Good morning Newcastle,

Hope you've had a good week. It’s a big one around Newcastle, with New Annual kicking off, plenty of live music and events across the weekend, plus a few interesting things happening around the city. Go the Knights!

Enjoy this week’s edition.

Frank's Ham & Beef on Union Street is one of Cooks Hill's old-school grocers, and I go pretty regularly because it's close to work. It’s a great spot for a quick lunch, offering a range of wraps and sandwiches. My usual order is the ham wrap, which is a simple but very good lunch.

The shop has been around since 1949 and still has that traditional grocer feel that's becoming harder to find. There's the deli and meat counter, plenty of grocery staples and a bit of everything else you'd expect from a neighbourhood shop. It's practical, unpretentious, and serves the people who live and work around Cooks Hill.

The business is also tied to a lot of Newcastle history. Frank Newbery ran the shop for 58 years and became a well-known part of the Cooks Hill community. In 2001, locals named him the "Best Grocer in the World" for his 50 years of service.

The business has obviously had a difficult history too, with Frank Newbery murdered inside the shop in 2007. The case remains unsolved.

More than 75 years on, Frank's Ham & Beef is still operating from the same Union Street area and remains a regular stop for locals and workers around Cooks Hill.

New Annual: First Night Art Party – Laman St, Newcastle | Fri 25 Sep, 5–9pm
Street-party launch with Aleksiah, Djanaba and Ngaiire, Pasifika dance, workshops, food trucks and gallery fun. Free. More info.

Night Blooms – Newcastle City Library, Newcastle | Fri 25 Sep, 5–9pm
Drop-in creative hub with face painting, neon beading, UV drawing and lei-making during First Night. Free. More info.

Bloom – Charlestown Square, Charlestown | Fri 25 Sep–Sun 4 Oct, centre hours
MelissaLikesSushi turns the mall into a giant inflatable garden. Free. More info:

Mr Squiggle and Friends – Newcastle Museum, Newcastle | Daily in school holidays (closed Mon–Tue outside holidays), 10am–5pm
National-tour puppets, props and a squiggle station celebrating Norman Hetherington. Free. More info

New Annual: Curtain Call – Strut Your Stuff – Newcastle Museum Park, Newcastle | Sat 26 & Sun 27 Sep, 10am–2pm
Turn recycled clothes into runway looks; hourly all-ages parades Sat, quieter low-sensory Sun. Free. More info

New Annual: At Sea – Canoe Pool, Newcastle East | Sat 26–Tue 29 Sep, 8–8.30am
Catapult’s 30-min tide-and-sand dance, then a no-experience beach workshop. Free. More info

Cavitation: Breathing Ocean – Canoe Pool, Newcastle East | Fri 25 Sep–Sun 4 Oct, 10am–4pm (Sundays to 2pm)
Swim beside Izabela Pluta’s floating marine-float installation (kids supervised; lifeguard on duty). Free. More info

Newcastle Brickfest 2026 – Newcastle Jockey Club, Broadmeadow | Sat 26 Sep, 10am–5pm; Sun 27 Sep, 9am–4pm (sensory hour Sun 9–10am)
About 300 LEGO tables, speed builds, build pits and scavenger hunts; profits to John Hunter Kids Club. From $10 pp / $35 family (under 3 free). Get tickets:

Glencore Singleton Show – Singleton Showground, Singleton | Fri 25 Sep, 8am–11pm; Sat 26 Sep, 8am–10pm; Horse Show Sun 27 from 8am
Pavilion crafts, live entertainment, horse events and the Wife Carrying Titles. From $20 adult day pass. More info

Taste of the Hunter Valley – The Station, Newcastle | Sat 26 Sep, 11am–6pm
Wineries, food trucks, Discover Stage, mini golf and jumping castles on the harbour; under-16s free. From ~$30. Get tickets

Sonic Swing Fest – Rippit Golf, Broadmeadow | Sat 26 Sep, 12–6pm
All-ages youth music fest with 12 local acts plus a round of mini golf; one adult supervisor free per group. From $20. Get tickets

MAP mima Rocks – Multi-Arts Pavilion mima, Speers Point | Sat 26 Sep, 3–9pm
Free all-ages alt/grunge afternoon; BYO chairs, food trucks and bar on site. Free (bookings essential). More info

Crafternoon – The Lock-Up, Newcastle | Sat 26 Sep, 10.30am–12.30pm
Hands-on family making inspired by the Cavitation / water season; materials supplied. Donation / pay what you can (concession free). Get tickets:

Hunter Wetlands Spring Festival – Hunter Wetlands Centre, Shortland | Sun 27 Sep, 10am–2pm
Jumping castle, face painting, markets, reptile encounters and walks. Free. More info

Edgeworth Trains – Lake Macquarie Live Steam Locomotive Society, Edgeworth | Sun 27 Sep, park from 9.30am; trains 12.15–3.30pm
Miniature steam and diesel rides on elevated and ground tracks (weather permitting). $3 per ride; under 2 free. More info

Yoga on the Water – Sunrise Wellness Cruise – MV Calmer, Queens Wharf, Newcastle | Sun 27 Sep, 6–8am (board from 5.45am)
Vinyasa, Hatha and Yin across three decks as the sun comes up; ages 12+, BYO mat. Ticketed (listed sold out — check returns). Get tickets:

Curtain Call workshops – McIntyre Theatrette, Newcastle Museum | Tue 29 Sep, 10–11.30am
Fast Fashun costume builds for ages 4–12 (adults stay and join); neurodivergent-friendly pace. $7 pp or $20 family. More info:

Film: Chicken Run – PAC Cessnock, Cessnock | Mon 28 Sep, 10–11.25am
School-holiday claymation classic. Ticketed. More info

Frequency Carnival & Circus – Maitland Showground, South Maitland | Fri 25–Sun 27 Sep Rides, sideshow alley, food trucks and Circus Aurelia in the big top (included with entry). Kids from $5 / adults from $10 / under 5 free. Get tickets

King of the Ranges Stockman’s Challenge & Bush Festival – Rosedale Equine Complex, Murrurundi | Fri 25–Sun 27 Sep Horsemanship, rodeo, stock work, markets, bush cooking, goat races and family entertainment. From free–$45. More info.

Monty Python’s Spamalot – Maitland Town Hall, Maitland | Fri 25 Sep–Sun 4 Oct Maitland Musical Society stages the Tony-winning Holy Grail musical comedy. Ticketed. More info.

Maitland Roller Disco – Harold Gregson Reserve, Maitland | Sat 26 Sep All-levels skate night with a live DJ and food trucks. Free. More info

Spring School Holidays at Hunter Valley Gardens – Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin | Sat 26 Sep–Sun 11 Oct Butterfly house, baby animals, craft, cultural demos, garden tours and family rides. Garden admission applies. More info

Maitland’s Kite Flying Festival – Harold Gregson Park, Maitland | Sun 27 Sep Kite displays and flying, jumping castles, face painting, food trucks, stalls and DJ. Check site for price. More info

Open Day at Maitland Pool – Maitland Aquatic Centre, Maitland | Wed 30 Sep, 10am–3pm Free pool entry for the summer launch — sausage sizzle, laser tag, lawn games, Learn to Swim and aqua classes. Free. More info

The Gospel According to Paul: The Second Coming – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | Wed 23 Sep, 7.30pm
Jonathan Biggins returns as Paul Keating. From $65 (ages 15+). More info

Loca Vida (Strut & Fret) – Spiegeltent, Civic Park, Newcastle | Wed 23 & Thu 24 Sep, 7pm; Fri 25 Sep, 8.45pm; Sat 26 Sep, 5pm & 7.45pm; Sun 27 Sep, 5.30pm
18+ circus-cabaret with brass, aerials and an international cast. From ~$75–$125. More info

Improv Comedy – Newcastle Comedy Club, Islington | Thu 24 Sep, 8–9.30pm
Weekly improvised laughs at the Barracks Hotel site. Ticketed. Get tickets

Burn The Floor: Luminous – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | Fri 25 Sep, 7.30pm
Broadway/West End ballroom with champion dancers, live musicians and big production. From $69 (ages 6+). More info

Angela Tiatia: Muse – Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcastle | Opens Fri 25 Sep (priority First Night); exhibition Sat 26 Sep–7 Feb 2027
Major survey of Newcastle-based Tiatia — video, photo and installation on climate, capitalism and colonisation; The Matildas free alongside. From $20 adult / $50 family. More info

Angela Tiatia artist talk – Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcastle | Sat 26 Sep, 2pm
Meet the artist during New Annual’s opening weekend. Check gallery for bookings. More info

Emo Afloat – MV Calmer, Queens Wharf, Newcastle | Fri 25 Sep, 7.30–10.30pm (check-in from 7pm)
18+ harbour DJ party — MCR, Paramore, Fall Out Boy and pop-punk singalongs. Ticketed. Get tickets

Friday Night Comedy – Newcastle Comedy Club, Islington | Fri 25 Sep, 8.30–10pm (doors 8pm)
Rolling lineup of local and touring comics; dinner+show deals next door at Barracks. Ticketed (16+). Get tickets

Petite Suite – Oriental Hotel, Cooks Hill | Fri 25 Sep, 7pm; Sat 26 Sep, 5pm & 7pm; Sun 27 Sep, 3pm & 5pm
Seven hotel rooms, seven short works — Brand X immersive micro-theatre (18+; listed sold out). $30. More info

Truck Driver – Playhouse, Civic Theatre, Newcastle | Sat 26 Sep, 2pm & 8pm; Sun 27 Sep, 2pm
Jonny Hawkins’ solo haul from cattle country to Uluru (New Annual). $30 / $18 conc. More info

Sea Stories – Dixon Park Beach, Dixon Park | Sat 26–Tue 29 Sep, 5.15am
Roslyn Oades’ dawn headphone love-letter to Novocastrian ocean people — blanket, sunnies, 40 mins. $10 (ages 14+). More info

SOAK: Live at the Baths — Hermitude & Claire O’Brien – Newcastle Ocean Baths, Newcastle | Sat 26 Sep, 5.30–6.30pm
Free New Annual sunset picnic concert at the water’s edge. Free. More info

TWISTED: Night Flowers Party – Bartholomew’s, Newcastle | Sat 26 Sep, 7pm–midnight
18+ after-dark art party for Damien Frost’s Night Flowers — DJs, Phasmahammer, costumes encouraged. From $35–$50. More info

Saturday Night Showcase – Newcastle Comedy Club, Islington | Sat 26 Sep, 8.30–10pm
Flagship weekly multi-act stand-up at 139 Maitland Rd. Ticketed (16+). Get tickets

AFL Masters National Carnival – Newcastle & Lake Mac grounds | Sat 26 Sep–Sat 3 Oct
3,000+ players (35+) across about 70 teams — Australia’s biggest masters footy carnival hits the Hunter. More info

Night Flowers — Damien Frost – Watt Space Gallery, Newcastle | Fri 25 Sep–Sun 4 Oct, 10am–9pm
100+ portraits of self-styled “walking works of art.” Free. More info

Framed in Sound — Tony Mott – Newcastle Museum, Newcastle | Daily in holidays, 10am–5pm (to 18 Oct)
Four decades of iconic rock photography. Free with museum entry conditions. More info

Ocean Rituals — Penelope Green – Bathers Way, Newcastle | Fri 25 Sep–Sun 4 Oct
Open-air photo trail celebrating Newcastle’s coastline and ocean-swimming community. Free. More info

SOAK: The Tide That Brought You In – Newcastle Ocean Baths, Newcastle | Sun 27 Sep, 5.30–6.30pm
Free jazz/soul/R&B sunset bill (Steph Russell, Grace Aberhart, Sophie Hawthorne, Freyja Garbett & guests). Free. More info

Comedy Untamed – Newcastle Comedy Club, Islington | Sun 27 Sep, 6–8.15pm (show ~6.30pm)
Sydney + Newcastle comics plus the line games from social media. From $34. Get tickets

GRUMBLE BOOGIE – Watt Space Gallery, Newcastle | Tue 29 Sep, 5.30pm & 7pm
Betty Grumble’s aerobic dance meditation — ritual movement, cabaret panache, all levels. $25 / $18 under-18s. More info

The One You Always Go Back To – Rooftop at QT, Newcastle | Thu 24 Sep Complimentary Margan Wine tastings — favourites plus a few new drops. Free. More info

Lark Whisky Masterclass – Bartholomew’s, Newcastle | Thu 24 Sep Signature Series tasting with paired food and a bottle of Fire Trail Single Malt to take home. $160 pp + booking fee. More info

Paired at Peregrin: Peregrin’s Best – Peregrin, Merewether | Fri 25 Sep, 7pm Five-course long-table degustation paired with Joval wines, wrapping the Paired series. $159. Get tickets

Method Brewing Oktoberfest 2026 – Method Brewing & 14 Maitland Rd, Islington | Sat 26–Sun 27 Sep, from 12pm New Method and imported German beers, Knuckles 2 You food, vinyl DJs, beerhall and outdoor block party. Free. More info

Festa Italiana Hunter Valley – Mahony Estate Wines, Broke | Sat 26 Sep Wine tasting, wood-fired pizza and a long-table Italian afternoon in Broke. $20 (includes tasting + glass); non-drinkers free. More info

Caves Coastal Beer, Food & Wine Festival – Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalows, Caves Beach | Sat 26 Sep, 11am–5pm Central Coast and Hunter beer, wine, spirits and food with live entertainment and ocean views. Free. More info

AFL Masters Blending Class – Earp Distilling Co., Carrington | Mon 28 Sep Visitor Experience session — blend your own spirit to take home. $49. More info

Good work and the future of wellbeing – Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, Wickham | Tue 29 Sep Everymind / Trevor Waring Expert in Residence with organisational psychologist Dr Kat Page. $110 + fee. More info

Tango for Parkinson’s – Hamilton Community Hive, Hamilton | Wed 30 Sep Guided tango session then tea and a chat — open to everyone, no dance experience needed. $30. More info

TRICERATOP at New Annual – New Annual, Newcastle | Wed 30 Sep–Sun 4 Oct Camp cabaret-sci-fi about ageing dinosaurs in the Jurassic jungle of gay romance. $30 / $18 under 18s. More info

Handmade in the Hunter – Sobels Wines, Pokolbin | Sat 26 Sep, 9am–2pm
Artisan makers among the vines — jewellery, homewares, gifts. Free entry.

Glendale Farmers and Artisan Market – Stockland Glendale, Glendale | Sat 26 Sep, 8am–2pm
Weekly produce and maker stalls under the shopping-centre roof. Free entry.

Newcastle City Farmers Market – Newcastle Showground, Broadmeadow | Sun 27 Sep, 7am–1pm
Regional growers, bakers and coffee. Free entry.

Adamstown Lions Market – Cnr Brunker Rd & Glebe Rd, Adamstown | Sun 27 Sep, 7am–1pm
Long-running Sunday community market. Free entry.

Tomaree Markets – Tomaree Sports Complex, Nelson Bay | Sun 27 Sep, 9am–1pm
Port Stephens Sunday browse — produce, crafts and local stalls. Free entry.

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

Last week's trivia answer was around 10%. About one in every ten tonnes of coal traded by sea around the world passes through the Port of Newcastle. The number changes from year to year, but it gives you an idea of just how significant Newcastle's coal trade is.

It goes all the way back to 1797, when coal was discovered around the Hunter River. Newcastle's harbour quickly became the natural export point, with shipments to Sydney and other Australian ports growing throughout the 1800s. By 1900, annual shipments to foreign and interstate ports had grown to almost four million tonnes.

Coal became the foundation of Newcastle's economy. Mines expanded throughout the Hunter Valley, railways were built to move coal to the harbour, and the port itself was progressively expanded to handle larger ships and growing volumes.

Today, the scale is difficult to comprehend. Around 145 million tonnes of coal passed through the Port of Newcastle in 2023, with the vast majority exported overseas.

When people talk about Newcastle being a coal city, it's not just a historical label. The industry shaped the city's growth, its rail network, its harbour and much of the Hunter economy for more than two centuries.

From a coal discovery in 1797 to one of the world's major coal export ports, it's hard to overstate how much coal has shaped Newcastle.

Merewether Surfhouse is set for a major change, with new owners Ben May and Rob Domjen planning to transform the three-level beachfront venue into Merewether Pavilion in 2027.

The pair, who are behind venues including Burleigh Pavilion, The Tropic, Terrigal Pavilion and The Joey at Palm Beach, will officially take over in October. Surfhouse will continue trading through summer before closing in February 2027 for a major renovation.

The full plans are still taking shape, but The Tropic, their coastal dining concept from Burleigh Pavilion, will form part of the new food and drink offering. The broader vision is for a venue that works throughout the day, from casual beachside food through to dining, drinks and events.

The new owners say they'll spend their first few months getting to know the venue, its team and the local community before making any major changes.

Further details on the renovation and new dining concepts are expected to be announced closer to the redevelopment.

Newcastle beat the Warriors 12-10 in a sudden-death semi-final at Eden Park on Sunday. Fletcher Sharpe and Dom Young scored the Knights’ tries in a 6-6 half-time scrap; Leka Halasima crossed twice for the hosts. They face Penrith in a preliminary final at Accor Stadium on Sunday 27 September, kick-off around 4:05pm.

Brisbane beat Newcastle 40-16 in an elimination final at Totally Workwear Stadium on Saturday, ending the Knights’ season. The Broncos led 34-0 at half-time; Newcastle’s tries came after the break through Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, Shanice Parker and Sidney Taylor. Brisbane play Gold Coast in a preliminary final next weekend.

Newcastle City are the 2026 Black Diamond Cup premiers, beating Killarney Vale 80-53 at No.1 Sportsground on Saturday to complete an undefeated season. Jack Woodham took best on ground. In the women’s Cup, Killarney Vale edged City 31-29 for a third straight grand final win.

Newtown ended Newcastle’s NSW Cup season 30-14 in a preliminary final at Jubilee Stadium on Saturday. The Jets play Penrith in the grand final next weekend.