In May 1974, a massive storm struck the Hunter causing the ship “Sygna” to run aground.

Many people remember the dramatic visuals of the stranded ship, but few know the full story of the extensive and dangerous cleanup efforts that followed.

Clem Doyle, a former member of the Newcastle Civil Defence, reveals how a small group of volunteers worked hard to recover the region from the disaster.

Producer and narrator: 

Ben Clifford

Interviewee: 

Clem Doyle

Music and sound effects

130BPM Fsh min, loop by 121Ayem. Royalty-free licence via Looperman

mmmmm beer, loop by VladEisch. Royalty-free licence via Looperman

bird chirps.2, sound by keweldog. Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license

“Epic storm. Thunder, rain,wind,waves. (no loops)”, sound by Placidplace. Pixabay Content License Royalty Free.  

Archival audio from NBN Television courtesy of NBN News.

Ben Clifford is a recent journalism graduate from the University of Newcastle with a strong passion for multi-platform storytelling. He has experience producing digital, audio, written and broadcast content, crafting stories that engage, inform and spark meaningful conversations.

You can contact Ben via email at bencliffordATgmailDOTcom or connect with him via Linkedin. 

Thumbnail image of Nobby’s Lighthouse, Newcastle by Roanish on Flickr, licence CC by 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/49236322@N06/4605602729

Muswellbrook horse trainer Victor Oakes found racing success with his mighty gelding Skellatar, dubbed “The Phar Lap of the North”.

Victor’s daughter Bernadette takes us back to the heyday of the 1960s when Vic began racing and winning with Skellatar.

Producer and narrator:

Katie Jayne

Interviewee:

Bernadette Oakes

Sounds:

Pathfinder by Alexander Nakarada (www.creatorchords.com) -- licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6gWLf5MxKM

Katie Jayne wears two hats: One as a local country music artist and the other as a radio broadcaster in the Upper Hunter. Working at Muswellbrook’s Power FM as their Workdays announcer during the week, Katie and her band hit the road each weekend playing shows around NSW and QLD. To find out more about Katie visit www.katiejayne.com.au or www.981powerfm.com.au 

Thumbnail image of Nobby’s Lighthouse, Newcastle by Roanish on Flickr, licence CC by 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/49236322@N06/4605602729

Have you ever listened to a band at a pub, and wondered what it would be like to perform for a live audience? You may be surprised to learn it isn’t as easy as you may think.

Dean Selem, bassist and manager of Newcastle band Moodwatch talks about the highs and lows of being a professional musician.

Producer and narrator:

Holly Fishlock

Interviewee:

Dean Selem

Music courtesy of Moodwatch recorded by Holly Fishlock, 8 May 2024 (audio only)

If you enjoy this episode, be sure to check out Moodwatch on Instagram and YouTube.

Holly graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Communication with Distinction from the University of Newcastle, majoring in News Media and Media Arts Production. She is now completing a cadetship with News Corp Australia, rotating through Courier Mail and Townsville Bulletin newspapers. Contact her via  hollyDOTfishlockATnewsDOTcomDOTau

Thumbnail image of Nobby’s Lighthouse, Newcastle by Roanish on Flickr, licence CC by 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/49236322@N06/4605602729

Do you think hardcore punk just sounds like a lot of noise? So does the Newcastle hardcore community, and they wouldn’t change a thing.

Madeleine Mitchell from Boudicca talks about the Newcastle hardcore scene, and the challenges of creating music for such a specific demographic.

Spencer Scott discusses working in the local entertainment business and the enduring legacy of hardcore within Newcastle.

Producer and narrator:

Thomas Mitchell

Interviewees:

Madeleine Mitchell

Spencer Scott

Music:

Mairéad by Boudicca. Recorded Live at the Hamilton Station Hotel https://boudicca.bandcamp.com/

Motel Art by Daisy Chain. Recorded Live at the Hamilton Station Hotel. https://daisychainnc.bandcamp.com/

Thumbnail image of Nobby’s Lighthouse, Newcastle by Roanish on Flickr, licence CC by 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/49236322@N06/4605602729

Interested in the dramatic history of one of Newcastle's most iconic landmarks?

Join Blake Quinn and John Ross, a volunteer at Fort Scratchley, as they delve into the fierce Japanese attack on Newcastle in 1942 during the Second World War.

Discover how outdated intelligence and an a nearby coal-powered ship played crucial roles in this historic event.

Producer and narrator:

Blake Quinn

Interviewee:

John Ross

Sounds

‘Mellotron WW2 Siren.aif’ by Analogist, Freesound, Creative Commons License, https://freesound.org/people/Analogist/sounds/449907/

‘Lo-Fi Beat Atmo Music Piano Drums Dub Experimental Cinematic Ambience Surround.wav’ by Szegvari, Freesound, Creative Commons License, https://freesound.org/people/szegvari/sounds/611186/

‘Ominous b.wav’ by ERH, Freesound, Creative Commons License, https://freesound.org/people/ERH/sounds/36320/

‘w4.5 b2 3 submarine.wav’ by ERH, Freesound, Creative Commons License, https://freesound.org/people/ERH/sounds/44009/

‘Artillery Barage’ by Mozfoo, Freesound, Creative Commons License, https://freesound.org/people/Mozfoo/sounds/486086/

Salute Cannons.MP3, Freesound, Creative Commons License, https://freesound.org/people/nofeedbak/sounds/95129/

‘Boat ride’ by giddster, Freesound, Creative Commons License, https://freesound.org/people/giddster/sounds/394932/

‘BoatHornSam1.wav’, by nathanprtII, Freesound, Creative Commons License, https://freesound.org/people/nathanprtII/sounds/38239/

Blake Quinn is studying a Bachelor of Media and Communication with a focus on journalism and documentary filmmaking. He is passionate about uncovering unique historical and political stories. He can be contacted via email at blake DOT quinn124 AT outlook DOT com

To learn more about this historic event at Fort Scratchley, visit https://www.battleforaustralia.asn.au/Fort_Scratchley.php

Thumbnail image of Nobby’s Lighthouse, Newcastle by Roanish on Flickr, licence CC by 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/49236322@N06/4605602729

Sarah Bergamo and her father John Roddenby are part of a Hunter family dynasty who work in waste collection.

Was it a coincidence that they both ended up in the waste industry? And what about Sarah’s young daughter Florence? Will she follow in her mother and grandfather’s footsteps?

Producer and narrator:

Isabella Bergamo

Interviewees:

Sarah Bergamo

John Roddenby

Music:

“Mornings” by Swoop via Uppbeat – https://uppbeat.io/track/swoop/mornings – License code: GKFTTFMVY1YGZQTM

“Algorithm” by Sky Gienger via Uppbeat – https://uppbeat.io/track/sky-gienger/algorithm – License code: DW1HLFNC86RQVX5U

“No Gravity” by Nick Petrov via Uppbeat –  https://uppbeat.io/track/nick-petrov/no-gravity – License code: 7XULCU9Q0QUL3HXQ

Isabella is a graduate of the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English and Writing. She is passionate about literature and bringing stories to people, whatever form that may take. She can be contacted via email isabellajaegerbergamoAToutlookDOTcom or on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabella-bergamo-5b6983303/

Why should we have to give up our childhood friends and passions as an adult?

Harry Matthews, player manager of the Lambton Jaffas community all age team, speaks with Emily Doyle about the community building sport of soccer. It’s a great opportunity for adults to get together and feel like kids.

Producer and narrator:

Emily Doyle

Interviewee:

Harry Matthews

Music:

Happy sandbox by Unlistenable -- https://freesound.org/s/416778/ -- License: Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0  - sourced on Freesound.org

Emily Doyle is a freelance content creator and production designer who graduated the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Media and Communication in December 2024. Contact through her website at https://emilym8880.wixsite.com/doyle-media

Follow Lambton Jaffas on Instagram @lambtonjaffasaa2

Thumbnail image of Nobby’s Lighthouse, Newcastle by Roanish on Flickr, licence CC by 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/49236322@N06/4605602729

Standing for 33 years and surviving fire, It’s the giant fibreglass prawn that could. Until its head was chopped off.

Peter Hyslop chats with NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley and former Central Coast Councillor Jillian Hogan about how Crangan Bay’s giant prawn has been made the ‘raw prawn’ by vandals, an angle grinder, and local politics.

Producer and narrator:

Peter Hyslop

Interviewees:

Yasmin Catley

Jillian Hogan

Music and sound effects:

“Thinking Music” and “Equatorial Complex” by Kevin MacLeod -- https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/music.html

Archival audio of 1990 TV news courtesy of NBN News

Sound effects recorded by the producer

Peter is a journalist at 2NURFM and his role involves news reading, producing stories and mentoring students in the craft of radio journalism. He graduated the University of Newcastle in 2024 with a Bachelor of Communication, and enjoys covering local debates and human interest stories. Contact at peter DOT hyslop AT newcastle DOT edu DOT au 

Thumbnail image of Nobby’s Lighthouse, Newcastle by Roanish on Flickr, licence CC by 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/49236322@N06/4605602729

A reflection on the 1999 closure of the Rod Mill in Newcastle from former steelworker and union representative Bill McGuinness. Is the steel industry still a part of Newcastle’s cultural identity, and has any entity since matched BHP’s impact on the community?

Producer and narrator:

William McGuinness

Interviewee:

Bill McGuinness

Music composed by William McGuinness exclusively for this episode.

William McGuinness is a filmmaker and musician and a founder of filmmaking collective Nanobot Studios. He can be contacted via Instagram: wmcguinness8 and LinkedIn

Thumbnail image of Nobby’s Lighthouse, Newcastle by Roanish on Flickr, licence CC by 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/49236322@N06/4605602729

Did you know that Newcastle’s Nobbys Headland was almost blown up?

Ann Hardy and Gionni Di Gravio from the University of Newcastle talk to Indiana Hardwick about the people that saved the headland.

Was it the mysterious Mr. Thorn of Prince Alfred notoriety who secretly saved the day?

Producer:

Indiana Hardwick

Interviewees:

Ann Hardy

Gionni di Gravio

Music:

Mysterious Dramatic Music by tyops -- https://freesound.org/s/616226/  -- License: Attribution 4.0

Curious Ambience.wav by Reg1n0ld -- https://freesound.org/s/503244/  -- License: Creative Commons 0

SFX:

Shoveling coal.wav by jokallset -- https://freesound.org/s/395876/  -- License: Creative Commons 0

ship over river close 751 AM 230415_0580 by klankbeeld -- https://freesound.org/s/731129/-- License: Attribution 4.0

explosion10.wav by V-ktor -- https://freesound.org/s/435415/  -- License: Creative Commons 0

horse with old cart.wav by bruno.auzet -- https://freesound.org/s/538438/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Indiana Hardwick can be contacted via LinkedIn

Find out more about the history of Newcastle at Living Histories.

Learn about the protest roots of the Hunter in Radical Newcastle

Thumbnail image of Nobby’s Lighthouse, Newcastle by Roanish on Flickr, licence CC by 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/49236322@N06/4605602729