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14 March 2026

☀️ Hospital scandal deepens

Mould crisis, missed hearings, plus your weekend stage picks ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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Morning Post

Newcastle

Saturday, 14 March 2026  •  Issue #621

☀️25°/18°
Mostly clear with UV index 9.7
☀️ UV 9.7  •  🌅 Sunset 7:12 PM
 

Good morning! Beautiful autumn Saturday ahead with temps hitting 25° — but don't forget that sunscreen with UV pushing nearly 10. Today we're unpacking the hospital scandal that's got everyone talking, plus your weekend theatre picks.

— Nathan, Editor

At a Glance

☀️ 25°/18° — Mostly clear with UV index 9.7

📰 Whistleblower exposes mould-ridden hospital conditions

🎭 The Book of Mormon + 4 more events

🍳 Recipe of the Week: Classic Lamb Shanks

🕰️ On this day in 1975: Cyclone Tracy survivors were officially allowed to return to Darwin...

Today's Newcastle

Whistleblower exposes mould-ridden hospital conditions

A former manager at Mater Hospital has blown the whistle on shocking conditions including mouldy vents, inadequate separation of sewage and drinking water, and staff using sanitary pads to soak up rainwater leaks. The revelations came during a parliamentary inquiry into the Newcastle facility's maintenance crisis.

via ABC Newcastle

Police warn elderly residents targeted in card theft scam

A brazen robbery in Fletcher has sparked a police warning stretching from Newcastle to Sydney. Thieves are specifically targeting elderly victims in card theft schemes, with an 81-year-old among recent victims.

via Newcastle Herald

Around Australia

Former spy chief urges urgent action on security failures

Dennis Richardson has quit the Bondi attack inquiry, calling for immediate action on intelligence agency failures rather than waiting until December for the royal commission's final report.

via The Guardian Australia

Fuel reserves tapped as shortage fears grow

Energy Minister Chris Bowen has released 20 percent of Australia's fuel reserves as experts warn rationing could be on the cards amid ongoing supply concerns.

via SBS News

Around the World

US bombs Iran's main oil export terminal — The US military has struck targets on Iran's Kharg Island in what's being called one of the most powerful bombing raids in Middle East history.

via SBS News

Alps avalanche deaths pass 100 this season — French rescuers blame poor weather conditions and underprepared skiers for a deadly season in the Alps.

via BBC World

What's On

Theatre & Performance

Every Saturday we spotlight theatre and performances around Newcastle.

15 Mar · Theatre

The Book of Mormon

Civic Theatre, March 12-23

The nine-time Tony Award winner returns with its irreverent humour and unforgettable songs.

20 Mar · Comedy

Ross Noble: Jibber Jabber Jamboree

Civic Theatre, March 20

The master of improvised comedy brings his wonderfully unpredictable show to town.

22 Mar · Music

Newcastle Symphony Orchestra

Civic Theatre, March 22

Experience the power of live orchestral music with our city's finest musicians.

28 Mar · Dance

Australian Ballet: Giselle

Civic Theatre, March 28-29

The timeless tragic romance brought to life by Australia's premier ballet company.

5 Apr · Theatre

Hamilton

Civic Theatre, April 5-27

The revolutionary musical phenomenon finally arrives — book now before it sells out.

Got an event to share? Let us know →

Recipe of the Week

Every Saturday we share a recipe worth trying.

Classic Lamb Shanks

Serves 4 · 3 hours

Nothing beats slow-cooked lamb shanks on a cool autumn evening. This is the kind of recipe that fills the house with the most incredible smell and practically cooks itself.

Ingredients

• 4 lamb shanks

• 2 tins crushed tomatoes

• 1 cup red wine (or beef stock)

• 2 carrots, diced

• 2 celery sticks, diced

• 1 onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, crushed

• 2 tbsp plain flour

• Fresh rosemary, salt and pepper

Method

1. Season shanks with salt and pepper, dust with flour. Brown in a heavy pot with a splash of olive oil.

2. Remove shanks. Sauté onion, carrot, celery and garlic until softened, about 5 minutes.

3. Return shanks to the pot, add tomatoes, wine and rosemary. Bring to a gentle simmer.

4. Cover tightly and cook in a 160°C oven for 2.5 hours until the meat is falling off the bone.

5. Serve over creamy mashed potato with crusty bread to mop up the sauce.

What's your go-to comfort food recipe when the weather turns cool? Hit reply and share.

Just hit reply and tell us — we'll share the best answers on Tuesday.

Daily Brainteaser

🧩

What five-letter word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it?

Answer revealed at the bottom of today's edition.

Daily Games

💡 Today's Featured Game

Word Ladder

5 steps · ~2 min

GOLD → RUST

Change one letter at a time · Par: 5 steps

Play Word Ladder →
🧠 Trivia · Australia · 15 Qs→
What iconic Australian building features distinctive white sail-shaped...
✏️ Crossword · 5×5 Mini→
1 Across: Current fashion or direction
🧩 Sudoku · 3 difficulties→
Gentle · Moderate · Tricky

On This Day

Anniversary of

• Cyclone Tracy survivors were officially allowed to return to Darwin after the devastating December 1974 cyclone. (1975)

• Jack Ruby was convicted of murdering Lee Harvey Oswald, the assassin of President John F. Kennedy. (1964)

• American astronaut Norman Thagard became the first American to travel to space aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. (1995)

• Karl Marx, German philosopher and author of Das Kapital, died in London. (1883)

🎂 Born on this day: British actor Michael Caine (1933), American music producer Quincy Jones (1933), and American actor and comedian Billy Crystal (1948).

Brainteaser Answer
'Short' — add 'er' and it becomes 'shorter.'

Have a lovely Saturday.

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