Maddie Nixon

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Lizard rescued from drink can by sharp-eyed outback mates

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Maddie Nixon |Zara Margolis

Travelling along a dusty outback road in north-west Queensland, a peculiar sight caught Finn Cain's eye. Not a tumbleweed, but a soft drink can seemingly blowing across the track. The 18-year-old apprentice boilermaker felt something about the scene did not look quite right. He urged his friend Clayton Tait, 19, who was driving, to pull over. "I was like 'Don't run over that can — there's a lizard in it'," Mr Cain said.
Tourism providers urge Qld winter holidaymakers to postpone, not cancel, after floods

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Maddie Nixon |Emily Dobson |Zara Margolis

Catastrophic floods and a late start to the wet season have caused havoc and devastation in the Queensland outback. Regions have been cut off from visitors just as tourist season is set to start. Providers urge tourists to be patient, with "flush of green" to bloom when flooding clears. For most of outback Queensland, April is considered the start of tourist season. The Easter long weekend, school holidays and cooler weather mean rodeos, festivals and camping.
Bill shock for outback residents as power costs soar over scorching summer

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Zara Margolis |Maddie Nixon

Between November and the end of January residents in the Queensland city of Mount Isa sweltered through a run of heatwaves that sent temperatures soaring above 38 degrees Celsius. There was little relief at night, when the temperature regularly hovered above 22C, and air conditioners were being run harder and for longer than usual. Ergon Energy said residential power use in Mount Isa was up by 10 per cent compared to last summer.
Remote outback communities go solar to protect food during wet season

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Maddie Nixon |Emily Dobson

Nestled on the edge of the Northern Territory's Simpson Desert, where red dirt stretches to the horizon and the nearest supermarket is more than 300 kilometres away, Urlampe Station is about as remote as you can get. Station owners Allan Rankine and Shirley Dempsey often make the eight-hour round trip across the Queensland border for groceries from Mount Isa, filling at least three trolleys each time.
Stargazing in the outback

Jan 14, 2025 | abc.net.au | Maddie Nixon |Jacob Round

Friendship is an important aspect of Grant Szabadics' local amateur astronomy group. They've managed to photograph Saturn on the horizon while capturing the hearts and wonder of all involved.
Outback beekeper looks to hire NDIS clients

Dec 3, 2024 | abc.net.au | Maddie Nixon

For people living with disability, finding employment isn't always easy especially in regional and rural areas. But in North West Queensland, one outback beekeeper is looking to change that.
Mount Isa beekeeper looks at expanding business to improve NDIS employment

Dec 3, 2024 | abc.net.au | Maddie Nixon

Covered head to toe in the middle of a 40-degree Celsius heatwave, Cody Hannover carefully carries tens of thousands of bees from one hive to another. He says the trick to not getting stung is to "act like water". "Don't think of angry thoughts," he says. "Try to be placid as."The outback beekeeper thanks the buzzing critters for improving his wellbeing. "It's taught me a lot of patience," he says.
What is voluntary administration and why is it dominating headlines at the moment?

Nov 18, 2024 | abc.net.au | Maddie Nixon |Emily Dobson

If you feel like you've seen the words "voluntary administration" just about everywhere this year, you'd be on the money. From airlines to outback events, few companies have been free from the pinch of the economic climate. So what exactly is voluntary administration? Why are we seeing more businesses surrender to it, and is there a way for them to get out of it? Let's start with defining a few key terms, as outlined by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Outback Queensland swelters under longest November heatwave on record

Nov 12, 2024 | abc.net.au | Maddie Nixon

Residents and workers in north-west Queensland are no strangers to extreme temperatures, but a record-breaking stint is taking its toll on some. Mount Isa has sweltered through 11 consecutive days above 40 degrees Celsius, breaking the record set in 2015. Forecasts predict another five days of temperatures above 40C, meaning more spring records could be broken around the state. Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Daniel Hayes said the extended run was "quite noteworthy".
The sky-high plan for massive airships to deliver cargo across the outback

Nov 8, 2024 | abc.net.au | Maddie Nixon

Picture this. You're in the remote desert and a giant, oblong balloon, almost the length of three Airbus A380 aircraft, hovers overhead. It descends toward the ground without the need for a runway or landing pad, cargo is emptied onto the surface below, the airship ascends as high as 3,000 metres and jets off into the outback horizon.