Vanessa Jarrett

Journalist at The Morning Bulletin

Articles

Emergency flood warnings issued for north Qld after massive downpour at Cardwell Gap

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Julia Andre |Vanessa Jarrett

An emergency warning is in place for Halifax in north Queensland, along the Herbert River in Hinchinbrook region, urging residents to take shelter now. A severe thunderstorm warning with heavy rain is in place for Townsville, Palm Island, Giru and Rollingstone in the north. Cardwell Gap had the highest rainfall overnight with 450 millimetres to 5am Thursday, while 267mm fell at Ingham and 226mm at Halifax.
Showers expected in parts of Qld as clean-up continues after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Freya Jetson |Vanessa Jarrett

The Ingham region has received the biggest falls across parts of the state overnight with 123 millimetres at Abergowrie Bridge. Thunderstorm activity is expected today from the Whitsundays to the top of the Cape York Penisula and across to the Northern Territory border. Power supply will be connected by Sunday to the remaining 30,000 homes still without power across the state.
More rain hits flood-ravaged Queensland, hazardous surf set to batter south-east

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Vanessa Jarrett |Aaron Kelly

After a wet night more rain is expected to fall on Far North Queensland and the coast today. A weak tropical low is moving away from the coast. Flood warnings remain in place for some areas. Heavy showers and thunderstorm activity have continued to hit parts of North Queensland as the Bureau of Meteorology monitors a tropical low off the coast. Senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said some parts of the flood-stricken north tropical coast received up to 100 millimetres of rain overnight.
Gold-rush town Cracow's cemetery restored to honour lost veterans and pioneers

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Vanessa Jarrett

Unnamed crosses stand on the edge of plots at an old cemetery in a small, gold-rush town in central Queensland. For decades it was a mystery who these graves belonged to in the small town of Cracow, founded in the 1930s, but now with an estimated population of only 50 people. At the abandoned and overgrown cemetery, graves had sunk into the ground underneath vegetation, white ants had eaten timber crosses, and fencing had become dilapidated.
From fitness to finance sessions, local libraries evolving as patrons soar

Jan 16, 2025 | abc.net.au | Vanessa Jarrett

From fitness classes to financial information sessions, public libraries are modernising and offering more amid a surge in users and a cost-of-living crisis. Alyson Hockey and her husband Kelvin are the instructors of a free fitness class held at libraries in the Rockhampton region. For some of their participants, it is their only regular social outing. "It's bringing the older community together," Mr Hockey said.
Public electric vehicle charger delays frustrate regional Queensland drivers

Jan 11, 2025 | abc.net.au | Vanessa Jarrett

Electric vehicle drivers in regional Queensland are still facing a "charging desert", with gaps of up to 600 kilometres between public chargers on major highways. The Queensland government had plans for chargers in 24 locations by mid-2023, but the regional towns of Emerald, Rolleston, Injune and Roma are still waiting. Andrew Borchardt lives in Sapphire, a small fossicking town in the Gemfields near Emerald, 900 kilometres from Brisbane.
Experts warn Queensland's Bruce Highway upgrades will take decades

Jan 5, 2025 | abc.net.au | Josh Dye |Grace Nakamura |Aaron Kelly |Vanessa Jarrett

Wayne Sachs has attended countless fatal crashes in 50 years as a paramedic, but one day he snapped. In 2008, a young Bundaberg woman died on her way back to university after her car ran off the dilapidated Bruce Highway near Gympie. "I thought I've really got to do something about it as an ambulance officer because the politicians don't seem to be listening," he said.
No wet for Thangool property in 'rain shadow' while neighbours get drenched

Jan 2, 2025 | abc.net.au | Vanessa Jarrett

As neighbours a couple of kilometres down the road empty full rain gauges, the Schafers' property is a picture of dry paddocks and low dams. Gary and Tania Schafer live near Thangool, two hours south of Rockhampton in central Queensland. "Everybody around us seems to be getting this beautiful rain and we can just watch it go by and wave," Ms Schafer said.
Man rushed to hospital after shark attack in central Queensland

Dec 1, 2024 | abc.net.au | Aaron Kelly |Vanessa Jarrett

A man has been rushed to hospital after a shark attack off Curtis Island in Central Queensland. The man, aged in his 60s, was attacked at about 8:30am. Queensland Ambulance Service said he suffered lacerations and abrasions to both arms. The man was taken to the mainland via vessel before being transported to Gladstone Hospital in a stable condition. A rescue helicopter was tasked, before being stood down. It is not know what species of shark was involved.
Teenage boy dies after snakebite, head injury after collapse in rural Gladstone

Nov 27, 2024 | abc.net.au | Vanessa Jarrett

Queensland teenager Beau Horan is being remembered as a "kind and gentle boy" who loved gel blasters and playing video games with his friends. The 16-year-old died in a Brisbane hospital after being bitten by a snake at his Central Queensland home on Monday. Stepsister Monique Eddy said Beau had been in the backyard of his family home at Wurdong Heights, a rural suburb near Gladstone, when he came inside saying he felt unwell and collapsed, sustaining a head injury in the fall.