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ellicat

By ellicat
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ellicat Grand Master

ellicat

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Found this recent article on Robbie and thought it was a must to share -

http://wheninwynnum.com/35-robbie-porter/?fbclid=IwAR2zLvhEjV-1nNYfQiagsRmTaJv7R0RsGKPHI1g44u16Mx5x_Z5HWNPNLPM

WHEN IN WYNNUM

People and Places of Wynnum

3W9A4240.jpg?resize=2000%2C1200
POSTED ONJANUARY 19, 2019 BY SEAN K

#35 – Robbie Porter

January 19, 2019

This week we meet Robbie Porter, a Wynnum local, who is driving the oyster reef restoration in Moreton Bay.

Robbie is the type of person that you love having a cold drink with, whilst telling stories. I always come away from our catchups feeling great, as well as a little inadequate as Robbie is an accomplished chef, house restorer, landscaper, film set designer, fisherman, … I jest, but he is seriously talented at whatever he turns his hand to.

When he told me of his vision to restore the naturally occurring shellfish reefs that were prevalent before the cement industry decimated them, I wanted to help in any small way.

 

3W9A4257.jpg?fit=525%2C350 Robbie outside the oyster shell drying out facility

What brought you to the area? 

I had grown up in Brisbane’s west and lived in Sydney for a few years . My brother in law is a keen sailor. He moved here to be close to his hobby. My wife and I visited him often and we saw how glorious Wynnum is. We quickly realised that we had found our home. The bay was like a magnet. We bought and renovated our first house on Tingal Rd opposite the old Paint Place. We could never move away now. 

3W9A4223.jpg?fit=525%2C350 Collecting shells that would have been landfill
3W9A4230.jpg?fit=525%2C350 The oyster shells dry out for a minimum of 4 months before becoming new reef structures

Do you have any interesting or memorable experiences in Wynnum that you would like to share? 

One that is relevant to Wynnum; We bought a block of land at Wynnum North with the plan to move a Queenslander to it. It was tricky to find one but we got lucky and found a developer that was going to demolish one in Cedar St. We cut it in half and moved it one night via the water front. All the power lines were very low and needed to be lifted one at a time to get the 2 pieces of house under them. At one stage the house hit one of the large fig trees on the waterfront. It ripped off the gutter and damaged the front of the house. We had to scramble around and pick up all the roofing screws and gutter before we could continue. It took all night but finally we parked the house up near the roundabout on Wynnum North Rd and Pritchard St. The next day we moved it to our block and put it back together. We love our home now. It is strange but it feels like is was always here. 

3W9A3996.jpg?fit=525%2C350 Robbie with Joan Pease and Matthew Hayden who supported the Wynnum Fishing Classic, which raised money for the oyster reef restoration.

What would you love to see in Wynnum?

I would love to see a fantastic bar and restaurant on the water. I dream about owning the one on Wynnum Creek and turning it into a seafood restaurant and wine bar. I have this dream that I could build a large floating pontoon that we could lower into the water so that you can have your feet in the water while you have a drink on a hot day. However I’m sure it would be a hot spot for drowned phones. 

3W9A4267.jpg?fit=525%2C350 Robbie and Pipi at Rose Bay

Any link to a website that you would like to share? 

I have been lucky enough to be involved with OzFish Unlimited. We are working to restore the lost oyster reefs of Moreton Bay. We would love you to join us. Find out more at www.ozfishmoretonbay.org.  

3W9A4190.jpg?fit=525%2C350 Pipi has her own instagram, sharing her morning walks https://www.instagram.com/pipis_morning_mangroves/

Who or What would you like me to cover in future posts on When in Wynnum? 

Annette and Lachlan, My brother in law and his fiancée.

Judy and Rob, My mother and father in law.

The old fish and chip shop on Wynnum Creek.

3W9A4258.jpg?fit=525%2C350 Enjoying time on the water
3W9A4196.jpg?fit=525%2C788 Pipi the neck warmer
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Luvit Newbie

Luvit

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Thanks for sharing @ellicat. I had a coffee with Robbie last week just to catch up. As the article says Robbie is one an amazing person with a lovely family. 

Nothing presents a hurdle to Robbie in his endeavour to achieve a goal. The way he navigates around obstacles in a given situation is amazing. 

Lucky for us he is only on one foot otherwise he would make all feel more inadequate. Tongue in cheek. 

 

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Drop Bear Community Regular

Drop Bear

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On 26/01/2019 at 9:22 AM, Luvit said:

Thanks for sharing @ellicat. I had a coffee with Robbie last week just to catch up. As the article says Robbie is one an amazing person with a lovely family. 

Nothing presents a hurdle to Robbie in his endeavour to achieve a goal. The way he navigates around obstacles in a given situation is amazing. 

Lucky for us he is only on one foot otherwise he would make all feel more inadequate. Tongue in cheek. 

 

Very kind mate thanks. 

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