Stories Of Our Town

Last week we found ourselves at Eraring Powerstation talking to Brett Murphy (operations manager) about coal fired power past/present/future. Brett is the son of a miner and started at Eraring as an apprentice and now he’s there to navigate its closure in 2030. Currently this power station generates 25% of all NSW power. As part of the transition they’ve installed a $1b battery to capture the excess solar through the day and pump it out at night. I’d always heard the warm water coming out of the power station made for good fishing. We went to the outlet and met a guy (pictured) who retired 5 weeks ago from Eraring and had only made it 500m to this fishing spot. While we were there he pulled in 3 bream, so I guess the rumours are true.

So happy that Singleton Public Library is playing our film The Scott Sisters of Ash. It's such an important story and we are grateful to everyone that helped us make the film.

Cinema Club 🎬🍿
The Scott Sisters of Ash Island Documentary Screening
By Stories Of Our Town
Thursday 13 August | 6 - 7pm

The Scott Sisters of Ash Island is a story about Art, Science, Family, Survival, Loss and Conservation. It’s a story of two teenage sisters ignoring obstacles and turning the science world on its head at a time when women couldn’t study science. It is also a story of work so accurate and ground-breaking it is still used 170yrs later. This is an international story and the best parts of it happened in Newcastle.

Join us for this local history documentary screening!

A heap more interviews this week for our “How Coal Shaped Newcastle” film. Tony and I got some time with a true legend of the industry. Bob Cameron OA did a degree in mining, worked his way up working in mines, ran mines and eventually became MD/CEO and part owner of Centennial Coal. He’s also worked for Mines Rescue, ran Port Kembla Coal terminal and advised Governments. The first hand knowledge he has brought to this project is phenomenal. Every time we think we are close to finishing these three films another amazing storyteller turns up. Thank you to the MEU for the financial help with this project. .

Very excited to announce a new film and live music event coming Oct 1 for New Annual.
It's called Bizarre Newcastle. We are looking for stories about our Bizarre and Weird history. Give us some ideas. The movie will be shown amongst a Star Studded evening of music. By Local Legends Pucko, DJ Maynard (Castanets, Channel V, Triple J), Christa Hughes aka KK Juggy (Machine Gun Fe****io, Circus OZ) and Steve Abbott aka Sandman (Castanets, Triple J, Good News Week). It's going to a heap of fun and also "Old People" hours, doors open at 6.30, show finishes by 9 (You'll be back on the couch by 9.30 in your PJ's).
Please come. Book Now and tell your friends.https://tickets.newannual.com/WEBPAGES/EntaWebEvent/EventSBAndPrices.aspx

More interviews for our How Coal Shaped Newcastle 3 part series. Friday we were at Port Waratah Coal Services talking coal loading with the head honcho and legend of the industry Hennie du Plooy. This was fascinating. Over 150,000,000 tons of coal being shipped from Port Waratah every year. 40 trains (2km long) arrive everyday full of coal and demand hasn’t dropped. This topic is so polarising, especially in this area, that we are trying to give a voice to all sides.

The Coast in and around Newcastle Harbour (NSW) is littered with hundreds of shipwrecks occurring over two hundred years. For the full story, watch our film Shipwrecked Newcastle. This is a section from the film on a lesser known wreck, The Alpena. It’s a cracking story told by the cutest man to ever exist, Bill Hillier.
Enjoy

The Wreck of the Alpina The Coast in and around Newcastle Harbour (NSW) is littered with hu...

A little section from our Castanet Club film. Such a fun part of Newcastle’s history. You can watch the full film on our YouTube channel (Stories of Our Town). Like us if you like.

The Castanet Club Trailer This is a the trailer for our Castanet Club Film. The Castanet Clu...