Good morning Newcastle, welcome back to the Newcastle Digest.

Busy week ahead, plenty on around the city, and personally, I'm looking forward to the Nebbiolo Wine Lunch at Emilio's in The Junction. Let's get into it.

Last week, I asked if you'd be into a Newcastle Digest tote bag. Over 100 of you replied, that was enough of a yes for me.

So I'm making it happen. Going to do a small first run of the tote, and if it goes well, I'll look at putting the design on a few other things too, a stubby holder, maybe a mug. One design, a few ways to own a piece of it.

I want to keep it local end-to-end if I can. If you know a good Newcastle printer who does this kind of thing, reply to this email and let me know. Would love to work with someone local rather than ship from a warehouse.

More details soon.

Arno is one of those Newcastle spots that gets brought up every time someone asks for a recommendation, and it deserves every bit of that reputation. If you've been, you know. If you haven't, the new Adamstown location is the perfect excuse to finally go.

The original can be a bit of a mission; the parking and wait times were my only gripe, but the wait is only a gripe that comes purely from how good and how popular it is. The Adamstown store solves that. Easier to get to, proper parking nearby, and a noticeably more manageable experience without anything being lost in the process.

I ordered The Jeff on my recent visit, prosciutto cotto, mortadella, finocchiona, provolone, guindillas, mustard and mayo, calabrian chilli and rocket on fresh schiacciata. $22 might make you hesitate, and I get that. But this is one of those situations where the price is absolutely justified the moment it's in front of you. The sandwich is the real star here, generous, well-built, and packed with flavour. Coffee does the job alongside it.

Arno is worth the hype. The Adamstown store makes it more accessible than ever. Go if you haven’t.

We've done this before, put the call out to the Newcastle Digest audience to nominate their favourite spots, and then gone and tried them. Burgers and chicken schnitzels have had their turn. The engagement wasn't massive early on, but the subscriber base has grown a lot since then, and I think it's time to bring it back.

Before we lock in the next category, I want to hear from you. Click below to vote for what you'd like to see put to the test, once we have a winner, nominations will open and the quest begins.

Nebbiolo Wine Lunch | Emilio's, The Junction | Sun 17 May, 11:30am
Emilio's is hosting a long lunch dedicated entirely to Nebbiolo. Five courses, five wines, stories from a three-generation winemaking family — one afternoon only. Seats are limited and tickets are $120 per person. I will be attending this.

To book: Email [email protected] with your name, email address, and number of tickets. A payment link will be sent through.

Artspace: Free Family Artmaking – MAC yapang, Booragul | 17 May A free creative session for families with exhibition exploration and hands-on artmaking guided by gallery educators. Free. More info.

Newcastle Jets vs Sydney FC – McDonald Jones Stadium | 16 May, 7:40pm A-League Semi Final Leg 2. The Jets host Sydney FC at home. More info.

Newcastle Toy Library Sustainable Play Workshop – Wallsend Library, Wallsend | 16 May, 10am – 12pm Hands-on, nature-based activities and playtime for families with young kids. Free. More info.

Chipmunks Belmont 3rd Birthday – Chipmunks Playland, Belmont | 16 May A big birthday party at Chipmunks with a full day of fun for the kids. Tickets from $18.90. More info.

Water Lantern Festival – Speers Point Park, Speers Point | 16 May, from 2:30pm Personalise a lantern, then release it across the water at sunset alongside thousands of others. Live music and food on the day. More info.

Banff Mountain Film Festival – Event Cinemas Kotara | 13 May A thrilling 3-hour program of short films from the world's most fearless mountain explorers and adventurers. Tickets from $24. More info.

Newcastle Artists Collective: Kairos – The Owens Collective, Islington | Opening night 15 May, 6pm – 9pm Opening night for a new group exhibition from the Newcastle Artists Collective. More info.

Wine Club Night: Australia Unpacked – The Press Bookhouse, Newcastle | 15 May An exploration of Australia's underrated wine regions — hidden gems, boutique producers and surprising varieties. Tickets $70. More info.

One of These Nights: The Eagles Experience – Shoal Bay Country Club, Shoal Bay | 15 May The timeless hits of The Eagles brought to life at Shoal Bay. 18+. Tickets $39.80. More info.

Vine and Dine at QT – Jana Restaurant, Newcastle | 15 May An Italian-inspired multi-course dinner paired with Vino Bambino, part of Jana's monthly wine list takeover series. Tickets $169. More info.

Hunter Rescue Ball – Newcastle Entertainment Centre | 15 May, 6:30pm – 12am A black-tie tropical night of dinner, premium drinks, live entertainment and fundraising for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. Tickets $260 or $2,500 per table. More info.

Peaches Newcastle Birthday Club Night – 78 Glebe Rd, The Junction | 15 May Peaches turns one with a nightclub-style Pilates party — strobe lights, pumping beats and two high-energy classes. Tickets $45. More info.

Hat Burning Workshop – The King Room, Ridges, Newcastle | 15–17 May, 9 sessions available A beginner-friendly 2-hour workshop where you design and burn your own hat, then personalise it with bands, charms, feathers and more. Ticket includes the hat. More info

Traffic Light Party – Bernie's Bar, Newcastle | 15 May, from 9pm Bernie's is hosting a traffic light party open to everyone, every gender and orientation. Colour-coded bands on the door. Free. More info.

World Whisky Day Glenfiddich Tasting Paddle – Rooftop at QT, Newcastle | 15–17 May A limited-time tasting paddle featuring three Glenfiddich expressions — 21, 22 and 23 Year — with harbour views. $50 (usually $79).

2010s Party – Shoal Bay Country Club, Shoal Bay | 16 May, from 9pm Jump live plus DJs spinning throwbacks all night. Free entry. More info.

Sons of Sun – Warners Bay Theatre, Warners Bay | 16 May A rock 'n' roll music play about Sun Records, its legendary artists and the birth of rock music. Tickets $45–$50. More info.

What So Not - The Beach Hotel | 16 May, 6:00pm Worldwide electronic superstar What So Not is landing at The Beach Hotel, thanks to Great Southern Nights. More info.

Repair Cafe – Landcare and Sustainable Living Centre, Booragul | 16 May, 10am – 1pm Bring your clothing, textiles, toys or small furniture and volunteers will help fix it for free. Tea, coffee and cake provided. More info.

Mayfield of Dreams Pub Crawl – Mayfield to Islington | 16 May, from 2pm An eastbound pub crawl from Stag and Hunter down Maitland Road to Islington, themed around Dynamic Duos and Terrible Trios. More info.

An Afternoon of Crime with Chris Hammer and Benjamin Stevenson – Lake Mac Arts | 17 May, 2pm – 3:30pm Two of Australia's best crime writers in conversation about craft, tension and what makes a great thriller. Moderated by Jaye Ford. Books available for sale and signing. Tickets from $16.20. More info.

Breath of Love – Great Hall, University of Newcastle, Callaghan | 17 May An emotive choral program exploring love in its many forms, conducted by Dr Christopher Allan. Tickets from $25. More info.

Merewether to Newie Baths Swim Run – Merewether Ocean Baths | 17 May, 6:30am 10–14km of running and 1.5–2.5km of swimming split across four legs, starting and finishing at Merewether Ocean Baths. Tickets $20. More info.

Intro to Stand Up Comedy – Taster Workshop - Windale Hub | 17 May Step into the spotlight with this dynamic comedy workshop presented by Newcastle Comedy Club. Focus on building strong comedic instincts, sharpening timing, and learning to trust your own voice. Whether you’re stepping on stage for the first time or looking to refine your craft, this session offers practical tools, industry insight, and plenty of laughs along the way. More info.

Pint of Science Festival – Various venues, Hunter Region | 18–20 May Local scientists head to the pub to share their research and answer your questions across five events at three venues. Tickets $15. More info.

French Jazz, Wine & Food Festival – Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, Wickham | 15–17 May Three days of live jazz, good food and flowing wine on the waterfront. Free entry, walk-ins welcome, bookings recommended. More info.

Maitland Night Markets – Maitland Showgrounds, Maitland | 15–16 May, from 5pm Street food, desserts, retail stalls, kids rides and carnival games across two nights. Entry $2. More info.

Warners Bay Markets – The Esplanade, Warners Bay | 16 May Browse the stalls or grab some street food by the lake. More info.

Homegrown Markets – Speers Point Park, Lake Macquarie | 17 May, 10am – 2pm The Hunter's largest lakeside market with handmade stalls, street food, live music and plenty of room to set up a picnic by the water. More info.

Newcastle City Farmers Markets – Broadmeadow Showground, Griffiths Rd, Broadmeadow | 17 May
Shop direct from local farmers and makers in a classic community farmers market.

SagoSun Flea Market - Hamilton Community Hive, 152 Beaumont Street Hamilton | 17 May, 10:30am Quality pre-loved and vintage flea market. Newcastle favourite! Shop through a range of 30+ sellers HIGH QUALITY fashion. No fast fashion allowed. More info.

Do you want me to share an event in the Newcastle Digest?

Five tries to Greg Marzhew and a 44-10 win in Wollongong on Saturday, the Knights were ruthless against a Dragons side that is rapidly becoming the competition's most troubled outfit, now winless through 10 rounds.

Newcastle led 32-0 at half-time and never looked like letting up. Kalyn Ponga was excellent in his 150th game, Bradman Best scored an 80-metre intercept try, and the Knights' left edge caused problems all afternoon.

At 6-4 under Justin Holbrook, the turnaround from last year's wooden spoon continues. Hard to ask for much more than that right now.

Newcastle drew 1-1 with Sydney FC in the first leg of their A-League semi-final at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, setting up a winner-takes-all second leg at McDonald Jones Stadium this Saturday.

Eli Adams equalised after Sydney took the lead through Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, with goalkeeper James Delianov keeping the Jets in it across a busy night, Sydney unleashed 15 shots on goal. The match almost turned in the 87th minute when Sydney's Ahmet Arslan went down in the box, but the referee waved it away.

The second leg is at home. Win and the Jets are in the grand final, and one step closer to an unprecedented treble. Saturday at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Most Novocastrians of a certain age can tell you exactly where they were at 10:27am on 28 December 1989.

The earthquake that struck that morning measured 5.6 on the Richter scale and lasted only six seconds, but those six seconds changed Newcastle forever.

13 people killed, more than 160 injured and around 50,000 buildings damaged across the city, leaving behind an estimated $4 billion repair bill.

The worst destruction occurred at the Newcastle Workers Club on King Street, where upper floors collapsed, and nine people were killed. Many more were trapped beneath the rubble. Three others died in Hamilton after masonry and awnings collapsed onto Beaumont Street, while a thirteenth victim died the following day from a brain haemorrhage linked to the shock of the quake.

Which brings us to last week’s trivia question and the detail many people don’t know.

A crew was already inside the Workers Club that morning, setting up for that night’s concert featuring Split Enz and Crowded House. One of those killed was 30-year-old Sydney roadie John Anthony O'Shanassy, who was preparing the venue for the show. Had the earthquake struck later that evening, the death toll could have been far worse.

Split Enz never played that night. Instead, the band returned to Newcastle in February 1990 for a benefit concert supporting the city’s recovery.

It remains one of the defining moments in Newcastle’s history, and a reminder of how quickly everything can change.