The Mooloolah River will light up with the spirit of the season this weekend, for the highly-anticipated Mooloolaba Christmas Boat Parade, organised by Mooloolaba Yacht Club.
Mary Valley Rattler schedules record number of services
The Mary Valley Rattler will mark a major milestone next month, with a record number of train journeys scheduled for December, as strong demand from visitors builds.
The heritage railway experience is on track to run 34 services in December, a 30% increase from its regular timetable of the 26 services spread across Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays since the popular attraction reopened in early October.
Mary Valley Rattler Chairman Ian McNicol said the significant jump is a result of special Christmas services, an extension of the Retro Fridays trial and the demand for group bookings.
“We’re thrilled with the way Queenslanders have embraced the return of the Rattler, so much so that we will continue with our trial of Retro Fridays, the short haul trip to Monkland on the Silver Bullet rail motor paired with breakfast or lunch at the Platform No.1 Café throughout December. We have also planned some very special trips to celebrate Christmas,” Mr McNicol said.
“There will be a special Christmas service scheduled next month, with two additional charter services to run for private functions.
All aboard the Mary Valley Rattler Christmas Train
The Mary Valley Rattler will celebrate its first Christmas since regular services resumed with a special Twilight Christmas Train journey, along with the opportunity to take your own photos with Santa Claus every Sunday in December in the lead up to Christmas.
The inaugural Mary Valley Rattler Twilight Christmas Train will depart historic Gympie Station on Tozer Street on Friday 14th December at 5.30pm, on an extended return trip to Amamoor Station.
Mary Valley Rattler Chairman Ian McNicol said the Rattler’s Twilight Christmas Train is a rare opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of the scenic Mary Valley at night.
Mooloolaba Christmas Boat Parade to light up December!
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.
New faces help to take Foundation to the next level
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.
Come join Retro Fridays at the Mary Valley Rattler
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.
Date set for Buderim Community Christmas Carols
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.
Buderim remembers a terrible war’s end
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.
Lunch En Blanc Returns To Buderim
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.
Buderim Foundation’s biggest ever Community Grants Celebration
The Buderim Foundation awarded a record amount of more than $75,000 in grants to 23 community-based organisations today, as part of its biggest ever Community Grants Celebration. During a lively spring afternoon filled with community spirit, the popular philanthropy group announced the grants from the grassy lawn of the Buderim Village Park located on the corner of Gloucester Road and King Street.
The Buderim Foundation 2018 Grant recipients – photo by Ross Eason. Click to see link to high-res photo. Please include photo credit when publishing.
Buderim Foundation Grants Committee Chair Lisa Edward said this year’s Community Grants Celebration marks not only largest total amount of annual funding ever awarded by the Foundation, but the largest number of recipients.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to award a total of $75,605 to community groups here today, in what is the 11th year of the Community Grants Program,” Ms Edward said.
