Time is running out to apply for the Buderim Foundation’s 2011 Grants Program.

Applications close on Friday, 29 July so get in fast to ensure you don’t miss out.  Those eligible include any local non-profit organisation that is able to provide services to the Buderim Community.

Chair of the Buderim Foundation, Paul Clark said the grants program offered the opportunity for worthwhile community initiatives that benefit Buderim and its residents to receive funding.

Buderim Foundations Grant Committee Chair, Leanne Evans said, “we have been heartened by the responses to this year’s program having received 12 responses so far from worthy Buderim organsations. My Committee are on stand by to help anyone with a last minute enquiry and to help with the application process”.

Last year the foundation made available a record total of $17,500 for its grants Program. Recipients of the 2010 Grants were Fusion Community Care, 4 Paws Animal Rescue, Buderim Craft Cottage Assoc., Martins Creek Headwaters Action Group, Sunshine Coast Bushwalkers and Sunshine FM Radio Assoc. Inc.

“Every year as our grant total amount reaches record highs, more people become aware of the Foundation and our role within the community,” Paul said.

The Buderim Foundation aims to enrich and enhance the quality of life for Buderim and its residents, past and future. Since starting its Grants Program in 2008, sixteen local organisations have received grants totaling more than $44,000.

“As a not-for-profit public 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,” Paul said.

Application forms and grant guidelines can be found on the Buderim Foundation website. Successful applicants will be announced at the annual 2011 Good News Night on 16 September, with more details available closer to the date.

For more information on the Buderim Foundation or the 2011 grants program, please visit, www.buderimfoundation.org.au.

Bloomhill Cancer Help will hold its annual Support Walk for the second year running on Sunday 7 August, following the success of the event last year.

Organised by Walk Co-ordinators Kerron Bromfield and Terry Bailey, the 2.5km walk will raise much-needed funds for Bloomhill and will start at La Balsa Park on Harbour Parade, winding its way to the park beside Kawana Surf Club, where a free sausage sizzle will await to revive participants.

“We received a great response last year with 200 walkers participating to raise more than $3,000 and we hope that this year we can double that amount,” Kerron said.

“The Support Walk is a fun and healthy way to spend your Sunday morning and support a worthy cause at the same time,” Kerron said.

The walk aims to generate awareness and raise much-needed funds for this local charity. All the money received from either donations or sponsorship of walk participants will help Bloomhill to continue providing valuable services to those living with cancer and their families throughout the Sunshine Coast region.

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 other practical help.

“As a non-profit organisation, we rely on the money raised through our Op Shops, donations, grants and fundraising activities, like the Bloomhill Support Walk, for us to continue to offer our support to the Sunshine Coast community,” Kerron said.

Registration and donations begin from 8am with Bloomhill patron and former Olympian, Raelene Boyle leading the walk promptly at 9am on Sunday 7^th August. A donation of $10 per person or $20 per family is requested to participate in the walk.

This year all sponsorship and registrations will be collected through Everyday Hero. Simply visit the website, www.everydayhero.com.au and search for Bloomhill under the ‘Heroes’ tab. If you wish to register, click on ‘Join the Team’ and follow the prompts or to make a donation or sponsor a family or friend, click ‘donate’.

“All those participating in the walk will be seeking sponsorship, so please give what you can,” Kerron said.

“No matter what fitness level you are, come walking, running or jogging, anyone and everyone can join in,” Kerron said.

For more information or to participate in the walk, please call Kerron Bromfield on 0438 322 098 or visit Bloomhill Cancer Help at 58 Ballinger Road.

The Sunshine Coast Literary Association will host its next quarterly discussion and presentation evening on Tuesday, 19 July with local author and guest speaker, Andrea Storey.

The evening will be held at the Buderim Mountain State School Conference Room, 8-42 Main Street, Buderim (opposite St Marks Church) at 6:15pm for a 6:30pm start.

SCLA President, Bryan Ward said the discussion and presentation evening, as always, would be a stimulating and interesting night with great and inspiring company.

The evening will feature an author talk from SCLA Secretary, Andrea Storey about her new fantasy novel, ‘Heaven’s Gate Secrets Revealed’. The novel, the first in a series, is about the roller coaster adventures of the Thomas family as they travel the globe encountering quirky people and events along the way.

Andrea said she was keen to share why and how she writes and also her journey through the self-publishing maze.

“I have loved books and the written word for as long as I can remember,” Andrea said.

“So, having my own book in the National Library is a dream come true,” she said.

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

The night will begin with nibbles at 6:30pm followed by the discussion and presentation at 7:30pm. Entry is free for SCLA members or $2 for non-members.

Members and guests are welcome to attend for the opportunity to talk and network with other writers and participate in discussions on the Association program.

The SCLA will also hold a half-day workshop for aspiring children’s book authors – ‘Writing and Illustrating Picture Books for Children’ at the Buderim Mountain State School on Saturday, 16 July.

Please RSVP to the Discussion Evening (to help with catering purposes) or the Writing and Illustrating Picture Books for Children workshop via email info@scliterary.org or phone 07 5450 2690. For more information or to become an SCLA member, visit the website www.scliterary.org.

Good Concepts in Brisbane’s West End is on a mission to help people live more sustainably and offers a wide range of products suitable for all living situations and budgets.

To accommodate for their expanding product range, Good Concepts has moved to a new location at 58 Vulture Street.

The owner of Good Concepts, Mark Pelmore said, “We are really excited about the move,”

“The new store is in a great location and will provide better exposure and setup, allowing Good Concepts to offer a comprehensive range of Eco products under the one roof”.

Mark also added that green products were becoming more innovative, allowing people to benefit from ‘going green’ without compromising their lifestyle.

“Being environmentally friendly shouldn’t be difficult and shouldn’t cost you the earth, so our focus is to provide quality, affordable products that will fit easily into people’s everyday life with minimal impact on our environment.” Mark said.

“Whether you live in the city or the country, in a unit or house, there is always a ‘eco’ product that will suit your needs,” Mark said.

Good Concepts brings together a comprehensive range of eco, ethical and sustainable products using the latest in environmentally friendly technologies. These include water purification and filtration systems, electric-bikes, low energy lighting, worm farms, odorless composting systems and even eco-system homes.

“Our electric-bikes are a fantastic way of getting around the city. For only $1 worth of electricity, you can travel for up to 600km,” Mark said.

The newest product to hit the shelves at Good Concepts is LED and SMD lighting. This low energy lighting uses less electricity, saving you money on your power bill and is more environmentally friendly as these lights contain no mercury. “We have a large range of lighting on offer to suit both residential and commercial requirements,” Mark said.

For more information about Good Concepts or their range of environmentally friendly products, please visit www.goodconcepts.com.au or see Mark in store at 58 Vulture Street, West End.

Photo: Good Concepts new store at 58 Vulture Street, West End, Brisbane.

Sunshine Coast based business LED Light Works – an innovative, energy efficient lighting business – is the latest company to join the growing hub of over 30 knowledge-based technology businesses the Innovation Centre supports.

LED Light Works, specialists in the production and sale of LED lights to the corporate, commercial, mining and industrial, and government markets, offer lighting solutions that use up to 90% less electricity and last up to 17 times longer than traditional lighting and in addition are fully recyclable.

LED Light Works Director and CEO Kevin Day said cutting-edge LED lighting represents the latest revolution in lighting technology since fluorescents were introduced nearly 70 years ago.

“A surprise meeting with a former colleague on a business flight sparked the idea to fill a niche in the market and offer a green, efficient alternative to traditional lighting” Mr Day said.

“The challenge is now to continue the development of LED technology and educate the engineers, architects and end users on the benefits, applications and implementation of this emerging technology.”

Mr Day said the company’s distribution model enables the corporate headquarters, R&D and design to be carried out in Australia with international distributors, manufacturing and quality control in South East Asia.

“This model allows us to maintain strategic control while accessing markets in countries such as Canada, the US, Chile and the United Arab Emirates” Mr Day said.

Queensland’s diverse cleantech industry generates more than $3.1B annually in revenue, employs over 12,500 people and exports over $125M worth of cleantech products and services annually.

The emerging cleantech sector, which includes energy efficiency, renewable energy, water & waste management and environmental services, is one of the Innovation Centre’s key focus sectors along with ICT, health technology and creative industries.

Innovation Centre CEO Colin Graham said “the Innovation Centre supports the creation of new jobs in new industries aimed at diversifying the local economy. Since 2002, we have assisted the start-up and growth of over 78 businesses, creating over 350 new jobs for the region.”

“The Innovation Centre offers an attractive location for innovative cleantech firms and is designed to provide business development support, connect like-minded entrepreneurs and promote valuable connections with the University of the Sunshine Coast” Mr Graham said.

Mr Graham said LED Light Works joins an impressive list of dynamic, entrepreneurial cleantech firms based at the Innovation Centre; including Auzion, sustainable energy management; Aquiba, water efficiency and Future-Plus Environmental, environmental management consultants.

“Locating to the Innovation Centre allows us to connect with the University with the potential to develop research partnerships, and with the opening of the new Engineering Training Facility this offers exciting opportunities for practical research capabilities and testing” Mr Day said.

Crochet and knitting enthusiasts are travelling from throughout Australia to the Sunshine Coast to learn from international expert Arnetta Kenney, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York.

Arnetta is visiting the Coast at the invitation of crochet designer Jenny King and will be running a series of workshops for fans as well as a program for those who want to teach the crafts.

In fact those who participate in the Craft Yarn Council of America (CYC) teach the teacher programs will walk away with the only accredited teaching qualifications recognised internationally.

Jenny King said the textile arts community was very excited to have Arnetta coming to Australia to share her skills.

“I did the CYC Teach the Teacher program with Arnetta 12 years ago but I had to travel to Seattle, Washington to do it,” she said.

“Arnetta Kenney has more than 30 years of knitwear and crochet design and teaching experience.  She is currently teaching upper division degree students knit design and has been since 1988 for the Fashion Institute of Technology.  She also teaches a Certification Program for the Craft Yarn Council of America,” Jenny said.

“Now Arnetta, whom I have been friends with since that first program, is coming here to teach the program, while also running some fun weekend workshops for crochet enthusiasts.

Arnetta will arrive today and will be teaching a special modular crochet course for yarn-a-holics this weekend from 1-4pm on Saturday and Sunday at the Jenny King Designs store, opposite the Surf Air at Marcoola.  The cost is $50 but this workshop is booked out unless there is a cancellation.

Then from Wednesday 13^th to Friday 15^th the Crochet Teach the Teacher program will be held at Surf Air, followed by the Knitting Teach the Teacher program from Monday 18^th to Wednesday 20^th.

“We have people coming from as far away as Victoria and South Australia to participate in the teach the teacher programs.”

There will also be a great dinner on Saturday night 16th at Cucina’s with Arnetta, Jenny King and the editors of Yarn Magazine.  The dinner is $30 per person including two courses, with drinks available to purchase at the bar.

Jenny King said while the response had been phenomenal there was still limited spaces available in the Knitting Teach the Teacher program.

“Textile arts like crochet and knitting and growing rapidly in popularity so we are really excited about the week ahead,” she said.

For more information about Arnetta’s visit and the limited available spaces in the teaching programs please call Jenny King Designs 07 5450 7077.

The Sunshine Coast Literary Association has announced the winners of the 2011 WARM Writers’ Competition at an awards dinner on Thursday, 23 June.

The dinner, held at the Fourth Floor Restaurant, included a three-course meal for guests followed by a short awards presentation ceremony, which saw 15 entrants receive awards.

President of the SCLA, Bryan Ward said the judges were amazed at the calibre of entries in this year’s competition.

“The dinner was a great opportunity to celebrate the depth of talent of writers throughout our region, it was a fantastic night,” Bryan said.

The competition was open to aspiring writers in the Sunshine Coast and Gympie areas, with six entry categories including Junior Short Story, Junior Poem, Young Adult Short Story, Young Adult Poem, Open Short Story and Open Poem.

The Sunshine Coast Literary Association (SCLA) is a not-for-profit association dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and celebrating literary talent throughout the Sunshine Coast region, with the annual Writers Competition awards being a key part of that charter.

Winners of the Open Short Story category were: Meg McNaught (first place), Maggie Pinder (second place), Judy Cutts (highly commended) and Keira Fennell (encouragement award).

Winners of the Open Poem category were: Kerry Mulgrew (first place), John Gardner (second place) and Nana Ollerenshaw (highly commended).

Winners of the Young Adult Short Story category were: Jack Burnham (first place), Tahlia Baumann (second place) and Julian Gordillo (highly commended).

High school student, Jack Burnham won a hat trick for his entries in the Young Adult Poem category.

Winners of the Junior Short Story category were: Mia Jones (first place), Ky Brutnell (second place) and Eleanor Stuart (highly commended).

Winners of the Junior Poem category were: Saskia Mathers (first place), Talulah Cunningham (second place) and Mia Jones (highly commended).

The event was proudly sponsored by the University of the Sunshine Coast and Bendigo Bank Buderim and Marcoola. Winners of each category took home $200, $50 for second place and $25 Sunshine Plaza vouchers for highly commended.

“On behalf of the SCLA I would like to congratulate all the talented winners of the 2011 WARM Writers’ Competition and thank all those who entered,” Bryan said.

“We encourage writers to continue developing their talents and hope to see their entries in next years competition,” Bryan said.

Photo: SCLA President, Bryan Ward (in the back) with competition winners (left to right) Judy Cutts, Eleanor Stuart, Julian Gordillo, Jack Burnham, Meg McNaught and Kerry Mulgrew.

Bloomhill Cancer Help will hold its annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast on Saturday, 25 June to acknowledge hundreds of dedicated volunteers who contribute their time and support to Bloomhill each year.

Bloomhill Volunteers Coordinator, Alex Bert said the breakfast was a great way to show our appreciation and recognise the selfless efforts of more than 400 volunteers.

Certificates will be presented to 35 committed volunteers for their ongoing service and support for the past 5 or ten years.

“Some of our volunteers have been here since Bloomhill first opened in 1997,” Alex said.

“Our volunteers are the heart of Bloomhill, and without them we would not be able to help as many people as we do,” Alex said.

The breakfast will begin at 8am at the Bloomhill Centre in Buderim and will be followed be a formal ceremony, where Bloomhill President, Jenny Carroll will present the certificates and offer her thanks to all the volunteers on behalf of the Bloomhill Management Committee, staff and clients. Bloomhill patron and long-term supporter, Raelene Boyle will also be attending to show her appreciation.

The recipients of the certificates for 5 years of service include:

Janet Allan, Julie Bowd, Lorraine Brace, Trixie Buxton, Annette Callanan, Kees Callenbach, Gerda Creese, Roy Foxwell, Brian Gordon, Marcelle Scrivener, Angie Wiseman, Hilda Marin, Daniela Morello, Jenny Haddrell, Joyce Keating, Pamela Cooper, Cathie Griffiths, Margaret McLay, Annette Reith, Kerry Shirra, Karen Shirra, Joan Vincent, Debbie Meyers.

The recipients of the certificates for ten years of service include:

Lyn Cheffers, Shirley Guthrie, Lois Van Motman, Bill Van Motman, Glen Cartwright, Trevor Funch, Beth Hanson, Ann Rosenberg, Michell Rosenberg, Rosa Stingel, Rosemary Turnour, Raymond Clark.

In 2011 alone the volunteers contributed more than 15,600 hours of service and had driven more than 20,000.km in support of those affected by cancer.

“Bloomhill has now over 900 clients, and growing, so we always on the look-out for more volunteers,” Alex said.

“Volunteering is great way to give back to the community and can be really rewarding, knowing you have made a difference in the lives of others,” Alex said.

Bloomhill would like to acknowledge the donators, who will make the volunteer breakfast possible. Donations have come from:

Party People Maroochydore, Suncoast Flowers Kawana, Wayne Bell, Suncoast Foods, Garry Crick Auto Group, The Natural Food Store Forest Glen and Brumby’s Mountain Creek.

If you are interested in becoming a Bloomhill volunteer, please phone Alex at the Centre on 07 5445 5794 or for more information visit www.bloomhill.com.au.