Plus, the huge surf we're all talking about, Wambo mine closes for now, and military history uncovered
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Woman meets her 'knight in shining armour' (and childhood crush) 50 years on | |
An Upper Hunter man who rescued a classmate from a schoolyard bully has been thanked more than 50 years later. It happened when Sydney woman Sandra Goodwin called the ABC's Evenings program to share the story of how Wayne Bailey had come to her aid when she was five (you can read about that here). Mr Bailey, who now lives in Wybong, called the station and the two have reunited. | |
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Court rules deportation of murderer should be reconsidered | |
The father of a convicted Newcastle murderer says he has dreamed of the day his son walks free. Mark Basa, then 16, was convicted of killing Zane McCready in 2005. After being released from jail he was placed in the Villawood Detention Centre and has been fighting deportation ever since. This week the Federal Court ruled in his favour. | |
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NSW ministers accused of favouritism in arts spending | |
It's been revealed almost 95 per cent of a $47 million arts fund was spent in Coalition seats in the lead-up to the 2019 New South Wales election. Only one Labor seat won funding of $4,000, and Labor MP for Cessnock Clayton Barr believes his local theatre's bid was rejected for political reasons. | |
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Wambo mine to temporarily close amid coronavirus downturn | |
The COVID-19 pandemic and falling demand for thermal coal has prompted the owners of a Hunter Valley underground coal mine to partially shut down operations. US energy giant Peabody said it would temporarily suspend part of the Wambo Underground Mine, west of Singleton, for 59 days while maintaining essential development to support future production. | |
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94-year-old mother calls for release of royal commission findings | |
The mother of a Newcastle abuse victim, whose suicide death was the focus of a 2016 royal commission probe, fears she will die before the findings are made public. Thirteen-year-old Andrew Nash died by suicide in 1974. Audrey Nash is calling for the royal commission findings to be released. | |
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'Big Saturday' and the wave of the day | |
"It almost blew me off me feet and I couldn't see a thing." People will be talking about the huge surf off Merewether last Saturday for many years to come. But one ride stood out ... local surfer Tim Dickson's huge barrel. | |
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What else made news this week.... | |
Monday: Hunter Valley Zoo says it's a relief to finally have a re-opening date after being closed for more than two months due to coronavirus restrictions. The zoo will re-open its gates on June 1. Tuesday: A COVID-19 testing blitz in Cessnock has been extended for another week. Hunter New England Health says it will stay open until June 2 due to demand. Wednesday: The University of Newcastle says the construction of its Honeysuckle campus will start in two weeks. Its DA approval was fast tracked as part of a NSW Government effort to boost jobs and investment. Thursday: Newcastle Knights captain Mitchell Pearce says he's confident in the ability of debutant Tex Hoy, who will play fullback against Penrith on Sunday. The Knights take on the Panthers in Sydney and will be without Kalyn Ponga, who's injured. | |
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Meet journalist Giselle Wakatama | |
Giselle is in our Newcastle newsroom. She says her favourite thing about the job is advocating for people without a voice. She also loves making a difference for people in need and collaborating with her workmates. Outside of work Giselle loves having barbecues with friends, scootering and walking with her son, bingeing on crime shows (when she has the time) and visiting her mum's farm. Her favourite food is garlic prawns, and it's a toss up for her favourite movie: The Shawshank Redemption, Out of Africa or Napoleon Dynamite. | |
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