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Civic reopens with COVID-safe plan, silver screen

The last time you saw films at the Newcastle Civic Theatre the top titles were Taxi Driver, Rocky and A Star is Born (yep, it was the 70s). Now we're set to enjoy a return to the silver screen with the Civic starting up a cinema program this week. And COVID-safe live productions will return from October 1.

Salvos to re-examine claim against serial paedophile

When a Port Stephens man complained to the Salvos of being abused by James Michael Brown, the church initially denied Brown was even a Salvos soldier. But a 7.30 report has uncovered evidence putting Brown in uniform and in a Salvation Army Corps directory, along with evidence from whistleblowers who put him in the frame.

Dead from infected feet after 51 days in aged care

What would you think if your 89-year-old father died 51 days after being admitted to a nursing home? One family claims their father's death was due to neglect. The Tenison Residential Aged Care's Swansea facility has rejected the claim. The facility was one of less than a dozen in Australia that failed all industry standards at the time it was audited in 2019.

A helping hand into housing for Newy's homeless

It's being described as the 'silver lining' of the COVID-19 pandemic — hundreds of rough sleepers are being moved into hotels for temporary housing, with many finding permanent homes.

Take the P out of plover, and it's lover

You've probably been swooped by the little blighters, but have you ever thought about what life's like for a plover? For International Plover Appreciation Day 2020, we spoke to a migratory shorebird program officer from Birdlife Australia. According to Milly Formby, the tiny birds feared by many need a bit more love. 

How's this for a wild series of career changes?

You're a successful neuroscientist from Marrakech, Morocco, who came to Australia to take up a PhD position at the University of Newcastle. Now you operate a retail business importing arts and crafts from your home country.

What's libido got to do, got to do with it?

Can you be in a relationship with someone who identifies as asexual? Asexuality is described as the lack of sexual attraction to others, or low or absent interest in or desire for sexual activity. 'Sugar doctor' Tara Whitewood explains how asexuality sits on a fascinating and complicated spectrum.

What else is making news?

Rugby league community in mourning: Joel Dark (pictured), 19, died on Friday. He collapsed on the field after a head knock while playing his first grade debut for Central Newcastle. The promising player from Old Bar was the cousin of Sydney Roosters captain Boyd Cordner, who left the NRL bubble to visit him at John Hunter Hospital before Joel passed away. The Dark family has thanked the local community for its support, and Newcastle Rugby League postponed all weekend fixtures out of respect for Joel and his family.

Gas lights up: PM Scott Morrison visited the Hunter to announce that if there was no replacement of retiring power stations such as Liddell, his government would build a gas plant at Kurri Kurri. He says the sector has seven months to come up with a plan for 1,000 megawatts of new dispatchable energy, or Snowy Hydro will build the plant to prevent power prices rising. 

Gas blowback: There was a mixed reaction from industry and politics. Federal Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon welcomed the commitment, saying it meant the Hunter would retain its status as a major power generating region. Federal Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson welcomed the support for industry, but was concerned about the uncertainties raised by the Prime Minister's announcement. The Grattan Institute said a large gas plant was a waste of money, and plans like AGL's to bring in a mix of battery storage, pumped hydro, gas and renewables better reflected market demand for energy, as well as climate goals.

Anglican diocese distances itself from Rio Tinto: Bishop of Newcastle Peter Stuart announced the diocese had divested itself of shares in the mining giant over what he described as its "appalling conduct" in destroying rock shelters at Juukan Gorge. Of particular significance to Indigenous communities, the cave sites, which Rio Tinto blew up in May, were among the oldest in Australia, with evidence of human habitation going back 46,000 years. Rio Tinto's chief executive and two senior executives were forced to resign. 

New Year's Eve but not as we know it: Newcastle City Council has finally confirmed there'll be no fireworks display this year because of the pandemic. But the Lord Mayor says the citizenship ceremony planned for Australia Day is still due to go ahead. There have been no such ceremonies since the first shutdown. 

Brace for insolvencies: The Business Chamber has warned that a tsunami of insolvencies may follow once JobKeeper ends, and that debtors may be delaying creditor payments and running down balance sheets, even as insolvencies in Port Stephens dropped by 55 per cent in the June quarter compared with the same time last year. Liquidators say the warning signs are there.
 

How's the weekend weather looking?

It's looking like mid- to high-20s all the way through until next Wednesday. Possible showers Friday and Tuesday, and mostly sunny Saturday through to Monday. Thanks to @David_Vacy for this great photo shared via #ABCMyPhoto on Instagram.

Meet the team: Feature creature Anthony Scully

Anthony Scully is our features reporter, who produces stories for you on radio, online, social media and television. He's (I'm?) even producing this newsletter you're reading right now. When he's not at work you'll see Scully zipping around town on his scooter, bodysurfing, and cafe hopping in search of the Hunter's best espresso.
 

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