The new year began on a sour note for residents of the multicultural Cooks Hill neighbourhood in Newcastle, who were targeted with racist and fascist propaganda delivered to their letterboxes. The incident, which occurred around New Year's Eve 2025, has drawn sharp condemnation from the local community.
Community Outrage Over Hate Mail
In a letter to the Newcastle Herald, local resident Wendy Atkins expressed the collective dismay of the joyous and friendly neighbourhood. She described the leaflets as "a load of crock" and highlighted the irony of their big, bold incorrect statements. Atkins did not mince words, suggesting that politicians who engage in dog-whistle politics of a similar sentiment belong in the same garbage depot as the perpetrators who spoiled the holiday for many.
The distribution of the material has been reported to Newcastle police, with the community united in its rejection of the racist attitudes delivered to their doors.
Honouring the Human Cost of Energy Transition
In another poignant letter, Rathmines resident Ken Thornton called for a more honest accounting of Australia's shift to renewable energy. While acknowledging the need for progress, Thornton argued that the closure of coal-fired power plants carries a significant human weight for the workers involved.
"For them, the closure is not an abstract policy outcome. It is the loss of routine, identity, pride, and place," he wrote. Thornton emphasised that honouring the contributions of power station workers—including operators, engineers, and support staff—does not weaken the future but strengthens the transition by acknowledging its personal costs.
Council CEO Pay Packet Debate Reignites
The issue of executive remuneration at local councils has also sparked debate as 2026 begins. Following a Herald report by Gabriel Fowler on December 31, 2025, Wallsend's Col Parkins voiced the displeasure of many ratepayers.
The story revealed that the majority of Hunter region CEOs, including those on the Central Coast, earn well in excess of $500,000 annually—a figure that surpasses the NSW Premier's salary of $431,540. Nine councils reportedly spend close to $4 million combined on their top executives' pay each year, prompting Parkins to warn residents to prepare for more potential rate increases.
Firearms Debate: Safety vs. Necessity
The perennial national debate over gun laws found a local voice in the letters pages. Mount Hutton's John Ure argued for a reversal of the onus of proof for firearm licences, stating that applicants should have to demonstrate a genuine, compelling reason and need, with the bar set high. He questioned why residents need firearms in suburban areas and why farmers require more than four guns.
This perspective was challenged by Cameron Park's Mal Sinclair, who defended the role of licensed hunters in feral animal control. Sinclair pointed out that many farmers rely on hunters from towns and cities to manage pests and that laws requiring the humane destruction of animals often necessitate specific, more powerful firearms. He cited ABC reports from 2008 about the dangers of feral deer, noting numbers have increased since.
Other community voices rounded out the first letters of 2026:
Julie Robinson of Cardiff advocated for keeping the Newcastle Ocean Baths casual, suggesting hot chips and Pluto pups over fine dining. Woodberry's Peter Ronne questioned the focus of a potential royal commission into anti-Semitism, arguing instead for a broader inquiry into all forms of bigotry. Warners Bay's Ian King expressed shock at a previous letter's praise for Newcastle City Council, strongly disagreeing with the sentiment. Finally, Dora Creek's Carl Stevenson made a bold political call, suggesting NSW Premier Chris Minns, with his no-nonsense approach, should be the country's Prime Minister.
The Newcastle Herald continues to invite community opinion via email or text, asking for correspondence to be under 200 words for letters and under 50 for Short Takes.
