Your Newcastle

Newcastle has a long and proud history of peace activism, with former Lord Mayor the late Joy Cummings AM declaring the City of Newcastle a Nuclear Free Zone on 29 June 1982. In 2021 the peace movement continues, with the City reaffirming this declaration and working with Hunter Peace Group to establish a dedicated Peace Park at Tighes Hill, symbolising that which has been fought for and must continue to be fought for. Attending her first peace march at the age of 16 in Scotland in 1958, Hunter Peace Group Secretary and former trade unionist Lynda Forbes shares her views on the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal between Australia, the UK and the US and the importance of diplomacy. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

When the second wave of COVID-19 and lockdowns struck, City of Newcastle acted swiftly to expand its award-winning $5.5 million Community and Economic Response Package to fill the gaps in the State and Federal Governments’ response at a grassroots level. To mobilise immediate on-ground support and help stimulate post-pandemic economic recovery, the City unlocked $1.25 million in Rapid Response Grants, Community Support and Infrastructure Grants, as well as Special Business Rate funding and an expanded capital works program to keep Novocastrians in jobs. Joining guest host Deputy Lord Mayor Cr Declan Clausen, Curious Legends Artistic Director Mitchell Reese and Erin Beard of Family Support Newcastle share how this additional funding helped their respective organisations deliver targeted support where it was most needed. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

City of Newcastle is investing in improved cycleway networks to benefit residents, commuters, and visitors alike, shifting public perception by providing a genuine transport option that is a cheaper, cleaner, and healthier alternative to get from A to B. Successful delivery requires investment in safe, connected infrastructure and thoughtful planning as well as behaviour change, so how do we achieve this whilst taking the community along for the ride? Joining the discussion is City of Newcastle Councillor and Cycleways Advisory Group Chairman, John Mackenzie, and Newcastle Cycleways Movement President, Sam Reich. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Born a talented able-bodied triathlete, Lauren Parker’s life was turned upside down during a horrific accident in 2017 when she was training for the Ironman event and her tyres burst, sending her careering into a guard rail at 45km/h. She was told she would never walk again. This is the gruelling and inspiring story of Lauren Parker, whose grit and determination has seen her become a silver Paralympic medallist and a three-time world champion against all odds. A proud Novocastrian, Parker shares her experiences wearing the green and gold and the daily battles we don’t see. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Crowned City of Newcastle’s 2021 Young Citizen of the Year, Sam Poolman has called time on her professional netball career, ending on a high with a whirlwind season with the GIANTS that saw everything from interstate travel and lockdowns to COVID tests and quarantine. A trailblazer for women in sport, Poolman shares some of her career highlights spanning 10 years and 104 games at the elite level, including charity work with ASPIRE Netball and captaining Australia’s Fast5 Netball team in the World Series. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.