Good morning Newcastle,

Hope you've had a great week.

A big thank you to everyone who came along to our first Newcastle Digest Trivia Night last week. It was a fantastic night.

Also, as per last week’s feedback, the Newcastle Digest Community is now live! You'll find the link below if you'd like to join.

Enjoy!

A couple of weeks ago I asked whether you'd be keen on a Newcastle Digest Community, somewhere to chat with each other between newsletters, not just with me. The response was great, so I've built it.

It's live now, and it's free to join; just click through, and you're in.

I've set up a few channels to get things started:

👉 Join the community here.

Like I said last time, this isn't trying to replace Reddit or Facebook Groups. It's just a space for Newcastle Digest readers to swap recommendations and connect with each other.

Come say hi.

Lucas Bakery & Cafe — Plain Pie
$6.00 | Score: 43/70

Some pies don't need a story. This is one of them.

Lucas Bakery & Cafe serves up a plain pie that sits comfortably in the middle of the road. Not bad, not memorable, just a pie doing what a pie is supposed to do without making much of a fuss about it.

The base is good and thick, which is always a solid foundation. The top is semi flaky and holds together well enough, though the pastry overall lacks a bit of flavour. It's functional rather than exciting.

The filling is decent. Reasonably seasoned with some chunky mince through the middle, which gives it a bit more texture than your average plain pie. Not generous enough to carry the whole thing, but it does its job.

I reached for the sauce on this one. That probably tells you what you need to know.

At $6, the price is fair for what you're getting; no complaints there.

The X Factor is a stretch this week. The chunky mince is probably the closest thing to a talking point, not every plain pie gives you that texture, but it's not enough to make you remember this one on the drive home.

Pastry 13/20 | Filling 13/20 | Sauce 6/10 | Value 7/10 | X Factor 4/10
Total: 43/70

Last Thursday, we hosted our very first Newcastle Digest Trivia Night at Modus Merewether, and it was a fantastic night.

A huge thank you to everyone who came along, as well as those who joined us on the night. The atmosphere was brilliant, with plenty of laughs, some competitive teams and a few very close scores.

One of my favourite parts of the evening was seeing people who'd come along to previous Newcastle Digest events catching up with each other, while others were meeting for the first time. Watching those conversations happen and seeing people connect is exactly why I enjoy organising these events.

A big thank you as well to the team at Modus Merewether for hosting us and generously donating prizes for the night. We really appreciate your support.

This was our first trivia night, but it definitely won't be the last. I already have a few ideas for future events, and I'm looking forward to bringing the Newcastle Digest community together again soon.

Thanks again to everyone who came along. I hope to see you at the next one!

Story Explorers – Newcastle Museum | 5 August, 11:15am – 12pm
Monthly stories and adventures exploring items from the Museum collection. Aimed at ages 3–5 but all welcome. Free, drop-in. More info.

The Einstein Lecture 2026: Does God Play Dice? – Warners Bay Theatre, Warners Bay | 5 August
Astrophysicist and author Dr Luke Barnes discusses randomness and chance in the universe. Free, bookings required. More info.

IncludingYOU Art Program – MAC yapang, Booragul | 6 August
An inclusive, welcoming workshop for people of all abilities to explore art, connect and learn new skills. Free. More info.

High Tea on the Harbour Cruise – Queen's Wharf Terminal, Newcastle | 8 August, 12pm – 2:30pm
A classic high tea aboard MV Calmer on Newcastle Harbour. Ticketed. More info.

ART PLAY at MAP mima – Multi-Arts Pavilion mima, Speers Point | 9 August, 10am – 11:30am
A free monthly family art session starting with a look at the current exhibition followed by hands-on artmaking. Free, bookings required. More info.

The Sound of Picture Books with Matt Ottley and Tina Wilson – Newcastle City Library | 10 August, 6pm – 8pm
Award-winning author, illustrator and composer Matt Ottley joins Tina Wilson OAM for an evening on how words, pictures and music come together. Ticketed. More info.

Yoga 4 Kids – The Hemporium Wellness Centre, Carrington | 8 August, 10am – 11am
Fortnightly kids yoga in the backyard garden. Tickets $10 online or $15 at the door. More info.

Very Short Film Festival – Tower Cinemas, Newcastle | 6 August, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Australia's best very short films on the big screen — funny, moving and thought-provoking stories all under five minutes. Tickets from $23. More info.

Come From Away – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | 7–15 August
The true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small Canadian town that took them in. Ticketed. More info.

Weddings and Parties Over Coffee – Harold Lobb Concert Hall, Newcastle Conservatorium | 7 August
Soprano Miriam Allan and baritone Christopher Allan perform an evening of unforgettable vocal artistry. Tickets $30–$80. More info.

Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase – Warners Bay Theatre, Warners Bay | 7 August
A curated lineup of Australia's hottest comedy acts for two hours of non-stop laughs. Tickets $45–$50. More info.

Buffalo Trace Whisky & Craft Spirits Festival – Bartholomew's, Newcastle | 8 August
100+ whiskies, bourbons, gins, rums, vodkas, tequilas and liqueurs with unlimited tastings, food, masterclasses and exclusive vendors. More info.

Stargazing: Jax North and Nadeena Dixon – MAP mima, Speers Point | 8 August, 12pm – 2pm
Opening of a collaborative exhibition exploring the night sky through cultural knowledge, storytelling and contemporary art. Free. More info.

Jon Stevens: The Noiseworks & INXS Collection '26 Tour – Toronto Hotel, Toronto | 8 August, gates open 4pm
Aussie rock hits spanning Noiseworks and INXS in an outdoor lakeside concert. Ticketed. More info.

Paperboy – The Exchange, Hamilton | 8 August, from 9pm
Live music from Paperboy across two levels, with DJs from 6pm and $12 cocktails 2–6pm. Free entry. More info.

Crazy Wig Fundraiser – Cosmo Motel Adamstown | 8 August, from 6pm
Music bingo, DJ Deanomatic, food, cocktails and a Best Dressed Wig prize raising funds for Hunter Animal Rescue. Tickets $25.

Lake Mac Wedding Fair 2026 – Lake Macquarie | 9 August
Local venues, stylists, florists, photographers and wedding experts all under one roof. Ticketed. More info.

The Whisper – Civic Playhouse, Newcastle | 6–15 August
A new black comedy by Carl Caulfield where a grieving family is upended by the arrival of a mysterious young stranger. Ticketed. More info.

Travelling Film Festival – Event Cinemas Kotara | 7 August, 7pm
See all nine films in the program for $16 per ticket. More info.

Fashion Frenzy Newcastle-Hunter – Dress for Success Boutique, Broadmeadow | 6–8 August
Pre-loved fashion from designer labels to everyday workwear, with a VIP evening on Thursday and Saturday sessions throughout the day. All proceeds support women building confidence and gaining employment. More info.

QFF: Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma – Tower Cinemas, Newcastle | 5–9 August
Opening night of the Newcastle Queer Film Festival. Direct from winning the Queer Palm at Cannes, Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson star in this psychosexual thriller from Jane Schoenbrun. Opening night includes a glass of sparkling on arrival. Ticketed. More info.

The UK Rod Stewart Show – NEX Wests City, Newcastle | 8 August, 7:30pm
A tribute to six decades of Rod Stewart hits — complete with raspy vocals and a frosted mullet. More info.

RUFFIANS Unplugged – Shout Brewing Co., Islington | 8 August, from 5:30pm
Cabaret punk chaos stripped back for one raw, intimate unplugged set. Expect ragged harmonies, crooked waltzes and close-enough-to-rattle-your-schooner energy. Tickets $25. More info.

Solid Gold – Mex Club Mayfield | 8 August, 7:30pm – 11pm
Live music, cocktail specials, prizes and good times. Family-friendly. More info.

Urzila Carlson: Fatty On a Yacht – Newcastle Entertainment Centre | 8 August
The fan-favourite comedian returns with a brand-new show about not fitting in, standing out and laughing about it anyway. More info.

Indie Film Fest – The Hamilton Station Hotel, Hamilton | 8 August, from 7pm
Four live bands on the big stage — Poisoned Cherry, Forever at Midnight, Untamed and Imaginary Things. More info.

BSPS Fundraiser Dance Party – Croatian Club, Wickham | 8 August, from 6pm
DJs, a fire show and various entertainment raising funds for the Burning Seed Postal Service and art grants. Tickets $35 online or $50 at the door. More info.

WEIRD: C*ntry Hoedown Edition – The Oak, Tighes Hill | 8 August, from 7pm
Newcastle's weirdest party gets a country makeover with live DJs, line dancing with Cow Gays from 7pm and best dressed prizes. More info.

Fashion Thrift Society – Newcastle Showground, Broadmeadow | 9 August, 10am – 3pm
Over 100 curated stalls of vintage, preloved and designer fashion, plus food trucks, a DJ, and free services including nail art, barber cuts and permanent jewellery. More info.

Family History at Miss Porter's House Museum – 434 King Street, Newcastle West | 9 August, 1pm – 4pm
A fascinating look at four generations of the Porter family — carriers, grocers, businesspeople and active community members — through photographs, school prizes, work references and audio stories accessible via QR codes throughout the house. Tickets adults $12, concessions $10, family $34, NT members and under 5s free.

Homegrown Markets – The Station, Newcastle | 8 August, 10am – 2pm
Newy's biggest handmade and design market with 100+ stalls, street food, live music, permanent jewellery bar and face painting. More info.

Homegrown Markets – Harold Gregson Park, Maitland | 9 August, 10am – 2pm
Handmade stalls, street food, live music, permanent jewellery bar and face painting in Maitland. More info.

Newcastle City Farmers Markets – Broadmeadow Showground | 9 August
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?

Newcastle ended a three-game losing streak in emphatic fashion, beating Brisbane 30-6 at Suncorp Stadium to move into sixth on the ladder. One more win and the Knights are in the finals, a remarkable turnaround from last year's wooden spoon.

Kalyn Ponga returned from injury and was immediately influential, Fletcher Sharpe bagged a double, and Greg Marzhew scored twice as the Knights ran riot against a Broncos side in serious freefall. Brisbane have now lost 10 of their last 11; their premiership defence is over.

Sandon Smith was outstanding filling in for the injured Dylan Brown. The spine is clicking and the timing couldn't be better with finals on the horizon.

A big win for the Knights Women on Sunday, running out 32-12 winners over Parramatta in Wagga Wagga. Six tries to two with Mercedez Taulelei-Siala grabbing a double. Sitting fourth in the NRLW with the season building nicely.

Newcastle secured a finals berth with a thrilling 4-3 win over Perth Thunder at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium on Sunday night. The Northstars fell behind early before fighting back, with Francis Drolet putting them in front just 11 seconds into the third period. They held on despite a late Perth charge in front of another packed crowd.

The Northstars remain on top of the AIHL ladder with one round remaining. Coach Kevin Noble was measured in his response, making clear the group isn't celebrating yet. One more home and away series against the Sydney Ice Dogs before finals begin later this month.