Saturday 26th 

WHEN 1 +1 = 4  -COPING WITH TWINS 

Its hard enough to  imagine coping with being told you are going to have twins  but we will  be joined in the studio by two women who not  only coped but found the time to write a book for others who might follow in their multiple footsteps .

Their book : Twins -  A practical and emotional guide to parenting twins

We'll be having a close look at twins - including  how to cope, stats and   - who are famous twins or parents of twins ? 

Did you know that  both Elvis Presley and Liberace were twins . Both their twins died at birth.

Are twin trends changing - what is your risk of having twins ? .

Who is the former olympian and  TV sports caster about to give birth to twins - any moment ....... ? Find out on Saturday 

THE TRUTH ABOUT MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE 

Headlines like "killer bug strikes"  can cause fear and confusion in the community . Meningococcal disease is hitting the newspapers constantly - Is this bacterium striking more often ? Is there an epidemic - or is it that its being reported in the media more frequently. 

The vaccination has finally become available but it is expensive

Professor Terry Nolan is the head of the School of Population Health At the University of Melbourne .He'll be telling us the TRUTH about Meningococcal disease 

for good info on Meningococcal disease - go here...... http://www.health.gov.au/pubhlth/strateg/communic/factsheets/mening.htm

CARING FOR OUR CARERS 

This weekend there is a major mental health carers conference - We will be joined in the studio by world authority Dr Jo Smith from England . She is presenting to the conference on Picking early warning signs in mental illness . 

Carers often complain that they are not listened to by health care professionals and there is much debate about the new privacy laws in relation to carers rights. Mental Health Acts across the country are being modified as a result of the privacy laws. Victoria is one of the first states to put strategies in place taking rights of carers into account  We'll be speaking to Beth Wilson , Health Complaints Commissioner for Victoria about the issues facing carers round the country with regard to privacy. 

for more info on the conference go to http://www.carersaustralia.com.au/

see links page for more useful links to support groups

PETS AND HEALTH 

The RSPCA is about to launch a new project called  GIVE A DOG A HOME  - hoping to assist with the growing number of abandoned pets who may other wise  meet a humane but untimely end.

We'll also meet Dr Debbie Calnon she's a Vet with a special interest in Animal behaviour - she'll be talking to us about  how your pet will cope when a new baby comes into the house ! Preparing  Fluffy and Fido for the new addition  ! 

CELEBRITY CHECK UP 

this week 

John- Michael "Hollywood" Howson

will submit to my stethoscope ! 

The fabulous John-Michael is home fro a brief visit - these days he is the guru of Hollywood goss and glam but he's also co written the hit musical SHOUT! on the life of Johnny O'keefe as well as this he co wrote the much  loved children's series Magic Circle Club and Adventure Island. He appeared in both programs  himself .........he in the photo above  .......can you also  pick the former newsreader and mother of star of current ABC medico legal drama series in the photo ? 

LOVE YOUR WORK!   - we'll meet David Middleton who is the Chief Vet at Healesville Sanctuary, because  its Magpie season - every year at this time there are black and white dive bombers swooping out of the sky - yesterday an article in the newspaper cited a Postie who might be able to withstand sleet and driving rain - but the Maggies have the better of him !

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER - renamed by popular demand as  Stayin' alive  - this afternoon the Daaarhling of  Beauty and the Beast ,Jeanne Little  will tell us what she does on a Saturday night when she's not performing her one woman shoe on the LIfe of Marilyn Monroe. She's sure to  inspire us to get a life :) 

click for larger pic 

ALSO .............. THAT CORNED BEEF RECIPE ........ you may recall we discussed how to make the perfect corned beef - well get out your saucepans because  we've got it ! ........check back and I'll post it here