06 July 2021

Sunshine Coast Swim with Whales season launches as new 24metre Whale Watching vessel arrives

The Whales are back and today we are officially launching the 2021 Swim with Wales Season on the Sunshine Coast.

Celebrating the launch of Swim with Whales season – Sunreef’s Dan Hart, with Cr Jason OPray and VSC CEO Matt Stoeckel.jpg

While we have just had a COVID lockdown, 35,000 humpback whales don’t have travel restrictions and are expected to migrate through Sunshine Coast waters.

Sunreef Mooloolaba owner Dan Hart said pre-covid, whale seasons could expect to attract about 15,000 locals and tourists alike to take a closer look and participate in a whale watching or swim with whales experience.

“Everyone was affected by COVID last year, but we still had strong support from locals and the drive tourist market and hosted about 10,000 guests.

“With Whale Watching season starting at the beginning of June and Swim with Whales season coming out of another lockdown, we are hoping to increase that this year.

“Already bookings are strong, and we hope that within COVID restrictions we have another great season.”

01 July 2021

Comedy, Qld Ballet and acrobatics take to The J stage for NOOSA alive! 2021

Comedy, the Queensland Ballet, and the acrobats of Cirque Bon Bon will all be taking to the stage at The J in July as part of the annual performing arts festival NOOSA alive!

The performances are just a few of the incredible events available as part of this year’s program from 15th to 24th July.

NOOSA alive! President Andrew Stafford said the J performances would offer something for everyone from the Queensland Ballet performances on the evenings of 15th and 16th July, to comedy with outstanding comedian Akmal on 21st July, to the spectacle of Cirque Bon Bon with two performances on 24th July.

“Everyone was very excited about the return of Queensland Ballet to the stage at The J which would showcase a vision of the company’s future through the Jette Parker Young Artists Program, with high energy and vibrant performances suitable for the whole family.

“Whether you already love ballet, or you want to introduce your children or family and friends, you will see featured Company dancers delight in two breathtaking pieces including a new work by Resident Choreographer Natalie Weir,” Mr Stafford said.

28 June 2021

Sunshine Coast organisations receive inaugural Thompson Fund Grants to support people in need

Four organisations providing support to people experiencing homelessness and financial distress due to domestic violence and other circumstance on the Sunshine Coast, have received grants totalling $110,000 from the Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund.

Hinternoosa Realestate

Youturn Youth Support received funds to fit out two Tiny Houses which will provide affordable living for vulnerable young people, and support for driver’s license costs for four young people.

SunnyKids Sunshine Coast received a grant to provide assistance to 100 individuals at risk of homelessness due to domestic violence and economic instability.

Ozharvest received money to purchase over 16 tonnes of food to support 20 recipient agencies that provide essential meals for people in need.

Lily House received a grant to provide funding for emergency living and school needs and food support for women and their children in crisis.

These grants are the first to be distributed from the newly established Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund which is the result of a large multi-million-dollar donation by Sunshine Coast residents Roy and Nola Thompson.

24 June 2021

Sunshine Mitre 10 invests in lifesaving defibrillators for every store

WITH 18 stores throughout Queensland, Sunshine Mitre 10, one of the largest independently operated and owned hardware suppliers in Queensland, have invested in lifesaving defibrillators for all its stores.

Sunshine Mitre 10 general manager Neil Hutchins with one of the defibrillators, now in every Sunshine Mitre 10 store.

Sunshine Mitre 10 general manager Neil Hutchins said the defibrillators were an investment in emergency health care not just for their staff, but also for the communities in which they operate.

“We have over 400 staff across our locations, and we take our duty of care very seriously so we have first aid officers at each location, and now we also have defibrillators which can help save lives for anyone experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest,” Mr Hutchins said.

“But it’s not only that, many of our stores are in regional and remote locations so by having a defibrillator on-site, it also makes these lifesaving devices more accessible to the local communities.

“And while it’s a very big investment, if we can save just one life, it will be money very well spent.”

15 June 2021

Free information sessions hold the key to help win the Sunshine Coast Business Awards

Previous Sunshine Coast Business Awards winners are often asked what the secret is to winning the prestigious awards?

The answer many of them say is planning and finding out all the tips and tricks at one of the free information sessions held by Awards Chair Jennifer Swaine and Judging Chair Bruce Williams.

Mrs Swaine said while the applications process for the Awards was something that took a little time, previous entrants had said the process was a great opportunity to step back from day-to-day operations and critically examine their own business.

“We pride ourselves on the quality of the Awards applications process – it’s not a popularity contest, but instead entrants are judged according to a criteria, by business experts, with finalists also participating in interviews,” Mrs Swaine said.

15 June 2021

NOOSA alive! 2021 takes to Main Beach for Seaside Vibes

NOOSA alive! an annual performing arts festival will once again take to Noosa main beach with 4 days of entertainment, within the broader 10-day festival from the 15th to 24th of July.

Katie Noonan

Katie Noonan

NOOSAalive! president Andrew Stafford said the all-new Seaside Beach Vibes on Main Beach event, from Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th July, would include a variety of performances and entertainment from Opera under the stars to literary events and performances from some of the local singers and bands, all under the clear-roof Evie Networks Marquee, surrounded by the picturesque scenery of Main Beach.

Mr Stafford said across the four days of Seaside Beach Vibes, there was something for everyone.

“Whether you like classical music or soulful singers or something to get up and dance to, Seaside Beach Vibes has got it all.

03 June 2021

Whales here and ready to watch us humans!

The Humpback Whales are back, and the 2021 Whale Watching Season on the Sunshine Coast is set to start this weekend, presenting a special opportunity for locals and Queenslanders.

Sunreef Mooloolaba’s Dan Hart said this year’s whale watching season was set to be another fantastic one, with 35,000 humpback whales expected to travel north, and then back south through Sunshine Coast waters this winter.

Dan said the number of whales migrating north up Australia’s east coast was continuing to increase by about 10% a year, according to whale researchers.

“If last year’s season is anything to go by, we will see whales from now through until the end of the season in early November, and we expect we can expect more than 25,000 people on our whale watching and swim with whales experiences.

25 May 2021

Grants of up to $10,000 available to local community organisations thanks to Buderim Foundation

Buderim Foundation will soon be opening their 2021 Grants Programs for applications, with up to $10,000 each available to community organisations serving the local 4556 community.

Buderim Foundation
2020 Grant recipients celebrate, with COVID safe social distancing. Photo by Ross Eason

Applications open on Monday 7th June, and eligible applicants will need to apply online before 11thJuly. Successful applicants will be announced at the Foundation’s 2021 annual community grants celebration on Sunday 12th September.

This year grants can be used for projects, or organisational operational costs, that directly benefit residents within the 4556 postcode area.

The Buderim Foundations Grant application program attracted a lot of interest last year, and $85,022 in grants was awarded to 20 local organisations, taking the total amount distributed over 13 years to almost $629,000.

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