fountain Gate Sunday 4, 11 & 18 December, 5.30 pm Tickets: $5.00 per person. Ticket includes a complimentary Gingerbread man.

Get into the spirit of Christmas with a series of fun family friendly films.

• 4 Dec: Elliott the Littlest Reindeer • 11 Dec: Prep & Landing | Merry Madagascar • 18 Dec: A Boy Called Christmas

Presented in partnership with Westfield Fountain Gate Sunday 8, 15 & 22 January, 5.30 pm Tickets: $5.00 per person. Ticket includes a complimentary colour slushie.

This January we are brightening up the summer vibe with a series of Hypercolour family friendly films.

• 8 Jan: Trolls World tour • 15 Jan: Clifford the Big Red Dog • 22 Jan: Sing 2

STUDIO

PLAZA

STUDIO

THE RAINBOW TREE

TANGLE

Presented by Fat Fruit

By Polyglot Theatre

TOUCH AND GO, SALLY CHANCE DANCE

Saturday 14 January, 6.00 pm Sunday 15 January, 10.00 am & 2.00 pm Tickets: All tickets $16.00. Groups 4+ $15.00 per person

Tuesday 17 - Friday 20 January, 10.00 am, 11.00 am, 1.30 pm & 2.30 pm Tickets: $5.00 each. Ticket includes choc top.

What happens when you invite seven children from Rainbow Families to create a show? You end up with a disco koala, a wildebeest, a farting unicorn and a fairy that can freeze tickle monsters all co-habiting in a very tall, yet tiny Rainbow Tree. This is what it’s like living in a Rainbow Family. Everyone is welcome and anything is possible.

The Rainbow Tree is musical storytelling with moving image. Written with children from Rainbows families, it shares personal and imagined stories around the idea of family, identity and community.

Tangle invites children and their families to create a giant, vibrant, interactive artwork that shifts and grows over time. As they enter, each child is given a ball of colourful elastic thread which they can weave in and around tall golden poles. Gradually, a spectacular, multi-coloured, ever-changing landscape forms – a fascinating place to play, explore and bounce. Polyglot artists roam throughout, inspiring hilarity, adventure and just a touch of chaos…

Book now at bunjilplace.com.au 03 9709 9700 or at the Box Office.

2 Patrick Northeast Drive Narre Warren 3805

Service fees may apply to phone and online bookings.

bunjilplace.com.au

Presented by Insite Arts & Bunjil Place Thursday 9 and Friday 10 February 2023, 10.00 am & 1.00 pm Tickets: $10.00 per child. Ticket includes entry for parent/carer.

Touch & Go entices, dares and entertains children in a playful environment. Two and three-year olds are invited to enter a playful world of shapes and pathways, stepping stones and lines, with two friendly dancers and a live musician. The children become part of the performance themselves or observe from a safe distance, touching and going – just as they need to.

Family Film Partner

Brought to you by

12577402-DL49-22

2 SUMMER 2022

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

About Us

Time to get outside!

LIKE so many of you, we sure are excited to leave the wet winter and spring behind for some glorious summer weather.

The sound of cicadas, beautiful sunsets and warm nights make some of the best childhood memories, and like all of you we are looking forward to making them with our families.

The kids are finishing school for the year and we are busy running around in preparation for Christmas Day and the holiday season.

For many, the summer holidays can’t come fast enough.

We have a wonderful edition for you - so many beautiful families have shared their stories with us.

We speak to a mum who struggled to breastfeed, another who’s creating pockets of peace for struggling mums, and medical professionals about what feels like the endless run of viruses many households are experiencing.

author Steve Biddulph, and Lucy Stewart with yet another yummy recipe for us to try.

The warmer months are here and it’s time to get outside and explore the world around us and there is no better place to be than where you live.

From all of us at Kids Today, have a Merry Christmas and an awesome start to 2023. Happy holidays!

We have our regular special guests as well, including world-renowned

Casey Cardinia Kids magazine is a Star News Group publication.

Casey Cardinia Kids will be published quarterly prior to each of the school holidays.

Casey Cardinia Kids Cnr Princes Hwy and Army Road, Pakenham, 3810 PO Box 9, Pakenham, Victoria 3810 Phone: 5945 0666 Fax: 5945 0777 Editorial Melissa Meehan

CONTENTS

melissa.meehan @starnewsgroup.com.au Photography

IT’S YOUR LIFE

ACTIVE KIDS

REALITY BITES

Raising boys around the world

Train with me in 2023

Mum welcomes rainbow triplets

PAGE 4

PAGE 20

PAGES 30-31

Trust your instincts

Time for Aussie teens to get active

Finding pockets of peace

PAGE 5

PAGE 20

PAGE 32

Tribal living in Harkaway

Rob Carew Stewart Chambers Group Advertising Sales Manager Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au Phone: 5945 0608

PAGES 6-7

EDUCATION

FASHION

Published by Star News Group Pty Ltd

Gut-loving mango jelly gummies

Tips to stop study distractions

Billy Lidz for summer

ACN 005 848 108.

PAGE 8

PAGE 21

PAGES 33-35

Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas.

Finding the right formula

Reading turns on imagination

PAGE 9

PAGE 22

BOOKS

App building courageous kids

High quality education

Discover new children’s books

PAGE 10

PAGE 23

PAGE 37

Check pool barriers to save lives

Student-centred at St James

Nazeem Hussein’s hy-larious hi jinx

PAGE 11

PAGE 23

PAGE 37

New grand-prix themed playground

Set a foundation for learning

PAGES 12-13

PAGE 24

Isaiah shares his culture

Nurturing holistic development

PAGE 15

PAGE 25

All material is copyright to Star News Group Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible.

SUMMER 2022

CALENDAR What’s on this summer PAGE 38

A great place to grow

Raising boys with

Steve Biddulph Tribal living in

PARTY TIME

PAGE 25

Painting pottery fun for all ages

Celebrating being back at school

Hy-larious hijinx with

PAGE 15

PAGE 26

Nazeem Hussein

ENTERTAINMENT

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

Harkaway

Lazy Frog has baby gifts covered PAGE 15

Experience Sea of Light

HEALTH

PAGE 27

Mental health help for parents

Bunjil Place bursting with family fun

PAGE 16 Family medicine needs covered

SUMMER 2022 1

Cover Lucy enjoys a colourful summer treat.

Picture: Rob Carew

PAGE 28

PAGE 17

Experience Walhalla Goldfields Railway

Hope for a virus reprieve

PAGE 28

PAGE 17

DENTAL Put a smile on your face PAGE 18 Oral health lessons for kids PAGE 19 Aligning your child’s smile PAGE 19

caseycardiniakids.com.au www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

facebook.com/caseycardiniakids

instagram.com/caseycardiniakids SUMMER 2022 3

It’s Your Life

Raising boys around the world Raising boys around the world, writes STEVE BIDDULPH A COUPLE of months ago, I received some amazing news. The sales of my book Raising Boys in its Chinese translation had just passed a million copies in just one year!

This brought my worldwide book total to six million, making me the top selling parenting author - so far - in the 21st Century.

For a shy psychologist living in country Tasmania, this was rather hard to take in.

The last century’s star performer of parenting books was of course Benjamin Spock, who put me well in the shade with 50 million copies of his book Baby and Child Care sold in his lifetime.

Spock is my hero - he was the first writer to really respect parents, telling us that we should trust our own instincts first.

And he went in to bat for a generation reared with his books, by opposing the Vietnam War and the nuclear arms race, arguing that as a paediatrician he had to care for the

4 SUMMER 2022

lives of all children everywhere.

I’m a natural worrier, and so my first worry was whether the ideas in Raising Boys would help in a Chinese setting.

But back at the time of the translation, I had already been talking to many Chinese parents here in Australia who knew the culture back home, and I was much reassured - not only was the message appropriate, but it was very much needed.

What are the key messages of Raising Boys?

Well the first has to be that boys need to be around their dads a lot, to receive affection from them, and really know them in a deep way as they grow up, so they see that men have feelings too, and can be vulnerable and loving.

Single mums can raise boys very well, and they have done for thousands of years, but in my work I talked to thousands of single mums over the years, and found that part of their secret was in making sure their son met good men along the way, to role model what healthy masculinity was like.

It might be a school teacher, grandad, the gay man next door, or a guitar or karate teacher - as long as they were safe good men who a boy could get to know well and imitate and learn from.

Because of their often greater muscle

strength, and the poisonous messages sent by porn culture and the long history of sexism in our world, boys need to see respect shown to women especially their mother by their father.

And as they get a little older, to be explicitly taught never to hurt, exploit or sexually or otherwise misuse girls or women.

The book also broke new ground in sharing research that boys’s brains were slower growing.

So they might not be ready for school at the same age as girls, especially if they were born later in the year.

We began to discover that males in fact are the weaker sex, that their delayed development made them more socially awkward, more prone to separation anxiety, and perhaps because of this, suicide and prison rates were many times higher than for girls.

But this could be prevented affection, not rushing them into school, helping them with reading and talking, and allowing their energy to be expressed in lots of activity rather than calling them naughty for just being physical.

One astonishing much quoted piece of research was the hormonal change at age 4, when their testicles begin to lay down testosterone making “Leydig” cells, and they often become super

active and drive their quiet loving parents quite crazy.

Mums and dads were so relieved that their boys were not naughty, but like having a large dog - you just had to run them around a lot.

The great discovery of this century of course is that no two boys are alike, and they are on a testosterone spectrum, some boofy and a bit slow to learn language, and some sensitive and more gentle, that there a many different ways to be a boy.

Understanding what you have got is your first job - you can read lots of stories and have lots of quiet chats alongside your boofy boy, while helping your quiet boy to know how to stick his chin out and sound loud when necessary, but otherwise know that he is just a much a boy as any other!

The final message which was so taken on around the world was the boys must learn housework - that by age nine they should be making at least one meal a week for the family cleaning their room, helping around the house - brought smiles, and hopefully a generation of far more likeable men in families of the future.

Less men in jail, more men happy in their relationships and in their own skin.

I couldn’t be happier that this might be the case in China as well!

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

It’s Your Life

Emma and daughter Immy.

Pictures: Rob Carew

Trust your instincts

By Casey Neill

Emma fell pregnant with Immy quite quickly.

BERWICK mum Emma Mills noticed her baby daughter Imogen was frequently crossing her eyes.

“I didn’t feel all that prepared for it,” she said.

“It wouldn’t happen all the time, it was so intermittent,” she said.

“It didn’t sit right with me - trust your mum instincts.”

“Now that Immy’s in my life I couldn’t imagine her not being there.

“Becoming a mum, it’s been a big shift but it’s the most rewarding rollercoaster you’ve ever been on.”

She did not love pregnancy.

Emma took Immy went to a GP and was told nothing could be done until she was over 12 months old anyway, so wait it out and don’t worry about it.

“People put it on this little pedestal. I wasn’t a good pregnant person,” she said.

“I think I got pigeonholed into a pedantic first-time mum,” she said.

“I didn’t bond with it like everyone else does.

“Right before I gave birth I cut my hand pretty badly with a bread knife.

“My breastfeeding journey wasn’t picture-perfect either.

She relayed her experience at her next Maternal Child Health Nurse appointment.

“I’d go through it again because of the result, but I didn’t love that my body wasn’t mine.

“I had to have emergency nerve surgery on my hand.

“My milk was very late to come in, so Immy was on formula from the get-go.”

“Immy’s eyes were going crossed in that appointment, which was good. The GP didn’t get to see it,” she said.

“I had perinatal anxiety and depression throughout the pregnancy.”

“A week later I went into labour at 37 and 5.

Emma breastfed once her milk did arrive, but it was a battle with a little, tired baby.

The nurse suggested seeing an optometrist.

Emma got a pregnancy mental health plan and accessed St John of God’s Raphael Services.

“Immediately they recognised that she had vision problems,” Emma said.

“I felt very disconnected the entire pregnancy,” she said.

“All she was doing was trying her hardest to see us, and she was crossing her eyes.

“It was a dark time, a really dark time in what’s meant to be a great time in your life.”

“She just excelled. It immediately helped her have all this confidence.

Having anxiety and depression during her pregnancy made Emma susceptible to postnatal depression as well.

“Stuff that was really really hard for us initially - like eating and getting her to engage with us - as soon as she got her glasses, all of that stuff got so much easier.

“I felt awful. I think I felt even more guilty because I’d listened to the GP. “If I’d just gone with my gut she could have had glasses sooner.” www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

She was on alert for it and managed the symptoms as she gained confidence in her parenting.

“I very much doubted myself and my ability to be a mum and she needed me,” she said.

“I leant on Darcy a lot.

Immy excelled after putting on her glasses.

“I gave birth with a full-on cast on my hand.”

So she was operating one-handed for the first month of Immy’s life.

“It made me feel inadequate,” she said.

“I couldn’t do nappy changes.

“She didn’t have that strength and energy to suck,” she said.

“I drowned her with my let-down because she wasn’t strong enough to take it.

“Then she had a lot of wind problems.

“I had a pretty traumatic birth in the end, that ended in an emergency c-section.”

“I ended up switching to expressing and that really helped my anxiety and depression.

Immy was facing the wrong way and was not responding to attempts to turn her.

“It was a time suck, but I could see exactly how much she was getting. She was still getting breastmilk and all those benefits.”

“Processing that trauma is so important, but you don’t get the chance because you’ve suddenly got this newborn that relies on you for everything,” Emma said.

“I don’t know that I ever fully dealt with it.

At 20 minutes per pump and five pumps per day, Emma spent about 250 hours on the task - and that doesn’t include giving or cleaning the bottles.

“Expressing mums need some props,” she said.

SUMMER 2022 5

It’s Your Life

Tribal living in Harkaway Jack and Jordy with mum Melissa.

By Casey Neill HAVING her own kids helped Melissa Leathem to truly value her childhood on a farm.

So much so, she and husband Brodie packed up their Upwey home and set up on the family property in Harkaway.

“My great grandparents and grandparents bought it when I was 18 months old,” Mel said.

“They bought the property with the intention of us all getting to grow up there.

“Hopefully they’re up there watching it.”

She has memories of her grandpa on a motorbike, a dog running alongside; of a pet donkey; and of directing cows to a new paddock using sticks, all with siblings Shaun and Rachael by her side.

“We would sit on the tractor or trailer, chop up wood for the fires,” she said.

“I didn’t realise how cool it was until now I’ve got my own kids.”

Asher was nine months old when we spoke, with Jack and Jordy aged 4 and 2.

Covid lockdowns and losing family members were the catalysts for the family’s return to the farm.

“We’d just finished renovating this beautiful house, put on a new deck,” Mel said.

“Just being stuck in the house and having to wear a mask just to go for a walk…there was all this space waiting for us 15 minutes away.

“It was a big decision.

“Going to Upwey it was exciting, getting some independence.

“But now I couldn’t leave here again.

“We’re so aware of how lucky we are, so grateful.”

Her parents were surprised by the move - and spurred into action. Plans to demolish an old farm house and build a new home were sped up, with construction now underway.

Mel said Brodie found adjusting to living rurally - and with his in-laws quite easy.

“He likes going out and chopping wood, he likes having something to do,” she said.

“We have a separate driveway, we’ve got our privacy.”

She said watching her kids strengthen their bonds with her parents and Shaun was beautiful.

“The kids are so young, I feel like one’s always sleeping. If I have to get Jack to kinder, mum can come and sit with Asher,” she said.

“It’s tribal living, it’s how it’s supposed to be.”

The are animals all around, including five dogs.

Jack feeds Annabelle.

6 SUMMER 2022

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

Farm life agrees with Asher.

“We’ve got a little poddy calf at the moment. Jack called it Annabelle, after his little friend at kinder. The mum had twins and she didn’t want to feed one, so we’re feeding her,” Mel said.

“The neighbours have horses and alpacas. The boys love to walk to the fences and see them.

“Once we’re settled with the house we’ll have a chook pen.”

It took Mel and Brodie about 18 months to fall pregnant with Jack.

She was gowned up for surgery to explore their infertility when she was told the operation couldn’t go ahead she was pregnant.

“I was in shock,” she said.

“At that time I really wanted it and everyone was having babies and it was hard to watch - you’re happy for them but sad for you.”

Birthing Jack was also a struggle.

“I just thought ignorance was bliss and it wasn’t and it was awful,” Mel said.

She got induced using the balloon method, endured painful internal examinations throughout the process and tore her cervix during the delivery.

“It was awful. I just remember lying on the bed shaking.

“I went straight off to theatre, had blood transfusions, iron infusions.

“I didn’t bond with Jack. I didn’t want to hold him, I think I was just traumatised.

“When I fell pregnant with Jordy I was like ‘I’m not doing that again’.”

Mel took a Calmbirth course focused on avoiding intervention, received acupuncture, saw a chiropractor and had the same midwife throughout her pregnancy.

Jack and Jordy, exploring the farm.

“That was great, because when such a traumatic thing happened I felt like I was on my own,” she said.

Jordy’s labour was faster and her recovery was far better.

She had another positive experience with Asher after following the same path, plus exercises to help her baby into a good birthing position.

“It’s anatomy. Your pelvis is made for the baby to come through a certain way,” she said.

“But we’re so sedentary now, so I was really careful with my posture.

“It was all worth it.”

“I lost like 2.5 litres of blood,” she said.

LOW IMPACT PAINTBALL SUITABLE FOR KIDS 8 YEARS AND OVER IS AVAILABLE STARTS AT $40 PER PERSON WITH 300 PAINTBALLS 2 HOUR SESSION OR $50 PER PERSON WITH 400 PAINTBALLS

• equipment hire included • 50cal low impact markers • BBQ area available Call Daniel 9777 0613 or book online at www.paintballgames.com.au

Paintball Games 3 Locations -Ballan, Cockatoo, Coldstream

Jordy sneaks a calf cuddle.

Jordy learns the ropes in the tractor. www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

12522499-AV50-21

SUMMER 2022 7

It’s Your Life

Gut-Loving Mango Jelly Gummies Ingredients Picture: Studio 74 Photography

■ 1 cup diced mango ■ 1 cup filtered water ■ 3 Tbsp gelatin powder ■ 1 Tbsp maple syrup or honey *optional, if your mango is tart

in the kitchen

Instructions 1. Combine mango, water and maple syrup in a blender and process in to a puree.

with Lucy Stewart JELLY gummies are a cheap, easy and fun way to include the ancient superfood, gelatin, in our kids diet.

They’re just like jelly lollies but without all the sugar, colours and flavours that you’ll find in the store-bought ones – they’re the kind of lollies you’ll be happy for the kids to eat, by the handful!

Gelatin is derived from collagen found in animal bones, skin and cartilage that’s been dehydrated and ground in to a flavourless powder. It’s nutritionally the same as collagen, just a more refined version of it. Collagen works from head to toe in our bodies to: help repair and restore the lining of the gut, support muscle, hair & nail growth and repair, keep joints flexible and

2. Pour mango puree in to a saucepan and sprinkle over gelatin 1 Tbsp at a time, allowing it to bloom (turn in to a jelly blob) in between. bones strong – everything kids need to support them during their rapid period of growth and development. Gelatin also promotes healthy liver detoxification, nourishes our adrenals, and is a major component of skin, so don’t think these jelly gummies are for the kids alone to enjoy.

Because they’re loaded with protein they also help to balance blood sugars, provide a steady release of energy and keep kids tummies feeling fuller for longer.

Making these jelly gummies is so easy and a fun way to get kids in to the kitchen and involved in the cooking process. We’ve made the most of the in-season mangoes in this recipe, but you could easily replace the mango with berries.

You’ll find gelatin it stocked in most healthfood stores – favour one from pasture-raised Australian or New Zealand cows. Unfortunately, the gelatine at the supermarket doesn’t carry the same health benefits

3. Gently heat the mixture over low and stir until the gelatin has completely dissolved.

4. Pour mixture in to moulds or a baking tray (you can slice in to squares once set), then place in the fridge to set for at least 2-hours.

5. Remove gummies from the moulds and store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5-days – if they last that long!

Well Fed Kitchen is a range of healthy snacks for kids that you can make at home.

Created by Nutritionist and mum, Lucy Stewart, they’re made with only real wholefood and plant-based ingredients – no additives, nothing artificial, and without nuts, dairy, soy and wheat.

Well Fed Kitchen provides an easy snack alternative to the sugar-laden, healthy pro- cessed options, guaranteed to fill kids tummies, satisfy their hunger, provide a steady release of energy and some essential growing nutrients too. www.wellfedkitchen.com.au @wellfedkitchen_snacks 12562706-MS36-22

8 SUMMER 2022

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

It’s Your Life

The right formula

By Casey Neill

Aly saw a local lactation consultant, describing the visit as “useless”.

ALY Backman’s anxiety around breastfeeding started soon after her daughter Daisy was born.

She saw a breastfeeding guru that her GP recommended, and a women’s physio who performed an ultrasound on her breasts.

The Lilydale mum’s milk came in on day two and her breasts “just exploded”.

Daisy was struggling to latch and Aly was in pain.

She tried different latches. She tried feeding more frequently, but Daisy just wasn’t hungry. She tried cabbage leaves, heat packs, ice packs…

“I was told ‘it will calm down, it will calm down’,” she said.

“I spent upwards of $1000 on intervention. Nothing worked,” she said.

“It never calmed down.”

She experienced her first blocked duct about a month in, and frequently thereafter.

“I wanted to fix it so badly but nothing ever fixed it.

“It was awful. I really didn’t even want to leave the house.

Daisy just didn’t need all the milk Aly’s body was producing.

“I always had a pump with me to try and take off a bit of milk.

“I was so disconnected from Daisy, with the birth trauma and then the breastfeeding trauma on top,” she said.

“I very rarely had that feeling of deflated boobs. My boobs were always full.

“I slept on my back for nine months because I was terrified to sleep on my side.

“I didn’t wear a bra for nine months, I wore those crop singlets.

“Something that should have been so natural was so s***.”

Nine months in, Aly had blockages in both breasts and decided it had to end.

She sought advice from her maternal and child health nurse.

“She made me feel confident enough to go ‘we

Lilydale mum Aly Backman.

have to go cold turkey here’,” she said.

A doctor prescribed medication to help dry up her milk.

Scared of mastitis and suffered three weeks of rock-hard, lumpy breasts, using a manual pump for some relief, plus ice packs and cabbage leaves.

“I didn’t shower for days because I didn’t want them to get warm,” she said.

Daisy was hysterical on day one, and it took all Aly’s strength - and stern words from her partner, Tom to resist breastfeeding her.

They bought “every single bottle” to find one Daisy would accept formula from, and ended up finally succeeding with a baby drink bottle.

And then it was over.

“I felt the biggest relief and weight taken off my shoulders,” Aly said.

“I wish it had been different, but there was never a solution.”

Aly finally felt like herself again.

“It was a very long time, a really lonely time,” she said.

“Tom found it really hard because I don’t think he knew how to help.

“But he was so supportive the whole way through, and so supportive of the decision to bottle feed Billy.”

Breastfeeding was immediately off the table when she fell pregnant with her son.

“But the further we got along in the pregnancy, the more I started to question my decision and feel really guilty,” she said.

“I thought ‘what if he gets sick and I can’t give him antibodies from breastfeeding?’.”

Midwives could see how traumatised Aly was, and referred her to a clinical midwife consultant in the Perinatal Emotional Health Service.

“I had a couple of appointments and explained everything,” she said.

“She was going to play devil’s advocate, but said ‘after hearing your story, you are 100 per cent making the right decision not to breastfeed’.”

Aly was told she’d receive medication to stop her milk from coming in, but shortly after welcoming Billy she was told her body would

Aly with Daisy and Billy.

Pictures: Rob Carew

actually still produce some milk.

“I had a massive panic attack in the hospital. I freaked out,” she said.

“This was on day two. Day two was where it all happened with Daisy.”

So the consultant advocated for her to stay in hospital another night.

“My milk did come in but it did go away pretty quickly. It wasn’t anywhere near as crazy.

“I just felt guilty, and I still hold onto that guilt, even though I know it was the right decision for our family, and for me - if I had got a blocked duct, I would have lost it.”

Aly found formula feeding overwhelming.

“How many bottles do I need? What formula do I buy? Breastfeeding would be so much simpler,” she said.

“But I found I was way more connected to Billy than I ever was with Daisy.

“He would gaze into my eyes and I would gaze into his.

“Even though there was a bottle in his mouth and not a boob, it was beautiful.”

The trauma hasn’t affected the relationship she has with Daisy today.

“But the experience that I had with Billy was just so much nicer and natural - which sounds so stupid because it was formula in a bottle - but it felt like the experience I should have had with Daisy.

“Don’t feel guilty about deciding if it’s best for you to use formula.

“Breast milk is best, but it’s hard work.”

For all the little children of the world

YOU WILL BE AMAZED AT OUR LARGE RANGE. AVAILABLE INSTORE OR ONLINE

www.lazyfroggifts.com.au | 109 Main Street Pakenham | 5941 2225

12574659-JW43-22

We have a great range of children’s wear and accessories.

Great new stock arriving

NOW AT BERWICK VILLAGE JEWELLERS Berwick Village Jewellers 2 Blackburne Square, Berwick VIC 3806 03 9707 2647 | www.berwickjeweller.com.au 12577851-ET49-22

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

SUMMER 2022 9

It’s Your Life

Preparing kids for challenges

By Casey Neill

still informative to my child but had a little extra warmth.”

“You just think about them all day and wonder if they’re OK.”

their new environment, and meet their teachers and build trust.”

COURAGEOUS Kids is helping parents to support and prepare their anxious children.

Dr Hackman writes the stories then sends them to a child psychologist for input.

Her day job is about prevention over cure.

The Courageous Kids app is designed for children aged 2 to 6 years, and also contains a visual planner and games.

Armidale doctor and mum Kathryn Hackman used her first-hand experience to create the app.

They explain everyday situations and the ‘rules’ adults take for granted in a clear and direct way.

“I was told by my kid’s kindergarten teacher that he was a bit sensitive,” she said.

From travelling for work to starting preschool, she put in the preparation and watched her kids thrive while others fell to pieces.

“My kid is certainly more anxious than most.”

Dr Hackman was proactive and took him to a pediatrician, occupational therapist, speech pathologist and psychologist to learn the skills to support him.

“The key strategy that they use is preparing for change,” she said.

‘Social stories’ was among the most common technique - and the most labour-intensive.

“This isn’t meant to take over from anything else,” she said.

“I just feel that I’m in such a privileged position and it’s still bloody hard.

“I thought ‘what are other families doing?’.

“I want this to be accessible for all families.

“A true social story should be personalised to the child.

“You can get some online but they are rubbish.

“So I started making stories that were

The app in action, customised with a photograph.

“All kids thrive when they have a bit of preparation,” she said.

“We’re all so time-poor.

“The app is something that’s nice to have for neurotypical kids, and a need to have for kids with anxiety or autism.

“You don’t have to wait for it to get to that point to get help,” she said.

“Wouldn’t it be good if parents could implement things so that it never gets to that point?

“So many of us were parented with that ‘she’ll be right’ mentality. Suck it up and hold it in.

“It makes a world of difference for kids to know what to expect and feel ready for new experiences, and this app is already a game changer for anxious, autistic and highly sensitive kids,” Dr Hackman said.

“I think we expect a lot from kids.

“We expect them to trust and feel safe with a teacher they’ve met once, and trust that you’ll come back.

“The point is to familiarise them with

“If you don’t have the language, if you don’t know the words, even by doing a few stories with your child, you will learn how to talk with your child.

“It’s an open space for discussion rather than telling the child how they’ll feel.”

Dr Hackman’s son would cry and cling to her legs during separations, and struggled with unspoken rules and expectations in social and educational situations.

“It’s so stressful and heartbreaking,” she said.

“I think we all have seen it at some time or another.

“A lot of parents will know and will resonate with a child who doesn’t want to go to kindergarten or preschool or Prep.

The app in action, customised with a photograph.

www. shoppingonclyde. com.au

10 SUMMER 2022

12578274-HC49-22

280 BerwickCranbourne Rd, Clyde

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

It’s Your Life

Kidsafe urges pool checks Kidsafe urges families to check pool barriers and help save a life

KIDSAFE Victoria has joined forces with Olympic champion Matt Welsh to launch its annual ‘Safe Barriers Save Lives’ campaign, calling on home pool and spa owners to ‘help save a life’ by checking their barriers before the warmer months.

The call comes as figures from the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia’s (RLSSA) National Drowning Report show that in 2021/22, 17 Australian toddlers drowned. Swimming pools were the leading location where these incidents occurred, accounting for 35% of all toddler drowning deaths.

As an Olympic swimming champion, Matt Welsh knows the benefits that learning to swim and growing up around water can provide for children.

As a father of six, he also acknowledges the risks that swimming pools and spas can pose if strategies aren’t put in place to help keep children safe.

“With the summer months just around the corner and families spending more time in and around water, it’s important to be prepared. By checking that your pool barriers and

gates are in good working order, you could save a life”, said Mr Welsh.

While toddler drowning rates reduced by 29% compared to 2020/21, Jason Chambers, General Manager of Kidsafe Victoria, said that drowning remained one of the leading causes of accidental death for Australian children under five.

“Toddlers are attracted to water, however they don’t yet understand the dangers that it can pose. Toddlers can drown quickly and silently - a split second is all it takes for them to gain unsupervised access to the water area and find themselves in trouble.”

Josie Costanzo knows just how quickly this can happen - her threeyear-old son Justin drowned in a neighbour’s pool in 2000 after the gate had been propped open with a rock.

“Justin died in under 20 seconds with one mouthful of water, 125ml to be precise, in his lungs. I still had his dinner plate in my hand when I heard a call from my daughter and looked out the window to see him in the pool. That’s how quickly it can happen. I was

numb”, said Ms Costanzo.

While safety barriers can be effective in reducing the risk of drowning incidents, evidence suggests that many drowning deaths involve barriers that are faulty, have not been maintained, or are non-compliant with Australian standards.

Chris Samartzis, CEO of the Master Pool Builders Association of Australia (MPBAA), said barrier checks are an important part of a regular routine for all pool and spa owners.

“Adding a pool or spa to your home provides endless fun and healthy activity for any family. Pool barriers are constantly exposed to the extremes of weather, so it’s important to regularly check for any rust, loose or missing bolts, and general wear and tear.”

In addition to regularly checking and maintaining pool barriers, Mr Chambers highlighted a number of other actions which are vital to help keep children safe in and around water, including: ■ Active adult supervision: having an adult within arm’s reach of toddlers

at all times when in or around water.

■ Water awareness: participating in water awareness and learn to swim classes helps children to become familiar with water, learn about water safety and learn how to swim.

■ CPR/First Aid: Kidsafe encourages all parents and carers to enrol in a CPR/ First Aid course and regularly update their skills. Doing so will equip them with the tools to respond in an emergency.

Top 5 issues with pool and spa barriers ■ Gates or doors that are no longer self-closing ■ Gates or doors that are no longer self-latching ■ Gates that are propped open for convenience – allowing children unsupervised access ■ Gaps, holes or spaces in and under the barrier which a child can get through ■ Climbable objects near the pool barrier e.g. BBQ’s, outdoor furniture, eskies, trees etc.

Wrap Up VTech Toys for Learning Fun this Christmas Let your children have a Christmas they will remember Vtech has something for all ages from baby and toddler to pre- and primary school children.

WIN this VTech Santa Sack of Goodies for Christmas!

www.vtech.com.au

Smart Medical Kit JotBot The Smart Drawing Robot

My Sleepy Sloth Marble Rush Speedway

TOYS TO BE WON

12575699-KJ49-22

Magic Lights

Kids Today Magazines are offering 1x VTech Santa Sack of goodies, valued at $259.75 Or enter at: starcommunity.com.au/competitions

SCAN QR to ENTER

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

SUMMER 2022 11

It’s Your Life

Rev your engines for this playground

By Melissa Meehan START your engines.... a new playground has opened in Clyde North.

So it’s time to grab your scooter, bike or skateboard and head to Berwick Waters Grand Prix Playground.

Elliana Pictures: Stewart Chambers

This Grand Prix themed playground is NEXT LEVEL. The racing track, with bending corners, overpass and humps is the

A great place to shop

perfect places to get their hearts pumping, and maybe even have a cheeky nap on the way home.

But it’s not all about those with wheels, there’s a play structure too, complete with a fishing line climbing nest, with bells at the top and a great tunnel slide at the end.

And who doesn’t love an inground trampoline, flying fox and swings?

Race to it, you won’t regret visiting.

Friendly & fabulous

140 Windermere Boulevard, Pakenham

See you soon 12538315-JC11-22

12 SUMMER 2022

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

Elliana

Elliana and Evan explore Berwick Waters Grand Prix Playground.

Evan

Evan and Elliana www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

Elliana and Evan with their little brother Darcy SUMMER 2022 13

Order online now!

12577119-SN49-22

Toys and Costumes

aussietoysonline.com.au 14 SUMMER 2022

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

It’s Your Life

Isaiah shares his culture

By Casey Neill MUSICIAN Isaiah Firebrace wrote a picture book to teach kids about the longest continuing culture on Earth.

The Yorta Yorta and Gunditjmara man learnt a lot himself while writing Come Together: Things Every Aussie Kid Should Know about the First Peoples.

Isaiah Firebrace is a proud Yorta Yorta and Gunditjmara man.

“I honestly learned so much about my own culture while I was writing this book and that’s the funny thing, because if I learned so much just imagine how much the kids are going to learn about our beautiful culture,” he said.

Isaiah’s petition to the Australian Government calling for Aboriginal history to be taught in every classroom inspired the book.

“Change starts with education,” he said.

“When I was growing up we weren’t taught very much about my beautiful ancient culture or my ancestors.

“I’ve only just started to connect with my heritage.

“The more we can learn about each other’s cultures the more we can understand each other and live together in harmony.’

Come Together: Things Every Aussie Kid Should Know about the First Peoples.

From caring for Country and Dreaming stories, to the importance of Elders and the Indigenous origins of AFL, Isaiah connects readers to each topic through his own personal story.

He said the hardest part was choosing what to cover and what to leave out.

“I also had to cut the topics right down as it’s a kid’s book,” he said.

“I would have loved to have talked more about it all, especially things like the Dreamtime and football.”

Isaiah’s life changed completely after winning The X Factor in 2016 on his

Party Time

Quality baby gifts at Lazy Frog Those who have not visited the store in a while will be pleasantly surprised at the amount of beautiful baby clothing and baby gifts, and everyday products in stock.

Paint a Pot has pottery suited to all age groups, from small figurines and party animals to trinket bowls, plates, platters and mugs.

Lazy Frog’s baby clothing range also includes Cracked Soda, Pure Baby and Snuggle Hunny.

The store has also just recently become a stockist of the very popular Smoosh silicone range. It is BPA-free and a food-grade silicone which is free from nasties, and the list goes on and on.

There is ample parking at the rear of the shop.

The store has lots of new stock arriving for Christmas.

It’s open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and Saturdays 9am to 3pm. For any inquiries, call 5941 2225. The team is more than happy to assist over the phone.

Lazy Frog Gifts is located at 109 Main Street, Pakenham (next to the post office).

To keep up with all the Lazy Frog new arrivals, follow the store on Facebook and Instagram.

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

Paint a Pot KIDS

New Lazy Frog Gifts owner Jackie.

12562087-MS36-22

There is a large range of baby clothing and accessories, blankets and bath accessories, feeding accessories, comforters and rattles, plus keepsakes.

PAINT a Pot Art Studio is the art hub of Melbourne’s south east, with a pottery painting studio and loads more in the heart of Narre Warren.

By day, pop into the kid-friendly studio, grab a piece of pottery and spend the day creating artwork with the family or friends.

Toshi is just one of the big brand names in-store.

He’s since represented Australia at Eurovision and traveled the country to mentor young people.

“The thought of kids teaching parents and people learning together is what this book is all about,” he said.

Painting pottery’s fun for all ages Located opposite Bunjil Place and Fountain Gate Shopping Centre, Paint a Pot offers art classes, kids parties and after-hours parties.

DID you know that Lazy Frog Gifts is a stockist of a huge range of beautiful, quality baby products?

17th birthday.

Get thirsty, hungry or need to keep the kids busy? No worries! There’s an on-site cafe and play centre so guests can stay as long as they need, to keep on creating.

Pottery painting is perfect for kids and teenage birthday parties, even adults love having art parties at Paint a Pot. At the end of the party, guests can choose to take their piece home straight away, or leave it overnight to be fired for collection the next day.

Also on offer are kid’s art classes and the keepsake casting of hands, feet and even little paws.

OUR CHILD FRIENDLY VENUE O FFERS A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: - a large range of CERAMICS animals/ characters to cater for all children to paint as they wish!

- a SOFT PLAY area for kids of all ages - a full CAFE with lots of variety for kids and adults to get through a busy art filled day!

- art classes for kids from ages 5-12.

- choose from one of our amazing PARTY PACKAGES and let us do all the work so you and your guests can enjoy yourselves!

4/1 Vesper Drive, Narre Warren Ph: 8794 9997 • www.paintapot.com.au Follow us on @paint.a.pot and Paint a Pot Narre Warren SUMMER 2022 15

Health

Mental health help at hand ST John of God Health Care’s mental health services now includes a perinatal mental health service.

The Wexford Unit at the Langmore Centre at Berwick offers care to both parents or primary carers.

“While pregnancy and new parenthood is an exciting time, it can also be extremely difficult for parents,” Langmore Centre CEO Linda Allen said.

She said it was important for expecting and new parents to know that perinatal mental illness was common, but also very treatable.

Depression, anxiety, stress, attachment difficulties, struggles with transitioning to parenthood and unresolved grief issues are just some of the reasons one or both parents might need to access the Langmore Centre.

Ms Allen said the antenatal (prebirth) and postnatal (following birth) periods could be challenging emotionally, physically and mentally.

She said many people who were pregnant or cared for an infant could experience an exacerbation of a previous mental health condition, or even develop one prior to having a baby and/or in the days or months after birth.

The 60-bed mental health hospital has a 12-bed unit dedicated to perinatal mental health. Patients are encouraged to invite their partner or support person to room-in for the duration of their stay.

Their baby can also stay, if aged under 18 months and not yet walking.

Parents can take advantage of shared art, music and exercise therapy areas, a cafe, chapel, daily newspapers, free parking, outdoor courtyards and a sensory garden, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi, pastoral care services and a quiet room.

“We have a highly-skilled team of mental health professionals equipped to deliver the best possible patient care,” Ms Allen said.

“Depending on individual needs, patients will be supported by mental health nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians, social workers, pastoral care practitioners, exercise physiologists, and occupational, art and music therapists.

“A lactation consultant and other allied health professionals will also be on-hand to assist where needed.

“SJG Langmore Centre takes a holistic approach to patient recovery, with tailored services offered to treat a patient’s entire being.

Both parents or carers can access mental health services.

“This means, not only addressing their mental health condition but their physical, emotional and spiritual needs as well.” The SJGHC Berwick Hospital and Langmore Centre can partner with its Raphael Services in Berwick - a social outreach initiative that offers counselling, support and therapy for new families with no out-of-pocket expenses attached.

Specialising in perinatal anxiety and depression, clients can access Raphael Services through a GP referral from conception up until their child’s fourth birthday. These complementary services will work toward establishing early intervention and screening tools to help recognise parents with mental health issues or those at risk of developing them through various stages of pregnancy and parenthood.

Family members requiring inpatient care or outpatient appointments with a psychiatrist may then be referred to the Langmore Centre.

“Feeling a little emotional and anxious after the arrival of a new baby is normal, but if a low mood and feelings of anxiety persist for more than a couple of weeks and are interfering with a parent’s ability to function or enjoy the things that they would

normally look forward to, it is possible they are experiencing perinatal anxiety and/or depression and accessing clinical support may be beneficial, if not necessary,” Ms Allen said.

Symptoms vary but can include feeling sad and teary for no obvious reason; persistent feelings of worry or fear often to do with the health and wellbeing of their baby; persistent feelings of panic; persistent irritability; trouble sleeping; mood swings; tiredness and lack of energy.

“Although these are the most common signs, there are others,” Ms Allen said.

“So if you’re concerned that you or a loved one may be experiencing perinatal anxiety or depression, the best thing to do is to make an appointment with your GP as soon as you can so they can connect you with the most appropriate supports and resources available.

“You can also call our Langmore Centre on 9773 7000 for more information on our facility and mental health services, as well as seek guidance on the admission process.”

The Langmore Centre is at 3 Gibb Street, Berwick.

Becoming a parent is not always easy

From dream to birth and beyondwe’re with you

Having a baby is a life-changing event. While it is usually a happy one, sometimes the change in life can be difficult for new parents.

When you choose to have your baby at St John of God Berwick Hospital, you’ll be supported with your choice of obstetrician, lactation support, expert midwife care, a longer hospital stay and much more!

St John of God Langmore Centre’s specialist Perinatal Mental Health Unit offers inpatient and outpatient services to care for new parents, allowing them to bond, learn new skills and coping techniques, all under the guidance of our experienced clinical team.

www.sjog.org.au/berwickmaternity or call 8784 5300

www.sjog.org.au/langmorecentre or call 9773 7000

12578580-SN49-22

16 SUMMER 2022

12578579-JW49-22

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

Health

Hopeful for a virus reprieve Respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus and influenza, have been hitting kids more frequently and in patterns not before seen.

According to Perth paediatrician Asha Bowen, Western Australia and the Northern Territory are experiencing a peak in RSV cases - something that would usually happen in June.

But during the pandemic, RSV surprisingly peaked nationally in January and February.

For RSV to climax in September and October, it gives hope that things are moving back to normal and towards the depths of winter - but it’s anyone’s guess if that is actually going to happen, Dr Bowen said.

The days of regular peaks and troughs are gone, with practitioners noticing numerous changes in the way viruses are presenting.

Couple that with limited immunity, thanks to spending months indoors

during the pandemic, and children seem to be getting more of the viruses out there.

“Normally we see RSV and then influenza and then the other spring viruses like rhinovirus, metapneumovirus and others,” Dr Bowen told AAP.

remember we can always do more to protect ourselves and our children, such as keeping up good hygiene and staying home if you’re sick.”

Monash Health, Professor Rhonda Stuart, said everyone was catching up on viruses they didn’t get during the pandemic.

Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer Associate Professor Deborah Friedman said high vaccination numbers helped reduce flu infections in 2022.

There was hardly any influenza and very few other respiratory viruses in 2020 and 2021.

“But there has been no sort of usual pattern this year ... they are cropping up whenever now and maybe it is because COVID has left them room.

She said the flu season was early, short and sharp in Victoria but more cases may emerge later this year when holiday-makers return from overseas.

“We found COVID had its peak nationwide in January and February and then the other viruses came.”

Influenza peaked in Victoria with about 18,000 cases in May and declined to 350 in August.

She said the increased number of respiratory illnesses in children meant an increase in hospital presentations and added pressure on the system.

It was overtaken by the number of notified cases of RSV in mid-June.

Royal Australasian College of Physicians president and paediatrician Jacqueline Small said it had been a tough winter for all but especially children.

“Now we’ve entered spring, we’re hoping for a reprieve from the volume of viruses circulating in the community,” she said.

“We must remain vigilant and

RSV mostly affects younger children, with 42 per cent of cases notified in 2022 aged under three.

The number of people presenting to emergency departments with respiratory illnesses other than COVID-19 and asthma increased over the winter months, with children under five making up an increased proportion.

Medical director of infection prevention and epidemiology at

FAMILY MEDICINE • Chronic Disease Management • Men’s Health • Paediatric Health • Sexual Health • Mental Health • Minor Procedures • Immunization • Fracture Reduction & Plaster Cast • Pain Management Wound Care

OFFICER MEDICAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CENTRE

He said the hub had a great team of experienced medical and admin staff.

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

ALLIED HEALTH • Physiotherapist • Psychologist • Dietician • Podiatrist

ONE CENTRE SQUARE MEDICAL HUB

“We ensure that our staff are respectful towards everyone’s culture, gender and their community.”

“We are committed to being the region’s premier healthcare network, providing patient-centered care that

The Department of Health and Aged Care said COVID-19 testing likely had an effect on identifying the number of people with respiratory viruses but it was unable to quantify those statistics as the data was de-identified.

OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE • Pre-Employment Medical • Fitness for Duty Assessment • Driving Medical • Medical Review Officer • Rail Medical • Travel Medicine • Aviation Mecical • Occupational Audiometric Testing • Occupational Spirometry Testing

“We pride ourselves as a centre that provides the highest standard of patient care and takes the time to listen,” Doctor Ekeuda Uchenna Ben Nwankwo said.

“We will work with you to develop individualised care plans, including management of chronic diseases,” Dr Uchenna said.

“But as spring comes and the doors open, and we have good ventilation, and people are outdoors, respiratory viruses and COVID won’t transmit nearly as easily.”

Our Services

ONE Centre Square Medical Hub opened in May 2022.

Occupational medicine offerings include pre-employment, driving, rail and aviation medicals; fitness for duty assessment; medical review officer; travel medicine; occasional audiometric screen; and occasional spirometry testing.

“These viruses often like to transmit in the winter because we’re all indoors and we don’t physically separate so much, and it’s much easier to transmit during the winter months.

- AAP

Family medicine needs covered

Under the family medicine banner, One Centre Square Medical Hub covers chronic disease management; men’s, pediatrictic, sexual and mental health; minor procedures; immunisation; fracture reduction and plaster casts; pain management; and wound care.

“It’s not necessarily immunity,” she said.

OTHER SERVICES • Pathology: Australian Clinical Labs • Pharmacy • Dentist

Family Medicine Physicians The hub has a great team of experienced medical and admin staff.

inspires clinical and service excellence.”

One Centre Square Medical Hub will have an opening ceremony on 17 December.

“Come join us and have some drinks and food,” Dr Uchenna said.

One Centre Square Medical Hub is a mixed billing clinic.

Bulk billing is only available for pension card holders, DVA card holders, Health Care Card holders and children aged under 16 years.

The hub is at 103/45 Siding Avenue, Officer. Email reception@ ocsmedicalhub.com.au or call 9087 6050.

Dr Ben Uchenna Specialises in: Occupational Medicine, Travel Medicine, Dermathology / Skin Cancer, Paediatrics Health, Minor Fractures & Injury Management, Rail Medical, Aviation Medical

Dr Wil Van Rheede Specialises in: Diabetes and Chronic, Disease Management, Skin Disease, Orthopeadrics, Mental Health, Employment Medical

Dr Daryl Christian Specialises in: Skin Cancer ChecksTreatment & Surgery, General Skin Surgery

Dr. Sukitha Mahanama Specialises in: Emergency Medicine, Aged Care, Dermathology, Uncomplicated Pain Management and Child health

Dr Faizah Jabeen Specialises in: Chronic Disease Management, Antenal Shared Care, W Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Children’s Health, Women’s Health

12577836-JW49-22

EMERGENCY rooms across Australia have been inundated with children struggling to breathe - and it’s not because of COVID-19.

WE ARE NEW PRACTICE & ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS 03 9087 6050 A/H 13 Sick (7425) 103/45 Siding Avenue, Officer, Vic 3809

reception@ocsmedicalhub.com.au www.onecentresquaremedicalhub.com.au

CLINIC HOURS: MON-FRI 8AM-6PM • SAT 9AM-12PM • SUN BY APPOINTMENT SUMMER 2022 17

DENTAL

Put a smile on your face Keeping your kids smiling will not only make sure you’re happy, but it’ll benefit their health as well!

By Elle Cecil STUDIES have shown that genuine smiling and positive mood is associated with a longer life.

The physical action of smiling can prompt a chemical reaction in your brain, prompting it to release important hormones including serotonin, endorphins and dopamine. A vital chemical in the human body, your brain releases serotonin when you smile. This natural mood stabiliser is thought to help to control muscles, heal wounds and regulate sleep patterns.

The movement of your facial muscles into a smile also triggers the release of endorphins in the brain. It will release endorphins in a process known as the facial feedback hypothesis. In a study conducted by

the Journal of Nonverbal Behaviour, this concept occurs when the positioning of one’s facial muscles feeds information to the brain and chemicals are released accordingly.

Whether it’s a real or forced smile, your brain doesn’t differentiate between the two. If your mood is low but you smile, your body will process this sensory feedback and actually boost your mood by releasing ‘happy’ chemicals. Facial feedback hypothesis also works the other way around: if you have a scowl or frown on your face, your brain will interpret this as an instruction to release chemicals to make you feel angry or low.

Aside from serotonin and endorphins, which can also be natural pain relievers, smiling also triggers a release of dopamine in the body.

Often referred to as a ‘feel-good’ chemical, dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that can produce a good mood. Achieving something satisfying produces an increase in dopamine, resulting in feelings of satisfaction, pride, pleasure and motivation.

Ideal levels of dopamine can improve your focus, alertness and productivity levels, and it is also known to produce temporary feelings of euphoria. Dopamine also plays a role in maintaining healthy blood flow and a regular heart rate, as well as proper functioning of organs such as the heart, kidneys and pancreas.

A few ways to help others crack a smile: ■ Tell jokes to your friends and family.

Picture: iStock

■ Complete one random act of kindness for a loved one, acquaintance or stranger.

■ Smile at everyone you come across throughout your day. Not only will this promote your mood, it will encourage them to smile back!

■ Give compliments to people as you go about your day. Whether it be praising a family member or admiring a stranger’s shoes, you can brighten someone’s day with just a few words.

■ Send a nice message to your friends and family. There doesn’t need to be a reason, you can just let them know you appreciate their friendship, love and support. It will make them feel warm and fuzzy inside!

Orthodontics and Invisalign from $59 per week.

Implants from $39 per week • We BULK BILL for the $1000 Medicare Child Dental Benefits Scheme • HALF PRICE CROWNS* *after first full priced crown.

DR NISHAN FERNANDO, KIP HOMEWOOD AND DR ADAM WALLACE

• INSURANCE PATIENTS: We Do Not Charge the Gap on Your Health Insurance Claim for Check Ups, Cleans, X-Rays and Sealants*

MAKE CASEY CARDINIA SMILE

• 24 months interest free on all treatment services • NON INSURANCE PATIENTS: FREE Check Ups!

Orthodontic Treatment for children and adults utilising the latest technologies including SureSmile, Invisalign, lingual and clear appliances.

• Government Emergency/General Dental Vouchers accepted • Whitening take home kit only $295 Participating Providers

We offer flexible, interest free payment plans to make orthodontics accessible to everyone.

Strict hygiene and physical distancing policies in place

Dr Shannon Gune

Dr Harjot Gill

Mr Joseph Hanna

Dr Robert Otken

Dr Deon Nguyen

Dr David Abdel-Malek Dr Melanie Cole Dr Rachel Fong Dr Quinn Tao Ms Chrysi Kroone Dr Ragy Labib Dr John Tia

236 Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, Narre Warren South dR

Phone: 9705 1755

un d

Suite 5, Level 1/18-24 Clyde Rd, Berwick Phone: (03) 9330 0702 | info@seortho.com.au | www.seortho.com.au

Dr Guy Turton

Dr Alina Bratu

Po

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 5.30 pm

Dr Jayson McNaughton

Narre W a Cranbo rren urne Rd

12576285-HC49-22

and

Mon and Fri 8am to 6pm, Sat 8am–1pm, Tues, Wed & Thurs 8am to 9pm Bookings can now be made online through our website: www.caseydentalgroup.com.au

Casey Dental Group is Here!

Greaves Rd 12472308-JW51-20

18 SUMMER 2022

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

DENTAL

Oral health lessons for kids ORAL health lessons are being launched in early learning centres and schools as research shows little more than half of Australian adults brush their teeth twice a day.

The Australian Dental Association and SugarByHalf are behind the new suite of lessons that integrate oral health into mainstream learning.

An ADA survey conducted late last year found only 53 per cent of Australian people were brushing their teeth twice a day.

ADA Oral Health promoter Dr Mikaela Chinotti said the research uncovered some concerning trends.

“Worryingly, of those respondents who only brushed once a day, 12 per cent thought brushing more often wasn’t good for the teeth, while 37 per cent said they didn’t need to,” Dr Chinotti said.

maths and science lessons, aiming to help kids make nutritional food and drink choices for early learning through to Year 2.

These lessons allow for oral health to be taught in schools Australia-wide, in alignment with the national curriculum.

Other findings from the 2020 ADA Adult Oral Health Tracker which demonstrate the need for greater education include: ■ Only a quarter of adults floss at least once a day, with 31 per cent reporting to ‘never’ clean between their teeth.

■ Two-thirds of adults aren’t aware that medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease can impact on, or be impacted by, their oral health

■ 13 per cent of parents reported their children drank soft drink daily, while 39 per cent consumed soft drink 2-5 times per week. Just one can of soft drink takes people above the recommended daily sugar intake and can contribute to tooth decay and weight gain

New lessons launched by the ADA allow for oral health to be taught in schools Australia-wide.

■ 10 per cent of parents report taking their child to the dentist only when they have a problem, and 60 per cent do so every 12-24 months ■ 32 per cent of people aged above 15 have untreated tooth decay

“And 29 per cent of those who didn’t brush twice a day said this was because it caused pain and discomfort - which points to a very real need for these people to see their dentist.

“These results show there’s still some way to go, and education forms a large part of that.”

The suite of lessons use the purposebuilt storybook Guardians of the Gums, which has been produced in collaboration with Cool Australia.

The lessons will be used by teachers to integrate oral health into everyday

Align your child’s smile at Endeavour ENDEAVOUR Smiles Group is pleased to be part of so many young patients’ journeys to straighter smiles through orthodontic treatments, and recommend starting as soon as all permanent teeth have erupted.

The clinic offers free orthodontic consultations for all patients, where the appropriate recommendation for your child’s alignment needs will be explored.

for kids). Getting metal wires and brackets installed on the teeth is foreign at first, but your child will get used to it with time.

Metal braces are the standard for orthodontic treatment. Metal braces have wires and brackets connected to the teeth to create a frame that can be adjusted according to the desired alignment of the teeth.

The popularly growing alternative to braces is Invisalign. Invisalign is a series of transparent aligners worn over the teeth, to adjust them into the desired place. While some patients may prefer Invisalign because it is removable and invisible, not everyone is eligible for treatment.

The brackets come in different colours (which can be pretty attractive

Clear aligners can only treat mild to moderate cases of malocclusion.

Your dentist will inform you whether your child’s particular needs are suitable for Invisalign.

If you’re concerned about your child’s orthodontic health, it’s time to schedule a free consultation, so the team can assess if your child would benefit from early intervention or ongoing monitoring of their growth and development.

12577563-AV49-22

Any questions, concerns and

lifestyle risk factors are taken into consideration and a treatment plan is developed that is best suited for your child.

Appropriate recommendation for your child’s alignment needs will be explored. www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

SUMMER 2022 19

Active Kids

Aussie teens need to move

By Melissa Meehan A new study has revealed Australian teens are some of the least active in the world. The study, published in The Lancet, ranked Aussie kids 140th out of 146 countries for physical activity.

And in 2018, a physical activity report card have Australian kids a D-minus for overall physical activity levels.

It found that only one in 10 Australian adolescents meet the World Health Organisation’s guidelines for daily physical activity.

When comparing differences in genders, boys were more than twice as likely to meet the physical activity recommendations than girls (21 per cent compared to 9 per cent), with girls citing

a number of personal barriers to participating in physical activity, the most common being feeling selfconscious when undertaking physical activity.

Girls were around twice as likely to note feeling self-conscious, with 30 per cent of girls reporting this, compared to only 16 per cent of males feeling this way.

When looking at reasons for being physically active, girls were more likely than boys to report weight management as a reason, with 77 per cent of girls reporting this compared to 73 per cent of boys.

The Cancer Council of Australia called on increased support for younger Australians to get active.

Clare Hughes, Chair of Cancer

Council’s national Nutrition and Physical Activity Committee said very few young people are meeting the recommended guidelines.

“Physical activity in teenage years sets up good habits for your adult years,” she said.

“Being physically active reduces the risk of unhealthy weight gain and reduces the risk of developing 13 different types of cancer later in life including endometrial, breast and bowel cancer so we really want to see

as many teens as possible setting up good exercise habits while they are young.”

Ms Hughes continued, “When we look at the combined cohort, over half (52 per cent) said a lack of physical activity options in school was a barrier and almost as many (48 per cent) said they were too far from school to walk or ride.”

The study was based on 298 schoolbased surveys from 146 countries including 1.6 million students aged 11-17.

Train with me in 2023

TOP WIN TENNIS COACHING Tennis Coaching For All After School Lessons Holiday Clinics

MEET Kayla. She is 10 years old and has been training at Cathy-Lea Studios for eight years.

Her favourite classes are ballet and lyrical. Kayla takes classes in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, commercial jazz, acrobatics and ballet variations. She trains in the studio’s Elite Training Program which includes conditioning and skills classes.

Venues: Cockatoo Tennis Club Pakenham Upper Tennis Club

Phone Tim:

Aussie kids are lagging behind when it comes to physical activity.

12578956-AI49-22

Kayla received 100 per cent for her Cecchetti International Grade 4 Ballet examination and 100 per cent for her Bronze Star Jazz examination in 2022.

She was awarded the Noelle Aitken Junior Encouragement Award from Cecchetti Ballet and she was selected for the elite Cecchetti Junior Scholars program.

Kayla is currently rehearsing for State Youth Ballet Company’s production of Alice in Wonderland. What Kayla likes most about Cathy-Lea is “the teachers challenge me and push me to be my best. I’m always learning new things.”

0404 352 049 www.topwintennis.au

Kayla says Cathy-Lea classes are fun and everyone is really nice.

She wants to let people know that “classes are fun and everyone is really nice” and it is better than other studios in the area because it “offers a lot of different styles and you can pick what you like”.

Kayla’s favourite event is the annual Cathy-Lea concert, which is presented as a fully-themed production with acting, singing and dancing.

Kayla hopes you will come and dance with her at Cathy-Lea in 2023.

Visit www.cathy-lea.com to register for a free trial class and find out how you can dance with Kayla in 2023.

Join the Cathy-Lea community in 2023

MELBOURNE ACROBATICS AND GYMNASTICS ACADEMY

Ballet - Jazz - Tap Hip Hop - Acrobatics Contemporary - Lyrical - Commercial Drama - Musical Theatre - Instrumental Music Boys & Girls - All ages & abilities

Creating stars since 1991

6 Furlong St, Cranbourne West 3977 20 SUMMER 2022

12561711-JC36-22

(03) 9789 9697

12576289-AV49-22

www.cathy-lea.com 9704-7324 www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

Education

Ms Armani’s advice for parents: 1. Try not to share and compare your child’s exam results with results from a different school. The test difficulty is often different across schools.

2. Feel free to give your child study tips but remember - what worked for you when you studied might not work for your child.

3. Allow your children to pick their own subjects. They’ll be studying what they’re interested in which will likely lead to higher marks.

4. Encourage balance and routine.

5. Having the right environment for study can make a huge difference so children feel comfortable and motivated.

6. Too much parent involvement can be counterproductive. It’s important for children to learn how to plan and manage their study by themselves.

7. Try not to become angry if your child receives a low mark. Instead, use it as a learning curve to help your child gain insight and motivation to change their study habits and perform better next time.

Ms Armani’s tips for students:

Students are distracted by phones, TV, the internet, loud noises and “my bossy mum”.

Stop study distractions MOST students say their parents hinder rather than help during exam study, a survey has revealed.

(37.05 per cent) and “playing TV/ music/making noise in the house” (27.27 per cent).

More than 300 students responded to an online poll from Pilot Pen Australia and HSC Tutor, Clarissa Armani.

Students said the best way parents could help was by giving them space (34.78 per cent), buying them the stationery they needed (26.09 per cent) and making them a drink or snack (21.74 per cent).

Sixty-two per cent of respondents said their parents hindered them when studying and only 38 per cent said their parents helped.

“We ran this survey to find out more about what students need,” Pilot Pen Australia marketing manager John Johnston said.

“We were actually quite surprised to find out that parents aren’t one of the ‘go-to’ tools in the study kit.”

Most respondents (56.52 per cent) said the worst thing parents did was “interrupt my studying by coming into my room” followed by “constantly asking me how my studying is going”

When asked what most distracted students from studying, answers ranged from phones and TV to the internet, loud noises and “my bossy mum”.

“The results of the survey clearly show that parents need to back off,” Ms Armani said.

“It’s important for students, particularly high schoolers and those doing HSC, to learn how to plan and manage their study by themselves.

“Hovering around to check they are on task, is distracting and

counterproductive.”

She said one positive way parents could help was to ensure the home environment was conducive to study.

“Set them up with a good desk or provide quiet time at the kitchen table with good lighting,” she said.

Ms Armani said it was interesting but not surprising that many respondents found technology distracting.

“There has been a lot of discussion recently about phones in classrooms,” she said.

“The same goes for at home.

“Encourage children to leave their phone outside the room so they can come and get it when they’re done, and also try and minimise noise in the house just to help them concentrate.

“These days, it’s harder than ever before but your kids will thank you for it later.”

1. Start familiarising yourself with past exam papers early. Even if you have not learned all the content, look through them and attempt to answer the questions. This will help you learn how to apply concepts you have learned to common exam questions and also understand the gaps in your knowledge 2. Create weekly summary notes from each subject.

3. Dedicate a book for writing down any questions you found hard or mistakes you keep making. Write down the solution to the hard questions in this book as well, and revise before exams.

4. Use spare time effectively. Aim to complete three hours of study every day during the holidays to revise notes and complete practice exam questions. Also aim to read ahead the chapters in your school textbook and begin making draft notes for the content you will cover in the following terms at school.

5. Use a diary to schedule and plan for what you will study each day, plus extra-curricular activities and due dates for assessments. Add time limits to each task in your diary to ensure you stay on track.

6. Establish a routine and avoid late nights. Adequate sleep optimises your thinking abilityand concentration for the day ahead. Routine helps to prevent procrastination.

Empowering Curious Minds Find out how our world-class International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program and expert ELC and Junior School staff can help your child flourish in their learning through action in our intimate learning spaces and classes.

Non-Selective | Non-Denominational Small Classes | Co-Educational ELC and Junior School Dedicated Senior Girls and Boys Schools

StMargarets.vic.edu.au 12562664-JC36-22

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

SUMMER 2022 21

Education

Reading turns on imagination

By Casey Neill Reading is a good habit best formed early, says author Phil Kettle.

“And that habit isn’t formed at school.

It’s not a teacher’s responsibility,” he said.

“Good reading habits begin at home with parents, where they create an environment where reading is part of their everyday life, like brushing their teeth.”

Mr Kettle said parents often bought books they’d like their child to read.

“What your parents like isn’t necessarily what you like,” he said.

“You need to find out what they are interested in, then get them reading material that is suitable for their interest.”

He said creating the habit was simple from there: start off reading for one minute, then build on it.

“In two weeks you’ve created the reading habit,” he said.

“Once that’s created, your parents will be knocking on your door at 10.30pm and you’ll be saying ‘one more chapter’.”

Mr Kettle said his father instilled in him that reading was the foundation of good education, that it turned on your imagination switch and allowed you to go into another world.

“As I always say to students, they write to please one person, and that one person is themselves. I write a story imagining that I was that 8, 9, 10, 11-year-old child. I write to what I would have liked.

“I liked reading stories written in the first person. It helps you as the reader to be that person.

“I encourage young people to write in the first person. It helps give them ownership of the story.”

Despite the technology infiltrating today’s world, Mr Kettle doesn’t believe kids today are all that different from his childhood self.

“We’re entertained in a different way,” he said.

“Kids have computers and mobile phones that we didn’t.

“But the simple fact is that students still like to be entertained. They still use their imagination. They still dream of the things they’d like to do.

Author Phil Kettle.

“With all children, and all people, people like to feel good - feel good about themselves, about what they do, what they achieve.”

Phil’s granchildren enjoying his books.

“I was very fortunate, in the area I grew up in television never came until I was 12 or 13,” he said.

“We stayed outside until it was dark, had dinner and then all you had to do was read.”

About 25 years ago he wrote a book series with a character named Toocool to encourage young boys to read, and has since written two others - The Xtreme World of Billy Kool, and Clancy of the Outback.

Mr Kettle travels to schools around the country, encouraging a love of reading and writing.

“One of my great joys in life is going into schools and speaking with students,” he said.

12529518-BL11-22

22 SUMMER 2022

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

Education

High quality education DON Bosco Catholic Primary School welcomes you to take part in a personalised tour of the school; a small Catholic community where students’ learning is designed to meet them at their point of need across all areas.

The inherent dignity of each member of the school’s Catholic community is nurtured and each person’s faith life is celebrated.

Don Bosco’s experienced teaching team works collaboratively to build professional learning relationships with students and their families; inviting parents into the learning journey in a variety of ways.

Its parent committees supports the daily running of the school and plans for exciting community events.

Don Bosco places a strong focus on personal and social well being, literacy and numeracy, ensuring that its teachers are trained in researchedbased approaches.

Student voice is an integral part of daily learning experiences. A redesign of student leadership has given Don Bosco students a purposeful opportunity to become actively involved in the life of the school.

Students engage with the school

Student voice is an integral part of daily learning experiences.

community by coordinating special days, organising fortnightly care groups (focusing on peer connectedness and social skills), planning and leading all school assemblies and giving their feedback on things that impact their schooling (such as school improvement initiatives, child safety and their specialist learning and teaching program).

Call the Don Bosco office today on 9704 7255 to see the school in action.

All smiles for Don Bosco Primary School students.

Student-centred at St James THE educators at St James Catholic Primary School are passionate about ensuring their students are offered as many rich and diverse learning opportunities as possible focusing on the academic, spiritual, social and emotional development of every child.

Focusing on the education and development of the whole child is central to the teaching and learning philosophy at St James.

They believe that learning is not contained within the walls of the classroom but is evident in all aspects of school life from celebrating our faith during assembly and regular class masses to school camps and excursions.

An advantage of being a small school is staff know their students and

how they learn and offer a variety of activities to meet students at their identified point of need.

Learning is purposeful, engaging, driven by teacher knowledge of curriculum and is centred around the children’s interests.

The school is excited to extend the range of specialist classes in 2023 to include Japanese, Physical Education, Visual Arts, STEM (yr 3-6), Digi-tech and Performing Arts (Foundation – Year 2).

Families are warmly invited to contact St James to arrange a tour of the school, including the before and after school care service.

Call 5942 5404 or email office@ stjamesnng.catholic.edu.au.

Learning is purposeful, engaging, driven by teacher knowledge of curriculum and centred around the children’s interests.

St James Catholic School

Committed to your child’s academic, spiritual & emotional development Where every student is known, nurtured & respected.

ENROL NOW FOR 2023/24 | 5942 5404 60 Nar Nar Goon Rd, Nar Nar Goon 12575524-JC49-22

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

12535449-AV11-22

SUMMER 2022 23

Education

‘We’re talking about the same kids’

By Casey Neill SUCCESS at school is about teamwork, says author and principal Andrew Oberthur.

His book Are You Ready for School? helps both parents and educators to smooth a child’s transition into primary school.

“Educating children needs to be a collaborative exercise between teachers and parents,” he said.

“The teacher is going to know your child only second-best to you.

“The message of this book is that if parents and teachers work together, the result should be children who are confident contributors to society.

“Parents cannot provide a complete education without teachers.

“Teachers cannot provide a complete education without parents.”

Mr Oberthur covered both bases in the book because few other resources do.

“As a parent, you often hear from the parenting experts of the world. Then you’ve got teachers listening to the teaching experts of the world,” he said.

“Yet we’re talking about the same kids.

“Let’s make sure we’re talking about the same thing in the same way so we get the same outcome, which is happy and healthy kids.”

He’s been a teacher for more than 30 years and has teenage children.

“I live and breathe this stuff and have to relate to parents and teachers,” he said.

“I’m not saying I have expertise in any fields, but I have experience in both fields.

“The current pressures that both teachers and parents are experiencing is growing every year.

Preps on their first day.

Picture: Damjan Janevski

“The ultimate goal is that the child knows mum and dad and the teachers are on the same page.

“That’s going to make for a harmonious, positive relationship.”

When an issue comes up, Mr Oberthur recommends parents listen to their child cautiously then get the school’s version of events.

He said parents should ask what happened at school that day, and relay their child’s account.

“You’re inviting the teacher to give you their version of events,” he said.

Second, they should ask the school policy on the issue and, third, they should ask how they would work together to support their child’s learning.

“You’re going to build a culture of trust and collaboration,” he said.

He said kinder played a huge role in preparing kids for school.

“The good programs give children the foundational skills to have them ready to attend to the formality of learning in a primary school,” he said.

“We should be setting them up so when they come to the formality of a classroom, the children have the skills necessary to return to learning.

“But you’re the first educators of your child in everything.”

We pride ourselves on being a Catholic, welcoming school where everyone is valued and respected. Our committed and professional staff provide a safe, caring environment where we aim to engender a love of learning in every student.

ENROLMENTS NOW OPEN FOR 2023 Ph: 5943 9000 or email office@stppakenham.catholic.edu.au to book a school tour 136 Princes Highway, Pakenham | www.stppakenham.catholic.edu.au | (03) 5943 9000 12575719-SN46-22

24 SUMMER 2022

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

Education

Holistic nurturing EVERY school has a motto or mission statement that outlines how each member of the community can benefit from being part of the school community.

St Clare’s Primary School, Officer, has the following school motto: Faith leads to courage, wisdom and compassion.

In order to live out this motto, all members of the school community are asked to follow the school-wide expectations which are Respect, Optimism, Courage, Kind and Safe – ROCKS. St Clare’s students follow these in their daily actions at school by doing their job, having a go, making positive choices, seeking help when needed, modelling and practising kindness, and keeping themselves and others safe.

At St Clare’s, these expectations are modelled and explicitly taught and reinforced in an ongoing way.

Student awards are based on living out ROCKS and the school links these expectations to scriptures in the Bible.

The hope is that all members of the school community will leave St Clare’s with the school-wide expectations and motto instilled in their minds as they go through life.

The St Clare’s team looks to nurture the holistic development of each child at the school.

For the St Clare’s family, numeracy and literacy skills are core elements of education; but so is religious education – developing empathy, social justice and a strong moral compass.

The school encourages active play and healthy bodies; understanding other cultures through learning languages; and the confidence that comes with developing creativity through the performing and visual arts.

Student achievement is measured not only by academic growth but by each child’s emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing.

Being part of faith-filled community instils St Clare’s students with a sense of identity, a feeling of belonging and above all, a powerful sense of self-worth.

At St Clare’s, the aim is to have each child reach their potential; to be a well-rounded individual - within a supportive and caring learning environment.

Visit www.stclaresofficer.catholic. edu.au and take a virtual tour to get a real feel for the school. School tours are also available. Call 5940 6777 to book a time.

For all enquiries or to receive enrolment documentation, call 5940 6777 or email enrolments@ stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au.

VISIT OUR VIRTUAL SCHOOL TOUR TODAY Our virtual school tour allows you to experience Berwick Lodge Primary School spaces as though you are physically there.

Using emerging technology, we have mapped spaces across the school to create 3D tours and 360-degree walkthroughs.

A great place to grow IN the earliest days of Berwick Lodge Primary School, in early February of 1990, as the inaugural principal I would meet with our founding school council almost fortnightly for many months – there is simply so much to do when establishing a new school.

The topic of our school motto took up considerable time at a couple of those meetings. We finally settled on Learning for Life as our school motto.

There’s nothing especially surprising or novel in that choice. Nonetheless it is a powerful beacon by which we can frame our teaching and learning programs for all children, not to mention being a concise statement of the culture that we aim to develop and sustain.

The beauty of the motto lies in the crystal-clear clarity of our school’s overarching goal coupled with the flexibility that it at once affords. A very neat juxtaposition – a contrast that creates an interesting effect.

Among the many aims of our school’s educational program for our students, the importance of developing critical thinking minds is central.

Critical thinking is a skill that transcends subject areas – being of prime importance in every area and aspect of the curriculum and by extension, life itself.

The Berwick Lodge motto is Learning for Life.

Ironically, critical thinking is not one of the more readily measured skills such as literacy and numeracy and does not lend itself well to school by school and national comparisons.

It is, as such, something which can easily, accidentally ‘slip off the radar’, so to speak, in the ever-present pressure under which schools operate to deliver high scores in national standardised tests.

I’m proud to say that we don’t allow that to happen at our school.

Henry Grossek, Principal Berwick Lodge Primary School

Our faith leads to wisdom and courage. ’s and is embedded in the ethos of the school, the curriculum we offer and the

Immerse yourself in the spaces, move around, explore and look out for LODGIE BEAR along the way.

I invite you to visit us at St Clare’s and discover this dynamic learning environment and start the beginning of, what I hope will be, a life-long learning partnership.

For more details visit: www.berwicklodgeeps.vic.edu.au Please call for your personal tour.

Berwick Lodge Primary School welcomes out of neighborhood enrolments.

Kevin Heinze Best School Garden Award 2018

School Tours Available

Please contact the school now to make a booking Ph 5940 6777

P: 9709 6700 F: 9796 2198 E: berwick.lodge.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Visit our website to check out the virtual tour www.berwicklodgeps.vic.edu.au 12576286-KJ49-22

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

12578563-DL49-22

SUMMER 2022 25

Education

Celebrating being back at school AT St Patrick’s this year, the school has really stepped up and ensured that it has brought back the fun since the Covid pandemic closed all schools down in the past two years.

The dads were treated to fresh, hot coffee and spent the morning joining in with their child/ren as they played basketball, dancing, skipping and many other fun activities.

In 2022, the school celebrated a multitude of activities.

The students loved this opportunity to share their wonderful experiences of St Patrick’s.

One of the most important events was the return of the celebration of its Sacraments.

St Patrick’s was able to see its students take part in their First Communion, the Sacrament of Confirmation and soon to be celebrated, the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Together with Parish Priest, Fr Janeesh Jose and other parish support staff, St Patrick’s welcomed Bishop Greg Bennett (Diocese of Sale) who joined in these wonderful occasions.

The school welcomed its dads along with carers and guardians for a Father’s Day morning.

Next, the school had its Book Week Parade which was hosted and run by its school captains. Each grade was called upon to do a ‘lap of honour’ with their teachers so their costumes could be admired.

It was incredible to see the fantastic effort many students went to, thanks no doubt to mums, dads and grandparents and their nifty sewing skills.

On days like this, seeing the students so happy to be at school with friends and family, is a dream come true.

St Patrick’s Primary School is at 136 Princes Highway, Pakenham. Call 5943 9000.

12576667-SN49-22

Happy students, monkeying around at St Patrick’s.

26 SUMMER 2022

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

Entertainment

Experience Sea of Light Picture: Clare Hawley

GEOFF Cobram is a five-year-old at heart.

He has spent the last four years as the artistic director of the Sea of Light exhibition, coming to the Cardinia Cultural Centre in January.

The exhibition offers kids - and adults - the chance to embark on a journey of light and imagination in an illuminating interactive and hands-on installation.

It brings together magical light and a gentle soundscape to create a unique adventure for the whole family.

Simply pick up a UV torch to paint with light or stencil your own voyage or steer ships that leave glowing paths of light in their wake as you sail them across the sea floor.

Geoff says it’s Patch Theatre’s motto to put children at the centre of art.

“This literally puts them in the centre - they’re the creators,” he says.

And the’ve been doing that for many years, creating work for children aged 4 to 8 and their families since 1972.

They’ve reached two millionchildren world-wide.

Ensuring kids’ first interaction with art is a positive one is a key focus for Geoff.

This exhibition plays on kids’ creative abilities - mixing science with art.

“We tour around South Australia and the regions, and around Australia and overseas.

“They can draw on the floor and it will stay there for three-to-four minutes.”

Originally seen as a 10-minute experience, kids were soon spending upwards of 30 minutes in the exhibition.

“They really take to that connection and feel very empowered.

“And that’s not always the case for their first art experience.”

“We get to see children all over the world and we’re very grateful to have jobs where we can do that.”

Many scientific discoveries were made by very creative people, so what are you waiting for... put it in your diary to experience the Sea of Light at the Cardinia Cultural Centre.

School holidays at

Cardinia Cultural Centre

Capture Claus Christmas Exhibition Friday 2 December – Friday 23 December

Free Kids’ Workshops Every Tuesday and Friday

Sea of Light Saturday 14 January – Sunday 29 January

For more information and ticket sales, visit www.cardiniaculturalcentre.com.au or call our team on 1300 887 624.

12577499-JC49-22

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

SUMMER 2022 27

Entertainment

Come and experience the Walhalla Goldfields Railway SPEND an unforgettable day with the family at Walhalla Goldfields Railway.

Tangle invites children and their families to create a giant, vibrant, interactive artwork that shifts and grows over time.

Bunjil Place’s family fun!

Relax and take in the breathtaking views as the train winds its way through the spectacular Stringers Gorge on what is considered one of the country’s most picturesque rail journeys.

Departing the historic Walhalla Station on your one-hour journey you will travel through the station yards with the sheer, stunning cliff face on one side and the winding Stringers Creek on the other side.

See the amazing track work and bridges and chat to our knowledgeable crew along the way.

Make Walhalla Goldfields Railway your next family day out.

Trains depart Walhalla at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday weekly, and daily during school holidays.

Bookings can be made at www. walhallarail.com.au. Call 5165 6280 for more information.

Winding through the gorge past Happy Creek Station on your way towards Thomson Station you cross seven bridges which in themselves are a marvel of engineering before reaching the spectacular Thomson River bridge.

Upon arrival at Thomson Station passengers disembark and have the opportunity to peruse the station and surroundings before re-boarding for your return journey.

BUNJIL has family fun aplenty for the festive season and summer school holidays.

Meet Santa at the Twilight Christmas Market from 3pm to 9pm and watch the Christmas tree lighting at 8pm on 3 December.

For young train buffs, we also offer a Ride in the Cab Experience for a small extra fee.

Get up front and experience a different perspective from the vantage point of the locomotive cab.

Christmas films will hit the plaza big screen on 4, 11 and 18 December at 5.30pm.

See the amazing track work and bridges.

Watch Elliott the Littlest Reindeer, Merry Madagascar and A Boy Called Christmas for $5 a ticket, including a gingerbread man.

And Christmas Storytime will run at 11am on 14 December and noon on 21 December.

Children and families can enjoy free art activities and workshops on 23, 24 and 25 January, 11am to 2pm, as NGV Kids on Tour visits the Bunjil Place foyer.

On 20 January, 11am to 2pm, drop in for a free wearable-art making workshop, and children and families are invited to spend time exploring their own creativity through unstructured play from 11am to 2pm on 21 and 22 January.

Dr Chris and Dr Xand present Operation Ouch live at 1pm and 3.45pm on 5 January and 10am and 1pm on 6 January.

Enjoy all-new crazy experiments, mind blowing illusions and amazing facts, as the doctors explore the fascinating world of biology. Tickets are priced from $49.90.

Hypercolour Summer in the Plaza will run from 7 January to 1 March, featuring shows in the theatre, family movies on the outdoor screen, lawn games, ice cream sculptures to climb on, fountains to play in, and umbrellas to relax under.

Loose Parts will offer kids various objects to play with from 9 to 13 January, 10am to 4pm.

Tangle invites children and their families to create a giant, vibrant, interactive artwork that shifts and grows over time.

As they enter, each child is given a ball of colourful elastic thread which they can weave in and around tall golden poles.

Tangle will run 17 to 20 January, 10am, 11am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm.

Tickets are $5 each, including a choc top.

Operation Ouch explores the fascinating world of biology.

What happens when you invite seven children from Rainbow Families to create a show? You end up with a disco koala, a wildebeest, a farting unicorn and a fairy that can freeze tickle monsters all co-habiting in a very tall, yet tiny Rainbow Tree.

Check it out at 6pm on 14 January, or 10am or 2pm on 15 January. Tickets are $16.

Walhalla Goldfields Railway

The Gruffalo will hit the theatre stage at 1pm on 17 January and 10am on 18 January.

Budding filmmakers, screenwriters, actors and directors can take part in a five-day intensive workshop from 16 to 20 January, 10am to 2.30pm, for $15.

Windmill Theatre presents the World of Musicals for Kids on 21 January, 2pm and 5pm, and 22 January at 2pm.

Tickets are priced from $18.

Touch and Go invites two and three-year olds to enter a playful world of shapes and pathways, stepping stones and lines, with two friendly dancers and a live musician.

Take part on 9 and 10 February at 10am and 1pm. Tickets are $10.

The State Youth Ballet Company will present colourful and family-friendly ballet Alice in Wonderland on 21 and 22 December at 7pm, with tickets from $45.

OPEN DAILY DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS Trains operate 11am, 1pm and 3pm

The Victorian State Ballet presents Snow White for all ages on 25 March at 7.30pm and 26 March at 2pm, with tickets from $33.

Visit www.bunjilplace.com.au for tickets and more information.

12562126-ET36-22

28 SUMMER 2022

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

12576181-AV49-22

@ Cranbourne Racecourse

THURSDAY 29 DECEMBER 2 RACING CODES / 1 ACTION-PACKED NIGHT Free Kids Entry & Activities

Dodgem Cars

Jumping Castle

Animal Farm

Pony Rides

Face Painting

Kelly Sports & more

Find out more call 5996 1300 or visit our website cranbourneturfclub.com.au

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

SUMMER 2022 29

It’s Your Life

Triple rainbow follows storm

By Melissa Meehan

that she had lost the baby.

THEY say that things come in threes.

It wasn’t until they were walking their bags into the departure line at Denpasar Airport that Jaimee began to feel contractions.

And this is certainly true for Jaimee Fraser.

She has lost three babies and recently welcomed triplets into the world.

Her journey to motherhood hasn’t been an easy one.

She welcomed her first son Arlo without any issues. As he was about to turn one, she and her husband Cam decided it was time to expand their family.

She fell pregnant straight away, as expected.

Her mum had four children, including one set of twins, without any issues and Jaimee had no reason to believe she would be any different.

She’d never met anyone who had lost a baby and pregnancy loss couldn’t have been further from her mind.

But the day before a family trip to Bali - their last as a family of three Jaimee was shopping and noticed something wasn’t right.

She went to emergency and was reassured that light bleeding was completely normal in early pregnancy.

She was told her HCG levels were rising and she had nothing to worry about.

SO THEY LEFT FOR THEIR BALI HOLIDAY THE NEXT DAY… The first week of their holiday was everything they dreamed it would be.

They spent it exploring and relaxing by the pool.

But during their second week, Jaimee again started to bleed.

It was different than before.

She was raced to Denpasar Hospital for an ultrasound and was told her baby had no heartbeat and hadn’t grown in two weeks.

They wanted to operate right away, but Jaimee refused. She hoped the little one would hold on until they returned to Australia.

Doubled over in pain, she ran to the bathroom and lost her baby at eight weeks.

Autumn is remembered as her first angel.

They welcomed Theo into the world with much excitement shortly after.

AS COVID RESTRICTIONS EASED….

Jaimee and Cam booked a weekend away in the Yarra Valley for their fifth wedding anniversary.

In the depths of Melbourne’s lockdown they had decided to try again for another child, but were in no hurry.

As she was packing her bags for the trip, Jaimee had an inkling she was pregnant.

SHE DIDN’T IMMEDIATELY PANIC….

She had some light bleeding with her second son, Theo, and he was a perfect, healthy baby.

Jaimee and Cam went for a scan.

She was 11 weeks and begged the technician to tell her the baby was OK. But there was no heartbeat, and her body had not registered that her baby had died.

She named her Summer.

At that point, Jaimee described being broken.

“I was just devastated,” she said.

“I had a lot of support offered to me which was great, but I was just exhausted from the trauma and the grief.”

A month after losing Summer, Jaimee found out they were pregnant again.

“We weren’t expecting it to come so soon, and we were petrified,” she said.

They waited until nine weeks for their first scan, and the baby was “perfect”.

The ultrasound technician noted there was a 4 centimetre subchorionic haemorrhage but that it was very common and should heal.

They had another scan before their harmony test, and the haemorrhage had shrunk by half.

But at 11 weeks, Jaimee woke up to another bleed and went straight to emergency.

A scan found her baby alive and well, as would be the case many times during her pregnancy.

At 12 weeks he was perfect. At 20 weeks he was perfect. But the haemorrhage kept growing and doctors couldn’t fix it.

Jaimee went to bed on 13 July to pain coming in waves.

She couldn’t bring herself to take a pregnancy test, but packed one in her case.

Jaimee took it the next morning and it was POSITIVE! “I was terrified,” Jamiee told Kids Today.

“But I reasoned with myself that lightning never strikes twice in the same place.”

Jaimee with her growing belly of triplets, said she found it difficult to express her excitement about the future while she was pregnant. Pictures: Rob Carew

She booked a scan for Christmas Eve. Cam was working so she went alone.

She was 7.5 weeks and felt a wave of calm wash over her when she heard the heartbeat.

It would be the first and last time she would see her baby alive, and she regrets Cam wasn’t there to enjoy it too.

They went to their holiday house to spend the silly season with family and friends and share their happy news.

But the morning some friends were to arrive, Jaimee started bleeding again.

She went back to her villa, where she was staying with her sister and mum, and told them she was pregnant - and

30 SUMMER 2022

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

Jaimee Fraser has experienced her share of loss.

Her waters had broken and at 21 weeks she was dilating and her placenta was coming away.

Her baby, still perfect, was about to be born.

A doctor entered the room and explained if they could get the baby to stabilise they could be moved to the Royal Children’s Hospital in a few weeks.

She then asked the baby’s name.

“We hadn’t settled on a name, but decided on Remi,” Jamiee said.

She went to sleep in the room, hoping for the best, but was woken by intense contractions and rushed to the bathroom.

“And in the lonely light of the morning, while the world slept, Remi was born,” she said.

“The silence was heavy, not a cry or murmur could be heard. I was frozen.

Afraid to look at him. Afraid he was dead. Afraid he was alive.”

Cam called for the midwife, who confirmed their worst fears - Remi had passed away.

SOCIAL MEDIA PROVIDED AN OUTLET… “I started an Instagram page,” Jaimee said.

“About pregnancy loss and my loss and a place that I can share photos and stories and my journey so that other people like me don’t feel alone.”

The account @rememberingremi helped Jaimee find others who have experienced loss.

It’s also where she sensitively announced she was pregnant - with triplets.

“As if picked by their three siblings in the stars, we are so happy to announce that we are expecting three precious rainbows,” she wrote.

Conceived naturally, without the help of IVF or fertility drugs, the news blindsided Jaimee and Cam. She sensitively shared her journey on the page, too, expressing her concerns about viability and her obstetrician’s advice that getting to 26 weeks was the goal.

She welcomed Ziggy, Daisy and Sonny on 14 September.

They were born at 32 weeks via emergency c-section thanks to the same placental abruption that had taken Remi.

They spent some time in special care and Jaimee, Cam, Arlo and Theo are looking forward to enjoying life with three new babies in their lives.

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

SUMMER 2022 31

It’s Your Life

Jay creates calming and nurturing artworks with a neutral colour palette.

Jay’s art helps to create pockets of peace.

Jay with sons Banjo, 3, and Baxter, 4.

Finding pockets of peace for mums

By Casey Neill JAY Young didn’t see postnatal depression coming.

“I don’t want to say it was a rough start to parenthood, but it was a rough start to parenthood,” the Yarra Glen mum to sons Baxter, 4, and Banjo, 3, said.

She went into labor three weeks early while at the hospital for a birthing class, with no time to return home for her bag or ease into the idea of meeting her first child.

Jay was “still in business mode” when midwives were encouraging skin-to-skin cuddles and breastfeeding.

“I was expecting to have a couple of hours’ labor at home,” she said.

“As soon as he was born I didn’t want to touch him. I just wanted to get up and have a shower.

“I just needed my time.”

Jay didn’t recognise the signs of depression, and neither did her partner or family.

“It was the most gorgeous midwife.

She asked me ‘what do you look forward to?’,” she said.

32 SUMMER 2022

Jay said ‘nothing’, that she had a baby to look after and couldn’t do anything.

The midwife asked Jay what she saw when she looked around her home.

She saw mess - toys sprawled everywhere, unclean dishes, spew rags, bottles…

“It’s an overwhelm of the senses,” Jay said.

“I think that’s why I fell into my postnatal depression.

“Every part of my body was sensory overload.”

Where Jay saw mess, the midwife saw a fed family, and a cared for baby.

“She was helping me to put a bit of a spin on what I was seeing as such a negative,” she said.

The midwife told Jay to create an oasis to escape to when she felt overwhelmed.

with a neutral colour palette.

“I’m a firm believer that sitting down with your phone isn’t giving your brain enough time to switch off,” she said.

“It dulls what your triggers are and then you can’t move through it.

“You need to sit down and clear your mind without distraction.

“Art is something to look up at and draw your eye away from the phone and let your mind wander.

“Letting your mind wander and letting your mind process what you’re going through is so valuable.”

Baxter’s room became Jay’s pocket of peace, with nothing but a cot, a rocking chair, and hand-drawn art on the walls.

“I would retreat and sit quietly with Baxter on the boob, looking at the artworks,” she said.

“I had little sketches of a koala, a wombat and a platypus.

“I now call it my pocket of peace,” she said.

“They were all snuggled up and they were all sleeping.

“That’s the whole mantra behind my business.”

“I hadn’t started painting at that point.

Her business is Young By Design. She creates calming and nurturing artworks

“I’ve always drawn but I’ve never actually painted.

“That was me doing something for myself - I taught myself watercolour.

“It really connected me back to who I was.

“It helped me heal.

“As soon as the lights go out, that’s when my brain and my soul turns on.

“I do love my sleep, but I’ve found the benefits of painting far outweigh the sleep deprivation.

“There are some times when I look at the clock at 2.30am and think ‘the kids are going to wake me up in two or three hours’.

“But when I look at what I’ve created throughout the night it gives me so much fulfilment that I can carry on through my day.”

She said it was essential for new mums to find something that made them feel like themselves.

“It doesn’t need to be art,” she said.

“It can be singing, it can be cooking, if you’re into fitness I’m all about getting your baby looked after for an hour so you can go for a walk.”

For help with postnatal depression, call the PANDA national helpline on 1300 726 306.

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

Fashion

New summer styles FIND stylish summer staples for your child at Billy Lidz, perfect for the beach, a playdate or a special festive season event.

The leading Berwick boutique is filled to the brim with clothing, accessories, shoes, toys and great gifts.

Billy Lidz stocks leading Australian designer children’s and baby clothing brands and overseas favourites, including Grown and Illoura the Label.

New collections from both labels just landed, perfectly timed to pick up a Christmas gift or two.

The store also stocks hand-knitted dolls from cuddle + kind, a brand that gives 10 meals to children in need for every doll sold.

Visit the boutique at Blackburne Square, Berwick, or check out the range via the online store, www.lovemybillylidz.com.au.

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

SUMMER 2022 33

Fashion

34 SUMMER 2022

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

Fashion

SUMMER SEASON IN STORE NOW PLUS GREAT GIFT IDEAS OPEN Mon - Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm Shop 6, Blackburne Square, Berwick Phone: 9707 5593 12576288-SN49-22

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

SUMMER 2022 35

FOLLOW US Shop 1/2 Beaconsfield-Emerald Rd, Beaconsfield

Ph 9769 3773 www.fourfigs.com.au

Extensive Lunch Menu All Day Breakfast Coffee, Cakes, Juices & Smoothies

• Breakfast • Lunch • Catering • Cakes

OPEN 7 DAYS FROM 7AM

The Great Australian Bakehouse, Pakenham 145 Main street, Pakenham

Come in and grab a delicious pie and hot coffee or choose from our great range of cakes and pastries

Cakes for all occasions Open Mon - Sat until 3pm Cake delivery within 5-10 km, check our website for online ordering

15 Treloar Lane Pakenham (opposite Pakenham Marketplace)

Ph: 8759 5568 6/55 Old Prices Hwy, Beaconsfield

Open 7 days early until 3pm

order online or phone to pre order and pick up

5940 9295

P: 5941 3262

www.vanillebistro.com.au 12563749-JW36-22

12578732-AV49-22

12537366-JW11-22

OPEN FOR BREAKFAST & LUNCH 7 DAYS 7.30AM TO 3PM

12578728-MS49-22

DINING OUT

DOPPIOZERO LAVA

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN RESTAURANT

CAFE

LAVA LOUNGE

NEW YORK STYLE HOTDOGS

OUTDOOR COVERED DINING AREA NOW AVAILABLE

FUNCTION OR EVENT?

Downtown Dogs is a retro 50’s American-style Hot Dog Diner in the heart of Berwick. Enjoy our Hot Dogs, Pretzels, Milkshakes, & Coffee in an old school diner setting!

*BIRTHDAYS *CORPORATE FUNCTIONS *SCHOOL EVENTS *BABY SHOWERS AND MORE...

Speak to our friendly staff to turn your plans into an event.

Available on Uber Eats and DoorDash!

30 Adams Lane, Berwick (Inside of New York Barbers) downtowndogs.com.au M-F: 9am - 4:00pm FOR BOOKINGS CALL: (03) 9768 9609 10 Brunt Rd, Beaconsfield VIC 3807 www.doppiozerobeaconsfield.com.au

SAT: 8am - 2:00pm SUN: Closed

12578618-MS49-22

12578655-HC49-22

Downtown Dogs

03 9707 4 4 4 6 www.lavainberwick.com.au facebook.com/lavainberwick facebook.com/lavaloungeberwick 25 High Street Berwick

12578576-ET49-22

36 SUMMER 2022

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

Books

Hy-larious hi jinx

By Melissa Meehan COMEDIAN Nazeem Hussain has written a childrens book and takes no responsibility for your children’s behaviour after you read it.

The Melbourne-based comedian has just released his first book Hy-larious Hyena, and is still pinching himself to have the opportunity to do so.

“It about a very cheeky hyena who is a bit naughty and likes to prank his friends and family, but doesn’t really know the responsible boundaries of joke telling and pranks,” Hussain told Kids Today.

“In a way its semiautobiographical… he comes from a pretty large family. He lives with his cousin (who is his best friend) and his mum and aunties. “ Harry’s family is not well off, and struggle to make ends meet – but they do, and have a good time doing so.

Hussain says the story is based on lots of experiences he had growing up.

“We lived in a family where we didn’t really have everything but we had a lot

of fun and we always made awkward situations funny. Because we all had a good sense of humour,” he said.

The father of two said he had an idea of writing a childrens book with characters he had played out with his son.

He was approached by Scholastic Publishing but was too busy.

And then the Covod-19 lockdown happened and he had time to write.

So Harry, his family and nemesis Larry came to life.

“One of the themes is that the grass is always greener and we see that with Harry and also his, his nemesis, Larry, the lion,” Hussain explains.

“Harry wants to live like lions like Larry, the lion comes from an affluent neighbourhood. They’ve got everything made for that, like it’s all they live in the light.

“But we find that maybe Larry thinks the same way about Harry you know, he’s cool. And so really, it’s important to like hear stories that better reflect on things and, you know, growing up.”

Since becoming a dad, Hussain says

he’s taken a different approach to life.

“When you’re when your dad get to know the highs and the lows and the nuances of your child’s personality,” he says.

“Your worldview sort of broadens, so I feel so having thinking about my time before being a parent, you feel like you know it all. And I feel like I’ve just learned so much more about myself but also about the world and how they view the world and all that sort of thing.”

Hussain says his words would mean nothing without the amazing illusrations by Heath McKenzie.

“In my view, he’s the best illustrator in the country,” he said.

Hussain is already working on his second book.

Hy-larious Hyena is available from 1st October 2022.

Comedian Nazeem Hussain is excited to release his first children’s book.

Children’s books...

GRACE NOTES Karen Comer A debut YA verse novel about what happens when the paths of a young busking violinist and an aspiring street artist collide during a pandemic.

Set in one of the most locked-down cities in the world – Melbourne, 2020.

Grace Dalfinch is a talented violinist who longs to play contemporary music in bars, but her mum forbids her.

James Crux is an aspiring street artist who promised his dad he wouldn’t paint in public until he’s finished school.

When Crux witnesses Grace’s impromptu performance on a deserted tram, he’s inspired to paint her and her violin; and when Grace stumbles across her portrait in a Melbourne alley by an anonymous street artist, she sets out to find its creator.

Lothian Children’s Books $19.99

THE GREAT AUSSIE EASTER EGG-AND-SPOON RACE Sophie Sayle & Daron Parton A heartwarming Easter picture book featuring Australian bush baby animals, which will appeal to fans of Little Bilby’s Aussie Easter Egg Hunt.

Slow, sleepy Echidna is always trailing behind the other bush babies.

And now it’s time for their great Easter egg-and-spoon race.

Can Echidna keep up with her friends and enjoy all the fun on this special day?

Lothian Children’s Books $19.99

MY FEELINGS BINGO

BUSY BETTY

Emily Midouhas & Bee Grandinetti Help children understand and express their emotions while playing a game!

A fun and engaging way for kids and adults to talk about their emotions.

The gameboard features 48 emotions, ranging from happiness and sadness to anger, apathy and anxiety, as characters illustrated by Bee Grandinetti whose warm and sensitive illustrations have been featured by Headspace and Airbnb. Each player gets a card with sixteen emotions – be the first to get all sixteen emotions on your card to win BINGO! The accompanying booklet by developmental psychologist Dr Emily Midouhas explains each emotion in child-friendly language and gives tips on learning to express emotions and allow them to be felt in healthy ways.

Dr Emily Midouhas, a developmental psychologist and associate professor at UCL, specialises in the effects of social and built environment on the emotional and behavioural problems of children and the mental health of children with special educational needs, particularly children with ADHD and autism.

From Academy Award–winning actress, founder, and bestselling author, Reese Witherspoon, comes Busy Betty, a story about a creative, curious, and exuberant young girl who has big plans and an even bigger heart. Busy Betty has always been busy . . . even when she was just a baby!

When Betty gives Frank a big hug, she realizes he needs a bath, PRONTO! Her best friend, Mae, is coming over, and Betty can’t have the smelliest dog in the whole world! But giving Frank a bath is harder than she thought and just when everything seems impossible, with Mae’s help, Betty learns she can accomplish anything with perseverance, teamwork, and one great idea.

From Reese Witherspoon comes a smart and larger-than-life character who encourages young readers to celebrate what makes them unique and realize that anything is possible!

Puffin $19.99

Laurence King Publishing $45 www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

SUMMER 2022 37

Kids Calendar

What's on this summer UNTIL FRIDAY 6 JANUARY

SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER

SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER

TUESDAY 10-FRIDAY 13 JANUARY

MYER CHRISTMAS WINDOWS

MONTROSE COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CAROLS

FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVENING ON SOUTH WHARF

THE THREE LITTLE PIGS

Enjoy a relaxed carols event presented

by Montrose Church of Christ, from 5.30pm to 8pm at Montrose Community Centre.

Head riverside to South Wharf for a very Christmas afternoon and evening for the whole family - and it’s all free, 5pm to 8pm.

Bring your picnic gear and enjoy a free sausage sizzle, performances by local schools, a visit from Santa, and gifts for all the children.

Enjoy a 60-minute outdoor carol concert by the Australian Girls Choir on the Dukes Walk stage, then make your way to the Common Lawn on the riverfront to watch a family Christmas movie on the big screen.

The Walt Disney Company’s renowned classics have been brought to life in the 67th year of Myer’s iconic Christmas Windows.

Windows include Mary Poppins, Bert and the Banks children; Mickey and Minnie soaking up the sun, sea and sand on their Hawaiian Holiday; the coronation of Elsa from Disney’s Frozen; Peter Pan taking Wendy and her brothers on a magical flight across the London night sky; the Lion King’s Simba, Nala, Timon, Pumba, Zazu and Rafiki on Pride Rock; and the famous Disney Studios’ opening sequence featuring Tinker Bell.

MELBOURNE CHRISTMAS TREASURE HUNTS

Visit Bourke Street 7.30am to midnigh

From 9.30am to 3pm, follow the clues to discover hidden places and iconic landmarks around the city, with the chance to win prizes.

UNTIL MONDAY 10 APRIL

Dress in your best Christmas themed get-up for bonus fun. Plus, every child gets a prize.

JULIAN OPIE: STUDIO FOR KIDS This interactive exhibition for children and families was developed with Julian Opie, one of Britain’s leading contemporary artists.

Visit the Royal Society of Melbourne to pick up your treasure map. Locations are accessible by walking, cycling or public transport within the free tram zone.

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT GEELONG This free evening for the whole family will include a traditional carols program with some of Geelong’s best artists and choirs, plus a concert band, and Christmas market stalls.

The event kicks off at 3pm, with the concert starting at 8pm.

Grab a picnic rug, food and hamper, friends and family and head to Johnstone Park.

Watch the story of the three little pigs, with catchy tunes, colourful costumes and audience participation, at 10.30am and 1.30pm at the Potato Shed, Drysdale. Tickets are $10.50, or $35 for a family of four.

THURSDAY 26-SUNDAY 29 JANUARY FESTIVAL OF SAILS The Festival of Sails combines history with tradition, heritage with technology, tactics with teamwork and is a free event to view.

First held in 1844, Festival of Sails is held at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club (RGYC) and along Geelong’s waterfront.

Festival of Sails is particularly famous for its Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race – the oldest sporting event in the Southern Hemisphere – which will be celebrating its 180th birthday in 2023.

SATURDAY 11 FEBRUARY

Visitors are invited to create portraits in an inspiring studio setting featuring displays of the artist’s artworks.

MONDAY 12-FRIDAY 16 DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS EVE CIRCUS SPECTACULAR

GEELONG BABY AND CHILDREN’S MARKET

Sessions run 10am to 5pm at National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne.

SANTA’S LAB

The circus comes to town in this special Christmas Eve matinee performance at Melbourne Town Hall, at 11am.

More than 70 stalls of new and preloved baby and children’s clothing, toys and accessories will be available from 9am to 1pm at Barwon Valley Activity Centre, Belmont.

SATURDAY 10 DECEMBER

Curious kids will love learning through Christmas-themed experiments in these free workshops run by STEM Sisters.

KNOX CAROLS

BY CANDLELIGHT This free event celebrates the spirit of Christmas, 4pm to 10pm at Wally Tew Reserve, 6 Lyndale Court, Ferntree Gully.

Visitors are invited to create portraits in an inspiring studio setting featuring displays of the artist’s artworks.

Sessions run 10am to 5pm at National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne.

38 SUMMER 2022

Visit Santa’s Lab for all kinds of science fun these holidays, 3pm to 4pm at Library at The Dock, 107 Victoria Habour Promenade, Docklands.

SUNDAY 18 DECEMBER FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVENING ON SOUTH WHARF Head riverside to South Wharf for a very Christmas afternoon and evening for the whole family - and it’s all free, 5pm to 8pm.

Enjoy a 60-minute outdoor carol concert by the Australian Girls Choir on the Dukes Walk stage, then make your way to the Common Lawn on the riverfront to watch a family Christmas movie on the big screen.

Children and families will delight in this hilarious circus comedy adventure. Plus everyone goes home with a treat.

The performances will be highly interactive. A quiet room and family room will be available. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

All proceeds from ticket sales go to Make Room, a project assisting people out of homelessness. Tickets are $5.

Kids enter free. Entry for adults is $3.

SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY PAKO FESTA RETURNS Victoria’s largest free celebration of cultural diversity returns home to Pakington Street for the 41st edition of City of Greater Geelong’s biggest outdoor street party.

The theme will be ‘Sharing and Connecting Cultures: The Reunion’ and is about human reconnection.

SUNDAY 4 MARCH KNOX FESTIVAL This free community event will run 10am to 10pm at Wally Tew Reserve, 6 Lyndale Court, Ferntree Gully. www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

Kids birthday parties all inclusive packages

Catering for all occasions • Grazing Tables • Grazing Boxes • Platter boards • Catering for Weddings and Corporate events

• Room Sprays • Hand & Body Products • Ceramic Oil Burners • Ultrasonic Mist Diffusers • Pillow Mists • Reed Diffuser Refills

We will come to you, set up and clean

Weddings to Milestone Birthdays and every special occasion in-between

Get in touch now!

0413 107 367 platterup.jenna@gmail.com platterup_byjenna www.platterupbyjenna.com

paul@thefragranceroom.com.au www.thefragranceroom.com.au

For a quote, contact Sarsha 0433 508 975 eventswithsarsha@gmail.com

12579728-KJ49-22

12552924-JC24-22

• 600+ Fragrance Oils • Essential Oil • Hanging Car Diffusers • Candles • Reed Diffusers • Soy Wax Melts

Let us take the stress out of your next party

Platter Up by Jenna

12579725-ET49-22

ROUND

KEEP COOL IN A PJ POOL.

PERSONALISED ENGLISH LESSONS, DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING YOUR CHILD TO SUCCEED We believe that all children can develop a love of reading and writing, and it is our goal to help, no matter what level your child is at We offer both: Group English writing classes - Specifically developed curriculum, which aims to inspire growth through fun, engaging content and delivery from Year 2 onwards Individual tutoring - Personalised, targeted lessons from Kindergarten onwards

A BOUNCE

LES B A T A L F N RE I HIR & PARTY We are the local choice for Inflatable jumping castle rentals and more!

1300 304 711 PJPOOL.COM.AU

Our amazing team of writing mentors provides personalised feedback on weekly writing submissions from your child.

We support Families Educational Choices

12579715-JW49-22

We have everything you need to throw hrow unforgettable, once in a fetime events lifetime events.

12562439-HC49-22

We provide Daytime and Evening classes to suit homeschooled and schooled students We teach students to analyse and understand different writing genres and forms We teach some IEW classes We build your child’s confidence with personalised instruction We include Phonics, Spalding or LEM in our Early writing tutoring We assist students with Secondary School Transition We develop public speaking skills in all of our writing classes

We specialise in making sure your event is a fun, stress-free experience from start to finish. LET’S BOUNCE! Our rentals:

We look forward to partnering with you to help your children develop confidence, a love of learning and a flair for writing.

• Jumping Castles • Obstacle Courses • Inflatable Games • Photo Booth Hire

Phone: 0431 467 145 Web: specially4you.education

0403 850 466 |

• Inflatable Nightclub & Cinema • Party Supplies • Popcorn & Fairy Floss Machines • Jukebox & Karaoke • Packages

www.bouncearound.com.au

12579573-ET49-22

Creating a beautiful smile for all ages.

Find out more about what makes Straight Smiles unique and why so many patients have chosen to have their teeth straightened by us.

info@straightsmiles.com.au www.straightsmiles.com.au PAKENHAM 1/63 Main Street, Pakenham Vic 3180 www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au

12574655-HC49-22 2574655-HC49-22 12574655-HC49-22

Largest Invisalign provider in the South East Free consultation Interest Free Payment Plans Available

1300 WE SMILE ILE MULGRAVE 389 Police Road, Mulgrave Vic 3170

SUMMER 2022 39

12574933-KJ49-22

40 SUMMER 2022

www.CaseyCardiniaKids.com.au