Good morning Newcastle,

This week marks two years since I sent the very first Newcastle Digest. Two years of putting this together every single week, and I can't believe how much it's grown.

Thanks for being here. Here's to year three.

Enjoy!

This week marks two years since I sent the very first Newcastle Digest.

Two years of sitting down every week and putting together what's happening around Newcastle. News, events, new places to eat, pies, gigs, local stories and, increasingly, things I've wanted to create beyond the newsletter itself.

When I started it, I honestly had no idea where it would go. I just thought it would be cool to have a simple email that tells you what’s happening around Newcastle each week.

Two years and hundreds of thousands of emails later, it's become something much bigger than that.

We've now got thousands of people reading every week, a growing community, events, and even products.

The best part has been seeing people actually use it. Meeting readers at events, hearing that someone tried a restaurant because they saw it here, or getting a message about a story they hadn't heard before.

So, thank you for reading, sharing it, replying to it and sticking around.

Here's to year three.

Farrar & Sons Bakehouse — Potato Pie
$6.80 | Score: 51/70

Farrar & Sons in Mayfield isn't a new stop for me. I've been a few times before and have always been impressed, so I had reasonably high expectations going in.

The potato pie is a little different to the usual offering, with a beef filling underneath a crispy golden potato top. The filling was well seasoned, and the pie held together well. The crispy potato on top was probably the best part.

The flavour was good without being anything particularly complex. It's a simple, hearty pie and it does that well.

No sauce. Didn't need it.

At $6.80, it's good value for a quality bakery pie.

The X Factor is the potato top. It gives the pie a bit more going on than your standard mince pie and is what I'd order it for again.

Pastry 16/20 | Filling 13/20 | Sauce 7/10 | Value 8/10 | X Factor 7/10
Total: 51/70

YOU ARE A UNIVERSE: Ryan Wild – Multi-Arts Pavilion MAP mima, Speers Point | until 30 August, Fri–Sun 9am–2pm Immersive 360° projection through the solar system — astronomy, mythology and sound. Free. More info.

Mr Squiggle and Friends – Newcastle Museum, Honeysuckle | until 1 November Puppets, props and Norman Hetherington’s creative world on national tour. Free (closed Mon–Tue outside school holidays). More info.

Orange Picking at Cedar Farm – Dooralong | weekends until late August, 10am–4pm Pick navel oranges across 15 acres of orchard. Free entry; fruit by the kilo. More info.

Newcastle Outdoor Adventure & Lifestyle Expo – Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Broadmeadow | 28–30 August, Fri & Sun 8:30am–4pm, Sat 8:30am–5pm Caravans, campers, 4x4s, camping gear and outdoor lifestyle under one roof. Ticketed. More info.

Impact Festival 2026 – Warners Bay Theatre, baramayiba | 27–30 August Four days of contemporary dance, workshops, talks and dance film — strong for teens into performance. Tickets from $22; festival passes available. More info.

Glendale Community Day – Glendale City Centre | 29 August, 10am–2pm Free family day with markets, emergency service displays and entertainment in the undercover precinct. Free. More info.

Crafternoon – The Lock-Up, Hunter Street | 29 August, 12:30pm–3:30pm Hands-on family art-making inspired by Wendy Sharpe’s Into the Dark. Pay-what-you-can; free for concession. More info.

Emma Memma’s Jungle Picnic Tour – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | 30 August, 10am Sing, dance and play along — Auslan interpreter side-of-stage; babes in arms under 12 months welcome. Tickets $42.50. More info.

Waste on the Waterfront – Swansea Belmont SLC, Blacksmiths | 30 August, 10am–1pm Kids fishing workshop, wildlife talks, tackle recycling and a sausage sizzle. Mix of free and booked activities. More info.

Edgeworth Trains – Velinda Street, Edgeworth | 30 August, rides 12:30pm–3:30pm Miniature steam and diesel rides on public ride day. $3 per ride; under 2s free. More info.

Brian Robinson: Multiverse – Newcastle Art Gallery | until 30 August Major solo of linocuts, sculpture and immersive digital animation — last weekend. More info.

Shoptalk: A New Musical – Multi-Arts Pavilion MAP mima, Speers Point | 28 August Musical comedy about retail life. Tickets $27.50–$32.80. More info.

Make Your Own Prize Ribbon Workshop – Alejandro's Gallery, Newcastle | 29 August, from 10am
A 90-minute beginner-friendly craft workshop where you design your own colourful prize ribbon using ribbon, felt and trims. All materials included. More info.

A Symphony of Stories: Children's Concert – Rathmines Theatre | Friday 28 August, 11am–12pm Lake Mac U3A Orchestra for ages 2–5, then craft and Book Week stories. Free. More info.

Dads Step Up – Eleebana Carpark | Saturday 29 August, 9–10.30am Walk-and-talk meetup for dads. Free. More info.

Waratah Girls Choir Annual Concert: Fire and Ice – Harold Lobb Concert Hall | Saturday 29 August, 4–6pm Annual themed concert. From $15. More info.

The Way We Were Starring Melinda Schneider – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | 27 August, 7:30pm Barbra Streisand concert celebration with live band. Ticketed. More info.

Civic Cinema: National Theatre Live — Inter Alia (Encore) – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | 28 August, 7pm Rosamund Pike in Suzie Miller’s follow-up to Prima Facie — modern motherhood and masculinity. Ticketed. More info.

Impact Festival 2026 – Warners Bay Theatre, baramayiba | 27–30 August (evening programs from 7:30pm; Sun 3:30pm) Contemporary dance performances plus workshops, artist talks and First Nations programming. Tickets from $22. More info.

Newcastle Outdoor Adventure & Lifestyle Expo – Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Broadmeadow | 28–30 August Caravans, camping, 4x4 and outdoor lifestyle expo. Ticketed. More info.

Lano & Woodley In Space – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | 29 August, 4pm & 6:30pm Physical comedy double act on a spaceship — recommended 15+. Ticketed. More info.

Wendy Sharpe: Into the Dark – The Lock-Up, 90 Hunter Street | until 13 September Major solo show with mural and immersive installations responding to war, climate and “the decline of truth.” More info.

Music Trivia at Son Of A Gun Diner – 66 Beaumont Street, Hamilton | Mondays from 24 August Weekly music trivia, games and prizes. Free to play; bookings recommended. More info.

Cabaret Dinner Dance – Weston Workers Club | 29 August, 6pm Dinner dance night at Weston. More info.

Pop Up Dinners at Good Brother – 40 King Street, Newcastle | 28 August Limited-seat three-course shared, produce-led dinner. $85pp. More info.

Valley Estate Agents Charity Ball – Maitland Town Hall | 28 August, 6pm–11pm Canapés, two-course dinner, Timberlina, auction for Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation. $180.55pp. More info.

Olivia De Zilva in Conversation – East Maitland Library | 28 August In-conversation event. $15. More info.

Paired at Peregrin – Peregrin, Merewether | 28 August Five-course chargrill dinner with Patritti wines. $159. More info.

CRASH OUT at Kahibah - Liquid Zoo -Kahibah Sports Club | Saturday, 29 August, 3:00pm Some of the best local bands around, topped off by LIQUID ZOO's first Australian performance since hitting the road across the UK and Europe in support of JET. More info.

Nashville on the Harbour – Queens Wharf Ferry Terminal | 29 August, 12pm–4pm Brother Hollow country cruise on MV Calmer. From $39.51pp. More info.

Zach Bryan Tribute Show – Queens Wharf Ferry Terminal | 29 August, 12pm–4pm Four-hour harbour cruise of Zach Bryan singalongs. From $39.51pp. 18+. More info.

Born To Dance – Queens Wharf Ferry Terminal | 29 August, 7pm–10pm 80s/90s throwback party cruise. From $24.09pp. 18+. More info.

Greater Poland Feast – Urban Restaurant & Wine Bar, Darby Street | 30 August, 12:30pm Set lunch. $102pp. More info.

Delicate Lines by Susie Sotiropoulos – Wabi Sabi Gallery, Adamstown | 29–30 August Exhibition. Free. More info.

All-Star Wrestling Australia – Hexham Bowling Club | Saturday 29 August, 7pm First Newcastle show since 2024. Doors 6.30pm. Family-friendly. Ticketed. More info.

Kingsley Winter Lodge – Crystalbrook Kingsley, 282 King St | Friday 28–Sunday 30 August, 3pm / 5.30pm / 8pm Heated dining domes on the Ms Mary terrace. Share menu and a drink on arrival. From $120pp, min 4 guests. Last winter weekend (season now runs into September). More info.

Free Sunset Instameet – Newcastle Ocean Baths | Saturday 29 August, 5–7pm Photography meet-up. Free. More info.

Free Sunrise Instameet – Merewether Ocean Baths | Sunday 30 August, 5.15am Photography meet-up. Coffee after is optional, own cost. Free. More info.

Monthly Mangrove Clean Up – Carrington, Elizabeth Street Boardwalk | Sunday 30 August, 10.30am Last-Sunday community clean-up. Time can shift with the tide. Free. More info.

Friday Night Sounds ft. Kee'ahn – Newcastle Art Gallery | Friday 28 August, 5–8pm Free after-hours set. Trivia and Sketch Club are ticketed. More info.

Friday Night Speed Dating – The Dockyard | Friday 28 August, 7–9.30pm CitySwoon, ages 40–55. Two drinks included. $59. More info.

Newcastle Talk2mebro Gala – NEX | Saturday 29 August, 6–11pm Suicide-prevention fundraiser. Three-course meal and drinks. $220. Ticket sales have stopped. More info.

SARGAM 2026 – Callaghan College Jesmond | Saturday 29 August, 10am–10pm HUMSAM Onam celebration with Amrutha Suresh. From $60 adult. More info.

MeditationHQ Sunrise Meditation – Dixon Park Beach | Saturday 29 August, 6.30am Free community meditation. No booking. More info.

Newcastle True Crime Tour – Scott St & Watt St | Friday 28 August, 7.30pm 90-minute walking tour. From $27.78. Weekend dates too. More info.

Hunter Wedding Expo – Newcastle Racecourse | Sunday 30 August, 10am–1pm Local wedding suppliers. $5, kids under 13 free. More info.

Merewether Markets – Dixon Park, Merewether | 29 August, 9am–2pm About 40 local maker and food stalls, live music, face painting. Free entry. More info.

Glendale Farmers & Artisan Market – Glendale City Centre | 29 August, 8am–2pm Runs under the Big White Top alongside Community Day. More info.

Newcastle City Farmers Markets — Broadmeadow Showground
No market Sunday 30 August (Outdoor Expo at the Showground).
Next market: Sunday 6 September, 7am–1pm.

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

The Merewether Ocean Baths - Built Out of Necessity

Most locals who swim at the Merewether Ocean Baths know they're the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Fewer know why they were built in the first place.

By the early 1930s, Newcastle was feeling the full weight of the Great Depression. Unemployment was widespread, and the NSW Government introduced the Unemployment Relief Scheme, a program designed to put men back to work through large public projects. The Merewether Ocean Baths were one of the projects.

The 100-metre by 90-metre baths were constructed as part of the scheme, opening in 1935. The project required enormous amounts of labour to blast and excavate the rock shelf, build the retaining walls and construct the surrounding facilities. For many Newcastle families doing it tough, it meant steady work at a time when there wasn't much of it around.

There had been an earlier, much smaller pool on the site since 1926, a 43-metre Ladies Pool located to the north of where the current baths sit. What replaced it was something altogether different in ambition and size.

The baths have been free to access since they opened. They were built by men who needed work during one of the hardest periods in the city's history, and they're still being used every morning by locals who mostly have no idea of that story.

Next time you're there at sunrise watching someone knock out their laps, that's the context behind what you're looking at.

King Street Hotel is set for a major upgrade after securing $500,000 in NSW Government funding to improve its live music facilities.

The funding will go towards new LED video technology, modern lighting and control systems, as well as film and video cameras, designed to improve the experience for both artists and audiences.

The money comes through the latest round of the NSW Government's $3.8 million Venue Upgrade Grant program, which is supporting live music venues across the state.

King Street Hotel regularly hosts local and touring artists and has become one of Newcastle's better-known live music venues. The upgrades should give the venue a pretty serious facelift heading into next year

Good news for one of the city's best live music spots.

A humbling afternoon at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday, with Newcastle blowing an 18-6 lead to lose 44-24 to Manly on Old Boys' Day. The Sea Eagles attacked Newcastle's edges at will in the second half and ran away with it.

The result ends any top four hopes for the Knights and puts a home final in jeopardy. They now need to beat the Warriors next week to guarantee finishing sixth with home ground advantage in the first week of finals.

The bigger concern is Dom Young, who was sin-binned for a hip-drop tackle that left Manly's Tolu Koula with a syndesmosis injury. A grade-three charge would rule Young out of the opening week of finals given the Knights have a bye before their first game. Holbrook was hopeful but acknowledged it was out of his hands.

Newcastle finished the AIHL regular season as Minor Premiers after back-to-back comeback wins over the weekend, defeating Central Coast 3-2 on Saturday and fighting back from 3-0 down to beat Sydney 8-5 on Sunday.

Yevgenii Skachkov became just the third player in AIHL history to score 40 goals in a season during the weekend, while Riley Klugerman brought up his 50th career AIHL goal. Skachkov and Santeri Haarala finished the regular season tied on 84 points each, placing them equal third on the competition's all-time single-season points list.

The Northstars head to Melbourne for the AIHL Finals at O'Brien Icehouse, with their opening game on Saturday 29 August. Coach Kevin Noble was clear about where the focus is now: the Minor Premiership is a milestone, but the championship is the goal.

Maitland are the first team to book their place in the grand final, accounting for Central Newcastle in a comprehensive win. The return of star halfback Brock Lamb gave the Pickers another dimension, and they were too good for the Butcher Boys. Five straight premierships are now firmly in their sights.

South Newcastle also secured their spot in the preliminary final with a tight 12-10 win over The Entrance. They will face Central Newcastle next week with a grand final berth on the line.