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Running coal-fired power stations, fossil fuel free

How would you like to flick on your lights and air conditioner at night, knowing that some or all of the power had been created with renewable energy?

New technology - developed by the University of Newcastle - is moving into large scale testing, and could see more solar power fed into the electricity grid by retro-fitting existing coal-fired power plants.

A garden to grow social interaction for residents

A community greening officer for the Royal Botanic Gardens was on site this week to help Compass Housing set up its first sensory garden for people with disabilities living at Mt Hutton.

Residents of the specialist disability accommodation will benefit from the garden program through better nutrition and greater opportunities for social interactions.

Jill's legacy grows with new scholarship

The fundraising goal of a PhD scholarship - set up in the name of our former ABC colleague Jill Emberson - has reached its goal.

The three-year position will soon be advertised by the Hunter Medical Research Institute and will focus on ovarian cancer research.

Octogenarian proves learning is a lifelong pursuit

All you really need to succeed in further education is a bit of motivation and a willingness to start, according to Rev Tony Lang OAM.

The semi-retired Presbyterian priest, who lives in Wangi Wangi, has recently completed a Master of Arts in Theological Studies through Charles Sturt University

Community rallies to find Reddog's prosthetic leg

Jade 'Reddog' Wheatley was paddleboarding off Newcastle Ocean Baths, when a wave caused his prosthetic carbon-fibre leg to come off and sink into the blue.

He's now appealing for beach-goers to keep an eye out for the expensive prosthesis, last seen near the Cowrie Hole.

Send a message using First Nation place names

An idea gaining traction along First Nations communities around NSW - to include traditional place names on postage items - has been welcomed by Australia Post.

Gomeroi woman Rachael McPhail is encouraging people to include the traditional place name on their postage as a way to celebrate Aboriginal heritage.
 

Port Stephens students help feed their community

Students at the Kreative Koalas program at Medowie Christian School are feeding the community through food banks and grow-your-own initiatives.

Stage three teacher Martha Atkins says the program responds to community needs by distributing and listening to surveys.

What else is making News this week?

Koala reprieve: Residents lobbying against the loss of koala habitat at Port Stephens welcomed news the Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley has delayed a decision to consider new information. The state government has already approved a quarry expansion at Brandy Hill that will clear 50 hectares of koala habitat, but the project requires federal approval to proceed.  The Minister was due to hand down a decision this week, but that’s been delayed until October. 

Sombre days at Newcastle Airport: CEO Peter Cock is seeking approval in the Industrial Relations Commission to stand down temporarily a quarter of the airport’s 60 staff.  He says, since the pandemic struck, 99 per cent of flights and 90 per cent of the airport’s revenue has disappeared. 

Winemakers squeezed for pickers: Buds have burst across vines in the valley, and vignerons say they’re confident of a good harvest. But they’re worried too about a shortage of labour to hand pick, particularly old and brittle vines. Winemaker Iain Riggs says travel restrictions will shrink the pool of available workers.

Festival fast forward: While Tamworth Council cancelled its January country music festival because of Covid-19, an optimistic Newcastle City Council launched a new cultural festival – New Annual – for 10 days next February. The local arts community welcomed the plans, and the boost it will give the sector. Catapult dance studio head Cady McCarthy says a contract to perform at the festival means she can employ eight professional dancers, and a composer, at a time when paid opportunities are scarce. 

Real estate boom in historic hamlets: The Covid-19 crisis has more than doubled internet traffic searching for Hunter properties on real estate websites since June. Agents say at the top of the shopping lists of Sydneysiders seeking a change of scene are rural villages like Wollombi, Paxton and Millfield. 

Fireworks lose their spark?: Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says she wants residents to share with the council whether they want the city’s annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display to go ahead. She says the decision needs to be taken and soon, because of pyrotechnics and other logistical requirements. So far, the Lord Mayor says, conversations are leaning toward the view that to go ahead would be a mistake.

How's the weekend weather looking?

Mostly sunny, right through until Wednesday next week. Temperatures in the low- to mid-20s. Warmest on Sunday and Monday. A 70% chance of rain on Friday and a 60% chance of rain on Tuesday.

Meet the team: Saturday producer Ben Homer

You've heard him calling the action during our A-League broadcasts and you've seen him on ABC News reporting on the Knight's Matt Hoy. But Ben Homer is also our Saturday Breakfast producer, wrangling things behind the scenes for Craig Hamilton. 

When he's not working he's busy studying, finishing off a law degree or out exercising. His favourite dish is 'anything that fills me up' after rowing, running, swimming or cycling.

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