For many people, retirement is a chance to slow down. For Kym Turner, it became the beginning of a whole new adventure.
Nearly four years ago, Kym walked into the Bribie Island Butterfly House looking for a way to stay busy after finishing work. She thought she’d volunteer a few days a week, but instead found a place that quickly became a second home.
Now, she’s there every day, arriving early and with one goal in mind: making sure the many butterflies and caterpillars that call the Bribie Island Butterfly House home have everything they need.
“I just love being here,” Kym said. “I just can’t wait to get out of bed to come here. Seeing new butterflies emerge never gets old.”
As second-in-charge, mentor to new faces and all-round volunteer, Kym can be found almost anywhere. One moment she’s helping new volunteers learn the ropes, the next she’s cleaning equipment, tending the gardens, working in the laboratory or chatting with visitors eager to learn more about the fascinating creatures fluttering around them. Kym proudly wears many hats, but to her, it’s far more than just volunteering; it’s a passion that has transformed every day into something extraordinary.
Kym loves introducing children to stick insects, answering curious questions (‘special cuddles’ is a popular answer for the stick insect antics) and helping families appreciate the incredible transformation that takes place inside the Butterfly House. She describes an average day as “chaos”, but it’s the kind she wouldn’t trade for anything.
“Every morning is different and every day there’s something new to discover,” Kym said. “It’s amazing to see it all happen. People often think butterflies just appear, but there’s so much care involved.”
A Passion for Every Stage of Life
One of Kym’s favourite moments comes each morning when she checks the chrysalises to discover which butterflies have emerged overnight. Among all the species she cares for, monarch butterflies hold a special place in her heart. From their striking caterpillars to their graceful flight, they remain her favourite part of the remarkable life cycle that she gets to watch unfold.
“Before I started here, I knew very little about what happened between a butterfly laying its eggs and one taking flight,” Kym said. “Now every day can bring new life. It’s still exciting every single time.”
The work can also be emotional. Not every butterfly survives the journey from caterpillar to adulthood, but for Kym and the rest of the dedicated volunteers, it makes each successful emergence all the more rewarding.
Bribie Island Butterfly House
- Open Wednesday and Sunday, 9am-3pm.
- 206B First Avenue, Bongaree
- Find out more
Read more stories from The Caboolture Guide print magazine here:
- Caboolture Connect: Updates from the Community
- Chamber Chat
- What’s Hot Around Town
- CatVideoFest 2026
- Wedding Inspiration Awaits at Queensland Brides Expo
- Organic Gardening in August
- Next Generation Art Prize Invites Young Artists To Shine
- The Newton Family and The Merryvale Jersey Stud
- Small Adjustments, Big Difference: Supporting Left-Handed Kids
- Students Shine as Innovation Awards Showcase Big Ideas
- PBR Monster Energy Tour Returns with Major Prize Pool
- Honouring Lives Lost On the Road
- Double Triumph Celebrates St Columban’s Sporting Spirit
- Art with Heart at Beaumont Care
- Vintage Machinery Rally – A History of Man and Machines
