Sage Swinton
@sageswinton.bsky.social
Journalist for the Newcastle Herald. Name often misheard as Paige, Faith, Jade and once even Dave. Views are my own.
sage.swinton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
sage.swinton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
"When I heard Bev's story, I knew it wasn't just one individual issue, it's potentially a systemic gap that needs urgent attention.”
'Systemic gap' fears: MP escalates Bev's battle for healthcare
'My hope is that Bev's experience sparks change so no one else in our community faces the same...
www.newcastleherald.com.au
August 26, 2025 at 8:37 AM
"When I heard Bev's story, I knew it wasn't just one individual issue, it's potentially a systemic gap that needs urgent attention.”
Bev Warn, who uses a wheelchair, says she has gone without medical care for a year-long chronic health issue, as she cannot find a GP with a hoist.
Why Bev has had to go without medical care for a year-long health issue
'Don't people realise how impossible it is to get basic health care when you can't stand up to...
www.newcastleherald.com.au
August 20, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Bev Warn, who uses a wheelchair, says she has gone without medical care for a year-long chronic health issue, as she cannot find a GP with a hoist.
September to December is expected to be wetter than average.
Wet until December: why it keeps raining and how much more is on the way
Some Hunter areas have had more than the average monthly rainfall in the first week of August.
www.newcastleherald.com.au
August 8, 2025 at 4:27 AM
September to December is expected to be wetter than average.
While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing woman.
Body found during search for woman missing in floodwaters at Rothbury
While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing...
www.newcastleherald.com.au
August 6, 2025 at 5:20 AM
While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing woman.
It has been a rough week in the Hunter for many. I’ve been out on the flood grounds speaking to locals and the one thing that never wavers is the community spirit visible in each area. Here’s some of my coverage
'We'll pick up': How an isolated town survives with neighbourly tinny boats
"You say 'I've got to go into town to do some shopping' so I'll just ring someone up...
www.newcastleherald.com.au
May 23, 2025 at 9:05 AM
It has been a rough week in the Hunter for many. I’ve been out on the flood grounds speaking to locals and the one thing that never wavers is the community spirit visible in each area. Here’s some of my coverage
Volunteers on the booths I visited said it seemed that many voters had already made up their minds before they got out of their cars. Several also said most people refused to take any how-to-vote material at all.
What does shoving pamphlets in voters' faces achieve?
OPINION: The baffling behaviour on polling booths doesn't seem to do much but annoy voters.
www.newcastleherald.com.au
May 8, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Volunteers on the booths I visited said it seemed that many voters had already made up their minds before they got out of their cars. Several also said most people refused to take any how-to-vote material at all.
Emerald’s life was tragically cut short at the hands of her boyfriend Jordan Miller at Metford in June 2020, when she was just 18. Her family is doing everything in its power to honour her memory and fight for other victims.
Emerald's legacy: how a mourning family is fighting to help other victims
Ahead of the National Rally Against Violence in Newcastle, Emerald Wardle's family speak out.
www.newcastleherald.com.au
May 8, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Emerald’s life was tragically cut short at the hands of her boyfriend Jordan Miller at Metford in June 2020, when she was just 18. Her family is doing everything in its power to honour her memory and fight for other victims.
“The people in government, if only they could walk in our shoes.
It can happen to anyone at the drop of a hat.”
It can happen to anyone at the drop of a hat.”
'I didn't expect it': the LGA where rough sleeping has almost doubled in a year
"The people in government, if only they could walk in our shoes... It can happen to anyone at...
www.newcastleherald.com.au
May 6, 2025 at 7:35 AM
“The people in government, if only they could walk in our shoes.
It can happen to anyone at the drop of a hat.”
It can happen to anyone at the drop of a hat.”
Backyard breeders are taking advantage of the rise in the breeds' popularity, and animal rescues are picking up the pieces when dogs are surrendered with health issues.
Sausage dogs and French bulldog popularity drives surrender surge
Dog Rescue Newcastle founder Sue Barker said both breeds had common health issues.
www.newcastleherald.com.au
April 15, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Backyard breeders are taking advantage of the rise in the breeds' popularity, and animal rescues are picking up the pieces when dogs are surrendered with health issues.
Emma Johnson said she received hundreds of messages a day from far and wide since sharing her story, and the response had given her hope in the darkest times.
Cancer battle: Emma's trip booked after huge outpouring of support
'The support has made me stronger. Even though I know I'm strong, in my darker days, it really...
www.newcastleherald.com.au
February 17, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Emma Johnson said she received hundreds of messages a day from far and wide since sharing her story, and the response had given her hope in the darkest times.
The Hunter region electorates were the only three NSW locations listed as not having available bulk-billing clinics and made up one-fifth of the total electorates across the country on the list.
Lack of bulk-billing for new patients in the Hunter, report finds
The report said the results "paint a concerning picture for accessibility of care".
www.newcastleherald.com.au
February 12, 2025 at 12:13 AM
The Hunter region electorates were the only three NSW locations listed as not having available bulk-billing clinics and made up one-fifth of the total electorates across the country on the list.
The Wickham high-rise project is in the hands of receivers and managers from KPMG after the development vehicle for the project, Dangar St Wickham Pty Ltd, was placed in receivership last year.
Bowline buyers feel they're being 'coerced' to rescind their contracts
Numerous buyers said they felt the receivers were pushing them to take refunds to create a more attractive...
www.newcastleherald.com.au
February 5, 2025 at 12:51 AM
The Wickham high-rise project is in the hands of receivers and managers from KPMG after the development vehicle for the project, Dangar St Wickham Pty Ltd, was placed in receivership last year.
One Hunter primary school has almost 1000 students
The Hunter schools growing the fastest as population surges
One Hunter suburb is home to the third largest primary school in regional NSW.
www.newcastleherald.com.au
January 31, 2025 at 11:14 PM
One Hunter primary school has almost 1000 students
In an email to staff, the council spruiked it would give away gifts including a hot air balloon ride, skydive, walking pad, Nintendo Switch, Dyson Airwrap, power tools, theatre tickets, Nutribullet, portable speaker, Yeti cooler, Cool Cabana and recliner camp chair.
City of Newcastle splashes ratepayer funds on luxury staff Christmas gifts
Newcastle council refuses to release cost of luxury staff Xmas gifts.
www.newcastleherald.com.au
January 24, 2025 at 1:55 AM
In an email to staff, the council spruiked it would give away gifts including a hot air balloon ride, skydive, walking pad, Nintendo Switch, Dyson Airwrap, power tools, theatre tickets, Nutribullet, portable speaker, Yeti cooler, Cool Cabana and recliner camp chair.
Inner-city Newcastle hotel to be replaced with 220 high-rise apartments
Inner-city hotel to be replaced with 220 high-rise apartments
The lodged plans include two residential towers reaching 23 and 19 storeys high.
www.newcastleherald.com.au
January 12, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Inner-city Newcastle hotel to be replaced with 220 high-rise apartments
Controversial radio host hits Newcastle airwaves
Controversial radio host hits Newcastle airwaves
Chris Smith is the new host of the morning show on Super Radio Network stations.
www.newcastleherald.com.au
January 9, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Controversial radio host hits Newcastle airwaves
"It [the van] has not only enabled me to live and carry on day-to-day activities but allowed my husband and I to reconnect," she said.
Woman devastated after wheelchair-accessible van deemed write-off from hail
The van, which Ms Honeysett described as her 'saviour' after an accident five years ago, has been deregistered.
www.newcastleherald.com.au
December 22, 2024 at 8:46 PM
"It [the van] has not only enabled me to live and carry on day-to-day activities but allowed my husband and I to reconnect," she said.
"There's not enough done for the arts. It's very hard for a lot of organisations," the Sculptures at Scratchley organiser said.
Well-loved sculpture event called off for 2025 after financial strains
The event that brought a giant whale sculpture to Fort Scratchley will not return next year.
www.newcastleherald.com.au
December 12, 2024 at 8:21 PM
"There's not enough done for the arts. It's very hard for a lot of organisations," the Sculptures at Scratchley organiser said.
A Hunter rent advocacy service has reported a 42 per cent increase in inquiries from tenants evicted for no given reason ahead of new legislation banning no-grounds evictions coming into effect.
Spike in no-grounds eviction inquiries ahead of ban, Hunter service reports
The state government passed legislation in October prohibiting no-grounds evictions, but the rule is not expected to come...
www.newcastleherald.com.au
December 11, 2024 at 10:57 PM
A Hunter rent advocacy service has reported a 42 per cent increase in inquiries from tenants evicted for no given reason ahead of new legislation banning no-grounds evictions coming into effect.
There are more than 40,000 items to claim across the region, at an average of $307 per claim.
Hunter residents missing out on $12 million in unclaimed money
There are more than 40,000 items to claim across the region, at an average of $307 per claim.
www.newcastleherald.com.au
December 8, 2024 at 10:27 PM
There are more than 40,000 items to claim across the region, at an average of $307 per claim.
It is the first time cost of living was the issue young people in NSW considered most important
Cost of living the top concern for Hunter young people, survey finds
60 per cent of young people are worried about cost of living and a third are extremely or...
www.newcastleherald.com.au
November 29, 2024 at 1:33 AM
It is the first time cost of living was the issue young people in NSW considered most important
"We were always ingrained in this ideal that you got married, bought a house and had a child and that was what kind of determined your success as a family," she said.
Two incomes, but working couple still locked out of housing market
Report reveals essential workers are being priced out of the housing market.
www.newcastleherald.com.au
November 26, 2024 at 12:55 AM
"We were always ingrained in this ideal that you got married, bought a house and had a child and that was what kind of determined your success as a family," she said.
"We are going to take our message directly to Anthony Albanese.” @risingtideaus.bsky.social
Rising Tide heads for Canberra with planning already underway for next event
'I think history shows that civil disobedience is one of the most effective ways of creating change.'
www.newcastleherald.com.au
November 25, 2024 at 6:48 AM
"We are going to take our message directly to Anthony Albanese.” @risingtideaus.bsky.social