Introduce Kids To Fishing At The Fish Wise Class In Lota

Do you want to introduce your kids to fishing? Let them join Fish Wise, a fun and engaging three-hour program that will take place in Lota in January 2023. 


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This free event, to be facilitated by 2 Bent Rods, will teach the basics of fishing, such as learning to tie a fishing knot, gather bait, cast a rod and probably even land a fish. All fishing equipment and bait needed for the session will be provided.

2 Bent Rods, founded by husband and wife duo Samantha and Jeremy Beckmann in December 2004, is an award-winning fishing school based in Victoria Point. Besides running their own fishing lessons, they work with Councils to teach the basics of fishing to young ones.

Fish Wise
Photo credit: 2 Bent Rods/Facebook

One of their popular programs, the Kids Classes, involve teaching kids bait gathering and introducing them to using a yabby pump. Most of the kids who enroll in the program learn everything quickly and others even return to complete a more advanced program at 2 Bent Rods.

Fish Wise is one of the programs of Brisbane City Council, under the Active & Healthy Lifestyle and Chillout Program and is recommended for people ages 10-17 years. Chillout was created by the Council to help young people beat the school holiday boredom, make new friends and develop new skills by taking part in free or low-cost activities.

Meeting point for this event will be at the gazebo near the waterfront. Visit Council’s website for more details. Please note that bookings are essential. 

Benefits of Fishing for Kids

Photo credit: cottonbro studio/Pexels

Fishing is usually seen as an activity for adults, but children can benefit from this hobby, too. It helps improve their dexterity and coordination and even have better concentration and focus.

Besides these personal benefits, fishing can teach kids a deeper appreciation of the environment and knowledge of wildlife.


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Mark your calendars!

WhatFish Wise
WhereLota Camping Reserve, 710 Esplanade, Lota
WhenSat 21 Jan 2023, 7:30am to 10:30am

Stand Up Paddleboarding Sessions Happening in Manly

Here’s a standout activity that your kids will surely enjoy! There will be a series of stand up paddleboarding (SUP) sessions taking place at the Bayside Park in Manly until mid-February. Perfect for water babies between ages 10 to 17 years old, these full-hour sessions are part of Brisbane City Council’s Active and Healthy program. Massive fun guaranteed, whilst having a full-body workout.

Stand up paddleboarding might seem like a challenging water sport to learn but anyone can actually be an exceptional paddleboarder in a short span of time, regardless of age and body size. This activity, which sprung from surfing, brings heaps of benefits. As a low-impact exercise, SUP helps with balance, boost cardiovascular health, and reduces the stress levels as participants enjoy the water and nature around them.

Much like a combination of surfing and canoeing or kayaking, paddle boarders stand on a long, flat board to ride or race each other as they propel their craft. Participants usually play in flat, calm water without any waves. 

Photo Credit: Sunshine Coast Surf Schools/Facebook


The Manly sessions, taught by professionals at the Sunshine Coast Surf Schools, normally cost between $50 to $70 but since this is a Council initiative, students joining classes in will only need to pay $5.  

Stand up paddleboarding classes will take place during these dates and times so you have plenty of options for enlisting your children.

DATETIME
Thu 9 Jan 20208:00 a.m.
Fri 10 Jan 20209:00 a.m.
Sat 11 Jan 202010:00 a.m.
Sun 12 Jan 202010:00 a.m.
Fri 17 Jan 20202:00 p.m.
Sun 19 Jan 20204:00 p.m.
Sun 2 Feb 20203:00 p.m.
Sat 15 Feb 20202:00 p.m.
Sat 16 Feb 20203:00 p.m.

To secure a slot, phone Leighton of the SC Surf Schools via 0412 563 191 or register online. Sessions are limited to 16 surfers.

There’s not a lot needed to join the lessons but participants are expected to be in their swimwear. For their benefit, they must also wear sunscreen or bring other sun protection like a hat. Students will be given paddle boards, paddle, wetsuit and a rash shirt once they arrive for the sessions.  



Get Ready for the Kerbside Collection in Manly and Manly West

Manly and Manly West are up for the next Kerbside Collection on Monday, the 13th of November. It’s the time of the year again to get rid of the big clutter, including big pieces of furniture and appliances, that will not fit the wheelie bins. Start packing and getting organise as early as possible to avoid inconveniences during the weekend before the collection.

 

Take note of the guidelines.

Photo credit: www.1coast.com.au

There are rules! Don’t ever think of haphazardly getting rid of all the clutter you’ll find. That is a big “NO”. Before packing and piling up the items, don’t forget to take a good look at the list of acceptable and unacceptable items. Aside from the furniture and appliances, you can also take out those carpets, rugs, electronic waste, and even your old bicycles.

There might be “tons” of unwanted items you need to get rid of, but there is a limit. The Council will only collect the piles that are not larger than two cubic metres, which is equivalent to a small trailer load. This is made possible to ensure that everyone in the neighbourhood will be able to use the Kerbside Collection service.

 

Start early in sorting out the items.

Photo credit: Nicolas Huk/Flickr

You still have few days to declutter. You better start sorting out all the items you would like to get rid off. You can start sorting out little by little everyday to avoid altering your daily schedule. Always start with small items and small clutter before starting to organise the big stuff. That way, you will be able to organise everything from Day 1 up to the big Collection Day.

Sort out everything you want to dispose. The Council only allows a certain limit but there are other places where you can take the unwanted items if you are beyond the limit.

 

Designate proper storage places.

Photo credit: Creativity103/Flickr

You can use both trash bags and boxes. It really doesn’t matter. However, to keep everything organised and “damage-proof”, rugs, carpets, and the likes should be placed inside trash bags to allow more room as these items can be compressed. Items like electric waste and sporting waste can be properly sealed in boxes to prevent damages.

Don’t forget to place labels and properly stack the boxes and trash bags. The Council also obliges the residents to remove all doors of refrigerators and cupboards. You can remove the doors of usable furniture a day before the collection, to allow the scavengers to pick up something intact off your kerb.

 

Take the items out the weekend before the collection.

Photo credit: http://ajaneday.blogspot.com/

Take the items out the earliest possible time you are allowed to “market” the items to the scavengers. Neatly pile the items up, allowing room for the pathways and the roads. Always remember to properly seal and cover your pile in case of unwanted weather conditions. As a courtesy, arrange the items in a way that these can be easily lifted by two people.

 

Measure the pile again and get rid of the excess.

Photo credit: http://ajaneday.blogspot.com/

Check your pile for the very last time after the scavenger hunting. There might be a scavenger who found something off your kerb, so measure the pile again. If there is, take out some more items and properly stack it on the existing pile.

Photo credit: www.bmigroup.com.au

Remember that you packed everything? If there are excess items, consider recycling and donating. To recycle, drop these unwanted items to the Resource Recovery Centres and help the environment through reducing landfill.

You can also donate the items that are still usable. There are several organisations that accept donations. This includes National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations Inc. (NACRO), the peak organisation that holds several charities and tip shops all over Australia.

Photo credit: GIVIT – Goods For Good Cause/Facebook

You can also GIVIT! It is a national non-profit virtual organisation that supports all agencies, services, and charities in Australia to store, sort out, and distribute the donations to specific individuals or communities who exactly need the items.