⚓ From the Helm⚓

Well… this week the tide shifted. And not in a fun, dolphins-at-the-bow kind of way.

Many islanders woke up to discover Woolworths has quietly added a $20 delivery fee for Coochiemudlo Island customers. That’s on top of groceries that already cost more, on top of living on an island, and yes, even if you’re paying for Delivery Unlimited. When “unlimited” suddenly comes with fine print, people are right to ask questions.

This isn’t about convenience. It’s about fairness. Island living already comes with ferry fares, fuel costs, weather delays and a healthy dose of “she’ll be right” resilience. A blanket fee that treats island communities as an inconvenience rather than customers feels like a course correction that missed the mark.

The good news? All is not lost. If ever there were a moment for a local legend to step out of the shadows, this might be it. The recently revamped Coochie Community Shopping Service could well be the quiet superhero waiting for their cue. After nearly parking the van for good last year, it’s likely they’ll see a surge of islanders choosing local, community-based solutions over faceless corporate pricing. Personally, I’d rather pay $15 to a local community group than $20+ to a multinational. But that’s just me. You decide.

Alongside that big-ticket issue, this week’s edition also dives into the everyday stuff that keeps island life ticking. Community updates, local initiatives, practical info, and a few reminders that while we may be small, we are anything but powerless when we stay informed and connected.

So consider this week’s edition a bit of a navigation chart. No yelling from the crow’s nest, no pitchforks on deck. Just facts, context, and a steady hand on the wheel.

As always, keep the conversations respectful, the questions coming, and the compass pointing toward community-first solutions.

Fair winds,
Adaire ⚓

Adaire Palmer

Editor, Coochie Community Online

WELL, L👀KIE HERE!! 

⚓Woolies fees that don't make sense!

⚓Coochie Community Shopping Service - local heroes step in

⚓Tree of Lost Soles & Through the Lens of Jan Gownes

Scroll to the end for 'What's on in January' and 'Standing Items' for events &  key contacts on Coochie 👇👇👇

Coochiemudlo Island residents are adjusting to a new update from Woolworths, with a $20 per delivery fee now applying to island orders — even for those already subscribed to Delivery Unlimited.

With no supermarket on the island and everyday essentials already costing more due to transport and logistics, this change has sparked conversation among locals who rely on online grocery delivery.

But all is not lost.
The recently revamped Coochie Shopping Service may just be the low-key superhero waiting in the wings. After nearly closing the van doors and hanging up the keys last year, the service is now well placed to see a surge in shoppers looking for a local alternative to Woolworths Online - keep an eye out for a call for volunteers, we may need the community to close ranks on this one!

In this article, we unpack what’s changed, what deliveries now cost, and why this conversation goes beyond convenience. It’s about how policy changes land on island communities — and the local solutions that quietly step up.

👉 Read the full breakdown and decide for yourself: when “unlimited” isn’t unlimited, what are island customers really paying for?

And honestly…

I’d rather pay $15 to a local community group than $20+ to a faceless corporation.

How about you? 😉

If you’ve ever tried to do a “simple” grocery run from Coochie, you already know it’s not simple. Between ferry timing, barge timing, cold stuff, heavy stuff, and the general chaos of being a human who needs food, it can turn into a whole expedition.

That’s exactly why the Coochiemudlo Community Shopping Service (CCSS) exists.

It’s a volunteer-run, not-for-profit community service that helps islanders get groceries from Victoria Point Coles delivered to their homes on Coochie. And yes, it also sits as the umbrella banner for the fuel service too, but the shopping service is the main event here. (We'll talk about the fuel service next week!)

Why Coles?

Because Coles allows the service to use their cold room. That’s the magic ingredient. It means cold and frozen items can stay properly chilled while volunteers are collecting, packing, and wrangling orders, instead of sweating it out on the dock like a sad block of melting cheese.

Other supermarkets don’t offer that same setup, which is why the service is currently built around Coles.

When does it run?

At the moment, CCSS runs on recycle bin week, on a Wednesday and Friday of each fortnight, which means next week is the order week (14 January).

And there’s a very real chance demand will increase (especially with mainland delivery costs increasing with the current Woolworths Online delivery service), so the service is already thinking ahead about scaling up if needed, potentially moving to a weekly rhythm using alternating days. (Watch this space for a call for volunteers, too!!)

Who can use it?

The service is designed to support residents to live independently on the island and it’s being updated to be accessible for more people.

There’s also flexibility for:

• Click & Collect customers (you order online, CCSS collects it)

• People who come over and do personal shopping during the service window

What does it cost?

• $5 membership fee

• $15 per shop/delivery (generally paid by direct debit to the CCSS bank account; if not prepaid, it can be collected on the day and marked as PAID)

How the shopping day actually flows

Here’s the behind-the-scenes “how the sausage gets delivered” version:

• Volunteers and the driver start early (think around 8:00am) to catch the 8:20am barge from Coochie.

• Arrival at the Coles back dock around 8:45am.

• Empty styrofoam boxes are unloaded and moved to the front of store.

• Shoppers arrive and complete shopping. The current shopping window is being adjusted to help people who have medical appointments, with the service generally operating in the morning.

• Groceries are packed into boxes:

  • Cold/frozen items go into the cold room

  • Pantry items, drinks, produce etc. are packed and staged for loading

• There’s a 10kg max per box rule (your arms will thank you).

• After lunch, volunteers return to load:

  • Boxes are collected from refrigerated storage and loaded into the CCSS van (around 1:00–1:30pm).

• Volunteers sign off, collect their induction cards, and the group returns on the barge (typically 2:20pm from Victoria Point).

• Back on Coochie, the driver and team begin home deliveries.

• The driver drops volunteers home, returns the van to base, and hands in the folder and any monies to the President.

How Click & Collect works (simple version)

If you use Coles Click & Collect, you’ll receive an order number from Coles. You then send that order number to CCSS (they have their own service phone and email, and the phone goes with the driver on the day). CCSS collects it, packs it, keeps cold goods cold, and delivers it to you on Coochie.

Want to join?

The membership system is being refreshed with the intention to make it clearer, cleaner, and easier for new members to hop on board.

For now, the key contacts are:

• Angela Phillips (President): 0432 000 859

• Rosemary Starr (Secretary): 0403 014 396

If you’re thinking, “This is exactly what we need,” you’re not alone. This service is one of those quiet community engines that keeps the island ticking along, one box of groceries at a time.

Image generated by AI

📬 Got an idea, event, or organisation you’d like featured? Hit reply to this email, or send a message in a bottle (aka Facebook Messenger) or to editor@coochiecommunityonline.com.

If you're looking to make a complaint to council, head to the bottom of this newsletter. You'll also find other info that might be useful.

Together, we’ll build a community resource that every Coochiemudlian (and our ML neighbours) will be glad to have in their inbox.

The quirky creatives of Coochie

The Tree of Lost Soles

Ever walked past a tree on Coochie and thought, “Why is it wearing thongs?” You’re not alone. The legendary Tree of Lost Soles has been quietly collecting wayward footwear for over a decade, thanks to a stealthy islander, some late-night missions, and at least one borrowed ladder that blew the whole operation. It’s quirky, slightly mysterious, and peak Coochie energy.

The excellent eyes of Coochie

Introducing Coochie through the lens of Jan Gownes

The RFDS Medical Chest has made it easy for you to get urgent care. (NOT emergency care, you'll still call 000 for that!)

Your Local Library

Open Saturdays 9am - Noon (Downstairs)

Open Saturdays 9am - noon. Downstairs in the Community Hall. Pop in and say hi to Pam and Christine. Pick up a book or two. 

Check here for more information...

Pickleball officially starts back for 2026 on the island this week. Come & see why this is the fastest growing fun exercise. 4pm sessions for adults will be on Thurs, Fri & Sun. All playing standards welcome, with intro sessions for first timers. Youth pickleball for 10 to 15s is back next Tues 13th at 4.45pm. See you in court. 🏝 🎾🤩🙂

Want to join the fun or at least come watch the chaos?
Give Dave a buzz on 0408 079 098. He’s the Pickleball oracle around here.

Qigong at Morwong ( opposite 186 Victoria parade North ) in the park on Wednesdays at 8 am. All welcome and bring water. FREE!

Image by my trusty AI assistant 😁

It appears the CIPA Facebook Page has been sucked into that black hole of cyber-space.  CIPA have been keeping members updated on Progress activities and events by email and individuals posts in relevant local groups.  Until the tech issues are resolved, you can also find information on their website, here.

If you're a Rec Club member, note the following please:

Gym fees are carried over from last year, but the annual membership ($5) is still required.

You can pay either by dropping the $5 (in an envelope) to Yvonne Symes, Treasurer, at 1 Kingfisher,

or deposit into:

Coochiemudlo Recreation Club

Bendigo Bank

BSB: 633-000

Account: 137959631

If you'd like to become a member, contact Geoff - details below

Disclaimer

The information in this newsletter is provided for general interest only. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy at the time of publication, details may change and unintentional errors can occur. Nothing here should be taken as professional, financial, legal, medical, or specialist advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified professional where needed.

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