Ruby Ritchie

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Fiona Willan |Ruby Ritchie

As a parent watching his adult children struggle to enter the property market — Sydneysider Eric Betts hopes whichever party wins the upcoming federal election will focus on fixing the problem. "A key issue is housing prices and housing affordability … it's tough. Even to rent, it's hard."Mr Betts is a home owner but feels concerned for younger generations.

Jan 11, 2025 | abc.net.au | Ruby Ritchie

For Hans Schmidt, the sandhills along Wanda Beach bear painful memories. It's only been on rare occasions over the last 60 years that he has visited the spot. Each time has felt eerie. "[Recently] we were two dunes back from the beach, and it was absolutely dead silent. You couldn't hear the water. You couldn't see or hear anything," Mr Schmidt said. It was January 11, 1965, when the lives of two West Ryde families would be plagued by unimaginable loss.

Sep 13, 2024 | abc.net.au | Sarah Gerathy |Ruby Ritchie

When 19-year-old Libby Austin stuck up her hand to be a ballot warmer in this weekend's local government elections, she never expected to win. Instead, she has now found herself an accidental councillor — and potentially the youngest in the state. The teenage university student was listed in what was thought to be the unwinnable fifth spot on Labor's ballot for Penrith Council's East Ward.