MI Wildlife Rescue Inc

11/06/2026

🚨 Magnetic Island is about to lose its Containers for Change service.

Unless action is taken, local charities will lose a valuable source of funding, local jobs will be affected, and a recycling program strongly supported by our community could come to a halt.

Please take two minutes to read what has happened and consider contacting Council to support recycling on Magnetic Island.

Local Council Delays Put Magnetic Island Recycling at Risk

A recycling initiative that was meant to benefit Magnetic Island residents, local charities, and the environment is now on the verge of being suspended.

Here's what has happened:

November 2025 – The Containers for Change contract was awarded to Pilchers Recycling, with assurances that a container depot would soon be established at the Magnetic Island Transfer Station.

20 November 2025 – Pilchers Recycling began collecting containers from the island and transporting them to their depot in Bowen while awaiting the promised local depot.

March 2026 – Council announced that the Magnetic Island Container Depot had been approved, and contract details were publicly released.

June 2026 – Despite these commitments, there is still no timeline for the depot to be established. Ongoing delays and attempts to renegotiate contract terms have left the project in limbo.

10 June 2026 – After months of operating without the promised infrastructure and exhausting their available resources, Pilchers Recycling has advised that container collection services will be suspended following the final pickup on 11 June 2026.

The consequences are real.

MI Wildlife Rescue Inc and other community organisations rely on container donations to help fund their operations, including the purchase of specialised food, medication, and supplies for rescued wildlife.

Three Magnetic Island residents were recruited and trained for jobs associated with the depot, believing it would be operational months ago. They now have been stood down indefinitely.

This is not about large corporations or profits. It is about local jobs, local charities, environmental sustainability, and a community that has consistently demonstrated its commitment to recycling.

The Pilcher family have continued servicing the island for months while waiting for the promised depot to become a reality. Their commitment to community recycling has come at considerable personal and financial cost.

Magnetic Island residents have done their part. Local organisations have done their part. Pilchers Recycling has done its part.

Now we need Council to do theirs.

📞 Please contact Townsville City Council on 13 48 10 or contact your local councillor and ask for immediate action to secure the future of Containers for Change on Magnetic Island.

Every call matters. Every email matters. Every voice matters.

20/05/2026

To our amazing MI Wildlife Rescue Inc. volunteers and members — thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 💚
This Volunteer Week we want to acknowledge the extraordinary people who quietly give so much of themselves for our wildlife. The late-night rescues, the interrupted dinners, the endless washing, feeding, transporting, fundraising, cleaning and caring — none of it goes unnoticed.
You are the heart of this organisation. Your compassion, teamwork and willingness to step in whenever needed has helped save and care for so many wallabies, possums and native birds across our island.
Being part of wildlife rescue is not always easy. It can be emotional, exhausting and demanding, yet you continue to show up with kindness and dedication time and time again. That says so much about the people you are.
Thank you for supporting each other, supporting our community, and most importantly, giving our wildlife a second chance at life. We are incredibly grateful to have such caring and passionate members beside us. 🦘🐦✨

18/05/2026

10/05/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who supported our Art & Craft Auction Fundraiser. 💚
We are deeply grateful to all of you who contributed to the success of this event, whether by donating artwork, attending, placing bids, volunteering your time, or helping to promote it. Your support is invaluable to us.
Thanks to your generosity, we can continue to rescue, rehabilitate, and provide a second chance to Magnetic Island’s wildlife. We are truly thankful to be part of such a caring and supportive community. 🐾

We would like to extend a special thank you to Garry and Christal from Magnetic Island Country Club for their generous donation of the venue for the auction.
We also appreciate the time and expertise volunteered by Peter Morris Conway as our auctioneer;
the delicious afternoon tea donated by Saltwater Restaurant, Arcadia Bakehouse, and Foodworks;
and the incredible generosity of our talented artists and crafters, including Alison Dowel, Angela Phillips, Avril Thomas, Gaye Smith, J Lowlett, Jan Malkin, MI Crafters, Susan Zann, Vonnie Van Blemmel, and Wendy McDonald.

10/05/2026

We appreciate the support of everyone who purchased tickets for our recent raffle. We are delighted to announce the winners as follows.
1st place Col
2nd place Eliza
3rd place Heike

28/04/2026

Mother’s Day is just around the corner

Do you have that special gift sorted for your mum, grandmother, the mother of your children—or that incredible woman who’s like a mum to you?

Skip the appliances this year.
Choose something unique… something as special as she is.
The MI Wildlife Rescue Charity Auction is on this Saturday—the perfect opportunity to find a meaningful gift while supporting a great cause.
Give a gift that tells a story and supports local artists.
Give a gift that gives back.

22/04/2026

Don’t miss out – one afternoon only! 🎨

Our Art & Craft Auction hits Magnetic Island Country Club on 2nd May—and once the hammer falls, it’s gone!

✨ Unique local artwork up for grabs
☕ a delicious Afternoon tea by Saltwater Cafe and Restaurant

🎟️ $10 cover charge

Bring your friends, be quick, and bid to win something truly special—all while supporting a great cause.

18/04/2026

Have you secured your entry to win the footy jersey? Attend the Horseshoe Bay markets tomorrow and purchase a ticket. First Prize: A signed 30-year anniversary jersey from the North Queensland Cowboys. Proceeds from the event will support local wildlife care initiatives. We look forward to your attendance and support. 🎟️