Our Journalists

Brendan O’Malley has been a journalist with The Courier-Mail and Quest Newspapers for 30 years, covering Council, state politics, the environment, science and the far north Qld bureau. He currently covers courts and local issues in Brisbane’s inner-west, southwest, inner south and inner north suburbs.

Brendan O'Malley

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Local

This rare Dalmatian magpie was seen recently at the Sherwood Arboretum.

Rare Dalmatian magpie spotted at Brisbane park

It might look a bit weird to some people, bird watchers are in a flap over this unusual Aussie native found in a westside park.

Local

Red imported fire ant nests have been found at Brendale. pine rivers press fire ants

Fire ant quarantine zone 10km from NSW border

Fire ants are poised to cross into NSW for the first time, with the latest interstate quarantine zone within about 10km of the border.

Local

Kenmore Clinics has opened a dedicated respiratory clinic to assess people with symptoms similar to coronavirus infections.

Free coronavirus testing clinic opens on westside

The first clinic in Brisbane’s west dedicated to testing people with COVID-19 symptoms has opened. In more good news, it’s free.

Local

10/07/2001 PIRATE: ##NOT FOR EDITORIAL USE - COPYRIGHTED FOR ADVERTORIAL USE ONLY## University of Queensland students talking amongst the Great Court pillars - education uq qld M7924458

UQ faces half billion dollar loss if pandemic drags on

The University of Queensland will lose at least $240 million this year as COVID-19 decimates foreign student enrolments, but the figure could end up being twice as high.

Local

NIEDERHOLLABRUNN, AUSTRIA - APRIL 21: (EDITORS NOTE: Multiple exposures were combined to produce this image.) Startrails are seen during the Lyrids meteor shower over Michaelskapelle on April 21, 2020 in Niederhollabrunn, Austria. The clear skies created by the New Moon coincide with the Lyrid meteor shower, an annual display caused by the Earth passing through a cloud of debris from a comet called C/186 Thatcher. (Photo by Thomas Kronsteiner/Getty Images)

How to see tonight’s meteor shower without risking $1335 fine

One of the night sky’s favourite light shows, the Lyrids meteor shower, peaks tonight and tomorrow night. But don’t risk a fine and go to a lookout.

South West

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, flanked by Health Minister Steven Miles, is seen during a press conference at Parliament House in Brisbane, Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Queensland has recorded no new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours. (AAP Image/Dan Peled) NO ARCHIVING

NEW DETAILS: West Brisbane coronavirus cases revealed

New statistics released today by the Queensland Government show how many confirmed COVID-19 cases there have been in Brisbane and where people acquired the virus. Here’s how the west and south-west suburbs have been impacted.

Local

Police talk to people at the New Farm farmer markets.People not doing the right thing with Social distancing in Brisbane. Saturday April 18, 2020. (AAP image, John Gass)

Five westside places where police have caught COVID-19 lawbreakers

Westside police have had to hand out only a few fines for breaking social distancing rules, but they’ve been kept busy at some scenic areas.

Local

This beautiful house at 16 Sutton St, Chelmer, recently sold for about $1.6 mililon despite the disruption from coronavirus.

Is now a good time to sell your house? We ask the top agents

Are houses selling at the moment? Which suburbs are hot and what price brackets are moving? We asked seven experts.

Local

Elite westside private school cuts fees 15 per cent

An elite westside school has slashed fees by 15 per cent and another has refunded co-curricular charges. What have the others done?

Local

Exterior of Atira Glen Road Student Accommodation at 33 Glen Road, Toowong, Monday, April 20, 2020 - Picture: Richard Walker

Fears Toowong homeless plan will put children at risk

Residents fear the safety of their suburb could be at risk for years to come under a plan to move at-risk people to a student highrise.

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/journalists/brendan-omalley/page/187