Community transport and care organisation, ComLink will be extending its valuable services to Bundaberg when it launches an exciting new Community Transport pilot project from Monday, 27 May.

The 12-month Transport pilot project was developed in conjunction with the Bundaberg Regional Council, and in partnership with a number of local transport providers, and will see ComLink commencing a coordinated transport booking service across the region to assist transport disadvantaged people.

ComLink Chief Executive, Feda Adra said the new transport scheme would mean better access and more affordable transport options for eligible residents.

“The aim of the project is to provide improved transport services that meet needs of those that are transport disadvantaged, including the frail aged and youth with a disability,” Ms Adra said.

“The services will address social isolation amongst these groups and will provide them with transport to medical appointments, shops and other social activities,” Ms Adra said.

ComLink will be hosting a series of Information Sessions about the new transport options and welcomes all Bundaberg community members.

“The meetings are a great opportunity for local residents to find out more about the new services, how they will operate, and ask questions,” Ms Adra said.

The Information Sessions will be held on Thursday, 2 May at the following locations:

• Bundaberg – Gallery, Bundaberg School of Arts Building (Bourbong Street) 9.30am to 11.00am
• Childers – Childers Cultural Centre – 12.30pm to 1.30pm
• Gin Gin – Gin Gin Youth Centre – 3.30pm to 4.30pm

After the launch of the project on 27 May, residents will be able to contact a central 1300 number for enquiries, to make bookings and to receive more information about transport services within their locality.

ComLink is a not-for profit organisation and charity providing community transport and care for the frail aged and younger people with a disability to attend medical appointments, shop and maintain their social inclusion from North Brisbane, throughout the Sunshine Coast and north to Bundaberg.

For more information or to become a ComLink volunteer, please visit www.comlink.org.au or call 1300 761 011.

Show mum how much you love her this Mother’s Day by helping her start the day the right way with a nourishing and delicious breakfast in bed.

Australian cookbook author and food expert, Tania Hubbard said mothers had one of the toughest jobs in the world and needed plenty of energy to get them through the day, starting with a wholesome and nutritious breakfast.

Sunshine Coast young people will have the chance to see what it would be like to be a builder, plumber, arborist, cabinet maker as well as checking out a myriad of other trades at the ‘Careers in Trades Day’ on Tuesday (23 April 2013).

Organised by Queensland Youth Industry Links (QYIL) in partnership with the Sunshine Coast Council and Sunshine Coast Technical Trade Training Centre (SCTTTC), the Careers in Trades Day will see about 70 young people talk to industry professionals about work placement opportunities and apprenticeships available on the Sunshine Coast.

And the Sunshine Coast youth unemployment (16.3%) sitting at more than 4 per cent above the national average (12.6%) for February, the careers day couldn’t come at a better time.

QYIL Partnership Broker Lee Shea said it was often difficult for young people on the Sunshine Coast to get work without having to leave the region so QYIL, the Council and the Trades Training Centre were aiming to display the many trade opportunities available.

“There are literally hundreds of different trades, and many people may not think about as options so the day is all about exposing the young people to more of them,” Mr Shea said.

The young people attending, from nine Sunshine Coast high schools, are taking part in their first year of study at SCTTTC studying a Certificate I in Construction, Certificate II in Resources & Infrastructure and Certificate II in Sustainable Energy.

SCTTTC Manager Strategic Innovations Tracie Warry said the Careers in Trades Day was an important opportunity for young people.

“It’s wonderful to have support from our local industry and employers, providing such a valuable learning opportunity as our students explore their options and career paths,” Ms Warry said.

The day will include sessions on careers in building and construction; plumbing; plastering; refrigeration and air conditioning; engineering design; engineering structural steel; smart housing; cabinet making; landscape construction as well as the civil cadets.

“Students will hear from industry professionals what each of the different careers is like and have the opportunity to ask questions,” Mr Shea said.

The young people attending will also see a presentation and how to best promote themselves to employers when applying and being interviewed for jobs.

Mr Shea said the employers participating on the day would include representatives of the Sunshine Coast Council and trade industry bodies as well as 15 local industry professionals.

QYIL is the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay region provider of the Partnership Brokers Program, funded by the Australian Government, to build partnerships with schools, businesses and community groups and develop partnerships at a strategic level which influence the region’s response to Youth Attainment and Transition. The National Program consists of more than 1,450 active and self-sustaining partnerships involving more than 4,700 partner organisations. New Partnerships continue to form every week across Australia.

There’s a high tea brewing in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and it’s for a big blooming good cause.

On Sunday, 19 May Bloomhill Cancer Help will host its inaugural ‘High Tea for a Bloomhill Good Cause’ event at the spectacular Flaxton Gardens.

Cupcakes, croquet and fine china will set the scene from 2pm to 5pm for an afternoon infused with good food, good wine and good company including WIN Weather Presenter Hannah McEwan who will be MC, cancer survivor and councillor Jenny McKay, and rising star, singer-songwriter Lucy Hannah.

The event is the brainchild of an enthusiastic team of University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) public relations students, working with PR firm Reflected Image PRoductions.The students are planning on hosting the event as part of their studies and to raise much-needed funds for Bloomhill.

USC student Emma O’Mara said the team was very excited to be putting their studies into practice by planning and running the high tea event.

“The event will celebrate the bone between all women – mothers, daughters, sisters and friends – all in a relaxed yet elegant setting.

“It’s a bond that is never underrated, but majorly under-celebrated,” Miss O’Mara said.

Bloomhill General Manager, Mervat Thompson said they were delighted about the students’ event plans.

“We are really looking forward to it and touched that they have chosen to raise awareness and much-needed funds for Bloomhill as part of their studies,” Ms Thompson said.

“They’ll be helping us help hundreds of people with cancer on the Coast.”

Since 1997, Bloomhill has provided support and assistance to thousands of people affected by cancer and their families throughout the Sunshine Coast. Operated by a team of dedicated staff and hundreds of volunteers, Bloomhill offers counselling, transport to appointments, respite care and a range of complementary therapies and other practical help.

High Tea tickets cost $40 per person and can by purchased online HERE or by calling Bloomhill directly on (07) 5445 5794.

Spoil your mum this Mother’s Day with breakfast, entertainment and a unique shopping experience at the Cotton Tree Markets.

You can also go in the draw to win some great gifts and prizes from the local artisans by entering the Cotton Tree Markets’ special Mother’s Day Competition.

Bloomhill Cancer Help, General Manager, Mervat Thompson said most of the products sold at the market were handmade by local artisans or sourced locally making it a great place to pick up a unique gift for Mum.

“There will also be a variety of new stalls offering candles, spices, as well as party and decor decorations and much more,” Mervat said.

The markets, managed by Bloomhill Cancer Help, are held every Sunday at King Street, Cotton Tree from 7am to 12 noon, and feature a range of local fashion, homewares, toys, sculptures, skin care, jewellery, art and crafts plus plenty more.

Sunshine Coast local and star performer, Sue-Anne Stewart will delight the market crowd with her music this Mother’s Day. Sue-Anne’s powerful songs are drawn from solid folk heritage, with a punchy roots feel subtly carried by her passionate vocal styling. She has performed alongside many well-respected artists, and at many well known festivals including Woodford Folk Festival.

To enter the Mother’s Day Competition, simply spend $20 or more from a participating stallholder and complete an entry form available from the Bloomhill Information Tent and participating stallholders.

“Our wonderful stallholders have offered a variety of prizes for the competition that will allow us to select multiple winners,” Mervat said.

The competition commences on Sunday, 14 April and entries close on Sunday, 5 May. Winners will be drawn on Mother’s Day, Sunday 12 May. For more details about the competition and how to enter visit www.cottontreemarkets.com.au.

Bloomhill Cancer Help is a Sunshine Coast based charity and provides support and assistance to those affected by cancer. Operated by a team of dedicated staff and hundreds of volunteers, Bloomhill offers counselling, transport to appointments, respite care and a range of complementary therapies and other practical help to more than 900 clients.

Receiving no on-going government funding, Bloomhill relies on community support and funds raised through the markets and its Op Shops to provide its services.

Revenue from stallholder site fees is placed back into the community through Bloomhill’s services and programs, enabling Bloomhill to provide support to a greater number of people during their time of need.

“By shopping at the Cotton Tree Markets you’re not only treating your mum but also helping to support those with cancer on the Coast,” Mervat said.

For more information or to register your interest in becoming a part of the Cotton Tree Markets, please visit www.cottontreemarkets.com.au or email cottontreemarkets@bloomhill.com.au. You can also keep up to date with what’s happening at the market by following our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/cottontreemarkets.

The Sunshine Coast Literary Association continues to receive a stream of entries from writers across regional South East Queensland for this year’s Writers’ Competition.

Entries in this year’s competition close on Friday, 26 April. For the second year, the competition is open to residents in the Moreton Bay and South Burnett Council areas as well as the Sunshine Coast and Gympie. There are four entry categories including junior short story, young adult short story, open short story and open poem.

President of the SCLA, Kerri Jackson said the competition provides an outlet for writers in the region to receive recognition and encouragement for their work, as well as valuable feedback from professional, accomplished writers.

“The competition was strong last year, demonstrating the amazing abilities of writers throughout these regions,” Kerri said.

“This year we’ve conducted writing workshops in February, March and April, to encourage and prepare people for the competition,” Kerri said.

There are four categories in this year’s competition including:

• Category 1: Open Short Story, to a maximum of 2500 words
• Category 2: Open Poem, to a maximum of 40 lines
• Category 3: Young Adult (High School, Years 8-12) Short Story, to a maximum of 1500 words
• Category 4: Junior (Primary, Years 5-7) Short Story, to a maximum of 1000 words

There is a chance to win some great prizes with each category having a $200 first prize and $50 second prize, as well as certificates for all winners including Highly Commended entries.

A panel of experienced judges select the winners and announce the results of the Competition at the SCLA Awards Dinner on Wednesday, 19 June. More details regarding the event will be available closer to the date.

The Sunshine Coast Literary Association is a not-for-profit association dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and celebrating literary talent throughout the Sunshine Coast region.

“Our writing competition was first held in 2007 and has been run every year since 2009 so it is a key element of the Association’s calendar,” Competition Co-ordinator, Ian Laver said.

There are a number of sponsorship opportunities available. For more information email info@scliterary.org.

Each entry is $7 with a maximum of three entries per candidate. Entry forms and details are available online at the SCLA website, www.scliterary.org, or by emailing info@scliterary.org. All entries must be received, post marked no later than, 6 April 2013.

The Sunshine Coast Literary Association is set to inspire local writers to put pen to paper with a new travel writing workshop – Travellers’ Tales – Near & Far.

The workshop will be held from 9.30am to 1.30pm on Saturday, 13 April at Wallace House, 7 Wallace Drive, Noosaville.

Presenting the workshop and guiding participants to travel writing success is Ann Rickard, writer and editor of Noosa Life, the lifestyle section in the Noosa News. Ann is well travelled and has been writing about her adventures for the past 18 years.

Author of six humorous travel narratives, Ann said she hoped the workshop would inspire and empower participants to write engagingly about their travels.

SCLA President, Kerri Jackson said the workshop would provide writers with all the tools needed to start their travel writing journey.

“The workshop is an ideal way to develop skills in the specialist genre of travel writing, whether for memoir, blogging or more appealing postcards,” Kerri said.

The Sunshine Coast Literary Association is a not-for-profit association dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and celebrating literary talent throughout the Sunshine Coast region.

The association offers regular literary workshops, seminars and events, an annual writing competition, and monthly Front Write Up literary performance evenings that provide an opportunity to showcase the talents of its members.

This workshop is $25 for members or $35 for non-members. Morning tea will be provided but you will need to bring a pen, paper and your enthusiasm.

Spaces are limited so be sure to book your spot quickly. Tickets must be pre-purchased by emailing info@scliterary.org.

For more information on beginning your journey as a writer or becoming a member of the SCLA, please see our website www.scliterary.org.

More than 180 people joined Sunshine Coast food specialist, Tania Hubbard this week to celebrate the launch of her latest range of specialty cake mixes at a Red Carpet High Tea event.

Gluten Free Grain Free Company co-owner and author, Tania Hubbard said the event marked the next chapter for the company as it released its new range of Cafe and bake@home cake mixes.

“We are excited to be introducing some of our new flavours: chocolate, strawberry and a huge favourite the date and cinnamon cake,” Tania said.

“We have been developing the range for more than two years and all of our amazing taste testers have helped us to bring this new range to the market,” Tania said.

The Gluten Free Grain Free Company’s bake@home mixes are designed to make it even easier to cook great-tasting, gluten and grain free goodies in the comfort of your own kitchen and are packed with natural nutrient-rich, wholesome ingredients that taste great.

Tania, a diagnosed Coeliac, held the launch during Coeliac Awareness Week, 13 – 20th March wanting to spread the word to the millions of Australians living with the disease and other food allergies and intolerance that there were products available that they could eat safely without compromising on flavour or nutrition.

Tania said the turn-out at the event was overwhelming and proof that her products were enjoyed by many and filling a much-needed gap in the market.

“We were honoured to have Sunshine Coast Mayor, Mark Jamieson as a guest speaker at the event and to launch our range,” Tania said.

“And we had an amazing response from all our guests who were tasting the new flavours for the very first time,” Tania said.

The new Cafe range will provide selected cafes throughout Australia the opportunity to bake Tania’s exclusive range onsite, giving their customers a fantastic range of gluten free, grain free, nut free and dairy free cakes they can enjoy with their favourite coffee.

To enquire about stocking the bake@home retail range or to receive an information package for the Cafe range, please email info@glutenfreegrainfree.com.au.

For a complete list of stockists or to purchase the bake@home range of Tania’s cookbook, gluten free grain free – food we love, visit www.glutenfreegrainfree.com.au.

Maleny State High School students will have the support of a network of organisations with the signing of the Maleny Collaboration Partnership agreement tomorrow.

The partnership, brokered by Queensland Youth Industry Links Inc. (QYIL), aims to prevent and address youth disengagement.

Partnership Broker Deborah Moseley said the signing of the partnership between Hinterland Community Development, Maleny State High School, Maleny Neighbourhood Centre and United Synergies would assist the partners to create and enrich student learning opportunities beyond the classroom and support education leaders to make classroom learning more meaningful for young people.

The partnership has the North Coast Education Regional Office, Youth Support Coordinator, Youth Connections and QYIL Partnership Broker all working in a regionally directed and collaborative approach.

“The partnership will improve access for support services. Working together the partnership will build closer links and collaboration between education, industry and community,” Ms Moseley said.

Maleny High School Principal, Brian King said partnering with the Chamber of Commerce, TAFE and Business & Industry had supported the High School and Flexi School.

Hinterland Community Development, Community Development Worker, Holly Aston said this partnership was a great example of how everyone could all work together to support young people in our community.

The new Partnership Agreement would create ongoing sustainability for the Maleny Collaboration, which provides the best possible opportunities for students to move from school to work.

“Just one of the opportunities that can be achieved through an effective partnership is to address the needs of local business to employ local youth, while also improving the likelihood that students will complete traineeships,” Ms Moseley said.

Maleny Flexi School has been a great partnership between Maleny Neighbourhood Centre and Maleny State High School to support young people to learn in different ways. This flexibility has been developed with the support of United Synergies through the Youth Support programs.

The Partnership Agreement demonstrates the ongoing commitment for these key organisations to continue to work together in ways that support youth. Career education and Youth services are key objectives of this partnership.

QYIL is the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay region provider of the Partnership Brokers Program, funded by the Australian Government, to build partnerships with schools, businesses and community groups and develop partnerships at a strategic level which influence the region’s response to Youth Attainment and Transition. The National Program consists of more than 1,450 active and self-sustaining partnerships involving more than 4,700 partner organisations. New partnerships continue to form every week across Australia.

Image (Left to Right): Ian Fitton from Maleny State High School, Holly Ashton from Hinterland Community Development Association, Tony Lenihan from United Synergies and Angela Griffin from Maleny Neighbourhood Centre.

The Cotton Tree Markets will be bustling this Easter, with a great selection of Artisan products from over 70 stall holders and entertainment by Pete Trickett aka Captain Tricko.

A regular favourite of Cotton Tree Markets, Captain Tricko is a one-man band who plays the blues and folk music on musical instruments home-made from pieces of junk. You’ll find him in his favourite place, sitting on an island, under the palm trees and picking a tune on his cigar box guitar from 7.30am.

The markets, managed by Bloomhill Cancer Help, are held every Sunday at King Street, Cotton Tree from 7am to 12noon, and feature a range of local fashion, homewares, toys, sculptures, skin care, jewellery, art and crafts plus plenty more.

Bloomhill Cancer Help, General Manager, Mervat Thompson said most of the products sold at the market were handmade by local artisans or sourced locally making it a great opportunity to pick up something unique.

Revenue from stallholder site fees is placed back into the community through Bloomhill’s services and programs, enabling Bloomhill to provide support to a greater number of people during their time of need.

Bloomhill Cancer Help is a Sunshine Coast based charity and provides support and assistance to those affected by cancer. Operated by a team of dedicated staff and hundreds of volunteers, Bloomhill offers counselling, transport to appointments, respite care and a range of complementary therapies and other practical help to more than 900 clients.

Receiving no on-going government funding, Bloomhill relies on community support and funds raised through the markets and its Op Shops to provide its services.

“By shopping at the Cotton Tree Markets you are helping to support those with cancer on the Coast,” Mervat said.

“Since taking over the market we have also supported an increasing number of artisan stall holders with out numbers going from 40 to 70.

“We have also established a new website – www.cottontreemarkets.com.au – as well as a Facebook page – www.facebook.com/cottontreemarkets – promoting the market and supporting our stall holders.

“The Facebook page is also a great place to find out what’s happening at the market each week.”

“We invite everyone to come down and enjoy the Easter atmosphere, enjoy the markets and the wonderful shopping and cafes in the Cotton Tree precinct,” Mervat said.

“We are always on the lookout for new and unique stallholders, so please contact us if you would like to register your interest,” Mervat said.

For more information or to register your interest in becoming a part of the Cotton Tree Markets, please visit www.cottontreemarkets.com.au or email cottontreemarkets@bloomhill.com.au.