News
13 February, 2025
A love for community
This Valentine’s Day, Wamuran’s own Kerri and Adrian Raedel are celebrated not only for their devotion to each other, but for their remarkable contributions to the local community.
Known for their hands-on charity work and deep commitment to helping those in need, they have become pillars of kindness and generosity in the Caboolture, Wamuran, Woodford and surrounds region.
Adrian is well-known as the former Division 12 councillor, a position he held for 12 years, while having met at just 18-years-old, Kerri worked for Adrian’s parents. Their love story took more than 10 years to start, as their friendship didn’t develop into a relationship until they were in their 30s.
“Adrian actually asked me out when we were 18, which I declined, and then we went off our separate ways, but remained friends our whole life because I was friends with the family,” Kerri said.
After both had been in other serious relationships in their 20s and early 30s, after the 2016 elections they happened to be single and caught up over a coffee to celebrate his win, eventually leading to two kids and an ongoing nine-year relationship.
“We just had different paths and getting involved in community and charity events.”
Aside from Bright Bags and serving as a councillor, the Raedels have long been involved with many local groups, both as a couple and before getting together, including Lions Club, who they still host movie nights for occasionally, Beachmere Community Association, Apex, where Adrian served as president, and fundraising to help get equipment for the CREEC All Abilities Playground in Burpengary.
“It definitely got passed down and is inherited behaviour.”
For Kerri, her main influence was her grandmother, who raised her from a young age.
“My nana was very much about doing things for other people and I’ve always been community,” she said.
“I won community awards in school and volunteering and stuff like that, and I just want to help people, and that has to come from your upbringing.”
Kerri and Adrian have already seen the influence of their selflessness being passed on, noting their 5-year-old twins already show the same community spirit, including helping Kerri with Bright Bags by helping volunteers pack bags in the shed.
For Adrian, one of the things he admires most about Kerri is her passion, energy and determination to get things done.
“When she fires up about something, she will grab it and run it until the end or until she runs out of energy, which is usually a long way away,” he said.
“She can make her own decisions and if she’s got an idea or concept, it takes a very good reason to change it, so she holds on.”
Kerri, on the other hand, said she finds Adrian’s loyalty and patience very attractive, allowing and going along with her energy and spontaneity.
“You have to be loyal and patient to put up with someone like me and I see it in other areas too, like his loyalty to the community and the kids,” she said.
“We work well together because we’re like-minded individuals, so it doesn’t take convincing when we have ideas, making it an easy dynamic.
“He’s not going to stop me and I’m not going to stop him, so I think there is a mutual respect for our independence.”
