⚓ From the Helm⚓

Something’s changing on the water… and it’s not just the tides

I’ve been noticing a few signs lately.

Not the mystical kind (although I’ll take three Brahminy kites any day). I mean the kind bolted to the side of the ferry.

The Translink logo on the Amity Trader.

The new tap-and-go machine at the front.
The slow but steady shift toward mainland systems arriving on our little island.

Piece by piece, things are changing.

We’ve seen it already. Fuel and gas moved off the passenger ferry. Beach trolleys now travel on the barge. Fares have shifted, some up, some down.

And now, it feels like we’re in the middle of another transition.

From what I can see, and I’ll stress this is just how it appears from the jetty, not official word, both ferry and barge have been part of the recent fare changes in different ways. But behind the scenes, they operate very differently, one within the Translink system, the other privately run.

Which means… it’s probably not as simple as it looks.

There’s been a bit of confusion lately.

Questions, speculation, the odd Facebook flare-up. Totally understandable. But after reaching out, it’s clear things are still being worked through. New terms, new conditions, a few moving parts still settling into place.

So maybe this is one of those moments where we pause.

Because while the details are being sorted, the ferries are still running. The barge is still moving everything from groceries to the occasional “how did that even fit on there?” load.

And really… that’s no small thing.

So for now, perhaps we take a breath, let the dust settle, and trust that the people steering the ship are doing their best to keep things moving.

We’ll keep watching the signs.

Read the full article here...

Adaire ⚓

Adaire Palmer

Editor, Coochie Community Online

📬 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.

Scroll down for:

⚓NEW Series 'Love the Library: Get to Know Your Local Authors'....coming soon!

⚓Library Raffle - get your tix now!

⚓Meet an honorary Coochiemudlian 

⚓Our Island Talent - New Exhibition at the Curlew Gallery

Scroll to the end for upcoming events and 'Standing Items' for ongoing dates (like the Artisans Alley) &  key contacts on Coochie 👇👇👇

Love the Library: Get to Know Your Local Authors

For such a small island, Coochiemudlo has an impressive number of published authors quietly living among us.

So starting very soon, we’re launching a new Saturday morning series at the library where we sit down with local authors to chat about their books, their writing journeys, and the stories behind the stories.

The conversations will be livestreamed from the library, and anyone is welcome to come along, pull up a chair, and listen in.

Think of it as a relaxed morning chat about books, writing, and the ideas that inspired them.

If you're an Author who lives or lived on Coochie, we'd love to hear from you. Either message here (Facebook Page) or reply to this email. 

If you haven't seen the story from last week about how valuable the library is, especially for isolated people who can't get out and about much, you can check it out here. 

Meet Tracy… also known as “The Woolies Lady” (and essential teamie with the Coochie Paddlers)

One of the things I love most about this newsletter is when someone hits “reply”.

Sometimes a little note arrives that perfectly captures what makes Coochiemudlo feel like… well… Coochie.

This week it was Tracy.

Tracy doesn’t actually live on the island, but she’s here so often you’d be forgiven for thinking she does.

“Coochie is my favourite place in the world,” she told me.

If you’ve seen an outrigger canoe weaving around the bay lately like it’s had one too many at the bar… that might be Tracy. She’s currently learning to steer for the outrigger canoe crew, which she assures me is a work in progress. When she said I'd be good at steering the canoe, I replied obviously she'd not seen me at the helm of Adaire to Dream underway 😆

Off the water, Tracy works at Woolworths Victoria Point East and volunteers for the Foodbank at Champions Church.

Which might explain why so many people recognise her.

“ALOT of people on the island know me,” she laughed.
“I’m the Woolies lady!”

Ferry rides often involve someone calling out a cheerful “Good morning Tracy!” as she wanders around the island.

And like any true Coochie regular, she has reached peak island status…

Joe at the Curlew Café knows her coffee order! 

That’s when you know you’ve made it.

Tracy summed it up best:

“Coochie is a great community and I love how I’m made to feel a part of it.”

And I reckon that’s exactly what keeps people coming back.

Editors note: while we have our Coochie residents, we probably need another category of 'honorary Coochiemudlians'...what do you reckon, folks?

ps/ if you'd like to join Tracy and a bunch of enthusiastic paddlers, you are welcome! Simply contact Helen on 0414 533 781 and she’ll point you in the right direction.

Photo credit: Noel Christensen. Steering credit: Tracy (well done!)

Our Island Talent

New Art Exhibition - Open Now!

Check out the Curlew Cafe Gallery and see what's inside this room, and don't miss Dot Knight's pieces on the ground floor.

Here's a taster of the latest exhibition! You'll want to visit soon. (Thurs - Sun 10am - 2pm at the Gallery behind the Curlew Cafe.)

These beautiful works are by Holly Holly and Kerry Darton. Photos supplied by Kerry Darton.

Feast your eyes on this lovely piece by Anne Jameson. See it and other artworks in person at the Artisan Gallery behind the Curlew Cafe, open Thurs - Sun 10am - 2pm

Events on Coochie you will want to attend...

New Events Monthly!!

Need more information? Check out the full article here (published in January 2026)

Thanks to Lee Steindl for this information and photo

The morning tide had just begun to turn when people started drifting toward the little rotunda near the ferry. A few carried coffee cups. Several families appeared, with kids rubbing the weekend sleep from their eyes. Most brought hats and that unmistakable island ingredient… curiosity.

Because this wasn’t just a walk along Norfolk Beach.

It was David Paxton’s walk.

For years, David has been the quiet keeper of Coochiemudlo’s stories. The sort of person who can point to an empty stretch of sand and suddenly make you see the boats that once anchored there, the families who lived nearby, the small moments that somehow turned into island history.

And on this particular morning, the group knew something else.

This would be his last heritage walk before leaving the island.

Once everyone gathered, David set off at the gentle pace island walks require. Norfolk Beach stretched out beside them, the water that familiar Moreton Bay sea green, shifting and sparkling as the sun climbed higher. A curlew wandered past as if it had also come along for the stories.

Every so often the group paused.

Not because anyone was tired. Because David would stop, glance around, and say something like:

“You wouldn’t know it now, but right about here…”

And suddenly the beach would change.

Come with us. David's last tour is on the 28 March. Click here for details. 

Easter Markets - Coochie Progress

Saturday 4 April 2026
9am - 1pm 

Coochie Main Beach

🐰Easter Bunny hops by at 10am

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...

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 3.30pm in March 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 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.

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 found their car keys.

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?!?!?!

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)

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 at Easter).

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

💥NEW💥Roles & Contacts for the Rec Club:

📣 Coochie Recreation Club – Who’s Who

As we head into an exciting new year at the Rec Club, here are your key points of contact for programs, activities, and gym coordination.

🏋️ Personal Training Co-ordinator
Helen Symes
📞 0412 340 227

💪 Gym Co-ordinator
Jacqui Sanders
📞 0488 664 666

🎨 Kids Activity Co-ordinator
Kate Barker
📞 0416 497 076

Whether you’re keen to get moving, organise activities for the kids, or have a question about the gym, these legends have you covered.

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.