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Welcome to the Bay Islands Community Services Inc. (BICS)

We provide a range of services to the islands of Russell, Macleay, Lamb and Karragarra.

We have two community centres. One on Russell Island and the other on Macleay Island.

BICS_Russell_Island — Russell Island BICSI head office, opp shop and rooms

Macleay_Island_BICS_Op_Shop — Macleay Island opp shop

THE SMBI

The Southern Moreton Bay Islands

Our islands of Russell, Macleay, Lamb and Karragarra are situated in Moreton Bay off Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. They are known locally as the SMBI or Southern Moreton Bay Islands. Access to the islands are by Translink passenger ferry services and Stradbroke vehicular barges. Passenger ferries are approximately every half hour from early morning to late evening and is a 20-30 minute trip.

The islands have all the privileges of services that the mainland has including rubbish removal, reticulated water and electricity. The two larger islands of Russell and Macleay boast supermarkets, medical centres, primary schools, libraries, fuel stations, cafes, restaurants, ambulance service (Kitty Kat catamaran), vets and various clubs.

Kitty-Kat-ambulance-ferry

We have a BMX bike park, a skateboard park, recreational boat ramps, various shops, plant nurseries, hardware stores, child care centre, a golf club, bowls clubs, RSL club and much more.

There are bus, airport and cruise ship connections at the Redland Bay terminus.

With all our facilities and services the islanders have most things they need daily on hand and with BICS auspiced groups and other groups and clubs there is a large variety of things to do.

Canaipa Passage — Canaipa passage runs between Stradbroke island and Russell island

About

Bay Islands Community Services Inc. (known by many as BICS) is situated on Russell and Macleay Islands with 2 opp shops and 2 offices staffed by 85 volunteers and 2 permanent staff members. We are the bay islands community centres and are a not-for-profit and registered charitable organisation.

We assist with community and emergency assistance, opp shop facilities, function room facilities for the community to use. Provide office related services, have visiting health services, hold various events, and are part of a network of 10 community organisations called The Wellbeing Hub in conjunction with the Redland City Council.

Russell_Island_Opp_Shop — Russell Island BICSI Opp Shop

We auspice under our banner a host of community groups and clubs. Visitors and community members can always find an activity to be involved in. See our auspiced groups and other community groups and clubs listed.

BICS also has a maritime division run by volunteers. We have two vessels. One a 23 foot Hood sailing boat called the ‘Nereides’. Sailing lessons and sailing activities are available for the communities use. Contact 3409 1177 for more information.

The other vessel is Lady Caroline a 35 foot Bay Cruiser and the delight of our community. Lady Caroline weekly takes 7 community members and 3 trained crew on various trips around our amazing waterways including trips to Tipplers, Horizon Shores, Jumpin Pin and island tours. Contact 3409 1177 for bookings and more information.

Our volunteers are the backbone of BICS and make it all happen for the community. At any one time we would have in excess of 100 volunteers we can count on for daily, event and emergency tasks.

We welcome community members to come and join our ranks as volunteers.

BICSI as a not-for-profit organisation is funded through the Opp Shops and by government departments and grants. The monies collected are fed back into the island communities through a large variety of methods including but not limited to, emergency relief, events that include Easter Eggs and Christmas gifts with Santa and food for the children, Seniors events, Christmas food hampers, administration of auspiced groups, financial support for auspiced groups, facilities for auspiced groups to hold their activities, buildings and infrastructure, general administration costs etc. At no time does any of the money received through the Opp Shops leave the island in support of any other organisation.