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28/11/2025

Guardian Childcare & Education has stepped up its baby program, with more to come for 2026, to help families balance their lives with confidence and give their child the best possible early years experience.

The program currently includes initiatives like specialist Baby Ambassadors in each room, Baby Nourish and Nurture, Baby’s First Foods Passport and recently the To BE Me learning and development framework.

Guardian centres are introducing new resources to baby rooms as they work closely with families to support them through their babies’ very early years.

Guardian Childcare and Education Chief Network Officer Sharon Whiteman said Guardian was constantly striving to provide the best possible environment for babies.

“We recognize that the very early years can be challenging for families, and leaving a baby at an early learning centre requires a high degree of trust and confidence,” she said.

“Baby rooms are a really important part of the Guardian experience. Our baby spaces really are beautiful environments – newly refurbished, calming, and full of great resources. We want it to feel like a home away from home for the babies.

“The expertise of our Nursery teams helps families to feel reassured that their little ones are in the very best hands and well settled.”

Babies and their families go through a Baby Welcome program which moves from orientation, enrolment, transition and induction to an engaged relationship that can last from birth to starting school.

Ms Whiteman said the specially-trained Baby Ambassadors at the centres acted as champions for babies and their families.

This group had advanced expertise in safe sleep, child protection, food handling and baby development and learning.

“The Baby Ambassador acts a storyteller of the day, guiding the team, babies and families through each day,” she said.

“They are a warm and inclusive partner for families and a role model within the Nursery team of each centre. Our Baby Ambassadors are all skilled and experienced Nursery teacher/educators and they advocate for baby’s rights and the voice of the baby in our centres.”

Other aspects of the Guardian Childcare and Education baby program include:

- The Baby Nourish and Nurture experience which encompasses all aspects of a baby’s food and mealtime experiences in their first year with a Guardian centre. It is designed to “delight and comfort” each baby and their family within the centre and address the specific well-being requirements of babies. The program is underpinned by the Baby’s First Foods Passport which plans and documents the baby’s food progression in partnership with families.

- Safe, individualised routines which include sleep/rest risk assessments, can/can’t roll cards, sleep checks every 10 minutes, hygiene and cleaning processes and age-appropriate resources.

- The To BE Me learning program helps families to understand how their baby is progressing and specific programs are designed for the needs of each child and family. This is recorded in a My Learning & Development Book, which becomes a valuable keepsake of these special years.

Ms Whiteman said that in 2026 Guardian Childcare was also looking at more programs to help provide quality support and information for families of babies and build even deeper partnership relationships.

“We aspire every day to be the specialists in baby care and development and we have spaces specifically designed to give babies safe room to move,” she said.

“This allows us to manage risks while supporting exploration and physical development.

“Sleep routines are adapted as your baby grows, our educators are trained in attachment, baby development and responsive caregiving and we practice consent-based care to ensure babies feel safe and respected.”

https://newsreel.com.au/article/education/big-beginnings-for-blossoming-babies/

Guardian Childcare and Education has stepped up its baby program to give children the best possible early years experience. | Newsreel

27/11/2025

At just nine years old, Beau was already aware of it. A looming sadness. A darkness that wrapped itself around him without reason.

“From when I was nine years old, I would find myself in situations where I knew I should be feeling a lot of happiness. But, instead, I was either overwhelmed by sadness or completely numb,” Beau said.

If you’ve had depression yourself – or someone close to you has – you’ll recognise these feelings. You’ll also understand that you can’t wish yourself well or “just snap out of it”.

As Beau and his loving family would come to discover, treating depression is often anything but straightforward. Worse still, depression is notoriously treatment-resistant. Up to one-third of patients do not respond to, or become resistant to, medication or therapy, whatever combination they try.

Beau discovered this for himself at a critical time. Even though he was on the maximum dose of his medication, it wasn’t working. He was considering electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which was a confronting prospect given the potential side effects, including memory loss.

A gentler and more appropriate alternative for Beau was Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS.

TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate neurons in certain parts of the brain that regulate mood. Over several treatment sessions, these stimulations help the brain ‘rewire’ itself, so certain regions begin to communicate more effectively. The goal is an end to the extreme lows of depression and greater mood stability.

TMS has been offered here for over two decades now, but it’s always had a one-size-fits-all application.

QIMR Berghofer researchers, Professor Luca Cocchi and Dr Bjorn Burger, are advancing TMS even further.

“We’ve introduced two innovations,” explains Professor Cocchi.

“First—before treatment—we do an MRI scan so we can map the activity of the patient’s brain networks.”

An analysis of the results enables the team to identify which areas of the brain to focus on.

“The second innovation is the use of a robotic arm to stimulate the brain with absolute precision.”

Early results indicate this ultra-personalised and precise TMS treatment is extremely effective with around a 20 percent improvement. But to bring this breakthrough to more people in need, the team need to start a larger-scale randomised clinical trial.

Funding is urgently needed to help deliver new mental health treatments from the lab to those who need them.

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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation uses magnetic pulses to stimulate neurons in certain parts of the brain that regulate mood | Newsreel

24/11/2025

Guardian Childcare & Education’s new early learning program is helping families to clearly see and understand the links between play and learning.

The organisation’s CEO, Warren Bright, said the To BE Me program was a simple way for families to observe their child’s behaviours and activities, and understand how they linked to becoming readers, writers and counters over time.

“Over the years we have received feedback from parents that the link between play and learning and development milestones can be hard to see,” Mr Bright said.

“To BE Me changes that. It brings early learning to life like never before.

“It also provides a really straightforward way for our teachers and educators to create individual play-based learning activities that match where a child is at. These are organised under seven simple learning areas.”

Mr Bright said the individualised learning programs were developed in partnership with families.

“Think of To BE Me as a shared language of learning between families, children and our teachers and educators,” he said.

“Guardian has always benchmarked itself as a world-class, premium early learning provider.

“To BE Me demonstrates that we offer much more than childcare. It is something really special we can do for your children to give them the best possible start to life.”

To BE Me includes a personalised book for every child that tracks their learning and development over their whole period in the Guardian Childcare centres.

“The book becomes a keepsake that will allow families to treasure their child’s learning journey in a lasting, meaningful way,” Mr Bright said.

“If children stay with us from the very early years until school, families will see every step of their learning adventure and can be confident they will be well and truly ready for that next big step.”

Mr Bright said it was “heartwarming” to read some of the early comments from families about To BE Me.

One said it gave them a chance to “talk about who my child is, what they love, and how they see themselves. It was such a special moment; I didn’t realise how much I would learn about my own child”.

Another said: “It’s not just a memory book; it’s a reflection of who they are becoming.”

Access a link to learn more about the program 👇

https://newsreel.com.au/article/education/new-program-demystifies-play-based-learning/

Guardian Childcare and Education’s new early learning program is helping families understand the links between play and learning. | Newsreel

14/11/2025

Exposing children to healthy food habits from an early age has become an important focus of the childcare and early learning experience.

The Guardian Childcare & Education Nutrition for Life program seeks to create mealtimes that are enjoyable, build confidence and encourage positive lifelong food habits.

This is particularly important at a time when families are busy and health authorities are concerned about the rise of diet-related medical conditions among young people.

Guardian Childcare Chief Network Officer Sharon Whiteman said Guardian centres strived to go beyond just “filling plates” and keeping children fed.

“We aim to care more about the food habits that children develop and to create opportunities for children to discover new tastes and skills,” she said.

“Through this, children learn independence, healthy habits for life and even take pride in mealtimes.

“We share our menus openly, so families feel inspired and connected to what their children enjoy.”

Through the Guardian Childcare Nutrition for Life program educators spark simple, age-appropriate conversations about food.

Children practice serving themselves and choosing what goes on their plate. They learn to feed themselves confidently and tidy up afterwards.

For families, menus are published weekly and there is a simple five-point nutrition tick box system to highlight balance.

Brett Norton, who is the chef at Guardian’s Daw Park centre, said children liked to understand what they were eating, and enjoy the experience.

They were also curious about the meals he created and regularly asked questions about their food.

Mr Norton said it was important to work with families to ensure that meals matched what they wanted for their children.

“I don’t get a lot of requests from families to serve particular food, but a lot of families take a keen interest in the meals and request copies of my recipes,” Mr Norton said.

“For children, the learning happens over time through their daily routines.
“If they are constantly exposed to good, healthy food they just tend to develop positive habits and understand that ‘this is how we should eat’.”

Mr Norton said, just like adults, children liked variety in their food, so he mixed the menu up regularly.

“Sometimes they catch me out though,” he said. We recently went through a stage where mashed potato was not welcome, and somehow word spread to all rooms so majority rules and it had to come off the menu for a while!”

“But generally, we are able to hit the mark on nutrition and give them food that they love to eat.”

Access a link to learn more about the program 👇

https://newsreel.com.au/article/education/guardian-childcare-encouraging-nutrition-for-life/

Exposing children to healthy food habits from an early age has become an important focus of the early learning experience. | Newsreel

06/11/2025

A young Queensland researcher instrumental in a world-leading genetics study has been recognised with an Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI) award.

Dr Luis García-Marín, a Research Officer at QIMR Berghofer’s Computational Neurogenomics Lab, has been named the 2025 AAMRI Rising Star.

AAMRI CEO Dr Saraid Billiards said during his PhD at QIMR Berghofer and The University of Queensland, Dr García-Marín led the world’s largest study combining brain scans and genetic data, which analysed information from 75,000 people across 19 countries, revealing genetic factors that influence brain structure and the risk of conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and ADHD.

Dr Billiards said by uncovering these genetic links, his work was helping pave the way for earlier detection, improved prevention, and more personalised treatments.

“Luis exemplifies the qualities we celebrate through the Rising Star Award — scientific excellence, global collaboration, and a commitment to real-world impact,” he said.

“His research helps us understand the genetic blueprint of the brain, opening new doors for prevention and care.”

Access a link to the ground-breaking study in the story on our website 👇

https://newsreel.com.au/article/people/garcia-marin-a-rising-star-in-medical-research/

A young Queensland researcher instrumental in a world-leading genetics study has been recognised with an AAMRI award. | Newsreel

05/11/2025

A Brisbane researcher has received one of the highest honours in the Australian health and medical research community.

QIMR Berghofer Cancer Aetiology & Prevention Senior Group Leader Professor Rachel Neale has been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.

Professor Neale was one of 29 researchers from across the country recognised in the Academy’s 2025 cohort of new Fellows, for her exceptional contributions to epidemiology, particularly her ground-breaking research into vitamin D, cancer and public health.

QIMR Berghofer Director and CEO Professor Fabienne Mackay said the honour highlighted the global impact of Professor Neale’s work.

“Her research has not only advanced scientific understanding but has also changed how we approach prevention and public health.” Professor Mackay said.

As a senior researcher at QIMR Berghofer, Professor Neale has led large-scale studies that have reshaped global understanding of the role of vitamin D in disease prevention and management.

Her work has directly informed clinical practice guidelines and public health strategies, influencing how vitamin D supplementation is approached in Australia and internationally.

Her research has also extended into cancer epidemiology, where she has investigated risk factors and prevention strategies for pancreatic cancer and other malignancies.

Academy President Professor Louise Baur said the new Fellows represented the very best of the health and medical sciences in Australia.

“Our new Fellows are improving lives — from tackling global health challenges and pioneering new treatments, to shaping policy and advancing the frontiers of biomedical discovery,” Professor Baur said.

Professor Neale joins a community of more than 500 Fellows who are shaping the future of health and medicine in Australia and beyond.

“I am incredibly proud and humbled to be joining such extraordinary scientists as a Fellow of the AAHMS,” Professor Neale said.

“My goal is to use this honour to increase my impact on the health of the community.”

https://newsreel.com.au/article/people/professor-rachel-neale-new-fellow-of-aahms/

A Brisbane researcher has received one of the highest honours in the Australian health and medical research community. | Newsreel

02/11/2025

Early years teaching is giving professional teachers a rich range of opportunities to make a genuine difference in the lives of young children.

Guardian Childcare & Education Teacher Mentor Margie Cohen said early learning gave teachers the flexibility to target learning around the needs of each child, family and community.

Early learning was focused on a curriculum framework that was tailored for individual children, without the more prescribed “instructional” syllabus requirements of school teaching.

“It allows teachers the freedom and responsibility to critically reflect on the context and the community of children in their care,” Ms Cohen said.

“They can target the professional teaching program based on the needs and the priorities of each child. That means they need to think more, respond more and plan more in ways that are unique every single year.”

Ms Cohen said World Teachers Day, celebrated on October 31, was an opportunity for teachers to reflect on early learning as a potential career path.

“It wasn’t until 2015 that early childhood teachers were recognised by the registration authorities as teachers,” she said.

“That was a big milestone that told everyone that early childhood teachers are real teachers.”

Ms Cohen said that in some jurisdictions there was a differentiation between being a registered teacher or a registered specialist early childhood teacher.

This reflected the “additional specialist body of knowledge” early learning teachers needed to understand how young children learnt and developed.

“They need to look at what their group of children need and deserve to develop a confident identity and become connected members of a community,” Ms Cohen said.

“It’s not about memory of facts but developing their thinking skills and communication and being really responsive to the ways the neural pathways in the brain are developing.

“It’s about authentic daily experiences and hands on manipulating of objects in an interesting environment. It’s being able to form relationships while playing. It’s being able to notice others while playing and having really concrete interactions.”

Ms Cohen said the new Guardian Childcare and Education learning program, called To BE Me, was opening an exciting new frontier of experiences for teachers and families.

To BE Me is Guardian’s exclusive age-and-stage learning program that is individually tailored to each child’s needs and interests and ensures their progress is visible and meaningful.

Ms Cohen said the program was opening a new world of understanding of the foundations of reading, writing and counting, and developing friendships.

Read the full Newsreel feature 👇

https://newsreel.com.au/article/education/early-learning-opens-up-a-rich-teaching-path/

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The early years are giving professional teachers a rich range of opportunities to make a difference in the lives of young children | Newsreel

29/10/2025

Events on the Sunshine Coast pumped more than $100 million into the local economy last financial year.

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the Sunshine Coast Events Board recently presented a review of Council’s Major Events Sponsorship Program, which supported 57 major events in 2024-25.

Mayor Natoli said that included six “signature events”, 49 events considered “economic drivers” and two “emerging events”.

“(The program) once again has proven its value, delivering an estimated $106 million in direct economic impact,” she said.

Mayor Natoli said Council-sponsored events helped support more than 1100 full-time equivalent jobs across the events and tourism sectors throughout the region in 2024–25.

“A number of events achieved sell-out status, reflecting strong community and visitor enthusiasm for high-calibre athletes, performers, and competition.”

She said the program of events enhanced the Sunshine Coast’s reputation as one of Australia’s leading regional destinations for major events.

“Major events bring our community and visitors together to celebrate shared passions, our natural assets and unique experiences.

“They help to showcase our stunning region as a destination to visit all year round, and create lasting memories for everyone.

Sunshine Coast Events Board Chair John Williams said the results reflected the strength of the region’s partnerships and the growing interest in hosting events on the Sunshine Coast in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“This year’s outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in securing long term partnerships with well-established events, investing in the potential of emerging events and the increasing interest in hosting events on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Williams said.

“The calibre of applications continues to rise, and our framework ensures we support events that align with our long-term vision of ensuring the Sunshine Coast is considered to be Australia’s premier regional event destination.”

https://newsreel.com.au/article/government/events-a-100m-boost-to-sunshine-coast-region/

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Events on the Sunshine Coast pumped more than $100 million into the local economy last financial year. | Newsreel

27/10/2025

Taylor Swift is edging closer to being the artist who has spent the most time at No1. on the charts in modern music history.

Billboard’s awards editor Paul Grein said holding at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 this week, for a third week, with The Life of a Showgirl, had lifted Swift’s career total of weeks at No. 1 on that chart to 89.

Grein said that tally was topped by only one act in the chart’s 69-year history.

“The Beatles amassed 132 weeks at No. 1 between 1964 and 2001, giving them a comfortable, 43-week lead over Swift, but at the rate she’s going, she may eventually equal or surpass them,” he said.

Grein said Swift was already the top solo artist on the list of acts with the most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and the top American artist.

He compiled a list of all acts with 30 or more weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 since March 24, 1956, when the chart began publishing on a consistent weekly basis.

Check it out in our story 👇

https://newsreel.com.au/article/arts/taylor-swift-has-the-beatles-in-her-sights/

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Taylor Swift is edging closer to being the artist who has spent the most time at No1. on the charts in modern music history. | Newsreel

27/10/2025

An iconic pitstop on many an Aussie road trip has undergone a transformation after almost 70 years of operation.

The much-loved Dog on the Tucker Box Kiosk and Farm Shop in the central New South Wales town of Gundagai has reopened after an eight-week renovation.

General Manager Nicole Ciaccia said the complete refurbishment, which also brought a contemporary edge to a national icon, marked a new chapter for the destination, which celebrates one of Australia’s most enduring tales..

“We re-branded and commercialised The Dog on the Tucker Box with a new logo — a modern representation of the statue — and we’re so proud to be keeping traditions alive while giving visitors a fresh experience,” Ms Ciaccia said.

She said new-look venue still held true to the values of the original store founder Annie Pyers.

“We completely gutted and renovated the existing kiosk — it was opened in 1956 and needed some love. We spent eight weeks completely renovating it to the modern and fresh kiosk and farm shop we have today.

“Our jams are 75 percent fruit, no nasties. Our ethos is, if Annie Pyers wouldn’t have had it in her pantry, then we don’t either.”

Ms Ciaccia said the refurb store included an off-leash area for those travelling with their four-legged friends.

https://newsreel.com.au/article/business/new-feel-for-four-legged-icon-on-road-to-gundagai/

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An iconic pitstop on many an Aussie road trip has undergone a transformation after almost 70 years of operation. | Newsreel

22/10/2025

Australia’s red centre has been named as one of the 25 best places in the world to visit in 2026 by National Geographic.

The iconic publication listed the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park as a must see, stating that in April visitors would be able to stay overnight within the park for the first time.

“The Anangu Traditional Owners collaborated with the Tasmanian Walking Company to develop five-day, fully guided treks,” it said.

“After long days on the trail between Kata Tjuta and Uluru, hikers will sleep in eco-friendly lodges, stargaze by campfires, and learn from Indigenous guides about how to take care of the land, which connects to the well-being of the people and the environment.”

The magazine listed the National Park, home to “the world’s largest monolith, Uluru, formed over 500 million years ago and sacred to the local Anangu people for tens of thousands of years”, among other global attractions, such as the Dolomites, in Italy, Quebec, Canada and Rabat in Morocco.

The National Geographic listing also called out Uluru’s Gallery of Central Australia, which focuses on the work of contemporary Indigenous artists and the permanent drone installation Wintjiri Wiru which uses Uluru and the surrounding desert as a backdrop to tell ancient Anangu stories using modern tech.

“The show relies on 1200 drones, six 30-watt lasers, seven 12-kilowatt projectors, and more than 30 bright field lights.”

See the full list of must-sees and why you should visit 👇

https://newsreel.com.au/article/business/uluru-kata-tjuta-on-national-geographic-must-see-in-26-list/

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Australia’s red centre has been named as one of the 25 best places in the world to visit in 2026 by National Geographic. Newsreel

22/10/2025

With the deadline for Australia’s under 16 social media ban looming, many parents are now turning their attention to supporting their children through the change.

Child safety and wellbeing expert, Associate Professor Lesley-Anne Ey, from the University of South Australia, said the key to a smooth transition was education, reassurance, and open, age-appropriate conversations.

Associate Professor Ey said as the December 10 deadline loomed children were already worried about losing touch with their friends.

She said while the onus was on social media platforms to act, the real battle would be at home, where parents must enforce the rules, manage their children’s reactions, and help them adjust.

“Many children and teens use apps like Snapchat and TikTok to connect with their friends. They’ve grown up with this technology – it’s part of who they are – and they’re used to communicating through videos, emojis, photos and filters.

“When the ban kicks in, kids may feel like they’re facing a social penalty where they won’t be able to connect with their friends in the same way.”

Associate Professor Ey said the fear of losing touch with friends was real, so parents would need to invite questions and show understanding and empathy about what their kids would see as a loss.

“Brainstorm alternative ways to stay connected. If they liked TikTok dances, an app like Just Dance could suit; if they want to chat, use closed group chats or messaging apps; and if they enjoy gaming, find multiplayer games where they can connect safely.

“Supporting kids through this is about empathy – and keeping the lines of communication open.”

Access a list of tips for what parents need to know about guiding kids through the social media ban 👇

https://newsreel.com.au/article/government/tips-for-parents-as-u16-social-media-ban-looms/

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With the deadline for Australia’s under 16 social media ban looming, many parents are looking to support their children . | Newsreel

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