newcastle

The ‘Pasha Bulker’ Storm – June 2007

Most people in Newcastle and the Hunter were looking forward to a relaxing long weekend, planning a few days off. As we now know it was anything but a relaxing long weekend. The Newcastle and Hunter Region will never forget the weekend when storms and floods closed down the heart of Newcastle, the Pasha Bulker went aground on Nobbys Beach and the levee system around Maitland was pushed to its limit. On Thursday night, June 7, 2007, the Bureau of Meteorology warned of potential extreme weather conditions with a low pressure cell developing just north of Newcastle. Over the next 12 hours this low generated… Read More »The ‘Pasha Bulker’ Storm – June 2007

Henry Martin – Victoria Lifeboat crew member

From Lost Newcastle member, Robyn Jeffries: Pleased to be able to share – my great great grandfather Henry Martin, far right, holding the boat. This is taken in the water around the Pilot Station where he worked as crew of the “Victoria” Lifeboat. (Olive Hoggan’s (also her gr.g/father) photo.) Henry Martin d.1899, No 2, Pilots Row, Newcastle, now called the Boatmens Cottages on Nobbys Rd. opposite Fort Scratchley. The 1st rescue while working on the “Victoria”, we have record of, is the “City of Newcastle”. The little boy in the photo is Charles Henry Martin, son of Henry Martin, so dates the photo to approximately… Read More »Henry Martin – Victoria Lifeboat crew member

Joy Cummings – Australia’s first female Lord Mayor

From visitnewcastle.com.au: Joy Cummings was Australia’s first female Lord Mayor and the Lord Mayor of Newcastle from 1974-1984. She had many achievements during her time in office and left a tremendous legacy to the city after her death in 2003. Her interest in politics began in 1938 at age 15 when she joined the ALP. Whilst maintaining her involvement in ALP politics, Joy married Ray Cummings and raised four children. Her political life began in 1968 as the first woman to win a seat on Newcastle City Council, when she was appointed alderman of the city’s East Ward. Joy’s first political venture was campaigning to… Read More »Joy Cummings – Australia’s first female Lord Mayor

Zaara Street Powerstation

From Wikipedia: Zaara Street Power Station was situated on Zaara Street, in the city of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. It was built to supply power for the New South Wales Government Railways (NSWGR) in 1915, when the first turbo-alternator of 2.5 megawatts was commissioned. The installation of additional plant in 1920 led to a generating capacity of 28.5 megawatts (MW). Surplus capacity in the Railway Commissioner’s power grid was sold to municipal councils and other bodies responsible for the supply of electricity to the general public. Zaara Street Power Station was connected to the grid of the Electricity Supply Department of the Newcastle Borough Council in 1917, and… Read More »Zaara Street Powerstation