In the Community

The Sunshine Coast is a romantic destination by nature and is the scene of countless carefully planned date nights, marriage proposals and amorous memories for many couples, particularly at Valentine's Day.

Editor's note: This is the ninth in a series of stories about people who were raised on the Sunshine Coast who are making a successful mark in the world of their chosen vocations.

Do you enjoy making wine? If so, you will require bottles.

From Nov. 17 to Dec. 24, Coasters came through with enough coins and bills to fill dozens of Salvation Army Christmas kettles, bringing in more than $57,000 for the non-profit organization.

Shoeboxes, more than 900 of them, packed with school supplies, gifts and goodies, left the Coast in November, on their way to bring some Christmas cheer to children in South and Central America.

With memories of the Australian ballet at the Sydney opera house still vivid in our memories, we sailed away and headed for the Southern tip of New Zealand.

A former army officer who led a team onto the shores of Juno Beach during the D-Day attacks celebrated his 90th birthday on the Coast this month. Alan Dean was born on Jan.

Some men build a good life for themselves. Some men build a solid reputation. Some men build a family and a circle of friends. John West built all of the above, and in the process, he helped to build a community.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Sunshine Coast (BBBS) always needs volunteers, but they are currently emphasizing just how much they need them right now. In fact, the mentoring agency currently needs 18 volunteers, and the need is an urgent one.

Our 45-day crossing to the southern hemisphere started in San Diego. We were travelling to Australia and New Zealand aboard the Holland American cruise ship, the Zaandam.