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How Mackay's Filipino community maintains connection

Music, food and a festive mood are what make a Filipino Christmas Mass unique, according to organisers of a north Queensland Simbang Gabi celebration.

Vivien Hanrahan prepares a ham in her kitchen in preparation for Filipino Christmas.

Published: 11h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 3:05amSource: ABC Tropical NorthTopic: Community and Multicultural Festivalsby Liam McNally

$1.2 billion Hamilton Island sale labelled 'extraordinary'

An American equity firm plans to purchase the jewel of the Whitsundays.

A pool framed by palm trees, with the ocean and people walking along a promenade in the background.

Published: YesterdayWed 24 Dec 2025 at 6:01amSource: ABC Tropical NorthTopic: Travel and Tourismby Bryn Wakefield and Liam McNally

Flood watch for north-west Qld, but rain 'best Christmas gift'

It may not be the most welcome weather at the beach, but out in the west, rain is the best Christmas gift.

Published: TueTue 23 Dec 2025 at 8:07pmSource: ABC Western QldTopic: Weather Forecastsby Hannah Walsh

Welcome Christmas rain in the outback while south-east Queensland swelters

A tropical low will bring heavy rain and storms to much of Queensland this week while a south-east heatwave persists.

A scarecrow Santa amongst dry bushland in northwest Queensland.

Published: SunSun 21 Dec 2025 at 8:39pmSource: ABC NewsTopic: Weather Forecastsby Chloe Chomicki and Meghan Dansie

Noosa hit with flash flooding after 180mm of rain falls overnight

Storms and heavy rain are forecast to again hit large parts of Queensland today, with temperatures dropping across much of the sunshine state.

A flood camera showing water on the road at Subway Avenue in the Noosa region on Tuesday morning.

Published: 16 Dec 2025Tue 16 Dec 2025 at 5:32amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Weatherby Lottie Twyford and Stephen Clarke

Inquest to probe death of miner at central Queensland site

The veteran miner died when the bulldozer he was operating rolled off an embankment into a pool of mud.

Dump trucks lined up on bank edge, cloudy sky, inset of man with long grey beard, young woman with long brown hair, yellow dress

Published: 15 Dec 2025Mon 15 Dec 2025 at 3:16amSource: ABC CapricorniaTopic: Courtsby Vanessa Jarrett

Mould, food safety complaints spark investigation into Queensland mining camp

Isaac Regional Council says it is looking into multiple claims about a fly-in, fly-out camp capable of housing more than 3,000 workers.

A small brick fence contains signs reading "Coppabella" and "Civeo". Three busses are parked behind the signs.

Published: 11 Dec 2025Thu 11 Dec 2025 at 2:04amSource: ABC Tropical NorthTopic: Mining and Metals Industryby Bryn Wakefield

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ABC Tropical North Local News

Local news, updated weekdays at 6:30am.

Duration: 4 minutes 58 seconds

Source: Listen

Country Hour 80 years: Life as rural reporter in the 1950s

These days, there are roughly 52 staff all over Australia working for ABC Rural. In the early days though, there were just a handful. Keith Topfer was one of them, based in Tasmania during the 1950s.

Duration: 4 minutes 40 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Agricultureby Annie Brown

Country Hour 80 years: The Blue Hills connection

We can't talk about the early years of the Country Hour without talking about Blue Hills — a radio serial that was broadcast during the Country Hour between 1949 and 1976.

black and white photos of five women and two men around a table with a cake on it

Duration: 4 minutes 22 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Agricultureby Annie Brown

Country Hour 80 years: The women's session

For 14 years, the wonderful Lorna Byrne hosted a weekly segment of the Country Hour called the "Country Women's Sessions".

bkack and white photo of two women next to an old style radio microphone

Duration: 5 minutes 18 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Agricultureby Annie Brown

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Watch

Illegal 'chop shop raided in Mackay and millions of cigarettes, loose tobacco and vapes seized

Police and Mackay Public Health Unit officers have seized one of the largest hauls of illicit tobacco and nicotine products in a single raid in Queensland history. Supplied: Mackay Public Health Unit.

Duration: 28 seconds

Source: ABC News

How do you stay safe in crocodile country?

Up to 30,000 crocodiles are estimated to live in Queensland waterways — and just because you can't see them doesn't mean they're not there. So, how do you stay safe in crocodile country?

Duration: 1 minute 50 seconds

Source: ABC News

Eureka! Modern day gold rush in rural Queensland

A new generation of prospectors are flooding into the Queensland town of the Clermont, looking to cash in on record gold prices.

New era gold rush: Two men scan earth for gold, Donnie Pascoe’s face in a box

Duration: 5 minutes 34 seconds

Source: ABC News

Why regional Queensland is an election wildcard

In Queensland, more people live outside the capital than in it. Come on a 3,000km road trip to see what's really behind the regional divide.

Duration: 45 minutes 43 seconds

Source: ABC News

Features

Frank Finger and beloved muster dog Annie's emotional final TV appearance

From hit series Muster Dogs to a new television show, Frank Finger and his beloved kelpie Annie's unbreakable bond steals the spotlight once again.

A man wearing a blue shirt and Akubra hat sitting with a black kelpie on his lap.

Source: ABC CapricorniaTopic: Human Interestby Aaron Kelly

Her 8yo son was killed in an e-motorbike crash. Now Kloe Weedon wants new rules to protect kids

Kloe Weedon's son Zeke William Hondow, a schoolboy with a sharp wit and even sharper haircuts, was farewelled at a funeral last week.

Sad woman holding frame of child's photo with bear toy on lap.

Source: StatelineTopic: Road Accidents and Incidentsby Owen Jacques

Young apprentices keep butcher trade alive in country town

While the number of traditional country butchers has declined, the family-run butcher shop in this small rural town in central Queensland is bucking a trend in more ways than one.

A young woman in a butcher's uniform smiles as she slices meat.

Source: ABC CapricorniaTopic: Small Businessesby Aaron Kelly

During floods and bushfires, bush choppers are ready at any moment

From the cockpit of his chopper, Jedd Manning is dropping supplies to disaster-affected areas one day and rounding up rebellious cattle the next.

A pilot wearing a cap sits in the cockpit of a helicopter inside a hangar.

Source: ABC CapricorniaTopic: Rural and Remote Communitiesby Aaron Kelly

What's happening

Know your ABCs in an emergency

This summer know your ABCs; action plan, be safe, connect with us. The ABC has a host of useful resources and tips on how to best prepare yourself for emergency weather so you can keep you and your household safe.

Letters A, B and C in pink, yellow and blue with small infographics of people completing emergency safety tasks

Published: 17 Dec 2025Wed 17 Dec 2025 at 5:08amSource: ABC EmergencyTopic: Bushfires

Download our free ABC listen app

The ABC listen app connects you to the best podcasts and live radio from the presenters you know and love. Download it today and hear the world differently.

Published: 27 Aug 2024Tue 27 Aug 2024 at 4:23amSource: ABC BRISBANE

Sign up for an ABC newsletter

Want informative, educational and entertaining stories straight to your inbox? Subscribe to a wide range of newsletters from around the ABC including local and national content.

Published: 17 Jun 2024Mon 17 Jun 2024 at 1:53amSource: ABC BRISBANE

Tell us what you think about our programs

You can help shape what we do by joining our online feedback community, YourSpace. Plus, you'll have a chance to win 1 of 5 $100 gift cards monthly!

Photoshopped YourSpace Header which reads: 'How are we doing? ABC Your Space'

Published: 11 Jul 2023Tue 11 Jul 2023 at 12:02amSource: Radio

Qld Sport

'We push it to the max': She ready to add to Sydney to Hobart history

A fellowship of sailors will embark on She's 23rd Sydney to Hobart campaign. As they do they will honour one of the most resilient boats in the race's history and remember late owner Peter Rodgers.

A crew of eight sailors seated or crouching on board a boat, posing before the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Sailing

Stokes defends teammates as Archer's Ashes ends

England's disastrous Ashes tour has received another blow with Jofra Archer ruled out of the remaining two Tests while skipper Ben Stokes has dug in to defend his beleaguered team.

Joffrs Archer during England's tour match at Lilac Hill.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Cricket

English cricket investigating Duckett social media video

A video said to feature Ben Duckett is under ECB investigation in another problem for England's disastrous Ashes tour.

Ben Duckett looks dejected. wears helmet and cricket whites.

Duration: 1 minute 18 seconds

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Ashes

Re-Spin: Mark Schwarzer on Australian football's past glories and future challenges

The Socceroos' 2005 World Cup qualifier win over Uruguay is arguably Australia's greatest sports moment. Mark Schwarzer was at the centre of it and has just been named to Sports Australia's Hall of Fame.

Mark Schwarzer lifts his arms in the air wearing a grey goalkeeper's outfit with several Australian soccer players behind.

Duration: 14 minutes

Source: ListenTopic: Sport

Qld News

Crane collapse, thousands without power after Christmas Day storms in SEQ

Storms hit south-east Queensland on Christmas Day afternoon, knocking out power to thousands of homes.

Duration: 14 seconds

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Construction (Assembling)by Lottie Twyford

How Mackay's Filipino community maintains connection

Music, food and a festive mood are what make a Filipino Christmas Mass unique, according to organisers of a north Queensland Simbang Gabi celebration.

Source: ABC Tropical NorthTopic: Community and Multicultural Festivalsby Liam McNally

White Christmas in Tasmania as heat climbs in other states

Snow has arrived in the island state on Christmas morning, but hotter conditions are expected around the country, including a scorcher in the west.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Weatherby Gian De Poloni, Scout Wallen, Rebecca Trigger and Kelsey Reid

'We push it to the max': She ready to add to Sydney to Hobart history

A fellowship of sailors will embark on She's 23rd Sydney to Hobart campaign. As they do they will honour one of the most resilient boats in the race's history and remember late owner Peter Rodgers.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Sailingby Andrew McGarry

National News

Pope Leo asks people to think about Gaza during Christmas Day speech

During his Urbi et Orbi (city and world) speech on Christmas Day, Pope Leo XIV has called for an end to all wars and for people to think about the conditions in Gaza.

Pope Leo stands on a balcony flanked by two cardinals.

Published: 1h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 1:06pmSource: ABC NewsTopic: Christmas

Crane collapse, thousands without power after Christmas Day storms in SEQ

Storms hit south-east Queensland on Christmas Day afternoon, knocking out power to thousands of homes.

Duration: 14 seconds

Published: 5h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 8:51amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Construction (Assembling)by Lottie Twyford

Boddington locals urged to 'leave immediately' as bushfire fast approaching

Several bushfires burning north and south of Perth have caused major power blackouts, including the entire town of Margaret River.

Duration: 10 seconds

Published: 4h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 10:21amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Bushfiresby Bridget McArthur, Madigan Landry and Gian De Poloni

Will the ‘Scandinavian sleep method’ really help me sleep?

This arrangement allows couples to continue sleeping together while meeting each person's individual needs.

A woman with long, dark hair, wearing a blue t-shirt, sleeping in white sheets.

Published: 9h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 4:40amSource: The ConversationTopic: Sleep

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ABC Tropical North

How Mackay's Filipino community maintains connection

$1.2 billion Hamilton Island sale labelled 'extraordinary'

Flood watch for north-west Qld, but rain 'best Christmas gift'

Welcome Christmas rain in the outback while south-east Queensland swelters

Noosa hit with flash flooding after 180mm of rain falls overnight

Inquest to probe death of miner at central Queensland site

Mould, food safety complaints spark investigation into Queensland mining camp

ABC Tropical North Local News

Country Hour 80 years: Life as rural reporter in the 1950s

Country Hour 80 years: The Blue Hills connection

Country Hour 80 years: The women's session

ABC Radio TROPICAL NORTH

Live. Nightlife

Connect with ABC Tropical North

Illegal 'chop shop raided in Mackay and millions of cigarettes, loose tobacco and vapes seized

How do you stay safe in crocodile country?

Eureka! Modern day gold rush in rural Queensland

Why regional Queensland is an election wildcard

Frank Finger and beloved muster dog Annie's emotional final TV appearance

Her 8yo son was killed in an e-motorbike crash. Now Kloe Weedon wants new rules to protect kids

Young apprentices keep butcher trade alive in country town

During floods and bushfires, bush choppers are ready at any moment

Know your ABCs in an emergency

Download our free ABC listen app

Sign up for an ABC newsletter

Tell us what you think about our programs

'We push it to the max': She ready to add to Sydney to Hobart history

Stokes defends teammates as Archer's Ashes ends

English cricket investigating Duckett social media video

Re-Spin: Mark Schwarzer on Australian football's past glories and future challenges

Crane collapse, thousands without power after Christmas Day storms in SEQ

How Mackay's Filipino community maintains connection

White Christmas in Tasmania as heat climbs in other states

'We push it to the max': She ready to add to Sydney to Hobart history

Pope Leo asks people to think about Gaza during Christmas Day speech

Crane collapse, thousands without power after Christmas Day storms in SEQ

Boddington locals urged to 'leave immediately' as bushfire fast approaching

Will the ‘Scandinavian sleep method’ really help me sleep?

Other ways to listen

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