Good morning, Newcastle,

Welcome to another edition of Newcastle Digest. Hope you’ve had a good week. Here’s your latest roundup of what’s happening around Newcastle and the Hunter, and a few things worth getting out for this weekend.

Let’s get into it.

Sando Man popped up on my Instagram a while back, and I tracked them down at Warners Bay Foreshore. The food truck serves Japanese-style sandwiches with a mix of local and global flavours, and one bite took me straight back to Japan.

I went for the chicken katsu sando, stacked with panko-crusted chicken breast, black garlic tonkatsu sauce, miso cabbage, pickles and lotus root chips. The flavours felt familiar from my time in Japan, but with enough of their own character to make it stand out. No need to reinvent the wheel when you can just make a really good sandwich.

They rotate between Warners Bay Foreshore and Newcastle Farmers Markets, so check their Instagram for locations and trading times before heading out. Definitely worth tracking down.

Chechos

Chechos is heading to Newcastle this October, bringing its Mexican bar and restaurant concept, complete with tacos, share plates and cocktails. The team is keeping the location under wraps for now, but says the existing space will get a full makeover, with Chechos’ signature pink tones and party atmosphere. Any guesses where it might be?

Where: Location to be revealed.

Scarpetta

A new Italian spot is coming to Beaumont Street, with Bistro Penny chefs and restaurateurs Joel Humphreys and Nic Wong opening Scarpetta in late October. Hamilton’s dining scene is about to get another taste of Italy.

Where: Shop 3, 108 Beaumont Street, Hamilton

Little Fish

Little Fish is welcoming diners to get an early taste of its new Asian fusion menu ahead of its official launch. Expect bold flavours, share plates, cocktails with a twist and waterfront views on Newcastle Harbour.

They're currently open Wednesday and Thursday from 5:00pm, and Friday to Sunday from 11:30am.

Where: Western End, 200 Wharf Rd, Newcastle NSW 2300

Bookings are available via the link in their Instagram bio.

A note on the pie reviews

It’s been a while between pies. Life got in the way and the reviews took a back seat. There are still spots on the list to work through, so the question is simple, do you want to see this continue? Let me know and I’ll get back out there.

Disney's Frozen The Broadway Musical – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | Fri 16 Oct 7pm, Sat 17 Oct 1pm & 7pm, Sun 18 Oct 1pm The stage version of the Disney film continues its run at the Civic Theatre. From $49. More info

Lake Mac Action Fest – Warners Bay Foreshore, Warners Bay | Sat 17–Sun 18 Oct, 10am–3pm Offshore Superboat racing on the lake, with a Warners Bay live site of markets, food stalls, kids' activities and Matt Hall Racing aerial displays. Free. More info

Lake Macquarie Show 'n Shine – Speers Point Park, Speers Point | Sun 18 Oct Vintage, classic, custom and muscle cars, hot rods and motorbikes, with a DJ, food trucks and market stalls. Free. More info

Morisset Lake Macquarie Show & Rodeo – Morisset Showground, Morisset | Sat 17 Oct 9am–9pm, Sun 18 Oct 9am–4:30pm Rides, showbags, animal nursery, Lake Mac Zoo reptile show, sheep shearing and wood chopping, with the rodeo from 5:30pm and fireworks around 9pm on Saturday. Saturday from $26 adults, $11 kids, $61 families online. Sunday from $16 adults, $11 kids, $41 families. Get tickets

Warners Bay Live Site Kids' Zone – Warners Bay Foreshore, Warners Bay | Sat 17–Sun 18 Oct, 10am–3pm Free games, Hannah Indigo bubbles and hula hoops from 10:30am, and roving superheroes from 11am to 1pm. Jumping castles, trampoline and face painting are paid. More info

Fernleigh 1500 – Fernleigh Track, Belmont | Sun 18 Oct 1.5km race for under-17s, starting and finishing in Belmont at the Fernleigh 15 finish area. Check ticket page for prices. More info

Kurri Kurri Community Festival – Margaret Johns Park, Kurri Kurri | Sat 17 Oct, 10am–2pm Community day with live performances, markets, food trucks and amusements. Free. More info

Drag Storytime with Deidre Doo – Bernie's Bar, Newcastle West | Sat 17 Oct, 12pm–1pm Newcastle Pride storytime, followed by a Kids Rainbow Disco from 1pm to 3pm. Check ticket page for prices. Get tickets

Kids Rainbow Disco – Bernie's Bar, Newcastle West | Sat 17 Oct, 1pm–3pm Newcastle Pride disco with music and dancing for kids under 12. Free for kids under 12. More info

Glow & Glam: Pride Youth Formal – Bernie's Bar, Newcastle | Sat 17 Oct, 3pm–6pm Newcastle Pride formal for 13 to 18-year-olds, with music, dancing, performers and DJs. Check ticket page for prices. Get tickets

Drag Music Bingo – Carrington Bowling Club, Carrington | Sun 18 Oct, 12pm–3pm (doors 11:30am) Newcastle Pride music bingo of 70s classics and disco, hosted by Deirdree Doo with DJ QUeerio. Family-friendly. $20. Get tickets

Artspace: Free Family Artmaking – MAC yapang, Booragul | Sun 18 Oct Hands-on art making in the gallery with a MAC yapang educator. Free. More info

Mr Squiggle and Friends – Newcastle Museum, Newcastle | Fri 16–Sun 18 Oct, 10am–5pm Exhibition on the work of Mr Squiggle creator Norman Hetherington, with Murray Raine's Marvellous Marionettes in the same building. Free. More info

Murray Raine's Marvellous Marionettes – Newcastle Museum, Newcastle | Fri 16–Sun 18 Oct, 10am–5pm Marionettes by the Newcastle-born puppeteer, from Punch and Judy to pop-culture characters, on until 1 November. Free. More info

Guided Tunnel Tours – Fort Scratchley, Newcastle East | Fri 16–Sun 18 Oct, 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:10pm, 1:40pm & 2:30pm Volunteer-led tours of the fort's tunnels. Not suitable for prams. $16.50 adults, $9.50 kids, $42 families. More info

Reptile Encounter – Hunter Wetlands Centre, Shortland | Sat 17 & Sun 18 Oct, 11am Up-close show with the centre's reptiles. $5 per person plus entry. More info

Wetlands Impressions Artist Weekends – Hunter Wetlands Centre, Shortland | Sat 17 & Sun 18 Oct, 10am–12pm Artist Merran Kilgour in the Artspace, with colouring in for kids. Free with entry. More info

Rose Week – Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin | Fri 16–Sun 18 Oct, 9am–5pm Final days of Rose Week, with the gardens' roses in bloom. Last entry 4pm. From $28. More info

Khaled Khalafalla: The Let Me Take You There Tour – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | Fri 16 Oct, 7:30pm Khaled Khalafalla's new stand-up show, 1 hour 40 minutes with no interval. Ages 13 and over. $63.75. More info

The Mikado – Rathmines Theatre, Rathmines | Fri 16 Oct 7:30pm, Sat 17 Oct 2pm & 7:30pm, Sun 18 Oct 2pm Opera Hunter's steampunk take on the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta. $55, $50 concession. More info

A Broadcast Coup – Laneway Theatre, Lambton | Runs Fri 16–Sun 25 Oct Newcastle Theatre Company stages Melanie Tait's comedy about a mid-morning radio host and the podcaster who has him in her sights. Opening night Friday 7:30pm, matinees Saturday and Sunday. $30–$40. More info

Mickey Wilson: How Ya Goin? – Newcastle Comedy Club, Islington | Fri 16 Oct, 6pm Stand-up show from Mickey Wilson. $30–$35. Get tickets

Friday Night Comedy – Newcastle Comedy Club, Islington | Fri 16 Oct, 8:30pm Rolling line-up of local and touring stand-ups at the club on Maitland Road. From $34.29. Get tickets

A Psychic Dinner Experience – Flamingos Live, Lambton | Fri 16 Oct, 6pm–10pm Three-course dinner with a psychic show. $127 per person plus booking fee. More info

Disney Channel Party – The Exchange Hotel, Hamilton | Fri 16 Oct, from 8pm Disney Channel throwbacks, Hilary Duff and 2000s pop with DJs, and $6 vodkas and $12 cocktails from 8pm to 10pm. Free entry. More info

Queer W/Rites: Readings for Newcastle Pride – Watt Space Gallery, Newcastle | Fri 16 Oct, 6pm–8pm Evening of readings and storytelling by queer writers. Free. More info

Newcastle's True Crime Tour – Cnr Scott St & Watt St, Newcastle | Fri 16, Sat 17 & Sun 18 Oct, 7:30pm Guided walk through the sites of Newcastle's historic crimes. $27.78. Get tickets

Holiday Sidewinder: The Rodeohead Tour – King Street Warehouse, Newcastle | Fri 16 Oct, 8pm Holiday Sidewinder brings the Rodeohead Tour to King Street. Check ticket page for prices. Get tickets

Strummingbird – Foreshore Park, Newcastle East | Sat 17 Oct, 12pm–11pm Country music festival on the foreshore with Tyler Childers, Bailey Zimmerman, Cooper Alan, Brad Cox, Kaitlin Butts, Sons of the East, Max Jackson and line dancing with Maddison Glover. All ages. From $209.95. Get tickets

Kate Ceberano: Australian Made Tour – Toronto Hotel, Toronto | Sat 17 Oct, doors 4pm Outdoor show of Ceberano's hits and reworked Australian classics, with guests Kathleen Halloran and Dusty Lee. Ceberano plays 8:30pm–10pm. All ages. $65 plus booking fee. Get tickets

TLE Newcastle Jungle Juice Cup Race Day – Newcastle Racecourse, Broadmeadow | Sat 17 Oct, 11am–6pm Race day with the Cessnock Cup and the Jungle Juice Cup, with Nikisha Priest and Viper Creek Band playing after the last race. Check ticket page for prices. More info

DALE! Latin Boat Party – MV Calmer, Queens Wharf | Sat 17 Oct, 12pm Harbour cruise with a live Latin band. $39.51. Get tickets

Kylie on the Harbour: Pride Cruise – MV Calmer, Queens Wharf | Sat 17 Oct, 7pm Drag Kylie show on a harbour cruise for Newcastle Pride. $39.51. Get tickets

Jebediah: Are We OK? Q&A Screening – Tower Cinemas, Newcastle | Sat 17 Oct, 6:30pm Screening of the Jebediah documentary, followed by a Q&A with bassist Vanessa Thornton and director Arlo Dean Cook. Check ticket page for prices. More info

Kirsty Webeck: Lost For Words – Newcastle Comedy Club, Islington | Sat 17 Oct, 6pm Stand-up show from Kirsty Webeck. $35–$38. Get tickets

Saturday Night Showcase – Newcastle Comedy Club, Islington | Sat 17 Oct, 8:30pm Weekly mix of local and touring stand-ups at the club on Maitland Road. From $34.29. Get tickets

Artist Talk: A.A.Murakami – Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcastle | Sat 17 Oct, 6:30pm–7:30pm Azusa Murakami and Alexander Groves discuss their New Spring installation. $22.50–$25. More info

Art Trivia Night – Newcastle Art Space, Islington | Sat 17 Oct, 5:30pm–8:30pm Art trivia hosted by Matt Sage, with a silent auction, food truck and drinks, raising funds for Newcastle Art Space. $15–$20. More info

HCLC 35th Anniversary Fundraising Gala Dinner – Customs House, Newcastle | Sat 17 Oct Three-course dinner with drinks, live entertainment, an auction and raffle for the Hunter Community Legal Centre. $195. More info

Newcastle Sound Healing Journey – Merewether Uniting Church, Merewether | Sat 17 Oct, 5pm Sound healing session with Christian Dimarco. $76.64. Get tickets

Newy Queer Pickleball – Pickleballerz, Cardiff | Sat 17 Oct, 2pm–4pm Social pickleball session for Newcastle Pride. Free. More info

The Lazy Eyes: Cheesy Love Songs Tour – Stag & Hunter, Mayfield | Sat 17 Oct, 8pm The Lazy Eyes bring the Cheesy Love Songs Tour to Mayfield. Check ticket page for prices. Get tickets

Boo Seeka – Lass O'Gowrie, Wickham | Sat 17 Oct, 8pm Boo Seeka headlines the Lass. Check ticket page for prices. Get tickets

Highlander: Kick Up Your Kilt – Flamingos Live, Lambton | Sat 17 Oct, 8:30pm Celtic rock dinner show, with doors from 6pm. Show only from $49, dinner and show from $115. More info

Weekend Bottomless Brunch – The Del, Cooks Hill | Sat 17 & Sun 18 Oct, 12pm & 2pm Two hours of free-flowing drinks with a set menu. Check the venue page for prices. More info

Rugby League World Cup: Fiji v Cook Islands – McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow | Sun 18 Oct, gates 1:15pm Double-header, with New Zealand v Fiji in the women's competition at 2pm and Fiji v Cook Islands in the men's at 4:05pm. From $19 adults, $49 families. More info

Live at the Station – The Station, Newcastle | Sun 18 Oct, doors 12pm Outdoor day of live music with Hot Chocolate starring Kennie Simon, The Radiators, DV8, The Filthy Animals and The Viper Creek Band. Hot Chocolate play 6:30pm–8pm. 18+ $70, under 18s $35, plus booking fee. Get tickets

Fernleigh 15 – Fernleigh Track, Adamstown | Sun 18 Oct, 7:30am–10:30am 15km run, walk or roll along the Fernleigh Track from Adamstown to Belmont, with the track closed to the public during the event. Prices vary by entry. More info

Forever Farnham – Flamingos Live, Lambton | Sun 18 Oct, 2pm–4:30pm John Farnham tribute lunch show, with an a la carte menu from 12pm. $49 plus booking fee. Get tickets

Murder Mystery Cruise – MV Calmer, Queens Wharf | Sun 18 Oct, 12pm Harbour cruise with a three-course lunch and a murder mystery. $131.98. Get tickets

A.A.Murakami Masterclass – Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcastle | Sun 18 Oct, 1pm–2:30pm Class with the artists behind New Spring. Check the gallery page for prices. More info

A.A.Murakami: New Spring – Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcastle | Fri 16–Sun 18 Oct Kinetic installation of mist-filled bubbles falling from tree-like sculptures, on until 31 January. Free. More info

Framed in Sound: Selected Works of Tony Mott – Newcastle Museum, Newcastle | Fri 16–Sun 18 Oct, 10am–5pm Final weekend of Mott's photographs of musicians and live performance, closing Sunday 18 October. Free. More info

Life & Line – Back to Back Galleries, Cooks Hill | Fri 16–Sun 18 Oct Final weekend of the painting and ceramics exhibition, closing Sunday 18 October. Free. More info

Cavitation – The Lock-Up, Newcastle | Fri 16–Sun 18 Oct Izabela Pluta's exhibition across water, sound and fractured maps, on until 31 January. Free. More info

Darkness in 589 – MAP mima, Speers Point | Fri 16–Sun 18 Oct, 9am–2pm Immersive 360-degree projection artwork on darkness and light pollution, on until 29 November. Free. More info

Lake Nights – Toronto Foreshore, Toronto | Fri 16 Oct, 4pm–8pm Homegrown's Friday evening market with street food, local stalls and live entertainment. Free entry. More info

Glendale Farmers Market – Stockland Glendale, Glendale | Sat 17 Oct, 8am–2pm Weekly market of farmers, producers and artisans, with street food and live music. Free entry. More info

Made & Found Market – Lambton Park, Lambton | Sun 18 Oct, 9am–1pm Handmade goods, local design, vintage and preloved fashion and homewares. Free entry. More info

Newcastle City Farmers Market – Newcastle Showground, Broadmeadow | Sun 18 Oct, 7am–1pm Weekly paddock-to-plate market run by NSW Farmers Market. Free entry. More info

Lions Club of Adamstown Sunday Markets – Cnr Brunker & Glebe Rds, Adamstown | Sun 18 Oct, 6:30am–12pm Plants, produce, second-hand goods and collectables, with proceeds to local charities. Free entry. More info

The Sunday Muster Artisan Markets – Mortels Sheepskin Factory, Thornton | Sun 18 Oct, 9am–2pm Local artists, craftspeople and artisan food, with live music and an onsite cafe. Free entry. More info

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Last week's trivia answer was Joy Cummings, who became Australia's first female lord mayor when she was elected to lead Newcastle City Council in 1974.

Born Joyce Anne Plumbe in 1923, Joy moved to Newcastle during the Second World War when her father was transferred to the city. She settled in Mayfield, raised four children with her husband Ray and became involved in local politics, first entering council in 1968.

In September 1974, she was elected Lord Mayor, becoming the first woman in Australia to hold the position. At the time, Newcastle was still very much an industrial city, dominated by steel, coal and working-class communities. Cummings became known for her approachable style and preference for bringing people together rather than simply imposing decisions.

During her time in office, she championed the arts, heritage conservation, environmental causes and the development of public spaces. She helped promote a vision of Newcastle that went beyond its industrial identity, with a greater focus on its harbour, beaches, parks and cultural life. The transformation of the harbour foreshore into a public recreation area became part of that legacy.

She served as Lord Mayor from 1974 to 1976, then returned in 1977 and remained in the role until 1984. Her time in office ended after she suffered a severe stroke. She died in 2003, aged 79.

Today, her name lives on at Joy Cummings Promenade, the harbourfront walkway stretching along Newcastle's foreshore. There's also a statue of her on Hunter Street, a reminder of a woman who broke new ground in Australian local government and helped shape the city we know today.

Newcastle was the first Australian city to elect a female Lord Mayor, but Joy Cummings' legacy goes well beyond that first.

Newcastle Knights fans who witnessed the Wallsend crash over NRL grand final weekend are being encouraged to seek support. The incident left 10 people injured, and a local Newcastle charity is now offering free counselling sessions for those still feeling its impact. More info.

The Knights have extended coach Justin Holbrook's contract by two years, keeping him at the club until at least the end of 2030. The club announced the deal on Monday 12 October. Holbrook took Newcastle to this month's grand final at Accor Stadium in his first season as head coach. Director of football Chris James said the team had reached its first grand final in 25 years.

Tyson Frizell has signed a one-year deal with Wests Tigers for 2027, the club announced on Monday 12 October. The 35-year-old forward joined the Knights from St George Illawarra in 2021 and played his last game for Newcastle in the 19-18 grand final loss to the Roosters. He has played 306 NRL games, along with 16 games for NSW, 14 Tests for Australia and three for Tonga. Frizell is in Tonga's squad for the World Cup.

The men's World Cup starts on Thursday 15 October, when Australia play New Zealand at Allianz Stadium. Ten Knights are in men's squads: Bradman Best (Australia), Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai (New Zealand), Dom Young (England), Tyson Frizell (Tonga), Jacob Saifiti (Fiji), and Francis Manuleleua, Jermaine McEwen, Greg Marzhew and Pasami Saulo (Samoa). Samoa play France at CommBank Stadium on Friday 16 October. McDonald Jones Stadium hosts a double-header on Sunday 18 October, with New Zealand v Fiji in the women's tournament at 2pm and Fiji v Cook Islands in the men's at 4:05pm. Gates open at 1:15pm, and tickets start at $19 for adults and $49 for families.

Northern NSW beat Capital Football 2-0 in the men's match of the first NNSWF All-Stars Challenge at the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Speers Point, on Saturday 10 October. Delgado scored in the 15th minute and Wettig in the 50th. The women's match finished 0-0, and Capital Football won the penalty shootout 4-2 after goalkeeper Tighe saved from Sophie Nenadovic and Ceanna Frost. Elodie Dagg and Tahlia Gossner scored Northern NSW's penalties.

The Jets play Gamba Osaka in matchday 2 of the AFC Champions League Elite at McDonald Jones Stadium on Tuesday 13 October, kicking off at 6:45pm. Newcastle lost their first match 7-1 to Kashima Antlers in Japan on 15 September, when Aleksandar Cavric scored a hat-trick. The Jets sat last of 16 teams in the East table after matchday 1.