Sunshine Coast locals are being encouraged to take time to “Make the Most of the Moment” and remember why they love the region, as part of a new tourism campaign.

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.

But this campaign isn’t just about encouraging tourists to visit the region, its also about reminding those who are lucky enough to live here, why they love it and to make the most of every opportunity to experience it.

And there will be rewards, with everyone who enters the Make the Most of the Moment challenge eligible to win great Sunshine Coast experiences, with total prizes worth more than $10,000.

Already high-profile locals are getting involved, becoming Smartphone Smarts ambassadors, making the most of the moment on the Sunshine Coast, and encouraging others to do the same.

Coast Ironman Matt Poole and artist Raelean Hall are launching the campaign and asking people to think about whether their bad smartphone habits are interfering with their leisure time with family or friends. And more and more well-known Sunshine Coasters will be joining them every day.

As part of the campaign a list of seven Smarter Smartphone behaviours have been developed:

1. Avoid being a search-it-all

Make the most of the moment and seek out your own special corner of the coast.

2. Elbows and phones off the table

Make the most of the moment with great food and company.

3. Kiss your phone goodnight

Make the most of your night with a restful night’s sleep or some romance.

4. Look before you snap

Make the most of the moment and take in this truly breathtaking place.

5. Take a phone-free day

Make the most of the moment and experience nature without distractions.

6. Talk now, text later

Make the most of the moment and enjoy this precious time together.

7. Taste before you upload

Make the most of the moment and savour every mouthful.

Matt Poole said he was stoked to be involved with the campaign and could definitely identify with it.

“The behaviours are reminders for people, like me who might be a little too attached to their smartphones.

“My mates are always telling me to stop texting and using my phone when we are out together so that’s something I am going to work on.”

For Raelean Hall, painting on location is about capturing the moment, of being aware of and responding to our surroundings.

“I love to see people taking in and experiencing what’s around them and that is something I’ve recently incorporated into my art, getting people involved in what I am creating, encouraging them to pick up a brush or a palette knife,   adding their touch to the work.”

Because the campaign is all about finding the right balance between smartphones making people’s lives easier and not interfering during precious time with family and friends, there is a fun online quiz people can take to examine their own smartphone use and then share their results on social media.

“But we want people to go further,” Raelean said. “We want them to go out and rediscover their favourite moment on the Sunshine Coast and then post a photo to the competition on the Sunshine Coast QLD Facebook page.”

Matt said the judges would be looking for photos that show people have already enjoyed their moment.

“Like almost half of all Australians, we don’t want to see photos of meals before they eat them – we would much rather see friends sitting around a table with the remnants of a great meal everyone has already enjoyed so be creative!”

Once people have entered the competition, they will join Matt and Raelean as Smartphone Smarts Ambassadors and also go into the draw to win some of the $10,000 worth of great Sunshine Coast Moments prizes which include a 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.

There will be spot prizes awarded for great entries, with everyone also eligible to win the major prizes.

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/see-and-do/moments/local-moments.

Buderim-based charity, Bloomhill Cancer Help, has been selected as one of only seven open gardens to be showcased at this year’s Spring Garden Festival.

The festival, organised by the Buderim Garden Club, will take place from Saturday, 19^th to Sunday, 20^th October from 9am to 4pm and aims to highlight Buderim as the Sunshine Coast’s garden suburb.

Bloomhill’s General Manager, Mervat Thompson said the charity was honoured to have been chosen and it was a reflection of the hard work by the volunteer gardening and maintenance team.

“The Bloomhill property sits on ten (10) acres of lush forest land and manicured gardens, and it’s the perfect place for our clients to come, relax and take a break from their hectic lives,” Ms Thompson said.

Bloomhill is a long-standing charity, offering support and assistance since 1997 to those living with 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.

To cater for its growing number of clients and to give more people access to its amazing services and support, Bloomhill built an extension to its existing therapy centre that included five new therapy rooms, state-of-the-art kitchen, additional office space and a beautiful, big recreation room.  Since the opening of the new therapy centre in June 2012, Bloomhill’s client base has risen to well over 900 current clients.

“We will be opening our Therapy Centre to the public for organised tours during the weekend of the festival,” Ms Thompson said.

The Spring Garden Festival includes competitions and a Flower Show at the Buderim War Memorial Hall and Garden Sculpture Exhibition at Buderim Craft Cottage.  Tickets are $15 per person and include a two-day pass to all seven gardens, incorporating the garden walk, and Flower Show.

For more information about the Bloomhill visit www.bloomhill.com.au or the Festival, please visit buderimgardenclub.com.

Buderim-based charity Bloomhill Cancer Help will host a Pink Hat Brunch on Monday 28^th October at the Bloomhill Cancer Help Centre to raise funds to support locals affected by cancer.

Hosted by Bloomhill Patron, Raelene Boyle, The Pink Hat themed brunch is being held in celebration of October, which is globally renowned for the recognition of all women’s cancers.

The Brunch will kick off at 10am and include prizes for the best Pink hat, a raffle and a short presentation from leading dietician Leanne Levin.

Bloomhill Cancer Help General Manager, Mervat Thompson said everyone at Bloomhill was looking forward to the event and knew of many clients who had started decorating their hats.

“We welcome everyone to get involved with the themed hat competition and come along for a fun morning to support Bloomhill,” Mervat said.

Tickets to the brunch are $20 per person or for Bloomhill clients $15 per person. Tickets can be purchased by calling Bloomhill on 07 5445 5794 or alternatively by dropping into the Bloomhill Cancer Help centre, 58 Ballinger Rd, Buderim.

“Funds raised from the Pink Hat Brunch 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 events such as the Bloomhill Race Day to continue providing its valuable services.

Australia’s Crochet Queen, Jenny King’s international popularity continues to skyrocket with the upcoming launch of two new books – “Figure Flattering Plus Size Fashions” and “Eighteen Inch Doll Clothes”.

In addition to launching the two new books with craft publishing giant, Annies, in just the last few months she has been on two teaching tours in the US and has been featured in four international publications, not to mention publishing two other new books.

Jenny’s designs have also been included in Vogue Knitting’s annual Crochet issue, for the second year in a row.  Her designs have also been featured in Crochet!, Crochet 1.2.3, and Interweave Crochet.  She also has a design in the Australia’s Family Circle July issue.  Her new books include Fashions to Flaunt Crocheted with Noro Yarns and Barvarian Crochet On To Go, both published by International craft powerhouse, Anne’s.

Jenny, said she has been excited and honoured by all the attention.

“I have loved crochet since I started stitching as a child and its great to see that crochet is finally gaining the recognition and popularity it deserves.

“Crochet offers you such great versatility it means as a designer there aren’t any limits to what I can create.”

“This latest book was all about offering some great fashionable crochet designs for women with a larger figure.”

Jenny said it was a dream for her to have her designs featured in Vogue and now she has had two designs featured in as many years, as well as all the other great magazines.

“Each time we get confirmation the designs are going to be featured in the magazine, we get so excited!” Jenny said.

On Jenny’s first teaching trip she was a guest at The National Needle Arts Association (TNNA) of America in Columbus, Ohio and delivered some new designs to Annie’s head office in Texas for a new book due out in November.

The second trip included Jenny being guest speaker at the Crochet Guild of America’s Summer Conference, teaching seven classes over four days.

While in the US she also did some filming for Annie’s for a new video tutorial on Bavarian Crochet.

It is now also available through Jenny’s website – www.jennykingdesigns.com.

“The new video and the books have come together so well and were the result of popular demand by customers.”

Jenny, who has been crocheting since being taught two simple stitches when she was just eight, has been passing on her love of crochet since the 1990s and is the author of more than 15 crochet books and countless patterns that cover everything from intricate beaded bags and jewellery to swimwear.

Jenny has taught crochet around Australia and internationally including the US and offers a range of classes from her Sunshine Coast shop, JK Designs.

“Crochet is a rapidly growing trend and continues to increase in popularity as more and more crochet fashions appear on cat walks around the world,” Jenny said.

“I believe, that this, in part, has revived the lost art of crochet and prompted people to want to learn the craft themselves,” Jenny said.

QUEENSLAND Health Minister Lawrence Springborg will visit Bloomhill Cancer Help tomorrow.

The first visit to the centre by a Queensland Minister since the opening of the extension last year, will provide Mr Springborg with the opportunity to inspect all the new facilities and learn more about the unique services Bloomhill offers to people with cancer and their families throughout the Sunshine Coast.

Mr Springborg will have morning tea with staff and then tour the complex including the new kitchen, the five new counselling and treatment rooms as well as the group function room.

Bloomhill President Michael Hurley said the centre’s staff and volunteers were eagerly awaiting the opportunity to meet the Minister.

“The services that Bloomhill offers to more than 900 clients throughout the Sunshine Coast are unique so we are keen to showcase them to the Queensland Government,” he said.

Bloomhill received a $500,000 Commonwealth grant towards the cost of the extensions to the centre but otherwise receives no on-going government support, relying on income generated from its network of Op Shops, the Cotton Tree Markets and donations.

“We aim to alleviate some of the challenges our clients face by providing practical and emotional support for them and their families throughout their cancer journey,” Mr Hurley 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.

The Buderim Foundation Community Grants Program has awarded eight community organisations with grants totaling $16,905, at its annual Good News Night on Friday, 20 September at the Buderim War Memorial Hall.

With this year’s grants, the Buderim Foundation has distributed more than $100,000 to local community organisations since 2008, with five new organisations receiving grants this year including the Buderim Scout Group who received a record amount of more than $6,000.

The successful first round applicants of the 2013 Grants Program are Buderim Historical Society Inc. receiving $1,057 for weather blinds for Pioneer Cottage; Buderim Scout Group receiving $6,160 towards a new kitchen to benefit the 100 children that use the hall each week; Music Broadcasting Society of Queensland receiving $4,000 to provide access to a 24 hour, 7 day nostalgia radio station to improve the health and well-being of residents living in the RSL care Tantula aged care home; Oriana Arts Inc. receiving $1000 towards the purchase of “100 Carols for Choirs” choir books, which will broaden Oriana’s available repertoire for community concerts; Team Adem receiving $1,478 for a marquee which will be used to raise community awareness of the importance of blood donations.

Funding has also been awarded to Headland Buderim Croquet Club receiving $730 for a “backlapper” machine; P&C Buderim Mountain State Primary School receiving $2,080 for the purchase of an online reading program for the prep cohort to enhance students learning experience; and St Marks Anglican Church, Buderim receiving $400 for an awareness raising project of Buderim’s indigenous history.

Chair of the Buderim Foundation, Professor Paul Clark said he was delighted to present the grants to such commendable organisations committed to benefiting the Buderim community.

“Thanks to the support and generous contributions of local businesses and residents, the Buderim Foundation has been able to continue providing more funding for grants to quality local community projects,” Prof Clark said.

“Grants are offered to not-for-profit organisations in the Buderim community, or not-for-profit Sunshine Coast community organisations that are able to provide services to the Buderim community,” Prof Clark said.

The Foundation is a philanthropic, not-for-profit organisation, which aims to generate income from donations and bequests from community members and provide grants for community projects now and into the future. Round two of the community grants program will be announced later in the year.

For more information on the Buderim Foundation or the 2013 grants program, please visit, www.buderimfoundation.org.au.