APRIL 2015F R E E

COMMUNICATING WITH TEENS - ASK THE EXPERTS - PARKOURTRISTAN BANCKS - ANZAC DAY - WHAT’S ON

YOUR FREE PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR THE GEELONG REGION

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1. The oldest human footprint ever found is 350,000 years old.

2. Blondes have more hair than brunettes.3. An oyster can take five years just to make

one pearl.4. A newborn blue whale can be longer than

an adult elephant.5. In the summer, the amount of water

pouring over Niagara Falls each second could fill 13,00 bathtubs.

6. It’s illegal to sell a haunted house in New York without telling the buyer.

7. Abracadabra used to be written in a triangular shape to keep away evil spirits

ABRACADABRAABRACADABRABRACADABABRACADAABRACADABRACAABRACABRAABRABA

8. No words in the dictionary rhyme with orange.

9. Owls can’t move their eyeballs.10. Your skeleton has about 300 bones

when you are born, but only 206 when you grow up.

COOL FACTS 4 KIDS

W E L C O M E

KVTEAM

No part of this magazine, including the advertisements, may be reproduced without permission of the editor.The opinions expressed within Kids’ Voice magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher, but those of individual writers.

BUSINESS MANAGERMichele Mitten

EDITORIALThe A Team

SALES & MARKETINGCarly Boyce

COVER MODELNatasha Olivetto

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERAlan Barber

GRAPHICS & LAYOUT ARTISTElise Blach

FIND US ON FACEBOOKfacebook.com/Kids Voice Geelongwww.kidsvoice.com.au

PO Box 54, Ocean Grove Victoria, 3226Phone: 03 5255 3233Fax: 03 5255 3255

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CONTENTS

. . .AND MUCH MORE

THIS ISSUE’S COVER GIRL...NAME AND AGE?Natasha Olivetto, aged 13

FAVOURITE FOOD?Lasagne and pizza

DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES?Netball and hanging out with friends

6 Communicating with teenagers

7 MacKillop Family Services

9 Zoos Victoria

11 ANZAC Day

15 Narana

16 Ask the experts

20 Interview with Tristan Bancks

23 Sport: Parkour

28 World’s Greatest Shave

24 Music & Arts

27 Crafts & Cooking

30 National Youth Week

23 24 28

7 11 15

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The journey into toilet training is a big step towards another level of independence for your child. Although it may be difficult at times it’s important to stay calm and positive as this will help your child settle into new routines and the use of their new skills. The trick is to wait for signs that your child is ready and don’t rush through the steps. This way you are more likely to have success and a smoother experience.The basicsChildren learn to recognise when they need to do a poo or wee at different ages. Signs of readiness are usually shown from around two years of age but some children may be ready from 18 months. Night time dryness is another story. This can develop as late as 8 years for some children although most tend to become dry through the night by the age of 5. It is not uncommon for children to have accidents once they are toilet trained. Signs your child may be readyInterest – your child expresses curiosity in watching others go to the toilet.Dryness- their nappy stays dry for up to two hours indicating that they can store wee in their bladder.Nappy issues- your child doesn’t want to wear a nappy or is attempting to remove it.Awareness- your child is able to tell you when they are doing poo or wee, or straight after. If they can tell you before they are definitely ready! Attention- your child is able to sit in one position for two to five minutes. Comprehension- your child can understand and follow simple instructions. What skills are required?Mobility- to be able to get to and from and on and off the toiletSitting- need to be able to sit on the toilet and maintain the positionCommunication- need to be able to use language, signing or pictures to tell you they need to go.Dressing- need to be able to take clothing off and put it back on again with minimal support.

Getting readyEnsure your child is eating a variety of foods, particularly unprocessed plant foods, and drinking plenty of water. This will help avoid constipation which can make toilet training more difficult. Drinking lots of water will also help give your child the ‘full’ feeling a number of times throughout the day.Alter your nappy changing routine to move things closer to the toilet. Changing the child near the toilet/bathroom will help them begin to associate wee and poo with the toilet. If you can, change your child in a standing position to symbolise change in routine. Change your child with little fuss and without play so changing is no longer seen as ‘fun time’ to help shake the appeal of a nappy. Talk about and show what happens in the toilet. An ‘open door policy’ can help the child learn what happens in the toilet. Try having them help you empty their nappy into the toilet to reinforce that this is where poo and wee goes. Talk about wet and dry at nappy change time, when washing/drying hands and bath/shower time to help them grasp the concept. You may need some equipment. It is up to you whether you prefer to use a potty or not. Some children find the toilet more intimidating. You can purchase insert rings to make the toilet bowl smaller. It is also important to have a stool to go under the child’s feet so their feet are supported and they are in a position that aids bowel action.The stepsPick a day to begin (when you can be home all day is a good idea).Exchange nappies for underpants or training pants. These will give the child feedback around wet and dry whereas nappies are absorbent.• Dress your child in clothes that they are able to remove

and put back on easily. • Sit your child on the potty or toilet at times when they are

likely to use their bowel. For example 30 minutes after meals, particularly after breakfast, when the reflex to open the bowel is strongest, or after bath time as warm water relaxes the muscles. Five minutes is long enough for them to sit, longer may feel like punishment. If your child doesn’t cooperate or seems uninterested stop and try again another time. Ensure this is a relaxed time.

Watch for signs your child needs to go such as squirming, going quiet or passing wind.Ask your child occasionally throughout the day if they need to go to the toilet.If your child misses the toilet, clean up without fuss so as not to discourage them from trying again.Teach your child to wash hands afterwards. This can be a fun activity for children.Remember to give praise throughout the steps in simple specific language, for example ‘Great job sitting on the toilet’, ‘well done doing poo in the toilet!’ If you choose to give your child rewards for using the toilet, make sure the reward is only given for this behaviour and straight after the behaviour is achieved. If your child has an accident, clean up with little fuss, minimum talking and eye contact. This shows that clean up time is not a fun time and accidents are not the desired outcome without criticising the child. Remember… Be patient, positive and start when both you and the child are ready. If you have concerns about toileting, visit your GP. You can also refer to an Occupational Therapist for assistance.

Caz Morris Paediatric Occupational Therapist

With five centres around the Bellarine Peninsula, Bellarine Community Health provides health services to families

across the region. www.bch.org.au Ph: 5258 0812Email: intake@bch.org.au.

Tackling Toilet Training

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Communicating with teenagers is one of life’s great contradictions. We want them to open up and speak to us. By contrast, they can think of nothing worse than a heart-to-heart chat with their parents. Teenagers are notoriously difficult to communicate with. They mumble, they grunt, they speak in monosyllables and they become increasingly distant. We genuinely want good communication with our children. We want them to feel that they can share ideas and opinions with us, and feel comfortable doing so. We are told over and over by all the experts “Good communication is the key to best parenting”. The trouble is that with teenagers effective communication is vastly different from what we think it is!I often ask teenagers: ‘Why do you not like talking to your parents?’ A frequent answer is: ‘When we talk, they never shut up. They either don’t listen to me, they lecture or they criticise. They don’t really want to hear my point of view. So most of the time I don’t even try.’When we talk to our teens, there is so much that we want to convey as parents. We incessantly remind them to watch their language and not be rude. And we feel the need to frequently correct them. This type of instruction comes naturally to us as parents. It worked just fine throughout their childhood. But it just doesn’t work anymore. This form of didactic guidance is fairly useless with a teenager. The best way to communicate with adolescents is counter-intuitive: SHUT UP & LISTEN! In order to encourage our teens to talk, we need to keep our opinions out of the way until a later stage. The reason we find it so hard to shut up is that we feel that if we don’t correct our teen then and there, we miss the opportunity to teach them the right way. This feels like a loss of control, which it is. But that’s exactly the point. Shutting up means letting go of the control that we may feel we need to exert. Of course, we need to use our

discretion. You certainly won’t shut up if he crashes your car, or she gets seriously drunk or you find marijuana in the house. But for everyday conversations and interactions, don’t feel you have to use every opportunity to instruct. Let some of the issues go. Letting go of some control allows your teenager to talk and communicate further. If he doesn’t feel judged, criticised or corrected then he may just begin sharing more than his three favourite words ..... ‘fine’, ‘nothing’ and ‘later’. Although not an easy thing to do, wait until a little later to address the issue. Allow the emotions on both sides to calm down. A common response to this is: ‘If we don’t respond immediately to this back chat, won’t my teen feel as if she is getting away with it?’ Anthony Wolf, author of The Secret of Parenting, says: ‘Absolutely not. Just try my approach and see how much they hate for the power to rest in your hands.’ They want the response. The back chat is to spark off your emotion and thereby they have a chance at manipulating you. When a child gives you back chat, you have two options – either to respond immediately or not to respond. If you respond to the back chat, the chances are you will just get more of it. The back chat will die down if there is nothing to feed off.Effective communication means that each person’s needs, desires and opinions are considered. Teens need to know that their parents respect them even though we may not agree. Although they don’t always show it, they appreciate it when we truly listen and pay attention to what they are saying in a non-judgemental manner.If they still choose not to talk, let them know you are there to listen to listen to anything at any time.. The notion that teens don’t like to communicate with their parents is only partially true. They abhor being told what to do and they are not very good at taking criticism. (Neither are most adults, for that matter.) But they do like to be heard.

‘Teenagers don’t lose their ability to communicate, but their attention shifts away from parents and focuses like a laser beam onto their peers’ explains leading Australian adolescent expert, Michael Grose. Even the most introverted and monosyllabic teen appreciates being heard. It is the most basic part of being human. To a lesser or greater degree, we all want to share with someone what we feel and think. However with teens, the people they choose to share with are not usually their parents. The reason is simple: at this stage, they would much rather share with their peers. It’s a normal developmental experience, but it doesn’t last forever. They eventually move out of adolescence into early adulthood and once again for the most part, value the relationship with their parents. Teens are also often betrayed or let down by a friend or partner and then need someone to turn to. But they will only share with us, their parents, if they feel it’s safe. We could take our relationship with our teens to the next level simply by being as non-judgemental and uncritical as possible while they are talking to us. What to do: Listening does not necessarily mean you say nothing. The ‘shutting up’ part means withholding correction, criticism or rebuke. Being heard requires us to make eye contact and truly listen.For your teen to feel heard also means letting her know that you have understood what she has said, each step of the way.

Dr Linda Friedland is a medical doctor, mother offive and the author of the new book, Raising

Competent Teenagers (Rockpool Publishing $27.99),now available at good book stores and online at

www.rockpoolpublishing.com.au

The best way to communicate with teens?

SHUT UP & LISTEN!

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MacKillop Family Services’ Disability Services support children and young people with a disability and their families through a number of tailored programs. Our National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services include recreational based school holiday programs and weekend activities. Our services support young people with a disability to meet their personal goals. We also support families and carers to meet their own needs and while assisting them to build support networks around individuals they’re caring for.RECREATION ACTIVITY PROGRAMS• Is your child 8-12 years old (tween) or 13-

17 years old (teen)?• Are they tired of sitting around at home on

the weekends or school holidays?• Do they want to make new friends and

hang out with people their own age?• Do they like experiencing new and

exciting things?MacKillop’s activity programs recognise that all kids and young people like to have fun, and are built around supporting the participants’ individual goals and needs of those attending our activities. Our recreational facilitators assist participants to access community, recreational and social activities and develop their ability to engage in group based activities while strengthening their social supports. MACS-OUT – Camps MACS-OUT camps run on weekends from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon. Teens and tweens have the opportunity to visit local community attractions and activities in a group setting. The camps have an emphasis on providing opportunities for fun, recreation and community inclusion. MACSAT – Saturday social activities MACSAT activities run on a Saturday and can last from one to six hours. Teens and tweens have the opportunity to visit local community attractions and activities in a group setting.

The activities have an emphasis on providing opportunities for fun, recreation and community inclusion.LiNKABOUT – Community inclusion school holiday programThe program provides young people with opportunities for community inclusion in an integrated setting, with mainstream focused community activities, allowing the young people to participate in activities others their age would typically participate in during the school holiday period. The program will provide both centre based (e.g. cooking, craft, movies) and community based activities (e.g. city trips, lunch and movies, bowling).There are costs involved for participating in the above activities. For more information please contact us on (03) 9680 8444Last year, MacKillop assisted over 130 children and young people with a disability through our inclusive school holiday programs. One of MacKillop’s Recreation Facilitators shares what the

children and young people can expect from the program and why he loves his job. “G’day, I’m a Recreation Facilitator for MacKillop’s Disability Services. This means I run fun activities for young people who have a disability – best job ever!“The school holiday period is definitely our busiest time of year. Our program enables young people with a disability to hang out with other kids. “Unfortunately many of the young people with a disability are socially isolated and don’t have a lot of mates. Our programs give them a chance to make new friends, have fun and just be kids!“Sometimes we have groups of kids going on weekend camps to Phillip Island and Ballarat or day trips to the Melbourne Zoo or Scienceworks. Or we can just hang out at the centre and chillax doing what the kids like to do. We try to make sure all of our programs are exciting, positive and inclusive”

FAMILY OPTIONSThe Family Options program provides full-time and part-time care of children and young people with disabilities in a host family or alternative family situationThe program matches trained carers with young people who are unable to live full-time with their biological families due to a variety of reasons and provides a stable and nurturing alternative family for them to live with. The host family provides care and support for this child or young person within their own homeFamily Options is packaged with case management services as the coordination of supports from a range of sources is essential. Packages can be altered to individual requirements.MacKillop is currently recruiting and training Family Options foster carers for children and young people with a disability.

To find out more about MacKillop’s Family Optionsservice please call (03) 5278 9211 or

visit our website mackillop.org.au/disability

MacKillop Family Services’ Disability Services

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Carly

Many of us hesitate to talk about death, particularly with youngsters. But death is an inescapable fact of life. We must deal with it and so must our children; if we are to help them, we must let them know it’s okay to talk about it and express their own feeling and emotion. Recently it dawned on me that one day we will most likely be presented with a difficult situation where we may need to explain something unappealing and scary to our children. This had never really been present in my mind until we were faced with something which could go either way and leave something missing from our family and lives. Where do you even start, how do you explain something along these lines to a three year old who hasn’t a care in the world except for what she is having for dinner? I mean, yes I want her to understand what I am trying to tell her… but how on earth do we do this without creating hysteria and heartbreak? To me this seems like such a tender situation and the way in which we go about dealing with a situation like this may leave huge impacts on a little girl’s life and future if not thought about. Obviously, all children are different and respond to different techniques of exploring the situation and dealing with it so it seems to be a bit touch and go. I suppose the first thing is to take in account how your children react to certain things in life, and what sort of explanation they respond best to. I suppose the other thing to take in account, is how much they already know and understand about illness and possibly death. By doing so it seems logical that it may be a bit easier to follow their lead to put the explanation across.Sheltering and wrapping our children up in cotton wool to protect them from the world is not necessarily the best way to go about things. Looking at it from a personal point of view, I was brought up with quite a great understanding of the circle of life as I was faced with a few situations at a young age. One in particular, I didn’t understand properly or the reason behind the situation even though it was explored with my parents. I found years later the grief really hit me from way back then as I began to understand the circumstance and basically went through the grieving process all over again. I suppose we need to take into account the amount of information a tiny person can actually comprehend and to what extent so we don’t give them information over-kill.Due to my growing up, the culture we experienced and the values we developed have significantly contributed to my ability to deal with, understand, process and grieve as well as teach my children in the most harmless way possible. And like most parents I hope that I can create the same upbringing and understanding to my own children as well.

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Zoos Victoria has a range of activities on offer over the school holidays and right through to the end of May. From caring for gorillas at Werribee Open Range Zoo through to celebrating a corroboree at Healesville Sanctuary there is something on offer to amuse all ages. Gorilla Rangers on Patrol at Werribee Open Range Zoo.Calling all Rangers! Help monitor, track and care for gorillas as you go out on patrol at Werribee Open Range Zoo. Along with guided gorilla expeditions and keeper talks, there’s storytelling, dress-ups and a special Ranger Hut to explore. The adventure begins at the indoor play space Ranger Kids, which has been transformed into a gorilla sanctuary, with lots of primate patients to look after, ranger dress ups and story time for the littlies. Budding rangers can then set their own gorilla mission for the day or report for duty for the daily Guided Gorilla Patrol. Departing at 1.15pm, the patrol will head off to base camp at the new Ranger Hut, where kids will learn more about gorillas and their threats in the wild. Binoculars in hand, an experienced Head Ranger will then lead the group out into the grounds (staying in formation!) to monitor gorilla habitat and find out more about the family group of gorillas recently spotted in the area. Finally, the patrol will take you face to face with gorillas Motaba, Yakini and Ganyeka as they emerge from their dens to forage for leafy greens, fruit and vegetables. The expedition concludes with a special Keeper Talk at 2pm, but this important ranger work can continue at home through the Zoo’s primate conservation program, They’re Calling on You. Young rangers and their families can help gorillas in the wild by recycling mobile phones, which raises money for the gorilla rangers in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bring your binoculars and pack light for this very special gorilla mission! Wombat’s Secret Maze at Melbourne Zoo.Have you ever noticed how secretive a wombat can be? Well this Autumn, the wombats at the Zoo are becoming extra secretive. This autumn, the Australian Bush area within Melbourne Zoo will feature special animal presentations that will bring you up-close to these secretive Australian animals. The wombats have hidden their secret in the newest interactive experience, the ‘Lose Yourself’ maze. Solving the maze may not be easy but it will

be a whole lot of fun! Riddles, sounds and surprises await you at every twist and turn. But don’t worry, the wombats have also shared their secret with all the other animals you’ll get to meet through special animal presentations, including an animal that lives in the maze! Enjoy the ‘long drop’ slide, the ‘flush and run’ tunnel, and walls that move so the path through the maze changes over time. If you’re lucky enough, you’ll even get the chance to come face-to-face with one of Victoria’s most endangered birds at the end of the maze. Visit these amazing Aussie animals at Melbourne Zoo’s this autumn for your chance to discover the secret maze. Celebrate Corroboree at Healesville SanctuaryJoin in the fun of Corroboree, Healesville Sanctuary’s biggest celebration of Indigenous people and culture. Connect to country through living culture, bush tucker and traditional and contemporary arts on sacred Coranderrk land. See first-hand how Australia’s first culture is being protected, celebrated and shared while enjoying dreaming stories about our unique wildlife, as told by this land’s traditional owners, who found intrinsic balance with this country for more than 40,000 years alongside Australia’s most iconic native wildlife. While tuning into the sound of the didgeridoo, enjoy bush tucker tastings such as bark-wrapped Barramundi cooked in the fire pit. You can cook your own damper over an open fire with bush honey and we’ll teach you all about bush food and medicine plants. Learn how to throw a boomerang, enjoy bracelet weaving from native grasses and rock painting. For the school holidays, the Sanctuary has invited Uncle Rex Campbell from Wiradjeri country, as our Artist in Residence. Uncle Rex will share his culture through his personal creative art journey, with visitors, taking inspiration from Zoos Victoria’s 20 Fighting Extinction species. Stop a while and watch him work as he explains the inspiration for his artworks. There is a lot of fun to be had this autumn at Healesville Sanctuary!

Who’s who at the

ZOO

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Fort Queenscliff, King St, Queenscliff

What is ANZAC Day?What is ANZAC Day?

Lest We Forget

ANZAC Day is a day of national commemoration when we pause to remember Australia’s servicemen and women. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, and the soldiers in those forces quickly became known as Anzacs, and the pride they took in that name endures to this day. Ever year on ANZAC Day we remember not only the original ANZACs who served at Gallipoli and the Western Front, but all Australian servicemen and women who served in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations, honouring the service and sacrifice of those who have worn our nation’s uniform, including more than 100,000 Australians who have made the supreme sacrifice since August 1914. This year we commemorate more than a century

of service with the ANZAC Centenary. August 2014 marked 100 years since the commencement of the First World War and between 2014 and 2018 Australia will commemorate the ANZAC Centenary. The ANZAC Centenary is a special significance to all Australians and will be marked by millions of people in Australia, New Zealand and across the world honouring the commitment and sacrifice made by Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women during the First World War and by those who continue to serve in uniform at home and around the world to the present day. One hundred years later, all Australians have the opportunity to honour what was sacrificed, what was achieved, the generosity of those at home, and Australia’s military history, its costs and its impacts on our nation and

how it change the lives of all generations and how The First World War helped to define Australia as a nation. On April 25th there will be many services that all Australians can attend. In more recent time’s families and young people have been encouraged to take part in dawn services, and services in Australian capital cities have seen some of the largest turnouts ever. Reflecting the change from early services, services have now become more elaborate, incorporating an introduction, hymns, readings, recitation, the Last Post, a period of silence, the Rouse, Reveille, pipers, laying of wreathes and the playing of the National Anthem and will usually include an armed Catafalque Party to mount the cenotaph in reverend honor of those who have fallen in service of our country.

The Australian Air Force Cadets has been established in Australia under the policy of the Australian Defence Force Cadets (ADFC). 429 Squadron Fort Queenscliff forms part of 4 Wing Victoria of the AAFC and has the responsibility to maintain and promote the activities of the AAFC within the Bellarine Peninsula. The AAFC is a youth development organisation set in a military and aviation environment, which receives its support from both the community and the Commonwealth through the Royal Australian Air Force, AAFC cadets are valuable members of the community who make significant contributions to community life. Cadet participation in the activities and operation of their squadron provides one of the more enduring environments for that development to occur in a tangible and practical sense. Getting involved also means cadets will apply new organisational and leadership skills learnt through their involvement in the AAFC and acquired on promotion courses. The values of the ADFC are honour, honesty, courage, integrity, loyalty and teamwork. Prospective Cadets between the ages of thirteen and sixteen years of age and their Parents are invited to contact the squadron orderly room to organise a visit to the Squadron at any time during Parade nights. They attend an interview with squadron staff; complete the enrolment forms that you have been given; return all the paper work you have been given for processing with fees due and provide proof of age, i.e. Birth Certificate, Passport or any legal proof of age. On completion of processing your application, the Commanding Officer will enrol you in the AAFC via the on line administrator system “Cadet One” a cadet service number will be generated and assigned to you, a PH299 (Blue Book) will then be issued to you, it is your ID and personal information book, a case sensitive password will be sent to your nominated Email address via the mail distribution system which you will use with your service number to access Cadet One, at a later time once logged on you are able to change your pass word. Once enrolled, you will be issued with Field and Service Dress uniform. There is no cost involved with the issue of your uniform, however all uniform and equipment is regarded as Commonwealth property and remains the property of the AAFC, each Cadet will sign for their uniform and is then responsible for its maintenance throughout his/her time in the AAFC, cadets are able to exchange any part of the uniform when he/she grows out of it, if any part of the uniform or equipment is damaged or

lost through neglect, the cost of replacement is the responsibility of the cadet/parents. As with any organisation, funds are needed to cover operating costs. While HQ 4Wing and the RAAF provide some assistance, it is still necessary to charge a nominal fee per cadet. The Squadron has established a fee of $200.00 a year for 2015 payable at a minimum of $50.00 per term, a one off $50.00 admin fee is applicable for new cadets on joining. Each Cadet completes the following 4 stages of training each consisting of five core and one to three supplementary subjects: Stages; Recruit; Basic Stage; Proficiency stage; Advanced stage.429 Squadron AAFC is a small but proactive unit, we conduct activates such as Bivouacs, Recruit Training, visits to Canberra (ADFA, Duntroon, The Australian War Memorial and 34 SQN), Temora Historical Aviation Center and visit many local aviation museums and conduct home squadron activities, such as Aero modelling etc. also supporting our local RSL in all ANZAC Day Ceremonies, providing Catafalque Parties and participating in Ceremonial Marches. 2015 marks the 100th Anniversary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli and we will be again supporting the Queenscliff/Point Lonsdale RSL Sub Branch at the Dawn Service at the Rip View Car Park, the Pont Lonsdale March and the Queenscliff March to Fort Queenscliff for the Service at 1100 hrs, 429 SQN has a commitment to support as many local community requests as possible. Cadets are also offered at Wing level General Service Training Camps (GST) and Promotion Camps, also flight training is available, Powered Flying and Gliding camps (at cost to the cadet) where cadets can learn to fly. The Squadron has an open door policy to prospective cadets and their parents, who wish to visit the Squadron for the purpose of information regarding joining, please feel free to call the Orderly Room or email your request to admino.429sqn@aafc.org.au to arrange a chaperoned visit. Upon arrival all visitors must remain at the guard hut located at the main entrance until the guard has contacted the Orderly Room and a staff member has arrived to escort the visitor, no visitors are permitted to move around Fort Queenscliff/429 SQN unsupervised.

429 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets BLD 27 can be found at: Fort Queenscliff - King St

Queenscliff. Orderly Room – 5258 0716

On a recent visit to Canberra 429 Squadrons was honoured to perform the duties of honour guard by the Pool of Reflection at the closing ceremony, The Eternal Flame is a sculptural feature of the Pool of Reflection in the courtyard of the Australian War Memorial, it is a perpetual reminder of the service and sacrifice of more than 100,000 Australians who have given their lives in war. In the foreground at the foot of the Pool of Reflection are Cadet Under Officer Ross Bresnahan and Cadet Joshua Haskett placing the first Wreath in the ceremony. The closing ceremony is performed every day at the Australian War Memorial and an ADF Member performs a reading in honor for those who have given their lives in war, at this ceremony Flying Officer Aleisha Croxford (ex CUO Aleisha Dare 429 SQN) performed the reading.Cadets of 429 Squadron visit the C17/A Globe Master of 36 Squadron at the Avalon International Air Show

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Opened on January 5th this year, the stunningly renovated and landscaped complex of Bambini Early Learning Centre at 89 Aphrasia Street Newtown, has brought to Geelong the highest standard of boutique child-care available in Australia.The response by Geelong families has been phenomenal.In total, the centre caters for 92 children between the ages of 3 months and 5 years and while there is a waiting list in place for some age groups, if you have a child between 4 and 5, the good news is that there are limited vacancies available right now in their kinder program.Fees are $125 per day or $575 per week all inclusive with entitlements to apply for the Child Care Rebate and Child Care Benefit and Salary Sacrifice Packages by arrangement. Like their other centres in Brighton and Parkville, Bambini Newtown is privately owned and managed. Our directors have extensive early childcare experience spanning over 40 years in the field.The centre is architecturally designed and landscaped. It’s room interiors and landscaped gardens have been designed to enchant and enrich a child’s imagination, creativity and sense of wonder.Their mission and passion is to deliver a standard of stimulating and caring child-care beyond expectations in an environment that is both loving and beautifully designed.Bambini believe• Children develop knowledge, curiosity, imagination

and independent thinking through exploration of their interests and ideas through involvement in small and large groups, in project based learning.

• In an environment, which is homely, friendly, nurturing, secure, safe, stimulating and aesthetically rich.

• In the value of celebrations. Instilling values of multiculturalism, differences and tolerance. Promoting cultural identity, discussion and participation.

• In the holistic approach of the whole child, incorporating the concepts of the mind, body and soul.

• Visual language is an important form of expression and a creative way for children to understand the world around them.

• In promoting and demonstrating a healthy nutritional diet, which will promote positive life-long eating patterns.

• Curriculum• At Bambini Newtown, children and teachers work

in collaboration together, co-constructing and investigating ideas and interests in depth, through project based learning.

• Children learn the joy of discovery and enquiry in a reciprocal exchange with the teachers.

• These projects may include the whole group or a small group of children. The lengths of projects can vary from a day to a few months depending on the group. During this time, children develop and extend skills in many “languages” such as: language and story telling, meetings and discussions, visual arts and sculpture, mathematics and science, movement and dance, wonder and joy and imagination and fantasy.

EducatorsEach group has a Lead Educator who holds a Diploma in Early Childhood or a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and a co-educator who holds a Certificate 111 in Childcare or a Diploma in Early Childhood. All Educators participate in professional development seminars throughout the year.All educators have:• Working with children checks• Level 2 first aid• CPR training• Anaphylaxis training• Food handling certificate• Asthma training

Children

love Bambini

and you will

too

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Geelong West is a vibrant residential suburb with a population of 7,000 people. It is special because Geelong West has something for everyone. Situated in the heart of Geelong, this suburb is a mixture of diverse individuals including people from ethnic communities, elderly people, young people and individuals from different socio economic backgrounds. It boasts a cosmopolitan shopping strip, Pakington Street, with many high quality cafes, restaurants, clothing and other retail outlets. There are numerous parks, gardens, sporting facilities, schools and historical sites dotted around the area. Established in 1839 and proclaimed a city in 1929, the municipality of Geelong West includes Manifold Heights and Herne Hill. The original area of settlement was called Ashby, then in 1875 the entire Ashby area was renamed the borough of Geelong West. The Ashby state school, which had only opened that same year, changed its name to Geelong West. In 1988, as part of Australia’s bicentennial celebrations, the school changed its name back to Ashby Primary School. Geelong West was served by an electric tramway service

from 1912 until 1956, when the service was replaced with buses subcontracted out to Benders Bus. Donaghy’s Ropeworks, which was located at 95 Pakington Street, was establised in 1874. The factory housed the historically significant Rope Walk, a rare surviving example of the process of laying large ropes by the walk method. The site has been developed, with construction of a supermarket and specialty shops known as the Strand. Geelong West contains a number of other heritage listed sites such as the Harp Inn at 22 Pakington Street and the Shearers Arms Hotel (now an Art Gallery) at 202 Aberdeen Street.In the 1950’s Geelong West became home to a diverse group of post war migrants from many different cultures. It now has a large community of individuals from Italian, Dutch, German, Yugoslav and Greek backgrounds who have all influenced the cosmopolitan feel of the suburb.Access to schools is quite a selling point as parents have a variety of schools from which to choose: Ashby PS, St Patrick’s PS, Manifold Heights PS, Holy Spirit PS and, on the periphery, Newtown PS, Herne Hill PS and St John’s Lutheran PS. Secondary schools in or near Geelong West include Western Heights Secondary College, Clonard College, The Geelong College, Sacred Heart College and St Joseph’s College. Similarly, Geelong West has some high quality kindergartens, such as Geelong West Kindergarten in O’Connell Street. Geelong West has numerous stunning parks dotted around the area, including Sparrow Park which is very popular with families; the picturesque West Park where Geelong West Neighbourhood House has recently co-located in the Geelong West Senior Citizens Centre; and Geelong West Oval which dates back to 1878 and is popular with those competing in football, cricket, netball and cycling.It is the home of Diversitat which is governed by the Geelong Ethnic Communities Council. Currently affiliated with 42 ethnic communities. It offers settlement and community services such as training courses, financial help for the disadvantaged and assistance with employment and refugee settlement in order to help new settlers and others to reach their full potential.Diversitat organises and hosts Pako Festa, a free annual multicultural celebration which takes place in Pakington Street on the last weekend of February each year. Since 1983 it has gathered together hundreds of people from Geelong’s local and cultural communities, professional performers, community groups, schools, businesses, street traders and artists from all walks of life into one huge and

amazing celebration. Pako Festa attracts approximately 100,000 people in a smorgasbord of fabulous cultural food, traditional dancing, a colourful parade, great workshops, art exhibitions, craft displays, free activities for children and an exciting day of non-stop entertainment.Another community facility and asset is the Geelong West Community Garden in Autumn Street. It has been operating since 1985 and caters for those with limited space to grow their own vegetables at home. The community garden attracts those who believe in sustainable practices. It provides a focus for people of different backgrounds to meet, share knowledge and ideas, develop friendships, foster a sense of power and ownership amongst residents and develop a sense of community.Life in Geelong West has been enriched since the inception of the Geelong West Neighbourhood House over five years ago. It is growing into an effective neighbourhood centre reaching individuals at all levels in the community. It offers affordable courses in Creative Arts, Self Sufficiency / Sustainability and Health & Well Being, and also hosts special activities and events. A popular course is the Creative Kids Art program which caters for children in Grades 1 to 4 who enjoy after school classes where they have fun painting, drawing and making collages and paper construction. The objective of GWNH is to provide opportunities for people to meet and have fun, and to create a stronger community in Geelong West.WestFEST is a special event that the Geelong West Neighbourhood House organises in March. This free community arts festival set in beautiful leafy West Park in Geelong West is a family and pet friendly event. It brings together the people of Geelong West and beyond to profile local artists, creative industries and community groups. It is characterised by a dynamic music line up, interactive demonstrations, a vibrant children’s area, and a market filled with handmade stalls. WestFEST is generously supported through the Community Festival Grants program, City of Greater Geelong. Houses in Geelong West have become much sought after as many people have decided to leave a hectic life in Melbourne to buy and often renovate a house in Geelong West, then commute to Melbourne for work as the Geelong Station is very handy.People in Geelong West count themselves as lucky to be living in such a well serviced and dynamic suburb.

Contact Geelong West Neighbourhood House:E: gwnh3218@yahoo.com.au W: www.gwnh.org.au.

GEELONG WEST

TALK TOWNOFTHE

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Narana is a significant attraction on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, offering free visitor’s programs. We seek to build understanding of Aboriginal history and culture in a welcoming, friendly and relaxed atmosphere, through personal interaction with groups, and individuals from all community backgrounds. Nestled amongst native trees, walkways, garden and our resident emus is our Cultural Display and Performance building, Art Gallery, Café Narana and Retail Outlet. Cultural Education programs are delivered by expert staff who will fill your mind with the wonders of Australia’s Indigenous Culture, connection to the land, spirituality, laws, cultural designs, Dreaming stories and more. Programs are developed to suit the interests of the visitors to the centre, whether they are primary school children attending our popular school holiday programs or business people on ‘time out’ from a conference. Take a walk through Narana’s Art Gallery that exhibits and sells artworks from internationally acclaimed Indigenous Artists from across Australia. At Café Narana our chef offers an extensive menu including all day breakfast and lunch featuring dishes inspired by indigenous ingredients. Relax and enjoy our specialty Seven Seeds coffee in our spacious café or sunny deck. Visitors can also be treated to an exhilarating Didgeridoo performance, hear stories of some of our enchanting Dreamtime paintings or learn to throw a boomerang. Why not take a leisurely stroll through our native Curragundi bush-land garden with an abundance of local bird-life including our resident Emus. You can also learn

to gather and process native food and medicinal flora. In Narana’s retail outlet you will find hand-made Indigenous items including arts and crafts, didgeridoos, boomerangs and other cultural artifacts, clothing, books, bush herbs and spices as well as souvenirs. With plenty of parking, lots of open spaces and an adventure playground for the kids to enjoy, Narana offers a warm, welcoming experience.Narana welcomes families to bring their children along for some fun culturally based holiday activities between Monday 30 March until Friday 10 April. We have our brand new mini didgeridoos for the young boys to practice with and the chance for kids of all ages engage in various arts and crafts activities. This school holidays program we will introduce bush tucker to our program, and you will have the opportunity to make your very own bush food.We will be holding an Easter Family Fun Day on Saturday 4 April from 11am - 2pm. A Gold Coin Donation Entry Easter Egg Hunt starts at 11am and at 1pm. We will have Kids Arts And Crafts Activities along with a Sausage Sizzle.The April School Holiday Program offers daily activities such as Didgeridoo Lessons daily from 10am – 11am. Cost is $5 per person and these lessons are only for boys. From 11am – midday Arts and Crafts are on offer at $8 per person and from 1pm – 2pm there will be Bush Tucker Cooking at $8 per person.Narana Café is open on Tuesday to Friday from 8am – 4pm and on a Saturday from 8am – 3pm. We welcome everyone to experience Narana first-hand.

Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre had the chance to visit Bambini for an incursion. We are a lucky facility to offer incursions to schools that are unable to make it out to our facility and we do our best to bring the Narana experience to the schools that we visit. Bambini was great fun, we worked with children from 16 months to 5 years old. We had a fifteen minute time span with the 16 months – 24 month olds, where we got up and danced in the courtyard. We introduced the students to musical instruments called the clap sticks, where they got the chance to play them and they were also taught the emu and kangaroo dance. The older children aged 3- 5 years learned about many Aboriginal artefacts and had the opportunity to use their sensory skills to touch and feel them. They also got to hear a Dreamtime story as well as jumping up and dancing. We finished off the incursion by doing some traditional body painting with ochra. A great time was had by all.

NARANA Geelong’s Award Winning Aboriginal Cultural Centre

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It is estimated more than 10,000 people attended the seventh annual Lara Food & Wine Festival. Over eighty exhibitors featured a stunning array of local produce, including boutique local wineries and breweries, cheese makers and artisan bakers. Patrons lunched on cuisine from all over the world, from delicious Asian dumplings and spicy Spanish paella to delicious gourmet ice-cream.The festival featured a star studded line-up. Masterchef’s Matt Preston, and The Voice’s very talented Imogen Brough entertained the crowds on stage and off.Also starring onstage were local Chefs Leonie Mills from Jack & Jill Restaurant and Dwayne Bourke, from new restaurant The Cider House. The two chefs whipped up delicious morsels and passed around tastings to an appreciative crowd.

New to the festival were the free Kids Cooking Classes, sponsored by Coles. Throughout the day 100 kids learnt about good nutrition and cooking in a fun, entertaining and hands-on cooking class.The Artisan Smallgoods Award, in memory of the late renowned smallgoods maker, Angel Cardoso, was a feature of the festival. Affectionately known as the “The Hamster of Lara”, as a play on Cardoso’s skills in ham production, the award went to Lara resident Chris Scicluna, making this Scicuna’s second win. Organising Committee member Mrs Libby Bate said, “The festival proved once again to be a fun family day out. Many people brought along a picnic blanket, feasted on the delicious goodies from the exhibitors and enjoyed the free live music and entertainment. It’s a wonderful way to spend a Sunday.”

A GREAT SUCCESS7th Lara Food & Wine Festival

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Tristan Bancks is a children’s and teen author with a background in acting and filmmaking. His books include Two Wolves, the My Life series (weird-funny-gross short stories featuring Tom Weekly) and Mac Slater, Coolhunter. His short films as writer and director have won a number of awards and have screened widely in festivals and on TV. Tristan is excited by the future of storytelling and inspiring others to create. Jodie Mitten had the opportunity to catch up with Tristan Bancks when he was visiting bookgrove in Ocean Grove as part of his My Life and Other Massive Mistakes book tour. When did you start getting into writing?As early as I can remember. I used to write dodgy little school plays and when I was a teenager I used to write short horror movies that I would go and film with my friends. That was how I made sense of the world when I was young. I’m still really doing the same thing now, mucking around writing stories and seeing what works and doesn’t work.So you enjoyed English when you were in school?Yeah, that was the thing I could do. Spelling was something I could do instinctively, that I never had to work on, whereas maths . . . . you know .. . . it was much more difficult for me! English was fun, until later high school when it becomes forced and you’ve got to be more analytical – at say 15 or 16. I don’t think that teenagers necessarily feel excited about that, but I still loved to read, even throughout high school. It was something for pleasure.What made you start writing books when you came from a background of acting?I always wrote alongside acting. When I was acting or doing TV stuff, I would be writing for a magazine in England. I would write articles about other Australian actors that I knew; I would interview them and the articles would appear in the UK. Then when I lived in England for four years, I would write articles for Australian film magazines about film there. So even when I was performing – I mainly presented TV in England – the writing was always part of it. Then I’d write my own scripts when I was presenting, because you can make it more natural and honest. I wanted to direct films, so I would write short films and then direct them. I’d write stuff for TV as well. I think that writing is such a versatile tool to have on board.

What was your inspiration for writing the My Life series? I really loved Paul Jennings when I was a kid. I loved his books Unreal, Unbelievable and Unmentionable and I wanted to write my own short stories. Rather than writing longer novels that might take two to five years to write, I wanted to be able to write some lighter, funnier, short stories and stuff in between. I also loved Roald Dahl as a kid and I like writing things that are funny, but also have a dark and twisted side. The autobiographical thing came about by accident really, I started writing about strange things that happened to me when I was a kid and I was challenging myself to be more personal in my writing. Once I started writing more honestly and more personally the stories really came to life. So you relate to Tom Weekly then?Yeah, he’s my alter ego. He’s got entrepreneurial ideas and he’s always wily and thinking of ways to do his doomed, hair-brained schemes, but he’s always positive in the face of this. In terms of that positivity of the character, my great-great uncle Jim Bancks created the comic strip Ginger Meggs, which was created in 1921 and it’s still going now – some 94 years later. That was a big inspiration to me too and to try and create my own kid character that kids could relate to. Kids seem to relate to him well.How do you encourage your kids to read?They used to wake up really early in the morning and we made a rule that if they woke up at six o’clock the only thing they were allowed to do was to read until seven o’clock. No lego or watching TV. They would get a big stack of Golden Books or Dr Seuss and just sit there and work through them. That was my one parenting triumph and it’s made them both hungry for stories. If your kids are late wakers, you could do this in reverse and make them read from say eight to nine at night.

What advice would you give to teenagers who want to write or publish a book?I would say write every day. Keep on doing it until you are satisfied with your work. Be prepared to rewrite. Just keep on going over it and make it as good as it can possibly be. Make sure you are living a life outside of writing and reading too.Can you tell me a bit more about your charity Room To Read?They build libraries for kids in the developing world. I think they’ve built around 15 000 school libraries in Cambodia and Tanzania and some of the poorest countries on earth. They also publish local language books so there are around 1000 books in local languages with local writers and illustrators. I had this idea of challenging a school class to raise enough money to buy $500 worth of books for kids in Cambodia and they did it and we put the video up on YouTube and we ended up raising about $20 000 from other schools. We built a school library in Cambodia in Siem Riep and that evolved into us doing this each year. Last year we raised $20 000 and this year we’re trying to raise $40 000.How can we help?I would love you to put this question in Kids Voice! If you’re a school, maybe you can get a small fund raising thing happening or just donations from book club or a market stall, any kind of challenge that’s going to fundraise. I would really love that. The details are on my website – www.tristanbancks.com With our doubled goal we really need lots more people involved.

Would your school like to be involved in this fundraiser? Let the Kids Voice team know and together we can

promote this and show Tristan Bancks we have listened to his request.

Tristan Bancks ACTOR - FILMMAKERTEEN AUTHOR

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Have you seen that instance where a couple is out to dinner but they are both on their phones? This is not uncommon, and is not only for couples. There are families too where mum is on Facebook, dad is making a phone call and kids are on iPads and iPods playing games. We will all agree that this is not the time to be using technology, but instead a time to connect. But is banning your kids from devices the way to go? No. Unless you live in Taiwan where you could cop a $1,500 fine if your young one is using electronic devices. Taiwan has implemented laws that forbid children under 2 to use devices and that all other children only use devices for a ‘reasonable time’. This time has not been specified, but Taiwan is conscious of nearby China where online addiction has reached epidemic proportions. In fact there was one boy last month in China who cut off his own hand to ‘cure his addiction’. Japan has a better idea that we should embrace, where they have introduced a curfew that bans children from using smart phones after 9pm. Excellent! The belief in restricting use is that children will no longer be bullied, childhood obesity will be negated and depression will be non-existent. If we think back to pre-technology ages, unfortunately all of these were still a factor.Whether you like it or not technology is here to stay and will be an integral part of your children’s lives. By banning them to use computers, tablets and phones, they may be one step behind. All schools use technology in some capacity. Even though children pick things up pretty quickly, if they haven’t used a computer before it is just another thing they have to learn at school. Instead of learning from the program they are using, they are instead just learning to navigate around the computer. We also have to think longer term and realise that banning our children from technology could hamper their job prospects. Most employment opportunities require some sort of interaction with electronics. Then there are the relationships that are offered when using technology. Just over half of adult

internet users are subscribed to more than two social media accounts. In comparison, over 80% of online teens use some form of social media. My eldest daughter has just taken the monumental step of heading off to secondary school. While we were averse to letting her have a mobile phone, we have started on a trial period. After only two months, we are impressed at how she has treated this as a privilege and has shown maturity. She is constantly tracking her usage to ensure she stays within the allocated monthly limit, and is not using the phone unnecessarily. While we have not yet had to threaten to take the phone away, we both covertly know that that is an option. Does that count as bribery? We like to call it parenting. At all times we are in control of the usage, and believe that, although she could do without it, it is not doing her any harm. There is also the element of feeling like we have a little more control and connection while she has moved into the next phase of her life. For example, as she headed off on her first day of school, I got a reassuring text only moments after she got on the bus to say that all was good. While obviously we need to monitor the usage of devices, it could be counterproductive to be constantly supervising our children to make sure they are not using devices. This type of parenting could affect their relationships with peers and could give the message from their parents that they are not trusted and therefore have implications on the child’s self-esteem. Technology is advancing at a rapid rate and is not going away! So a better approach is to be proactive and embrace technology. Even if you have your own inhibitions of using technology, try not to impose these negativities on your children. Think of the benefits and try to look at technology from the perspective of your children to see the value they can have. You can still have the same goals and hopes for your children, but use technology to help them achieve and strive.

Shelley GrossDirector at Wonderful Websites

0447 353 033sales@wonderfulwebsites.com.auwww.wonderfulwebsites.com.au

Why

your kids from

is counter productive

B A N N I N G

T E C H N O L O G Y

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Jordan MuhammadParkour, in a nutshell, is getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible, by adapting to your environment and using your skills to vault, run, climb, jump, roll and more. It’s really just a faster way of getting around. There is another sport called freerunning which is pretty much Parkour but with flips and spins incorporated into it. I wanted to do something that didn’t involve props or other people, so when my brother introduced me to Parkour I was beside myself with joy. I keep going today because I know there’s no going back. I’ve put way too much effort in to give up now. I’ve already made plans for a Parkour future and even if I hadn’t, it’s just so fun! I could become a professional freerunner, a coach/teacher or even a stunt double.You can train Parkour in groups or individually and most people learn from online tutorials, which also includes learning how to be as safe as possible. I myself learnt from Jesse La Flair. Most mainstream Parkour groups, including Melbourne Parkour discourage reckless behaviour, not progressing properly and going into private property. It is good to push yourself but to know your limits. These are all great values and part of what got me into Parkour. Parkour started in the 1990’s in France and was founded by David Belle. A lot of professional freerunners found out about Parkour through the documentary “Jump London” and then the sequel “Jump Britain”. During the filming of the first, Sebastian Foucan, the co-founder of Parkour, came up with an idea. He enjoyed flips, but knew it was not part of Parkour so he came up with Freerunning. He is the person James Bond is chasing at the start of Casino Royale. In the playgrounds where I usually train, I’ve once overheard being called “Kung Fu kid”, “kid with baggy pants”, “kid who jumps really far” and… “Spiderman” (yes, really). I’ve even heard adults discussing the physics of what I was doing. Often when I leave I’ll notice kids attempting to perform the same acts like swinging and vaulting over the bars and fence rails. That being said, there are plenty of books out there, both fiction and non-fiction starring Parkour.Shaun ComynTo me Parkour is freedom; it is a vast collection of styles and techniques used by nothing other than your own body, improving on all of your reflexes, your physical ability and also your mind. I myself have always done the sport, starting with just climbing and jumping on roofs, jumping bars and off heights. But then Ethan Bishop moved to Ocean Grove and I found out that he was into the sport and had quite an extensive knowledge about it. Hamish Dorman and I joined him and started learning the names

of tricks and we learnt new techniques. The feeling I get when doing Parkour is pure ecstasy, causing adrenaline to rush throughout me. It helps me overcome fears, raises my endorphins to help with my mindset; to me it is a sense of pure freedom. In the future, I hope to practice and achieve things I never thought were possible.Hamish DormanI respond to the question what is Parkour with “It’s the art of motion that teaches one to overcome obstacles using only one’s body to get to point B from point A in the most creative way possible.” I started doing Parkour last year when my close friend Ethan Bishop had moved in next door. Our other friend Shaun Comyn approached me and asked if I wanted to go training with him - the rest is history. When asked why I continue with what I’m doing, I answer “I think it’s not a matter of why I do this more than the question of ‘why shouldn’t I?’ Parkour feels as natural as eating when you’re hungry or sleeping when you’re tired, without I would be a lot more unhappy with my body and mind”.Ethan BishopI have been free running since I was in Year 8 and formed a PK team with my best mate Jack Tyrrell. Rapid Runners AU has been an amateur Parkour for almost 4 years now and is currently making videos on YouTube. I started Parkour when I was looking for an extreme sport that would get me out of my comfort zone. I enjoy it because it is a high energy sport but at the same time it’s like meditating, being in that full state of focus, removing you from the rest of the world and its worries. When I moved to Ocean Grove I was separated from training with Rapid Runners during weekdays, but still train and film on weekends. Then I met Hamish and Shaun and introduced them to the open, free world of Parkour. Hamish is now the newest addition to Rapid Runners and performs really well in videos and training.Ashley MuhammadParkour is an easier way to get to places using vaults, jumps, running, climbing and more and it makes you use your brain to avoid getting hurt or doing something stupid. Before I learnt Parkour I used to laze around so that’s when I decided to learn something new, something where I can do almost anything, anywhere I wanted and make it so that it challenges me, a while later I looked at a wall run tutorial by Jesse La Flair, told my brother and set out to run some walls. Parkour has taught me confidence, trying new things and actually being active. Now I can do things I couldn’t do before. I couldn’t really think what my life would be like without Parkour - now I have a reason to go out and jump around as if I were a little kid again.

THE ART OF

PARKOUR

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MUSIC ARTSMy name is Holly Perkins and I am 14 years old. When I was about five years old my family bought a piano. My mum would teach me some nursery rhymes which I loved to play. As I got older, I was able to play some classical pieces. During this time I never had lessons. I learnt by memory. Throughout those years, many people told me I had a talent for music. I went to Drysdale Primary School, and they were very supportive and gave me many opportunities to develop my musical skills. I got the chance to take part in the year 6 concert, where I played the piano and the alto saxophone. Music lessons in primary school definitely helped to improve my understanding of music. I have always loved music and playing the piano, and a couple years ago I started playing the alto saxophone. I also enjoy other creative arts such as drawing, sketching,

painting, decorating and design. I have had many opportunities to perform around the local area, including Geelong. While I was in year seven I started private alto saxophone lessons, which lead to performing with the band SkaBang. We performed at many local events such as Ocean Grove and Torquay Relay For Life and at the Piping Hot Chicken Shop in Ocean Grove. I really enjoyed playing with SkaBang and I wanted to continue performing to audiences. Soon after, I decided to apply for the Sweethearts Academy to play the keyboard in their band. The Sweethearts Academy is a band of girls aged around 8-15 with an interest in music. Being a member of the Sweethearts Academy is a good way to improve and prepare the young girls for the older band, known as the Sweethearts. After applying, I was invited to go to an audition. I was asked to perform a

few songs I knew and enjoyed playing, and they asked me some questions about my past with music and my foreseeable future. I was excepted in the Sweethearts Academy, but this meant I had to start private piano lessons. I was very fortunate to have an extremely good musician, Tim Neal, who was also nearby as my piano teacher. This year is my second year in the Sweethearts Academy and I enjoy it so much. I love our Monday night rehearsals and our occasional gigs on the weekends or after school. We get to dress nicely and the lights shine on us. It really is the best feeling to perform to a crowd. At this stage I don’t have any plans for my future career, but there is a high chance it will have something to do with music. Hopefully I will have many more opportunities to perform around Geelong and other areas in the future.

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Music is for everyone to enjoy. Music also has many other benefits that can be used to help children develop skills in listening, language, maths, socialising, physical development, memory, creativity, emotional development and help develop self-confidence.If you think of singing a song as ‘just’ singing you may be surprised to know that there’s actually a whole lot of learning going on. Let’s use the song ‘Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree’ as an example. If you sing this song to your child then he/she has the benefit of listening and developing listening skills and hearing language. If your child joins in, then language is being developed as words are sung and put together in sentences. Your child is also gaining knowledge about kookaburras.If you clap your hands or tap a drum with your child while singing then elements of maths are being learned as he/she feels the beat and counts the 1,2,3,4 timing. In music there are also patterns and rhythms that children learn. You can add physical development by walking around and tapping a tambourine or stamping feet while singing the song. You are socialising with your child and connecting on an emotional level as you sing, smile and interact together while singing. If the singing is done with a group of children then they are socialising in a group through the music. This is a wonderful way of connecting and gives a community feel. When children sing in a group they learn to consider and respect each other by not shouting above everyone else and by keeping in time with others. If you encourage your child to create a dance or move like a kookaburra and make kookaburra laughing sounds you are now adding creativity by your child contributing his/her unique ideas. As your child moves and sings self- confidence is being developed as she/he learns to ‘perform’ in front of others and have the confidence to do this. Clapping, laughing and smiling at the end of the song will encourage your child to do this again and with other songs. When your child sings ‘Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree’ the next day, memory is being used and developed to remember the words, the tune and beat of the song. So, all that learning is happening through the pleasure of music, singing and movement. Music is fun and children are naturally drawn to it. Some parents don’t feel confident to sing and dance with their children but I would like to encourage all the mums and dads to not worry how your voice sounds or what your dancing skills are, just have fun! Let go of your inhibitions and sing out loud and proud and your children will too. I like to think of birds and how they sing out their own tune, not worrying who might be listening or what others may

think. They’re singing their song their way. You can create your own songs that have special meaning to you and your child, such as songs about the names of people in your family, or a pet or things your child likes. There may be something specific you want to teach your child…and it can be done through a song. Use a known tune like ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ and put in your own words. Perhaps you want to create a bed-time song e.g. ‘Now it’s time for Ben to sleep, close your eyes try not to peep.’ Use any tune you like and get the words to fit. You can also replace parts of songs with your own words and ask your child for ideas, like ‘If your happy and you know it clap your hands’, might be replaced with, ‘If your happy and you know it jump up high’.Perhaps you think of the words first, e.g. Sarah likes cats, you can fit the words with a tune like ‘Three Blind Mice’. Or tap out the rhythm of the words and experiment with tunes that you make up until you create one you like. Try high and low, fast and slow, soft and loud. Encourage your child to be part of the process. There’s no rights or wrongs. It’s your song with your child and belongs to you. Just have a go. You may be surprised at what you create. Your child will love it and may want to sing it over and over. It could even be passed down through generations!You can add actions to your song or create a specific dance routine that you do each time you sing the song. Get some musical instruments, like a tambourine, drum or maracas and play them as you sing. Have some music time every day and it will have many benefits for you and your child. I am a children’s singer and songwriter. I am passionate about creating great songs for your children. I aim to inspire children to sing, move, learn and have fun. My background is in primary teaching. I have recently released a CD titled ‘My Magical Vegetable Garden’. It has twenty-one songs that cover all types of topics such as Australian animals, getting dressed, food and there’s also a lullaby. The songs are great for dancing to, they have educational value and children will love to sing along with them. I am available for performances at private functions, parties, kindergartens or day care centres. A guitarist, Shane, accompanies me and we encourage the kids to join in singing and dancing. You can purchase a CD or contact me through my website suemaree.net.au There is an animation on the website of the song ‘My Magical Vegetable Garden’ that your children will enjoy to watch. Songs can also be downloaded from iTunes or CD Baby. Contact me at suemareesinger@gmail.com for any other information.

Have fun singing! Sue Maree

More Than a Song

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1. Draw two eyes and teeth on the back of a paper plate.2. Glue on pom poms and cotton wool for the bunny nose.3. Get another paper plate and cut out two bunny ear

shapes and either colour in the pink section with a marker or glue some pink paper on each of them.

4. Grab another paper plate and cut a semi-circle (as seen in picture) for the back of the basket.

5. Staple the ears and the back of the basket onto the bunny face.

6. Puncher two holes on each side of the bunny ears and tie some ribbon through each hole for the handle. Now all ready for your next easter egg hunt!

DIRECTIONS

1. Simmer saucepan of water, place chocolate and peanut butter into a glass or ceramic bowl.

2. Stir until melted in to a smooth paste. Remove from heat.3. Add noodles and coat well with chocolate mixture.4. Using a heaped tablespoon, spoon the mixture onto

grease-proof paper. Be sure to leave a little well in the centre for your eggs.

5. Add speckled eggs on each of your birds nests and refridgerate until set.

METHOD

*PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN USING SHARP OR HOT OBJECTS. ACCORDING TO kidsafevic.com.au “THE HOME IS THE MOST COMMON LOCATION FOR CHILDHOOD INJURY. THEREFORE IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE MAKE OUR HOMES AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.”

EASTER BUNNY BAG CHOCOLATE NESTS

PAPER PLATES - BLACK MARKER - STAPLER - COTTON WOOL/POM POMS- PINK MARKER OR PINK PAPER - RIBBON

WHAT YOU NEED... SAUCEPAN - CHOCOLATE (WHITE, MILK OR DARK)- PEANUT BUTTER (CRUNCHY OR SMOOTH) - 1 PKT CHANG’S ORIGINAL FRIED NOODLES 100G (IN THE ASIAN SECTION OF THE SUPERMARKET) - GREASE-PROOF PAPER - SPECKLED EGGS

CRAFTS COOKING

INGREDIENTS...

PAGE 28 - APRIL 2015

Every March since 1998, children across Australia have been donning funky hairstyles for the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave. Joining the 150,000 people from all walks of life participating in one of Australia’s biggest fundraising events, schools across the country have been getting creative with their students and organising a Funky Hair Day where anything goes! Scrunchies, colours, spikes, waves, curls and even toy animals! The more wild and wacky the hair, the better! Funky Hair Day is an event that schools hold as part of the World’s Greatest Shave. During this time schools get the chance to get inspired and organise fun and funky activities to raise funds to help families living with blood cancer. Early childhood teacher Rachael Morrison alongside her co-workers at Goodstart Lara organised a morning tea in early March to kick off their fundraising where they managed to raise $100. The kindergarten also held a Funky Hair Day during the official World’s Greatest Shave weekend on Thursday 12 March with over 100 children and 20 educators turning up on the day with their funkiest hair do’s. The many motivations for schools and individuals to sign up are as interesting as they are inspiring. For Rachael, this year’s biggest motivation is her brother Scott, who was diagnosed with Acute Promyeloid Leukaemia (APML) last November. Rachael and Goodstart Lara had previously held a Funky Hair Day event, but it was during Scott’s treatment last year, when Rachael saw first-hand the important work of the Foundation, that made her more determined to go even further with her fundraising. With the generosity of the community and the amazing effort of the Goodstart Lara team they managed to raise $550 this year.

Schools of all shapes and sizes participate in Funky Hair Day every year. From universities to kindergartens, the money raised from these great events help the Leukaemia Foundation continue its important work of providing emotional and practical support to people living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or blood related disorders.The greatest thing about taking part in Funky Hair Day is that it gets students, educators and parents involved in making a difference while utilising their creativity to look amazing!As the Leukaemia Foundation’s major fundraiser, World’s Greatest Shave supporters like Rachael and Goodstart Lara play a vital role in helping reduce the impact of leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma on Australian families through free services and funding vital research. An essential support service provided free of charge is the Transport Program. Transport during active treatment and follow-up can be difficult for patients in regional Victoria due to public transport constraints and distance to treatment. The Foundation’s Transport Program provides patients with friendly, safe and reliable transport to and from their medical, outpatient and other specialist appointments. This service, and so much more, is made possible by all the hard work and generosity of fundraisers, donors and supporters.Most people this year have shaved or coloured their hair during the official weekend from March 12-15 but it’s never too late to start making a difference!

For more information on the World’s Greatest Shave please visit

worldsgreatestshave.comor call 1800 500 088.

To find out more about the Leukaemia Foundation and its services please visit leukaemia.org.au or call 1800 620 420.

Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave

FUNKYHAIR DAY

PAGE 29APRIL 2015 -

THE ANTI JOURNAL David Sinden and Nikalas Catlow - Pan MacMillan AustraliaAnti Journal is no ordinary journal, it’s an anarchic, therapeutic route to personal and artistic discovery packed with partially illustrated pages to complete in imaginative unconventional ways. For all ages, bedroom journalers, total novices or professional artists, Anti Journal is sheer creative bliss and the catalyst for discovering your own twist: create, pattern, draw, paint, disguise, stain, collage, construct, colour, stitch, sketch, write, tape, document and discover talents you never knew you had.

BABY BRAIN Andrea Paterson - RandomhouseWhen Andrea Paterson started to experience the Baby Brain phenomenon, it came as quite a shock to her. She set about creating a Facebook community appropriately called ‘Baby Brain Humour’ – a place where mums can enjoy the funny side of suffering from Baby Brain and share their

own stories. Now, the funniest anecdotes have been chosen and illustrated in this charming gift book that will make any mum who has had a scatty moment smile.

DAISY MALONE AND THE BLUE GROWING STONE James O’Loghlin - Pan MacMillanSomeone has to save the

world and that someone is Daisy Malone. It’s Daisy’s 12th birthday but she’s got more earth-shattering things on her mind. Her mother is missing and she and her dog Ben (a highly intelligent, talking dog - his words!) have just found a mysterious blue glowing stone in the attic.But two shady characters are also searching for the stone and, soon, Daisy and Ben are fleeing to Gloomy Gulch, the archaeological site where Daisy’s mother has vanished on a dig. But what they find is not what they expect!

EXPECTING MUM TEA Materni-TeaExpecting Mum tea is aimed at women in their second trimester and is a caffiene-free herbal infusion for health-conscious baby bumps. It is made from specially selected herbs that are known to aid pregnancy and child birth the natural way, including raspberry leaf, nettle, rose buds, ginger and peppermint, it is deliciously decadent. Available fromwww.materni-tea.com

BARBIE IN PRINCESS POWER MatelBarbie in Princess Power adds a new action-adventure dimension to the Barbie family of movies and products. Cartoon jeopardy, narrow escapes, and physical battles make up a substantial percentage of the story. Barbie “plays” a princess named Kara who, when kissed by a

butterfly with magical powers, turns into Super Sparkle, a superhero with super strength, agility, special weaponry, and the ability to fly. Kara and Corinne, a rival cousin who becomes Dark Sparkle, become invincible heroines capable of rescuing innocents, rounding up criminals, and defeating powerful villains. Along with Kara’s best friends, who are scientific masterminds, technological advances are made and weaponry is created, all to combat evil. Still, Kara’s interest in fashion and friendship is retained; after all, she is played by Barbie. Products inspired by the movie are available for purchase. New Dolls Out Now!!

SPONSORED BYGEELONGMOVIE REVIEWS

PROVIDED BY

AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRONIn Cinemas: 23rd AprilWhen Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and it is up to the Avengers to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans.

MALL COP 2In Cinemas: 16th AprilAfter six years of keeping our malls safe, Paul Blart has earned a well-deserved vacation. He heads to Vegas with his teenage daughter before she heads off to college. But safety never takes a holiday and when duty calls, Blart answers.

LACEY LANEAs all girls know, accessories (and shoes) have the potential to make/ or break an outfit. Thankfully Lacey Lane has launched a new accessory line that gives the cutest of outfits a little lift! Lacey Lane ACCESSORY KITS enable our girls to mix and match with an exotic and contemporary assortment of bows, scarves and flower garlands.

PAGE 30 - APRIL 2015

National Youth Week is coming up and to celebrate the City is recognising the contributions young people make within the Greater Geelong community.Adolescence is such an important stage in life. There are so many opportunities and experiences that no doubt present many challenging and confronting decisions for young people to make. It’s a sad fact that young people struggle to get positive coverage in the media and in general life. There has been a lot of local bad press lately about young people in Geelong but what is often ignored and dismissed are the positive role models within our community. There are active contributors who are out there achieving great things not only for themselves but also are taking the time to make a difference for others. The National Youth Week calendar of events proves just this. The City of Greater Geelong Youth Development Unit celebrates National Youth Week every year by working with young people to create a jam-packed program full of entertainment and fun activities. Young people have been involved in every aspect of this year’s exciting calendar of youth inspired, initiated and led activities. We don’t need to look to the future about what young people might ‘become’, we can celebrate right here and now the work of young people in our community! The theme for the 2015 National Youth Week is “It Starts With Us” which promotes the idea of young people as active participants in their communities, working for positive change now.The Youth Department Unit has partnered with Beyond Blue, Glastonbury Child & Family Services, the Headspace Youth Future Crew and the Borough of Queenscliff to run this year’s activities. The types of events are varied, from free hugs to skate competitions, dance parties, writing workshops and some ‘Old Fashioned Fun’ out at the Fort in Corio.To kick start this year’s National Youth Week, the 2015 Geelong Impetus Youth Awards will be held at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) on April 10 2015. The Impetus Awards were initiated by the City of Greater Geelong in 2008 to provide a platform and opportunity to celebrate the commitment and achievements of our young people. Over the past eight years, Council has received over 700

nominations about local young people and the variety of amazing things that they have been involved in, actions that have had a positive impact on our region. This year is no different with approximately 100 nominations consisting of a diverse range of fantastic nominees all of whom have made a positive contribution to their local community. The judging panel certainly do have their work cut out for them with the high calibre of nominations and this is a clear reflection of the wonderful youth population in Greater Geelong! There are 12 categories:• Active Achievement Award• Advocacy Award• Community Citizenship Award (Group)• Community Award (Individual)• Corporate Award• Cultural / Arts Award• Inspiration Award• Leadership Award• Online Community Engagement Award • Volunteer Award - Working with young people • Worker Award - Working with young people• Young Carers AwardAll nominees will receive a certificate, presented by Deputy Mayor Michelle Heagney and the successful nominee/s in each youth category will receive a personal trophy and a $500 contribution to support their ongoing interests, education and/or community work.Last year’s winner Htoo Kolo—a Karenni refugee arrived in Geelong in 2010, aged 15 without knowing a word of English. Despite facing this challenge he is clearly looked up to by his peers. He was nominated for two categories last year: the Inspiration Award and a Leadership Award and it was unanimous that he was a very deserving nominee. He was awarded a Judge’s Choice Award which has only been an award on one other occasion in the 7 years running.Since the Impetus Awards, Kolo has taken every opportunity to be involved in his community. Just recently he was part of a small committee of young people that organised and ran a free community event for the Northern Suburbs of Geelong. This event was a huge success attracting over 1300 people and provided many families across the area with a free and fun day out together. He

also teaches younger kids to dance traditionally. He does these things in his own time, as a volunteer, because it is important to him to keep his community strong. Kolo has since been selected as a Finalist in this year’s Victorian Young Achiever Awards. The Awards Gala Presentation will be held on Friday 1 May at Etihad Stadium.The ‘Free Hugs & Super Juices’ event has been described by City of Greater Geelong’s Councillor Jan Farrell as “one of the most inspirational activities I have seen young people involved in! The response given by the community is incredible. People say things like; ‘that’s just what I needed’, or ‘I haven’t had a good hug in ages’! The Bellarine Youth Action Crew (BYAC) came up with the idea because they wanted to change the negative image of young people. It is so simple yet so powerful.” Don’t forget to also keep an eye out for ‘STREETFACE 4’— a youth public arts project which is now scattered around streets of Geelong. This project brings to you positive stories about 15 young ‘ordinary yet extraordinary’ individuals who live, work and play in Geelong. As part of promoting the 2015 National Youth Week these large images will be available on buildings from Corio to Ocean Grove.It doesn’t stop there! There are lots of fun and exciting activities for everyone to enjoy, these include:• Impetus Youth Awards—Friday 10th April • Journalism Writing Workshops— Friday 10th April• Autumn Sounds— Saturday 11th April • Waurn Ponds Skate Competition— Sunday 12th April• Free Hugs & Super Juices— Tuesday 14th April• Old Fashioned Fun— Wednesday 15th April • First Youth Drop— Friday 17th April • Waterfront Skate Competition—Friday 17th April• Whittington Dance Party— Saturday 18th April• Skate/Scoot & BMX Competition—Sunday 19th April The Minister for Youth Affairs Jenny Mikakos describes National Youth Week as “a call to action, inviting young people to plan, manage and participate in events, adding their own local flavour to express their creativity, meet new people, volunteer and have their voices heard.” And, this is exactly what has happened in Geelong!

For more information about National Youth Week visit: www.youthweek.com/victoria

NATIONAL YOUTH WEEK

PAGE 31APRIL 2015 -

1 - 9 AprilSkate Holiday Program, This School Holidays come and visit the Youth Development Unit’s Skate Holiday Program. We’ll have the ramps out at the following locations. All free, but it’s Scooters a Skate only, no BMX. Wednesday 1 - Anakie Hall, Staughton Vale Road, Anakie. Thursday 2 - Rosewall Neighbourhood Centre , Sharla Road, Rosewall. Tuesday 7 - Bellarine Living and Learning Centre, Worden Court, Whittington. Thursday 8 - Rosewall Neighbourhood Centre, Sharla Road, Rosewall. Friday 9 - The fOrT Scooter competition, Corner Melbourne and St Georges Roads, Corio. All times are12 - 3pm

1- 10 AprilfoRT and North School Holiday Program,. A variety of activities can be found at www.facebook.com/TeenActivitiesGeelong

2 AprilAustralian Breastfeeding Association; Western Heights Uniting Church Hall, 27-31 Douglass St, Herne Hill. Breast care during breastfeeding. 10am-12pm. For more information about meetings, please contact Kate on 0403 232726 or abageelonggroup@gmail.com

2 - 9 AprilWhittington School Holiday Program. Contact tdudas@geelongcity.vic.gov.au for more information. Free

4 AprilLorne Kinder Market. Contact: 5289 1734

4 AprilSheepwash Classic Fun Run, Lahey Square carpark, Barwon Heads. The famous Sheepwash Classic Fun Run has been running for 32 years. It is held on picturesque coastal land. There is an 8km and 4km event, suitable for all ages. 7am

4 AprilBarwon Heads Primary School Easter Fair, Golf Links Road, Barwon Heads. The BHPS Easter Fair is a fantastic community event. Come along to enjoy great food and entertainment, rides, market stalls, junk n gems and art show.

5 AprilEaster Egg Hunt, Bellarine Estate Winery, 2270 Portarlington Road, Bellarine. Since 2004, Bellarine Estate comes alive on Easter Sunday to the sound of children scampering for delicious chocolate easter eggs amongst the beautiful landscape of the winery. No Easter celebration would be complete without a visit from the Easter Bunny with his friend and colleague at his side, Dr Bear. You and your family will

be treated to an exciting day of FREE entertainment, live music from Adventure Playground, carnival rides for all ages and arts and craft activities. The event welcomes families to bring the picnic blanket and basket full of goods. Please note that we are strictly a NO BYO Alcohol event. 11am - 4pm.

5 AprilSteam Train Ride with the Easter Bunny, Bellarine Railway, 20 Symonds Street (bottom of Hesse Street), Queenscliff. The Easter Bunny will be hopping on-board at Queenscliff Station to meet everyone during a special return trip on Easter Sunday! Children can make their own egg cup, so they are ready for the Easter Egg Hunt at Drysdale Station. Every child who creates their own Easter Bonnet to wear on the day will be given a certificate and the chance to win 1 of 3 prizes. There will be great photo opportunities along the way, such as when the Easter Bunny visits each child to give them a surprize gift from his basket. This family special will depart from Queenscliff at 11.00am and return around 1pm, and includes an activity pack for children to take home. 11am - 1pm.

7 - 9 AprilBat Watch School Holiday Activities, Eastern Park Golf Club Carpark. Come and hear all about bats. Join “Bat Watch” and see the fruit bats fly out their day-time roost. Learn about bats and their importance with CSIRO scientists. BYO Torch and dress for the outdoors. Bats fly out soon after sunset. Children’s activities from 5.30pm.

7 - 10 AprilHow Much Can A Koala Bear, Potato Shed, Peninsula Drive, Drysdale. An adventurous tale which sees 4 Koalas embark on a journey to save their town. Along the way they face choices and challenges and learn ways to deal with change to gain the answers they seek. They make friends along the way and the audience will enjoy coming along for a fun filled journey with lots of the trademark singing and dancing that is synonymous with Theatre 3triple2 4 kids pantomimes. An original play based on Kevin Collister’s Fable: How Much can a Koala Bear?

9 AprilSkate deck Art Workshop and drop in activities, Youth Space to Grovedale Neighbourhood House, 45 Heyers Road, Grovedale. 2 - 5pm. Free

10 AprilAfrican Children’s Choir Concert, South Barwon Civic Centre, 2 Colac Road, Belmont. Enjoy a fun-filled evening of singing, drumming and dancing as the African Children’s Choir spreads its

message of hope, including a joint finale song with the Geelong Welsh Ladies Choir and International Harvester Male Chorus. The choir is comprised of orphaned and vulnerable children from the disadvantaged Kampala and Luwero areas of Uganda. Their vibrancy, outstanding musical and dancing abilities have captured the world’s imagination since the choir started touring North America and Europe 30 years ago to raise money for children’s education. In 2012 the choir sang the specially composed ‘Sing’ for the Queen’s Jubilee. They have performed for US Presidents, Nobel Prize winners and graced the stages of Carnegie Hall and the London Palladium. They count Matt Damon, Paul McCartney, Ellen De Generes and Bob Geldof amongst their fans. The African Children’s Choir has become a mouthpiece for the plight of the many thousands of vulnerable children in Uganda. The funds they earn through concerts and workshops provide for their own support and education. 7pm.

10 - 19 AprilSTREETFACE 4, Scattered around Geelong streets, is STREETFACE 4, a public arts project. As part of promoting National Youth Week during 10 to 19 April, you will see large images, 5 metres square, on buildings each of these is a ‘STREETFACE’. 15 pictures of young people are on buildings from Corio to Ocean Grove, and bring you positive stories of young people who ‘live, work or play’ in Geelong.

12 AprilWaurn Ponds Skate Comp for National Youth Week, Waurn Ponds Skate Park, Pioneer Rd, Waurn Ponds. Waurn Ponds Skate Comp will be a great day of free comps and fierce competition from local Geelong Skaters and BMX riders.Get out and come along to the free fun event aimed at the 12-25 year old age

group, or watch some amazing tricks and enjoy free food and drink and activities. Helmets and protective gear must be worn throughout the afternoon. Registration and age groups determined on the day, all welcome, great prizes. This is a drug, alcohol and smoke free event. 11am - 3pm.

12 AprilGeelong Half Marathon, High St, Belmont. The Geelong Half Marathon will be held on Sunday, 12th April, 2015 which is the first Sunday after Easter. The course follows the Barwon River paths to Breakwater and Fyansford before finishing at the start under the Moorabool St bridge. The course is principally flat and very picturesque. There is a relay event for teams of three for those who don’t want to run the full distance.

19 AprilBreathe Life for Cystic Fibrosis, Barwon Valley park, Barrabool Rd, Belmont. Run or walk to help raise awareness of Cystic Fibrosis. All funds raised will go directly to help those affected by CF in Geelong and to the Royal Children’s Hospital CF research trust. Kids Dash, 4 and 8 km run, 3.5 km walk. Loads of prizes and giveaways, Family entertainment, raffles and food. 7am

22 AprilAustralian Breastfeeding Association; 112 McKillop Street, Geelong. Coping with Grief (Guest speaker). 10am-12pm. For more information about meetings, please contact Kate on 0403 232726 or abageelonggroup@gmail.com

27 AprilAustralian Breastfeeding Association; 16 Barleycorn Bend, Armstrong Creek. Clothes Swap, chat and play. 10am-12pm. For more information about meetings, please contact Kate on 0403 232726 or abageelonggroup@gmail.com

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