Adaire Palmer
Nov 4, 2026
⚓ ⚓From the Helm⚓⚓ Editor, Coochie Community Online
|
What's inside this week 👀 |
⚓ Community consultation on the proposed upgrade of the Telstra Tower - final opportunity. Submissions accepted until 6 Nov ⚓ Planeboats. Or Sea Planes. Read the history of what happened in Moreton Bay in years gone by. ⚓ Coochie Bus is looking for volunteers to drive and do phone bookings. Read about the fun we have and contact Donna to help.
⚓ ⚓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!) |
Read More... |
| 💬 1 Comment |
Near Coochiemudlo Island, Moreton Bay once served as a departure lounge for travellers boarding flying boats at Redland Bay.
Opened in 1953, the base sent passengers and luggage by boat from the jetty to aircraft waiting on the water.
Qantas and Ansett Airways operated large flying boats from the site, including Short Sandringhams.
Qantas flew routes through Redland Bay to Noumea and Suva until 1955, while Ansett continued services to island destinations and Gladstone.
The Redland Bay Hotel even served as a Qantas booking office and refreshment stop, linking a familiar local landmark to international travel.
As land-based aircraft and airports improved, regular flying boat services became less practical.
The final Redland Bay departure came in October 1971, when Ansett’s Short Sandringham Islander left for Sydney; the base officially closed in 1974.
Few signs remain along the shoreline, but its history recalls an extraordinary era when a journey abroad began with a short boat ride. Read More... |
1 reader is talking about this | Top first |
HM | Helen M. · 5 hours ago The Redland Bay Hotel as a Qantas booking office! I’ve been past it so many times and never knew.
|
Why Coochie? |
People, places, creatures and things that make our little slice of paradise so special...😍 |
An uplifting look at life behind the wheel on Coochiemudlo Island through the eyes of a 55-year-old volunteer bus driver. Blending local charm, community connection, and impromptu sing-alongs, the article captures the everyday magic of island transit—from school kids and commuting tradies to eccentric locals and traveling karaoke sessions. Read More... |
This newsletter sponsored by |
Sponsor Spot - Your Business Belongs Here! |
Come to where the people are! |
|
 |
 |
📬 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.
|
📅Upcoming Events and Useful Dates!📅 |
 |
 |
 Click the image to book your tickets |
 |
 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!) |
 |
 |
🌴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 🥰 |
| Read More... |
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. |
 |
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? |
 |
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! |
 |
Image by my trusty AI assistant 😁 |
 |
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. 🌊🚣♀️ |
 |
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. |
 |
🙏Alpha at Pineridge Place 6pm Tuesdays 🙏 |
 |
 |
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 🤣 |
 |
 |
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. |
| Read More... |
Report an Issue |
From medical care and pickleball to council decisions—discover what’s shaping Coochie. |
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. |