Jessica Ross

Sunshine Coast

Journalist and TV Producer at Freelance

Freelance Journalist at Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

ABC Sunshine Coast journalist, proud mum to children, chickens 👧🏻👦🏼🐓 Trying to make the world a better place, one pun at a time. Views are mine 💁🏼‍♀️

Featured in: Favicon

abc.net.au

Articles

Queensland family takes on rare disease research to save daughter

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Jessica Ross

There'd be few things more terrifying as a parent than finding out your child has a disease, particularly if it's one where there's no known cure. That was the situation for a couple from Queensland, when they discovered their daughter had an ultra-rare brain disease in 2020. They've since made it their mission to raise awareness and money to save not just their daughter, but the handful of children just like her, scattered around the globe.
Families with 'bond deeper than blood' unite to find cure for rare disease SPG56

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Jessica Ross

It's a cosy scene in the Whitrod home, with the family of four nestled on a rug as they play with a wooden shop. Tallulah Moon is taking coffee orders — and taking charge. The sassy six-year-old demands dad pays first before he receives his imaginary beverage, and gets him to tap his phone on a block. It's hard to believe that just 18 months ago she was non-verbal. Five years ago, Tallulah was given just months to live after initially being misdiagnosed.
Motherless daughters urged to share their stories to normalise grief

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Jessica Ross |Sheridan Stewart

Morgan Hunter was just nine months old when she lost her parents and two sisters in a horrific car accident. The 31-year-old, from Queensland's Sunshine Coast, thought she had no memories of her mother Kerrie — until recently. "I was able to watch a family video for the first time and I heard her laugh," Ms Hunter said.
Rain forecast for parts of Queensland on election day and across long weekend

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Jessica Ross

Showers are expected to hit Queensland over the long weekend, including on election day. Some isolated areas could receive up to 100 millimetres of rain, while the state's south-east will experience more moderate falls. Conditions are likely to begin to ease on Monday, with "pretty good" weather by Tuesday, according to the weather bureau. Falls of up to 100 millimetres could hit parts of Queensland over the Labour Day long weekend, after days of picture-perfect autumn weather.
Budget airline Bonza collapsed one year ago. Will another cut-price carrier take its place?

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Jessica Ross |Josh Dye

In Bonza's first year of operation more than 650,000 passengers eagerly boarded jets bound for cities and the many regional towns the big airlines had ignored. Based on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, the carrier was marketed as a cheap and cheerful alternative to the major players and took to the skies in early 2023. But a mere 15 months later the mood was grim.
It's never too late to pirouette

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Jessica Ross |Zachary Bruce

Leon D'Aulnais was six years old when he fell in love with ballet and went on to learn the art form as a teenager. In his 70s, after a long and illustrious career as a hairstylist to the stars, he rediscovered his passion for dance.
Woman left seriously injured after being tackled in confrontation on Sunshine Coast beach

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Josh Dye |Jessica Ross

Police are investigating an alleged assault on Queensland's Sunshine Coast that left a 60-year-old woman with broken ribs and spinal fractures after an altercation with a dog owner. Kathy McKenzie was walking alone on Peregian Beach about 9:15am on Tuesday when she saw a man approaching with a dog off leash, despite dogs being banned on that part of the beach. Acting Sergeant Justin Zuanetti said Ms McKenzie confronted the man, telling him that dogs were not allowed on that beach.
Final report on Sea World helicopter tragedy that killed four people to be released

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Jessica Ross

It was the peak of the holiday season and a picture perfect day on the Gold Coast. Eleven tourists, from Australia and abroad, decided to take in the glittering coastline from above. No-one could have foreseen the horrific moments that followed, which have now become etched in the minds of the victims' families, the survivors, emergency crews and witnesses. The joy flight helicopters collided mid-air on January 2, 2023.
Financial support of up to $75k for flood-hit farmers in western Queensland

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Jessica Ross |Laura LaVelle |Laura Lavelle

Another deluge has hit parts of Queensland's west, where more residents have been evacuated and rescued from floodwaters. Premier David Crisafulli has visited Longreach, announcing financial support of up to $75,000 for primary producers. The premier has warned livestock losses are likely to be much higher than current estimate of 150,000. Flood-ravaged outback Queensland has been dealt yet another blow, with more heavy rain falling overnight.
Push for four-wheel-drive beach ban

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Kathleen O'Connor |Jessica Ross

Driving on some of Australia's most picturesque beaches is a popular past time, but new research shows it comes at a cost. Queensland researchers looked at the effect of large vehicles, like four-wheel-drives, on the beach concluding there's no environmentally safe level, prompting calls to close off sections for recovery. Off-road enthusiasts argue there's a middle ground, which balances the access, and protection, of Australia's beaches. Featured:Prof.