University of Newcastle book fair aiming for 2023 return

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The Friends of the University of Newcastle are calling on the community to clean out their bookshelves in preparation for the 2023 book fair.

After a two-year COVID-induced hiatus, they are hoping the book fair will return mid-next year.

The Friends are accepting donations of books, CDs, records, DVDs and magazines on Tuesdays between 9am and midday, in the Bowman building at Callaghan Campus. 

Book Fair Convenor Lesley Gent, said any donations from the community will be greatly appreciated. 

"We sort them into categories," she said. "We have 50 categories and we take everything you can think of." 

"We have 28 volunteers who come and sort and pack every week and they haven't been able to do anything for two years so they're very excited." 

Ms Gent also said funds raised from the sales are used to support students across a range of disciplines at the University of Newcastle. 

"We have 10 student scholarships and all the money goes to that. We are all volunteers so we don't get paid. All the money we make goes to scholarships."

Further information including the location of the Bowman Building can be found on the Friends of the University of Newcastle website.

Donations for the Friends of the University of Newcastle Book Fair are now open. 

Hunter residents encouraged to donate to flood appeal

 BY CHARLOTTE LLOYD

Lifeline is calling on local residents for support following the recent severe flooding targeting across the state's east coast. 

The Northern Rivers region has been the worst affected with residents of Lismore and surrounding areas facing severe danger and loss. 

Lismore Lifeline has been lost under floodwaters, including the call centre, warehouse and local shops.

Lifeline call centres across Newcastle and the Central Coast, will be taking calls on 13 11 14 from up and down the coast, for those in need during this time.  

Hunter's Lifeline CEO Robert Sams is asking locals of the area for good quality donations of clothes and accessories to distribute directly to those running the evacuation centres. 

Monetary donations are also being accepted at any local Lifeline Centre and Sams is urging anyone to get involved by donating what they can

A warehouse has been secured at 27/54 Clyde St in Hamilton North for all donation drop-offs, operating 8am-4pm Monday to Friday.

CEO Lifeline Hunter, Robert Sams
Image Credit: Lifeline Direct

Hunter charity filling back-to-school backpacks for rural students

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A new Hunter charity is asking locals to donate, to put together backpacks and back-to-school kits for children in disadvantaged parts of the region.

The Backpack Venture was established last March in response to concerns that support programs for rural parts of the Hunter weren't up to scratch with those in the city.

They're looking for backpacks, lunchboxes, and stationary for students, as well as sanitary items for young girls.

Volunteer Colleen Mulholland says it would be great to see the Hunter add a donation or two to our shopping list.

"We're asking anyone just to supply anything that you can supply," Ms Mulholland said.

"It can be a simple ruler, pencil, sharpener, textas, drink bottles, lunch bottles, whatever anyone feels that they can afford to donate."

The charity are hoping to deliver the backpacks to local principals just before school heads back, with a target of 400 backpacks and 200 emergency kits for girls.

People interested in donating can drop items off at any of the listed locations:

• Stockland - Centre Management Office
• Stockland - Centre Management Office
• Salamander Bay Square - Centre Management Office
• Maitland Riverside Plaza - Centre Management Office
• Nova Air and Electrical - 161 Maitland Rd, Tighes Hill
• Sonia Hornery MP - 67 Nelson St, Wallsend
• Survivor's R Us Incorporated - 57 Pendlebury Rd, Cardiff
• R&R Property - 8 William St, Raymond Terrace
• Fibonacci Coffee - 29 Rutherford Road, Muswellbrook 
• Cessnock Plaza Newsagency - Keene St, Cessnock
• Julz Clothing - Branxton 
• Fingal Twilight Markets

Ms Mulholland says it's exciting to see the community rally behind the movement.

"When you hear those type of stories, you know not only us, but the community itself, is making a difference," Ms Mulholland said.

"And not just a difference to family members, but children, and these people are out future generation."

Image credit: The Backpack Venture