Siena Catholic College students will hold a Christmas Collection Donation Drive on Friday, 8th November at Siena Catholic College car park for Sunshine Coast based charity Bloomhill Cancer Help.
Any unwanted clothes, books, furniture, bric-a-brac, household items and toys that are in good, resalable condition will be gratefully accepted.
Sir Richard Branson and tennis legend Pat Rafter have a special place in their hearts for the Sunshine Coast and are urging locals to Be Smarter with Your Smartphone and get out and enjoy the beautiful Sunshine Coast.
Branson and Rafter are the latest to join the campaign, by Sunshine Coast Destination Limited (SCDL) and Tourism Events Queensland, which has established the Sunshine Coast as the first destination in the world to encourage people to “Be Smarter with Your Smartphone” so they don’t miss experiencing what’s around them.
Liver transplant may not seem like a breakfast conversation but when you have leading surgeon and author Kellee Slater as your guest speaker that all changes.
The Buderim Foundation will host a special celebrity breakfast on Thursday, 28th November at Buderim Tavern where Dr Slater will talk about the human body and its power to heal with the help of 21st century medical procedures.
Locals are getting behind a new campaign to Make the Most of the Moment on the Sunshine Coast, with more than 250 already in the running to win some great Coast experiences, from a massive prize pool valued at over $10,000.
The campaign, by Sunshine Coast Destination Limited (SCDL) and Tourism Events Queensland, is designed to get locals and tourists alike not be too distracted by mobile technology and really immerse themselves in all the Coast has to offer.
SCDL CEO Simon Ambrose said the Sunshine Coast is the first destination in the world to encourage people to “Be Smarter with Your Smartphone” so they don’t miss experiencing what’s around them.
“The Sunshine Coast is known for its great lifestyle but we all get caught up with work and don’t really enjoy what is in our own backyard,” Mr Ambrose said.
Over 500 people have participated in the campaign so far, by either completing the fun quiz that assesses their smart-phone use, or uploading a photo to the Facebook competition after they have experienced their moment.
International cookbook author, Kim McCosker of 4 Ingredients, has joined the campaign as an ambassador and said she is guilty of smartphone overuse.
“My worst habit is not switching off from my smartphone at the end of the day.
“I leave my phone switched on right beside my bed at night and I hear all the emails and messages coming through from people I do business with in the Northern Hemisphere instead of getting a good night’s sleep,” Kim said.
Kim joins ambassadors including singing sensation Kelsie Rimmer, ironman Matt Poole, artist Raelean Hall and celebrity chef Matt Golinski, who have all vowed to Make the Most of the Moment.
More than half the ambassadors who are taking part in the campaign classify them selves as being a ‘smartphone addict’ and find that their busy schedules and lifestyle make it easy to rely on social media to keep their family, friends and fans updated.
The ambassadors are calling on locals to join them and participate in the challenge and Make the Most of the Moment.
Kim said that she is going to leave her phone outside the bedroom and continue a family tradition of having phone free Sundays.
“Smartphones make doing business globally a lot easier but it’s important to take time out to reconnect with family and experience moments together,” Kim said.
To get involved jump online to www.makethemostofthemoment.com.au to take the quiz and then visit www.facebook.com/sunshinecoastqld to take the Make the Most of the Moment Challenge for your chance to win. You can also find out more at www.visitsunshinecoast.com.au/localmoments.
As the festive season fast approaches Sunshine Coast gluten and grain free food expert and cookbook author, Tania Hubbard is setting a creative challenge to find the best gluten free, grain free, nut free & dairy free Christmas Gingerbread House in Australia.
Gluten Free Grain Free Company Co-Founder, Tania said the holiday season is one of her favourite times of the year filled with family, friends, food and of course fun.
“I decided this year I would accept the ultimate test of creativity and logic and build my very own ginger bread house for the first time ever. It was so much fun seeing my house being re-created in gingerbread. It doesn’t matter if you are a professional chef or new to the kitchen this is a wonderful project everyone can get involved in.”
Pepitas, ginger, coconut sugar and eggs are the only ingredients you will need to get ready for the first ever gluten free, grain free ginger bread house building competition, plus some additions for decorating.
“It was amazing to create an edible ginger bread house made from only a handful of ingredients. I felt like a big kid and loved being able to combine two of my favourite things food and play.” Tania said.
Tania wanted to be part of Santa’s team and share the secrets you need to be able to give your favourite gluten free person in the world a new edible house for Christmas.
“This will be Australia’s first gluten free, grain free ginger bread competition and it’s a great way for the free-from community to showcase how much fun and enjoyment everybody can have with food over the holiday season,” Tania said.
To enter all you have to do is bake and decorate your own gluten free, grain free gingerbread house and then post a photo through the competition link on the Gluten Free Grain Free Company Facebook page.
The Gingerbread recipe is based on the popular Cinnamon & Ginger Cookie Recipe from Tania’s cookbook gluten free grain free – food we love and taking one look at Tania’s creation, you don’t need to be a pastry chef to create your own stylish house.
“The joy for me was piping patterns all over the house, putting way too much “snow” all over the place and creating a door to peak through.”
“Have fun and get creative, there are heaps of wonderful ways to decorate the house including home-made jellies, dried fruits, ginger bread trees and natural icings,” Tania said.
The competition opens on Friday, 25 October and entries will close on Friday, 22 November.
The lucky winners will receive a cookbook and a variety of Tania’s Cake mixes, just in time for Christmas.
Tania’s gluten and grain free journey began several years ago when she was diagnosed intolerant to the proteins found in cereal grains. It was this diagnosis that saw her go on to develop her own recipes and write a leading cookbook, gluten free grain free – food we love.
“I wanted to help people understand that living gluten and grain free does not mean giving up nutrients or taste,” Tania said.
Tania said the book offered recipes that not only tasted great, but are nutrient dense and provided a wider benefit to people other than just being gluten-free.
Tania’s cookbook gluten free grain free – food we love, is packed with over 150 pages of mouth-watering recipes, information about stocking a gluten and grain free pantry, label reading and much more, as well as her bake@home range are available at selected retailers (check website for details) and online at www.glutenfreegrainfree.com.au.
Sunshine Coast charity Bloomhill Cancer Help will be the beneficiary of the annual Bra’s n’ Bikes Ride held this Sunday 27 October.
The ride welcomes all motorcyclists on the 200km round trip from the Ettamogah Pub to Kilcoy for morning tea followed by a leisurely ride back to Club Kawana for lunch to conclude the ride.
The event celebrating its 12th ride this weekend is organised by Girl Torque Sunshine Coast and Bloomhill has been chosen to receive the proceeds of the event.
Bloomhill Cancer Help General Manager, Mervat Quirke said that Bloomhill is honoured to continue our partnership with Girl Torque and remain the beneficiary of the fundraiser this year.
“All the funds Bloomhill receives from the Bras n’ Bikes ride will allow us to continue to deliver vital support services to more than 900 clients on the Sunshine Coast affected by cancer,” Mervat said.
Registration for the ride opens at 7.30am at the north-end of the Ettamogah Pub car park for a prompt 9am start. The cost is a $10 donation per bike and limited pink bras will be available for $2 each at registration.
“Everyone is invited to get involved and decorate their bikes with a pink theme in celebration of October and support the Power of Pink,” Mervat said.
For enquires and further information about the Bras n Bikes ride please contact Helen from Girl Torque on 0412 722 303.
Bloomhill Cancer Help is a Sunshine Coast based charity that provides support and assistance to those affected by cancer. Operated by a team of dedicated professional staff and hundreds of volunteers, Bloomhill offers counselling, transport to appointments, respite care and a range of complementary therapies and other practical help.
With no ongoing government funding, the charity relies on donations and fundraising to continue providing its valuable services.
Leading Australian Sports Physiotherapist, Craig Allingham will launch his new book “Prostate Recovery MAP – Men’s Action Plan” at Bloomhill Cancer Help in Buderim on Thursday, 7th November.
Mr Allingham will host a morning discussion focusing on recovery from prostate cancer and the physical and emotional aspects of men’s lives, touching on subjects including physical recovery and mental resilience.
Craig said the loss of his father to prostate cancer prompted him to investigate men’s health from a physiotherapist viewpoint.
“Through my experience with my dad, I found that men with prostate cancer had limited access to help with rehabilitation and I changed the emphasis of the research on illness to performance,” Craig said.
Bloomhill Cancer Help General Manager Mervat Quirke said the presentation and launch of Allan’s book served as a timely reminder with the month of November aimed at highlighting men’s health issues including cancer and mental wellbeing.
“Men and women are invited to attend the book launch as Allan’s presentation also provides an insight into a women’s role as a carer or partner,” Mervat said.
The book launch and presentation will take place at Bloomhill Cancer Help Centre, 58 Ballinger Rd, Buderim at 9.30am for a prompt 10am start. Tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased by calling Bloomhill on 07 5445 5794 or alternatively by dropping into the Bloomhill Cancer Help centre.
“Funds from the ticket sales ensure Bloomhill can continue to provide support and assistance to more than 900 cancer patients on the Sunshine Coast,” Mervat said.
Bloomhill Cancer Help is a Sunshine Coast based charity that provides support and assistance to those affected by cancer. Operated by a team of dedicated professional staff and hundreds of volunteers, Bloomhill offers counselling, transport to appointments, respite care and a range of complementary therapies and other practical help.
With no ongoing government funding, the charity relies on donations and fundraising to continue providing its valuable services.
Celebrity chef, Matt Golinski and singer songwriter Kelsie Rimmer are the latest Sunshine Coast identities to join the movement to inspire locals to Make the Most of the Moment on the Sunshine Coast.
The campaign, by Sunshine Coast Destination Limited and Tourism Events Queensland, promotes the Sunshine Coast as the first destination in the world to encourage people to be “smarter with their smart phones” so they don’t miss experiencing what’s around them.
As a chef and amateur runner, Matt said his regular Noosa National Park runs are a strictly “technology free zone”.
“It’s about being in the moment and appreciating whatever you are experiencing, here and now and without distractions,” Matt said.
“When I’m running I like to tune into the smells, sights and sounds around me including the surf, the birds and the wind in the trees as well as the rhythm of my steps and breathing.”
Matt and Kelsie are encouraging locals to jump online and complete a fun tongue-in- cheek quiz that assesses their smart-phone use and then take up the ‘Make the Most of the Moment’ challenge.
It came as no surprise to singing sensation, Kelsie that after completing the quiz she was identified as a smart-phone ‘Addict’ and maybe in need of some serious digital detox.
“Facebook! I constantly find myself scrolling through a multitude of trivial, uninteresting (and often food related) status updates with no memory of how I got there, what I’m doing or why… Facebook is holding me hostage and my smart phone is the culprit,” Kelsie said.
Once people have completed the quiz they can then enter the ‘Make the Most of the Moment’ challenge, which asks entrants to upload a photo just after they have experienced their Sunshine Coast Moment.
Entrants in the photo competition go into the draw to win $10,000 worth of great prizes which include a package at Spicers Tamarind Retreat, accommodation at Mantra Mooloolaba, passes to the Sunshine Coast’s great attractions including the Ginger Factory, Underwater World, Aussie World and the Big Kart Track, day passes on the Noosa Ferry and more.
here will also be spot prizes awarded for great entries, with everyone also eligible to win the major prizes.
For Matt Golinski, his ‘unplugged’ time forms an important part of his day, providing time to keep fit, relax and experience nature.
Matt said it provides him with the chance to say hello to fellow walkers and runners and appreciate the beautiful local surrounds.
Kelsie said she will do her best to resist the tempting calls of Facebook and will try and have at least one day a week where she cuts out all social media and simply focus on being creative.
“I think it’s time we all took the steps to stop relying so greatly on our smart phones, and really enjoy all the amazing things the Sunshine Coast has to offer,” Kelsie said.
To get involved jump online to www.makethemostofthemoment.com.au to take the quiz and then visit www.facebook.com/sunshinecoastqld to take the Make the Most of the Moment Challenge for your chance to win. You can also find out more at http://www.visitsunshinecoast.com.au/localmoments
