Buderim Foundation will soon be opening their 2021 Grants Programs for applications, with up to $10,000 each available to community organisations serving the local 4556 community.

Applications open on Monday 7th June, and eligible applicants will need to apply online before 11thJuly. Successful applicants will be announced at the Foundation’s 2021 annual community grants celebration on Sunday 12th September.

This year grants can be used for projects, or organisational operational costs, that directly benefit residents within the 4556 postcode area.
The Buderim Foundations Grant application program attracted a lot of interest last year, and $85,022 in grants was awarded to 20 local organisations, taking the total amount distributed over 13 years to almost $629,000. The projects that were awarded grants last year included:
• Beulah Community – $2,200 for tracks and statue in Buderim Forest Nature Refuge
• Bloomhill Cancer Care – $7,991 for Family Cancer Care and Play Therapy Program
• Buderim Billiards & Snooker Club – $1,000 for refurbishment and furniture
• Buderim Craft Cottage Association Inc. – $5,000 for fire-door ramp and shed
• Buderim Dementia Alliance – $3,000 for Information Brochure
• Buderim Horse and Pony Club Inc – $1,365 for new signs and tools to maintain the site
• Buderim Lions Club – $3,073 for refrigerator and defibrillator
• Buderim Male Choir – $2,500 for music storage upgrade
• Buderim Men’s Shed – $2,360 for cooling fans for kitchen break out area
• Buderim Mountain State School P&C – $10,000 for new musical instruments
• Buderim Scout Group – $10,000 for repairs and maintenance to the den
• Buderim Wanderers Football Club Inc – $5,041 for canteen plant and equipment
• Chancellor State College P&C Association – $548 for Pace for Pediatrics Program
• Compass Inc – $7,000 for Bullying Prevention Program
• Eric Joseph Foote War Memorial Sanctuary Assoc. – $749 for replacement line trimmer
• 4 Paws Animal Rescue Inc. – $2,200 for fencing to create a dog rehabilitation & exercise area
• LifeFlight Foundation – $9,060 for Project Renovation Rescue
• Maroochydore SES – $2,534 for enhanced first aid training for local SES volunteers
• Sunshine Coast Hockey Association – $3,035 for safe seating
• Sunshine Coast Riding for the Disabled RDA Inc. – $6,363 for Solar System Project

Foundation Grants Committee chair, Rebecca Ramsay said it was only through the 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 11thJuly.

The Buderim Foundation is providing $32,000 worth of $50 vouchers to support local families who need assistance with school expenses like clothing, shoes and stationery.

As part of the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) Back to School Program 2021, this year’s record amount will help up to 640 students attending Buderim Mountain State School, Chancellor State Primary and State College, Kuluin State School, Mountain Creek State Primary and High School or receiving assistance from Sunny Kids.

Buderim Foundation Director Rebecca Ramsay said this year the funds included an allocation from the FRRR of $20,000 to the Buderim Foundation. Further donations of $1,500 from Buderim Lions Club, $1,000 each from Buderim Rotary Club and the BWMCA and $2,500 from the Buderim Foundation were then matched dollar-for-dollar by the FRRR, totalling $12,000.

“This is the 17th year Buderim Foundation together with our local supporters have been involved in the FRRR Back to School Program and we are very grateful for the generous financial support of everyone involved,” Rebecca said.

Mountain Creek State School Chaplain Anthony Pulford said every year, when handing out the vouchers to struggling families, many of them become so overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of the FRRR Program and are reduced to tears.

“Thank you so much to all those who have contributed to the program. Additional funding has resulted in extending to Mountain Creek High School and they too are so excited to be able to use these vouchers to help families at their school,” Mr Pulford said.

Rotary Club of Buderim President Ros Cheales said that Rotary supports youth development, and this initiative creates an opportunity for young people to access the learning resources that they need to succeed in their schooling.

“The Club also sees the benefit in combining funds through partnering with other community groups to make a difference in people’s lives,” Mr Cheales said.

Buderim Lions President Brian McBride said Buderim Lions has been supporting our local schools for many years through their Walk to School Program and the Chancellor College Leo Club.

“Our Club is well aware of the difficulties many families are facing at present and we welcome the opportunity to co-operate with other likeminded organisations in providing vouchers to help ease the burden and to show that we are part of a community that cares,” Mr McBride said.

Chancellor State College Principal Victoria Ansety said there are so many families in our community who are adversely affected by the events of 2020 and sadly there seems little respite.

“Our wonderful Student Services Team work tirelessly to support our families struggling to deal with the financial and emotional impact as a result of COVID-19 and in fact, beyond that. The FRRR Back to School Program supports our ongoing work to prepare students to embrace the beginning of the new school year – ready and equipped to learn,” Ms Ansety said.

With contributions from the Buderim Foundation, the Buderim Lions and Rotary Clubs and the BWMCA along with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, the Back to School Program is a great example of how Buderim-based community organisations can work together to achieve results. In the past 17 years $197,950 worth of vouchers have been distributed.

The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation that aims to enrich and enhance the quality of life for everyone who lives in the Buderim area.

The Foundation works by carefully investing all donations from individuals, families and businesses, and any income from these investments is then redistributed back to the community via an annual grant program open to not-for-profit community organisations that provide a service and support to residents in the 4556 postcode area.

“Our donors love that their donations and bequests made to the Foundation directly impact the community we live in,” Ms Ramsay said.

Within the Buderim Foundation’s growing family of donors, Ambassadors and volunteers, there are literally countless stories of generous giving, whether it be time, talent or treasure… or in many cases, a combination of all three. Since the Foundation’s launch in 2004, it is these many individual stories that collectively add up to an immensely powerful big story of success we can all be proud of.

One of these is a standout and deserves celebrating. Well known in the community as the face of Buderim Pharmacy, Alistair and Santina Cook, along with their pharmacy partners at the time, made a bold decision to get behind the Buderim Foundation as inaugural sponsors when it was in its infancy 15 years ago. Alistair and Santina have been committed supporters ever since. Indeed, the cumulative contribution through the years puts them in a very special gold standard category!

“There’s no question that this long-term sponsorship has been a major contributing factor to the organisation’s growth and success,” Foundation Chair Prof. Russell Stitz said.
“In these days of constant changes, especially in the world of business, I wonder if in fact, it might be a Sunshine Coast record for major continuous sponsorship of one organisation? And what better sponsor partner to have on board than Buderim Pharmacy.”

Alistair was happy to go on record in those early years saying that both he and Santina believed strongly in the Foundation concept, especially since their sponsorship would help to pay the running costs and be central to the Foundation’s rare ability to proudly claim that all administration and operational expenses are wholly covered by the sponsors’ contributions without the need to draw on any of the donor income.

Alistair also said back then that as proprietors of one of Buderim’s most enduring family businesses, they placed great value in the deep and lasting relationship they wanted to build with the Foundation, and they were certain about the great satisfaction they would get from watching it grow. “Pleasingly, these views have only been reinforced with the passage of time,” Alistair Cook said today.

While well known for its outstanding performance in this community, many locals may be unaware of just how highly regarded Buderim Pharmacy is at a national level. This has come about largely due to the pharmacy’s acknowledged track record for innovation in professional services that extend well beyond the conventional pharmacy business model. It includes proactive community outreach, high value health education, monitoring and counselling programs and case by case pro bono assistance for at risk and disadvantaged groups, all fine-tuned to exceptional quality standards.

Two other highly regarded businesses round out the Foundation’s ongoing and effective sponsor support program. They are EdenLea on Buderim (11 years) and Sunshine Toyota (5 years). “This three-sponsor policy has been in place for many years now and like all partnerships of this kind, it has yielded significant benefits for both the businesses involved and for the organisation,” Prof. Stitz said.

“For the sponsors it means stronger recognition of the support provided than would be the case if more sponsors were involved. It also means each sponsor can proudly say that because of the Foundation’s grant distribution role, they are indirectly supporting the whole Buderim community by supporting the Buderim Foundation in this way. And for the Foundation, it challenges us to keep a tight rein on our operating and administration costs. Of course, our army of wonderful volunteers helps massively in this regard. It also allows us to be more creative, clearer and efficient as we strive to recognise and promote these worthy supporters,” Prof. Stitz added.

Alistair and Santina have become a very big part of the Foundation family. They are on hand each year to help hand out annual grants. They attend Foundation events and of course, they promote the value of the Foundation to our community via their vast personal and business network. There is no doubting that the Cook family are true philanthropists, and the Foundation is a better organisation because of their outstanding support over so many years.

The Buderim Foundation awarded a record amount of $85,022 that was shared by 20 community-based organisations, as part of its biggest ever Community Grants Celebration.

 Buderim Foundation Grants Committee Chair, Rebecca Ramsay said the Foundation was delighted to once again provide a record level of grants to community organisations supporting the 4556 postcode area, especially in this very challenging year.
“The grants come from earnings made from the Foundation’s investment fund, 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.

The special COVIDSafe Grants Celebration was held on Sunday 13th September at the Buderim War Memorial Hall.
“The Buderim Foundation concept is special 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.
“And we are proud to say that donations are not used to cover administration costs as they are all covered by our valued sponsors – Buderim Pharmacy, EdenLea on Buderim and Sunshine Toyota, as well as some special fundraising events.”

This year is the 13th year grants have been distributed.
Since 2008, a total of $636,942 has been distributed to 82 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 upgrades to infrastructure.”

This year’s grants include $10,000 to Buderim State School P&C for new musical instruments; $10,000 to the Buderim Scout Group for repairs and maintenance of their Den; $9,060 to LifeFlight Foundation for their Project Renovation Rescue program and $7,991 to Bloomhill Cancer Care for their Cancer Care & Play Therapy program.
A full list of recipients is below
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.
This year community groups have been under additional pressure as they have been unable to run their regular fundraising events due to COVID restrictions. 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 the most important day on the Foundation’s calendar.

2020 BUDERIM FOUNDATION COMMUNITY GRANT RECIPIENTS:
4 Paws Animal Rescue – $2,200 for fencing to create a dog rehabilitation and exercise area
Beulah Community – $2,200 for Buderim Forest Nature Refuge tracks and statue
Buderim Billiards & Snooker Club – $1,000 for refurbishment of furniture
Bloomhill Cancer Care – $7,991.44 for the Cancer Care & Play Therapy Program
Buderim Craft Cottage – $5,000 for upgrade and extension of a fire door ramp & shed
Buderim Dementia Alliance – $3,000 for a Dementia information brochure
Buderim Horse & Pony Club – $1,365 for new signs and tools to maintain facilities
Buderim Lions Club – $3,073 for a defibrillator and refrigerator
Buderim Male Choir – $2,500 for upgrade of their music storage system
Buderim Men’s Shed – $2,360 for cooling fans for kitchen break area
Buderim Mountain State School P&C – $10,000 for new musical instruments
Buderim Scout Group – $10,000 for repairs and maintenance to the Den
Buderim Wanderers Football Club – $5,041.82 for canteen plant and equipment
Chancellor State College P&C – $548 for their Pace for Paediatrics’ program
Compass Inc – $7,000 for their Bullying Prevention Program
Eric Joseph Foote War Memorial Sanctuary Association – $749 for a new line trimmer
LifeFlight Foundation – $9,060.81 for Project Renovation Rescue
Maroochydore SES – $2,534 for enhanced first aid training for SES volunteers
Sunshine Coast Hockey Association – $3,035.14 for safe seating
Sunshine Coast Riding for the Disabled – $6,363.64 for their Solar System Project

While everyone has been dealing with a world that seems to have been turned upside down, something quite special has happened in our community that is sure to gladden the hearts of many. Long term Buderim residents Norm and Ellen de Chastel who last year celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary have quietly made a donation of $100,000 to the Buderim Foundation, adding significantly to its funds held in trust and therefore its capacity to build a stronger community through its annual grant allocations.

In announcing this outstanding philanthropic gesture, Foundation Chair Prof. Russell Stitz said “For 13 years, the de Chastels have been in what we would class the major annual donor category, but this latest contribution to the Buderim Foundation catapults them into the exceptional category. In previous years, they have asked for their donations to remain anonymous, but this year they have been prepared to relax this requirement in the hope that it may inspire others to follow.

Norm and Ellen are rusted on Foundation fans and are a part of the large army of around 400 Foundation Ambassadors who contribute time, talent and of course donations to advancing the cause of philanthropy in the Buderim community. They have a high regard for its mission and the way it goes about things,” Prof. Stitz added.

When asked about what prompted this outstanding gesture, Norm said, “With my banking background, I’ve always been impressed by the preservation of capital in that it’s only the earnings each year that get used for the grants. This means that the initial value of every donation is maintained in perpetuity. And the Buderim Foundation is one of the few organisations we support where we know all our donation money goes to where it is intended and not drained away in administrative or marketing costs.”

Ellen who was a former teacher, and brought up in a large family where sharing was encouraged, says she is especially pleased to see the importance placed on young people through the Foundation’s youth initiatives and the ‘Back to School’ voucher program benefiting those with special needs.

Prof. Stitz said, “We don’t talk a lot about our donors, preferring to focus our promotion on the many deserving community organisations who benefit from the Foundation’s annual grants program. But when something like this happens, I think it’s important to remember, not just how important our donors both large and small are, but how much joy they get in very act of giving back to the community and seeing the benefits that flow.

“The Foundation’s income is made up from a combination of both one-off donations, annual donors, the Regular Giving program via the website, bequests and money raised from events. We have around 40 annual donors, and of course we would love to have more,” says Prof Stitz.

Photo: Ross Eason
www.eason.com.au

The doctor that made Liver Transplanting interesting breakfast conversation is back again, with her unique take on what happens in her practice every day.

With leading surgeon and author Dr Kellee Slater as the special guest speaker at a Buderim Foundation breakfast, it will change the way you look at medicine.

The very special breakfast will be held on Thursday, 26th March at Buderim Tavern where Dr Slater will talk about the human body and its power to heal with the help of 21st century medical procedures.

Buderim Foundation Events Director Lloyd Edwards said everyone was thrilled to again have Dr Slater as the Foundation’s special guest.

“We hosted a breakfast featuring Dr Slater in 2013 and her presentation was informative but also very entertaining,” Mr Edwards said.

“This time around tickets are limited so you need to book early to avoid missing this special event.”

Dr Kellee Slater is a hepato-biliary, pancreatic and liver transplant surgeon. She is also a general surgeon and performs all types of abdominal surgery including hernias, splenectomy and laparoscopic surgery. Her special interest is complex incisional hernia. Dr Slater also specialises in the care of high risk and critically ill patients.

“Dr Slater, who spent her school years in Nambour, is also a celebrated author having written How to Do a Liver Transplant and Stories from a Surgical Life.

“Just the way she describes the adrenaline-charged world of transplant surgery will have you on the edge of your seat,” Mr Edwards said.

The breakfast will be held at the Buderim Tavern on Burnett St, Buderim on Thursday 26th March at 7am for a prompt 7.15am start.

Tickets are $40 person, or $20 for students and are available from the the Old Post Office, 4 Burnett St Buderim or
ONLINE HERE

Proudly supported by Foundation sponsors Buderim Pharmacy, Eden Lea on Buderim and Sunshine Toyota, the breakfast is anticipated to sell out quickly, with funds raising going towards the Foundation’s investment fund, which provides on-going funding for community projects through the Foundation’s Grants Program.

The Foundation is a philanthropic, not-for-profit organisation, which generates income from donations and bequests from community members and provides grants for community projects now and into the future.

The Buderim Foundation is once again proud to be part of the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) Back to School Program, helping local families who need assistance with school expenses like clothing, shoes and stationery by offering $50 Target vouchers.

Buderim Foundation Director Rebecca Ramsay said this year once again a total $11,000 worth of vouchers being distributed to Mountain Creek State School, Chancellor State Primary and High Schools, Buderim Mountain State School, and SunnyKids.

“The funds included an allocation from the FRRR of $6500 to the Buderim Foundation. Further donations were also made by the Buderim Lions Club and the Buderim Rotary Club, which were then matched dollar-for-dollar by the FRRR.

“This is the 16th year Buderim Foundation together with our local supporters have been involved in the FRRR Back to School Program and we are very grateful for the generous financial support of everyone involved,” Rebecca said.

Mountain Creek State School Chaplain Anthony Pulford said he knew of many families doing it tough in our community and he felt privileged to be able to assist them.

“The vouchers make a real difference, not just in practical terms but also knowing that their community cares and supports them. It’s much more than just $50,” Mr Pulford said.

Buderim Rotary Club President, Lynne Phillips said that Rotary was always happy to partner with other groups particularly on “grassroots” programs such as this.

The Buderim Lions Club’s Brian McBride said Lions work closely with schools with its Walk to School & Leo Club programs.

“Directing some of the funds we raise to programs like this, where the funds are matched by FRRR, increases the support we give to the schools, particularly to those families who may be struggling to meet school expenses,” Mr McBride said.

Buderim Mountain State School Chaplain Dave Larkin said it was always wonderful to give practical advice and empowerment to students and families.

“When I hear feedback from parents and teachers about the amazing timing of receiving the FRRR vouchers and how much it has helped them through a tight financial spot, you just know the significance this has on the sense of community, value, empowerment and the connection this creates.

“When I hear a parent say that “surely there is someone else in more need than we are?” I take great delight in encouraging them to understand the value of the humility required to learn to receive as well as give in community,” Chappy Dave said.

“When the guard comes down and they do receive, usually with tears, you know you have helped play a small part in building that connection and a reciprocal community dynamic.”

SunnyKids spokesperson Kathleen Hope said for women who have fled domestic violence often leave their homes with very few belongings, the vouchers helped get their children settled into new schools.

“SunnyKids are incredibly grateful to be the recipient of these Target school vouchers. Being able to support families by alleviating financial pressure at such a critical time is monumental for these families. We would not do what we do without your support,” Ms Hope said.

And those receiving the support are very grateful.

One mum and client of SunnyKids said: “I feel so ashamed. I told my kids we would be better off. That we could start again. I didn’t realise just how hard it would be. We have nothing. I am 43 years old and we have nothing to show for it. I left with them to protect them, but I am struggling to provide everything they need. How can people help me so much when they don’t even know me? I am so grateful that people on the Sunshine Coast have such big hearts. We can truly start again, and my kids will not miss out”.

Another mum who received support with Target vouchers said: “My children have never had new shoes. I never had access to our bank account. Now they won’t feel embarrassed on their first day at this new school”.

With contributions from the Buderim Foundation, the Buderim Lions and Rotary Clubs along with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, the Back to School Program is a great example of how Buderim-based community organisations can work together to achieve results. In the past 16 years $165,950 worth of vouchers have been distributed.

The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation that aims to enrich and enhance the quality of life for everyone who lives in the Buderim area.

The Foundation works by carefully investing all donations from individuals, families and businesses into what’s called the Foundation Fund.

Rebecca Ramsay said any income from these investments is then redistributed back to the community via an annual grant program open to not-for-profit community organisations that provide a service and support to residents in the 4556 postcode area.

“Our donors love that their donations and bequests made to the Foundation directly impact the community we live in,” Ms Ramsay said.
For more information on the Buderim Foundation, please visit the new website – www.buderimfoundation.org.au.