Newcastle: The lives and times of a city
By (Author) Scott Bevan
NewSouth Publishing
NewSouth Publishing
1st October 2025
Australia
Non Fiction
History of other geographical groupings and regions or specific cultures / socie
Travel writing
Local history
Paperback
432
Width 153mm, Height 234mm
Newcastle finds itself on shifting ground. But it's not an earthquake, or subsidence due to an old mine. It's perception that's shifting.
Not only is Newcastle rapidly changing, but so are people's views of the city. People are 'discovering' Newcastle. Or, more pointedly, they are seeing Newcastle for what it is. In Newcastle Scott Bevan examines the character and the soul of the city he grew up in, its past and where it's likely to head. He traverses from early contact between the Awabakal people and missionary Lancelot Threlkeld, Newcastle's convict and steel city past, its famous children (from Silverchair to William Dobell) and the city's role as the world's largest coal export port, to its recent blossoming as a tourist destination and creative hub.
Scott Bevan was born in Newcastle and is a writer, journalist, broadcaster and playwright. He is the author of The Hunter, The Harbour: A city's heart, a country's soul, Battle Lines: Australian Artists at War, Water from the Moon: A Biography of John Fawcett and Bill: The Life of William Dobell. His documentary work includes Oll: The Life & Art of Margaret Olley, The Hunter and Arthur Philip: Governor, Sailor, Spy.