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Buderim FoundationThompson Fund Donation

Vital food relief for Coast families through Christmas & beyond

Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund grant to provide vital food relief for Coast families through Christmas & beyond

The Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund is pleased to announce a new $101,500 grant to Gateway Care to provide vital food vouchers for vulnerable people through the festive season and into 2024.

Buderim Foundation Chair Rod McKinnon said Gateway Care Limited is a not-for-profit organisation providing food, clothing and essential goods for Centrelink registered clients through their Food Distribution Centre at Caloundra.

“Cost-of-living and inflation are creating more challenges for everyone, and those most affected are the most vulnerable in our community so the Buderim Foundation is pleased to be able to work with organisations providing real relief for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness,” Rod McKinnon said.

Gateway Care Chair Lani Refiti said the Gateway Care Food Centre is a non-denominational community organisation run entirely by volunteers.

“We currently spend approximately $15,000 per week on food items, ensuring that families in need have access to vital nourishment, and over 50% of these purchases are freely delivered to Sunshine Coast families experiencing financial difficulties.

Mr Refiti said Gateway Care supports approximately 300 welfare recipient families daily, with approximately 20% of them facing severe financial crisis.

“With the lead in to Christmas, there are even more pressures on families so we are very grateful to the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund for this new grant to help us support more families, not just during the festive season but beyond.

“The assistance we provide is often the difference between survival and despair for these vulnerable families, and this grant will enable us to support the growing number of families during the current cost of living crisis” Mr Refiti said.

The Buderim Foundation has been the Trustee for the Thompson Charitable Fund since April 2021. Over the past two years, a rolling grants program to multiple grant recipients has provided over $610,000 to support people experiencing homelessness and financial distress on the Sunshine Coast.

The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation which harnesses the power of giving by generating income from donations and bequests and providing grants for worthwhile community projects. In addition to the Thompson Charitable Fund, the Buderim Foundation runs a separate community grants program supporting projects benefiting the local Buderim area.


To find out more about the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund visit buderimfoundation.org.au/grants/the-buderim-foundation-thompson-fund/. For more information about Gateway Care Food Centre, visit gatewaycare.org.au and for more information about the Buderim Foundation visit buderimfoundation.org.au


Written by: Michelle Smytheman – michelle@reflectedimage.com.au
Photo by: Ross Eason

David Wood, Ian and Leanne Harrison, Kent and Dessi Roberts, Rod McKinnon copy

$50,000 grant to Aus Living Support assisting 200 vulnerable Coast families

Aus Living Support to assist 200 vulnerable Coast families thanks to $50,000 grant from the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund

The Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund is pleased to announce a new $50,000 grant to Aus Living Support Ltd to assist vulnerable Sunshine Coast residents find more permanent housing.

Buderim Foundation Chair Rod McKinnon said Aus Living Support Ltd is a Sunshine Coast charity supporting the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless by helping with rent relief.

“Housing affordability and the cost-of-living are issues affecting more and more people in our community and the Buderim Foundation is pleased to be able to work with organisations providing real relief for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness,” Rod McKinnon said.

Aus Living Support Ltd CEO Ian Harrison said the $50,000 grant would assist 200 families on the Sunshine Coast over about a year.

Mr Harrison said Aus Living Support started in 2019 and operated two Op Shops – in Maroochydore and Nambour – with the funds raised together with grants providing a rental supplement scheme.

“We provide up to $200 a week of rental or mortgage support for families for an initial period of up to three months,” Mr Harrison said.

He said clients were often single mothers, some reestablishing themselves and their children after escaping domestic violence, often away from the support of families and friends, who were facing multiple challenges.

“This rental support gives our clients a chance to breathe, regroup and gain the courage to face the challenges so they can again support themselves and their children.

Mr Harrison said through the applications received by Aus Living, they could see that the average rent for a small home on the Sunshine Coast had increased to about $700 a week.

“This means that for those surviving on government support and a casual job, often there just isn’t enough money to cover housing as well as food, and other living expenses, and without a stable place to live, everything else just becomes almost impossible.

“Our program is designed to provide relief from that pressure, so our clients can work with our partner organisations to get back on their feet.

“We are so grateful for the support of the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund. This is the second grant we have received, and it makes a real difference to us and allows us to support more families in need as they face the next steps to rebuilding their lives.”

The Buderim Foundation has been the Trustee for the Thompson Charitable Fund since April 2021. Over the past two years, a rolling grants program to multiple grant recipients has provided over $510,000 to support people experiencing homelessness and financial distress on the Sunshine Coast.


The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation which harnesses the power of giving by generating income from donations and bequests and providing grants for worthwhile community projects. In addition to the Thompson Charitable Fund, the Buderim Foundation runs a separate community grants program supporting projects benefiting the local Buderim area.

To find out more about the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund visit buderimfoundation.org.au/grants/the-buderim-foundation-thompson-fund/. For more information, about Aus Living Support Ltd, visit auslivingsupport.org.au/ and for more information about the Buderim Foundation visit buderimfoundation.org.au.

Written by: Michelle Smytheman michelle@reflectedimage.com.au

Buderim Foundation 2023 grants

Assistance for our youngest to oldest residents in 2023 Buderim Foundation Community Grants

The special Grants Celebration was held on Sunday 10th September at the Buderim War Memorial Hall.

More than $97,000 were awarded to community organisations benefiting the residents of the Buderim and 4556 region as part of the Buderim Foundation’s annual Community Grants Celebration.

Funds were awarded to 21 community organisations for projects ranging from kindergarten shade sails, the development of Dementia Awareness and Education programs and resources for cancer and palliative care patients as well as mental health programs, assistance to purchase new vehicles for nursing and animal rescue and more.

Buderim Foundation Grants Committee Chair, Rebecca Ramsay said the Foundation was delighted to provide a record funding amount this year, for support to community organisations supporting the 4556 postcode area.

“The grants come from earnings made from the Foundation’s investment funds, so it is thanks to everyone’s donations and the hard work of our Investment Committee, that we are able to deliver the much-needed funding,” Rebecca said.

“This year, we awarded 21 Community Grants with a total value of $97,942.”

“The Buderim Foundation concept is simple and has three key components. Money in, where donations and bequests are received, money managed, where these funds are carefully invested and then money out, with the income from the investments distributed as grants to organisations supporting the 4556 community,” Rebecca said.

This year is the 16th year grants have been distributed. Since 2008, a total of $829,767 has been distributed to 97 community organisations supporting the 4556 postcode area.

“These grants will make a big difference to the lives of many in our community, enabling the purchase of much-needed, and in some cases, life-saving equipment; and financing vital infrastructure and vehicles.”

See full list of Buderim Foundation Community Grant recipients at the bottom of this article.

The Buderim Foundation Grants Program is open to not-for-profit community-based organisations that provide services and support for residents in the 4556 postcode area and often beyond.

This year community groups have been under additional pressure because of the current economic conditions including high inflation. Grants like these from the Buderim Foundation will allow them to continue their operations and services to our community.

Grants are awarded to projects relating to eight areas of interest including those which seek to strengthen the fabric of the community, help residents live healthy and fulfilling lives and protect and preserve our natural environment. The Buderim Foundation considers the Community Grants Celebration, one of the most important days on the Foundation’s calendar.

The Community Grants announced follow on from grants from the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund of $184,300 so far this year. These grants, to support people in need throughout the Sunshine Coast, were made to Gateway Care, Lily House and SunnyKids. Since 2021, the total distributed from this fund is $468,872, which has been provided to nine Sunshine Coast community organisations.

FULL LIST OF 2023 BUDERIM FOUNDATION COMMUNITY GRANT RECIPIENTS: (in alphabetical order)
Buderim Community Kindergarten and Preschool Ass Inc – for shade sails to cover the swing area – $4,462
Buderim Craft Cottage Assoc Inc – for a St Johns Ambulance G5 Defibrillator – $2,655
Buderim Dementia Alliance – for printed and electronic fact and help sheets to promote dementia awareness and education – $3,180
Buderim Horse and Pony Club Inc – for a new mower to maintain grounds – $3,500
Buderim Men’s Shed – for lead lighting equipment – $1,974
Buderim Ware Memorial Community Assoc Inc (BWMCA) – for the upgrade of sound systems at the Buderim War Memorial Hall for all community users – $10,000
Cancer Patients Foundation – for their Look Good Feel Better program – $7,000
Cittamani Hospice Service – towards a replacement Specialist Nurse vehicle – $10,000
Headland Buderim Croquet Club – for a RM33 Chilled Water Bubbler – $1,676
Kanyini Connections Ltd (Hoofbeats Sanctuary) – for program equipment and materials for 2023-2024 – $1,037
LifeFlight Foundation – for new safety equipment to support LifeFlight rescue helicopter crew – $4,645
Magnolia Health – for the Buderim Walk for Endo (Endometriosis) – $3,036
Maroochydore SES Support Assoc Inc – for equipment to support members during activations – $3,879
Mountain Creek Junior Australian Football Club – for a line marking machine – $2,200
SLSQ Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter – for Alpha Aircrew Helmets – $5,098
Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge Society – towards a new SCARS Animal Transport and Rescue vehicle – $10,000
Sunshine Coast Art Group – for expanding creative spaces with Native Landscaping – $1,621
Sunshine Coast Riding for the Disabled RDA Inc – for a shade shed for weather protection of participants during SCRDA programs – $8,367
The Compass Institute – for Honey Bees at Compass Farm – $4,000
University of the Sunshine Coast Athletics Club – for shade marquees for USCAC Athletes – $4,363
Wishlist – Sunshine Coast Health Foundation – for equipment support for the Multidisciplinary Continence Service for Children – $5,239

Sunnykids Buderim Foundation

$65,800 grant to support vulnerable Sunshine Coast families

The Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund provides a $65,800 grant to support vulnerable Sunshine Coast families

The Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund is proud to provide a $65,800 grant to SunnyKids to help provide support for vulnerable Sunshine Coast families.

Buderim Foundation chair Rod McKinnon said SunnyKids provides vital support for Sunshine Coast families in need of a helping hand on the Sunshine Coast.

“The Buderim Foundation’s Thompson Charitable Fund is proud to support SunnyKids and the work they do in providing emergency food, accommodation and other support,” Rod McKinnon said.

SunnyKids CEO Kathleen Hope said SunnyKids provides connections and support for vulnerable Sunshine Coast families focusing on providing complex case management, including long-term capacity-building and emotional support.

“We seek to assist families and individuals in some of the worst situations imaginable. Families arrive at SunnyKids hoping to access clothing, medicine, food or things like car registration which in turn allows them to focus less on transportation and more time on other vital family needs like getting the kids to school, doctors’ appointments, and getting to and from work,” Ms Hope said.

“This grant from the Buderim Foundation’s Thompson Charitable Fund is fantastic and will allow us to provide more immediate relief to alleviate economic and housing stresses experienced by our clients.

“Last year, SunnyKids experienced more requests for support than ever before. We were able to help almost 2500 vulnerable individuals within families.

“Unfortunately, our waiting list continues to grow. These funds allow us to provide support to even more families in our pursuit to end hardship right here on the Sunshine Coast,” Ms Hope said.

The Buderim Foundation has been the Trustee for the Thompson Charitable Fund since April 2021. Over the past two years, a rolling grants program has provided over $460,000 to support people experiencing homelessness and financial distress on the Sunshine Coast.

The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation which harnesses the power of giving by generating income from donations and bequests and providing grants for worthwhile community projects. In addition to the Thompson Charitable Fund, the Buderim Foundation runs a separate community grants program supporting projects benefiting the local Buderim area.

To find out more about the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund visit buderimfoundation.org.au/grants/the-buderim-foundation-thompson-fund/.
For more information, about SunnyKids, visit sunnykids.org.au/

Written by Michelle Smytheman E:michelle@reflectedimage.com.au

Buderim FoundationThompson Fund Gateway Care Grant

Thompson Charitable Fund provides $100,000 grant for vital food relief for Coast families in crisis

The Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund is proud to provide a $100,000 grant to Gateway Care Food Centre to support their Food Rescue Program.

Buderim Foundation chair Rod McKinnon said Gateway Care Food Centre plays a vital role in providing emergency food relief to families in crisis and those experiencing financial hardship on the Sunshine Coast.

“The Buderim Foundation’s Thompson Charitable Fund is proud to support the Gateway Care Food Centre and their Food Rescue Program,” Rod McKinnon said.

Gateway Care Chair Lani Refiti said the Gateway Care Food Centre is a non-denominational community organisation run entirely by volunteers.

“It currently spends approximately $15,000 per week on food items, ensuring that families in need have access to vital nourishment, and over 50% of these purchases are freely delivered to Sunshine Coast families experiencing financial difficulties.

“Currently, Gateway Care supports approximately 300 welfare recipient families daily, with approximately 20% of them facing severe financial crisis.

“The assistance we provide is often the difference between survival and despair for these vulnerable families, and this grant will enable us to support the growing number of families during the current cost of living crisis” Mr Refiti said.

Gateway clients find the service a huge support. One member, Sharon, who has been going to Gateway for over 10 years, said it was vital.

“When I first became a member, I was experiencing some big emotional and life trauma. I had two young children and no income. Life was challenging. It was nice to have somewhere to come that made me feel ok. If it wasn’t for Gateway, I don’t know how I would have been able to feed my children,” Sharon said.

Mr McKinnon said the grant to Gateway Care represents the type of assistance that the Thompson Charitable Fund seeks to provide to people facing financial hardship and in dire need throughout the Sunshine Coast Region.

The Buderim Foundation has been the Trustee for the Thompson Charitable Fund since April 2021. Over the past two years, a rolling grants program has provided $246,950 to nine organisations to support people experiencing homelessness and financial distress on the Sunshine Coast.

The $100,000 grant will include two payments of $50,000, each across a three-month period. The first payment has already been provided and is already making a difference.

The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation which harnesses the power of giving by generating income from donations and bequests and providing grants for worthwhile community projects. In addition to the Thompson Charitable Fund, the Buderim Foundation runs a separate community grants program supporting projects benefiting the local Buderim area.

To find out more about the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund visit:
buderimfoundation.org.au/grants/the-buderim-foundation-thompson-fund/

For more information about Gateway Care Food Centre, visit:
gatewaycare.org.au

Grants of up to $10,000 available to local community organisations

Grants of up to $10,000 available to local community organisations thanks to Buderim Foundation.

The Buderim Foundation is opening applications for its annual Community Grants Program for 2023, with grants of up to $10,000 available for local organisations with initiatives that make a positive impact on the local Buderim community.

Applications open on Monday, 8th May to organisations serving the local 4556 community, and eligible applicants will need to apply online before Sunday 25th June.

Buderim Foundation Grants Committee chair Rebecca Ramsay said the application process was easily completed online and successful applicants will be announced at the Foundation’s 2023 annual Community Grants Celebration on Sunday 10th September.

“The projects need to directly benefit residents within the 4556-postcode area with a diverse range of areas of interest from protecting our natural environment to supporting youth in our community,” Mrs Ramsay said.

“Each year the program attracts a lot of interest. Last year, $60,000 in grants were awarded to 14 local organisations, taking the total amount distributed over 15 years to over $731,825.”

Mrs Ramsay said it was only through the continued generous support of donors that the Foundation was able to invest money, to generate returns that could be re-invested in the community each year through local organisations.

“By investing in organisations serving the Buderim and 4556 community, we strive to support, and encourage positive initiatives that include assisting people to live healthy and fulfilling lives, encouraging cultural endeavours, increasing learning opportunities, protecting and preserving our natural environment and supporting youth in our community.”

The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation which harnesses the power of giving by generating income from donations and bequests and providing grants for worthwhile community projects.

To find out more and apply for this year’s Grants Program visit:
www.buderimfoundation.org.au/grants/buderim-foundation-community-grants/
to see if your organisation is eligible and to download the Grant Application Guide. Grant applications need to be submitted online by Monday 19th June.

Written by Michelle Smytheman – michelle@reflectedimage.com.au

EVENT-BANNER-DIVER

Deep Sea Adventure Diver to speak at Buderim Foundation breakfast

Deep sea diver and adventurer Scott Foote will be the special guest speaker at the next Buderim Foundation breakfast on Wednesday 29th March.

Mr Foote has lived a life of adventure, having travelled to over 74 countries throughout his life and will share just some of his extraordinary experiences.

Born in Mitchell before moving to Brisbane, Scott set off overseas with a backpack, aged 24, for 6 months and was gone for 21 years.

For 16 years, he worked in a very hostile environment as a Saturation Diver, living in a hyperbaric chamber for 28 days at a time, in seas and oceans around the world.

Buderim Foundation chair Rod McKinnon said Mr Foote’s presentation would give the audience a look beneath the oceans’ surface.

“Even recreational divers will be amazed by some of the environments that Scott has worked in and what he has done during his career,” Mr McKinnon said.

Mr McKinnon said following from the Foundation’s sell-out Drovers Evening with Roger Steele, the Deep-Sea Diver Breakfast with Scott Foote was already attracting lots of bookings.

“Like the Drovers Evening, we expect the breakfast to sell out, so we encourage everyone to book early.”

Mr Foote will focus his presentation on his life as a professional deep sea diver in the North Sea oil fields, as well as the salvage of ships, helicopters and body recovery off the west coast of Africa and India.

Scott will also bring along items he salvaged from a vessel which was sunk by the Germans during WW1, off the south coast of Ireland.

“The photos are incredible, so everyone is sure to be amazed and we expect a lively question and answer session,” Mr McKinnon said.

The Buderim Foundation Deep Sea Diver Breakfast with Scott Foote will be held at Headland Golf Club on Wednesday 29th March at 7am.

Tickets are $40 per person and include a full hot breakfast, as well as fresh seasonal fruit cups with Greek yoghurt, assorted Danish pastries, orange juice, tea and coffee. Tickets are limited and expected to sell out.

To purchase tickets, visit https://www.buderimfoundation.org.au/events/
or email Susi Du Toit at info@buderimfoundation.org.au.

The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation that aims to enrich and enhance the quality of life for people who live in the Buderim area. The Buderim Foundation also manages the Thompson Charitable Fund, which aims to support people in need throughout the Sunshine Coast.

Written by Michelle Smytheman – 0408 401 198 or michelle@reflectedimage.com.au

Drovers Evening a huge success

The Buderim Foundation Drovers Evening with special guest former NT government minister and Aussie drover Roger Steel was a huge success with a sell out crowd of 200 guests.

Honourable Roger Steele, OAM, shared fascinating tales of his droving days in the Northern Territory and Queensland. He started work at Humbert River Station as a 13 year old and spent 17 years in the cattle industry in various jobs, from ringer, camp cook, stockman and station manager.

He shared tales of the challenges of mustering sometimes thousands of cattle through harsh terrain, dealing with a cattle rush, the role of horses and the value of Aboriginal stockmen. He went on to manage a life insurance company, to represent Territorians as a member of the NT Parliament, to manage the NT Expo in Brisbane and to take on the role of CEO of the Stockmans’ Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre in Longreach, and said he considered his time in the outback as the most memorable and fulfilling of his life.

Guests served “outback” style food such as pies, pickled onions, gherkins, cheeses, damper and cake.
The stage set up as an outback station, with hay bales, campfire, gum leaves, saddle, jeans, RM Williams boots, whip and drizabone.

There were two Stockman’s Bars sold beer, wine, rum and whiskey and raffles included a first prize of a piece of wagyu beef.

 

[gallery size="medium" link="file" ids="13544,13547,13546,13548,13549,13550,13551,13552,13553,13554,13555,13545"]

 

Special event in Buderim

Aussie outback icon to speak at special Buderim Foundation evening

An original Aussie drover Roger Steele will be telling stories from his extraordinary years in the outback at a special Buderim Foundation evening on Friday 3rd February.

Mr Steele, who began work as a 13-year-old on a Northern Territory cattle property and spent 17-years in the pastoral outback working his way up from ringer, drover, camp cook, and head stockman to station manager before becoming a Northern Territory Government Minister and Assistant Commissioner for World Expo ’88, has had an incredible life.

Buderim Foundation chair Rod McKinnon said it was not a surprise that with such an interesting working life, Roger has some incredible tales to tell.

“Whether outback life is completely different to your own experience or whether you have some fond memories of your own, Roger will paint a picture of outback life including the challenges of droving cattle for thousands of kilometres in often hazardous conditions, so we can’t wait for our Drover’s evening,” Rod McKinnon said.

Roger was sent outback six weeks after his 13th birthday in 1952 to start work at Humbert River Station in the Northern Territory. He was taught to ride and, not long after, joined the Humbert team on a four-week droving trip to the Wyndham meat works in Western Australia… a journey he repeated in 1954 and 1955.

That was the start of 17 years of working on vast properties and experiencing many outback challenges including drought, a period be believes was the most memorable and fulfilling period of his life.

In 1974 Roger joined the Country Liberal Party, became the member for Ludmilla in Darwin and from 1978 until 1983, he was a Minister in the NT Government. In 1988 he became the NT Assistant Commissioner of World Expo ‘88 and in 1989 he became the Chief Executive of the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame which gave him the opportunity to highlight the importance of women in the outback and the contribution of Aboriginal pastoral workers. Roger Steele was also awarded the Order of Australia in January 2020.

The Buderim Foundation Drover’s Evening with Roger Steele will be held at the Buderim War Memorial Hall on Friday 3rd February 2023, with arrivals from 4.30pm for a 5pm start, with tickets available for $30 per person including ‘outback nibbles’ as well as music from local Ken O’Flaherty. There will also be a cash/EFTPOS bar available on the night. Tickets are limited and expected to sell out. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.buderimfoundation.org.au/events/ or email Susi Du Toit at info@buderimfoundation.org.au or phone 0474 220 895.

Profits, after Foundation administration costs are covered, will be transferred to the Buderim Foundation Open Trust where the income earned is distributed annually as community grants.

The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation that aims to enrich and enhance the quality of life for people who live in the Buderim area. The Buderim Foundation also manages the Thompson Fund, which aims to support people in need throughout the Sunshine Coast.

Written by: Michelle Smytheman. 0408 401 198 or michelle@reflectedimage.com.au