The hunt for the missing Belgian backpacker, who disappeared after a night out on May 31, is formally referred to the NSW coroner in a move that ends the official police search.

From phoning war widows and having a chat to ease isolation, to walking a service dog down the driveway, younger veterans are finding creative ways to make this Anzac Day count.

Queensland's Chief Health Officer refuses to budge on a decision criticised as "bureaucratic overreach" after an Anzac Day flyover is banned due to coronavirus restrictions, with the state recording another two cases.

For Country Women's Association secretary and cookery judge Pam Wright, whose uncle died a POW and whose father succumbed to his war injuries, Anzac biscuits mean more than just a delicious treat.

As beaches reopen on the Gold Coast, mayor Tom Tate has called on the Federal Government to allow the "gradual" return of the city's crippled hospitality industry.

An infant baby girl is recovering in a Queensland hospital with life threating injuries after allegedly being assaulted by her mother last month.

Lemonade stalls, street libraries and honesty boxes have popped up all over Brisbane's streets as residents look for ways to keep engaged in their community during isolation.

A man accused of murdering his 45-year-old ex-partner at a home north of Brisbane, picked up a sledgehammer and hit her over the back of the head, police allege.

Federal LNP MP Andrew Laming has told parents to leave their children unsupervised at schools, and call the police if the principal refuses to accept them.

While Australians debate privacy issues around the new COVIDSafe app, those in rural areas are being forced to go to great lengths just to activate the app before even being able to use it.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announces a partial resumption of schools from next week for kindergarten, prep, year 1 and high school seniors.

A 14-week coronavirus drug trial involving volunteer military personnel has resumed despite previous concerns from doctors and veterans about its ethics.

It was once a holiday destination favoured by US presidents and Hollywood starlets, but Port Douglas in Far North Queensland has turned into a ghost town due to coronavirus travel restrictions.

It's an open-and-shut case of home invasion as a wildlife carer captures Novak the beak-and-enter artist refusing to accept the "no entry" rule.

The Mount Isa Medical Centre is taking over the testing service to ensure people with respiratory symptoms are checked, despite no cases being recorded in the city.

The 80-year-old from Beaudesert broke her hip and was unable to move for more than four days.

Mother's Milk Bank is hoping four mothers in every 100 can donate breast milk to help build a reserve for emergency events like fire, drought, floods, and now a global pandemic.

Gold Coast builders have backed calls for urgent industry stimulus measures and say restoring confidence is the key to saving the local construction sector.

The Little Stevies

ABC North Coast resident arts reviewer, Jeanti St Clair looks at the latest music and theatre to hit the region.

MORNING BRIEFING: Photos shared on social media appear to show two NRL players defying coronavirus restrictions on a camping trip on the NSW Mid-North Coast, while aged care homes say the PM's advice on visitors is "cavalier and careless".

Metadata has not provided any evidence the allegedly falsified annual report was downloaded from the City of Sydney website by anyone in Energy Minister Angus Taylor's office, NSW police confirm.

Farmers are finally starting to pick up the pieces from a devastating drought, but now those on the land say they have an even bigger issue as the wild dog problem strengthens.

A Supreme Court Justice says allegations made by Robert Xie's legal team that a "dishonest" witness "covered up material" are among the most serious he's heard, as the former surgeon prepares to appeal his five murder convictions.

People are being urged to batten down the hatches as the cold weather hits, including sheep graziers who could lose animals to the potentially deadly chill.

Widespread soaking rain in the New South Wales Central West has upped farmers' confidence for a bumper winter cropping season.

MORNING BRIEFING: People in NSW are warned they should still practice social-distancing as coronavirus restrictions are eased from today, while two men are shot in Merrylands in what is believed to be a targeted attack.

Ms Berejiklian says there needs to be better communication between aged care facilities and relatives after a 13th person has died from coronavirus at the Newmarch House.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese has endorsed Bega Valley Shire Mayor Kristy McBain after she nominated for pre-selection to contest the Eden-Monaro by-election.

A judge says the attack on Pakistani national Zeeshan Akbar, who was stabbed to death at a Caltex outlet in Queanbeyan in 2017 during a robbery, was an act of "unmitigated cowardice".

Gail Baker's dying wish has been granted, with her sister allowed a travel exemption to fly to Australia from New Zealand to care for her in her final days.

A disability carer has been charged with 16 offences including counts of producing child abuse materials, after an investigation into a care home in Sydney's west.

The Eastern Creek man was arrested on alleged abuse charges of adults and children at a disability care home

MORNING BRIEFING: The aged care facility in Sydney's west is stepping up measures to address an outbreak of coronavirus after a staff member worked six shifts with mild symptoms.

A Sydney school is shut after a student tests positive for COVID-19 but Gladys Berejiklian says all children could be back in classrooms full-time by the end of May.

Sydney arts centre Carriageworks says the coronavirus pandemic has caused an "irreparable loss of income" after six months of events were cancelled or postponed.

In the five months since her house was destroyed, Tod Adams has been at war with government agencies because the Fires Near Me app suggests her home was not affected.

The marketing body representing businesses in Surfers Paradise says clubs could "reinvent themselves"' to stay competitive after coronavirus restrictions ease.

Outbreaks at two locations — one in Sydney and one in Melbourne — are behind many of the new COVID-19 cases identified in the past week.

The latest Bond... James Bond.

Bond. James Bond. Brilliant. Just Brilliant.

NORPA boxes up 2012 with a Symphony

These wallflowers are both touching and charming in this adaptation of the popular novel.

A John Hughes-esq teen coming-of-age film where the outcasts are the interesting folk and a shy wallflower with a mysterious past can shine.

It's "Die Hard in the White House" as Gerard Butler seeks to save the day, but this action drama packs few real thrills.

This 911 thriller has a strong start and a good performance from Halle Berry but things fall apart in a stupid third act.

A dark Swedish tale about both ends of society.

Never mind melodic punk, here's where it all started.