Plus, the latest coronavirus news, tips on camping in the backyard, and Jetstar suspends local flights
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Local growers dump thousands of flowers due to coronavirus | |
| Local growers are heartbroken after having to dump tens of thousands of flowers due to the coronavirus. Demand for flowers has fallen significantly with events, including weddings and funerals, cancelled or postponed. | |
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Latest Hunter region coronavirus news: | | As of 8pm last night, there were 237 confirmed cases in the Hunter New England Health district, with 10,719 tests being carried out. Hunter New England Heath is bolstering its nursing and midwifery ranks to ensure there's enough staff to handle the coronavirus pandemic. A call-out has been made for undergraduates who've completed at least one year of university to apply for casual positions across the district's 39 facilities. Merewether Golf Course is re-opening today. It shut on Monday after Golf Australia told clubs to close until further notice. The club says there will be restrictions to ensure social distancing guidelines are followed. A Hunter nurse says general practices around the region are creating their own set-ups to ensure patients can easily and safely receive their flu vaccination. People are being encouraged to get their flu vaccination early this year. State Labor leader Jodi McKay says the government won't be able to stop community-based transmission of coronavirus in the Hunter without boosting testing. She says testing rates in the region are too low. | |
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Regional airlines plead for funding to avoid collapse | |
| A number of Australia's smallest regional airlines, including the Hunter's FlyPelican, have pleaded to the Federal Government for financial assistance. And their call was answered this week with a $300 million package. | |
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Local library streaming story-time sessions | |
| Libraries across the Hunter have been forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic. But one local library is ensuring children don't miss out on books, with the librarian streaming story-time sessions. | |
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Seen anything strange in your street? | |
| Sometimes you've just got to make your own fun. Inspired by the Bin Isolation Outing Group, people from around the world are dressing up to take out their bins. We love this one by Rhonda Crump! | |
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Jets player tests positive to COVID-19 | |
| A Newcastle Jets player has tested positive to COVID-19. The un-named player has gone into self isolation and the club says it has followed all the correct procedures. The news followed the postponement of the A-League season. | |
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Knights legend suggests NRL cuts team numbers | |
| Newcastle Knights legend Andrew Johns has suggested the National Rugby League may need to reduce the number of teams to ensure its survival post-coronavirus. The code is facing a massive financial hit with the competition on hold. | |
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So what else made news this week? | |
| Monday: Newcastle Council announced it would be closing all the city's beaches and ocean baths in line with the Federal Government's advice that people should not leave home other than for essential reasons.
Tuesday: Two guards from Cessnock jail were awarded a Governor General's bravery award for rescuing two inmates from a fire. Jamie O'Connell was commended for his actions along with George Chapman.
Wednesday: A large section of Newcastle's former rail corridor has been sold for $2 million to the local council, to develop affordable housing, shops and a shared cycleway.
Thursday: Jetstar suspended all of its flights in and out of Newcastle. FlyPelican and QantasLink are still operating some flights. | |
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What people liked on Facebook this week | | It's been a lifelong dream for entertainer Wayne Rogers to perform on a cruise ship. But he got more than he bargained for when international ports refused to let the cruise ship dock. Watch our video here. A retail worker at one of the Hunter's busiest shopping centres tested positive for COVID-19 this week. The shop has now shut for at least two weeks and has undergone extensive cleaning. The University of Newcastle has extended its Easter break for students and has told staff they must take a week of compulsory leave. The RSPCA says it's seen a significant boost in adoptions since the introduction of self isolation. It says many people are seeking the company of a furry friend as they wait out the coronavirus. | |
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Cute distraction for ABC Newcastle journo working from home | |
| Like many people at the moment, our journalist Ben Millington is working from home during the pandemic. But sometimes he gets a little distracted by his gorgeous baby daughter Eula. We can understand why! | |
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