Friends, cake, presents and games are all essential experiences for a kid's birthday party, but in recent times these celebrations have been a casualty. One mum shares how she's throwing her son a virtual birthday party.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announces a partial resumption of schools from next week for kindergarten, prep, year 1 and high school seniors.

Falling temperatures on the Sunshine Coast may be leading to an increase in false fire alarms, experts say.

A 14-week coronavirus drug trial involving volunteer military personnel has resumed despite previous concerns from doctors and veterans about its ethics.

Removalist John Siaki specialises in helping women in abusive relationships flee to safety and says the demand for his service has increased by 60 per cent since coronavirus restrictions were introduced.

It was once a holiday destination favoured by US presidents and Hollywood starlets, but Port Douglas in Far North Queensland has turned into a ghost town due to coronavirus travel restrictions.

The former workers of a north-west Queensland mine, who have been waiting for their wages for more than six months, see a reprieve with the company put into liquidation.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says her Government is developing a road map to reopen Queensland's tourist trade, first for domestic travellers and then as soon as possible to New Zealanders.

A Sunshine Coast man launches a campaign to reinvigorate community organisation Rotary by attracting young people.

First-time mayors and councillors who are the subject of minor misconduct complaints will get a three-month amnesty, Queensland's Office of the Independent Assessor says.

It's an open-and-shut case of home invasion as a wildlife carer captures Novak the beak-and-enter artist refusing to accept the "no entry" rule.

The most senior police officer on the Sunshine Coast is warning would-be tourists that breaching the 50km travel limit for a Mother's Day picnic is a bad idea and could cost a $1,334 fine.

Words like 'iso' and 'sanny' are slipping into every day vocabulary, as COVID-19 slang goes viral like, well, "the 'rona'. Experts say its creating a sense of community.

A new species of bacteria is found to be behind mystery lung infections in pigs, resulting in economic and animal health benefit.

Authorities say a "perfect storm" has caused a disturbing rise in domestic violence cases, as the parents of murdered woman Hannah Clarke ask Queenslanders to support a vigil to remember victims.

A grand slam of a different kind has seen two Brisbane nurses take on the world's best tennis players high in the sky on a hospital rooftop.

Wide Bay macadamia grower Kate Rose is crediting 'Korean natural farming', which she says improves the microbiology in the soil using indigenous microorganisms, for a large increase in crop yield.

As the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Ruby Princess continues, a Sunshine Coast couple describe their final day aboard.

Firefighters have praised the "gutsy" efforts of police who helped them rescue an 18-month-old boy from a burning house in Rockhampton last night.

The five men suffered upper torso and airway burns in the explosion.

Several major Queensland tourism operators say talk of a 'trans-Tasman bubble' has given a rare glimmer of hope that they will be able to bounce back following the devastating impacts of coronavirus.

The 80-year-old from Beaudesert broke her hip and was unable to move for more than four days.

Queensland's Corrective Services Investigation Unit is examining the deaths of three prisoners over the past five days — two of which occurred at the same facility in 24 hours.

This family claims isolation has forced them to become around-the-clock carers for their disabled son because they cannot access regular support services and there is no end in sight.

The Templeton family, fourth-generation farmers who almost lost everything to a pest called pythium, turn to extreme cleaning — with the help of a $250,000 washing machine from Italy — and are recognised for their efforts.

A Torres Strait art centre has come up with a way for people to get involved from home with its internationally renowned artworks, using DIY kits, after all its exhibitions were cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions

Bob Corbett, Michael Carpenter, Dave Carter

Zulya is a singing, guitar playing, native of Tartazan in Russia

John Gordon

Big guitars take the boys from the country, but the songs stay plaid.

Six to midnight Friday night at the Bridgetown Blues. Go see bands if you get the chance.

Every now and again you come across a band that leaves you wanting more.

What was hot on Saturday at the Blues

The Little Stevies

Mardi Lumsden has a passion for music that tells stories and come from the heart. Fortnightly you can hear her Saturday Breakfast segment 'Saturday tracks' with Phil Smith exploring Brisbane's indie music scene

Gary Numan performed in Perth, on the 17th of May to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his album 'The Pleasure Principle'.

ABC North Coast resident arts reviewer, Jeanti St Clair looks at the latest music and theatre to hit the region.

ABC North Coast resident arts reviewer, Jeanti St Clair looks at the latest music and theatre to hit the region.

Lior brought a string quintet to the Bulli Heritage Hotel last night to perform a wonderful mix of songs old and new.

It is almost impossible to sit still when listening to The Jungle Giants.

ABC North Coast resident arts reviewer, Jeanti St Clair looks at the latest music and theatre to hit the region.

ABC North Coast resident arts reviewer, Jeanti St Clair looks at the latest music and theatre to hit the region.

Tara June Winch has won three major prizes at the NSW Premier's Literary Awards for her novel of love, family, history and language, The Yield.

MORNING BRIEFING: Photos shared on social media appear to show two NRL players defying coronavirus restrictions on a camping trip on the NSW Mid-North Coast, while aged care homes say the PM's advice on visitors is "cavalier and careless".

An angry nursing home operator says she will keep the doors of her facility firmly closed to visitors, claiming the aged-care sector has been "demonised".

An entomologist says it's been a 'bumper year' for moths on the Gold Coast but when will our backyard lights be safe from these 'drab' insects?

NSW has recorded two new coronavirus infections with 4,400 tests conducted. It is the lowest number of new cases recorded in the state since March 8.

NSW Police are investigating social media images where Rugby League stars Josh Add-Carr and Latrell Mitchell went on a camping trip on the state's mid-north.

Public figures have posted heartfelt and supportive messages for teachers on Twitter as Term 2 begins in NSW.

Melbourne Storm winger Josh Addo-Carr and the South Sydney Rabbitoh's fullback Latrell Mitchell post an apology on their social media accounts after footage emerged of the NRL players on a camping holiday with around 10 other men. The trip prompted a NSW Police investigation.