What a week! Floods devastate local communities

Plus, our Top Gun pilot, Dashville Skyline line-up announced, and varroa mite news

View as a webpage Share our local newsletter and tell us what you think You can let us know what you think of this newsletter by offering feedback here. And do you know others who might enjoy it? Send on this sign-up link. We talk to the devastated Broke community Last week the village of Broke was inundated by floodwaters from the Wollombi Brook. It's the worst flooding the area has experienced since the 1940s. Now that the waters have receded, locals are working to get the community back on its feet. 'I won't leave, this is my home': Find out how high the water reached What a week for 'Gillieston Island' residents There is only one way in and out of Gillieston Heights and until Thursday that was by boat, earning the suburb the nickname Gillieston Island. When floodwaters cut off access via road about 6,000 residents were left stranded. Read more about the bizarre week that was for island residents Floods force cancellation of Steamfest 2022 Not again! Rail fans have been anticipating the return of Steamfest after two years of cancellations due to COVID-19. But due to the damage caused to infrastructure by the recent floods, the event's been cancelled for a third year in a row. We spoke with the coordinator about when it could return. Listen up No relief for local beekeepers as rules change Beekeepers in New South Wales will soon be able to move their hives for pollination services and honey production, but only if they are not in local red zones. Newcastle keepers will remain under a kill order. How has the plan been received? Hunter mobile barber gives Gregory the haircut of a lifetime Until now, 12-year-old Gregory, who has autism, hasn't let anyone come close to cutting his hair. Enter Gamilaraay man and Hunter local Brian Dowd, a travelling barber. It's a story that brought all involved to tears. Have a read Dashville Skyline fest announces full line-up A bevy of cosmic country talent, both old and new, will bring good vibes to the Hunter Valley. Dashville Skyline has just locked in the final half of the 2022 line-up and it's pretty darn good. Who will be performing? Meet the local with a fascinating collection Anyerin Drury has an unusual but extremely interesting collection of around 130 typewriters and he's sharing it as part of a local exhibit at the Muswellbrook Library. Listen: Anyerin shares his top typewriting fun facts The incredible value of at-home care told by Maryville recipient and carer ABC Newcastle Drive presenter Paul Turton got an email the other day from a PR company saying that 750 "caring people" were wanted to help seniors stay at home longer. He was curious to know how the home care system can help people looking for work and those who need a bit of extra help in their twilight years. So, Paul called in at the Maryville home of Eileen Hunt to meet her, her daughter Kerry and carer Iveta McLean. Meet these lovely local women and their take on home care The Hunter's 'Top Gun' opens up about family, flying and going to war He's our very own Maverick and well known for his stunt abilities in a plane. But Matt Hall has a tougher story to tell. Craig Hamilton sat down with Matt to ask him about when he first went flying with his Dad as a child and what it was like to be a top gun fighter pilot in the Iraq war. Settle in and listen to this amazing tale of being a fighter pilot for real The Newcastle Beach that isn't there We probably don't have to tell you that Newcastle's famous Bar Beach is much loved. But giant storms and a surging king tide have washed the sand all the way back to the rocks. Listen as Kia and Laurise investigate the scene What else made news in the past week? Flood insurance: The Insurance Council of Australia says insurers are working as quickly as they can to help those affected by this month's floods in the Hunter Valley. Communities along Wollombi Brook have seen the worst floods in 70 years, with hundreds of homes and businesses inundated. Manslaughter of baby: A man has been found not guilty of murdering a six-month old baby in Newcastle, but guilty of manslaughter. This is what we know about the case so far. Locals stand together to fight erosion concerns: Stockton residents held their second 'red line rally' to highlight the need for mass sand nourishment at their local beach. Organisers say up to 2000 people lined the breakwall on Sunday wearing red shirts and holding signs. Aged care vaccination concerns: The chief executive of a Newcastle aged care facility says it's "scandalous" that government rules on COVID vaccinations are being relaxed. From this week, unvaccinated people are allowed to visit residents in aged care homes across NSW. Several facilities in the Hunter, including Maroba at Waratah, are currently battling COVID outbreaks. Local oyster industry in trouble: Port Stephens oyster growers say their industry won't survive the outbreak of a deadly disease without government help. QX disease has crippled Sydney Rock Oyster stocks in Port Stephens since the outbreak was detected a year ago at Karuah. Growers will send an economic impact statement to the Agriculture Minister this week. Quit smoking local research: New research highlights the need for more culturally appropriate support services to help pregnant Aboriginal women quit smoking. More than 400 Aboriginal women were surveyed and 90 per cent had attempted to quit. Chinks in Knights' armor: Newcastle Knights men's coach Adam O'Brien says the team's loss to Manly was a tough game and the club continues to be plagued with injuries. Newcastle was thrashed by Manly 42 points to 12 on Saturday, with Manly scoring five tries in the last half hour. PNG NRL push: The federal government wants to work with the NRL to see if Papua New Guinea could enter a team in the competition. PNG's Prime Minister James Marape has written to Anthony Albanese to push the country's bid for an 18th licence. Visit our website for more local news The best photos from around the country Photography meets art. This image of a storm coming in over Nobby's Beach is by Jo Andrew. Thanks for allowing us to use it Jo! You too can show everyone what the world looks like where you live by sharing your top shots via #ABCmyphoto on Instagram or by uploading your photos online here. See the latest photos on the #ABCmyphoto website A warm, comforting shepherd's pie recipe It's a very cold winter we're having, and cold weather calls for comfort food. We've got you covered with this drool-worthy shepherd's pie with peas and carrots. It's delicious and easy to prepare, so what are you waiting for? How's the weather looking? It's been great to see sunshine right across the Hunter this week as the remaining water slowly dries across the region. Unfortunately, showers are going to increase before easing on Sunday. It will be cloudy most days with a high chance of showers. On the coast, temperatures will sit between 11 and 19 degrees Celsius. Inland, you'll be a little cooler with overnight temps dropping as low as 2 degrees. Thanks to Mick Kelly for this incredible photo of the Hunter River flooding at Morpeth. Check the seven-day forecast for your town How are we doing? We love receiving your feedback on our local newsletter. Are we offering the stories you want to read? Is there something more we could include? Send us your thoughts. More from ABC Newcastle Visit our local website. Listen live to our local programs or download the ABC listen app to take us with you. 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