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22 March 2026

🌦️ Post office gets the nod

Heritage approval granted, fuel costs bite, and a festival returns ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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Morning Post

Newcastle

Monday, 23 March 2026  •  Issue #630

🌦️25°/18°
Shower or two, partly cloudy tomorrow
☀️ UV 8.8  •  🌅 Sunset 7:01 PM
 

Good morning! The Newcastle Post Office restoration finally gets heritage sign-off, fuel prices are forcing tough choices, and we're asking: have scam texts hit your phone lately?

— Nathan, Editor

At a Glance

🌦️ 25°/18° — Shower or two, partly cloudy tomorrow

📰 Post office restoration gets green light — now finish it, says government

🎨 Fort Scratchley Guided Tours + 3 more events

🛡️ Scam Watch: Fake Toll Road Notices

🕰️ On this day in 2001: Russian space station Mir was deliberately de-orbited and broke up...

Today's Newcastle

Post office restoration gets green light — now finish it, says government

Heritage NSW has approved Jerry Schwartz's application to restore the Newcastle Post Office. The government is now urging the developer to get cracking on the long-awaited project. It's a significant step forward for the iconic building that's been an eyesore for years.

via Newcastle Herald

Drivers turn to Afterpay as fuel prices soar

Rising fuel costs are forcing drivers across the country to make tough calls, with some using buy-now-pay-later services just to fill up. Regional residents are especially hard hit due to distance and limited public transport options.

via ABC Newcastle

Ride the Wave Festival returns after year off

The popular festival is back in Port Macquarie next week after a year-long break. Expect five days of top-notch surfing and skating plus a stacked line-up of local talent.

via NBN News

Around Australia

Matildas need a plan to avoid end-of-era worries

The Women's Asian Cup has exposed the need for a long-term strategy for Australian women's football. Without one, the Matildas may struggle to capture that elusive major trophy.

via ABC News

Around the World

Iranian missiles injure 180 near Israeli nuclear site — Israel is investigating how ballistic missiles breached its air defences, with 180 people injured in towns near a nuclear facility.

via BBC World

Sudan hospital strike kills at least 64 — An army drone attack on an East Darfur health facility killed 64 people and wounded 89, including children and medical staff.

via The Guardian World

What's On

What's On

Every Monday we spotlight arts and exhibitions worth seeing around Newcastle.

Exhibition

Fort Scratchley Guided Tours

Fort Scratchley, Nobbys Headland, Wed-Mon 10am-4pm

Go underground at the only Australian fort to fire on an enemy warship

Festival

Newcastle Fringe Festival

Various venues, until 29 Mar

A week of bold performances, quirky acts and creative energy across Newcastle

Sport

Lambourne Partners Race Day

Newcastle Racecourse, 23 Mar - 11 Apr

Dress up and enjoy a day at the races with friends

Music

Music Trivia at Son Of A Gun Diner

Son Of A Gun Diner, ongoing

Test your music knowledge over burgers and good vibes

Got an event to share? Let us know →

Scam Watch

Every Monday we help you spot the latest scams targeting Australians.

Fake Toll Road Notices

An SMS or email claims you have an unpaid toll and your fine is increasing by the hour. The link looks like a real toll road website but it's designed to steal your credit card details. Linkt and CityLink will never text you a payment link out of the blue.

How to protect yourself:

✓ Never click links in unexpected toll or fine messages

✓ Log into your toll account directly through the official app or website

✓ Check your actual toll account — if there's no outstanding balance, it's a scam

Have you received a scam text in the last month?

YesNo

Daily Brainteaser

🧩

What disappears as soon as you say its name?

Answer revealed at the bottom of today's edition.

Daily Games

💡 Today's Featured Game

Word Ladder

6 steps · ~2 min

COAL → FUEL

Change one letter at a time · Par: 6 steps

Play Word Ladder →

Yesterday 15 people played · Average: 5.1 steps

🧠 Trivia · Music & Entertainment · 7 Qs→
Which actress starred opposite Paul Newman in the 1969 Western 'Butch...
✏️ Crossword · 5×5 Mini→
1 Across: Green fruit or branch of peace

On This Day

Anniversary of

• Russian space station Mir was deliberately de-orbited and broke up over the Pacific Ocean after 15 years in orbit. (2001)

• President Ronald Reagan proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative, nicknamed Star Wars. (1983)

• Wayne Gretzky scored his 802nd NHL goal, breaking Gordie Howe's all-time record. (1994)

• Benito Mussolini founded the Italian Fascist Party in Milan. (1919)

🎂 Born on this day: American funk and soul singer Chaka Khan (1953), American Hollywood film star Joan Crawford (1905), and British runner who broke four-minute mile Roger Bannister (1929).

Brainteaser Answer
Silence.

One Last Smile

One Last Smile illustration

Every neighbourhood walk includes at least three dogs you know better than their owners.

Send this to a friend who’d laugh

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