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CHINESE NEW YEARCELEBRATIONAT POINT COOK TOWN CENTRE

Traditional Chinese Performance brought by the Chinese Performing Arts Development Group

photo: Karolina S.

2012 is the year of the Dragon, one of the most powerful and lucky signs in the Chinese zodiac, with many believing there is a balance between heaven and earth in the lives of people born in the Year of the Dragon (1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012). Dragons are blessed with good fortune and are innovative, flexible, self-assured and passionate. However, Dragons can also be stubborn, intense and quick tempered.

The Lunar New Year is celebrated around the world by the many cultures that observe the lunar calendar. Festivities begin on the first new moon of spring (in the northern hemisphere) or autumn (in the southern hemisphere), and end 15 days later as the full moon rises in the sky.

There are many traditions and customs associated with the festival and those were held on Friday the 20th January at the Town Centre. As usual, part of Murnong St. was closed to cars and street stalls loaded with Asian food and artifacts provided a delight for the huge family crowd present. If you were there you will know what I mean. The town square stage had traditional Chinese dynamic dances and

sounds that made a vibrant and exhilarating time. The carnival atmosphere prevailed with fantastic dance performaces and singing. We could see lots of costumed groups and great singers. There were a host of free activities for the kids, including Chinese games, hat painting, acrobats, and above all, great weather.

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I must commend our designer on the new look of the Around Point Cook Community Newspaper.

The year is starting to crank up and Australia Day is upon us already!

I took this pic at the end of Jan, of the lunchtime joyful happenings at Point Cook Town Centre. The sun was shining and much fun was being had.

I trust everyone had a wonderful Australia Day and by the time you read this some of you will be preparing for a romantic Valentines Day! All the best on that front too!

It is with pleasure we have nominated Jackie Gibson, previously a strong defence player for the Altona Gators Big V basketball teams, as a recipient of a scholarship award for 2012.

Jackie played for the Gators for some years and has established a career in coaching and successfully brought her team of youngsters to their finals.

After enjoying travel she has turned to the travel industry for training and believes that should leave sufficient time for her basketball passion.

Around Point Cook has joined a small group of sponsors who will help provide fees and transport for her first year of training in the travel industry. Her exploits in her new career should make good reading throughout 2012 and we look forward to following her progress, both in the travel industry and basketball coaching.

Congratulations Jackie, on receiving your award!

EDITORSCOLUMN

PUDDLING WITH THE PUBLISHER

Bill McPherson

Happy anniversary, lovely Nella! x x o o

Till next month.Kind Regards

Daniel - Volunteer EditorAround Point Cook Community Newspaper

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from front pageThe highlight of the lantern festival was the dragon dance. The dragon was typically made of silk, paper, and bamboo. Traditionally the dragon was held aloft by young men who danced as they guided the colorful beast through the street.

It was a scintillating fusion of international and Chinese elements that defined Point Cook as a suburb where East meets West. The organisers are to be congratulated as everything went like clockwork and the smiles from the crowd were an obvious appreciation of their work. The festival concluded at 9 which left time for very

happy kids to be dragged away. Well done all involved – we look forward to next year.

Karolina Stjepovic & Bill McPherson

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Toyota’s recent announcement that 350 jobs will be shed from its Altona plant is devastating news for hundreds of local families.

This decision will present a great challenge for many families across the western suburbs and will have a broader impact on other businesses and workers that supply components to Toyota. There are now hundreds more local workers and their families facing an uncertain future on top of those who will lose their jobs at Toyota itself.

After 14 months in office, Mr Baillieu has little to show local families on his election commitment to deliver a jobs plan for local families holding mortgages as well as facing increased costs of living.

While there are national and international factors affecting the economy, Mr Baillieu has a responsibility to support local jobs and investment.

The manufacturing industry is one of the most important employers of people in the western suburbs. In the last year alone, more than 20,000 jobs have been lost from the sector.

Mr Baillieu needs to provide a guarantee to employees at Toyota, through the supply chain and across the West that his government is doing everything it can to ensure their job security into the future.

It’s time for Mr Baillieu to indicate what his plan is to support workers and industries in the West.

RegardsJill Hennessy MPMember for Altona

A WORD FROM JILL HENNESSY MP

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As many of us have experienced, today’s job market is very different to the past. Individuals are left with the responsibility of managing and progressing their own careers as industry and business focus on achieving their KPI’s and expects employees to be job ready and adaptable. ‘Changes in the nature and availability of work and the corresponding demands on workers to engage in repeated occupational and learning transitions throughout life have heralded a rise in the importance and necessity for the provision of career services across the lifespan.’ McMahon, M., Managing Life, Learning and Work in the 21st Century.

CAREERSAdvice is a local private independent careers service aimed solely at assisting people to grow and develop their own careers to satisfy their lifestyle needs and interests. Enid Stein, Principal Consultant, is a qualified Careers Practitioner and has extensive experience working one-to-one in career counselling and coaching with students and adults using a variety of career tools and empowering clients to develop their own career development plans.

Enid is a Professional Member of the Career Development Association of Australia. www.cdaa.org.au

CAREERSAdvice is located in Point Cook

Town Centre and appointments are available on Wednesday and Saturdays. Next Morrisby Report Vocational testing session will be on Saturday March 3, 2012.

This comprehensive program is recommended for students, also for adults who are dissatisfied with their current career choice.

Contact Enid on 0413412617 or email enid@careersadvice.com.au or go to www.careeradvice.com.au for more

information.

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BANKS SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY TO SAVE LIVESTuesday 10 January 2012: The Altona, Laverton/Altona Meadows and Point Cook Community Bank® branches have united to help purchase automatic defibrillators machines for 15 sites across the Hobsons Bay and Wyndham communities.

The funds are provided by the Community Bank® branches and through the support of the Defib Your Club for Life program, with the Laverton Community Centre acting as a community partner in the project.

Defib Your Club for Life was formed in memory of 19-year-old Stephen Buckman, a young Rupertswood footballer who collapsed and died during training in May 2010. Sadly, his death was not the only one for the year, with a number of other young lives lost to cardiac arrest.

Defib Your Club for Life was established by MICA paramedic Andrew White who, while off duty last year tried to save the life of Stephen, found that without timely access to a defibrillator he was unable to revive him. The appeal now raises funds to help clubs have access to automatic defibrillators to potentially save lives

“A defibrillator is the most important piece of equipment any club or group can have,” Mr White said.

“Anywhere, where large groups gather may benefit from access to automatic defibrillators for use in emergency situations, for example local beaches, swimming pools, cricket grounds, football, netball, bowling clubs, shopping strips and other organisations.”

“The fact is that one in 1000 people have an underlying cardiac condition that they are unaware of and for every one minute that elapses after collapse, your chance of survival falls by 10 percent and by the 10 minute mark your chance of survival has significantly diminished, “ he added.

Mr White went on to say, “Research tells us that the MCG that has a cardiac arrest survival rate of 85 percent, as automatic defibrillators are readily available. This is compared to a seven percent chance elsewhere in Australia where the life saving equipment is not as accessible.”

Michael Boyd, Director of the Altona, Laverton/Altona Meadows and Point Cook Community

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Bank® branches said over the next 12 months the local Community Bank® branches will significantly invest to De Fib the Hobsons Bay and Wyndham communities.

“This is a major project for us that will assist our communities with over 88 De Fib units to be placed in strategic locations, ensuring accessible to any member of our community, in a timely manner, if the need arose.

“The “000” help number will be aware of our Defibrillators, and their location, and callers will be advised of this.”

“Phase one focuses on sites that receive significant crowds during the summer period and these are being distributed immediately”, he said.

A defibrillator has been purchased by the Community Bank® for the following sites in phase one of the project:

• Altona Surf Life Saving Club• Hobsons Bay Sport and Game Fishing Club • Altona Cricket Club• Laverton Community Centre• Altona Community Bank® branch• Point Cook Community Bank® branch• Laverton/Altona Meadows Community Bank® branch• Williamstown Bendigo Bank branch• Altona Bowling Club• Point Cook Cricket Club • 24 hour BP service station- Dunnings Road Point Cook• Williamstown beach front (unconfirmed site)• A 24 hour Laverton service station (unconfirmed)

There are an additional 2 unconfirmed sites in Altona and Laverton that will home Defib units.

To ensure that future sites are selected strategically, it is asked that community groups, clubs and businesses register expression of interest to the Community Bank® for future phases of the project.

“The Defib project is the first of many major projects to be funded by the Altona, Laverton/Altona Meadows and Point Cook Community Bank® branches,” said Mr Boyd.

“This is facilitated by community dollars that are generated by local people doing business at their local Community Bank® branch.

“The more business done, the more funds are raised, the more major projects can be launched.

“It is all about the community answering the community problems.” said Mr Boyd.

For further information on the Defib Your Club for Life program machine go to:

www.defibforlife.org.au/the-program

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Jujitsu is the original complete martial art, practiced since ancient times by the Japanese Samurai, from which most other traditional Japanese martial art forms are derived. The Samurai were renouned for their courage and honor and their unwavering commitment to the code of Bushido.

Dave Franklin Martial Arts (DFMA) is headed by Soke (Head of style) Dave Franklin, holder of 10th Dan Black Belts in two styles of Jujitsu, and 8th Dan Karate & Judo.

As a member of the oldest surviving unbroken Japanese Samurai lineage dating back to 850AD, Dave Franklin is the embodiment of the true Bushido spirit and Samurai warrior heart.

Students that train under Soke Dave Franklin become recipients of this lineage and are taught the true way of the Samurai and the Spirit of Bushido.

Soke Dave Franklin is also Vice President and Australia Director for the All Japan Jujitsu International Federation (AJJIF), and Head of Combat Jujitsu.

Member of the Katabami Ju-Jitsu Clan.

Awarded PHD and title of Prof in Martial Arts 1st May 2010 as well as many other international certifications.

REAL SAMURAI TRAINING IN PT COOK

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I came across an inspirational tweet recently. It’s so easy for both parents and children to spend a lot of time in the online world: @DrNaif: 13 Jan 2011When you are connected online, you are disconnected offline. Your family deserves more. Balance is the key, now more than ever.With the advent of Smartphone’s, we’re never more than a tap or click away from Google, Facebook and Twitter. Balancing your virtual life with your real life can be complementary, here’s how: Go online to find offline opportunities.There are many local forums and groups which post about their activities and events. Get your information online, and head offline to meet new people and participate in your community events, many of which are Free! Point Cook has a vibrant local online community! Here are some informative Facebook pages to find out about local offline for grown-ups and kids events: - Point Cook Community Learning Centre- Point Cook Community Running Group- Point Cook Town Centre- Point Cook Market- Point Cook Portal- We want a Pool in Point Cook- Zoo’s Victoria- The Substation Newport Make 2012 your year of balance in cyberspace. Join the conversation at @socialmediamons on Twitter or find me on Facebook.

Nicole Matejic

@SOCIALMEDIAMONSYOUR LOCAL SOCIAL

MEDIA CONVERSATION

Twitter: @socialmediamonsFacebook: Social Media Monster

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Point Cook Garden Page

Reaching a height of 1.5m to 8m tall, Angophora hispida is the smallest growing member of this genus. In the wild, it is confined to the Central Coast of New South Wales, ranging from just south of Sydney north to the Gosford area.

Commonly called the Dwarf Apple, this spectacular species tolerates a wide variety of soils, and will even tolerate some coastal exposure.

Like the other angophoras, it is frost tender until over 1.5m in height.

In the landscape, you can recognise A. hispida by its extremely hairy young stems and new foliage. The trunk is also notable as it has flaky, grey to grey-brown strips of bark. The white to cream flowers are borne in dense terminal clusters in summer and are strongly bird-attracting.

ANGOPHORA HISPIDA(DWARF APPLE)

Although widely used further north, the Dwarf Apple is only occasionally seen in the Melbourne environs. However, over the past few years, the Hobsons Bay City Council has been rejuvenating nature strip plantings, including those in the First, Second, Third, etc. Avenue area of Altona North; and it was in that area that I saw these breathtakingly beautiful Aussie natives in flower for the very first time.

Angophora hispida is wise choice for use under powerlines, and an excellent choice for home gardens and wherever space is limited.

Helene WildResident Artist Habitat Trusthelene.wild@optusnet.com.au

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SOMETIMES THE

THINGS TAKE UP THE MOST ROOM IN YOUR HEART

SMALLEST

This is a story about little Noah, born just a short time ago, many weeks early, and weighing only 1.14 lbs! (845 gms)

We met with Noah and his family at McDonalds in Sanctuary Lakes where the family had been showing off Noah as his Grandma and Aunty both work there and the staff had followed the pregnancy and birth with great interest.

Noah’s mother was living in Launceston when the birthing started early and was quickly moved to the Royal Hobart where the facilities were top class to deal with early birthing problems of which Noah had a few.

Born with bleeds in his brain and an open valve in his heart the hospital staff took him under their wing and helped him overcome these hurdles after just 9 weeks in hospital.

Grandma and family had flown to Hobart to support their new charge and were accommodated at Ronald McDonald House for the 9 weeks until Noah (by now grown to 2.5kg) and Mum were discharged and able to fly to Melbourne for emergency laser eye surgery which solved the problem.

All concerned were thrilled by the support given by the hospital staff and were very appreciative of the warm reception at Ronald McDonald houses in both Hobart and Melbourne.

In the meantime little Noah is thriving on the attention and is successfully beginning to train his mother.

Good luck Noah!

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Home

maintenance

workshops

Where: Hobsons Bay CommunityWorkshop,

280 Queen Street, Altona

When: EveryWednesday from11th January to

19th February 2012 from 1pmto 3pm

Cost: $5 per session and light lunch to be provided

Bookings: Call Daniel on 9398 2383

JAMIESON WAY COMMUNITY CENTREPHOTOGRAPHY CLASSESNOW STARTING6 week classesThursday 7pm – 9pm$20 per class.Enrol NOW! Spaces filling fast.

Contact: admin@jamiesonwaycc.org.au Ph.: 9395 3777

JAMIESON WAY

COMMUNITY CENTRE

What’s happening at the Centre…

Scouts, Youth Group, Karate, Martial Arts,

Dance classes, Kindermusik, Learning Land,

Playgroup, Drama classes, Tai Chi, Footy

Tackers,

Yoga, Diploma classes, photography classes.

3+ Activity Group, painting classes, and

more

Contact admin@jamiesonwaycc.org.au

Ph.9395 3777 for more information

on these activities

POINT COOK MARKET

Come along a Catch the Colour at the

next market4th March 9am – 2pm.

Looking for new stallholders.

New goods only.

Stalls Inside, outside, marquee sites

available.

Help us celebrate the 5th Birthday of the

market!

Contact: stalls@pointcookmarket.com.

au Ph.: 9395 3777

Community Board

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Point Cook

Walking Group

Monday to Wednesday: group

leaves at 9.00 a.m. from the seats

outside the drycleaners (near Coles).

Thursday & Friday: group leaves

at 9.00 a.m. from the Jamieson Way

Community Centre.

For Sale

Deb Dress size 10

Raf Ciucca design $450

Deb Dress size 8

Organza $85

Tread mill $950

ph 0403 191 084

Dinners Group

18th Feb, 7pm

Williamstown

Please phone Joan to book a seat

9394 7905 by 14th Feb 2012

Pram Walking GroupDo you like to take your little one for a stroll in the pram? Why not walk with other like-minded parents, get fit and make new friends at the same time?

The Pram Walking Group meets outside the library at 10.30 on Tuesdays. For more information, contact Bev on 9395 1953.

ECMS 3+ Activity GroupThursdaysECM's Offer two sessions,

if you would like to enrol

or would like further

information contact

ECM's on 84811117.

Dog Walking GroupDon’t forget our canine family members – they

love to get out and about too!

I’m thinking of starting a dog walking group,

for fun, fitness and a few laughs. As far as

meeting places go, I think the off leash area

on the corner of Prudence Parade and Malibu

Boulevard (Alamanda Estate) would be ideal.

What do you think? (Obviously, participating

pooches need to be fully vaccinated.)

Let’s talk about it – contact Lisa on 9395 1600

or on buster.charles@bigpond.com

Community Board

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When people meet me and ask what I do; and I tell them I am a Financial Planner, there are a few responses I get. Most commonly – “Oh, I need one of those”. Second most commonly – “What do you actually do?”

There is a perception that financial planners only help rich people get richer, which always intrigues me. If people are already rich, are they the ones who really need advice?

Financial Planners take on many roles including Research, Advice, Strategy, Guidance, Encouragement, Goal Setting, and assisting people to achieve Peace of Mind.

The areas I work in include:

Superannuation, Investment, Personal Insurance, Retirement Planning, Pre-retirement planning, Estate Planning, Budgeting, Savings Plans, Centrelink Maximisation, and Taxation Minimisation. Most importantly, I work with people, and to summarise here is what I do:

Minimise financial risks, and maximise financial opportunities !

One of my clients has asked me to tell her story, in order to communicate some of the things that we do better than any financial planner is able to. Many thanks to Amanda for her contribution:

“We weren’t wealthy, we didn’t have savings or investments. My husband’s company was taken-over and they said they were going to put off a lot of workers. He had been working there for 12 years. We had teenagers, a mortgage, renovations, all the usual expenses that families have. Our wages didn’t cover our costs and we were hoping we would breathe again when the kids finished school.

We saw Melinda and she organised our finances and affairs so that we were protected if the worst happened. My husband was one of the lucky ones and kept his job although he took a substantial pay cut. 50% of his fellow employees were made redundant.

We thought we were over the worst of our financial difficulties, our youngest son finished school and we were finally in a position where we could pay off our credit cards, landscape the garden and plan our first family holiday in years.

WHAT DOFINANCIAL PLANNERSACTUALLY DO?

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Then my husband was diagnosed with cancer. One visit to the doctor, a CT scan, he was in and out of hospital, more tests, trips to specialists. The cost of treatments and special medications was unbelievable, one cancer tablet cost $4000 per month! He couldn’t drive because of the medications he was on and I had to give up work to care for him, around the clock.

We had insurance. Melinda had put all that in place. We were able to go on knowing that the cost of treatments, therapies and loss of wages was covered. After a few weeks my husband was given a terminal diagnosis and with the support of our local palliative care I was able to care for him at home until he died.

I still had a mortgage and debts, no regular income for nearly a year, was unemployed and grieving and the renovation on our house was incomplete. The whole way through our experience Melinda handled the paperwork and helped us in any way she could.

After the estate was settled Melinda organised everything again so that I could return to study with a regular income from investing my husband’s superannuation and Life Insurance proceeds. I have been able to pay out the mortgage, engage a builder to finish the renovation and help the kids along with their Uni studies. All the way through, because of the best financial advice, I have been able to make choices based on what was the best possible for our family.

You can’t predict what will happen in life. You can’t see into the future and you never think the worst could happen. But you can organise your affairs with the help of a good financial planner so that if things go wrong you have choices and options. I’m still not wealthy. But I’m so glad we take Melinda’s advice.”

Amanda Larcombe

Please contact me if you think that you have opportunities to minimise financial risks and maximise financial opportunities. With constant changes to legislation, financial markets, world events, and your own personal situation it is essential to refer to a financial specialist who is experienced and up-to-date.

Please contact Melinda Houghton at the office of Houghton Strategic Solutions in Point Cook if you would like to receive further information on financial advice options on 9394 6344.

Melinda Houghton Authorised Representative of Aon Hewitt Financial Advice LimitedAuthorised Representative No. 290343

Aon Hewitt Financial Advice ABN 13 091 225 642 AFSL No. 239183

This information may be regarded as general advice. That is, your personal objectives, needs or financial situations were not taken into account when preparing this information. Accordingly, you should consider the appropriateness of any general advice we have given you, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs before acting on it. Where the information relates to a particular financial product, you should obtain and consider the relevant product disclosure statement before making any decision to purchase that financial product.

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This summer Wyndham City has embarked on a campaign to reduce illegal dumping in our municipality. Illegally dumping consists of any waste which is inappropriately discarded in a public place, for example: household waste that is disposed of on a roadside or household waste that is placed in or near a dumpster at a building site.

The Dumping is Damaging campaign is targeting the northern suburbs of the municipality where illegal dumping is unfortunately quite common. The aims of the campaign are to educate residents on how they can get rid of waste safely and legally and also to inform people about how to make a litter report if they witness someone dumping waste illegally.

Dumping is Damaging promotes the following key messages to all residents:

Dumping is Damaging...

...to our community. Dumped rubbish is unsightly and makes our neighbourhood dirty, appear uncared for and unsafe.

...to our environment. Dumped rubbish often enters our rivers and creeks causing damage to the plants and animals that live there.

...to our economy. Dumped rubbish costs homeowners in Wyndham more than $1 million each year to clean up. That money could be better spent on services for you.

...to our health. Dumped rubbish can be harmful to our health especially if it contains dangerous substances such as chemicals or asbestos.

For more information on the campaign please contact Wyndham City’s Waste Education Officer on 9742 0777.

To get rid of waste please call Wyndham City on 9742 0777 to book a free hard and green waste collection. This service is available to both homeowners AND renters.

If you witness someone dumping waste illegally record the location, date, time and their car registration and report this as soon as possible to Wyndham City by calling 9742 0777.

Together we can help stamp out illegal dumping and encourage responsible waste management.

DUMPING IS DAMAGING

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Membership growth at the Rotary Club of Laverton Point Cook is continuing to surpass past club and District records, with membership rising by more than 42% in recent months, with more growth in the pipeline before the end of the financial year. Many Point Cook people are realising the many benefits of Rotary involvement, in particular community minded people newly arrived from countries where English is not the first language. Two thirds of the club’s new members since August are from multicultural backgrounds, such as India, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Austria.

The club once again entertained and fed a large crowd at its free Australia Day Breakfast held at Seabrook Primary School Hall. The event included great presentations from official Australia Day Ambassadorial Speaker, Alan Howe (Chief Executive of the Herald and Weekly Times) and Councillor Bob Fairclough. Entertainment was provided by the Laverton Community Choir, singer Gaye Edmonds from Carranballac College and a gumboot throwing competition.

This month the club will be presenting a donation of $5000 to a representative of Camp Getaway, which is a children’s camp at Axedale , near Bendigo. This money is towards the refurbishment of the camp kitchen.

Recent Induction of new member Morisio Cokanauto, his sponsor John Kinai and club president Chris Egger

As a direct result of the club’s generosity, Camp Getaway are providing two free camps at no cost to a number of children from the Laverton Autistic School (our nominated beneficiary).

To find out more about us please go to our website at www.rotarylpc.org.au or email lavertonpointcook@rotarydistrict9800.org

Chris EggerPresident, Rotary Club of Laverton Point Cook

ROTARY CLUBS’RECORD BREAKING RUN CONTINUES

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As parents most of us have heard about or experienced the tremendous health and wellbeing benefits associated with yoga, a good stretch, time to de-stress, a good night’s sleep and a renewed confidence to tackle the world head on.

The good news is our kids can experience yoga and receive all those wonderful positive side effects too. The pleasantly unique aspect of kids yoga classes is that they are non competitive and teach kids to develop an understanding of respect for both

themselves and others. Yoga also teaches kids how to relax and manage their stress through breathing and relaxation activities. Kids love yoga because it’s fun, creative and allows them to express their natural creativity. Whereas parents love their kids doing yoga because they see the improvement in their child’s sleep patterns and mood after only a few classes, making yoga a number one weekly activity for both parents and kids.

KIDS YOGA– WHY PARENTS LOVE IT !

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Everything is brewing this month as we get underway with 2012.

Group members have returned from getting their holiday tan and the Classic Car and Bike show preliminaries are well advanced.

The show is a major contributor to the success of the Altona Beach Festival on Saturday 10th March and is open from 10 till 4, admission is free, and the array of classic cars and bikes will be a joy to behold. Held at Apex Park in Queen St., opposite Kooringal Golf Club, (a great place to have lunch.)

Last year’s classic entries were outstanding and we feel this year the event may be an even greater success.

The first pilot ‘Raised Garden Beds’ are on display and almost ready for their new homes. A number of modifications are already being tested.

Wyndham Council is investigating its options to compel the State Government to provide infrastructure for a proposed 2000 home development in Point Cook West.

The Growth Areas Authority has recently prepared the Point Cook West Structure Plan, which covers the form of development in the 145 hectares of land between Hacketts Rd, Sneydes Rd and the Princes Freeway, formerly part of the Werribee Employment Precinct.

The council says the development would place more pressure on the local infrastructure and services.

But the council has welcomed some aspects of the Structure Plan including a new diamond interchange onto the freeway at Sneydes Rd and a second crossing to the freeway through the extension of Dunnings Rd

SHED TALK FROM THE HOBSONS BAY

MENS SHED

CONCERN OVER POINT COOK WEST

DEVELOPMENT

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Pet Column

Gestation in the dog lasts around 67 +/- 4 days or 9 weeks although this time may vary from dog to dog. It is a good idea to have your

bitch vet checked prior to mating to ensure that she is in the best health possible and that breeding her is a good choice.

CARE OF YOUR BITCH DURING PREGNANCY

Vaccination:The bitch should ideally be vaccinated prior to mating. It is not safe to vaccinate during pregnancy with the current vaccines available in Australia. Vaccination aids in keeping your bitch healthy during pregnancy and also helps to increase her puppy’s immunity after birth. At Direct Vet Services this appointment includes a health check and also gives you a chance to ask the Vet any questions you may have.

Worming:Worming should be carried out regularly. In adult dogs this should be done once every three months with a good quality product, we recommend Drontal. In addition pregnant bitches should be wormed 3 weeks prior to giving birth and fortnightly whilst feeding her pups. It is important that any product used is safe for use in pregnant animals.

Food:Pregnant bitches should be fed on a quality puppy food in the last 2-3 weeks of pregnancy. As most dogs lose weight during pregnancy and lactation overfeeding is not usually a problem.

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Pet Column

If your answer to the above is NO, then you should think again.

You may think that Google is the only way potential customers can find you on the internet and that is where you are concentrating your on¬line marketing.There is one main difference with the way people use Facebook as compared to the search engines, with the search engines they type in what they want and the results appear, whereas with Facebook it is a bit more subtle. Facebook users join conversations with whoever they connect with, which usually means that they are on their Facebook page for a lot more time that they would ever spend on search engines.

The other thing about Facebook is that "friends" of the Facebook user are seeing what that user is looking at within the Facebook community.

This is where it gets interesting from your (the business owner's) perspective. If you can get the attention of one user then all their "Friends" could potentially see your conversation. So you are not only communicating with one individual but all their friends as well.

This is how your message can be viewed by hundreds of potential customers and if that message is crafted correctly and you engage in a conversation with his group then the likely positive impact on your business is huge.

Facebook is all about viral marketing and spreading the word about your business, there are many ways to use Facebook to attract more clients, but we don't have the space here to get into the detail. If you would like to learn more about Facebook for Business, visit

http://NittyGrittyBusiness.com/Facebook

DO YOU USE FACEBOOK FOR BUSINESS

After birth the amount fed should gradually increase and the bitch should be fed at least twice daily. Supplements are not required if an appropriate diet is fed. Do NOT add extra calcium as this reduces the dog’s ability to absorb calcium from her food. This becomes a problem when she gives birth as she cannot absorb the large amounts calcium she suddenly requires for milk production. This can result is a disease called eclampsia or milk fever which can be fatal.

Giving Birth:Your dog will usually start nesting a few days before giving birth, it is best the you provide a place for her, and many guides on “How to build a whelping box” can be found on the internet. Do not have excessive

bedding in the box as pups can become smothered under it or get caught up in it. The mother will often be very uncomfortable in the first stage of labour and make seek attention.

Once in labour the firs pup should be born within 2 hours and then no more than one hour between pups. If you are unsure please contact veterinary staff for advice. Try not to interfere too much, ensure that pups are removed from the sac, cleaned and feeding, by the mother preferably. Once feeding and making plenty of noise you can check the roof of the mouth for defects. If there is a gap between the two sides of the palate in the roof of the mouth you should seek urgent veterinary advice. This is called a cleft palate, and it prevents the pup from being able to suckle.

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There are possibly two answers to that question.1. Of course customers that already know where you are can certainly find you because the they have probably been doing business with you for some time.2. But what about the customers that have not been doing business with you, truth be known, they probably can't.Let we explain what I mean by using an example of a family that has just relocated into the area. If for example they needed a mechanic to service their car, what do you think they would do, look through the local paper, yellow pages or other local directory books? I don't think so!!In my opinion more and more people are using technology to search out what they are looking for and in particular their smartphones.They simply jump on their iPhone, go to the internet and do a search, then they check out the 1st few results they find and make contact with that business.

CAN YOUR CUSTOMERS FIND YOU ?

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So what has this got to do with you?That takes us back to my 1st question, “can you customers find you?”There is an easy way to find out, use your smartphone (or borrow one) and do a search for the service you provide, does your business name come up?If not, how much business do you think you are missing out on?All of this is going to your competitors!!There is also something else to be aware of, even if your business can be found, is the information you provide easy to follow on the limited space on the smartphone.Again, probably not, you need to have a website that is optimised for mobile devices and can by accessed using a one finger approach.You can see an example of this at www.LocalMarketingMagnet.com This IS the way of the future and now is the time for you to get ahead of the pack and make sure your customers can find you. If you would like to learn more about Mobile Marketing and how it will impact your business, there are a number of on-line tutorials available at no cost via our website.www.NityGrittyBusiness.com or for a complimentary 30mins consultation call (03) 8678 0657

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Do you realise that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? 'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead. 'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life... You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed? Then you're PUSHING 40.... Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone... But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would! You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing... You get into your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.'Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. 'I'm 100 and a half!' May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

PHILOSOPHY FOR OLD AGE

Happy Chinese New Year!

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HOW TO STAY YOUNG1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them' 2. Keep only cheerful friends.3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever... Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's. 4. Enjoy the simple things. 5. Laugh often, long and loud. 6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive. 7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.8.Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. 9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country....10. Tell the people that you love them, at every opportunity. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

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Laugh Out Loud

The family of tomatoes

A family of three tomatoes were walking downtown one day when the little baby tomato started lagging behind. The big father tomato walks back to the baby tomato, stomps on her, squashing her into a red paste, and says, "Ketchup!"

The birthday study

It is proven that the celebration of birthdays is healthy. Statistics show that those people who celebrate the most birthdays become the oldest. -- S. den Hartog, Ph D. Thesis Universtity of Groningen.

Statistical one-liners

According to recent surveys, 51% of the people are in the majority.

The only time a pie chart is appropriate is at a baker's convention.

The most important statistic for car manufacturers is autocorrelation.

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Laugh Out Loud

REAL ADVERTISEMENTS

Dog for sale: eats anything and is fond of children.

Vacation Special: have your home exterminated.

The hotel has bowling alleys, tennis courts, comfortable beds, and other athletic facilities.

Our experienced Mom will care of your child. Fenced yard, meals, and smacks included.

Our bikinis are exciting. They are simply the tops.

Auto Repair Service. Free pick-up and delivery. Try us once, you'll never go anywhere again.

REAL NEWS HEADLINES

Include your Children when Baking Cookies

Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case

Survivor of Siamese Twins Joins Parents

Enraged Cow Injures Farmer with Ax

Air Head Fired

Steals Clock, Faces Time

Dear Kill 17,000

March Planned For Next August

Illiterate? Write today for free help.

We will oil your sewing machine and adjust tension in your home for $1.00.

Get rid of aunts: Zap does the job in 24 hours.

SIGNS AND NOTICES

At a car dealership: "Belt your family. It's the law."

In restaurant: "Open seven days a week and weekends."

On a ski lift: 'No jumping from the lift. Survivors will be prosecuted.'

In a health food store. "Shoplifters will be beaten over the head with an organic carrot"

Dry cleaners: "38 years on the same spot."

On a display of "I love you only" Valentine cards: "Now available in multi-packs."

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West Side Quotes

Tomato Seed

If saving your own tomato seed, sterilise it against bacterial

canker and other virus diseases by soaking in warm water (55 degrees C) for 25

minutes.

John Meredith

“When man departs from nature, his

demoralisation is complete”

(from The Householder’s

Compendium by John Meredith 1986)

Watercress

Go and eat grass!” is a remark sometimes made to people who are emotionally disturbed. The saying

is a corruption of ‘go and eat cress’, a phrase which originated with the ancient Greeks and came to Ireland with the Phoenicians, all of whom

agree that a good meal of watercress is an effective sedative for those suffering from nervous tension.

Watercress does not need to be grown in running water: it can be raised from seed and successfully grown in a well-composted trench,

which is kept, continually moist and shaded.

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Famous Quotes

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path

and leave a trail.Ralph Waldo Emerson

* * *

A mistake is simply another way of doing things.

Katharine Graham

He who devotes sixteen hours a day to hard study may become at sixty as wise

as he thought himself at twenty.Mary Wilson Little

* * *

It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.

Henry David Thoreau

Nobody can give you wiser advice than

yourself.Marcus Tullius

Cicero

* * *

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your

goal.Henry Ford

* * *

The future has already arrived.

It's just not evenly distributed yet.William Gibson

* * *

The greatest obstacle to discovery is not

ignorance - it is the illusion of knowledge.

Daniel J. Boorstin

* * *

The truest wisdom is a resolute

determination.Napoleon Bonaparte

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WEEK WORDSOur measures of time have nomenclatureWhich shows the origins of our culture:The months tell us of a different age;Their names are from our Roman heritage.

Although the language we speak is English,Our forefathers were not a bit squeamish:They’d take a word from any nationTo improve their verbal communication;From Latin we get many words we speak,But from the Saxons come days of the week.

Week comes from “wika” which is Saxon;Wika from the Germanic word “wikon”;Wikon is a word which means sequence;Defining the word “week”, this makes sense.

Sunday, Lord’s day, first of the week,Day of prayer for the blessed meek;Pillaging was the Saxons’ bag:They’d rob churches on a “Sunnundag”.

Their “Monondag” we call Monday,Old English for day of the Moon;If the Sun did shine they’d make hay;If it rained, they would sleep till noon.

“Tiwesday” honoured Tiw, god of war;That’s what Saxons came over for:Tuesday’s as good as any timeTo raid or commit a dreadful crime.

Woden was chief Germanic god,Who was a mostly angry bod;His horse Sleipnir had a fierce neigh:It’s from this god we get Wednesday.

Woden had a son that he named Thor,Who loved to roar and lay down the law;He’d fill people with awe and wonder,By making a lot of fuss and thunder:This bloke is still around today;We’re reminded of him every Thursday

Woden’s wife to him was most dear;This gal’s name was Frigg or Fria;They’d make love Monday to Friday;And sometimes on Saturday and Sunday.

Last day of the week is Saturday;God of agriculture was Saturn:“Saternesdag”, as on any damn day,The Saxon hordes would pillage and burn.

Lastly, it should be understood,Those Saxon marauders did some good:English is based on Saxon speak,Particularly our days of the week.

Jack Nystrom, Wednesday, 25 January, 2012.

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Calling on Point Cook Schools and Parents to share photos, art, stories, writing for this page.

Email your contributions to editorpointcook@gmail.com or post to the PO Box 1145 Altona Meadows 3028

From:http://www.netplaces.com/kids-word-search-puzzles-activities/in-the-yard/ready-to-ride.htm

Before you hop on your bike, see if you can find all fifteen bicycle parts hidden in the wheels.

READY?TO RIDE

Point Cook Kids

Please redistribute rather than discard.