skip to main |
skip to sidebar
When you read the news reports from the Victorian Bushfires over the last few days the size of the destruction, the loss of life, property and the impact on the wildlife and animals is just too large to comprehend.
The threat of bushfires lingers over many communities across Australia every year ...It is something that is always in the back of your mind ... is it going to be this year .. is this year the year for the big fire ... is my home going to be under threat ... is it my friend or nieghbours turn ... but I know within my own comprehenstion I would have never imagined something this big.
My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone that lives or has loved ones within the fire zone ... My thoughts and prayers are also with all of the CFA and other firefighters, the SES, Police, Ambulance, the Armed Services that are assiting, the Salvation Army, all medical and nursing staff ... and just everyone that is helping in the efforts in Victoria
For those that want to help there is alot that can be done ...
- Red Cross Call 1800 811 700 or go to redcross.org.au
- Salvation Army Call 137 258 or go to salvos.org.au
- NAB relief fund call 136 622 or visit www.nab.com.au for more details
- RSPCA Victoria www.rspcavic.org
- To donate through Myer, visit a store's service desk
- Donations of clothes and household goods to the Salvation Army, Brotherhood of St Laurence, St Vincent de Paul or the Red Cross
How many of you have driven or walked signs indicating one of Sydney's bike trails and wondered where do they go ... is this something for me? ... My answer to those questions is that they go lots of places and that they are a great, if under-utilized, resource and are great for parents and children.
Sydney Bikes Trails are one of this cities hidden treasures. Whether you be on 2 wheels (and maybe using a Wee Rider - See my earlier post on them ... great for taking the little one out on a ride) or on 3 or 4, depending on your pram or stroller, they are a great way to get out and see our beautiful city.
Once you know a place to start, you'll be amazed at how many enjoyable rides/walks there are to explore. The majority of the paths are along dedicated bike paths, free of traffic, and pass through parks, along beaches and rivers, and via breathtaking lookouts. Some even have wonderful historic features, such as the Sydney Olympic Park track through Newington Armory and the Fernleigh path near Newcastle.
Most routes are clearly signposted but I think that it is worth checking out the RTA website and downloading the maps to plan your adventures.
I have done of a few rides and walks along some of the cyleways and I recommend them to you ... have any of you done walks on the cyleways and what do you think ... or do you have something similar near you ... I would love to hear.
Once again the Breastfeeding Association has come up with a program that is incredibly practical and useful ... The Baby Care Room Awards. I know that after my son was born I found that my relationship with shopping centres and really all venues outside of home changed based upon my changing needs. One of those needs was for for Parent or Baby Rooms. I found it became an obect of interest to me (and something I would discuss with my Mother's Group) he difference in facilities and the difference it would make in a journey or outing. What became very obvious is that some places didn't have them at all, some appeared to be a small afterthought and others were extremely well thought out and planned.
It appears that my interests were similar to those held by the Breastfeeding Association. They have a national campaign to award rooms that provide facilities to enable mothers to feed and change their babies and toddlers when they are away from home.
The Baby Car
e Room symbol is awarded to a premises with:
- a convenient, quiet place to feed in privacy
- comfortable seating (armchair style is preferable)
- cleanliness
- somewhere safe and clean to change nappies
- hot and cold water and hand drying facilities
- waste disposal
- a smoke free zone
- no advertising of artificial formula or toddler follow-on formula
- preferably access for fathers who need to care for infants without interfering with the privacy of breastfeeding women
Other features that are highly desirable to consider during the design of a baby change and feeding facility include: Brothers
- easy pram (stroller) access, including twin prams
- doors should be light to push and have the ability to be propped open for pram access, but not automatic
- the room should be clearly marked and easy to find
- food preparation area separate to nappy change area, with bottle warming facilities
- hot water thermostat regulator on taps
- change bench within arms reach of taps so baby can remain attended
- dispenser machine to buy disposable nappies
- dispenser machine for paper cups
- toddler toilet with low mirror, low wash basin with automatic cut off taps, no automatic hand drying facilities and a door able to be pushed open from the inside
A Baby Care Room is always a safe, comfortable, convenient and welcome place to go. A 3 star Baby Care Room is a great place to go, and a 5 star Baby Care Room is fantastic!
I have been to (on more than 1 occasion) 2 venues that have the 5 star rating and I would agree that they are fanatastic. If you live near check out both the Rhodes Shopping Centre (that also has a great Mum and Bubs Club) and the Foster Stockland Shopping Centre (Toddlers will also love the car shopping trolleys).
Check out the list on the ABA website for details of great facilities near you .. .
Baby Care Room Awards and Lists of Venues
