QUEENSLAND Health Minister Lawrence Springborg will visit Bloomhill Cancer Help tomorrow.

The first visit to the centre by a Queensland Minister since the opening of the extension last year, will provide Mr Springborg with the opportunity to inspect all the new facilities and learn more about the unique services Bloomhill offers to people with cancer and their families throughout the Sunshine Coast.

Mr Springborg will have morning tea with staff and then tour the complex including the new kitchen, the five new counselling and treatment rooms as well as the group function room.

Bloomhill President Michael Hurley said the centre’s staff and volunteers were eagerly awaiting the opportunity to meet the Minister.

“The services that Bloomhill offers to more than 900 clients throughout the Sunshine Coast are unique so we are keen to showcase them to the Queensland Government,” he said.

Bloomhill received a $500,000 Commonwealth grant towards the cost of the extensions to the centre but otherwise receives no on-going government support, relying on income generated from its network of Op Shops, the Cotton Tree Markets and donations.

“We aim to alleviate some of the challenges our clients face by providing practical and emotional support for them and their families throughout their cancer journey,” Mr Hurley said.

Bloomhill Cancer Help is a Sunshine Coast based charity that provides support and assistance to those affected by cancer. Operated by a team of dedicated professional staff and hundreds of volunteers, Bloomhill offers counselling, transport to appointments, respite care and a range of complementary therapies and other practical help.

The Buderim Foundation Community Grants Program has awarded eight community organisations with grants totaling $16,905, at its annual Good News Night on Friday, 20 September at the Buderim War Memorial Hall.

With this year’s grants, the Buderim Foundation has distributed more than $100,000 to local community organisations since 2008, with five new organisations receiving grants this year including the Buderim Scout Group who received a record amount of more than $6,000.

The successful first round applicants of the 2013 Grants Program are Buderim Historical Society Inc. receiving $1,057 for weather blinds for Pioneer Cottage; Buderim Scout Group receiving $6,160 towards a new kitchen to benefit the 100 children that use the hall each week; Music Broadcasting Society of Queensland receiving $4,000 to provide access to a 24 hour, 7 day nostalgia radio station to improve the health and well-being of residents living in the RSL care Tantula aged care home; Oriana Arts Inc. receiving $1000 towards the purchase of “100 Carols for Choirs” choir books, which will broaden Oriana’s available repertoire for community concerts; Team Adem receiving $1,478 for a marquee which will be used to raise community awareness of the importance of blood donations.

Funding has also been awarded to Headland Buderim Croquet Club receiving $730 for a “backlapper” machine; P&C Buderim Mountain State Primary School receiving $2,080 for the purchase of an online reading program for the prep cohort to enhance students learning experience; and St Marks Anglican Church, Buderim receiving $400 for an awareness raising project of Buderim’s indigenous history.

Chair of the Buderim Foundation, Professor Paul Clark said he was delighted to present the grants to such commendable organisations committed to benefiting the Buderim community.

“Thanks to the support and generous contributions of local businesses and residents, the Buderim Foundation has been able to continue providing more funding for grants to quality local community projects,” Prof Clark said.

“Grants are offered to not-for-profit organisations in the Buderim community, or not-for-profit Sunshine Coast community organisations that are able to provide services to the Buderim community,” Prof Clark said.

The Foundation is a philanthropic, not-for-profit organisation, which aims to generate income from donations and bequests from community members and provide grants for community projects now and into the future. Round two of the community grants program will be announced later in the year.

For more information on the Buderim Foundation or the 2013 grants program, please visit, www.buderimfoundation.org.au.

Bloomhill Cancer Help’s 11^th Annual Race Day to be held this Sunday, 15 September is expected to raise record funds for the local charity.

The event will see Corbould Park come to life once again with fashion, fun and a full race schedule, for a day that has become a key part of Bloomhill’s fundraising efforts.

Bloomhill’s Race Day Coordinator, Gail Lamb said the day would provide a great opportunity for people to come together with friends, celebrate spring and support a worthy cause.

“There will be plenty of fantastic prizes to be won in the raffle and lucky door,” Gail said.

“We are so grateful for generosity we have received from our Race Day Sponsors. They always play a major part in making this day a success,” Gail said.

The 2013 Bloomhill Race Day sponsors include Cricks Sunshine Coast, Bob Jane T Mart Maroochydore, All Computer Services and Pam Pugsley 50^th Birthday.

The Race Day schedule begins at 12pm in the Favourites Room and freshly renovated Champagne Gardens. Guests will enjoy a delicious luncheon before the announcement of the Best-Dressed competition, memorabilia auction and more.

Bloomhill Cancer Help is a Sunshine Coast based charity that offers support to those affected by cancer and their families. Operated by a dedicated team of staff and hundreds of volunteers, Bloomhill provides a range of services and complimentary therapies, transport to appointments, massage and counselling.

With no ongoing government funding, the charity relies on donations and fundraising events such as the Bloomhill Race Day to continue providing its valuable services.

For more information or to donate to Bloomhill Cancer help, visit their website www.bloomhill.com.au

Thousands are expected to flock to the Maleny Showgrounds this weekend to enjoy the best local foods the Sunshine Coast has to offer at the Real Food Festival.

The two-day food fiesta is packed with demonstrations and activities for all ages including workshops, ‘how to’ sessions and a range of international cuisines to try that are sure to tickle tastebuds.

Festival Director, Julie Shelton said the Festival was a great location to hold a gathering with friends and family, offering plenty of delicious food, local beer, stellar entertainment and an amazing atmosphere. 

“There will be a full schedule of cooking demonstrations and information sessions across the Festival’s four exciting venues – the Kunara Real Food Kitchen, Jeffers Market Nourishing Ideas, Food for Thought and Eumundi Markets Food Craft,” Julie said.

“And on Saturday 7^th, Mayor Mark Jamieson and Queensland Environment Minister, Andrew Powell will go head-to-head in an exciting cook-off in the Kunara Real Food Kitchen at 11.30am,” Julie said.

The Woombye Pub will have a stall at the Festival with Sunshine Coast Brewery ales on tap and also will be running ‘meet the brewer’ sessions each day at 1.30pm.

 “Relax on one of the hay bales at ‘The Stage’ and be entertained by Acoustic Pop singer songwriter Carl Wockner, appearing on Sunday from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, or be dazzled by the vocal stylings of the BossaNova Cowboy, Harii Bandhu, performing at 12.30pm on Saturday,” Julie said.

Proudly supported by event partner, IGA Sunshine Coast, the festival will also host more than 120 Sunshine Coast based exhibits ranging from specialty foods to food-related products and services.

The Real Food Festival will be held at the Maleny Showgrounds, 13 Stanley River Road, Maleny on 7^th – 8^th September from 9am to 4pm daily and will showcase an abundance of local foods from Sunshine Coast producers, manufacturers and restaurants. Entry is $15 for a daily adult pass and children under 16 are free.

For more information on the Real Food Festival, visit the Festival website at www.realfoodfestival.com.au

Gluten and grain free food expert and cookbook author, Tania Hubbard will return to her hometown again this year by popular demand, to join the line-up at this year’s Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.

The Gluten Free Grain Free Company co-owner, Tania will be presenting a series of six cooking demonstrations in the Farm to Plate space at the Ergon Energy Flower, Food and Wine Festival from Friday, 20 September to Sunday, 22 September.

Tania said she was excited to be heading back to the Garden City to share her passion for gluten and grain free living at an event she used to go and see as a child.

“My demonstrations will focus on providing people with easy gluten and grain free recipes and ideas that they can take away and recreate at home,” Tania said.

Tania’s demonstrations on Friday, 20^th will be held at 11.30am and 2.30pm and will focus on gluten and grain free school lunch box ideas and treats for kids. On Saturday, Tania’s first session at 12noon will see her creating a gluten and grain free pad thai using vegetable spaghetti and local seasonal produce, followed by her second session at 4.30pm when she will make sweet and savoury gluten and grain free pastries.

“During my Saturday afternoon demonstration I will be making a delicious savoury tart using local mushrooms, olive oil and goats cheese and followed by a pear and feijoa tart for those with a sweet-tooth,” Tania said.

“On Sunday at 11.30am and 1.30pm, I will be making my gluten, grain, nut and dairy free flat bread with tabouli, followed by chocolate cake,” Tania said.

Tania began her gluten and grain free journey several years ago when she was diagnosed intolerant to the proteins found in cereal grains. Determined to continue enjoying food, Tania went on to develop her own recipes and write a leading cookbook, gluten free grain free – food we love.

Tania’s cookbook is packed with over 150 pages of mouth-watering recipes, information about stocking a gluten and grain free pantry, label reading and much more.

Tania said the book offered recipes that not only tasted great, but are nutrient dense and provided a wider benefit to people other than just being gluten-free.

“I wanted to help people understand that living gluten and grain free does not mean giving up nutrients or taste,” Tania said.

“People no longer want empty fillers and binders to make up the bulk of their gluten and grain free foods, they are seeking the combination of taste, texture and nutrition”.

The Ergon Energy Flower, Food & Wine Festival is part of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers’ celebrations and is held from Friday, 20 September to Sunday 22,  September in Upper Queens Park on the corner of Margaret and Lindsay Street, Toowoomba. The Festival, which is expected to attract more than 15,000 visitors over the three-days, includes floral and artistic displays, gourmet food and wine from the Darling Downs region, gardening workshops, cooking demonstrations and plenty of activities for kids.

Entry to the Festival is $25 for a single adult pass, $20 for concession and $12 for children 15 years and under.

Gluten free grain free – food we love and Tania’s popular bake@home range will be available for purchase at the Festival, or online at www.glutenfreegrainfree.com.au.

The Sunshine Coast’s annual Real Food Festival returns to the Maleny Showgrounds this weekend, 7^th – 8^th

September and guarantees to deliver the best local produce and food products the Sunshine Coast has to offer. 

The weekend-long food fiesta is jam-packed with demonstrations and activities for all ages including workshops, ‘how to’ sessions and a range of international cuisines to try that are sure to tickle tastebuds.

Festival Director, Julie Shelton said the Festival was a great location to hold a gathering with friends and family, offering plenty of delicious food, local beer, stellar entertainment and an amazing atmosphere.  

“There will be a full schedule of cooking demonstrations and information sessions across the Festival’s four exciting venues – the Kunara Real Food Kitchen, Jeffers Market Nourishing Ideas, Food for Thought and Eumundi Markets Food Craft,” Julie said.

“And on Saturday 7^th, Mayor Mark Jamieson and Queensland Environment Minister, Andrew Powell will go head-to-head in an exciting cook-off in the Kunara Real Food Kitchen at 11.30am,” Julie said.

The Woombye Pub will have a stall at the Festival with Sunshine Coast Brewery ales on tap and also will be running ‘meet the brewer’ sessions each day at 1.30pm.

Live music artists will perform on the main stage and roving street performer Great Scott is sure to keep the crowd laughing with his comedy act and juggling skills.

“Relax on one of the hay bales at ‘The Stage’ and be entertained by Acoustic Pop singer songwriter Carl Wockner, appearing on Sunday from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, or be dazzled by the vocal stylings of the BossaNova Cowboy, Harii Bandhu, performing at 12.30pm on Saturday,” Julie said.

Proudly supported by event partner, IGA Sunshine Coast, the festival will also host more than 120 Sunshine Coast based exhibits ranging from specialty foods to food-related products and services.

The Real Food Festival will be held at the Maleny Showgrounds, 13 Stanley River Road, Maleny on 7^th – 8^th September from 9am to 4pm daily and will showcase an abundance of local foods from Sunshine Coast producers, manufacturers and restaurants. Entry is $15 for a daily adult pass and children under 16 are free.

For more information on the Real Food Festival or to view the full program, visit the Festival website at www.realfoodfestival.com.au. You can also ‘like’ the Real Food Festival on Facebook to keep up to date – www.facebook.com/realfoodfestival.

Queensland Environment Minister, Andrew Powell will go head-to-head with Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson in an exciting cook-off at the Real Food Festival on Saturday, 7^th September. 

‘The Mayor & The Minister’ cook-off will start at 11.30am in the Kunara Real Food Kitchen and will be facilitated by Free Ranging Chef, Peter Wolfe.  Mayor Mark Jamieson narrowly won the challenge against Minister Powell last year and is keen to defend his title in 2013.

Festival Director, Julie Shelton said the cook-off would see the culinary skills of both men put to the test. 

“The cook-off is always a crowd pleaser and a great way to kick-off the two day festival,” Julie said.

 “Mayor Mark Jamieson and Minister Powell know the stakes are high, competition will be fierce and provide great entertainment.”

Both contestants are great supporters of local food producers and the Real Food Festival, which is now in its third year.

Mayor Jamieson and Minister Powell will need to replicate a dish demonstrated by Chef Peter, using bushfoods and local ingredients.  The criteria for judging will include technique, presentation and, of course, taste.

The Real Food Festival will be held at the Maleny Showgrounds, 13 Stanley River Road, Maleny on 7^th – 8^th September from 9am to 4pm daily and is a celebration of the local food industry, showcasing an abundance of freshly grown, local foods from Sunshine Coast producers, manufacturers and restaurants.

The Festival, proudly supported by event partner IGA Sunshine Coast, is a weekend-long culinary adventure, featuring more than 110 Sunshine Coast based exhibits ranging from specialty foods to food-related products and services.

There will also be a full schedule of cooking demonstrations and information sessions across its four exciting venues – the Kunara Real Food Kitchen, Jeffers Market Nourishing Ideas, Food for Thought and Eumundi Market Food Craft.   Entry is $15 for a daily adult pass and children under 16 are free.

“The Real Food Festival is about authenticity and enjoying nourishing and delicious food that has been grown and prepared right here in our beautiful Sunshine Coast backyard,” Julie said.

For more information on the Real Food Festival, visit the Festival website at www.realfoodfestival.com.au.

Sunshine Coast charity, Bloomhill Cancer Help is calling on locals to embrace the change of season and spring clean their homes and donate unwanted, saleable items to help restock its six Op Shops.

With more than 80 per cent of the charity’s funds raised through Op Shop sales, Bloomhill relies on generous donations from the community to continue providing its valuable services and support to those with cancer on the Coast.

Bloomhill General Manager Mervat Thompson said furniture, clothing and bric-a-brac were sought after but any quality, saleable donations were welcome.

“Our Op Shops are seriously understocked and we are asking the community to dig deep to support cancer care on the Sunshine Coast,” Ms Thompson said.

Bloomhill is a long-standing Buderim-based charity offering support and assistance to those affected by cancer and their families on the Sunshine Coast.

Operated by a team of dedicated staff and hundreds of volunteers, Bloomhill offers counselling, transport to appointments, respite care and a range of complementary therapies and other practical help.

Bloomhill Op Shops are located in Buderim on Main Street, Nambour opposite the hospital, Maroochydore on First Ave, Mooloolaba on Brisbane Rd, Caloundra on Bullcock Street and Cooroy on Maple Street.

“All the money raised from the sale of items goes directly to fund Bloomhill and the services it provides to its more than 900 clients.

“To make it easier for people to donate, Bloomhill even offers a free pick-up service for larger items,” Ms Thompson said.

For more information about making a donation or to arrange a FREE collection, please contact the Bloomhill Distribution Centre on 5445 6858 (during business hours) or simply drop your donations into a local Bloomhill Op Shop.