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Coal miner completes 'channel crossing' off Hunter coast

Originally Craig Clarke was in training to cross the English Channel, to raise funds for Beyond Blue. But that was until COVID-19 intervened.

This week, Clarke set out at Catherine Hill Bay before sunrise, and swam the 36km to Nobbys Beach, arriving just after sunset. Now they're calling Craig Clarke King of the Coast. 

Pesticide in flesh of prawns, oysters 'concerning'

New research by Southern Cross University into pesticide run-off has found chemicals can build up in the flesh of prawns and oysters.

Those pesticide residues are in the flesh that we then potentially eat.

Shark attack 'like a volcano, erupting in the water'

A man attacked by a great white shark, while surfing near Forster on the mid-north coast, has paid tribute to the courage of Newcastle man Billy Eitz, who saved his life.

Colin Rowland's board was obliterated by the 'monster'.

Cafe racers hit throttle for distinguished charity ride

Social motorcycling group the Newcastle Cafe Racers will take to this year's COVID-safe Distinguished Gentleman's Ride with their usual style and elegance.

But the pandemic means participants will be heading out solo.

Artist connects to culture through sea creatures

Deafblind Medowie artist Joseph Formosa has only three per cent sight, but his paintings of sea creatures are creating ripples in the art community.

He creates images of animals using Aboriginal motifs and a traditional dot painting technique.

Wild flock of endangered birds found in the Hunter

Broke's Russell Dann could hardly believe his eyes when he spotted a Regent Honeyeater in his bird bath.

The endangered birds have been spotted in flowering gum trees, 30kms from the site where captive-bred birds were recently released to boost the local populations.
 

Hot chocolate sweetening maths for HSPA kids

Encouraging teenagers to squeeze in extra maths study before school is now as simple as just adding chocolate.

The Mornings program heard how a Maths and Milo program is having success at the Hunter School of Performing Arts

Will masks make the magpies swoop?

With spring arriving, how will your COVID-19 masks make magpies react to you?

A magpie researcher from the University of New England told the Morning program how to avoid being swooped this spring!
 

What else is making News this week?

Fresh calls for suicide inquiry: New details of the suicide of whistleblower priest, Father Glen Walsh, published in a new book by former ABC journalist, Suzanne Smith, have prompted calls for an inquiry into the suicides of dozens of local men who suffered clerical abuse.  The former Newcastle priest died just weeks before he was due to give evidence against an Archbishop.  The Catholic diocese of Maitland-Newcastle says it would cooperate, but doesn’t believe anything substantive could be gained. 

Stockton Centre future: NSW disability services says there’s no decision yet on the future of the Stockton Centre, after its final patients were moved into community group homes.  People with disabilities who’ve lived at large residential homes like those at Stockton, Morisset and Tomaree have been transitioned into smaller group homes in the community.  A dozen or so people with complex disabilities are still to be moved from Tomaree.

Shattered greenhouse sale: Maria’s Farm Veggies at Williamtown – once touted as Australia’s biggest hydroponic farm – is up for sale.  The greenhouse project collapsed after the 2015 Hunter superstorm left it drowning in $100 million worth of debt. Now there’s interest from medicinal marijuana companies, and flower growing operations. 

Covid graduation: Kotara High School is taking its graduation ceremony for Year 12, planned for next month, online.  It’s hired professionals to record and distribute the ceremony, to get around coronavirus restrictions that mean families have to stay away.  School principal Mark Snedden says it’s a way to ensure students still get to celebrate 13 years of schooling. 

Grand designs: Newcastle Council has approved an application to restore the city’s historic Victoria Theatre.  The group behind the restoration says it will now ramp up efforts to find investors to bring the heritage listed building back to theatre goers. 

60-thousand trucks: That’s how many coal-laden vehicles Centennial Coal is proposing will make the trip along Wangi Road each year, to mix coal from Myuna colliery with the Mandalong mine.  It says the proposed truck movements can be accommodated with minimal overall impact.  But local MP Greg Piper says the plan is a disastrous one. 

The Chronicle fights back: The Dungog Chronicle is back, not in print, but online, after printing of the newspaper was suspended in May.  Campaigners say it’s a positive step.  Publisher Australian Community Media took action, amid the deepening COVID-19 pandemic.

How's the weekend weather looking?

Warmer and mostly sunny conditions for the weekend, with temps in the mid-20s. Chance of rain increasing from Monday.

Notching up 30 years: Presenter Mike Pritchard

Every working day for the past 30 years, from the day the ABC Upper Hunter office in Muswellbrook opened, Mike Pritchard has climbed out of bed at 3.30am

"I'm happy to say the enthusiasm hasn't waned over the years," says Mike. "There's still the thrill of sharing a good story, news breaking or human interest. I'm just a bit slower getting out of bed these days!"
 

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