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Discover what's happening in your local community this November..
NEWCASTLE AND UBE MARK 45 YEARS OF SISTER CITY PARTNERSHIP
The City of Newcastle will commemorate a significant milestone this month, celebrating 45 years of Sister City friendship with Ube City in Japan—a relationship built on shared values, cultural exchange and mutual respect.
Established on 21 November 1980, the partnership was championed by then- Newcastle Lord Mayor Joy Cummings, who recognised the natural connection between the two similarly sized harbour cities with their shared industrial heritage. Sister City relationships are designed to foster cultural,education al and economic ties between communities while promoting peaceful coexistence globally.
To honour this anniversary, Councillors Jenny Barrie and Mark Brooker will lead a Newcastle delegation to Ube from 31 October to 2 November, following an invitation from Ube Mayor Keiji Shinozaki.
"Our long-running student exchange program has seen young people from both cities immerse themselves in each other's cultures, strengthening connections and promoting mutual respect," Cr. Barrie said.
"We are proud to celebrate this milestone and continue building the next chapter of our relationship, one that embraces innovation, creativity and mutual respect."
Cr. Barrie emphasised that the visit would reaffirm the enduring friendship through cultural exchange while also exploring opportunities to strengthen investment and trade ties with Japanese industry partners.
"The partnership between Newcastle-based cleantech company MCi Carbon and Mitsubishi Ube Cement Corporation is a wonderful example of how collaboration between our cities can deliver real-world innovation and create economic opportunity," she said. Earlier this year, Mitsubishi Ube Cement Corporation invested US$5 million in MCi Carbon and signed a long-term collaboration agreement to accelerate the decarbonisation of Japan's cement and concrete industries.
Looking ahead, a notice of motion will be presented at Council calling for the establishment of a Newcastle-Ube Sister City Committee to explore opportunities for growth as the 50th anniversary approaches in 2030. The committee would include Councillors, business and industry representatives, educational institutions and community members interested in strengthening international connections.
"For 45 years, our relationship with Ube has symbolised how people-to-people connections can foster broader cultural, educational and economic benefits," Cr. Brooker said.
"We are the custodians of this enduring relationship and look forward to keeping the momentum going as we approach the 50th anniversary. This milestone is not just a celebration of our shared history, but a springboard for future collaboration."
Over the decades, Newcastle and Ube have developed strong connections through education, youth exchange, art, sport and innovation—reflecting Newcastle's broader role in establishing the Australian Sister Cities Association, which emerged from the first Australian Sister Cities Conference held in Newcastle in 1979.
FIVE YEARS OF LIGHTHOUSE ARTS: CELEBRATING CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY
Five years after opening its doors, Lighthouse Arts has become one of Newcastle's quiet success stories, a creative hub born from local resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Established through the City of Newcastle's Industry Response to COVID-19, the initiative is led by Hunter Writers' Centre in partnership with the Port Authority of NSW. Since its inception, the project has hosted more than 700 artist residencies, welcoming creatives from across Newcastle, the Hunter and around Australia.
"Lighthouse Arts began as an ambitious idea in the wake of COVID-19—a response tothe impact the pandemic had on artists and the local creative community," said Katherine McLean, Director of Hunter Writers' Centre.
"It was about reopening a place that carries Newcastle's layered story—geological, Indigenous, colonial and maritime—and adding a new chapter through creativity and the arts. Five years later, it's a living, working example of how arts and culture can bring people together and reimagine one of our city's most iconic places."
The five-year milestone will be celebrated with a Community Open Day on Saturday, 15 November, featuring resident artists, alums works and local music.
The ongoing development of Lighthouse Arts reflects Hunter Writers' Centre's strategic goals to support creative practitioners, strengthen partnerships and ensure long-term sustainability across the region's literary and arts initiatives.
YOUTH WEEK GRANTS ON OFFER FOR LAKE MAC EVENTS
Lake Macquarie City Council is offering grants of up to $1500 for events and activities supporting Youth Week 2026. Held 16-25 April, Youth Week is Australia's largest annual celebration of people aged 12-24 and is expected to include numerous activities across Lake Macquarie. Previous events have featured colour runs, art workshops, songwriting contests, fitness sessions, youth festivals and outdoor markets.
"We are open to any ideas that engage and celebrate our young people," Manager Community Partnerships Matt Holloway said.
"Activities funded through the grants could see young people share ideas, attend live events, have their voices heard, showcase their talents or take part in competitions, but most importantly, they should be positive and fun for those involved."
Council will host a Youth Week Grants Workshop from 10-11:30am on Monday, 3 November at the Landcare and Sustainable Living Centre, umali barai-ku, at Booragul, to help guide applicants.
"Supporting initiatives like Youth Week is part of Council's draft Youth Strategy 2025– 2029," Mr Holloway said.
"It outlines a commitment to ensuring young people can participate in the city's cultural life, gather in safe and inclusive environments and celebrate cultural diversity."
Applications are open from 3 November to 19 December. Visit www.lakemac.com.au for more information and to apply.
FROM CASHIER TO CHANGE-MAKER: 25- YEAR COUNCIL VETERAN HONOURED
Karen Partington began her local government career as a cashier 25 years ago, collecting fees for land rates and dog registrations. Today, she's collecting awards for her dedication to both her career and community.
Ms Partington, now Lake Macquarie City Council's Acting Director Planning For the Future, received a Women of Distinction Award in the 2025 Ministers' Awards for Women in Local Government on Thursday.
The award recognised Ms Partington's "exceptional innovation, integrity and initiative" and her positive influence on others throughout her quarter-century career spanning strategic land-use planning, infrastructure, environmental systems and asset management.
Beyond her professional achievements, Ms Partington played a key role in establishing Spark, a networking group for women at Council, and championed increasing female participation in non-traditional roles.
CEO Tony Farrell said Ms Partington's tenure had been marked by her ability to "inspire, empower and create lasting change". "Karen's work has led to a sustained shift in gender balance, a culture of inclusion and a legacy of opportunity for future leaders," he said.
"She is deeply respected by her peers, Council's executive and elected officials, and most importantly, by the people she leads." Ms Partington said she was "extremely humbled" to win the award.
"Working in an organisation of around 1300 employees, and given the breadth and complexity of our work, I'm very aware that everything we do requires a team of people," she said.
"Without that team and our shared vision and values for our city, we achieve very little. I share a small part in a broader team effort."
Ms Partington credited the diversity of her career and her accumulated knowledge as factors that keep her motivated.
"Having a real impact on local communities by providing and improving our services is also really gratifying," she said.
"I always feel most proud watching our community use new businesses, shared paths, parks and playgrounds that I've had a hand in planning and delivering."
Currently, her focus is on supporting Council through a transitional period as it appoints a new CEO following Morven Cameron's September resignation.
"There's lots to be done and many challenges ahead," Ms Partington said.
"But that's what makes local government so interesting and rewarding."
