Once upon a time, the couch was where Australians gathered to watch television.
Now, it’s a place where we scroll.
People’s lives, personalities and moments are delivered to us in bite-sized form.
A new wave of local influencers has become the “programming” of that scroll.
The faces on our screens may not be sitcom characters, but in many ways, they have become part of our everyday routines.
We watch their videos, follow their updates, laugh at their posts, save their recommendations and feel like we know them.
In our July edition, we wanted to celebrate some of the local creators, personalities and businesses who are helping entertain, inform and connect Newcastle through social media.
James Chapman – A message of hope
A bacon and egg roll was all that was on the line when James Chapman made a friendly bet with a mate to see who could reach 10,000 social media followers first.
It took him only four days to win the challenge.
Today, that light-hearted contest has evolved into a career that’s seen the Newcastle local build a loyal online audience by combining humour, lifestyle content and an honest look at life with dwarfism.
“I’ve had many times in my life where people have said I can’t do something,” James said.
“I think it’s a space for me to show the world that we’re not limited to what people might think.”
Rather than post lengthy lectures, Chapman believes humour is one of the most effective ways to change perceptions.
“I could stand there and do a 20-minute really boring chat… or I could make a one- minute reel that’s engaging and gets the point across,” he said.
“I’ve had many times in my life where people have said I can’t do something.”
Read the full story on James here:
James Chapman: Delivering a message of hope
Bronte – The ‘snake catcher’
For most people, finding a snake in the backyard is enough to spark panic.
For Newcastle snake catcher Bronte, it’s just another day at work and also another opportunity to educate thousands of people online.
In just over a year, she’s built a loyal social media following by taking viewers behind the scenes of real snake rescues and providing practical advice, helping reshape perceptions of Australia’s most misunderstood reptiles.
Her path to becoming one of Newcastle’s most recognisable wildlife creators wasn’t planned.
After spending more than a decade as a zookeeper, Bronte turned to snake-catching when she needed a career that offered more flexibility while allowing her to stay in the animal industry.
“I’ve always worked with snakes through zookeeping,” she said.
“But, snake-catching gave me the freedom to combine my passion for wildlife with educating people.”
While the business was created to reach locals rather than attract followers, social media quickly became an unexpected bonus.
One of her biggest breakthroughs came during a rescue at a local school, where she removed a red-bellied black snake as dozens of students watched from a safe distance.
“When I turned around, all the kids started cheering,” she said.
“It was such a lovely moment because they weren’t showing fear, they were
celebrating the rescue.
“Snake-catching gave me the freedom to combine my passion for wildlife while educating people.”
Read the full story on Bronte here:
Bronte the Snake Catcher: Educating a new generation
Fia Hamilton – Fitness Guru
The word “balance” is key in Newcastle- based model, wellness creator and fitness influencer Fia Hamilton’s vocabulary.
After relocating to the region, she documents her lifestyle, Pilates routines and nutrition tips to an audience of more than 25,000 across her Instagram profile.
She also collaborates with several high-profile brands.
“I’ve always been into health and fitness, so the transition was fairly easy,” Fia said.
“But, I started creating content when I worked towards my first bodybuilding show, which was probably about six years ago now.
“Pretty much from that point onwards, my social media just kicked into gear.”
Fia now prides herself on helping other women achieve their aspirations.
“I started creating content when I worked towards my first bodybuilding show, which was probably about six years ago.”
“I’m very big on training around their cycle and giving them a routine that caters towards their bodies,” she said.
“It’s something they relate to.
“Plus, I have a more holistic approach to health and fitness.
“I’m all about longevity, embracing a more sustainable lifestyle… and balance.”
Stay tuned to read more about Fia.
Dan Nilsson – Whats New in the Castle
If something big happens in Newcastle, chances are Dan Nilsson has already posted about it.
The creator behind What’s New in the Castle has built an online audience through turning local sport, community stories and some wit into daily entertainment.
His videos range from quick reactions to breaking local news and sporting moments to comedy skits celebrating the quirks of life in Newcastle.
“I’ve always wanted to showcase how good Newcastle is.”
One of his most recognisable series saw him run one kilometre for every point the Newcastle Knights lost during the NRL season – a challenge that quickly gained attention well beyond the Hunter.
“I’ve always wanted to showcase how good Newcastle is,” Dan said.
“My niche is being from Newcastle… there wasn’t really anyone doing it at the time.
“It’s also all about making someone laugh.”
Formerly with Triple M and 106.9 Newcastle, he worked in entertainment- style content and promotions.
Over time, those videos evolved into short-form content centred entirely around Newcastle.
Despite his growing following, Dan still works full-time as a firefighter, fitting content creation around shift work and everyday life.
He believes the real reason people continue to return to his page isn’t simply the jokes, but the connection.
“People love interaction,” he said.
“If someone reaches out and I respond, they feel connected.
“Having that sense of belonging is what matters.”
Stay tuned to read more about Dan.
Read the full story online here: July edition
