This is our final ABC Newcastle newsletter for 2021. It has been a pleasure to have your company, and we’ve loved receiving your feedback this this year.

While we take a short break, you can stay across local news on the ABC Newcastle website or our local Facebook page. And if you love what we do, tell your friends and family and get them on board for the first 2022 local newsletter on Wednesday, January 12.

We wish you a merry Christmas and a wonderful year ahead. Keep safe and see you in 2022.

Doctor David Durrheim has described the Argyle House COVID outbreak as "one of the highest transmission events this year in any single venue, probably anywhere in the world" (you can read about that here). With more than 200 cases linked to the nightclub, comparisons are being made between this outbreak and the ones in Sydney that led to NSW going into lockdown.

A major study of the effects of toxic chemicals that leaked into the groundwater near Australian air force bases, including Williamtown, has found limited evidence of increased risk of cancer or disease. Many residents who took part in the three-year study said they were worried about cancers and aggravation of existing health conditions because of the chemicals.

A milk haulage company says the price of AdBlue has quadrupled in the past fortnight and stockpiles are nearly empty. A taskforce has struck a deal with Indonesia to get more supply to Australia, but the transport sector is saying that's not enough.

Hundreds of young people shared their stories but only one could be selected as the Hunter representative for the Heywire competition. And the Hunter winner is … Tenille from Woodville, who shared her story of life with selective mutism.

Ravensworth Estate has stood since 1824, but its future is the topic of a heated debate. It lies directly in the path of a proposed extension to Glencore's Glendell coal mine but moving it could destroy centuries of history, according to a Wonnarua Indigenous group.

Ready? OK! The pom-poms will stay but the Newcastle Knights are re-branding their cheerleaders as a dance squad in 2022. There will be hip hop and jazz, but also the chance for men to be part of the team.

It was beginning to look a lot like a 'normal' Christmas, and then a superspreader event happened at the Argyle House. Thousands of people have been identified as close contacts and are being tested and isolating.

Can it be done? Can the demands of mining, agriculture and the future of the climate be balanced and managed in the Upper Hunter?

The first NSW seahorse hotels were constructed off the coast of Port Stephens and they've been so popular they have expanded to Sydney Harbour. The artificial homes have been built to help seahorses thrive in environments struggling to maintain natural habitats.

It's a dream come true for Merewether's Jackson Baker. He's been selected to compete in the World Surf League's Championship Tour alongside the best surfers in the world.

Cute Christmas: We asked for your festive fur babies and boy did you deliver. Look at all the Christmas cuteness! Want to see more or add your own? All the goodness is on the ABC Newcastle Facebook page.

Debate over quarantine facility: The state government has dismissed calls by Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison to build permanent COVID quarantine facilities, saying it's a federal government responsibility. The state government has responded to a parliamentary question on the matter, saying any such facility must be built, owned and operated by the Commonwealth.

Pay gap action: The United Services Union is taking the City of Newcastle to the Industrial Relations Commission over what it says is a pay gap involving casual workers employed at Newcastle City Hall. A council spokesperson says casuals working at the Civic Theatre have been paid in accordance with the Live Theatre and Concert (State) Award for more than 20 years.

Big award for local wine maker: Hunter Valley viticulturist Liz Riley, who has over 30 years of experience in the NSW wine industry, has been awarded the 2020 Graham Gregory Award. The award recognises areas such as leadership, research and development, winemaking, education and market development.

First win for Jets coach: Arthur Papas has claimed his first win as men's Newcastle Jets coach. The team beat Wellington Phoenix 4-0. The Jets coach praised his team for a complete performance on the pitch.

If there’s an emergency in our region this summer season, the ABC is your destination for up-to-date emergency warnings and advice. Find the ABC Newcastle radio frequency here, or listen on the ABC listen app. Have your battery-operated radio handy if the power goes out. And if you have an Amazon Alexa enabled device you can ask, "Alexa, are there any emergencies near me?" for the latest details.

Christmas is here, and have you seen the lights? Captain Cow sent us this lovely shot of a house in Paterson decked to the halls. What is it like at your place? 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. 

It was so good to see the sun this week and have sunrises like this one, captured by Leanna in Tanilba Bay. Rain is around and mostly likely to fall on Thursday, but for your weekend and the lead-up to Christmas it should be partly cloudy with the chance of thunderstorms across the Hunter.

We love receiving your feedback on our local newsletter. Are we offering the stories you want to read? Is there something more we could include? Send us your thoughts. 

Visit our local website. Listen live to our local programs or download the ABC Listen app to take us with you.

Catch the daily news bulletin via ABC Listen or on our website.

Visit us on Facebook, or contact us via email.

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.