Good morning Newcastle, welcome back to the Newcastle Digest.

Hope you're staying dry out there. Plenty in this edition as always, including one last chance to submit your pick for Newcastle's best pie, and a quick poll on what you'd like to see from the next Digest event. Enjoy.

I’m planning our next event and want you to help pick it.

We've loved bringing the Newcastle Digest community together IRL this year, and we're already thinking about what's next. Before we lock anything in, we want to know what you actually want to come to.

Vote below 👇

Thanks to everyone who got their nominations in last week. The response was great, and we now have a solid list of local pies to work through. If you haven't submitted yours yet, there's still time. The more nominations, the better.

👉 Nominate your favourite pie

The Scoring System

To keep things consistent across every pie I try, here's how each one will be judged:

Pastry - Is it flaky, golden, and holding together? Does it have a good base that doesn't fall apart? (/20)

Filling - Quality, flavour, and generosity of the filling. Is it packed or is there more pastry than substance? (/20)

Sauce - Does it need it? Does it stand alone? (/10)

Value - Is the price justified for what you're getting? (/10)

The X Factor - That hard-to-define quality that makes you want to go back. (/10)

Total — /70

Simple, fair, and replicable across every pie on the list. Once all nominations are in, I'll start working through them and reporting back. May the best pie win.

Step up coffee

Mayfield has another coffee shop, opened on 25 May, Step Up is serving coffee from Lords Coffee Supply and Double Tap. They have marketed themselves as a community space for coffee lovers. Open from 5:30am on weekdays and 7am on weekends.

📍 1189 Maitland Road, Mayfield

Hayl Mary Cafe

The team behind Praise Joe, one of Newcastle's favourite neighbourhood coffee spots, have opened their next venture. Hayl Mary is a bigger space with a fuller food offering, built on the same ethos that made Praise Joe worth going to in the first place. Same people, same warmth, more room at the table. Open today (27 May).

📍 74 The Lane, Maryville

Something I've been building.

A few of my mates run local businesses, and they all know Google reviews matter. They all mean to ask customers, but almost none of them actually do it consistently.

The tools that fix this exist, but they're expensive and built for big franchises. Way more than a small business needs.

So I built something simpler. It's called Testimo.

You finish a job, put in your customer's name and mobile or email, and Testimo sends them a review request. Happy customers go to Google. Unhappy ones give you private feedback instead.

Other features include employee tracking to see which staff members get the best reviews, a website widget that automatically displays your reviews, branded review cards you can share on socials, QR codes, multi-location support, and more.

All for $49/month. Newcastle Digest readers get 30 Days free.

→ testimo.com.au

Reply if you want to chat about it. I'd be happy to help set it up.

— Kyle

National Simultaneous Storytime – Various libraries | 27 May, 12pm Libraries across the country read the same book at the same time — this year it's Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller. Join in at your local library or read along at home. Free. More info.

Brian Robinson: Multiverse: Newcastle Art Gallery - Newcastle Art Gallery | 23 May – 30 Aug Torres Strait Islander artist Brian Robinson's major solo exhibition opens at the newly expanded Newcastle Art Gallery. Robinson's work draws on the cosmologies, histories, and visual cultures of the Torres Strait, rendered in intricate linocut prints and sculpture. More info.

A Midsummer Night's Dream – Civic Theatre Playhouse, Newcastle | 28–30 May, 2pm & 7pm Hunter Drama reimagines Shakespeare's most loved comedy — four lovers, a forest full of mischief and some very confused fairies. Tickets from $49. More info.

Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels – McDonald Jones Stadium | 30 May, 3pm The Knights host the Eels at home. More info.

Tuff Nutterz – Maude Street, Belmont | 30 May, 9am – 4:45pm Australia's biggest inflatable obstacle course with a giant slide and additional inflatable games. More info.

TCG Trade Day – Bennetts Green | 30 May, 10am – 3pm Pokémon, Sports Cards, One Piece, Yu-Gi-Oh and more — buy, sell or trade with the community. Free sausage sizzle on the day. More info.

Kids on the Green - Valentine Bowling Club | 30 May, 4pm - 8pm Bowling greens are open for the kids to play on every weekend from 4pm – 8pm. Ball Games and Activities provided by the club.

Young Dobell Exhibition 2026 – MAC yapang, Booragul | 31 May, 9am – 3pm The annual exhibition celebrating young artists aged 5 to 18, this year honouring the late Tom Gleghorn for his contribution to Australian art. Free. More info.

Memory Walk and Jog – Griffith Park, Stockton | 31 May, from 7:30am A family-friendly fundraising walk and run raising awareness for Dementia Australia. Choose from 2.5km, 5km or 9.5km. Tickets from $22. More info.

Edgeworth Trains - Velinda Street, Edgeworth | 31 May 2026 Monthly public ride day from the Lake Macquarie Live Steam Locomotive Society. Steam and diesel miniature trains on elevated and ground-level tracks — a relaxed, affordable outing for little train lovers. More info.

Promise & Promiscuity – The Newcastle Theatre, Lambton | 28 May One night only from Penny Ashton — Pride and Prejudice gone wild with comedy, music and Austen mayhem. Tickets $30–$42. More info.

International Burger Day – The Beach Hotel, Merewether | 28 May Three levels of burger deals — Larrie's buy one get one for $2, TBH smash burgers from $8, and an exclusive smoked brisket burger at Peregrin. More info.

Eddie Izzard - The Remix Tour Live - Civic Theatre, Newcastle | 28 May, 8pm British comedian, actor brings his Remix Tour to Newcastle for one night only. Expect sharp political comedy, surreal tangents, and a stage presence that has barely dimmed in four decades. More info.

Crafting Your Retirement – Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, Wickham | 29 May, 1pm – 3pm A free afternoon with Michael Pascoe, architect Angelique Perak and Newcastle Knights Head Coach Justin Holbrook on navigating retirement and downsizing with confidence. Free. More info.

Friday Night Sounds ft. Zipporah – Newcastle Art Gallery | 29 May, 5pm – 8pm An after-hours gallery session with live sets from Torres Strait Islander singer Zipporah, new exhibitions and a retro arcade games room. Free. More info.

Sip Society Friday Fix – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle | 29 May A no-fuss Friday evening drinks for women in their 20s in Newcastle. Come alone or bring a friend. Free. More info.

Paired at Peregrin – Peregrin Merewether | 29 May A five-course dégustation matched with Thomas Wines for a Hunter Valley paddock-to-plate evening. Tickets $159. More info.

Surf Rock Night – Shoal Bay Country Club, Shoal Bay | 29 May A big surf rock night by the bay. More info.

Hat or Bag Burning Workshop – Newcastle | 29–31 May Design and burn your own custom hat or bag using pyrography techniques, with step-by-step guidance and all materials included. Tickets $99. More info.

PBR Origin I – Newcastle Entertainment Centre | 30 May, gates open 4:30pm Professional bull riding comes to Newcastle — elite riders, All-Star Bulls and serious state rivalry. Tickets from $74.50. More info.

Hoedown Throwdown – The Exchange, Hamilton | 30 May, from 6pm Katie Jayne Band live from 9pm plus country DJs from 6pm till 3am. Free entry. More info.

Bandcamp 2000s Party – Shoal Bay Country Club, Shoal Bay | 30 May Live music and DJs spinning 2000s throwbacks all night. Free entry.

Tarot Reader Paint and Sip – Mayfield Bowling Club, Mayfield | 30 May, from 1pm A high-energy guided painting session with big music, singalong moments and a tarot reader in the mix. 18+. Tickets $69. More info.

Newy Day Club – Bar Romeo, Cooks Hill | 30 May, from 4pm Newcastle's over-30s day party is back — DJs spinning throwbacks from the 70s to early 2000s. More info.

Siamese Fish Watercolour Workshop – The Press Bookhouse, Newcastle | 30 May, 5:30pm Learn to illustrate two galaxy fish using watercolour, coloured pencils and ink pens. All materials, charcuterie and drinks included. Tickets $30. More info.

Give a Sheet for the Planet – Newcastle TAFE, Tighes Hill | 30 May Drop off unwanted bedroom, bathroom and kitchen linen for free recycling. Free. More info.

Coffee and Claytime Workshop – Grounded By Designs, Carrington | 30 May, 10am – 12:30pm Slow down with a coffee and make your own hand-built pottery in a calm, supported workshop. All materials provided. Tickets $120. More info.

Newcastle Comedy Club Showcase – Newcastle Comedy Club, Islington | 29 May, 8pm – 10:30pm Five to six acts from local, Sydney, interstate and international comedians. 16+ with parental discretion. Tickets from $32.35.

Sketch Club – Newcastle Art Gallery | 29 May, 5:30pm – 7:30pm A relaxed, social drawing session for anyone who loves drawing or wants to build their skills. Tickets $55. More info.

Sunset Sessions – Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley | 30 May, 5:30pm – 8pm Live music, food and drinks among vineyard views during golden hour. Free.

Saturday Night Comedy Club Showcase – Newcastle Comedy Club, Islington | 30 May, from 8:30pm Five to six acts from local, Sydney, interstate and international comedians. 16+ with parental discretion. More info.

Sounds of Sustainability Festival – Thomas H. Halton Park, Croudace Bay | 31 May, 10am – 1pm Around 20 sustainability stalls, food, drinks and live music between the skate park and playground. Bring cash. Free. More info.

Hunter Valley Wedding Fair - Mercure Hunter Valley | 31 May, 11am - 2pm Planning a wedding can feel like a whirlwind of Pinterest boards, vendor emails, and endless decision making, but the Wedding Fairs Series Six is here to make the process far more enjoyable. More info.

Merewether Markets – Dixon Park, Merewether | 30 May, 9am – 2pm Handmade goods, local designers and food vendors set against the coastal backdrop of Dixon Park. More info.

Caves Beach Markets - Mawson Close Caves Beach | 30 May, 9am - 3pm
Looking for the perfect gift, beachwear, or a special keepsake from Caves Beach? Cave Woman has you covered! A unique selection of T-shirts, magnets, caps, towels, candles, and more, your memories of this stunning destination.

Islington Markets - Wickham Park | 31 May, 6am - 1pm
A new & used goods market, hosted by (and in support of) the not-for-profit charity Newcastle & Hunter Region Vietnam Veterans.

Adamstown Lions Market – Cnr Glebe & Brunker Rds, Adamstown | 31 May, 7am – 12pm Seasonal produce, crafted goods and artisan treats in the heart of Adamstown.

Newcastle City Farmers Markets – Broadmeadow Showground | 31 May Shop direct from local farmers and makers with unbeatable freshness and a genuine community atmosphere.

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

A good weekend for Newcastle's ice hockey side, the Northstars swept Canberra in back-to-back games on the road, winning 6-1 on Saturday and edging a tight 4-3 on Sunday to claim top spot on the AIHL table.

Six different goal scorers in Saturday's opener was the standout stat. Sunday was harder but they found a way. Goalkeeper Matus Trnka has been outstanding all season and is shaping as one of the best in the league.

Brisbane Lightning away this weekend, then home at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium on May 30, already sold out.

A Year 8 student from Warners Bay High School has broken a NSW Combined High Schools swimming record that has stood for 30 years, originally set by Ian Thorpe in 1996.

Liam Blair swam the under-14 200m freestyle in 1:59.74 at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre earlier this month, breaking one of the longest-standing records in NSWCHS competition.

Blair said he had been eyeing the record for a year and used Thorpe's legacy as motivation rather than pressure. A big future ahead if the trajectory continues.