Adaire Palmer
⚓ ⚓From the Helm⚓⚓ 🍌Be part of the solution💔💖
I’ve been rowing back and forth to the jetty because my carboat outboard motor has been playing up.
For anyone wondering, a carboat is what I call my tender. I live on a houseboat and don’t have a car, so I have a houseboat and a carboat. Makes sense to me.
I hadn’t used it for more than 12 months. The outboard had been serviced after the cyclone, but it hadn’t been used since. Back on the water this week, it would start, run for a while, stop, then start again. So, I’ve been rowing. (Time consuming, but good excercise! 🙄)
Knowing less than nothing about such things, I turned to YouTube, wondering if the fuel might be contaminated. I tipped a little into a bucket and it looked as though there might be water in it. Then I looked in the tank and found a banana peel. It seemed to have been there for quite some time.
Getting fuel when you live on a houseboat near an island takes a bit of planning. There’s no fuel on Coochie, so you have to get to the mainland, fill your jerry cans, bring them back and decant them into the right motor. So, whoever thought a banana peel might help, I appreciate the thought. But next time, could you please use two-stroke?
Getting the banana peel from the inside of the fuel tank was a heros journey on it's own. While it might not mean much to those skilled at such things, for me it was epic in overcoming feelings of 'I don't want to do this', 'why can't life be easier', and 'whoever did this, I hope has some Universal Karmic lessons are headed their way.'
The banana peel made me laugh, eventually. It also made me think about how much we rely on one another here. Island life takes a bit of extra effort, and the small things people do to help can make a big difference.
I also heard about a young bloke who parked in the overflow area behind a row of cars. Someone wrote on his windscreen in lipstick to tell him it wasn’t a car park.
While it’s true that parking can be hard to find. There was still room for the other cars to get out, and the message didn’t make more parking appear. It only made someone’s day a little harder.
We all get frustrated sometimes. We all have moments when we could pause, take a breath and choose what we want to add to our community.
I want to be part of the Coochie that lends a hand, makes room, offers a kind word and looks for a solution. The Coochie that remembers we’re neighbours, even when we’re having a difficult day.
If parking is a problem, let’s ask for more spaces. If someone needs help, let’s see what we can do. And if we’re tempted to leave a hurtful message or do something that damages someone else’s property, let’s take a breath first.
The caring people in this community far outweigh the moments that don’t feel caring. Let’s keep building the kind of place we’re proud to be part of.
Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
Editor, Coochie Community Online
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What's inside this week 👀 |
⚓ High Tea & Stories for Seniors Month. 24 Oct. Mark your diaries. ⚓ Carparking issues - the saga continues ⚓ A message from your local snake - I'm not the villain here
⚓ ⚓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!) |
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Every islander knows the best Coochie stories don’t live in dusty archives—they’re told over a cuppa, on the beach, or on the ferry ride over. From historic cyclones and the old jetty to memories made just last week, our shared lore is what makes this island special. Whether you’ve lived here for 40 years or just moved in last month, join us for an intergenerational High Tea to share your tales, ask questions, and enjoy some great local company. Read More... |
Most people know Coochiemudlo Island for its tranquil beaches, sheltered waters, and relaxed island pace.
Just a short hop across Moreton Bay from Victoria Point, it often feels like a timeless pocket of paradise.
Yet long before it became a weekend retreat and a tight-knit coastal community, Coochie stood at the crossroads of Queensland history. From its deep roots as Kutchi Mudlo—where Quandamooka peoples gathered red ochre from the cliffs for ceremony—to the July day in 1799 when Matthew Flinders stepped ashore and logged it simply as “Sixth Island,” Coochiemudlo holds stories far richer than its shoreline suggests.
Did you know the island served as a Read More... |
A Decade in the Making: Coochiemudlo Island Coastcare Opens New Environmental Hub |
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Coochiemudlo Island celebrated a milestone achievement with the official opening of the new Environmental Hub, the dedicated home for Coochiemudlo Island Coastcare.
Ten years in the making, the opening drew a strong community turnout alongside special guests, including the Hon Andrew Powell MP (Minister for the Environment and Tourism, and Minister for Science and Technology), Rebecca Young MP (State Member for Redlands), and Councillor Shane Rendalls of Redland City Council. In addition to celebrating the new facility, the morning included a touching tribute to community member Bruce Wollstein.
A dedicated sandstone bench and commemorative plaque have been installed on the Hub's grounds in his memory, honouring his lasting contribution to the island and its conservation efforts.
Attendees wrapped up the morning celebrating Coastcare’s committee and volunteers over morning tea.
For photos, reflections, and full details from the event, read more on the Facebook Page. |
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Coochiemudlo Island's ongoing ferry parking shortages are causing community tension, but fighting each other won't solve it. Instead, residents are urged to direct that energy toward Redland City Council and local representatives to demand a formal parking study, commuter permits, better transit links, and long-term infrastructure solutions. Read More... |
Why Coochie? |
People, places, creatures and things that make our little slice of paradise so special...😍 |
🐍 A Message From Your Local Snake: Could You Humans PLEASE Calm Down? He’s lived on Coochie longer than most of us, he knows exactly where you keep your chooks, and frankly, he’s tired of being misidentified by Facebook’s self-appointed herpetologists. Before anyone grabs a broom, panics, or dials Craig, Leigh, or Croc, our resident slithering neighbor has a few ground rules about routine "poultry inspections," cool tile floors, and why you really need to put that whipper snipper away. Read More... |
This newsletter sponsored by |
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 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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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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If you're a Rec Club member, note the following 👇 |
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
💥NEW💥Roles & Contacts for the Rec Club:
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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 |
Island history, a new Coastcare hub, parking debates and more—what’s happening on Coochie & what's with the banana? |
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. |