When 60 cyclists set off on the 5^th annual Bottlemart Smiling for Smiddy Challenge, known as Australia’s toughest charity ride, on Saturday, 4^th September, the Reflected Image PRoductions film crew will be riding shotgun to capture the extraordinary eight-day, 1600km trip from Brisbane to Townsville.

Documentary producer Ryan Early will lead a team of four, who will all be responsible for capturing the precious moments during the ride.  He will also spend three days of the journey strapped to the back of a motorcycle.

Ryan said this was the second Smiling for Smiddy documentary, produced by Reflected Image PRoductions, and the crew was thrilled to be back for the long ride.

“The documentaries are a vital device in raising awareness of the Smiddy cause. They have also significantly helped with the Smiling for Smiddy fundraising efforts, which now total over $1.1 million since the rides began in 2006,” he said.

Brisbane charity, Smiling for Smiddy, was originally created to remember the life of Adam Smiddy, a young 26-year-old, who died at the peak of his life from an aggressive Melanoma in August 2006.  The idea for the Smiddy riding challenge came about to honour Adam’s passion for riding which developed during his time as a triathlon coach at the University of Queensland.

All the money raised from the riding challenges help fund world-class ongoing cancer research and health care through the Mater Foundation in memory of Adam Smiddy. This year, the ride aims to raise an ambitious $750,000.

“Smiling for Smiddy is a unique experience that draws people back year after year. We are thrilled to join the 60 riders and look forward to again capturing the magic of this event,” Ryan said.

To ensure not a moment is missed, nine cameras will be used including a number of bike-mounted cameras. Two helicopter shoots will also be used to capture aerial footage at various points along the way.

“I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been affected by cancer in some way, so we happily sign up to cover the ride and share the stories of these very brave people helping to fight the battle against this devastating disease,” Ryan said.

The soundtrack for the ride will also be produced featuring award-winning singer songwriter, Mishelle Bradford-Jones, who has recently had music featured in films including ‘The Wedding Planner’ with Jennifer Lopez.

For more information about the ride, to donate or become a participant, please visit www.smilingforsmiddy.org.au or call 07 3163 8600.

Former Queensland Chief Magistrate and social justice activist, Diane Fingleton, will be sharing her life experiences at Bloomhill’s September Motivational Morning Tea on Thursday, 2^nd September.

Bloomhill Cancer Help manager of patient care, Anne’ Braaten-Pow said everyone at Bloomhill was really looking forward to Diane’s visit.

A sibling of a large family, Diane Fingleton, grew up in Brisbane, with parts of her earlier life being shown in the 1992 movie ‘Swimming Upstream’, based on a book co-authored with her brother Tony. A devoted social justice advocate, during her career she introduced the first Murri Courts to Brisbane where Indigenous Elders sat with Magistrates when presented with cases regarding indigenous defendants.

Diane recently retired from her Magistrate position at Caloundra where she worked from September 2005 after earlier resigning from her job as Queensland Chief Magistrate. It was not long after she was appointed Chief Magistrate that Diane was prosecuted and jailed for 6 months on a charge that the High Court of Australia later unanimously ‘threw out’ due to a lack of legal basis.

“Diane has such an amazing story and we are so lucky to have her come and share it with us,” Anne’ said.

Bloomhill Cancer Help is a Sunshine Coast based charity that provides support and assistance to people and their loved ones who are affected by cancer. Operated by a team of dedicated professional staff and volunteers, Bloomhill offers emotional support through counselling, support groups, respite care in the home and a range of complimentary therapies and other services.

Anne said the main focus of Bloomhill is to help people to live well with cancer and that the monthly Motivational Morning Teas can give people tools and techniques to achieve this. She said however anyone could come to these morning teas, which allowed the community to also experience what a beautiful place Bloomhill was.

“The morning teas and particularly Diane’s presentation is designed to give people some new perspectives when it comes to developing strengths and self awareness in times faced with challenges and great adversities,” said Anne.

Take a journey through Greece during September at the Wondai Regional Art Gallery when two Queensland artists, Karol Oakley and Jane Jacobs, showcase ‘Touched by Greece’ at the ‘Spring Time in the Gallery’ Exhibition.

The exhibition begins on Friday, 3 September and will run till the 26^th September at the Wondai Regional Art Gallery in Hali Street, Wondai.

Sunshine Coast local Jane Jacobs said that ‘Touched by Greece’ has gradually evolved since they met when she joined Karol’s first art tour to the Greek Islands in 2007.

“Since then we have both revisited Greece to paint, and this collection aims to capture our mutual affection for the spectacular Greek landscapes, and its iconic history and culture,” Jane said.

‘Touched by Greece’ is comprised of paintings, prints and poetry and is one of several talented artists’ collections that will be displayed at the exhibition.

The other artists featured at the exhibition include unique artist, Thelma Archibald, who embroiders over her paintings to create an interesting effect, pastelist Judith Goodman and a selection of artwork by the students at Windra State School.

President of the Wondai Regional Art Gallery’s management committee, Elaine Maddille said all the exhibiting pieces would depict a ‘spring time’ theme with many pastel and floral pieces on display.

The Gallery is open seven days a week from 10 to 4pm and admission is free.  Opening night will begin at 6pm on Friday, September 3^rd with an entry fee of $5 which includes homemade finger food, wine available to purchase from local winery, Captains Paddock and entertainment from Windra State School Choir with Headmaster, Guy Davis accompanying on guitar.

To RSVP for opening night or for more information about the exhibition or any of the participating artists, call the gallery on 07 4168 5926.

The 8^th annual Bloomhill Race Day is fast approaching, so don’t miss your chance to purchase tickets for this major fundraising event to be held on Sunday, 26^th September.

This Spring Race Day will be held at Corbould Park Racecourse in Caloundra and as always will be filled with fashion, fun and a full race schedule including delicious luncheons in the Favourites Room and Champagne Gardens and lots of prizes to be won.

Bloomhill’s Race Day coordinator, Gail Lamb said the Bloomhill Race Day was a great excuse to catch up with friends, celebrate spring and support a worthy cause.

Bloomhill Cancer Help is a vital charity that offers support to those affected by cancer and their families throughout the Sunshine Coast region. Operated by a dedicated team of staff and hundreds of volunteers, Bloomhill provides a range of services and complimentary therapies including respite care, transport to appointments, massage and counselling.

“Bloomhill does not receive any ongoing government funding, so we rely on our Op Shops, donations, grants and fundraising activities, like the Race Day, to continue providing our valuable services,” Bloomhill Vice President, Brett Graham said.

Entry into the Champagne Gardens and Members area is only $55 per person and includes a fabulous buffet lunch. Tickets to the Favourites Room are $80 per person or $800 for a table of 10 and include a delicious luncheon, champagne on arrival and panoramic views of the racetrack. Seating is limited so be quick to ensure you don’t miss out on tickets and your chance to win some great prizes, bid in the memorabilia auction and enter Fashion on the Fields.

“Bloomhill is so grateful for the incredible support and generosity we have received from our Race Day Sponsors. They have played a big part in making this day a success,” Gail said.

The sponsors for the Bloomhill Race Day include Gary Crick Auto Group, Ray White – Maroochydore, Bob Jane T Mart- Maroochydore, the Maroochydore RSL, MCH Corporations and committed Bloomhill supporters Catherine McGovern and Margaret Osborne.

“Race Day last year was a huge success raising $30,000, and we are sure that this year will be even better,” Gail said.

There are still opportunities for businesses to become sponsors, so if you are interested in supporting a worthy cause, would like to book tickets, donate auction or raffle items, call Gail or Beth at the Bloomhill Cancer Help Centre on 5445 5794.

Like the pattern on a Scribbly Gum Tree from which Bark Design Architects derives its name, their award winning reputation is spreading.

Bark Design Architects corporate director Lindy Atkin has just been selected as the Sunshine Coast Outstanding Business Woman of the Year Award, while the team has gained recognition in the Australian Institute of Architecture Awards.

Ms Atkin said her recognition by the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network was an honour because of the many talented women who live and work on the Sunshine Coast and a validation of the important role architecture has in shaping the region.

“Our region needs public buildings and infrastructure to be developed in consultation with local communities and business people, by professionals that have an insight into the specific concerns of the Sunshine Coast.

Led by Ms Atkin and business partner and husband, Stephen Guthrie, Bark has received an Australian Institute of Architects State Commendation for Public Buildings for their work on the Noosa Visitors Centre. This is just the latest in a growing list of design awards for the Sunshine Coast team.

“The whole team is very excited about the recognition. We work collaboratively on all our projects and are dedicated to being part of sustainably developing the region while also maintaining its diversity,” Ms Atkin said.

In the thirteen years since Ms Atkin and Mr Guthrie launched Bark Design Architects, they have worked on a mix of residential and public buildings. They bring decades of international experience to each project, along with their enthusiasm and dedication to creating beautiful, timeless spaces that fulfill their clients’ needs.

“We don’t have one particular style, instead we design from the inside out so our spaces are tailored to the specific lifestyle requirements of each of our clients,” Mr Guthrie said.

“It is really important to us how the space feels rather than how it looks,” Ms Atkin said.

From Bark Design Architects first project – the Caloundra Art Gallery, completed in 2000, it has designed many diverse residential projects from Byron Bay to Magnetic Island.  Recent projects include the Noosa Transit Centre – on which construction has just started; the Noosa River House – an example of sustainable reuse of Noosa’s 40-year-old building stock; the Community Arts Centre at Mission Beach; as well as houses at Noosa hinterland and Marcus Beach. These last two are examples of very different projects which both focused on creating spaces that suited the site, climate and landscape.

Bark’s own studio at Noosa is testament to their sustainable, timeless style.

“Sustainability is achieved by addressing the interrelated environmental, cultural and social aspects of buildings. Making these aspects balance for the particular project ensures an appropriate and affordable outcome,” Ms Atkin explains.

Built ten years ago, the studio is a contemporary structure that focuses on the views from the site, breezes and sun, while also creating a social space that is obviously conducive to the creativity of their work.

“We draw on the environment, creating individual buildings to suit each situation, with the architecture defining the thresholds between inside and out,” Mr Guthrie said.

Ms Atkin was recognised by the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network for her role in growing Bark Design Architects and also for her career portfolio which also included work on the Sydney Olympic Stadium, Olympic Visitors Centre, the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London’s Southbank, and the Channel Tunnel International Terminal at Waterloo.

“There are so many innovative and creative business women on the Coast, which gives me great confidence for our region’s future, just as we feel privileged to be participating in shaping the built environment of the Sunshine Coast,” Ms Atkin said.

“The Sunshine Coast is a unique environment and we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity now to ensure that we maintain its character and diversity while also fulfilling the needs of the people who live and work here.

“It is vital is that we plan carefully to prevent the sprawling sameness that has come with development in some other regions.

“What works in Melbourne doesn’t necessarily work here and we need to create architectural spaces that enrich our environment and people’s lives.”

Mr Guthrie said there was a growing awareness about the need for a smaller ecological footprint, which provided a huge opportunity to think in a more sophisticated and environmentally conscious way about the kinds of houses and public buildings needed.

“Sustainability is not a new idea, while it has become a buzz word in the past few years, it is and has always been at the core of all good design.

“Good design substantially reduces the ongoing maintenance and repair costs for a building so while initial costs may be slightly higher, the overall life cost of the building to the environment and the community is much less,” he said.

To find out more about Bark Design Architects and to see a portfolio of their work visit www.barkdesign.com.au.

Target 300 was successfully launched on Friday 13th, with local Sunshine Coast businesses and community groups pledging $30,000 towards the $300,000 fundraising target.

Pledges and payments made so far include:

$10,000 from the Sunshine Coast Regional Council (on the condition the rest of the fundraising is achieved)

$5,000 from the Lions Club, Mooloolaba – who will be continuing to raise more money for the cause and have challenged other community groups to get behind it as well.

$2,000 from JPG Design Print

$1,000 each from Ray White Mountain Creek, Ray White Buderim, Century 21 Twin Waters, Reflected Image PRoductions, Ferguson Cannon Lawyers, Bendigo Bank Buderim and Greg Tindal from Macquarie Wealth.

$500 each from Hot FM and Zinc FM

$250 from State Member for Buderim, Steve Dickson.

Join these Sunshine Coast businesses and organisations in getting behind this important LOCAL Sunshine Coast              charity, helping people throughout the region to live well with cancer.

Just some of the donors to kick off the Target 300 fundraising campaign on Friday

The first ever Mapleton Quilt Exhibition will be held to celebrate the finale of The Festival of the Walks along with the Mapleton Community Market on Saturday 28^th and Sunday 29^th August.

This community-based exhibition will be held at the Mapleton Community Hall on Obi Obi Road in Mapleton on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and aims to raise funds for the Sunshine Coast Community Hospice and SCOPE.

Mapleton Quilt Exhibition Coordinator, Nerida Roberts said everyone was really excited about the exhibition and are hoping it would become an annual affair.

For only a gold coin entry fee, participants will go in the draw to win fabulous Lucky Door prizes and have the opportunity to view and purchase some of the Sunshine Coast’s finest quilts, which will be on display.

“It’s the perfect opportunity to organise a weekend getaway with your quilting or craft group.”

“The festival offers plenty of things to see and do and there are many activities happening along the Blackall Range from Maleny to Mapleton that weekend,” Nerida said.

The exhibition is sponsored by the Festival of Walks, and will be held between 10 to 4pm on Saturday and 10 to 3pm on Sunday.

Along with the diverse range of quilts on display, Devonshire teas will also be available provided by St Mary’s Church and an opportunity to donate to or purchase greeting cards to raise funds for the Jane McGrath Foundation. Raffle tickets will also be available to buy for your chance to win a beautiful quilt.

“It is going to be a great weekend, so make sure you come along and support us to ensure that this exhibition will continue for many years to come,” said Nerida.

To find out more information about what is happening in Mapleton that weekend, visit www.festivalofthewalks.com.au or www.mapletonmarket.net.au.

Bloomhill Cancer Help is launching its most ambitious fund raising task ever – so it can build a desperately needed extension to it’s centre to enable it to help more people with cancer and their families on the Susnhine Coast.

Target 300 – to be launched at midday on Friday 13^th August – aims to raise $300,000 by attracting the support of 300 Sunshine Coast businesses, clubs, organisations or individuals to donate $1000 each.  Smaller donations will of course also be accepted – every little bit will help this local charity support the local community.

Bloomhill Vice President and Target 300 Coordinator, Brett Graham, said that Bloomhill has needed an extension for more than a year so it can offer more services and cater for its constantly growing number of members.

Bloomhill offers support to those affected by cancer and their families throughout the Sunshine Coast region. Operated by a dedicated team of staff and hundreds of volunteers, Bloomhill provides a range of services and complimentary therapies including respite care, transport to appointments and counselling.

“Bloomhill doesn’t receive any ongoing government funding so we rely on the money received through our several Op Shops, donations, grants and fundraising activities, like Target 300, in order to continue providing our valuable services” Brett said.

“At the moment, the Bloomhill Centre is at maximum capacity with our treatment rooms booked for more than a month in advance.

“We now have over 800 members, a great deal more than last year, which is why we desperately need this extension,” Brett said.

If you would like to support this worthy cause and make a donation, simply visit www.target300.com.au and click on the link provided. All donations over $2 are tax deductible and are greatly appreciated.

To keep track of the Target 300 tally, visit www.target300.com.au or keep an eye on the local media for progress updates. Large Target 300 signs will also display the rising tally and can be found in all Bloomhill Op Shops and sponsoring businesses throughout the Sunshine Coast.