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ABC News
05-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Uranium antiques a hit with collectors across the country
Nestled in a north Queensland shop, a collection of uranium glass has made a family nuclear in more ways than one. The Fleming family have been collecting radioactive trinkets since they started their antique shop in 1970. "They were made in drinking vessels and mixing bowls and everything you could possibly imagine," Townsville antiques store owner Tristan Fleming said. " It is a radioactive substance and if you put it near a Geiger counter it will go off. " Before: In daylight the glass appears typical . . After: In UV light its glow is revealed. . . Instructions: Use left and right arrow keys to control image transition Before and after images SLIDE In daylight the glass appears typical / In UV light its glow is revealed. Many glass and ceramic trinkets made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries contained uranium to give it a subtle green look. Under a UV light the subtleness makes way for a bright green glow. He said it was becoming common to see people coming in and discreetly pointing black lights at ornaments in the hope of seeing a sci-fi radioactive glow. Tristan Fleming says there has been a rise in young people coming into the shop to collect the glowing glass. ( ABC North Qld: Cameron Simmons ) "I am more than happy for you to scan everything in the shop," Mr Fleming said. "Generally if it is uranium glass, we will have a note on the tag." Before black lights were easy to buy, distinguishing the difference between uranium and other types of glass was difficult. Its value has changed over time too. "Black lights were a fluorescent bulb … that was really the only way," Mr Fleming said. "When mum and dad started the shop, they said there was basically no difference in price between uranium and depression glass — because it was just green glass. " Uranium does tend to go at a premium nowadays. " Mr Fleming said he recommended aspiring collectors use an A365 black light to see a brighter glow. The glass emits a green glow under a UV light. ( ABC North Qld: Cameron Simmons ) Is it safe? The level of radiation of uranium glass is low and considered safe. Powerhouse Museum senior preventive conservator Kristyn Bullen's role includes looking after all hazardous material in the museum's collections. "Most of our uranium glass is on open shelving displays … so it is safe for people to be around and handle," Ms Bullen said. "However, they are radioactive and there is a level of radiation that people are exposed to every time they touch the object." A nationwide Facebook group has been set up for collectors. ( ABC North Qld: Cameron Simmons ) Ms Bullen said the radiation level of most of the items in the collection was less than 10 microsieverts per hour, which was low considering the dosage limit was 1,000 microsieverts per year. Although generally safe, she advised against physically holding onto a piece for a year straight. "I wouldn't be drinking out of them either, because they usually do have alpha radiation which is quite damaging when it gets inside the body," she said. Growing collection School teacher Veronica Farina is part of a nationwide Facebook group where people show off their uranium glass displays. She said her collection started by accident when her son bought her a posy vase from an antique shop. Finding new pieces has become a shared family hobby. Veronica Farina says her collection started with a gift from her son. ( ABC North Qld: Cameron Simmons ) "We love going op shopping with the little torch to check things out," she said. "It becomes kind of addictive." Mr Fleming said uranium glass production ceased when resources were needed for the Manhattan Project, a secret US government program during World War II to develop the world's first atomic bombs. "After that it just became more trouble than what it was worth to get the uranium," he said.
ABC News
30-04-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Climate action not swinging Queensland voters, despite 'worst ever' year for disasters
It's been a hellish summer for Queenslanders with barely a region left unscathed by extreme weather. But, even after a season of unprecedented disasters in Queensland, climate action is not top of mind for many voters in some of the hardest-hit regions. Stay updated: Catch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on Tony Accorsini was counting the cost on his pineapple farm at Mutarnee, west of Townsville, in Queensland's north. "We've probably had 5,000 millimetres of rain since the middle of January," Mr Accorsini said. "We've got a heap of pineapples washed away, which ended up down at the beach." Tony Accorsini's pineapple farm received about 5 metres of rain in early 2025. ( ABC North Qld: Chloe Chomicki ) The long-time farmer knew the climate was changing. "We are affecting it. But what do you do?" he said. Other issues would be on his mind when he cast his ballot in Saturday's federal election. "I think we need to address the employment issues," he said. "It's very difficult to get people these days to work in the rural sector." Out west, Winton Mayor Cathy White oversees a shire spanning almost 54,000 square kilometres — an area larger than Denmark. Cathy White's own property was damaged in flooding rain. ( ABC Western Qld: Peter Quatrocelli ) A month ago, much of the region, including her own property, was soaked by rain that led to record-breaking outback floods. "There's water out there that's never been seen before in places, so [Winton is] definitely affected, and different parts of the shire have been affected too," Ms White said. Photo shows An illustration of climate change for the Australian Federal Election 2025. As the election campaign draws to a close, it's safe to say both major parties have been quiet on climate change. While Labor policies have made some progress to decarbonise, the Coalition threatens to scrap or weaken them. But as her community recovered and repaired, how were residents feeling about climate change? "It's a loaded question. I think it's a personal opinion," she said. "This could be just part of the cycle, definitely. "I think overall that we could all look after our planet maybe a little better, and we all want to do that for our future generations." Read more about the federal election: Want even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 Winton is in the Coalition's safest electorate of Maranoa, held by Nationals leader David Littleproud. Ms White said the cost of living and education, as well as doctor shortages, were bigger priorities than action on climate change for most residents. "People are just getting through day by day, and I think they're the challenges for us, especially when you live out here," she explained. But for Tammie Fogarty, climate action would be at the front of her mind when she walked to the ballot box. Ms Fogarty lost her Gold Coast hinterland home Tammie Fogarty's Gold Coast hinterland home was destroyed by a tornado on Christmas night 2023. ( Supplied: Tammie Fogarty ) Fifteen months later, ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred dumped almost a metre of rain, cutting off her rental home for five days. Ms Fogarty said she was not hearing enough about climate action from candidates this election. "We're not getting the support we need during those events," she said. " I've lived in the area for over 30 years, and we're getting a lot more severe weather events in the past couple of years. " Tammie Fogarty says her vote will be swayed by strong policies on climate change. ( ABC Gold Coast: Mackenzie Colahan ) John "Gus" Kelly is also living in a rental property since his Holloways Beach home near Cairns was destroyed in the record floods that followed Cyclone Jasper in mid-December 2024. Mr Kelly knew climate change was serious, but at 73, he was too worried about whether his rental home would be sold from under him. "I want certainty about housing — I mean certainty, not just bold plans," he said. "I want, somehow, for the political class to take care of the cost of living. "These things would make my life a little bit easier for my end of days." John "Gus" Kelly lost his home in 2023 after Cyclone Jasper made landfall. ( ABC Far North Qld: Conor Byrne ) Qld's worst ever season for disasters 2024–25 has seen Queensland experience more natural disasters than ever before. There have been 17 separate activations for Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) since July 2024 — more than any other time in Queensland's history. The rainfall at Mutarnee destroyed Ollera Creek Bridge leaving northern centres unable to easily access supplies. ( Supplied: Ergon Energy ) So far this year, 95,000 insurance claims worth $1.2 billion have been lodged, which is comparatively low for the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA). "Out of the past six years, the previous five have been much higher and, of course, the peak was in 2022 when we had the biggest flood event Australia had endured," ICA chief executive Andrew Hall said. Tony Accorsini's pineapple crops in north Queensland were not insured because of the cost. "The only insurance we get is whatever we can get from the government," he said. At least 424,000 head of livestock, including cattle, sheep and goats were lost in the disaster. ( Supplied: Shane Wendleborne ) The cost of premiums was also something western Queensland residents would have to contend with in the wake of the most recent floods. "Insurance is a massive cost to people, and it's gone up," Winton Mayor Cathy White said. " No-one likes to go without insurance but, at the end of the day, no-one likes to go without a feed either. " Climate change 'in the background' Photo shows ABC News Radio logo and the ABC Listen logo below it on a light blue background. Hear the latest election news as it happens on the Election Central Playlist. Only on the ABC listen app. The electorates of Maranoa, Moncrieff, Wright, Brisbane, and Griffith were listed by the non-partisan Climate Council as the top five most climate-at-risk electorates in Queensland by 2030. But when it came to the majority of regional Queensland voters, Kos Samaras from polling company RedBridge Group said climate change was "in the background". Ms Samaras said voters may already feel their party of choice had it right on climate action. Seventy per cent of Queensland's federal seats are still retained by the LNP, represented in blue. ( ABC News: Ario Rasouli ) "If you're a conservative voter in regional Queensland, you're more likely to support the position of the LNP with regards to dealing with climate change," he said. "[But] if you vote for the Greens or Labor, your position will be very different. "It just aligns with their values in terms of what they think should be happening in the policy space." The 2025 election explained: Professor Matt McDonald from the University of Queensland's School of Political Science and International Relations said discussions about climate could be an uncomfortable topic in some parts of rural and regional Queensland. Matt McDonald says many voters may see climate action as an "indulgence" when times are tough. ( ABC News: Glenn Mullane ) "If you and the family, and the towns in which you live, are essentially making your livelihood out of livestock or mining, then significant action on climate change sounds like a threat," he said. " I think there's a genuine sense of anxiety that climate action potentially equals the end of whole communities of families and their futures. " For the Gold Coast's Tammie Fogarty, who was waiting for her home to be rebuilt, climate action was a vote winner. Tammie Fogarty says she would like to see more action on climate change. ( ABC Gold Coast: Mackenzie Colahan ) But she also understood why it was not a priority for some. "During those weather events, I wasn't thinking about political influence, I wasn't thinking about climate change," she said. "I was just thinking about survival." Loading Having trouble seeing this form? Try
ABC News
30-04-2025
- ABC News
Queensland dog owner fails to have $806 off-leash fine reduced
A Queenslander fined for walking his dog without a leash says he is shocked by how much penalties have increased. Bart Cwiklinski and his obedient, partially blind dog Luna were stopped by a council officer near an off-leash dog park in Townsville late last year. Officers can exercise discretion and issue warnings but slapped Mr Cwiklinski, a first-time offender, with an $806 fine on the spot. "I was calm, compliant, admitted guilt, I was sure I would get a warning," Mr Cwiklinski said. " When I heard the fine was $806, that blew my mind. " After hearing of other cases in which dog walkers were given warnings Mr Cwiklinski decided to challenge the infringement, but the fine was upheld in Townsville Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Bart Cwiklinski says many dog owners are unaware of how steep the penalty can be. ( ABC North Qld: Chloe Chomicki ) Maximum fine exceeds $8k During that hearing Mr Cwiklinski pleaded guilty and expressed remorse but argued his dog was well-trained and that he should have received a warning. "I sympathise with him — it is a large sum," Townsville City Council solicitor Alana Divett said. "However, the maximum fine for the same offence is $8,065." Acting Magistrate Kerri Fredericks said if Mr Cwiklinski had a lead with him on the day he may not have been penalised. Mr Cwiklinski pleaded guilty to not exercising effective control of a dog in a public place. ( ABC North Qld: Rachael Merritt ) "You might have got a warning, but in your case they considered the fact that you weren't even carrying a lead," she said. Magistrate Fredricks said the law applied to all dogs and that the penalties varied. "If your dog was a badly behaved dog, then your case would be in a higher category," she said. Townsville City Council told the ABC its officers were unable to make exceptions to the law when it was "evident" that an an animal was "not under effective control". Owners have 'absolutely no idea' In July 2024 the Queensland government amended dog ownership laws due to a rise in complaints and attacks. Dog owners who fail to keep their animal under "effective control" in public can be issued on-the-spot-fines. The government states that a person has "effective control" if they are able to physically control the dog, have it on a leash or are supervising it in an off-leash area. Mr Cwiklinski felt Queensland dog owners were being caught off guard and were unaware the off-leash penalty had increased. "They have absolutely no idea," he said. " It is not a deterrent if people do not know about it. " Bart Cwiklinski says Luna is getting used to being on a leash. ( ABC North Qld: Chloe Chomicki ) Mr Cwiklinski says Luna, who can sit, shake and high five, has adjusted well to wearing a lead but enjoys the off-leash park. He says he has been warning other dog owners in the park about the increased penalties by asking them to guess the severity of the fine. "The guesses are usually $50, $100 or $200," Mr Cwiklinski said. "But no, it used to be $320 — now it is $806."
