ABC Southern Queensland

16/06/2026

CANDICE THE DOG RESCUED FROM HOUSE FIRE 🐕🔥

An has been commended by QLD Police after he helped rescue 'Candice' the Chihuahua from a house fire in Blackbutt North.🐾

Emergency services were called to a Myrtle Court address about 6.40am earlier this month on the 2nd of June.

A short time later, the home’s 91-year-old owner alerted the officer that his dog was trapped on the front veranda.

Constable Kieren Trannore said after the initial shock, the owner was very grateful to still have his "best mate".

"I think it's all he had. He seemed to love her a lot," he said.

"Obviously it's upsetting. An elderly male, he's lost his home,
everything he had, but on the plus side there was no one hurt."

He said after their initial interactions, Candice warmed up to the officer.

"I think she's on the older side, but she has plenty of attitude," he said

Watch the video of the rescue below. 👇

👉 Police have said no serious injuries were reported and all emergency responders involved, along with the family chihuahua, were uninjured.

The fire is not being treated as suspicious.

Read the full article here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-16/police-officer-commended-for-rescuing-dog-from-burning-home/106802614

15/06/2026

⚙️ HAVE YOU SPOTTED THE NEW SCULPTURES IN ROMA? 🛻

It's part of the Sculptures Outback Festival, which launched over the weekend and continues until September 26.

You can spot this year's creations on the Warrego Highway - or take a look here! 👇

14/06/2026

Teams playing in the Toowoomba Rugby League competition 'played for Chels #13' over the weekend. 🏉

Western Clydesdales player Chelsea Middleton is continuing to recover in a Brisbane hospital after a serious road accident.

💕A fundraiser, set up by the Clydesdales, has raised more than $46,000 towards her medical and rehabilitation costs.

Coach and family friend, Andrew Trapp, visited Middleton in Brisbane's PA Hospital on Friday and says there's a long road ahead.

Listen to more 👇and on ABC listen

12/06/2026

🌼🌹Hello Gardeners!🌷🌻

Is your garden looking a bit happier after the rain? Or are you eagerly awaiting some some blue sky for a change?
Share your garden photos and share any wins or losses you've had this week in the garden. And feel free to ask, and answer, any gardening questions right here.
🔉 Listen live: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/live/southqld
✍️Subscribe to the weekly newsletter: https://ab.co/SouthQldNewsletter

12/06/2026

HAS THE RAIN REACHED YOUR HOUSE?

Drizzling rain to storms were felt across Southern Queensland over the last few days. Although, the rain which fell into gauges was patchy.

Here are some totals sent in from our ABC listeners:

💧70mm, Ellangowan
💧25mm, Allora
💧20.3mm, Plainland
💧46mm, Talgai
💧7mm, Yuleba
💧15mm, Macalister

In February, Stanthorpe accommodation site '31 the rocks' noticed kangaroos drinking out of its bird bath. Now, green shoots are starting to appear in the lawn attracting more local roos and joeys back. 📸👇

11/06/2026

WARREGO HIGHWAY IMPACTED DUE TO HOUSE FIRE AT WARRA

Emergency services are working to put out a fire at a house on Queensland's Western Downs.

Crews were called around 9.30am, following reports of a house fire on Thorn Street in Warra, west of Dalby.

Police believe nobody was in the house at the time, but ambulance crews remain on scene to determine if anyone needs assessment.

👉 Motorists are being advised to seek an alternative route.

10/06/2026

WHAT DID YOU DO AS A KID, THAT YOU WOULD NEVER LET YOUR KIDS DO NOW? 🤔

👇 Tell us in the comments or call ABC Southern QLD Breakfast on 1300 747 222 📞

Today is International Day of Play - shining a spotlight on how kids imagine, interact, and learn vital skills. But are we robbing our kids of playing to their fullest?

🛝 UniSQ early childhood education researcher Vicki Christopher said increasing regulation, parental pressures, screen use and reduced access to outdoor spaces may be contributing to what some researchers describe as a growing play deficit.

Play Australia CEO Robyn Monro Miller is calling on governments to prioritise play and implement a national play strategy and has today released a report funded through a Churchill Fellowship.

The first time Renae Powell waved her eldest child through the primary school gates she felt something was missing: play time.

09/06/2026

🐄 "MOO-VE OVER KIDS, I'M NEXT!"🛝

😄 Meringandan locals have had a Wednesday-morning giggle, spotting cows wondering into Rosella Park's playground and making themselves comfy.

Courtney Stevens was out for a morning run when she spotted a cow pat in a residential front yard.

"That's weird. And then went around the corner and there they were playing in the park. So cute," she said.

That's country living! 🐮

09/06/2026

Did you spot something strange in the sky last night?

Peter Barbeler at Kumbia, as well as Geoff Gray in Surat managed to spot the 'jellyfish' light.

Toowoomba astrophysicist from the University of Southern Queensland Professor Jonti Horner said the Zhuque 2E Block 2 rocket was launched about 6:20pm from a Chinese satellite launch centre and was visible over Queensland about 20 minutes later last night.

"We got a spectacular light show," Professor Horner said.

Professor Horner said the rocket's height meant it was lit by the sun, even though night had fallen on the ground.

"The rocket was above the atmosphere and it did what I've seen described as some people as passivation," he said.

What did it look like where you are? 👇🏼

09/06/2026

🏒 TOOWOOMBA HOCKEY GOES GLOBAL 🏒

🌎 The 'Belong in Hockey' program run by the Toowoomba Hockey Association has become the second in Australia to join the international Sports for Refugees Coalition, supported by the United Nations Human Rights Council (the first is the Australian Olympic Commission!)

👏 The program has run for three years helping Yazidi refugees learn new skills and build a community in Toowoomba.

Hockey manager Jessie McCartney said they have also received a $95,000 grant from the Queensland government to continue for the next two years.

"It means that Toowoomba's hockey program is on a global stage when it comes to sport for development," he said.

Welcoming Australia CEO Aleem Ali commended the Toowoomba club for its work supporting migrant communities.

"What they're doing is exceptional and what we want to see is that other sports clubs and other codes take this lead and change the shape of their work to fit the shape of their community."

Elizabeth Laverty co-created the program, and works as a refugee health officer for Multicultural Australia.

She said she's seen a huge improvement in the health of the refugee population in the three years the program has been running.

"Our GPs are actually clued into this program so they will refer [refugee patients] to this program," she said.

See our previous story on the program here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-10/belong-in-hockey-program-toowoomba-supports-yazidi-refugees/106657450