Journalist - Community Development Volunteer - Possibilian

I have a bent for grassroots yarns and from 2103-16 published a community blog, Southport Star, yarns about the people, the places and the power of one of the Gold Coast's oldest communities - and its CBD.
Blue text links with relevant articles and/or information
Instagram: @macca_doogs @kindralibrary
Photographs copyright Ian McDougall unless otherwise accredited
Humbled by honour

VALE: ROGER "WOMBAT" CROOK
I rang the GC Private Hospital on Tuesday morning (Jan 28) to check on my cancer-stricken mate Roger Crook, knowing that someone would answer. It was his wife, Linda. I said I knew Roger wasn't responding to calls or texts but wondered how he was."Roger won't be taking any more calls. He died at 6am," she said. I couldn't get any more feet in my mouth. TRIBUTE
I rang the GC Private Hospital on Tuesday morning (Jan 28) to check on my cancer-stricken mate Roger Crook, knowing that someone would answer. It was his wife, Linda. I said I knew Roger wasn't responding to calls or texts but wondered how he was."Roger won't be taking any more calls. He died at 6am," she said. I couldn't get any more feet in my mouth. TRIBUTE

MUSICAL MADNESS
Musical genres are growing like mushrooms. Look at the weekend paper reviews and try to fathom, let alone keep up with, the latest terms.
Musical genres are growing like mushrooms. Look at the weekend paper reviews and try to fathom, let alone keep up with, the latest terms.

Lounge is a place for blokes to be mates
Bloke's Lounge has been given some great coverage from the Gold Coast Seniors paper, thanks to local journo Alison Houston.
Bloke's Lounge has been given some great coverage from the Gold Coast Seniors paper, thanks to local journo Alison Houston.

This (mechanical) life
I never was any good at things mechanical, be it basic woodwork, tinkering with motors - anything with moving parts, really - or practical things like joining two pieces of rope together.
I am black-thumbed in the garden and all thumbs elsewhere. >>>
See also My Early Cars
I never was any good at things mechanical, be it basic woodwork, tinkering with motors - anything with moving parts, really - or practical things like joining two pieces of rope together.
I am black-thumbed in the garden and all thumbs elsewhere. >>>
See also My Early Cars

THE STICK
I was happy with the skin I was in
my troubles were out of reach
earlier I felt really great
playing with my doggie mate
but he’s gone and bolted, the canine cur
and my happiness, well, it’s just a blur
now I’m just a chewed up stick
alone upon the beach
0720 210815 Main Beach
For other silly, satirical & serious scribblings, go to McDoggerel
I was happy with the skin I was in
my troubles were out of reach
earlier I felt really great
playing with my doggie mate
but he’s gone and bolted, the canine cur
and my happiness, well, it’s just a blur
now I’m just a chewed up stick
alone upon the beach
0720 210815 Main Beach
For other silly, satirical & serious scribblings, go to McDoggerel
![]() ON YA BIKE, MAL!
A 100+ year old British bicycle ridden by Bloke’s Lounger Mal Tyson has captured the interest of his fellow Team Tortoise cyclists, who take to the road in more modern machines. REAL PEOPLE OF THE GOLD COAST
STORIES OF RECOVERY Check out Partners in Recovery DOWN BUT NOT OUT Check out Book People |

Ron McDougall - surf legend J.F. McDougall - Queenslander C.F McDougall MC - ANZAC
Since in late 1970s I have been using notebooks supplied by Elders, Australia's leading rural agency.
They've got heaps of useful information, conversion and measurement tables etc, fit neatly into a Gloucester shirt or jeans pocket and, mate, can they can take a beating!
Since in late 1970s I have been using notebooks supplied by Elders, Australia's leading rural agency.
They've got heaps of useful information, conversion and measurement tables etc, fit neatly into a Gloucester shirt or jeans pocket and, mate, can they can take a beating!