St Pauls Book Centre is an oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of Brisbane CBD. Located in the St. Stephen's Cathedral precinct, the Book Centre specializes in books, DVDs and CDs on Catholic spirituality, liturgy, theology, and Biblical studies. The store is beautifully appointed, with books displayed in accordance with category. In spirituality, for example, you will find sections devoted to individuals, like Thomas Merton and St Therese of Lisieux, and also to form, like Benedictine or Franciscan.

The Book Centre has an extensive range of Bibles and Papal encyclicals, together with a vast array of prayer resources, icons, rosaries, crucifixes and gifts. The staff are skilled, knowledgeable and always friendly. They will even have one of the Priests on staff bless your rosary.

OpinionWorld is one of the better paid survey sites. Recently I have had plenty of surveys with them, however I find it best to check the website daily, rather than rely on obtaining survey invitations. On average I'd do one or two surveys for them each day. Points accumulate quickly and can be redeemed for as little as 500 points, which is the equivalent of $10.00. In the last week I've twice redeemed 500 points. A number of the available vouchers are delivered online, such as with oo.com.au, thereby enabling you to have immediate access them.

Unfortunately the website doesn't adequately explain the redemption process, and it is only after you click "redeem" that you are able to ascertain the rewards available. It's best, therefore, to make a note of all the available rewards upon your first redemption for future reference.

As the only purveyor of fish and chips on Russell Island, Black Pearl Takeaway is a much frequented business by locals and visitors alike. Together with chips and a selection of different fish varieties, Black Pearl also serves hamburgers, potato scallops, and other take away fare. The chip servings are generous and tasty. Coffee is also served.

Black Pearl also offers alfresco dining, together with seating inside the shop. A selection of local newspapers and magazines are available to read whilst customers await their orders. The Black Pearl's opening hours are longer than other shops on the island and they're also open on Sundays and public holidays. On these days you can be assured of having a decent feed on Russell Island.

Approximate cost: $10.00

If I remember my Economics 101 correctly, the best location for a business selling similar wares is next door to its competitor. In this regard Bay Island Meats has the perfect location, being conveniently positioned at the entrance to Cornett's Supa IGA. Whereas the pre-packaged meat at IGA is varied in quality and limited in variety, Bay Island Meats has a wide variety of beef, lamb, poultry and other meats. Unlike the supermarket, meat can be purchased in the exact quantity required and cuts of meat individually chosen. Bay Island Meat's steak mince is lean and tasty and is brilliant for my children's favourite meal, spag bol. Service is friendly and always comes with a smile.

Approximate cost: $6.00

When you're the only newsagent on an island there's no need to be imaginative about a name. The same can be said for just about every business on Russell Island. At least it makes for greater ease when searching a phone book or the internet :)

Russell Island Newsagent provides all the usual fare available at a newsagents, including newspapers, magazines, tobacco products, and stationery. Lottery services are provided, although the popularity of instant tickets is such that the newsagent frequently runs out of them. Several times I've left the store without my weekly $1 scratchy, one of my few ventures into gambling :)

The newsagent also stocks a range of gift ware, including souvenir items for Russell Island. Presently all gift ware is discounted by 30%. As one of the few shops on the island to sell gifts, this is a very handy service for residents. They also, for the time being at least, stock Darrell Lea chocolates. Service is always given with a friendly smile.

So named after a pioneering resident of Russell Island, Aunty Alice's Cafe is the perfect place for a relaxing coffee or tasty lunch. Located directly opposite Moreton Bay, the alfresco tables on Aunty Alice's verandah offer a perfect view of the Bay and its moored yachts and boats. Pleasant bay breezes make even a hot day thoroughly delightful.

A variety of light meals, cakes and beverages are served. I can personally recommend Aunty Alice's divine Iced Chocolate.

Approximate cost: $5.00

Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the Mater Pathology Collection Centre provides a convenient service for residents of Russell Island. Located two shops down from the Bay Islands Medical Service, the Pathology Service allows patients to have blood tests undertaken without the need to travel to the mainland by ferry. Should blood tests be urgently required on a Tuesday or Thursday, then patients have the option of attending the Mater Pathology Collection Centre on nearby Macleay Island.

The nursing staff of the Collection Centre are friendly and considerate, and excellent at putting frightened children at ease. I can highly recommend their service.

Bay Islands Medical Service provides an essential service for residents and visitors to Russell Island. Open 6 days per week, the Medical Service bulk-bills all patients, irrespective of their financial status. Appointments can generally be booked in the morning for that day and in the rare circumstance where no appointments are available, patients can possibly obtain an appointment at the Medical Service's Macleay Island practice.

Pathology services are conveniently located opposite the Medical Service at the Mater Pathology Collection Service. This saves patients from travelling by ferry to the mainland for blood tests.

In the case of medical emergencies requiring hospitalization, the Medical Service works with Queensland Ambulance Service, which has a station and ambulance on the island. Patients are transported to the jetty where they are transferred to the Ambulance Boat, the Kitty Kat, which is crewed by Ambulance Staff but supplied by Bay Island Transit Systems (B.I.T.S.), the operators of the passenger ferry to the four Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI). The Ambulance Boat is moored at Russell Island and services all the SMBI. Patients are transferred to Redland Bay jetty and thence by ambulance to hospital. In cases of extreme medical emergency patients are airlifted by helicopter from the Russell Island helipad at a nearby park.

Conveniently located less than 100 metres from the jetty, Russell Island Liquor Store is one of only three sources of alcohol on Russell Island. The other two are the Russell Island RSL Club and the Russell Island Bowling Club, neither of which are in close proximity to the shopping centre and jetty.

A well appointed store, Russell Island Liquor stocks a reasonable range of wines, liquors and spirits. Soft drinks and a supply of nibbles such as chips and beef jerky are also sold. The staff are friendly and obliging and often run a raffle, the proceeds of which are donated to a local Russell Island organization or charity. Recently the prize was a Jim Beam bar fridge.

Approximate cost: $10.00

With the exception of the school bus, which makes 2 trips in the morning and 2 in the afternoon, there is no public transport on Russell Island. If you don't have access to a car, or it's broken down, it's very likely that you'll be dependent upon the Russell Island Taxi Service.

Russell Island Taxi Service provides a convenient service for island residents and visitors alike. With two micro-buses, the Taxi meets all ferries at the jetty and is also available to pick up from any other island location. Bookings are made via the service's mobile telephone number. The taxi drivers know the island like the back of their hand and can be assured of getting you to your destination without any problems.

Unlike suburban taxi services, the Russell Island Taxi is not metered. The charges are fixed, dependent upon where in the island you are travelling to. If you travel from the jetty to anywhere beyond the island's tip the fare is $15.00. Given that multiple passengers are carried in the micro-bus taxi, there may be several stops to drop off passengers prior to reaching your eventual destination. The positive side to this is that you get to discover a lot more of the island!

The predominantly female drivers are always cheery and helpful, and assist with passengers luggage. They are particularly considerate of the elderly, for whom the taxi service is often a necessity. The Taxi Service is also available for charter by tourists.

Approximate cost: $15.00