Lillian Watkins
Lillian is a multi-platform journalist with the ABC Tropical North news team. Moving to Queensland in 2021 after completing her dual degree in law and journalism in New South Wales, she began working in print and specialised in breaking news, court and crime. In 2022, Lillian started at the ABC, where she continues to tell the stories of regional Australia.
Latest by Lillian Watkins
Police declare crime scene after body reportedly found in vehicle at Mackay beach
Emergency services were called to Harbour Beach in Mackay shortly after 1pm following reports of a body being found in a car.
Parents who allegedly killed their child by denying her medical treatment appear in Queensland court
The Mackay parents, accused of murdering their two-year-old daughter by denying her medical treatment, also allegedly failed to register her birth, a court has heard.
Parents of two-year-old girl charged with murder
Police will allege that toddler Diana Jane Hanbury was denied medical intervention from her parents which caused her death in north Queensland in 2022.
Yachts in global race forced to bunker down at Airlie Beach as potential cyclone approaches
A mismatched bunch of thrill seekers on a world marathon sailing challenge take shelter in Northern Queensland to avoid wild weather in their path.
Worker, 27, dies after being pinned between vehicles at Queensland mine
Luke O'Brien from Mackay suffered multiple critical injuries. Investigations are underway and operations at the Bowen Basin site have been suspended.
Swarm of mysterious worms filled with 'green goo' baffles fisho dad and daughter
Robert Norris and his 17-year-old daughter were looking for mud crabs in a Queensland creek when they found themselves witnessing something they did not expect.
FIFO parents share their tips for families separated at Christmas
Members of families tackling shiftwork and a fly-in-fly-out lifestyle can often miss out on Christmas festivities, but with a little festival season magic, and lot of preparation, these Australians are making it work.
Police allege man threatened officers and paramedics with a knife before being shot
Police say a man who threatened them with a knife outside a hotel in Bowen this morning has been shot dead.
North Queensland woman charged with murder over four-year-old son's death
A woman has been arrested after allegedly murdering her four-year-old child two years ago in North Queensland.
Weather bureau scrambles to get city's radar online as cyclone tracks toward it and intensifies
With forecasts predicting Cyclone Jasper to intensify to a category five overnight tonight, a city in the cyclone's track, Mackay, is scrambling to get its weather radar back up and running.
Why four couples got married at the same venue on the same afternoon
A wedding celebrant has hatched a one-of-a-kind fundraiser — marrying four couples in one afternoon, with a hair, make-up and photography package for the budget price of less than $1,000.
Remains of husband and wife found at site of light plane crash in north Queensland
Alwyn and Jenny Rogash are being remembered as "active, enthusiastic aviators" after a plane crash last month.
Loved ones of military personnel killed in Taipan chopper crash could wait another year for answers
A three-month recovery mission for a defence helicopter that crashed into the sea off Queensland's Whitsunday Coast has ended, but investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Firefighters in disbelief as thieves ransack depots and steal a fire truck and other vital equipment
Two Rural Fire Service depots have been ransacked with thieves taking "whatever they could get their hands on", including a fire truck.
Married couple presumed dead in 'unsurvivable' light plane crash in North Queensland
A man and a woman in their 70s were on board the aircraft when it went down in mountainous terrain in the Pioneer Valley west of Mackay.
No daycare? No worries. Meet the businesses letting parents bring their bubs to work
With families battling year-long childcare waitlists, some parents in North Queensland are being thrown a lifeline by their employers.
Police allege mum found with 'significant head injuries' as daughter charged with murder
Police have charged a 55-year-old woman with murder after a 73-year-old woman was discovered dead in a property in the Mackay suburb of Glenella.
Driver 'tormented' over brief lack of attention that turned birthday ride to crash tragedy
There was nothing more a father and daughter could do when a car performed a U-turn in front of them as they rode along the Bruce Highway, a court has heard.
Authorities warn visitors to watch for 4-metre crocodile near Queensland tourist mecca
A large crocodile is sighted near Airlie Beach as tourists flock to the region for school holidays, but authorities warning people to remain vigilant do not believe it poses an immediate threat.
Luxury home with star-studded history burns down on Hamilton Island
A multi-million-dollar holiday home which once hosted movie star George Clooney has been destroyed by fire that took emergency services several hours to extinguish.
Grandmother watches killer babysitter walk free a day before 18-month-old would have turned 10
Matthew James Ireland inflicted sickening injuries on Hemi Goodwin-Burke in 2015 and pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the day his murder trial was to begin. Today he's a free man, but Hemi's family say they've got a life sentence.
Queensland man accused of robbing two sex workers at gun and knifepoint in less than a day
The 30-year-old is expected to face court today over what police allege are "serious and traumatic" crimes.
Hamilton Island man jailed for 14 years after soliciting sexual acts on Filipino children
Willie Arthur Mareko has been jailed, for what the judge described as "truly horrendous" behaviour, after he commissioned live streams of depraved acts being performed on children in the Philippines.
Major Queensland mine restricted after truck slides out of control for 177 metres
Operations at one of the state's biggest coal mines remain suspended after two serious incidents in one night.
Driver who killed father-of-three in head-on crash sentenced for additional drug charges
A 34-year-old man, who was jailed for six years for a 2021 Bruce Highway crash resulting in the death of a 60-year-old father, has today been sentenced for three additional charges.