Buderim FoundationDrovers dinner

Buderim Foundation Drovers Evening brings touch of the Outback

A touch of the outback came to the Sunshine Coast on Friday, with a sold-out crowd of 200 listening spellbound to the stories of original Aussie Drover, and former NT Government Minister Roger Steele.

Roger Steele tells of his outback experiences at the Buderim Foundation
Drovers Dinner. Photo by Ross Eason

Honourable Roger Steele, OAM, shared fascinating tales of his droving days in the Northern Territory and Queensland. He started work at Humbert River Station as a 13 year old and spent 17 years in the cattle industry in various jobs, from ringer, camp cook, stockman and station manager.

He shared tales of the challenges of mustering sometimes thousands of cattle through harsh terrain, dealing with a cattle rush, the role of horses and the value of Aboriginal stockmen. He went on to manage a life insurance company, to represent Territorians as a member of the NT Parliament, to manage the NT Expo in Brisbane and to take on the role of CEO of the Stockmans’ Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre in Longreach, and said he considered his time in the outback as the most memorable and fulfilling of his life.

BWMCA Christmas Carols 2021

Buderim Community Carols bringing the region together for Christmas

Buderim Community Carols heralds the beginning of Christmas celebrations and this year’s event on Sunday 11th December is set to be better than ever.

BWMCA Carols organiser Andrew Butterworth said last year’s event attracted more than 3,000 people with families coming from across the Coast to celebrate together.

“This year’s entertainment is once again directed by local entertainment professional Riley Cope, and we are delighted that 7News Sunshine Coast’s Rosanna Natoli is once again joining us as MC.

“The evening will be full of opportunities to singalong with performances from the Buderim Mountain State School Choir, Sunshine Coast Youth Orchestra, Buderim Youth Theatre and the Elite Dance Institute,” Mr Butterworth said.

BWMCA ready to celebrate 75th Anniversary 2 - photo by Reflected Image PR RPR1525

Buderim set for stellar BWMCA 75th Anniversary Celebrations

BUDERIM will be swinging back to the 1940s for a very special weekend of celebrations on the weekend of 27th to 29th May, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Buderim War Memorial Community Association.

BWMCA ready to celebrate 75 years – Sunshine Coast Concert Band’s Gordon Parker, Deb Ansett & Georgiana Truman from 3bCreative, BWMCA president Errol Richarson & Tracy Reeves from 3bCreative

With celebrations delayed from 2020 due to COVID, BWMCA President Errol Richardson said everyone in the organisation was more than ready to celebrate.

Mr Richardson said the weekend would begin with a 1940s Musical Extravaganza Concert on Friday 27th May, followed by a 1940s Big Band Dance on Saturday 28th May.

BWMCA's Teale Ring (left) with Buderim Foundation's Charilie Morris and Buderim Lions' Brian McBride (right) present cheque for vouchers to Mountain Creek chaplains Stuart Cran & Anthony Pulford

Buderim Foundation provides support to local families for school expenses

The Buderim Foundation is supporting local families with school expenses through the provision of $30,000 worth of $50 vouchers, to be distributed through schools and community organisations.

BWMCA’s Teale Ring (left) with Buderim Foundation’s Charlie Morris and Buderim Lions’ Brian McBride (right) present a cheque for vouchers to Mountain Creek chaplains Stuart Cran (MCSHS) & Anthony Pulford (MCSS) – photo by Cheryl Nomnus.

The 600 vouchers will be distributed through Buderim Mountain State School, Chancellor State College, Mountain Creek State Primary School, Mountain Creek State High School, Kuluin State School and SunnyKids, as part of the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) Back to School Program.

Buderim Foundation Director Rebecca Ramsay said this year is the 18th year Buderim Foundation together with the FRRR had provided the much-needed assistance for school expenses such as clothing, shoes, and stationery.

Mrs Ramsay said this year the funds included an allocation from the FRRR of $20,000, as well as a further $5000 from the FRRR Matched Funding program which was matched to funds contributed by the BWMCA ($1000), Buderim Lions ($1500), and the Buderim Foundation’s Thompson Fund ($2500).

BWMCA Christmas Carols 2021

More than 5000 gather for Buderim Community Carols

More than 5000 people turned out to enjoy a very special Buderim Community Carols event last night.

The BWMCA event was extra special from the fantastic performances coordinated by Riley Cope Creative, to our dynamic MC Rosanna Natoli from 7News Sunshine Coast, and a visit by Santa himself.
Everyone had a great time at Buderim Village Park full of families enjoying the beginning of the Christmas season. There was also a Buderim Rotary Sausage Sizzle, as well as Fairy Floss from the Buderim Foundation and popcorn from the Buderim Mountain State School P&C.
The weather gods were  kind with the rain holding off until the last Carol was sung, with time for people to get to their cars.
BWMCA Carols sub committee chair Andrew Butterworth wanted to thank everyone involved in making the event such a huge success.
Photos by Ross Eason.
BWMCA Life Member & editor Lee Rassmussen launch 75th Anniversary History book - photo by Reflected Image PR RPR09692

New Honour Roll and History Book commemorate BWMCA’s 75th anniversary

THE Buderim War Memorial Community Association (BWMCA) will today release a book commemorating the history of the Association, its affiliates and the Buderim area, as well as unveil an Honour Roll recognising BWMCA Honorary Life Members and past Presidents.

BWMCA President Errol Richardson said while 75th-anniversary celebrations had initially been planned for 2020, they have had to be postponed twice due to Covid-19 and would now be celebrated in 2022, the Association was keen to acknowledge the milestone with the unveiling of the Honour Board and release of the book “Celebrating the Buderim War Memorial Community Association 75th Anniversary.

Mr Richardson said the book has been edited by BWMCA member Lee Rasmussen. Lee is also the daughter of Graeme Ensoll, a stalwart of the BWMCA, Honorary Life Member, and Graeme was also jointly responsible for the restoration of the Old Post Office in 1999.

BWMCA Buderim Community Carols - photo by Reflected Image PR RPR09621

The harmony of Christmas Carols to return to Buderim

The Buderim Village Park will once again come alive with festive spirit, with the community coming together for Buderim Community Carols on Sunday, 12th December.

Organisers are even more excited than ever to be preparing for Carols this year, after COVID-19 caused their cancellation in 2020.

With pre-show entertainment from 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start, Rosanna Natoli from 7NEWS Sunshine Coast will return as MC along with a special appearance by Santa Claus, locals and visitors alike are invited to join in on the popular annual event, hosted by the BWMCA and Bendigo Community Bank Buderim.

Buderim Community Christmas Carols - Mountain Creek State High School performing for the crowd - photo by Ross Eason - EAS-12-19-BWMCA-0104

Buderim Community Christmas Carols to be postponed this year

It is with reluctance that a decision has been made to postpone the Buderim Community Carols for 2020.

“While we will miss the community gathering in Buderim Village Park that for many signals the start of the festive season, we are unable to proceed this year,” BWMCA Carols sub-committee chair Andrew Butterworth said.

The 2019 Buderim Community Carols event

“The committee has been working hard behind the scenes to investigate options so the event could still go ahead without compromising the community atmosphere but ensuring community safety and compliance with COVID Safe Event Plan guidelines. Unfortunately, it isn’t possible,” Mr Butterworth said.

Buderim Foundation 2019 grants

Buderim Foundation’s biggest ever Community Grants Celebration

The Buderim Foundation awarded a record amount of $82,485 to be shared by 19 community-based organisations today, as part of its biggest ever Community Grants Celebration.

Buderim Foundation 2019 grants

During a lively spring afternoon in the garden between the Buderim Memorial Hall and Craft Cottage filled with community spirit, the popular philanthropy group announced the grants  to the community organisations which provide services and support for residents in the 4556 post code.

Buderim Foundation Grant Committee Chair, Rebecca Ramsay said the event is the most important day on the Foundation’s calendar and continues to grow each year.

“This year that is particularly important because our theme is Growing our Community. To celebrate this, everyone attending has had the opportunity to plant their own seedling so they can take it home to water and nurture and be rewarded when their plant grows.

“This is much like the concept for the Buderim Foundation where donations and bequests are received – money in, then carefully invested – money managed, with the income from the investments then distributed as grants to organisations supporting the 4556 community – money out,” Rebecca said.

This year is the 12th year grants have been distributed, with 159 grants worth $541,928 awarded to almost 100 community organisations supporting the 4556 post code area since 2008.

“These funds will make a big difference to the lives of many in our community by funding various programs, enabling the purchase of much-needed and in some cases life-saving equipment or financing vital upgrades to infrastructure.”

Some of this year’s recipients include $10,000 to Fusion Sunshine Coast for their mobile youth drop-in hub, $6,050 to the Compass Institute for a new outdoor dining and recreation area at their farm as well as $9,349 to Buderim Guides to repair stairs and purchase camping equipment.

Funding awarded this year will go towards a range of different projects including painting, repairs, renovation, fencing and security for community buildings and facilities, equipment from communications heads sets through to an automated external defibrillator, sheet music, a generator, camping equipment and more. Scroll down to see the full list of recipients.

The Buderim Foundation Grants Program is open to not-for-profit community-based organisations that provide services and support for residents in the 4556 postcode.

Grants are awarded to projects relating to eight areas of interest including those which seek to strengthen the fabric of the community, help residents live healthy and fulfilling lives and protect and preserve our natural environment.

The Buderim Foundation consider the Community Grants Celebration the most important day on the Foundations calendar and this year provided complimentary seeds to plant and take home and a free sausage sizzle.

For more information on the Buderim Foundation, please visit the new website – www.buderimfoundation.org.au.

FULL LIST OF 2019 BUDERIM FOUNDATION COMMUNITY GRANT RECIPIENTS:

  • Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Assoc Inc – QF6 Mooloolaba – $ 2,760 for an automated external defibrillator
  • Buderim Amateur Theatre Company Inc (BATS) – $ 2,120 for headsets to improve communications
  • Buderim Craft Cottage Association Inc – $ 3,000 for renovation of main workroom kitchen
  • Buderim Cricket Club – $ 1,252 for clubhouse painting
  • Buderim Guides – $ 9,349 to repair stairs and to purchase camping equipment
  • Buderim Kindergarten – $ 1,525 for a new refrigerator
  • Buderim Men’s Shed – $ 4,300 for security systems
  • Buderim Pony Club – $ 2,000 to replace perimeter fences
  • Buderim Uniting Church – $ 1,000 for outdoor play equipment
  • Connect Community Plus Kids Inc – $ 9,000 for a software program to assist mentoring
  • Fusion Australia Sunshine Coast – $ 10,000 for a mobile youth drop-in hub
  • Headland Buderim Croquet Club – $ 4,685 for kitchen modifications and renovation
  • LifeFlight Foundation – $ 8,872 for a generator for use during power outages
  • Maroochydore State Emergency Service – $ 1,200 for a ladder loader to move equipment on response vehicles
  • Oriana Arts Inc – $ 750 for sheet music of Australian Bush Songs
  • Sunshine Coast Archery Club Inc – $ 3,000 for an electrical upgrade to the hall
  • Sunshine FM Radio Association Incorporated – $ 7,604 for a technology upgrade
  • The Compass Institute – $ 6,050 for a new outdoor dining and recreation area at their farm
  • Wishlist – Sunshine Coast Health Foundation – $ 4,000 for BreastScreen Queensland lighting and sensory distraction suites
BF grant celebration recipients 2018 - photo by Ross Eason-web

Buderim Foundation’s Community Grants Celebration growing our community

The Buderim Foundation is set to host its biggest ever Community Grants Celebration next month, with a record of more than $80,000 to be awarded to local community groups, to help grow the community.

On Saturday 14th September, the popular philanthropy group will announce the 2019 grant winners, the recipients of which are all community-based organisations providing services and support for residents in the 4556 postcode.

This year, the Buderim Foundation will award $82,467 to be shared by 19 community-based organisations, which provide services and support for residents in the 4556 postcode.

Buderim Foundation Grant Committee Chair, Rebecca Ramsay said the event is the most important day on the Foundation’s calendar and continues to grow each year.

“This year that is particularly important because our theme is Growing our Community. To celebrate this, we will have a special opportunity for those attending to plant their own seed so they can take it home to water and nurture it and be rewarded when their plant grows.

“This is much like the concept for the Buderim Foundation where donations and bequests are received – money in, then carefully invested – money managed, with the income from the investments then distributed as grants to organisations supporting the 4556 community – money out,” Rebecca said.

This year will be the 12th year grants have been distributed, with 158 grants worth more than $540,000 awarded to almost 100 community organisations supporting the 4556postcode area since 2008.

“Buderim is such a beautiful community to live in; everybody is so friendly and engaging so it’s great to have more growth in our investment funds which equal more grants and more smiles!” Rebecca said.

Starting at 2pm, in the garden between the Buderim Memorial Hall and Craft Cottage, the Community Grants Celebration is a family-friendly afternoon featuring complimentary refreshments and the chance to learn more about the Buderim Foundation; its fundraising activities and the perpetual fund from which the grants are created.

“Everyone is welcome to participate in the event, which will feature a free sausage sizzle, scones and seed planting,” Rebecca said.

“On behalf of the Buderim Foundation, I welcome you all to celebrate the 20 community organisations that were successful in securing funds through our Buderim community Foundation and join us to celebrate our exceptional Buderim community,” she said.

For more information on the Buderim Foundation, please visit the new website – www.buderimfoundation.org.au.

EVENT DETAILS:

DATE:             Saturday 15th September 2018

TIME:              2pm to 4pm

VENUE:          In the garden between the Buderim Memorial Hall and Craft Cottage

BYO:               Chairs or rugs

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