Sign up for our pick of localnews, stories and events in your inbox each Thursday.

Young Aussies swap airport runway for highway

Remember when a Kombi van on an open road was the ultimate freedom symbol? On Monday's Breakfast program our Dan and Jenny heard how young Aussies are embracing their wanderlust in a whole new way.

With overseas travel off the cards, travelling by van has surged in popularity. From honeymooners to retirees, first-timers to seasoned drivers, 2020 has quickly become the year of the road trip.
 

Former minister drugged children, court told

Milton Orkopolous, the 63-year-old former state Labor minister, allegedly provided several children with drugs before assaulting them, a Newcastle court has heard. Eight new charges have been added to an existing 15 allegations against Orkopolous, who was briefly released from jail last year.

The new charges include four counts of supplying prohibited drugs, three counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of aggravated indecent assault.

Cleric avoids jails time, angering abuse victims

An 84-year-old former Marist Brothers headmaster avoided jail on Wednesday, after pleading guilty to concealing child sexual abuse. William Wade, who once taught at Hamilton in Newcastle and was sentenced in 2017 for abusing a schoolboy there in 1976, was sentenced to four months imprisonment, to be served in the community.

“His inaction and silence contributed to terrible consequences,” Acting Judge Michael Adams said at Sydney’s Downing Centre Court.

The koala in the room

In the same week that the Port Stephens koala sanctuary opened its doors, NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean backflipped on a NSW Government decision to fast-track a quarry expansion.

The Brandy Hill mining development, situated 40km from the brand new sanctuary, is currently before the federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley. If approved, up to 52 hectares of koala habitat would be destroyed.

How to better make decisions in your relationship

So, you’ve decided to commit to each other, but what about committing to deciding? It’s a question that Kia Handley asked on her Monday Mornings show with relationships expert Tara Whitewood.

Skippy, the Carrington kangaroo

Another famous Australian from the bush has been on our minds this week, only this time it seems the scrub has been swapped for the inner suburbs of Newcastle!

On Tuesday's Drive, Paul Turton asked a University of Newcastle marsupial expert, Emeritus Professor John Rodger, why kangaroos might have recently been sighted around Carrington and Mayfield.

A welcome boom amidst the gloom

Do you know any builders who have been doing it tough in 2020? Well, the bad news might just be a thing of the past. Local builder and director of the Master Builders Association, Matthew Haines, told Dan Cox that projects are on the rise, which is welcome news for the local economy.

What else is making news?

Edgeworth crash leaves 11 injured: A young mother remains in a critical condition following a horror crash at the intersection of Main Rd and Garth Street in Edgeworth on Saturday. A 17-year-old faced the NSW Children's Court this week charged with 15 offences, including dangerous driving, grievous bodily harm and driving while disqualified.

COVID-safe summer: Police will be heavily enforcing COVID-19 restrictions this summer, with an operation across the Northern region expected to continue until February. The operation will focus on alcohol-fuelled violence, anti-social behaviour and Public Health Orders, prompted by the expected movement of tens of thousands of people around the state.

Pool to remain in community: The Valentine hydrotherapy pool could now remain in community hands, after a new committee asked Lake Macquarie Council for more time to formulate a plan. It's been run by volunteers for more than 50 years on council land, but it became too much and the former committee members had asked for the council to take it over.

COVID testing numbers drop: COVID-19 testing numbers are continuing to drop across the Hunter region, despite calls from health officials not to become complacent. Hunter Health says testing numbers have halved in the past five weeks, and is urging people to get tested, even for mild hayfever symptoms.

Koala sanctuary opens: A $9 million koala sanctuary at Anna Bay was opened this week, and has been described as vital to keeping the local koala population healthy. The centre includes a hospital, tourist accommodation and a visitors centre.

Reward offered for information: Two years after a New Zealand firefighter was killed in an alleged hit and run near Singleton, police have offered a $350,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

How's the weekend weather looking?

Sunny and warm until Monday, with temperatures in the high 20s, touching 30 degrees on Sunday. There's a chance of rain on Monday and Tuesday, when the temperature is expected to drop back to the low 20s.

Meet the team: Broadcaster Matt Bevan

Matt Bevan is the host of the ABC podcast America, If You're Listening (formerly Russia, If You're Listening), and the newsreader for RN Breakfast.

Matt is pictured here in the ABC Newcastle studio, about to speak live about US politics with ABC News Breakfast. Matt, whose dad Paul Bevan is a retired broadcaster, has worked for the ABC since 2008.

How are we doing?
To produce the best newsletter we can, we need to hear from you. Are you enjoying this newsletter? Are we offering you stories you want to read? How can we improve? 🤔 Send us your feedback

And in other news... 

Tune in to ABC Newcastle? Stream us live now.

Got something to say?  Send us an email.