peanuts

Hi Hayley, we are still living in Brisbane at this stage. We'd love to make the move up to the Sunshine Coast but we recently turned down a job offer as the numbers and figures didn't work out, and the opportunities for my husband to further himself at work just aren't up there. We have been on waiting lists for a few schools up there and I would have loved my kids to go to Immanuel Lutheran in Buderim, but Sunshine Beach state school also was an option if we moved as far up as beautiful Noosa. I'm sorry I can't be of more assistance and I wish you luck with your move! Stay in touch and let us know how you get on!

Have a look at http://www.sienaprimary.qld.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx Heard very good things about this school. It is in Sippy Downs near Buderim. Buderim schools perform very well in general. Good luck!

I must say, I think it is the way we'll go. I spoke with them (at ILC) on the phone the other day and they were so professional and did offer for us to have a tour of the school in the new year. It is a good idea to take the girls with! Much appreciated.

Thank you very much Tina2!

Hi everyone Do any of you have any experience with either of the two following schools? Immanuel Lutheran College in Buderim or Noosaville SS? I have heard very good things about both schools. Obviously cost is a huge factor here. If we can afford it we would like to send our two girls to ILC, but we love Noosa and the commute would be too great to live in Noosa and send them there to school. Other option would be to live in Noosa and send them to Noosaville SS. Any feedback on these or other schools in the area would be greatly appreciated.

We stayed in a place up in Alexandra Headlands- stunning location, right across from the beach, simple, yet affordable, on airbnb. Check out the website. The unit we stayed in doesn't seem to be on their at the moment, but there seems to be a lot available to suit a variety of budgets. Just put in your desired location and do a search. Good luck, it was the best month ever for us up there... glorious weather, kids absolutely loved the beach, we'll certainly head up there again for a holiday. Noosa was so beautiful, I'd recommend making a plan to explore that area too.

Sitting here in disbelief that we fly out of the UK on Friday morning. We've been struggling to fit everything into our suitcases (we got double the allocated amount per traveller on Singapore Airlines, and are not bringing out any furniture). Its been difficult fitting our lives into bags, especially for our two young girls, aged 3 years and 6 months. We can't wait to spend the rest of March up on the sunshine coast, and are hoping that we manage to strike a good balance between enjoying the time together as a family and looking for a rental and getting furniture organised. I would appreciate any advice on how to be supportive for my eldest daughter. At 3 I think she is managing this all quite well but she has been saying things like "don't leave me here when you go" or "don't forget me, cos I'll miss you". I am sure that all the packing is quite unsettling and I don't think she fully comprehends what is going on. What do you tell the kids and what is best left unsaid? Anybody fly into Singapore for a few days en route? We'll be there for the weekend and are looking to do the botanical gardens and sentosa island, but any other good suggestions would be appreciated. Can we expect to feel quite jet-lagged if we're splitting the trip up this way? Wow.... this is all so surreal!!!! Thanks to all the advice we've received up to this point. Looking forward to posting about our experiences after arriving.

Hi I know you say there have been loads of posts regarding car seats.... I hadn't read any and now I'm in a flat panic. Are UK car seats illegal in Australia? We leave next friday and were planning on taking our two for our girls (Maxi-cosi rear facing for our 6 month old and a maxi cosi tobi for our 3 year old). ADVICE PLEASE!!

Hi littlesarah, In your first post in this thread you stated the following, yet added no reference. Yet for all the counter-debate posts, you ask for references.

It was not my intention to come across as overly ranting (or to insult/anger anyone)- it is just something I am interested in, and something that I have looked into. XXX

Here are the references from the post I posted. They may be slightly older- but that does not mean they are totally irrelavant. References 1. Maurer, et. al., Fluoride an equivocal carcinogen J. National Cancer Institute 82, 1118-26, 1990 2. Cohn, Perry D. Ph.D. An Epidemiological Report on Drinking Water Fluoridation and Osteosarcoma in Young Males New Jersey Department of Health, Environmental Health Service, Trenton NJ November 8, 1992 3. Yiamouyiannis, J.A. and Dean Burk, "Fluoridation and Cancer: Age Dependence of Cancer Mortality Related to Artificial Fluoridation," Fluoride, Vol. 10 #3 (102-123) 1977 4. Hip Fracture rates related to Fluoridated water Journal of the American Medical Association 264(4):500-502 1990 5. J. C. Robins and J. L. Ambrus, "Studies on Osteoporosis IX. Effect of Fluoride on Steroid Induced Osteoporosis," Research Communications in Chemical Pathology and Pharmacology, Volume 37, No. 3, pp. 453-461 (1982) 6. Freni SC, Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, 42:109-121, 1994 7. Diesendorf M. Tooth Decay not related to fluoride intake from water Nature Vol. 322 10 July 1986 8. Colquhoun J. Tooth Decay related to economics of family American Laboratory 17:98-109 1985 9. Colquhoun J. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology 13:37-41 1985 10. Dr. John Yiamouyiannis statement both in his book (Fluoride the Aging Factor" pub Health Action Press 2nd ed. 1986 )and during debates has not been challenged by the ADA or others. 11. Ziegelbecker D. Fluoride 14; 123-128 1981 12. Steelink and Jones Fluoride in the Municipal Water of Tucson related to diet and ethnic origin International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology March 95 13. Colquhoun J. Fluoride Vol. 23 #3 July 90 14. Colquhoun J. Community Health Studies 11:85-90 1987 I will look for more recent studies. XXX

Research study after research study proves that sodium fluoride does not protect our teeth, and it does a number on our bones. And on other body parts, too, including our thyroid gland. - Fluoride was found to be an equivocal carcinogen by the National Cancer Institute Toxicological Program. - Drinking fluoridated water will double the number of hip fractures for both older men and women. - Infertility in women was found to increase with water fluoridation. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) scientists reported a close correlation between decreasing total fertility rates in women between ages of 10 and 49, and increasing fluoride levels. - Fluoride has never been found to effectively reducing tooth decay by any notable margin. No causation or even correlation was found between the level of fluoride in water and dental caries in any study. - Fluoride also attacks the pineal gland. The pineal controls our inner clock, provides good sleep, works with our adrenal glands to handle stress, keeps the thymus gland fed and cared for, and communicates 24/7 with the rest of the endocrine system about how things are going. Fluoride calcifies our pineal gland into a non-functioning rock. Austrian researchers proved in the 1970s that as little as 1 ppm fluoride concentration can disrupt DNA repair enzymes by 50%. When DNA can't repair damaged cells, we get old fast. Fluoride prematurely ages the body, mainly by distortion of enzyme shape. Again, when enzymes get twisted out of shape, they can't do their jobs. This results in collagen breakdown, eczema, tissue damage, skin wrinkling, genetic damage, and immune suppression. Practically any disease you can name may then be caused. All systems of the body are dependent upon enzymes. When fluoride changes the enzymes, this can damage: - immune system - digestive system - respiratory system - blood circulation - kidney function - liver function - brain function - thyroid function The distorted enzymes are proteins, but now they have become foreign protein, which we know is the exact cause of autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, arthritis, asthma, and arteriosclerosis. Fluoride And Osteoporosis Dr. Yiamouyiannis (former science director of the National Health Federation) cited a 1990 study of 541,000 cases of osteoporosis that found a definite connection between hip fractures in women over 65 and fluoride levels. The study was written up in JAMA. Several other major studies are cited, massive amounts of research, again all reaching the same conclusion - the undeniable correlation of fluoridation with osteoporosis and hip fracture in the elderly. Bone Is Living Tissue. Bone building is a finely balanced, complicated process. Fluoride has been known to disrupt this process since the 1930s. Dr. Alesen, who was the president of the California Medical Association, clearly explains what fluoride does to bone formation. He cites dozens of international scientific studies proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that fluoride has caused thousands of cases of osteoporosis, skeletal thinning, fractures, "rubber bones," anemia, and rickets. Fluoride also causes osteoporosis by creating a calcium deficiency situation. Fluoride precipitates calcium out of solution, causing low blood calcium, as well as the buildup of calcium stones and crystals in the joints and organs. A few more facts you should consider: From>>> http://preventdisease.com/news/11/010711_fluoride_lie.shtml Fluoride Is A Carcinogen Fluoride was found to be an equivocal carcinogen by the National Cancer Institute Toxicological Program.1 Further studies by the New Jersey Department of Health have now confirmed a 6.9 fold increase in bone cancer in young males.2 Earlier studies had found a 5% increase in all types of cancers in fluoridated communities.3 Fluoride Increases Hip Fractures Drinking fluoridated water will double the number of hip fractures for both older men and women.4 5 Extremely low levels of water fluoridation 0.1 ppm still produced statistically significant increased hip fractures. (Bordeaux Study JAMA 1994) Fluoride Increases Infertility Infertility in women was found to increase with water fluoridation. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) scientists reported a close correlation between decreasing total fertility rates in women between ages of 10 and 49, and increasing fluoride levels. They also reported that a review of all of the animal studies done to date shows that fluoride adversely affects fertility in most animal species.6 Fluoride Increases Fluorosis Opaque white spots and brown ugly teeth caused by fluoride is called Fluorosis. Fluorosis currently affects one out of five or more children in this nation although it is rarely seen in California. California is the least fluoridated state with less than 16% of the population drinking artificially fluoridated water. Fluoride Does NOT Reduce Tooth Decay Fluoride is not effective in reducing tooth decay. No correlation was found between the level of fluoride in water and dental caries.7 8 9 10 11 There appears to be a genetically related increase in tooth decay for Hispanics, Indians, Native Americans and Asians. Decay is related to the educational and economic level of the parents.12 13 14 That's the bulk of it>> time to get off my soap box. As I am sure you can see, I am very against fluoridation of the water supply. I am happy to debate this with those who think it is a good idea. All I hope to do is to make you think, question, study (from various sources) and then come up with your own answer. Again sorry for the long post, and I hope you read them in their entirety. XXX

Morning, I have researched the debate on weather to add Fluoride to our water supply, and will try relay what I have learnt. Apologies upfront if this post is a long one. To start- the biggest confusion seems to be that Fluoride is an essential nutrient for healthy teeth development, that is it found naturally in our water supply. With the promotion that if a little is good for us then a lot more would be even better! This is basically the base for all fluoridation promoting/advertising. And is completely misguided. Even the original studies done by the US government in the 50s showed it to be harmful The Fluoride that occurs in nature is Calcium Fluoride, and potentially does have health benefits- strong teeth being one of them. The Fluoride added to 90% of drinking water is either Sodium Fluoride or Hydrofluoric acid which is a compound of fluorine that is a chemical by product of aluminium, steel, cement, phosphate, and nuclear weapons manufacturing. Such fluoride is man made. Video link on it production>> In this form, fluoride has no nutrient value whatsoever. It is one of the most caustic of industrial chemicals. Fluoride is the active toxin in rat poisons and cockroach powder. Hydrofluoric acid is used to refine high octane gasoline, to make fluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons for freezers and air conditioners, and to manufacture computer screens, fluorescent light bulbs, semiconductors, plastics, herbicides, -- and toothpaste. It also has the ability to burn flesh to the bone, destroy eyes, and sear lungs so that victims drown in their own body fluid. Once in the body, fluoride is a destroyer of human enzymes. It does this by changing their shapes. In human biochemistry, thousands of enzymes are necessary for various essential cell reactions that take place every second we're alive. Without enzymes, we'd die instantaneously. Much of the original proof that fluoride is safe for humans in low doses was generated by A-bomb program scientists, who had been secretly ordered to provide “evidence useful in litigation” against defence contractors for fluoride injury to citizens. The first lawsuits against the U.S. A-bomb program were not over radiation, but over fluoride damage. The one question we should all be asking is this- If the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) classifies sodium fluoride as environmentally hazardous waste. Anybody handling it must wear HazMat protective gear and dumping it into rivers is a crime. Why is it that governments/Councils are promoting that it should be added to our drinking water!!! (In case you are wondering why- it is not our governments/councils promoting that Sodium Fluoride is dumped illegally in to our water- it is the steel/aluminium/cement/phosphate/nuclear industry that is producing so much Sodium Fluoride that it would cost a fortune to dispose of it- as required by the EPA. I will continue in another post about the health concerns. Thanks

We are looking at the same areas, also heading to Brisbane in March! Very interested to hear from others.

Hi Berrimando, congrats on your move and good luck for your son starting school next week! We are looking at these areas when we move over in March, as I've been offered a job in Morningside. Bulimba looks great, I love the look of Oxford St, however we have read loads of conflicting information about the air traffic noise. What has been your experience?