Purchase a book, learn how to live smart or view some adorable
pooches, there’s plenty of events to spring into.

The Friends of the University 2023 Book Fair

• Where: Great Hall, Callaghan campus
• When: 9-16 September
• Cost: Free

Since it opened the doors to its first Book Fair in 1983, The Friends of the University has raised almost $1 million dollars for students at Newcastle’s largest learning hub. 

And, this month, the group of volunteers behind the event will celebrate its 40th anniversary. 

They plan to host a record-breaking eight-day sale, offering more than 60,000 second-hand books, CDs, DVDs, music scores and vinyl records. 

Among the gems available are The Norton Facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare, the First Views of Australia 1788 – 1825: A History of Early Sydney and a stunning copy of The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which has a rare treatment called gauffering with embossed gold edging on the side of the pages.  

The 2023 Book Fair will open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and between 10am and 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. 

2023 Living Smart Festival

• Where: Speers Point Park; Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima
• When: Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September
• Cost: Free

Craig Reucassel will headline the 2023 Living Smart Festival.

The former Chaser comedian and eco-warrior is set to bring his enthusiasm for clean living to the annual two-day event at Speers Point Park from Saturday 16 September.

And, after gaining much support last year, the Living Together Festival will also feature on day two of the extravaganza.

This branding sees the celebration of multi-culturalism and inclusivity, and will include world music, international cooking demonstrations, workshops and family-friendly immersive displays and activities.

The annual Feast for the Senses dinner returns, too, shifting to the Saturday evening at the Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima.

Charity OzHarvest will present a gourmet menu featuring rescued food, echoing the waste-awareness theme of this year’s festival.

Saturday’s free event is expected to showcase workshops, demonstrations, market stalls, a native plant giveaway and a school garden bed competition.

Dachshtober Longdog Festival

• Where: Tocal Agricultural College
• When: Sunday 15 October
• Cost: $25 (adults)

Like all great ideas, it started small, and then grew legs. 

A throw-away line at a play date about a dog event in the Hunter region that could attract a few hundred people and their pets. 

But, Dachshtober Longdog Festival has become so much more; it’s now expected to race into the record books. 

Celebrating the Dachshund dog breed and all the traits their owners believe make it stand above the rest, the one-day extravaganza is predicted to attract more than 4,000 people to Paterson. 

Organisers hope to raise awareness and funds for the research of IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease), too.

The Dachshtober Longdog Festival will take place in the grounds of Tocal Agricultural College on Sunday 15 October from 10am to 4pm.

It’ll also be home to a record-breaking attempt, as organisers hope to beat the Guinness World Record for the largest number of sausage dogs at one event. 

For more entertainment stories:

• Motocross legend Robbie Maddison freestyling his way to Newy
• Are we ever gonna see their faces again… and the answer is ‘yes’
• What’s On in Newcastle

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