Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund grants available for Sunshine Coast organisations helping those in need

Applications are now open for the 2022 Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund to assist eligible charity organisations that help those in need throughout the Sunshine Coast community.

Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund 2021 Grants – Susan Beaton(YouTurn), Rebecca Ramsay(BF), Fiona Browne,Jo Higgins(Lily House), Roy&Nola Thompson, Kathleen Hope(SunnyKids),Michele Lipner(OzHarvest), Dr Russell Stitz (BF),Tanya Bell (YouTurn) – photo by Ross Eason.

The Buderim Foundation became the trustee for the Thompson Charitable Trust in 2021 and this will be the second year the Foundation has offered grants from the fund.

Foundation Grants Committee chair, Rebecca Ramsay said Organisations that provide services for those unable to achieve a modest standard of living, were invited to assess their eligibility for the 2022 grants program from 4th April 2022, with applications closing on 8th May.

“In 2021, four organisations providing support to people experiencing homelessness and financial distress due to domestic violence and other circumstance on the Sunshine Coast, were awarded grants totalling $110,000 from the Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund,” Mrs Ramsay 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 Foundation 2020 Grant recipents

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

Buderim Foundation will soon be opening their 2021 Grants Programs for applications, with up to $10,000 each available to community organisations serving the local 4556 community.

Buderim Foundation
2020 Grant recipients celebrate, with COVID safe social distancing. Photo by Ross Eason

Applications open on Monday 7th June, and eligible applicants will need to apply online before 11thJuly. Successful applicants will be announced at the Foundation’s 2021 annual community grants celebration on Sunday 12th September.

This year grants can be used for projects, or organisational operational costs, that directly benefit residents within the 4556 postcode area.

The Buderim Foundations Grant application program attracted a lot of interest last year, and $85,022 in grants was awarded to 20 local organisations, taking the total amount distributed over 13 years to almost $629,000.

Buderim Foundation chair Dr Russell Stitz with Nola and Roy Thompson - photo by Ross Eason -024 2

$5 million Thompson Trust entrusted to the Buderim Foundation

The Buderim Foundation, together with philanthropists Roy and Nola Thompson, are pleased to announce that the Buderim Foundation has become the Trustee for the Roy and Nola Thompson Charitable Trust, which will support people in need throughout the Sunshine Coast region.

The Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund will provide grants to support those experiencing financial distress in the Sunshine Coast community.  Organisations and groups that provide services for those unable to achieve a modest standard of living, due to challenges of homelessness or domestic violence, are invited to assess their eligibility for the 2021 grants program from 1st May 2021.

Buderim Foundation Chair Dr Russell Stitz said the Buderim Foundation already has a community investment fund of more than $2 million which is used to support the people who live in the 4556 postcode area.  Grants are also provided to not-for-profit organisations outside this postcode area, provided there is a benefit to those who live in this local community.  Since its inception in 2004, grants to the value of almost $637,000 have been distributed to 83 local community groups.

Sunny Street nurse Sonia Goodwin, White's IGA's Roz White, Sunny Street Dr Nova Evans with The Hatted Chef Chris Sell, outside The Dock Mooloolaba, where the product was developed during the COVID shutdown

New Chef-prepared Heat & Eat meals hit White’s IGA fridges

THE HATTED CHEF- chef-prepared, heat & eat meals are now on sale at all White’s IGA stores, offering great time-saving delicious meals as well as creating local jobs, and feeding the homeless.

The idea for the new venture had been brewing in the kitchens at The Dock Mooloolaba since very early in the year when Chris Sell joined as executive chef, but it took on new importance during the COVID-19 shutdown.

“Even chefs want something delicious and nutritious when they come home at the end of a busy day, without having the hassle of preparation so it’s always something you think about.

“Then when the restaurant was closed for dining in because of COVID-19, we wanted to create options for our customers beyond just takeaway and also provide work for our staff,” Chris said.

Buderim Foundation 2020 Grant recipents

Buderim Foundation biggest ever Community Grants Celebration

The Buderim Foundation is today awarding a record amount of $85,022 to be shared by 20 community-based organisations, as part of its biggest-ever Community Grants Celebration.

Buderim Foundation Grants Committee Chair, Rebecca Ramsay said the Foundation was delighted to once again provide a record level of grants to community organisations supporting the 4556 postcode area, especially in this very challenging year.

Buderim Foundation 2020 Grant recipients celebrate, with COVID safe social distancing. Photo by Ross Eason

“The grants come from earnings made from the Foundation’s investment fund, so it is thanks to everyone’s donations and the hard work of our Investment Committee, that we are able to deliver the much-needed funding,” Rebecca said.

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