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⚓ From the Helm⚓

TL:DR

This week’s From the Helm celebrates the volunteers who quietly keep Coochie running, from organised groups like the Community Bus, Shopping Service, Coastcare and the Op Shop, through to the countless informal acts of neighbourly kindness that often matter just as much. We’re also recognising Margaret Anderson for her long contribution to Coochie’s cultural events scene, and encouraging everyone to vote for Julie Vegter in the Best of Redlands Community Hero Awards for her work with the RFDS Medical Chest and the Coochiemudlo Island Beach Bar and Grill for the Best Experience award. Plus, I’ve contacted Redland City Council and Councillor Lance Hewlett with questions about the baffling removal of rubbish bins from ferry and jetty areas, and I’ll keep the community updated on the response.

Read on for the full editorial...

You can tell a lot about a community by what happens when nobody’s being paid to do the thing.

The chairs still get stacked. The trolley gets loaded onto the back of a ute or pushed up the hill for someone struggling with the groceries if the bus isn't running (like on weekends).

Someone notices a neighbour hasn’t put the bins out. Someone else is the bin fairy who brings them back in. The community bus still runs. The markets still happen. The music starts on time. The lost dog gets reunited. The newsletter somehow lands in your inbox every week despite the editor surviving primarily on caffeine and slightly crazy ramblings, often to myself.

That’s volunteering. And this week, from 18–24 May, is National Volunteer Week.

On Coochie, volunteering is stitched into island life so deeply that half the time we probably don’t even recognise it as volunteering anymore. We just call it “helping out”.

Of course we have our formal volunteers, and goodness knows we’d be sunk without them. The Community Bus. The Shopping Service. Coastcare. The Rec Club. The Men’s Shed. The Op Shop. The Heritage Society. The Rural Fire Brigade. Sporting groups. Arts groups. Event organisers. Committee members. Fundraisers. Community drivers. Hall setup crews. BBQ wranglers. The people who answer phones, unlock buildings, organise rosters and somehow know where the spare extension cords are hidden.

But I also want to acknowledge the informal volunteers this week too. The people who simply step in because something needs doing.

Those quieter acts are often the glue holding island life together.

One person checking on another after a storm. Someone giving a lift to the ferry. Someone spending two hours helping a neighbour untangle technology that “was working perfectly yesterday”. The folks who pick up rubbish they didn’t drop. The people who welcome newcomers so they don’t feel awkward and invisible at their first community event.

None of it comes with a title badge. But it matters.

Very few communities function this well without an extraordinary amount of unpaid care happening in the background.

Which brings me to one very special celebration happening this week.

Many of you would already know the name Margaret Anderson, and if you’ve attended cultural events on Coochie over the years, chances are you’ve experienced her contribution even if you didn’t realise it at the time. Margaret has given an enormous amount of time, energy and heart into supporting the island’s cultural life over many years, often behind the scenes, quietly helping things happen.

We’ll be celebrating Margaret and her remarkable volunteering legacy in this week’s coverage, and quite honestly, it feels richly deserved.

And while we’re talking about local legends, please also consider giving some lurve to Julie Vegter, who has been nominated in the Community Hero Awards section of the Best of Redlands Awards for her incredible work as custodian of the RFDS Medical Chest. If you’ve ever needed urgent medication support on the island, or simply understood the reassurance that service provides, you’ll know just how important that role is. Julie’s nomination is not just recognition of one person. It’s recognition of a service that quietly protects this community every single day.

Also nominated under the Best Experience category is the legendary Coochiemudlo Island Beach Bar and Grill, who also happen to be sponsors of this newsletter. 

You can vote online and I’d genuinely love to see our Coochie heroes get the recognition they deserve.

Now… onto another topic entirely.

The Great Bin Vanishing Act.

Like many residents across the Redlands Coast, I’ve been left somewhat bemused, bewildered and scratching my head over the removal of rubbish bins from jetties and ferry areas across the Redland City Council region.

Council signage suggests this is part of improving environmental outcomes and reducing waste overflow into the bay. Which sounds sensible in theory. Nobody wants rubbish ending up in Moreton Bay.

The problem is that many residents are now observing the exact opposite outcome in practice.

Photos circulating locally appear to show increased rubbish accumulation around ferry areas where bins once existed. In simple terms, people still generate rubbish while waiting for ferries… but now there’s nowhere obvious to put it.

It’s a bit like removing umbrellas because people were getting wet.

So I’ve contacted Redland City Council and our local councillor, Lance Hewlett, asking the following questions:

• What evidence or data informed the decision to remove these bins?
• Was any community consultation undertaken with island residents, ferry users or nearby businesses before removal?
• Were alternative solutions considered, such as increased servicing, relocated bins, enclosed bins or modified collection arrangements?
• Is council monitoring the impacts of this change, including complaints and photographic evidence of rubbish accumulation?
• Will the decision be reviewed if the outcome is shown to worsen litter and environmental impacts?

As always, I’ll keep everyone posted on any response.

In the meantime, if this week reminds us of anything, it’s probably this:

Communities are not built by infrastructure alone.

They’re built by people who care enough to keep showing up.

And on Coochie… thankfully, we still have plenty of those.

Adaire ⚓

Adaire Palmer

Editor, Coochie Community Online

What's inside this edition...

⚓ From rubbish to pollution - ineffective waste management practices from RCC

⚓ Volunteers week: 18 - 24 May. Let's celebrate!
⚓ Call for volunteers for the community bus and shopping service

⚓ Celebrating local resident Margaret Anderson's contributions to Coochie

⚓ Emerald Fringe: The conversations we WANT to have!

⚓ Best of Redlands: Vote for our local heros!

⚓⚓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!)

Redland City Council’s decision to remove public bins around the Victoria Point jetty and ferry terminal is sparking frustration among locals.  

The council claims bins were taken away to prevent rubbish from overflowing into Moreton Bay, protecting marine life such as dugongs, turtles, and seabirds.  

However, residents say the move has backfired.  

Now, litter is accumulating on seats and the ground, leaving the area visibly messier and potentially just as harmful to the bay.  

Locals, who deeply value the region’s environment, argue that the absence of bins removes containment—not the rubbish itself.  

Regular commuters, families, and fisherfolk are left with no convenient option to dispose of waste, raising concerns over public hygiene and environmental risk.  

Many are calling for functional, regularly serviced public bins to return—believing this is essential for both convenience and the health of Moreton Bay.

National Volunteer Week is set for 18–24 May 2026, with the theme “Your Year to Volunteer.”

This annual celebration spotlights the dedication of volunteers and inspires locals to join community service.

You’ve probably crossed paths with them without even realising it. The people stocking library shelves, driving buses, protecting wildlife, delivering groceries, running events, rescuing community projects and quietly keeping Coochie connected behind the scenes. This new article takes a closer look at the volunteers who help hold island life together… and the surprising number of ways you can get involved yourself.

Read more here:
Volunteers on Coochiemudlo Island

Discover how you can contribute by exploring local programs, and make this year your time to volunteer.

TL:DR:
Coochie urgently needs more volunteers for the Community Bus and Community Shopping Service to help keep vital island services running. The Shopping Service is also looking for a new President. Even a small amount of time can make a huge difference helping neighbours get to the ferry, access shopping, stay independent and remain socially connected.

📞 Bus Volunteers: Elizabeth – 0403 467 812
📞 Shopping Service Volunteers: Rosemary – 0403 014 396

Getting involved not only strengthens Coochie but brings personal satisfaction and skill-building for every volunteer.

Discover how you can contribute by exploring local programs, and make this year your time to volunteer.

Join the conversation on Facebook...

Well hello, Margaret! 

If you’ve lived on Coochiemudlo Island anytime since 1997, I bet you’ve heard of Margaret Anderson. Marg is no shrinking violet. During her years on Coochiemudlo she has worn many hats, including event organiser, many promoted as Margaret Anderson Special Events. She’s been at the helm of countless cultural events on the island, all her work in this capacity as a volunteer.

Margaret's devotion to Coochie since 1997 has enriched island life with music, art, and community joy.

Her legacy continues to foster a warm, creative community spirit—making Coochiemudlo an inspiring escape for visitors and and even better place to live for residents. 

The recent community consultation on the future of the Emerald Fringe saw strong local engagement, as neighbors gathered to discuss the best use of a new $100,000 State Government funding allocation for Coochiemudlo Island.

Led by Rebecca Young MP, the meeting sparked wide-ranging discussions on conservation, heritage protection, and long-term planning for the cherished foreshore and buffer zones.

The Coochiemudlo Island Heritage Society celebrated the turnout and highlighted growing community resolve to safeguard the island’s unique environment for future generations.

As islanders review heritage-listed boundaries and consider issues like tourism, access, and erosion, it’s clear this conversation is about more than funding.

This marks an important step in deciding what kind of community and natural legacy Coochie will nurture moving forward.

The Best of Redlands - Vote for our Locals

🏝️❤️ Two of our own are up for Best of the Redlands Awards… and honestly, it’s hard to imagine Coochie without either of them.

From the quiet behind-the-scenes work keeping the RFDS Medical Chest ready for emergencies, to the Beach Bar becoming part of the social heartbeat of island life, these nominations are a lovely nod to the people and places that make this island feel like home.

We’ve put together a quick article about the nominations, why they matter, and how you can give our local legends some heaps big loves with a couple of clicks.

👉 Read the article and vote here

☑️ Skip the article and go straight to voting

Sponsor Spot - Your Business Belongs Here!

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

📬 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.

Book your tickets here 🎫

Questions? Contact Rosemary: 0403 014 396

Standing items

Your portal for information about Coochie

RFDS Medical Chest on Coochie💊

🌴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 about Mabels life through books

Artisan Alley 

Open Sundays from 8am (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?
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!

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 at Easter).

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:

📣 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.

Redland City Council 

Want to make a complaint? Report an issue?

Find out what week your bin goes out? Watch the latest Public Council Meeting? Do that here!

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

Use this form to contact council

Redland City Council Public Meetings

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.