Even though it wasn’t long ago, we are casting our minds back to November.
By November, things were beginning to return to normal in Australia, with everyone excited for Christmas and spending time with family.
Here are a few of our favourite stories from the month.
Spotlight on “forgotten cancer”
From 15 to 21 November, it was Skin Cancer Action Week and Newcastle Weekly spoke to Selwyn Robinson about his journey with non-melanoma skin cancer.
The 62-year-old said he knew he should protect his skin and wear sunscreen but being “young and silly” meant he did not fully understand the consequences.
He is now urging others to protect their skin.
Mitch Revs is changing the colour of 2020
We featured Mitch Revs on one of our covers in November. Journalist Rebecca Riddle caught up with the artist to talk about his exhibition All in a Year.
Revs hoped the exhibition would reflect a new calm that came about after a year that was like no other.
Smiles aplenty as Melbourne flight touches down at Newcastle
There were smiles aplenty, and many hugs, at Newcastle Airport in late November when the first Melbourne flight touched down following the re-opening of the NSW/Victoria border.
The A320 plane load of passengers, on board Jetstar JQ474, landed at 11.50am on 23 November, carrying mostly family and friends who had been separated by COVID-19 boundary restrictions since 10 July.
State Budget 2020-21: How the Hunter fared
The State Budget was released in November, with the Hunter receiving a mixed bag of offerings.
The region’s Labor MPs were predictably disappointed with the figures handed down by Treasurer Dominic Perrottet.
Read more on how the Hunter fared here.
New Marine Rescue home opens in Swansea
Earlier in the month, Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie opened its new headquarters at Swansea.
The volunteer organisation, which deals with an average of two to three assists each day, now has a state-of-the-art facility befitting its reputation as the busiest marine rescue unit in NSW.
Lake Macquarie unit commander Malcolm Druce said the new headquarters allowed its 150 volunteers to feel ready to deal with any emergency that may arise.
Read more on the new headquarters here.
The Hunter remembers our soldiers’ sacrifices
While restrictions eased in November, the number allowed to attend events was still considerably lower than what the nation was used to.
These restrictions meant that our Remembrance Day services were like no other, with only small numbers allowed to attend ceremonies across the Hunter.
The Merewether-Hamilton-Adamstown RSL Sub-Branch hosted a service at the striking heritage war memorial in Gregson Park, Hamilton.
Remembrance Day event organiser, James Mackay OAM, said attendees welcomed the chance to commemorate in person.
Read more about 2020’s Remembrance Day here.
Bon voyage: Setting sail on 10-year journey
In November, Newcastle Weekly sat down with Will Fantom, who had been sailing in Newcastle in preparation for a 10-year journey around the world.
On Boxing Day (Saturday 26 December), Will and his sidekick Mistchief climbed aboard their British-built Colvic Countess 37 Cutter Rig Yacht in a bid to raise awareness and money for sailing initiatives that support the lives of people of all abilities.
Owen Craigie’s Chasing the Energy
Rugby league prodigy Owen Craigie faced many challenges throughout his illustrious career – some good, some not-so-good.
Newcastle Weekly journalist Rod Thompson sat down with the former Newcastle Knight to talk about his career, mental health and new initiative Chasing the Energy.
For more on that story, click here.
