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Phones buzzed collectively around the Hunter at the weekend as NSW Health cancelled COVID vaccination appointments to send Pfizer shots to students in the Sydney region. It's being called the Hunter Hunger Games as community members scramble to get a vaccine appointment.

So far, just 18 per cent of the population in Newcastle/Lake Macquarie and 14 per cent in the Hunter Valley is fully vaccinated — see how that compares to the rest of the nation.

It's a move that could create the largest customer-owned bank in Australia. Newcastle Permanent and Greater Bank have agreed to explore what a merger could look like, with both saying no job losses or branch closures would be planned in the first two years.

An Upper Hunter byelection was triggered by allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate sexual behaviour by the standing MP Michael Johnsen, but this week the Director of Public Prosecutions announced they would not be pressing charges.

New life is bursting from the former BHP steelworks site. MGA Thermal will expand its production of thermal energy storage blocks. When they're stacked up, these clever hot blocks can power 27 homes for 24 hours.

As face masks became mandatory in workplaces and businesses around the Hunter, did you feel a growing discomfort just behind your ears as the elastic rubbed and irritated your skin? Bronwyn Field had an idea. And these bright, colourful, handmade ear-savers started flying off her crochet hook.

Will Ryan has won gold in the men's 470 sailing event with teammate Mat Belcher. His sister Jaime Ryan finished 13th in her sailing event.  Poppy Starr Olsen started her Olympic competition on Wednesday, placing fifth in the women's park skateboarding.

And there's been good news for locals in team sports. Matt Dawson and the Kookaburras defeated Germany in the semi-finals of the hockey on Tuesday night. They'll be going for gold against Belgium later this week.  Emily Van Egmond could be bringing home a bronze medal when the Matildas take on the USA on Thursday.  

And we can't forget Jessica Pickering finishing 16th in trampoline, and Abbey Harkin and Tristan Hollard both having spectacular swims in their backstroke events. 

It's a little easier to boost the battery of your electric vehicle in the Hunter these days. A new charging station has been installed in Swansea and it's hoped as people charge their cars, they'll also take a look around.

This year has not gone as we all wanted. Pandemic distress is real. But when you're separated by state borders or lockdown zones, it can be hard to know how to help your loved ones feel better.

It's not every day you hear about a love story that formed over a bull ant bite. Matt Allen and Lauryn Michelle share a passion for native ants. From friends to partners, they're now the go-to ant rescuers in the Hunter region.

Flower power: A 10-year-old boy from Muswellbrook is spreading the love through anonymous flower deliveries, with the help of a local florist. It's a small random act of kindness bringing a lot of joy to people's lives in his Upper Hunter community.

Vaccine passport for the footy: Venues NSW has put a proposal to the NSW government for a new entry system for Hunter Stadium and the Newcastle Entertainment Centre. It's asking for a vaccine passport program for all fans to show they are fully vaccinated before attending events at these venues.

Councillor dropped from ticket: Newcastle councillor Allan Robinson has been dropped from the Independents' ticket at the next election after a scathing report found he had made a series of abusive comments towards fellow councillors. Cr Robinson has told the ABC he will "continue to hold Labor councillors to account" and intends to stand at the next election as a "rogue independent".

M1 extension revealed: Plans for the $2 billion dollar extension to the M1 linking Blackhill to Raymond Terrace have been released. A 15-kilometre dual carriageway is planned that will include a new bridge over the Hunter River and interchanges at Black Hill, Tomago, Tarro and Raymond Terrace.

Writers festival cancelled: The Newcastle Writers Festival has called off its September event because of COVID-19 lockdowns around NSW. Director Rosemarie Milsom says she's hoping to hold a rescheduled writers festival next year to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

Hunter Paralympian shares her story: Christie Dawes is preparing to go to her seventh Paralympics, but she was in a hot seat of a different type when she spent an hour chatting to Richard Fidler on the ABC's Conversations. 

Carol Swadling sent us in this absolutely beautiful photo of Caves Beach on a winter's morning. Thanks Carol, it's stunning!

You can show everyone what the world looks like where you live by using the hashtag #ABCmyphoto on Instagram or by uploading your photos online here. They may even be included in a gallery featuring the best photos from around Australia!

Sunny. The one word that sums up your weather this week. You might be starting to see and smell the signs of spring around the Hunter. From now into next week, you have beautiful winter sunshine with tops of around 21 no matter where you live in the region.  

And thanks to JT, who shared this photo of Merewether Ocean Baths at sunrise. Even on a chilly winter's morning it looks perfect for a dip.

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ABC Newcastle acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.