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'Nothing has been done': Truckies call for Main Roads to upgrade heavy haulage roads that have become 'dangerous'

Truckies and transporters say the state's heavy haulage routes are dangerous and "below poor" condition and want Main Roads to better maintain them.

John Mitchell standing with arms crossed in front of his truck

Published: WedWed 4 Dec 2024 at 10:05pmSource: ABC Great SouthernTopic: Road Transport Industryby Georgia Hargreaves

Is WA's once-booming nickel industry dead or just a sleeping giant?

WA's nickel industry has collapsed this year but multi-billion-dollar projects are still being developed with an eye on a future recovery.

A person holds a handfull of ground nickel

Published: SunSun 1 Dec 2024 at 11:36pmSource: ABC GoldfieldsTopic: Nickelby Jarrod Lucas and Tara de Landgrafft

Pumped hydro project awaits grid connection to power coastal town during blackouts

The developer of Walpole's recently completed pumped hydro project is waiting for the project, which he says is designed to kick in when a blackout or brownout hits the small coastal town, to be connected to the grid.

An overhead shot of a hill on a farm with bushland on either side.

Published: SunSun 1 Dec 2024 at 1:05amSource: ABC Great SouthernTopic: Hydro Energyby Mark Bennett

Some of the top photos taken across WA in the last month of spring

November marked a month where multiple bushfires razed parts of WA while elsewhere, our photographers and reporters shared stories of political drama, uncertainty, and trailblazing success.

The sun glows red, low in the cloudy sky over the ocean, with the silhouettes of people watching from the beach.

Published: SunSun 1 Dec 2024 at 2:11amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Photographyby Kenith Png

feel good

Age no barrier for this 103-year-old WA firefighter

As part of the local fire brigade, Harold Proud has helped protect the community of Kulin, south-east of Perth, since arriving in the region in 1947.

Published: 30 Nov 2024Sat 30 Nov 2024 at 3:52amSource: ABC Great SouthernTopic: Human Interestby Andrew Chounding and Andrew Collins

More than 11,000 people have died on Australian roads in the past 10 years. There are fears things will get worse

Australia is on track to record its deadliest year in more than a decade after the number of people who lost their lives on the nation's road passed 1,000.

A white car with bumper and side door crumpled rests against a pillar, glass and other debris.

Published: 26 Nov 2024Tue 26 Nov 2024 at 9:31pmSource: ABC Great SouthernTopic: Road Accidents and Incidentsby Andrew Chounding

Salmonella found in bodies of dead pilot whales that beached themselves

Pilot whales that perished in two mass strandings in south-west WA over the past two years are found to be carrying salmonella, something not detected in the species before.

Three women pour water over beached whales in a bid to keep them healthy

Published: 25 Nov 2024Mon 25 Nov 2024 at 5:39amSource: ABC Radio PerthTopic: Whalesby Emma Wynne, Nadia Mitsopoulos and Alicia Hanson

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ABC Great Southern Local News

Local news updated weekdays at 6:35am.

Duration: 4 minutes 58 seconds

Source: Listen

Volunteer firefighting at 103

Volunteer fire brigades are an integral part of regional communities.

Duration: 2 minutes 47 seconds

Source: ABC Great SouthernTopic: Volunteerswith Andrew Collins

DBCA scientists investigate whether hearing, geography and disease caused two mass strandings

Toby Inlet near Dunsborough and Cheynes Beach near Albany experience two mass stranding events, scientists are trying to work out why this happened.

Woman with navy shirt and long dark hair smiling

Duration: 11 minutes 59 seconds

Source: ABC Radio PerthTopic: Wildlife Diseaseswith Nadia Mitsopoulos

Macca was trapped in a fire that was not 'survivable'

Macca was attending a bushfire when a sudden change of weather caused a firestorm to engulf his fire truck.

A man folds his arms while he is talking to someone else.

Duration: 12 minutes 30 seconds

Source: ABC Great SouthernTopic: Disaster and Emergency Responseby Richard Hudson

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'Gus' the Emperor Penguin released into Southern Ocean

After 20 days on WA's south coast, a lost Emperor Penguin has been released into the Southern Ocean by authorities to begin it's long journey home.

Duration: 2 minutes 1 second

Source: ABC Great Southern

Wave energy trial begins

Proponents of wave energy are making the case that their technology could be part of Australia's future.

Duration: 1 minute 44 seconds

Source: ABC News

Farmer turns paddock into epic proposal

A farmer in southern Western Australia has created a giant proposal 10 times the size of the MCG.

Duration: 1 minute 13 seconds

Source: ABC News

Whale 'orgy' off WA's south coast

Albany resident Brett Peake captured this footage of southern right whales in a mating frenzy of Western Australia's south coast.

Duration: 37 seconds

Source: ABC News

Features

WWII Italian POW shipped to WA farm returns to make Australia home

When Italian-born Pietro Verazzi was captured by the Australian army in North Africa, his life would change course forever.

A black and white photo of a man with his arm around the shoulder of a boy who holds a dog.

Source: LandlineTopic: Prisoners of Warby Samantha Goerling

Emergency volunteers struggle to find trauma support outside major cities

Social and logistical challenges prevent many regional volunteers from accessing effective psychological help.

Source: ABC RuralTopic: Mental Healthby Alys Marshall and Richard Hudson

Inside one of Australia's smallest schools, where there's more pages in the newsletter than there are kids

This school in Western Australia's farming heartland has just five students enrolled. Teachers say the school's size has educational advantages, and the community is determined to keep the doors open.

Five students at the Jerdacuttup Primary School sign

Duration: 1 minute 56 seconds

Source: ABC EsperanceTopic: Public Schoolsby Hayden Smith

Henry's paediatrician is 2,500km away. He's one of the 'lucky' ones as waiting times soar

When nine-year-old Henry Witham suffered a traumatic brain injury in a fall at the family farm, no one was prepared for how hard it would be to find the medical helped he needed.

Henry and Connie walking, backs turned to the camera. Connie has her arm over Henry's shoulder.

Source: ABC Great SouthernTopic: Child Health and Behaviourby Jamie Thannoo

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A jetty over the ocean with a yellow sunset on the horizon.

Published: 22 Feb 2023Wed 22 Feb 2023 at 3:47amSource: ABC Great Southern

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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

ABC Gives Hope

ABC Local Radio is proud to partner with Foodbank for our ABC Gives end of year appeal. For every $1 donated by you, Foodbank provides 2 meals to Australians doing it tough. Brighten your community and donate now.

Published: 4 Nov 2024Mon 4 Nov 2024 at 10:37pmSource: ABC Gives

Hear every ball, all summer

Get ready for a huge summer of cricket, with ODI, T20 and Test cricket coverage, plus the men's and women's BBL. Join our expert commentary team including Jim Maxwell, Harsha Bhogle, Sunil Gavaskar and more.

Published: 21 Nov 2024Thu 21 Nov 2024 at 3:41amSource: Radio

WA Sport

Fri Fix: an F1 feud and India's women disappoint

It may be the final race of the Formula 1 season but tensions are high as two stars of the sport are in a very public feud.

Two F1 drivers stare intently at each other as they sit opposite during a press conference ahead of a big race.

Duration: 13 minutes 48 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Sport

Todd Greenberg on private investment, managing India and Australia's ageing stars

Incoming CA Chief Executive Todd Greenberg is about to get busy. He's going to try to fix cricket's financial struggles, get along with India, ensure our national teams stay competitive and consider how to improve the T20 leagues.

Australian Cricketers' Association CEO Todd Greenberg

Duration: 14 minutes 30 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Sport

Why Jack Doohan’s F1 debut is a $40m gamble

The son of an Australian sporting legend making his F1 debut in the last race of the season. The Jack Doohan story is already captivating, but there's even more to it than you might appreciate.

F1 reserve driver Jack Doohan during the launch of the Alpine F1 car, wearing a racing suit with no helmet

Duration: 11 minutes

Source: ListenTopic: Sport

Tell em he's dreaming... of an NFL career

Jordan Petaia was once the most exciting young talent in Australian rugby, now he's trying to make it in the NFL. The sometime Wallaby has explained why playing American football is his dream and what he needs to do to achieve it.

A Wallabies player passes the ball to his right while being tackled by a Georgian opponent at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Duration: 14 minutes

Source: ListenTopic: Sport

News

Government's housing pitch meets cynical response in remote WA

Advocates say overcrowding in government-owned houses in the Kimberley is straining resources, contributing to poor living conditions, and exacerbating health and social issues.

A woman sitting on a couch in a room with a bed next to her.

Source: ABC KimberleyTopic: Indigenous Protocolsby Rosanne Maloney

First day of summer bushfires damages arboretum home to 100yo trees

The 800-hectare Helms Arboretum is a popular destination for weddings and nature lovers, but will remain closed for major rehabilitation works after bushfire ripped through much of the area.

Smoke and flames appears in the background of land across the water creating an orange glow in the night sky.

Source: ABC EsperanceTopic: Firesby Tara de Landgrafft and Hayden Smith

Anthony Albanese announces measures to revive WA's Sculputes by the Sea

Organisers have welcomed Anthony Albanese's rescue package to revive the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition in WA, but they say it's too late to salvage.

Duration: 1 minute 41 seconds

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Art

WA city hopes AI and birth control will curb its pigeon problem

Geraldton's growing pigeon population, fuelled by bumper crops and spilled grain along roads, is raising concerns for households and businesses.

A close up of a pigeon on a gravel road.

Duration: 2 minutes 28 seconds

Source: ABC Midwest & WheatbeltTopic: Animal Behaviourby Chris Lewis

National News

Quick hits: Marnus flips the script as Virat and Siraj fire up at boisterous Australian crowd

Marnus Labuschagne broke out of a lengthy slump as Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj both lost their cool at different points under the hot Adelaide sun on day two of the second Test.

Mohammed Siraj, Marnus Labuschagne and Virat Kohli on day two of the second Test between Australia and India.

Published: 3h agoSat 7 Dec 2024 at 11:49amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Cricketby Chris De Silva and Simon Smale

Impeachment of South Korean president fails after ruling party MPs boycott vote

South Korea's parliament has failed to pass a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol after he suddenly declared martial law on Tuesday night.

Picture of only one lawmaker sitting in parliament. All the other seats are empty.

Published: 54m agoSat 7 Dec 2024 at 2:01pmSource: ABC NewsTopic: World Politicsby Kathleen Calderwood

Couple survive 40-degree heat and croc-infested waters after outback stranding

A couple, aged in their 50s, have been rescued after their four-wheel drive was washed away in crocodile-infested floodwaters in north-west Queensland.

Published: 5h agoSat 7 Dec 2024 at 9:32amSource: ABC North West QldTopic: Floodsby Emily Dobson

Raygun-inspired musical cancelled over legal threats, comedian says

Raygun: The Musical was set to debut in Sydney this evening at a venue on Oxford Street, in the city's inner east.

Published: 6h agoSat 7 Dec 2024 at 8:33amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Theatreby Aoife Hilton

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ABC Great Southern

'Nothing has been done': Truckies call for Main Roads to upgrade heavy haulage roads that have become 'dangerous'

Is WA's once-booming nickel industry dead or just a sleeping giant?

Pumped hydro project awaits grid connection to power coastal town during blackouts

Some of the top photos taken across WA in the last month of spring

Age no barrier for this 103-year-old WA firefighter

More than 11,000 people have died on Australian roads in the past 10 years. There are fears things will get worse

Salmonella found in bodies of dead pilot whales that beached themselves

ABC Great Southern Local News

Volunteer firefighting at 103

DBCA scientists investigate whether hearing, geography and disease caused two mass strandings

Macca was trapped in a fire that was not 'survivable'

ABC Radio GREAT SOUTHERN

Nightlife

Connect with ABC Great Southern

Get the ABC Great Southern newsletter

'Gus' the Emperor Penguin released into Southern Ocean

Wave energy trial begins

Farmer turns paddock into epic proposal

Whale 'orgy' off WA's south coast

WWII Italian POW shipped to WA farm returns to make Australia home

Emergency volunteers struggle to find trauma support outside major cities

Inside one of Australia's smallest schools, where there's more pages in the newsletter than there are kids

Henry's paediatrician is 2,500km away. He's one of the 'lucky' ones as waiting times soar

Local news direct to your inbox

Tell us what you think about our programs

ABC Gives Hope

Hear every ball, all summer

Fri Fix: an F1 feud and India's women disappoint

Todd Greenberg on private investment, managing India and Australia's ageing stars

Why Jack Doohan’s F1 debut is a $40m gamble

Tell em he's dreaming... of an NFL career

Government's housing pitch meets cynical response in remote WA

First day of summer bushfires damages arboretum home to 100yo trees

Anthony Albanese announces measures to revive WA's Sculputes by the Sea

WA city hopes AI and birth control will curb its pigeon problem

Quick hits: Marnus flips the script as Virat and Siraj fire up at boisterous Australian crowd

Impeachment of South Korean president fails after ruling party MPs boycott vote

Couple survive 40-degree heat and croc-infested waters after outback stranding

Raygun-inspired musical cancelled over legal threats, comedian says

Other ways to listen

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