Teen dies in 'chaotic' Cessnock fire

Andrew Nash died in 1974. His mother Audrey has spent 50 years fighting for justice and acknowledgement of his clerical abuse. Now clerical abuse survivors in New Zealand have met her to say thank you.

Three people face court after a police raid allegedly uncovered a hydroponic set-up, harvested drugs and more than 200 plants at a Hunter Valley property.

A 16-year-old boy who was in the Cessnock home at the time of the fire was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.

Researchers have solved a maritime mystery spanning more than half a century, finally bringing closure to those left behind.

Serial rapist Peter Bratic pleaded guilty in February to sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman in Newcastle in 1995. Advancements in forensics matched the case to his DNA years later.

A NSW court has rejected claims by a former high profile mayor and homelessness advocate that he was too old and sick to face a retrial on historical child sex abuse charges.

Locals at Catherine Hill Bay have salvaged parts of a century-old timber mining jetty. Now they want to see it used in a Stonehenge-like sculpture for the town.

On the list are the latest novel from a Miles Franklin-winning author, a celebration of the nurses on the frontline of the AIDS crisis and a laugh-out-loud foray into lesbian pulp fiction.

While it's a 10-team race in 2024, the league will grow again next year and those in the game know the players are ready for more.

When her husband bought a landscaping business, Susan Mingay did a horticulture course. She's applied what she’s learnt, creating a stunning series of gardens at Coal Point.

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Big swells at Newcastle beaches: There have been large swells up and down Australia's east coast this week. Warnings have been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology about conditions being dangerous for rock fishing, swimming and surfing. Some still braved the water at Bar Beach on Wednesday for a swim.

Image credit: ABC News/Romy Stephens

Decades-old jawbone identified: The mystery of a jawbone found on a Central Coast beach four years ago has been solved thanks to advancements in DNA technology. A Woy Woy woman found the blackened human jawbone in the sand on Umina Beach in June 2020 when she was walking her dogs and alerted police. Early investigations showed it belonged to a teenage male, and three years later scientists have confirmed it is that of 17-year-old Henry Coleman, who died following an accidental drowning in August 1980. He was laid to rest shortly after the accident, but no-one knew his jawbone was missing.

Shortland MP promoted: Federal Shortland MP Pat Conroy has been promoted to cabinet in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's first ministerial reshuffle. Mr Conroy holds the position of Minister for Defence Industry, which has been elevated into cabinet, and will continue as Minister for International Development and the Pacific. The reshuffle was prompted by the retirements of Linda Burney and Brendan O'Connor last week.

Community services centre closes: The Public Service Association says child protection workers are frustrated after Edgeworth Community Services Centre closed its office late last week. Caseworkers at the centre had been campaigning to keep it open since April. The Department of Communities and Justice has blamed ongoing issues with its security system for the site's closure. Families and Communities Minister Kate Washington says the move was made to best serve local families, adding the 16 staff from Edgeworth will be relocated to community service centres in Charlestown and Mayfield.

Police kept busy transferring prisoners: The New South Wales Police Association says officers are being taken away from responding to crime because they're busy transferring Hunter prisoners. The association has outlined concerns in a submission to a state inquiry into community safety in regional and rural communities. The inquiry has been told some stations in the Hunter have been forced to close as officers transfer prisoners to and from courts kilometres away. Corrective Services NSW says in some regional areas where it has no transport hub police escort people entering custody to the nearest remand centre, and it will continue to work with police to manage this process effectively.

Ramsay nurses strike: NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association members walked off the job at Lake Macquarie Private Hospital on Monday over what they say are inadequate conditions and pay. Operator Ramsay Health Care previously offered an 11 per cent pay rise over three years, which union members rejected. They want an 18 per cent rise. Members went on strike for four hours, resulting in operating theatres closing.

New blood supply tracker: Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has launched a blood supply tracker to show what type of blood is most needed and where. The organisation says its research shows 75 per cent of Australians would donate if they knew their blood type was in demand. The tracker is updated daily and shows what's needed across Australia and in each state. Meanwhile, Lifeblood says the Hunter region has one of the highest cancellation and no-show rates across the country. One in 10 donors aren't showing up for appointments.

Formal clothes swap: Hunter residents have spent the weekend swapping formal clothes to encourage an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way for people to secure new outfits. Maitland and Cessnock councils teamed up to host a free clothes swap on Saturday at Gillieston Heights, aimed at supporting young people and school leavers. Those needing an outfit for a school formal, end-of-year celebration or job interview were encouraged to take along clothing or accessories to swap. About 30 people attended the first event and organisers hope to grow it in future.

Winning start for Knights NRLW: The Newcastle Knights women's side started their 2024 season with a win over the Sydney Roosters at Hunter Stadium on Thursday night. Newcastle took the points 12-10 after a late fight back from the Roosters. The Knights take on the Raiders this Saturday. Meanwhile in the NRL Newcastle will face defending premiers the Penrith Panthers on Sunday afternoon. The men had a bye last weekend.

Chef Matthew Evans says this cottage pie is a humble dish using ingredients that don't cost a lot. His version has a delicious mustard cheddar topping.