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.
“This book looks at the Buderim region, including Buderim, Forest Glen, Kunda Park, Mons, Tanawha and Sippy Downs and touches on some of the area’s history, with important images that tell the stories of how our lives have changed. While I have begun with information about how the Buderim Plateau was formed, our First Nations and Islander Peoples, it’s not a chronology or technical history, it is a narrative of the people and events that have shaped the 4556 precinct we enjoy today.
“Instead, the book was designed to give both new and long-term residents, visitors and those outside the region just enough information to understand how we got here and what we are as a community, or more so as a collective of communities.”
Many of the images included in the book are Ross Eason’s own, and he has also collected historical images and carefully restored them. In addition to using these images in the book, he has also donated them to the Buderim Historical Society for preservation in the future.
The book was fittingly launched with over 100 local community members at the Buderim War Memorial Hall today, Saturday, 16th September.
Mr Eason said the book’s design was created by long-term friend and talented graphic designer Alex Sweet, who also lived in Buderim for more than 25 years before moving to Victoria to be near family. Despite no longer living locally, Mrs Sweet maintains strong connections to the area, including as a volunteer for the Buderim Foundation.
“Alex and I have been working together on this book for the past four years, and it is our hope that it will provide something for the people both through the book and by donating the profits from book sales to three local organisations that are the cornerstones of the area, with whom we both have a long personal involvement – the Buderim Foundation, BWMCA and Buderim Historical Society.
“We hope that with the support of 4556 residents and those who love the area, who purchase the book for themselves or as a gift, we can make a significant contribution that further benefits the area and it’s people in the future.” Mr Eason said.
Mrs Sweet said the book had been a labour of love. “Both Ross and I love this community, and we raised our families here, so to be able to work with so many incredible images that, together with Ross’s research and information, tell some of the important stories of our area has been very special,” Ms Sweet said.
Mr Eason said no current businesses feature in the book, with no pictures of commercial or retail precincts. “This is the story of people and places, and we have avoided, on purpose, identifying brands for a number of reasons,” he said.
Four Five Five Six The Buderim Region is available exclusively from the Buderim Old Post Office until 15th November. Books are $88 inc gst. It will also be available in selected local outlets after that time. It is available for online order from eason.com.au/books/. For those living further away, there is a postage option.
To find out more about the book, you can see it at the Old Post Office, online at eason.com.au/books/ or you can follow the Facebook page to find out more – facebook.com/fourfivefivesixthebuderimregion.
