The Islander

08/08/2025

Kangaroo Island Eco-Action members and friends have taken advantage of the recent rains to plant native trees and shrubs, sourced from the Landscape Board Nursery in Kingscote, in two different locations.
Two weeks ago, volunteers planted casuarinas above Boxing Bay to increase these food trees for the glossy black-cockatoos.
The views were stunning, the weather kind and 450 seedlings were planted.
It was encouraging to have families present introducing their young children to the joys of planting.
Their technique might not have been polished, but there was no doubting their enthusiasm and in the future they may be rewarded by seeing Glossies feeding off trees they’ve planted.
Two weeks and several centimetres of rainfall later, another planting took place at Gaia property, near Pelican Lagoon.
The soil was moist and the land flat, making it easy planting with only a mechanical breakdown of the motorised augur to impede efforts.
If you’d like to feel the satisfaction of helping plant food trees for this special KI bird species, please contact Colin at [email protected]

Kangaroo Island Eco-Action members and friends have taken advantage of the recent rains to plant native trees and shrubs, sourced [...]

05/08/2025

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05/08/2025

You do not need a best friend, lifelong mate, or big crew to feel less lonely.
As we head into Loneliness Awareness Week here in Australia it is important to take a pause and think about the fact that you can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely.
In 2024, as part of the Parndana campus of KICE Student Voice, Agency and Leadership program, Kangaroo Island Community Centre was invited to pose the question: “What can we do to help people on KI who are lonely?”.
Maree Baldwin from Junction said, “We were delighted when a group of students reached out to talk about tackling the issue and had some ideas of where to start.”
Since February 2025, this group of Year 10 students has been volunteering with Kangaroo Island Our Town to do something about loneliness on the island.
Calling themselves Stronger Together, their initiative is creating ways to bring people together.
They have created a brand and a logo, and produced colourful wrist bands which they distributed at various community events.
The wrist bands are conversation starters; a way of supporting people to connect with each other.
In July, Stronger Together released a community survey to find out what makes our community “tick”; they will analyse the feedback over the next couple of months.
The deadline for response has been extended, so if you would like to take part in the survey, please scan the QR Code in this article or in the paper on Thursday.

You do not need a best friend, lifelong mate, or big crew to feel less lonely. As we head into [...]

01/08/2025

Beach walkers and citizen scientists on Kangaroo Island say the harmful algal bloom has not subsided in parts of the island, particularly the east coast Nepean Basin.
Marine mortalities are encountered regularly and appear to come in waves. Some organisms stay longer than others while others appear for a short period. In recent weeks, this has included a deceased dolphin, numerous species of crabs, gastropods, bivalves and a growing tally of birds.
Cormorants, black swans and penguins are sadly common.
Kathryn Lewis is amongst a team of citizen scientists on the island.
“Our group was originally formed in March when several of us noticed changes on the beach and in the water,” she said.
Jennette Gellard set up the initial project, “Kangaroo Island Algal Bloom Impacts” on the iNaturalist app.
Growing in numbers and identifications, the KI citizen scientists were asked to join the SA Marine Mortality Project, a statewide research project led by Prof. Janine Baker and Brad Martin.
KI citizen scientist, Annabel Douglas-Hill, who monitors around Kingscote and Brownlow, has brought her water sampling skills to the table to help understand the algal bloom in the water off Kangaroo Island.
She is learning all the time with the assistance of Dr. Faith Coleman.
Kathryn and Annabel and other citizen scientists are excited about monitoring for recovery and learning new skills in order to help scientists with the recovery of Kangaroo Island beaches.
Kangaroo Island Coastal Marine Citizen Science Group is always ready to accept new members.
“There will be a huge need for monitors, workshop educators, designers, recorders, beachwalkers, resources created, water sampling, divers/snorkels to be involved in restoring and regenerating the marine beaches and seagrass meadows and benthic areas,” Kathryn said.

Beach walkers and citizen scientists on Kangaroo Island say the harmful algal bloom has not subsided in parts of the [...]

31/07/2025

The front page of The Islander today features the recipients of this year's Young Achiever award winners - Ava Mills and Jack Kay, pictured with his family.
During the presentations, the mayor spoke of Ava's sporting and academic achievements, as well as her resilience and willingness to work on the family farm.
She started out at calisthenics, then basketball and netball, where she plays, volunteers for the clubs and also umpires.
Academically, she won the Eden School Prize for KICE Parndana campus, while also winning ribbons at the Parndana Show for literacy.
Ava, upon accepting her certificate, congratulated her fellow winner Jack.
“I also want to say thank you to the council and the people around me for helping me do what I do, especially mum and dad,” she said.
It was then Jack’s turn, with the mayor noting it was very difficult to choose the winner from the seven nominations received this year.
His passion for agriculture and ability to carve out a career for himself was highlighted.
He has numerous mentors, in addition to school traineeship with Growth Farms, he had also created his own farm contracting business, which recently was recognised with a Bendigo Bank award.
In addition to playing football for Western Districts, Jack is also passionate about music, becoming a bit of a mentor himself for the youth music program at Junction community centre.
Jack decided to donate his Youth Achiever prize to the music program and one day would like to create his own music studio.
In the meantime, together with his dad Marty, Jack will be performing at Dudley Winery this Sunday and the will headline the open mic night at the KI Yacht Club on August 9 before playing at the Queenscliffe hotel on August 17.
The mayor praised Jack for overcoming learning difficulties and bullying, showing great resilience to now becoming a leader, also with a “great sense of humour”.
Jack acknowledged all the people that had made the island what it was today.
He then congratulated Ava and thanked the council, as well as mum, dad and family for supporting him, with both sets of grandparents attending the ceremony.
“I look forward to doing great things on KI,” he said.
The following the presentation, the National Trust Hope Cottage Museum volunteers provided a delicious community morning tea in the Kingscote Council Chambers.

Following the presentation of the 2025 Young Achiever of the Year awards, the National Trust Hope Cottage Museum volunteers provided [...]

30/07/2025

A C-130J heavy transport aircraft from Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Richmond in NSW will conduct low-level flying activities in the Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln areas on Thursday, July 31 from 11.30am to 1.30pm.
The low-level flying activities will be conducted within strict safety and operational guidelines.
The RAAF appreciates the ongoing support from local communities around the Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln areas during this period.
The C-130J Hercules is a medium-sized tactical air-lifter which can deliver cargo to airfields with short unsurfaced runways, and airdrop cargo and paratroops by parachute and is an important air link for Australian Defence Force personnel overseas
The C-130J fleet consists of 12 aircraft and one Level 5 simulator, based at RAAF Base Richmond and operated by No. 37 Squadron.
Kangaroo Island last saw heavy aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules, as well as C-17A Globemaster III and C-27J Spartan, during the 2020 bushfire emergency response.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force flew one its C-130 Hercules aircraft and crew from No. 40 Squadron to KI, delivering firefighting foam.

A C-130J heavy transport aircraft from Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Richmond in NSW will conduct low-level flying activities [...]

30/07/2025

The big, blue freight shed at the Kingscote jetty is no longer after workers from contractors from Kauppila and Harradine Contracting demolished the structure on Monday morning.
It was the first structure to go in the Department for Infrastructure and Transport’s project to demolish four sheds at the Kingscote wharf area, now slightly behind schedule.
The large blue freight shed, the old harbour master’s building and associated shed, and the old Penguin Centre shed are being demolished.
Advance Kingscote Progress Association is lobbying to have the area beautified, with the addition of an outdoor memorial.
The state government and the council want the jetty area retained as a commercial precinct, potentially used for shipping goods and passengers.
The council will release the Draft Kingscote Foreshore Management and Master Plan in coming months.
According to the Kingscote District Council’s Heritage Survey of 1985, the timber jetty with timber sub-structure and associated timber hand railing was erected in 1909-1910, and extended in the 1950s.
The corrugated iron shed at the end of the jetty appears to date from circa 1920s, by reference to early photographs.
The shed, with corrugated iron walls, ceiling and roof, roof vents and sliding corrugated iron doors, was part of the early industrial nature of the jetty.
Over the years various vessels have serviced the Island, including the SS Karatta (1907- 1961); MV Trowbridge (1961-1987) and MV Island Seaway (1987-1995).

The big, blue freight shed at the Kingscote jetty is no longer after workers from Harradine Contacting demolished the structure [...]

29/07/2025

A driver called for help on Monday morning when her Mitsubishi Pajero became stuck in flood waters while attempting to cross the Cygnet River at Ropers Road.
Police and emergency services on Kangaroo Island received a swift water rescue call at 8.35am to attend the incident 18km southwest of Kingscote.
“Person stuck in vehicle in rising flood water, water halfway up car,” was the initial entry.
And then; “Caller is stuck in car on road, driver came over bridge and is now stuck in flood waters. SAPOL is still on the line to the occupant.”
A police spokesperson said officers were called to Ropers Road at Menzies after a woman reported that her vehicle was stuck in rising floodwaters.
“Police and SES attended but a local farmer assisted with a tractor to recover the vehicle and woman back to safety. The woman was not injured.”
The KI SES branch attended with its swift water rescue trained members and equipment, as did SA Ambulance paramedics.
The SES advises never to drive through flooded areas and in this case the marker at the Ropers Road bridge was “a tad under 1 meter”.
Also in flood and water rescue situations, it’s best to wait for the arrival of the trained SES crew, who then can request assistance from tractors or boats.

A driver called for help on Monday morning when her Mitsubishi Pajero became stuck in flood waters while attempting to [...]

27/07/2025

In a more serious note, emergency services are responding to a a person trapped in a car in rising floodwaters at the Ropers Road crossing of the Cygnet River with water half way up the car.
In conditions that more resembled water sports rather than football on Saturday, Western Districts did battle with Wisanger at Gosse Oval for Round 11 of the Kangaroo Island Football League.
Farmers were happy with the drop and many former footballers were able to reminisce when the Gosse Oval more represented a lake in their day.

In conditions that more resembled water sports rather than football, Western Districts did battle with Wisanger at Gosse Oval for [...]

25/07/2025

The 2025 Young Achiever of the Year awards will be presented as part of this year’s Settlement Day ceremony at 10.30am this Monday, July 28, at the Pioneers Memorial, Kingscote Esplanade.
The community is warmly invited to attend with an address by mayor Michael Pengilly, as well as guest speaker Jeff Howard, followed by the presentation of the award to this year’s winner Jack Kay and highly commended Ava Mills.
At 11.30am there will be a community morning tea in the Kingscote Council Chambers.
This annual event commemorates the arrival of South Australia’s first free settlers and honours the pioneering spirit that continues to shape the island today.
It’s also a time to celebrate the next generation of leaders who are already making a mark.
All are welcome to the ceremony.

The 2025 Young Achiever of the Year awards will be presented as part of this year’s Settlement Day ceremony at [...]

23/07/2025

A new grant program helping to ease financial pressures and keep drought-impacted communities active has 15 Kangaroo Island sporting and recreation clubs securing grants to assist with equipment and costs.
The state government’s Regional Drought Relief Round has enabled 630 sport and active recreation clubs impacted by drought to access up to $5000 to continue providing programs and services in regional communities.
Successful recipients will share in $1.75 million in drought-relief funding, with the highest uptake in Yorke and Mid North (186 clubs), Eyre and Western (97), Limestone Coast (87) and Murray and Mallee (86) regions.

The list of KI recipients:

Kangaroo Island Basketball Association – $5000

Kangaroo Island Netball Association – $5000

Western Districts Memorial Community and Sports Centre – $5000

Wisanger Sports Club – $5000

American River Community and Sports Association – $3000

Kingscote Football Club – $3000

Parndana Sports Club – $3000

The Kangaroo Island Racing Club – $3000

Western Districts Football Club – $3000

Dudley United Netball Club – $1500

Kangaroo Island Calisthenics Club – $1500

Kangaroo Island Gymnastics – $1500

Kangaroo Island Pony Club – $1500

Parndana Golf Club – $1500

Penneshaw Golf Club – $1500

A new grant program helping to ease financial pressures and keep drought-impacted communities active has 15 Kangaroo Island sporting and [...]