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Former deputy PM walks away from plum university position | |
| Let's start with some recruitment news that didn't go to plan for the University of Newcastle, causing quite the hoo-ha around the Hunter... | |
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Hunter mum jailed for five years over toddler's death | |
| A terribly sad but important court case has been finalised. Please be aware some readers may find this content distressing as it describes the little girl's horrific injuries. | |
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What caused the fatal Anna Bay helicopter crash? | |
| On September 6, 2019 a helicopter flight crashed into the ocean off Port Stephens, killing all five people aboard. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released its findings into the crash. | |
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Why is Lake Macquarie glowing? | |
| Peter Williams captured this shot of phytoplankton at Chain Valley Bay North. Associate Professor Troy Gaston, a marine biologist at the University of Newcastle, explains what it is, the reason it's glowing and why it's an unusual sight for this time of year. | |
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Hunter racetrack wins $20 million funding | |
| There's no doubt our region's horse racing industry was a winner in the state budget. The Scone racetrack is part of a $67 million upgrade in regional horse racing — the largest investment in a decade. | |
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Meet the teenage striker who helped the Newcastle Jets avoid the wooden spoon | |
| Archie Goodwin has just made history with the men's Newcastle Jets team — he is the youngest player to score an A-League goal. But the 16-year-old's path to success hasn't been so smooth. | |
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Stockton nursing home officially on the market | |
| When you move into a nursing home, you tend to think you are comfortable and safe. But residents of two regional homes were left "gobsmacked" when they were told their home was for sale. | |
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Frozen frog sperm collected near Newcastle is a serious business | |
| Did you know frogs are our oldest land vertebrate? Since the 2019/2020 bushfires, these tiny creatures are at increased risk of extinction. | |
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Todd and Jeff quit their corporate life in Sydney | |
| In case you missed it, June is Pride Month. It's marked around many parts of the world, including Australia, to mark the significance of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City. These were considered a turning point in the fight for LBTQI rights.
Eight years ago Todd Alexander and his partner Jeff traded corporate Sydney for life on the land in the Hunter Valley. Todd spoke to ABC Newcastle's Nat Little about the experience and the help they got from their local rural community. | |
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Traffic lights on the way for Hillsborough Road | |
| Funding has been allocated in the NSW budget to start fixing a busy stretch of Hillsborough Road, where congestion has created safety concerns. | |
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What else made news this week? | |
| No surprises in the state budget: There was $59 million to finish off the new Maitland Hospital and $34 million to continue planning upgrades at Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital. Plus the $7 million already announced towards redeveloping Muswellbrook hospital before the recent Upper Hunter by-election. Hillsborough Rd near Charlestown was allocated $2.9 million in this budget with a further $30 million foreshadowed for future budgets.
No new schools for our region: The budget also allocated money for upgrades to three local high schools — $3.5 million was allocated for Irrawang and Hunter River high schools, along with $5.6 million for Newcastle High. Port Stephens MP Kate Washington has long campaigned for a new high school at Medowie and says upgrades won't solve the overcrowding at schools around Raymond Terrace. She says a new high school is desperately needed and she's worried the NSW government is avoiding building one.
Still no arrest over death of Stockton grandmother: Investigations into the death of a 61-year-old grandmother who was shot dead after answering her front door are ongoing. So far, no one has been charged over the killing of Stacey Klimovitch.
Teenager survives 10-metre fall: Emergency services abseiled about 10 metres to rescue a boy after he fell down an elevator shaft at the disused Wangi Power Station (pictured). He escaped with a suspected fractured wrist and scratches. State MP for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper says it was only a matter of time before something like this happened at the site.
Million-dollar donation: As part of last weekend's NRL Beanies for Brain Cancer round, the Mark Hughes Foundation received a whopping $1m donation from Newcastle developer and former lord mayor Jeff McCloy. Overall 160,000 beanies were sold and Mr Hughes says it's an outstanding result that will provide much-needed funds for brain cancer research.
Knights win but Fitzgibbon sinbinned: Newcastle Knights second-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon has pleaded guilty to a grade one careless high tackle in the men's team's 10 to 6 win over the Warriors on Saturday. He'll also have to pay a $1,700 fine as part of his penalty for the tackle on New Zealand's Kodi Nikorima. Because he took an early plea to the charge, Fitzgibbon won't have to miss any games. The Knights have the bye in this weekend's round.
'Crucial' koala plan: Hunter wildlife carers are pleading with the public to comment on two plans that will shape the future protection of koalas. The federal government has developed a national recovery plan for koalas. There's also the question of whether their threatened species protection status should be raised from vulnerable to endangered. | |
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The best photos from around the country | | | | How great is this photo by Lisa Skelton of @lisaskeltonphotography who shared it via #ABCmyphoto? She says the "water clarity was off the charts last week! I love the textures of the reefs surrounding the Newcastle Ocean Baths!" Thanks for sharing, Lisa.
The #ABCmyphoto team is always on the lookout for the best photos from around Australia. You can show us what the world looks like where you are by using the hashtag on Instagram, or by uploading your photos online here. Let's make sure more photos from the Hunter are featured across the ABC! | | | | | | |
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How's the weekend weather looking? | |
| After a blustery winter week, it looks like we’re marching towards a mostly sunny weekend around the Hunter. But expect more showers to emerge on Monday. You can use the dropdown menu on our weather page to check the forecast at the location closest to your place.
Thanks so much to Debra Lee at @debdeb_lee for sharing this epic shot of Vacy from the top of the hill near the Mount George lookout. What a stunning sky! | |
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