Well-known Newcastle actress Sofia Nolan was last week unveiled as "Heather" who exactly how much trouble she’ll cause for Maz remains to be seen!

prior to this job, I'd never seen a full episode

A new arrival in Summer Bay has left Home And Away fans curious and an old favourite character more than a little worried.

Following ten months of consultation, the Future of Football Review - Final Report and Recommendations was released to Northern NSW Football Federation Members and Clubs on August 22. Despite still awaiting feedback from Members, Clubs and Zone organisations, the Board of Directors of Northern NSW Football has endorsed the final report and its recommendations.

At a time when Club's are entering finals football, the action has caused significant angst for the member zones, with official notification provided for a special meeting to sack five of six directors.

So what is the background and the way forward? President of Newcastle Football, and authorised spokesperson for all six zones, Steve Cucumanovski, joined Newcastle Live to unpack why the sport is at this point.

We cross to the Simpson Desert where a group of nine amazing Novocastrians has been walking the Simpson Desert.

They started out in Dalhousie Springs on August 17 and will arrive in Birdsville on Monday, September 5 - 400 plus km's later.

They are fundraising to enable Jenny's Place to continue offering early intervention and prevention services through the Newcastle Domestic Violence Resource Centre.

Ali Kimmorley joined us this morning with an update on how they are all coping! (And they have run out of toilet paper!!)

For Victorian Blockheads Tom and Sarah-Jane, getting the call that they had been cast in this year’s season of The Block was something of a double-edged sword.

It fulfilled a life-long dream, but it also meant leaving their young daughter Cleo behind.

Ton and Sarah-Jane joined Newcastle Live to talk their Block journey so far....

Zac tells us about his latest project with a major Hollywood star, we have to unpack the US loan forgiveness when compared to Aussie HECS, Trump (of course) and Anh Do’s books being banned in some US states!

Abbi Yeo started singing before she could form sentences. She got her first guitar when she was 10 and taught herself to play. And at 19 her voice is something quite incredible.

Listen back to Friday Live as we catch up with the phenomenal Abbi Yeo.

A new survey from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) paints a very disturbing picture of our society and the extent of coercive control being experienced.

Emotional abuse, also known as coercive control, has been defined as a form of domestic and family violence where perpetrators intimidate, isolate and manipulate a victim-survivor to make a victim afraid and dependent on their abuser. Two survivors from the group What Were You Wearing, Demi-Anne and Lisa, spoke to Tracy Mac on today's Newcastle in the Morning. 

Family, domestic, and sexual violence can be difficult topics to discuss, and listening to this interview may bring up strong feelings for some people. Help is available at 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or through Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Volunteers at Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW are now wearing a new uniform designed by Wonnarua woman, Saretta Fielding.

The new volunteer uniform shares the story of the Charity using traditional symbolism and contemporary design to depict people, country, and their two homes.

Saretta, Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW CEO Ross Bingham, and Community Engagement Coordinator Kerryn Scully dropped into Newcastle in the Morning today to talk about the initiative and let us know how we can all help support Ronald McDonald House here in the Hunter.

Award-winning country music artist, Melinda Schneider is headed to Lizotte’s Newcastle on 3 September as part of her Love Songs tour, a show inspired by the unconditional love Melinda has found with her long-time partner and Choirboys frontman, Mark Gable, whom she will marry in September.

Melinda dropped into the Newcastle Live Studios this morning to chat with Tracy on Newcastle in The Morning about her recent battle with depression, impending marriage at 50, and the life that shaped her music.

Listen back to the chat below, and stick around for her live in-studio performance of the song, I Will Always Love You.

The new vision for Darby Street is on public exhibition and is getting mixed reactions.

It's worked in LA, the world's biggest car user city.... so what can we learn?

Zac Garred joins us from LA to discuss this and other issues in our weekly catchup.