Congratulations to everyone on an awesome Multiple Birth Awareness Week. Our AMBA clubs held many events right around the country highlighting the joys and challenges of life with multiples.

Sunday saw almost 3000 people descend on Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne to celebrate the life of multiplicity at the Twins Plus Festival.  Check back here in the next few days for further information on it and to check out some photos (you can also visit www.twinsfestival.com.au).  Well done to the team of AMBA volunteers and ATR staff who were responsible for an amazing day! 

Multiple Birth Awareness Week is a national event held annually to celebrate the joy of parenting multiples and also to educate communities and professionals about the joys and challenges of parenting twins, triplets and more. It runs from Sunday 11 March to Sunday 18 March, concluding with the Twins Plus Festival at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne.

In addition, our AMBA clubs right around the country held many different activities. Take a look and see was was happening near you. Note that some of these events are open only to AMBA Members. Not a member? Use the Club Finder at the top of the page to find a club near you.

ACT

Canberra & Region MBA (CARMBA) has many activities over the week. Click on the link below for more information. http://www.carmba.org.au/multiple-birth-awareness-week.html

The More The Merrier - Cafe Cos, 39 Neill St, Harden. Thu Mar 15, 2012, 10 am – noon EST. The Family Chain is a program that supports children 0-8 years and their families, parents and/or carers within the Young, Harden & Boorowa shires. For more information contact Jenny on 63826697 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mummys Night Out -  Thu Mar 15, 2012, 8–10 pm EST. Sub-Urban by Belluci. It's at Dickson - corner of Woolley St. Rsvp This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 NEW SOUTH WALES

Central Coast Multiple Birth Association is holding a Family Fun Day - Saturday 17 March 10am - 1pm at 73 Showground  Narara, NSW.  Bring your picnic lunch and shelter - $10 Family ticket with unlimited train rides. Please email or call Kate if you would like to purchase a ticket This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   0404118199. Non-members welcome.  Note you must all be wearing covered shoes or you will not be able to ride the train.

Hunter Valley Multiple Birth Association. Family Picnic - 17^th March 11.30 am Maitland Park. Contact Jenny Reid 0417 658033 or 0249 300545  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  Open to everyone associated with multiples; whether members or not

North West Sydney in conjunction with Nepean MBA. MBAW Picnic - Sunday 11th March. 10am until 3pm. Nurragingy Reserve, Knox Road, Doonside. "Wren" Picnic Area

Southern Sydney Multiple Birth Association. Multiple Birth Awareness Week Family Picnic – Sunday 11 March 10am – 1pm, Camellia Gardens Caringbah. Cupcakes, photos and face painting – come and picnic with your SSMBA friends. Open to SSMBA members, their guests and any multiples families in the local area.

Wagga Wagga Multiple Birth Association. Playgroup - Monday, 12th March 2012, 10am to 12pm at Rivercity Church, Lake Road Wagga. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Open to any families with multiples.
Family Fun Day - Sunday, 18th March 2012, 10.30am to 1pm, Kidsville, Botanical Gardens Wagga. Open to anyone with multiples.

Wollongong Multiple Birth Association. Brunch at the Park & Playgroup Outing to Botanic Gardens - Sunday 11 March from  9am at Integral Energy Park at Dapto. Open to all members of Wollongong MBA.             Contact Joanne 0413 007 804.

QUEENSLAND

Brisbane Multiple Birth Association - Westside (BMBAW) is holding a celebration at our playgroup with cake and twin clowns 'Peebo and Dagwood'. We also have a display at Mt Ommaney Library for the month depicting all things twin! BMBAW also encourages members to attend the "Multiples in Motion" picnic hosted by AMBAQ during MBAW.

Bundaberg Multiple Birth Association. As always Bundaberg will be having its popular Family Fun Day - Sunday 11 March at the Targo St Neighbourhood Centre from 9:30am. Sausage sizzle included.  We’re going to have lots of messy multiples madness, so everyone can join in and get messy.  Shaving cream colour fun, slime, waterplay etc.

Sunday at the Targo St. Neighbourhood Centre. 9:30am.  Sausage sizzle included.

Ipswich Multiple Birth Association Inc. 25th Birthday Celebration which will include awarding our new life member, officially launching the clubs new logo and website and giving out appreciation awards to Mayor Pisasale and Cr Morrow. Entertainment for the kids includes jumping castle, The Hire Engine, face painting, arts and crafts and much more! Saturday 17th March, 9am. Mater Dei Hall, Cnr Ferret St and Rowland Tce, Sadliers Crossing 4305. Open to-members of all MBA's, their families and friends. Contact Melanie 0424 813 024

Rockhampton MBA. Family Day and Past & Present Members Reunion Dinner -11th March 11am, Botanical Gardens. 26th March 6pm- Athelstane Bowls Club. Open to members of Rockhampton MBA

Sunshine Coast Multiple Birth Association. Sunday March 11 - Car Boot Sale @ Kawana Shopping World Carpark, Nicklin Way Buddina, 6.30-10.30am, 60+ stall selling great quality second-hand baby/toddler/kids gear. Open to the general public, enquires to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tuesday March 13 - Under 1's Morning Tea @ Little Mountain, Caloundra. Open to members, RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Thursday March 15 - Multiple Mums dinner @ Kawana Waters Hotel. Open to members, RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Friday March 16 - SCMBA is hosting a "Fun Day" @ Kawana Family Centre, Iluka Ave Buddina 9.00-11.30am with jumping castle, face painting. Open to members and all families with multiples on the Sunshine Coast.  Enquires to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sunday March 18 - A BBQ is being held @ Nelson Park, Alexandra Headlands at 3pm for all multiple families of the Sunshine Coast. RSVP and enquire to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

TASMANIA

-   Pram Walk – Wednesday 14^th March from 10am. Meet at the Somerset Surf Club.  

-   Multiples and Merriment Playgroup – Wednesday 14^th March from 9.30am to 11am. Lenah Valley Hall. Creek Road, Lenah Valley School. 

-   Mums Night Out – Saturday 17^th March from 7pm. Star Bar, Launceston. 

 -   BBQ Breakfast by the Beach – Saturday 17^th March from 9.30am. Sandy Bay Beach Lighthouse Park, Sandy Bay.

For more details for all events contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

VICTORIA

Albury Wodonga MBA have already held a big celebration for multiple birth awareness week with a disco at Scrambles play centre in Wodonga on Saturday 3rd March. Lots of pizza, chips, cake, fruit and drinks were consumed by 50 of our multiples and siblings.
In addition there is an upcoming dress up day at morning tea on Wednesday 14th March 10 til 12noon at Felltimber Community Centre.

South Western Multiple Birth Support Group - Family BBQ. Sunday 25th March 12pm for BBQ lunch (sausages & bread supplied). Lake Pertobe main playground & BBQ area, Lake Pertobe Rd, Warrnambool, Vic. Contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or Tracey: 0407 098 032. Please RSVP for catering & so we know to look for you! Open to all families with multiples

Waverley Multiple Birth Association. Family & Friends picnics including a family portrait fundraiser. Sunday 25 March 9am – 3pm, Notting Hill Neighbourhood House, Westerfield Drive, Notting Hill. Open to any families with multiples. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Perth & Districts Multiple Birth Association. New Parent Morning Tea (for parents of twins and triplets aged up to 12 months). Saturday 10^th March from 9.30am – 12 noon at Agnes Walsh House, Bagot Road Subiaco. Open to members of P&DMBA. RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Family Picnic - Saturday 17^th March from 10am– 12 noon at Kadidjiny Park, Melville. Open to members of P&DMBA. RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Belmont Coffee Group Open Day - Wednesday 7^th March from 9am – 11am at Redcliffe Community Centre.Open to all families of multiples.  RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Also, the first set of twins or triplets to be born at King Edward Memorial Hospital during Multiple Birth Awareness Week will be presented with a hamper of donated baby products and a complimentary membership to the Perth & Districts Multiple Birth Association.

South West Multiple Birth Association (SWMBA) - Family Picnic Day 17th March 2012 from 10:30am at Jetty Baths, Jetty Rd, Bunbury. Open to all families with multiples.
 

About the AMBA Appreciation Awards

The AMBA Appreciation Awards program has been established to:

• Acknowledge AMBA members’ valued contributions
• Introduce dedicated, creative and innovative individuals and clubs to their peers on a national level
• Promote team work
• Recognise activities that increase the profile of AMBA within local and national communities
• Promote national affiliation.

AMBA has many fantastic volunteers contributing their time and skills to assist multiple birth families at local, state and national levels. AMBA celebrates the contribution its volunteers make.

AMBA Appreciation Award nominations are due 1st August 2012.  You can find out more information about the awards here.