By Sheree Hoddinett From empty paddocks to suburban car parks, some people are treating the outdoors like an open-air skip and the scale of it might just surprise you. Dead cattle (yes, you read that right!), old boats, tyres, green waste and asbestos are just some of the items that have been illegally dumped across City of Moreton Bay over the past three years. Since 2023, council has investigated and prosecuted individuals in relation to: At least 2056 significant ille

By Sheree Hoddinett For many Australians, the latest interest rate rise didn’t exactly come across as breaking news. It landed as a feeling, that unavoidable familiar tightening in the chest when another cost-of-living pressure arrives, uninvited and with no choice but to accept the outcome. When the Reserve Bank of Australia lifted the cash rate by 0.25 percentage points last month, it did so with a clear message: inflation remains stubborn, and the fight to bring it back

Credit: YouTube By Chase Christensen The best time of the year has arrived. The 2026 NRL season is finally underway after a long, drama-filled off-season. With a fresh campaign comes bold predictions. Here’s who will finish with the wooden spoon, which side is poised for major improvement and who will be crowned premiers in 2026. Wooden spoon: St George Illawarra Dragons The Dragons have struggled for more than a decade reaching the finals just once since 2011. Their r

Written by Kym Braithwaite in collaboration with Helen Williamson In 2020, a couple of paddlers from Bribie Island Mahalo Outrigger Canoe Club visited Norfolk Island to witness the Norfolk Ocean Challenge (NOC to Rock), vowing if they ever returned it would be to compete in this amazing event. In July 2025, the dream started to become a reality when interest was gathered, crews were formed and training began. How does one prepare for such a vastly diverse and challenging pa

Bribie Island, a serene coastal haven in Queensland's City of Moreton Bay, is home to more than 22,000 residents, with a staggering median age of 63.8 years and more than 50% aged 65 or older. This makes it one of Australia's oldest communities, a natural retirement paradise where sandy beaches and quiet streets should offer a dignified twilight. Instead, for many elderly locals still living independently in their own homes, basic needs like garden maintenance and household c

As summer winds down in Queensland, Bribie Island and its surrounding waters in Moreton Bay continue to deliver exciting opportunities for anglers of all levels. With warmer waters and relatively calm conditions this month, the bite has been strong, particularly for inshore species. Recent reports indicate a mix of pelagic and bottom-dwelling fish active across various spots, bolstered by light winds and the start of prawn runs. Whether you're casting from the shore, wading t

Bribie Island and the surrounding Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay areas enjoy a classic subtropical climate - mild, dry autumns transitioning into gentle winters with rare frosts and plenty of sunny days. This makes late summer through winter one of the most rewarding times for home gardeners, as the brutal summer heat eases, allowing cool season crops to thrive with less bolting and pest pressure. As we head into autumn (March–May), now is prime time to prepare beds and star

By Sheree Hoddinett One man is dead and another man is fighting for life following a head-on crash on the Bruce Highway at Burpengary overnight. Police and emergency services were called to the scene near the Deception Bay exit about 10.30pm (February 17) after a white Isuzu truck travelling southbound in the northbound lanes collided head on with a white Honda Accord travelling northbound. The Honda caught fire as a result of the crash. The driver, a 26-year-old Caboolture

For decades, funerals in Australia followed a set script - sombre funeral parlours, complex processes, expensive services and little room for choice. But in 2019, lifelong friends Sam McConkey and Cale Donovan asked a different question: what if goodbye could be a little bit easier?   Six years on, their answer is Bare - now the fastest growing funeral director in the industry, having supported more than 50,000 families to date.  Why ‘Bare’?  Some people see the name

By Sheree Hoddinett From beachside upgrades, planning for 2032 and ensuring infrastructure matches growth, it’s all about moving forward across the City of Moreton Bay. For a fast-growing city, the past year was less about ticking boxes and more about laying foundations, for accessibility, connectivity and community. With one eye on today’s needs and the other firmly on a population tipped to hit one million within three decades, council’s focus was clear: make the city

By Chase Christensen Image: Waraba Cricket Club First 11 (Winning team) Waraba Cricket Club enjoyed a memorable day both on and off the field following a successful charity T20 match against the Blasters at the Sandstone Point Sporting Complex, raising significant funds for mental health organisation Beyond Blue. Played in front of a strong local crowd, the match delivered plenty of entertaining cricket while supporting an important cause. Players, families and suppo

By Sheree Hoddinett Dementia slowly changes how a person thinks, remembers and navigates the world, often leaving families and carers carrying the quiet weight of constant worry. As the condition progresses, even familiar streets and routines can become disorienting, turning ordinary moments into situations where safety and time suddenly matter most. On Bribie Island, where the median age sits around 64, policing often looks a little different. For officer-in-charge Sen

By Chase Christensen A voice for some and despised by many, Pauline Hanson is one of, if not, the most intriguing politicians in Australian history and that is saying something. The leader of the One Nation Party is currently more popular than ever, shaking the foundations of Australian politics. The key question is: why has it taken nearly 40 years for her to reach this peak? The 2025 federal election results were the first clear sign of a shift towards Hanson. The c

By Sheree Hoddinett If you have ever been lucky enough to cross paths with Karen Wallwork, you would be familiar with her passion for uncovering history, particularly that of Beachmere. Her lifelong fascination with the past began early, sparked by a curiosity about how cultures evolve and endure. “As a child, I was captivated by stories of India, reading about British surveys of ancient sites,” Karen said. “Years later, walking those very places on pilgrimage created

The decision to backtrack from calls for a full royal commission into the Bondi Beach terror attack is one of the most politically charged moments in Australia’s recent history. With 15 innocent people killed and many more injured at a Hanukkah festival in December 2025, calls for a comprehensive inquiry were loud and deeply emotional. People gathered, mourned, lit candles and asked the same question on repeat,  how did this happen here?  The subsequent backflip on a royal

In the wake of a tumultuous 2025, Australia's political scene is undergoing a profound transformation. Pauline Hanson's One Nation party, long a fringe voice on the right, has surged in popularity, overtaking the Liberal-National Coalition in recent polls and tapping into a growing wave of patriotism and calls for ‘common sense’ politics. This shift comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor Government, fresh off a landslide re-election victory in May 2025, faces mounti

A warm welcome is being extended to residents across Beachmere and surrounding areas with the exciting news that the  Beachmere Probus Club  is now up and running — offering a wonderful new way for retirees and semi-retirees to enjoy friendship, fun and fellowship. Formed only recently, the club has already attracted enthusiastic local members and is looking forward to a busy and enjoyable year ahead, filled with guest speakers, outings, lunches and social activities. T

As we dive into the heart of summer in Queensland, Bribie Island and its surrounding waters continue to offer some of the region's most rewarding fishing experiences. With warm waters attracting a variety of species, anglers are reporting solid action both from shore and boat. Whether you're a local or visiting from Brisbane, this update gathers the latest on top spots, recent hauls and tips to make your next outing a success. The Pumicestone Passage and Moreton Bay are buzzi

Bribie Island, nestled in Queensland's Moreton Bay region, offers a unique subtropical coastal environment perfect for gardening. With sandy soil, high humidity and warm temperatures, this area supports a rich array of native plants adapted to low-nutrient conditions. Whether you're cultivating a backyard oasis in Bongaree, planting along the foreshores of Woorim or tending gardens in nearby Caboolture or Sandstone Point, focusing on eco-friendly practices is key to preservin