Buderim Resident Rocks Crowds

BUDERIM RESIDENT ROCKS THE CROWDS AT MTV PLUGS INTO DREAMWORLD SHOW

Buderim’s Mitchell Daymond, might have been at Dreamworld for the Big 6 thrill rides including The Cyclone Rollercoaster, but the holiday took a series of twists and turns when he was plucked from a 1000 strong audience to become the very first contestant in the theme park’s live Summer Show, MTV Plugs into Dreamworld.

Vying against one other contender, Katrina Kritikakis, 24, was quizzed on his/her rock knowledge, pushed around the Dreamworld studios in a shopping trolley while wearing a massive sumo suit, and trussed up in a gold-coloured leotard to dance to Beyonce’s hit song, Single Lady.

The contestants were neck and neck for the first round but Mitchell’s lightning fast moves in a sumo suit and super-fly dance moves had the crowd cheering him to victory.

Said Mitchell, “Being on stage was really good and to be on there with Erin McNaught was awesome, she’s really pretty.”

“I’ve got definite bragging rights with my friends now,” he added.

For four weeks this summer, MTV will plug into Dreamworld with an explosive and entertaining live show called MTV Plugs Into Dreamworld – Summer Series.

Part stunt show, part game show, full of pumped up music and always focused on fun, the 30 minute high-powered shows take the coolest elements off the MTV channel and into a live audience with extreme bike stunts by legendary mini-moto cross champion Mark “Brownie” Brown and breathtaking dancing from some of the stars of So You Think You Can Dance.

Tying it all together on the stage with tunes that define MTV’s most memorable moments is resident DJ of MTV’s “The Lair”, the diminutive Fly Girl Tee. She is supported by a series of celebrity guest hosts including stuntman Robbie Maddison, pro-skater Corbin Harris, former Miss Australia Erin McNaught and hip hop dancer, Nacho Pop.

Held three times a day in the Dreamworld studios, MTV Plugs Into Dreamworld – Summer Series will run from December 26, 2009 through to January 22, 2010.

Eumundi is now much sweeter

Sweet Yummy Chocolate Treats!!!

Louisa and her Cocoa Chocolat® brand of chocolates and truffles is a recipe for success made in the heart of Eumundi.

Her journey in the world of chocolate first started with her Dutch mother who years ago was a Chocolatiere in Holland. Although Louisa first started helping her mother at a tender age of around 7 or 8 as little girls do, Louisa developed a love for chocolate and over the years Louisa always made chocolates at Christmas time and gave them out as presents to family and friends and never lost her passionate dream of one day owning her very own chocolate shop. Louisa has worked and gained valuable knowledge working in both Holland and Belgium under two Master Chocolatiers.

Her second love was travel, so she worked as a stewardess for British Airways for 10 years traveling to most of their destinations around the world, always making chocolates at every spare moment and constantly dreaming of her chocolate shop and on one lucky day, she met in Muscat located in the Sultanate of Oman a businessman called Malcolm who was on a business trip. This meeting was something so special they both knew they were meant for one another, so Malcolm very quickly clipped Louisa’s wings. They married three years later and moved shortly thereafter to America when by chance at a dinner party, Louisa served a few of her handmade chocolates and truffles which was the start of a small chocolate business.

However, as the years went by Louisa wanted to be close to her brother who had been living in Queensland for a number of years, so a major decision was made to relocate to Australia. Louisa was still fully focused on her goal of owning her chocolate shop but not knowing Malcolm being a businessman, he also had other ideas to start a small chocolate factory and within a few months of arriving in Australia they were both busy looking for the right location. That’s when they found out the Eumundi Hardware & Produce Store was up for sale so they made an offer which was accepted. The building could not have been a better choice located in the cute little market town of Eumundi, full of friendly people, who are extremely supportive and somewhat proud of their chocolate factory, not forgetting that little saying, from little acorns do mighty oaks grow, so watch this space!

So to the present, walking into Cocoa Chocolat® for the very first time is an experience definitely not to be missed as it’s a delight for ones eyes. While trying to make the impossible decision on what chocolate goodies to choose, you can watch a DVD on the processing of cocoa beans, which are cultivated in a Fair Trade environment and turned into chocolate. You can also observe from the viewing window as Louisa creates exquisite delights in front of your eyes, all in a huge environmentally friendly state-of-the-art purpose built climate controlled boutique factory with gleaming stainless steel machinery.

In Louisa’s collection of both modern and traditional chocolates and truffles are her most treasured recipes found amongst her late mother’s papers and translated from the original Dutch. Louisa only uses the finest grade of Belgian couverture chocolate, she creates the most wonderful chocolates and truffles which taste so delicious one is definitely not enough, there is something for everyone from chocolate green frogs, lollipops, teddy bears, to delicious giant chocolate truffles and the lovely gift packaging is outstanding. The fun is finding your very own special treat, these delicious chocolates and truffles will have you coming back for more, you will not be disappointed and that’s a fact.

Louisa only uses the very best of selected ingredients from around the globe such as King Island cream, butter and honey being her preferred choice not forgetting their very own locally grown Queensland macadamia nuts, Buderim ginger, plus wonderful locally grown Eumundi strawberries and exotic fruits. Louisa achieves a level of excellence with unsurpassed flavours captured in every piece. This is what Cocoa Chocolat® is all about, pure quality and an indulgence not to be missed. Cocoa Chocolat® will ship their chocolates anywhere in Australia guaranteed next day air starting from as little as $8.00.

Cocoa Chocolat® has just been awarded the national award for Small Business Champion 2009/2010.

T: (07) 5442 7841
E: cocoachocolat@bigpond.com
W: www.cocoachocolat.com.au

Now open 7 days per week at Eumundi: Mon to Fri 8am - 5pm, Sat 8am-4pm and Sun 10am to 2pm.
Now open 7 days per week at Hastings Street, Noosa: Mon to Fri 11am - 9pm and Sat 10am-9pm & Sun 10am to 8pm.

National Winner - Small Business Champion Awards 2009
Winner - Sunshine Coast Excellence in Business Awards 2009
Queensland State Winner - Small Business Champion Awards 2009
Winner - Eumundi Best New Business Awards 2009

Kids and the Dog Park

The Buderim Dog Park is a brilliant facility at the base of Buderim on the road to Mooloolaba.

One reader has contacted the Buderim Web Site with a valid concern over the use of the park. The answer (Rebecca feels) is to put a sign up to protet dog owners, saying the use of the park is at your own risk and that children should be kept away from strange dogs for their own safety.

Perhaps a sign which says "Children should be kept on a leash in this park" is in order ;-) (ed).

Here is her letter, what do you think?

I am a resident of Buderim who regularly uses the wonderful park with my pups along with the many others that love the park.

On a few occassions lately i have been concerned with small (very small) children in the park. I have no issue with children in the park, (as long as their parents supervise them) its great to see them as future dog lovers, but the occassions that have upset me are with tiny kids of crawling age placed on the ground and kids on the ground using the sand as a sand pit. Sometimes groups of 15 dogs are running and it is very scary as they can knock an adult over.

Last week a boisterious group of ususals (german sheppard, 3 staffies and a boxer) were playing and a family was there with a tiny baby of crawling age and had her on the ground. I said to them before i let my dogs go that i wouldnt leave her there as they all play very rough. 'thats ok, she is used to dogs' they owned two very small dogs. I told them that whilst my pups are small they are strong and can knock a little kid over.
Sure enough the group of dogs were running like crazy ( adults need to look out too!!) and the baby was left to crawl on the grass and then had one of my pups jump over her then all over her. Whilst its all friendly, i dont have kids, so my dogs dont know how to be extra gentle. Its just another person to play with to them. The baby didnt have a care in the world but the mother was very angry and kept kicking any dog that come near the table after that, including my 7 month old pup several times. zmy dogs dont speak english and dont understand ranting and raving but do understand commands which are nicer then being kicked at.

Whilst i feel bad that my pup jumps on kids, im doing my best to avoid it and teach better manners, but the dog park is one place where you can go where you know there are other dog lovers who understand dogs and are all there for the same reason and dont mind if you get a little dirt on you.
It has been a great and essential socialising tool for my boys and they love it. Now i feel on tenderhooks each time i go. This same incident happened to a friend of mine who owns a staffy x daschound and the child cried this time and she felt obliged to take her dog and leave the park.

Whilst everyone is welcome in a community park, some responsibility needs to be taken and it needs to be noted that it is a dog park, not a playground. And there are hardly any places where we cna let our dogs run like this.
As we all know you should never leave your own child unattended with your own dog, let along a pack of strange dogs. Also i imagine the ground in that park is not a very hygenic area for kids to play in the dirt let alone crawl in it.

A few other i have spoken to have had issues with kids chasing thier dogs or screaming which puts owners on edge (especially those with new dogs or who dont have children)

Im worried it is an accident waiting to happen and maybe some sort of signage would protect and make us responsible dog owners more at ease when visiting this great place.

Monetary trolley deposits at Woolies on Buderim

In an effort to tame the wandering trolley, Woolworths on Buderim has implemented a new system, whereby you must wedge a dollar coin into the trolley to release it from the bay. The dollar is retrieved when you return the trolley to the bay. alternatively you have to locate another trolley and jam it into that one in order to retrieve the coin.

This system is not unique to Buderim but is certainly causing a great deal of consternation to shoppers. Those most vocal and distraught are the elderly members of the community, but the nuiscance value is not exclusive to that particular age group. What happens if you do not have a dollar or two dollar coin? Well you have to stand like a goose at the front counter till you can attract the attention of an assisstant to change a note. If you (like me) do not carry money and rely on cards, then you are a shot duck!

Here is an email which is typical of those received at the Buderim Web Site from people voicing their displeasure.

textarea: I want to register our strong displeasure and objection to (Buderim) Woolworths new system of requiring a monetary deposit on the use of their trolleys. We find this a ridiculous imposition and are determined to use stores that do not require this. As Woolworths was one of our main reasons for shopping at Buderim, this in effect, means that we will be doing ALL our shopping elsewhere
(name and phone number supplied)

What do Buderim woolworths hope to achieve?
Clearly they want to reduce the number of trolleys which are carted up to the caravan park or left abandoned at the curb by thoughtless shoppers who just don't want to organise a better way of taking their groceries home. Plus reduce the operating costs by laying off staff where they can.

Will this be the answer to peope removing trolleys form the carpark?
At the risk of giving ignorant people a clue, all they have to do is spend a dollar and take a trolley home, then they can start their own collection (which is what they must be doing anyway) which can be dumped at their leisure!

Alternatively, the more clever of them may design and make a device to simulate the removal key and get the money out anyway. They could even make one from an old trolley!



Will this be helpful for the shoppers?
Hardly! If there is no trolley in the carpark, they have to push it back to the shop for a refund. If you do not carry cash you greatly inconvenienced.

So what will be the net results from this social experiment?
It does not take a Nostradamus to see the most likely outcomes.
At this stage the shoppers are irate, the trolley boys are out of a job, the small number of trolleys taken away will probably still be taken away by the diehards, the mischief removals may be reduced - but may be increased by kids wanting to try and rip out the coins.

I can't help but to wonder if a smarter way of dealing with this would be to factor a two tenths of a cent levy on a staple such as milk, which nobody would even notice . . . which could be used to fund a trolley boy's wage or something more friendly for the customer.

I am sure they would argue "We are trying to reduce costs . . . " Well here's a clue guys! Shopping is not just about the price!

This is a heartless dehumanisation of the Woolworths on Buderim Shopping Experience and quite frankly will only result in a denegration of the attitude and morale of both employees and the people of Buderim. Let's hope they wake up sooner rather than later.

Sadly, they didn't listen to the people of Buderim when they set up that traffic congesting, eyesore of a shopping centre, obscuring some of the best Coastal views in the Buderim Village . . . why would they bother now?

Like to comment? add one to this blog now?

The Sculptured Garden exhibition

Dates: Saturday 5th September 2009 to Sunday 13th September 2009 (weekends only)

Location: Atrium Gallery, Buderim Craft Cottage

The Potters and Clay Sculptors of Buderim Craft Cottage present "The Sculptured Garden", their annual exhibition of studio-made sculpture and pottery for homes and gardens. The exhibition showcases the best of recent work by the 40+plus members of the Group. Some 150 pieces will be included in the exhibition. Each piece is unique, being hand-formed or wheel -thrown and kiln-fired in the studio by the artist. Much of the work in the exhibition is designed for gardens and courtyards, but there will also be a number of sculptural and functional pieces for display and use indoors, including feature pieces for walls

The photographs are from the 2008 exhibition The Sculptured Garden exhibition Atrium Gallery, Buderim Craft Cottage, 5 Main St Buderim Free Entry Sat 5th, Sun 6th, Sat 12th, Sunday 13th only. 9am - 4pm each day. All work is for sale, and credit card facilities are available

For further information, contact Jan: 07-54452343 or email nelsonmj@tpg.com.au

The 14th annual Voices on the Coast

The 14th annual Voices on the Coast – Youth Literature Festival is on again from the 14 July to the 18 July with over 130 talks and writing workshops for young people and adults. This year the festival focuses on the illustration process with Shaun Tan, Leigh Hobs, Nick Bland, silk screen artist Michelle Toft and local Buderim illustrator Michelle Pike. Also attending the festival are leading Australian authors, poets and performers including Morris Gleitzman, Maureen McCarthy and Pat Flynn. Someone for everyone, from young children to young adults to the young at heart.

The Voices Plus program features a ‘Blokes and Books’ evening with Australian sportsmen and authors discussing the good, the bad and the ugly about reading and young men. Also featuring is Paul Collins with a 2 hour fantasy world writing workshop along with Melbourne based author, Ilsa Evans, appearing at the literary breakfast. You may also be interested in our ever popular free visits to local libraries by authors Hilary Badger (close associate to the elusive Zac Power author), Peter Carnavas, and poet David (Ghostboy) Stavanger.

Voices on the Coast continues to be proudly co-presented by Immanuel Lutheran College and the University of the Sunshine Coast.

For more information and ticket sales visit www.immanuel.qld.edu.au/voices or 5477 3437

Voices on the Coast

Over 130 Writing workshops for young people and adults. 25 Authors, Illustrators and Poets from across Australia - Festival Launch, Literary Breakfast with Ilsa Evans and Fantasy Writing Workshop with Paul Collins, Maroochydore Library.Festival is presented by Immanuel Lutheran College and University of the Sunshine Coast on the 14th to 18th July.. More information and tickets from www.immanuel.qld.edu.au/voices 54773437