Good morning Newcastle, welcome back to the Newcastle Digest.

How is it June already? Thanks to all who voted in last weeks newsletter about our next event. A trivia night is now in the works, more details to come. This week we kick off the quest to find the best pie in Newcastle, and it's a big edition with plenty on for the long weekend. Enjoy.

The list is locked. Thanks to everyone who submitted. A few venues came up more than once, so where there are doubles, I'll be picking my favourite option from each and scoring that. Here's what we're working through.

Bee Sting Bakery, Kahibah - Plain Mince Pie $5.50 | Score: 46/70

A plain mince pie is as honest as it gets. No tricks, no gimmicks, just pastry and filling. And for what it is, Kahibah Bakery does it well.

The pastry has two personalities. The top is gloriously flaky, almost aggressively so, expect crumbs on your shirt. It's got the texture you want from a bakery pie, but it doesn't hold together once you're into it. The base, though, is a different story. Thick, sturdy, and reliable, it carries the whole thing without complaint.

The filling is decent. It's a plain mince, so you're not going to get fireworks, but it does the job with enough flavour to justify the purchase. I tried it with and without sauce and honestly, it didn't need it. That's a quiet confidence most pies don't have.

At $5.50, you're paying a fair price for a fair pie. It sits at the standard bakery pricing, and while it earns that, it doesn't exceed it.

The X Factor is where it trails off. Nothing wrong here, but nothing that makes you think about it on the drive home either. If you're a plain mince person, this is a solid option. I'm usually not, which probably says more about me than the pie.

Pastry 13/20 | Filling 14/20 | Sauce 7/10 | Value 7/10 | X Factor 5/10 Total: 46/70

Lake Macquarie Dobell Festival – Various locations, Lake Macquarie | 1–30 June A month-long arts festival inspired by the life and work of Sir William Dobell, featuring workshops, presentations and exhibitions across Lake Macquarie. Mix of free and ticketed events. More info.

You're Kidding Me Family Expo – Charlestown Square, Charlestown | 1–5 June, 9am – 1pm (+ evening sessions Thursday) The Hunter's largest parenting expo connecting families with local services, programs and childhood experts. Best for families with kids under 8. Free. More info.

World Bicycle Day – Fernleigh Track, Adamstown | 3 June, 3:30pm – 6:30pm Free bike safety checks, cycling maps and giveaways at the Adamstown end of the Fernleigh Track. No bookings needed. Free. More info.

Merriwa Festival of the Fleeces – Merriwa town centre | 5–7 June One of the Upper Hunter's most beloved community events — market stalls, shearing demonstrations, working dog displays, free kids rides and the iconic Running of the Sheep. Free entry Saturday and Sunday. More info.

The Edge of the World – MAP mima, Speers Point | 5 June, 5pm – 7pm Opening night for a collaborative exhibition exploring the landscapes and cultures of Australia and Iceland through film and digital media. Free. More info.

Harvest Festival – Various locations, Central Coast | 6–7 June Farm tours, pick-your-own fruit, archery and animal feeding across Central Coast hinterland properties. Mix of free and paid activities. More info.

Commbank Matildas vs Mexico – McDonald Jones Stadium | 6 June, gates open 6pm, kick-off 7:15pm The Matildas return to Newcastle for the first time since the AFC Women's Asian Cup final, taking on Mexico in game one of a two-match series. More info.

Newcastle AFL Masters Carnival – No.1 Sports Ground, Newcastle | 6 June, 8am – 5pm A round-robin day of Masters footy bringing players from across NSW together for a day of fun and camaraderie. More info.

Kids Art Workshop: Collaged Critters – MAC yapang, Booragul | 6 June, 11am – 12pm A hands-on collage workshop led by illustrator Gemma Kirschner for kids aged 7–12. All materials included. Tickets $25. More info.

Newcastle Samoan Independence Day – The Station, Newcastle | 6 June A day of Samoan culture, performances, food stalls, market vendors and family activities. More info.

Swamp Film Festival – Hunter Wetlands Centre, Shortland | 6–7 June Short film screenings, a kids animation session, a filmmakers walk and a panel discussion on the Hunter Estuary. Mix of free and paid sessions. Tickets from $5. More info.

King's Birthday Open Day – Fort Scratchley, Newcastle East | 8 June, 10am – 4pm Cannon firings at 11am, 1pm and 3pm alongside tunnel tours, military vehicle displays, the Newcastle Pipe Band and re-enactment displays. Free. More info.

Coffee and Claytime Workshop – Grounded By Designs, Carrington | 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 27 June, 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.

Live & Local – Venues across Carrington, Islington, Maryville, Tighes Hill and Wickham | 5–8 June Four days of live music across Newcastle's inner west for the King's Birthday long weekend. A walkable music trail through venues, laneways and local businesses. Free and ticketed events. More info.

Ibiza at the Bay – Shoal Bay Country Club, Shoal Bay | 5 June Early 2000s club classics and Ibiza-inspired energy for a big night of late-night dancing. 18+. Tickets from $35. More info.

DJs, Drinks, Dancing – The Exchange, Hamilton | 5 June The Exchange kicks off the June long weekend with DJs, drinks and dancing. More info.

Sound Social – Earp Distilling Co., Carrington | 6–7 June, from 4pm Two days of live funky sets in the Barrel Hall with Thirst Trap, Bread Club, The Good Kids and more. Saturday from $10, Sunday free. 18+. More info.

So Fresh 2000s Party – The Exchange, Hamilton | 6 June Low-rise jeans, flip phones and 2000s bangers all night long. More info.

Crips & Creeps: Are You Pulling My Leg? – Warners Bay Theatre | 6 June Some of Australia's funniest comedians with disability or chronic illness, with Auslan interpretation and live captioning. Tickets $40–$44. More info.

The Loxford Maitland Running Festival – Maitland Regional Athletics Centre | 7 June, from 7:30am A family-friendly walk and run along the Maitland foreshore. Choose from 4km, 8km or 12km. Tickets from $35. More info.

June Long Weekend at The Exchange – The Exchange, Hamilton | 7 June, from 7pm DJs from 7pm and live bands from 8pm across two levels. Free entry till 2am. More info.

Yes Boone – Shoal Bay Country Club, Shoal Bay | 7 June, from 8:30pm Project Frenzy, Lachlan Craig, Dugo and B3 live at SBCC for the long weekend. Free entry. More info.

Newcastle Creative Writers June Meetup – Bostin Brew, Merewether | 8 June, from 12pm A friendly writing meetup — introductions, a random word prompt, 20 minutes of writing and sharing stories. Free. More info.

Stonehurst Picnic in the Grove – Stonehurst Cedar Creek, Wollombi Valley | 7 June, 11am – 4pm Live music, mulled wine, a kids petting zoo and an open firepit among the pear trees. BYO picnic hamper or pre-order an antipasto platter. Tickets $15 adults, kids under 17 free. More info.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | 6 June, 8pm Hosted by Triple J Breakfast's Luka Muller with Ben Kochan, Chris Ryan, Dan Rath and Jo Gowda. Recommended 15+. Tickets $65. More info.

MOA Does Jazz – MOA & Co., Carrington | 6 June, from 5pm A one-night-only evening of live jazz with Centre State Jazz Trio, cocktails and snacks in a warm industrial warehouse setting. Tickets $15 pre-purchase or $25 at the door. More info.

Dock Rock by the Water – Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, Wickham | 6–7 June Five local acts playing covers across two afternoons on the waterfront. Saturday: CC Lee & The Groove (3pm), Thin White Dukes (5:30pm). Sunday: 2GoodReasons (3pm), Copy That (5pm), Rock Rhapsody (7:15pm). More info.

Carrington Crawl – Various venues, Carrington | 7 June, from 11am A free live music pub trail across The Pavilion, Carrington Bowlo, Seven Seas Hotel and Young Street Hotel, with local acts playing throughout the day. Free. More info.

Explore Throsby Food Tour – Wickham & Carrington | 6 June, 11am – 3pm A guided 4-hour walking food tour through the Throsby villages with tastings at five local venues, two drinks included and stories from the people behind the food. More info.

The Mark Hughes Foundation Race Day - Newcastle Racecourse | 6 June, 11am
The Mark Hughes Foundation Race Day is putting on a memorable day at the races in support of Beanies for Brain Cancer Month. Come together for a great cause and get your beanies ready for a meaningful day at the track. More info.

Flickerfest Newcastle – Civic Playhouse, Newcastle | 6 June, 6:30pm & 9pm Two sessions of world-class short films — Best of Australian Shorts at 6:30pm and Short Laughs Comedy at 9pm. Includes a complimentary drink between sessions. Tickets from $25 per session or $42 for both. More info.

19Twenty – The Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield | 6 June, from 8pm Raw, high-energy rock from 19Twenty — driving riffs, pounding rhythms and a crowd that doesn't sit still. 18+. Tickets $44.40. More info.

Bellicanta's Launch Party – Theydy's, Hamilton North | 6 June, 6pm – 11pm Piratti Bakery's winter sourdough pizza pop-up launches with live sets from Monstress (nu-jazz, hip hop and soul) and packed with haste (ambient jazzy house). Ticket includes a fresh hot pizza. More info.

A Conscious Breath – Speers Point Park | Every Sunday, 6:30am – 7:30am A weekly community breathwork and meditation session by the lake, with warm cacao and guided practice from a Master Breathwork Practitioner. Donation-based ($10 suggested). More info.

Yart Sale – The Hamilton Station Hotel, Hamilton | 7 June, 11am – 3pm A market of handmade art across ceramics, stained glass, jewellery, prints, tooth gems, streetwear and more from local Newcastle artists. More info.

The Exchange Long Weekend – The Exchange, Hamilton | 7 June, from 7pm DJs from 7pm and live bands from 8pm across two levels. Free entry till 2am.

The Marina Market – Nelson Bay Foreshore | 6 June, 11am – 3pm Handmade goods, eco-friendly finds and local makers along the Nelson Bay foreshore with food trucks and water views. Free entry. More info.

Olive Tree Market – Civic Park, Newcastle | 6 June Newcastle's premier art and design market on the first Saturday of every month. Handmade goods, local designers and a family-friendly atmosphere. More info.

Pelican Foreshore Markets – Lakeview Parade, Pelican | 6 June, 9am A lakeside market morning at Pelican foreshore. More info.

Homegrown Markets – Speers Point Park, Lake Macquarie | 7 June, 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 | 7 June Shop direct from local farmers and makers with unbeatable freshness and a genuine community atmosphere.

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Newcastle held off Parramatta 28-22 at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday to win four straight, scoring 150 points across that run. Kalyn Ponga bounced back from a tough Origin week with a busy performance, while Dylan Lucas was the standout with a double after returning from NSW camp.

It wasn't pretty, both sides combined for seven handling errors in a 10-minute stretch midfield and Parramatta kept fighting until the end. Sandon Smith also left the field with a calf injury in the second half.

The contrast to this time last season is stark. The Eels beat Newcastle 66-10 in the same fixture in 2025. The Knights sit fourth at the halfway point of the season.

Newcastle has a new AFL club. The Seahorses, born out of the University of Newcastle, have fielded both men's and women's sides in the Black Diamond AFL competition for the first time this season, driven almost entirely by students and young athletes under 26.

The club has been built from scratch over the past year, largely by students who moved to Newcastle from AFL-heavy states like Victoria and South Australia and wanted a way to keep playing. The men's side has made an immediate impression, sitting in the top three. The women's side is still building numbers and is actively looking for local girls to sign up.

If you're interested in playing, or can help out as a volunteer, physio, or mentor, they'd love to hear from you.

Came across this one from Newcastle Weekly this week and had to share it. Hunter has no shortage of ghost stories.

A few worth knowing about: the Civic Theatre has its own resident ghost named Joe, who allegedly warned staff before the 1989 earthquake and is still said to brush past employees in the building today. The Lemon Tree Passage ghost is probably the most well-known around these parts, a bright white light reported following drivers along the 40km Port Stephens road, said to belong to a young motorcyclist who died in a crash at Tanilba Bay in 2007. It got big enough to inspire a feature film in 2014. And then there's Minmi's glowing grave, a luminescent grave site attributed to a WWI soldier that locals have been reporting an unexplained glow from for decades.

There are plenty more stories out there that didn't make the article. If you know of one, hit reply and let us know.