| World championships-bound: University of Newcastle student Jarrod McEwen-Young is heading to Greece for the World Deaf Basketball Championships. Australia's Deaf Basketball team, the Goannas, is more than a group of men who love the sport. They are mates who have given each other the confidence to make their own way in the world.
Enterprise agreement closer: After a week of intense negotiations the University of Newcastle and National Tertiary Education Union have reached an in-principle agreement on a new enterprise agreement. The talks were facilitated by the Fair Work Commission, following almost two years of failed attempts to finalise the agreement.
Information sought on shooting: Lake Macquarie police have released a CCTV image of man they believe can help them with their inquiries into a shooting at Gateshead last month. Several shots were fired at a house on Flame Street on May 18, with a man inside suffering a gunshot wound to his leg. Police also want to identify four males seen walking along Flame Street a short time before the incident.
King's honours list: More than two dozen people in the Hunter have been recognised in this year's King's Birthday Honours List for work across a variety of areas including medicine, research, sport, aviation and politics. Recipients include Scone's Pauline Carrigan OAM who started mental health program Where there's a Will, Charlestown's Sean Gordon AM for his service to the Indigenous community, and Merewether's Viv Allanson OAM for her more than 30 years of service to aged care.
More people seeking help: The founder of a Hunter charity that gives food to those in need says more men are walking through the door than usual. Survivors R Us is reporting a doubling of clients in May compared to the same time last year, from just under 4,000 to almost 8,000.
Nursing home concerns: More than a decade after a fight to save the local nursing home from privatisation, Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is worried it's not being fully utilised. The state-owned Wallsend Aged Care facility has space for 100 beds, but Ms Hornery says only a third are filled. She says the vacant beds could be used to reduce a backlog of geriatric patients stuck in hospital.
Beach flags to stay up: Lifeguard patrols will continue at a Port Stephens beach through winter after several incidents in the past few months. The Port Stephens Council has asked lifeguards to keep the flags up at One Mile Beach seven days a week. In April, a man drowned at Fingal Spit and a man was pulled unconscious from the water at One Mile a fortnight ago.
Bowling club site ideas sought: The Maitland City Council is calling for ideas for the future use of the former Maitland Park Bowling Club. After being open for more than 120 years the bowling club closed in 2022 following ongoing financial struggles. Council says the site has plenty of potential, with 1,000 square metres of floor space across two levels.
Knights back at home: The Newcastle Knights will be hoping to bounce back from a close loss to the Broncos when they face Sydney Roosters at home on Saturday afternoon. The Knights led for most of the match against hot favourites Brisbane last weekend, but a late try to Ezra Mam resulted in the Knights going down 24-20. | 