If you’ve ever wondered what really keeps Coochiemudlo Island ticking along behind the scenes, the answer is simple: volunteers. Lots of them. Quietly doing the work that keeps this little island connected, cared for, safe, social and functioning.

 

From driving the community bus and delivering groceries, to protecting wildlife, preserving local history, staffing the Op Shop, maintaining the golf course, running events, caring for native bushland and even delivering emergency medications from the RFDS Medical Chest at all hours… volunteers are woven through almost every part of island life. Some organisations have just a handful of helpers. Others have dozens. Together, they create the kind of community many places wish they had.

There are opportunities for people who enjoy practical hands-on work, administration, driving, gardening, community organising, emergency support, hospitality, environmental care, heritage projects and social connection.

 

Some roles are regular and structured, others are occasional and flexible. A lot of people simply start by helping out once… and suddenly they’re part of something bigger. Funny how that happens on Coochie.

Volunteer groups include:

• Coastcare
• Bushcare
• Native Nursery
• Heritage Society
• Recreation Club
• Community Bus
• Shopping Service & Fuel Run
• Coochie Progress
• Meals on Wheels
• Emergency services and first responders
• Markets and community events
• Golf Club volunteers
• Wildlife and environmental support teams

 

The article also shines a light on just how much unseen work goes into keeping services running, especially on an island community where transport, ageing demographics and isolation create unique challenges.

 

You can read the full article here.

It’s well worth the read. You may come away with a whole new appreciation for the people quietly making things happen while the rest of us are still deciding whether to put shoes on today.