A 15-year-old entrepreneur has raised more than $3000 for Rural Aid’s Buy a Bale program, after installing and managing arcade games at The Wharf Mooloolaba.
Sam Pilgrim started the business venture about 18 months ago, after convincing his father Philip to help him buy a second-hand machine so he could ‘tinker’ and repair it.
The Wharf Mooloolaba and SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast will host the third of their very popular 
Family Fun Day for 2019 on Sunday, 27th October.
From 10am to 3pm on the Sunday, locals and visitors are invited to join in on any of the family-friendly activities available onsite including face painting, petting zoo, hands-on reptile display, jumping castle – all absolutely free.
There will also be free stand up paddle board and kayak hire at Sunreef Mooloolaba as well as three free river cruises with Coastal Cruises Mooloolaba.
The third annual Lunch En Blanc is coming up on Sunday 13th October, with the promise of another afternoon of fine food and entertainment inspired by the global phenomenon.
The Spring Lunch En Blanc, to be held on the deck Bloomhill Cancer Help, amid its beautiful gardens, 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.
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:
The first Musos 4 Mates @ The Dock Mooloolaba fundraiser on Tuesday night was a huge success with more than 18 local musicians performing for a crowd of about 400 people throughout the night, raising more than $2600 for the nominated recipient, friend Cheryl, a wife and mum of four who was diagnosed with cervical cancer for the second time and is unable to work while undergoing treatment.
The Bli Bli Unite Fun Run is only a few weeks away so now is the time to gather your family, friends, work or school mates to register.
Already the teachers and students at Good Samaritan Catholic College at Bli Bli have taken up the challenge and are putting together a team of more than 50!
The event on Sunday 22nd September, organised by Bli Bli Neighbourhood Watch and Bli Bli Little Athletics, attracts hundreds of participants and raises funds for White Ribbon, which works to prevent domestic violence and support victims.
Good Samaritan Catholic College Head of HPE Matt Rattray said with the school in it’s foundation year, they were keen the teachers, staff and students were – involved with the local community.
Mr Rattray said the Bli Bli Unite Fun Run was an important local event with an important message.
“Getting involved and helping to raise funds and awareness for such a great cause is a great opportunity for us,” Mr Rattray said.
“There is lots of interest from everyone in the school community so we are expecting to have a large team walking and running including students from the schools foundation prep, grade 1, 2, 3, and 7 classes,” he said.
“It’s a great cause for us all so we would love to extend the challenge to other Bli Bli and Sunshine Coast organisations and businesses to also get on board!”
Bli Bli Neighbourhood Watch president Edith Blanck said this year they were aiming to break the record from last year’s event – 300 registrations and $10,000 raised.
“The more the merrier because we are helping to raise awareness for this important and serious issue in our community, in a fun way.
“We are working with the Sunshine Coast White Ribbon Committee to raise awareness about domestic violence and also raising funds for the victims of domestic violence and Sonshine Sanctuary refuge homes on the Sunshine Coast.
“The course is a picturesque 4km around the central lake at Parklakes 2 and is a great walk or run – and this year we are putting out a special challenge to local businesses to join families and school students.
“We’re challenging them to register, come enjoy the day and raise funds for White Ribbon and to help victims & families here in Bli Bli and on the Sunshine Coast.”
“There is also a great raffle for a gorgeous one-of-a-kind diamond ring donated by Sunstate Jewellers, which will be drawn on the day.
“Sunstate Jewellers have been supporting us for years and this year they have outdone themselves designing this spectacular ring.
The ring valued at $12,500 is made from 18ct white gold ring handset with 101 brilliant cut natural diamonds with a total diamond weight of 2.50ct. and has been independently valued at $12,500.
Sunshine Coast White Ribbon chair and Sunshine Coast Police District Officer Superintendent Darryl Johnson congratulated the Bli Bli Neighborhood Watch team on their endeavours to play a role in stopping domestic violence from occurring within the Sunshine Coast.
“Violence occurs right across the community and violence within the home is one issue which is my greatest concern. Domestic and family violence has a significant impact on all involved, whether it be the victim, the family, friends, colleagues and the offender themselves – there is no winner, Superintendent Johnson said.
“We have over 3000 domestic violence orders in place in this area – that is to many. We need to work together as a community to MAKE IT STOP.
“We all have a responsibility – when you see violence of any type, we need to ensure we are playing our part to ensure that the attitude, culture and behaviour of our perpetrators is being changed. This is not a challenge we will arrest our way out of – changing behaviours starts in the home.
“Let’s make sure we are role models to our children and ensure they know what is right and what is inappropriate. Violence of any kind is wrong and as a community, we can ensure we are making a difference,” Superintendent Johnson said.
“So, whether it be at home, at school, on the sporting field, having a drink with friends or at work, you have the opportunity to correct the behaviour and language of those around you.”
Raffle tickets are available online from www.sunstatejewellers.com.au, at the Dogs on Patrol Fun Day at Nambour PCYC on Sunday 29th July and at the Fun Run Walk on Sunday 22nd September.
To register your team, you can go to www.bbla.com.au/funrun. Registration will also be available on the day from 6.30am, with the run/walk to start from 8am.
Mrs Blanck said this year there would also be fun activities for children and food stalls to celebrate the event at Parklakes 2 Park so everyone can enjoy their leisurely walk or run and then settle in for a great day of fun.
Registrations fees are: Families $20, Individuals $15 and Students $5, Corporate teams – 5-10 people $50, 11-20 people $100, over 20 people $200. To register, go to www.bbla.com.au/funrun and www.sunstatejewellers.com.au for information on the raffle. All proceeds of the event will help White Ribbon and help victims of family and domestic violence and refuge homes.
For more event information also check Bli Bli Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page – @BliBliNeighbourhoodWatch and the Bli Bli Unite Fun Run/Walk event page. This event has been made possible through the support of Parklakes 2, Whites Supa IGA Bli Bli, Ray White Real Estate Bli Bli, State Member for Ninderrry Dan Purdie. Halcyon Lakeside, Bli Bli Pharmacy, Bli Bli Family Medical Centre, Bli Bli Post Office, First Class Accounts/Buderim, Eudomia Group, Reflected Image PRoductions. & Villa Blanck Quilts.
The Dock Mooloolaba and local musicians are joining together launching “Musos for Mates” to raise funds for mates in need and local charities.
The Dock Mooloolaba’s Jared Hart said he and musician John Veloso said they had both been thinking about doing some fundraising for local causes, so they decided to join forces.
“We love being part of the Sunshine Coast community but there are people who need just a little bit of help, so we wanted to do something,” Jared said.
John Veloso said he had been talking to other musos for a while about doing something for charity, then Jared and I put our heads together and it just crew from there.
“It just took off – in just a couple of days we had more than a full line up of musicians and Jared had got support from a couple of breweries and it just grew from there,” John, who was a youth worker before he started playing music professionally, said.
“The first event will be raising money for our friend Cheryl, a wife and mum to four beautiful kids, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer for the second time last year. Cheryl has undergone radiation and chemo to stabilise the tumour growth but is now unable to work,” John said.
“The first ‘Musos for Mates’ event will be on Tuesday 10th September, and the aim is to have five different events, each raising money for different local causes each year,” Jared said.
The line up for the first event includes: Smooth Vibes Duo, Cory Carlyon, Stuart White, Adam Leatherbarrow, Bec Findlay, The Letter Elle, Reverend Billy, Jacob Raymond, Joe Man Murphy, Sam Bannink, Bay Window, Toby Goldsmith, Ollie Murk, John Veloso, Tapestry Sounds, Nyssa Ray, Craig Madden, Banned FTC, Euphoria Under Fire and the Eddie Duarte Band.
There will be two kegs of beer for sale during the event, from Stone & Wood and Australian Beer Co Ale House, and all proceeds as well as donations. We will also have a raffle for a great Tanglewood Guitar, courtesy of Moloolaba Music for just $5 a ticket. Proceeds from beer sales, raffle and donations will be given to Cheryl.
“We look forward to seeing everyone here for what we think will be a great night,” Jared and John said.
EVENT DETAILS:
DATE: Tuesday 10th September
TIME: 5pm to midnight
VENUE: The Dock Mooloolaba, @ The Wharf Mooloolaba, 123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba
Mooloolaba and Sunshine Coast icons
The Wharf Mooloolaba and SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast are celebrating their 30th Birthday with a massive weekend-long party this weekend.
Kicking off today with two cakes – one for humans and another very special one for SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast’s seals, the weekend is a family-focused festivity that celebrates the past of the precinct, while also looking to the future.
The Wharf Mooloolaba has been undergoing a resurgence in popularity over the past three years as it has been renovated, making it the place to meet, eat, shop and explore, attracting over 500,000 locals and visitors a year.
“But we’re not done yet and we have lots more exciting plans in place,” The Wharf Mooloolaba co-owner Dirk Long said today.
Everyone and their dog are invited to a free Dogs on Patrol Fun Day, promoting personal safety to dog walkers, at Nambour on Sunday 29th July.
Organised by Bli Bli Neighbourhood Watch, Sunshine Coast Police and Nambour PCYC the day will include demonstrations and displays by Bli Bli Neighbourhood Watch, Crime Stoppers, RSPCA and Guide Dogs.
Bli Bli Neighbourhood Watch president Edith Blanck said the day would be full of fun for everyone, especially their dogs!
“We will have lots of competitions including Best Dressed Dog, Best Junior Handler, Handsomest Hound, Most Fabulous Family, Loveliest Lady and Most Gorgeous Golden Oldie,” Mrs Blanck said.
There will also be a free Dogs on Patrol dog leash for every dog that registerers either on the event Facebook page or at the registration desk on the day (one per dog), as well as great activities for the kids including a Jumping Castle (gold coin donation) and a free petting zoo, sponsored by Bli Bli Vet, which is celebrating 20th years in Bli Bli.
Thousands are expected to descend on The Wharf Mooloolaba for the second annual mooloolaBaBQ Festival on Saturday 27th January.
Co-hosted by The Wharf Mooloolaba and The Wharf Tavern, the Festival will celebrate everything people in our multi-cultural Australian community love about BBQ and raise money for Give Me 5 For Kids.
The Wharf Tavern venue manager, Terence Lunney said the Festival would excite all the senses with food trucks and tents to temp with cooking styles and flavours from around the world.
