Damien Glanville & Jennifer Swaine

Sunshine Coast Business Awards back to celebrate and acknowledge local excellence

THE Sunshine Coast Business Awards are back in 2021 and will be a celebration like no other this year, following one of the most challenging business years in living memory.

LPE CEO Damien Glanville with Sunshine Coast Business Awards chair Jennifer Swaine

LPE CEO Damien Glanville with Sunshine Coast Business Awards chair Jennifer Swaine

While the region has fared better than most, the COVID-19 pandemic definitely took its toll on many businesses, including causing the cancellation of the 2020 awards.

But the region’s most prestigious awards are back and will be officially launched at the Small Business Month Breakfast on Thursday 20th May 2021.

Sunshine Coast Business Awards chair Jennifer Swaine said this year’s Awards, powered by local energy provider LPE, were an important opportunity to recognise excellence in business from across the region’s many different industries.

“COVID-19 has created challenges for most businesses, and this year it’s time to celebrate everyone’s successes whether it be responding and adapting as a result of the pandemic, or simply maintaining and growing their business in one of the most challenging business and economic environments in living memory,” Mrs Swaine said.

Buderim Foundation back to school voucher presentation 1

Buderim Foundation lends record level of support to local families for school expenses

The Buderim Foundation is providing $32,000 worth of $50 vouchers to support local families who need assistance with school expenses like clothing, shoes and stationery.

As part of the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) Back to School Program 2021, this year’s record amount will help up to 640 students attending Buderim Mountain State School, Chancellor State Primary and State College, Kuluin State School, Mountain Creek State Primary and High School or receiving assistance from Sunny Kids.

Buderim Foundation Director Rebecca Ramsay said this year the funds included an allocation from the FRRR of $20,000 to the Buderim Foundation. Further donations of $1,500 from Buderim Lions Club, $1,000 each from Buderim Rotary Club and the BWMCA and $2,500 from the Buderim Foundation were then matched dollar-for-dollar by the FRRR, totalling $12,000.

“This is the 17th year Buderim Foundation together with our local supporters have been involved in the FRRR Back to School Program and we are very grateful for the generous financial support of everyone involved,” Rebecca said.

Suncoast Spinners Wheelchair Basketball 1

Suncoast Spinners throw open doors to invite community to come and try wheelchair sports

The Suncoast Spinners Wheelchair Sports Club is throwing open the doors to its social wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby sessions and inviting everyone to come find out more about the sports, and try them for themselves.

Suncoast Spinners president Bridie Kean said the club offered social wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby sessions every week, for people of all ages, with and without a disability.

“When people think of wheelchair sport, they sometimes assume that its only for people who use a wheelchair in their everyday life, but it can be fun for everyone,” Bridie said.

“Even at an elite level, there are people with a disability and people without any disability playing these sports because of the unique challenges and competition opportunities they provide.”

Sunshine Mitre 10 general manager Neil Hutchins is looking forward to the openning of the new flagship store at Nambour later this year

Sunshine Mitre 10 to open new flagship Hardware store in Nambour

ONE of the largest independently operated and owned hardware suppliers in Queensland, Sunshine Mitre 10, is set to open a massive new flagship store in Nambour later this year, the same town where the business began 110 years ago.

Sunshine Mitre 10 general manager Neil Hutchins said the company, which has 18 locations throughout Queensland, is proud to announce that the new site at 980 Nambour Connection Road (formerly occupied by Kubota), already has Council approval and will open later this year.

“The transformation of the 13,000 square metre site is well underway, and the local community has already shown excitement and support for this endeavour,” Mr Hutchins said.

“The new location in Nambour is important because it not only meets the increasing demand from our retail and trade customer base, but it also supports the town of Nambour and pays respect to the heritage where the company was started by Walter Lanham in 1910,” he said.

Buderim Foundation Alistair and Santin Cook

Love of community burns bright through the years

Within the Buderim Foundation’s growing family of donors, Ambassadors and volunteers, there are literally countless stories of generous giving, whether it be time, talent or treasure… or in many cases, a combination of all three. Since the Foundation’s launch in 2004, it is these many individual stories that collectively add up to an immensely powerful big story of success we can all be proud of.

One of these is a standout and deserves celebrating. Well known in the community as the face of Buderim Pharmacy, Alistair and Santina Cook, along with their pharmacy partners at the time, made a bold decision to get behind the Buderim Foundation as inaugural sponsors when it was in its infancy 15 years ago. Alistair and Santina have been committed supporters ever since. Indeed, the cumulative contribution through the years puts them in a very special gold standard category!

 

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.

BMSS year 5 and 6 students watching the Drop Zone Road Safety video

Buderim school students lead community road safety initiative

With over 1000 students travelling to and from Buderim Mountain State School each school day road safety is important so the BMSS P&C has commissioned the production of a series of road safety videos, where the students became the teachers.

BMSS Principal Neil Jenkins said the school has been at its present location since 1887 and particularly in recent years, the community had grown significantly.

Mr Jenkins said with the assistance of a grant from the Queensland Government’s Community Road Safety Grants Scheme, the P&C wanted to provide information to parents as well as the wider Buderim community about how to ensure the safety of students.

Buderim Community Christmas Carols - Mountain Creek State High School performing for the crowd - photo by Ross Eason - EAS-12-19-BWMCA-0104

Buderim Community Christmas Carols to be postponed this year

It is with reluctance that a decision has been made to postpone the Buderim Community Carols for 2020.

“While we will miss the community gathering in Buderim Village Park that for many signals the start of the festive season, we are unable to proceed this year,” BWMCA Carols sub-committee chair Andrew Butterworth said.

The 2019 Buderim Community Carols event

“The committee has been working hard behind the scenes to investigate options so the event could still go ahead without compromising the community atmosphere but ensuring community safety and compliance with COVID Safe Event Plan guidelines. Unfortunately, it isn’t possible,” Mr Butterworth 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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