As the festive season's financial pressure mounts, a savvy Newcastle mother is sharing her simple strategy to slash hundreds of dollars off the Christmas grocery bill. Meanwhile, the Hunter region celebrates significant business achievements, from a top-ranked startup accelerator to a major new tourism development.
Banking Points for the Festive Feast
Cardiff mum of three, Ciarne Brooks, has banked over $260 this year by strategically saving her Woolworths Everyday Rewards points in the dedicated 'Bank of Christmas' promotion. The primary school teacher plans to use the stored cash for her holiday food shop, which traditionally includes a lamb roast and a special dessert.
"I kind of just try to find other ways to save money," Ms Brooks told the Newcastle Herald. "I'm pretty sure that this is my third or fourth year that I've banked for Christmas."
She is far from alone. Woolworths data shows that in 2025, more than 800,000 Everyday Rewards members have chosen to bank their points for Christmas spending, with an average of $100 saved per member. The week beginning December 22 is projected to be the most popular redemption period this year.
Beyond the Points: A Multi-Pronged Saving Strategy
Ciarne Brooks employs several other clever tactics to keep December costs down. She shops the Black Friday sales for gifts and spreads the cost of gift cards for daycare educators across several months.
"I am also part of all the rewards programs like Flybuys," she said. "And anywhere that provides a discount by signing up to a newsletter or providing my mobile number, like Bakers Delight, I do that for a voucher or a cheaper price. I think it's quick and easy."
Last year, the most popular items bought with banked points were fresh strawberries, Woolworths leg ham, avocados, bananas, and thickened cream.
Hunter Innovation Wins National Acclaim
In local business news, the University of Newcastle's Integrated Innovation Network (I2N) has been named the most recommended startup accelerator in Australia by the Startup Muster survey.
Since its 2016 launch, I2N has supported 188 startups and small businesses, which have collectively raised over $62.7 million in capital, created 280 jobs, and contributed $44.1 million in wages to the Hunter and Central Coast economies.
"This achievement demonstrates that high-quality innovation support can thrive in regional Australia," said University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky. "Founders no longer need to relocate to Sydney or Melbourne."
Notable I2N success stories include digital health startup Meno Mojo, inclusive beauty tool company ByStorm Beauty, and reusable menstrual disc maker Hey Zomi. Expressions of interest for its 2026 Accelerator program are now open.
Luxury Golf Course to Transform Lovedale
Further boosting the region's tourism appeal, the 18-hole championship golf course at Lovedale Farm is generating significant excitement ahead of its planned 2028 opening. Golf NSW CEO Stuart Fraser has labelled it a "milestone project for the state."
Spanning 600 acres opposite The Vintage, the Capital Corporation development will also feature a clubhouse, 500 houses, a 300-room resort, and extensive leisure facilities. Site work on the course begins in March 2026.
Convenience at a Click: Uber Eats and Coles Expand Partnership
For those seeking last-minute holiday items, convenience is increasing. Uber Eats has significantly expanded its partnership with Coles, making over 17,000 supermarket products available for delivery in under an hour. From December 26, Uber Eats will become Coles' exclusive on-demand delivery partner.
Data from Christmas 2024 highlights festive trends: the Coles Gingerbread house was the top seller, demand for wrapping paper spiked 800% in the week before Christmas, and nearly a third of all prawns sold in December were purchased on Christmas Eve.
