Buderim Archives - Buderim Today

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

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

Buderim home with farming history sells for $2.85 million

A Buderim home with links to one of the Sunshine Coast’s long-standing farming families has sold at auction for $2.85 million.

The five-bedroom, three-bathroom property, at Residence Six, 21 Clearview Court, went under the hammer at a recent Avani in-room auction event.

The home was built by the late Peter Wise, an eighth-generation Maroochydore farmer, who died in 2024.

Family connection to the land

Mr Wise custom-built the home in 2010, with the design prepared by architects Blackburn and Jackson.

The property sits on a 3005sqm allotment on Buderim’s north-eastern escarpment, with views across the coast from Alexandra Headland to Mount Ninderry.

His daughters, Amanda and Kylie Wise, said their father had a strong connection to the land.

They said he was so devoted to his property that it was often difficult to convince him to stop for a break, even for a quick smoko.

The home was positioned so Mr Wise could look out over his farm from the property.

Local buyers secure the home

Ray White Mooloolaba sales agent Jacob Hussey said the auction attracted two registered bidders, with several conditional buyers also following the sale.

He said the property was bought by a Buderim-based couple with farming backgrounds.

Mr Hussey said the buyers were not actively looking for another home but became interested after seeing the property during the campaign.

He said they planned to enjoy the home and may move into it in the future.

Space for extended family

The property includes a self-contained lower level with its own driveway, single garage, kitchen and living area.

The space could suit multi-generational living or potential rental use.

The block also has drivable access to the lower section, with potential for a future subdivision or secondary dwelling, subject to council approval.

Family prepares to downsize

The sale comes as Mr Wise’s widow, Ivy, prepares to downsize from the property.

Mr Hussey said the result was a significant moment for the Wise family as they prepared to move on from the Buderim home.

Published 8-July-2026

Queensland Garden Show Celebrates 42 Years with Biggest Names in Gardening

The Queensland Garden Show is celebrating its 42nd year at Nambour Showgrounds with more than 90 free talks across five live stages, 360-plus exhibitors and a speaker program featuring Tammy Huynh alongside some of the country’s best-known horticultural experts.

The event runs from 10 to 12 July 2026 and is expected to attract more than 25,000 visitors. For Buderim residents, Nambour Showgrounds is just a 15-minute drive north-west along the range, making it one of Queensland’s most accessible major gardening events. Around 65 per cent of attendees travel from outside the Sunshine Coast region, highlighting the show’s statewide appeal.

The 2026 program spans seven hectares and includes more than 55 nurseries selling 60,000 plants each day, a Giant Kitchen Garden, a Plant Clinic for one-on-one advice, hands-on workshops and a packed schedule of talks and demonstrations. It is the kind of event where visitors can easily spend a full day exploring, which is why two-day and three-day passes remain popular.

Tammy Huynh makes her Queensland debut

The headline addition to the 2026 speaker programme is Tammy Huynh, who joins the show for the first time. A presenter on ABC’s Gardening Australia, author of The Plant Book and 2021 Horticulturist of the Year, Huynh brings a focus on indoor plant care that reflects how much gardening culture has shifted in recent years toward balcony gardens, apartment growing and houseplant collections.

“One of the things I love most about gardening events is the opportunity to connect with other plant enthusiasts, share knowledge and learn something new,” Huynh said ahead of her Queensland debut. “My sessions will explore indoor plant care, common problems and some of the biggest myths surrounding houseplants, with plenty of practical tips to help people grow with confidence.”

Her sessions sit alongside returning horticultural heavyweights Graham Ross AM, Sophie Thomson, Jerry Coleby-Williams and Phil Dudman, who between them represent decades of practical growing knowledge. New speaker Robert “The Mountain Man” Wilson also joins the programme, bringing his perspective on legacy horticulture to the lineup.

From the vegie patch to the chef’s stage

The Cooks Garden Stage adds a food angle that makes the show genuinely useful for home growers who want to know what to actually do with what they harvest. Head Chef Mal Meiers from ēthos at Alsahwa Estate appears alongside Kenji Hiroto from SOKA, crowd favourite Matt Golinski, and Robert Cauilan, Executive Chef at Aussie World and the Banana Bender Pub, whose cooking draws on Filipino flavours applied to modern Australian cuisine.

“Whether you’re interested in rare, unusual and ornamental plants, new plant releases, growing your own food at home, creating a more sustainable garden or simply learning from some of the best minds in horticulture, there is something in the program for every gardener,” said Colin Fruk, Chief Executive Officer of Greenlife Industry QLD.

A rooster crow and 60,000 plants

Beyond the speaker stages and the nurseries, the show runs a Plant Clinic where visitors can bring their gardening problems directly to experts, workshops for those who want to get their hands in the soil, and the returning Rooster Crowing Competition as part of the Poultry Spectacular.

Adults and children both compete, and it has become one of the more genuinely unexpected highlights of the weekend.

The economic reach of the Queensland Garden Show is considerable. Over more than four decades, the event has injected over $200 million into the local economy, with a visitor base that extends well beyond the Sunshine Coast into Brisbane, regional Queensland and interstate.

Tickets and getting there

The Queensland Garden Show runs Friday 10 July to Sunday 12 July 2026 at Nambour Showgrounds. Gates open at 8am and close at 4pm each day.

Ticket prices are as follows:

Adult entry – $26.50 (online) / $29 (gate price)
Pensioner concession – $23.50 (online) / $25 (gate price)
Locals entry – $21.20 (online) / $22.50 (gate)
Children 15 years and under – Free
Groups of 10 or more – $20 each
Two-day weekend pass (Saturday and Sunday) – $45
Three-day pass – $65
Parking: $10 per car

The showgrounds offer excellent disability access including on-site disabled parking, ground-level exhibits and accessible toilet facilities. Guide dogs are welcome.

Tickets are available online, where the full speaker programme and session times are also listed.

Published 25-June-2026

Buderim Resale Result Shows Changing Trends In Over-50s Communities

A Buderim home resale has highlighted how one over-50s couple achieved a significant gain within a land lease community before moving to another development in the region.

From Buderim Purchase To Resale Gain

A Sunshine Coast couple who purchased a home at B by Halcyon in Buderim in December 2023 later sold the property and reported an increase of about 35 per cent.

The resale was completed within six weeks, allowing them to transition to a different community at Halcyon Coves in Aura. The move enabled them to take up a slightly larger home while retaining the uplift from the sale.

Sunshine Coast property — Photo Credit: Supplied

How The Housing Model Works

The Buderim transaction reflects the structure of land lease communities, where residents own their home but lease the land beneath it.

Under this model, homeowners retain capital gains when they sell. The arrangement outlined in the release also states that there are no deferred management or exit fees, which can apply in traditional retirement villages and reduce final returns.

This difference in structure has been identified as a factor in resale outcomes for some homeowners in the over-50s sector.

land lease communities — Photo Credit: Supplied

Repeat Moves Within The Same Sector

The couple’s move from Buderim to another Halcyon community aligns with a broader pattern of repeat buying within similar developments.

Some homeowners are selling in established communities and purchasing again in newer locations, using resale outcomes to upgrade their homes or adjust their living arrangements.

This behaviour reflects how certain buyers are approaching over-50s housing with both lifestyle and financial considerations in mind.

Market Conditions Behind The Resale

Conditions across South East Queensland have also been linked to resale outcomes in this segment.

Housing supply in the region continues to lag behind demand, supporting price growth across different parts of the market. Within land lease communities, the limited number of homes available for resale has also been identified as a factor influencing value.

As resale activity increases, there is growing attention on how these transactions are tracked compared to traditional housing sales.

Buderim resale gain — Photo Credit: Supplied

What The Buderim Example Shows

The Buderim resale highlights how some over-50s homeowners are navigating housing decisions within land lease communities.

The ability to sell, retain gains, and move into another property within the same sector is emerging as a pathway for those seeking flexibility in later-life housing.

Published 26-Mar-2026

New Festival Site Approved for Coochin Creek Near Caloundra

Comiskey Group

A 150-hectare outdoor music festival and exhibition site at Coochin Creek, located approximately 25 minutes south of Buderim via the Bruce Highway, has received approval to host year-round events for up to 35,000 attendees, marking the Sunshine Coast’s first large-scale dedicated music venue.

The Coochin Fields site is expected to support more than 680 jobs and generate over $70 million in annual economic activity for the Sunshine Coast region. Developers the Comiskey Group plan to bring 250,000 visitor nights per year to the area, with 70,000 visitors and approximately $100 million in expenditure to the region.

Director David Comiskey said the development would be a major drawcard for the state, with 61 hectares of the site remaining undeveloped and tens of thousands of trees to be planted to create comfortable spaces for events. The site will host festivals and exhibitions throughout the year rather than seasonal events only.

Music Industry Welcomes New Venue

QMusic Chief Executive Officer Kris Stewart said the approval represents a huge step forward for the Queensland music industry, which has long called for more large-scale dedicated music venues. Having this kind of investment in a festival and music venue will benefit both Queensland audiences and artists.

Coochin Creek festival site — Photo Credit: Comiskey Group

The site fills a gap in the Sunshine Coast’s entertainment infrastructure, providing a purpose-built facility for major acts and events that previously had limited options in the region. Stewart noted that as Queensland faces the 2032 Olympics, the state needs platforms for the music industry to succeed and venues that can host world-class entertainment.

Environmental Safeguards and Community Concerns

The approval includes 100 conditions following extensive consultation, with requirements for wildlife-friendly fencing, stormwater management and operational plans to prevent neighboring national park and state forest from being affected. The site previously operated as a turf farm and strawberry farm.

However, environmental groups including the Sunshine Coast Environment Council have expressed concerns about the decision. Narelle McCarthy from the organization described it as ignoring environmental and safety risks, with 7,000 signatures collected against the development and a separate 150-site tourist park also approved at Coochin Creek.

Ten community groups petitioned against the application citing concerns over bushfire risk and environmental damage to the area bordering Pumicestone Passage, part of the Ramsar-listed Moreton Bay Marine Park. McCarthy said the conditions may not be strong enough to ensure no impacts on the significant environmental value of the area.

Local Music Community Divided

Sunshine Coast singer-songwriter Emma Bosworth questioned whether the development prioritizes tourism over sustainability, noting that Woodfordia and the Big Pineapple have already hosted festivals in the area. She emphasized concerns about losing special natural places to urban sprawl and questioned whether First Nations people were consulted and if legislation exists regarding programming of local songwriters at festivals.

The festival site approval follows the separate approval of a 150-site tourist park at Coochin Creek, which is expected to boost accommodation supply for visitors attending events and exploring the Sunshine Coast. The combined developments aim to position the region as a destination for world-class events and increase tourism infrastructure in the area.

Located six kilometres east of the Bruce Highway (Exit 179), south of Caloundra, the site sits an easy 30km drive for Buderim locals. Authorities have mandated traffic management plans to ensure major event days do not bottleneck the highway commute for Sunshine Coast residents.

Published 17-February-2026.

Buderim Community Warned After Two E-Bike Deaths Linked To Illegal High-Powered Models

Photo Credit: Lusien Hurg/Facebook

A safety warning in Buderim has intensified community concern after authorities linked two recent deaths to illegal high powered e-bikes and a growing number of risky devices used by young riders.

Rising Concern After Local Tragedies

In late October, 8 year old Zeke Hondow died after a head on crash with a 15 year old rider on a bike path at Mountain Creek near Buderim. Police said the older boy’s e-bike did not meet public use standards and reached speeds far beyond legal limits.

Two days later, a separate crash on the Gold Coast claimed the life of another 15 year old whose electric dirt bike reached about ninety five kilometres per hour. Both incidents raised questions about how many young riders use powerful bikes that fall outside current rules.

Government Response Focused On Safety

Queensland’s Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg spoke in Buderim and urged parents to think carefully before buying expensive e-bikes or e-scooters that do not meet legal requirements. He said police already face challenges enforcing current laws because many riders ignore them, and he stressed the need for clearer rules that officers can enforce.

*Photo Credit:* *Brent Mickelberg MP*/Facebook

He also pointed to a parliamentary inquiry into e mobility safety, which is due to deliver findings by March 2026. He said the state will not rush new regulations before the inquiry reports and added that enforcement of existing laws will continue through summer.

Legal Action Following Mountain Creek Crash

Police charged the 15 year old involved in the Mountain Creek crash with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, unlicensed driving and operating an unregistered and uninsured vehicle. Detectives said this is the first known case where the dangerous operation charge has been applied to an e mobility device.

Investigators noted that Zeke was riding a far less powerful bike under supervision and confirmed that the older teen’s device did not comply with legal public use limits. They also pointed to rising injury numbers among young riders on the Sunshine Coast.

Schools And Agencies Introduce New Measures

Several Sunshine Coast schools have decided to ban e-bikes and e-scooters next year because of ongoing safety concerns. The Queensland Police Service launched Operation X ray Surety to check bikes for compliance with motor wattage and speed cut out rules.

The Office of Fair Trading also advised suppliers to follow their legal obligations and sell only devices that meet Australian standards. Local cycling groups supported these steps and encouraged families across the region to stay informed about the rules for public use.

Published 19-November-2025