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Jill Emberson posthumously awarded an OAM

"Her want to make a difference to other people's lives just drove her, drove her to the very last day of her life." That's how Ken Lambert, the husband of former ABC broadcaster and ovarian cancer advocate Jill Emberson, has described his wife.

Jill was this week posthumously awarded a medal in the Order of Australia for her service to people living with ovarian cancer. She died in December after being diagnosed four years earlier.

Thousands turn out for Black Lives Matter rally in Newcastle

In one of the biggest rallies the city has ever seen, thousands turned out in Newcastle for a Black Lives Matter rally on Saturday. The streets of the city were brought to a standstill as protesters marched from the city's east end to Civic Park.

Black deaths in custody was a clear focus of the rally, with 36-year-old local woman Rebecca Maher dying in a Maitland police cell in 2016.

Hands-free, solar-powered robotic dairy lets farmer sleep in

A remotely triggered hard bristle brush that scratches the backs of cows is a key feature of a solar-powered robotic dairy at Bulahdelah, north of Newcastle. John and Kay Smith decided to make changes to one of their two farms after realising the traditional dairy system was inefficient.

Driver's licence program changing lives

"It's like a golden ticket ... it's opened up so many pathways." That's how Caylum Rowling has described a program that helped him get his driver's licence. In Raymond Terrace, police, Rotary, council and SES volunteers have spent hundreds of hours getting people on the road legally and safely.

Upper Hunter Mayor Wayne Bedggood resigns

The resignation of Upper Hunter Mayor Wayne Bedggood has come as a shock, with many describing it as a big loss for the community. Mr Bedggood resigned on Tuesday, effective immediately, as Mayor and a councillor. He had held the position of Mayor for the past five years.

Knights beat premiership favourites Canberra

The Newcastle Knights put on a show to defeat premiership favourites the Canberra Raiders on Sunday. The Knights ran in six tries to beat the Raiders 34 points to 18. Two of the team's young guns, Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best, wreaked havoc on Canberra's defence.

What else made news this week?

Monday: About 20 people in the Hunter have been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list, including Conjoint Associate Professor Seamus Fagan, who was awarded an AM for significant service to tertiary education.
Tuesday: A camel tour operator in Port Stephens says he's optimistic after tourists flocked to the region over the long weekend. Rod Samsom says there were plenty of people making the most of the easing of travel restrictions.
Wednesday: An autistic teenager missing in the Port Stephens area overnight was discovered more than 200 kilometres away in Katoomba. The boy had been returning to the Blue Mountains from the north coast with his mother when he walked off while at Heatherbrae for a rest break.
Thursday: Construction of a shared cycleway between Branxton and Greta is set to begin in the new financial year after Cessnock Council was awarded nearly $2 million in federal funding.

What people liked on Facebook this week

• A surprise for the Cessnock District Rescue Squad this week when it was called to relocate a snake from under a house in Kearsley. It turned out to be a venomous cobra snake not normally found in Australia. But this snake was a little different.
• Have you been attending church online? Churches in the Hunter say live streaming of religious services could be here to stay after proving popular with parishioners.
• Jill Emberson wasn't the only former ABC presenter to be awarded an OAM in the Queen's Birthday Honours. Aaron Kearney has received the honour for his service to the broadcast media as a radio presenter.
• Residents in the Williamtown red zone have welcomed the Federal Court's approval of a $212 million settlement agreement with the Commonwealth Government over PFAS contamination.

Best bits on air this week

• While the State Government has just announced Men's Sheds can re-open after the easing of coronavirus restrictions, there has been confusion as to when that might happen. ABC Breakfast's Dan and Jenny spoke to David Helmers from the Australian Men's Shed Association.
• What makes your house a home? Mornings' Kia Handley spoke with futurist Steve Sammartino about what the family home of the future might look like.
• Have you ever been to see Star Struck? One of the initial creators was awarded an OAM this week. John Deacon spoke to Dan and Jenny about his fond memories of the productions.
• What will it take to see empty shops used again after the drought, bushfires and coronavirus? Kia Handley spoke to Angela Simons, the general manager of Renew Australia.

Meet Upper Hunter journalist Cecilia Connell

Cecilia works in our Muswellbrook newsroom. She says that growing up, she was constantly in trouble for talking too much, so being in a job where she can talk is perfect. Being allowed to interview people and talk in-depth about issues that matter is a daily privilege.

Cecilia describes herself as a theatre tragic. From musicals to plays and opera, she loves to tread the boards. She also just started learning to play the harp! Her favourite food is her mum's almond bread and her favourite movie is Miss Potter, based on the life of Beatrix Potter.

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