Good morning, Newcastle. Happy Wednesday, and welcome back to the Newcastle Digest. Hot winter days and gale-force wins sum up the last week in Newcastle.

We have an Instagram account. I have neglected Instagram so far, but I plan to start adding content to it now. Expect early access to local gems and stories as I’m out and about. Follow @newcastledigest

Table of Contents

• Local Gem

• What’s on - 5 September - 8 September

  • Food / Markets

    • Saturday 7 September

    • Sunday 8 September

  • Live music

    • Thursday 5 September

    • Friday 6 September

    • Saturday 7 September

    • Sunday 8 September

  • Art and culture

    • Friday 6 September

    • Saturday 7 September

  • Throwback

• Feel good story: Lauren Parker's Golden Triumph in …

  • Get in touch

Local Gem

Wow, someone please fill me in on why it took me this long to visit Arno Deli. Located on King Street adjacent to The Lucky Hotel, Arno Deli is a deli is known for their freshly made panini inspired by the panini of Florence as well as their coffee and cannoli.

We went at about 12:30 on a Friday and tables were packed, take away options were available. We ordered the #5. Mortadella, pistachio & stracciatella and the #28. Parmigiana Panino. The plan was to take away and eat somewhere scenic but once we entered the car I could not resist digging in (as seen below).

What’s on - 5 September - 8 September

Food / Markets

Saturday 7 September

• Canines and Caffeine - adoption day - Cafe Inu - 8:00am

• Newcastle Alternative Market - New Lambton Community Centre - 10:00am

• Urban craft beer crawl - Newcastle - 12-4pm, tickets ($55)

• Olive Tree Market, Civic Park, Newcastle, 9am to 2pm.

Sunday 8 September

• Made and Found market - Redhead Beach - 10:00am

Live music

Thursday 5 September

• The Tullamarines | Loser Tour - The Beach Hotel, acts start from 7pm

• The Merewether Fats’ Blues Jam - Stag and Hunter, 7:30pm

• Songwriters Sing - Open Mic Night with Sandy Louiseh - Thirsty Messuah Brewey, 6:00pm. Register 

Friday 6 September

• Wagtail & PIT – Live And Loud – The Mezz Bar, Wallsend Diggers, 7:00pm

• James Naldo - Soldiers Point Bowling Club, 7:00pm

• Outtaspace Weekender - Newy Edition - Royal Oak Hotel, 7:00pm

• Late November and Friends - Hamilton Station Hotel, 8:00pm, tickets

• Aaron Lenard - Cessnock Leagues Club, 8:00pm

• Rock Rhapsody - The Kent Hotel, 10:15pm

• Reece Mastin One Night Stand - The Stag & Hunter Hotel, 8:00pm. Tickets

Saturday 7 September

• Shred4Sam - The Newcastle Hotel - from 2:00pm. Tickets

• Brien McVernon Duo - Club Lambton, 2:00pm

• Phoenix and Manu  - Adamstown Bowling Club, 5:00pm

• RockThe Wicko! Feat Pa - The Wickham Park Hotel, 5:00pm

• Outtaspace Weekender Day 2 - Newy Edition - Royal Oak Hotel, 7:00pm

• Bernie, ‘Live in the Lounge’ - The Mezz Bar, Wallsend Diggers, 7:30pm

• The Witching Hour - The Hamilton Station Hotel - 7:30. Tickets

• The Smith & Western Jury Album Tour - Adamstown Bowling Club, 7:30pm. Tickets

• Brightside - Honeysuckle Hotel, 8:00pm

• Grip Down w/ Loner, Fall From Heaven, Mocked & Dist - The Stag & Hunter Hotel, 8:00pm

• Greg Bryce Band - Club Charlestown, 8:30pm

• Kazzie - The Boat Shed Bar, 9:00pm

• Joy Trio - Thirsty Messiah Brewery, 8:00pm

Sunday 8 September

• Open Mic - The Criterion Hotel Weston, 2:00pm

• Spank’n the Monkey - Club Lambton, 2:00pm

• Chris Saxby - Stockton Bowling Club, 3:00pm

• Punk’d 3.0 - The Hamilton Station Hotel, 6:00pm

• Loko - Thirsty Messiah Brewery, 6:00pm

Art and culture

Friday 6 September

• Nat's What I Reckon - Hot Dogs Probably Aren't Real - Souths Merewether, Tickets 

• Lawrence Mooney Pigeonhole - Belmont 16s, multiple tickets

Saturday 7 September

• Michael Hing Live - The Art House Studio, tickets

• 2024 Hunter Mental Health & Wellbeing Expo - Newcastle Racecourse, 9:30am-3:30pm. Book

View more miscellaneous events

Throwback Thursday Wednesday

This image may be familiar to some, located on Maitland Road, Mayfield. The building that is not currently occupied holds nostalgia for Newcastle Locals. One home to ‘Jim’s milk bar’ and apparently at one point sold real streak pies. What do you remember of this building, reply and let me know.

Feel good story: Lauren Parker's Golden Triumph in Paris

Newcastle's Lauren Parker has captured gold at the Paralympics in Paris, delivering a performance that defines resilience and determination. Just two years after a narrow defeat in Tokyo, where she missed out on first place by a mere second, Parker returned to the world stage and she didn’t disappoint.

The triathlon in Paris unfolded under bright skies along the scenic Seine River, with Parker taking the lead early and never looking back. From the swim through the iconic streets of Paris to the final wheelchair run, she displayed unmatched strength and focus, crossing the finish line well ahead of her competitors.

This victory marks a remarkable chapter in Parker's journey. After a life-altering accident in 2017, she overcame tremendous challenges to return to elite sport, winning medals and hearts around the world.

Lauren Parker’s golden moment reminds us all that with courage and an unbreakable spirit, anything is possible. Congratulations, Lauren – Newcastle is proud of you!

Get in touch

Do you want to get in touch? Whether you have an event you would like promoted, a story you would like to submit or a business that would like to advertise, click this link.

Thanks for reading; please let me know your thoughts on the poll below. If there is anything in particular you would like to see me include, please reply to the email. Talk next week!