Day Trips: Hunter Region Botanic Gardens

Hunter Region Botanic Gardens

The Hunter Region Botanic Gardens cover an area of 140 hectares, much of which has been preserved as natural bushland.

2100 Pacific Highway, (20 mins north of Newcastle), Heatherbrae NSW 2324, Australia +61 2 4987 1655

 

 

 The Gardens, which were opened to the public in 1986, are designed, developed and managed by a non-profit company of volunteers. The development of the Gardens was recognised in 1999, with the winning of the 'Significant Regional Attraction' award in the Hunter Regional Awards for Excellence in Tourism.

Hunter Region Botanic Gardens Website

Hunter Region Ecology
The Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, through its Rare Plants Committee, is involved in research into the ecology of the Hunter Region of New South Wales, with a focus on Plant Biodiversity.
Technical Papers reporting this research and discussing Hunter Region Ecology are available in this section of the Gardens website, using the links below:
Hunter Region Ecosystems

• Ecosystems of the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens Site
• Vegetation of the Hunter Valley
• Vegetation History of the Hunter Valley

See more on Panoramia

Rally challenges mandate to cut railway: video | Newcastle Herald

Rally to save the rail in Newcastle NSW

 
Rally challenges mandate to cut railway: video | Newcastle Herald

Newcastle prostate cancer treatment will save thousands of lives

A NEW treatment for prostate cancer, which Hunter researchers administered, is predicted to save more than 1000 Australian lives each year.

University of Newcastle conjoint Professor Jim Denham described the new medication option as “the holy grail” to beating the most aggressive forms of the disease.

He said this was because it reduced the spread of localised tumours by 40 per cent.

In a trial called RADAR, men were put on a combination of testosterone-suppression therapy, a drug that’s used for osteoporosis, called zoledronic acid, and radiation therapy over 18 months.

See full article...

Newcastle prostate cancer treatment will save thousands of lives | Newcastle Herald:

Winners 2014 Hunter Wine Show

Congratulations to Drayton's Wines success at the recent Hunter Valley Wine Show

The Heritage Vines Liqueur Verdelho received the trophy for the best fortified at the Show while the Heritage Vines 1978 Tawny was the International Judge’s Wine of the show –  winner of “The Silver Bullet” both available at the Drayton winery, at 555 Oakey Creek Road, Pokolbin, at draytonswines.com.au and in wine stores.

As one of those that have attended Edgar’s Fortified Master Classes at Dayton's it's no surprise but it is nice to see Drayton's fine fortified wines get the recognition they deserve. 

For the full run-down on all the Hunter winners and their fine wines see the full list here Hunter Wine Show results 2014

Newcastle building heights capped to maintain skyline

Read full story...

Newcastle building heights capped to maintain skyline | Architecture And Design:

Justice NSW: Time lapse footage of Newcastle courthouse under construction

Newcastle Harbour Foreshore

Will Newcastle Views Be Sold Off To Appease Developers?

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.’’ "

Herald story 

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 

July 26, 2013

"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 

Heartbreaking Loss Of Maddie Tippett

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.

Read Maddie's story here
Sydney Herald 
Daily Telegraph

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.

 March 2015 Update: The Mourning After

You can find the memorial bench for Maddie that was built with money donated via crowdsourcing  here  

Technology And Passion Unlocks History of Newcastle

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.

See more pictures and read the story here 

War Stories BHP Newcastle - Can You Help?

From the ABC a great local history story

"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 

Raymond Terrace Street Flowers

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.

@lindyasimus

Oldest Photographs Of Newcastle NSW

Are these photographs of Newcastle taken some time between 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

New Road Opens To Bypass Sandgate

A shot of the new bypass from Maitland Road to Shortland Twitter by @nicholasgerber of the ABC

Regal Ready With A Digital Revamp And A Little Help From Friends

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."

See the full heartwarming story here.

The upshot of course is that the Regal is set to reopen next month. Not just reopening, but this time with the latest digital equipment. 

Now that's a happy ending!


The Cinema Regal from Brett Piva on Vimeo.

The Cinema Regal from Brett Piva on Vimeo.

 Related:

Friends of The Regal 

Friends of The Regal Facebook Page

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2034908/regal-cinemas-gift-from-happy-feet-2-crew/?cs=305

Find The Regal Map

Tin City: Stockton

Great write up in the Herald

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.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/off-the-grid-living-in-tin-city-20140108-30h1m.html#ixzz2prLUpbA5

EPA Targets Lawnmowers While Ignoring Coal Pollution In Hunter

The Hunter Community Environment Centre said its analysis of theEnvironment Protection Authority’s 2013 data showed a 50% increase in air pollution breaches throughout the year in the Hunter Valley and Newcastle, compared with 2012.

Coal crackdown urged as air pollution breaches rise by 50% in Hunter Valley

Environment centre wants all coal wagons and stockpiles covered, and plans for Newcastle coal terminal to be rejected

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• Oliver Milman
• theguardian.com, Thursday 2 January 2014 

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.

See full article in The Guardian 

Highlights of the Port Stephens, Sydney, Canberra Bush Fires 2013

Newcastle Light Rail Not Full Steam Ahead

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.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-23/newcastles-proposed-light-rail-is-causing/5173176