Russell Island Round Up November 2023

IGA CHANGES FOR THE BETTER The recent major changes at the Russell Island Supa IGA are now being enjoyed by islanders. Over the past few months, the island supermarket has been transformed into a bright, spacious and exciting place for islanders to shop for their life ‘essentials’. It started with the fruit and vegetables section, and then a super major total rebuild and revampment of the ‘Deli’ section. There on display is a wonderfully colourful selection of foods of just about every type. The backing section has also been expanded considerably, and the butchery section has always been renowned for its quality and price of product. If you haven’t visited of late, you don’t know what you are missing! RICARTS LATEST The RICArts 4th Annual Art Competition “My Favourite Place’ or ‘Where I Live’ Exhibition has been run and won! Congratulations to all the artists who entered the competition. The judges were extremely impressed with the high standard of entries. The competition winners are: 1st Prize of $750 – Paula Bowie #29 “Mangrove Jar”, Stoneware Clay. 2nd Prize of $300 - Martin Gallagher #47 “A Morning at Shangri-La Caves”, Acrylic. 3rd Prize of $150 - Pamela Daggett #20 “This is My Favourite Place”, Acrylic on Canvas. Highly Commended – Janet Buckton #38 “The Water Garden”, Oil on Canvas Board; Mandy Pearson #21 “Out My Studio Window”, Acrylic on Board; and Martin Gallagher #48 “The Mouth of the Mooball Creek with Imagination”, Acrylic SOCCER DAY SUCCESS The recent Seniors Sons & Daughters soccer day at the Russell Island Sports Oval was a great success in perfect conditions. The events was sponsored by Redland City Council, and uniquely, the players were able to keep their special shirts they were provided for the day. All siblings of seniors (45 & over) taking part received a participation medal. Food and drinks was provided for ALL players and spectators thanks to Redland City Council A great day was had by all!

ALL TRACES OF HOMES FIRE HOMES REMOVED The huge fire that completely destroyed two homes in Todman Street, Russell Island on Sunday August 6, which will be long remembered as a shocking tragedy, have now been totally removed. Both adjoining blocks have had all material removed by a professional team. Huge skip bins on the site were used to place the burnt out remains of the two homes. The other damaged, adjoining home (in Gunsynd Street) is still there and no work has been carried out on it to this point in time. ANOTHER ISLAND HOUSE FIRE Another home has been destroyed by fire on Russell Island. The fire was at a home at 8 Miriam Street, Russell Island and the home was completely destroyed. It is believed the lady tenant of the property was away from the house at the time. The blaze was attended by the Russell Island Rural Fire Brigade team, who managed to completely extinguish the blaze without any damage to neighbouring properties. Investigative fire officers from the mainland in their fully protected gear, attended the aftermath of the blaze to carry out investigations. Russell Island police were ‘non committal’ about the cause of the blaze, and said that Redland Bay detectives were in charge of an ‘investigation’ . IAN AND MARGARET BUILDING ‘FINAL’ KCW HOUSE Ian and Margaret Goddard are well known to many islanders. That is because they have built so many homes over the years via their island building company KCW Homes. The business has been a constant advertiser in The Friendly Bay Islander since our inception 12 years ago, but their advertising came to end a few months ago. That’s because Ian and Margaret are now building their ‘final’ island home. It is one that will become their own ‘personal forever home’. Ian will be remembered as a former president of the Chamber of Commerce many years ago. He says they are ‘proud’ of the quality and number of homes they have provided for many new and ‘old’ island residents. “But the time has come to call it a day. Our daughter and grand children now live in Nashville (USA) and we want to visit them as much as we can,” the couple told us. Well done Ian and Margaret. You have made a significant contribution in helping to make our islands what they are today!