Buderim Community Carols 2023 preview

Buderim Community Carols to herald the beginning of the Christmas season

Published on: November 17, 2023Category: News

It’s only a few weeks until the Buderim Community Carols will once again herald the beginning of the Christmas session.

This year’s event presented by the Buderim War Memorial Community Association (BWMCA), with the support of the Community Bank Buderim Bendigo Bank, will be on Sunday, 10th December, from 5.30pm, at the Buderim Village Park, Church Street, Buderim and the BWMCA Carols Committee has been working for months, planning the event, which will be the best yet.

BWMCA Carols organiser Andrew Butterworth said last year’s event attracted at least 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 joining us again as MC.

Inspecting the new Buderim Garden Club arbour in Buderim Village Park - photo by Reflected Image PR RPR08776

Thousands explore the best Buderim Gardens as part of annual Festival

Published on: October 16, 2023Category: News

Thousands turned out to see the best Buderim gardens, garden sculptures, plants and flowers will all be showcased at the anticipated annual Buderim Garden Festival this weekend.

The Festival, which ran from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th October, is the showcase event of the Buderim Garden Club, which has been a Buderim institution since 1946, and the Festival itself dates back to 1975.

Buderim Garden Club president John Lyon said this year’s festival was better than ever, with perfect weather for the busy three-day schedule including Open Gardens, the Garden Sculpture Exhibition, the Spring Flower Show and Photographic Display, the Church Floral Display, as well as the always popular plant markets.

“The Buderim community has always had an affinity with gardening, and the Festival has once again attracted visitors from around the state,” Mr Lyons said.

“The Open Gardens included six very different but all beautiful gardens that showcase the diversity in size and style of gardening in our area including Buderim Village Park as garden no 1.

“Visitors to Buderim Villiage Park also had the opportunity to see the completion of the Buderim Garden Club’s Arbour Project, which saw the organisation help fund the new arbour facing the children’s playground, including installing some great signage with information about Buderim’s horticultural history,” Mr Lyons said.

The Buderim Garden Festival program also included a Twilight Plant Market on the green outside Buderim War Memorial Hall, including a sausage sizzle and coffee & cakes available from the adjacent Craft Cottage; the Spring Flower Show and Photographic Display inside Buderim War Memorial Hall, exclusive access to six different but beautiful gardens across Buderim as part of the Open Garden Program across the weekend, a Plant Market, outside on the green at Buderim War Memorial Hall, the Garden Sculpture Exhibition, at Buderim Craft Cottage and Floral Display at St Marks Anglican Church.

The Festival was made possible with the support of its volunteer members and the following sponsors: Manawee Garden Centre, Buderim Bendigo Community Bank and TM Estate Agents.

Author & photographer Ross Eason and graphic designer Alex Sweet 1 - photo by Tebani Slade_DSC8593a crop

The Buderim Region celebrated by Award-winning local photographer in a special new book

Published on: September 16, 2023Category: News

THE Buderim region is a unique place with a very special community, and it is that and so much more that is celebrated in a new book being launched today by Award-winning local photographer Ross Eason.

The gorgeous 196-page hardcover coffee table book, Four Five Five Six The Buderim Region has been a four-year labour of love for Ross Eason, which tells the stories of the local area, where he and his wife Judy have lived for the past 32 years, and where they raised their family.

“The idea for the book first came to be in 2012 as part of the 150th anniversary of Buderim’s founding because I wanted to create one book that encapsulated Buderim from the past to present time,” Mr Eason said.

Buderim Foundation 2023 grants

Assistance for our youngest to oldest residents in 2023 Buderim Foundation Community Grants

Published on: September 13, 2023Category: News

More than $97,000 is being awarded to community organisations benefiting the residents of the Buderim and 4556 region as part of the Buderim Foundation’s annual Community Grants Celebration.

Buderim Foundation 2023 grants

Funds will be awarded to 21 community organisations for projects ranging from kindergarten shade sails, the development of Dementia Awareness and Education programs and resources for cancer and palliative care patients as well as mental health programs, assistance to purchase new vehicles for nursing and animal rescue and more.

Sunnykids Buderim Foundation

The Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund provides a $65,800 grant to support vulnerable Sunshine Coast families

Published on: August 22, 2023Category: News

The Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund is proud to provide a $65,800 grant to SunnyKids to help provide support for vulnerable Sunshine Coast families.

Buderim Foundation’s Charlie Morris, SunnyKids CEO Kathleen Hope and Buderim Foundation Chair Rod McKinnon -photo-by-Ross-Eason

Buderim Foundation chair Rod McKinnon said SunnyKids provides vital support for Sunshine Coast families in need of a helping hand on the Sunshine Coast.

“The Buderim Foundation’s Thompson Charitable Fund is proud to support SunnyKids and the work they do in providing emergency food, accommodation and other support,” Rod McKinnon said.

SunnyKids CEO Kathleen Hope said SunnyKids provides connections and support for vulnerable Sunshine Coast families focusing on providing complex case management, including long-term capacity-building and emotional support.

“We seek to assist families and individuals in some of the worst situations imaginable. Families arrive at SunnyKids hoping to access clothing, medicine, food or things like car registration which in turn allows them to focus less on transportation and more time on other vital family needs like getting the kids to school, doctors’ appointments, and getting to and from work,” Ms Hope said.

Buderim FoundationThompson Fund Gateway Care Grant

The Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund provides $100,000 grant for vital food relief for Coast families in crisis

Published on: June 30, 2023Category: News

The Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund is proud to provide a $100,000 grant to Gateway Care Food Centre to support their Food Rescue Program.

Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund donation to Gateway Care Food Centre – Tom Lew and Lani Rafiti from Gateway Care receive cheque from Buderim Foundation’s Rod McKinnon and Rebecca Ramsay – photo by Ross Eason

Buderim Foundation chair Rod McKinnon said Gateway Care Food Centre plays a vital role in providing emergency food relief to families in crisis and those experiencing financial hardship on the Sunshine Coast.

“The Buderim Foundation’s Thompson Charitable Fund is proud to support the Gateway Care Food Centre and their Food Rescue Program,” Rod McKinnon said.

Gateway Care Chair Lani Refiti said the Gateway Care Food Centre is a non-denominational community organisation run entirely by volunteers.

“It currently spends approximately $15,000 per week on food items, ensuring that families in need have access to vital nourishment, and over 50% of these purchases are freely delivered to Sunshine Coast families experiencing financial difficulties.

The 2022 BF Grant Recipients

Grants of up to $10,000 available to local community organisations thanks to Buderim Foundation

Published on: May 5, 2023Category: News

The Buderim Foundation is opening applications for its annual Community Grants Program for 2023, with grants of up to $10,000 available for local organisations with initiatives that make a positive impact on the local Buderim community.

The 2022 Buderim Foundation Grant Recipients

Applications open on Monday, 8th May to organisations serving the local 4556 community, and eligible applicants will need to apply online before Monday 19th June.

Buderim Foundation Grants Committee chair Rebecca Ramsay said the application process was easily completed online and successful applicants will be announced at the Foundation’s 2023 annual Community Grants Celebration on Sunday 10th September.

“The projects need to directly benefit residents within the 4556-postcode area with a diverse range of areas of interest from protecting our natural environment to supporting youth in our community,” Mrs Ramsay said.

Guest speaker at Buderim Foundation breakfast Scott Foote 1

Deep Sea Adventure Diver to speak at Buderim Foundation breakfast

Published on: March 1, 2023Category: News

Deep sea diver and adventurer Scott Foote will be the special guest speaker at the next Buderim Foundation breakfast on Wednesday 29th March.

Mr Foote has lived a life of adventure, having travelled to over 74 countries throughout his life and will share just some of his extraordinary experiences.

Born in Mitchell before moving to Brisbane, Scott set off overseas with a backpack, aged 24, for 6 months and was gone for 21 years.

For 16 years, he worked in a very hostile environment as a Saturation Diver, living in a hyperbaric chamber for 28 days at a time, in seas and oceans around the world.

Buderim Foundation chair Rod McKinnon said Mr Foote’s presentation would give the audience a look beneath the oceans’ surface.

“Even recreational divers will be amazed by some of the environments that Scott has worked in and what he has done during his career,” Mr McKinnon said.

Buderim FoundationOPO Launch

BWMCA & Buderim Foundation come together to celebrate Buderim Community Spirit

Published on: February 23, 2023Category: News

Two central community organisations, the Buderim War Memorial Community Association (BWMCA) and the Buderim Foundation have come together to celebrate Buderim’s unique community spirit.

Motivated by the Buderim Foundation moving its office into the home of the BWMCA, the Old Post Office Information Centre at the centre of town, the organisations decided it was the perfect opportunity to celebrate the Buderim Community Spirit and help locals to get involved in their local community.

BWMCA President Errol Richardson said with the recent influx of people to the local area, it is a great time for both organisations to highlight the many ways people can get involved in the community.

“In Buderim we have a unique and special community, largely because of the way so many people choose to get involved in the many opportunities and events on offer.

Buderim Foundation Chair Rod McKinnon said the coming together of the two organisations under one roof is a powerful way to raise their profile right in the heart of Buderim.

“As part of this important campaign, we have had two videos produced to showcase Buderim’s unique community spirit and to point to ways people can become involved,” Mr McKinnon said.

Buderim FoundationDrovers dinner

Buderim Foundation Drovers Evening brings touch of the Outback

Published on: February 6, 2023Category: News

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.

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