Coochiemudlo Island, Queensland
Encyclopedia
Coochiemudlo Island is located near Brisbane
, in Queensland, Australia.
Coochiemudlo Island is a small island in the southern part of Moreton Bay, Queensland
.
The island is approximately 1 km from Victoria Point
in Redland Shire
.
Coochiemudlo is an anglicised version of the local aboriginal words for "Red Rock". A natural cliff composed of iron-rich rock is exposed on the south western side of the island.
Sandy beaches wrap around the island's southern, eastern and northern sides. Mangroves cover the western foreshore of the island.
A cafe/restaurant and a restaurant bar are also available.
Over 43% were more than 54 years old. Of families 58.2% were couples without children.
The most common responses for religious affiliation were "No Religion" at 24.2% which is well above the Australian average of 18.7%.
269 said that they were in the workforce and 60% were in full time occupations while 28% were working part time. Only 5% of the island's workforce said they were unemployed.
The major areas of employment were Hospitals, Local Government Administration, Other Social Assistance Services, Residential Care Services and Building Completion Services.
The median weekly household income was $616, compared with $1,027 in Australia.
. A 'Nippers
' program is also available, and caters for both on-island, and off-island children.
Other facilities include:
During the years that Douglas and Shirley Sivyer provided the sole retail outlet for Coochie residents, Douglas, an accomplished musician and dancer, provided free entertainment to locals by hosting a Saturday night Bingo Evening, followed by a sing-along with Douglas providing musical accompaniment with his piano. Sadly, this entertainment ceased when Douglas developed Parkinson's Disease.
Fishing is also a popular pastime, with species such as Bream
, whiting
, Flathead
, Flounder
, Tailor, Cod
, and Snapper, amongst others, to be found in the waters around the island.
beach shacks, contemporary light weight beach houses, relocated Queenslanders (Queenslander (architecture)
), and occasionally, albeit somewhat out of place, conventional suburban brick and tile.
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, in Queensland, Australia.
Coochiemudlo Island is a small island in the southern part of Moreton Bay, Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
.
The island is approximately 1 km from Victoria Point
Victoria Point, Queensland
Victoria Point is a suburb located approximately south-east of Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, Australia, in the Redland City local government area...
in Redland Shire
Redland Shire, Queensland
Redland City is a Local Government Area of South East Queensland, spread along the southern coast of Moreton Bay covering . Between the cities of Brisbane to the north, Logan to the west, and the Gold Coast to the south, it is part of the fastest growing area in Queensland and one of the fastest...
.
Coochiemudlo is an anglicised version of the local aboriginal words for "Red Rock". A natural cliff composed of iron-rich rock is exposed on the south western side of the island.
Sandy beaches wrap around the island's southern, eastern and northern sides. Mangroves cover the western foreshore of the island.
Transport
The island is serviced by a passenger ferry, operating approximately every half hour between about 5:00am and 11:00pm. A vehicular barge also operates regular services to and from the island. Due to the relatively small area, a car is not essential for getting around the island.Wildlife
There are many types of wildlife present on the island. Although Coochiemudlo Island lacks well-known Australian wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos, possums and emus, it is well known for its birdlife including the Curlew. Unusually, the island also has a flock of peacocks which roams the island. Native wildlife include bandicoots, snakes and frogs. Other significant wildlife include pheasants, galahs, ibis, kookaburras and cockatoos.Retail facilities
A small corner store built by former residents Douglas Sivyer and his wife Shirley provides key staple items.A cafe/restaurant and a restaurant bar are also available.
Demographic
According to the 2006 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census, Coochiemudlo had 658 people who called it home.Over 43% were more than 54 years old. Of families 58.2% were couples without children.
The most common responses for religious affiliation were "No Religion" at 24.2% which is well above the Australian average of 18.7%.
269 said that they were in the workforce and 60% were in full time occupations while 28% were working part time. Only 5% of the island's workforce said they were unemployed.
The major areas of employment were Hospitals, Local Government Administration, Other Social Assistance Services, Residential Care Services and Building Completion Services.
The median weekly household income was $616, compared with $1,027 in Australia.
Recreation
Coochiemudlo's southern beach is patrolled by the local chapter of Surf Life Saving AustraliaSurf Life Saving Australia
Surf lifesaving is a multifaceted movement that comprises key aspects of voluntary lifeguard services and competitive surf sport. Originating in early 20th century Australia, the movement has expanded globally to other countries including New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, and the United States...
. A 'Nippers
Nippers
Nippers in surf lifesaving are young Surf Lifesavers aged between 5 and 14 years old. Unlike senior Surf Lifesavers, the majority of them do not patrol the beaches. The focus for Nippers tends to be on fun, and surf awareness....
' program is also available, and caters for both on-island, and off-island children.
Other facilities include:
- a BMX track
- a cricket pitch and football oval
- a Bowls/Croquet lawn
- a 9 hole golf course
- 2 tennis courts
During the years that Douglas and Shirley Sivyer provided the sole retail outlet for Coochie residents, Douglas, an accomplished musician and dancer, provided free entertainment to locals by hosting a Saturday night Bingo Evening, followed by a sing-along with Douglas providing musical accompaniment with his piano. Sadly, this entertainment ceased when Douglas developed Parkinson's Disease.
Fishing is also a popular pastime, with species such as Bream
Yellowfin bream
Surf bream, Acanthopagrus australis, is a species of marine and freshwater fish of the porgy family, Sparidae...
, whiting
Sillaginidae
The Sillaginidae, commonly known as the smelt-whitings, whitings, sillaginids, sand borers and sand-smelts, are a family of benthic coastal marine fishes in the order Perciformes. The smelt-whitings inhabit a wide region covering much of the Indo-Pacific, from the west coast of Africa east to Japan...
, Flathead
Flathead (fish)
A flathead is one of a number of small to medium fish species with notably flat heads, distributed in membership across various genera of the family Platycephalidae. Many species are found in the Indo-Pacific, especially most parts of Australia where they are popular sport and table fish...
, Flounder
Flounder
The flounder is an ocean-dwelling flatfish species that is found in coastal lagoons and estuaries of the Northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.-Taxonomy:There are a number of geographical and taxonomical species to which flounder belong.*Western Atlantic...
, Tailor, Cod
Serranidae
Serranidae is a large family of fishes, belonging to the order Perciformes. The family contains about 450 species of serranids in 64 genera, including the sea basses and the groupers...
, and Snapper, amongst others, to be found in the waters around the island.
Sailing
Coochie is a popular destination for sailors. As the island is surrounded on three sides by sandy beaches, there is always a sheltered beach regardless of the wind direction. Sailing craft range from sailboards, off-the-beach catamarans and dinghies to larger motor and sail yachts. A deep water anchorage and moorings are located to the south of the island near the jetty and boat ramp.Housing styles
Housing styles on Coochiemudlo range from traditional 1950s fibroFibro
Fibro, the shortened form of "Fibrous Cement" - or "Fibrous Asbestos Cement", FAC, is a building material made of compressed fibres cemented into rigid sheets....
beach shacks, contemporary light weight beach houses, relocated Queenslanders (Queenslander (architecture)
Queenslander (architecture)
Queenslander architecture is a modern term for the vernacular type of architecture of Queensland, Australia. It is also found in the northern parts of the adjacent state of New South Wales and shares many traits with architecture in other states of Australia but is distinct and unique...
), and occasionally, albeit somewhat out of place, conventional suburban brick and tile.
See also
- Redland ShireRedland Shire, QueenslandRedland City is a Local Government Area of South East Queensland, spread along the southern coast of Moreton Bay covering . Between the cities of Brisbane to the north, Logan to the west, and the Gold Coast to the south, it is part of the fastest growing area in Queensland and one of the fastest...
- South East QueenslandSouth East QueenslandSouth East Queensland is a region of the state of Queensland in Australia, which contains approximately two-thirds of the state population...