How ‘space balls’ launched a sleepy Queensland beach town into the global spotlight at warp speed

Forest Beach, a town of fewer than 1,500 people about 90 minutes north of Townsville, became unexpectedly the centre of attention. Photograph: Lisa Scobie

When pieces of mysterious space debris washed up on the beach at her sleepy coastal community in north Queensland, Lisa Scobie’s first thoughts were about making sure everyone was safe.

But days later the local takeaway shop owner had settled on another reaction to what had become international news.