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How one good golf shot helped a flooded community

The 1955 flood in the Hunter Valley is one residents have never forgotten, with 14 people killed and more than 5,000 homes affected. But it was also a time when community spirit shone through.

And while today technology such as drones is used to get supplies to cut-off communities, back then it was all down to one man hitting a golf ball with fishing line attached across the river, to establish a flying fox.

Mother denies injecting daughter with urine

A woman accused of deliberately making her daughter sick is on trial in Newcastle. The woman allegedly injected her daughter with urine and gave her laxatives, but she has denied the charges. 

The trial, which is expected to run for at least two weeks, will hear from at least eight medical experts.

Hawkesbury storm a sight to see

This impressive time-lapse vision of a storm that moved across regions near Newcastle yesterday has been popular on our Facebook page.

It was filmed from Kurrajong looking towards Richmond, by Sky High Productions.

PFAS class action to be settled early

An agreement has been reached in a class action brought against the Department of Defence by Williamtown residents over PFAS contamination.

Residents sought compensation for the loss of property values due to PFAS contamination from Defence bases.

The matter was due to go to court in April but after two days of mediation, the Government said it was now in the process of finalising detailed terms of a settlement.

Former Newcastle Knight sentenced over drug conviction

Former Newcastle Knights star Jarrod Mullen has been sentenced to 300 hours of community service for supplying cocaine in 2018, after pleading guilty in December.

During the sentencing, Magistrate Jillian Kiely expressed concern about the level of Mullen's drug use, referring to an overdose in December 2018 where he was found unconscious on his parents' couch after using drugs over a three-day period.

Mullen, who is expecting his first child next week, has admitted that his life had spiralled out of control after his career ended, and that he started using cocaine on a daily basis.

Stockton residents see red in protest to support beach

Hundreds of people showed up to line the shore at Stockton's Beach on Sunday, from Lexie's Cafe right up to where the childcare centre once stood.

Residents wore red to show unity and children sang a protest song especially written for the event. 

NSW Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock has issued a directive to Newcastle Council, saying before any long-term action can be taken it needs to fast-track its Coastal Management Plan for Stockton as a matter of urgency.

Fast news from around Newcastle

Here's a quick wrap of other news from around the Newcastle region, as reported on our ABC Newcastle Facebook page:

• A water main burst on Monday, creating traffic chaos in Samdon Street, Hamilton. Watch our video here.
• Police seized four unregistered trail bikes and arrested two riders last week in a blitz around Glendale, Windale and Cameron Park. Read more and see the photos.
• A prison inmate who escaped from a Newcastle hospital was arrested by police in Kotara. The search involved Newcastle City Police District, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, the Dog Unit and PolAir. Read more.
• A cafe customer near Newcastle says she felt scared after seeing paramedics change into protective white suits to treat a sick man who was carrying suitcases. The customer was at a cafe at Hexham on Monday when she noticed a man who looked unwell sitting inside. As she got into her car to leave, an ambulance pulled up and paramedics dressed in HAZMAT style suits entered the cafe. More here.

Catch up on our best radio moments

Missed something from your favourite programs this week? No problem. We've got our best content available online for you to listen back to:

• Five years ago a father and son duo had a great idea for a revolutionary bee hive, and found others shared their enthusiasm. Kia Handley caught up with the Flow Hive creators to see how things are going. Listen here.
• The world of cheerleading is a competitive sport and thanks to a popular documentary on one of the streaming services, it's also seeing a rise in numbers through the Hunter. Breakfast's Jenny Marchant visited the University of Newcastle's cheer team to find out more. Listen here.
• Newcastle has been bombarded by mozzies lately. When will they buzz off? Listen as Dan and Jenny find out here. And where are they biting the worst? Our audience tells us in this Facebook post.

Milder week ahead after wild storm

Have you recovered from the wild storm late yesterday? It caused flash flooding and damaged buildings at the University of Newcastle, and dumped hail and more than 70mm of rain in an hour.
 

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