The deputy editor of a leading British parenting magazine, who wrote an article describing breastfeeding as “creepy”, is facing growing anger from breastfeeding advocates. In Kathryn Blundell’s article for Mother & Baby, titled “I formula fed.So what?”, she explains how she never breastfed because “seeing your teeny, tiny, innocent baby latching on where only a lover has been before feels, well, a little creepy.” The fallout from the article ranges from breastfeeding group Lactivist condemning Blundell’s “generally spreading misinformation” to a Facebook group with 500 members demanding an apology. Read more
Kids on the coast
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Student's Art Goes To Canberra
Aug 2010
Local Year 9 Sunshine Coast Grammar School student, Josie Whitburn, is one of only 100 secondary school students across Australia that will have artwork on display at Canberra’s National Portrait Gallery as part of the Headspace10 exhibition. “It’s a wonderful feeling to have your work recognised as part of such a high profile exhibition and a fantastic opportunity,” she said. “The Headstart10 exhibition not only gives young artists the chance to be recognised but also the confidence to believe in yourself.”
Read moreMidwife Services Come To The Coast
Aug 2010
As part of a push to improve maternity services, the federal government is encouraging midwives to practise privately to relieve the pressure on the public health system and busy GP network. In November this year, mums-to-be will be able to claim midwifery services through Medicare. Local midwife, Leesa Albert, has heeded the call and now runs a holistic midwifery practice called Kunapipi in the Noosa hinterland which aims to provide continuity of care throughout pregnancy, birth and beyond. Read more
Collage Competition Gives to Primary Schools
Aug 2010
Entries are now open in the annual Kmart Art of Giving competition where students are invited to draw, paint a picture or make a collage that represents what family means to them. Read more
Batters Up!
Jul 2010
If your kids want to try Baseball, the Gold Coast’s new summer season starts in October. As part of the Batter Up in School Baseball Program, the Surfers Paradise Baseball Club will be holding sessions for 3,500 kids in seven schools over three weeks, as well as hosting come and try
days on August 1 and 8.
To find out more, visit
www.gcba.baseball.com.au Read more
Help Matilda Walk
Jul 2010
If you’d like to help Matilda, a local two year old girl with cerebral palsy, raise enough funds to buy a mobility walker, why not join in Riverwalk, an annual fundraising event run by The Developing Foundation on September 12? Riverwalk is a sponsored 6km walk along the Brisbane River where 90% of the sponsorship money raised by the family goes to the family, so every donation makes a difference. More information about Matilda and the Riverwalk event can be found at www.matildascause.com Read more
Remote Communities to Receive One Laptop Per Child
Jul 2010
Minimising disadvantages for children in remote communities is the key priority of a charity called One Laptop Per Child (OLPC). The charity has gained the support of Commonwealth Bank, Telstra and News Limited to deploy 15,000 educational laptops preloaded with software to remote and indigenous schools across Australia over the next 12 months. Its vision is to provide each of the 400,000 children living in remote communities with a laptop in the next five years. To find out more or donate to the cause, visit www.laptop.org.au Read more
Carrara Markets Turn 11
Jul 2010
To celebrate its 11th year and the end of school holidays, the Carrara Markets will host a free fun day for Gold Coast families on Sunday October 3. There’ll be lots of free activities including pony rides, merry-go-round, animal farm, roving entertainment and giveaways. Young ones, or the ‘young at heart’, will also be entertained by the puppies and fish at the market’s pet shop, remote control cars, boats and helicopters at the toy shop and a colourful range of kids’ fancy dress costumes. Free entry and ample parking. Read more
Soaring Queensland School Costs Batter Family Budget
Jul 2010
The cost of education continues to rise, irrespective of the schooling choices families make. New estimates state that parents could spend more than $5,800 a year sending their teenager to a Queensland state high school and the bill jumps to about $17,000 a year for private high schooling. Primary school is not too much cheaper.
Read moreOnline Playground for Children of all Abilities
Jul 2010
Computer-based fun and games are no longer out of reach of children with a disability, thanks to a new website called the All Abilities ePlayground. The website offers a virtual playground designed to enable children to play and independently explore the virtual play space regardless of a possible physical or learning disability. Sonokids Australia, a non-government organisation developing technology and computer programs for people with a disability, worked closely with the Gold Coast City Council, Queensland Disability Services and children of all abilities to develop the new website. Check it out at www.allabilitiesplayground.net.au Read more
