A collective of Hunter Region entrepreneurs and a family synonymous with Australian golf have joined forces to launch Golf Daze.
Golf Daze is a mobile golf simulator housed inside a purpose-built caravan. The concept features Full Swing KIT technology - the simulator developed with Tiger Woods - allowing players to experience more than 1000 world-famous courses in stunning 4K resolution.
The team behind Golf Daze includes general manager and co-founder Mark Forster, entrepreneur and Camplify founder Justin Hales, and investor and ambassador Clint Newton OAM.
The collaboration brings together relationships forged over decades.
Forster and Hales met playing junior cricket in Kurri Kurri as children and have remained close friends for almost 40 years, while Forster and Newton first crossed paths at Jack Newton Junior Golf tournaments.
"Golf Daze is all about making golf more accessible, social and flexible. We want more people to feel the excitement of hitting a good shot that sparks their passion for golf and helps the game grow," Forster said.
"The beauty of the concept is simple - if you can park a caravan there, we can play golf. Whether it's a corporate event, school, sporting clubs, or a special occasion, we can bring the golfing experience directly to people, creating opportunities for all ages and skill levels to get involved."
Forster will oversee the Newcastle operation until a franchise partner is appointed.
Newton's family name is synonymous with Australian golf. As the son of Jack Newton OAM, one of Australia's greatest-ever golfers, Newton grew up immersed in the sport before forging his own successful career in rugby league and sports administration.
Today, as chairman of Jack Newton Junior Golf, he remains committed to creating opportunities for more Australians to discover the game.
"My father's mission was always underpinned by the values he instils in players - honesty, trust, integrity, respect - but just as important, he wanted as many kids as possible and people of all ages to be provided with the opportunity to get a golf club in their hands and have fun. Golf Daze ticks those boxes, and I'm thrilled to be joining two passionate Hunter entrepreneurs to make this possible," he said.
To find out more or to book Golf Daze for your next event, visit golfdaze.com.au
Murals are being used as a deterrent against graffiti hotspots in Mayfield.
The latest is by artist Daniel van de Wei, and it has transformed a prominent gateway into the Newcastle suburb at 2 Hanbury Street, near Waratah Train Station.
Funded by the Mayfield Business Improvement Association (BIA), the mural replaces a graffiti-prone fence that association chair Aaron Buman said had long detracted from the area's appearance.
The mural - Mayfield's 19th - incorporates elements of the association's "This is Mayfield" branding and aims to improve first impressions of the suburb and reinforce local identity.
"We saw an opportunity to create something visually engaging that also celebrates Mayfield's character and history," Buman said.
"All murals funded by us have anti-graffiti coating which enables us to easily clean the mural and protect our investment."
The project builds on the BIA's ongoing partnership with The Rotary Club of Newcastle Enterprise, which has been delivering volunteer-led graffiti removal across Mayfield for several years.
"Funding from the Business Improvement Association allows us to equip our volunteers and continue maintaining public-facing areas," Rotary representative Damien Keegan said.
"Our team regularly undertakes clean-up efforts on private property to help keep Mayfield looking its best."
Buman said the mural was part of broader efforts by the Business Improvement Association to enhance the local environment, support businesses, and foster community pride.
A recently opened children's play and party destination at Charlestown Square is also a first for the Hunter Region.
It's called Little Amigos, and it's located on Level 2, opposite Myer and next to Best & Less). Best parking available is in the Orange carpark.
Charlestown Square marketing manager, Sarah Kane, said Little Amigos was an exciting addition to the centre's growing family and entertainment offering, giving local families even more reasons to choose Charlestown Square for play, dining, shopping and connection.
"We're thrilled to welcome Little Amigos to Charlestown Square and to bring this much-loved family entertainment concept to the Hunter Region for the very first time," she said.
"Families are such an important part of our community, and we know our customers are always looking for convenient, engaging and high-quality experiences they can enjoy with their children. Little Amigos further enhances our offer as a place to shop, dine, connect and spend time together."
Hungry Jack's is celebrating its new and exclusive partnership with Uber Eats by giving customers an "unprecedented" discount.
Until Thursday, June 25, customers can enjoy half-price Hungry Jack's via Uber Eats, nationwide. The deal is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, through to late-night snacks.
"This is about giving customers a genuine break at a time when they need it most," Hungry Jack's delivery manager Angus Pragnell said.
"The unprecedented 50 per cent off everything celebrates Hungry Jack's new exclusive partnership with Uber Eats, and a partnership this big needs a big statement, which offers a huge reward to all our customers at more than 480 restaurants across the country."
Hunter residents can now access "Commonwealth Supported Places" to study a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care at TAFE NSW Glendale.
The subsidised places help to reduce the cost of study and support more people to retrain or start a career in early childhood education.
Nationally, more than 21,000 additional early childhood educators are needed to meet current demand, while only 13 per cent of the workforce holds a higher education degree.
Students can study a four-year Bachelor degree pathway or an accelerated two-and-a-half-year pathway for those who hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. The course prepares graduates to work with children from birth to five years and includes practical placement opportunities and industry-based learning.
Belmont local Elise Squires completed her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care (Birth-5) at TAFE NSW Glendale while balancing part-time study with full-time work in the sector.
"After completing my Certificate III, this bachelor's degree helped me expand my knowledge and gain the qualifications to take on greater responsibilities in the early childhood education field I love," she said.
"The degree also opened my eyes to opportunities beyond working directly with children, including training and mentoring future early childhood educators."
Applications close on June 26.
Close to $400,000 was raised for dementia research and support at Saturday night's HMRI Gala Ball at Newcastle's City Hall.
Dementia was identified as one of the community's biggest health concerns through Hunter Medical Research Institute's (HMRI) Health Pulse consultation, with rates in Hunter New England around 22 per cent higher than the national average and disproportionately affecting women.
More than 25,000 people across the region are currently living with dementia.
About 150 guests attended the ball and raised $388,910 to advance the work of HMRI Dementia Exchange, which aims to work alongside community pharmacies to support earlier conversations, education and intervention around dementia.
HMRI chief research partnerships officer Todd Williams said the result was one of the strongest demonstrations of community support for HMRI research to date.
"To raise almost $389,000 in a single evening is an extraordinary result," he said.
"The funds raised will help progress a practical, community-focused initiative that works through trusted local pharmacies to encourage earlier awareness, education and support for people at risk of dementia and their families.
"We know dementia touches thousands of families across our region. Earlier conversations and earlier intervention have the potential to make a meaningful difference, and this community has stepped up in a remarkable way to help make that happen."
