CHRISTMAS ON THE ISLAND
Christmas on Russell Island has been a particularly busy season. The Christmas Play at the Russell Island Bowls Club was definitely different and fun. And the free community lunch and the big Christmas raffle at the Russell Island RSL Club went down a treat as well. The big Christmas party at the Russell Island Community Arts at The Farm Gallery was again popular with island artists and friends.
RUSSELL RSL FORMAL DINNER AT ‘HIT’
The formal dinner held just prior to Christmas for Returned Veterans at the Russell Island RSL Club was a wonderful affair. It was great to see the veterans and their partners dress in dinner suits and some lovely gowns for this event. It adds a certain amount of style to our island community and it would be great to see more of these type of formal events on our islands. They were held regularly at the club for several years in the days of Anthony Gleeson as president, with the Covid pandemic impacting in recent years.. Great to see current president Keith Vellemen bring back the tradition. Let there be more of it!
DON’S FINAL GOODBYES
Popular Russell Island Pharmacist, Don Frost, has said his final goodbyes to our islands. Don has sold the pharmacy to the LiveLife Pharmacy Group. He admitted that the past 20 years had been a ‘long haul’. “I wish to say goodbye to so many wonderful island people and customers. I will miss my staff here terribly. I have had some great people to work with over the years,” he said. Don has sold the pharmacy to the LiveLife Pharmacy group.
HELLO TO PETER AND SARAH
Pharmacist Peter Ashenden and manager Sarah Cameron are the new faces at the pharmacy on Russell Island. Now to be known as LiveLife Pharmacy Russell Island, it will be the first of many changes in the coming months. Peter and Sarah are keen to expand the pharmacy services and the first changes will be signage in and around the popular island pharmacy. LiveLife Pharmacy group has as excellent reputation throughout Queensland. dManager Sarah and Pharmacist Peter are keen to meet many islanders over the coming weeks and months. Call in and say ‘hello’.
THE RUSSELL ISLAND POST OFFICE:
READY FOR AN EXCITING FUTURE!
Anthony and Katrina Gleeson have made a decision that it is time to think about retirement and place their Russell Island Post Office on the market. It is FOR SALE!. They are doing it at this time to enable new owners to have the opportunity to address the new and exciting opportunities Australia Post is incorporating into its services and products leading into the future. The Gleesons have experienced year-on-year growth of the Post Office for the past 12 years and the future will only be better with new and expanding services and the increasing population on the Island. This is a wonderful opportunity for new owners to purchase a successful island business and continue to provide all the services of one of the islands’ most important and necessary businesses.
Genuine buyers should make an appointment to discuss their interest by calling at the Post Office during business hours.
AN ISLAND INCIDENT
We had a call from an island mother the other day whose son was involved in an unfortunate incident on Russell Island that saw his head penetrated by a blade, through no fault of his own. She wanted us to thank the island police, first responders and paramedics, and to the staff at the Redlands Hospital for their efforts in treating her son. Apparently the young man didn’t think it was too serious at the time, and did not realise that a vein had been severed. Quick action by Russell Island paramedics and first responders was critical and paramount with police, ambulance and hospital all working in unison for a good outcome. Apparently the young man is well and truly on the mend.
AUSTRALIA DAY ON RUSSELL
Get ready for an unforgettable Australia Day celebration! On January 26th, 2024. BIMSARA is proud to present a free family fun day event at The Resilience Hub and sporting fields on Russell island with an extravaganza of entertainment, food, and exciting activities for all age groups. Co-hosted by Running Wild, Bay Islands Auto Club, Bay Islands United Football Club, and Russell Island Fishing Club, the event is expected to attract a massive crowd of locals and visitors alike. With so much to see and do, it's the perfect way to spend the day with your family and friends. The event will kick off at 9:30 am, with stallholders opening their stalls to showcase their wares. From there, the fun continues with various activities and events catering to everyone's interests.
PROJECT HELPS VULNERABLE ISLAND RESIDENTS PREPARE FOR DISASTERS
Redland City Council recently partnered with a not-for-profit community-based organisation to help vulnerable island residents prepare for disasters.
The Gutters and Get Ready Project was a partnership between Council’s Disaster Management Team and Women of Trades + Industry (WOT+I) on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands and Coochiemudlo Island.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the pilot project focused on offering gutter cleaning services and disaster preparedness information to residents 60 years and over or with a disability or chronic health condition.
“Gutter cleaning is one of the simplest and most impactful steps any resident can take to make themselves safer during a disaster and prevent avoidable damage to their home,” Cr Williams said.
“Our SES Local Controller has identified leaking roofs caused by blocked gutters as one of the most common callouts during a rain event and recommends gutters be checked at least twice a year if your house is surrounded by vegetation.
“Blocked gutters are also a risk during bushfires as floating embers can cause leaf matter and debris to ignite.”
Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards said the WOT+I team cleaned gutters for 40 island residents in October and November as part of the Gutters and Ret Ready project.
“More than 20 other residents were able to be referred for alternative support options,” Cr Edwards said.
“The lessons we have learnt from previous years – where we have experienced significant bushfires on both North Stradbroke Island and Russell Island – is that if we are prepared we will be in a better position to handle anything that nature throws at us.”
Division 4 Councillor Lance Hewlett said the pilot project provided valuable support to residents.
“Many vulnerable island residents are unable to access gutter cleaning services and so are at increased risk during disaster events,” Cr Hewlett said.
“As well as cleaning gutters, the WOT+I team also shared information and resources such as Council’s disaster preparedness kits, which contain lots of useful information such as a severe weather safety guide and a safe home checklist” Cr Hewlett said.
Lamb Island Residents Association President Janet Cannon said Gutters and Get Ready was a great project.
“We don’t get a lot of services willing to come to the islands to do this type of work without having to pay a lot of money for it,” Mrs Cannon said.
“The women from WOT+I were very nice and really helpful.
“They cleaned our gutter and found a small tree with an eight-foot-long root that ran along the length of the house and was going down the drainpipe.
“Gutter cleaning is something that’s always in the back of our mind and now we feel safer heading into the storm and bushfire season.”
Cr Williams said it was important for residents to do all they could to reduce their risk and prepare their homes and families for significant weather and disaster events.
“Emergency services and teams from across Council work hard to reduce risk and prepare the community for times of disaster, but we can’t do it alone,” she said.
“All residents should know their risk, make a household emergency plan and pack an emergency kit.
“Residents can also sign up for Redlands Coast Alerts, Council’s opt-in emergency notification messaging service, which is an important part of our disaster and emergency communications.”
The Gutters and Get Ready project was jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Women of Trades + Industry is a not-for-profit community-based business that helps to train and inspire women to secure an apprenticeship in the construction industry.
More information on how to prepare yourself, your home and your business for a disaster is available at Get Ready Queensland.
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