Hey guys.

Me and my partner love exploring different places outdoors.

Can anyone suggest Any good places to check out on our coast here?

We love shell hunting etc. Rainforests and waterfalls

Newcastle must be one of the only areas in the east coast that doesn’t have any trees lining the coast and along the beach front. Empire park and Dixon park are basically bare. They must spend a fortune mowing.

Walking from bar beach to Merewether, if you can’t find a space under one of those shelters (which are only half shaded), then there is no natural shade!

Are the land owners in the pockets of the council to hold their sea views or can this be an easy fix to improve the amenity and beauty of our coast?

Help I need a tow this week who is the cheapest tow

Hey everyone, odd question here. Is there any way to find information on an ongoing court case as someone unaffiliated with the case? I have been following the Ryan Yates/UON bathroom assault case but am struggling to find any information beyond court dates and articles regurgitating the same information. Does anyone have any advice on where to start looking?

Obviously I do not want any information proliferated about the victim for her safety and privacy. Also if names need to be removed please let me know and I will edit.

They have a clove flavoured cigarette in Indonesia called Sampoerna Mild. Does anyone know any stores in Newcastle or the Central coast NSW that sell them?

Another court hearing this week a month after the owner was in the news. Anybody know what happened in court this week?

Hey all, last ditch effort here. I've tried all the Newy muso's Facebook groups and haven't found much luck there unfortunately. Ever since moving to Newy I've lost all of my musical connections and have been missing writing with people so much. Looking to connect with some people around the same age as me that share the same tastes as well, hopefully get something off the ground. I'm a 21year old bloke, guitarist and vocalist mainly., My biggest influences musically are the likes of Novo Amor, Hailaker, Bon Iver (of course), Covey, This Will Destroy You and so on. Please feel free to reach out if you'd be keen :)

I've moved down to Newy from a place with no Uber, delivery services etc. I'm struggling to know what to do with tipping. How much do I tip for Ubers, Uber Eats, Milk Run? All of those kind of things.

by Madeline Link

"FORMER volunteers of Newcastle-based anti-sexual violence group What Were You Wearing? Australia say there are critical gaps and "unanswered questions" in an apology video posted to social media by the organisation's founder Sarah Williams.

The video was in response to allegations of financial obscurity, risks of retraumatisation and claims Ms Williams fostered an environment of "gossip, bullying and lying" revealed after a months-long Newcastle Herald investigation.

"First, I want to acknowledge the experiences of some of our ex-volunteers, who felt hurt during their time with us," Ms Williams said in the video.

"I'm truly sorry that they had that experience, I'm young and I started this organisation at a very young age, not knowing how big it would become or how quickly it would grow.

"There were times when the lack of systems, structure and proper governance definitely led to boundaries being blurred which resulted in this hurt, but I never intended for this to happen, I regret any hurt that has been caused and I'm truly sorry."

The apology comes almost six months after the Herald exposed the experiences of numerous people who left What Were You Wearing? (WWYW), many of whom were survivors of sexual violence themselves.

Esther Holmes is a former WWYW volunteer and a spokeswoman for United Survivors, a social media page operated by ex-volunteers documenting their experiences with the organisation.

Speaking on behalf of United Survivors, Ms Holmes said Ms Williams is yet to personally reach out to the volunteers affected.

"It is important to distinguish between mere administrative inexperience and the serious issues raised here: a pattern of abuse and harassment that impacted over 50 individuals, and deliberate actions that misled the public," she said.

"These actions extend far beyond administrative mistakes, lack of governance or the blurring of boundaries."

One of the biggest achievements WWYW claims to date is amending the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA), garnering more than 20,000 signatures for a state government petition demanding mandatory spiking and sexual violence training for security and bar staff.

Former volunteers allege at least hundreds of those email signatures were forged.

In the video, Ms Williams said like with all allegations, WWYW took the claims "extremely seriously" and conducted a third-party investigation.

"It was important to our team that we had someone who was not linked to us and also a professional to do this investigation," she said.

"We are implementing ethics training for all of our volunteers."

The Newcastle Herald has obtained messages discussing the petition, where WWYW's chief financial officer Ethan Fraser writes in one online chat, referring to email addresses for the petition, "Yeah just make them up! Or literally put the fake ones in hahsha [sic] as long as they follow the structure of an email they will work".

In an online chat, Ms Williams reacts with a love heart to a message from another volunteer that says: "Can we just make up emails? I mean the intention is there for them to be included!"

The Herald reached out to Ms Williams with questions about a number of issues addressed in the video, including who conducted the third-party investigation and what the outcome of the investigation was.

Questions were raised about the systems and governance the organisation says it has put in place, who the members of the growing board and management team Ms Williams references in the video are and what policies and procedures the organisation has implemented since January.

Ms Williams was also asked for further information about what income statements from fundraising events have been shared, when and with whom, and how much money WWYW has raised through donations, fundraising events and financial grants.

A request was also made for a detailed breakdown of how WWYW's funds have been utilised.

WWYW declined to comment.

In the video, Ms Williams said that since January this year, WWYW has taken steps to put in place the systems and governance it didn't have before, had implemented policies and procedures and will "continue to strive" to be a supportive organisation.

In addressing concerns around financial practices, Ms Williams said WWYW has "always remained transparent" sharing income statements from fundraising events and being honest about where its "very minimal donations", grants and fundraising money goes.

"These funds go directly towards our services, our healing groups and the work that drives our mission forward," she said.

Ms Williams said WWYW's final year report will be available at its AGM and said a third-party accountant will oversee its finances going forward.

"The accusation that I misappropriated $120,000 is simply untrue," she said.

The Herald has never claimed Ms Williams misappropriated $120,000.

Ms Holmes said United Survivors feels key details are yet to be clarified around the investigation into alleged forged signatures, alleged misappropriation of funds and concerns around leadership and safety.

"Based on documented instances of abuse and manipulation, Sarah Williams has not demonstrated the qualities necessary for a leadership position, particularly in a role responsible for overseeing vulnerable individuals," she said.

"Her video neither addressed nor acknowledged these critical issues; instead, it largely avoided them."

Ms Holmes said organisations claiming to provide "Safe Spaces" must adhere to the highest standards of safety, competence and transparency.

"Unfortunately, WWYW's actions, along with Sarah Williams' continued position, raise serious concerns about its ability to fulfil this mission," she said.

In the video, Ms Williams said there are not many accessible courses for young people on how to run a non-profit.

She said she takes "full responsibility" that the lack of governance and structure was "poor" but said she is grateful to the current team and the governance they have developed.

--- END OF ARTICLE ---

Hey I have a friend in a dv relationship and her new phone when she listens to her voicemail says this number "126829080297309996" before the voicemail plays. She has a Samsung s24 and is with Optus. Anyone have any idea what it is?

I am looking at refinancing with Newcastle or IMB (they both have a decent cash back offer & better rate than my current lender)

I have always banked with the Big 4 so a bit sceptical to move to a smaller bank/lender

Could the people who bank or have banked with these two banks provide their viewpoint please?

Recently checked out Jewboy cave out near Seahampton, got an itch for more. Is there any cave systems nearby or in Australia at all? I know the big ones like Jenolan caves but unsure if the geography here allowed for many cave formations.

I use the opal app but the electronic timetable gives different times and I’m always a just missing the bus, even when I rock up early…

Where’s the cheapest place in newy to hire a car? Needing it for work while I save up for a new one

My partner and I were looking on doing a photo shoot together for Christmas photos, and wanted recommendations for photography businesses around Newcastle and the hunter area. Thank you :)

Back in Canberra, there's a few places that do snack packs with rice instead of chips. Some call it a 'lunch box', and they are absolutely fantastic and reheat better than chips.

I can't find anywhere doing this in the newy area and I'm dying for one.

Does anyone know of a spot with alot of flowering Jacaranda Trees?

Any insight was be appreciated

Thank you

Is there a hospital program local where I can donate game consoles for kids to play? I know Westmead Childrens Hospital accepted them back in the original Xbox days, which is where mine went.

I have 2 Xbox consoles I'd rather go to a worthwhile cause.

I've been looking for some JDM car enthusiast groups in newy, I was past by in North Lambton at the A15(Newcastle Rd) and Craudace St intersection. I nearly followed but didn't wanna intrude into a private cruise.. Edit: added street name.

Should I tattoo a heli copta on myself

Did anyone happen to see the idiot in a small car with red p plates flying down the wrong way of the bypass near the warners bay exit? Nearly hit so many cars!! Wtf

Can anybody shed any light on the death of the two police dogs locked in a car for hours A/C failed ? Why would dogs not be inside with handler it just doesn’t make sense to me ?

Anyone know where I can take a portable appliance to get test tagged?

Backup plan is calling an electrician to visit my place, but I was hoping to find a joint to take it myself to save the call out fee.

Only a couple lights I need to use offsite that need to be tagged

I’m looking at working there (don’t have the job yet though) I want to know about parking, if there’s free staff parking or are people just park in the streets around the hospital..

I'm in a complex with double digit townhouses, and a common driveway. Today, someone required an ambulance, presumably because they were having some sort of medical emergency.

The ambulance was blocking the driveway. So what does the ancient cunt who lives at the far end do when he pulls in and realises he can't get past;

1. Honks
2. Gets out and starts loudly ranting to someone else also wanting to get in the driveway
3. BANGS ON THE FUCKING DOOR OF THE HOUSE AND RANTS TO THE PARAMEDICS
4. Proceeds to give the paramedic a mouthful when she moved the van

You know what the old cunt didn't do? Park in the spots immediately adjacent to the driveway and just walk the 80 metres he walks weekly to put his bins out.

I'm an anxious person, I don't like confrontation, but I am so disgusted by his behaviour that if this post isn't enough of an outlet for me to simmer down, hes getting the in person version next time I see him.