A hat possibly belonging to Theo Hayez is found at Cape Byron Lighthouse, near where he was last seen, and sent for forensic testing.

The parents of missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez, who disappeared in Byron Bay in May shortly before he was due to fly home, say they are hopeful their son will still be found alive.

There are fears important wildlife habitat is being destroyed as a developer tries to enact a 1984 site approval on the New South Wales north coast.

Up to 20 homes and structures are destroyed in the village of Rappville, as watch and act warnings are issued for several bushfires burning within 100km of each other in northern NSW.

An RFS crew drives through the northern NSW village of Rappville, one of the areas worst affected by a series of bushfires in northern NSW on October 8, 2019.

Rappville residents share stories of survival after a bushfire swept through their small community in northern NSW, with one 82-year-old pensioner hiding in his shed in a bid to escape the inferno.

After watching their home burn on the news, Tina Hag, Robert Collier and their four children return to Rappville, wondering about the future of their northern New South Wales town, which lost 15 homes and 20,000 hectares of grazing land to a bushfire.

The community of Rappville in northern NSW is banding together to make sure everyone gets back on their feet, but Allan Robertson is dreading having to tell his partner that their home is now just ashes.

As ferocious blazes tore through Rappville last week, many of the community's young people displayed extraordinary bravery, rescuing their neighbours and animals while fighting tooth and nail to save homes.

From phoning war widows and having a chat to ease isolation, to walking a service dog down the driveway, younger veterans are finding creative ways to make this Anzac Day count.

For Country Women's Association secretary and cookery judge Pam Wright, whose uncle died a POW and whose father succumbed to his war injuries, Anzac biscuits mean more than just a delicious treat.

Many parents across the country are helping their children learn from home for the first time ever, but one man who has been home educating for years warns some parents might not like what they see.

Potatoes have a longer shelf life than petrol, so filling every container with fuel may not be such a good idea.

Former Queensland shadow police minister Trevor Watts says it was a mistake to have "driveway drinks" with neighbours — caught by a police patrol — with officers alleging it was more like a "street party" that did not follow coronavirus physical distancing rules.

Cooler-than-average temperatures are likely to be felt in southern and central Queensland from today as a cold front works its way through the state.

A cold front sweeps across southern Queensland, bringing record low temperatures to the outback in an icy blast that will remain until next week.

Some Queensland residents may find it too cold to enjoy the relaxed coronavirus restrictions that start today, as temperatures across in some areas in the state's south drop below zero.

Health insurer apologises for failing to respond to a young man left fighting an aggressive leukaemia in Brisbane, who is unable to return to his home country of Colombia during the coronavirus pandemic.

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.

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

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.

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.

A Supreme Court Justice says allegations made by Robert Xie's legal team that a "dishonest" witness "covered up material" are among the most serious he's heard, as the former surgeon prepares to appeal his five murder convictions.

Communities in western New South Wales are mourning the suspension of their local newspapers with some saying the publications are the "heart" of the communities.

There's no fuss, no entourage and no star ego, writes producer Vanessa Gorman, on filming with Sam Neill.

Police search a Mooball property as they investigate the disappearance of 42-year-old Thea Liddle who has been missing since October.

Graziers are set to appeal the finding that they used herbicide to remove critically endangered grasslands on a farm partly owned by MP Angus Taylor.

As temperatures plunge it is possible you are reviewing your home's heating and thinking 'could I be snugger?'"

A major redevelopment in Sydney's north west is given the go-ahead days after the announcement of an expedited approvals program — prompting criticism that the process seemed "predetermined".

A NSW Health official breaks down in tears while apologising for the government department's failures in dealing with the Ruby Princess coronavirus outbreak, an inquiry hears.

In the five months since her house was destroyed, Tod Adams has been at war with government agencies because the Fires Near Me app suggests her home was not affected.

If Perth got the kind of photographic makeover that New York enjoys, it would be a fortunate city, says ABC 720's cultural correspondent Victoria Laurie

It's unusual to go to an art gallery and to be asked to not so much look at the art as listen to it. But this is what you need to do if you go the Northern Rivers Community Gallery in Ballina this week.

One bad choice deserves another.

What makes us happy? It's an elusive pursuit for us humans and the psychological underpinnings of happiness are the subject of much research.

12 hostages, 24 hours, 1 Partridge!

Clever dialogue and big British comedy talent make this compulsory viewing especially for radio lovers.

Director Paul Greengrass applies his usual intensity to this well executed real life tale of modern day priacy.

Every week Drive sends a listener to the Festival Films to be their deckchair reviewer. Here's what our reviewer thought of Jappeloup.

Deckchair Reviewer, Denise, gives her review of 'A Hijacking', currently showing at Perth International Film Festival's Joondalup Pines.

Bit by bit, children's play The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean reveals itself to be one of those rare love stories that really touch you.

The return of the superhero is both an enjoyable, self-contained action flick, and a further addition to the wider Marvel Universe.

Wes Anderson's latest is a fun, exuberant, giddy delight delivered in a visually stunning package

Funny and disturbing, this play is a must see.

Australia's first liquid natural gas import terminal will be built at Port Kembla, south of Sydney, with hopes it will secure thousands of jobs and meet the bulk of the state's gas needs.

A report into hazing at the University of New England finds female students were pressured into sexual acts, "slapped on the arse" by a line of men before entering a party and told to lock their doors at night.

Two men are arrested over the disappearance and suspected murder of a New South Wales man who has been missing for almost a decade.