Bec Whetham
Mount Gambier, SA
Bec is a features reporter with a heart for human interest pieces that inform and engage. When she's not working, she could be smoking a brisket, attempting to grow her veggie patch or planning a post-COVID holiday for the fun of it.
Latest by Bec Whetham
He lit a spark on TV but SA teen still fuming about vaping in schools, despite government campaigns
For 17-year-old Tyrone, vaping became such an issue in his South Australian high school that he felt the need to tell the country about it on ABC's Q+A.
Tisha has walked the same track for 20 years. This is the first time she has spotted ghost mushrooms
Recent wet weather is spurring a flurry of mushroom growth including in luminescent varieties that are delighting nature lovers.
Thousands arrive in Mount Gambier for jazz festival after pandemic hiatus
The Generations in Jazz event offers world-class performances and competitions for excited students from around the country.
Property prices in south-east SA still 'unbeatable value' despite record $2.8m sale, agents say
Robe's historic Karatta House sold for $2.6 million in January and a month later another home fetched an even higher price. But agents say the region's real estate is still comparatively affordable.
Researchers forced to re-collect data after fires destroyed multi-million-dollar Struan facility
Staff at Struan Research Facility have been working from a makeshift laboratory at the historic Struan House after the adjoining research facility was destroyed in a series of fires in late 2022.
Long-awaited development takes shape on 'best beachfront location'
After decades of vacancy, an SA council has given in-principle support for concept plans to turn a former boatyard into a "vibrant" hub.
After a century of near-extinction in the region, koalas are returning to South Australia's south-east
Killed for their fur, koalas were nearly extinct in south-east SA for 100 years, but there are signs their numbers are increasing again, with some marsupials crossing the border from Victoria.
Hopes SA's oldest colonial fishing boat could still be saved
The Rambler is the oldest existing colonial built fishing boat in South Australia. For the past 20 years it has been rotting away at a dump near Victor Harbor but there are hopes it could still be saved.
Duration: 4 minutes 10 seconds
A case of 'worst possible timing' as COVID-19 crushes Jimmy Lassaline's plans for Alone Australia TV show
Jimmy Lassaline was forced to leave on the second day of competition on the survivalist reality show after a doctor deemed him too unwell to continue.
Today is Kelvin's last day making windmills as solar pumps take over from iconic rural fixture
Dean & McCabe Windmills sold 250 Varcoe windmills in 2002, but last year the company sold just 25 as farmers turned to solar pumps.
Basketball courts, swimming pool locked in for 129-person Naracoorte worker accommodation
A large development to house 129 workers is finally given the green light four years after plans to turn the old TAFE site into worker accommodation failed.
This regional nursing student took out a $10K loan to pay for her metro placements — on top of her HECS debt
A state MP is calling for a subsidy to help regional nursing students in South Australia undertake essential city placements, in the same way city students receive support for regional placements.
How 'a bit of country hospitality' during COVID turmoil shows 'there's good in the world'
Deliveries of baked goods, firewood, pet lambs and even a Lachie Neale visit helped these border residents form lasting bonds with the officers at COVID border checkpoints.
Wineries eye further opportunities in US as China continues to squeeze producers
More than two years after China placed tariffs on Australian wine, SA producers are still looking for alternative markets for their product.
Rare earths essential for wind turbines and electric vehicles may soon be mined in SA
The world is "highly dependent" on China for supplying the rare earth elements that power green energy and digital technologies, but a unique deposit could soon be mined in regional South Australia.
Customers still asking for engineered stone benchtops, despite possible ban
As Safe Work Australia considers banning engineered stone due to the risk of people working with it developing silicosis, one leading kitchen shop manager says 60 per cent of customers still want it.
Australian jockey Caitlin Jones competes in world's richest horse race just weeks after back injury
The Saudi Cup's 2022 winner has just returned from competing in this year's event — and once again, almost missed her chance to take to the track.
Coober Pedy locals scared of being 'pulled over and robbed' while travelling 500km to the nearest bank
The outback town is an opal-mining mecca, with large sums of money often exchanged in cash. But Coober Pedy's only bank closed for good last week — too late to be saved by a Senate inquiry into regional bank closures.
When Alex puts on his Human Lego Man suit, everything is awesome
Taking a walk in his human-sized minifigure costume is a way for Alex McIntyre to connect with his community and feel empowered.
Ash Wednesday was 'a day out of hell'. Survivors share their stories 40 years on
Four decades ago, Australia confronted what was its deadliest bushfire disaster to date, claiming 75 lives, injuring scores more and destroying almost 3,000 homes. Survivors share their stories of the day.
Thousands of SA homes nearing completion cause six-month wait for windows
A mass of builds nearing completion in South Australia is putting pressure on gyprock and cabinetry supplies, a peak body says, even if a shortage of materials like steel has eased.
SA police relying on public to find firebug behind iconic Crater Lakes fire
The fire on January 25, 2022 burned through 80 hectares of Mount Gambier's heritage Crater Lakes precinct, threatening the iconic Centenary Tower.
'Vandalised' Mount Gambier cinema wheelchair lift to remain out of order until late February
The wheelchair lift — purchased from Germany at a cost of $50,000 to improve cinema and restaurant access — was inoperable just 24 hours after opening during November.
SA volunteer who died in 'fire that never should have happened' remembered a year on
A mechanical failure in a blue gum forest sparked the Coles fire in South Australia's South East on January 19, 2022. Firefighters recall it as a tragedy that could have been avoided.
Brownlow medallist, premiership player among ex-AFL stars heading to regional SA for mental health awareness
Dane Swan, Shane Mumford, Leon Davis, Jordan Murdoch and Winis Imbi will take to the field in Mount Gambier next month, in a star-studded match to help get men talking about mental health issues.