Stories Of Our Town

30/08/2026

Bizarre Newcastle is our event coming up on the 1st of Oct King St for New Annual. King St is a confusing venue title for a venue that used to be The Castle, opposite MacDonald on King St. We are launching a new 20min film called Bizarre Newcastle but there will also be live performances. Steve Abbott aka Sandman (Castanets, Good News Week, Triple J) is playing a buch of songs. Christa Hughes (Machine Gun Fe****io. Circus Oz) will astound you with her voice and performance. Pucko (every Newcastle Band Ever) will start the show with his special weirdness and keeping you moving in between will be DJ Maynard. It's going to be a hoot. Doors open at 6.30 and performance will end around 9. Tickets are already selling fast. Please come and support the project. This gig will never happen again. Tickets are here and yes there is a concession rate. https://newannual.com/explore/events/bizarre-newcastle

30/08/2026

On Friday, Tony and I got to chat the very passionate and articulate Steve Phillips from Hunter Renewal about the importance of training investment to help Newcastle and the Hunter prosper through the transition away from coal. This is for or How Coal Shaped Newcastle film. So far we've interviewed about 50 people for the film and they all agree that coal mining in the region will end, the big discussion is really about when. Based on that fact, Steve and Hunter Renewal are pushing to get investment in training to happen now to help "re-tool". We are are hoping to start releasing these three films by late October. It's a monster story Chit Chat Von Loopin Stab Carnivore Films

21/08/2026

We had the best night last night at Newcastle Museum filming some of the best storytellers in Newcastle for our Bizarre Newcastle film. Already it's chock full of hysterical tales from our past. We've still got space for more, so send us ideas in the comments. Thank you to all at the Museum for opening up your house after hours. Thanks to New Annual for setting this challenge. Thanks to those who made us laugh so hard David Hampton Carol Duncan OAM , Barney Collins, Dr Ann Hardy (not Pictured), Dr. Ross Kerridge, Robert Watson, Stephen from Smith Pinball, Gionni Di Gravio and Mike Scanlon from Newcastle Herald. This film will premier 1st Oct King St Hotel with start studded musical performances. Tickets are selling fast https://tickets.newannual.com/WEBPAGES/EntaWebEvent/EventSBAndPrices.aspx

11/08/2026

Last week we found ourselves at Eraring Powerstation talking to Brett Murphy (operations manager) about coal fired power past/present/future. Brett is the son of a miner and started at Eraring as an apprentice and now he’s there to navigate its closure in 2030. Currently this power station generates 25% of all NSW power. As part of the transition they’ve installed a $1b battery to capture the excess solar through the day and pump it out at night. I’d always heard the warm water coming out of the power station made for good fishing. We went to the outlet and met a guy (pictured) who retired 5 weeks ago from Eraring and had only made it 500m to this fishing spot. While we were there he pulled in 3 bream, so I guess the rumours are true.

10/08/2026

So happy that Singleton Public Library is playing our film The Scott Sisters of Ash. It's such an important story and we are grateful to everyone that helped us make the film.

Cinema Club 🎬🍿
The Scott Sisters of Ash Island Documentary Screening
By Stories Of Our Town
Thursday 13 August | 6 - 7pm

The Scott Sisters of Ash Island is a story about Art, Science, Family, Survival, Loss and Conservation. It’s a story of two teenage sisters ignoring obstacles and turning the science world on its head at a time when women couldn’t study science. It is also a story of work so accurate and ground-breaking it is still used 170yrs later. This is an international story and the best parts of it happened in Newcastle.

Join us for this local history documentary screening!

10/08/2026

Come along to our Bizarre Newcastle event on the 1st of Oct at King St Hotel. A new film from us plus live performances from Pucko, Christa Hughes (MGF, Circus Oz) and Steve Abbott aka Sandman. Our DJ for the evening will be the "Bizarre" man in the video DJ Maynard (Triple J, Castanets, Channel V). It's going to a heap of fun. Please support live music and the project by coming along. Tickets here https://tickets.newannual.com/WEBPAGES/EntaWebEvent/EventSBAndPrices.aspx

07/08/2026

A heap more interviews this week for our “How Coal Shaped Newcastle” film. Tony and I got some time with a true legend of the industry. Bob Cameron OA did a degree in mining, worked his way up working in mines, ran mines and eventually became MD/CEO and part owner of Centennial Coal. He’s also worked for Mines Rescue, ran Port Kembla Coal terminal and advised Governments. The first hand knowledge he has brought to this project is phenomenal. Every time we think we are close to finishing these three films another amazing storyteller turns up. Thank you to the MEU for the financial help with this project. .

06/08/2026

Very excited to announce a new film and live music event coming Oct 1 for New Annual.
It's called Bizarre Newcastle. We are looking for stories about our Bizarre and Weird history. Give us some ideas. The movie will be shown amongst a Star Studded evening of music. By Local Legends Pucko, DJ Maynard (Castanets, Channel V, Triple J), Christa Hughes aka KK Juggy (Machine Gun Fe****io, Circus OZ) and Steve Abbott aka Sandman (Castanets, Triple J, Good News Week). It's going to a heap of fun and also "Old People" hours, doors open at 6.30, show finishes by 9 (You'll be back on the couch by 9.30 in your PJ's).
Please come. Book Now and tell your friends.https://tickets.newannual.com/WEBPAGES/EntaWebEvent/EventSBAndPrices.aspx

01/08/2026

More interviews for our How Coal Shaped Newcastle 3 part series. Friday we were at Port Waratah Coal Services talking coal loading with the head honcho and legend of the industry Hennie du Plooy. This was fascinating. Over 150,000,000 tons of coal being shipped from Port Waratah every year. 40 trains (2km long) arrive everyday full of coal and demand hasn’t dropped. This topic is so polarising, especially in this area, that we are trying to give a voice to all sides.

24/07/2026

The Coast in and around Newcastle Harbour (NSW) is littered with hundreds of shipwrecks occurring over two hundred years. For the full story, watch our film Shipwrecked Newcastle. This is a section from the film on a lesser known wreck, The Alpena. It’s a cracking story told by the cutest man to ever exist, Bill Hillier.
Enjoy

The Coast in and around Newcastle Harbour (NSW) is littered with hu...