He’s a Hunter hero – a sporting and community champion – now Kurt Fearnley can add the title AO to his name. The Paralympian and disability advocate heads a list of around two dozen locals recognised in this year’s honours list. View the full list of hunter recipients here

The state government is urging the Port of Newcastle to get on with the job, and start building the city’s long-awaited cruise ship terminal. The project has stalled, with the port citing spiralling costs… it’s asking the government for more money. FULL STATEMENT FROM PORT OF NEWCASTLE SPOKESPERSON: The Cruise Terminal is a project being run by Port of Newcastle for the region and our community. Port of Newcastle is supplying the land, the services and the berth and is running the project for the benefit of our region’s tourism industry. If judged on a financial basis, even after the Government’s funding, this would still not be an economically viable project for Port of Newcastle. This is a project for the benefit of the Hunter region’s community. For Port of Newcastle, it is not a commercially motivated project; it is …

From humble beginnings, it’s become a global force in medical research. HMRI is now celebrating 20 years, and this week its groundbreaking work is being recognised, splashed in colour across its home base of Newcastle.

There are music fans, but most are “wannabes” compared to Spice Girls devotee, Jyle Frame. Growing up in Newcastle, he’s spent the past two decades amassing a huge collection of memorabilia, which is one of the largest in the world. Now he’s been invited to take some of his most precious pieces to London for a major exhibition, celebrating all things Spice Girls.

The bushfire season may be over, but efforts are already underway to prepare for the next danger period. You may have spotted low-flying choppers around the Hunter in recent days, part of Ausgrid’s bid to reduce hazards.

From royalty to celebrities, and several thousand newlyweds… they’ve all walked through the doors of Newcastle’s historic Bella Vista. Now the landmark Mayfield residence, come function centre, is up for sale… and is expected to attract widespread interest.

One of the most complex sections of Newcastle’s light rail construction is set for completion, just as motorists brace for more road closures on Hunter Street. Worth Place will open to traffic tomorrow and become the main link between Honeysuckle and the city centre, while work concentrates on the Civic precinct.

A new approach to caring for children with a rare and dangerous condition, is bringing relief for Hunter families. The John Hunter Children’s Hospital has established a bleeding disorders clinic, with specialists coming together to give young patients the best chance of a healthy life.

One of few surviving World War Two diggers, Alf Carpenter is well-known around Newcastle… now his name’s set to be immortalised overseas. A plaque honouring his service is being taken to the Greek island of Crete, the scene of a dramatic battle.

They’re the hugely popular band you’ve probably never heard of, playing up to 200 gigs a year to a very select audience. The Busy Bees have been bringing live music and joy to nursing homes around Newcastle for three decades, a remarkable feat in itself, but even more impressive when you consider they’re all volunteers. But now as band members get on in age themselves, they’re asking who will step up to the microphone next?