A flotilla of local boats will light up The Mooloolah River with the spirit of the season again this year for the 15th annual Mooloolaba Christmas Boat Parade, organised by Mooloolaba Yacht Club.
MYC Vice Commodore Josh Close said the Parade, starting at 6.30pm on Saturday 22nd December, will be the biggest and best yet with a record level of entries expected not only from boat owners but homeowners along the Parade route too.
Two new directors including a local lawyer and business success coach have been formally appointed to the Board of the Buderim Foundation at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting held recently.
Paul Kusy from My Legal Group and Rebecca Ramsay from Clear Light Capital join ten current directors and replace retiring directors – John Kruger and Lisa Edwards.
In announcing the new appointments, convener of the panel of Members responsible for their selection, Mr. Rod McKinnon said each of the new directors has an acknowledged track record of success and achievement in their respective fields.
“They each bring a great deal to their new roles adding further breadth and depth to this outstanding community organisation,” Mr McKinnon said.
By popular demand, iconic tourist attraction the Mary Valley Rattler announced today it will start Retro Fridays, a fun filled journey every Friday morning aboard the gleaming 1960’s Silver Bullet railmotor with complimentary breakfast or lunch.
As part of a trial, every Friday 10am, the beautifully restored Silver Bullet diesel railmotor will travel a portion of the Mary Valley heritage rail corridor on a return trip to nearby Monkland, a suburb on the north-east bank of the Mary River home to the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum.
With a meal included in the ticket price, passengers will also enjoy either a delicious breakfast or lunch from Platform No. 1 Café prior to or after travelling.
At 30 minutes for a roundtrip, Mary Valley Rattler Chairman Ian McNicol said Retro Fridays are an ideal way to sample just some of the magic of heritage rail travel the Mary Valley Rattler is known for.
The Buderim Village Park will come alive with festive spirit, with the date set for the Buderim Community Carols on Sunday, 9th December.
The 2017 BWMCA Community Carols Crowd – photo by Ross Eason
With pre-show entertainment from 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start, along with a special appearance by Santa Claus, locals and visitors alike are invited to join in on the popular annual event, hosted again this year by the BWMCA and Buderim Bendigo Community Bank.
Australia’s worst trauma, World War 1, left a legacy of sorrow felt to this day. Buderim was no exception. The tiny farming community lost ten of its young men from the 49 who saw active service.
These words are part of the address to be delivered by veteran Drew Miller at Buderim’s Remembrance Day service on Sunday 11 November, marking the 100th anniversary of the Armistice of 1918.
Mr Miller, who served with the UN in the Australian Peace Keeping Contingent in Rwanda and is now a science teacher at Sunshine Coast Grammar School, will lead the service that takes place at the E.J. Foote War Memorial Sanctuary in Park Lane, Buderim commencing at 10.30am.
Inexpensive drones are offering scientists from the University of the Sunshine Coast a spectacular birds’ eye view of migrating humpback whales.
Two times a day, three days a week, researchers are setting sail in a Sunreef tourist boat into the waters off Mooloolaba.
Tourism researcher Dr Vikki Schaffer said the drone was an inexpensive consumer-grade model chosen so that the experiment could be replicated in other areas.
“Drones offer an aerial view that is absolutely changing the game for whale research which, to date, has been challenged because of the logistics around getting close to whales,” she said.
As part of The Wharf Mooloolaba’s $10million refurbishment, some exciting new retail ventures will open their doors this week, joining a mix of cafes, restaurants, bars and recreational attractions already busy operating in the open-air precinct.
The launch of these new retail businesses is further evidence The Wharf Mooloolaba is firmly re-establishing a reputation as the place to meet, eat and explore at Mooloolaba and on the Sunshine Coast.
The historic Gympie Railway Station will be the place to be this Saturday, as the Mary Valley Rattler celebrates its First Run Day with a very special inaugural return trip to Amamoor via Dagun on the historic railway, alongside a fun-filled day of activities and entertainment.
Doors open to the free event at the station on Tozer Street at 8am for what promises to be an unforgettable start to the iconic railway’s welcome return to regular services.
Tickets for Saturday’s First Run Day are close to selling out so if you want to be on the historic first train, buy your tickets now. While you are at the station enjoying the festivities, you can also book future trips or jump online and book at maryvalleyrattler.com.au.
Highlights of the packed day-long program include musical performances from X-Factor contestant Caitlyn Shadbolt to a classical harpist, a live broadcast and giveaways from local radio station Zinc FM and a slew of children’s entertainers.
It’s full steam ahead for the Mary Valley Rattler, with the iconic tourist attraction hosting a day of festivities for First Run Day early next month after the announcement today of the start date for the historic railway’s regular services.
To celebrate, the beautifully refurbished historic Gympie Station on Tozer Street will come alive with a carnival-like atmosphere from 8am on Saturday 6th October, 2018.
Along with live entertainment from The X Factor Australia contestant and local, Caitlyn Shadbolt, a broadcast from local radio station Zinc FM, face painting, and station tours.
There will also be exclusive opportunities to be the first to ride the trains – these exclusive First Run Day tickets are $100 for adults and $50 for children and include a return ride on the train on Saturday 6th October as well as a welcome drink, a gift bag for each passenger and a First Run Day certificate.
In what promises to be the most elegant dining experience of the year, 
Lunch En Blanc, an afternoon of fine food and entertainment inspired by the global phenomenon returns to Buderim next weekend Sunday 7 October at the Buderim Memorial Hall.
After the runaway success of last year’s inaugural event, 2018 Buderim Foundation Lunch En Blanc is the perfect opportunity to celebrate with friends, and to raise funds that go to supporting the Foundation’s philanthropic activities.
Inspired by the original Parisian chic picnic, Lunch En Blanc is now a worldwide event in which people dressed in white gather in a public space and set up a temporary, chic dining area to share food and comradery.
Locally, it is a chance to dress (fearlessly!) in all white and assemble your own bountiful picnic basket to share with others amid a splendid setting of long white tables.
