The Sunshine Coast Literary Association continues to receive an overwhelming response to the 2012 Writers’ Competition, with entries flooding in from across South East Queensland.

President of the SCLA, Bryan Ward said it was great to see so many entries rolling in and such an interest in the competition further demonstrates the need for organisations like the SCLA.

Entries to the Writers’ Competition close on Friday, 27 April. For the first time, this year’s competition is open to aspiring writers in the Moreton Bay and South Burnett Council areas as well as the Sunshine Coast and Gympie. There are six entry categories including junior short story, junior poem, young adult short story, young adult poem, open short story and open poem.

“The competition is designed to provide an outlet for talented writers to showcase their work to their peers,” he said.

“The calibre of entries we received last year was outstanding, proving the amazing abilities of writers in the region, and I am sure this year will be no different,” Bryan said.

There are six categories in this year’s competition including:

• Category 1: Open Short Story, to a maximum of 2500 words.
• Category 2: Open Poem, to a maximum of 40 lines.
• Category 3: Young Adult (High School, Years 8-12) Short Story, to a maximum of 1500 words.
• Category 4: Young Adult (High School, Years 8-12) Poem, to a maximum of 30 lines.
• Category 5: Junior (Primary, Years 5-7) Short Story, to a maximum of 1000 words.
• Category 6: Junior (Primary, Years 5-7) Poem, to a maximum of 20 lines.

There are some great prizes up for grabs with each category having a $200 first prize, $50 second prize, as well as certificates for all winners including Highly Commended entries.

A panel of experienced judges decides on the winners, which will be announced at the SCLA Writers’ Competition Awards Dinner on Thursday, 21 June at 4th Floor Restaurant in Mooloolaba.

The Sunshine Coast Literary Association is a not-for-profit association dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and celebrating literary talent throughout the Sunshine Coast region.

“The Writers’ Competition was first held in 2007 and has been run every year since 2009 so it is a key part of the Association’s calendar,” Bryan said.

Each entry is $7 with a maximum of three entries per candidate. Entry forms and details are available online at the SCLA website, www.scliterary.org, or by email info@scliterary.org. All entries must be received by 27th April 2012.

Have you spotted the three new additions to Main Street in Buderim?

The Buderim Foundation has installed a series of three poles beside the Foundation Tree in Main Street, opposite the Buderim Mountain State School.

These poles are designed to create awareness of the B150 Community Challenge and provide an innovative way of keeping the community informed of the progress of the fundraising campaign.

The Community Challenge was launched by the Foundation as part of the Buderim War Memorial Community Association’s B150 celebration. The aim is to raise $500,000 this year and double the trust funds supporting the town’s Community Grants Program.

The money raised will be invested, and the income from the investments used to provide grants to Buderim community organisations.

Chair of the Buderim Foundation, Professor Paul Clark said the ‘philanthropoles’ are designed to act as a barometer.

“The green painted poles represent previous fundraising projects in Buderim and symbolise the generosity and strong philanthropic spirit of the Buderim community”, Prof. Clark said.

“The unpainted section on the largest pole represents the B150 Community Challenge fundraising target of more than $500,000 by the end of the year.

“During 2012, as donations increase, the large pole will be progressively painted red to indicate to residents the progress of the B150 Community Challenge. The red section currently painted represents the $82,000 already raised.

“These philanthropoles will remain in Main Street until the end of the B150 celebrations”, Prof Clark said.

“We encourage everyone in the Buderim community to promote the Challenge whether it’s with a donation or by supporting one of the events or raffles.

“As one supporter said recently… this is not a donation, it’s an investment in Buderim.”

The Buderim Foundation is grateful to Sentura Constructions, Bebrock Excavating, Buderim Landscape Centre, Pest Express and Blackburne Jackson Design for their generous contributions towards the installation of the philanthropoles.

The Buderim Foundation, launched in 2004 by the then Governor of Queensland Quentin Bryce AC, CVO is a philanthropic organisation that aims to generate income from donations and bequests and provide grants for worthwhile Buderim community projects.

To learn more about the B150 Community Challenge or the Buderim Foundation pick up a brochure at the Old Post Office Information Centre or visit the website at www.buderimfoundation.org.au

Australia’s Crochet expert, Jenny King is setting out to ensure crochet skills are continued for generations with a new program of great workshops and courses.

Jenny has taught crochet around Australia and internationally including the US and operates a range of classes from her Sunshine Coast shop, JK Designs on David Low Way at Marcoola (opposite SurfAir).

Jenny said she was particularly excited to start her Hairpin Lace on Steroids course on 7 April. The class will teach them all the skills they need and see participants walk away with their own handcrafted hairpin lace scarf.

“My classes are suitable for beginners through to advanced, so there is something to suit a range of skill sets,” Jenny said.

“Each class focuses on mastering a specific crochet technique to make a range of garments from scarves to ponchos, hats and even toys,” Jenny said.

Jenny said the Hairpin Lace on Steroids (7 April), Entrelac Tunisian Crochet (on 21 April) classes are both great for beginners as they require students to only know the basics of crochet.

“The classes are fun and interactive, and students get to take home their own work at the end of the class,” Jenny said.

Jenny, who has been crocheting since being taught two simple stitches when she was just 10, has been passing on her love of crochet since the 1990s and is the author of 13 crochet books and countless patters that cover everything from intricate beaded bags and jewellery to swimwear.

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

Jenny King Designs also runs weekly crochet and knitting clinics allowing participants to work on whatever project they like in a friendly social environment while also having help on hand.

The clinic times are:

• TUESDAYS 10am to 12pm – CROCHET CLINIC with Leah Hyndman
• WEDNESDAYS 10am to 12pm – KNITTING CLINIC with Leah Hyndman
• THURSDAYS 10am to 1pm – CROCHET CLINIC with Jenny King

Also being offered on the last Tuesday of each month is Bubs-R-Us, a two-hour workshop where students can learn new techniques to make clothing for infants.

“This will give those with an existing interest in crocheting a chance to learn new skills from certified and experienced instructors,” Jenny said.

For more information and a full class program, visit JK Designs or go to www.jennykingdesigns.com.au

Reflected Image’s Ryan Early is back after 28 days of working away on the recent state election.

Working with Frank and Dixon, Ryan shot and edited over 90 videos for Campbell Newman promoting various LNP policies. The YouTube channel was a new strategy in positive political advertising with ten of the segments being screened on the Ten network to a total audience of over one million people over ten nights.

The YouTube channel attracted 83 000 views over four weeks. The Brisbane Times called the segments the best commercials of the recent election campaign. The channel also helped to reinforce the party’s policy announcements developing a strong following among members of Queensland’s media.

You can check out the final video and the channel here.

Bloomhill Cancer Help is hosting its second annual Monster Garage Sale on Saturday, 31 March following the success of last year.

Held at the Bloomhill Distribution Centre, 1/10 Endeavour Drive, Kunda Park, the sale opens from 7am to 1pm and will offer a wide range of discounts on quality items such as furniture, appliances, clothing, sporting equipment and much more.

Bloomhill President, Jenny Carroll said the garage sale is a great opportunity to pick up a bargain and to support a worthy cause at the same time.

“Bloomhill doesn’t receive any government funding, so we rely on the money raised through out op shops, donations, grants and fundraising activities like this one to continue to provide our high level of care,” Jenny said.

The Bloomhill Distribution Centre plays a key part in Bloomhill’s success, collecting and sorting donated goods for allocation to the Bloomhill Op Shops.

“We encourage everyone to come down and take a look; the Distribution Centre is packed full and you never know what treasures you may find,” Jenny said.

“There are lots of great savings on a wide range of clothing, particularly Summer clothes. What better way to stock up your closet for next season!”Jenny said.

“We have received overwhelming support from the Sunshine Coast community in the past and we are sure there will be a great turn out to support us this time as well,” Jenny said.

Bloomhill Cancer Help is a Sunshine Coast based charity and provides support and assistance to those affected by cancer. 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 practical help.

“The services we provide at Bloomhill are only made possible by the open-hearted support we receive from the local community and businesses,” Jenny said.

More bargains can be found at the Bloomhill Op Shops at Buderim (Main Street), Maroochydore (First Avenue), Mooloolaba (Brisbane Road), Nambour (opposite the hospital) and Caloundra (Bulcock Street).

To find out more about Bloomhill visit www.bloomhill.com.au or visit a Bloomhill Op Shop.