ABC South East SA

20/12/2025

About 35 white and grey kangaroos call the Bordertown Wildlife Park home, however some will be desexed and sold to reduce overcrowding.

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White western grey kangaroos are a popular sight in a small wildlife park nestled near the South Australia – Victoria border and some are now being sold.

19/12/2025

It’s summer clean-out time for the cave gardens! ✨

City of Mount Gambier clean up crews have been using cranes to clean out the rubbish people throw into the cave gardens this week. 🗑️

The council’s general manager for city infrastructure Barbara Cernovskis said the attraction is cleared of rubbish about once a year which also provides a great opportunity for emergency services to run practice rescue scenarios as well.

“We've had shopping trolleys, dispensers for paper that come out of our public amenity, bags of rubbish, cans, bottles - people just throw stuff down there,” she added.

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18/12/2025

Christmas cheer is here! 🎶 🎹

The ABC South East Breakfast team were joined by the Phoenix Choir, helping them get into the festive spirit today. 🎁

All 20 of them squeezed into our Penola Road studios to serenade the listeners with carols – we think it’s the most people in the studio at one time!

Your local ABC South East Breakfast show will return on January 7.

In the meantime, you can listen back on the free ABC listen app: https://ab.co/ABCListenApp

18/12/2025

Merry Christmas South East! 🎄

The Breakfast team were incredibly lucky to have Father Christmas live in the studio this morning to give a Christmas message to the listeners. 🎅

Father Christmas told ABC SE he has no doubt all the children of the region will be on their best behaviour to get on his good list, with just one week till the big day!

“The important thing at the moment is to try and be as joyous as we can, because that’s what Christmas is about… share some kindness with the people that you’re near,” Father Christmas said.

Father Christmas said he’s been advised he needs some more oats and fibre in his diet so he’s requesting ANZAC biscuits to be left out for him on Christmas Eve. 🍪

“The reindeers have had a word in my ear about the freshness of the carrots – the fresher and crispier the carrot the better,” Father Christmas said. 🥕

ABC South East elves Elsie Adamo, Rod Sparks and Samuel O’Brien also had a hand at some festive challenges including wrapping presents, making balloon animals and a gingerbread taste test.

Tune into more festive cheer from 6:30am tomorrow with Elsie Adamo on ABC South East Breakfast on the free ABC listen app: https://ab.co/ABCListenApp

18/12/2025

SA Police say they have called off the search for the second man who went missing off the coast of Cape Jaffa earlier this week.

The 74-year-old man, from Clifton Springs in Victoria, and another 67-year-old man from Ballarat went missing on Tuesday after heading out to collect craypots.

The alarm was raised on Tuesday afternoon after they did not return. Police launched a significant search operation.

The body of the 67-year-old man was found, however neither the second man or the boat have been recovered.

Police have asked people to contact them if anyone finds anything connected with the tragedy in local waters or washed up on beaches in the area.

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17/12/2025

TOTAL FIRE BAN 🚫 THURSDAY 18 DECEMBER
📍Upper South East
📍Lower South East
🔥 DON'T LIGHT A FIRE. NO HOT WORKS, WELDING OR GRINDING
ℹ️ www.cfs.sa.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/restrictions/total-fire-bans-ratings/
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​👉Check warnings for your location at ABC Emergency: ab.co/SA_ABC

17/12/2025

Both the man whose body was found in the sea off Cape Jaffa on Tuesday and his companion who is still missing were experienced fishers, according to locals.

A large search is continuing today.

A 67-year-old Victorian man has been found dead, and a 74-year-old Victorian man is still missing in waters off Cape Jaffa after they failed to return from fishing.

16/12/2025

A search is continuing for a second man missing off Cape Jaffa this morning.

The body of a fisherman, who along with another man went missing in waters off the South Australian coast yesterday, has been found.

16/12/2025

An adventurous fur seal has gone on a tour through Port MacDonnell, visiting the local store, pub and seafood processor. 🦭🦞

Authorities managed to shepherd the female seal to the town's foreshore, and eventually back into the water.

Locals say it's unusual to see a seal that far from the sea.

Photos of the animal were taken to a local vet to check up on.

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15/12/2025

Naracoorte axeman Kahu Woolley's pulse stopped multiple times after he suffered a heart attack mid-competition in Western Victoria. Fortunately, his friends grabbed a nearby defibrillator and saved his life.

Kahu Woolley was clinically dead multiple times, but quick actions by his friends brought him back.

14/12/2025

Two new bus stops on Sturt Street in Mount Gambier will replace those on Ferrers Street in the city's CBD from today. 🚌🚏

The new bus stops opposite the RSL are accessible for people with a disability and prams, and cost the City of Mount Gambier council $80,000 to install.

The council approved the move in May to improve access to a new theatre and art space in the Varcoe Foundry building opposite Coles.

Maps and timetables have not yet been installed at the new bus stops.

Personalise your news & stay in the know with the ABC NEWS app: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

11/12/2025

Australian Rare Earths (AR3), which has plans to mine for rare earths in the South East, has signed a deal to use a pilot rare earths processing facility.

The Australian Nuclear Science Technology Organisation is building the plant, which will be the first to process clay-hosted rare earths.

AR3 says it will still need to meet strict regulatory requirements when applying for a mining licence.

The processing market is dominated by China, but Australia is building its capabilities in an attempt to boost the domestic industry.