Community News
- intouch Magazine
- Jun 2
- 4 min read
Discover what's happening in your local community this June...
LOCAL TOURISM EXCELLENCE CELEBRATED AT ANNUAL AWARDS
The Newcastle Tourism Industry Group (NTIG) celebrated outstanding achievements in hospitality and tourism at their 2025 Newcastle Hospitality & Tourism Awards last month. The annual Awards Gala, held at Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, recognised exceptional talent across 12 categories representing the diverse local visitor economy.
"It has truly been a massive, thrilling night for our industry," said NTIG chair and CoastXP founder Dominic May. Despite challenging weather conditions on the evening, May noted the industry's resilience in providing memorable experiences for visitors regardless of circumstances.
The awards come at a time of significant growth for NTIG, with membership increasing by 12% over the past year and an impressive 91% growth over four years. Monthly member meetings have also grown in popularity, reflecting increased collaboration within the sector.
“As a committee, we are delighted to see our industry constantly striving to be more collaborative, to support each other through various means, including forming new relationships, which will ultimately lead to growing our industry, supporting education pathways and fostering a sustainable, accessible and thriving visitor economy in the Hunter Region,” said Dominic.
State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp MP addressed attendees, highlighting the sector's valuable economic contribution and outlining government initiatives to enhance the NSW visitor economy through infrastructure investment, marketing campaigns, major events and night-time economy support.
The numbers speak to tourism's vital role in Newcastle's economy – visitors spend $16.4 million daily in the local area, with tourism businesses providing 4.2% of regional employment. Newcastle welcomes 4.8 million visitors annually.
For the complete list of award winners and more information about NTIG, visit www.ntig.org.au
DAPPER RIDERS UNITE: NEWCASTLE JOINS GLOBAL DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN'S RIDE
Newcastle riders will don their finest attire and fire up classic motorcycles for The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride on Sunday, 15 June, joining a worldwide movement for men's health.
What began as a small gathering in Sydney in 2012 has transformed into the world's largest charity motorcycle event.
Founder Mark Hawwa, inspired by a photograph of classic suits and vintage motorcycles, created The Distinguished
Gentleman's Ride to combat negative stereotypes of motorcyclists while raising funds for men's health.
The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride has raised over $60 million since its inception, with more than 500,000 riders participating globally. Since partnering with Movember in 2016, the ride has invested over $70 million into prostate cancer research and men's mental health initiatives worldwide.
These funds support cutting-edge research, quality of life improvements for men living with prostate cancer, and innovative mental health programs. The collaboration addresses critical statistics: globally, one man dies by suicide every minute, while prostate cancer remains the second most common cancer in men.
Newcastle participants join riders across Australia, where classic and vintage-styled motorcycles create meaningful conversations about men's health in the motorcycling community. The event celebrates both motorcycle culture and the urgent need to support men's wellbeing.
To register for Newcastle's Distinguished Gentleman's Ride or learn more, visit www.gentlemansride.com and follow updates on their Facebook page.
COMMUNITY INPUT SHAPES COUNCIL'S $389.7 MILLION PLAN
Lake Macquarie City Council has adopted its $389.7 million Operational Plan for 2025- 2026 following community consultation at an ordinary Council meeting at Morisset Showgrounds late last month.
The amended Delivery Program 2025-2029 and Operational Plan will guide the Council’s work over the next four years, with the operational component outlining key projects for the coming year.
Mayor Adam Shultz thanked residents for their engagement during the public exhibition process.
"Thank you to all members of the community who reviewed and provided feedback on these critical plans for our shared future," Mayor Shultz said.
"The engagement process showed strong advocacy for beach, lake and aquatic facilities, footpaths and cycleways, community and sporting facilities and infrastructure projects. "The revised operational plan incorporates changes based on community feedback, and we're excited to begin delivering on our vision for an even better Lake Macquarie."
The plan outlines 135 actions with 14 capital works programs worth $105.9 million.
Feedback from 37 community submissions was considered in the revised plans.
Councillors also endorsed a Mayoral Minute to host a roundtable addressing safety concerns on the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track (FAST), bringing together NSW ministers, police, City of Newcastle and Taking Back Our Paths organisers.
"There have been multiple reports of unsafe and criminal behaviour, including assaults and harassment, particularly targeting women and vulnerable users," Mayor Shultz said.
"The reckless use of electric scooters, unregistered trail bikes and fast-moving cyclists has increased the risk for families, children and the elderly."
Other decisions included establishing the Lake Macquarie Mines Grouting Fund to assist developments impacted by mine subsidence, and approving $29,886 for four environmental research projects through the 2024-2025 Environmental Research Grants program. One successful project involves Newcastle University studying blood-feeding mosquito host preferences in Lake Macquarie using DNA barcoding techniques
