Kids on the coast

Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors have unleashed twelve Joey Ambassadors onto the world. These hand-picked youngsters from Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and the USA are helping to spread awareness and raise money for wildlife conservation in the lead up to Steve Irwin Day on November 5, 2009.

Changes to road rules mean that if you drive with a passenger of any age without a seatbelt or child restraint, you risk being fined $300 and three demerit points.

Lifeline’s Doing Dads Proud event provided one of the best Father’s Day presents ever for the Hanchard family of Maroochydore, who walked away with a family size kayak donated by Viking Kayaks. A great day was had by the community at the Cotton Tree Aquatic Centre, with many families coming along to acknowledge and thank the special dads in their lives.

The first national initiative to promote mental health and wellbeing in preschool and primary children will be rolled out in Australian schools over the next three years at a cost of $18.7 million. The KidsMatter program has already been trialed in 101 primary schools with participants experiencing less anxiety, depression and behavioural problems and doing better school work. Beyond Blue Chairman Jeff Kennett said this was a huge step forward in equipping this generation of children to understand that good mental health is just as important as good physical health. Visit www.kidsmatter.edu.au or www.youthbeyondblue.com

Queensland parents can now check online to see how their child’s school did in literacy and numeracy tests, as part of the annual National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). Results showing Queensland student achievements in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 on a school-by-school basis are available in the statistics section of www.qsa.qld.edu.au. Education and Training Minister Geoff Wilson said there had been improvement in Queensland’s overall results with nine out of 10 students at or above national benchmarks.

V8 Supercar champion Craig Lowndes is set to make his children’s television debut on the popular ABC for Kids series, Roary the Racing Car, early next year. Lowndes will provide the voice for a character called Conrod, named after the famous straight at the Bathurst race track where Lowndes found fame. Craig said his kids absolutely love watching Roary and that he had “moved into super cool dad status” since being involved in the show.