Danielle O'Neal
Longreach, QLD
Danielle is a journalist in Western Queensland. She previously worked as a reporter for The Courier-Mail and Sunday Mail. She can be reached on Twitter at @danielleoneal95
Latest by Danielle O'Neal
The surfer who mortgaged his house to create a public surf break
By Sarah Howells and Danielle O'Neal for Make Me Feel Good
The surf break of Burkitts Reef at Bargara, in Queensland's Bundaberg region, was previously obstructed by large rocks. Then Greg Redgard and his mates turned the "unrideable" beach into a surfers' playground.
How experts are solving the mystery of Queensland's famous Lark Quarry dinosaur trackways
Palaeontologist Scott Hocknull likened his research to a crime scene, minus the criminals and eyewitnesses. Now, he's using technology to better understand the fossils found in Australia.
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Failed geothermal power plant will cost $1.1m to fix, outback council claims
The $4-million plant was touted as the beginning of a renewable energy windfall for outback Queensland, but it never produced any power. Winton Shire Council is suing the project manager in the Supreme Court.
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'Home delivery' booming in outback towns as construction costs skyrocket
As building a new home becomes more challenging and expensive in regional Queensland, many people are opting to have ready-built houses trucked in from thousands of kilometres away.
'Absolutely unavoidable' $960m cost blowout for Brisbane's Cross River Rail revealed
The state government has revealed Queensland's largest infrastructure project will open later and cost almost a billion dollars more than previously planned.
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How a nanny and a mini-van revived one of Australia's most remote schools
Three years ago, Stonehenge State School in outback Queensland only had three students and parents and staff were worried about its future. A reliable bus service led to a spike in enrolments and 17 pupils now attend the school.
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Controversial professor buys outback blocks hoping 'best friend' Fraser Anning will join him
From the megacity of Tokyo, Adrian Cheok is planning to build his new home in a tiny Queensland town — plus a second house for the far-right former senator.
Champion bush trainer, wife and jockey banned from racing over Birdsville jigger scandal
Queensland's racing watchdog disqualifies trainer Todd Austin for five years, his wife Toni for one year and jockey Ric McMahon for three and a half years, after photo emerged of McMahon with a banned electric shock device.
In an outback town of 15 people, veterans are finding peace
Veteran Ted Robinson says the isolation, serenity, and a small community in outback Queensland help him find "a bit of peace". Now he's working to give others the same experience.
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Queenslanders want to help save Liam's life, but many can't due to 'bureaucracy'
A Brisbane father battling leukaemia says allowing people to register as bone marrow donors through a postal recruitment program would help thousands like him access vital transplants.
Elders welcome Santos's 'bloody good' offset project, but others say scheme has 'fundamental problems'
Traditional owners are celebrating a "win" for a culturally significant property but there are concerns about fundamental problems with biodiversity offsetting for fossil fuel projects.
Kelsey just turned two but the only childcare for 100km has just been axed
A council-run travelling childcare unit in outback Queensland has been dealt a blow with the service cut due to staffing issues.
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Police charge man over alleged electronic 'jigger' at Birdsville track
The western Queensland man is accused of the alleged possession of a banned electrical device in the lead-up to the Birdsville races in September.
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Why this outback family bought 11-year-old Jacob a cafe
Jacob's parents hope the cafe will give him a secure future and the freedom to be himself. But they fear that dream will evaporate. Here's why.
After eight days lost in the outback, this beloved pet was reunited with its family
When the Inskips' dog went missing on a road trip 2,000km from home, there was not much hope she would be found. But an eight-day search had a happy ending.
Why this outback family had to move 1,100km away from the life they loved
It's been nearly three years since people with disabilities in central west Queensland had access to respite and short-term accommodation services.
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'Miracle on dirt': Mammoth effort behind 'Melbourne Cup of the outback'
Organisers go to extraordinary lengths to make sure the Birdsville Races can go ahead after rain washes out the first day.
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Rain washes out day one of Birdsville Races but punters are keeping the party going
Racing revellers were keen to make the most of their experience despite the wet and muddy conditions ahead of a massive weekend in the outback hub.
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Future police officers could save thousands of dollars with new remote learning options
If you live in a regional community and want to be a police officer, you could be forking out $6,000 just to take the tests. Queensland Police says that is about to change.
How two 'young and dumb' schoolmates found themselves running one of Australia's most remote pubs
When bush kid Grant Champion invited his city-slicker schoolmate Tom Auriac to western Queensland to "make a man out of him", neither expected what the outback had in store.
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Mariana planned her pregnancy perfectly. But when she arrived at hospital in labour she was turned away
Gladstone Hospital's maternity unit has been on bypass for several weeks, causing stress for expectant women who are not sure where they will be able to give birth.
'I love this town': Outback chef Max will be reunited with his family but thousands more wait as hospitality's headache worsens
Skilled migration visas have been a godsend for regional businesses that have struggled to find staff. But long delays in processing applications for them and their families are causing serious problems.
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Ben Galea is a first-home buyer. But the interest rate rise doesn't worry him. Here's why
The Reserve Bank of Australia has once again raised interest rates for the fourth consecutive month, but this Longreach 20-something has no plans to miss out on life.
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'It's not at all what I imagined': Our outback deserts have been transformed by water
Floodwaters are a "tonic" for the deserts of central Australia. From wildflowers to bird life and the rare watering of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, it's leaving tourists gobsmacked.
Why Adam may have no choice but to move 400km from the only town he's ever known
The Ballards love their life in outback Queensland – it has been their home for more than 60 years. But a lack of disability housing may force the family to move hundreds of kilometres away.
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