ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt

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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: 5h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 10:21amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Bushfiresby Bridget McArthur, Madigan Landry and Gian De Poloni

Man dies in e-scooter accident in Geraldton

Police say a man has died after losing control of an e-scooter in Geraldton overnight.

Published: YesterdayWed 24 Dec 2025 at 6:37amSource: ABC Midwest & WheatbeltTopic: Road Accidents and Incidentsby Bransen Gibson and Claire Moodie

Tropical Cyclone Grant nears islands as Christmas heatwave scorches WA

Preparations are underway far off Western Australia's north-west coast for the impact of a category one cyclone as Perth and much of the state continues to swelter in heatwave conditions.

Trees blowing in strong winds on a coastal road

Duration: 12 seconds

Published: YesterdayWed 24 Dec 2025 at 6:23amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Weather

Farming community in Midwest WA loses livestock, pastures in bushfire

A bushfire emergency in Warradarge is over, but farmers say the work to recover what was lost has only just begun.

Two women with their arms around each other standing in front of burnt out paddock

Published: YesterdayWed 24 Dec 2025 at 1:45amSource: ABC Midwest & WheatbeltTopic: Bushfiresby Brianna Melville

Severe Christmas heatwave grips WA as cyclone intensifies offshore

Perth, and much of WA, is enduring a severe Christmas heatwave with extreme fire danger, while Tropical Cyclone Grant intensifies offshore.

A map of Australia on Tuesday showing a cyclone in the top left and a void of any cloud on the west coast.

Published: TueTue 23 Dec 2025 at 8:48amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Bushfiresby Tabarak Al Jrood and Claire Moodie

Festive season to bring Perth heatwave, Indian Ocean cyclone

Perth is expected to hit a high of 41 degrees on Christmas Day with the Cocos (Keeling) Islands bracing for a tropical cyclone that could intensify to a category two system.

Published: MonMon 22 Dec 2025 at 8:02amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Weatherby Tabarak Al Jrood

Unique art project gets big canvas on wind turbines

A renewable energy project being built at one of Western Australia's biggest gold mines has been transformed into a unique canvas for an Indigenous artist and about 200 schoolchildren.

A woman standing in front of art work she created.

Published: SunSun 21 Dec 2025 at 11:00pmSource: ABC GoldfieldsTopic: Installation Artby Jarrod Lucas

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ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt Local News

Local news, updated weekdays at 6:35am.

Duration: 5 minutes

Source: Listen

Map of free kids activities across Perth

Nature Play WA has compiled a free interactive map, to help carers find the best screen-free activities this school holidays!

map of Perth with certain parks and activities highlighted in boxes

Duration: 7 minutes 4 seconds

Source: ABC Radio PerthTopic: Play and Learningwith Amber Cunningham

Trials of Modern Life: How to handle unwanted house guests

Regifting, unwanted house guests and good manners are debated by the panel on this weeks episode.

A bedside table with a nightlight and ornaments, and the corner of the bed with pillow.

Duration: 16 minutes

Source: ABC Radio PerthTopic: Ethicswith Jo Trilling

Trials of Modern Life: Is it rude to request a specific gift?

Present giving, seating plans and annoying spouses on this weeks episode.

A Christmas present sits on top of wrapping paper.

Duration: 18 minutes

Source: ABC Radio PerthTopic: Ethicswith Jo Trilling

ABC Radio MIDWEST & WHEATBELT

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with Michael Pavlich

2:00am to6:00am

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Watch

Why is there a massive camera in this tiny outback town?

Charles "Chic" Wadley runs what's believed to be the largest private film camera collection in the southern hemisphere, from an old petrol station in the WA town Meckering, at 4,000 strong.

Source: ABC News

The police air wing assisted in an arrest last week.

Operation Down uses Geraldton officer, as well as specialised officers from Perth including air wing and canine units.

Duration: 1 minute 20 seconds

Source: ABC News

Michael Goh wildflower time lapse

Astrophotographer Michael Goh captured this time lapse of everlastings and the Milky Way at Coalseam Nature Reserve in WA's Midwest. Supplied: Michael Goh

Duration: 44 seconds

Source: ABC News

Minister's jet makes "emergency landing" after mid-air problems

A government jet carrying WA Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson made an emergency landing in Geraldton after circling to burn fuel.

Duration: 1 minute 6 seconds

Source: ABC News

Features

The fight to save Australia's disappearing beaches

Most Australians live by the beach, but the coastline we have built our lives around is disappearing before our eyes.

An aerial view of a blue building, which is a surf club, behind scrub and a wall of sandbags, with the ocean in front.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Erosion

World's largest mistletoe among flora blooming for Australian Christmas

As the summer heat settles in, flora and fauna associated with Christmas in Australia can be spotted throughout the country.

Two Moodjar trees sitting under a twilight night sky.

Source: ABC Midwest & WheatbeltTopic: Native Speciesby Piper Duffy

China lacks one mineral for its military build-up. Australia's chipping in

Australia is supplying raw materials vital for China's military build-up, while at the same time signing up to be a partner of choice for the United States as it seeks to break Beijing's critical minerals stranglehold.

A line of military trucks mounted with missiles passes a grand building in Tiananmen Square.

Source: Four CornersTopic: Weaponsby Angus Grigg and Alex McDonald

Spring heat brings out beetles with tear gas odour

Often mistaken for a stink bug or Christmas beetle, this iridescent insect has descended on Geraldton with a tear gas-like odour.

A close up of an insect with six legs and a hard shelled oval shaped body on sand.

Source: ABC Midwest & WheatbeltTopic: Insectsby Piper Duffy

What's happening

Join ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt for a community documentary screening night

Plus, submit a "Midwest Shorts" video to be featured at the event!

Published: 29 Oct 2025Wed 29 Oct 2025 at 5:34amSource: ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt

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

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

WA Sport

Landmark Italian league game in Perth cancelled over 'unacceptable demands'

A historic Serie A soccer clash between AC Milan and Como at Perth Stadium in February is called off, with sanctions imposed by the Asian Football Confederation blamed for making it "impossible".

A footballer waves his hand in the air while on the field, wearing a red and black striped jersey.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Soccer

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

Re-Spin: how Dyson Daniels quit 'fitting in' to reach new heights

In 2024, young Australian Dyson Daniels was in the second year of his NBA career and struggling to make a mark. He had a nagging sense he wasn't quite being true to himself. A trade from New Orleans to Atlanta has coincided with a meteoric rise.

Dyson Daniels playing for Atlanta Hawks.

Duration: 13 minutes 19 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Sport

Re-Spin: Molly Picklum is a champion to behold

In this interview from the archives, Molly Picklum calls in from Fiji to talk about partying in a wetsuit, the big names who reached out to congratulate her, how she steeled herself after an early stumble in the final, how she wants to dominate the…

Duration: 11 minutes 45 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Sport

WA News

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

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Bushfiresby Bridget McArthur, Madigan Landry and Gian De Poloni

Man dies after Christmas Eve stabbing near Perth shopping complex

Homicide squad detectives are investigating the fatal stabbing of a man near a shopping complex in Perth's southern suburbs late on Christmas Eve.

Police search a car park for clues in a murder investigation

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Crimeby Rebecca Trigger

As old-school camera repairers retire, what's the future of film?

As film photography surges in popularity among younger generations, technicians who repair analogue cameras are retiring, raising concerns it will become a dying art.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Photographyby Kenith Png

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

National News

King pays homage to acts of 'spontaneous bravery' in Christmas message

King Charles III pays homage to those who confronted terror at the Bondi Beach massacre, acknowledging their "spontaneous acts of bravery" in his annual Christmas message.

Britain's King Charles III during the recording of his Christmas message

Published: 1h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 3:02pmSource: ABC NewsTopic: Royalty

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: 3h 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: 7h 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: 5h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 10:21amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Bushfiresby Bridget McArthur, Madigan Landry and Gian De Poloni

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ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt

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

Man dies in e-scooter accident in Geraldton

Tropical Cyclone Grant nears islands as Christmas heatwave scorches WA

Farming community in Midwest WA loses livestock, pastures in bushfire

Severe Christmas heatwave grips WA as cyclone intensifies offshore

Festive season to bring Perth heatwave, Indian Ocean cyclone

Unique art project gets big canvas on wind turbines

ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt Local News

Map of free kids activities across Perth

Trials of Modern Life: How to handle unwanted house guests

Trials of Modern Life: Is it rude to request a specific gift?

ABC Radio MIDWEST & WHEATBELT

Live. Overnights

Connect with ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt

Get the ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt newsletter

Why is there a massive camera in this tiny outback town?

The police air wing assisted in an arrest last week.

Michael Goh wildflower time lapse

Minister's jet makes "emergency landing" after mid-air problems

The fight to save Australia's disappearing beaches

World's largest mistletoe among flora blooming for Australian Christmas

China lacks one mineral for its military build-up. Australia's chipping in

Spring heat brings out beetles with tear gas odour

Join ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt for a community documentary screening night

Tell us what you think about our programs

Know your ABCs in an emergency

Download our free ABC listen app

Landmark Italian league game in Perth cancelled over 'unacceptable demands'

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

Re-Spin: how Dyson Daniels quit 'fitting in' to reach new heights

Re-Spin: Molly Picklum is a champion to behold

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

Man dies after Christmas Eve stabbing near Perth shopping complex

As old-school camera repairers retire, what's the future of film?

White Christmas in Tasmania as heat climbs in other states

King pays homage to acts of 'spontaneous bravery' in Christmas message

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

Other ways to listen

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