It'll be the 90th anniversary of the infamous Rothbury Riot at the end of this year and to mark the occasion, a dramatic re-enactment of the showdown is being organised.
The CFMEU (the mining and energy union) and North Rothbury Tiny Town announced in recent days they were arranging a three-part re-enactment and memorial service on December 15, the day before the anniversary.
Miners from the North Rothbury colliery marched on the mine on December 16, 1929, after being locked out by their bosses - who wanted to cut pay by more than 12 per cent on contract rates and one shilling a day on wages.
When the workers refused to accept the cut, they were locked out of the colliery and the bosses arranged for scab labour to come to the Hunter from Sydney.
Things came to a head when the locked-out miners marched to their workplace and a riot broke out, with police firing on the group.
Norman Brown, a 29-year-old miner from Greta, was killed and about 45 other workers were injured.
In a report about Brown's funeral four days after the riot, The Scone Advocate said Reverend Burnett "made an eloquent appeal to the vast gathering not to harbour thoughts of revenge".
About two months after the clash, The Raymond Terrace Examiner reported that Coroner D W Reed, who was investigating Brown's death, said police "exercised all ordinary skill and caution so as to do no more harm than could reasonably be avoided".
The incident is thought to be one of the bloodiest industrial encounters in Australian history. The re-enactment will be held on the site of the riot at North Rothbury.
Valuable nostalgia
The Hills Hoist, kangaroo and Vegemite have something new in common - they're each about to feature on a commemorative $1 coin.
The Great Aussie Coin Hunt is touring the nation, gradually unveiling an A-to-Z collection of Australia-themed gold coins - and the crew will stop in Newcastle today.
G for 'g'day', H for 'Hills Hoist', K for 'kangaroo', N for 'Neighbours' (a reference to the long-running TV soap), P for 'platypus', Q for 'quokka', V for 'Vegemite', and Y for 'yowie' are the newest additions revealed for the third week of the project.
There'll be a display at Wheeler Place between 10.30am and 1.30am, which will include a giant novelty Vegemite coin.
If you want to get your hands on one of the collectibles, they'll be given out among change at Australia Post outlets.
Sharp warning
Newcastle police have posted a warning on social media reminding people that it's against the law to carry a knife in public unless you have a reasonable excuse.
It comes after officers charged a 24-year-old Adamstown man late last week for carrying a blade at Centennial Park in Cooks Hill. He reportedly told the officers the knife was for self protection.
It turns out there are some valid reasons for having a knife with you, according to police, and self-protection isn't on the list.
Under the law, a reasonable excuse could include:
- that it's required for employment, education or training;
- food and drink preparation;
- participating in lawful entertainment, recreation or sport;
- displaying them for sale;
- being part of an official uniform;
- genuine religious purposes.
