Free parenting information session - Talking about sex - a parent's role

Knox Youth Services is offering an interactive presentation aimed at parents/carers of secondary aged children, providing practical tips for talking with your child about sexual issues including:

• what do young people want to know from their parents about sex? 
• what are the challenges? 
• young people and sexual development the stats - sexual behaviour of adolescents in Australia

The information session features guest speaker Mandy Stevens from Family Planning Victoria.

When: Wednesday 19th October 7-8:30pm
Where: Knox Civic Centre, 511 Burwood Hwy, Wantirna South 3152
Cost: Free event
To register, or for further information, please contact:
Knox Youth Services
Sarah Waters 9298 8311 or sarah.waters@knox.vic.gov.au


Cheers, Maryanne

Write a story, save wildlife - Young wildlife writers competition

Wildlife artist Pollyanna Pickering and partners have announced a fantastic opportunity for young writers.

All budding young writers are invited to submit a story inspired by any of the animals or subjects helped by Wildlife Warrior’s conservation partners – Snow Leopards, Cheetahs or any other wild cat – or North American wildlife or wilderness areas.

Enter your story

• Who can enter? Children from anywhere in the world in the following age groups - 8 years and under, 9 – 13 years and 14 – 18  years
• How many words does the story have to be? Entries should be up to 1,000 words
• What are the prizes? Winners in each age group will receive award certificates, and a book and limited edition print signed by Pollyanna. An over all winner will then be chosen, and Pollyanna will create a painting of the animal subject of their story inspired by their writing. This painting will be published as a limited edition, and the winner will receive the number one print, signed by Pollyanna, in addition to their other prizes. The print will then be sold to raise funds for the winner’s chosen conservation partner.  
• Can I submit stories I have published? The stories must be the entrants own work, previously unpublished and submitted in English. 
• How much is the entry fee? Entry is free. 
• Can I write a true story? Work can be either fiction or factual
• When is the closing date? Closing date for entries is 31st December 2011. Winners will be announced on the 30th January 2012. 

Wildlife Warriors Conservation Partners

Your story can be inspired by any of the animals or wilderness areas helped by Wildlife Warrior's Conservation partners. Click on the links below to find out more about their work :

Panthera - Leaders in Wild Cat Conservation - they are working to save 37 species including lions, tigers and leopards.

Vital Ground Foundation - helps preserve the threatened grizzly bear and other animals through the conservation of habitat - one acre at a time.

Freedom To Roam ‘Photography Conservation Project’

Cheetah Conservation Fund - working to see a world in which cheetah live and flourish in co-existence with people and the environment.

Snow Leopard Trust - the world's leading authority on the study and protection of the endangered snow leopard.

Cheers, Maryanne