Australian Competitions and Free Stuff - Lottos.com.au

Lottos.com.au has the largest list of competitions and free stuff for Australians. There is normally over one thousand different competitions that can be entered for various prizes including cash.

The list of competitions include phone and sms competitions, online based competitions, magazine & newspaper competitions and in store competitions throughout Australia. They have an extensive forum where you can interact with other users and discuss all the latest competitions.

The website also includes lists of members that have recently won prizes.

Downside is that it costs $44 per year. However if you are interested you can try the site for free for 3 days to see if you think it might be worthwhile.

If you are into your competitions and freebies ... it looks like it is worth a look

Childcare options and Find a Babysitter

When things started to really get going with my business I needed to find a suitable childcare solution to help me balance between looking after my son and completing my work. I was tossing up more traditional childcare options (Family Day Care and Childcare centres) with the idea of in-house care by either a Mother's Help or Nanny.

I found that this was both a very interesting journey but one also that was filled with trepidation. I wanted to do what was best for my son and was concerned about the the effects of putting him into care for only 1 day a week. Most of the Family Day Care and Childcare providers I spoke to actually recommended that if I was going to put him into care (at his age) that I should do it for a minimum of 2 days a week to minimize the disruption.

At the same time I started looking into Mother's Help or Nanny options. For me as I am working from home I preferred the idea of keeping my son at home with someone to look after him. That way he could keep his routine and have very little disruption.I found that Find A Babysitter site was really easy to use I liked the search criteria and details provided on each candidate that allows you to filter prospective candiates based upon things that are important to you. I also really liked the upgrade option to get SMS messagig to potential candidates (where you cans send inquiries to potential applicants phones via SMS).This is a really quickly build up a short list and start interviewing.What I found that was really useful was the service

Find a Babysitter (FAB) is an introduction and job posting web-site that helps Australian families find nannies and babysitters in an efficient an affordable way. It has over 30,000 current babysitters and nannies registered across Australia. Profiles of the carers online show details like their qualifications, experience, availability and hourly rates. Parents can email selected carers from this database. They can also use job postings on FAB to attract applicants.

I was very lucky and found my Nanny very easily and was very happy with findababysitter.com.au. From my experience if you are looking for a babysitter, Mother's Help or Nanny then Find A Babysitter is worth a look ... and also by doing so you are supporting another mumpreneur ... which is also always good.

Returning to Earning Grants - A Victorian Government Iniative

I was reading this morning about Online Study for return to the workforce Mums and came upon this Victorian Government Initative and thought it was worthwhile sharing.

The Returning to Earning program provides support to parents to return to work after an absence caring for children. Grants of up to $1000 are available which can be used to cover any costs associated with approved training.

The grant can provide for:

• Course fees
• Payment of Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) fees for the first year of a university course
• First year Higher Education student contribution
• Child care to cover the parent’s attendance at training
• Broadband access where the participant is studying by remote access (distance learning)
• Transport costs incurred to attend training where there is demonstrated need
• Course materials such as prescribed books and software required for the course or other prescribed tools and equipment required for the course
• Uniforms required for specific training e.g. hospitality uniform.

From the website they say that they are not extending any more grants for 2008 but to keep an eye on the website for 2009. I suggest that if you are interested to call their enquiry line on 1 300 303 413

What a great initiative. I really hope that they look at both returning the program and expanding on the number of grants .. or maybe this would be better for the Federal Government to take up and expand to make it available to all Australians. Either way great work Victoria!!!

Breastfeeding Friendly Venues & the Breastfeeding Welcome Here Sticker

A "Breastfeeding Welcome Here" sticker and kit has been produced by the Australian Breastfeeding Association to improve community acceptability of breastfeeding in public through the accreditation and promotion of breastfeeding friendly businesses.

Accreditation criteria for breastfeeding friendly venues that display the sticker or folder are:

• Welcoming attitude from staff and management
• Smoke free environment
• Room to move a pram

Please note the ABA list is derived fromt their list of venues that have successsfully registeed for the sticker and therefore the list is incomplete. However the ABA encourages all venues that meet the criteria to apply for the sticker and get some free publicity from their directory.

I think that this is a great idea. I know that when I was breastfeeding that especially at first I was very conscious of going places that were supportive of breastfeeding and that this little sign is a easy way to help with that. I wish more places that are breastfeeding would join in this program.

Have a look at the website and check out some of the venues that support breastfeeding ... also if you don't see one of your favourites that you know supports breastfeeding ... let them know about the free program.

BreastFeeding Welcome Here Program
List of Venues
Australian Breastfeeding Association

Introduction to Online Paid Surveys

Are you interested in earning money taking paid online surveys but tired of all the scams out there? The truth is that paid online surveys can earn you some extra spending money, but they are not intended to be a replacement for a full time job. Market research firms are not looking for professional survey takers; they are looking for a diverse group of panel members with some spare time that can offer their opinions on the latest products and services. If this sounds interesting to you, than continue on ...

Whatever you do ... Never Pay for Online Survey Panels

Like any good thing, there are those that will always try to manipulate it, and use it to con unsuspecting individuals. Any site that charges for paid survey information should be avoided. These sites make money by charging you for list of paid survey panels that are free to join anyways. Worse, many of these sites inflate their listings with paid to try offer sites and other survey listing sites.

The bottom line is that if you are looking for real paid market research opportunities, you need not pay a dime. They are all free to join.

If you are interested in exploring Paid Survey Panels further some relevant Australian ones are ...

• Lightspeed Consumer Panel
• Australia Survey Panel
• Great Australian Survey
• The Survey Doctor
• RewardsCentral
• Opnions Matter
  

Clean out your household Chemicals - Cleanout

Do you have any old or unwanted household chemicals living around your home? Not know what to how to safely depose of them? The answer is really simple ... Cleanout

Cleanout is a FREE service organised by the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change for the safe disposal of a range of common household chemicals, many of which could cause harm if not disposed of correctly.

Here's your chance to get rid of

• paint and paint-related products
• pesticides an herbicides
• poisons
• solvents and household cleaners
• motor oils, fuels and fluid batteries
• gas bottles
• fire extinguishers
• pool chemicals
• accids and alkalis
• hobby checmicals
• flourescent tubes
  

Cleanout drop-off centres operate at various locations at specified dates throughout the year. Have a look at their website and check out the events calendar and brochures and locate a collection that is convenient to you.

I think that this is a great service to help people safely get rid of unwanted chemicals in a safe manner. In addition, many of these materials can be recycled or reused, so not is the program helping to reduce waste and pollution, it also helps in resource recovery efforts.

WAHM - BANs Stores - Earning Money with Ebay - Review

What is BANS?

BANS is short for "Build a Niche Stores". BANS work as part of affiliate programs with online storefronts such Amazon and eBay. Basically, the owner of a BANS store will build an online storefront for a particular niche market. This can be virtually anything from something as popular as iPods, televisions and other electronics to wedding dresses and makeup. The options are virtually unending which makes this practically impossible to reach a saturation process. If you can think of something to sell, chances are you will find someone who is selling it. And the best part is that BANS stores operate using feeds making the work minimal and the possibility of making commissions high.

So, this is how a typical BANS site will start. You think of a niche, such as bicycles. You do a search on eBay or Amazon for your item. How so you build your BANs Store ... well that is simple too and you don't need to be very technical. BANS Software is probably one of the easiest ways to create multiple BANS sites with the least amount of effort. Basically, the way the software works is that you buy a domain and use their easy to follow instructions to set it up. The BANS software basically does the rest for you and you create a nice looking professional storefront in the niche you are targeting

The beauty of BANS is that since your pages are primarily nothing more than RSS feeds, you don't have to spend the hours it takes to build content for your site. Most of the stores that I have built have taken less than 2 hours to complete and are filled with content that is always updating..

Is it really as "turn key" as most claim? Yes and no. You still have to build backlinks to your sites in order to compete with other affiliates pushing the same products. However, in terms of speed, anyone can easily build a site in record time (with a ton of content) and move on to the next niche.

BANS worth considering if you are looking at a low-cost way of getting into eCommerce.

Paralyzed by Possibibilities - Scrapbooking

I love Scrapbooking. I think I am addicted. I have been doing this for a bit over 1 year now and absolutely love it. I guess like many people I came to this craft after the birth of my son and I was looking at ways of persevering photos and memories that went beyond just putting photos into a album. I find it is a great creative outlet and a very personal way to capture and share my little family's history.

My problem though is sometimes I am paralyzed by possibilities. Sometimes I sit down with all of my equipment, photos printed and ready, papers and embellishments ordered and sorted and I freeze. I find that I become paralyzed by the possibilities of what I can do ... and as a result just come to a halt. I just find that sometimes making that first few steps is the hardest on beginning a page or off the page project. Once I have started it is all steam ahead.

If you find yourself doing the same ... a couple of things that I have found handy in overcoming this paralysis are

• Reading and using as a reference Layout Guide Books - I use Best of Becky Higgins Sketches for Scrapbooking. I have found this book indispensable for overcoming paralysis
  
• Reading Magazines (and accompanying websites - I personally subscribe to Scrapbooking Memories and Creating Keepsakes. I find both of them (and their accompanying websites really useful)
• Reading Blogs - Some of my favourite Scrapbooking blogs I have listed on the right include Scrapwitch's Book fo Shawdows, Srap the Boys and Memoirs of Michelle
  

Do you scrapbook? What is your inspiraiton to scrap? Do you share you work online?

WAHM - Flying Solo Website

If you are one of Australia's million solo business owners or have dreams of going it alone, you'll find inspiration, advice and a sense of connection through Flying Solo.

Flying Solo is a website/community that is focused on Australian solo and micro businesses. It is a great resource for any mumprenuer that either wants to start-up or expand on their business. The website has articles published weekly (and over 600 accessible on-site) that cover such topics as starting up a business, networking, marketing, working smarter, work/life balance and technology. It also has a very active forum.

Worth a visit!!

Surrogacy Laws Set to Change

Under a new proposal, Mothers could be paid as much as $10,000 to give birth to another woman's child under radical changes to the NSW state's surrogacy laws.

Commercial surrogacy is illegal, but the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General has released a public discussion paper that proposes laws allowing surrogate mothers to be reimbursed for their expenses during pregnancy.

Currently surrogate mothers in NSW are not allowed to profit from the pregnancy but the new laws would see the child's parents repay medical costs and lost wages while the woman is pregnant

The paper, A proposal for a National Model to Harmonise Regulation of Surrogacy, also makes a number of other recommendations that would aid hetero and same-sex couples. These include providing the ability for parents who have used a surrogate mother to apply for legal recognition as the child's parents, counseling and legal advice for all parties involved, criminal checks for parties involved and if advertising would be allowed by couples, surrogate mothers and clinics involved in surrogacy.

To be honest I am not sure what my opninion is on surrogacy. I have been blessed that I have not been in a position where it was something I would have to consider and I have the deepest sympathies for those that are put in those positions. I know that I don't think commerical surrogacy is a good idea ... but how to build a framework for other situations? From the surface these amendment appear to be very thorough and well thought out ... and sensible to provide a uniform structure across all the states. What do you think?

Review - Eating Out with Kids 2009

Today ... after several days locked in the house with a cold (that swept through the whole house) and my son having conjunctivitis .. it was time yesterday afternoon to venture out and visit the park and one of the nice cafes in my area.

Apart from the relief from leaving the familiar four walls and the fun my son had at the park ... we made a surprising discovering. While visiting one of our favourite local cafes I noticed that they had a new book for sale and the price of $20 it appeared to be a bargain, so I grabed a copy.

The book is called Eating out with Kids 2009. It is a guide to dining in Sydney with children including the Southern Highlands, South Coast, Blue Mountains and Central Coast. I love the concept. I know before our son came along we loved to go out for dinner and would most weeks have a least 1 meal away from home. I love the Sydney food scene there is such great diversity of places to eat and food to explore. However as I experienced, your relationship with them drastically changes once a baby comes onto the scene and you have a whole new set of additional requirements that you may not have even considered in the past. This can make identifying a place that is suitable a bit of a hit and miss process.

Eating Out With Kids helps you in the decision making process by measuring each place against a high standard of criteria: child menus, allergies catered for, vegetarian meals, breastfeeding friendly, change facilities, wheelchair and pram access, high chairs, toys and more are all put under the microscope. Whats best also is that the reviews are completed by Mums with kids and include comments from both in each review. The reviews are also very practical and often include information on parking, atmosphere, helpfulness of staff and children's activities.

Downside ... Peronally I would like to have seen more reviews however this is their first edition and I am sure that overtime this will grow to be the bible for parents looking for kids friendly places to go out and have a meal. Still well worth the $20 price tag.

Words of Wisdom for New Mums

I remember I first saw this poem at the Early Childhood Health Centre and really loved it. I have tried to find out who the author is (so if anyone knows I would be really grateful if you could let me know). I know that I found it very useful especially in the first few weeks/months ...

look back on today
and see parents
who had time to play
There will be years
for cleaning and cooking
But children grow up
While we are not looking

Dusting and scrubbing
can wait til tomorrow
for babies grow fast
we learn to our sorrow
So quiet down cobwebs
and dust go to sleep
I'm rocking my baby
and babies don't keep.

'caring mother' by losiek http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/

Darling Habour - Rediscover Darling Harbour for Australia Day

This year Darling Harbour is turning 21 and is doing it in style. If you have not been down to Darling Harbour for a while I would recommend it is worth a visit ... especially if you are taking the little people along. Within the last few weeks I have been to a few outings within and around it's domain and have had a great time. We also have plans to go down on Australia Day but I put more on that below

What have I been up to?

New Years Eve
We spent NYEs at Darling Harbour . As like most families our plans were only for the afternoon and evening entertainment climaxing with the 9pm fireworks. This was the first time that I had gone to Darling Harbour for New Years Eve. When I was younger, if I was brave enough to compete with the crowds, I would go to Mrs Macquaries Chair that promises and usually delivers on the best view of the Harbour Bridge fireworks. However now being a Mum (Little Man was too little really to go anywhere last year) Mrs Macquaries Chair is not really a very practical option. I know families do do it ... but it is hard to get to and from ... and it has a lot of young people drinking and getting into trouble.

Darling Harbour was the perfect option. Lots of options for food (including bringing your own picnics), alcohol free, away from intense crowds and bustling with good solid entertainment right up to the fireworks. It was a great night with good entertainment, nice food and great fireworks. A great time for the whole family

Powerhouse Museum
As I have written about before I love the Powerhouse and have got a family membership and plan on visiting often. A great place for inqusitive minds ... that has plenty of stuff to do both indoors and out (great when the weather is either too hot or too wet to be outdoors)

Acquarium
In the last few weeks we have also been to the Acquarium. I think on the whole my son (and his cousin that was also out with us that day) were too young to relaly appreciate the Acquarium. However there were parts I know that they really enjoyed. I personally really enjoyed the Dugongs. I would recomend it more to people with kids that are over 3 ... but I would also recommend to buy your tickets online (in the morning before you go) online if you plan to go through the school holidays. That way you save 10% and save alot of time in the queues. If you also plan on visiting the Sydney Wildife World you can buy tickets together and save money.

What do I have planned to do?

Australia Day
Australia Day at Darling Harbour looks like it is going to be even better than NYE. From 11:30am to 6pm in Tumbalong Park there will be children's activities, roving entertainers, ABC for Kids shows, popular Australian children's bands plus an international food fair! From 7pm the Twilight Ceremony will commence . This will include Chinese New Year Celebrations (Chinese New Year falls on Australia Day for the first time in nearly 100 years - making Australia Day a very special day for the Chinese Australian community.), Big Ships Parade and climaxing with fireworks at 8:50pm. I am really looking forward to Australia Day. I am sure it is going to be a fabulous day for the whole family.

However where you will be on Australia Day ... and Chinese New Year I hope that you have a good time!!!

Motogp ... I have caught the bug

My husband introduced me to MotoGP through his love for his Ducati Monster. I wasn't a huge fan at first but I have found that over the last season I have become a junkie. The funny thing is so is my son ... but I think he just likes all of the wheels (especially the camera spots that show from over the back wheel) ... or maybe it is just living with 2 boys I am just assimilating ... How knows ... :)

As you would expect I am a Ducati fan. It would be hard not to be. My husband rides a Ducati, they are a great Italian success story and one of their riders is a young Australia, Casey Stoner. I am very excited about the Ducati 2009 season with Casey being joined by Nicky Hayden. I think it is going to be a killer combination. 2 World Campion riders that come from similar backgrounds (and speak the same language). I am confident that they will do well. This is going to be a great year for Ducati.

I must admit though I do have a soft spot for #46. I just can't explain it ... I just think that there is something very special about Valentino Rossi. He has won 5 MotoGP Campionships (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008). He is without doubt a champion and possible the best motorcycle racer ever (let me know what you think) ... but what I like best about Rossi is more his attitude. He is cheeky and has flair but is also fair and respectful in defeat. He just seems to have a great attitude and from what I can see from the TV coverage is a great sportsman and role model.

While I do hope that Ducati take the Championship in 2009 ... I can't help that I also want "The Doctor" to do well too.

The first race is in April 12th in Qatar. Can't wait for it all to start

Free and Low-Cost Advertising Part 1 ... Top tips on ways to promote your business that are low-cost or free

Free ... is one of the most popular words in advertising and a great way to expand your customer base. The same is true when it comes to advertising your business. Many traditional avenues for advertising are very expensive and you are competing with the big end of town ... so how do small businesses and WAHMs compete ...? By using low-cost or free advertising options.

I will be looking at over a series of entries some of these options to promote your business that are low-cost or free.

1. Press Releases
You might think it is hard to work with media ... well think again. News needs content for the 24/7 information-addicted world and the great thing is that there are new release website where you can load your release for free or very low cost. Press releases are a great way to get information out on what your business is doing and also a good way of creating backlinks to your website and a long established way to help with search engine optimisation (SEO).

Some great articles on using Press Releases include

• Press release for small business publicity
  
• Press Releases as Marketing Tools

2. Writing Articles
Using article writing as part of your business marketing can generate traffic to your website and increase your income and exposure for you and your business. Articles position you as a expert in your field and showcase your knowledge and ability to potential clients.

You can write an article of between 250 and 400 words and submit it to one of the free article directories. A 7 tips article is very popular. You write a short, one paragraph introduction and then give a list of 7 tips about what they need to do in a specific area. Then write a concluding paragraph and you will have your first article.

Some great articles on Writing articles include

• The SEO and Branding Power of a Topical Article
• Getting Great At Article Writing
• Don't Just Write Articles. Write Them Right!
  

Heat Wave ... Coping in the Summer time

I am not sure if it is just me ... but it seems to be alot hotter this summer. From what I have read from the BOM it looks like we have more days like this ahead so I thought it might be worthwhile having a look at what the experts believe is the best things to do during heat waves both for the kids and us ...here is some information from the QLD Ambulance Service.

Babies and children are more susceptible to heat related illnesses than adults because their bodies cannot easily adapt to changing temperatures. Children have a lower capacity to sweat, which reduces their ability to lose body heat by evaporation. The younger the child, the quicker they will start to show signs of dehydration or heat stroke.

If a heat wave is predicted or happening…
Provide water

• Give children plenty of water, before they become thirsty. Avoid the use of ice.
• Avoid giving children drinks that cause dehydration: carbonated drinks and those with high sugar content.
• Give bottle-fed babies cool boiled water between feeds.
• If you are breastfeeding, feed your baby more often and drink plenty of water yourself.
• Monitor urine output: If a baby’s nappies are dry for over three hours, they are dehydrated. Children should be going to the toilet regularly and their urine should be a clear to light straw colour.

Tip: Each morning, fill a bottle with water for your child and ensure it is fi nished by the end of the day.

Ensure children have appropriate protection

• Dress children in loose fi tting, single layered, cotton clothing.
• Be aware of any pre-existing medical conditions, which may cause a child to be more heat sensitive.
• Avoid using talcum powder as it clogs the pores of the skin and can cause heat rash.
• Ensure you use a suitable sunshade on your baby’s stroller.
• Ensure children wear broad-brimmed hats and SPF 30+ sunscreen.
• Only use disposable nappies for emergencies and travelling as the plastic lining doesn’t allow a baby’s skin to breathe.

Tip: Keep children cool with extra baths in tepid water. Do not use ice cold water.

Monitor temperature and humidity levels

• Sick children need special attention in hot weather, even for minor illnesses such as colds or hay fever
• Keep children inside or in the shade during the hottest part of the day (10:00am to 3:00pm).
• Tip: Avoid direct sunlight on your baby’s skin for the first 12 months.

Remember: Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Don’t take any chances! If you are concerned visit your doctor or call 000.

www.ambulance.qld.gov.au/publications/pdf/Babies_and_Kids.pdf

Mercy Mission For Tasmanian Devils

Tasmanian Devils is an iconic Australian animal found wild only in Tasmania. They are largest carnivorous marsupial in the world since the extinction of its cousin the Tasmanian Tiger. Due to a deadly disease their numbers have been dropping dramatically since the 1990s and were last year declared as endangered.

What is killing them? Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), an infectious cancer which is transmitted between individuals through biting, a natural behaviour during feeding and mating. This devastating disease has been sweeping through the native populations killing up to 90% of devils in some areas.

Australian zoos and wildlife parks are working together with the government of Tasmania to place disease-free devils into an 'insurance breeding program' that breeds healthy devils and maintains the maximum genetic-diversity of the species so that if the worst happens and the disease wipes them out in the wild, the zoos can repopulate devil habitat with disease-free animals in the future

What can be done?

They may not be cute and cuddly - in fact their known for their screeching and fierce behaviour - yet for a small animal, much of their spine-tingling snarls are for show to threaten other devils away. They are also a part of us ... a part of us that is unqiuely Australian and its is our responsbility to look out for them. To do what is right ... to do what is necessary

Visit Tassie Devil Appeal and find out how you can help save the devil from exctinction.

Visit Devils
I also recommend if you can to go and visit them ... check out your local zoo, wildlife park and visit these interesting creatures. My son loves visiting the zoo and I am sure that your kids will enjoy it as well.

Some places involved in the insurance breeding program where you can see the devils include

• Taronga Zoo Sydney, NSW
  
• Australian Reptile Park Gosford, NSW
  
• Trowunna Wildlife Park Tasmania
• Healesville Sanctuary - Healesville, Vic
• Adelaide Zoo - Adelaide, SA
• Perth Zoo - Perth, WA
• Australia Zoo - Gold Coast, QLD
• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary - Gold Coast, QLD
• Lone Pine Koala Park - Brisbane, QLD
  

Paid Maternity Leave ... Put in Limbo by Rudd Government

More and more research is being completed that speaks of the benefits of maternity leave for parents, children and the community and yet the Rudd Government is wavering it support for Paid Maternity leave.

In two separate studies from the University of California, Berkeley it was found that women who start maternity leave at least a month before their baby is born are less likely to have a caesarean delivery according to US researchers, who also found mothers who delay their return to work breastfeed for longer. This studies just add more weight to the substantial amount of evidence to support Paid Maternity Leave.

There is also a lot of community support for Paid Maternity Leave. According to a news poll commissioned by the National Federation of Australian Women, 80 per cent of men and 76 per cent of women would support a paid maternity leave scheme in which costs are shared by government, employers and employees, with support particularly strong among 18 to 24 year olds.

Recently also the Productivity Commission in its draft report proposed a tax-payer funded parental leave scheme. Under the scheme, mothers would be able to take 18 weeks paid maternity leave and fathers, two weeks, or vice-versa. Both would be paid at the minimum wage rate of AUS$544 (US$1=AUS$1.55) a week, to a maximum per couple of AUS$11,854 before tax, with their employer paying superannuation. While I don't agree that this is the best proposal it is a good step in the right direction.

Is the Rudd Government listening? I don' think so ... The Australian Government has signed up to an optional protocol to a United Nations convention on women's rights but retained a clause that opposes maternity leave. The reservation states that the Australian Government was not in a position to fulfill a convention obligation to introduce paid maternity leave. The Government repeated the statement in an unpublished report delivered to the UN last month. But the Government hedged its bets by saying it would review the reservation "if appropriate" after the Productivity Commission delivered its final report on a maternity leave scheme, due next month.

Additionally, since the global financial meltdown, cabinet ministers have started equivocating on the Government's commitment to the introduction of such a scheme.

Pressure needs to be put on the Rudd Government to meet their commitment and implement Paid Maternity Leave Scheme in the May 2009 Budget.

The ACTU is preparing a national campaign to muscle the Government into honouring its commitment on a leave scheme. The ACTU has called for paid maternity leave to become a new national employment standard. Unions believe women are discriminated against in the workplace without a maternity leave scheme, which would help more women remain part of the workforce.

If this is what we want we need to put constant pressure on the Govermnment for it ... What can we all do

• Your Rights At Work Email Campaign - Use their form to email prominent members of
  
• Join the GetUP! Paid Maternity Leave Campaign
• Join Marie Clare Push It Campaign
  

Play at the Powerhouse - Great Fun for the Whole Family

Last week I visited the Powerhouse Museum with my inlaws, nephew and my son. The only question I have in my mind from the trip is trying to work out who had more fun. I am still not sure.

The Powerhouse Museum is located in Darling Harbour, Sydney. Its unique and diverse collection of 385,000 objects spans history, science, technology, design, industry, decorative arts, music, transport and space exploration. The Museum has an ever-changing program of exhibitions covering approximately 20,000 square metres. It presents 22 permanent exhibitions and several temporary exhibitions, complemented by more than 250 interactives.

The museum has something for everyone ... and this includes little people. A visit to the powerhouse museum would not be complete without visiting Zoe's House. Zoe's House is An internationally renowned interactive playspace for 3-6 year olds (however smaller kids can play with parent's close supervision). What is Zoe's House? It is an unfinished house surrounded by tools for little builders - a crane, conveyor belt, rubble chute, rail network, wheel barrows, lifts, even hard hats and jackets. Kids can roll up their sleeves and get to playing with the toy bricks and work together to build Zoe's House. It is very easy for time to just pass very quickly when they are playing here.

Another activity is the MBF Magic Garden. Here children learn about healthy eating and healthy activity and have fun within this self-contained interactive unit. The Magic Garden is an imaginative environment, developed in consultation with health experts, where 2-8 year olds can play among pumpkins and mushrooms, chase fish in a digital pond or catch butterflies at the garden gate.

For bigger kids there is the Cog's playground. This outdoor climbing euipment is just perfect for older kids to play on while Mum has a rest and a cup of coffee/tea at the cafe.

For the grown-ups there are some really interesting tempory exhibitions on at the moment including the Star Wars and Modern Times exhibits. Star Wars costs extra ... unless you are a member.

One of the best things I did on the day was to purchase a Family Membership. Membership IMHO is very cheap and offers many benefits. We bought the Standard Household membership that covers two adults and all students up to 18 at the same address and costs $105.

This membership entitles you to

• Free general entry to the Powerhouse Museum and limited special exhibitions (this includes Star Wars ... that normally costs $25 for a single adult to visit)
  
  
• Free day entry to Sydney Observatory, including the 3D space theatre
  
  
• Discounted night viewings at Sydney Observatory. Bookings essential
  
  
• Free entry for Public Open Days and discounted entry for Booked Group Visits at the Powerhouse Discovery Centre, Castle Hill
  
  
• Six free general entry guest passes for the Powerhouse Museum
  
  
• Reciprocal benefits to many related museums nationally

Since buying the membership we have visited twice and I am sure we will visit many times throughout the year.

Education Opportunities for At Home Mums - Distance Education

Have you made your list of new years resolutions and one of them has been to either study or extend your skills base? I am a big fan of life-long learning and have been doing some form of study for most of my life. The great thing is that flexibility in study options just seems to keep increasing ... so with alittle willpower and commitment it is possible for anyone to study. One of those options is Distance Education.

Distance Education, studying online or by correspondence ... it has many names but ultimately means the same thing ... completing your studies at home ... or wherever you happen to be. Distance education allows you to arrange your study around your work and family commitments. Distance education is a great options for At Home Mums that would find it difficult/impossible to find childcare for classtimes but have some freetime at home when the children are asleep (or otherwise occupied).

How does distance education work? While there are some differences in the physical delivery of the materials in general

• You’ll receive all your study materials - this may include printed study notes, online information, texts, CD-ROMs and DVDs, by mail before your course begins.
• You can connect with lecturers and fellow students via email, online forums, telephone tutorials, videoconferences, on campus residential schools and weekend schools.
• You complete your studies and assignments in the time it suits you around your commitments.
  

I have personally studied at TAFE and university via distance education.

Some options you may what to consider are ....

• OTEN (http://www.oten.edu.au/) - OTEN delivers Nationally Recognised Training from the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). OTEN offers around 200 qualifications and courses flexibly and by distance, giving individuals the opportunity to study at a time and place that best suits them. Counselling and careers support is available for FREE before and after enrolment. A range of support services such as, recognition of prior learning and support services for special needs is available to enrolled students through OTEN or TAFE NSW colleges. In addition, online services are easily accessed through the DET Portal and the Online Learning Support websites.
• Charles Sturt University (http://www.csu.edu.au/study/distance-education/)- Charles Sturt University is Australia’s leading provider of distance education. Every year, over 21,000 students around the world study undergraduate and postgraduate courses or single subjects through their world-class distance education program. At CSU, they view our distance education and on campus students as equal, with both receiving the same globally-recognised, quality education. And as a distance education student, you still have plenty of opportunity to connect and communicate with lecturers, tutors and fellow students – online, by phone, and through residential schools. I have studied at CSU via distance and can recommend them as a distance learning provider.
• University of New England (http://www.une.edu.au/about/off-campus-ed/)- UNE has a long history of teaching in this via distance education so their programs are successful because they understand the problems and needs of off-campus students and provide extensive support systems to overcome those challenges. I have also studied at UNE and can also recommend them as a distance learning provider.
  
• Open Univeristies Australia (http://www.open.edu.au) - Open Universities Australia is owned by seven leading universities and is Australia’s fastest growing online higher education service. Most of OUA’s undergraduate first level units have no entry requirements so it doesn’t matter who you are or where you are - you can be a student online. They also offer bridging and preparatory units to help with the transition to higher education. OUA has several study periods or sessions each year, so you can fit study into your life. You can start in March, June-July, September or December. Unviersities offering courses as part of OUA include Curtin Unversity, Griffith University, Macquarie University, Monash University, RMIT, Swinburne University and the University of South Australia.

Goodbye to Backyards?? - NSW Government blueprint for Sydney bringing more high-denisty living and subways

A PLAN to build high-rise apartment and office blocks along a proposed rail line in Sydney's inner-west would ruin the quality of life for thousands in the suburbs, NSW Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell says.
The New South Wales Government has endorsed the building of high-density developments around rail stations in Sydney's inner west if a new Metro lines goes ahead. In order to justify the $13 billion-dollar investment, tens of thousands more people would have to live and work within walking distance of the proposed metro stations. Heritage inner-west suburbs such as Glebe, Leichhardt, Rozelle and Camperdown are earmarked to be among the first to face radical changes.

Is this what is best for Sydney? From what I have seen and read so far, I am not convinced that this is a good planning proposal. Why are we risking some of the cities jewels filled with history, colour, character and culture on such a risky proposals?

The metro policy also would explain the Government's opposition to extending the light rail from Rozelle to Dulwich Hill, said a Greens councillor for Leichhardt, Cassi Plate. The MarketPlace shopping centre in Leichhardt has been earmarked as one of 10 stations along the proposed line.

Cr Plate said there was huge community support for the six-kilometre extension, which is estimated to cost $17 million.

"There is an ulterior motive to all of this. Developers will make an awful lot of money out of the lifting of building height restrictions, and the Government will continue to expand on Sydney's fringes."

I don't trust this government to place proper planning above developer's profits considering their track record.

What do you think?