Vicki Thompson
Vicki Thompson is the chief of staff at ABC Southern Queensland. She joined the ABC in 2001 after working in regional television as a weather presenter, kids show presenter and in TV news. Vicki is born and bred in Toowoomba and is also a long-time volunteer in the local rugby league community.
Latest by Vicki Thompson
Police investigate woman's suspicious death involving lawn mower
Officers are appealing for information as they try to understand how psychologist Frances Crawford, 49, died at her Queensland property.
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Teen trio allegedly planned knife attack on 18-year-old, court told
An 18-year-old has been denied bail over an alleged "targeted" knife attack on another teenager just metres away from a major police station.
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Firefighters save property of Wieambilla shooting victim from suspicious bushfire
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services say it is too early to determine the cause of the blaze, but are treating the bushfire as suspicious.
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Yarn bombing burst helps lift spirits in this tight-knit community
No strangers to isolation, this community has come up with a novel way to use their time creatively and lift the spirits of their town.
This condition affects half a million Australians. But David didn't know much about it till his mum was diagnosed
A family tragedy might have postponed the fundraising journey but nothing would stop David Batterham from raising awareness about dementia.
Mosquitoes are always looking for their next meal, so why is it you?
Do you seem to be the only one in the group that attracts mosquitoes? It's not your imagination. There's a reason they like some people more than others.
These students are learning to drive a tractor and plant a crop without stepping a foot outside
This virtual reality technology makes it possible for all abilities students to take a journey with their learning, and to consider a career in agriculture.
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How prickly pear, one of the 'greatest biological invasions of modern times', was defeated
Prickly pear infested millions of hectares of rural land in Australia a century ago rendering it virtually useless and worthless. It was conquered thanks to one tiny insect.
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After years of sleeping rough, this program gave Clayton a job and a place to call home
After his life spiralled out of control after a relationship breakdown, Clayton Hook spent seven years living on the streets of Toowoomba. He credits Winter Shelter with giving him the tools to reclaim his life.
Community seed library idea growing rapidly
First it was community street libraries, now seed libraries are becoming popular.
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'People put their life on the line to win': Queensland cyclist rides his first Tour de France
It's a long way from the wide quiet roads of country Queensland to the narrow roads of rural France, but Warwick’s Harry Sweeny is racing in the Tour De France for the first time and he's loving every minute of it.
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Traditional healers could be the answer to Australia's Indigenous mental health crisis
Queensland researchers develop a new mental healthcare model that incorporates traditional healing for Indigenous Australians.
A life of advocacy: How the search for adventure led this determined nurse to a greater purpose
From Mount Isa to Toowoomba, Queenslanders have been recognised for their community service in today's Queen's Birthday honours.
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'It takes your breath away': Flocks of chirping bush budgies break silence of the drought
After years of eerie quiet, and a dry landscape devoid of wildlife, noisy budgerigars have returned to south-west Queensland in their thousands.
Forget Schoolies and 'chilling out', these city teens spend summer saving farmers' crop
Brisbane school leaver Rhys and his mates answer the call to harvest watermelons all summer long amid the national agriculture labour shortage.
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'They're having an absolute field day': Mouse plague extends across parts of Qld, NSW
Two Australian states are under siege by mice. In Queensland, the rodents have destroyed thousands of dollars of crops, while in NSW, farmers fear for theirs.
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Taekwondo fight routines leap into the virtual realm at international championships
Watching a Bruce Lee movie as a six-year-old inspired Georgie McTaggart's 40-year love affair with martial arts, now conducted with social distancing firmly in mind.
Time to wake up: Mattress recycling trial aims to cut landfill impact of 1.8 million discarded each year
A trial project aims to reduce the amount of space taken up by old mattresses in landfill, by recycling their steel springs, foam and latex into everyday items.
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Have you seen red dog Tilly? Family desperate to find son's 'best mate' after fatal crash
The family of a man killed in a remote car crash is desperate to find his faithful dog Tilly, who ran off into the bush after the accident several weeks ago.
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Junior sports setting new goals with push for boys-only netball team
As girls are encouraged to take up male-dominated sports like rugby league, Aussie Rules and cricket, boys too want to play sports traditionally denied to them — and they have Netball Queensland on their team.
History-making year 12s graduate during COVID year
History is being made this week at Toowoomba's newest high school Mary MacKillop, as the first cohort of year 12s graduate and hold a COVID-safe formal.
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Unique pups-in-prison program brings hope and joy as prisoners train dogs as companion animals
Female prisoners living and working with pups in Australia-first training program hope it will lead to more opportunities on their release from jail.
Water pressure in the world's largest artesian system recovers
Water pressure in the Great Artesian Basin is recovering as more bores are capped, according to new research unveiled by the University of Queensland.
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Unique outback boulevard memory to fallen soldiers
A living outback memorial brings special significance to the streets of Roma this Remembrance Day.
From ballet barre to weightlifting bar: The Brisbane Broncos strength coach who once graced the stage
Tandia Wood's dream of a career in ballet took an unlikely turn, and now she's training some of the best female athletes in Australia as a weightlifting coach.
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