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

We have recovered from our illness and are back to regular programming this week. After a wet weekend last week, it looks like we are in for another, unfortunately.

Table of Contents

• Eats

• Live Music

• Events

• Miscellaneous

Newys best Schnitty

The Ship Inn

This week’s schnitzel takes us to The Ship Inn. A beautiful, vintage pub on Hunter Street. We were there for one thing: the schnitzel.

The schnitty follows a similar style to our first contender, The Falcon. This makes sense, as the same people own them.

The schnitzel itself was moist and well-crumbed, coming with two decently sized pieces of chicken. It was served with seasoned fries, a creamy coleslaw, and a standout curry gravy that was delicious.

Overall, this schnitzel meal is delicious, definitely up there with one of my favourites in town. But how does it score?

1. The Ship Inn: 47

2. The Falcon 46

   

Coming soon

Yo-Chi

Exciting news, Yo-Chi is officially opening soon in Newcastle! The beloved Australian frozen yoghurt brand is bringing itself to Charlestown Square.

Yo-Chi is famous for its massive range of delicious flavours like salted butterscotch, vanilla, and açaí, and an epic self-serve toppings bar where you can build your own perfect creation. They've got heaps of vegan and gluten-free options too, so everyone can get in on the fun.

Newcastle trivia

Friday 8 August

Saturday 9 August

Sunday 10 August

Families

Josephine Wants to Dance – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | Fri 8 Aug 6.30 pm; Sat 9 Aug 10 am & 12.30 pm
A hilarious musical about Josephine the kangaroo who dreams of becoming a dancer. Hunter Drama’s production includes colourful costumes and songs, and is ideal for children aged 4–9 and their families. More info

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | Thu 7 Aug – Sat 10 Aug (various times)
Hunter Drama brings Rick Riordan’s adventure story to the stage. Percy discovers he’s a demigod and must journey across the U.S. to return Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt. Suitable for ages 10+; tickets from $39. More info

Lake Mac FULL STEAM – Windale Hub, bilyabayi | Sat 9 Aug 9 am–1 pm
A free science/tech festival with maker sessions, a student “Curious Minds” exhibition, solar telescope demonstrations and activities for all ages. More info

Response III: Sculpture in the Botanic Gardens – Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, Heatherbrae | Daily 9 am–4 pm (through 14 Sep)
Twenty‑four artists exhibit sculptural works responding to nature. The garden’s $5 entry fee includes the exhibition. More info

Chinese Restaurant Playground – Maitland Regional Art Gallery | Tue–Sun 8 am–2 pm (until 24 Aug)
Artist Steffie Yee recreates scenes from her family’s restaurant in Branxton, exploring Chinese‑Australian childhoods through art, storyboards and oral histories. Free entry, bookings essential. More info

Adults

Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase – 39 Lake Street, Warners Bay | 8 August 7:30pm – 9:30pm
The Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase Tour will be tearing up the freeway to bring the best of the 2025 Festival to Lake Macquarie!
Tickets: $45–$50. More info.

Jazz @ MAP mima – Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima, Speers Point | 8 August 6pm – 8pm
This special evening features a live performance by a talented local jazz band, bringing the timeless allure of jazz music to life in the unique 360-degree projection space. More info.

Travelling Film Festival – Event Cinemas Kotara, Kotara | 8 – 10 August
Australia’s longest running travelling film festival, showcasing Australian and international features, documentaries and short films. More info.

Artist Talk: James Drinkwater & Braddon Snape – Straitjacket, 222 Denison Street, Broadmeadow | 9 August
James Drinkwater and Braddon Snape will be talking about their first collaborative artwork amongst the exhibition. More info.

Honkeytonk on the Harbour (Saturday Day) – Queens Wharf Ferry Terminal, Wharf Road, Newcastle | 9 August
Performing 3 MASSIVE sets! Experience all the VCB songs you know and love, as well as songs by Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Keith Urban, Post Malone, Luke Bryan, Brooks and Dunn, Zach Top and Eric Church. More info.

Honkeytonk on the Harbour: Family Day – Queens Wharf Ferry Terminal, Wharf Road, Newcastle | 10 August
Due to overwhelming demand, an extra show has been added so the whole family can come! Performing 3 MASSIVE sets with songs by Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Keith Urban, Post Malone, Luke Bryan and more. More info.

Family History at Miss Porter’s House – 434 King Street, Newcastle West | 10 August 1pm – 4pm
Working women, carriers, grocers, businesspeople, and active citizens were all part of this notable Newcastle West family. Their stories are told in a special display.
Adults $12, Concessions $10, Family $34, children under 5 free. More info

Russell Morris – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | Thu 7 Aug 7 pm
Australian music icon Russell Morris embarks on a farewell tour in spectacular style. He’s joined by a line‑up of Australia’s finest musicians featuring lush strings and a smokin’ hot band. Expect classic hits from “The Real Thing” and “Sweet Sweet Love” to songs from his celebrated blues. More info

Gershwin & Shostakovich – City Hall, Newcastle | Thu 7 Aug 7 :30 pm
The Australian Chamber Orchestra celebrates fifty years with a program featuring Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No.1 with superstar pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk. Gershwin’s work is described as a life‑affirming explosion of jazz and joy, contrasting with Shostakovich’s intense Chamber Symphony dedicated to victims of fascism and oppression. More info

Four Last Songs – Harold Lobb Concert Hall, Newcastle Conservatorium | Fri 8 Aug 7 pm–8:30 pm
Dramatic soprano Bronwyn Douglass performs Richard Strauss’s Four Last Songs, Ravel’s Shéhérazade and other works arranged by Ross Fiddes, with associate artists from Hourglass Ensemble. It promises a spellbinding concert by one of Australia’s rising opera stars. More info

A Conversation with Orava Quartet – Newcastle Conservatorium Foyer | Sat 9 Aug 10 am–11 am
Young string players are invited to meet the Orava Quartet. Members discuss their musical journey with youth orchestras, their current program and repertoire, and how they approach interpretation. The session includes Q&A and instrument demonstrations and is accompanied by morning tea. More info

Second Sunday Folk – Lounge 12B, 50 Clyde Street, Hamilton North | Sun 10 Aug 2:30 pm–6 pm
This monthly folk/acoustic music blackboard concert invites community musicians to present seven 20‑minute sets. Attendees are encouraged to join the participatory atmosphere, enjoy live music and share afternoon tea; entry is free. More info

Medieval Fair – Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, Heatherbrae | 10 August 9am – 5pm
After the success of last year’s event, Hunter Region Botanic Gardens welcomes LARP groups Battlecry Fields of Ashnoor and Swordcraft Newcastle back for an even bigger and better day of medieval fun. More info.

Markets

Homegrown Market Day – The Station Newcastle | Sat 9 Aug 10 am–2 pm
Homegrown Markets at The Station, Newcastle on Sat 9th Aug. We’ll be bringing a lineup of fab handmade & design stalls, yummy street food, live tunes & entertainment More info

Homegrown Markets – Speers Point Park | Sun 10 Aug 10 am–2 pm
Lake Mac’s largest handmade & design market ~ The perfect place to shop local-made with a huge lineup of makers. Homegrown Markets curate a lineup of quality handmade & design stalls from across the Hunter region in one stunning lakeside location More info.

Bernie’s August Markets – Bernie’s Bar, Devonshire Laneway, Newcastle | 10 August 3pm – 8pm
Bernie’s Markets are back again under the fairy lights, bringing warmth and magic to the month! A perfect way to embrace the winter vibes. More info.

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

Newcastle Building History: From Oval to Icon – The Story of McDonald Jones Stadium

If you’ve ever stood in the crowd at a Knights game or watched the Jets battle it out on a Saturday night, you’ve been part of a story that started over 50 years ago.

Back in 1967, work began on what would become the Newcastle International Sports Centre, built on the old Newcastle Aerodrome site at Broadmeadow. It was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in April 1970, a major milestone for the region, giving Newcastle its first purpose-built venue for top-level sport.

Originally oval-shaped to accommodate cricket, soccer and both rugby codes, the stadium evolved in 1988 when the newly formed Newcastle Knights made it their home and reconfigured the ground into a rectangular layout. Not long after, the venue witnessed its first international clash as the Knights hosted the touring Great Britain Lions.

Over the years, the stadium has been known by many names, Marathon Stadium, EnergyAustralia Stadium, Ausgrid Stadium, Hunter Stadium, before landing on McDonald Jones Stadium in 2016, thanks to a local sponsorship deal.

But behind the name changes has been consistent growth. From the early 2000s, the stadium has seen major upgrades: new grandstands, expanded capacity, better media and change room facilities, and, most recently in 2024, the installation of massive new video screens. Today, it can host up to 33,000 spectators, with the capacity to expand to 40,000 if needed.

What began as a regional project is now one of NSW’s key sporting venues, deeply woven into the city’s identity, where locals celebrate, commiserate, and cheer on their teams under the Broadmeadow lights.

Pet of the week

Fergus & Walter

These two cuties belong to Beverley and look great in their matching red set.

Want to feature your pet? Reply to this email with a photo of your pet and some info to be featured. Viewing this online? Email [email protected]