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Buderim Men’s Shed Will Soon Have Their Permanent Shed

Real men love arts and crafts. Buderim Men’s Shed has been hosting numerous fundraising events for their organisation and the Buderim community. The recently concluded Super Garage Sale featured handmade arts and crafts made by its members. The goal of these events is to continuously fulfill the Men’s Shed goals and its projects for the coming year.

 

What is Buderim Men’s Shed?

Buderim Men’s Shed’s works
(Photo credit: Buderim Mens Shed/Facebook)

The Buderim Men’s Shed is a non-profit and non-commercial organisation of Buderim’s men. They meet and learn professional and trade skills, while simply enjoying the community’s company. Established in 2011 as an initiative of the Buderim Rotary Club, the Men’s Shed prioritises the health, well-being, and social inclusion of its members in the community.

There are different groups in the organisation with different specialties:

  • Art Group
  • Being Well
  • Bookworms
  • Computers
  • Gardening
  • Lead Light
  • Library
  • Metalwork
  • Music
  • Sketching
  • Toy Making
  • Upholstery
  • Woodwork
  • Wood Carving
  • Wood Turning
  • Yakety-Yak

These groups are open to members who would like to learn the skills. The schedules are posted on their website’s calendar.

 

Fundraising for Their Permanent Shed

The proposed plan for the new site.
(Photo credit: Buderim Mens Shed/Facebook)

Buderim Men’s Shed has started an ambitious quest to raise $1 million to build their permanent home, as their lease on their current premises is soon to expire. Dr. Bill Glasson and Professor Claire Jackson have generously allowed the community to use the property in 53 Mill Road as their home for the time being.

Several fundraising events were organised. An Open Day served as the launching event for the project. Although the project seemed to be impossible at first, Shadforths Civil Contractors came forward to offer their help with earthwork. Construction will commence this year.

The permanent home for the Buderim Men’s Shed will be built on a Kuluin site provided by the State Government. Twice the size of the current size, the place will be constructed in three stages. Buderim Men’s Shed coordinator Norm Thursby said that the size of the proposed site is essential for their growing community.

“It’s needed because not only are we the biggest shed, but with the baby boomers coming through there’s going to be a whole bunch of guys looking for something to do,” Mr. Thursby said.

 

Buderim Men’s Shed in the Community

The shed’s fundraising project
(Photo credit: Buderim Mens Shed/Facebook)

The members want the organisation to continuously operate because it is more than just a hub for the men population in Buderim. It also serves its members and community. Mr. Thursby said that the organisation played an important role in supporting the local residents.

“I’ve sat down with a couple of guys at tea – for a smoko – and had a guy say to me, ‘if it wasn’t for the shed I’d be dead. … I get emotional about this. The guys..we’ve saved a life by being here. … It just does so much good for their spirit, to be able to come here. Nobody asks who they are or what they’ve done, they’re just accepted, you know,” he said.

Throughout the years, the Buderim Men’s Shed has helped many community groups, such as The Buderim Foundation, Buderim War Memorial Community Association, Wildlife Australia, and Vietnam Veterans Association.

More info about Buderim Men’s Shed, its upcoming events, and how to donate can be viewed on their website and Facebook page.

New Daycare Opens in Buderim

The Little Village Early Learning Centre has opened its doors to kids in Buderim and the whole Sunshine Coast. Located at 32 King Street, Buderim from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. At the centre. early learning and childcare is available for babies and children, aged 6 weeks to school age.

Good facilities for good kids
(Photo credit: www.littlevillage.net.au)

True to form, the daycare has both indoor and outdoor educational play areas. Set within a quiet property, the daycare has a picture-perfect view, with the ocean and the mountain backdrop.

Let your kids learn how to be creative at an early stage
(Photo credit: www.littlevillage.net.au)

Toys and modern educational resources are carefully chosen to match what kids will need from infant to school age. High quality daycare will be provided to the kids including healthy meals, care products, nappies, and other necessities.

The Little Village Early Learning Centre is a one-stop-shop daycare with a “home away from home” approach. With its new facilities and programs, kids and parents will soon feel at ease in the new surroundings.

Read More Join the Waitlist

 

Buderim Craft Cottage Continues to Give Back

Buderim Craft Cottage celebrated 50 years of creativity with a week-long celebration from the 29th of April until the 8th of May. The works of various artists over the years are immortalised on 30-cm squares of cloth, showing different techniques and materials such as silk, felt, oils, acrylics, and inks, mounted, and displayed for everyone to see and appreciate.

 

Humble Beginnings

An illustration of its humble beginnings
(Photo credit: www.buderimcraftcottage.com.au)

In 1967, a small group of artists and craftsmen organised the Buderim Craft Cottage, a non-profit organisation. Back in the day, the pioneers just held their meetings in private homes until they were able to arrange an official place as the venue for their meetings. This place is now known as the Pioneer Cottage. Later on, their headquarters was later transferred to a small cottage on Bart’s land in Church Street.

50 years of development of the arts and crafts hub
(Photo credit: www.buderimcraftcottage.com.au)

In 1974, the first stage of what is now known as Buderim Craft Cottage at 5 Main Street was constructed. From then until today, facilities have been continuously expanded and improved to provide a “home” to the arts and crafts of its growing community. As a hub of creativity, Buderim Craft Cottage has different groups of artists and craftsmen within its circle. Specialisations include calligraphy, fabric art, machine embroidery, needlework, patchwork, pottery, and yarns and fibres.

 

Community Support

Not just a home for creativity, bu a home for charity
(Photo credit: www.buderimcraftcottage.com.au)

Buderim Craft Cottage is a long-running organisation that has developed numerous community and charity involvements within its 50 years of existence.

A quilt to warm the patients up
(Photo credit: www.buderimcraftcottage.com.au)

Just recently, the Patchwork Group donated quilts to the Nambour Hospital Oncology Unit. Every year, the patchwork group donates quilts to help various charities such as Najidah, a charity that supports families affected by domestic violence; and STEMM, an organisation supporting teenagers in education.

Gifts for kids to feel comfortable and warm every night
(Photo credit: www.buderimcraftcottage.com.au)

The Machine Embroidery Group donated library bags, pillows, and toys for the Sunny Kids Foundation and the SCKoping Program, which helps children and teenagers living with mental illness.

Thank you Australian servicemen and women for your hardwork.
(Photo credit: www.buderimcraftcottage.com.au)

To commemorate the hardworking Australian servicemen and women, the Pottery Group created a mural in April 2015.

One of the major community involvements of Buderim Craft Cottage, not just in Buderim, but throughout the country, is their participation in cancer research every year.

Here’s to fifty more years of serving the community!

Buderim Early Learning Centre Re-Opens Under New Management

There was a bit of a scare in the neighbourhood when Churches of Christ Care decided to let go of North Buderim Early Learning Centre, but all is well now as the centre officially re-opened under new management.

Churches of Christ Care exited operation of five day-care and kindergarten centres across Queensland. The five early learning facilities have since been acquired by Nambour Christian College (NCC) and will be operating as NCC Early Learners.

Aside from the Buderim centre, NCC will also be taking over childcare centres in Chinchilla, Kallangur, St George and Withcott.

The event is a happy outcome for families who have been worried about the future of the early learning centre.

Belinda Briggs, head of early learning, assures that there are only good things to come for the centre, which has been in limbo due to the threat of closure.

Aside from the change in signage and name, there will not be much change in the centre. The well-known learning environment at the centre is in line with the NCC’s program of providing education in a playful and stimulating environment.

Centre director Rhonda Braxton is elated with the community support that they have been getting. The Buderim centre is also fortunate not to have lost any of its staff.

The re-opened NCC Early Learners is located at 1-3 Lakeshore Ave, North Buderim. For more information, visit the centre’s website.

 

Photo credit: CC-BY/US Department of Education/Flickr

Richie Johnston, Buderim’s Great Educator and Rugby League Legend, Will Be ‘Sorely Missed’

The neighbourhood of Buderim currently mourns the sudden death of their beloved resident, Richard ‘Richie’ Johnston. He was not just a mere citizen. To the locals, Richie was an inspiring educator and “a giant of the Queensland rugby league.” At 77-years-old, he was able to create a great impact on the world of both rugby sports fanatics and enthusiasts.

“A big fella in a little fella’s body,” Sally Lawrence described her late father. To his family, he proved to be an amazing role model. He was well-appreciated. And then, like all good things coming to an end, Richie suffered from an acute coronary event as he was mowing their home lawn in Buderim. He died on the 4th of April.

Read more here…

Photo Credit: North Queensland Rugby League Referees/Facebook

Buderim Set to Become Hipster Haven by 2040

Queensland suburb tipped to become “Byron Bay of the north” in a few decades.

Buderim is projected to become a future hipster haven, according to the recently released study by top demographer Bernard Salt.

Mr Salt was commissioned by the Sunshine Coast Council to analyse population shifts and trends in education, arts and businesses in the coast area. His report titled, ‘The Activated City: Reimagining the Sunshine Coast in 2040,’ predicted that Buderim will draw a younger, smarter and more tech-savvy population by year 2040. It will turn into something like the Byron Bay of the north, minus the beach.

The respected demographer believes that the younger populace would make the Coast a breeding ground for contemporary art, music, creativity and culture. Contributing factors include the creation of the Maroochydore CBD, which would attract start-ups and national head offices.

A younger population is emerging, thanks mainly to growing enrolments at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Sippy Downs. Enrolments in the university have increased from 600 students in 1999 to 11,600 students in 2007.

Byron-Like Community Feel

Buderim MP Steve Dickson agreed with the suggestion that the town is becoming like Byron. He said that a Byron-like atmosphere is something that the community always had, with a strong inclination toward the arts and a rural neighbourhood feel.

A Buderim street in summer.

One fine example of how Buderim is developing as a hipster town is the successful Urban Food Street project, wherein the community worked to grow fruits and vegetables in the streets.

Many from Queensland have come to appreciate the allure of Buderim. In a recent Realestate.com.au survey, Buderim has been rated as the 2nd most popular location in Queensland for home buyers. People love the community feel and find it hard to leave.

Mr Salt’s report was commissioned as part of the initiative to develop the new Maroochydore CBD. It was also discussed at a Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland business breakfast in Brisbane.

Historic Buderim Queenslander’s Potential Sale Raises Heritage Listing Issue

The potential sale of one of the oldest homes in Buderim is raising concerns that an important part of the area’s history could be neglected.

The property at the centre of the issue is the Calrossie, the c1891 home of Buderim early settler William Henry Guy. Guy’s descendants recently fought for the property to be listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. However, the application was rejected by Fiona Gardiner, Heritage Branch director of the Department of the Environment and Heritage Protection.

The Guy Avenue Queenslander property was listed on the McGrath Real Estate website for $750,000, and an agent is confirming that it is currently under sale contract.

Since the Calrossie is not included in the heritage register, Guy’s descendants are worried that its heritage will potentially be destroyed. The property could be destroyed or removed by the new owner to make way for new development. The house is located at the highest part of Buderim and offers excellent ocean views to add to its appeal.

The seller affirms that the property will not be demolished. However, a McGrath spokesperson said that they are unsure of the future plans of the new owner.

William Guy’s home was among the first properties to be constructed on top of the mountain. In 1870, Mr Guy was commissioned to survey the area of Buderim. Three streets were named after him, Guy Avenue, William Street and Wilguy Cres.

Buderim Student Conducts Unprecedented Coast Research

Buderim student Felomena Macdonald is set to embark on research that will be a first for the Sunshine Coast region.

Felomena, who is about to begin her Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast, will conduct research on drones and advanced imaging techniques to look for new means to analyse soil erosion on farming areas in the region.

The existing method of identifying the amount and rate of erosion can either be through manual collection or through the use of laser technology. Laser technology is deemed expensive, and Felomena thinks that imaging technique can be a viable alternative.

The study will be beneficial to farmers as it will help them learn how much soil is being lost after a storm or other factors.

The geo-science graduate remarkably completed her degree even when she was working full time. Now, she can focus more on her research as she works on her honours full time.