How this local school became one of the most improved in the country

When you think of camels, you probably imagine them in a desert. But in lush, green Hunter Valley paddocks, Michelle Phillips keeps 50 — and their milk is in high demand.

Despite concluding that former NSW minister Tim Crakanthorp breached public trust by failing to disclose family property holdings, the Independent Commission Against Corruption said there was no finding of corrupt conduct.

The Anglican Church systematically buried complaints about sex abusers in Newcastle during the 1970s onwards. Author and social philosopher Anne Mann's new book looks at this infamous era in the Anglican Church.

Being paid to get rid of weeds sounds like a farmer's ultimate dream, and it may just become reality for a group of graziers in rural Australia.

Cashless gaming is intended to limit the losses of people with gambling problems, but reform advocates say the first trial did not include crucial harm reduction measures.

Brawls and violence were part of life at Cessnock High. Now it's a model for best practice.

Zacharyis one of nearly 3,000 young people who have been helped in the past two years by a youth hub that is about to close as its government funding ends.

Organisers of the touring Pandemonium Rocks music festival are refusing full refunds to ticket holders after major changes to the event, despite stipulations in Australian Consumer Law.

Box-office strikers, bonus football, a dramatic penalty shootout, and some good old-fashioned revenge — the A-League Women elimination final delivers all the chaos we know and love.

Laurise Dickson is on a mission to uncover weird and wonderful stories from the Hunter region. Catch the new season of NewcastleCast from April 24. Subscribe now on the ABC listen app!

Anzac rosemary: The annual rosemary harvest is underway in Merriwa, ahead of Anzac Day next week. The town provides sprigs to the main Sydney dawn service and march.

Photo: Dermot Shannon from the Merriwa Rotary Club hard at work harvesting Anzac rosemary on Tuesday. Image credit: ABC Upper Hunter/Romy Stephens

Calls for unity and calm: Newcastle religious leaders are joining calls for calm after a stabbing attack in Sydney. Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel sustained lacerations to his head after being lunged at during a mass service at the Assyrian Orthodox Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley. Catholic leader Sister Di Santleben says it's important for people to look after each other, while Newcastle Muslim Association president Bikash Paul says the attack is not representative of Islam and all religious groups should come together.

Youth homelessness in focus: A Newcastle homeless service says there's been an increase in the number of young people struggling during the housing crisis. New figures show almost one in four Australians experiencing homelessness are aged 12 to 24. Reach Homeless Services' Gary Parsisson says young people are often hit hardest by rising rent costs.

Low rental availability: New data shows Newcastle and Lake Macquarie's rental vacancy rate is lower than Sydney's. Domain figures show the region's vacancy rate is at 0.6 per cent, while Sydney's is currently at 0.8 per cent.

Tackling wind farm misinformation: Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen says he won't commit to funding six full-time community officers to handle misinformation in the Hunter about offshore wind. The request was made to him last week at the inaugural Hunter Community Alliance assembly. Mr Bowen says his department is working hard with local communities to ensure they are accurately informed about the project as it develops.

Drought concerns: The NSW Department of Primary Industries says there are still drought concerns for parts of the Hunter despite recent rain. The latest seasonal drought update shows some areas in the Hunter are still experiencing intense drought, while other parts of the state continue to recover from dry conditions.

Quarry site for sale: A large industrial land lot in the Dungog Shire, which is leased by a quarry, will be auctioned next month. The property at 29 Station Street Martins Creek has been listed for sale by private owners. Daracon leases the site for its Martins Creek Quarry which extracts hard rock for use in the construction industry. In a statement, Daracon says its current operational arrangements will remain in place if the landowner changes.

Knights squad: Newcastle Knights coach Adam O'Brien has named an unchanged team to face the Bulldogs on Sunday in Sydney. Captain Kalyn Ponga has been named at fullback despite suffering a painful hip injury against the Roosters last week. The match will mark forward Adam Elliott's 150th NRL game.