Photo of author

Janine Mergler

Janine Mergler is a veteran Queensland teacher, graduating from QUT with a BEd majoring in Social Sciences. After many years in the classroom, Janine moved on to academia. She has proudly trained new generations of teachers in her role as a lecturer at Queensland University of Technology Faculty of Education. She has also worked in the Queensland Government as an education specialist, developing education resources and delivering community awareness programs to help families conserve water. Currently she is the owner and editor of Families Magazine, a publication specifically targeted at parents who value a quality education for children. Janine leads a team of professionals who write about family lifestyle, early childhood, schools and education information and family-friendly events.

REVIEW: Date Day at Olivera Restaurant, Manly

Olivera Manly

If you are looking for a relaxed but elegant spot on the bayside for a date day or night, the newest addition to the Manly dining scene is absolutely worth putting on your radar. Olivera blends Mediterranean coastal flavours with breezy bayside charm, creating a dining experience that manages to feel refined and comforting at … Read more

REVIEW: Prison Island Date Night

Prison Island for date night

My partner and I finally scored a kid free night. No homework reminders. And no taxiing teenagers. No one complaining about who finished the ice cream. Pure bliss. We decided to celebrate our freedom by voluntarily locking ourselves inside Prison Island. Because nothing says romance quite like choosing to be confined together in a place … Read more

REVIEW: Prison Island with Teens

Prison Island with Teens

Taking teens anywhere during the school holidays can be a gamble. Will they enjoy it. Or will they complain. Will they pretend to enjoy it while secretly wishing they were at home scrolling. I am super happy to report that Prison Island in Fortitude Valley passed the teenager test. Actually, it smashed it. I took … Read more

REVIEW: Cirque du Sleigh Wynnum Wonderland Review

Cirque du Sleigh Wynnum Wonderland

Could this be the most irreverent, frivolous, and (self-proclaimed) filthy festive fiesta ever? Clutching a promo image that promised a certain amount of nudity, and feeling a certain amount of trepidation, I went along to review Cirque du Sleigh at the Wynnum Wonderland Christmas Festival. Was I in for an eye-opener? You betcha! And it … Read more