Bloomhill News
It's that time of year again, when hundreds of elite athletes from around Australia flock to the Sunshine Coast to claim victory at the annual Mooloolaba Triathlon and support Bloomhill Cancer Help.
Event organisers, USM Events have once again declared Bloomhill the nominated charity of the 2012 Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival held from 23rd to 25th March.
Bloomhill President, Jenny Carroll said Bloomhill was honoured to have the continued support from USM Events.
"The support we receive each year from USM Events and the Mooloolaba Triathlon is overwhelming and has helped Bloomhill to support and assist more and more clients every year."
"They truly recognise the importance of Bloomhill to the Sunshine Coast," Jenny said.
This year, the Friday night Asics Mooloolaba Twilight Run has been named the official Bloomhill race with USM Events donating $5 from every entry fee to Bloomhill.
The Asics Twilight Run will kick off at 6pm on Friday, 23 March with Bloomhill patron and former Olympian, Raelene Boyle starting the race. There is cash to be won for first, second and third place male and female as well as random draw prizes for competitors.
For something a little bit different, all participants are encouraged to wear blue to show their support for Bloomhill and prizes will be awarded to the best-dressed male, female and group. Participants will also receive a pair of Bloomhill custom shoelaces inside their race kits.
"USM Events are expecting more than 700 people of all abilities to participate in the Twilight run this year," Jenny said.
"We welcome everyone to come along for a fun evening to support Bloomhill," she said.
Bloomhill Cancer Help is a Sunshine Coast based charity and provides support and assistance to those affected by cancer. Operated by a team of dedicated staff and hundreds of volunteers, Bloomhill offers counselling, transport to appointments, respite care and a range of complementary therapies and other practical help.
Bloomhill will be fundraising in a variety of ways at this year's Triathlon. You can show your support by entering the Asics Mooloolaba Twilight Run on Friday night, by visiting the Bloomhill breakfast barbecue on Saturday morning in Charles Clarke Park in River Esplanade and entering the Bloomhill raffle. Alternatively, you can donate or set up your own fundraising page through Everyday Hero with prizes to be won for the highest fundraiser. Simply visit, www.everydayhero.com.au to register.
"Bloomhill will be hosting the Superkidz BBQ on Saturday morning again this year, so please drop down for a snag and say hello," Jenny said.
Entries for the supporting events at the Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival are now open. To enter, visit www.mooloolabtri.com.au. Sunshine Coast school kids will receive a 50% discount off the entry fee if they enter by 21st March. Or to find out more about Bloomhill, visit www.bloomhill.com.au or call 07 5445 5794.
QUEENSLAND Senator Claire Moore visited the Bloomhill Cancer Help Centre at Buderim this morning to inspect progress on their major renovations.
The renovations, which started in October thanks to a grant from the Commonwealth Government and funds raised from the community through the Target 300 campaign, are well on the way.
The Queensland Senator shared morning tea with the Bloomhill Management Committee and staff at Bloomhill, followed by a tour of the construction site to see the progress of the extension.
Bloomhill President, Jenny Carroll said the Management Committee and staff were thrilled to have the opportunity to meet the Senator.
“It was also important to us that we were able to express our appreciation to the Senator for the role she played in helping us to receive the grant money for the extensions,” Jenny said.
In June 2011, Bloomhill received a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Australia to support the health needs of regional communities. Senator Claire Moore helped to facilitate the delivery of the grant application that made the extension possible.
“Senator Moore was of great assistance in ensuring the original application was in the hands of the Department of Health and Ageing on time.”
“Without her involvement, we may not have received the funding and the extensions would still be in the planning stage,” Jenny said.
“All the money we received from the grant will be used to build and fit out five new therapy rooms, additional office space and with other funds on hand to refurbish the entire Therapy House,” Jenny said.
Since then, the Senator has maintained an interest in Bloomhill and was invited to the ‘Commencement of Construction’ celebration in November. Due to other obligations the Senator was unable to attend and scheduled a visit in the New Year instead.
“We were really excited to show the Senator how much progress has been made on the extensions.”
Bloomhill Cancer Help is a Sunshine Coast based charity that provides support and assistance to those affected by cancer. Operated by a team of dedicated professional staff and hundreds of volunteers, Bloomhill offers counseling, transport to appointments, respite care and a range of complementary therapies and other practical help.
“The Senator has always shown an interest in supporting small charities like Bloomhill and helping them further develop the capacity for their services,” Jenny said.
Bloomhill President, Jenny Carroll said the extension means people diagnosed with cancer and their families will have better access to services and support.
“We are hoping that the construction will be completed by April 2012 and the new Therapy House to be fully functional again by June,” Jenny said.
Bloomhill Cancer Help celebrated the beginning of construction of the long-anticipated extension to its Therapy House at a 'Commencement of Construction' ceremony on Tuesday, 15 November.
The event began at 12pm at the Bloomhill Cancer Help House at 58 Ballinger Road, Buderim and marked the first step in the expansion, with former Olympian and Bloomhill patron, Raelene Boyle AM MBE leading the ceremony.
Bloomhill President, Jenny Carroll said the extension means people diagnosed with cancer and their families will have better access to services and support.
"Bloomhill was in desperate need of this extension," Jenny said.
"With more than 900 clients and growing, the Bloomhill Therapy House in Buderim had reached maximum capacity with treatment rooms sometimes booked for more than a month in advance," Jenny said.
Bloomhill Cancer Help is a Sunshine Coast based charity that provides support and assistance to those affected by cancer. Operated by a team of dedicated professional staff and hundreds of volunteers, Bloomhill offers counselling, transport to appointments, respite care and a range of complementary therapies and other practical help.
After almost a year of fundraising for the extension through their Target 300 campaign, the charity announced in June they had been granted a $500,000 funding boost from the Commonwealth of Australia to support the health needs of regional communities.
"We applied for the grant in November last year and were very surprised and delighted that we were successful," Jenny said.
"Bloomhill was the only small charity to receive funding from the grant pool, all the other recipients were major hospitals," Jenny said.
"As a non-profit organisation, we rely on the money raised through our Op Shops, donations, grants and fundraising activities to enable us to continue offering our support to the Sunshine Coast community," Jenny said.
"Target 300 got us well on our way, raising $90,000 and we are very grateful to everyone who generously donated to the campaign," Jenny said.
"The money raised through Target 300 and the Government funding will be used to build and fit out five new therapy rooms, additional office space and hopefully also refurbish the entire Therapy House," Jenny said.
"We are expecting the extension to be ready by May 2012," Jenny said.
Due to the commencement of building works at the Ballinger Road Centre from Monday 29 August 2011, all of Bloomhill's Touch Therapies, Counselling and Group Faciliation will be taking place at 131 Sugar Road, Maroochydore if you go in the driveway next to BBQ's & Fireplaces and turn right just before you reach the end.
If you require any assitance during this time you can still contact Bloomhill on 07 5445 5794.
Hundreds are preparing to enjoy a fabulous day at the races and to support Bloomhill Cancer Help at their 9th Annual Race Day on Sunday, 16 September.
The event, that has seen more than 200 guests pre-book already, will be held at Corbould Park, Caloundra and as always promises to be a day to remember with plenty of fashion, fun, a full race schedule and lots of prizes to give away.
Race Day Coordinator, Gail Lamb said the race day is a great excuse to enjoy spring, catch up with friends and support a worthy cause.
“Tickets are selling fast and there are only a few places left, so anybody wanting to attend will have to be quick,” Gail said.
Tickets to the event start from $65 for entry to the Champagne Gardens and $90 per person or $900 per table in the Favourites Room.
In the Champagne Gardens, you will enjoy a sumptuous buffet lunch as you enjoy the race day activities. From the Favourites Room, you will be treated with champagne on arrival, delicious luncheon and panoramic views of the racetrack.
“This event is always a wonderful day with lots of prizes, a chance to bid in the memorabilia action and Fashions on the Field,” Gail said.
“There are also still a few opportunities left for business sponsorship,” Gail said.
“Being a business sponsor is a great way to support Bloomhill’s work in the community,” Gail said.
Our race day sponsors include Garry Crick Autogroup, Shoebox, Rare Bird Noosaville, Ray White Buderim, Bob Jane T-marts Maroochydore, MCH Corporation, Caboolture Sports Club, Maroochy RSL and Liberal National Party.
“We are so grateful for the incredible support and generosity we have received from our Race Day Sponsors. They always play a big part in making this day a success,” Gail said.
Bloomhill Cancer Help is a not for profit organisation and relies funds received through their Op shops, donations and fundraising events such as the Bloomhill Race Day to ensure they can continue offering support to those affected by cancer and their families throughout the Sunshine Coast region.
Operated by a dedicated team of staff and hundreds of volunteers, Bloomhill provides a range of services and complimentary therapies, transport to appointments, massage and counselling.
If you would like to book tickets, donate auction or raffle items, or become a business sponsor for this worthy cause call Gail at the Bloomhill Cancer Help Centre on 5445 5794.
Bloomhill Cancer Help will hold its annual Support Walk for the second year running on Sunday, 7 August, following the success of the event last year.
Organised by Walk Co-ordinators Kerron Bromfield and Terry Bailey, the 2.5km walk will raise much-needed funds for Bloomhill and will start at La Balsa Park on Harbour Parade, winding its way to the park beside Kawana Surf Club, where a free sausage sizzle will await to revive participants.
"We received a great response last year with 200 walkers participating to raise more than $3,000 and we hope that this year we can double that amount," Kerron said.
“The Support Walk is a fun and healthy way to spend your Sunday morning and support a worthy cause at the same time,” Kerron said.
The walk aims to generate awareness and raise much-needed funds for this local charity. All the money received from either donations or sponsorship of walk participants will help Bloomhill to continue providing valuable services to those living with cancer and their families throughout the Sunshine Coast region.
Bloomhill Cancer Help is a Sunshine Coast based charity and provides support and assistance to those affected by cancer. Operated by a team of dedicated staff and hundreds of volunteers, Bloomhill offers counselling, transport to appointments, respite care and a range of complementary therapies and other practical help.
“As a non-profit organisation, we rely on the money raised through our Op Shops, donations, grants and fundraising activities, like the Bloomhill Support Walk, for us to continue to offer our support to the Sunshine Coast community,” Kerron said.
Registration and donations begin from 8am with Bloomhill patron and former Olympian, Raelene Boyle leading the walk promptly at 9am on Sunday 7th August. A donation of $10 per person or $20 per family is requested to participate in the walk.
This year all sponsorship and registrations will be collected through Everyday Hero. Simply visit the website, www.everydayhero.com.au and search for Bloomhill under the ‘Heroes’ tab. If you wish to register, click on ‘Join the Team’ and follow the prompts or to make a donation or sponsor a family or friend, click ‘donate’.
“All those participating in the walk will be seeking sponsorship, so please give what you can,” Kerron said.
“No matter what fitness level you are, come walking, running or jogging, anyone and everyone can join in,” Kerron said.
For more information or to participate in the walk, please call Kerron Bromfield on 0438 322 098 or visit Bloomhill Cancer Help at 58 Ballinger Road.
Bloomhill Cancer Help will hold its annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast on Saturday, 25 June to acknowledge hundreds of dedicated volunteers who contribute their time and support to Bloomhill each year.
Bloomhill Volunteers Coordinator, Alex Bert said the breakfast was a great way to show our appreciation and recognise the selfless efforts of more than 400 volunteers.
Certificates will be presented to 35 committed volunteers for their ongoing services and support for the past 5 or ten years.
"Some of the volunteers have been here since Bloomhill first opened in 1997," Alex said.
“Our volunteers are the heart of Bloomhill, and without them we would not be able to help as many people as we do,” Alex said.
The breakfast will begin at 8am at the Bloomhill Centre in Buderim and will be followed be a formal ceremony, where Bloomhill President, Jenny Carroll will present the certificates and offer her thanks to all the volunteers on behalf of the Bloomhill Management Committee, staff and clients. Bloomhill patron and long-term supporter, Raelene Boyle will also be attending to show her appreciation.
The recipients of the certificates for 5 years of service include:
Janet Allan, Julie Bowd, Lorraine Brace, Trixie Buxton, Annette Callanan, Kees Callenbach, Gerda Creese, Roy Foxwell, Brian Gordon, Marcelle Scrivener, Angie Wiseman, Hilda Marin, Daniela Morello, Jenny Haddrell, Joyce Keating, Pamela Cooper, Cathie Griffiths, Margaret McLay, Annette Reith, Kerry Shirra, Karen Shirra, Joan Vincent, Debbie Meyers.
The recipients of the certificates for ten years of service include:
Lyn Cheffers, Shirley Guthrie, Lois Van Motman, Bill Van Motman, Glen Cartwright, Trevor Funch, Beth Hanson, Ann Rosenberg, Michell Rosenberg, Rosa Stingel, Rosemary Turnour, Raymond Clark.
In 2011 alone the volunteers contributed more than 15,600 hours of service and had driven more than 20,000.km in support of those affected by cancer.
“Bloomhill has now over 900 clients, and growing, so we always on the look-out for more volunteers,” Alex said.
“Volunteering is great way to give back to the community and can be really rewarding, knowing you have made a difference in the lives of others,” Alex said.
Bloomhill would like to acknowledge the donators, who will make the volunteer breakfast possible. Donations have come from:
Party People Maroochydore, Suncoast Flowers Kawana, Wayne Bell, Suncoast Foods, Garry Crick Auto Group, The Natural Food Store Forest Glen and Brumby’s Mountain Creek.
If you are interested in becoming a Bloomhill volunteer, please phone Alex at the Centre on 07 5445 5794 or for more information visit www.bloomhill.com.au.
Bloomhill Cancer Help celebrated another successful fundraising event on Wednesday, 1 June with the 'Gastronomic Wander' raising much-needed funds for the charity.
The event saw 70 guests dine at three of Mooloolaba's finest restaurants, 4th Floor, Via Italia and Hot Pipis in progressive-dinner style and raised more than $2,400 for the local charity.
Bloomhill President, Jenny Carroll said it was a fantastic night with great people and fabulous food.
"I am very pleased with the results and all the money raised will go towards the refurbishment of our new extension at the Bloomhill Centre in Buderim," Jenny said.
Jenny Carroll also made a very special announcement at the event, sharing that Bloomhill had been selected to receive a $500,000 sponsorship grant from the government.
“We are so excited about the grant because it means that our extension will hopefully be started by the end of this year,” Jenny said.
Bloomhill Cancer Centre is a Buderim based charity that provides support and assistance to those living with cancer. Operated by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers, Bloomhill offers counselling, transport to appointments, respite care and a range of other complementary therapies.
The event was organised by three Public Relations students from the University of the Sunshine Coast alongside mentor Michelle Smytheman, University Lecturer and Co-owner of public relations firm, Reflected Image PRoductions.
Michelle said the evening was not only a huge success for the charity but also provided invaluable experience for the students.
“It’s was a great way to put their degrees into motion through real life experiences,” Michelle said.
Students Johanna Staffas, Elodie Obkircher-Vela and Liberty Moore planned the event as a part of their ‘Event Planning’ course, which provides public relations students the opportunity to draw on their studies and apply their skills in a real-life environment.
“The event was a great way to test our skills and work in a team environment,” Elodie said.
“It was a very rewarding experience and a lot of fun,” Elodie said.
USC students and Bloomhill to host a Progressive Dinner in Mooloolaba
A trio of University of the Sunshine Coast students will join Bloomhill Cancer Help in hosting the 'Gastronomic Wander', a progressive dinner to help raise money for Bloomhill's Target 300 campaign on Wednesday, 1 June.
The three Public Relations students, Liberty Moore, Elodie Obkircher-Vela, and Johanna Staffas, who are mentored by Michelle Smytheman from Reflected Image PRoductions, are all eager to start putting their studies and enthusiasm into action for a good cause.
The students are organising an exciting evening in Mooloolaba where guests will eat at three of Mooloolaba's finest restaurants, 4th Floor, Via Italia and Hot Pipis in progressive dinner style made famous in the 1950's.
The event will raise money for Bloomhill’s Target 300 campaign, which is aimed at funding a desperately needed extension to the Bloomhill Cancer Help Centre in Buderim, to accommodate the increased number of clientele it is servicing.
Elodie Obkircher-Vela said the event was a great opportunity to give back to the community whilst getting the chance to put her studies into action.
Johanna Staffas, originally from Sweden moved to Australian in 2009 to complete her Public Relations degree at USC and to experience the coast lifestyle.
“It has been an incredible experience to complete my degree here, the people are wonderful and I’m excited to start using my studies to plan such a fun event,” Johanna said.
Bloomhill Cancer Centre is run by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers who rely on contributions from the community to provide services to people with cancer and their families throughout the Sunshine Coast.
Liberty Moore said she hopes the event will draw in people of all ages who are guaranteed an exciting night out and a unique dining experience.
Tickets for the progressive dinner will cost $75 per person and include a welcome drink, entree, main meal and dessert and the chance to win some exciting prizes. As part of their fundraising efforts the students are also selling tickets in a monster raffle in the lead up to and at the event.
The tickets for this special event are available for purchase from Reflected Image PRoductions. You can pay by credit card, or cheque or money order made out to “Bloomhill Cancer Help”. To reserve your place today, phone 07 5450 2691.
Bloomhill Cancer Help will be opening the roller-doors of their Distribution Centre on Saturday, 5 March to hold one of the Sunshine Coast's biggest Garage Sales.
Bloomhill President, Jenny Carroll said the garage sale was a great chance for people to pick up some really good quality items for a fraction of the cost, and at the same time support a worthy cause.
The garage sale is just the start of a huge week of Bloomhill savings. From Monday, 7 March to Saturday, 12 March, Bloomhill will host their End of Season Sale, offering up to 30% off at all their six Bloomhill Op Shops across the Sunshine Coast.
"You will be able to find all sorts of items at the garage sale and op shops during this week from furniture to appliances and white goods, of course clothing, and even sporting equipment," Jenny said.
Bloomhill Cancer Help is a Sunshine Coast based charity and provides support and assistance to those affected by cancer. Operated by a team of dedicated staff and hundreds of volunteers, Bloomhill offers counselling, transport to appointments, respite care and a range of complementary therapies and other practical help.
“Bloomhill doesn’t receive any government funding, so we rely on the money raised through our OP shops, donations, grants and fundraising activities, for us to continue to provide our high level of care,” Jenny said.
“The services we provide at Bloomhill are only made possible by the open-hearted support we receive from the local community and businesses.”
The Garage Sale is open from 7am to 12pm and will be held at the Bloomhill Distribution Centre at 10 Endeavour Drive, Kunda Park. There will also be free hot dogs.
The Bloomhill Op Shops are located in Buderim (Main Street), Maroochydore (First Avenue), Mooloolaba (Brisbane Road), Nambour (opposite hospital), Caloundra (Bulcock Street) and Noosa (Rene Street).
“We have received overwhelming support from the Sunshine Coast community in the past and we are sure there will be a great turn out to support us this time as well, and we encourage everyone to come down and take a look, you never know what treasures you may find,” Jenny said.
To find out more about Bloomhill visit www.bloomhill.com.au or visit a Bloomhill Op Shop.
