Border Cathy
Mermaid Beach, QLD
Journalist ABC Gold Coast
Latest by Border Cathy
How a 'wrestle' with the rough end of a pineapple inspired a classic Aussie invention
In the 1970s, the pineapple peeler was a staple in many Australian kitchens. But the story behind this Aussie invention shows why life's little pleasures are often the sweetest.
Concerns fire warning signs unreadable as new rating system taken up nationally
New digital fire rating signs are being installed on roadsides across the country but some people say they are hard to read in certain circumstances.
Beachgoers warned to 'be really aware' after grandmother bitten by snake during solo surf trip
Kate Miller, 62, was bitten by a brown snake on a beach in northern New South Wales, 136 kilometres away from a hospital. A compression bandage from by a passer-by may have saved her life.
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This school abandoned automatic suspensions for vaping. Here's what happened
A state school on Queensland's Gold Coast turns away from its hardline stance on vaping, in favour of an educational approach that's now being shared with other schools.
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Madonna Schacht was once named the world's 'most beautiful sportswoman'. Her iconic style is back
She was a burgeoning talent in Australian tennis but almost 60 years after giving up the professional sport, Madonna Schacht hopes fashion can keep her fond memories alive.
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The Tweed still 'raw' as residents mark anniversary of devastating floods
A Tweed resident says "the promises stopped coming" six months after flooding which exposed the region's vulnerability to natural disasters.
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'The scariest thing was the speed': Firefighters' grim warning over EV lithium-ion batteries
Australia is "not prepared" for the risk posed by lithium-ion batteries used in e-scooters, cars and bikes, which have been linked to hundreds of blazes across the country, a firefighters' union warns.
Nude Up Australia revellers to disrobe in Queensland's Scenic Rim but secrecy abounds
Strict security will be in place for this festival and its location withheld from everyone but ticketholders, to keep out those who can't differentiate between nudism and sex, the organiser says.
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Beach cabanas are a cool craze but they're causing problems for surf lifesavers
From constantly moving the patrol set-up to kids being unable to find their families — a Queensland lifesaver says the rising popularity of beach cabanas is creating issues.
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Gold Coast charity to make Guinness World Record attempt for Kids in Care presents
A Gold Coast charity will attempt to create the world's longest line of gift-wrapped presents this weekend as it works to create a little Christmas cheer for children in residential care.
Countdown to light rail construction, businesses pivot to cope
Mermaid Beach businesses face a conundrum as stage three of the Gold Coast Light Rail gears up to start construction on their doorstep.
Pan Pac masters competitors are back with a $20 million boost
A shark attack survivor and a multiple transplant recipient are among the participants at an event that draws thousands of competitors from around the world.
'This is me': When Rae thinks about art, she reaches for her shotgun
By Sally Eeles and Cathy Border
Rae Saheli has been a competitive clay target shooter for 20 years. Somehow it made sense to incorporate her shotgun into her approach to art.
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International entries among 'lit up' sculptures expected to draw record crowds to Gold Coast festival
From milk crate installations to copper blasted with a shotgun, artists are placing their finishing touches on works ahead of Queensland's Swell Sculpture Festival, which begins on Friday.
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Supermarket staff 'pushed and abused' while attempting to stop brazen thieves walking out with unpaid goods
Gold Coast supermarket manager Janet Doyle says her family business has become the target of "desperate" thieves, stealing everything from sandwiches to meat.
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Shooters set sights on feral species in NSW following rise in fox and hare numbers
Shooters and trappers are called in to deal with increased feral animal activity recorded by monitoring cameras in the state's north.
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Police station, courthouse could be demolished as part of Gold Coast Light Rail expansion
A state MP is calling for clarity around where a new police station will be built in Coolangatta if the building and nearby courthouse are demolished as part of the light rail expansion.
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Foreign students returning as Southport named Queensland's most multicultural suburb
Queensland's most multicultural suburb is a hive of activity as foreign students make their return after the easing of COVID restrictions.
Museum staff take unusual medical history exhibition to new level
Opium for kids' toothaches, electrical therapy machines for baldness, and blood-sucking leeches were once touted as treatments for common ailments, and they are all on display at the new Cure All exhibition.
Looking to earn a crust? Help this baker find staff and the bread is free
What started out as a joke has turned into a cry for help from a northern New South Wales bakery desperate to attract workers.
'There's just no room to move': Cafe boss warns small businesses will disappear without local customer support
Inflation and the rising cost of living cause chaos for business owners and customers as coffee and vegies become the latest budget-breaking items.
'We're in survival mode': Businesses battling to recover
After enduring COVID, border closures and a blow from Mother Nature, businesses on the Queensland-NSW border are fighting for a return to normal.
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Flood survivors volunteer to help others rebuild after disaster
An 81-year-old man and his 64-year-old mate have shrugged off their own woes to volunteer to pick up and deliver furniture to flood-affected residents in the northern NSW town of Chinderah.
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Contracted first home buyers fear Queensland sunset clause will throw them back to square one
A first home buyer who signed an off-the-plan contract 14 months ago is among those at the mercy of a sunset clause enabling developers to cancel contracts, potentially throwing her back to square one in an inflated housing market.
Nine-year-old Harry has incurable, fatal illness, but NDIA still cut his treatment plan by nearly half
Harry Williams needs all the assistance he can get from the NDIA but, instead, it has decided to cut his funding by almost half.
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