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Articles by Mark Rigby
Halloween displays are getting bigger, building confidence for creators and profits for retailers
With its webs, witches and werewolves, Halloween draws Zoe McKavanagh further out of her shell every year. The 30-year-old Gold Coast resident lives with autism and has, for the past six years, slowly collected a monster haul of pumpkins, spiders and skulls of different shapes and sizes. Zoe McKavanagh is considering a competition to name the giant spider, which is her favourite decoration. (ABC Gold Coast: Mark Rigby) "I love Halloween because of how happy it makes everyone," Ms McKavanagh said.
Massive mullet created from 'obnoxious' weed and plastic litter for SWELL Sculpture Festival
Gold Coast artists Ged McCormick and Rusty Linnane created a 5-metre mullet sculpture entirely from invasive plants and plastic litter. The artists harvested kilometres of cat's claw creeper vine from a conservation area on the Gold Coast to create the fish's body. The sculpture is one of many that will line the Currumbin foreshore for the 24th annual SWELL Sculpture Festival from September 11 to 20.
Parts of Queensland to experience unseasonably warm temperatures
Olivia Nunes-Malek, Jay Carstens, Mark Rigby, Megan Hughes and Nykayla Dux Unusually warm weather is expected in the coming days for parts of Queensland as the state heats up in the first week of spring. Multiple coastal cities across the state's south-east are forecast to reach 31 degrees Celsius by tomorrow, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Parts of Queensland to experience unseasonably warm temperatures
Unusually warm weather is expected in the coming days for parts of Queensland as the state heats up in the first week of spring. Multiple coastal cities across the state's south-east are forecast to reach 31 degrees Celsius by tomorrow, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. "We're expecting the maximum temperatures to be between 4 to 6 degrees above average really across eastern districts," senior meteorologist Sarah Scully said.
Screen Queensland funding cut shakes industry confidence for future productions
A government funding cut to Queensland’s film and television sector could erode confidence in the industry and turn movie makers away from the Sunshine State. Queensland Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek last week announced $50 million in incentives funding for government-owned agency Screen Queensland (SQ) over the next two years.
Apprentice hairdressers see customer influx amid cost-of-living increases
Style-savvy salon-goer Denise Kelly admits she had concerns about letting an apprentice hairdresser loose on her luscious locks. "I thought 'Will they over-process my hair? Will they even blow-dry it correctly?'," Ms Kelly said. But the compliments she received after her first $20 wash and blow-dry at a Gold Coast training salon were all the convincing she needed. "My husband liked it, so that's even better," she laughed.
Program: Customers flock to training salons
Savvy Australians are turning to apprentices as they swap their spending habits to deal with the cost of living. TAFE Queensland has seen a surge in demand for their hair salons, which offer low-price cuts to the public.
Prosecutors gather volumes of evidence against Gold Coast developer David McWilliams
Commonwealth prosecutors have gathered more than 90 witness statements and thousands of exhibits of evidence in their case against Gold Coast property developer David McWilliams. Mr McWilliams was charged in June with 13 criminal offences related to an allegedly fraudulent $10 million NDIS property scheme.
Off-course golf is driving girls and women to take up sport at above par rates
What Rianna Hills lacks in size, she makes up for in drive. The eight-year-old Gold Coast girl practises as often as she can; on weekends and after school, even as the sun starts to drop below the horizon, Rianna is at her local golf course. "Every time I hit the ball, every week it's going further," she said. Rianna Hills's drive is one of the strongest parts of the eight-year-old's game. (ABC News: Mark Rigby) "I can feel it when it's solid, and when it's straight.
The Doyles $20k award-winning artwork revealed as 'blatant copy'
The 2025 winner of The Doyles Landscape Art Award has been revealed as an imitation of a 2011 Nicholas Harding painting. A leading Queensland art dealer says the award-winning work is a "blatant copy", but the original painting is not a famous work. The Doyles award committee is investigating why it took nearly 12 months for the imitation to be discovered and whether the $20,000 prize can be recovered.
Grassroots boccia in school helps Florence Nickel unlock Paralympic dream
Navigating school sport has always been a challenge for Florence Nickel but a little-known Paralympic event has unlocked a lofty dream for the 10-year-old. Florence lives with an acquired brain injury that affects her mobility and speech. This year, the Gold Coast primary school student was introduced to the sport of boccia and she has not looked back since. "It makes me super-duper happy because I like doing sports and stuff," Florence said.
Court hearing for Reza Adib, partner of former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk
Vahid Reza Adib, the partner of former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, has had his charges mentioned in court for the first time since being charged with three counts of rape. The 64-year-old Brisbane-based surgeon was charged with the offences, as well as two counts of deprivation of liberty and one count of sexual assault, on May 1 after voluntarily attending a Gold Coast police station.
Thousands lost to cancellations, expenses surge as fuel crisis bites southern Queensland tourism sector
19 hours ago Cosmic beings, April opens with a Libra Full Moon on the 1st, and right away, we’re being asked to get honest about where we stand… not just in our relationships, but in our values. Libra is the sign of harmony, yes, but its shadow can show up as people-pleasing, avoidance, or trying to keep the …
Seafood industry urges public to buy local for Easter as fuel costs bite
Australian seafood operators are making an impassioned plea for consumers to buy local this Easter as surging fuel costs sink their bottom line. The industry says the federal government's announcement on Monday that it would halve the fuel excise for a three-month period would do little to stem its losses. Pavo Walker says the situation is unsustainable.
Former Queensland State of Origin player Chris Walker granted bail on DV charges
Former State of Origin star Chris Walker was "clinging to a pontoon" and claimed to be "going for a swim" when police arrested him on Saturday night, a court has heard. Christopher Ryan Walker, 46, was later charged with assault, using a carriage service to menace or harass and wilful damage.
Gilmour Space receives federal funding boost for homegrown rockets
The company behind the first Australian-designed and manufactured orbital rocket to successfully launch on home soil has received a major funding boost from the federal government. Gilmour Space Technologies' first attempt at launching an Australian-designed and manufactured rocket was hailed a success in July last year, despite it crashing to the ground 14 seconds after lift-off.
AML/CTF: Navigate your compliance journey - Insight | MinterEllison
Insight 5 minute read  09.12.2025 A complete overhaul of Australia’s AML/CTF regime is in train. Changes for providers of existing designated services take effect from 31 March 2026. By 1 July 2026 tens of thousands of new entities will also be regulated for the first time. What is the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act (AML/CTF Act)? The AML/CTF Act already regulates the provisions of certain types of services known as ‘designated services’.
As teacher shortages loom across Australia these Queensland schools are trialling solutions
Education researchers estimate up to 50 per cent of graduate teachers leave the profession within their first five years on the job. Teacher shortages are being felt across Australia, but particularly in regional and remote areas of Queensland. Queensland schools are trialling programs aimed at relieving the workload for early career teachers and attracting new aspiring teachers.
Gold Coast man sentenced over former partner's traumatic brain injury
A man charged over a 2023 domestic violence incident that left his former partner with a traumatic brain injury has been handed a four-year prison sentence. Piyarad Lasuai, 31, pleaded guilty to one count each of common assault, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, deprivation of liberty and grievous bodily harm.
AFL fans prepare for big Qld clash
In a historic moment for the Australian Football League, two Queensland teams are meeting in a finals game for the first time. The reigning premiers, the Brisbane Lions are taking on the Gold Coast Suns at the Gabba in Brisbane. The Suns' patient fans have waited 15 years to see their team play in the finals.
Former humanitarian aid worker prepares to run 160km in Iraq
Tim Buxton knows how unstable and dangerous northern Iraq can be, but he is determined to return to the region he once called home. The Gold Coast-based father of four will this month run 160 kilometres from Mosul to Soran, crossing desert roads, ancient rivers and rugged mountain passes, all in just four days. It is a charity fundraiser and an effort to increase awareness for the plight of displaced refugees around the world.
Dreamworld expansion may be approved using state government call-in powers
The Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast could become even bigger if a proposed call-in notice for a development at the site gets the go-ahead. Queensland's Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie announced the proposed call-in on Monday, after a "direct request" from Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.
Drink driver given suspended sentence over grandmother's hit-run death
Mary Kathleen Kelly from the United States died after being hit by a car while walking home from a church service on the Gold Coast in March 2024. Jack William Arthur Yates pleaded guilty to several charges, including failing to remain at an incident and render assistance, and has been handed a suspended jail sentence. Ms Kelly's eldest daughter told the court her mother's death had left a "tremendous crater" in the lives of her family members.
Hundreds of tyres dumped in Springbrook National Park on the Gold Coast
Motorists are likely to pay twice for the disposal of more than 550 used car tyres dumped in a Queensland national park. The state's environment department said it suspected three separate piles of tyres were dumped inside Springbrook National Park on the Gold Coast last week. The department is calling for public assistance to find those who did it.
Man's spine broken after alleged online marketplace dispute
A 52-year-old man is recovering in hospital with broken vertebrae after allegedly being thrown from a verandah on the northern Gold Coast. Police allege three people went to the man's home looking for a refund on a car they purchased through Facebook Marketplace. Investigators have identified the alleged offenders, but are yet to make any arrests.
Secret to ageing well for these Aussies is 'wearing out' not 'rusting out'
It's a crisp, winter morning, but the cool breeze isn't stopping Caroline Holliday from hitting the water for a surf. "For one morning a week, I can do something I absolutely love," she smiled. Ms Holliday, 68, is a member of the Gold Coast Granny Grommets, a fun-loving group for women over 50 who enjoy surfing and bodyboarding. "It's wonderful to do it in such a beautiful part of the world and with people that are like-minded," she said.
Police investigate after woman's body found in Currumbin Creek, Gold Coast
A police investigation is underway after a woman's body was found floating in a Gold Coast creek yesterday afternoon. Emergency services were called to Whitsunday Drive at Currumbin Creek about 2.50pm following the discovery. Police told the ABC the woman was found fully clothed, is believed to be aged between 20 and 40 years old, and could have been in the water for up to a week.
Calls for illegal e-bikes to be seized by police cheered at parliamentary hearing on Gold Coast
A Queensland parliamentary inquiry is examining e-transport use and safety across the state. Calls to allow police to seize and destroy illegal devices, received vocal support at a public hearing on the Gold Coast on Wednesday. The parliamentary committee is due to table its report by the end of March next year. Calls for police to be given powers to seize and destroy illegal e-bikes have received cheers and applause at a public hearing examining the safety of e-transport devices in Queensland.
Police investigate death of elderly woman whose body was found at Palm Beach
The discovery of an elderly woman's body on a popular Gold Coast beach has sparked an investigation into who she was and how she ended up alone on the sand before dawn. Police and ambulance crews were called to Palm Beach on the southern Gold Coast at 5:40am on Sunday after early-morning walkers discovered the woman's body at the water's edge. Dressed in a black, long-sleeved shirt and long black pants, but without shoes, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Hikers rescued from Mount Cougal after chilly night in dense bushland
Two hikers got lost while descending Mt Cougal, near the Queensland-New South Wales border, on Sunday afternoon. Emergency services kept in contact with them overnight before a rescue helicopter was able to winch them to safety on Monday morning. The couple's rescuer says their ordeal is a reminder to all hikers to prepare for the worst and pack for all conditions. Two hikers have been airlifted to safety after a chilly night on Mount Cougal in the Gold Coast hinterland.
Meet the competitive centenarian challenging the ageing stereotype
At 101, Henry Young lives up to his family name more than the number before it. He says it is "ridiculous" that he regularly competes in international tennis tournaments where his opponents are sometimes several decades his junior. But, he thinks it is more ridiculous that more senior citizens are not gracing the court. "There's no reason why everybody shouldn't be there, it's just a matter of looking after yourself and enjoying yourself." he said.
Surfing champions oppose proposed redevelopment of Snapper Rocks foreshore
Draft plans to redevelop land around one of Queensland's southernmost beaches have sparked community outrage and concern from former world champion surfers who cut their teeth at the famous break. The concept images for Gold Coast City Council's proposed 20-year masterplan for the Snapper Rocks to Rainbow Bay Foreshore make the area look modern and clean.
World championship boxer Che Kenneally's battle to pay to fight for title
Before Che Kenneally can step into the ring to defend a boxing world title next month, the 30-year-old Gold Coaster must raise thousands of dollars for the privilege. As a professional boxer, Kenneally's light-heavyweight bouts have to be sanctioned by one of the sport's governing bodies — in Kenneally's case, the World Boxing Association (WBA).
Police launch homicide investigation after man found dead in Gold Coast hotel room
Police have launched a homicide investigation after the discovery of a man's body in a Gold Coast hotel room. The 35-year-old Nerang man was found dead inside a room at the Hinterland Hotel at about 11am on Saturday. Yesterday an autopsy found he died from what police described as a significant head injury. The autopsy also found he had significant internal injuries. Homicide detectives are now working alongside the criminal investigations branch on the case.
Batteries behind rise in garbage truck fires on the Gold Coast
Incorrectly disposed of batteries caused seven fires in Gold Coast City Council garbage trucks in May. The Queensland Fire Department says battery fires are becoming more common due to rise in lithium-ion batteries. Gold Coast City Council has not ruled out fining people for incorrectly disposing of batteries in household waste. Flaming piles of garbage are being dumped on Gold Coast streets as the city's rubbish trucks catch fire because of batteries thrown in household waste.
Movie World cleared of wrongdoing after de-scalping injury on carousel
A 12-year-old boy suffered a de-scalping injury and several fractures when his head went into moving parts in the ceiling of the Looney Tunes carousel at Movie World in April 2022. Queensland's Workplace Health and Safety Prosecutor accused Movie World operator Village Roadshow Theme Parks of failing in its duty of care to the child, but withdrew from the case after two days of evidence.
Parents need to stop yelling from sidelines at kids' sport, former elite coach says
The first thing to disturb the dew on sports fields across the country this morning won't be the sun — it'll be the studs of junior footballers. They'll run on, excited to be in team colours, to pass to their mates, maybe even to score. But piercing the air before a player has even touched the ball will be a startling blast. It won't be the siren or the ref's whistle but a parent from the sideline loudly cheering their child, yelling warnings against the tiny mistakes made in past games.
Gold Coast City Council endorses fining people sleeping rough
Gold Coast City Council has endorsed a motion which could see people sleeping rough fined. It's the third south-east Queensland council to endorse similar strategies targeting homeless people in public spaces. Queensland Police say they will not enforce move-on directions to rough sleepers on the Gold Coast. Rough sleepers in south-east Queensland have been dealt another blow with a third local government adopting a hardline stance on homelessness.
AML/CTF Reform - A guide for existing reporting entities
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AML/CTF Reform - A guide for Tranche 2 services
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Beyond the written word, context matters for financial crime
The increasing expectation is that boards "should have known", so what can they look for? With the expectations of regulators and community stakeholders only increasing, directors and senior management need to understand how financial crime risks are practically operating on the ground in their business.
Concerns about children with dry eye - ABC listen
Dry eye is a condition usually only observed in older people, but increasingly, optometrists say they're seeing children as young as 12 presenting with the condition. It seems to be the result of too much time staring at screens.
Traditionally an 'older person's' illness, screen time is causing dry eye disease in younger people
A normal work day for digital native Madison Brinkworth involves at least eight hours on her laptop. Add the time she spends on her phone or streaming and her daily dose of screen time reaches double-digit territory. But when her eyes first started getting red and itchy in early 2023 she put it down to eczema, something she had battled with before. "In the mornings I'd wake up and they'd be really swollen," Ms Brinkworth said.
Couple caring for internet-famous Molly the magpie has licence revoked at court
The couple behind internet-famous Molly the magpie has lost a licence to look after the bird. Molly and canine best mate Peggy gained international fame this year when Molly was seized by officers from Queensland's environment department. The department said the Gold Coast couple — Reece Mortensen and Juliette Wells — who said they had raised the bird after finding it on the ground as a baby, did not have the required permits to care for native wildlife.
Queensland e-scooter rules are not slowing rider injuries as emergency department presentations soar
E-transport injuries are filling up Queensland emergency departments at record levels as the popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters explodes across the state. On the Gold Coast — the state's largest regional council area — e-transport related injuries at hospital emergency departments jumped from 77 presentations in 2019/20 to 566 in 2023/24 — a 635 per cent increase.
Police target alleged outlaw motorcycle gangs ahead of Schoolies celebrations on the Gold Coast
Detectives from Queensland's Major and Organised Crime Squad have broken up several alleged drug trafficking operations on the Gold Coast just over a week before annual Schoolies celebrations begin in the city. A four-day police operation targeting alleged bikie gangs on the Gold Coast and in northern New South Wales has seen 15 people charged with more than 60 drug and firearms offences.
LNP candidate Bianca Stone concedes to Labor's Meaghan Scanlon in hotly contested Gold Coast seat
Television reporter turned state political candidate Bianca Stone has conceded defeat in the tightly contested Gold Coast seat of Gaven. The LNP candidate has been in a close race against Labor's Meaghan Scanlon since Saturday's Queensland state election. Fewer than 400 votes separate the pair with roughly 80 per cent of votes counted, but Ms Stone said she had called Ms Scanlon to concede defeat.
Queensland premier defends Labor candidate after revelations of anti-police social media posts
Queensland's premier has defended one of his Labor Party candidates after revelations she made a series of anti-police social media posts before entering politics. Steven Miles said he stood by Labor candidate for Burleigh, Claire Carlin, and that she was "a good candidate". "I understand that some very old social media posts have been discovered, I understand that she has said that they don't represent her views now, a decade later, and that she's apologised," Mr Miles said.
A statewide granny flat building code could make for faster approvals and cheaper construction
Queensland's construction industry says a proposal to make building granny flats easier may also make them cheaper for home owners. Most Queensland councils require home owners to apply for approval to build a granny flat, with varying rules and conditions. General manager of Gold Coast-based modular home business Volo Modular, Chris Gunton, said variations in local government building codes for secondary dwellings are a "constant challenge" for businesses like his.
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