Ului threat passes

CYCLONE Ului has ripped roofs off scores of homes, driven boats ashore and cut power to thousands of houses in Queensland.

Carney's mate hoses down burning issue

Todd Carney's mate, who was treated in hospital for burns on New Year's Day after what the troubled Sydney Roosters star claims was a practical joke gone wrong, has leapt to the defence of the 23-year-old playmaker. Brad Smith, who was celebrating the end of last year with Carney and other friends at Airlie Beach when he was set alight and received burns to his buttocks, yesterday issued a statement to Channel Nine to put an end to the issue that has sparked questions about whether the former representative star has reformed himself after being sacked by the Raiders in 2008. "I just want to set the record straight about the media reporting going on," Smith said. "I was away at Airlie Beach with a few mates including Todd. We were all performing pranks and mucking about and in the process I received a burn to my backside. While a bit painful it was nowhere near as severe as has been reported and I hold no grudge against Todd or any of my other mates. This has been blown way out of proportion." Roosters officials are due to provide the NRL with a report on their investigations into the incident but Carney is unlikely to face any action from the club.

Carney in hot water over prank gone wrong

The NRL will await a report from Sydney Roosters officials before considering whether any action is warranted against Todd Carney over what the troubled playmaker claims was a New Year's Eve prank gone wrong. Carney, who was sacked by Canberra in 2007 over a series of off-field incidents and spent last season playing in Cairns, is alleged to have been involved in an incident that resulted in a man being admitted to Proserpine Hospital last Friday with burns to his buttocks. The former Country Origin five-eighth spent New Year's Eve in Airlie Beach with a group of mates, and is understood to have told Roosters officials the victim was a friend. He also insists there was no malice intended, and the incident was a prank that went wrong. Queensland Police are aware of the incident but told Channel Seven they would not investigate unless a formal complaint was lodged. Roosters officials are investigating but are unlikely to take action against Carney unless he is charged by police or more serious allegations of misbehaviour emerge but will report to the NRL.

Dixon given free ride for missing the boat

Qantas has proved it is not so heartless in its dealings with former employees. The Flying Marsupial for once showed some compassion for its former chief executive Geoff Dixon, who was hit by some nasty changes in the tax treatment of his superannuation.

Russ and Cate share a very merry sex scene

RUSSELL CROWE and Cate Blanchett have filmed a sex scene for the new Robin Hood blockbuster, with Crowe revealing the on-set chemistry between the pair is very merry indeed.

Health officials order swine vaccine for millions

THE Federal Government has ordered 10 million doses of a yet-to-be-developed swine flu vaccine as infections of the virus neared 150.

Whitsunday Airport near Airlie Beach to Undergo Upgrade

Prosperine Airport, also known as Whitsunday Airport, is undergoing a $4million redevelopment as Whitsunday as announced by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh last Sunday.

Smart Queensland Buys

AIRLIE BEACH

Message In A Bottle Redeems Lost Sons

A message in a bottle washed up on a remote West Australian beach has shed new light on one of the nation's most intriguing maritime mysteries, writes Robert Wainwright.

Rare Find On A Remote Beach Sheds Light On Mystery Of Yacht Vanished At Sea

THE yacht was surging across the Great Australian Bight under clear skies and a full moon with a "good wind and a huge swell right up the bum", penned Michael Calvin in a letter to his twin sister Sue.

Bustling Beach

ON the Whitsunday Coast, Airlie Beach has grown into a bustling resort village. New four-star accommodation is coming on line all the time and the entertainment strip, Shute Harbour Road, is bursting with restaurants, bars, cafes, nightclubs and live entertainment. This picturesque town, backed b