Phil Staley
Canberra
Looking for fun chats from likeminded folks who love: happiness, animals, sports, horror films and whatever. This place is nasty, you can find me on Bluesky.
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Phil Staley
On the market for $110,000, this outback fixer-upper is one of Australia's cheapest homes
In short: The two-bedroom house at Pentland is one of the most affordable real estate listings in the state. The home includes air conditioning, an internal stone wall and a rainwater tank, but is missing a stove. What's next? Real estate agent Andrew Jensen says they have fielded multiple enquiries about the property, including from interstate. The dream of home ownership may feel out of reach for many — but in a small outback Queensland town, it will only set you back $110,000.
Maritime mystery remains unsolved - ABC Far North
It's been 35 years since the Patanela, a 19-metre schooner, was reported missing somewhere between Sydney and Airlie Beach in North Queensland with four people on board. Three years later, in 1991 investigative journalists Robert Reid and Paul Whitaker co-authored a book titled, "Patanela is Missing," detailing the mystery including the highly unlikely conclusion reached by the AFP that it had indeed sank.
"The absolute worst way to overdose." - ABC Far North
The Therapeutic Goods Administration meets this month to consider changing how easy it is to get paracetamol. While the potential restrictions are causing debate, a far north Queensland Pharmacist says a potential overdose of the drug is among the worst possible ways to overdose and in some cases leads to suicide.
Turtle DJ's, shark citizen scientists and 30-foot kangaroos
In this months Wild Science Show, you'll get scientific insights, insane facts and a healthy does of completely nonsensical attempts at humour from hosts Phil Staley and Dr Abbi Scott. Learn about the newly discovered language of turtles and other animals previously thought to be silent, tiger sharks used in exploratory expeditions and enormous kangaroos found to have shared their time on earth with humans. All part of an entertaining look at the science of life: biology.
Dr Who no longer free - how did we get here? - ABC Far North
News this week that Disney's streaming service will now take over broadcasting duties of the BBC's Dr Who series from the ABC has Whovians up in arms. The popular science fiction adventure had been a stalwart from 49 years on Australia's national broadcaster. So what's next to go? Is the ABC at risk of losing it's most popular shows like The Gruen Transfer or Hard Quiz?
Two more threatened species return to the wild - ABC Far North
Two young cassowaries have been rehabilitated and returned to their natural habitat in Far North Queensland. One of the birds was found orphaned around 18 months ago on the Cassowary Coast while another was removed from it's parent after being seen with a potentially fatal injury. The Queensland Department of Environment and Science's Senior Wildlife Officer Dinouk Perera said the orphaned bird was released into rainforest near Tully in the Hull Heads National Park.
Winning lotto increases likelihood of bankruptcy
A new study from the US suggests a big win on the lotto means an increased likelihood of bankruptcy compared to the rest of the population. This on average happens within three to five years, perhaps something Australians may want to consider ahead of Thursday's record $160-million lotto jackpot.
Birdlife Australia aiming for five million birds - ABC Far North
The Aussie Bird Count is back for 2022 with Birdlife Australia hoping to reach five-million bird sightings for the first time. The count relies on citizens filling out the Aussie Bird Count App or by going to the website and recording what birds are spotted in a 20 minute period. Dr Golo Maurer from Birdlife Australia says there's a focus this year on parrots, with some species declining in numbers in recent years.
The lawn mower marathon man
Steve Hirst spent 24 hours mowing the lawn, cutting his way to a world record and $50,000 for charity. Story by Phil Staley, audio production by Piia Wirsu. Posted 7h ago7 hours agoMon 17 Oct 2022 at 1:00pm, updated 18m ago18 minutes agoMon 17 Oct 2022 at 8:02pm Maroochydore, Cairns, Sport, Human Interest
Mental health top priority for snakes - ABC Far North
Head coach of the Cairns Taipans Adam Forde says he'd have no qualms keeping a player out of games if he sensed they were overly stressed or depressed, even if the player objects. The coach says mental health and wellbeing are crucial to good performance for his players but more importantly, for their lives away from the court. He explained to ABC regional Queensland presenter Phil Staley how his players are required to report daily on health and well being.
Threatened species will remain threatened without more cash - ABC Far North
This week the Federal Government announced a new Threatened Species Action Plan, setting out a pathway for the conservation and recovery of certain threatened species over the next decade. The most notable point among five broad objectives being that of preventing any new extinctions of plants and animals.
Southern cassowary population discovered in northern Cape York for first time in 40 years
A group of cassowaries have been spotted at the tip of Australia's mainland for the first time in 40 years, signalling new hope for the endangered bird.
The C64 celebrates 40th birthday - ABC Far North
You may have used it to play games like Boulderdash, Wizball or International Karate but having a Commodore 64 may well have bridged the digital divide for you. The C64 turned 40 in August this year, sparking memories of basic programming along with after school sleep overs at a friends house who owned one.
Working four days per week could soon be the norm - ABC Far North
Multiple pilot programs around the world trialling a four day working week for employees is already proving successful. The trials, currently underway in Australia, New Zealand, the USA and the UK are being conducted by '4 Day Week Global,' a not-for-profit group. It's founder Andrew Barnes says anecdotally the evidence is already there to suggest spreading working hours in non-traditional ways is good for employers and employees.
Movie star moth migrates like a bird - ABC Far North
More hilarious and intriguing science to listen to from the ABC's Phil Staley and Dr Abbi Scott as the pair talk about the Death's Head Hawkmoth, made famous in the 1991 horror classic: Silence of the Lambs. New research from James Cook University shows the moths can migrate long distances in an almost precise straight line. It's taken amazing ingenuity to study the moths using tiny tracking devices and an aeroplane.
Mount Bellenden Ker tower and cable car mark 50 years of broadcasting from the clouds
It is considered one of the most stomach-dropping cable car rides in the country, but this ride is not for tourists. High above the rainforest in far north Queensland, the bright red cable car carries workers to one of the most hostile environments of any broadcasting sites in the world.
Cost of a coldie could rise as struggling operators call for beer tax to be slashed
A brewery owner in far north Queensland has joined pub, club and industry representatives in calling on the federal government to slash beer taxes, after a tumultuous two years of COVID lockdowns and restrictions.
Man who swam 'croc-infested' river for a carton wouldn't do it for a brewery now
A Far North Queensland crocodile researcher says locals with fond memories of swimming in waterways free of crocodiles enjoyed an "unnatural time" that is unlikely to return.
Great Barrier Reef is 'beautiful and healthy', not 'in danger', tour operators say
Reef tourism operators say they are bewildered by a draft recommendation to list the Great Barrier Reef as "in danger", saying the world's largest living organism is "healthy" and "beautiful".
Cassowaries dying on roads because humans are feeding them, wildlife experts say
Wildlife experts in Far North Queensland say people feeding wild cassowaries have contributed directly to at least five of the birds dying on the region's roads.
Phil Staley
'Small dinosaur' on the loose in Cairns, pet owner mounts round-the-clock search By Mark Rigby, Kier Shorey and Phil Staley Posted November 03, 2020 11:17:05 Searching for a lost pet is never a pleasant experience, but when that missing companion is a 1.8m lace monitor things can be more complicated.
Far North Queensland man searches for pet 'dinosaur' missing in Cairns
© Provided by ABC NEWS Oscar the lace monitor went missing from Shane Coleman's home after escaping his enclosure on Friday. (Supplied: Shane Coleman) As far as missing pets go, Oscar the lace monitor is not a run-of-the-mill case. Far north Queensland man Shane Coleman has spent the last four days and most of the nights between them searching for his beloved "small dinosaur". "He's about as big as they get, he's nearly a full-grown adult male," Mr Coleman said.
Australian stinging trees and cone snails share something in common, Queensland researchers say
Australia's stinging trees are notorious for delivering excruciating pain that can last for days, weeks or even months and researchers now say they know why.
What's causing unusual number of shark attacks this year?
With an unusual number of shark attacks in 2020 some experts say the annual whale migration of humpback whales could be the cause, with the whales attracting hungry sharks. But one of Australia's top whale researchers says the issue is far more complicated than that.
Cairns Taipans face prospect of no home games due to Cairns Convention Centre upgrade delay
Frustrations have reached boiling point among Cairns Taipans fans who are facing the prospect of having no home games for the first half of the upcoming National Basketball League (NBL) season due to delays upgrading the Cairns Convention Centre.
Elvis the endangered southern cassowary loses all of his young, killed by Kuranda motorists
The last surviving chick belonging to a cassowary affectionately known as Elvis has been killed after being struck by a car near Kuranda.
'It was basically a desert': Flourishing tropical rainforest re-established by volunteers as wildlife corridor
A committed group of volunteers has successfully regrown a wildlife corridor in the most dilapidated of conditions.
Cairns ice-cream van owner Mark Little banks on a taste for nostalgia amid COVID-19
It was the sound that stirred excitement in suburban streets: Greensleeves meant the ice-cream man was nearby and a sweet treat was within reach — if Mum or Dad was agreeable.
New strain of deadly cancer found in Far North Queensland frogs
Wildlife authorities say they are concerned about the growing number of tree frogs being diagnosed with deadly cancers in Far North Queensland.
BOM's weird weather forecast for Far North Queensland means '20 to 20' in 2020 a possibility
Tomorrow's weather forecast for Far North Queensland contains an unusually rare anomaly for the tropics — the day's expected maximum and minimum temperatures are almost identical.
Targa GBR Rally puts the brakes on controversial race leg through prime cassowary habitat
Organisers of the Targa Great Barrier Reef car rally have scrapped a proposed racing route that would have seen cars travelling at speeds of up to 330 kilometres per hour through endangered cassowary habitat.
Cairns Choral Society cancels showpiece production due to COVID-19
It was to have been one of Far North Queensland's most spectacular theatre events, but the Cairns Choral Society has been forced to cancel its annual showpiece performance.
Coronavirus putting brakes on bike supplies and repairs, Queensland retailers say
Queensland bicycle shops say they're having to turn customers away because of two-month delays on new stock and overwhelming demand for repairs. Key points: Bicycle shops are reporting supply issues after a huge spike in demand Cycling clubs hope increased interest in bike riding will help change stigma around cyclists Mothers join virtual ride amid coronavirus gathering restrictions The closure of gyms and fitness centres in March has seen families turn to cycling as a form of exercise.
Fire crews in far north Queensland feel unprepared for upcoming season due to COVID-19 restrictions
Rural fire-fighters in far north Queensland fear they are underprepared for a potentially busy fire season because of COVID-19 restrictions. Bushfires annually burn through areas on the Atherton Tablelands such as Millstream, as well as across Cape York Peninsula. John Thomson from the Rural Fire Brigades Association of Queensland (RFBAQ) in Speewah said normally by the end of April there had been regular training, inductions for new staff, and planning meetings.
Are car rallies possible in the age of social distancing? Targa Australia thinks so
Posted April 21, 2020 06:00:00 The organisers of the Targa Great Barrier Reef car rally say they are still planning to proceed with the event later this year, although it would be contingent on domestic borders reopening and would look somewhat different to previous years.
Radio documentary: 30 years of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area
Posted June 17, 2019 13:55:49 ABC Far North Mornings presenter Phil Staley's Cassowary Award-winning radio documentary, '30 years of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area'. By Phil Staley Source: ABC News | Duration: 54min 57sec Topics: environment, conservation, rain-forests-and-forest, cairns-4870
Death threats, protests and political agendas — how Queensland's Wet Tropics were saved
Posted December 26, 2018 06:33:44 In 2018, it's hard to imagine that until three decades ago, the Daintree rainforest was seen primarily as a timber plantation by the governments of the day. After years of controversy, Queensland's Wet Tropics were inscribed on the World Heritage list on December 9, 1988, largely halting development, logging and human interference.
Royals wedding fever arrives in Queensland complete with high tea, 15-piece orchestra and royal crockery
The red carpet is literally being rolled out in north Queensland, complete with a 15-piece orchestra, to celebrate this weekend's Royal wedding. Cairns resident Melissa Harwood is a long-time royal fan who has pulled out all the stops to make sure the wedding is appropriately celebrated half a world away. "There will be a pre-wedding afternoon tea with fancy hats, tiaras and plenty of cups of tea," Ms Harwood, who will celebrate with friends, said.
Royal wedding fever arrives in Queensland complete with high tea, 15-piece orchestra and royal crockery
The red carpet is literally being rolled out in north Queensland, complete with a 15-piece orchestra, to celebrate this weekend's Royal wedding. Cairns resident Melissa Harwood is a long-time royal fan who has pulled out all the stops to make sure the wedding is appropriately celebrated half a world away. "There will be a pre-wedding afternoon tea with fancy hats, tiaras and plenty of cups of tea," Ms Harwood, who will celebrate with friends, said.
Volunteers head for the hills
During a cyclone, storm or flood we realise the importance of the State Emergency Service. But what makes them what they are? And how do they train for unpredictable emergencies? A major training exercise is taking place in far north Queensland this weekend to test the skills of the region's SES volunteers. Far north Queensland area controller for the State Emergency Service, Daryl Camp says the exercise will prepare volunteers for the most challenging scenarios.
Game of thorns on the Barrier Reef
Tour boat operators, with the help of a $1.1 million government grant, are at the forefront of the fight to manage the impact of the crown of thorns starfish on the Great Barrier Reef. This gallery explores how they do it. "Now we will focus on areas like Green Island, Michaelmas Cay and all of the really spectacular [dive spots] that we have coming from Cairns. (Supplied: Doug Taylor-Latt) "We go out there and inject crown of thorns that are on the tourism reefs.
Cockroaches: The good, the bad and the ugly
Before you bring the boot down on that cockroach, do you know if it's a good one or a bad one? Yes there are good cockroaches, in fact it's a just a few introduced species that give the more than 550 native ones the bad reputation says CSIRO entymologist David Rentz. Rentz has written a guide to the cockroaches of Australia in the hope of educating the public about the beauty and value of the insect.
Volunteers wanted for unique Daintree experience
Far north Queensland researchers are calling for volunteers to go on a holiday with a difference and be part of botanical surveys in the Daintree Rainforest. Conservation Volunteers, CSIRO and James Cook University are conducting research in the Daintree World Heritage Rainforest, but with limited funds, they are looking for volunteers to get involved.
New season of game of thorns dawns
Scuba divers have begun targeting a number of reefs off far north Queensland, which are thought to be key locations to managing the spread of the crown of thorns starfish. The move follows a University of Queensland study that found six reefs off Cairns and Port Douglas could be 'seeding areas' for the pest. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Jessica Hoey says these seeding areas are ideally positioned in the reef network to feed other reefs with crown of thorns starfish.
Unique species critical to reef health
A global study published today suggests specialised species are critical to reef health, prompting calls for a new approach to Great Barrier Reef management. Professor David Bellwood from the ARC Centre of Excellence and Coral Reef Studies says the total number of marine species on a reef is not an indication of its health. "We always assumed that if you have got lots of biodiversity, the system is going to be stable and it is going to be able to withstand changes," he said.
Nepal earthquake: Cairns man grieves for his brother feared dead in landslide
A Nepalese immigrant now living in Cairns is mourning the reported loss of his brother after a magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck Nepal on Saturday. Nepalese immigrant Som Tamang said the school in this photo has been destroyed by the earthquake and is calling on Australians to do whatever they can to support the people of Nepal. (ABC:Kirsty Nancarrow) Cairns man Som Tamang said his brother was returning from work about 40 kilometres north-east of Kathmandu when the earthquake hit.
Variety Bash charity road trip takes off from Cairns
For the first time in 10 years, the annual Queensland Variety Bash has departed from Cairns. Geoff (left) and Fred will travel the entire 3,700 kilometre journey in a replicated American sheriff's cruiser. (ABC: Phil Staley) 2354: The 'Aussie Rock' bash car has been fitted with long range speakers to blast out Australian rock music that can be heard up to 1.5 kilometres away.
Investment unlikely in rundown Queensland resorts
A far north Queensland commercial property agent has said investors are unlikely to be lining up to buy into the state's rundown resorts as quickly as the state treasurer might hope. Earlier this week State Treasurer Curtis Pitt told a Brisbane business function that a lower Australian dollar meant Queensland's rundown resorts were a "great opportunity" for foreign investors.
Curlew takes up residence in far north Queenslander's home
Imagine being woken up in the middle of the night by the haunting call of a bush stone-curlew standing next to your bed. For some, it is the stuff of nightmares, but for Jenny Whitson it is just another night at home. 'Curly' the curlew took up residence in Jenny Whitson's house in Peeramon, west of Cairns, shortly after Christmas in 2014 and has hardly left since. "She arrived here and [has become] a neighbourhood bird," Mrs Whitson said.
The power behind Mau
Music is a huge part of many cultures, but what takes an artist from their community to the world stage? Torres Strait hip hop artist Mau Power describes growing up in the Straits, his upbringing in music and where his inspiration comes from. Mau Power is a hip hop artist who goes against the rap music stereotype. He doesn't rap about guns and violence, but about the issues of his people and his generation.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Phil
Contact Phil, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack