COOCHIEMUDLO Island author Christine Leonard will share the stories behind her latest book Coochiemudlo: A Mariner’s Paradise at the Redland Museum at 10am on November 25.
Joining Ms Leonard on the day will be Fiona Eastwood, who will present on the art of churning butter, and John Kunde, who will share insights into the Kunde family’s history in Birkdale.
The Kunde family once farmed land where the Aquatic Paradise estate now stands.
Describing herself as an independent author, Ms Leonard said she was drawn to family and social history narratives, relishing the opportunity to explore the personalities and stories of the past.
Her latest book delves into the life of amateur historian Edward (Ted) Field Jones, a long-time Coochiemudlo Island resident who lived there from 1947 until his death in 2012.
Known for portraying explorer Matthew Flinders during the island’s annual Matthew Flinders Day celebrations, Mr Jones was also an aviation navigator during World War II.
“Ted could read a map and set out to test Flinders’ latitudinal bearings, studying every historical record he could find about the mariner’s 1799 voyage up Australia’s east coast,” Ms Leonard said.
“The book isn’t just about Ted,” she added.
“There are other central characters, and it looks at the ups and downs of island life.”
Coochiemudlo: A Mariner’s Paradise follows Ms Leonard’s earlier works on her twice great-grandfather, William Wall, and a retired German priest who was taken prisoner during World War II in Papua New Guinea and narrowly escaped death.
Ms Leonard said retirement in 2017 had given her the time and quiet to pursue her passion for writing.
“There is not a lot of distraction on a small island. It is the perfect environment for a writer,” she said.
Coochiemudlo: A Mariner’s Paradise is available for $23 at the Coochie Beach Bar, Redland Museum, and online at leonardstories.com/store
A copy is also available at Redland City Library.
