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Buderim Region Represented in First Nations Student Voice Council Shaping Catholic Education

Photo Credit: Brisbane Catholic Education

Communities around Buderim and the Sunshine Coast are represented in Brisbane Catholic Education’s inaugural First Nations Student Voice Council, giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a stronger voice in future education decisions.

The pilot program brings together nine students from Catholic schools across south-east Queensland and the Sunshine Coast, including representatives from Siena Catholic College in Sippy Downs and St Teresa’s Catholic College in Noosaville. Over the course of the initiative, the students will contribute insights and recommendations that may help guide future decision-making across Brisbane Catholic Education’s network of 146 schools.

Student Voices at the Centre

Student Voice Council — *Photo Credit:* *Brisbane Catholic Education*

For generations, students have often been asked to adapt to decisions made on their behalf. This council takes a different approach by creating space for young people to share their own experiences and perspectives.

Brisbane Catholic Education established the group to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have a meaningful opportunity to contribute to conversations about their education, wellbeing and school life. The council also aims to strengthen leadership skills while building stronger connections to culture, community and identity.

Bringing together students from different schools allows ideas and experiences to be shared across regions, creating a broader understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing First Nations students.

Learning Beyond School Grounds

The council’s work has already extended beyond regular meetings and discussions.

As part of the program, students visited The University of Queensland, where they participated in sessions focused on critical thinking and media literacy. They also explored services available through the university’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Support Unit and took part in activities linked to design and exercise science.

The experience offered students a chance to engage with new learning environments while gaining practical leadership development opportunities. It also provided insight into future education pathways and the possibilities available beyond secondary school.

Supporting Future Change

The initiative forms part of Brisbane Catholic Education’s Molum Sabe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy, which focuses on improving educational outcomes, cultural safety and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, staff and communities.

Education leaders believe meaningful student participation can help schools better understand the needs and aspirations of young people. By inviting students into discussions about future priorities, the organisation hopes to strengthen relationships across school communities while creating more informed and responsive support programs.

The council members are expected to develop recommendations that may help shape future initiatives across the Catholic education system, ensuring First Nations perspectives are reflected in ongoing planning and decision-making.

Sunshine Coast Representation

For families across the Sunshine Coast, including communities near Buderim, the council highlights the growing role young people can play in influencing the direction of education.

Students from Siena Catholic College and St Teresa’s Catholic College are helping bring local perspectives into broader discussions, ensuring the experiences of First Nations students from the region contribute to future conversations across Brisbane Catholic Education’s school network.

A recognition event later this year will celebrate the contributions made by participants in the inaugural council.

Published Date 30-September-2026

Buderim Pink Party Fundraiser Puts Dance on the Agenda

Photo Credit: Event page at Humanitix

Buderim will soon host a pink party fundraiser with plenty of heart. DanceFit Together is bringing Party in Pink Zumbathon to Sunshine Coast Square Dance Centre on Dixon Road.

The event runs on Sunday 11 October. Doors open at 4.30pm. The dancing starts at 5pm. No dance experience is needed, and all fitness levels are welcome.

That gives locals an easy way in. Just wear pink, bring a friend and join the fun. The night promises music, movement and a strong community feel.

Dance for a cause

This pink party fundraiser is more than a lively night out. It will raise funds for the Beautiful You Program, which supports women through cancer.

The charity offers care and support through group events, personal referrals and crisis care programs. It also provides practical help when life feels especially heavy.

That kind of support matters. It can steady people through a frightening time. It can also remind them they are not alone.

Local energy, local hands

DanceFit Together says several Zumba instructors will join the event. That should keep the room moving. More importantly, it brings people together for a shared cause.

If you cannot make it that night, you can still help. Raffle tickets are available. Donations are welcome too. So, the pink party fundraiser opens the door to support, even from afar.

Beautiful You Program image from its website

More than a dance floor

Buderim often backs local causes with real warmth. This event fits that habit well. It mixes fun, fitness and fundraising without any fuss.

And that is what makes it appealing. It is simple, social and built around a cause that reaches well beyond the dance floor. In a town like Buderim, that matters.

Published 29-September-2026

Peregian Beach Resident Steve Gollschewski Remembered After 46-year Police Career

Photo Credit: DavidCrisafulliMP/Facebook

Former Queensland Police Commissioner Steve “Golly” Gollschewski, who made the Sunshine Coast home after decades in policing and had longstanding links to the region, has died after an 18-month battle with cancer.

Mr Gollschewski died on 4 September, aged 67, after more than 46 years with the Queensland Police Service. His family said he died surrounded by loved ones after a sudden complication during his cancer journey.

Peregian Beach became home

Mr Gollschewski and his wife, Rebecca, relocated to the Sunshine Coast after selling their longtime Gordon Park home in Brisbane in 2021.

Property records reported at the time showed the couple had bought a home at Peregian Beach the previous year.

His status as a Sunshine Coast resident was again noted in June 2026 when he was named among local recipients of King’s Birthday honours.

Coast connection began at Maroochydore

Mr Gollschewski’s links to the region went back to the beginning of his policing career.

After joining the then-Queensland Police Force on 1 August 1980, he worked as a constable performing general duties in Maroochydore, Brisbane and Dalby. He later moved into plain-clothes policing, qualified as a detective and worked across organised crime, intelligence and senior command.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Golly-819x1024.jpg — Photo Credit: DavidCrisafulliMP/Facebook

He became Chief Superintendent of Central Region in 2008, Assistant Commissioner of Southern Region in 2010 and took command of North Coast Region in 2012 before being appointed Deputy Commissioner in 2013.

Leading police through Peregian bushfires

The Sunshine Coast also featured prominently in Mr Gollschewski’s later disaster-management work.

As State Disaster Coordinator, he led the police response to the 2019 Peregian Beach bushfires, when hundreds of residents were evacuated as fast-moving flames threatened homes across Peregian Beach and Peregian Springs.

Police and emergency services dealt with repeated fire emergencies in the Peregian area during 2019, including evacuations and emergency declarations.

Commissioner returned to Coast communities

After becoming Queensland’s 21st Police Commissioner in April 2024, Mr Gollschewski continued making official appearances on the Sunshine Coast.

In August 2024, he joined Police Minister Mark Ryan and local MP Rob Skelton to open the new $6.1 million Cooroy Police Station, saying the facility would support policing in Cooroy and surrounding communities.

Mr Gollschewski had become a familiar statewide figure during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he oversaw police operations involving border security, airports and hotel quarantine.

Final honour after 46 years in policing

Mr Gollschewski stepped away from the commissioner’s role in February 2025 after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. He returned to full duties later that year before retiring in February 2026.

In the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours, the Peregian Beach resident was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to law enforcement, counter-terrorism activities and the community.

Known throughout Queensland Police as “Golly”, Mr Gollschewski’s career began with general duties at Maroochydore and eventually took him to the state’s top policing job.

Decades later, the Sunshine Coast had also become his home.

Published 7-Sept-2026

Sunshine Coast Youth Foyer a Step Closer as Construction Tender Opens

Photo Credit: Department of Housing and Public Works

A long-awaited Sunshine Coast Youth Foyer is moving closer to reality, with the Queensland Government releasing a construction tender for the Maroochydore facility on 24 August 2026.

The project will deliver 50 self-contained units for young people aged 16 to 25 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. To be eligible, residents must be committed to study, training or employment. Tenants will contribute around 25 per cent of their income toward rent and will have access to round-the-clock on-site support.

The Sunshine Coast is home to many families and young people who have been doing it tough in a tight housing market, and local advocates have long pointed to the gap in supported accommodation options for vulnerable youth in the region. A facility of this kind offers more than just a roof — it provides structured support aimed at helping young residents build the independence and practical skills needed for life beyond crisis housing.

Housing Minister Sam O’Connor said stable housing was fundamental to helping young Queenslanders get ahead, noting that the state government intended to have all eight new Youth Foyers either completed or underway by 2028. The broader rollout spans Brisbane, Ipswich, Moreton Bay, Hervey Bay, Toowoomba, Rockhampton and Cairns, in addition to the Sunshine Coast facility.

Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson confirmed that construction is expected to begin next year, with the project on track for completion in 2028.

The Sunshine Coast Youth Foyer forms part of the state government’s wider commitment to deliver 53,500 social and community homes across Queensland by 2044. Eight Youth Foyers were already operating in Townsville, Logan and the Gold Coast prior to this current expansion.

A public notification process is currently underway, giving community members the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed development. Residents can have their say via the Department of Housing and Public Works’ Your Say platform at the Queensland Government website.

Published 24-August-2026

Lives Well Lived: Roy and Nola Thompson Leave a Coast Legacy of Kindness

Roy and Nola Thompson left behind more than a big name on the Sunshine Coast. They left behind a way of doing things. For many people in Buderim and the surrounding suburbs, that is what makes their story feel so close to home. It is a story about love, hard work and giving back without making a fuss.

A love that lasted

Roy and Nola were married for 69 years. They raised eight children, and over time their family grew to include 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. That is a full life by any measure.

But what people keep coming back to is the bond between the two of them. Nola died first, after being diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. Roy died just eight days later. Their son Peter said it felt like his father died of a broken heart. That says a lot in very few words.

They were close all their lives and did things together. They shared the same values. And they carried those values into every part of their family life.

Screenshot of the Thompson couple from the Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund video

From a carpenter to a Coast builder

Roy started work as a carpenter at 16. He came from a modest background and built his life one step at a time. Later, he moved into hotels and property development. Along the way, he helped shape parts of the Sunshine Coast that people know well today.

He built Chifley’s Hotel at Alexandra Headland, then went on to other projects across the region. But success never seemed to change his outlook. He often said people could not take money with them, so it made sense to use it while they could.

That simple idea shaped the way both Roy and Nola lived. They did not chase attention nor did they talk themselves up. They just helped where they could, and they kept doing it for years.

Giving that stayed close to home

The Thompsons supported a long list of causes. They helped establish the Sunshine Coast Rescue Helicopter Service and gave major support to the University of the Sunshine Coast. They also backed Wishlist, the Buderim Foundation, Hear and Say, Stella Maris Parish and mental health research.

Their giving was not loud. It was steady. It was practical. And it stayed close to the community they loved.

At UniSC, their support helped create scholarships and bursaries that will keep helping students for decades. Their backing of the Thompson Institute also strengthened mental health research and care. That matters to local families. It matters to young people trying to study. And it matters to anyone who has ever needed a helping hand.

Their impact will keep showing up in places most people may never even think about. But it will be there.

Quiet people, lasting legacy

Those who spoke about Roy and Nola all seemed to land on the same point. They were private people. They kept a low profile and cared deeply about family, faith and community.

That is part of why so many people are feeling their loss now. They showed that you do not need to make a lot of noise to make a real difference. You do not need to be flashy. You just need to care, keep showing up and be willing to give.

And that is what makes this such a strong local story for Buderim and beyond. People here understand community. They understand the value of backing each other. They know that the best lives are often the ones lived simply and well.

Roy and Nola Thompson did just that. They loved deeply. They gave wisely. And they left the Sunshine Coast stronger than they found it.

Published 19-August-2026

Multimillion-Dollar Sporting Shake-Up Hits Buderim and Surrounding Suburbs

Photo Credit: Sunshine Coast Council

Neighbourhoods in and around Buderim are bracing for a massive physical transformation as millions of government dollars sweep through local playing fields and transport networks to fund permanent community upgrades.

Shifting the local sports landscape

How will local families navigate this massive transition? The disruption starts on the football field. Heavy machinery is set to move into major regional stadiums starting in 2026, forcing beloved rugby league teams like the Sunshine Coast Falcons and the Kawana Dolphins to temporarily pack up their gear.

The state government is injecting nine million dollars into the relocation process. Combined with a two million dollar local council investment, this cash ensures alternative venues are immediately ready to handle the displaced crowds.

Building better weekend venues

Weekend game days are about to look very different. Meridan Fields Sporting Complex is transforming into a primary hub for these relocated matches. Imagine better drainage, brighter lighting, expanded seating, and modern changerooms built specifically for a growing population.

Meanwhile, the Kawana Dolphins Senior Rugby League Club will lose their ageing base entirely. A brand-new clubhouse will rise in its place to serve members for generations. Local government officials praised club volunteers for their patience during this intense planning phase, noting that temporary scheduling headaches will ultimately yield top-tier facilities.

Leaving a lasting footprint

Beyond the rugby pitches lies a much broader master plan shaped by youth advocates, First Nations groups, and accessibility experts. Forty targeted initiatives form a roadmap to leave a permanent mark on the region through the end of 2031.

A dedicated mountain bike centre and the highly anticipated Sunshine Coast Arena will soon reshape local recreation. What happens to the purpose-built athletes’ village once the crowds go home? It transforms into essential residential housing, delivering a highly practical solution to ongoing accommodation shortages across the coast.

Connecting People and Business

Moving people efficiently is the final piece of the puzzle. Commuters travelling from Buderim will benefit from major upgrades to the Mooloolah River Interchange to clear notorious road bottlenecks. Passenger capacity will also swell on the Beerburrum to Nambour rail line. Crucially, the financial strategy avoids burdening local ratepayers by relying almost entirely on existing operational budgets. Small tradespeople and local businesses are being pushed to the front of the line for these construction contracts. This approach keeps the economic windfalls firmly within the community.

Published Date 13-August-2026

Buderim Macadamias Set to Take Centre Stage at Brisbane 2032 Games

Photo Credit: Food and Beverage Accelerator

Buderim-grown macadamias will be showcased as a premier Australian superfood to millions of global spectators following a University of Queensland report that positions Sunshine Coast produce as a cornerstone of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A Home-Grown Legacy

Released on 30 April 2026, the Feeding the Brisbane 2032 Games White Paper suggests that the upcoming Games offer a unique chance to support local growers and strengthen regional food systems. Professor Janet McColl-Kennedy, who led the research through the University of Queensland’s Business School, explained that the event is more than a simple catering task.

Instead, it serves as a platform to present the world with nutritious and high-quality food that is unique to the region. The report highlights the historical and cultural importance of macadamia, which is the only Australian native plant to become a major international food crop. Originally known as “Kindal Kindal” by Indigenous Australians, these nuts have been a treasured delicacy in the region for thousands of generations.

Boosting the Local Economy

The University of Queensland report aims to help local businesses benefit from the massive number of visitors expected for the Games. Research shows that during the Paris 2024 Games, more than 700,000 people attended events on a single day. By making local items like macadamias, Mooloolaba prawns, and Granite Belt olive oil the stars of the menu, the Games can create long-term value for the Sunshine Coast.

Professor McColl-Kennedy noted that today’s consumers want to know exactly where their food comes from and prefer healthy options. She suggested that serving fresh, local ingredients can create memorable, personalised experiences for visitors, such as enjoying local seafood while watching a sunset.

Supporting Innovation and Sustainability

The plan goes beyond just serving food; it focuses on solving modern challenges like worker shortages and rising costs. The report includes 57 recommendations for policymakers, including using new technology like artificial intelligence and digital tracking to reduce food waste.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry stated that making the right choices now will lead to a more resilient food industry that lasts well beyond 2032. The research also encourages working closely with Indigenous communities to grow native produce, ensuring the environmental and cultural heritage of the macadamia is preserved. By planning early, the organisers hope to build a system that supports farmers and provides fresh food for the community for decades to come.

Published Date 30-April-2026. Updated 12-August-2026.

Buderim Retirement Village Joins Food Waste Recycling Trial

Residents at a Buderim retirement village will be among the first on the Sunshine Coast to take part in a new food waste recycling trial aimed at reducing the amount of organic waste sent to landfill.

The pilot program, led by the Council of Mayors (SEQ) and funded by the Queensland Government, will test a range of food recycling solutions across South East Queensland over the next two-and-a-half years.

One of the first participating sites is IRT The Palms Retirement Village in Buderim, where food scraps collected from residents will be processed using technologies designed to turn waste into useful resources such as compost, mulch and renewable energy. Based on the media release provided by the Council of Mayors (SEQ).

The broader trial will also include holiday accommodation in Noosa, residential towers on the Gold Coast and future projects in Brisbane. Organisers say more than 530 tonnes of food waste could be diverted from landfill during the program.

Researchers from Central Queensland University will work alongside participating councils to assess which recycling methods are most effective in high-density living environments. Technologies being tested include food dehydrators, anaerobic digestion systems and on-site composting solutions.

The initiative comes as South East Queensland continues to grow rapidly, with population forecasts predicting the region will be home to around six million people by 2046. According to the Council of Mayors, organic waste currently makes up more than one-third of household general waste.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said reducing landfill remained a priority for the region and that community participation would play an important role in the trial’s success. According to the media release, the project is intended to identify practical ways for residents to reduce food waste and support a more circular approach to waste management.

If successful, the findings could help shape future food waste recycling programs for apartments, retirement communities and other multi-unit developments across South East Queensland.

Published 11-June-2026. Updated 12-August-2026.

UniSC’s Robodogs Are Headed For The Ekka

There is something delightfully unexpected about a robotic dog being trained to help herd sheep, and it feels especially fitting that this particular bit of innovation has come out of UniSC on the Sunshine Coast.

From the university’s main flagship campus at 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4556, Australia, students and researchers have been developing robodogs that can assist with livestock handling. For Buderim readers, it is a reminder that some of the region’s most interesting ideas are being worked on just down the road.

The Unitree Go2 robodogs are set to appear in the Ekka Main Arena from 8 to 16 August. With around 30,000 people expected each day, they should attract plenty of attention.

Voice commands in the paddock

The project began with earlier UniSC research that trained robodogs to herd sheep autonomously using cameras, sensors and artificial intelligence. That alone is clever enough. But the latest stage of the work has taken a more practical turn after feedback from working-dog handlers.

Rather than rely solely on automation, the handlers wanted to stay in control.

That led to a web-based app that allows a user to issue commands from a phone or laptop. Honours student Abdullah al Muhsin helped develop the system, which listens to spoken instructions, recognises specific commands and sends them to the robodog in real time.

Commands such as “stop”, “away” and “come by” are picked up through Google Chrome’s speech-recognition technology, then sent via a WebSocket API to software running on an onboard NVIDIA Jetson computer. In turn, the robodog translates those instructions into movement.

A practical tool, not just a crowd-pleaser

It is easy to see why the robodogs will draw a crowd at the Ekka. They have novelty on their side, naturally. But the more important part of the story is the purpose behind them.

Livestock handling can be costly, labour-intensive and physically demanding. The UniSC project is aimed at assisting that work, not replacing the people who know it best. That distinction matters.

There is something reassuring about that approach. It is innovation with a practical sense of place. The technology is impressive, but it is also being shaped by the people who would actually use it.

Sunshine Coast ideas on a big stage

For the Sunshine Coast, and for Buderim in particular, there is a quiet satisfaction in seeing a local university project step onto a stage as big as the Ekka. UniSC continues to be part of the region’s everyday life, but every so often it turns up with something that makes you stop and take notice.

These robodogs might look like a playful nod to The Jetsons, but they are doing real work behind the scenes. And that, in the end, is what makes this such a good local story.

Published 6-August-2026

Young Mum Dies in Devastating Buderim Unit Fire

A 21-year-old mother has died, along with the family dog, after escaping a unit fire in Buderim.

Emergency crews were called to a unit complex on King Street at about 7:30 p.m. on 19 July after receiving multiple reports of a blaze.

The woman, identified by her family as Isabella Nicholls, escaped with life-threatening burns. She was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical condition but later died from her injuries.

Isabella was from Kallangur and was the mother of a young boy.

Family remembers devoted mother

Isabella’s family described her as a devoted and loving mother. They also remembered her as a much-loved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend.

In a fundraising statement, the family said she died surrounded by relatives despite the efforts of the medical team. They remembered her as vibrant and kind and said her death had left the family heartbroken.

The family also spoke of her love for her young son, who will now grow up without his mother.

Photo Credit: The Family of Isabella Nicholls/GoFundme

Five crews battle King Street blaze

Five firefighting crews spent more than an hour extinguishing the fire. The unit was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived. Authorities evacuated the rest of the complex while crews brought the blaze under control.

Paramedics also assessed a woman in her 30s, but she did not require treatment. A dog also perished in the incident.

The unit suffered extensive damage. A charred motorbike was seen outside the property the next morning.

Investigations are ongoing

Neighbours said they heard screaming and other noise before seeing police and firefighters outside. Officials from the Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch said the scene was confronting for the emergency workers who attended.

Investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire, and Queensland Police were speaking with people who may help with the investigation. Officers were also examining whether accelerants were used or whether the fire involved suspicious circumstances.

The Department of Housing reportedly said it would support tenants affected by the fire. It also said it would assist authorities as they worked to determine the cause. Reports stated that the unit was last inspected in February and that a smoke alarm test was undertaken.

Published 21-July-2026