It's Australia Day this weekend and a dinky-di biscuit company has put an occa spin on a classic, but Topics isn't sure whether it falls on the genius or unsettling side of inventiveness.
Arnott's has released two new flavours of shapes - meat pie and sauce, and sausage sizzle - to mark the national day.
It's not the company's only foray into weird takes on classics - Newcastle Herald sharpshooter Simone De Peak spotted Diary Farmers milk that was flavoured with Arnott's Caramel Crowns and Wagon Wheels in the supermarket this week.
Topics has a particular soft spot for the choc-marshmallow-jam treat. We don't reckon there's any need to re-invent the (wagon) wheel.
Sonja's off one last time
One of only two vessels that calls the Port of Newcastle home has set off for the final time.
The 100 metre cargo ship Sonja stopped at the Hunter port more than 100 times over the past six years.
It and the dredger called David Allan were the only two boats that used Newcastle as a home base - meaning they refuel, change crew and re-stock supplies here - a Port of Newcastle spokesperson said earlier this week.
Bulldozer emptied
It's been a bad few weeks to own earth-moving gear in the Hunter Region.
Police say they are investigating the theft of 150 litres of diesel fuel taken from a bulldozer parked at Mount Warrawolong, west of Martinsville.
To make matters worse, apparently the bulldozer was being used to clear scrub as part of the ongoing bushfire fighting effort.
It comes after a bobcat was stolen from the Mount Arthur coal mine at Muswellbrook some time over the New Year period.
Winner, winner no chicken dinner
Last week Topics mentioned that someone from Tighes Hill didn't pick up the phone in time to win $80,000 from a popular breakfast TV show.
But a woman from Wallsend has had a stroke of luck this week, winning $100,000 in the Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot.
The woman and her husband - he apparently fell over from the shock of winning Monday night's draw - plan to renovate their bathroom with the winnings.
"We've never even won a chook raffle," she told NSW Lotteries.
The lucky ticket was bought at Wallsend Newsagency on Nelson Street.
Illness retires stallion
We were sad to hear from Arrowfield stud farm this week that Not A Single Doubt was being forced into retirement because of pulmonary disease that he can't seem to shake.
The Hunter stallion hasn't responded to treatment.
"He suffers respiratory compromise at rest and even short periods of hand walking exacerbate this," Arrowfield chairman John Messara said on the farm's website.
"Our head vet has advised that Not A Single Doubt is incapable of performing his breeding duties and accordingly he has been retired from active service.
"Not A Single Doubt is a wonderful story for Arrowfield and for many breeders, owners, buyers and trainers, rising from the bottom of our roster to become one of Australia's most popular and successful stallions. We are immensely grateful to him and he will be loved and cared for at Arrowfield for the rest of his life."
Not A Single Doubt has sired 69 Group and Listed winners, including 11 Group One winners.
Topics hopes he's on the mend soon.
