The Buderim Foundation will be celebrating this Sunday afternoon, bringing together Foundation Ambassadors, Buderim families, sponsors and friends to announce this year’s annual grant recipients.
Sunreef Mooloolaba’s 2016 Swim with Humpback season looking like best yet
Just one month into the 2016 Swim with Humpback Whales season and already it’s looking like it will be the best yet for Sunreef Mooloolaba who offer Australia’s first Swim with Whales Experience.
“So far this season, we have had more successful swims with the whales than ever before – it seems there are more whales and calves around for this time of the season – and they seem more curious as well,” Sunreef’s Dan Hart said.
Sunreef Mooloolaba to host second “Free HMAS Brisbane Dive Extravaganza”
Celebrating the ex-HMAS Brisbane 11th anniversary
Sunreef Mooloolaba is doing it again – following the success of last year’s ex-HMAS Brisbane anniversary, they are doing it again. To celebrate the 11th anniversary of the scuttling of what has become Australia’s best military shipwreck, scuba divers will dive for FREE.
Successful local author to share writing experience at SCLA Discussion Evening
The Sunshine Coast Literary Association will host its next discussion and presentation evening on Wednesday, 13 March with local author and guest speaker, James Lergessner.
This rescheduled event, which was to be held in February but was cancelled due to bad weather, will be held at the Buderim Mountain State School Conference Room, 8-42 Main Street, Buderim (opposite St Mark’s Church) from 6.30pm. Entry is free for members and $2 for non-members, payable on the night.
The evening will feature an author talk from Bribie Island writer James Lergessner, who will share details of his growing up in Brisbane in the 1950s, and his experiences since then. James’ recently published book Snippets from a Baby Boomer’s Diary is full of reminiscences that help the reader see who they once were, where they have been, and how the present is impacted on by the past.
James said he was keen to share his experiences with budding writers.
SCLA President, Kerri Jackson, said the discussion evening, as always, would be a stimulating and interesting night with inspiring company.
“The session is held in a relaxed environment and community members can join us for a cuppa, light refreshments and a chat,” Ms Jackson said.
Formed in 2005, the SCLA provides a pathway for the Sunshine Coast’s writers and enthusiasts to explore their interests, develop skills and share their work. It allows like-minded individuals to exchange ideas and seek advice to develop their abilities.
The association offers regular literary workshops, seminars and events, awards programs and monthly “Front Write Up” Writer’s Group evenings that provide an opportunity to showcase the talent of its members. The SCLA also promotes other state and national writing competitions that offer successful applicants great prizes and recognition.
The SCLA requests guests to RSVP for catering purposes via email info@scliterary.org. For more information on beginning your journey as a writer or to become a member of the SCLA, please visit www.scliterary.org.
Sunshine Coast Mayor and Queensland Minister go head-to-head
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson will face off against Queensland Environment Minister, Andrew Powell in an exciting cook-off showdown at the Real Food Festival on Saturday, 8 September.
‘The Mayor & The Minister’ Market Chef cooking challenge will take place at 10am in The Natural Foodstore Real Food Kitchen and will see Mayor Mark Jamieson put his culinary skills to the test against Queensland Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection, Andrew Powell.
Real Food Festival Director and organiser, Julie Shelton said the Market Chef cook-off was a great way to kick-off the two-day festival and foster some friendly competition.
“The cook-off is a bit of light-hearted fun but I’m sure the two competitors will be taking it a little more seriously,” Julie said.
Each will be given an assortment of ingredients and a recipe, and will be judged against several criteria to determine which team best replicated the dish.
The Market Chef cook-offs have long been a favourite event on the Sunshine Coast, with Peter Wolfe from Cedar Creek Farm Bushfoods running the programme at the Eumundi Markets during school terms.
Peter will also be running a school-based Market Chef competition at the Eumundi Markets Kids Arena on both days of the festival, which will see Maroochydore State High School vs Maleny State High School and Maleny Flexi-School vs United Synergies.
The Real Food Festival will be held at the Maleny Showgrounds, 13 Stanley River Road, Maleny on 8th – 9th September from 9am to 4pm daily and is a celebration of the local food industry, showcasing an abundance of freshly grown, local foods from Sunshine Coast producers, manufacturers and restaurants.
The festival is a weekend-long culinary adventure, featuring more than one hundred exhibitors and hosting a range of cooking demonstrations, kids activities, discussions and live local music. Entry is $12 for a one-day adult pass or $20 for both days. Children under 16 are free.
“The Real Food Festival is about authenticity and enjoying nourishing and delicious food that has been grown and prepared right here in our beautiful Sunshine Coast backyard,” Julie said.
For more information on the Real Food Festival, or to register your interest, visit the Festival website at www.realfoodfestival.com.au or email: celebrate@realfoodfestival.com.au
Gluten and grain free author encourages support of local food at festival
Sunshine Coast gluten and grain free guru and author, Tania Hubbard will be sharing her love of local food and gluten and grain free living at the Real Food Festival on 8th to 9th September.
The festival, to be held at the Maleny Showgrounds, 13 Stanley River Road, Maleny from 9am to 4pm daily is a celebration of the local food industry, showcasing an abundance of freshly grown, local foods from Sunshine Coast producers, manufacturers and restaurants.
Tania will be leading a discussion about how to easily integrate raw foods into a gluten and grain free diet in the Jeffers Market Wellness Space on Saturday, 8th at 11:30am. On Sunday, 9th from 11:30am Tania will be in the Natural Foodstore Real Food Kitchen creating one of her gluten free grain free recipes. Both sessions will be followed by a book signing in the Rosetta Books space at the festival.
Her cooking demonstration, called ‘Seeds of Change’, focuses on how a wide variety of seeds and nuts can be an easy, healthy and delicious feature in a gluten and grain free lifestyle.
“My presentation will look at the benefits of foods like chia and pumpkin seeds and how to prepare and integrate these ingredients into everyday foods,” Tania said.
“I will be demonstrating how to make cookies from scratch and also how to make a yummy tabouli using pumpkin seeds,” Tania said.
Tania, who was diagnosed with an intolerance to a protein found in grains several years ago, said her condition turned out to be a blessing in disguise, helping her realise her passion for food, which saw her develop her own gluten and grain free recipes and write and publish her own cookbook.
“My food isn’t just for Coeliacs and those with grain intolerance, it’s for everyone and anyone that wants to enjoy nutritious and wholesome cooking that tastes great,” Tania said.
“Using locally-grown, fresh and organic produce is the best way to create meals that are full of taste, texture and nutrition and I believe the Sunshine coast is home to some of the best locally-grown produce in Australia,” Tania said.
Tania’s cookbook, gluten free grain free – food we love, will be available for sale at the festival and is packed with over 150 pages of mouth-watering recipes, information about stocking a gluten and grain free pantry, label reading and much more.
“I will also be showcasing my delicious bake@home range of cakes, biscuits and bread premixes, designed to make it even easier to cook great-tasting, gluten and grain free foods in the comfort of your own kitchen.”
Tania will also join Cyndi O’Meara, Louise D’Allura and Lucy Walter for a panel discussion at 2.30pm on the Saturday to talk about ‘what is the right diet for me?’
The festival is a full weekend of fun and fantastic fare, featuring more than eighty exhibitors and hosting a range of cooking demonstrations, kids activities, farm animals, talks and live local music. Entry is $12 for a one-day adult pass or $20 for both days. Children under 16 are free.
For a complete list of stockists of gluten free grain free – food we love and the bake@home range, or to purchase online, visit www.glutenfreegrainfree.com.au.
Australia’s leading talent in modern Asian cuisine headlines Real Food Festival
One of Australia’s leading connoisseurs in contemporary Asian cuisine, Chef Martin Boetz will headline at this year’s Real Food Festival to celebrate and experience some of the best local produce in Queensland.
Martin is the Executive Chef of the renowned Longrain restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne and specialises in modern, Thai-inspired Asian foods. Drawing his inspiration from and using some of the finest produce from across the Sunshine Coast region, Martin will recreate one of his mouth-watering dishes that promises to tickle taste buds.
Martin said he was really excited to be visiting the Sunshine Coast and supporting a festival that celebrates quality food production in the local area.
“I am passionate about cooking with the freshest, local produce and ingredients and finding the perfect balance of flavours,” Martin said.
The Real Food Festival will be held at the Maleny Showgrounds, 13 Stanley River Road, Maleny on 8th – 9th September from 9am to 4pm daily and is a celebration of the local food industry, showcasing an abundance of freshly grown, local foods from Sunshine Coast producers, manufacturers and restaurants.
Martin will be hosting his cooking demonstration in The Natural Foodstore Real Food Kitchen at 2.30pm on Saturday, 8th September.
Born in Germany, Martin developed his enthusiasm for cooking at a young age and began his journey with food as an apprentice at Lennon’s Brisbane Hotel. Moving to Sydney in 1990, Martin went on to work at a number of Sydney restaurants and hotels where he realised his love and passion for Asian cuisine.
In 1999, Martin and his business partner, Sam Christie launched Longrain Restaurant and Bar in Sydneys’ Surry Hills followed by the Longrain Melbourne in 2005. With both restaurants continuing to receive rave reviews, Martin proceeded to release his first cookbook, Longrain Modern Thai Food and develop a range of Longrain Asian sauces called Longrain Produce for the aspiring home cook.
The festival is a weekend-long culinary adventure, featuring more than one hundred exhibitors and hosting a range of cooking demonstrations, kids activities, discussions and live local music. Entry is $12 for a one-day adult pass or $20 for both days. Children under 16 are free.
For more information on the Real Food Festival, or to register your interest, visit the Festival website at www.realfoodfestival.com.au or email celebrate@realfoodfestival.com.au.
Australian expert to feature at Wellington Gluten Free Food & Allergy Show
Finding foods that made her wake up happy changed Australian gluten and grain free cookbook author Tania Hubbard’s life, so she is sharing her experience at a special presentation at the Gluten Free Food & Allergy Show in Wellington on 25 – 26 August.
Tania Hubbard, author of cookbook gluten free grain free – food we love said the Gluten Free Food & Allergy Show was a great opportunity for thousands of New Zealanders with coeliac disease and gluten intolerance to come together and discover what’s ‘out there’.
The show will offer a wide variety of hypoallergenic and gluten free products and foods as well as featuring a number of free seminars and expert talks from some of New Zealand’s most notable industry professionals.
Tania Hubbard will be among the special guests, performing a cooking demonstration called ‘Seeds of Change’, which will focus on how seeds and nuts can be an easy, healthy and delicious feature in a gluten and grain free lifestyle.
“My presentation will look at the benefits of foods like chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and raw cacao nibs and how to prepare and integrate these ingredients info foods,” Tania said.
“I will also whip up my amazing chia, pumpkin, sunflower seed, cinnamon, fruit and almond muesli, using some of New Zealand’s finest local produce,” Tania said.
The Gluten Free Food & Allergy Show will be held from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, 25th and Sunday, 26th August at the TSB Bank Area in Wellington. Tickets to the event are $10 or $35 for a family pass; children under the age of ten are free.
Tania’s journey began several years ago when after suffering migraines, chronic fatigue and repeated bouts of pneumonia; she was diagnosed intolerant to the protein found in cereal grains.
“Since I was diagnosed, my life changed dramatically. I eliminated grains from my diet and all my symptoms disappeared,” Tania said.
“I was determined to continue enjoying food, despite my illness and restrictive diet, so I set to developing my own gluten and grain free recipes,” Tania said.
Tania’s condition turned out to be a blessing in disguise, helping her realise her talent and passion for food, which saw her go on to co-found the award-winning Husk & Honey Cafe with husband and business partner Eric, develop her own gluten and grain free bake@home range and write her own cookbook.
Tania’s cookbook, gluten free grain free – food we love, is packed with over 150 pages of mouth-watering recipes, information about stocking a gluten and grain free pantry, label reading and much more.
Tania said her cookbook aimed to provide delicious and easy recipes and also help people understand and enjoy gluten and grain free living.
“My food isn’t just for coeliacs and those with grain and gluten intolerance, it’s for everyone and anyone that wants to enjoy nutritious and wholesome cooking that tastes great,” Tania said.
“Food has turned my life around and I thoroughly enjoy helping others on their path to healthy eating,” Tania said.
For a complete list of stockists of gluten free grain free – food we love and the bake@home range, or to purchase online, visit www.glutenfreegrainfree.com.au.
For more information about the Gluten Free Food & Allergy expo, visit www.glutenallergy.co.nz.
Bloomhill celebrates grand opening of new Therapy Centre
Bloomhill Cancer Help entered an exciting new phase on Thursday, 2 August, celebrating the official grand opening of its new Therapy Centre.
To mark the special event, Bloomhill hosted a high tea at the new Centre, 58 Ballinger Road, Buderim at 2pm with special guest, The Federal Minister for Health, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP who played an important role in securing the grant money for the extension.
Bloomhill President, Jenny Carroll said the new Therapy Centre includes five new therapy rooms, state-of the art kitchen, additional office space and a beautiful, big recreation room.
“The new space is absolutely amazing. Our staff and clients are truly lucky to have access to such an amazing facility,” Jenny said.
“The opening event was a great opportunity to thank all those who helped Bloomhill through the grant and renovation process.” Jenny said.
In June 2011, Bloomhill received a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Australia to support the health needs of regional communities thanks to the support received from the Federal Minister for Health, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP.
Bloomhill President, Jenny Carroll said the new Therapy Centre means people diagnosed with cancer and their families from across the Sunshine Coast region will have better access to services and support.
“Bloomhill services more than 900 clients and we are constantly growing in numbers,” Jenny said.
“It is a truly unique service, focusing on the quality of life and walking clients through every stage of the disease,” Jenny 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.
Image (left to right): Queensland Senator Claire Moore; Bloomhill President, Jenny Carroll; Federal Minister for Health, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP; Bloomhill Patron, Raelene Boyle and Bloomhill’s General Manager, Mervat Thompson.
Go the distance for cancer support on the Coast
The annual Bloomhill Cancer Help Support Walk is on again in an effort to raise much-needed funds for cancer support on the Sunshine Coast.
For the third consecutive year, Bloomhill is calling for all Sunshine Coast residents to get involved in the 5km journey and to dress in Bloomhill blue.
This year, the walk will be held on Sunday, 5 August and starts at the Kawana Surf Lifesaving Club, winding its way to LaBalsa Park on Harbour Parade and back to the Surf Club, where a free sausage sizzle will await to revive participants.
Bloomhill President, Jenny Carroll said the walk was a fun and healthy way to spend your Sunday morning whilst supporting a worthy cause at the same time.
“This year we want to encourage a little friendly competition by getting teams involved, whether it be a sporting team, family group or even a bunch of work colleagues,” Jenny said.
There will be prizes for the best-dressed individual and team and all the money received from registrations, 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 is truly unique and we are so lucky to have a service like this on the Sunshine Coast,” Jenny said.
“Every family has been touched by cancer in some way, and the Walk is a great way for people to help others with cancer on the Coast who need our support,” 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 other practical help.
Registrations and donations begin from 8.30am with the walk starting promptly at 9am. A donation of $10 per person or $25 for a family of four is requested to participate in the walk.
Registration forms are available at any Bloomhill Op Shop, the Bloomhill Centre in Buderim, National Australia Bank (NAB) Kawana Branch or at the event.
“No matter what fitness level you are, come walking, running or jogging, anyone or everyone can join in,” Jenny said.
For more information or to participate in the walk, please call 07 5445 5794 or visit the Bloomhill Cancer Help at 58 Ballinger Road.
