Queensland's 2009 'Year in Review' | QLD News | Breaking News in Queensland

FROM devastating acts of disaster and tragedy to tales of freedom and inspiration, 2009 was a big year for news in Queensland. Here are some of the top stories from the year that was:

Traveston Dam

Remembrance Day 2009 will always be marked in the Mary Valley as the day Environment Minister Peter Garrett rejected the Traveston Dam proposal on the grounds that it would be detrimental to the habitat of the lungfish, the Mary River cod and Mary River turtle.

Jessica Watson

After an oceanic 'hit and run' false start, inspirational teen Jessica Watson set sail in October on her record-breaking attempt to become the youngest person to sail around the world solo and unassisted.

Fraser Island crashes

Tragedy struck in paradise after multiple accidents on Fraser Island in which one tourist was killed and seven injured in a 4WD rollover in April, while one Japanese tourist during another 4WD rollover in December.

Dust storm

Queensland saw red in September when a dust storm from NSW swept across the southern regions.

Plane crash at Kokoda kills Dr June Canavan

Thirteen people, including well known Sunshine Coast doctor June Canavan, died in August after a plane crash at Kokoda.

Nigel Brennan released by kidnappers

Bundaberg celebrated in November when photojournalist Nigel Brennan was released from Somalia after being held captive by kidnappers for 15 months.

Hendra outbreak

A Hendra outbreak in Rockhampton in August turned deadly for vet Alister Rogers, who died after contracting the virus from a sick horse on a Cawarral stud farm.

Moreton oil spill

Tens of thousands of litres of oil spilled from cyclone-struck cargo ship Pacific Adventurer and washed up on the shores of Moreton Island, Bribie Island and parts of the Sunshine Coast in March, with the incident billed as Queensland's worst environmental disaster.

Cyclone Hamish

Cyclone Hamish pounded the coast in March and took Hervey Bay fishermen Tony Tyndall and Russell Palmer down with it after their trawler capsized east of Rockhampton.

Kleenmaid collapses

Sunshine Coast-based kitchen and laundry-appliance supplier Kleenmaid collapsed in April, leaving debts of $67 million - including $27 million worth of customer deposits.

Rockhampton bushfires

In October, firefighters battled raging bushfires in Rockhampton that threatened homes, property and livestock, and which had many fearing a repeat of the tragic Black Saturday bushfires of Victoria from earlier in the year.

Swine flu

The cruise ship Pacific Dawn was forced to dock at Brisbane at the end of May after three crew members were found to be infected with swine flu.

Former Bundaberg surgeon faces charges

Disgraced doctor Jayant Patel was back in the news as he faced charges of manslaughter and negligent acts rising from his time at Bundaberg hospital.

Storm Financial

The fallout from Storm Financial continued, with investors burnt by the $3 billion collapse furious the landmark inquiry into the company's demise failed to take the banking industry to task.

What do you think was the top news story for Queensland in 2009?  Leave your comments below.