Support Contacts
We have members of the club who are available for discussion and support as 'people who have been through it'. These include breastfeeding contact, premature birth contact, IVF contact, special needs contact, HOM contact (for families with triplets and higher order multiples). Bereavement contact is referred to a trained counsellor who has experienced multiple birth loss. It is also available through AMBA.
Expectancy Program
The Expectancy Program is a series of informal discussion groups for parents expecting multiples. These sessions provide an opportunity for the parents to discuss any concerns they may have, to meet with other parents in similar situations, and to borrow from the library of books and videos.
Newsletter
The club newsletter, "Gemini News", is issued every month (except January) to all members and subscribers. It provides all the dates and details of upcoming events for the club, members' contributions, classified advertisements, and all other relevant information for the club.Unless advised otherwise by individual members, the newsletter is sent by email to all whose names are on the e-mail list, and by post to the rest. Members on the e-mail list may receive a posted copy if they prefer.
Second-hand Equipment (For Sale and Wanted to Buy)
This may be advertised free of charge in "Gemini News", and provides opportunities to dispose of equipment no longer needed (so often in quantities of two or more), as well as to make considerable savings when buying used equipment (prams, cots, clothing, toys etc.). The club only prints the advertisements. Purchase and sale arrangements are made between private individuals.
Social Functions
The club has a number of social activities including coffee mornings, family outings, mothers' nights out, Dads' golf days, occasional get-togethers for those with children at school or in their teens, luncheons for those with adult children, and the always enjoyable annual birthday picnic and Christmas party (complete with a visit from Santa).The coffee mornings currently are for parents of 'Babies and Non-Walkers', as well as 'All-Ages', and are held in private homes of members, or at venues like parks, or others where perhaps food may be purchased.
Club Meetings
The club generally meets on the second Monday of every second month, starting in February each year, in the Ros Gribble meeting room at Western Newcastle Community Health Centre (part of the Wallsend Campus in Nash Street, behind the former Wallsend Hospital). Meetings start at 7:30 p.m., and provide information for members by means of a guest speaker, or a discussion, or a specially-structured parent-help program.
Currently the club has a Family Liaison team of specially trained presenters, qualified to present the "Twin Toddlers – Terrific or Terrible", and the "Triple-P Parenting Program". A light supper is provided after meeting. Check Gemini News or Web Site Social and Events tab for details.
Library
We have a range of books available for a loan period of one month. Book topics include the care, psychology and raising of multiples. In addition we also have books about more general childcare, a few children's books and some videos. Borrowing is free for all members, but we do ask for a refundable $10 deposit from non-members.
Discounts
Various local businesses very kindly offer discounts to club members. A club membership card and an AMBA membership card need to be shown to obtain these.