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Sky News AU
3 days ago
- General
- Sky News AU
Locals stunned after crocodile reportedly sighted along a spit in Noosa, Queensland, sparking official investigation
Claims of a rare crocodile sighting have become the talk of the town in a well-known Sunshine Coast community. Local Ross Buckley took to a Noosa Facebook community page on Sunday to say he spotted a crocodile "a few metres off the shoreline" at the Noosa Spit in south east Queensland during a 6.30am walk that morning, adding its length was about 3.5m. He said the sighting had scared him away from walking in the same area in the mornings. "At first I thought it was a bit of driftwood, but then it moved. I've lived here over 30 years and never seen anything like it, I've heard a few locals say they have seen one in the same neck of the woods, although I didn't think much of it," Mr Buckley posted. "I quickly put the dog on the lead and kept my distance. Emergency services have been alerted and are apparently on a search for it now. Just wanted to give a heads up to all the locals who walk their dogs here early and usually swim around this area - be careful and stay safe. Not sure what's going on with wildlife lately but this gave me a real fright. Definitely won't be back here for my morning walk." The sighting has shocked locals, who are not used to seeing crocodiles so far south in Queensland, especially during the middle of winter. Hours later in the day, another man, fisherman James Graham, said he had also spotted what appeared to be a crocodile on the Garmin fish finder on his boat. He told The Courier Mail he was confident it was the large reptile. '(We) regularly go a few hundred kilometres north into croc waters, and use the Garmin fish finder to look around, and you'll see an old car or a boot or something on the bottom, and then you'll spot a croc,' he said. 'But down here in Noosa, to see exactly what we see many kilometres further north. That just says it's a croc to me, tell me that's not a croc. 'We looked at it and thought 'bloody hell, there's a croc' on my screen." Shortly after the claims emerged, Cairns-based group Community Representation of Crocodiles told locals to be "alert" but not "alarmed". It said while the sightings are unconfirmed, crocodiles appearing in southern waters were "actually not uncommon". "They are vagrants or strays, and generally stay for a short amount of time and then head back north: they are not populating southern waters as research shows their populations stabilising and there is no evidence to support them breeding further south than Rockhampton due to water temp," it said on social media. The Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation is investigating the reported sightings.
Sky News AU
6 days ago
- Sky News AU
‘Much loved' young teenager who died after 4WD incident in Queensland identified as 14-year-old with ‘promising, bright future'
A 14-year-old boy, who died after a tragic incident involving a 4WD vehicle being driven by another teenager, has been remembered as a boy who had 'a promising, bright future' ahead of him. Police launched an investigation on Wednesday after Declan Phillips was hit by a Mitsubishi Pajero about 1km away from the school he attended in south-east Queensland. Emergency services were called to Tingal Rd and Berrima St in Wynnum at about 8.20am, with the 14-year-old dying at the scene. The driver of the vehicle, a 17-year-old male, escaped injury in the incident along with a 41-year-old female and 16-year-old male who were passengers, a police statement said. A GoFundMe page has since been set up to support Declan's family with burial and funeral costs, and the fundraiser has already raised over $32,000 as of Thursday night. 'Declan had such a promising, bright future. He was skilled and talented in a wide array of areas, from speed cubing, running and math through to woodwork and engineering,' the GoFundMe page reads. The tragic incident on Wednesday happened while he was walking to school, which was something Declan did every day, the page said. 'He was very cautious and sensible, always being courteous and following road rules when walking, cycling and running,' the GoFundMe says. The page said Declan's younger brother and parents are 'still in deep shock, disbelief and grief' following the loss of their young family member. 'His chair which normally holds his school bag sits empty in the dining room. His hobbies, toys and Ipad remain untouched. His room is quiet and still. All that can be heard in the family home are quiet voices and deep sobbing,' it says. 'Declan was a quiet achiever at school and somewhat shy, but when he set his mind to do something, he went all in and excelled.' In a letter to parents seen by The Courier Mail, Wynnum State High School Principal Sandra Quinn shared the news ''with a heavy heart'' of the tragic passing of one of the school's students. 'The student was a much-loved year nine male student and valued member of our Wynnum State High School community,' she said. 'I know that you will join me in offering our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. 'As a tight-knit school community, we share our shock and sadness at the enormity of this situation.'
Sky News AU
7 days ago
- Sky News AU
'Much loved': Wynnum State High School in mourning after Year 9 student dies following 4WD accident with another teenager
A South East Queensland school community is mourning the tragic loss of a beloved Year 9 student who was struck by a vehicle driven by another teenager on Wednesday morning. Emergency services rushed to the scene on Tingal Rd and Berrima St – about 1km away from Wynnum State High School, where a 14-year-old boy was hit by a Mitsubishi Pajero about 8.20am. Queensland Police launched an investigation after the teenager was killed in the incident. A 17-year-old boy was driving the vehicle at the time with a 41-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy inside- who were both uninjured. The Courier Mail reported the 4WD was seen with L plates inside the window, with the vehicle wedged underneath the rail bridge on Berrima Street. In a letter to parents seen by The Courier Mail, Principal Sandra Quinn shared the news ''with a heavy heart'' of the tragic passing of one of the school's male students. 'The student was a much-loved year nine male student and valued member of our Wynnum State High School community,' she said. 'I know that you will join me in offering our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. 'As a tight-knit school community, we share our shock and sadness at the enormity of this situation.' She further added support and guidance will be available at the school to ensure 'everybody is cared for in the wake of this tragic event.'
West Australian
14-07-2025
- West Australian
Funeral held for Universal Store co-founder Greg Josephson, allegedly murdered by teen at Clayfield party
A well-loved Queensland businessman allegedly killed during a house party at his own Clayfield home has been farewelled by hundreds of mourners, including his devastated family. Greg Josephson, 58, was found dead at his Oriel Road home on June 26, after what police allege was a violent stabbing during a teen gathering. A 15-year-old boy known to Mr Josephson has been charged with murder after allegedly calling triple-0 following the attack. Mr Josephson, the co-founder of fashion chain Universal Store, was remembered as a dedicated father, husband and entrepreneur in a moving service at St Agatha's Catholic Church in Clayfield on Monday, a short distance from the family home. His wife Tamra and their children were among those gathered to honour his life, The Courier Mail reported. Presiding over the service was Father Anthony Mellor, parish priest at St Agatha's during the years the Josephson children attended the school. The casket, adorned with flowers and a photo, was gently draped in a white pall by Mr Josephson's parents, Mary and Greg. 'On the day of Baptism, Gregory was clothed in Christ. By his word and example, he has lived with Christian dignity,' Father Mellor told the congregation. A candle lit by Mrs Josephson symbolised the presence of Christ in her husband's life. 'May he now enjoy eternal life, life and peace,' the congregation responded. His children then placed symbolic items by the coffin before tributes flowed from family and loved ones. Mrs Josephson spoke with deep affection and sorrow, remembering her husband as 'the most gentle, soft, kind-hearted, generous, calm, positive, happy, intelligent man' she had ever met. 'Some couples grow apart as time goes by. We weren't like that. I loved him more each year we were together, and I know he felt the same way,' she said. 'He was still my Gregory, handsome.' She described him as 'the captain of our team, our motivator, our fun co-ordinator,' and reflected on quiet moments shared after Mr Josephson sold his business. 'After the Universal store was sold, Greg did slow down for a little while, it was a really lovely, relaxing time. I loved having him around more — we'd go for walks, go to the gym together, have sushi down the road,' she said. 'I don't even want to (go on without him). I will, because he would want me to.' Mr Josephson's sister-in-law, Melissa, also spoke on behalf of his mother, Mary, followed by readings, psalms and prayers. His daughter shared memories of birthdays, holidays and ordinary days filled with love. 'We have so many amazing memories of special times spent with him: birthdays, holidays, Christmases, and just being together. Dad taught us that family is very important,' she said. His son said simply, 'He was loved so much by us all', and 'he's now in heaven.' As the service came to a close, the casket was carried out by six pallbearers — Mr Josephson's four brothers, Michael, Andrew, Martin and John, along with family friends Jonathan Breene and Derek Nicholson.
Perth Now
14-07-2025
- Perth Now
Universal Store co-founder farewelled after tragedy
A well-loved Queensland businessman allegedly killed during a house party at his own Clayfield home has been farewelled by hundreds of mourners, including his devastated family. Greg Josephson, 58, was found dead at his Oriel Road home on June 26, after what police allege was a violent stabbing during a teen gathering. A 15-year-old boy known to Mr Josephson has been charged with murder after allegedly calling triple-0 following the attack. Mr Josephson, the co-founder of fashion chain Universal Store, was remembered as a dedicated father, husband and entrepreneur in a moving service at St Agatha's Catholic Church in Clayfield on Monday, a short distance from the family home. His wife Tamra and their children were among those gathered to honour his life, The Courier Mail reported. Presiding over the service was Father Anthony Mellor, parish priest at St Agatha's during the years the Josephson children attended the school. A moving service was held near the home where Greg Josephson lived. Credit: 7NEWS / supplied The casket, adorned with flowers and a photo, was gently draped in a white pall by Mr Josephson's parents, Mary and Greg. 'On the day of Baptism, Gregory was clothed in Christ. By his word and example, he has lived with Christian dignity,' Father Mellor told the congregation. A candle lit by Mrs Josephson symbolised the presence of Christ in her husband's life. 'May he now enjoy eternal life, life and peace,' the congregation responded. His children then placed symbolic items by the coffin before tributes flowed from family and loved ones. Mrs Josephson spoke with deep affection and sorrow, remembering her husband as 'the most gentle, soft, kind-hearted, generous, calm, positive, happy, intelligent man' she had ever met. 'Some couples grow apart as time goes by. We weren't like that. I loved him more each year we were together, and I know he felt the same way,' she said. 'He was still my Gregory, handsome.' The millionaire co-founder of the Universal Store clothing chain has died after allegedly being stabbed by a teenage boy in Brisbane during a house party. Credit: Unknown / Instagram She described him as 'the captain of our team, our motivator, our fun co-ordinator,' and reflected on quiet moments shared after Mr Josephson sold his business. 'After the Universal store was sold, Greg did slow down for a little while, it was a really lovely, relaxing time. I loved having him around more — we'd go for walks, go to the gym together, have sushi down the road,' she said. 'I don't even want to (go on without him). I will, because he would want me to.' Mr Josephson's sister-in-law, Melissa, also spoke on behalf of his mother, Mary, followed by readings, psalms and prayers. His daughter shared memories of birthdays, holidays and ordinary days filled with love. 'We have so many amazing memories of special times spent with him: birthdays, holidays, Christmases, and just being together. Dad taught us that family is very important,' she said. His son said simply, 'He was loved so much by us all', and 'he's now in heaven.' As the service came to a close, the casket was carried out by six pallbearers — Mr Josephson's four brothers, Michael, Andrew, Martin and John, along with family friends Jonathan Breene and Derek Nicholson.
