We take a moment to reflect on the past year of 2021 and what a year it has been.
Firstly, We would like to acknowledge and share our warmest thanks for the support NovoNews has received in its first official year of publication.
We have reported on hundreds of local community-minded stories from culture, art, sport, health, societal issues, events, education, and individual stories of the Novocastrian people.
The past two years have been challenging and completely “unprecedented” for everyone, but they have also been unique, particularly this year.
At the beginning of 2021, we thought we had seen the last of COVID-19.
The month of March saw a significant easing of rules, from no capacity limits at weddings or funerals, singing and dancing was allowed, and masks were no more.
For what seemed like a split second of “freedom”, COVID-19 had other plans.
New wave Delta grasped onto 2021 and didn’t let go as Newcastle, and the Hunter entered a snap lockdown in August. We were involuntarily strapped into a never-ending roller coaster of ups and downs (or ins and outs) of lockdowns, outbreaks, 11 am press conferences, testing rates, mask mandates, vaccination rates, recovery funding, event postponements and protests.
While the 70 per cent fully vaccinated targets were reached, NSW residents saw the resignation of former premier Gladys Berejiklian and the commencement of the new Premier Dominic Perrottet, who finessed the NSW Government’s roadmap to freedom.
We soon hit 80 per cent fully vaccinated, and major easing of restrictions began. For non-essential businesses, QR check-ins and proof of double vaccinations were required.
Freedoms came for the unvaccinated on December 15, but not before the new wave of Omicron decided to steal the show.
Newcastle experienced the “super spreader event of the year” with thousands of Newcastle and Hunter residents testing positive for the new strain after four positive cases attended The Argyle House in early December.
With hundreds of daily cases in the Hunter and thousands in NSW, many of us had to face the reality of a Christmas in lockdown, hour-long testing lines and money spent on rapid antigen tests.
Amongst the COVID-19 chaos, it’s easy to forget the positive news and events that occurred in 2021.
The year began with a creatively ambitious art festival that saw Newcastle explode with contemporary dancing, live art performances, and spectacular cabaret.
New Annual was held from February 12 to 21 and showcased the communities journey through artistic expression from more than 100 local and visiting artists.
A festival highlight was Fingers Crossed Creative’s Intergalacular Sci-Fi Spectacular. This bizarre show was full of cabaret singing, burlesque dancing, alien acrobatics and rainbow spandex, which had the audience’s mouth wide open with amazement.
Two significant societal events were held in Newcastle this year, March4Justice and the Stop PEP11 Paddle out.
Over 2000 people said, “enough” to gender discrimination, gendered violence, sexual assault, misogyny, corruption, and dangerous workplace cultures at Newcastle’s March4Justice in March.
And in May, a protest against oil and gas exploration along the Newcastle coast saw a 500 strong crowd paddle out at Nobbys Beach, telling PEP11 to “PEP OFF”.
Recently, the Federal Government took the first steps towards cancelling the PEP11 permit, to the delight of hundreds of community members who had protested against it for years.
In sport, the World Surf League (WSL)’s Newcastle Cup kicked off in April, where Novocastrians saw 52 professional surfers battle it out on Merewether Beach.
After knocking out world champs and seasoned professionals, local surfer and championship tour rookie Morgan Cibilic made his mark on the competition.
We also watched on as Aussie athletes were thrust onto the world stage, competing in the 2021 Summer Olympics in July. A few Newcastle locals made an appearance, including Merewether-born-and-raised Olympic diver Sam Fricker.
In November, the inaugural Newcastle Garden Awards unearthed some horticultural masterpieces around Newcastle and drew attention to the simple joy of pottering in the backyard.
Lastly, in December, for the first time in Newcastle’s 220-year history, nine women were elected to Newcastle City Council, making up almost three quarters of the spots in the new 13 person council.
We know it’s been a year of ups and downs for everyone in Newcastle, but we hope the New Year brings better days.
From the team at NovoNews, we wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season.
Hayley McMahon