Adaire Palmer
⚓ ⚓From the Helm⚓⚓ For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been back aboard Adaire to Dream. I’ve enjoyed beautiful sunrises, even more beautiful sunsets, and visits from dolphins, dugongs, turtles and more.
That feeling of calm and centredness had returned… until I hit a wall with my car boat motor.
For new readers, my “car boat” is my tender, the little boat I use to get to and from the jetty. I live aboard Adaire to Dream and don’t have a car, so naturally I call it my car boat!
I wrote earlier about finding a banana in the fuel tank, and that saga continues. My Johnson 15HP outboard has decided it needs more love than I’m able to give it if it’s going to run properly. She starts and goes, but she’s not keen on reverse or idling.
If I were Scottish, I might say, “It’s beyond my ken.” Which it is. My name is Scottish, but I’m not!
I also have another outboard, the 'backup': a Parsun 5HP. It’s served me well for four years, but it doesn’t go in reverse either.
So now I’m stuck between a rock and a sunk cost. After a chat with the guy who’s been there since the beginning of my boating journey, and has most likely seen me cry, I’ve decided to sell both outboards and buy a newer, shinier one.
That’s the plan. Until then, it’s back to rowing. It’s good exercise, although not quite as much fun as pretending to be a tinnie rat, 50 years too late. Haha!
Mum’s voice echoes in my head: “Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
Thanks, Mum. 😂
What challenges are you facing this week? What tools or support do you use to help you make decisions, find resources and step up to face them? Do you ask for help, or do you find yourself wishing someone would offer?
Hit reply or send me a DM on Facey or Instagram. I’d love to hear from you.
May the breeze be light and the stars bright 💨✨ Editor, Coochie Community Online
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What's inside this week 👀 |
⚓ Fire Station 661 - Coochiemudlo Island ⚓ Cane Toad season kicks off ⚓ Halloween on Coochie
⚓ ⚓Scroll down to the end for updated and standing events and other handy information (like community contact info and how to make a complaint to council - because why not!) |
What happens when an island catches fire with no fire truck in sight? You improvise. Take a look back at Coochie’s fire brigade evolution—from neighbours with tractors and water tanks to the modern heroes of Station 661—and see why one vital tradition hasn't changed at all. Read More... |
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Recent rain and warm weather mark the start of cane toad season on Coochiemudlo Island. Because cane toad eggs hatch in as little as two to three days, early detection is critical. Environmental organization Watergum asks residents to log any removed eggs, tadpoles, or adult cane toads at arcg.is/00jvKb0 to help track activity and protect local fauna. Community members are advised to double-check identification before removal to avoid harming native frog species and their eggs. Read More... |
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Something Spooky Is Stirring on Coochie…On Saturday 31 October, Coochiemudlo Island will undergo a mysterious transformation. Ordinary children will become witches, pirates, superheroes and creatures yet to be officially identified. Quiet streets will fill with excited voices. And perfectly respectable adults may be found lurking outside their homes with bowls of lollies.
Yes, Halloween is coming to Coochie! 🎃🎃👻👻 Read More... |
Why Coochie? |
People, places, creatures and things that make our little slice of paradise so special...😍 |
RFDS Medical Chest |
 Heading to the Beach Bar tonight for my dinner |
Each week, I carry the phone for the RFDS Medical Chest.
A couple of weeks ago, I received a call from someone who had called an ambulance and needed medication while waiting for the paramedics.
I stopped what I was doing, collected the medication and took it to them, then returned to my task.
The following week, a lovely card and a gift voucher for the Coochiemudlo Island Beach Bar and Grill arrived. It was completely unexpected and such a kind surprise.
We volunteers are happy to help, with no expectation of anything in return. But a thoughtful gesture like this really does mean a lot. Thank you for the gift voucher. I’ll enjoy a lovely meal at the Beach Bar, and I’m very grateful for your kindness.
Could you help keep the Medical Chest service strong?
Our volunteer custodians sometimes go on leave, and some have had to step down for medical reasons. Having trained volunteers ready to provide cover helps make sure the service is there when someone needs it.
If you’d be interested in becoming a volunteer Medical Chest custodian, or being trained as someone who can step in when needed, please contact Julie on 0412 591 509. |
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Sponsor Spot - Your Business Belongs Here! |
Come to where the people are! |
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📬 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.
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📅Upcoming Events and Useful Dates!📅 |
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 All welcome. This is an intergenerational event! |
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 Click the image to book your tickets |
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 Click pix for tix 🖱️👆 |
Standing items |
Regular, unchanging. Same every week 🤣 |
RFDS Medical Chest on Coochie💊 |
The RFDS Medical Chest has made it easy for you to get urgent care. (NOT emergency care, you'll still call 000 for that!) |
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🌴Stay Connected on Coochie 🌴Life on Coochiemudlo Island is all about community. Whether you’re here full-time, part-time, or visiting, it’s easy to get involved and feel at home.
From emergency services and medical contacts to local clubs, sports, and social groups, there are plenty of ways to connect.
Looking for a Justice of the Peace? Want to join the Progress Association, Men’s Shed, or Recreation Club? Keen to play tennis, pickleball, or keep fit at the gym (once it reopens) Or maybe you’d like to explore art, craft, music, or gardening with fellow islanders? You’ll find it all in one handy place. 👉 Check out the full list of community contacts here It’s your go-to resource for staying safe, connected, and part of our wonderful island life.
📅Community Calendar📅 Want to know what's coming up? You don't need to wait for us to share, check the calendar right here!
Credit: Angela Hoskins for this wonderful resource 🥰 |
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Calling all bookworms |
Your Local Library Open Saturdays 8.30 - 11.30am (Downstairs) |
Open Saturdays 8.30 - 11.30am. Downstairs in the Community Hall. Pop in and say hi to Pam and Christine. Pick up a book or two. |
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Artisan Alley |
Open Sundays 8am - 1pm weather permitting |
Pickleball on Coochie 🥒🎾 |
The Fun, social exercise of pickleball continues each week on Coochie. Thurs, Fri & Sun at 4pm. All standards welcome, so come & check this out. Pickleball is moving it start times to 3pm in March and 2pm in June for the public sessions on Thurs, Fri & Sun
New players always welcome so come & join us for some fun exercise. Tuesday Youth Pickleball for 10 to 15s, continues 4.45 to 6pm.
The courts are behind the Gym & Op Shop, beside the Croquet lawn. 🥒🥎🎾😄
Want to join the fun or at least come watch the chaos? |
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Qigong on Coochie - Morwong Beach |
Qigong at Morwong ( opposite 186 Victoria parade North ) in the park on Wednesdays at 8 am. All welcome and bring water. FREE! |
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Image by my trusty AI assistant 😁 |
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Coochie Paddlers - room with a view 🛶 |
Sunrise, Salt Air and a Whole Lot of Smiles If you’ve ever stood on the shoreline at dawn and thought, “I should be doing something with this view,” here’s your sign. The local outrigger paddlers meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6.15am for a 6.30am start, and it’s one of the best-kept secrets for starting your day right. It’s free, it’s welcoming, and no, you don’t need to be an elite athlete who drinks kale smoothies for breakfast.
Paddling an outrigger canoe builds full-body strength without punishing your joints. You’ll work your core, shoulders and legs while getting a solid cardio workout, all without staring at a gym wall. It’s fitness disguised as fun. The kind where you’re too busy laughing to notice you’re actually working hard.
But here’s the real magic. It’s the camaraderie. There’s something about being on the water at sunrise, paddling in rhythm, that bonds people quickly. It’s friendly, frolicking, fitness-inducing and genuinely good for the soul. You’ll leave energised, salty-haired and slightly smug that you’ve already conquered the day before most people have had their first coffee.
If you’d like to give it a go, contact Helen on 0414 533 781 and she’ll point you in the right direction.
Early mornings never looked so good. 🌊🚣♀️ |
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Image taken by Adaire (that's me!) from the outrigger canoe recently. HDIGABTT?!?!?! |
Video by Nick Obrien |
Standing for TRUTH and FREEDOM |
Every First Sunday Of Each Month From 10-11am 1000+ parks. Over 30 Countries.
Wear yellow in unity. |
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🙏Alpha at Pineridge Place 6pm Tuesdays 🙏 |
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Red Bin, Yellow Bin, or Both? |
Below is the yellow bin calendar for the rest of the year. You can either look down the road and follow your neighbours lead, or check in here and take the lead your neighbours will follow 🤣 |
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Redland City Council |
Make a complaint. Report an issue. Details below. |
Here is information on how Coochiemudlo residents can contact Redland City Council for various issues. |
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Report an Issue |
From tractors and toads to medical chests and Halloween: what’s happening on Coochiemudlo Island? |
Redland City Council Meeting Webcast offers an archive of past meetings for public viewing. |
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. Some content may be created, enhanced, or assisted by artificial intelligence. All AI-supported material is reviewed and edited by a human before publication. Any opinions expressed are those of the author and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of any featured organisations or individuals. Event details, community updates, and offers are shared in good faith. Readers are encouraged to confirm information directly with the relevant organisers. By reading this newsletter, you accept that the publisher is not responsible for any loss, inconvenience, or unexpected detours caused by reliance on the content. |