BLINKIN U MISSIT – May 2026

BLINKIN U MISSIT – May 2026

News you may have missed, because if you blink, you may miss it.     BEN ROBERTS-SMITH The case of Ben Roberts-Smith has drawn attention to ongoing concerns about the National Security Information (NSI) Act, particularly the balance between secrecy and fair...
FROM BUSH CHORES TO BIG CROWDS

FROM BUSH CHORES TO BIG CROWDS

THE RISE OF LOGGER SPORTS   Call it logger sports, timber sports—or just good old-fashioned bragging rights with a blade. However you spin it, the sport has carved out a reputation as one of the toughest and most entertaining contests around. According to STIHL,...
TWO MORAL WORLDS

TWO MORAL WORLDS

Two Acts of Destruction A stolen car sits abandoned on a quiet, dead-end street. The window’s smashed and the contents scattered. Within minutes, the news spreads online, and the reactions are predictable: outrage, anger, and calls for tougher policing. Neighbours...
EVERYONE’S WELCOME

EVERYONE’S WELCOME

SIT DOWN AND JOIN IN Wheelchair Basketball Did you know that the Wide Bay Burnett has more wheelchair basketballers per capita than any other region in Australia? Just 7 years ago, there were no programs in the region. You may be wondering why locals have taken to...
What’s in a Name?

What’s in a Name?

What looks like a scientific discussion is often a struggle over labels with economic consequences. Pollution is simple. It’s the smoke you see, the chemicals you measure, the water you wouldn’t drink. It makes people sick. It damages land, air, and sea. You don’t...
LACE UP YOUR SKATES

LACE UP YOUR SKATES

The Bundaberg & Fraser Coast Relay For Life 2026   Lace up, Bundy—it’s time to roll for a reason. The Bundaberg & Fraser Coast Relay For Life 2026 is turning up the energy this year, teaming up with Rink Revolution Bundaberg to bring skating into the mix...
LOCAL IMAGES LOCAL IMPACT

LOCAL IMAGES LOCAL IMPACT

Image by Traci Osborn   The much-loved Woodgate calendar made its return ahead of the new year, with the 2026 edition arriving just in time for locals to get organised for January. Still priced at just $10, the Woodgate Calendar 2026 once again proved great...
Phil & Pat Quickfix Roadwork

Phil & Pat Quickfix Roadwork

The great state of Queensland has never been one for half measures—“Go Big or Go Home”. This applies to the potholes as well. With 211.92 potholes per 100,000 people (2024), it comfortably leads the country. Victoria trails behind at 165.05, NSW at 155.01, and most...
WARRIORS OF WOODGATE WELCOME YOU THIS MAY

WARRIORS OF WOODGATE WELCOME YOU THIS MAY

In a place like Woodgate Beach, it doesn’t take long for people to rally around each other — and that’s exactly what’s happening with this year’s Mother’s Day Classic. At the centre of it all is a group of seven local women who many in the community already know and...
LEARN ABOUT THE CHITCHAT NEWSPAPER

LEARN ABOUT THE CHITCHAT NEWSPAPER

From humble beginnings to a widely recognised community staple, Chitchat Newspaper continues to prove that local stories still matter. Serving communities from farm to coast, this free monthly publication has become a trusted voice across the Wide Bay–Burnett region....
FROM DESK TO DECK

FROM DESK TO DECK

FRASER COAST NETWORKING POP UP SET TO INSPIRE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY A fresh approach to the workday is coming to the Fraser Coast next month, with local professionals invited to swap their usual office setup for a scenic riverside experience. Business by the River is...
May’s 1770 Festival

May’s 1770 Festival

Just a couple of hours up the coast from Bundaberg, the laid-back seaside community of Seventeen Seventy is gearing up for one of the region’s most meaningful and family-friendly events—the 1770 Festival, running from 22–24 May 2026. Set against the stunning backdrop...
DINGLE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK

DINGLE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK

Local pride is running high in Mundubbera, as one of its own, Jake Dingle, continues to make his mark on the national and international woodchopping stage. Jake’s passion for the sport runs deep. A skill handed down through generations, he followed in the footsteps of...
HABITS OF WOMEN WHO AGE WELL

HABITS OF WOMEN WHO AGE WELL

Let’s clear something up – women who age beautifully aren’t relying on miracle creams or chasing every new trend. They’re consistent. Intentional. And quietly disciplined in the small everyday habits that truly matter. First, they respect blood sugar. Stable...
TURNING FORGOTTEN ART INTO SOMETHING NEW

TURNING FORGOTTEN ART INTO SOMETHING NEW

The Chitchat Is Looking for Local Artists.   New York–based artist Dave Pollot has chiselled, burnt, and carved out a niche in the art world. He uses a process best described as pop culture upcycling. Rather than starting with a blank canvas, Pollot sources...
THE SEAT RECLINE WAR ISN’T OVER YET

THE SEAT RECLINE WAR ISN’T OVER YET

Eleven years ago, a mid-air argument forced a plane to make an abrupt landing. The issue? Legroom. On a United Airlines flight from Newark to Denver, a passenger used a Knee Defender. The small plastic device clips onto a tray table. It stops the seat in front from...
RED HOT REAL ESTATE BARGAINS

RED HOT REAL ESTATE BARGAINS

THE DEALS ARE FLOWING ON THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII   It sounds improbable, yet entirely possible for an Australian to purchase land in Hawaii for the price of a second-hand car. On the Big Island—officially known as Hawaii Island—acres of land are currently being...
WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS…

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS…

Reach for a Miracle Fruit.   On a 20-acre farm in Doolbi, just around the corner from Childers, Chris Beckwith & Karen Pereira formed a company called Rubyberry. They left the Daintree Rainforest and their exotic mangosteen farm to get into the business of...