12 June 2024

Airforce veteran to share inspiring story of overcoming career and life challenges to succeed at special Buderim Foundation breakfast

Royal Australian Airforce veteran Catherine Stamp will share her inspirational life story at the next Buderim Foundation Breakfast to be held on Wednesday, 24th July at the Headland Golf Club.

Born to Maltese immigrant parents and being the eldest daughter with six siblings, Cathy’s life would never be dull, but her fortitude facing career and life challenges, is nothing short of inspirational.

Cathy grew up on a sugar cane farm in Mackay and after leaving school at just 14 worked as a legal secretary for five years before she enlisted in the RAAF, where she served in Australia and Malaysia and on overseas operational deployments to East Timor, Kyrgyzstan Central Asia and the Middle East, becoming a Commissioned Officer in 2001.

06 May 2024

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

The Buderim Foundation is opening applications for its annual Community Grants Program for 2024, with grants of up to $10,000 available for local organisations with initiatives that make a positive impact on the local Buderim community.

Buderim Foundation 2023 grants recipients

Applications open on Monday, 20th May to organisations serving the local Buderim community, and eligible applicants will need to apply before Monday 1st July 2024.

Buderim Foundation Grants Committee Chair Linda Bolton said the application process details and 2024 guidelines will be available on the website, with successful applicants to be announced at the Foundation’s 2024 annual Community Grants Celebration on Sunday 15th September.

02 May 2024

New Aus Living Support program to support school students thanks to Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund grant

A new School Aid Program developed by Aus Living Support will support school children in need across the Sunshine Coast, thanks to a $33,000 grant by the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund.

The grant for the new program will enable Aus Living Support to help primary and high school students from across the Sunshine Coast, whose families are suffering financial hardship.

Buderim Foundation Chair Rod McKinnon said Aus Living Support Ltd is a Sunshine Coast charity and the Foundation has been working with them as the new program was developed.

“For the past 20 years, the Foundation has been working with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) to provide vouchers for students in the Buderim community, but that program had now closed, giving us the opportunity to look for a new way to provide similar support,” Mr McKinnon said

16 April 2024

SCARS unveils new animal transport and rescue vehicle thanks to Coast community support

The Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge (SCARS) has this week unveiled its new, vibrantly wrapped vehicle that will be used for transporting rescue cats and dogs waiting for their forever homes.

The 2016 Hyundai iLoad was a community-backed purchase thanks to grants from the Buderim Foundation and the Rotary Club of Sunshine Coast Central, along with many individual donations by local supporters.

02 April 2024

Buderim community to come together to honour ANZAC veterans

The Buderim Community will come together for ANZAC Day (25th April) to honour veterans with a Dawn Service, March and Morning Service.

As part of a long-standing tradition a long-standing Buderim tradition, a local hero will be honoured as part of the ANZAC Day services, with a tribute by local school students, this year from Siena Catholic College. This year’s hero is Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith, SG, MC.

The Athems and Hymns will this year be performed by the Buderim Mountain State School Senior Choir under the direction of music teacher Peter Jackson. Music for the ceremony will be provided by Sunshine Coast Concert Band under the direction of Mr Clayton Flander.

Catafalque Parities for the service are prodivied by Australian Air Force Cadets, 233 Squadron, Mountain Creek State High School.

Buderim ANZAC Day program:

  • 15am – Dawn Service at Buderim Village Park, Corner of Main and Church Streets, Buderim
  • 30am – March featuring Buderim veterans as well as community organisations honouring our veterans
  • 00am – Main Service at Buderim Mountain State School Pine Forest
    • Welcome: Local Veteran Eric Kerr
    • Commemorative Address: Captain Brett Hall (Ret’d)
    • Buderim Remembers tribute to Buderim Hero, Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith, SG, MC, by Siena Catholic College students.

14 March 2024

Bali bombing survivor to share how choosing gratitude can change your life at a special Buderim Foundation breakfast

Bali bombing survivor, Julian Burton, OAM, will be the special guest at a Buderim Foundation breakfast, where he will discuss how being grateful is a choice and the impact it can have on your life.

Just over 20 years ago, in 2002, Mr Burton experienced the unimaginable when he suffered life-threatening third-degree burns in the Bali bombings terrorist attack. Throughout his arduous rehabilitation, Julian was profoundly moved by the outpouring of support from his community. This experience ignited his passion for giving back, leading him to establish the Julian Burton Burns Trust in 2003.

Buderim Foundation Chair, Rod McKinnon, said the Foundation was thrilled to have Mr Burton come to present at the fundraising breakfast at Headland Golf Club on Wednesday, 10th April 2024.

“Julian’s story is one of resilience and optimism so we are thrilled to extend an invitation to the community to come and hear more about his extraordinary journey, where he will highlight the profound impact of gratitude, kindness, and purpose in overcoming life’s adversities,” Mr McKinnon said.

“Through unwavering commitment and dedication, while also rehabilitating from his injuries, Julian successfully raised over $20 million for crucial programs and projects across Australia, earning him accolades such as the Order of Australia Medal in 2008, and recognition as one of Australia’s top five Social Entrepreneurs in 2010.

Mr McKinnon said that following the success of the Burns Trust, 2018 saw Julian and his wife Kay transition their focus towards advancing other community organisations, and embark on a new philanthropic journey.

“The couple founded The Burton Foundation, committed to nurturing South Australian community initiatives. Alongside his philanthropic pursuits, Julian also assumes pivotal roles in two leading biotechnology firms, further exemplifying his steadfast dedication to driving positive change.

“So, bring your friends and family, or come meet new Foundation friends and join us for an enlightening discussion as Julian shares his invaluable wisdom on cultivating sustainability and steering transitions with grace, purpose and gratitude,” Mr McKinnon said.

Event Details:

The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation that aims to enrich and enhance the quality of life for everyone who lives in the Buderim area by harnessing the power of giving.

The Foundation works by carefully investing all donations and bequests which are never spent. The earnings from these investments are redistributed to the community via an annual grants program open to not-for-profit community organisations that provide a service and support to residents in the 4556 postcode area.

In addition, the Foundation manages the Thompson Charitable Fund which provides grants to organisations supporting people experiencing homelessness and financial distress on the whole Sunshine Coast.

20 February 2024

Buderim Foundation provides another $43,500 in vital support to local families for school expenses

The Buderim Foundation is once again supporting local families with back-to-school expenses through the provision of $43,500 worth of vouchers, which have been distributed through schools and community organisations.

This year, the 570 vouchers have been distributed through Chancellor State College, Mountain Creek State School, Mountain Creek State High School and SunnyKids, as part of the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) Back to School Program.

Back to School grants presentation – Buderim Foundation’s David Wood (left) and Nico Hansen (right) present vouchers to Mountain Creek State High School Chaplain Stuart Cran

Buderim Foundation Chair Rod McKinnon said the Buderim Foundation has been participating in the Back to School Program for the past 20 years.

14 December 2023

Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund grant to provide vital food relief for Coast families through Christmas & beyond

The Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund is pleased to announce a new $101,500 grant to Gateway Care to provide vital food vouchers for vulnerable people through the festive season and into 2024.

Bonnie Scorey, Rod McKinnon, Lani Refiti and Marg Welshe with cheque

Buderim Foundation Chair Rod McKinnon said Gateway Care Limited is a not-for-profit organisation providing food, clothing and essential goods for Centrelink registered clients through their Food Distribution Centre at Caloundra.

“Cost-of-living and inflation are creating more challenges for everyone, and those most affected are the most vulnerable in our community so the Buderim Foundation is pleased to be able to work with organisations providing real relief for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness,” Rod McKinnon said.

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