Community News - December 2023
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY?
FESTIVE FUN IN THE CITY
Santa Claus and his elves flew into Newcastle late last month to light up the city's biggest Christmas tree in Wheeler Place and flick the switch on a month of festive fun in the city centre.
Wheeler Place will host family-friendly activities around the towering 12.5m-tall Christmas tree between 5pm and 7pm on 1, 2, 8 and 9 December, where everyone and their dog can also snap a selfie or a 'puppy pawtrait' with Saint Nick, supported by special community Christmas entertainment. If you miss the chance to see Santa in Wheeler Place, there is a free DIY photo opportunity at 161a Hunter Street, seven days a week, from 11 December to Christmas Eve. Bring your family, friends and pets for this free DIY photo."
"City of Newcastle provides a range of activities in the lead-up to Christmas that offer families the ideal opportunity to come to the city centre, shop locally for their presents and support our hospitality and retail outlets,” Cr Nelmes said.
Adding extra incentive to visit the inner city, the Newcastle Business Improvement Association created a Festive Shopping Extravaganza, giving Novocastrians a chance to share in $7,500 worth of vouchers to local boutiques, cafes, bars, restaurants, pubs, entertainment venues or hair and beauty businesses.
CN's cultural venues will be home to holiday season productions, including Messiah in the City on 10 December at City Hall, The Nutcracker on 19 December at the Civic Theatre and One Song Sing | How to Make Gravy in Wheeler Place on 21 December, where more than 1,200 people are expected to meet, rehearse and sing Paul Kelly's iconic song in just one hour.
Local libraries will hear those sleigh bells ringing when Santa makes a guest appearance at the Christmas Story Stomp on 5 December at Newcastle Library and 7 December at Wallsend.
Timberlina will present Christmas Rainbow Storytime at Newcastle Library on 9 December, and Saint Nick will also stop at Newcastle Museum on 6 December at 11am as part of Christmas Story Explorers.
Wallsend will be busier than Santa's workshop, with the iconic rotunda on the corner of Nelson, Tyrrell and Harris Streets hosting the Rock’n Elfy’s Christmas Show from 11am on 9, 16 and 23 December featuring singing, dancing and prizes galore. The rotunda will also host Christmas carols every night from 6pm between 20 and 23 December, as well as the Conscious Christmas Markets on 9 December.
Mr and Mrs Claus will spend plenty of time in the Hamilton business precinct on 15 December, inviting locals and business owners to take a free picture with the hard-working, happy couple.
SNIFFER DOGS SHRINKING VIOLETS IN AUSTRALIA-FIRST INITIATIVE
Sniffer dogs are being used for the first time in Australia to track down an invasive weed known as Chinese violet in an innovative initiative underway in Lake Macquarie. The two canines – Daisy, the cocker spaniel and Henry, the border collie – have undergone intensive training to detect the species in bushland areas throughout the city.
Natural Assets Coordinator Dominic Edmonds said Chinese violet infestations occurred across the Hunter, North Coast and Greater Sydney regions, but most were concentrated around Port Stephens, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. While large infestations are easy to spot, new outbreaks can sometimes be hidden amongst the scrub and underbrush, and that’s where Daisy and Henry come into the picture.
“It’s a case of literally nipping the problem in the bud. The dogs have an incredible sense of smell and can detect a single specimen of this weed in a huge area, and they can do it with minimal disturbance to the surrounding environment,” said Mr Edmonds.
Once detected, Council crews can eradicate the weed and monitor the area to ensure there are no further outbreaks. The project is jointly funded by Council and the NSW Government’s Local Land Services.
HAVE YOUR SAY...
Maitland City Council is asking residents, visitors and business owners to have their say on the future of the city’s visitor information services via an online survey. Earlier in 2023, Councillors endorsed a recommendation to discontinue a standalone Visitor Information Centre and further investigate four possible options for visitor services in the future.
Caroline Booth, Manager City Experiences and Economy, says, “The survey is a key part of Council’s ongoing commitment to involve the community in the transformation of the city’s visitor economy.
“The Visitor Information Centre is positioned at the gateway to Central Maitland and has been very under-utilised. There are a range of opportunities highlighted in our Destination Management Plan, and we are keen to hear from visitors and community members so that we take the best possible step forward.”
The community can take part in the survey and read the Visitor Information Services Review Report at www.yoursay.maitland.nsw.gov.au. The survey will be open until 5pm on Wednesday, 31 January 2024, and the results will be shared soon after.
AN EVENING WITH WENDY HARMER
Cessnock City Council, in collaboration with the 2024 Newcastle Writers Festival, will present an evening with renowned Australian entertainer, author, broadcaster, prolific journalist, and stage performer Wendy Harmer to speak about her latest published memoir titled 'Lies My Mirror Told Me’.
The annual festival has teamed up with Cessnock City Library and Performance Arts Culture Cessnock (PACC) to host the showcase event, which will take place on Saturday, 6 April 2024, at 6:30pm at the Performance Arts Culture Cessnock.
Cessnock City Mayor Jay Suvaal said it is an amazing opportunity for Cessnock and is looking forward to Council working with the Newcastle Writers Festival again.
“Newcastle Writers Festival is one of Australia’s largest regional literary festivals, and we are excited to be a part of this fantastic celebration of writers and welcome visitors to our local government area,” said Clr Suvaal.
To secure your seat, visit the Performing Arts Culture Cessnock website and click on ‘What’s On.’ Tickets are available for purchase for $35. The 2024 Newcastle Writers Festival event will bring together more than 150 emerging and established writers for panel discussions, reading, book launches, performances, and one-on-one interviews.
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