⚓ From the Helm⚓

Hello, I’m Adaire. 

I’m the curious human behind Coochie Community Online, the newsletter that tries to keep islanders informed, entertained, and occasionally thinking, “Well… I didn’t know that!”

My passion in life has always been helping people help people. Over the years that has shown up in many forms, but the thread running through it all has been community.

Professionally, I’ve spent much of my life working in community development, education, project management and social media strategy. I’ve helped small businesses and not-for-profits grow, often using Facebook, live broadcasting and chatbots. Yes, Facebook can actually be useful if you know where the buttons are.

Somewhere along the way I collected a few qualifications, including a Master of Education, a Bachelor of Social Science (Community Development), a Graduate Diploma in Adult Education and a Diploma in Project Management, along with various certifications in training, hypnotherapy, NLP and social media strategy.

I’ve also written a couple of (unpublished) books about navigating Facebook for business, because if you’re going to wrestle with the algorithm, you may as well bring a map.

I’ve worked with a wide range of clients over the years, from small local businesses to organisations like Rotary even a few recognisable names such as Mark Holden, 70’s King of Pop, and judge on Australian Idol, Mari Smith, International Thought Leader and Influencer for Facebook and Instagram   (dubbed by Forbes ‘The Queen of Facebook’) and Christy Whitman, two-time New York Times bestselling author, and renowned intuitive channel for The Council, and others. 

But if I’m honest, the qualifications are the least interesting part of the story. It’s the people, the places and the challenges I love. 

Besides, life has a funny habit of throwing in a few plot twists.

At various points I’ve left a long marriage, moved across the country, spent a year technically homeless (long story), bought a houseboat so I’d never be homeless again, and taught myself a ridiculous amount of technology so I could earn a living from a laptop.

Mid-life, as it turns out, is an excellent time to try things that scare the beejeezus out of you.

These days I’m happily based on Coochiemudlo Island, where I spend a lot of time talking to locals, exploring community projects, chasing interesting stories and occasionally wandering around the island wondering what on earth I’m going to write about next, or sitting on the top deck of my boat, ‘Adaire to Dream’ gazing at the stars, running Full Moon meditations or simply enjoying some rays.  

Coochie has a wonderful mix of history, characters, creativity and community spirit, and this newsletter is simply my way of helping those stories find their way into the light.

Because every community has great stories.

And ours is full of them.

Adaire ⚓

Adaire Palmer

Editor, Coochie Community Online

NB: I was prompted by a coach to share a bit about myself for those who don't know me. 

In full transparency, while I've spent more time on the island since the cyclone, I'm still in love with being on the water, whatever that looks like. 

Adaire to Dream awaits (im)patiently for me 🥰

⚓Coochie is the centre of our Universe - Ramsar

⚓Bushcare gaining traction in the fight against the fishbone fern

⚓World Labyrinth Day

⚓Pineridge Chapels Alpha Program

⚓New events for May listed!

⚓⚓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!)

TL;DR (for the ferry queue readers)

• Coochie is the heart of the Moreton Bay Ramsar site.

• Our mudflats and mangroves aren't just scenery—they’re ecological gold.

• What happens at mainland "gateways" like Weinam Creek flows straight to us.

• The Event: Come talk to the Ranger and the Turtle Team on Sunday, April 26. Details here.
  

Full article here...

There’s something quietly powerful about watching a group of people stop, look around, and decide… yeah, this place matters enough to get their hands dirty.

That’s exactly what happened in early, April, when a mix of Coochiemudlo locals and visitors came together for a Bushcare Queensland working bee. Twenty people in total. Not a massive crowd, but enough to make a very real dent in something that’s been creeping under the radar for a while.

The morning started gently. A walk along the Wetlands Track, the kind of slow wander where people notice things. Plants, birds, the way the light hits the water this time of year. Then, right on cue, a White-bellied sea eagle showed up and perched above the group like it had been booked in advance. It stayed long enough for everyone to take it in. One of those moments you don’t plan, but you remember.

From there, things got a bit more hands-on.

The group moved across to a site along Innes Street, right on the edge of the northern Ramsar wetlands. If you’ve ever walked that way, you’ve probably seen the fishbone fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia). Looks harmless enough at first glance, but it’s one of those plants that doesn’t know when to stop. It spreads fast, pushes everything else out, and before you know it, you’ve lost the diversity that makes these wetlands what they are.

By March, volunteers had already worked their way to the edge of a significant infestation and treated it. This working bee was about going further. With the extra help from visitors, they managed to remove nearly half of what remained. Not bad for a single day.

And here’s the bit people don’t always see...(curious? Read on)

A Quiet Walk with a Big Intention

There’s something quietly powerful about people choosing to pause and walk for peace.

On Saturday 2nd May, Coochiemudlo Island will join a global movement for World Labyrinth Day 🌏, with a Labyrinth Walk for Peace happening right here on the island.

This isn’t about steps or fitness goals. It’s a slower kind of walk. One that gives you a moment to breathe, reflect, and maybe reset a little.

One Island, One Path, Connected to the World

Across the globe, people will be walking labyrinths on the same day, creating what’s often described as a “rolling wave of peace.”

It’s simple. You walk in, you pause, and you walk out again.

More details...

📬 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.

Tucked quietly into the heart of Coochiemudlo Island, something a little different is happening on Tuesday nights… and you might have walked past without realising.

At Pineridge Place, the Alpha program is opening its doors each week to anyone curious about life’s bigger questions. No pressure, no expectations, just a space to pause and explore things we don’t always make time for.

The premise is simple. Is there more to life than this? It’s the kind of question that tends to sneak in during quiet moments, then gets pushed aside by the busyness of everyday life. Alpha gives that question a seat at the table.

Each Tuesday from 6pm, the evening begins with a free meal (which, let’s be honest, is already a solid reason to show up). From there, conversations unfold around topics like purpose, faith, and meaning. You don’t need to have any background in Christianity or even believe in it. In fact, questions, doubts, and differing views are very much part of the experience.

What makes Alpha work is its tone. It’s not a lecture, and it’s not about having the “right” answers. It’s about listening, sharing, and thinking things through in a relaxed, respectful environment.

Held at 12 Carefree Street, the program is free and open to everyone. If you’re feeling a bit curious, or even just a bit hungry, it might be worth checking out.

For more information, you can contact Lourens on 0433 342 440, or click the QR code below.

Sometimes the most interesting conversations start with a simple question.

If you’ve wandered past the courts over the past couple of years, you’ll know the sound.

That steady pop… pop… pop of paddles, followed by laughter that carries just a little too far on a still afternoon.

That’s been the soundtrack to two years of pickleball on Coochie.

What started as a curious “let’s give it a go” has turned into one of those quietly brilliant parts of island life. You can spot it a mile off. Bright shirts, bare feet or sandy joggers, someone calling the score (sometimes correctly), and the occasional dramatic dive for a ball that absolutely did not require that level of commitment.

There’s something about it. The feel of the paddle in your hand, the sun warming your back, the salty breeze drifting in just as someone lines up what they think is a winning shot. The taste of a cold drink afterwards, stories getting slightly more exaggerated with every retelling.

And always, that mix of friendly competition and “don’t worry, we’re just here for fun”… right up until someone keeps score.

So, it feels only right to celebrate.

Pickleball’s 2nd Birthday Bash is happening on Saturday, 16th May.
We’re heading down to Morwong Beach (end of Elizabeth St) from 12:30pm for a relaxed BYO lunch.

Bring something to eat, something to drink, and a fun game to share. Nothing too serious… unless, of course, you’re the competitive type, in which case we’ll all pretend it’s casual while quietly trying to win.

If you’re stuck for ideas, a few crowd-pleasers might be:

• Bocce on the sand
• A cheeky round of beach trivia (bonus points for local knowledge)
• Uno or cards under a shady tree
• Frisbee or paddle catch
• Or even a few mini pickleball challenges for bragging rights

Mostly though, it’s just an excuse to get together, swap a few stories, and maybe notice how something as simple as hitting a plastic ball around has become a bit of a community glue.

And if history’s anything to go by… there’ll be that one moment we’re still talking about next year.

Dave is still your go-to pickelball guy, so if you have any questions, contact him on 0408 079 098

Events on Coochie you will want to attend...

New Events Monthly!!

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. 

Read about Mabels life through books

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)

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 🤣

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

💥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.