Good morning, Newcastle! Welcome back to the Newcastle Digest.
Hope you all are enjoying the sunshine and the slightly warmer weather as of late. Hopefully we have another beautiful weekend this week.
Thank you all, enjoy this edition.
Gif by BoDoggos on Giphy
Table of Contents
Newcastle News |
|---|
$1M Boost for Safer Coastal Paths in Newcastle: A $1 million funding boost, jointly provided by the NSW Government and City of Newcastle, will deliver new shared paths and safer crossings along Newcastle's coastline. Upgrades are already underway at Bar Beach, with work at King Edward Park to follow. Read more. |
Newcastle Council Answers Questions on New Lambton Landslip: The City of Newcastle has addressed community concerns about the ongoing New Lambton landslip. In an update, the council spoke about whether mine subsidence is to blame, the status of a geotechnical study, and the potential for residents to access compensation. Full story. |
Police to Use Wanding Operations to Combat Knife Crime in Hunter: Police will begin conducting wanding operations in the Hunter, including Charlestown, in an effort to deter knife crime following two alleged stabbings in the area last week. Full story. |
Maitland Dad Gets Early Father's Day Gift With $1M Lotto Win: A Maitland dad has received a massive early Father's Day gift, winning more than $1 million in Saturday Lotto draw 4601. The winner, who plans to pay off his mortgage, will receive the prize on Father's Day, making it a day he'll "never forget." Read more. |
Best Breakfasts
Onyx Mayfield
If you’re chasing a reliable breakfast spot in Mayfield, Onyx should be on your list. This local favourite sits on Maitland Road and has become a go-to for both classic café fare and fresh pastries. The coffee is consistently good, and the menu covers everything from hearty staples to lighter bites.
We ordered the Benedict and a bagel – both were generous, well-prepared, and fairly priced. The indoor seating makes it a comfy spot to linger over a flat white, while the outdoor tables are dog-friendly. Whether you’re after a casual breakfast or just a nice coffee, Onyx is one of Mayfield’s best bets.
Sorry for the shadow
Newcastle trivia
🎸 Rock / Metal | 🎺 Jazz / R&B | 🎵 Hip-Hop / Rap |
🪕 Country / Folk / Acoustic | 🎧 DJ / Electronic | 🌿 Indie / Alternative |
Friday 29 August
🎺 Newcastle Jazz Festival – Newcastle City Hall, 5:00pm
🪕 Peter Stefanson – Club Stockton, 7:00pm
🎸 100th year of The Star Hotel ft TNR Band – Bernie’s Bar, 7:00pm
🎸 Wonderwall Oasis Tribute Show – The Exchange, 7:00pm
🎸 Adam Eckersley Band – Stag & Hunter Hotel, 8:00pm
🎸 Karaoke – Cardiff RSL, 8:00pm
🎸 DEAD MALL - The Hamilton Station Hotel, 8:00pm. Get tickets
🎸 Splinter "South Eastern Decimation" w/ Starve + More – King St Hotel, 8:00pm. Get tickets.
🎸 P!NK Tribute Show – Wallsend Diggers & Mezz Bar, 8:30pm
🎸 The Royal Australian Navy Big Band – Flamingos Live, 8:30pm
🎸 Skyes Law – Club Charlestown, 8:30pm
🎧 HAUS 909 presents: DEAF TOUCAN – King St Hotel, 9:00pm. Get tickets.
Saturday 30 August
🎸 Girls Rocking The Green – Club Macquarie, 12:00pm
🪕 Live Music all day at Play Music on the Porch (hosted by Cec Peterson) – Lake Mac Brewing Co, 12:00pm
🎸 Rockabilly Voodoo Rumble Festival – Wickham Park Hotel, 2:00pm
🎧 Early Bird: Daytime Clubbing for 30+ – Kent Hotel, 4:00pm
🪕 Live Country music by Honey duo – The Place Charlestown, 5:30pm
🪕 Jake Hunt – Souths Merewether, 6:30pm
🎸 DIST w/ Grip Down – Mayfield Bowling Club, 7:00pm
🎸 Firestorm – Club Stockton, 7:00pm
🎸 Diesect "Hide From The Light EP Tour" – King St Hotel, 7:00pm
🌿 Iryss w/ Title & Carnivara – Stag & Hunter Hotel, 8:00pm
🎸 The Moops – Swansea RSL, 8:00pm
🎸 Oils Ain’t Oils – Sydney Junction Hotel, 8:00pm
🎵 Allday – King Street Hotel, 8:00pm. Get tickets.
🎸 Early Daze – Club Charlestown, 8:30pm
🎸 Metro Lane, Soy Boy – Hamilton Station Hotel, 8:30pm. Get tickets.
🎧🪕 Cowboy C*untry with Kath Ebbs - Bar On The Hill, 6:30pm. Get tickets.
Sunday 31 August
🪕 Darren Rolling Keys – Swansea RSL, 1:30pm
🪕 Junior & Luana – Boolaroo Sports Club, 2:00pm
Newcastle Jazz Festival ft Port Hunter Jazz Band – Newcastle City Hall, 2:00pm
🪕 Rosie James - Stockton Bowling Club, 1:00pm
🪕 Teasha & Mari -Swansea Workers Club, 1:30pm
🪕 Greg Bryce – Club Merewether, 4:00pm
🪕 Chris Unicomb – Warners Bay Sports Club, 4:00pm
🪕 Chris Bailey – Lake Macquarie Tavern, 6:00pm
🎸 Armlock – King St Hotel, 7:00pm. Get tickets.
🪕 Matt McLaren - Warners Bay Hotel, 2:00pm
🪕 Brien McVernon Duo - Club Lambton, 2:00pm
Families
Newcastle Outdoor Adventure & Lifestyle Expo – Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Broadmeadow | 29 – 31 August 8:30am – 5pm
Explore the best in caravans, camper trailers, 4×4 gear, boating accessories, and outdoor lifestyle products. Live demos, daily entertainment, and hands-on adventure experiences for the whole family. More info.
Play Well: Athletic Fun Day – Hunter Sports Centre, Glendale | 30 August 10:30am – 12:30pm
Part of the 'Come and Try Sports' initiative, this inclusive event offers fun athletic games and activities for children and adults with disabilities.
Glendale Community Day – Glendale City Centre, Glendale | 30 August
A free family-friendly celebration with emergency service displays, entertainment, interactive activities and more, alongside the Farmers & Artisans Markets. More info.
Newcastle Medieval Festival – Foreshore Park, Newcastle East | 30 – 31 August
Step into a world of knights, merchants, re-enactments, and medieval mayhem. Expect combat arenas, artisan stalls, encampments, and fun for all ages. Dressing up encouraged! More info.
Jack’s Irish Society Family Fun Day – Mayfield Bowling Club, Mayfield | 31 August 2pm – 5pm
Celebrate Irish culture with live music, a bouncy castle, face painting, raffles, goodie bags and finger food.
Adults
First Taste Party – Good Folk Brewing, 80 Beaumont Street, Hamilton | 28 August 6pm
Roll in, raise one, and get your freak on! Meet the Young Henrys crew heading up from Newtown, win merch, and share froth reviews with the beer makers. Shake your hips to 60s garage and psychedelic vinyl from Benny & The Decks in this high-energy community tap takeover. More info.
Wonderwall: Oasis Tribute Show – The Exchange Hotel, 125 Denison Street, Hamilton | 29 August from 7pm
Get ready to relive the glory days of 90s Britpop. ‘Wonderwall’ is a live tribute to Oasis, blasting through their greatest hits. Grab your mates, order a pint, and shout along to "Don’t Look Back in Anger". More info.
36th Annual Newcastle Hunter Jazz Festival – Newcastle City Hall, King Street, Newcastle | 29 – 31 August
One of Australia's premier jazz festivals returns with over 50 performances from local and interstate acts. Enjoy everything from traditional swing and blues to funk, Latin and big band jazz across multiple stages. More info.
Artist Talks: Michael Bell & Claire Martin – Straitjacket, 222 Denison Street, Broadmeadow | 30 August
Join exhibiting artists Michael Bell and Claire Martin for an insightful conversation about their current solo exhibitions and creative practices. More info.
Spinosa X Sukimama – Sukimama, 101 Maitland Road, Islington | 30 August 11am – 2pm
Vinyl collectors and foodies unite! Spinosa Records and Sukimama team up for a chilled community day party with food, rare records, and good vibes. Family and dog friendly.
Shakin’ Bacon – The Nags Head Hotel, 272 Brunker Road, Adamstown | 30 August
A five-course bacon-inspired menu paired with whiskey, beer, and cocktails. Live music, good company, and all in support of Men’s Shed — because mates support mates. More info.
Indy Allstars (Vinyl Night) – Method Brewing, 18 Maitland Road, Islington | 30 August 4pm – 8pm
Indie, alt, and grunge vinyl tunes for your listening pleasure. Join Tone & Stormy T as they spin records, pour beers, and vibe out in this one-off afternoon session.
More info
Thrive Festival – Bodybend Pilates Studio, 1/11–15 Josephson Street, Swansea | 31 August
A one-day health and wellbeing festival featuring Pilates, breathwork, workshops, and community connection. Expect a vibrant mix of movement, education, and empowerment. More info.
The PHYX Up: Move. Breathe. Connect. – Bar Beach Bowling Club, 29 Kilgour Avenue, Merewether | 31 August
An energising community morning of Pilates on the green, ocean-view meditation, music, coffee and movement. Hosted by PHYX and open to all. More info.
Star Hotel 100-Year Celebration – Star Hotel, King Street, Newcastle | 29 – 31 August
Celebrate a Newcastle icon with live music, drag shows, historic talks, and a screening of the Star Riot documentary. Three days of culture, pride, and partying. More info.
An Evening with Fatty & Sterlo – NEX Newcastle, King Street | 28 August 7pm
Relive the golden age of Aussie footy comedy with Fatty Vautin and Peter Sterling. Stories, banter and nostalgic highlights from two NRL legends. PG recommended. More info.
Impact Dance Festival – 39 Lake Street, Warners Bay | 29 August 9am – 9pm
A full day of dance workshops, creative talks and performances exploring contemporary movement and artistic development. More info.
Drag Bingo with Timberlina – 5 Sawyers, Darby Street, Newcastle | 28 August 7pm – 9pm
Three games of outrageous bingo, live performances, and plenty of sass from local drag star Timberlina. More info.
Markets
Speers Point Winter Markets – Speers Point Park, Speers Point | 29 August 5pm – 10pm, 30 August 12pm – 10pm
Presented by Aussie NightMarkets, this two-day family festival features street food trucks, desserts, artisan stalls, carnival rides, and games. Entry is $2 at the gate, with free parking and leashed pets welcome. Prize pack giveaways available for attendees who RSVP online. More info.
Merewether Markets – Dixon Park Beach, Merewether | 31 August 9am – 2pm
A relaxed yet vibrant beachside market showcasing handmade goods, crafts, street food, local fashion and artisan wares. A favourite for locals and visitors alike, focused on sustainability and supporting Newcastle’s creative small business community. More info.
Homegrown Markets – Speers Point Park, Speers Point | 31 August 10am – 2pm
Lake Mac’s biggest handmade and design market brings together a huge lineup of local makers, delicious street food, live music, coffee, and free kids' entertainment. A scenic lakeside setting perfect for families and pet lovers. More info.
Do you want me to share an event in the Newcastle Digest?
Let’s Talk About: Mental Health in Newcastle
While digging through the latest Census data (yes, for trivia questions!), I came across something that stopped me in my tracks.
According to the 2021 Census, 12.2% of people in Newcastle reported having a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety. That’s 47,681 people.
To put it in perspective:
Across NSW, the average is 8%
Across Australia, it’s 8.8%
That means Newcastle is sitting noticeably higher than the state and national averages.
Now, numbers don’t always tell the whole story - Census data relies on self-reporting, and it doesn’t capture the full complexity of mental health. But still, the gap is pretty stark.
So, what’s going on here?
Is it about access to services?
The pressures of housing and cost of living in our city?
Or is Newcastle just better at talking openly about mental health than other places?
👉 What do you think?
Why do you reckon our numbers are so much higher - and what can we do better as a community to support each other?
The Newcastle Digest thrives thanks to the support of {{active_subscriber_count}} subscribers like you. We’re dedicated to amplifying our community’s voice and championing local businesses and contributors.
This is a one-person project, done for the love of Newy (and fueled by caffeine). I am not getting paid to make it yet but if you enjoy reading it and want to support what I’m building, you can shout me a coffee here.
Sharing the Digest with a mate is just as appreciated. Your referrals are essential to our growth. Thanks for being part of it.