NESTLED in the heart of the picturesque Scenic Rim Region you will find the Jenner family among the million sunflowers at their annual Kalbar Sunflower Festival.
In 2021, Lucerne farmers Jenny and Russell Jenner were struggling to keep their crops alive during one of the longest droughts in living memory.
Water had become so rare that they couldn’t grow their main crop, but after Russell brought a bunch of sunflowers home from the grocery store, the couple had a lightbulb moment.
Sunflowers need very little water and they look spectacular – and from there the festival grew.
Life hadn’t become any easier for the Jenners, and in late 2021 Russell was diagnosed with Stage 4 oesophageal cancer.
His stoic nature saw him battle through and help create happiness at the 2022/23 sunflower festival, where over $115,000 was raised for cancer care.
Unfortunately Russell lost his battle a few months later in July 2023.
Jenny was determined to continue farming and create a happy and joyful experience for visitors to the farm once a year with the annual sunflower festival.
With a mighty team behind her, they have raised over $435,000 since 2022, providing funds to employ a Cancer Care Nurse at the Mater Hospital Springfield and also purchase cuddle beds for palliative care wards throughout South East Queensland.
The team are well advanced with planning the 2026 festival, with the dates now announced – May 1-3.
But this year there is further cause for celebration and support as Kalbar Sunflowers has launched Sunflower Spheres, a community fundraising initiative in partnership with the Mater Foundation and the West Moreton Health Foundation, the official charity foundation supporting Boonah Hospital.
The project will create two permanent sunflower sphere sculptures, inviting the community to sponsor individual sunflowers through a $100 donation.
Each sunflower will be engraved with a nominated name, creating a lasting tribute while supporting local healthcare.
The Mater Sunflower Sphere will feature 320 sunflowers and raise funds for the purchase of a SPY-PHI imaging system for the new public Mater Hospital Springfield, supporting improved cancer surgery in the region.
The Boonah Sunflower Sphere will feature 170 sunflowers and will fund upgrades to the hospital gardens at Boonah Hospital, enhancing outdoor spaces for patients, staff and visitors.
Both sculptures have been designed and handcrafted by Wendy and Rob Badke, of Boonah, with production costs generously covered by the team from Snap Fitness Redbank Plains, ensuring every donation goes directly to the nominated foundation.
Donation links:
For Mater Springfield:
fundraise.mater.org.au/fundraiser/kalbarsunflowers/kalbar-sunflower-festival- 2026
For Boonah Hospital:
wmhf.org.au/get-involved/boonah-sunflower-sphere
Enquiries to Jenny Jenner, email [email protected] or mobile 0418 736 588.
