LETTERBOX LEGENDS
Our inbox was inundated with Christmas letterbox entries, but the crown goes to John and Gillian Dunn. John isn’t new to festive mischief, he made the Santa that’s been hanging out at the Bowls Club for a few years. So when the competition came along, he thought it was time to add to it. Every piece of their winning entry was cut from MDF and painted by John himself. The $500 prize couldn’t have landed at a better time, and from what I heard, spending it was almost as fun as making the creation. A little chaos, a lot of talent, and just the right amount of island style showmanship.
ISLANDERS PUSH BACK ON
WOOLWORTHS DELIVERY FEE
Woolworths’ newly announced $20 delivery fee for island postcodes has islanders across the Bay asking one simple question. How is this fair? From 3rd February, deliveries to postcodes 4183 and 4184 will attract a $20 “service fee,” with an additional charge on Sundays and public holidays. This fee comes on top of existing delivery or subscription costs. Woolworths cites transport and staffing costs, but many locals aren’t buying it. The truck doesn’t cross for one household at a time. It comes with multiple orders. By the time every delivery is charged $20, islanders are wondering whether the costs are already more than covered, and whether this is less about logistics and more about penalising people for living on an island. The backlash has gained momentum, with support now coming from three levels of government, including Councillor, Shane Rendalls, who has backed the community’s push for fairness. I also tried to get answers directly from Woolworths. I waited on hold, explained my questions, and was passed from person to person. I was hoping to understand how the charges were calculated, including where profits sit elsewhere in the system. Eventually I gave up, worn down by the run around. Islanders aren’t asking for special treatment. We’re asking not to be penalised for where we live. NB: At the time of writing, Woolworths had not responded to community backlash by scrapping the proposed delivery fee. Any updates will be published in a future issue.
MANGOES AT THE FERRY TERMINAL
Pulled up to the ferry terminal and found a crate of unripe mangoes. No sign. No explanation. Just mangoes. We stood there like they were suspicious. Who left them? Were they edible? Was this a trap? An onlooker filled us in; someone had too many and left them for the community. Mind blown. Because suddenly it wasn’t about mangoes. It was about waste, and how many people here would happily turn excess fruit into chutney, jam, curry, cake, or something wildly experimental. So why don’t we do this more often? Maybe it’s time for a communal give back spot for surplus fruit and veg. Today it was mangoes. Tomorrow? Lemons. Zucchini. Bananas. That one neighbour with too many tomatoes. And to whoever left them there, thank you. It’s the first time since I was a kid that I could really smell and taste a mango.
POWER DRAMA ON RUSSELL ISLAND
So….about that “new” Energex charge. Word around the island is residents may be getting charged twice for reticulated power. Back in 1995, $7.8 million of ratepayer money was paid to cover street power connections on Russell Island right through to 2050. Poles, infrastructure, the lot. Paid for. Done. Now? Residents are being hit with “planning” or “assessment” fees just to connect power that’s already outside their property. Some have even been told to insure Energex owned poles on council footpaths. Yes. Really. Energex has reportedly waived fees only when pushed, case by case. No blanket fixes. No automatic refunds. If you’ve paid one of these fees, email your invoice or receipt to shane.rendalls@redland.qld.gov.au
WHAT’S ON AROUND THE ISLANDS
The Friends of the Farm Sunrise Markets are fast becoming a monthly favourite, held on the second Sunday of every month at the Russell Island Community Arts Grounds on Robert Street. Each market is also a chance to step into the gallery, purchase one-of-a-kind gifts, and support the creative talent living right here on the island. The fifth edition lands on 8th February, and with growing community interest, attendance just keeps climbing. It’s free to have a stall, call Bob on 0432 092 676 to organise. And this is just the beginning. If you’re hosting markets, events, workshops, gatherings, or community activations around the islands, we want to hear about them. Send details to editor@thefriendlybayislander.com
