Macleay Island’s blue tree at the golf club

From Heartbreak to Hope: The Story Behind Macleay’s Blue Tree

Last month we shared the story of Macleay Island locals Gail and Len Waldorff and their mission to bring a little more awareness, compassion and conversation around mental health.

Now, their message of hope has taken root, with the tree at the Macleay Island Golf Club transformed into a bright blue symbol of remembrance, connection and the importance of checking in with one another.

Inspired by the Blue Tree Project after seeing one of the iconic blue trees while travelling, Gail and Len wanted to create something meaningful in memory of their son and to encourage more open conversations around mental health and suicide prevention.

Joined by close friends and their grandchildren, the couple watched as the tree came to life; a moment that was both personal and powerful.

“When we first started to do this, we didn’t want to get too many people involved, it was a personal thing for Lenny and I,” Gail said.

But their hope is that the blue tree will become a catalyst for something much bigger. “We want more conversations and to get mental health better on the islands.”

Gail and Len have called Macleay Island home for nine years, originally moving across for retirement. They quickly discovered a community they never wanted to leave.

“When we came here, Lenny was retired and I worked for a few more years in aged care with BlueCare,” Gail said.

“We see ourselves living here forever, we love it so much.”

The couple have embraced island life, becoming familiar faces around the community, particularly at the golf club. Both are passionate golfers, with Len having played for around 30 years and Gail taking up the sport after retirement.

These days, you’ll often find them on the course three or four times a week, with Gail sometimes playing up to six times depending on competitions. She also enjoys bike riding, occasional bowls and keeping active; so much so that she sold her car and now happily gets around without worrying about parking.

Len enjoys fishing and has also found a strong connection through his involvement with the RSL.

“The RSL has changed a lot of things for me,” he said. “It’s kept me busier, but I’m slowly getting adjusted to that.”

For the Waldorffs, it’s the people that make Macleay Island special.

“It’s a great community, we have great neighbours and great friends,” Gail said.

Family has also always been an important part of their island journey. When they first moved over, their grandchildren spent many school holidays with them, enjoying the slower pace of island life. Now teenagers, they are spending more time on the mainland, but those special memories remain; just like the connections Gail and Len continue to build within the island community.

Now proudly featured on our front cover, the blue tree stands as a symbol of those connections. More than just a splash of colour, it is a reminder that behind every person is a story, and sometimes a simple question — “Are you okay?” — can make a difference.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. Support is available through services including Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14, or by speaking with a trusted friend, family member or professional.

One tree. Many conversations. A community that cares.

Read Story

Cindy Jensen

3 min read

From Heartbreak to Hope: The Story Behind Macleay’s Blue Tree

Last month we shared the story of Macleay Island locals Gail and Len Waldorff and their mission to bring a little more awareness, compassion and conversation around mental health.

Joined by close friends and their grandchildren, the couple watched as the tree came to life; a moment that was both personal and powerful.

“When we first started to do this, we didn’t want to get too many people involved, it was a personal thing for Lenny and I,” Gail said.

But their hope is that the blue tree will become a catalyst for something much bigger. “We want more conversations and to get mental health better on the islands.”

Gail and Len have called Macleay Island home for nine years, originally moving across for retirement. They quickly discovered a community they never wanted to leave.

“When we came here, Lenny was retired and I worked for a few more years in aged care with BlueCare,” Gail said.

“We see ourselves living here forever, we love it so much.”

Len enjoys fishing and has also found a strong connection through his involvement with the RSL.

“The RSL has changed a lot of things for me,” he said. “It’s kept me busier, but I’m slowly getting adjusted to that.”

For the Waldorffs, it’s the people that make Macleay Island special.

“It’s a great community, we have great neighbours and great friends,” Gail said.

One tree. Many conversations. A community that cares.

Read Story

Cindy Jensen

3 min read

Arts

Laurie Eastough — The Hands That Still Create

The first thing I noticed when I walked under Laurie’s house wasn’t the artwork. It was the smell of timber stain wafting through a workshop that has been lived in, worked in and loved.

Laurie Eastough was standing amongst the evidence. Paintings leaning against walls and windows, brushes scattered across benches, frames being stained and prepared and a giant artwork stretching across one wall. And, of course, a shark carved from a tree stump watching over it all.

But there was something else about Laurie that caught my attention. He claims he doesn’t know how old he is. I’m still not entirely convinced whether he genuinely doesn’t know, or whether he has simply decided that numbers are overrated and, like me, prefers the idea of being eternally thirty.

Laurie says he was born on a farm in Western Australia, delivered by a midwife who never got around to the paperwork. When he later needed a passport, his sister discovered there was no official record.

“My father reckons I was born in 1939,” he says with a casual shrug.

For Laurie, that was enough. Perhaps that attitude comes from growing up in a very different era. One where families were large, resources were limited and entertainment was something you created yourself.

Laurie was one of fifteen children; eight boys and seven girls; growing up on a wheat and sheep property near Geraldton. They didn’t have television, they had imagination. They told ghost stories at night, searched for birds’ nests, made up games and lay beneath wide open skies counting meteors; with a dozen shooting across the sky in a night considered nothing out of the ordinary.

Most of the children slept outside on the verandah because there simply wasn’t enough room inside. It was a different world. One where you caught ducks for dinner, trapped rabbits and learnt to shoot a rifle from a young age. One where you fixed things because replacing them wasn’t an option.

It is perhaps why Laurie still sees possibility where others see something discarded. A tree stump isn’t just a tree stump, it’s a shark or a female torso sculpture. Old timber isn’t rubbish, it’s waiting to become a frame. That way of thinking has followed Laurie throughout his life.

Laurie has always been a maker. Long before paintbrushes became his tool of choice, his hands were busy operating earthmoving machinery, steering fishing boats, racing motorbikes and building homes from the ground up. If something broke, he fixed it. If something didn’t exist, he built it. Art simply became another way of creating something with his hands.

When Laurie bought his block of land on Russell Island more than 30 years ago for $14,000, he wasn’t chasing luxury. He was chasing possibility. He built his own home for around $24,000, a figure that says as much about the era as it does about Laurie himself. It was a time when people didn’t wait for someone else to make things happen; they picked up the tools, worked it out and built what they needed.

That same philosophy followed him into art. He had always dabbled in painting, but after attending classes with his daughter-in-law, an art teacher told him he had talent. Fifty years later, he is still proving her right. Even arthritis, which has changed his hands and made painting more difficult, hasn’t managed to convince him to put the brushes away.

“I just keep going,” he says, as though there were never any other option.

His recent exhibition, Lajasper, named after the street he has called home for more than three decades, was more than a collection of paintings. Held at RicArts, it was a chance for the community to celebrate the imagination, humour and stories of a man who has quietly created his way through life. But the exhibition was about more than paintings, it was about community and friendship.

When I arrived at Laurie’s studio, Julie Menzies was there beside him, staining and painting the handmade frames that would showcase his artwork. It was such an ordinary moment, yet somehow it captured something extraordinary. Two people from different generations on two completely different life journeys, united by art.

Julie and Laurie found each other through RicArts, a place that has become a significant part of Laurie’s island life. For Laurie, the group represents connection. For Julie, it represents a friendship she never expected to find.

“He’s just a wonderful person, and he brings so much happiness to everyone around him,” Julie says.

And while Laurie has watched plenty of things change during his time on the island, some of his memories belong to a very different Russell Island. He remembers when there was a small convenience shop where Mitre 10 now stands. When the arrival of the IGA supermarket was a major milestone. When island life moved at a slower pace and people knew each other differently. The landscape and population has changed, but Laurie believes some things remain. People helping people.

Just when I thought I had seen the full extent of Laurie’s creativity, he introduced me to his water lift. I had never seen anything like it; a clever homemade contraption that uses water pressure to carry people and supplies to the top floor of his home without electricity. Laurie explained it with the excitement of someone unveiling a brand new invention, rather than something he has lived with for years.

Laurie wasn’t quite finished with the tour. He ushered me into the garage where a fluorescent green 1961 Wolseley sat basking in the afternoon light. It’s the sort of colour that would leave Kermit feeling understated and a car that seems to reflect its owner perfectly; impossible to overlook and entirely unconcerned by what anyone else thinks.

But perhaps what Laurie will be remembered for isn’t hanging on a wall, sitting beneath his house or tucked away in his garage. It’s the community around him. The friendships formed through RicArts, the people who have admired and bought his work, and the quiet way he has made this island a little more colourful simply by being part of it.

Aug 1, 2026

5 min read

Author: Cindy Jensen

Bay Islands

From Heartbreak to Hope: The Story Behind Macleay’s Blue Tree

Last month we shared the story of Macleay Island locals Gail and Len Waldorff and their mission to bring a little more awareness, compassion and conversation around mental health.

Joined by close friends and their grandchildren, the couple watched as the tree came to life; a moment that was both personal and powerful.

“When we first started to do this, we didn’t want to get too many people involved, it was a personal thing for Lenny and I,” Gail said.

But their hope is that the blue tree will become a catalyst for something much bigger. “We want more conversations and to get mental health better on the islands.”

Gail and Len have called Macleay Island home for nine years, originally moving across for retirement. They quickly discovered a community they never wanted to leave.

“When we came here, Lenny was retired and I worked for a few more years in aged care with BlueCare,” Gail said.

“We see ourselves living here forever, we love it so much.”

Len enjoys fishing and has also found a strong connection through his involvement with the RSL.

“The RSL has changed a lot of things for me,” he said. “It’s kept me busier, but I’m slowly getting adjusted to that.”

For the Waldorffs, it’s the people that make Macleay Island special.

“It’s a great community, we have great neighbours and great friends,” Gail said.

One tree. Many conversations. A community that cares.

Aug 1, 2026

3 min read

Author: Cindy Jensen

Events

Meet the People Behind the Brigade

Most people only think about the fire brigade when the siren sounds. But behind every call out is a team of local volunteers who train, prepare and give their time to help protect our community.

On Saturday 22nd August, from 9am to 2pm, Russell Island Fire Brigade is opening its doors and inviting the community to come behind the scenes at the station on Jackson Road (heading towards the Bowling Club).

It’s a chance to meet the crew, explore what happens inside the brigade, and discover that being a firefighter is about much more than fighting fires.

The Open Day will feature road crash rescue demonstrations (including the dramatic cutting up of a car), virtual reality experiences, face painting, kids’ activities, games, competitions, prizes, live music and a free sausage sizzle.

But there’s also an important message behind the fun; the brigade is looking for its next four trainees.

First Officer, Caine Ward said local brigades are built on community spirit and the willingness of ordinary people to step up when their neighbours need them most.

“A community fire brigade is more than trucks and equipment. It’s people looking after people, and neighbours training together, supporting each other and being there when it matters most,” he said.

The brigade is encouraging anyone interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer firefighter to come along, ask questions and find out what’s involved. Applicants need to complete a form and hold a current Blue Card.

Senior Firefighter Matt Guy has been a valued member of the Russell Island Fire Brigade since 2020, and he believes the true strength of any brigade comes from the people behind them.

“Heroes don’t always wear capes. Sometimes they wear yellow, pick up a hose, learn new skills and quietly step forward when their community needs them most,” Matt said.

Whether you’ve ever imagined wearing the uniform or you simply want to meet the people who keep the island safe, the Fire Station Open Day is a chance to see the brigade from a different perspective.

Because every community needs heroes, and sometimes they’re just the neighbour next door.

Aug 1, 2026

2 min read

Author: Cindy Jensen

Arts

A New Brushstroke for MIAC: Beth Leach Leads a Creative Revival

For many Friendly Bay Islander readers, the name Beth Leach will be familiar. She appeared on the cover of the April edition, celebrating the joint exhibition ‘Two Painters and a Potter’; a showcase of the talent, imagination and creative spirit flourishing across our island community.

Now, Beth is taking on a different creative role after being elected President of the Macleay Island Arts Complex (MIAC) in a landslide vote, leading a newly elected committee into what she describes as an exciting new chapter.

Creativity has long been at the heart of Beth’s life. An emerging artist and writer, she grew up playing musical instruments and performing on stage before channelling that same creative energy into building two successful businesses.

“I’ve always lived with an abundance mentality,” Beth said. “Whether it’s through art, writing or business, creating has always been at the centre of what I do.”

After a period of significant change at MIAC, Beth says the new committee’s focus is clear: restoring creativity, connection and community to the heart of the organisation.

“It feels like we’ve opened the doors and let the art back in,” she said.

“This moment is about turning the page toward what MIAC has always been about; creativity, community and connection.”

Joining Beth on the new committee are Vice President Paul Hollingdale, Secretary Sharon Zaucer and Treasurer Susan Tobin, bringing together experience in governance, hospitality, education and finance, along with a shared passion for the arts and the island community.

Beth’s path to the presidency began through her involvement as an artist.

“I didn’t set out to become President,” she said.

“My interest grew out of organising a group exhibition here and seeing just how much talent and heart this community has. I realised how much this place means to people, and I felt compelled to help protect and grow it.”

For Beth, MIAC is far more than a gallery. She envisions it as a creative hub that embraces visual arts, pottery, music, performance, storytelling and spoken word while celebrating First Nations culture, supporting youth programs and welcoming artists at every stage of their creative journey.

“The more voices, stories and creative mediums we embrace, the richer our community becomes,” she said.

Her vision is ambitious, yet firmly grounded in community; a vibrant calendar of exhibitions and events, and a welcoming space where everyone feels they belong, whether they identify as an artist or simply enjoy being surrounded by creativity.

“I want people to walk through the doors and feel there’s a place for whatever kind of creativity moves them,” Beth said.

One of the committee’s immediate priorities is rebuilding MIAC’s volunteer network. The cafe, long an important social meeting place within the complex, is expected to return in a volunteer led format. To help make that happen, MIAC will host a Volunteer Sign On Day on 2nd August.

“Art brings people in, but a gathering space is often what turns a visit into a regular habit,” Beth said.

Looking ahead, Beth hopes MIAC will become recognised as the creative heartbeat of the island, where established artists, emerging creatives and the wider community come together.

“Everyone who has poured time into MIAC in the past deserves to see their contribution respected, while we also make room for fresh energy and new ideas,” she said.

Her invitation to the community is simple.

“Join our membership, visit the gallery, take a class, or simply come and say hello,” Beth said.

“MIAC only works when the whole community feels it belongs to them, and this chapter is about openness and making everyone feel welcome.”

The building may be relatively new, but MIAC’s foundations were laid more than 55 years ago by people who believed art could connect a community. That belief still hangs on the walls.

Beth knows this isn’t about starting over. It’s about picking up the brush where others left it and adding a few bold new strokes to a story that belongs to everyone.

Aug 1, 2026

3 min read

Author: Cindy Jensen

Beth Leach leads a creative revival at MIAC

Arts

Laurie Eastough — The Hands That Still Create

The first thing I noticed when I walked under Laurie’s house wasn’t the artwork. It was the smell of timber stain wafting through a workshop that has been lived in, worked in and loved.

“My father reckons I was born in 1939,” he says with a casual shrug.

“I just keep going,” he says, as though there were never any other option.

“He’s just a wonderful person, and he brings so much happiness to everyone around him,” Julie says.

Bay Islands

From Heartbreak to Hope: The Story Behind Macleay’s Blue Tree

Last month we shared the story of Macleay Island locals Gail and Len Waldorff and their mission to bring a little more awareness, compassion and conversation around mental health.

Joined by close friends and their grandchildren, the couple watched as the tree came to life; a moment that was both personal and powerful.

“When we first started to do this, we didn’t want to get too many people involved, it was a personal thing for Lenny and I,” Gail said.

But their hope is that the blue tree will become a catalyst for something much bigger. “We want more conversations and to get mental health better on the islands.”

Gail and Len have called Macleay Island home for nine years, originally moving across for retirement. They quickly discovered a community they never wanted to leave.

“When we came here, Lenny was retired and I worked for a few more years in aged care with BlueCare,” Gail said.

“We see ourselves living here forever, we love it so much.”

Len enjoys fishing and has also found a strong connection through his involvement with the RSL.

“The RSL has changed a lot of things for me,” he said. “It’s kept me busier, but I’m slowly getting adjusted to that.”

For the Waldorffs, it’s the people that make Macleay Island special.

“It’s a great community, we have great neighbours and great friends,” Gail said.

One tree. Many conversations. A community that cares.

Events

Meet the People Behind the Brigade

Most people only think about the fire brigade when the siren sounds. But behind every call out is a team of local volunteers who train, prepare and give their time to help protect our community.

It’s a chance to meet the crew, explore what happens inside the brigade, and discover that being a firefighter is about much more than fighting fires.

But there’s also an important message behind the fun; the brigade is looking for its next four trainees.

First Officer, Caine Ward said local brigades are built on community spirit and the willingness of ordinary people to step up when their neighbours need them most.

Senior Firefighter Matt Guy has been a valued member of the Russell Island Fire Brigade since 2020, and he believes the true strength of any brigade comes from the people behind them.

“Heroes don’t always wear capes. Sometimes they wear yellow, pick up a hose, learn new skills and quietly step forward when their community needs them most,” Matt said.

Because every community needs heroes, and sometimes they’re just the neighbour next door.

Arts

A New Brushstroke for MIAC: Beth Leach Leads a Creative Revival

“I’ve always lived with an abundance mentality,” Beth said. “Whether it’s through art, writing or business, creating has always been at the centre of what I do.”

After a period of significant change at MIAC, Beth says the new committee’s focus is clear: restoring creativity, connection and community to the heart of the organisation.

“It feels like we’ve opened the doors and let the art back in,” she said.

“This moment is about turning the page toward what MIAC has always been about; creativity, community and connection.”

Beth’s path to the presidency began through her involvement as an artist.

“I didn’t set out to become President,” she said.

“The more voices, stories and creative mediums we embrace, the richer our community becomes,” she said.

“I want people to walk through the doors and feel there’s a place for whatever kind of creativity moves them,” Beth said.

“Art brings people in, but a gathering space is often what turns a visit into a regular habit,” Beth said.

Looking ahead, Beth hopes MIAC will become recognised as the creative heartbeat of the island, where established artists, emerging creatives and the wider community come together.

“Everyone who has poured time into MIAC in the past deserves to see their contribution respected, while we also make room for fresh energy and new ideas,” she said.

Her invitation to the community is simple.

“Join our membership, visit the gallery, take a class, or simply come and say hello,” Beth said.

“MIAC only works when the whole community feels it belongs to them, and this chapter is about openness and making everyone feel welcome.”

The building may be relatively new, but MIAC’s foundations were laid more than 55 years ago by people who believed art could connect a community. That belief still hangs on the walls.

Beth knows this isn’t about starting over. It’s about picking up the brush where others left it and adding a few bold new strokes to a story that belongs to everyone.

Bay Islands

Hot Goss

Parking Changes. How’s It Going?

Last month, changes were introduced at the Moores Road car park at Weinam Creek as part of ongoing improvements around the ferry precinct. Now that everyone has had a chance to experience the new arrangements, we want to hear from you.

Has finding a park become easier? Are the new time limits working? Have the changes created challenges for those who regularly travel to and from the islands?

The changes saw previously unrestricted parking spaces moved into new timed parking zones, including a mix of seven day and three day parking, while vehicle and boat trailer parking limits were also adjusted.

Council says the changes are designed to improve parking turnover and availability, particularly during busy commuter periods, while longer term parking solutions for the Weinam Creek precinct continue to be developed.

But, as always, the real story comes from the people who use the car park every day. So, we want to know; how has your parking experience been since the changes? Have they made life easier? Have they created new frustrations? Are there things you think could be improved?

Send us your thoughts and experiences; because community conversations are what help shape the places we call home. Email cindy@silentriotcollective.com.au.

Psst… The Street Smarts Have Arrived

There’s no shortage of things young people are expected to figure out on the fly; money, work, relationships, safety and all the messy bits in between. Enter the Streetsmart Handbook, a practical guide packed with the stuff nobody thinks to teach you until you suddenly need to know it.

Designed for teens and young adults, it covers everything from life admin and legal rights to health, wellbeing and making smart choices. Think less boring lecture, more “here’s the stuff that actually matters.” Copies are shared through schools and youth organisations, or you can check it out online at www.smarthandbooks.com.au.

E-Bikes, E-Scooters and the Island Speed Debate

Queensland’s new e-bike and e-scooter rules have arrived, putting the brakes on what some are calling the “electric wild west”. The biggest changes? Legal e-bikes must now cut motor assistance once they hit 25km/h, and e-scooters and personal mobility devices must not exceed that same speed limit.

Riders also need to slow their roll in shared spaces, with a 12km/h limit on footpaths and when passing pedestrians on shared paths. And here’s the one that might surprise a few people; having a few drinks before riding home is now a definite no go. Police can conduct random breath tests, with the same 0.05 blood alcohol limit applying to e-bike and e-scooter riders.

The crackdown is also aimed at the high powered, modified machines that look more like electric motorbikes than bicycles, with authorities targeting devices that don’t meet safety requirements.

The government says the changes are about keeping everyone safe. But around the islands, the debate is already charging up. For many residents, an e-bike isn’t a toy, it’s transport. It’s the run to the ferry, the trip to the shops, the visit to a neighbour or a way to stay active without jumping in the car. The question being asked over island coffee tables is will these new rules target the reckless few, or make life harder for the responsible majority?

The Island Party Needs You

The Bay Islands Fusion Festival (BIFF) is coming to the Bay Islands Sport & Resilience Hub on Russell Island later in the year. It’s a celebration of live music, culture, art, food, stories and the wonderfully mixed bunch of people who call these islands home.

But here’s the catch; community magic doesn’t arrive by itself. It’s built one small contribution at a time. A poster in a shop window. A tradie lending a hand. A business donating a prize. Someone offering a skill, equipment, time, or simply turning up with friends and family to enjoy the day.

The BIFF team is calling on local businesses, tradespeople and residents to be part of creating an event that belongs to everyone. Because the best community events aren’t delivered to a community, they’re created by one.

So, who’s in? Whether you can contribute financially, a few hours, a service, a helping hand or just your smiling face on the day, your piece of the puzzle matters. When people look back on BIFF 2026, wouldn’t it be great to say: “Yep, I helped make that happen.” To get involved, contact Ros on 0403 815 863.

And while we’re talking about events, don’t forget the Straddie Arts Trail, happening from 13–16 August. With artists opening their studios and creative spaces across the island, it’s a wonderful chance to explore, connect and celebrate the incredible talent that calls Straddie home. Check out www.iamstraddie.com.au for further info.

Words Take Centre Stage on Macleay

Writers, poets, songwriters and storytellers, this one is for you.

The Macleay Island Inspirational Writers Group is inviting our creative community to come together on Saturday 22nd August for an afternoon celebrating the written and spoken word.

Whether you have a published book to share, a poem to read, a chapter to perform, or an original song to sing, the group is encouraging local creatives to step forward and showcase their work.

It’s a chance to connect with fellow artists, share ideas and celebrate the many creative talents that exist within our community.

Refreshments provided, including non alcoholic wines and finger food, with 8th Sense Cafe across the road open for coffee and gelato.

Saturday 22nd August, 1pm to 4pm at the Macleay Island Progress Hall. For further information, contact Robbie on 0404 719 929 or Margaret on 0407 117 046.

Arts

Laurie Eastough — The Hands That Still Create

The first thing I noticed when I walked under Laurie’s house wasn’t the artwork. It was the smell of timber stain wafting through a workshop that has been lived in, worked in and loved.

“My father reckons I was born in 1939,” he says with a casual shrug.

“I just keep going,” he says, as though there were never any other option.

“He’s just a wonderful person, and he brings so much happiness to everyone around him,” Julie says.

Bay Islands

From Heartbreak to Hope: The Story Behind Macleay’s Blue Tree

Last month we shared the story of Macleay Island locals Gail and Len Waldorff and their mission to bring a little more awareness, compassion and conversation around mental health.

Joined by close friends and their grandchildren, the couple watched as the tree came to life; a moment that was both personal and powerful.

“When we first started to do this, we didn’t want to get too many people involved, it was a personal thing for Lenny and I,” Gail said.

But their hope is that the blue tree will become a catalyst for something much bigger. “We want more conversations and to get mental health better on the islands.”

Gail and Len have called Macleay Island home for nine years, originally moving across for retirement. They quickly discovered a community they never wanted to leave.

“When we came here, Lenny was retired and I worked for a few more years in aged care with BlueCare,” Gail said.

“We see ourselves living here forever, we love it so much.”

Len enjoys fishing and has also found a strong connection through his involvement with the RSL.

“The RSL has changed a lot of things for me,” he said. “It’s kept me busier, but I’m slowly getting adjusted to that.”

For the Waldorffs, it’s the people that make Macleay Island special.

“It’s a great community, we have great neighbours and great friends,” Gail said.

One tree. Many conversations. A community that cares.

Events

Meet the People Behind the Brigade

Most people only think about the fire brigade when the siren sounds. But behind every call out is a team of local volunteers who train, prepare and give their time to help protect our community.

It’s a chance to meet the crew, explore what happens inside the brigade, and discover that being a firefighter is about much more than fighting fires.

But there’s also an important message behind the fun; the brigade is looking for its next four trainees.

First Officer, Caine Ward said local brigades are built on community spirit and the willingness of ordinary people to step up when their neighbours need them most.

Senior Firefighter Matt Guy has been a valued member of the Russell Island Fire Brigade since 2020, and he believes the true strength of any brigade comes from the people behind them.

“Heroes don’t always wear capes. Sometimes they wear yellow, pick up a hose, learn new skills and quietly step forward when their community needs them most,” Matt said.

Because every community needs heroes, and sometimes they’re just the neighbour next door.

Arts

A New Brushstroke for MIAC: Beth Leach Leads a Creative Revival

“I’ve always lived with an abundance mentality,” Beth said. “Whether it’s through art, writing or business, creating has always been at the centre of what I do.”

After a period of significant change at MIAC, Beth says the new committee’s focus is clear: restoring creativity, connection and community to the heart of the organisation.

“It feels like we’ve opened the doors and let the art back in,” she said.

“This moment is about turning the page toward what MIAC has always been about; creativity, community and connection.”

Beth’s path to the presidency began through her involvement as an artist.

“I didn’t set out to become President,” she said.

“The more voices, stories and creative mediums we embrace, the richer our community becomes,” she said.

“I want people to walk through the doors and feel there’s a place for whatever kind of creativity moves them,” Beth said.

“Art brings people in, but a gathering space is often what turns a visit into a regular habit,” Beth said.

Looking ahead, Beth hopes MIAC will become recognised as the creative heartbeat of the island, where established artists, emerging creatives and the wider community come together.

“Everyone who has poured time into MIAC in the past deserves to see their contribution respected, while we also make room for fresh energy and new ideas,” she said.

Her invitation to the community is simple.

“Join our membership, visit the gallery, take a class, or simply come and say hello,” Beth said.

“MIAC only works when the whole community feels it belongs to them, and this chapter is about openness and making everyone feel welcome.”

The building may be relatively new, but MIAC’s foundations were laid more than 55 years ago by people who believed art could connect a community. That belief still hangs on the walls.

Beth knows this isn’t about starting over. It’s about picking up the brush where others left it and adding a few bold new strokes to a story that belongs to everyone.

Bay Islands

Hot Goss

Parking Changes. How’s It Going?

Has finding a park become easier? Are the new time limits working? Have the changes created challenges for those who regularly travel to and from the islands?

Send us your thoughts and experiences; because community conversations are what help shape the places we call home. Email cindy@silentriotcollective.com.au.

Psst… The Street Smarts Have Arrived

E-Bikes, E-Scooters and the Island Speed Debate

The crackdown is also aimed at the high powered, modified machines that look more like electric motorbikes than bicycles, with authorities targeting devices that don’t meet safety requirements.

The Island Party Needs You

Words Take Centre Stage on Macleay

Writers, poets, songwriters and storytellers, this one is for you.

The Macleay Island Inspirational Writers Group is inviting our creative community to come together on Saturday 22nd August for an afternoon celebrating the written and spoken word.

Whether you have a published book to share, a poem to read, a chapter to perform, or an original song to sing, the group is encouraging local creatives to step forward and showcase their work.

It’s a chance to connect with fellow artists, share ideas and celebrate the many creative talents that exist within our community.

Refreshments provided, including non alcoholic wines and finger food, with 8th Sense Cafe across the road open for coffee and gelato.

Saturday 22nd August, 1pm to 4pm at the Macleay Island Progress Hall. For further information, contact Robbie on 0404 719 929 or Margaret on 0407 117 046.

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August 2026 Magazine Issue

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July 2026 Magazine

Bay Islands

ORGANISED CHAOS, ONE PANIC BUTTON AT A TIME

At some point during our conversation, Alan Brooks started talking about curlews. Not budgets, not committee politics, not membership numbers or operational strategy. Curlews.

Specifically, the one that wanders through the outdoor area of the Russell Island Bowls Club late at night after everybody has gone home, scavenging for dropped chips while staff lock up after another long day.

Honestly, it told me more about the club than any formal interview answer ever could. Because bowls clubs are healthy little ecosystems. Especially on islands. Not just human ones either.

They are part sports venue, part therapist’s office, part music venue, part emergency relief centre, part neighbourhood kitchen and part accidental sociology experiment; the kind of place where wildlife wanders through after dark as if it belongs there too.

Somewhere between the bowls tribe and the trivia tribe sits the emotional pulse of a community trying to hold itself together in increasingly disconnected times. And now Alan Brooks has somehow found himself elected President right in the middle of it.

“I think people were looking for someone who is hands on,” he says. “Someone keen to take a strong role in steering the club through the next stage.”

That “next stage” involves a proposed new building, expanding community engagement and keeping the club relevant on rapidly growing islands where the population is shifting faster than the stereotypes mainlanders still cling to. Alan says outsiders still misunderstand island life.

“What people get wrong is the community spirit and the diversity of the residents,” he says.

That diversity is obvious the moment you walk inside. Aged care groups arriving for lunch, tradies unwinding after work, retirees dancing to live music, families feeding kids chips under tables, bowlers taking competition seriously while nobody else does and laughter spilling from the bar. Behind it all, more than thirty local staff keeping the machine running.

“It’s crazy busy, and the demands are unrelenting,” Alan laughs.

This is where the romantic mainland fantasy of bowls clubs collapses. There are no sleepy afternoons or cucumber sandwiches. The Russell Island Bowls Club is organised chaos wrapped in community obligation. Alan jokes the object that best represents it is the office panic button bell.

“The bell gets more action than the lawn bowls some days,” he says. And he’s not exaggerating, because order here is always one moment away from needing to be restored.

But beneath the humour is a system that only functions because the right people are in the right roles. At the centre of that is General Manager Phil McAuley, whose working relationship with Alan is built on trust, speed, and a shared understanding of what the club actually needs in real time. There’s no performative management layer between them; decisions happen, problems are dealt with, and things move. It’s not formal so much as instinctive.

“We’ve got a great understanding, the kind that doesn’t need over explaining,” he says.

The story, though, is not really about bowls. Not entirely. It is about belonging.

The club supports sporting groups, schools, artists, wildlife carers, musicians and community organisations. It hosts wakes and provides finger food free of charge because grieving people on small islands still quietly look after each other. It offers affordable meals in a time when many households are stretched and free entertainment across weekends because people need somewhere to go where existing doesn’t cost a fortune.

Alan talks about the venue less like a businessman and more like someone protecting a place that matters.

“The Bowls Club is definitely about bowls, but it’s also very much part of our wider community,” he says. “People come here for all sorts of reasons; and most of them have nothing to do with bowls.”

That goes some way to explaining why bowls clubs are becoming cool again in places like the Bay Islands. Younger generations are chasing what these places accidentally perfected decades ago; authenticity. Real spaces, affordable nights out, human interaction not built around image, status or performance.

The Russell Island Bowls Club manages to feel both old school and current at the same time. Alan understands the balance instinctively. He says some clubs are disappearing because they failed to adapt, while others survive by staying relevant to the communities around them.

“This does not happen by accident,” he says.

Which is why the future plans sound less like preservation and more like reinvention; family spaces, a children’s play area, flexible event areas, stronger entertainment, and more reasons for people to walk through the doors who have never touched a bowl.

“We need to lead the provision of recreation spaces and activities,” Alan says.

That sounds simple until you live on an island. Because here, places like this are not extras. They are infrastructure, and they hold people through rough weeks, keep older residents connected, and turn newcomers into locals simply by repetition.

Alan arrived about four and a half years ago after leaving the Glass House Mountains and travelling Australia as a grey nomad. He says people who thrive here tend to be connected to nature, creativity and casual friendliness.

“It also caters for people who wish to disappear from the real world,” he says.

That line resonates. Because the club seems to cater for both; people disappearing and people reconnecting.

When asked what unwritten rule defines the bowls club culture, Alan doesn’t hesitate.

“Don’t take yourself too seriously.”

Alan also speaks about wanting people to feel safe, welcome and part of the place when they walk through the doors. No grand speeches, no self importance, just good energy.

And that’s probably enough to explain how a place like this actually works; not through calm, but through constant motion, adjustment, and the people willing to keep showing up.

Alan Brooks seems fine with that, as long as the doors stay open, the lights stay on, and the panic button still works when it needs to.

Fun Fact: It’s not a “bowls ball”. It’s a “bowl”. And the white target is called “the jack”, or “the kitty”. Sounds harmless enough, until you see how quickly the claws come out when everyone’s competing for it.

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