Author: Casey District Multiple Birth Association

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President’s Report – November 2020

As restrictions slowly ease and we start moving to some form of normalcy there is definitely a sense of relief from all Melbournians.

The last few months have been tough on many and I can see this in the decline of our membership numbers. Casey & District Multiple Birth Association has not been offering its full services and this may cause some members to question their membership.

Please let me assure you that as soon as we are allowed to offer services such as playgroups and social events, we will get them up and running. It is unfortunate that we haven’t been able to provide these services and, believe me, we all feel the same way about missing out.

CDMBA is reliant on its members and we are a community of families that offers support to one another, and I personally believe every multiple birth family should be part of a tribe such as this. I implore you to renew your memberships and continue to be a part of this amazing community.

If you have experienced hardship but would still like to be a part of CDMBA, please contact our Membership Secretary, Melinda, and we can see how we can assist you with our membership.

Sincerely,

Candice

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President’s Report Aug 2019

I want to start tonight by saying thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the planning meeting. We have some great ideas that have and will transpire over the next 10 months. Rebecca has put together a calendar of what was discussed at the planning meeting but there is always room for more fundraising ideas and events. If you come up with any more ideas please bring them to committee to discuss and put on the calendar.

Other amazing thing that have been happening this month. – Rebecca K has received two grants now for the club, the GCD and care packs. – High tea for new parents – First aid course was a success. – Changed the cook book to newsletter recipes. – Playgroup back and Orientation day for young bubs was a success. – Hay De Ho singing group – Grant application – Great work on changing the family gathering at short notice – Photo shoot was a success with a profit. – Some great discounts offers for our families (refer to newsletter) thanks Malinda – The Kinder and school readiness information night is going well with planning. – some free goodies for fundraising, care packs.

I hope you all had a look at the information about the AMBA AGM at convention. I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing about the other clubs at the upcoming convention and will report back to you all. Thank you all for the hard work and keep it up.

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April Presidents Report

I can’t believe school holidays are fast approaching and term 1 is nearly over. I am so proud of how well my 5 year old has settled in to Foundation at school. He is thriving and loving every minute of it. My twins have made me so proud by settling so well in to 3 year old kinder.2 weeks of tears from one of them but nothing other than that.

I hope all your kiddies starting school and kinder have had a great term 1. MBAW was celebrated this month with the theme focusing on the individuality of Multiples. This is a theme close to my heart as I have always wanted my boys to be individuals and to not feel like they are the same person. For those of you that know my twins will know very well that they are in fact very individual and very different kids. I love that they have their own ideas, likes and dislikes.

Thank you Angie for organizing a wonderful BBQ lunch to celebrate such a fantastic event. Thank you to all of you who came to help celebrate.The Easter Sub Committee has started planning a fantastic Easter Egg Hunt for Good Friday. Keep an eye out for further details for this wonderful event.

A new event we are trying really hard to get off the ground is a Dad’s Event! The perfect opportunity for the dads to get out of the house and meet other multi dads.We would really love to get some feedback from the Dads in the club as to what/where they would like to go/ do while catching up with other Dads. The AGM is fast approaching and we are always looking for volunteers to come onboard and join the committee.

Fresh ideas are always needed and more hands make light work. If you are considering taking on a position with committee and you have any question please send me an email president@caseydistrict.amba.org.au A list of positions can be found in the newsletter. If you have any ideas or suggestions please let me know. Unfortunately due to low attendance we have had to cancel Yallourn Playgroup as of next term. Chisholm Playgroup and Young Bubs Playgroup are still in full swing so head on down and grab a cuppa and enjoy a chat with other multi parents. Thank you to Meredith for investing time each week to assist in trying to provide a playgroup for our Gippsland based members. Wishing you all a Happy and Safe Easter!!

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March Presidents Report

I can’t believe summer is almost over and the school year is well and truly underway. What a year it is for me. My eldest has started foundation and has had a really smooth transition in to school which was such a relief. He also received an award 2nd week in to school. My twins also started 3 year old kinder. My little pocket rocket settled in nicely, keen for me to leave but his twin brother not so much. Still getting used to the idea that I drop him off and don’t stay. I hope all the parents with kids starting kinder and school have had a smooth beginning to the year without too many tears!!

All our Playgroups are back in full swing! Chisholm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Yallourn on a Thursday and Young Bubs on Wednesday. Playgroup is a fantastic opportunity to come and meet some other multi parents and enjoy a cuppa and a chat. The students at Chisholm have started the year extremely enthusiastic, keeping the kids well entertained!

12th -19th March is Multiple Birth Awareness Week. This is an annual national event to celebrate families raising twins, triplets and more. The day also aims to raise awareness of the challenges that go hand-in-hand with raising these children. This year’s theme is “Born a multiple, also an individual”. AMBA is focusing on raising awareness around the individuality of Multiples; that even though they share a special bond as Multiples, they are still unique individuals.

CDMBA is celebrating this event by hosting a family BBQ on Sunday 19th March at Heritage Park, Selandra Rise at 10:30am. If you would like to come along please let me know! We have plenty of events and information sessions planned for the coming months so please keep an eye out on our Facebook Page and in the newsletters for further information. To help minimize the costing of our events and information sessions that we host we are always looking at fundraising, sponsorship and grant ideas.

If you or a family member work for a business that offer grants or may be able to assist us with sponsorship or fundraising please contact me at president@caseydistrict.amba.org.au Make the most of the remaining weeks of daylight savings, I certainly will be. I quite enjoy eating dinner outside whilst it’s still light. Though I’m certainly not going to complain about it getting darker earlier as hopefully my twins will fall asleep quicker!! I hope to see you all at Playgroup or an upcoming event soon. Take care!!

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February Presidents Report

Welcome 2017!!!

Though it seems like a long time ago I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year and managed to get some quality family time over the holidays. Although my husband works straight through Christmas (the down side of retail) we managed to make the most of his days off. We went to Santa’s Magical Kingdom, Adventure Park Geelong and Werribee Zoo. Lots of swimming on
the warm days and some much needed relaxing time at home.

I am very excited, my eldest is starting Foundation this year and my twins are starting 3 year old kinder. This is very quickly approaching and I have been busy washing, drying and labeling school uniforms like many of you will be doing also. I look forward to seeing photos and hearing stories about all our Multiples starting Foundation this year. A very exciting time for you all!

On the 10th January we held our annual planning meeting. It’s going to be a very busy year ahead with lots of fantastic things planned.We have 4 major events planned for the year as well as many small events and information nights. We are always looking for members to assist on our Event Sub Committees and would love to hear from anyone that is interested in assisting in the planning and execution of the following events:

Easter Egg Hunt

Club 30th Birthday Party

Comedy Night

Christmas Party

It is really rewarding seeing the joy from families and kids at these events. So please send me an email if you are interested in assisting,
president@caseydistrict.amba.org.au We are always open to fresh ideas so please pass on anyideas or feedback you may have.!

We have our Bunnings BBQ Fundraiser on the 11th February in Cranbourne. This helps to cover the cost of the wonderful events we plan. Please let me know if you can assist on the day, even if it’s only for an hour.

Alternatively you can check our Facebook page and follow the link to book a time that suits. Don’t forget playgroup starts back on 7th February and Gippsland on the 9th February. Young Bubs Playgroup commences the 8nd February. This is a fantastic opportunity to get out of the house, meet other multi parents and enjoy a coffee and play for the kids.
I look forward to a busy, yet exciting 2017.
Tara xx

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November Presidents Report

What a month it has been! Between sick kids, family birthdays, our wedding anniversary and appointments October has been flat out. I am normally very organised when it comes to party planning and shopping but at this point I am so far behind!! My twins turn 3 in under 3 weeks and boy do I still have a bit to do.

Working to my advantage is that D had the “big” party this year so it isn’t their year to have a big party (just a small one – hopefully) so there won’t be as much to do. I have a real love for birthday parties and really like to hear what people do and how they do it.

The twins at least usually have nice weather so I always have a lot more options up my sleeve. D
on the other hand is a July baby so very limited with the cold, wet days.

D is off to school next year and realisationon has started to set in. I received his transition documents and it’s amazing how much our young kids achieve in such short years. Although I don’t think I’m ready for him to be a school boy, he is so ready and I can’t to see what his future has in store.

Enough about me…. Cup weekend is an exciting weekend for AMBA (Australian Multiple Birth association). The Annual National Conference will be held in Brisbane and we hope to be able to bring back some wonderful ideas to assist CDMBA and all of its members!

The Christmas Party is fast approaching and it’s a wonderful day out for the whole family. It will be held at Myuna Farm. More details are available on the event page. Hope you have a wonderful November, full of sunshine and happiness! Hope to see you at an event soon

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October Presidents Report

Wow…. How fast is this year passing? It seems like yesterday that I was sitting here writing the September report. Now we are 1 month into spring and the flowers in our street are in full bloom and the sun is starting to shine.

I hope you all enjoyed your school holidays and that some of you managed to attend our school holiday events at the Tessellar Tulip Festival and Caldermeade Farm.

Looking at my list of events beside me it’s an instant reminder that my twins birthday is not too far away and Christmas is fast approaching. Plenty of shopping for me still to do!

Our Fathers Day Picnic Breakfast was a great morning to celebrate all that our dads do for us day in day out. We had 37 members attend. We enjoyed some yummy egg and bacon rolls and sausages and played some fun games. Everyone seemed to have a great time. It was wonderful to see some new members in attendance.

Hop into Sports will continue next term starting Thursday 6th October at a new venue.The kids are having a lot of fun at this event and learning some new sporting skills. Keep in mind that you can turn up any week to this event for just $2 per child.

Also starting on Thursday the 6th October is an exciting new weekly event in Gippsland. CDMBA have set up a Playgroup similar to Berwick with students studying Early Childhood supporting the sessions. Gippsland Playgroup will run during school terms on Thursdays from 9:30am-11:30am.

It is a fantastic indoor and outdoor facility suiting all age groups. Thank you Meredith for offering to facilitate this wonderful event.

CDMBA is hosting another Multis In School night in October. If you have multiples starting kinder or school in 2017 then this is the event to help you make the right decisions that suit your family. Presenting on the night will be a panel of teachers and parents with valuable experience on multiples in school.

Our next Parents dinner is fast approaching and will be held at Pind Baluchi Indian Restaurant in Narre Warren.

Last but certainly not least is our biggest annual fundraiser for the year, the CDMBA Trivia Night. Held at Balla Balla in Cranbourne on Saturday 5th November. Don’t forget to reserve your table for a night of fun and games.

I hope you are all enjoying what CDMBA has to offer and I look forward to seeing you at an event in the near future. Tara xx

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September Presidents Report

I’m really enjoying the nice weather that’s starting to appear. I have had a shocking month with everyone sick at one point or another.I will be happy to see the end of winter.I hope everyone’s kiddies have been well!

It’s been a busy month planning with a lot of exciting events coming up. We had a great turn out to our parents dinner at Ashcotts in Berwick with 7 mums attending.

HOP into SPORTS has commenced! We had 13 kids attend the first week with more families looking forward to coming next week. This is a casual event so please feel free to pop on down if your free. It’s just $2 per child, per session.

The trivia night planning is in full swing. We are currently looking for an MC for the night. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

We have our Father’s Day breakfast picnic on the 11th of September! A fantastic opportunity to meet other multi families. We will be having egg and bacon rolls and sausages. There is plenty of room to kick a ball around and a great playground for the kids. We will also have some fun games to play.

School holidays is fast approaching and can be a tough time finding things to keep the kids busy! A good reason to have 2 events planned over the school holidays. Tuesday 20th September is the Teeselaar Tulip Festival.

The 2nd school holiday event is on Sunday 25th September. This is at Caldermeade Farm. Great opportunity for the entire family to attend. Further details are listed on the event page. I hope everyone enjoys the upcoming events and I look forward to seeing you all around. Enjoy the beginning of spring!

Tara xx

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August report

Wow!! We have had some cold nights and days!! I’m counting down the last month of Winter. I find it really hard to warm up and am looking forward to warmer days. We are in to the 2nd half of the year and a busy one at that.

Many of you will be busy preparing for tax time, a perfect opportunity to clean out old filing and get a head start for spring cleaning. I have started early this year. My toy rooms and study have had a re vamp, furniture re arranged, toys rotated around. The idea of changing everything around came from the personality of one of my twins. He is extremely active and loves to be challenged. If he isn’t challenged he can get bored easily and become destructive. So…. Old toys out, new toys in.

The twins have loved having all their big brothers old toys to play with. Rotating toys comes with great benefits. Excitement, old becomes new again Their attention tends to stay on the toys rather than kitchen cupboards etc Expanded creative play More room for imagination Less toys can mean deeper engagement During the month we held our Family Movie Night, Paddington. It was a great night with 24 attending. The kids seemed to really enjoy themselves.

Planning is underway for some exciting events for this half of the year including one of our biggest events for the year, Our Trivia Night. If you are interested in assisting in the planning of this wonderful event please let me know. On the 6th of August we have our Dads Snooker Night Out! This is a fantastic opportunity for the dads to get together and have a relaxing evening & hopefully meet some new multi dads. Please visit the event page for more information.

My boys are very excited about a brand new event that CDMBA are hosting. Hop Into Sports program tailored for kids 2 years to 5 years. This is a 10 week program staring on Thursday the 18th August. There will be 2 sessions: 9:30am-10:00am Ages 2-3.5 years 10:00am-10:30am Ages 3.5-5 years Keep a look out for the event page and see the flyer attached to the newsletter for all the details. Price is $2 per child, per session. Look forward to hearing some feedback about the upcoming events. Hope you have a wonderful month ahead and remember to take some time to yourself to just kick back and relax.

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July presidents report

I hope you’re all managing to keep warm this winter. One thing I love about the cold weather is having a nice bowl of hearty soup and crusty bread. What’s your favourite thing about winter? Whilst food is on my mind, what have you got planned this winter as a family? I’m looking forward to taking my family to an upcoming City of Casey event, Winter Treats at Wilsons Botanic Park. It’s on Saturday 2nd July. There will be food trucks, children’s activities and entertainment all day. Also sweet and savoury treats to taste.

Its’s great to see so many families at Playgroup despite the cold and wet weather. The recent teddy Bear picnic seemed to be a big hit amongst the kids. CDMBA have some exciting events coming up for the whole family. To kick off the school holidays which are fast approaching we have the Family Movie Night all organised for Friday 1st July. Check out the events page for all the details. Keep an eye on the events because coming up in July and August we are planning a Parents Dinner and Snooker Night for the Dads. I hope the upcoming events are of some interest to you and your family. I would love to hear of any ideas you may have for future events. To finish off, I would love to share a poem I came across one day about “double trouble”. You may have seen it before but it’s one I love. Enjoy the month ahead!

 

DOUBLE TROUBLE

“Double Trouble” they say with glee,

“Oh what a nightmare”, “rather you than me!”

With a deep breath I smile (through gritted teeth) and listen oh so politely,

To how so-and-so’s cousin’s wife has twins, and how they do so pity me!

My twins may not be angles, my life may sometimes be hard,

But really it’s me who should pity you, for being so hard of heart.

For how can you look at those rosy checks, those eyes with cheeky gleam,

And see therein a nightmare, and now a wondrous dream.

For if one child’s a miracle; a blessing, a gift, a joy,

Then surely two’s doubly blessed, yes—even if they’re both boys!

I really am so lucky, precious first—I see them twice, And triplet parents are luckier—they get to see them thrice!

Yes my hands are well and truly full, but with cuddly balls of fun,

Who will always have a friend with whom to laugh and skip and run,

My heart is overflowing even when my patience wears thin,

And I thank my lucky stars each day that I have my precious twins.