ABC Sunshine Coast

26/12/2025

“It's so much better to get a little slap on the wrist from your boss for being five minutes late than what I had to go through.” ❤️‍🩹

Liam Ganter does not remember the crash that nearly killed him, but he is living with the consequences, and hopes his story will stop others making the same mistake.

25/12/2025

ℹ️The Bureau of Meteorology says storms have eased but may redevelop area later. This post will not be updated unless the situation gets worse

Severe storms have eased in the southeast but continue about the Central Coast, Capricornia and Wide Bay.

ℹ️ ABC Emergency: ab.co/ABC_QLD
​​​​​​​⚬ Bureau of Meteorology: ab.co/BOMQLD
📻️ Listen to ABC Sunshine Coast 90.3 FM, or on ABC listen: abc.net.au/listen/live/sunshine

23/12/2025

‘jingle bells’

‘Twas the night before Christmas, in each cranny and nook,
and each street in each suburb
had that jingle bells look.

Just north of the bright lights, Santa gathered his troops of hardworking helpers, divided evenly into groups.

Sorting and cavorting to the carols which played,
amongst the trillions and trillions
of fine gifts — Santa made.

His warehouse which stretched to the ends of the earth
was jam-packed to the rafters
with excitement and mirth.

Such was the buzz, anticipation within,
when Santa’s reindeers arrived one could hear a dropped pin.

Santa thanked every helper for the work that they’d done, and set off for each household
before the rising of sun.

Not a child would be missed by Santa’s gift-laden sleigh, as he entered each dream
of each child where they lay.

Some had left out for Santa sweet surprises and treats
which he kept for less fortunate and homeless to eat.

Things had changed ‘cross the centuries on his Christmas Eve run,
where once there were chimneys,
most households had none.

So he carried a jar of special magical dust,
which sparkled when sprinkled,
for Santa’s entry — a must.

As each handful went glittering ‘cross the sky from his hand,
Santa magically appeared in each home ‘cross each land.

With Rudolph in charge of the reindeer brigade,
every household assured
each delivery be made.

So patient was Santa, as for always he’d been,
for each child to find slumber
deep within Christmas dreams.

Before delivering each gift to each child overnight
he would check they were sleeping so contentedly tight.

Then…just before dawn the sleigh returned to North Pole, to be greeted by helpers,
middle aged, young and old.

Who…as Santa was delivering to each child with success had been busily cleaning all the leftovers and mess.

Joining hands in a circle, Santa, helpers and deer, let go their excitement with one extraordinary cheer.

Rudolph and Prancer and Santa all smiled
with delight and achievement
for the joy of each child.

Then — in voices so soft, like an exceptional choir, as snowflakes fell gently
‘cross their huge warming fire.

They sang for each child waking wide-eyed that day…
“jingle bells…jingle bells… jingle all the waaaaay”.

Harry Donnelly
Christmas…2025

Full story of how poet Harry and artist Keith began to collaborate: https://bit.ly/3Og6jx3
We share Harry Donnelly’s written poems on our page .
You can also join his free email list at [email protected]
Subscribe to our Sunshine Coast weekly newsletter https://ab.co/3Av4Mfu

23/12/2025

🌟🎁🎄Delivering Christmas cheer 🌟🎁🎄

Sunshine Coast St Vincent de Paul volunteers have brought some much-needed joy into the lives of more than 100 families.

They had been busily gathering festive food and children’s toys since September.

The donations, which have come from local schools, businesses, and community groups, include dozens of beautifully handcrafted wooden toys made by residents at Living Choice Kawana.

St Vinnies Maroochydore conference president Carmel Barbagallo said cost of living pressures had left more families in need.

“We never used to see families who were employed before and now we are and they’re genuine,” she said.

“They are really struggling to just buy food every week. They don’t want to miss out on paying their rent because then they will be homeless.”

Ms Barbagallo said it also gave volunteers joy to know they were making a difference at this time of year.

“We can do something, and it’s only a small something, but it’s good to be able to do it,” she said.

“We also get the support of the community and that’s what makes it happen.”

📰 Get more news from ABC Sunshine Coast: https://www.abc.net.au/news/sunshine/

22/12/2025

"We're very grateful as a community."

A 27 year old Coolum Beach man has been charged following months of alleged antisemitic graffiti.

A Coolum Beach man is charged with 25 counts of wilful damage following a spate of antisemitic graffiti incidents.

21/12/2025

In July, the man Ms Gry Tømte describes as "pure sunshine" was taken in the darkest of circumstances, after a violent home invasion at their Warana home.

Three teenagers, the youngest just 15 years old, were charged over his death.

The wife of the beloved soccer coach, who died during a home invasion, wants to help break the cycle of youth crime through sport.

19/12/2025

“It was a sickening feeling receiving the official email.”

Customers who partially paid for their luxury Zone RV caravans will not receive them, leaving holiday plans in tatters.

Some people are more than $160,000 out of pocket.

About 140 customers of Zone RV have been told they will not be receiving their caravans after the company collapsed.

18/12/2025

"You just feel all of the emotions, you feel anxious and sad and then hopeful.”

More than a dozen Zone RV customers who had fully paid for their caravans are finally getting access to them.

The company collapsed into administration on December 1 owing $42 million to creditors.

People who fully paid before the company collapsed can receive their vans if they pay an extra fee, while the majority of customers remain in limbo.

17/12/2025

The thoughts of ‘H’
(here and now)

Have you ever heard life’s Guru’s talk of being in the now,
kind of, being in the moment,
sort of…feeling it somehow.

Ignoring all that’s been before like it never really was,
and leaving what may lay ahead ‘til it happens — just because.

Well…I thought I’d give this concept at least a sporting chance, a toe to test the water…
a sort of, splash of fate’s romance.

And I found to my surprise that it was not an easy thing,
it was hard to change the habits that my life of old would bring.

But the glimpse I had of freedom every time I got it right
gave incredible incentive
from each spark this thing ignites.

It was almost far too simple… so available to all,
to be real and so effective,
so I chanced my arm once more.

And again, the feeling happened, it felt so right to be right there, in that now of every moment,
to breathe life’s newest sweetest air.

And what it did immediately was to give to me a choice,
to choose that moment’s outcome
and myself…a freeing voice.

It also made me realise that life is here for all to trust,
‘tis only through resistance that our dreams reduce to dust.

For when we go within the flow life always leads the way
to where we’re supposed to be at, in our every living day.

So why not take a moment just to feel what it’s about,
allow your mind it’s freedom
away from fear, mistrust and doubt.

Be in the present moment, go with all life has to give,
then frolic in its freedom…
and live my friend — just live.

Harry Donnelly
18-12-25

We share Harry Donnelly’s written poems on our page and audio on 90.3/95.3FM every Thursday.
You can also join his free email list at [email protected]
Subscribe to our Sunshine Coast weekly newsletter https://ab.co/3Av4Mfu

17/12/2025

"She had the biggest heart, she loved so many people and they loved her back." 💔

Annabelle Klint-Pedersen was celebrating the end of year 12 with friends on the Sunshine Coast when an innocent trip to watch the sunset went tragically wrong.

17/12/2025

Why the endangered Mary River cod needs our help to recover

"These species were so abundant at one point they were used as pig feed. At some point in history we were fishing for them with sticks of gelignite.”

Mary River cod were fished to the brink of extinction, their habitat destroyed, even blasted with gelignite, but a recovery plan is being updated.

15/12/2025

Severe Weather ⛈️ HEAVY RAIN easing
📷 What does it look like at your place?
​​​​​​​👉The BOM says heavy falls with slow-moving thunderstorms about the northern Sunshine Coast area are easing now

​​​​​​​For real-time radar data, visit the BOM: www.bom.gov.au/australia/radar/

ℹ️ ABC Emergency: ab.co/ABC_QLD
​​​​​​​⚬ Bureau of Meteorology: ab.co/BOMQLD

📻️ Listen to ABC Sunshine Coast 90.3 FM, or on ABC listen: abc.net.au/listen/live/sunshine

📸 Storm clouds over the water, Sunshine Coast January 2025.