Island Secrets, Health Shocks & Truth Bombs: Coochie's Untold Stories EXPOSED! 🌊🔥

Island life, big stories: heroes, health, pickleball, qigong & your community—all inside! 🌿🏝️

Adaire Palmer

Jul 15, 2026

⚓ From the Helm⚓

I was interviewed by Georgia Phillips from BayFM 100.3 today.

It was a lovely chat, and I really enjoyed it, in spite of the nerves that usually help my brain cells turn into brain farts.

Being so keen to include the recording in todays newsletter, I skipped the usual Acai bowl from Skippys (a MUST when you're on the mainland) and raced home to get the recording prepared for publication.

The Universe does have a SoH, as it put challenges in my path that made me think it was asking 'how badly do you want this'? From my computer slowing to a crawl, then refusing to reboot in the deadline I gave it (apparently it cares not a whit about MY deadlines!) My backup (travel) computer, having recently been reset, wasn't conducive to managing several software programs simultaneously and it, too, did not care about my self imposed deadlines, to begging Chatty Gee to bloody well READ my instructions and give me what I ordered, instead of going off on a tangent with it's own (apparently 'better') ideas.

I had to run with what I've got.

I figured that since I self imposed the deadlines, I could stretch them out, and you may notice this drops into your email inbox a little later than usual.

With the work computer rebooted, the travel computer sitting smugly on my bed (having nowhere to go) and me giving up on getting anything sensible out of ChatGPT for now, I'm running with what I have.

I managed to get the recording of the interview edited and uploaded to YouTube and hopefully Facey before I expire. I've already had calls, emails and DMs from Coochiemudlians saying they enjoyed the interview. That's good, because I did too!

I've popped it below for your listening pleasure. Thanks for being here, and thanking you in advance for giving me a break when the newsletter is late.

Adaire Palmer

Editor, Coochie Community Online

Note: NO AI have been used in the creation of this editorial. Some liar told me that my AI assistant never sleeps, doesn't demand wages or get hungry. Two out of three so far...please enjoy this unedited, un-AI'd copy complete with mitsakes, poor grammer and a bit of waffle. Should be fine by next week...I hope!

What's inside this edition...

⚓My 18 minutes of fame 🥳 interview with Georgia Phillips from BayFM 100.3

⚓How the Coochie Community bands together to help make an event happen - Flinders Day

⚓Stop chasing the feeling of 'exhilaration', you can find it right here in our backyard. Coochie Sings new Chorale workshop on 9 August!

⚓⚓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!)

Voices and Vibes: Interview with Georgia Phillips at Bay FM 100.3

All things Coochie: Interview with Georgia Phillips from Bay FM 100.3

"Unsung Heroes: Coastcare's Secret Impact on Flinders Day Revealed"

Flinders Day draws crowds eager to witness the stirring re-enactment of Matthew Flinders’ 1799 landing at Norfolk Beach.

Yet behind the scenes, Coochie Coastcare volunteers have been hard at work, tending to weeds and beautifying the foreshore in preparation for the festivities on Saturday, 18 July.

This collaboration with the Coochie Heritage Society, which stages the historical re-enactment, highlights how dedicated local groups are preserving both nature and history.

While visitors enjoy the day’s vibrant events and beachside markets, few realise the countless hours put in by these volunteers to keep Coochie’s coastline pristine.

The Matthew Flinders landing re-enactment begins at 11.30 am during the Flinders Day Markets.

Come for the heritage, savour the natural beauty, and appreciate the community spirit that brings it all together.

"I Woke Up Feeling Exhilarated"

Why one visitor says a day of singing on Coochie lifted his spirits

There are moments when you realise you've stumbled across something special.

For me, that moment came when I heard that Cath Mundy had been brought to tears by an email from one of the participants after our last Coochie Sings Choral Workshop.

Naturally, I wanted to know what had made such an impact.

That led me to Mike Henry.

Enter to Win

This newsletter sponsored by

Sponsor Spot - Your Business Belongs Here!

Come to where the people are! Over 500 email Subscribers and some pretty decent reach on the Coochie Community Online Facebook Page! 👇👇👇

Click here to visit Sponsor Spot - Your Business Belongs Here!

📬 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.

Events on Coochie you will want to attend...

New Events Weekly!!

Matthew Flinders Day Markets on Coochie Satuday 18 July 2026

🎉BINGO THIS SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE REC CLUB! 🎉

After a fantastic day at the Flinders Day Markets, why not keep the fun going with a family-friendly night of Bingo?

Bring the family, bring your friends, and enjoy an evening filled with laughs, friendly competition, and the chance to win some great prizes!

⏰Doors open: 6:00pm

👀Eyes down: 6:30pm

🍫Chocolate,

🍟chips and 🥤soft drinks will be available to purchase, and you're welcome to bring your own food and drinks too.

Whether you're a bingo pro or it's your very first game, everyone is welcome. Come along, relax after a busy day at the markets, and see if Lady Luck is on your side!

📍Coochiemudlo Recreation Club

🤩We can't promise you'll win… but we can promise you'll have a great night!

Heritage has created a free event for Sunday 19 July from 5pm - A night walk 'Carry a Torch for Coochie led by @Jose Garcia and Lani Roberts. Due to a lack of space on the event page, I'm adding some other pics for information. This free event on the real 'Flinders Day' anniversary celebrates the island's beauty and community spirit. Attached is a map of the walk.

Come and enjoy Gindabara in what was once Pullen Hall. After the walk, music, poetry and stargazing, we are sharing food and stories around a roaring fire.

If you are staying on, please consider bringing a pot of soup or nibbles to share. John Pearn is sharing his memories of the first stargazing group that met at Morwong Beach. Denise Foley Burns and Christine Leonard will talk about what went on back in the day in Pullen Hall.

Phone Christine on 0422002667 if you need more information or email the Society on coochieheritagesociety@gmail.com. Book your place via the events page or email Christine at the Heritage email provided.

A big shout-out and much appreciation goes to Carolyn Brammer for sharing her property with us on the night.

We'll be gathering in a beautiful room with a blazing fire. Perfect for a July winter's evening.

Source: The Coochiemudlo Island Heritage Society Facebook Page.

💖Community Free Community Lunch – For those who eat alone

It's time for our second Community Lunch!

If you usually eat alone, we'd love for you to join us for a time of fellowship and a free meal.

It's a wonderful opportunity to meet others, enjoy good company, and share a meal together.

If you'd like to attend, please text me by Monday so we can cater for everyone.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Lizaan

The next 5 lunches will be sponsored by Rita Suters - Remax On Point and the rest of the year by Wesleyan Care.

It’s so good to see how people open their hearts and hands towards the free community lunch

Grab your tix here: https://events.humanitix.com/coochie-sings-chorale-workshop#main

EARLY BIRD FINISHES 11 July

Check out what we did last time and hear what people said about it here 👇

Coochie Sings - Chorale Workshop

Standing items

check below for things that don't (or rarely) change)

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!)

💚Community on Coochiemudlo Island💚

🌴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 🥰

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.

Read about Mabels life through books

Artisan Alley

Open Sundays 8am - 1pm (weather permitting)

Check here for more information...

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?
Give Dave a buzz on 0408 079 098. He’s the Pickleball oracle around here.

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 😁

Visit the Coochiemudlo Island Recreation Club

Facebook Page for more information.

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?!?!?!

Standing for TRUTH and FREEDOM

Every First Sunday Of Each Month From 10-11am

1000+ parks. Over 30 Countries.

No Agenda
No Religion
No Leaders

Wear yellow in unity.

Coochie's Stand In The Park is in the park at Main Beach, in the shelter opposite the Memorial (near the beach bar)

🙏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 🤣

CSA RE: Coochie Island Progress Association

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.

Angela Hoskings has also added information where relevant to her website, Coochiemudlo Island.

Keep an eye on the new Facebook Page, Coochie Markets, for details about upcoming markets (next markets are 18 July for Flinders Day).

To book a stall, contact Emily: 0491 092 043 or email markets@coochieprogress.org

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:

Redland City Council

Your island life, local heroes & must-know updates—all inside!

"How to Contact Redland City Council for

Various Community Issues"

Here is information on how Coochiemudlo residents can contact Redland City Council for various issues.

Individuals can report issues such as potholes, trees, roads, paths, rates, planning & development, and graffiti by phone, email, or submitting a contact form.

Residents can also give feedback, lodge complaints, or seek assistance from the council.

Report an Issue

Your island life, local heroes & must-know updates—all inside!

Redland City Council Public Meetings

Explore Redland City Council Meetings: Your Informative Archive for Public Viewing and Engagement.

Redland City Council Meeting Webcast offers an archive of past meetings for public viewing.

Have questions?

Visit the help page for assistance.

Did you know you can access recordings of General Meetings, Special Council Meetings, and Special Budget Meetings?

Stay informed about important decisions and discussions within the council.

Visit the Redland City Council Public Meetings archive here.

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.