Sunshine Coast authors Bryan Ward and Barry Rosenberg will feature as guest presenters at the Sunshine Coast Literary Associations first Discussion Evening of 2012.

The session will be held at the Buderim State School Conference Room, 8 – 42 Main Street, Buderim (opposite St Marks Church) on Tuesday, 13 March from 6.00pm to 9.00pm.

Both SCLA members, Bryan and Barry will talk about their writing experiences and hope to share their expertise and lessons learned along the way with other aspiring writers.

Children’s book author and illustrator and SCLA President, Bryan Ward said the discussion evening, as always, would be a stimulating and interesting night with great and inspiring company.

“The session is held in a relaxed environment and is open to all community members who are interested in talking and networking with other writers over light refreshments,” Bryan said.

Bryan released his first book, ‘Santa’s Beach Christmas’, just a few months ago. This uniquely Australian version of the classic ‘The Night Before Christmas’ sees Santa crash-land on an Aussie beach.

“I am passionate about encouraging children to improve their literacy skills,” Bryan said.

“Books can help children become familiar with the patterns and rhythms of our language, feed their imaginations and teach them important life skills,” Bryan said.

Fantasy novelist, Barry Rosenberg will discuss his newest novel, ‘Glide in Slowtime’ and how to work with writing goals and contribute to anthologies.

The Sunshine Coast Literary Association is a not-for-profit association dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and celebrating literary talent throughout the Sunshine Coast region. Formed in 2005, the SCLA was created to provide a pathway for the Sunshine Coast’s aspiring writers and enthusiasts to explore their interests, develop skills, exchange ideas and seek advice from like-minded individuals.

The association offers regular literary workshops, seminars and events, an annual writing competition, and monthly Front Write Up literary performance evenings that provide an opportunity to showcase the talents of its members.

The discussion evening is free for members and $5 for non-members, payable on the night. The SCLA requests guests to RSVP due to catering purposes.

For more information on beginning your journey as a writer, becoming a member of the SCLA, or to RSVP to the evening, please email info@scliterary.org or phone 07 5450 2690.

BRISBANE, QLD, AUSTRALIA: Underground miners could be breathing easier thanks to the OneVentures Innnovation Fund’s first clean technology investment, to support Brisbane-based company Peak3 Pty Ltd to commercialise products and services for the management, treatment and monitoring of diesel engine particular emissions.

Diesel emissions include up to 41 toxic compounds – which pose health risks to underground miners. The existing solutions such as filters and catalytic convertors do not efficiently manage the smaller particulates, which are among the most harmful.

There are strict emissions regulations being implemented globally and Peak3 aims to become the ‘standard’ for end-to-end emissions management in the mining industry – providing accurate monitoring equipment and services and equipment to ‘agglomerate’ these small particles so they are effectively captured by companion devices such as filters.

The potential of the Peak3 technology has been recognised by the Federal Government who recently awarded Peak3 a $866,284 Commercialisation Australia Grant.

Peak3 technology also has the potential to effectively manage diesel emissions above ground (for example for fleet vehicles such as buses) and to monitor and manage other air borne particulate matter such as dust.

OneVentures General Partner Anne-Marie Birkill believes Peak3 technologies have the potential to deliver significant OH&S, environmental and productivity benefits to the underground mining industry.

“The Peak3 team has developed solutions that meet the clear market need. This investment will enable the first commercial installations of their monitoring and management services and devices, and will support the scale up of the company’s manufacturing and business development capability,” she said.

Along with significant internal technical capability, Peak3 has long-standing collaborative research agreements with expert teams at both CSIRO and the Queensland University of Technology.

Both the Queensland and Federal Governments have also provided considerable support to the work done by Peak3 in developing world-leading mine emissions reduction and monitoring technologies via grant funding.

Peak3 CEO Col Chandler said “Peak3 has already established itself as a leader in the management of mining emissions, and with OneVentures on board we are much better placed to meet the challenges of growth that this leadership brings.”

For the eighth consecutive year, the Buderim Foundation will be providing assistance with back-to-school expenses in an effort to help ease the financial pressure on local families.

The Foundation will be distributing 150 cash vouchers, valued at $50 each, to schools and charities that will then be passed on to families in need of support with the start of the school year. The vouchers can be spent at Target stores.

The vouchers, valued at $7,500, are provided to the Buderim Foundation by the Australia-wide Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the Sidney Myer Fund, which operates the 2012 Back to School Program.

Buderim Foundation Director, Margaret Welshe said everyone on the Buderim Foundation Board is pleased that the strong relationship with FRRR has resulted in another year of Back to School vouchers for Buderim families.

“We really enjoy working with Buderim organisations to get the vouchers out there to ensure that the families and children in the greatest need obtain the most benefit from the program, whilst maintaining privacy for all involved,” Margaret Welshe said.

The vouchers will be dispersed by several local schools including Buderim Mountain State School, Mountain Creek Primary School and Chancellor State College, as well as half a dozen community organisations including St Vincent de Paul, SunnyKids, Community Solutions’ Grandparents and Parents program.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the feedback we have received in previous years. Families are surprised and delighted by the vouchers…it’s definitely a win/win/win situation,” she said.

The 2012 Back to School Program is an initiative of the FRRR and the Sidney Myer Fund an supported by the Sidney Myer Fund, VISY, The Aussie Farmers Foundation, The Julian Flett Foundation, The Edward Wilson Trust, The Wyatt Benevolent Institution and Target.

For more information about the Buderim Foundation, visit the Foundation’s website www.buderimfoundation.com.au, contact a Board member on info@buderimfoundation.org.au or write to the Buderim Foundation, PO Box 1408, Buderim, QLD 4556.

Photo: Buderim Deputy Principal Donna Burow with Buderim Foundation Chair, Paul Clark.

The Sunshine Coast Literary Association (SCLA) is kick starting the New Year, hosting its first Front Write Up performance night for 2012.

The night will be held on Tuesday, 7 February at the new location, Mulvaney’s on Maroochy, 37 The Esplanade, Cotton Tree from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

President of the SCLA, Bryan Ward said the Front Write Up evenings provide an opportunity for literary enthusiasts to share their work with like-minded individuals.

“The Front Write Ups are a casual get-together and follow an open-mic style.”

“We encourage people to bring their short stories, poems and extracts of their work to read to the group, and seek feedback if they wish,” Bryan said.

All community members are welcome to come and network, listen or perform. If you have something you would like to share with the group, please bring it along. However, there is a 500-word limit for short stories and prose.

“Our Front Write Up Evenings are held the first Tuesday of every month, so there is plenty of opportunity to share your work if you are unable to attend the evening in February,” Bryan said.

The evening is free for members and $2 for non-members, payable on the night. The SCLA requests all guests to RSVP due to catering purposes. Coffee and light meals are available for purchase; alcohol is BYO.

The Sunshine Coast Literary Association is a not-for-profit association dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and celebrating literary talent throughout the Sunshine Coast region. Formed in 2005, the SCLA was created to provide a pathway for the Sunshine Coast’s aspiring writers and enthusiasts to explore their interests, develop skills, exchange ideas and seek advice from like-minded individuals.

The association offers regular literary workshops, seminars and events, an annual writing competition, and monthly Front Write Up literary performance evenings that provide an opportunity to showcase the talents of its members.

To RSVP for the February Front Write Up, please email info@scliterary.org or phone 07 5450 2690 of for more information visit the SCLA website, www.scliterary.org.

To mark Buderim’s 150th anniversary this year, the Buderim Foundation is launching a community challenge that aims to raise over $500,000 by the end of the year.

The money raised will be placed in the Buderim Foundation investment fund and the income earned will be used to provide grants to support Buderim community organisations.

Chair of the Buderim Foundation, Paul Clark said the B150 project was about recognising and celebrating 150 years of community spirit and ensuring that it will continue for the next 150 years.

“The money raised will allow us to offer more grants to community organisations and groups so that they can operate at their full potential,” Professor Clark said.

To reach the goal, the Foundation is hoping to attain 150 donations of $2,000 or more, plus a number of smaller donations and to hold events, raffles and an auction to raise the additional funds needed to meet the target.

“This is a very ambitious task and we will need the support of the entire Buderim Community to complete the challenge,” Prof. Clark said.

“We encourage everyone in the Buderim community to start spreading the word and to lend a hand in this challenge whether it be a donation or volunteering at one of our events,” Prof. Clark said.

The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation that aims to enrich and enhance the quality of life for Buderim and its residents, past and future, by generating income from donations and bequests and providing grants for worthwhile community projects.

“As a not-for-profit company, the foundation relies on the generous contributions of local businesses and citizens in order to continue providing grants to quality local community projects and groups,” Prof. Clark said.

Since its launch eight years ago, the Foundation has raised $450,000 for its investment fund and aims to reach the $1,000,000 mark in just one year.

“Once we reach our goal, the Foundation has big plans for Buderim including to pledge a substantial grant towards the further enhancement of the Martins Creek Corridor,” Prof. Clark said.

For more information on the Buderim Foundation or the B150 project, please visit, www.buderimfoundation.org.au.

QUEENSLAND Senator Claire Moore visited the Bloomhill Cancer Help Centre at Buderim this morning to inspect progress on their major renovations.

The renovations, which started in October thanks to a grant from the Commonwealth Government and funds raised from the community through the Target 300 campaign, are well on the way.

The Queensland Senator shared morning tea with the Bloomhill Management Committee and staff at Bloomhill, followed by a tour of the construction site to see the progress of the extension.

Bloomhill President, Jenny Carroll said the Management Committee and staff were thrilled to have the opportunity to meet the Senator.

“It was also important to us that we were able to express our appreciation to the Senator for the role she played in helping us to receive the grant money for the extensions,” Jenny said.

In June 2011, Bloomhill received a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Australia to support the health needs of regional communities. Senator Claire Moore helped to facilitate the delivery of the grant application that made the extension possible.

“Senator Moore was of great assistance in ensuring the original application was in the hands of the Department of Health and Ageing on time.”

“Without her involvement, we may not have received the funding and the extensions would still be in the planning stage,” Jenny said.

“All the money we received from the grant will be used to build and fit out five new therapy rooms, additional office space and with other funds on hand to refurbish the entire Therapy House,” Jenny said.

Since then, the Senator has maintained an interest in Bloomhill and was invited to the ‘Commencement of Construction’ celebration in November. Due to other obligations the Senator was unable to attend and scheduled a visit in the New Year instead.

“We were really excited to show the Senator how much progress has been made on the extensions.”

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 counseling, transport to appointments, respite care and a range of complementary therapies and other practical help.

“The Senator has always shown an interest in supporting small charities like Bloomhill and helping them further develop the capacity for their services,” Jenny said.

Bloomhill President, Jenny Carroll said the extension means people diagnosed with cancer and their families will have better access to services and support.

“We are hoping that the construction will be completed by April 2012 and the new Therapy House to be fully functional again by June,” Jenny said.

A Sunshine Coast speech pathologist and first-time author has used the Christmas classic “The Night Before Christmas” as the inspiration for a new Christmas picture book with a truly Australian feel.

Having worked in education for almost twenty years, Bryan Ward has a strong interest in developing children’s communication skills through talking and stories.

“To encourage children to read you need to engage them in something they can relate to and Australian kids love a beach Christmas, so I started there,” Bryan, who also illustrated the book, said.

“Then I thought to myself, what would happen if Santa crash-landed on the beach outside my holiday apartment and how we would go about helping Santa solve the problem?”

Bryan said from the starting point, and using the famous “The Night Before Christmas” as inspiration, he set about writing a book that would encourage imagination and help promote language development.

“Books can help children become familiar with the patterns and rhythms of our language, with the ability to identify and generate rhyming words being key pre-literacy skills that children need to take with them into prep and school.

“For that reason, every page of this story features rhythm and rhyme – which also makes for great fun.”

“Books can teach children about things they haven’t seen or done yet, feeding their imaginations while also introducing them to important life skills like co-operation, which I have explored using other children and Australia’s iconic lifesavers in the story to help Santa out of his predicament.”

“Santa’s Beach Christmas”, which is suitable for children from pre-prep age and into the early years of school, also contains great bonus material about “The Night Before Christmas”, some history about Santa Claus and Saint Nicholas, as well as other activities to encourage language development through words that explore the senses.

“Santa’s Beach Christmas” is available from www.thewritestuffinoz.blogspot.com at just $18 plus postage. They will also be available at the Buderim Mamma’s Market on Friday 16th December at Buderim War Memorial Hall from 5pm to 9pm.