Tropical island needs caretakers to live in barely inhabited 'paradise'
Living on a remote island with full responsibility for your own needs instead of relying on society is "beautiful" for Martin Papay, even though it takes him months to produce the coconuts, pineapples and honey he needs to prepare a piña colada.
He has always sought remoteness and found it in a tree house lifestyle on Middle Percy Island 15 years ago.
Visitors to Middle Percy often gather around the famous A-frame. (Supplied: Ralph Ender)
The almost 20-square-kilometre tropical paradise, 125 kilometres south-east of Mackay in North Queensland, has a population of two.
But there is room for numbers to increase five-fold, with the group that manages the island seeking more live-in volunteer caretakers to maintain infrastructure and promote conservation.
Ultimate sea change
Ralph Ender moved to Middle Percy at the beginning of the year, first restoring his new home — a wooden octagonal structure that had been untouched for five years.
On a regular morning he wakes with the sun, then cleans up after the goats that sleep on the washing machine under the house.
He said it was then onto tasks including pumping rainwater, watering the garden, tending to the chooks and bottling honey from the island's bees.
Goats were introduced to the island in the 1870s. (Supplied: Ralph Enders)
During the morning tasks, the visitors usually arrive — in the dry season.
There is no regular transport between Middle Percy and the mainland, but between about May and October it is frequented by yachties for whom the island is a bucket-list destination.
When Mr Ender arrived, Mr Papay was away from the island, so he went about four months without seeing a soul.
When dozens of boats started arriving each day, the conversation with outsiders was welcome.
"You get used to that feeling of being alone, which I like," he said.
"[When the boat season starts] I can't scream when I want or run around naked … it would be to their amusement though.
"[But] human interaction is one of the things I miss the most."
Middle Percy islanders largely survive on things they can grow or catch on the island. (Supplied: Ralph Enders)
Not for the faint of heart
Most of Middle Percy Island is declared national park.
The remaining 316 hectares are separated into the Percy Island Conservation Park, which is looked after by the Percy Island Conservation Group Inc, of which resident volunteers are members.
The sparsely populated island has a rich history. (Supplied: Kate Joy)
Director Cathryn Radclyffe said the group was searching for "suitably skilled" volunteers who can commit to living on the island for at least a year.
"Island residents are essential to maintain island infrastructure, gardens, apiary and grazing animal levels, as well as maintaining the traditions of hospitality for crew of visiting vessels," she said.
Cottage industries on the island include tanning skins and beeswax products sold in the island's produce stand, with revenue going back into maintenance.
Accommodation on the island is free, but volunteers need to be able to support themselves.
Beeswax products are sold to visitors to the island. (Supplied: Ralph Enders)
Mr Papay said it was a lot of work to live self-sufficiently, requiring skills in cooking, carpentry, animal husbandry and horticulture.
"Yesterday was goat hunting," he said.
"I slept in the ute at the top of the island … it was a four-hour process to get three goats.
"You carry them on your back, back to the ute … then it's chopping the goats up, processing them … and putting them in the freezer.
"Tomorrow, is taking off honey from the hives."
Despite the physical nature of the work, Mr Papay said the rewards were worth it.
"It feels like a strength every time you get things like that done which provides for your future needs," he said.
"It's not work, it's love, it's passion, doing the things you need to do to survive."
For a period, Ralph and his dog Amigo lived alone on Middle Percy together. (Supplied: Ralph Ender)
But aside from the physically demanding tasks, living remotely can take an emotional toll.
For Mr Ender, who enjoys an afternoon lounging on the verandah enjoying "million-dollar views" of the Pine Islets after a hearty lunch of goat stew, the island lifestyle is not all hammock lounging and beach walks.
He said he still struggled to talk about the passing of his dog, Amigo, who died in his arms while the pair was alone on the island.
"There's lots of dramas," he said.
"You've got to be capable of dealing with those emotions on your own.
"It's not easy."
The remote island is famous among yachties. (Supplied: Middle Percy Island Conservation Group Inc)
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