The Story of Is It Just Me
From Radio to Print
Before it became one of the Sunshine Coast’s best-loved newspaper columns, Is It Just Me began life on the airwaves.
The segment started as a light-hearted daily feature on 92.7 Mix FM, where Caroline Hutchinson co-hosted the breakfast show from May 1998 to December 2024.
Each weekday morning, Caroline shared her thoughts on life’s little dramas; family chaos, social quirks and those moments that make you laugh, sigh or shake your head. Her funny, honest reflections soon became a highlight of the show, with listeners calling in to agree, debate or simply say, “No, it’s not just you.”
A Saturday Favourite
The popularity of the radio feature soon inspired a print version in the Sunshine Coast Daily. Appearing every Saturday, Is It Just Me quickly became a must-read for weekend readers, offering the same warmth, wit and humanity that made the radio segment a hit. It’s long term sponsors in print were Robert and Gay Kelly at Skinners Mazda.
Caroline’s trademark style - part confession, part conversation - really resonated. She wrote about family, relationships, community, ageing and social change in a way that made readers feel seen and understood. Her ability to turn personal moments into shared experiences gave the column its enduring appeal.
A Sunshine Coast Institution
Over the years, Is It Just Me became a local institution and was later published as a collected volume. Even as the Sunshine Coast Daily transitioned from print to digital, Caroline’s voice remained a familiar and comforting presence, thoughtful, funny and full of heart.
The Spirit Lives On
The final published edition of Is It Just Me was in June 2020, while on-air it ended with Caroline’s last show on 20 December, 2024.
It’s remembered for capturing the essence of everyday life across more than a quarter of a century. Whether you first heard on Mix FM or read in the pages of the Daily, Caroline’s reflections reminded us that life’s quirks, frustrations and joys are rarely ours alone.
Because sometimes, when you stop and wonder, “Is it just me?” - you find out it never is.
In the middle of coronavirus fatigue, border speculation and missing loved ones overseas, I stumbled across a simple line that stopped me in my tracks: “No one is coming to save you.” It led me down a rabbit hole of ancient Stoic wisdom that feels just as relevant now as it did 2,000 years ago.
The internet entertains, informs and connects us, but it also manipulates what we see and believe. This piece explores how YouTube’s “Up Next” algorithm can turn curiosity into something far more dangerous.
From casual jokes in the ’80s to today’s unconscious bias, this piece explores how racism quietly lingers in Australia, and why admitting it is essential if we truly want equality.
Thirty years of marriage brings laughter, lessons, and love. This reflection celebrates partnership, patience, and the simple joy of growing older together- one peanut butter sandwich and glass of red wine at a time.
A surprise weigh-in delivers a brutal reality check. This piece follows one woman’s mix of humour, honesty and determination as she takes on fitness, food and a little self-forgiveness.
Between forgetting documents I’m already carrying, leaving without keys and turning up to meetings without glasses or a computer, I began to wonder if something more sinister was at play. It turns out I’m not losing my mind at all – just middle-aged, busy and overloaded. And apparently, that’s perfectly normal.
We all have our blind spots. This piece reflects on the things we’ll never be good at - numbers, mechanics, and light bulbs - and why that’s perfectly okay.
From bodice-ripping romances to Fifty Shades of Grey, fantasy has gone mainstream – loudly and unapologetically. While adults can separate fiction from reality, the line feels blurrier for younger people growing up in a world where erotic entertainment is discussed openly, marketed heavily and rarely questioned.
When tragedy strikes twice, strength shines brighter. This moving story of sisters Jade and Tara Deacon reminds us there’s always someone doing it tougher—and how kindness can make all the difference.
Last Sunday at the Kawana Bowls Club I saw familiar faces, including two sisters who once showed me great kindness. By Monday morning, Lesley Bickerton had passed away. A tireless campaigner, quiet achiever and organiser extraordinaire, Lesley’s work shaped elections, supported candidates and strengthened her community.
Some words delight, others disgust. This funny reflection on language explores the words we love, the ones we hate, and why “bogan” will always be bonzer.
A Nobel-winning scientist says curvy women might be happier and more passionate. This playful piece celebrates confidence, appetite, and why it’s time to love the body you live in.
Terrified of heights but doing it anyway, this funny and fearless piece follows one woman’s battle with vertigo, courage, and the simple fear of saying no.
When your child finishes school, it’s not just their new beginning, it’s the end of an era for you. A heartfelt reflection on love, pride, and the ache of letting go.
Can children really grow up without gender? This piece explores a couple’s bold experiment, the limits of social idealism, and why nature often finds its own way - labels or not.
Do manners still matter? This piece explores changing ideas of respect, why “Mr and Mrs” disappeared, and whether a little old-fashioned courtesy still has a place in modern Australia.