Hi Eugenia,
I am also in Brisbane and definitely share your gentle parenting principles. I am a reasonably new mother (little one is 9 weeks now) but have always used these principles in my work with animals as well. You are free to email me for a vent or chat if you ever need, krysalyss(at)yahoo(dot)com. But it is tough when there are very distinct schools of thought isn't it? You are doing a great job.
Kris