Newcastle news, sport and weather | Newcastle Herald | Newcastle, NSW

FICTION FINALIST: The author took inspiration from this photo to narrate their finalist entry.

Short story: A Game of Chess

Bouncing back: The installation of smart gates in a degraded section of the Hunter wetlands resulted in the establishment of saltmarsh over a three year period. Picture: DPIE

Hunter wetlands research has global implications

Matthew Kelly

Help at hand: A buoy being tossed during a previous exercise. Pictures: Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie

Rescue training operation set for Swansea channel

Nick Bielby

PLEASE EXPLAIN: Steve Smith, left, and Tim Paine found themselves under scrutiny after Australia's draw with India at the SCG. Picture: Getty Images

Sporting Declaration: It's a fine line between pleasure and Paine

ROBERT DILLON

BRING MORE TO THE TABLE: "The Berejiklian government's most powerful economic stimulus is its workforce".

OPINIONHold the meal ticket, serve up a pay rise

Stewart Little

POWER PLAY: Origin Energy announced plans this week to build Australia's biggest battery at the Eraring power station, pictured.

HAVE YOUR SAYBatteries are no panacea for the power grid

Rita Grima at home at Hexham. Not only is the tank at her back door, the area floods.

Hunter Water needs to explain why Hexham has not been sewered, and why it expects struggle street to pay the costs

Ian Kirkwood

Newcastle's 'Champagne cork' building is one of its jewels, writes Herald reporter Michael Parris

Newcastle's 'Champagne cork' building is one of its jewels, writes Herald reporter Michael Parris

Michael Parris

TOOHEY'S NEWS: Is Ponga the solution to the Knights' biggest weakness?

WHAT'S ONMr. Sister expands espresso family

PHOTOSPerfect storm: Barrington enjoys tourism boom

Hexham residents sick of being fobbed off after decades of promises over sewer connection

FICTION FINALIST: The author took inspiration from this photo to narrate their finalist entry.

Short story: A Game of Chess

FICTION FINALIST: The author took inspiration from this photo to narrate their finalist entry.

Short story: A Game of Chess

A police forensics officer at Maitland Aquatic Centre on Friday afternoon.

UPDATEDGirl dies after being pulled unconscious from Maitland Aquatic Centre

LOSSES: Dolphin Watch Cafe manager Eser Dinkciler and staff member Tracy Blundell. Picture: Jonathan Carroll

Cafe reports tough week after Nelson Bay sewer leak

FALLING SHORT: A cyclist rides along a shared path in Lambton Park. City of Newcastle failed to spend almost $6 million on cycleways that it budgeted to over the past five financial years. Cycling boomed last year during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Council's cycleways spend $5.7m short of what it budgeted

The Newcastle Herald's new app is now available to download in the Apple Store and Google Play Store.

Download the Newcastle Herald's new app

Short story: A Game of Chess

16:00PM

Hunter wetlands research has global implications

14:00PM

Rescue training operation set for Swansea channel

12:30PM

Sporting Declaration: It's a fine line between pleasure and Paine

12:00PM

OPINIONHold the meal ticket, serve up a pay rise

11:30AM

Another injury setback for luckless Jet Lachlan Jackson

09:30AM

The National Farmers Federation has come out in support of new quad bike safety rules.

Farmers back new quad bike safety rules

Tim Dornin
47m ago

Former Defence Force chief Chris Barrie believes psychedelics offer the potential for a cure of post-traumatic stress disorder. Picture: Matt Loxton

Former Defence Force chief supports psychedelics for mental health

Alex Crowe

Veterinary epidemiologist Dr Rachel Iglesias has been working on Australia's COVID-19 response in the National Incident Room. Picture: Elesa Kurtz

Dr Rachel Iglesias is working to stop the next disease outbreak in our animals

Sarah Lansdown

The National Farmers Federation has come out in support of new quad bike safety rules.

Farmers back new quad bike safety rules

47m ago

Some travellers moved from Brisbane's Hotel Grand Chancellor are back in the community.

Freedom for some at Brisbane virus hotel

A government plan will get more stranded Australians home on flights between January 31 and March 31

Charter flight hope for stranded Aussies

Andi Yu

PLEASE EXPLAIN: Steve Smith, left, and Tim Paine found themselves under scrutiny after Australia's draw with India at the SCG. Picture: Getty Images

Sporting Declaration: It's a fine line between pleasure and Paine

BODY BLOW: Lachlan Jackson

Another injury setback for luckless Jet Lachlan Jackson

HANDYMAN: Merewether will be without young all-rounder Zan McGuigan when they take on Toronto in today's crucial clash at Ron Hill Oval. Picture: Jonathan Carroll

Newcastle cricket | Injury puts a dent in Lions' finals hopes

Kalyn Ponga

TOOHEY'S NEWS: Is Ponga the solution to the Knights' biggest weakness?

James Harden has been traded from the Houston Rockets to the Brooklyn Nets, according to reports.

Harden rockets his way to Nets: reports

FIGHTING CHANCE: Newcastle Jet Sunny Franco battles for possession against Sydney FC last week at McDonald Jones Stadium. Picture: Jonathan Carroll

W-League: New Jet Sunny Franco shining early in return campaign

Craig Kerry

Conor McGregor's return will highlight UFC's return to Abu Dhabi.

UFC returns to Fight Island; McGregor back

Dan Gelston

HOPEFUL: Baby Wong. Picture: Stephen Jones Racing

Racing: Stephen Jones-trained Baby Wong set to deliver in Magic Millions Classic

Craig Kerry

A group of tennis players who flew into Melbourne for the Australian Open from Los Angeles has been told to quarantine. Picture: Shutterstock

DIGESTServing up quarantine: Tennis group confined to hotel

Dr Tursun Kerim, Professor John Skerritt and Dr Lisa Kerr consider data on the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on Friday. Picture: Keegan Carroll

EXCLUSIVEFirst COVID-19 vaccine could be approved next week, TGA boss says

Premier flags an easing of restrictions after another day of zero cases

Premier flags an easing of restrictions after another day of zero cases

Authorities have allayed concerns about COVID vaccines. Picture: Shutterstock

EXPLAINERClearing up confusion over the COVID-19 vaccine rollout

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard.

No locally acquired cases in 24-hours in NSW as new Hunter clinic set up

Nick Bielby

Authorities have allayed concerns about COVID vaccines. Picture: Shutterstock

EXPLAINERClearing up confusion over the COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Steve Evans

Pigeons, Pauline and international intrigue

DIGESTPigeons, Pauline and international intrigue

Janine Graham

Federal Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong

Why using two COVID-19 vaccines is Australia's best strategy

Kylie Quinn, Holly Seale and Margie Danchin

Dan Christian of The Australian Indigenous Men's cricket team. PHOTO: Darrian Traynor (Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

LISTENHow cricket is addressing its pale, male and stale reputation

Dan Christian of The Australian Indigenous Men's cricket team. PHOTO: Darrian Traynor (Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

LISTENHow cricket is addressing its pale, male and stale reputation

Mike Wilson at his home in Armidale. Photo: Lucy Kinbacher

LISTENLivestock agent shares gutsy fight for survival to help save others in the bush

Mike Wilson at his home in Armidale. Photo: Lucy Kinbacher

LISTENLivestock agent shares gutsy fight for survival to help save others in the bush

Volunteer firefighters Jet Boone, Lise Percival and Samantha Walker gear up in the Bawley Point Rural Fire Brigade's shed. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong

LISTENBawley Point brigade's new recruits take fight to bushfire fears

Volunteer firefighters Jet Boone, Lise Percival and Samantha Walker gear up in the Bawley Point Rural Fire Brigade's shed. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong

LISTENBawley Point brigade's new recruits take fight to bushfire fears

David Harris is back in Newcastle for Chess The Musical

David Harris is back in Newcastle for Chess The Musical

SEAMLESS: Mr. Sister has opened at Speers Point, much to the delight of coffee-loving locals. Pictures: Max Mason-Hubers

WHAT'S ONMr. Sister expands espresso family

On trend: The Barrington Tops region. Picture: Simone De Peak

PHOTOSPerfect storm: Barrington enjoys tourism boom

STILL FIGHTING: Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso) and William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence) in season three of Cobra Kai.
Below, Whoopi Goldberg in The Stand.

Cobrai Kai continues to kick butt in season three

CHARISMATIC: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp addressing his players in the dressing room after winning the English Premier League title ending a 30-year drought. Below, Jurgen Klopp celebrating with the trophy.

Liverpool's hot run an emotional journey for Klopp and fans

Josh Leeson

Make it or break it: The Barrington River at The Steps in minor flood last week. A year ago it was a trickle and the region was in drought.

The Barrington River: from a trickle to a raging torrent in just one year

Jim Kellar

ANGRY: Catherine Britt had her gig at 48 Watt Street cancelled this week and shifted to the Hamilton Station Hotel. Picture: Paul Dear

Live music set to be silenced by COVID at 48 Watt Street

Josh Leeson

FEARLESS ENERGY: Red, a one-woman dance theatre work "with a hint of fun and fabulousness", will be performed at the Fringe Festival in March. Visit newcastlefringe.com.au for details.

Fringe binge is back

Ken Longworth

Search for cicada nirvana

OPINIONSearch for cicada nirvana

Search for cicada nirvana

OPINIONSearch for cicada nirvana

Unpacking the facts

OPINIONUnpacking the facts

Unpacking the facts

OPINIONUnpacking the facts

In a time of plenty, is frugality a shameful thing?

SUBSCRIBER | OPINIONIn a time of plenty, is frugality a shameful thing?

In a time of plenty, is frugality a shameful thing?

SUBSCRIBER | OPINIONIn a time of plenty, is frugality a shameful thing?

Rita Grima at home at Hexham. Not only is the tank at her back door, the area floods.

Hunter Water needs to explain why Hexham has not been sewered, and why it expects struggle street to pay the costs

Ian Kirkwood

Emerging differences in vaccines represent the latest stage in the ever changing COVID-19 saga

Emerging differences in vaccines represent the latest stage in the ever changing COVID-19 saga

Ian Kirkwood

Two of the Stockton cats. 'Rosie', who was allegedly shot during the cull, and Tommy.

Stockton breakwall cat cull: Port of Newcastle and native wildlife concerns versus community cat lovers

Ian Kirkwood

POWER PLAY: Origin Energy announced plans this week to build Australia's biggest battery at the Eraring power station, pictured.

HAVE YOUR SAYBatteries are no panacea for the power grid

Limitless free speech can have a high price

HAVE YOUR SAYLimitless free speech can have a high price

Matt Carr

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Send a letter to the editor

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GARDEN FRAME: Built in the 1860s, the weatherboard house was originally owned by the Australian Agricultural Company. Pictures: Paul Dear

PHOTOSHappy landing at house on The Hill

Alex Morris
47m ago

MIXED USE: The building on High Street has potential to return over $75,000 per annum through commercial and residential income

Commercial property: Historic listing in Maitland with diverse income stream

Renee Valentine

NEW GROUND: The $1.02 million sale of this North Lambton property is a suburb record, according to Australian Property Monitors.

New year, new suburb record with million-dollar sale in North Lambton

Renee Valentine

GARDEN FRAME: Built in the 1860s, the weatherboard house was originally owned by the Australian Agricultural Company. Pictures: Paul Dear

PHOTOSHappy landing at house on The Hill

47m ago

Homes selling sight unseen becoming mainstream

Homes selling sight unseen becoming mainstream

Ruth Lewis

Experts size up the 2021 market

Experts size up the 2021 market

Ruth Lewis

Volunteer firefighters Jet Boone, Lise Percival and Samantha Walker gear up in the Bawley Point Rural Fire Brigade's shed. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong

LISTENBawley Point brigade's new recruits take fight to bushfire fears

GARDEN FRAME: Built in the 1860s, the weatherboard house was originally owned by the Australian Agricultural Company. Pictures: Paul Dear

PHOTOSHappy landing at house on The Hill

47m ago

Protagonist Lupin is no James Bond. Picture: Filmink

REVIEWAnime a globetrotting adventure

Chloe Grace Moretz in Shadow in the Cloud. Picture: Roadshow

Gripping yarn of a gremlin threat

Dax Shepard in Buddy Games. Picture: Ricardo Hubbs.

Gross-out films that trade on gags

Ron Cerabona

Helvi in The Elfkins: Baking a Difference. Picture: Rialto

Elfkin antics are amusing enough

Ron Cerabona

Margaret Qualley in My Salinger Year. Picture: Palace

Bringing a literary world to life

Cris Kennedy

Adarsh Gourav as Balram and Priyanka Chopra as Pinky Madam in White Tiger. Picture: Netflix

Terrific satire is tough and savage

Jane Freebury

Read the latest edition of Eat, Play, Stay and click on the cover above.

Discover the best of Tamworth and New England

The Book of Luke: Today's chapter

The Book of Luke: Today's chapter

'Grateful for every day': Prue and Tim Granger.

Man in the mirror': How dementia reversed the roles for carer Prue and her dad

Rediscovering the Book of Luke - a message of hope for 2021

Rediscovering the Book of Luke - a message of hope for 2021

Pettigrew Family Funerals are preparing for the opening of their biggest facility yet in Mayfield West this coming February which will stand as a tribute to Ian Pettigrew's legacy.

The Pettigrew Family Funerals story: Yesterday, today and tomorrow

Calls for our community to love water as the Hunter warms up this summer

Calls for our community to love water as the Hunter warms up this summer

Take a tour: The Haven is one of the range of homes in Clarendon's new Essentials Collection now on display at Waterford County, Thornton.

Compact spaciousness: Welcome to the perfect homes for a smaller block

Fresh new look Woolworths store, Mayfield's one stop shop for quality

Fresh new look Woolworths store, Mayfield's one stop shop for quality

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HUMBLY ACCEPTED ON BEHALF OF HIS MATES: Bob Smith with his World War II 75th anniversary commemorative medallion and certificate.

Soldier who came of age amid battlefields in New Guinea

Donna Ward

COMFORT BELOW: Nurses in the Second World War in the Underground Hospital in Mount Isa.

Did 79 soldiers die of cyanide?

Derek Barry

SHOVELLING SNOW IN SYRIA: Members of the 2/3 Battalion clearing snow in 1942.

Tragic drowning of digger who fought the enemy in three countries

CONNECTED: Digital subscribers get full access to all the Newcastle Herald's news, sport, opinion and features, as well as the Herald's digital edition of the newspaper.

Are you a Newcastle Herald subscriber? Join our exclusive Facebook group

Nerida Bint, trainer and owner of Lissome gyms in Newcastle and Maitland, demonstrates a pull-up. Picture: Jonathan Carroll

Consistency and commitment key to achieving goals the perfect pull-up

Renee Valentine

The beauty of bodyweight exercises is they can be done almost anywhere, no equipment is needed and they can be scaled to suit people of varying strength and fitness levels. Picture: Lissome

Bodyweight exercises the perfect way to keep moving on holidays

Renee Valentine

CONNECTED: Digital subscribers get full access to all the Newcastle Herald's news, sport, opinion and features, as well as the Herald's digital edition of the newspaper.

Are you a Newcastle Herald subscriber? Join our exclusive Facebook group

Together: Cerys Smith said she wanted to help improve the bike path around Lake Macquarie for the entire community. "It's really something that could make a big difference and help out people." Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Hunter student's vision for safer shared path around Lake Macquarie foreshore

Helen Gregory

Valentine Hydrotherapy Pools committee Bob Evans, Paula McGilvery, Nicole Turton, Julia Drayton and Judith Wilson. Picture: Jonathan Carroll

Reopening date set for Valentine Hydrotherapy Pools

Sage Swinton

VR technology is helping aged care residents to improve their mental health. Photo: Supplied.

From reminiscing to a night at the opera: Can VR boost mental health in aged care?

Rugby league legend Uncle Lionel Morgan in his playing days (left) and with the painting by Jandamarra Cadd. Photos: Lionel Morgan and Anglicare Queensland.

NRL legend in the frame again thanks to Aboriginal artist

SEVEN PURLERS: Di Shanahan, Janny Lane, Caralynn Hoft, Peta Goodwin, Sue Juniper, Tracy Skippings and Sally Wylie.

Not a nanna-second to lose

Hazel Bradley

Accidental gardener/town promoter, Kylie Davis with children Patrick, Shelby and Elisa in their sunflowers that have brightened the lives of many. Photo. Rebecca Flisher.

Garden becomes tourism hit

Mark Griggs
1hr ago

Jordan Whillock and Ian Carter show off the might of this year's sunflowers near Quirindi. Photo: Peter Hardin

Bumper season helps showcase industry's ability to blossom

Billy Jupp

File photo.

'Peace of mind' spurs on enrollments in NSW boarding schools

Billy Jupp

Accidental gardener/town promoter, Kylie Davis with children Patrick, Shelby and Elisa in their sunflowers that have brightened the lives of many. Photo. Rebecca Flisher.

Garden becomes tourism hit

1hr ago

David Curtain, Muskerry, Jerilderie topped the sale, selling his 205 SIL Border Leicester Merino cross ewes, May/March 2019-drop, July shorn for $424.

Deniliquin first cross ewes to $424

Olivia Calver

COMMUNICATION THE KEY: From fence repair to lending gear and offering a helping hand, feeding your dogs while you're away or picking up the kids off the school bus, a good neighbour is truly cherished but sometimes we take them for granted. Photo: file photo

COMMENTWhat makes a good neighbour?

Hannah Powe

Flights of fancy: what you can see from the tree-tops

Flights of fancy: what you can see from the tree-tops

Bernadette Chua
1hr ago

Imagine Holiday's "Uluru and Jessica Mauboy Collection" has three tour package options.

Two very different sensations in the Red Centre

Explore Travel

Visitors go for a dip at Florence Falls in Litchfield National Park in the Northern Territory..

Advance Australia there: where to spend January 26

Andrea Bell