Geckos Newsletters

To my absolute astonishment, I woke up on Monday and realised November had already arrived. I don't know about you but I was sure I had only just got through Easter Bunny last week! Each year I seem to say the same thing 'Where did the year go?'. If anyone can explain the fast forward for this year, I can't wait to hear from you.

Our Monster Garage Sale was a spectacular success (even if I do say so myself!) and all those participating families made some extra pocket money in the run up to Christmas. I think packing up and moving will be easier for some families too! I had so many enquiries on the day as to when the next one will be, we have decided to hold one in April. Keep an eye out for details in the New Year.

Every other part of Defence may be winding down towards the Reduced Tempo Period but the busy season is coming to GECKOS. The Brigade Commander, BRIG Stuart Smith, will be launching White Ribbon Day here at GECKOS on the 12 November at 1130h. Feel free to come along, support a worthwhile cause and enjoy a casual lunch. More details in our 'What's On' area.

Sunday 15th November sees our venue hosting a Photography Workshop, run by the senior lecturer in Digital Imaging at JCU, Mr Clive Hutchinson. If you would like to participate (after all it is free!), please contact Selena Smith on telephone 0407 290 742 or email sdcl@bigpond.com. You will need to bring your own camera and some lunch.

Unbeknownst to us mere eaters, the chefs among us (that is the Army chefs) have been secretly getting ready for the Townsville version of 'Masterchef' and the outcomes will be on show for judging at GECKOS from 1130h on Monday 16 November. If you would like to get up close and personal with some amazing culinary creations, make sure you come along.

Our Open House Morning Tea is on again from 0930h on Wednesday 18 November. This is an informal kind of event, where everyone gets together (that's military, civilian and those of us that straddle both sides of the fence!) and have some lovely cake, chocolate biscuits, tea and coffee and relaxation is the only thing on the agenda. Kids are more than welcome and can have fun with all the toys and playground equipment here at the centre.

Sunday 22 November sees GECKOS embracing the Buddhist lifestyle with an introduction to the Mandala process. This activity is free and runs from 1000h. If you would like to participate in this unusual (but fun) creative activity please contact Selena Smith on telephone 0407 290 742 or email sdcl@bigpond.com.

Messy Play this month is on Wednesday 25 November and is all about Bubbles. The fun starts at 0930h and morning tea is available. Make sure you wear comfortable clothes!

Last, but not least this month, is our big day on 29 November. The Defence Children's Christmas Party will be held at GECKOS from 1400 - 1600h. Santa and Mrs Claus have assured me that they will be arriving in their reindeer drawn sleigh. I'm hoping its Rudolph because I have never seen a reindeer with a red nose before! Kids will be able to ride in the sleigh while Santa does his thing by handing out presents to the kids. There will be lots of party food and drinks available. Loads of rides, activities to participate in and fun to be had. If you haven't registered your child already, make sure you contact WO2 Kim Loadsman on telephone 4411 7031 so that you and yours can participate in this wonderful event.

Following straight on from the Christmas Party, CHAP Bailey will be hosting Carols @ Lavarack. This year the Chaplain and members of families with deployed members will tell the Christmas Story. 1 RAR have kindly volunteered to provide the band so that we can all sing those great carols. This is a great opportunity to take some time to reflect on what Christmas is really about (and let the kid's run off some of that sugar from the Christmas Party at the same time!) Light refreshments will be available.

CamKids Playgroup, Mums 'n' Bubs and the GECKOS Creche all continue this month.

So, come on in to GECKOS and enjoy some of the great events and activities coming up this month!

Up and running - GECKOS Creche

GECKOS Creche happens at GECKOS every Tuesday from 0930 to 1430h. SITTERS4KIDS provides a top class service, caring for your children while you have a well deserved break or attend those essential appointments that are always so much easier without children. The staff to child ratio is so much lower than that found in day care centres so this is ideal if your little one hasn't participated in care situations before. Bookings are essential.

Book directly with SITTERS4KIDS on 07 4779 2380 or, 0409210771. Bookings and payment can be made online at: sitters4kids@westnet.com.au.

The cost of the service is dependant on how long your children are here. So speak to Sally when you are booking.

SITTERS4KIDS accept Visa etc and payment can be made on line or on the phone.

For this pilot to continue past December you need to use it. If you would like to use it but can't, please let us at GECKOS know. Perhaps we could work something out together.

EVERYDAY THERE IS SOMETHING HAPPENING AT GECKOS

COME IN ANY TIME

We are open every Monday to Friday (except Public Holidays) from 9am to 4pm. You are welcome to drop in any day - except TUESDAY because that is a blue card event with the Creche occurring here.

We are keen to make our activities appropriate to all Defence members and their partners regardless of whether they have dependent children. If you have paid employment during the day and can't make it to our usual events, or, if you don't have children at home and you want come along to GECKOS, please email us at GECKOS with your availability and your contact details. We will be back in contact with you and able to invite you to participate along the way.

Kim Loadsman
WO2
Acting Family Centre Coordinator

Playgroups Newsletters

Welcome to the Cam Kids Playgroup Newsletter for November. Cam Kids Playgroups meet Monday, Thursday and Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30am. You can attend one session per week, or all three! Cost is $1 per family per session, plus a piece of fruit to share - the best value playgroup in Townsville! Everyone is welcome at Cam Kids.

The Monday and Wednesday group have continued to explore their creative side with craft activities ranging from Halloween themed, to plastic cup reindeers for Christmas. A favourite was the iced and "lollied" milk arrowroot biscuits, a big hit with all the kids and a few sugar addicted mothers too! Emma Lee, our Bachelor of Education (teaching) student here on placement, did a fantastic job organising all on the craft activities for both Monday and Thursday groups. She also led the kids in games, songs, music, physical play, and a bear hunt or two! Unfortunately Emma Lee is moving on next year, and all the Cam Kids families send their best wishes for the future. Anyone that can keep the attention of 0-5 year olds for more than a couple of minutes is bound to be a great teacher! Thankyou Emma Lee.

Friday playgroup continues to grow, with the recent addition of baby Madison Grace swelling the numbers still further (congratulations Jack and Sharee!). October was also a busy month for this group, with a Pirates and Princesses birthday party complete with jumping castle and spectacular cakes, we made paper plate fish tanks, did Halloween craft, and even had a trip to Lollipops Play centre at Domain Central. Several requests have been received to repeat our "Army/Airforce" day, attended in September by more than 40 kids, and we are currently looking for a suitable date.

We have some exciting activities lined up for November. On Friday the 6th of November we have Happy Coconuts coming out to run some free "active kids" sports activities for our 2-5 year olds, everyone is welcome and the activity is free. While the kids are waiting their turn we will also have spray bottle painting for a bit of fun (and lots of mess!). Other upcoming activities include a teddy bears picnic, ice play, and the inevitable Christmas craft! In addition to scheduled activities there is also plenty of opportunity provided for free play, with a dizzying array of puzzles, books, cars and trucks, dress-ups, musical instruments, baby toys and much much more available for the kids to play with. We also have several mothers "expecting" new Cam Kids additions in the very near future, and wish them all the very best - we can't wait to meet the future of Cam Kids!

Talking of the future of Cam Kids, it is also time for the farewells. It is that time of year again when many of us up stumps and move on to that next posting. We wish all of those people a safe and happy relocation, and hope they take with them a great opinion of Geckos and Defence Playgroups as a whole to spread the word in their new locations. At the very least we hope they take with them some great experiences and great friends. Defence is a small family, and we will probably cross paths again some day.

We are calling for ideas and suggestions for an end of year celebration for the adults of Cam Kids. A couple of suggestions have been a Tuesday lunch and movie (to utilise the cr?e), or a girls dinner out. Please contact Karyn Penney at karyn.heitmann@yahoo.com.au if you have any suggestions.

Cam Kids playgroups will continue to operate through the Christmas period when Geckos is open, though are expected to be very quiet. Older siblings are also welcome at playgroup during the school holiday period.

Remember Geckos is open 9-4pm every day and continues to be an excellent place to bring the kids when they are driving you up the wall at home! You might just make some new friends in the process!

Why not give playgroup a try, there is nothing to lose and everything to gain! Everyone is welcome at Cam Kids.

Playgroup activities Jul to Dec 09.xls

Special Needs Newsletters

Hard copies of the Defence Special Needs Newsletters are available through GECKOS each month. If you would like to receive this newsletter via your email, please use the email link to GECKOS (top of this page) and we will arrange for your to recieve this newsletter regularly.

In Townsville the Defence Special Needs Support Group Coordinator is Mrs Jaqui Ross. Jaqui leads an active group that enjoys many regular social outings, parent information sessions, and regular use of GECKOS playgroups where all children mix freely in parent supervised social activities.

May DSNG Newsletter

Solid Rock Ministries

SOLID ROCK MINISTRIES

Solid Rock Ministries (SRM) is a Christian ministry to Defence partners. The Lavarack Barracks chapter of this ministry meets at the Chaplaincy Centre each Tuesday from 10am. SRM is approved by RAAChD. You are welcome to join this group for friendship, bible study and prayer.

We at SRM acknowledge that with a loved one away from home times can be difficult. There are sacrifices you make as the remaining partner. The work that ADF are doing is very much valued by us.

Our hearts are with those of you who are left behind to carry on the day to day life without your partner's close support. We realise too that for some of you this is not the first time you have waited out the long weeks and months for their return. The current tempo of our military is indeed a high one.

As a Christian group we would like to let you know that the ladies of SRM pray for our troops at home and away, for their health and well-being and for a safe return. We also pray for you, their famiies, for strength to keep things together and for friends to help you through. We want to encourage you that you are remembered and appreciated. Thank you for your sacrifices. You will continue to be prayed for.

Solid Rock also offer practical support. In order to access this, you will need to contact GECKOS who will help you by making an assessment of your needs and then we will contact you.

With much love,
The ladies at Solid Rock Ministries, Lavarack Barracks.
solidrockmin@optusnet.com.au

Multiple Birth Association Newsletter

Because of the number of Defence families with multiple births, GECKOS will be publishing the bi-monthly newsletter of the Townsville Branch of the Multiple Birth Association. GECKOS plans to develop a close supportive relationship with the MBA so that we can support Defence families better.

Multiple Birth Assoc Tsv Br

Deploying Unit's newsletters

Rifle Coy Butterworth Rotation 86

docs/griffin_gazette_15_May_09.pdf

1 RAR Pony Express

1.Pony Express Oct 09.doc

2 RAR "Second to None"

TK Sapper Times

TK Sapper Times (16 CE SQN News Letter 10 Oct 09).pdf