Will high rise developments ruin the view and the ambiance of this historical Australian city?
Could we find Newcastle reserved for the cashed up property investors from Sydney and
overseas, blocking sun to existing residents leading the way for our historic centre to be locked off from the visitors from outlying towns who and tourists to the region and reserved just for those with the cash to pay for our fabulous city views?
"While full details of the plan won’t be released until late March, the plan has already sparked strong debate over the city’s future, with many saying that views to and from the city’s iconic Christ Church Cathedral should be protected.
Dean of the cathedral the Very Reverend Stephen Williams said
he hoped the views would be defended.
‘‘The cathedral community wants to be part of the renewal of Newcastle
and we welcome signs of fresh investment and energy coming into the city,’’
he said.
‘‘We share a hope that view corridors to the cathedral are not unduly
compromised, and that developments add, rather than detract, from
the liveability of a great city.’’ "
Ann Hardy writes an opinion piece on this that is well worth a read.
OPINION: No point cutting out city’s historic heart
By Ann Hardy
"This is the jewel in our crown.
Increased building heights would seriously affect the city’s historic character and setting.
Other cities don’t target their historic hearts for increased development, especially when other solutions are available – truly vibrant cities are those where there is a complex interplay of new and old – not just new replacing old as Cr McCloy is suggesting.
Planning in Newcastle must be carefully considered to respect its character and certainly the planning framework has for many years produced a variety of new buildings – all of which have maintained the views of the Cathedral.
In Newcastle, the visual landscape of our city is equally important as the rich mix of heritage buildings in the city centre." Read the full piece here
Touching articles on the life and loss of Maddie Tippett who died so suddenly this week from complications from two cold viruses. Maddie was three years old.
Wishing her family and community around them condolences for this tragic loss.
UPDATE: You can help remember Maddie by contributing to this fund to buy a park bench in Maddie's name. Monies raised above that needed will be donated to John Hunter Hospital.
A fabulous project is unfolding that uses technology, historical documents and a lot of hard work from some passionate individuals to create a world of yesteryear to explore from our earliest days of white settlement - and aboriginal history. Carol Duncan speaks with Gionni di Gravio on how it is progressing.
17 February, 2014
Virtual Newcastle 1818 - 1830
It may soon be possible to take a 'virtual walk' through the Newcastle of 1818, thanks to a project underway by the University of Newcastle and Coal River Working Party.
"BHP's Newcastle steelworks were wired with explosives during WWII with the order to destroy the plant to be given in the event of a Japanese invasion. But were explosives placed in other parts of the city and what happened to the remnants of Japanese shells that landed in Newcastle? Newcastle Museum wants your help!"
See what happened when the producer of the next series of Tony Robinson's history programs contacted 1233's Carol Duncan for assistance with stories - this time the theme is '100 Years of War'. See more on the story here
Nice to see Raymond Terrace shopping district brightened up with some flowers - one might almost think they were in country France! (they do it so well there).
This near the site of our first #raymondterracecoffee tweetup for 2014. If you would like to come to the next one just let me know. And no, you don't need to be on Twitter to come along, but if you are interested in finding out more about social media then we can answer your questions.
Are these photographs of Newcastle taken some timebetween 1873 and 1875 the earliest in existence? Very possibly.
Thanks to Ann Hardy for finding these, and to Carol Duncan for broadcasting this story on ABC radio @1233Newcastle
"In September 2013 I visited the library to look at some of these "Newcastle" photographs, with no further description of what was available I was interested in which parts of Newcastle were shown. What I found were images taken from the usual aspects, from Nobbys Road towards Nobbys, from Christ Church overlooking the harbour, Gaol Hill across Newcastle Beach, and a view looking east towards the city.
What I didn't expect and took me by surprise were how early the photographs were taken, most likely some time between 1870 and 1874. I decided to digitally photograph images as they appeared in the album because I knew they were historically significant and contained important information for future research. I also knew there would be of interest to some in the local Newcastle community."
See the full story and more photographs at ABC Open
Okay I was late to the party when it came to discovering how much fun it was to go to the flicks at The Regal at Birmingham Gardens. I went for the first time and liked it so much took a friend visiting from the US back the next day for another session.
The orange cordial dregs in the machine were a bit of a worry but what a fun place to go and step into the olden days with the old chair and sad old interior. Take a blanket and have a picnic seemed like an idea. Then a short time later it was 'curtains' for the Old Dear.
The story was told on ABC 1233 this morning and what a fairy tale it was. Maybe this is a story with a happy ending that will be a movie itself one day.
From the ABC website:
"Despite the best efforts of a loyal band of supporters, the Regal has been unable to find a way to re-open.
But thanks to an Academy Award winning Australian movie director the fate of the cinema has changed.
George Miller who created and successfully delivered Happy Feet 2, the sequel to Happy Feet, came to the rescue.
The director of the musical adventure featuring a penguin colony needed a state of the art digital cinema for his film - but once the movie was delivered it was set to be sold."
These dunes have secrets. One day in the 1980s, Garland found the half-buried skeleton of an Aboriginal girl. There are also ancient Aboriginal middens, dotted throughout the sandy swales, white shoals of sun-bleached shells periodically uncovered by the wind. Some of them date back 1200 years. Then, a jet fighter will scream overhead, on a training run from nearby Williamtown air force base.
There are no roads to Tin City. You drive along Stockton Beach (in a 4WD, unless you enjoy getting bogged). As you drive, you will marvel at the crazily raw and elemental beauty of this beach – the colossal sky, the foaming sea; the way the ocean meets the earth here like a smack in the chops. There are no signs of human habitation. It's just sand and rolling dunes until suddenly a cluster of 11 shacks appears, off behind the beach, half buried and looking quite strange and lonely. Several scenes of the hit 1979 movie Mad Max were filmed here.
The group, which has campaigned against the mining industry on health grounds, said the national standard for a particle called PM10 was breached 171 times last year.
Significant quantities of PM10 can cause respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, and cardiovascular disease.
The breaches showed the NSW government should block a fourth terminal at Newcastle that would export an additional 70m tonnes a year, the environment group said.
The group is also campaigning for the mining industry to cover coal wagons on trains, which it blames for spreading harmful coal dust. A Senate inquiry last year called for better monitoring of potentially harmful effects, although submissions from the mining industry said covering wagons would be too expensive.
“I was surprised by the number of breaches but also by the EPA, which has steadfastly refused to implement any measures to control pollution,” James Whelan, from the community environment centre, told Guardian Australia.
He said there was no week during the year when the pollution did not exceed national standards.
Newcastle's proposed light rail is causing controversy
Updated Mon 23 Dec 2013,
The NSW government says work could start on light rail in Newcastle's CBD as early as next year, but critics are questioning the benefit of privatising the port and replacing trains with trams.
Philippa McDonald
Interesting video on the proceedings via ABC website. You can see it on the link below.
Some seats are still available to attend an information evening to learn about what's happening in the financial markets at this time. With all the changes that are happening around the world this is a great way to get updated on the global overview of the financial markets.
Australian equities will also be discussed and there will be another session to address issues of cash flow with Newcastle Financial Advisor, Murdo Macleod.
Venue: “Noah’s On The Beach” Time: 6:30 pm Tuesday 7 May
Light refreshments will be served after the presentation and to secure your seats, just call 4940 0488 or email newcastle@fiducianfs.com
The Newcastle post office is an icon of Hunter Street. But architecture aside, we most often seem to see it without people! If you have any photographs of people inside using the post office, I'd love to know.
Rally at Newcastle Post Office, Cnr Hunter and Bolton Streets, Newcastle, NSW
- the banner on the side of the stand refers to "Recruiting Office"
so the date of photograph is likely to be between September 1916
Hunter Street Newcastle NSW View looking toward the Post Office
on corner of Hunter and Bolton Streets. undated.
Students dancing outside Newcastle Post Office,
Newcastle Teachers' College, Australia - 1952
Newcastle Post Office, corner of Hunter and Bolton Streets.
Soldiers’ Memorial Fountain is located in front. c1960s
Congratulations to Suzanne Blakestone and Suz E Bee Candles for taking out these prizes at the recent Sydney show!
Suz E Bee Candles are all handmade in Port Stephens, NSW using only the finest 100% Pure Australian Beeswax (from the Hunter Region of NSW) and pure cotton wick.
As Suz says on her website, "They are not only a great gift for yourself or someone special, they are also beneficial in many other ways - to your health (by purifying the air you breath), to the environment (no toxic smoke) and to local beekeepers and their communities"
2013 Sydney Royal Easter Show
Class 7: Two Moulded Candles, natural beeswax
1st Prize: Buzzing Bee Pillar
2nd Prize: Fern Pillar
Class 8: Two Rolled Candles, natural beeswax
1st Prize: 10cm Medium Pillar
2nd Prize: 10cm Large Pillar
The Suz E Bee range of handmade beeswax candles & products include:
Tea Light candles (various sizes)
Votive Candles & Votive Refills
Rolled Pillar Candles
Dipped Candles
Moulded Candles (Angels, Buddha, Fern Pillars, Beehive Votives, Bee Pillars, Crystal Chip Candles and many more)
Roll Your Own candle kits
Natural lip balm and furniture polish
Extensive range of handmade, colourful German glass candle holders & lamps.
I was shocked to learn that so many candles that look and smell nice are full of chemicals and artificial components, fortunately you don't have to settle for toxic fumes.
Suz E Bee 100% Pure Australian Beeswax Candles and products are free from:
Petro-chemicals
Bleaches
Colourings
Added fragrances (unless specified)
Hardeners
Lead
Mould release agents
Wholesale, corporate and special occasions are also catered for. Contact Suzanne for more details: sales@suzebeecandles.com.au
Email
