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ISSUE 002 APRIL 2021

Newcastle SailFest

The City of Newcastle has launched a new website capturing everything happening across Newcastle, helping locals and visitors make the most of the city’s entertainment options.

See page 2

NovoCulture

Get ready to laugh your socks off at the Newcastle Comedy Festival, with a barrel full of giggles and some top-class comedians coming to the Civic Theatre.

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NovoBusiness

The SailFest Newcastle Regatta was held from April 10 to 11, bringing 175 years of sailing history and a fleet of TP52s, skiffs, dinghies, and catamarans to Newcastle Harbour.

See page 22 Photo: Salty Dingo @saltydingomedia

Hunter homeless crisis For the past ten years, Heather Skeffington has owned a vintage wares store in Islington; she loves upcycling and breathing new life into old, unwanted treasures.

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NovoSport

Local surfer and championship tour (CT) rookie, Morgan Cibilic, has made his mark on the WSL after knocking out world champs and seasoned professionals at the Rip Curl Newcastle Cup from April 1 to 11.

See page 24

Homeless support services and tenancy advocates have painted the emerging picture of homelessness in the Hunter, pitching tents and sharing people’s real and confronting stories on March 29.

The Hunter Humanitarian Crisis call to action event was held at Foreshore Park to raise awareness for the limited crisis accommodation and rental vacancies in the region.

The call to action was also a response to the recent cuts to government funding and unemployment benefits like JobKeeper, JobSeeker and the rent-rise moratorium.

Event organisers included Hunter Community Alliance, Hunter Homeless Connect, and Nova for Women and Children, who all helped create a temporary ‘tent city’ to demonstrate the crisis, with each tent enclosing a real-life story.

CEO Nova for Women and Children, Kelly Hansen, said there was an ever-

increasing demand for assistance and crisis shelters, especially after the impacts of COVID-19.

“Let’s be clear this crisis we find our communities in is a chosen course of action, a political choice by both our state and federal governments,” Hansen said.

“This perfect storm politically created has been exacerbated by an exhausted temporary accommodation budget, stretched during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“The government’s response has been to return to previous restrictions on access to temporary accommodation, which is based upon unrealistic obligations, and once they have utilised their 28 days of temporary accommodation, that is it—there is no more assistance.”

Hansen said families experiencing rental arrears due to COVID-19 were no longer supported with an end to the temporary tenancy moratorium on evictions on March 26.

“We are now seeing an increase of no grounds evictions, we have rentals skyrocketing, with 60 or more people turning up to inspections—let us not forget that rent in the private market has been beyond the scope of all low incomes,” she said.

“We have the added problem of an influx of people from the city squeezing out usual renters, offering more for properties and 6- 12 months’ rent in advance.

Office: 2 Dick Street, Newcastle West 2302 - Phone: 0491 012 983 - E-mail: editorial@novonews.com.au - Website: novonews.com.au

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A guide for ‘What’s On’ in Newcastle

(front) Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor, Declan Clausen and Councillor, Carol Duncan with (rear left) Live Music Grant recipients, Monique Humphreys and Kodi Twiner, Beach Burrito Company - Newcastle Venue Manager, Henry Smale, and (rear right) Newcastle Seafood Festival organiser, Lynne Hopson with Newcastle Fisherman’s Co-op General Manager, Rob Gauta

The City of Newcastle has launched a new website capturing everything happening across Newcastle, helping locals and visitors make the most of the city’s entertainment options.

Inspired by popular ‘What’s On’ websites in Melbourne and Sydney, What’s ON Newcastle is now the official home of all events across the city.

What’s ON provides an easy to use one-stop-shop for locals and visitors to search for events according to category, date, accessibility, venue, or geographic location.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the website is a priority initiative

under the city’s Destination Management Plan, creating a more vibrant city that supports the arts and cultural sectors.

“Newcastle is an events city, and whether it’s live music, theatre, sports or cinema, there’s always something to do, no matter your interests,” Cr Nelmes said.

“City of Newcastle’s Events Strategy has seen Newcastle continue to grow jobs and our visitor economy during the last six years.

“From 2015-2019, Newcastle’s visitor economy moved ahead in leaps and bounds, with a 62% increase in domestic day-trippers and a 16% increase in international travellers, while the value of the tourism economy expanded

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Publisher: Ross Barry - Editor - David Abrahams Design & Production: Justin Stanley, Lucillia Eljuga Journalists: Hayley McMahon Office: 2 Dick Street, Newcastle West 2302 - Phone: 0491 012 983 E-mail: editorial@novonews.com.au Website: novonews.com.au Social:

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significantly to be worth $1.127 billion in the 12 months to March 2019.”

Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Declan Clausen said the events economy is an important local job creator.

“Ongoing investment in events and tourism is integral to building a thriving, diverse and robust economy, which is why we set out to develop a comprehensive Destination Management Plan, along with an updated Events Strategy,” Cr Clausen said.

“These strategic measures are designed to raise awareness of Newcastle and showcase the city’s unique strengths by attracting and developing signature events, as well as

growing the business and conferencing events sector.”

The City of Newcastle has also awarded the second round of the $20,000 Live Music Grants program, providing up to $500 per event to encourage 11 Newcastle venues to host live acts during April.

Thirty live music events funded by the program are taking place between April 9 to 20, which have coincided with other significant events across the city, including the Rip Curl Newcastle Cup, SailFest Newcastle Regatta, Newcastle Seafood Festival, Women’s Rugby 7s, New Run and Newcastle Food Month.

Information source: Media release, Apr 11, City of Newcastle

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APRIL 2021 ISSUE 002

Lockout laws dropped for Newcastle night life

Pub trading restrictions and lockout laws will ease in Newcastle under a 12 month trial by the NSW Government, allowing the city to operate under the same rules as other NSW venues for the first time in 13 years.

Customer Service and Digital Minister Victor Dominello announced that patrons were able to enter pubs after 1 am, liquor trading hours extended to 3:30 am, and restrictions lifted on higher strength cocktails, spirits, and shots.

State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said venues were invited to participate in the 12-month trial, starting mid this year.

“Good venues and patrons should not be punished for the actions of a few, but anyone doing the wrong thing should also not reap the benefits of this trial, and if they do, they will be removed,” Crakanthorp said.

“Our police Assistant Commissioner is supporting the trial, and police will be keeping an eye on how things progress.

“We live in a fantastic part of the state, and locals and visitors should be able to enjoy all parts of it in a vibrant and safe way.”

The easing of trading restrictions follows the six-month Night-Time Economic Trial assessment, which saw 21 small bars and restaurants have their opening hours extended.

The evidence-based trial in response to City of Newcastle’s Newcastle After Dark Strategy was a great success in terms of safety, community support, and economic outcomes.

Overseen by the Committee for Night-Time Jobs and Investment, the trial was designed to support a safe, vibrant, and diverse night-time economy with the evaluation framework capturing various data.

Data included venue activity, alcoholrelated violence incidents, liquor licence compliance, patrons’ surveys, residents of suburbs with participating venues, and the general community.

From the results, no alcohol-related assaults were recorded in any of the venues, and only two noise complaints relating to one venue had been received since October 1, 2020.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the trial had gathered invaluable insights on the impact of relaxed restrictions and the community’s needs.

“For Newcastle to thrive as a diverse and vibrant city, our night-time economy must be strong, and we welcome the relaxation of these restrictions on a more permanent basis, to meet the needs of our community and boost the hospitality and creative industries in the wake of COVID-19 disruptions,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The Trial has met the outcomes set out in our Newcastle After Dark Strategy, which has been shown through increased night-time economic development, cultural participation and activation in our city, without compromising residential amenity.”

Self-reported data conveyed an

overall increase in turnover by 68.95%, paid staff hours increased by over 35% and patron volumes increased by over 28%.

City of Newcastle Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Bath said laws restricting the night-time economy needed to be regularly reviewed.

“I’d like to acknowledge Minister Victor Dominello’s work in testing what on the surface looked like thirteen-year-old laws that were well past their use-by date,” Bath said.

“Newcastle’s small bars and restaurants have evolved to present consumers with a boutique-style offering which was not previously available in 2008.

“Smaller sized venues with lower patron capacity attract a clientele that appreciate quality over quantity, often providing table service which allows licensees to closely observe and manage the rate of alcohol consumption.

“We knew these venues would present a low risk to community safety and amenity, and the preliminary Trial data confirms this while also demonstrating positive economic outcomes for local small businesses hard-hit by COVID-19.”

Hayley McMahon

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$10,000 reasons to move to Newcastle The City of Newcastle is giving 30 creatives, innovators, and accomplished entrepreneurs a $10,000 grant to relocate to Newcastle.

The program ‘New Move’ was developed to incentivise people from Australia’s capital cities to move to Newcastle and invest in the city’s economic, cultural and community growth.

Targeted at a metropolitan audience, 30 successful applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will receive a $10,000 relocation grant to be spent within the Newcastle local government area.

New Move will also provide the new residents with ongoing networking to ensure they have the best opportunity to help deliver economic and social returns to the city.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said new skills and talent brought to the city generated economic opportunities and increased local

employment.

“Newcastle is a gateway city – small enough to provide the charms of regional life but big enough to attract international investment and the best domestic and global talent,” Cr Clausen said.

“New Move recipients will be asked to commit to being city ambassadors, helping further develop local skills, and activate our community to create future economic

opportunities.

“In return, recipients will have access to co-working spaces and networking events to build local business and community connections.”

City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said New Move was an Australian first and modelled off a successful US Tulsa Remote initiative.

“Attracting talented people as an

economic stimulus strategy provides great value for money, with independent modelling showing that attracting 30 entrepreneurs to the city through New Move will help create new local jobs and millions of dollars in economic output.

“The grant is one great reason to consider a move to Newcastle; however, there are 10,000 more reasons why Newcastle is the perfect place for entrepreneurial, community-minded and innovative people to create impact.”

New Move has been estimated to generate up to 75 new jobs and $25 million in local economic output.

The campaign will focus on Sydney and the Australian capital cities, portraying Newcastle as a smart city with modern and vibrant culture.

Applications are now accepted at movetonewcaslte.com.au, with applications to close on Friday, April 30 at 5 pm.

Information source: Media release, Mar 1, City of Newcastle

Stairway to heaven The ‘Stairway to Heaven’ concept first emerged in 2006, which saw a walkway, staircase, and new public space linking Newcastle Harbour to Christ Church Cathedral.

With hopes to protect the view of the iconic church, the project was then revisited in December 2020, following advice that the 60-year old King St car park, which obstructs views of the cathedral, would need to be demolished.

After receiving independent advice, City of Newcastle Councillors decided to proceed with the project and undertook a preliminary feasibility study.

Director of Governance David Clarke said early advice indicated that the project was feasible if delivered in conjunction with Iris Capital’s East End Development.

“After receiving the green light from our Councillors in December to undertake an independent feasibility study and hold early high-level discussions with developer Iris Capital and key stakeholders, we now know the Stairway to Heaven, including 380 public parking spots and community facilities, can work,” Clarke said.

“The imminent demolition of the former King Street parking station and pending plans for the remaining stages of Iris Capital’s East End development provides a once-in-alifetime opportunity to create an incredible view of our iconic Cathedral and to create a new and

similarly iconic, open space in the heart of the city.”

Clarke said the next step was conducting detailed discussions with Iris Capital on requirements to deliver the concept and further engagement with the community.

City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said key stakeholders had supported the concept.

“Delivering additional public space which preserves local heritage and the iconic view of Christ Church Cathedral from the Harbour whilst retaining 380 public car parking spaces from the King Street complex would make for a resoundingly positive outcome for the city,” Cr Nelmes said.

“After successfully protecting the long-held heritage planning controls in collaboration with Urban Growth to deliver the much-needed renewal of the Hunter Street Mall precinct, this project is a priority.

“We’re confident that this visionary public domain opportunity would truly benefit our community for future generations.”

Newcastle Inner City Residents Alliance representative Brian Ladd said he saw potential in creating a new pedestrian link between Market St and King St. “Any plan to extend Market Street should ensure that nearby existing heritage buildings, the historic character of the area and major

public vistas of the Christ Church Cathedral will be protected and enhanced,” Ladd said.

Iris Capital CEO Sam Arnaout said Iris Capital was committed to working with the council to make the stairway a reality.

“Iris Capital acknowledges that the stairway connection to the Cathedral is a once-only landmark opportunity to deliver a special piece of public infrastructure to Newcastle that is currently missing, which will endure as part of the City forever,” Arnaout said.

Information source: Media release, Mar 17, City of Newcastle

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APRIL 2021 ISSUE 002

Foodies rejoice—the great feast is here!

Newcastle’s biggest and most ambitious food festival has taken over the city for the entire month of April with more than 60 restaurants, 30 feature events, three festivals, and one world-famous dining event planned.

Newcastle Food Month (NFM) is a nod to homegrown produce, with many Newcastle restaurants, cafes, and eateries using fresh local ingredients from places like the Hunter Valley, Port Stephens, and the Central Coast.

The festival includes feature events, Plate Dates and a signature dining experience, Le Dîner en Blanc.

Le Dîner en Blanc is a worldwide event known for its all-white dress code and secret location, which is revealed an hour before the event commences.

From cities such as Paris, New York, London, Montreal, Sydney, and Melbourne, for the first time, Newcastle hosted this event, with guests bringing their own gourmet meal, tables, chairs, and even tablecloths.

The first invitations were sent out to the hosts’ network, and the second round was received by registering on a waitlist.

Le Dîner en Blanc was hosted at The Station, where 850 guests adorned in white, ate, drank, and

danced the night away.

NFM also includes Plate Dates which has 60 restaurants, cafes and pubs designing a custom plate with a drink for $25.

Organisers Gus and Louise Maher said in an NFM Q&A that Newcastle people were spoilt for choice when it came to places to eat.

“We are passionate about wanting to put Newcastle on a plate for all to see; there are so many stories to tell, personalities to meet and amazing food to eat in this city,” Louise said.

“It’d be a darn shame not to shout it from the rooftops.

“We have such an eclectic mix of eateries with flavours from all over

the world, curated and plated up by passionate local chefs—and it’s only going to get better with new cafes and restaurants popping up in every pocket of town.”

Venues like the Basement on Market St, Customs House Hotel, Momo Wholefoods, The Autumn Rooms, Goldberg’s Coffee House, and Foghorn Brewery are all participating in Plate Dates.

Some feature events include food masterclasses, pop up oyster bars, night markets, beer degustation dinners, and an afternoon of decadence where people can indulge in bubbles, bries, caviar and chocolate.

“There’s a whole suite of dining events and experiences running all month,” Gus said.

“Think unique fine dining experiences at the likes of Restaurant Mason and Flotilla, a fun cider and pork festival, perhaps the unholy but entertaining marriage of opera and beer, through to a drive-through gourmet hot dog stand at McDonald Jones stadium.”

Newcastle Food Month started on April 1 and ends April 30, with prebooking required for many of the feature events; for more information, visit NFM’s website.

Hayley McMahon

POSITION VACANT SUB-EDITOR (PART-TIME)

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We are a small but growing team reporting on news, developments and issues important to the Newcastle community.

As a Sub-Editor you will use your experience, networks and local knowledge, strong communication skills and excellent grammar to provide leads, review submitted copy and provide feedback and guidance to our young journalist team.

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We expect the role to initially require 2-3 days a week with remuneration based on the relevant Award.

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ovonews also has a limited capacity for current or recently graduated journalism students to take a 6-week internship with Novonews. The internship will be a great way to gain practical understanding of a news service, try your hand at sourcing, writing and editing copy as well as learning a range of new media technologies and applications.

You will be supported during the internship by more experienced staff.

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Hunter homeless crisis

Photos: Hunter Community Alliance

From page 1 “Other rental properties have become Airbnb’s which are more lucrative with the attraction of domestic travel.”

Nicole Grgas from Hunter Tenants’ Advice and Advocacy Service said they had been the busiest they had ever been in 20 years.

“In the last two months, fifty per cent of our callers have been seeking advice about a notice of termination— that’s over 300 people in two months who have a notice of termination in our community,” Grgas said.

“The majority of those people are now struggling to find somewhere affordable and safe to rent.”

Nova for Women and Children had 88 women waiting for intake assessments and rapid response in February, with a four to five-person intake occurring daily.

Hansen said she was horrified by the political responsiveness to homelessness and was exhausted in “attempting to address the unaddressable”.

“Our state government could have chosen to invest in social housing and maintain and expand the temporary accommodation budget,” she said.

“Our federal government had the opportunity to simultaneously ignite the economy, create jobs and provide long term affordable housing after COVID-19.”

Federal Member for Newcastle

Sharon Claydon said the loss of JobSeeker, JobKeeper and the end of the moratorium on evictions was a substantial triple hit for many in the community.

“It’s predicted that 150,000 people won’t have a job once JobKeeper is completely phased out, and there are more than 1,200 applications just for social housing in Newcastle— that’s just public housing,” Claydon said.

“We then have the private rental

markets which showed last year that there were zero properties available in the Newcastle area for anybody on unemployment benefits.

“The level of unmet need is enormous, and this is what’s so unforgivable for the federal government; their COVID-19 Recovery Response did not include the building of new social housing stock.

“There is a massive backlog, and there has been zero leadership in

Photo: Hunter Homeless Connect

willingness to inject funding and resources into that area.”

Matthew Talbot Homeless Service worker Ryan Pryor said the main reason for the influx in homelessness in Newcastle was the limited availability for affordable rentals.

“We are seeing more people with complex mental health needs, higher numbers of people experiencing family and domestic violence, higher rates of eviction and a higher number of child protection concerns,” Pryor said.

“As of this morning, we have 82 referrals, including families, waiting to be allocated a caseworker—our team of seven caseworkers are strained and at capacity.”

He said since February; they had received 119 referrals for people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness, including many families.

“Now is not the time to cut the funding to the sectors that work at the coalface in supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged communities,” he said.

“In the past few years, we have experienced catastrophic bushfires, an international pandemic and most recently devastating flooding, the outcome of which we are yet to face—we are asking our government to recognise and respond to this crisis as a matter of priority.”

Hayley McMahon

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It’s karaoke time!

APRIL 2021 ISSUE 002

Not so long ago, we were introduced to the new world of restrictions, venue capacities, social distancing, mandatory mask-wearing and religious hand sanitising; now NSW residents have seen restrictions on weddings, funerals, singing and dancing lifted in the state’s most significant easing of rules.

With a business based on their customers belting out ballads and busting moves, the staff at Jam’s Karaoke & Bar, Newcastle West, are thrilled with the good news.

Owners Andrew Coughlan and Joel Hillier said it was difficult to put their excitement and emotions into words.

“The relief, excitement, anticipation; I think we’ll need to get adult diapers—this is HUGE,” Coughlan said.

“When we opened after the pandemic, it was really hard for us to have to tell everyone to sit down in the Izakaya area and not to sing together.

“We understand the deep cathartic and therapeutic value of karaoke and know that everyone so desperately needs to come together, hug each other, sing and heal after going through a horrible period of anxiety, social and physical isolation during lockdown.

“It’s amazing to see the response from people each time a new restriction is lifted; everyone feels a bit strange at first, then comfortable, and then they just go crazy.

“The latest restrictions mean everyone can stand, sing their hearts out, dance and generally get wild and decompress fully from the stresses of the world— it’s fantastic!”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian was pleased to announce the easing of restrictions on singing, dancing and no capacity limits on home visitors, events, and sporting games.

Mandatory mask-wearing on public transport was also lifted but remained “strongly recommended”.

“We appreciate many more people will be catching public transport, and while masks are not compulsory, it is our strongest advice that if you feel you are on a service which is

during the peak hour where you cannot maintain social distancing,” Berejiklian said.

“These easing of restrictions will only work if all of us stay COVIDSafe, (which) means good social distancing; most importantly, it means registering QR codes wherever we go.”

COVID-19 protocols remain in place, where marshals and police are enforcing QR codes and checking into venues.

“There are harsh penalties for people, for businesses and organisations who don’t comply with the QR codes,” Berejiklian said.

“And will come down hard on businesses and individuals if that is not maintained because compliance and keeping COVIDSafe is key to this.”

Jams Karaoke & Bar are adhering to these COVID-19 protocols and maintaining all cleaning and sterilising procedures.

“We take this incredibly seriously,” Hillier said.

“We do a three pass clean of all rooms between sessions, including using disinfectant and ethanol steriliser.

“Our microphones are sanitised, and special shower caps are replaced between each session.”

Hillier said each private karaoke room already had a natural purpose of limiting the spread of viruses, with

the rooms distancing each karaoke group from one another.

The idea for Jam’s Karaoke & Bar started in 2017, where Hillier and Coughlan poured their life savings into fitting out the venue and getting the business established.

“After a ridiculous amount of work by ourselves and our amazing construction and creative partners, we opened in January 2020 and had to close around six weeks later,” Coughlan said.

“It was absolutely devastating—a pandemic was definitely not in the business plan, we did not qualify for some of the government support because we had not traded for 12 months.

“I remember almost breaking into tears having to lock up the place and clean out the fridges, so many bills to pay with no income.”

After working with the landlords and suppliers, Jam’s Karaoke & Bar managed to find the light at the end of the tunnel.

“When we opened again after restrictions started to ease, it was like fireworks,” Coughlan said.

“We’re booked out pretty much every Friday and Saturday night now, and the energy in the venue is amazing—there’s something about singing that gets your endorphins firing.

“People expressing themselves in a safe space, being fully vulnerable

with their friends…smiling and showing one another respect and love is one of the most beautiful things.”

The ease of restrictions also comes as NSW Government Dine and Discover vouchers are being used at multiple venues across Newcastle, including Jam’s Karaoke & Bar. “We are accepting NSW Government Dine and Discover vouchers—including the discover ones,” Hillier said.

“Also, we are running cocktail specials to celebrate the end of restrictions and have a few big plans in the works so we can host some more events like the New Annual launch party put together with Creative Legends, Rogue Scholar Brewing and Besties Café.

“If you missed it, be sure to follow our Instagram for the next one; DJs, bands, burlesque dancers, live artwork; it was great!”

Hillier said they also had some creative friends taking over the building’s front and were excited to see their new venture launch.

“Midtown precinct in Newcastle West is going off!”

Jams Karaoke & Bar is located at 8 Union St, Newcastle West; for more information, visit their website or Instagram @jamskaraoke.

Hayley McMahon

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Ocean Baths Plan takes shape

The City of Newcastle met with the Newcastle Ocean Baths Community Reference Group (CRG) on Wednesday, March 24, to discuss the preliminary designs and new upgrades to the iconic 1920’s ocean bath.

The initial designs were developed in consultation with the broader community, the CRG and expert advice on heritage, safety, and accessibility.

Stage 1 preliminary designs have now been reached and were presented to the CRG to discuss the two pools and lower promenades.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the bleacher seating was to remain, but the boardwalk would be renewed.

“We’re also planning accessibility improvements to ensure the ocean baths can be enjoyed by everyone in the community,” Cr Clausen said.

The upgrades will begin with Stage 1; the restoration of the pool and promenades in the second half of 2021, including addressing the undulating rock bottom, retaining a sand floor, more thorough cleaning, improved water quality and increasing safety for pool users when sand levels are low.

GHD Pty Ltd was named the principal design consultant for the first stage of the upgrade in December 2020.

Stage 2 upgrades will see the restoration of the upper concourse and pavilion building.

Director Infrastructure and Property Ken Liddell said the new upgrades included an opportunity for effective pool cleaning with a new pump station proposed.

“By dramatically increasing water circulation and subsequently

minimising the opportunity for algae to grow, the new pump system will allow for increased consistency in water quality and reduce the need to clean the baths only during low tide,” Liddell said.

Three CRG meetings and two focus group sessions have been held since March 2020, with Wednesday’s meeting being the fourth.

The upgrades to the pool and promenade concepts will now be developed and presented to

Newcastle Councillors before detailed designs, and the construction commences mid-year.

Funding the renewal of the Newcastle Ocean Baths comes from the $9.5M recovered from the sale of the Frederick Ash Building, which was made possible by relocating the Council Administration Centre in October 2019.

Information source: Media release, Mar 23

Aboriginal storytime for early learners Aboriginal Wayapa Babytime and Storytime sessions are available at Newcastle Libraries, focusing on introducing families to Indigenous perspectives on early learning.

In partnership with Newcastle Libraries and Rainbow Crow Cultural Collective, popular Storytime and Babytime sessions will now be transformed into an Aboriginal-led early literacy program.

The owner of Rainbow Crow Cultural Collective and Qualified Aboriginal Health Practitioner, Sarah Corrigan, is delivering the free program which is currently in its trial phase at the City Library.

“Wayapa is an accredited modality and has mindfulness benefits, physical benefits, and is a beautiful way to share cultural connections, and our stories,” Corrigan said.

“It connects everyone, regardless of background or age, to Indigenous Australians’ deep, spiritual connection to Country.

“Wayapa offers a way for parents, aunts, uncles, siblings, grandies, and carers to use the natural environment as a starting point for sensory play.”

Wayapa is based on ancient Indigenous knowledge about living in harmony with the environment and connection to culture.

Wayapa Babytime enables carers to

(Back) Newcastle Councillor Carol Duncan and Sarah Corrigan from Rainbow Crow Cultural Collective with Wayapa Babytime participants (front) Svetlana and Danny (6 months), Fon and Noah (6 months), Anh and Matilda (5 months), and Tamara and Rumi (9 months).

slow down and connect with themselves, their baby, and the environment.

Wayapa Storytime introduces children to Aboriginal based earth mindfulness, sustainability, and community through storytelling and movement.

“As Aboriginal people, we have had thousands of years of connection to Country—so it’s about how we have kept that connection so strong and how everyone can help make it even stronger,” Corrigan said.

“I also think that it’s essential from a

young age to understand First Nation Australians’ history, beliefs and culture; I think the more we can do that, the better.

“I wasn’t taught my history in school, so it’s beautiful to see it has shifted a lot.

“It’s amazing to be able to share this with these little people—early learning is a fun and beautiful space to show the strengths of our people through dance, song, connection to Country, and sustainability.”

Councillor Carol Duncan said the program was an essential addition to

the Libraries’ Early literacy programming.

“This program will help embed Aboriginal perspectives into our early literacy programs, providing an opportunity for Indigenous and nonIndigenous families to experience cultural connections and early learning experiences in a welcoming and inclusive space,” Cr Duncan said A four-week Wayapa Babytime and Storytime term will begin at Wallsend Library from May 4, with bookings opening in early April.

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$3.3M facelift for Stockton

(LtoR) Alex Dunn, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Hannah and Justin Keegan, and Sarah Horan at Mitchell St

A $3.3M upgrade to Stockton’s Mitchell St has commenced, with improved pedestrian safety, cyclist safety, increased shade, footpaths, seating, and landscaping planned.

The upgrade is a part of the City of Newcastle’s Local Centres program and capital works program intended to help support communities and

the local economy after COVID-19.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the upgrades would include drainage improvements, rain gardens, 40 new street trees and a reduction in speed limit to 40 km/hr.

“I’m pleased to see our teams commence work on this important upgrade which will create a safer and more vibrant public space for

the Stockton community to enjoy for generations to come,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The feedback from the community highlighted the need for improved spaces to shop, dine, and meet with friends.”

Cr Nelmes said sandstone from exiting kerbs would be retained and reused to frame garden beds and

rain gardens at three intersections along Mitchell St to help preserve Stockton’s heritage.

Mitchell St upgrades are one of 26 projects valued at more than $17M delivered in Stockton over the past five years.

Information source: Media release, Mar 10, City of Newcastle

Newcastle's safer cycleways and parking plan Newcastle’s final Cycling and Parking Plans have been adopted at the Ordinary Council Meeting, with safer, connected cycleways and parking upgrades to accommodate Newcastle’s growing population.

Following an eight week public exhibition, early industry engagement, and community input, the council has shaped and adopted the new Cycling and Parking Plans.

Director of Governance David Clarke said the plans were apart of the strategic vision for transport in Newcastle.

“Building a safe and connected cycling network in Newcastle has been supported from the onset, along with robust parking management that complements the City’s efforts to increase the uptake of walking, cycling and public transport,” Clarke said.

“Our final Cycling and Parking Plans respond to Newcastle’s ongoing transformation and revitalisation of both our city centre and local suburban centres, as well as contribute to our overall vision to be a liveable City with integrated and accessible transport.”

The Shortland Esplanade Cycleway and walkway

Clarke said they could roll out the Cycling and Parking Plans and make walking, cycling, and public transport suitable options for most community members.

The City of Newcastle’s Parking Plan addresses the best way to manage parking demand now and into the future, as well as the flexibility to adapt and change.

“An integrated transport network is essential to creating a sustainable

city and accommodate the more than 200,000 residents forecast to live in Newcastle by 2041,” Clarke said.

“Feedback from the community after reviewing the draft Cycling Plan indicated strong support towards separating cyclists and pedestrians to increase safety.

“In addition to education and campaign promotion around the correct use of shared spaces between

motorists and cyclists, to address concerns around various behaviours.”

Clarke said community feedback also supported time restrictions in the Parking Management Framework and increased parking enforcement.

Information Source: Media Release, Feb 24, The City of Newcastle

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Newcastle Comedy Festival incoming

Get ready to laugh your socks off at the Newcastle Comedy Festival, with a barrel full of giggles and some top-class comedians coming to the Civic Theatre.

From May 28 to June 13, Newcastle’s Civic Theatre will explode with laughter as some of Australia’s funniest comedians perform across four shows.

Newcastle will host two of the most significant comedy convoys, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow and the Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase.

Director Andrew Milos said he was excited to bring the best acts of Melbourne and Sydney showcases to Newcastle.

“So basically, we are getting the best iteration of their shows because they will perform for 25 days in Melbourne, a week or two in Sydney, and then straight to Newcastle for one-off shows,” Milos said.

“This is the first time in NSW we have been able to accommodate for full capacity,” Milos said.

“The Civic Theatre will be one of the first venues to host 100 per cent capacity—well, that’s if we sell out, fingers crossed!”

Comedians officially announced include Randy Feltface, Luke Heggie, Andy Saunders, Gen Fricker, Michelle Brasier, Nick Capper, Tommy Dassalo and Cam Knight.

“We also have a big gala planned

which has a group of ten comics; audience members can see who they like and then choose between different solo shows held at Newcastle City Hall and The Happy Wombat on Hunter Street.

“The gala is going to be really special because we’ve never had anything like this in Newcastle before.”

Milos said the festival would also include a local showcase where Newcastle’s best comedic talent would be displayed.

Local comedians include Floyd Alexander Hunt, a finalist in Raw Comedy, a competition for emerging stand-up comedians and Sarah Gaul, a musical comedian and actor who plays the main character in ‘Hot

Mess’, a film recently picked up by Netflix.

The Civic Comedy Club will also provide another source for homegrown humour in late June at its new permanent location, the Banquet Room, City Hall.

Presented in conjunction with Big Dog Comedy, the comedy club was one of the first shows at Civic Theatre after COVID-19 restrictions started to ease last year and proved hugely popular during Newcastle’s New Annual festival.

Civic Theatre Manager Leonie Wallace said moving the club to a permanent home would deliver a great blend of food and entertainment in the Civic precinct.

“The Civic Comedy Club at City Hall rounds out our annual program of first-class comedy offerings on the Civic Theatre main stage, sitting nicely alongside our subscription season comedy blockbusters, the Melbourne and Sydney Comedy Festival showcases, the Newcastle Comedy Festival, and national comedy treasures such as Carl Barron,” Wallace said.

“This means that if you love comedy, we really do have something for everyone!”

For more information on comedian announcements and tickets, visit newycomedyfest.com or civictheatrenewcastle.com.au Hayley McMahon

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Hunter Park on priority list The planned Broadmeadow Precinct Regeneration has been acknowledged as a national significance project by the Federal Government’s infrastructure advisor.

Redevelopments would see 63 hectares of land transformed into an international sporting, residential and entertainment precinct called ‘Hunter Park’.

Only five kilometres from Newcastle’s CBD, the land in question is currently home to the McDonald Jones Stadium, the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, show grounds, hockey fields and the harness racing track.

Following the City of Newcastle’s multi-year advocacy, Infrastructure Australia, the independent national authority on projects of national significance, announced the redevelopment on its annual Infrastructure Priority List.

Another project announced is the Newcastle Airport Capacity Expansion which would see direct flights to countries including the United States, China, Singapore, Russia, Japan, and South Africa.

City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the priority list confirmed Newcastle’s status as one of Australia’s most important cities.

“The independent advisor has now confirmed the importance of these infrastructure projects on a national scale,” Cr Nelmes said.

A birds eye view of the proposed Hunter Park Photo: Arterra Interactive

“Both the Newcastle Airport Precinct and Hunter Park have already been recognised as Catalyst Areas in the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan and City of Newcastle’s new Economic Development Strategy.

“I invite both the State and Federal Governments to be investment partners in these initiatives in their upcoming budget announcements; the value of these projects to the local, regional and national economy is significant and worth many billions of dollars.”

A promotional video by Hunter and

Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC) and Venues NSW was uploaded last year, which took a bird’s eye view over the proposed development.

The video showcases a state of the art precinct with international sporting facilities, multipurpose entertainment venues, retail, coffee shops, a four-star hotel, adventure parks, and more than 3000 apartments.

Planning and Open Spaces Minister Rob Stokes told the Newcastle Herald in December 2020 that Venues NSW had grand plans for the

precinct.

“I’m very keen to see the plans, and I’ll do whatever I can in my position as planning minister to support the proponents in their efforts,” Stokes said.

“There’s quite a bit of granular work that needs to be done in terms of a business case for the site—that is a matter for Venues NSW.” The Broadmeadow Precinct Regeneration project would generate up to 8,000 jobs, with 1,000 of them ongoing.

The Newcastle Airport Capacity Expansion has been designated by the NSW Government as a Special Activation Precinct due to its potential to stimulate the economy.

Newcastle Airport CEO, Dr Peter Cock said upgrading the airport to Code E status would revolutionise the Newcastle region, the industry, and the nation.

“The inclusion on IA’s priority list further demonstrates that this project is one of national significance with huge potential,” Cock said.

“It strongly reinforces the link between upgrading the Airport to international status and the global defence and aerospace precinct it sits in.”

The City of Newcastle will submit Stage 2 submissions to Infrastructure Australia in collaboration with Venues NSW, HCCDC and Newcastle Airport.

Hayley McMahon

Prickly Pear to support local creatives Two young creatives have put their minds together and produced a collaborative multidisciplinary arts event called Prickly Pear, with local talent, live music, and art to be showcased on April 15 and 16.

The focus of Prickly Pear is to support the arts, culture, and creative variety within the local community by providing a platform and collaborative space for expression.

Over the two evenings, there will be live music, dance, poetry, pottery, and visual art, all held at The Base, an integrated health and community centre.

Artistic director of Vexel Creations, Monique Humphreys, met cocollaborator and founder of Rhino Milk Productions, Kodi Twiner at ‘Music Biz Is’, a local music industry workshop.

“After meeting Kodi…we quickly realised our mutual passion for building culture and community in Newcastle,” Humphreys said.

Local creatives Monique Humphreys and Kodi Twiner (standing)

“We received a small City of Newcastle grant and have pulled together a massive line-up of local creatives focusing on women and gender diverse artists who are often minorities in this industry.”

After a challenging 12 months for the arts industry, the creative pair

are thrilled to be back and creating a space for all artists to connect and collaborate.

“Newcastle is bursting at the seams with creative energy, and we felt there was a need to weave some threads together, facilitate a space for folks to meet, explore their

practice and support each other across multiple art forms,” Humphreys and Twiner said.

“The response has been amazing, and we are keen to see what emerges from this and future collaborations.”

With a mutual goal of building an arts hub representing community and culture within Newcastle, Prickly Pear will be the first of many artistic events.

The artistic line-up will see talented local creators who are diverse in age, culture, gender, and experience, including visual artist Renyen, musician Caitlin O’Reilly, Brigitta Dance Projects, Happy to be Here Ceramics, poet Janette Hoppe, and H.H Art. Prickly Pear will be held across two evenings from 7 pm to 9 pm, including an open door rehearsal on Thursday, April 15, and a full show on Friday, April 16.

The event is hosted at The Base, 3 Tudor St, Newcastle, with tickets available at trybooking.com.

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CREATING FINANCIAL FREEDOM

Keep on top of the health, super and welfare changes WITH

Julia NEWBOULD Editor-at-large • Money magazine April 1 saw a host of government policy changes come into effect, from welfare to private health insurance.

Here are some of the important ones to bear in mind.

Welfare An estimated 1.95 million Aussies on the following schemes will receive a $50 fortnightly increase: • ABSTUDY living allowance • Austudy • Disability support pension for those under 21 without dependent children • Farm household allowance • JobSeeker payment • Partner allowance • Special benefit • Youth allowance • Parenting payment • Widow allowance.

In addition, the follow-

ing schemes will have the income-free earnings threshold upped to $150 a fortnight: • JobSeeker payment • Parenting payment partnered • Partner allowance • Youth allowance for job seekers • Widow allowance.

Jobseekers will need to search for a minimum of 15 jobs a month from early April and 20 jobs a month from July 1.

Super contribution caps From April 1 annual concessional contributions, which are taxed at 15%, will increase from $25,000 to $27,500, while the annual non-concessional contribution cap will increase from $100,000 to $110,000.

Seasonal workers Due to the Covid-19 pandemic,

the usual four-year newly arrived residents’ waiting period (NARWP) for newly arrived residents and seasonal workers to receive support payments was waived for: • Austudy • Farm household allowance • JobSeeker payment • Parenting payment • Special benefit • Youth allowance.

However, the NARWP will be reinstated on April 1.

The time you’ve spent in

Australia as a resident or eligible visa holder counts towards this waiting period. If you got a payment while your NARWP was suspended, this period will still count towards your waiting period.

Your payment will stop on April 1, 2021, if you haven’t served the full NARWP and you don’t have an exemption.

Aged care The maximum permissible interest rate (MPIR) for aged

care is set to reduce from 4.89% to 4.10% a year from April 1, 2021, for refundable deposit balances and accommodation bond balances and accommodation prices.

Health insurance Premiums will increase by an average of 2.74% on April 1.

New rules will be put in place to ensure income protection benefits do not exceed 100% of a policyholder’s earnings.

Child care As part of the federal government’s child care recovery package, the relaxed activity test for families whose activity levels have been impacted by Covid-19 will be extended until April 4, 2021.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Drugs for the treatment of breast cancer, lung cancer, osteoporosis and asthma, among other diseases, have been added to the PBS. M

Australia’s top ESG superannuation funds revealed A retail superannuation fund and four industry funds demonstrate top ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) leadership, while ESG options in super funds represent $160 billion in assets under management, according to new research from Rainmaker Information.

Australian Ethical Investment, CBUS Super, AustralianSuper, HESTA and Aware Super have the highest scores against

a range of factors including diversity, ESG reporting, portfolio holdings disclosure, the investor groups or affiliations it belongs to, the use of positive and negative screens and other factors.

LGS, UniSuper, Future Super, HOSTPLUS and Mercy Super round out the top 10.

Rainmaker has published these findings in its inaugural ESG Superannuation Study. It assesses the elements of being a quality ESG fund in five areas: governance, or how the fund declares its commitments to ESG

principles; investment transparency, or portfolio level disclosure and disclosure on engagement with invested companies; publication of ESG reports; disclosure of the investment process and how a fund implements ESG principles; and performance, or whether the fund achieves its investment objectives and satisfies the sole purpose test.

Rainmaker took the approach of rating super funds on their ESG-related activities because it’s a “pragmatic, evidence-based approach,” says Alex Dunnin,

executive director of research and compliance at Rainmaker.

“ESG advocates are like every other walk of life in that talking a big game is easy,” he says.

“So we need things to point to.

And surely if a funds proclaims a commitment to ESG principles, that fund should be declaring its hand so it can be judged, which might mean it’s savagely criticised. But if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”

There are now 36 funds that collectively offer 171 ESG investment options. Rainmaker

estimates these options hold $160 billion in assets under management (AUM).

Rainmaker also estimates there are 57 funds that collectively oversee $1.6 trillion, being 71% of Australia’s APRA-regulated market. This makes Australia’s ESG super coverage ratio among the highest in the world.

Almost three-quarters of these funds are not for profit funds, meaning they are either corporate, industry or public sector funds, with the remaining 30% being retail funds.

The study also analysed five-year investment returns for the MySuper option of ESG super funds, or flagship equivalent if a super fund didn’t offer MySuper. That analysis reveals that these funds outperformed the Rainmaker MySuper index by 0.06%pa over three-years and 0.28%pa over five-years.

“While this is only marginal outperformance, it’s worth noting that half of all ESG funds outperformed the Rainmaker MySuper index,” the study noted.

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS

The complete economics guide for students, investors and finance professionals.

Earn more, save more and make the most of your investments with Money’s The Good Economics Guide.

MONEYMAG.COM.AU/THE-GOOD-ECONOMICS-GUIDE

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DOWN IN THE GARDEN: Growing Onions Whenever you harvest, pull gently from the soil, trim leaves to within 3cm of the bulb and then leave in a sunny place to dry out.

They are ready for use or storage once the skins and roots have dried out.

Onions are best stored in a cool, dry, dark place and I find mesh bags that I hang somewhere are best.

You may notice advice saying that onions can be left in the ground to dry out and while this is true for some places, I’ve found that on the Central Coast, is can be a little wet in most areas to successfully do this.

Companion Planting: Onions are happy neighbours with carrots and beetroot but not with peas, beans or potato.

Onion Folklore & Facts

CHERALYN DARCEY

Now that tomato season has left us, one crop you can pop in and successfully grow after this heavy feeder is onion (Allium cepa).

The best time to plant onions on The Coast is from March until May and while it is true that you do need a bit of space, you can plant out successive crops over a few weeks of heirloom varieties or favourites to add a bit of interest to your harvests.

Onions have three types that are related to the amount of daylight hours available: short, intermediate and long day-length.

Here on the Coast, at this time of the year, you can grow most types but will do far better with early varieties for this time of the year.

Propagation Onions are a biennial plant that are grown as an annual for culinary use.

As with all vegetables, there is a far greater range of seed varieties than seedlings.

Germination of seeds can be a little bit of an issue with onions, so it is far better to get them started in seed trays and then plant out at about 4 weeks after germination.

Another way to start your crop is with seedlings or seeds sets (small bulbs).

General disease resistant varieties include ‘Marco’ and ‘Golden Bear’ while both ‘Feast’ and ‘Norstar’ being rather good at withstanding downy mildew.

‘Gladalan Brown’ is mild onion very suitable for the Coast, as is ‘Lockyer Early White’.

An heirloom variety that you really should try is ‘Barletta’.

It’s quick to harvest at just seven weeks if you are after baby onions to pickle or it’s sixteen weeks to a mature harvest.

As they grow, you will notice that onion bulbs push up out of the ground. This is normal and you should not cover them with soil or mulch.

Growing Notes Position: All onions need lots of full sun they do well after leafy crops like tomatoes and also lettuce and cabbages. You can grow onions in large pots but the yields will be a lot smaller.

Soil: Your soil will need to be non-acidic with a pH level sitting at 6.5 so add lime if needed.

It also needs to be well-drained and the reason it makes a very good crop after plants like tomatoes is because they use up a lot of nitrogen which you don’t need for onions (in fact excess nitrogen is not a good thing at all).

They need potassium and so adding potash

or wood ash prior to planting is a good practice to ensure healthy yields.

Water: The problem most people have with onions is ‘bolting’. This is not your onions running away, but rather sending up seed heads as they think that life is coming to an end for them.

To avoid this, water regularly and do not allow them to dry out, but don’t overwater as they will rot. When newly planted, watering around two or three times a week is good and then you can cut back to around once a week after three months.

Fertiliser: Just a light general feed with a low nitrogen all-purpose fertiliser every couple of weeks will do.

Pests & Disease: The thing that onions hate most is weeds, so keep them under control.

Other problems you may encounter are onion thrips, onion maggot and downy mildew.

Onion thrips can be deterred by ensuring even watering but look out for them in the throats of the foliage, treat with an organic pesticide.

Onion maggots move in when you have too much organic matter in your compost mixture that has not broken down. Make sure Ph levels are also correct in your soil and you will also need to spray with an organic insecticide.

Downy mildew looks like cotton wool developing around plants. Make sure spacing is adequate for your variety to avoid it an if you find it occurs, you could try this organic mixture: Place a handful each of nettle, seaweed and comfrey leaves in a container, cover with water and a lid for 48 hours. Strain and bottle and then use 1 part mixture to ten parts water. Spray on bulbs to prevent and to stop mildew.

Harvest: Onions can be harvested at any time, it all depends on what you want to do with your crop.

They can be pickled or simply cooked whole as ‘baby onions.

You will need to lift them once their growing period has ceased and this is indicated by the wilting of leaves.

CHERALYN’S CHEESE & ONION PASTIES This is my own family recipe, and it really is a warm filling treat that is delicious straight out of the oven!

I love experimenting with other vegetables as well and of course you can reduce the richness by choosing lower fat options.

The key to the taste is the mustard and homegrown or locally grown produce. makes 6 1kg potatoes peeled, 2cm diced 3 large brown onions diced 4 tbs olive oil 200g grated tasty cheese 200ml pure cream 1 teaspoon mild mustard a small handful fine chopped parsley 1 beaten egg 3 sheets puff pastry salt and pepper if liked, to taste Preheat the oven to 220C. Cook the potato until semi soft, drain. Brown onions in olive oil and then toss in potatoes to slightly brown as swell. You may need to add a little more olive oil.

Remove from heat and gently fold in grated cheese. Mix mustard into cream and add parsley and then fold this into potato and onion mixture. If you like salt and pepper, add to your taste now.

Cut pastry sheets in half to get two rectangles. Divide mixture into six and place each portion onto one half of pastry sheet in a high mound and fold over other side of sheet. Roll over the three edges to seal.

Place on lightly greased baking trays. Brush with egg mixture and cut a small slit in top to release steam. Place in oven and reduce temp to 190C. Cook until golden brown.

The Ancient Egyptians ate onions but they also used them in their mumification process.

Long being regarded as an excellent antiseptic (due to their sulphur content), they have been used throughout history to dress wounds.

Don’t quote me on this, but I have found references to onion juice mixed with honey being a cure for baldness and placing an onion in each corner of a ‘bad vibe’ or even haunted room will send that unwanted energy packing.

If you want to rid yourself of cold or flu you might try placing a thick slice of onion to the sole of your foot and then wear socks over them to bed.

Apparently, according to this old folk remedy (below grey box), you should reduce symptoms overnight.

While onions have a long growing period of up to six months and so are perhaps not suited for smaller gardens, they are worth the space as they require little effort once they are established. A last little trick: if you tie the all the leaves into a knot, 16 weeks after germination, this will accelerate the bulb growth.

TIME TO GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY This week you could plant: onions, artichoke, Asian greens, beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chives, coriander, endive, English spinach, alyssum, calendula, carnation, delphinium, everlasting daisy, godetia, hollyhock, lobelia, pansy, primula, stock, wallflower.

AROUND THE COAST THIS WEEK Ultimate Fungal Wizardry April 10th Join Urban Kulture for this in-person workshop in gourmet and medicinal mushroom cultivation. Learn how to grow your own mushrooms in only 2 hours. Gosford Regional Gallery and Edogawa Commemorative Garden. Saturday at 9:30am, 11:30am, 2:30pm or 4:30pm Tickets: www.urbankulture.com.au School Holiday Program: Autumn Adventure Woy Woy Library, Monday, 12th April 10:30am to 11:30am Decorate you own plant pot, construct a leaf press decoration, create leaf artwork and more. Ages 5-8 years.

Bookings: www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au Cheralyn Darcey is a gardening author, community garden coordinator and along with Pete Little, hosts ‘At Home with The Gardening Gang’ 8 - 10am every Saturday on Coast FM. Send your gardening questions, events and news to: gardeningcentralcoast@gmail. com

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#Enough: Newcastle’s

Over 2000 people said “enough” to gender discrimination, gendered violence, sexual assault, misogyny, corruption, and dangerous workplace cultures at Newcastle’s March4Justice on March 15.

March4Justice was established in response to parliament’s handling of rape and sexual assault allegations, pushing for a full police investigation into the misconduct.

The treatment of the alleged rape of former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins and the historic rape allegation against AttorneyGeneral Christian Porter has angered many and sparked a call for change.

Newcastle’s Civic Park saw women, men, and children adorned in black and red carrying signs of anger and objection; “Women deserve to feel safe everywhere we go”, “Consent Matters”, and “Stop Protecting Predators” some signs read.

The event was emceed by author Sarah C. Motta and supported by three prominent speakers: Warlga Ngurra Women and Children’s Refuge caseworker Liann Taffe, domestic violence advocate and survivor Helen Cummings, and educator and activist Lynda-June Coe. Motta said the event was an opportunity to gather, share collective grief, and celebrate

Newcastle’s Civic Park on March 15 for those who had been abused but could women’s strength, survival, and wisdom.

“We wish to nurture a generous space in not attend.

One woman wore her pink “sexual assault which all survivors’ voices are honoured and listened to, and we come together in dress” as a symbol of strength and to take intersectional solidarity and unite for change, back the power it held over her—now accountability and healing justice,” Motta fittingly called her “protest dress”. said.

Warlga Ngurra Women and Children’s “We ask you to join us in our mutual Refuge caseworker Liann Taffe addressed obligation to those around us by actively the crowd, describing the difficulties that dismantling together these oppressive single mothers experienced when fleeing domestic violence. structures and forms of behaviours.

“An ex-client of Warlga Nguarra’s had fled “Together, we tackle the sexism, misogyny, the transphobia, the queerphobia, the domestic violence, her story is typical like ableism, the classism, the racism, and other most victims back then, and today, nothing has changed,” Taffe said. forms of oppression.

“She absconds the relationship and assists “Together, we can embody that mighty roar of change because when survivors law enforcement with their enquiries, the unite, we move mountains, and we transform perp is charged with numerous and seriously violating offences, and the justice system societies.”

The event saw an open mic session where slaps him with a minimal and inferior Motta invited survivors up onto the stage to sentence.

“He serves his observed minimum time for share their stories.

“We want you to know that you’re safe the crimes against her and her daughters, but he becomes free to start over again.” here, and you’re honoured,” Motta said.

Taffe said the government had outdated “You can use words, poetry, your body, a policies and needed to be held accountable song, you can scream, you can cry a river.

“We stand with you, and we welcome you for their patriarchal decisions and actions.

“One thing we do know, that is in the into our circle; we feel your presence—so if you do decide to come up for the open mic, future, you won’t be put on a pedestal, and just take your time, really listen and be the way that you’ll be remembered to the present with each other as much as possible.” younger generation, you’ll be held in Over 15 survivors stood up to share their contempt,” she said.

Domestic violence survivor and author stories with the crowd; some told stories of Helen Cummings spoke on her advocacy child sexual abuse by family members, some told their experiences of rape, others spoke and her rage with the government’s decision

to abolish the speciality Family Court.

“There is anger across our land today, there is fury, white-hot rage, sadness, frustration, loss of hope, despair, and worst of all grief, it is all here today, and I feel it,” Cummings said.

“For the past 30 years, I have advocated and tried to be a voice for women who have lost their lives to domestic homicide, the women who are failed by not only our criminal justice system but the Federal Circuit Court.

“It made my blood boil when the speciality Family Court was conveniently abolished only a few months ago—throughout the country, specialist legal and community groups strongly advised against this, the Prime Minister and Christian Porter knew what was about to hit the fan.”

Cummings said she saluted the enormous efforts made by grassroots women in the community and domestic violence support services like Got Your Back Sista, Jenny’s Place, and VOCAL. “Men continue to murder women and children at an alarming rate; I know there are women here today who have been sexually assaulted, abused, harassed, suffered domestic violence, and been raped,” she said.

“There are adults here who as children were abused either by a family member or a church; if you have finally found your voice and are here today, all strength to you…we hear you, we believe you.”

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March4Justice

The crowd listened as survivors stood up and told their stories

Cultural educator and activist LyndaJune Coe said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s voices and visibility were non-existent.

“This country was not only founded on racism or racial injustice, but it was founded on sexual injustice as well; black women, black bodies, and black children have been raped and murdered in this country for over 250 f—ing years,” Coe said.

“Every single one of you, women, men, young people, use your voice, dismantle this system, disrupt it any way you can… stand up, come to the frontline, let’s burn this system to the ground.”

The Newcastle event was one of many events across the country, with over 100,000 protestors demanding change from the Australian Government.

Protesters delivered a petition to Women Members of Parliament, calling on the Prime Minister to act against gendered violence, which had ten demands.

The demands included a full independent investigation into all cases of gendered violence and referrals to appropriate authorities; lifting public funding for gendered violence prevention to the world’s best practice; enacting a federal Gender Equality Act to promote gender equality; and no perpetrators as policy or lawmakers.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison addressed March4Justice during Question Time afterwards, referring to the current marches in Myanmar where protestors were “being met with bullets”.

“Women and men are gathering

together in rallies both large and small to call for change and to act against violence directed towards women,” Mr Morrison said.

“It is good and right that so many are able to gather here in this way, whether in our capital or elsewhere, and to do so peacefully to express their concerns and their very genuine and real frustrations.

“This is a vibrant liberal democracy, Mr Speaker, not far from here, such marches, even now, are being met with bullets, but not here in this country.”

The reference was faced with anger and backlash across social media, with questions of why Mr Morrison raised the prospect of violence at all.

He later explained that his comments

Helen Cummings speaking at Newcastle’s March4Justice Photo: Paul Szumilas

had been misinterpreted and was making a point of Australian democracy and people’s rights to speak on issues without fear of violence.

He said the March4Justice protests were a “triumph” for the country but did not directly reference former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins who also spoke.

Higgins addressed thousands gathered outside Parliament House, where a male colleague allegedly raped her; she spoke on her experience and said there were significant system failings.

“We are here because it is unfathomable that we are still having to fight this same stale, tired fight,” Higgins said.

“It’s time our leaders on both sides of politics stop avoiding the public and side-stepping accountability—it’s time we actually address the problem.

“I was raped inside Parliament House by a colleague, and for so long, it felt like the people around me only cared because of where it happened and what it might mean for them.

“I am cognisant of all the women who continue to live in silence, the women who are faceless.

“The women who don’t have the mobility, the confidence or the financial means to share their truth.

“Together, we can bring about real, meaningful reform to the workplace culture inside Parliament House and, hopefully, every workplace, to ensure the next generation of women can benefit from a safer and more equitable Australia.”

Hayley McMahon

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Autumn Abundance: a guide to what’s in season

GEORGIA LIENEMANN Following on from our widely shared ‘guide to shopping supermarket-free’ last week, we’re keeping on with the theme of seasonal eating by focusing on what’s in season right now.

And who better to ask than local farmer Alison Alan Parkin from ALAN Foods in Jilliby. I had the pleasure visiting their farm a few weeks ago and having a guided tour of the market garden, greenhouse and food forest, whilst hearing about their dedication to chemical-free, notill natural farming methods. They sell their freshly picked produce at a roadside stall on Hue Hue road.

Alison from ALAN foods As summer draws to an end, the weather begins to cool and the days start to become shorter. With this brings a change in the garden as we see typical summer crops such as tomatoes and zucchinis slowing down, and the longer summer crops finally fruiting. On our farm we are finally starting to harvest some eggplants and the okra is producing plenty of fruit.

We have also harvested two plots of purple skin sweet potato which is so smooth and creamy, it’s one of our favourites at the moment.

Autumn allows us to sow those Winter favourites like broccoli, cauliflower and snow peas. But what do we eat until they are ready? Well, there’s carrots and beetroots ready to come out, in addition to pumpkin vines dying so they’ll be ready over the coming weeks. We also sow a salad mix and still have some cucumber vines producing for that early Autumn salad.

So, why is all this so relevant?

Have you heard of food miles?

Georgia wrote an article on the

“untold benefits of seasonal eating” a few weeks ago. By understanding what is in season in your local area, you will have a better chance at finding produce that hasn’t travelled thousands of kilometres to reach you.

Furthermore, your veggies will be fresher as they haven’t been stored or refrigerated longer than necessary.

Additionally, this produce should be cheaper as it hasn’t been shipped in from outer state. Buying direct from the farmer cuts out the middleman and further reduces the costs; also giving you the peace of mind knowing how your food has been grown.

At ALAN Foods, our priority is the soil. If we can nourish the soil to encourage a diverse fungal and bacterial life, our plants will have the health and immunity to resist diseases and pest pressure, resulting in more nutrient rich food. This eliminates the need for pesticides and results in populations of beneficial insects and bugs to help nature balance itself out. We have permanent beds which are never dug to preserve the soil life and structure.

These beds receive compost made on site at certain stages of the year to feed the soil food web.

So, in summary, here’s a list of what we are pulling out of the garden at the moment on our farm. These items should be in abundance at the local market gardens all over the Central Coast.

• • • • • • •

pring onions S Beetroot Salad mix C arrots E ggplants C apsicums C ucumbers

• • • • • • • •

Tomatoes S weet Potato Pumpkin Beans O kra Zucchini Kang Kong (water spinach) Rainbow Chard What to do with all this produce?

I’m sure you don’t need ideas with zucchini and tomatoes, so we thought we would give a shout out to Okra - a vegetable that most people point to and ask “what’s that?” And “what does it taste like?” To which we usually are lost for words due to its unique texture and flavour.

It’s difficult to describe so we usually start with how we use it. It can actually be eaten raw, and like many vegetables, will give you the most nourishment this way.

However, there are a few simple ways to cook okra and we’ve adapted a great beginner recipe from thespruceeats.com, included below.

Okra come with a warning to not overcook. It has a natural sliminess which can become overwhelming when cooked for too long. This sliminess is due to a substance called mucilage which is also found in aloe vera.

For a quick meal we simply fry the okra in a small amount of oil and garlic, or simply chop it up into 1cm chunks and throw it into your stir fry. Okra is harvested with a small amount of stem, its best to cut this top off like you would a zucchini or eggplant.

If you want to make a feature dish with your okra, this traditional recipe is a great place to start and

includes a great tip for reducing the sliminess.

Stewed Okra in Tomato Sauce What you’ll need: • • • • • • • • • •

A pprox. 600g of Okra ½ cup white vinegar 1 tbsp salt ¼ cup olive oil 1 onion diced 1 garlic clove minced 1 tin of tomatoes ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped ½ cup water S alt and pepper to taste

Method: 1. S oak 600g okra for at least an hour in enough water to cover with the white vinegar and salt.

2. D rain the okra before cooking, but do not rinse and then dry it on some paper towel.

3. Use a large soup pot, heat ¼ cup olive oil on medium-high heat. Add one diced onion and sauté until translucent, then add one garlic clove minced and cook for a further 1-2 minutes.

4. Add the okra, tinned tomato, parsley and water. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until tender (approx. 30-40min).

Keep an eye on the liquid levels and add more if needed.

5. S eason with salt and pepper to taste and serve with rice.

To find out more about ALAN foods, head to their facebook page: www.facebook.com/AlanFoods-119040889489351 We’ll be featuring another simple, seasonal recipe next week.

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Preloved

For the past ten years, Heather Skeffington has owned a vintage wares store in Islington; she loves upcycling and breathing new life into old, unwanted treasures.

So, it was a bittersweet moment when the time came to hand the keys over to new owner Renee Holt—she was going to miss her little shop, but she knew it was in good hands.

‘It’s Just BECAUSE by Heather’ on Beaumont St was down from Suspension Coffee and across from Planet Islington, providing the community with a place to find rare, retro treasures and vintage clothing.

It all started in 2011 when Skeffington walked into Regent Renovators located in the former Regent Theatre, looking for space to open a second-hand store.

“It took the owner a few weeks to decide, but once he said yes, he moved all of his cabinetry and building supplies across and the next minute, I was open,” Skeffington said.

“I had the entire place to myself this huge, big picture theatre that I fell in love with—customers would walk in, and I would start blabbing about the history of the building.”

The former Regent Theatre is one of few 1920’s picture palaces in NSW and possibly Australia; now home to Regent Renovators and Planet Islington, a mix of second-hand stores and traders.

“It was just so exciting, I remember from the first day the store just took off, people loved second hand, and I went home every day on such a high—I knew I was in the right business for all the right reasons.”

Skeffington occupied the space until she was offered a larger store in Clyde St, Hamilton.

“I went from 80 square metres to 320 square metres, I had that for three years,

Homeland Elegies Author: Ayad Akhtar Publisher: Tinder Press

I hadn’t heard of Ayad Akhtar before reading this book.

He is a screenwriter, a novelist and has written award winning plays.

He was born in Staten Island and brought up in Wisconsin.

His parents are from Pakistan and met while attending medical school and then immigrated to the United States in the late 1960’s.

Homeland Elegies is his second novel and “blends fact and fiction to tell an epic story of belonging and dispossession in the world that 9/11 made.”

What does it mean to be a Muslim growing up in America now?

Like the author, the protagonist of Homeland Elegies is Ayad Akhtar who was born in Staten Island and moved to Wisconsin when he was a boy.

So, we know that part is all

Heather Skeffington and Renee Holt

but it was hard lifting heavy furniture and doing it all on my own, so I decided to come back to Islington,” she said.

“The owner of Planet Islington approached me and asked if I wanted a space back, so I took it—I found it a little different as I’d always worked on my own to then being in a place that’s shared with lots of other second-hand traders.

“When the ice cream shop across the road closed, I approached the owner and told them I was interested, and just like that, I was moving stores again, but this was where I stayed.”

Skeffington said she watched as Islington came alive and grew into a vibrant suburb; she loved meeting new people and being a part of a community that shared her passion for upcycling.

She believes that if something can be reused, recycled, and resold, then it should be.

“We have such a problem with landfill; the next generation is going to take on all the problems we have created—if something can be reused, then it needs to be,” she said.

“Clothing, if I’m not mistaken, is the second biggest landfill after plastic, and

that’s horrific; if we can recreate, repurpose and give an old thing new life, then why wouldn’t we?”

Skeffington said she also enjoyed the rewarding moment of seeing customers fall in love with upcycled pieces.

“The most beautiful thing for me was clearing a property out because an elderly couple was moving into a retirement village; they would sit there crying because their precious things were being taken,” she said.

“I would chat with them, making them realise that someone else is going to love and cherish these pieces just as they did; it’s not going to landfill, it’s not going to be squashed into the back of a truck.”

Skeffington said she had decided to sell her store once her back problems became too much to ignore.

“The lady who took over my Clyde Street store in Hamilton, Marinella, got me in contact with her daughter Renee who wanted to start a second-hand store,” she said.

“So, Renee bought the store and all of my stock, and from there, the store just started to evolve, which was what I wanted; I wanted someone to move into

that space and love it—I was tired, and Renee came in and gave it a breath of fresh air.”

The new store ‘fynde’ is now officially open, where customers can find fashion, bric-a-brac and furniture for affordable prices.

Renee Holt said her style was different from Heather’s but had decided to jump into the deep end and give it a go.

“So far, I’m doing pretty good; it’s a prime location and a nice small store, so I love it, and I’m getting such beautiful feedback,” Holt said.

“Hearing Heather say she loves what I’ve done to the shop means the world to me.

“I know how loved and well known she is, so I want to keep Heather’s look here, but I also need to follow my heart and stay true to my style.”

Holt said she was looking forward to meeting people and getting to know the Islington community.

“Come give me a chance, and don’t be scared to ask for anything—I will certainly try to help out as much as I can,” she said.

“You will always be greeted by myself or Sarah, and you will always feel welcome; there will be new treasures to find every day.

“We are open every day because I think when it’s your own shop, you have to give it a real good go!”

Skeffington said she will miss her store but knows it’s in good hands.

“I will miss it, very much so, but I have to attend to my health, so the timing was perfect, and Renee is perfect too; people love her, which makes me really happy,” Skeffington said.

Customers can visit fynde seven days a week, 10 am to 4 pm, at 17 Beaumont Street.

Hayley McMahon

BOOK REVIEW fact.

Beyond this it might be fact or fiction.

His father was a successful and renowned cardiologist who treated kings as well as people that thought they were kings, or in this case Donald Trump (in the early 90’s, before he was King … ah, I mean President).

Ayad’s father has taken to America and loved all it has to offer; his mother was less impressed and dreamt for the day she could return to Pakistan.

Ayad and his father don’t see eye to eye on things, and one of those things is Donald Trump, who is now the President.

Ayad’s father supported Trump, “The mental contortions he performed to make sense of Trump’s nonsense, which made me wonder if he was going senile.”

And Ayad’s father will hold onto the dream about Trump for a few years until he realises, “Trump was a big mistake.”

Ayad wants to be writer but struggles to make a living and often has to rely on his parents to help him pay the bills.

His aunt tells him, “It’s a hard

life. It’s thankless. If you can do anything else with yourself, anything more certain you owe it to yourself and to everyone you love to do that.”

Ayad is smart and tenacious and meets important people.

People that get him connections and also help him to get rich.

He ends up writing a play about a Muslim American that is quite popular and this gets him known.

Soon the shoe is on the other foot and it will be Ayad that is

called to help bail his father out.

The Guardian writes “It’s hard to convey the breadth and brilliance of this work. Exploiting his skills as playwright and essayist as well as novelist, Akhtar depicts an immigrant family’s experience of the American dream through a son’s relationship with his father, and dissects the erosion of truth, decency and hope in a nation shaped by debt and money.”

That’s a good summary – it definitely presents a lens into modern American society and the pursuit of immigrants of the American Dream.

Parts of it are thoroughly engrossing, particularly the parts that delve into his Ayad’s evolving relationship with his parents.

I really felt for the struggles he had with his father and feeling distant from his mother.

However, there were other sections that I found were a little too self-indulgent.

Akhtar is a brilliant writer (although I am starting to think my definition of a brilliant writer is someone that uses a

lot of words that I need to look up).

However, it was the blending of fact and fiction which confused me.

Not sure why I need to know which is which, maybe I want to know more about Ayad Akhtar and if he actually had the struggles he wrote about.

And to everyone who’s wondering where I’ve been the past few weeks – I’ve been right here, reading away, all the time.

It’s just that Ross is the world’s worst editor.

Kim Reardon

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Spectacular spectacle at New Annual festival Any expectations you may have about Fingers Crossed Creative’s Intergalacular Sci-Fi Spectacular, times it by ten; this bizarre show explodes with elaborate, wondrous, fantastical visions of colour, performance, comedy and out of this world costumes.

With a show full of cabaret singing, burlesque dancing, alien acrobatics, rainbow spandex, and a giant robot named ‘Boom Bot’, this 18 + performance is something that will have your mouth wide open with amazement.

Intergalacular Sci-Fi Spectacular ran from February 12 to 21 and was apart of the City Of Newcastle’s New Annual festival.

Co-Producer of Fingers Crossed Creative, Ella Heathmore, said the show’s overall experience was like stepping into another universe.

“There are 12 different acts, and each of them wild and wacky; there is a pod ritual, burlesque performances, someone is also birthed out of a cocoon,” Heathmore said.

“There are epic song and dance numbers to start and end the show and some aerobics.”

The show kicks off with an opening song number and two mullet rocking alien brothers who act as the show’s hosts— this is followed by a bizarre yet enthralling cocoon birthing scene which sets the vibe for the whole show.

The Intergalacular Sci-Fi Spectacular Photo: Solomon Wilks @soltookthis

With each act odd and more hilarious than the next, this intergalactic cabaret show is an absolute spectacle, a mustsee, and a performance that keeps the audience continuously guessing.

The whole show was hosted within a purpose-built venue called ‘The Hangar’ at Newcastle’s Civic Park and was ultimately a mini-festival with food and

drink trucks inside.

There was also some supporting sideshow acts like The Booty Parlour, where people dressed up in wacky sci-fi costumes or The All-Seeing Eye, where people spoke to a fortune-telling oracle.

New Annual’s Project Manager Kate Britton said a large need was identified in the area for a creative performative

art festival.

“We look at the community here, and there is an amazing arts sector that does incredible work and has been around for a very long time, and really is the bones of our city,” Britton said.

City of Newcastle Councillor Carol Duncan said the festival was tailor-made for the city, which delivered and supported cultural and community programs.

“I think the inspiration for New Annual is the seeds of the beautiful culture that this city was always meant to be,” Cr Duncan said.

“Particularly since the closure of BHP and that huge economic and cultural change in what was the working industrial city into an increasing city of education, research, and cultural expansions.”

Other New Annual productions included Taylor’s Run by Curious Legends, which featured huge, illuminated mobile puppets, and art exhibitions like ‘Void’, which explored contemporary Aboriginal artistic practices.

If you missed out on seeing the Intergalacular Sci-Fi Spectacular, never fear, the production will be returning for New Annual from September 24 to October 3, 2021.

For more information, visit newannual. com.

Hayley McMahon

BOOK REVIEW The Spy Who Came in From the Cold

Author: John le Carré Publisher: Penguin

When John le Carré (aka David Cornwall) passed away back in December there was much talk about his great body of work.

The book that drew most accolades seemed to be, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold.

Commentators described this book as his most popular and was also made into a movie.

I’d never read it, so I decided to broaden my horizons.

One thing I did not expect was it being called “A George Smiley Novel”.

I thought it was a stand-alone book, but it is le Carre’s third novel and the third part of a series in which a character named George Smiley appears.

He is mentioned in The Spy Who Came in From the Cold but only as a minor character and not one that makes much of an impact, not to me at least.

The story takes place during the Cold War – the early 1960s to be precise.

There is a grey, dourness to the setting, before the go-go years of the swinging sixties.

We meet Alec Leamas, a spy, working in East Berlin, trying to get his double agent out when things go wrong.

Alec has been recalled to London, where the headquarters for the Circus reside.

He thinks he will be set out to pasture, but Control request one last mission of Alec, and it is a big one – they want him to get back into East Germany (the German Democratic Republic as it was then known) and frame Mundt, the head of the Abteilung (East German’s spy agency) as a double agent.

We then find he has been fired from the Circus, with only a small pension to rely on.

He finds work at a library and befriends Liz Gold, who is a member of the local communist party.

They become lovers but there is never any promise of a longterm relationship.

Alec remains elusive about his life.

Liz thinks there is more to him

but when he asks her to promise not to look for him you know there isn’t a future.

When the local grocer fails to offer Alec credit, Alec belts him in front of witnesses.

This gets him arrested and sent to jail.

He is now a disgruntled spy, which brings him to the attention of the Abteilung.

He is promised a sum of money if he divulges the operations of the Circus.

During the debriefing Alec talks about dropping off payments to various banks around Europe.

This seems to be of particular interest to the members of the Abteilung, who think these payments are for a double agent in their ranks.

Alec is brought to East Germany where he is arrested

by Mundt.

Liz is invited to East Germany for her work with the Communist party.

While Alec is on trial, Liz is called as a witness and she blows his cover.

It is at this point Alec realises he has been used pitilessly by his own side in a complex triple bluff.

Time magazine has listed The Spy Who Came In From the Cold in its top 100 novels.

There is no denying the impact this book has had.

I found the plot difficult to follow at times – there are some challenging subtexts to absorb – and I admit to getting a little confused.

I reread some sections multiple times to make sure I had a grasp what was going on.

But it is still exciting.

It leaves you feeling you might need to read it again to uncover some of the intricacies you missed the first time.

Le Carré's wrote the Spy Who Came in From the Cold from the omniscient narrator point of view.

As such, he retains the right to know all and to enter the minds of any character he chooses, but yet he seeks to manage the flow of information to keep the mystery alive, to avoid the reader feeling duped.

A tight rope to walk, yet he makes it deftly to the other side.

But it is a classic worth reading.

Kim Reardon The Reluctant Book Critic

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Newcastle weathered the storm

The Newcastle East home on Shortland Esplanade Photo: Edward Cross Photography

A one-in-100 year weather event lashed NSW, with the Hunter and Newcastle regions experiencing heavy rainfall, damaging winds, dangerous surf conditions, road closures and landslips between March 19 and March 23.

Even though Newcastle weathered the severe storm events relatively well, there were still disruptions to services and facilities across the city.

The City of Newcastle closed several facilities with Fort Scratchley, Merewether Surf Life Saving Club, BHP Gallery at the Newcastle Museum, and Civic Park, which had a sewerage leak associated with high rainfall near the amenities.

Underneath a prominent Newcastle East home, a landslip caused a road closure along Shortland Esplanade on Sunday, March 21.

The home that overlooks Newcastle’s Cowrie Hole recently had renovations and a modern balcony extension fixed to the hillside.

The landslip occurred underneath this balcony sometime on Saturday night, unbeknown to the homeowners.

Neighbours woke in the early hours of the morning to a street full of fire brigades at the No 1 Ocean Terrace property.

SES and Council workers spent the Sunday clearing tonnes of mud and debris from the road.

RAAF Base Williamtown confirmed that the airfield and Newcastle Airport runway as of 6:10 pm March 21 was suspended due to unfavourable weather forecasts and airfield flooding.

The closure was scheduled until March 24, with the continuation of regular assessments in the hopes to resume flights earlier.

The Central Coast and Newcastle train line had a partial closure on March 23, due to weather conditions and flooding on the tracks.

In both directions, buses replaced trains between Fassifern and Newcastle Interchange due to severe weather causing flooding at Cockle Creek.

Transport NSW advised non-essential travel delay as they could not predict when the line would be reopened.

Hunter Water issued a statement on March 22, which advised the community to avoid swimming in local beaches and waterways.

“The heavy rainfall has put pressure on our system, with widespread downpours across our area of operations,” the statement read.

“Heavy rain events, like the one we’re experiencing, lead to stormwater and debris infiltrating the wastewater system and can cause overflows; it’s because of this that we’re advising our community to avoid swimming in local beaches and waterways for two days after the heavy rain eases.

“These overflow points are designed to help our system cope with an influx of water and are located at various parts of our network that will have the least impact on our customers, community and the environment.”

Hunter Surf Life Saving (HSLS) moved their focus away from the beaches and towards the floods, with club members deployed across the region and state to help communities in need.

The HSLS issued a statement to Facebook on March 21 thanking the club members for their efforts on behalf of the HSLS Board and Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW).

“Again, we are stepping up to the mark when requested, and our members continually go above and beyond; it’s phenomenal to see time after time,” the spokesperson said.

“However, a lot of this would not be possible without the leadership and guidance of this team who have instigated, arranged, and coordinated numerous plans, for that we pass on our sincere thanks and gratitude.

“We also understand that some of our members may be severely impacted by these floods and what is occurring, so we would encourage your clubs to reach out and check in on one another whenever possible.”

HSLS members also provided critical advice at local, regional, and state emergency operation centres.

They thanked the SOC (State Operations Centre) team at SLSNSW, the duty officers and the members who helped out at SES. “We certainly work well as a team, and if we reflect on the last few years, it’s definitely been challenging with bushfires, floods, covid, and now flooding again,” the statement read.

“Keep up the great work, and thanks for all that you and your teams are doing.”

The Australian Government activated the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) to support those heavily affected by the storms and flooding.

The AGDRP provides a one-off, nonmeans-tested payment of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children, who have been seriously injured, lost their homes or whose homes have been directly damaged, or the immediate family members of a person who has lost their life, as a direct result of the storms and floods.

People eligible for DRA can access income assistance for up to 13 weeks, equivalent to the maximum rate of Jobseeker Payment or Youth Allowance.

Services Australia Disaster phones lines are open now – the quickest and easiest way to claim is to call 180 22 66.

Lines are open from 8 am to 8 pm local time, seven days a week.

To check eligibility and for more information on support available, visit: servicesaustralia.gov.au.

Assistance available for the Hunter region through the CommonwealthState Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements may include: -Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged.

-Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets.

-Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations.

-Freight subsidies for primary producers and grants to eligible nonprofit organisations.

For more information, go to: disasterassistance.service.nsw.gov.au, and to apply for a concessional loan or grant, go to: www.raa.nsw.gov.au.

Hayley McMahon

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Taylors Run illuminates New Annual Curious Legends’ Taylor’s Run is a performance full of giant illuminated puppets and wall projections—a captivating and playful journey that explores the meaning of waste and how society can work towards a greener future.

Taylor’s Run is a heartening journey about a young girl searching for her beloved pygmy possum puppet after it’s thrown away at the garbage dump.

This production was a part of the City of Newcastle’s New Annual festival, which ran from February 12 to 21, highlighting the cities’ creative hub and giving local and visiting artists centre stage.

Taylor’s Run was held in the Summerhill Waste Management Facility at Wallsend, a venue that is a stark comparison to a theatre or any other conventional stage.

Curious Legends CEO Mitchell Reese said in an interview with New Annual organisers that the company was familiar with working in unusual spaces and places.

“It’s quite rare to see our work in a theatre,” Reese said.

“Generally, we’re most comfortable performing on the street, outdoors, and inhabiting spaces, you wouldn’t expect to see theatre performances in.

“We realised that Summerhill was an amazing space, and it’d be a lot of fun to work out there.”

Child actors also played some

One of Curious Legends’ giant Illuminated puppets: City of Newcastle

significant characters in the performance, including the main character Taylor.

Taylor searches the tip for her beloved childhood toy and comes across some native animals and ‘trash goons’ along the way.

A rotten apple core and a cheeky sodacan try to hinder her rescue mission, as well as a trash monster who thrives off society’s unwanted waste.

An intriguing part of the performance was a giant illuminated moving puppet with long seaweed-like hair; she seemed to represent mother nature and was accommodated by a rain soundscape.

It became a goosebump moment full of calmness and serenity as she glided

among the audience.

The New Annual festival has now ended after ten days of events and attracting 30,000 people to more than 50 events across the city.

Reese said the New Annual festival had been a saviour for the company, especially after the impacts of Covid-19.

“Being part of New Annual has been hugely beneficial for our company, and in many ways, a lifeline during the pandemic,” Reese said.

“When Covid-19 hit, 90 per cent of our work disappeared overnight.

“Being a part of the festival not only meant work for our artists—many of which were struggling with the economic

effects of Covid-19, but also a highly visible platform for our work to be showcased.

“Based on the vote of confidence City of Newcastle has shown in our work, we were able to leverage this project for additional funding through the Australian Government’s RISE fund, allowing us to reinvent the show for national and international touring in 2022 and 2023.”

New Annual proved popular with industry figures showing a 13 per cent rise in accommodation bookings and 37 per cent jump in revenue during the first Friday and Saturday night.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the festival involved more than 500 artists and 250 staff, crew, and volunteers creating a substantial economic boost to the local arts sector and community.

“New Annual marks a significant milestone in Newcastle’s growth and identity, demonstrating the City of Newcastle’s commitment to the arts and ability to deliver large-scale, multievent festivals,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Our vision was to create a landmark cultural festival with a uniquely Newcastle character that could become a mainstay on Australia’s annual events calendar.”

New Annual will be back later in the year from September 24 to October 3, with Curious Legends being one of the art companies to return.

Hayley McMahon

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SailFest Newcastle Regatta delivers a nail-biting finish

Photos: Salty Dingo @saltydingomedia

The SailFest Newcastle Regatta was held from April 10 to 11, bringing 175 years of sailing history and a fleet of TP52s, skiffs, dinghies, and catamarans to Newcastle Harbour.

Sailing races were held across the twoday event, including the Sailing Champions League Asia Pacific and the Cock of the Harbour Race, but none more significant than the TP52 Gold Cup, which saw eight grand-prix TP52’s battle it out in a nail-biting race to the finish.

Many of Australia’s top professional sailors were on board the highperformance yachts taking on the 25 knot wild south-westerly winds and navigating the borders of the break wall rocks, shipping marks and the Queen’s Wharf pub.

Amongst the armada was the former Sydney-Hobart winner Ichi Ban, along with Patrice, Denali, Matador, Quest and Smuggler joining Celestial and Koa from the 2019 TP52 Gold Cup. Tony Kirkby’s Patrice claimed the overall IRC honours after advancing 150 metres ahead to the port’s entrance beating Matt Allen’s Ichi Ban by a significant margin.

“We got a great start and were just able to skim past the port marker,” Kirkby said.

“We hit the lead then extended it, downwind we were hitting the high 20s – they’re awesome boats in these conditions, just so fast.”

Allen was stoked with Ichi Ban’s performance even though the former Sydney-Hobart champion had a few lost chances.

“It was one of those days when you had to execute cleanly, and we didn’t quite manage to do that,” Allen said.

“We had a problem with a jammer at the start and got caught up in the pack, I guess we made too many mistakes

overall, but we’re really pleased with how the boat’s going.

“Sailing out there in that sort of breeze is incredibly exciting.

“Also, everyone’s so welcoming and relaxed up here; we love coming.”

The Gold Cup was awarded to Quest, with owner Craig Neil believing the race to be the most exciting one yet with shifting breezes making for a tough

race.

“It’s such a great event to have so many TPs here and, as far as the start goes, I’m not sure about 175 years, but it was the most exciting I’ve been involved with,” Neil said.

“A strong breeze and a course that provided a mix of upwind, reaching and running, it had everything.

“Our boat was designed for offshore racing, so we were really in our element.”

Second place was awarded to Smuggler, with owner Sebastian Bohm ecstatic about the intense conditions.

“That was heart-in-the-mouth stuff; as soon as the gun went, a gust of 25 to 30 knots came through, and we were absolutely flying down the harbour,” Bohm said.

“We had Ichi Ban and Matador above us and Quest and Celestial below us, so it was fairly intense but great fun.”

Run in conjunction with the TP52 Gold Cup, PHS honours in the offshore division were awarded to Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club’s Summer Salt, helmed by Peter Sinclair.

The Sailing Champions League Asia Pacific winners went to the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania and were crowned Asia Pacific Champions.

Over the past year, SailFest Newcastle Regatta is believed to be the biggest gathering of international standing globally, with the Europe Super Series cancelled due to COVID-19.

Hayley McMahon

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NewRun: the festival of running The 14th annual City of Newcastle NewRun was held on Sunday, April 11, with 1690 runners crossing the finish line in the ultimate festival of running.

Newcastle saw multiple running events held across the day, including Marathon Tyres 1⁄2 Marathon (21.1km), Newcastle Herald Hill to Harbour 10km, H Events 5km and Hunter Orthodontics 2k4Kids races.

NewRun also featured the first-ever City of Newcastle Marathon, a massive 42.195 km race seeing 203 individuals and 16 relay teams take on four laps of a 10.55km course around Newcastle Harbour.

H Events Director Paul Humphreys said the day was a great success with spectacular weather and many enthusiastic entrants.

“The event was absolutely unreal; it was a beautiful day and ran really smoothly,” Humphreys said.

“It’s a very complicated event because we close roads and footpaths from Bar Beach to Wickham, so we appreciate the community is in favour of these healthy events, albeit that we close a few access points.

“The feedback has been incredible; everyone is really happy, and I think they were all just so excited to get out and do something compared to last year’s lockdown and event cancellation.”

Humphreys said overall, they had 2300 entries, but some were entrant transfers from the 2020 cancelled event, so it was understandable that some who entered 18 months ago weren’t able to partake this year.

“1690 participants is still an excellent number, which is around what we had in 2019, so we are stoked with that,”

Photo: Lee Pigott, Pappigo Images

Humphreys said.

“It’s undoubtedly the most significant event we have run since COVID-19 restrictions, so we were thrilled to get it off the ground.

“The finish line at Market Street Lawn was great; everyone was respectful, but the start line was a bit trickier trying to maintain social distancing—however, we were able to achieve a COVID safe event.

“Quite a few locals won, including one of our interns, Liam Dixon, who placed first in the Hill to Harbour 10km, and his twin brother placed second by about 2 seconds!”

The overall City of Newcastle Marathon winner was Devon Deppeler, who completed the 42.195 km in 2:51:03, and the first female and seventh place overall was Michelle Mcadam finishing at 3:02:17.

Humphreys said finding space to host a 42km event for many people was not as simple as it seemed.

“The are many complications and factors that go into hosting such a large event, but none more obvious than the need to find somewhere to run 42.195km,” he said.

“Add to that the need to keep traffic flowing in a dynamic cityscape, a massive

influx of residents, providing directional and water stations, medical treatment, race timing, live commentary, finish arches, barriers, while simultaneously staging five races from 42km to 2km—at the very least, there are a few balls in the air!”

Humphreys said they were appreciative of the City of Newcastle for their sponsorship and support of the event, especially through COVID-19.

“It’s a great start to what has been a long time coming,” he said.

Over the past 14 years, the course has evolved from a single 10km event to a significant running festival with races suited for recreational to elite runners.

Marathons are traditionally structured as destination runs with a track stretching from one end of a city to the other, enabling spectators only to get a quick look at the runners.

Humphreys said lap courses reduced the course footprint, allowed crowd interaction, and made road and pedestrian networking more manageable.

“With Newcastle’s Foreshore path network, it was an obvious place to stage a small but burgeoning marathon event,” he said.

“This year’s course was particularly complicated with various construction zones to navigate, as well as organising traffic control, road infrastructure, messaging boards, and road closures.

“It was a huge feat, but we did it, and the whole day was a success—we look forward to making next year’s event bigger and better!”

Hayley McMahon

Newy talent shines Hunter Academy of Sports netball program has selected 23 Newcastle Netball Association players out of the 48 member squad.

The netball program exposes young athletes from across the broader Hunter Region to a world-class standard of training without travelling to a metropolitan centre.

All members aged 14 to 17 recently came together at the Hunter Academy of Sport’s orientation day at Hunter Valley Grammar School.

They were introduced to the coaches and presented with uniforms by a national netball league representative, Sam Poolman.

Continuing its long-standing relationship with the Hunter Academy of Sport, Greater Bank will be the netball program’s primary sponsor.

Head of Marketing and Customer Experience, Matt Hingston, said the partnership provided a financial benefit to the young athletes and supported the local community.

“Greater Bank is proud to continue our

The Newcastle-based members of the Hunter Academy of Sport’s 2021 Netball Program – (L to R Back) Aela Streatfield, Jaylah Boney, Acacia Elers, Caitlin Dale, Elle Kaluski, Ella Smith (L to R Middle) Xanthe Rheinberger, Alice Elliot, Chloe Cook, Eve Keeling (L to R Front) Chloe Skinner (Umpire), Olivia Cullen, Carrie Lind

support of the Hunter Academy of Sport’s Netball Program, which stems from a relationship that spans over two decades,” Hingston said.

“Now more than ever, we are thrilled to be able to assist this talented homegrown group of athletes as they continue to work towards their sporting goals

following the major, yet necessary, disruptions we’ve seen over the past 12 months.

“This year, we are looking to again provide the athletes with financial literacy education sessions to the athletes in association with the University of Newcastle, which will assist in their personal development both on and off the court.”

The Hunter Academy of Sports netball program also plays a vital role in the Netball NSW Athlete Pathway, which monitors and develops young netballers’ skills.

The squad will be training weekly in the lead up to the NSW State Titles in June, focusing on Netball Australia’s Develop a Diamond program in court skills, fitness and athlete education.

In April, the squad will represent the Hunter at the 2021 Your Local Club Academy Games and then later in the year will travel to Orange for the Greater Bank Academy Challenge.

Information source: Media release, Feb 23, Karris Communications & Hunter Academy of Sport

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Local rookie makes his mark at WSL

The local Merewether surfer and CT rookie Morgan Cibilic

Local surfer and championship tour (CT) rookie, Morgan Cibilic, has made his mark on the WSL after knocking out world champs and seasoned professionals at the Rip Curl Newcastle Cup from April 1 to 11.

The 21-year-old rode some impressive waves all the way to the semi-finales until a remarkable aerial move by World Title holder Gabriel Medina knocked him out of the competition.

Despite his loss, Cibilic was ecstatic with his performance and feeling confident ahead of the next world tour stop at Narrabeen. “(I’m) over the moon,” Cibilic said.

“I never would have imagined going this far in a CT (comp), let alone my second one.”

Cibilic’s killer run all started in his Round of 32 against back-to-back world champ John John Florence with an impressive 17.13 win to Florence’s 13.16.

After sustaining a broken toe before his heat Cibilic knew he had to give his absolute best from the outset against Florence.

Florence is one of only five surfers in men’s CT history to win his first two World Titles back-to-back, making him a formidable contender for Cibilic.

Cibilic displayed his aggressive and explosive rail turns within the waves’ pocket using his local knowledge and experience of the Merewether break.

WSL commentator Ronnie Blakey said there had never been a surfer that played the dark horse role on the qualifying series better than Cibilic.

“What a star, just incredible stuff, he’s

putting out excellent scores on the board, unquestionable scores in the judge’s minds; they don’t like to throw big numbers out too often when the world champs are in the line-up,” Blakey said.

WSL Commentator Richie Lovett said Cibilic had picked the heat’s best waves and produced a fantastic performance.

After chasing the huge score Cibilic had set, Florence accepted defeat after falling short and scoring final waves of 0.50 to 2.77.

Next up was Avoca Beach surfer Wade Carmichael in the Round of 16, who was no match for Cibilic’s 8.5 and 7.5 combo.

Scoring the combo halfway through the 30-minute heat saw Cibilic claim victory with a 16.00 to Carmichaels 10.33; Cibilic was onto the quarter-finals against friend and fellow Merewether local Ryan Callinan.

The all-local quarter-final saw Callinan and Cibilic battle it out on their home wave, both scoring 10.37.

Both surfers caught a total of six waves, but Cibilic maintained his winning streak and progressed to the semi-finals after scoring the highest wave of the heat (5.70).

WSL commentator Joe Turpel said the tie break would have been a brutal defeat to accept for Callinan.

“Morgan Cibilic is getting past Ryan Callinan in a tie break decision, a wild one for him to walk away from and a tough one for Ryan to lose,” Turpel said.

“But Callinan is happy that Morgan is still representing Merewether and hopes that he goes all the way.”

World champion surfer and WSL Commentator Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew said the heat was a great

local talent display.

“He’s (Cibilic) still a rookie, his roots are at the Merewether Surf Club… and you couldn’t ask for a better heat, two locals—the seasoned pro, and the rookie coming to a dead tie,” Rabbit said.

Cibilic, the only Aussie left in the competition, was set to verse Brazilian legend and World Title holder Gabriel Medina.

Medina started the heat off with clean carves and powerful backhand snaps showing his variety and collecting a 5.00 and a few smaller ones to Cibilic’s first 7.00 wave.

Holding priority for the best waves, the two surfers took quick rides and maintained their positions at the back of the break.

Midway through the heat, Medina took off on a left and performed an outstanding air reverse manoeuvre.

Turpel said the move displayed the sheer x-factor talent that Medina held, where he could create big moments and completely shock the crowd.

“Sky-high above the lip, covering more ground than I think we have seen in this entire contest, ticking off all those boxes, the section was big, the air was even bigger, and the landing, seamless,” Turpel said.

“This crowd at Merewether is just incredible, a highly educated surf crowd, and they loved every bit of what Medina just threw down—a 9.7 on a single manoeuvre.

“Morgan being in a semi-final and only just starting his debut…for someone with the least amount of experience now in a semi-final, it’s pretty rare for a rookie to be able to break the mould so quickly.”

Photo: WSL, Matt Dunbar

Chasing an 8.78, Morgan took on his third wave entering a barrel and finishing it off clean, showing Medina that he was in for the fight.

“It was a different kind of wave, a wellsurfed wave, but it was a proper barrel,” Rabbit said.

“He was beautifully slotted in that backdoor section; he completely disappeared; you couldn’t even see the nose of his board.

“It was a very deep and impressive barrel.”

Cibilic’s barrel, however, could not compare to Medina’s air manoeuvre and wave variety.

Unfortunately, failing to catch any more waves for the remainder of the heat, Cibilic accepted defeat against the Brazilian champion.

“Morgan Cibilic has come onto the radar in the Rip Curl Newcastle Cup,” Turpel said.

“Turning on a brilliant performance and representing Merewether so well, what a fantastic result for the rookie.”

Hayley McMahon

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