UPDATED: Wednesday 16 August 2023.
On this day in 1966 an RAAF Sabre jet crashed into the inner city suburb of The Junction, the pilot sadly died on impact.
On the 57th anniversary of this tragic event, we’re revealing the answers to our 9th August 2023 online quiz.
How well do you know Newcastle?
Thank you to local historian Julie Keating for testing our general knowledge of the former steel city.
- When the former Palais in Hunter Street West was demolished in 2008, hundreds of artefacts were uncovered and were scientifically dated. They indicate that the Awabakal people have lived in this area for how long?
Over 6,700 years
- What was the original name given to the breakwater constructed between Nobbys and the mainland?
Macquarie Pier
- Who was the first white man to officially come ashore at Newcastle in 1797?
Lt John Shortland
- What was the name originally given to what we know as Hamilton?
Borehole
What year did the first hotels open in Newcastle?
1823
- What was the original location of the coal monument?
Eastern end of Hunter Street, opposite Royal Newcastle Hospital
- How did Honeysuckle get its name?
Honeysuckle is another name for the coastal banksia which was originally the main plant species in the area.
- In the 1850s there were plans to blow up Nobbys. Why?
It was an idea put forward to make the harbour entrance safer.
9. When was Newcastle incorporated as a municipality?
1859
- Where did Newcastle Council meet before moving to the Town Hall at Civic in 1929?
55 Watt St, now used as premises for Newcastle Service Club.
- There has never been a school on Hunter Street. There is currently one church. What is it?
Sacred Heart Cathedral
- In the mid 1800s there were three copper smelters in the area. Where were they?
Port Waratah, Broadmeadow and Burwood Beach
- What store previously traded from the building occupied by David Jones in 1958?
Scotts
- Newcastle’s first museum was on the first floor of the Technical School of Mines and opened in 1894. What is the building used for today?
TAFE NSW Hunter Street
- Steggas Emporium, a row of seven two-storey shops, was built in 1886. The building still stands today. Where is it?
Corner of Hunter and Union Streets
- A tweed factory was built in 1843 and operated until it was destroyed by fire in 1851. Where was it located?
Stockton
- In 1857 the first section of the Great Northern Railway was opened. It commenced at Honeysuckle Station (near Civic Station) and continued to Victoria Street Station. There was one other station on the line. What was it?
Waratah
- A berthing masters house was built in 1879. It was later used as the Paymasters House for the railways. What is the building used for today?
Paymasters Cafe
- When Newcastle ceased to be a penal settlement in 1823, where were the convicts transferred to?
Port Macquarie
- Other names for Nobbys have been Hacking Point and Coal Island. What is the Aboriginal word for the location?
Whibayganba/Whibaygam
21. When Newcastle was a penal settlement, the major thoroughfare was Watt Street. Why was this?
Convicts mined coal near the top of Watt Street and transported it to the jetty at the bottom of the street
- What government building on the corner of Hunter and Bolton Streets had to be demolished to make way for the Post Office?
Court House
- The Ship Inn was one of the earliest hotels in Newcastle. What was its original location?
Bottom of Watt Street where Great Northern Hotel is now located
- Maryville House was owned by Newcastle’s first Mayor, and named after his wife, Mary. He was also the first Mayor of Wickham. What was his name?
James Hannell
- List five suburbs in Newcastle Australia that share the same name as suburbs in Newcastle UK.
Jesmond, Gateshead, Hexham, Morpeth, Newcastle
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