Buderim Foundation grants provide over $110,000 for community projects

Community projects including emergency response, disability surfing, youth development and theatre are to share in more than $110,000 from the Buderim Foundation’s 2024 Community Grants Program.

The successful recipients will be announced at a special Grants Celebration to be held on Sunday, 15th September at the Buderim War Memorial Hall. The Grants Celebration is one of the most important days on the Foundation’s calendar.

Buderim Foundation Chair Rod McKinnon said the Foundation was pleased to be assisting 22 different community organisations supporting the people in the wider Buderim area in this year’s program.

Mr McKinnon said the grants were at the heart of what the local Community Foundation provided, with the grants coming from the earnings made from the Foundation’s investment funds.

“The Buderim Foundation was established to provide support for the community for generations to come and this year’s Grants Program is the 17th since the Foundation was established, with $110,264 to be awarded this year,” Mr McKinnon said.

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.

“Since the first grants were provided in 2008, a total of $940,031 has been distributed to 105 community organisations supporting the wider Buderim community,” Mr McKinnon said.”

“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, supporting a wide range of people in our community”.

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

The Buderim Foundation is a philanthropic organisation that aims to enrich and enhance the quality of life for everyone who lives in the Buderim and Sunshine Coast areas by harnessing the power of giving.

The Foundation works by professionally investing all donations and bequests. The earnings from these investments are redistributed to the community via an annual grants program open to not-for-profit community organisations that provide a service and support to residents in the Buderim area now and for generations to come.

The Community Grants announced today are in addition to grants from the Buderim Foundation Thompson Charitable Fund, established by philanthropists Roy and Nola Thompson, which since April 2021 has provided over $906,000 to support people experiencing homelessness and financial distress across the whole Sunshine Coast.

FULL LIST OF 2024 BUDERIM FOUNDATION COMMUNITY GRANT RECIPIENTS:
(in alphabetical order)
• AEIOU Foundation – $9,480 for the provision of outdoor learning and play equipment for children with autism.
• Bloomhill Cancer Care – $1,854 for a custom information and brochure display.
• Buderim Historical Society – $1,975 for a defibrillator machine for community safety.
• Buderim Men’s Shed – $5,838 for Men’s Shed security upgrade.
• Buderim Theatre Company Incorporated (BATS) – $1,658 towards the purchase of a sewing machine and overlocker.
• Buderim Wanderers Football Club – $5,000 towards a motorised utility cart.
• BWMCA – $10,000 for a laser projector for the Buderim War Memorial Hall.
• Cittamani Hospice Service – $9,128 to replace technology used by their support nurses.
• Disabled Surfing Australia (SC Branch) – $7,071 for shade marquees for disabled surfers.
• Fusion Community Centre – $3,750 for a replacement printer/copier.
• LifeFlight Foundation – $6,036 for new safety equipment to support rescue helicopter crew.
• Lions Club of Buderim Inc – $1,233 for equipment for the Lions Den
• Magnolia Health – $3,000 towards operational costs for the Buderim Walk for Endo (Endometriosis).
• Maroochydore SES Support Association – $1,823 towards equipment for their Storm Damage Response Vehicle.
• Rotary Club of Buderim – $1,573 for a new cover for their barbecue trailer.
• RSL Care RDNS trading as Bolton Clarke – $10,000 for a Goodness Garden.
• Suncoast Gem & Fossicking Club – $3,553 for a Cabochon grinding and polishing machine.
• SLSQ Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter – $10,000 towards the upgrade of safety equipment to support patients & rescue crew.
• Sunshine Coast Concert Brand – $3,637 towards a keyboard, Amp & accessories.
• Sunshine Coast Paddlesports Inc – $3,500 for a new motor for their dinghy.
• We Help Ourselves – $3,070 for new computers for Rehabilitation Program graduates.
• Wishlist Sunshine Coast Health Foundation – $7,085 for the Let’s Get Moving! Program.

Prepared and written by: Michelle Smytheman – Reflected Image Productions 

M: 0408 401 198 email: [email protected]

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

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected]

Peacekeeper, ammunitions expert, martial artist, musician and one of the first ever female graduates of Australia’s Royal Military College, Duntroon, Leonie Barnes will be the special guest speaker at a Buderim Foundation Breakfast in October.

Buderim Foundation Chair Dr Russell Stitz said Leonie’s presentation on her life stories, her values and philosophies was sure to be fascinating, with a lively Q&A session to follow the presentation.

Leonie, who is also the daughter of a crocodile shooter and has been a specialist Ammunition Technical Officer since the age of 22, will be presenting “M.I.N.E.D the Gap – if life is a minefield, what happens when real deminers do life?”.

Back in Australia after 20 years as a civilian peacekeeper with the United Nations, including service in Sudan, Kosovo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Nepal, India and the Ukraine, Leonie is a leading specialist in the field of Humanitarian Mine Action and consults internationally in specialised risk management, humanitarian mine action, and emergency response with the World Health Organisation.

The Buderim Foundation Breakfast with Leonie Barnes will be held at the Headland Park Golf Club on Wednesday 26th October at 7.00am for a prompt 7.30am start, with tickets available for $40 per person.

Tickets are limited and expected to sell out. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.trybooking.com/CDBTP  or email Susi Du Toit at [email protected] or phone 0474 220 895 by Friday 21st October.

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 ~ [email protected]

The Colours of a Buderim Spring Carnival will be full of colour, and fashions fit for the Spring Racing Carnival and include a gorgeous afternoon tea and fashion parade.

Buderim Foundation event committee chair Jenny Cant said the event had been months in the planning and would be quite different from the two very successful fashion parades held by the Foundation with the clothing showcased to include men’s and women’s fashions to suit all ages.

“The fashion parade will feature spring fashions from five local fashion businesses and will include a lovely seated-afternoon tea with champagne on arrival,” Jenny said.

She said the event, which was also being supported by other local Buderim businesses, would also be an opportunity for Buderim Foundation ambassadors to invite friends to find out more about the important work of the Foundation to support the local community and enjoy an afternoon out with friends.

“We are encouraging people to come dressed for the spring races – so men get your jackets and ladies prepare your hats and jewels,” Mrs Cant said.

“All profits from the event will go into the Buderim Foundation community investment fund, with the income earned to be used to fund community projects, through the Foundation’s Community Grant Program.”

The event to be held on Sunday afternoon, 16th October. Tickets are $62.50 including booking fee per person. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.buderimfoundation.org.au/event/fashion-parade/, email [email protected] or purchase from the Old Post Office.

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.

For more information on the Buderim Foundation, please visit, www.buderimfoundation.org.au.
Event Details:
Date: Sunday 16th October 2022
Time: 2.30 for 3pm start
Location: Buderim War Memorial Hall
Ticket Details: $62.50 per person.
To purchase tickets, visit https://www.trybooking.com/CCEGY,
email [email protected]
or purchase from the Old Post Office.
Tickets will be available until sold or until 12th October.

Community grants of up to $10,000 will be available to local organisations as part of the Buderim Foundation 2022 Community Grants program, which is now open for applications.

Applications are open to organisations serving the local 4556 community and eligible applicants will need to apply online before 3rd July.

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 2021 annual community grants celebration on Sunday 11th September.

“The projects need to directly benefit residents within the 4556 postcode area,” Mrs Ramsay said.

“Each year the program attracts a lot of interest. Last year, $70,000 in grants were awarded to 14 local organisations, taking the total amount distributed over 14 years to over $670,000.”

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 3rd July.

The projects that were awarded grants last year included:

Buderim Men’s Shed: Shade Sail for Outdoor Covered area – $8,771.00
The Compass Institute: Supporting the Compass Garden Cafe to Grow and Thrive – $5,897.00
Playgroup Queensland Limited:Improved Inclusive Access to Community Hub – $8,309.00
LifeFlight Foundation: New Aspida Flight Helmets to support Medical Crew – $6,972.00
Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving Club Inc: Nipper Boards – $2,730.00
Wishlist Smileyscope, a better way to manage fear around medical procedures – $10,000.00
Buderim Theatre Company Incorporated (BATS): Theatre Computer purchase. Supply of theatre step units – $2,400.00
Buderim Contract Bridge Club: Chairs for relocation – $5,940.00
Buderim Rebels Hockey Club Inc.: Managing More Members – $2,620.00
DV Safe Phone Ltd: Drop Boxes as a part of A Community Approach to Supporting Domestic Violence Victims: 4556 Postcode Pilot Project – $9,200.00
Headland Buderim Croquet Club: A digital framework to meet the electronic demands of today’s world – $2,849.00
Maroochydore SES: Operational Response Equipment, Saws – $1,500.00
Buderim Bowls Club Inc.: Play Area Fit out – $1,700.00