Rachael Merritt
Townsville, QLD
Rachael Merritt is a reporter for ABC North Queensland, based in Townsville. She previously worked at ABC Melbourne as a producer for News Breakfast and The World
Latest by Rachael Merritt
Thousands of athletes descend on North Queensland for 'Mount Everest' of endurance events
About 3,000 athletes are set to compete in the World Triathlon Multisport World Championships in Townsville, in an Australian-first event spanning 11 days.
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Man found guilty of manslaughter of young Townsville motorcyclist during 'high-speed' stolen car chase
The family of the young aspiring police officer says 'justice has been served' after a jury convicted a driver over her death.
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High-speed 'game' with vigilante played out ahead of crash that killed 22-year-old motorcyclist, court hears
Jennifer Board was fatally struck by a vehicle driven by a vigilante driver in 2021. The manslaughter trial of the other driver involved in the chase is underway in Townsville.
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These seniors had no idea what a podcast was, but now they're the stars of their own series
A new podcast series is enabling seniors to share stories from their lives in a bid to beat loneliness in aged care homes. And it's amazing what some people have done over the years.
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Two German women among those who died in Greyhound bus crash on notorious highway
Grey nomads, backpackers, and locals question the safety of roads in regional Australia after a devastating crash that killed three women, including two German nationals.
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Female wrestling showcases athleticism and sheds sexualised 'eye candy' past
Wrestling promoters say more women are becoming involved in the performance-based sport, shirking sexist stereotypes in the process.
Queensland premier calls for Townsville mayor to step down over false declaration of military service
Premier Steven Miles says it's in the "best interests" of Townsville for Mayor Troy Thompson to stand down after he admits falsely declaring details of military service.
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Loud 'bang' reported as earthquake rattles Far North Queensland town
A seismologist says the earthquake occurred at a fairly shallow position in the earth's crust and was too small to cause any damage.
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Man charged with murder after daylight stabbing in Townsville
Police say the 26-year-old victim and the alleged perpetrator of the stabbing attack were known to each other.
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'What a mess this place is': Australians stranded in New Caledonia desperate to get home
By Libby Hogan, Emma D'Agostino, Rachel Merritt and foreign affairs reporter Stephen Dziedzic
Stranded Australian tourists in riot-stricken New Caledonia say they've been notified of French government flights back to Australia, but details are unclear.
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Drivers warned to lock cars at traffic lights after young offenders mount string of violent carjackings
Townsville police say six juvenile offenders used a knife to cut drivers from their seatbelts while attempting to steal their cars, as tensions regarding youth crime continue to simmer in Queensland.
Pointed towards the sky, this Australian-first rocket is set to blast a small town into the global spotlight
It's taken the Gilmour brothers nearly 10 years to build and design a locally made orbital rocket. Space enthusiasts are set to flock to north Queensland to see it lift off.
Long-serving Townsville mayor ousted in favour of disendorsed state One Nation candidate
After 12 years in office, outgoing Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill says parts of the community are "angry at everyone", as she steps down with no plans for another political tilt.
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Don’t be fooled by its small fangs. One bite from this snake can kill you in less than 30 minutes
With venom that can induce death in less than half an hour, it's no surprise the eastern brown snake is responsible for the highest number of snake fatalities in Australia.
Father killed by snake bite at childcare centre was 'doing his very best to keep the children safe'
The rare snake bite death of a Townsville dad has highlighted a retired catcher's concerns about the risks of untrained handlers trying to relocate the venomous reptiles.
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With 55,000 cars stolen across Australia last financial year, ABS figures reveal household crimes are rising in Qld and NT
By Cindy Wockner, Rachael Merritt, and Tobi Loftus
New data reveals the worst states and territories in Australia for car thefts, home invasions and other crimes during the last financial year.
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Cost of living, youth crime lead voters to kick incumbents across regional Queensland
By Tobi Loftus and regional Queensland reporters
A mood for change has swept through regional Queensland, with voters punishing incumbent mayors in several major cities.
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Man fined almost $145,000 for ploughing path through national park to access property
A Townsville man has caused extensive damage to a national park after using a front loader to create a path to his property.
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A family came within metres of a crocodile in a swimming hole. So why didn't it attack?
Wildlife experts explain possible reasons a 3-metre crocodile lurking in a popular creek didn't strike out at a family playing frighteningly close as a search discovers more crocs nearby.
Mother swimming with children unknowingly films 'sizeable' crocodile at popular Townsville swimming spot
Alicia May filmed the swim with her children at a popular creek, but it was only when she was watching the footage that she spotted a dark shape lurking beneath the surface. Wildlife officers later estimated it to be a 3m crocodile.
Carla found a phone on the ocean floor while scuba diving. When she turned it on, a message appeared
A Victorian couple thought never "in a million years" would they again see their mobile phone lost overboard on a Valentine's Day getaway to the Great Barrier Reef.
Cultural program that tackles youth crime by sending repeat offenders to remote places is extended
The Queensland government has extended a program which sends serial repeat offenders to remote locations in a bid to address the state's youth crime issues and take pressure off the juvenile detention system.
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First glimpse of historic rocket set to launch Australia into the space age
A Queensland-built rocket will strive to reach orbit from the northern town of Bowen in what company bosses say is the first locally made craft to lift-off from Australian soil.
Former school principal used access to children to make child exploitation material, court hears
Photographs a North Queensland principal took of unknowing students showed "clear sexual intent", a court has heard.
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Researchers use CT scans to peer inside the 100-million-year-old jaws of an ancient marine reptile
The rare Australian elasmosaur fossil gained global attention when it was discovered on an outback Queensland property in 2022.