Almost $60,000 in funding was awarded to community groups at the Buderim Foundation Good News Night tonight.

The largest ever amount awarded by the Foundation at the seventh annual event is a great achievement and shows how successful the organisation has been since it started ten years ago.

A Coast beauty therapist and make-up artist has developed a new range of mineral makeup to meet the needs of women looking for chemical and cruelty free, vegan products without the premium price tag.

The new range, Lust Mineral Cosmetics has just launched and is made in Australia of 100% Australian minerals.

Lust Mineral Cosmetics is the creation of Kawana Island businesswomen, Stacey Hollands. With over seven years experience as a qualified beauty therapist, Stacey was always researching beauty products and looking for chemical free options.

Bloomhill Cancer Help is expanding its existing services into a new area of cancer care, focusing on survival and providing more support for clients after cancer treatment.

As part of the shift, Bloomhill has welcomed Jacinta Elks to the team in the newly created role Strategic Lead – Clinical, Education and Research.

Maleny Showgrounds is set to be packed this weekend with thousands expected to attend and enjoy the best local foods the Sunshine Coast has to offer at the Real Food Festival.

The Buderim Foundation will be holding their seventh annual Good News Night on the 19^th September to announce successful applicants for the 2014 community grants.

Every year the program gives grants to community organisations that assist the Buderim community. This year the Foundation will distribute a record amount of just under $50,000 ($49,543) to a variety of community organisations, more than it gave in its first three years of grant giving.

Queensland Environment Minister, Andrew Powell will go head-to-head with Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson in the ultimate decider at the Real Food Festival cook-off on Saturday, 13^th September.

‘The Mayor & The Minister’ cook-off will start at 11.30am in the Kunara Real Food Kitchen and will be facilitated by Free Ranging Chef, Peter Wolfe. Minister Powell secured the win last year while in 2012 Mayor Mark Jamieson took out the title.

Festival Director, Julie Shelton said the cook-off would see the culinary skills of both men put to the test.

The Sunshine Coast Real Food Festival is excited to announce that Gardening Australia’s Costa Georgiadis will be joining in the fun at the festival on the 13^th and 14^th of September in Maleny.

Costa, a gardening enthusiast who is passionate about sourcing local ingredients to use in cooking, will be sharing the limelight with students from Montville and Conondale State Schools who are involved in Stephanie Alexander’s Kitchen Garden program.

Local businesses are being urged to get involved with Bloomhill Cancer Help’s 12^th annual Race Day to be held on Sunday, 21^st September at Corbould Park.

The annual major fundraising event for Bloomhill Cancer Help is set to be filled with fun, fashion, auctions, raffles, prizes and the excitement of watching the horse races live, is in need of sponsorship.