Good morning, Newcastle! Welcome back to the Newcastle Digest.

This week’s edition is a little special - the Digest has just turned one. What started as a single Reddit post has grown into a community of more than 4,400 locals.

Thank you all, enjoy this week’s edition.

What started as a simple Reddit post has now grown into a community of 4,300+ subscribers - and I can’t thank you enough for being part of it.

Over the past 12 months:

Newcastle Digest is still just an after-work hobby for me, run at a loss purely for the love of our local community. This year though, I’m hoping to take things further, switching on advertising, creating some products, and even planning a few events to bring us together in person.

Thanks again for reading, sharing, and supporting - I appreciate it.

Flo Kotara

Tucked away on Joslin Street, Flo is a small cafe with a big heart, serving up delicious coffee and a welcoming vibe. Whether you’re grabbing a takeaway on the go or settling in for a catch-up, there's seating both inside and out.

They've also got some seriously good food options, making it the perfect spot for a casual breakfast or lunch. Plus, it's located right next to the famous Retro Rolls, which is next on my list to try. If you're looking for a new local favourite with great coffee and a friendly feel, Flo is a must-visit.

The Play That Goes Wrong – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | 22 Aug 7:30 pm; 23 Aug 2:30 pm & 7:30 pm; 24 Aug 1 pm
The Cornley Drama Society are putting on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong… does! This Olivier and Tony Award‑winning comedy is described as “a riotous explosion of comedy” with scenes that recall Monty Python and Sherlock Holmes. More info

Collector Con Newcastle – Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Broadmeadow | 24 Aug 9 am – 2:30 pm
This toy, hobby and pop‑culture event features more than 180 vendor tables selling everything from modern and vintage action figures, trading cards and comics to die‑cast cars, LEGO and plush toys. There will be fan groups, tabletop gamers and cosplayers, and early‑bird tickets offer extra trading time. Children aged 0‑12 and companion‑card holders enter free with a paying adult.  More info

NRL & NRLW Double Header: Knights vs Broncos – McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow | 24 August 11:50am (NRLW), 2pm (NRL)
The Knights host the Broncos in back-to-back action. More info.

Newcastle Comedy Club Showcase – Newcastle Comedy Club, Darby St | 22 Aug & 23 Aug 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Newcastle’s New York‑style comedy club spotlights local and guest performers from around Australia. Regular showcases have drawn household names like Wil Anderson and Tom Gleeson; Friday and Saturday night shows offer top‑tier entertainment in an intimate setting. More info

Stars of Newcastle Race Day supporting the Cancer Council – Newcastle Racecourse, Broadmeadow | 23 Aug
Celebrate 10 years of the Stars of Newcastle Dance for Cancer and Daffodil Day with a fun race day at Newcastle Racecourse. Businesses and the community are invited to book VIP packages, or bring platters or grazing boxes to enjoy a picnic; it’s a fundraiser not to be missed. Tickets range from $20–$250. More info

Ceramic Paint and Sip Workshop – 787 Hunter St, Newcastle West | 23 Aug & 24 Aug
Create ceramic plates and bowls guided by experts from Art Masterclass. Participants use templates and historic patterns, enjoy Turkish tea and homemade Turkish shortbread cookies, and learn step‑by‑step techniques Workshops run on both Saturday and Sunday with tickets $89–$139. More info

Bad Boys Afloat – Wharf Rd, Newcastle Harbour | 23 Aug
“The Ultimate Ladies Night Out” is an all‑inclusive evening cruise on Newcastle Harbour. It includes dinner and drinks, a scenic cruise and a thrilling live performance; the event promises an action‑packed atmosphere with charming waiters, high‑energy dance floors and fun. More info.

Dave Hughes: WTF? – 290 King Street, Newcastle | 23 Aug
Comedian Dave Hughes has been saying “WTF?” more than ever and has built an entire new stand‑up hour around it. With his natural charm and laser‑like way of skewering everyday mishaps, he turns relatable disasters into uproarious. More info

Justin Lees Solo Exhibition Opening Night – Wester Gallery, 39 Bolton Street, Newcastle | 22 August 6pm – 8pm
New works from Justin Lees, including pieces begun during a residency in France. One-week-only showing. More info.

Sydney Brewery Free Beer Tasting – Cellarbrations Lambton, 86 Elder Street, Lambton | 22 August
Free tastings of Sydney Brewery’s best brews. Sip, chat and stock up for the weekend. More info.

Drag Bingo feat. Abork – Barcadia, Dullboy’s Social Co, Warners Bay | 22 August
A fabulous night of cocktails, charisma and competition with Abork, plus $15 pizzas and $7 beers. More info.

Newcastle Starward Whisky & Craft Spirits Festival – Bartholomew’s, 145 King Street, Newcastle | 23 August 12pm – 5:30pm
Sample whisky, gin, rum, vodka and liqueurs from Australia and beyond. More info.

Connell: Box-Headed Manbaby – Newcastle Comedy Club, 1a Darby Street, Newcastle | 23 August
One-night-only comedy show from Daniel Connell (Have You Been Paying Attention?). More info.

All Access 90s Night – The Exchange, 125 Denison Street, Hamilton | 23 August
Tamagotchis, glowsticks and double denim welcome — relive the 90s for one wild night. More info.

Live at The Gladdy – The Gladdy, 36 Mitchell Street, Stockton | 23 August
An evening of stripped-back tunes with Jacob S Harris. With two decades of experience, Jacob brings a rich and genuine sound shaped by years on the road and behind the scenes. More info.

The Bloody Long Walk – Starts in Newcastle | 24 August 6:30am – 4pm
A 35km scenic charity walk to cure mitochondrial disease. More info.

Carpark Thrift Markets – Mayfield Hotel, 284 Maitland Road, Mayfield | 23 August
Stalls of second-hand goods and local small businesses. More info.

Homegrown Markets – The Station, Newcastle | 23 August 10am – 2pm
Handmade and design stalls, food, live music and entertainment. More info.

Do you want me to share an event in the Newcastle Digest?

Big news for Newcastle – on 25 March, the Council officially adopted the Broadmeadow Place Strategy.

This plan is being called a “blueprint for the next 30 years” and covers more than 313 hectares of land across Broadmeadow, Hamilton North, and parts of New Lambton and Hamilton. It promises thousands of new homes, new community spaces, and a world-class sports and entertainment precinct.

The idea is to transform Broadmeadow into a “vibrant destination” with more housing, jobs, public transport links, green space, and better sporting facilities. The strategy also makes mention of affordable housing targets, flood mitigation, transport upgrades (including talk of fast/light rail), and heritage protections.

During community consultation, 333 submissions were made - and now the rezoning process is moving forward.

For some, this is exciting: more housing supply, more jobs, and the chance to put Newcastle on the map with major sporting and entertainment events.
For others, it raises questions:

This is one of the biggest planning moves Newcastle has seen in decades — and it will affect all of us in some way.

👉 So what do you think?
Is this the bold renewal Newcastle needs, or is Broadmeadow at risk of being overdeveloped?