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This heartbreaking image shows three passengers ahead of their ill-fated flight. Five people died when a helicopter crashed in Port Stephens in September 2019. It was two weeks before divers found the scattered wreckage on the sea floor.

Both major parties say they'll upgrade Newcastle Airport to allow for more international flights if they win the election. The Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce announced $55 million to upgrade the terminal. Then Anthony Albanese was quick to match the commitment, also promising bulk-billed after hours "urgent care clinics".

Most dogs will learn to sit or fetch on command, but Upper Hunter farmer Murray Wilkinson has trained his working dogs to respond to whistles. He's been showcasing his clever dogs at the Royal Easter Show.

An international air race will come to Lake Macquarie in November. The race is one of four in the world, and the only one in Australia. Pilots will thrill onlookers as they navigate through a series of air gates as fast as possible.

We're still marvelling over that colourless rainbow spotted in Vacy last week. The rare weather phenomenon is often described as a white rainbow — and you're lucky if you've seen one!

Kids being treated at the John Hunter Children's Hospital have been given superhero t-shirts. But they're more than just a piece of clothing.

How's the hip pocket? The cost of living shows no signs of slowing down.

The pandemic shut down international travel and made us think about what was on offer closer to home. A writer for Lonely Planet has compiled a list of the top 500 places to visit in Australia.

Local Star Maker: Carrington musician Max Jackson has won the Tamworth Country Music Festival Star Maker competition for 2022. The competition has previously been won by musicians including Keith Urban, Becky Cole and Lee Kernaghan.

Image: Max Jackson performing in the Star Maker finals (Supplied: Star Maker).

Drowning death: A woman in her 20s died after being washed into the water off rocks near the Pink Caves, south of Catherine Hill Bay. Two women were swept into the water at the same time, but one was pushed back onto rocks. 

Worshippers gather for Easter: Locals and visitors filled local churches for a return to in-person Easter services. The Anglican Bishop of Newcastle, Dr Peter Stuart, says COVID safety measures are still in place, but there's a sense of relief to getting back to normal.

Tourists return: Hunter tourism operators reported a bumper Easter long weekend, with accommodation close to capacity. Some parts of the sector are suffering from COVID-related staff shortages, but the Newcastle Tourism Industry Group has welcomed the first busy Easter in years.

Dredging concerns: The Myall River Action Group wants more frequent dredging in local waterways after a ferry ran aground on Easter Monday at Tea Gardens. It had 40 passengers onboard and became stuck on a sand bank in the "short cut channel". 

Can't make it to Tamworth this week? Kia Handley has your VIP backstage pass! She and producer Laurise Dickson are bringing you all the bootscootin' action from the 50th Tamworth Country Music Festival. 

What a beautiful frozen-in-time moment at the Newcastle Baths, taken by the talented #aramphotos. We probably wouldn't have known about this image if Andrew hadn't shared it via #ABCmyphoto on Instagram. And you can do the same! Show everyone what the world looks like where you live by using the hashtag on Instagram or by uploading your photos online here. 

After a brilliant Easter of clear skies, showers will be back into the Hunter for the end of the week and into the weekend. We're starting to feel those chilly mornings too! Overnight temperatures could get as low as seven degrees during the next few days, while daytime temperatures will be in the low 20s.

This stunning photo pf pregnant clouds over Bar Beach is by #shannonhartiganimages, who shared it via shared it via #ABCmyphoto on Instagram.

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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.