BATHS 2 BAR OCEAN SWIM

The Baths 2 Beach swim is open to everyone but given the terrible weather conditions, it took a special kind of person to brave the 1.5 kilometre journey this time around.

All up around 150 greeted the starter - Newcastle Knights forward Cory Paterson - before taking the plunge into a chilly Merewether beach.

It was a grandstand finish too with Joshua Hollard enjoying a sprint to the line on Bar Beach beating Jarrod Killey.

The event raised $10,000, which will be split between Cooks Hill, Merewether and Dixon Park surf clubs.

Click on for extended highlights.

NSW OPEN IS PURE VINTAGE-EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS

The season ending Von Nida golf Tour event at The Vintage may have been dominated by Aaron Townsend but it was more than a one man show.

Although he sealed the New South Wales Open by a commanding seven strokes, the unique tournament provided many highlights including allowing amateurs to tee it up on the weekend rounds alongside the professionals.

Click on for the weekend action which saw Townsend dominate, while the likes of former test rugby star Matt Burke enjoyed his time on the tees.

Keep an eye out for Jamie Arnold’s approach on the fourth which almost collected NBN cameraman Scott Baker.

LUHRMANN’S LOCAL CONNECTION

While the world awaits the premiere of Baz Luhrmann’s latest film, Australia, movie goers on the mid north coast are taking an extra interest in the outback epic.

The award-winning director has strong ties to the region, having grown up at Herons Creek, near Port Macquarie.

MIROVIC’S HEAVYWEIGHT MISSION

Former Heavy Weight Boxing Champion Bob Mirovic says he’ll take on all comers, including newly crowned WBF winner Alex Leapai in his quest to regain his title.

But first he says he has a score to settle with the man who de-throwned him, and broke his arm.

MYTH OR MONSTER? THE HUNTER VALLEY YOWIE…

There are plenty of sceptics, but a Hunter Valley farmer is the latest person to become a believer that big foot does walk among us.

Lloyd Stapleton has invited some yowie experts to try to determine who - and what- his neighbours may be.

KNIGHTS BOOT CAMP

The Newcastle Knights may have enjoyed a low-key start to their pre-season campaign last week but that all changed at Singleton Army base.

Put through their paces in a range of activities to test them both mentally and physically, the obstacle course provided a bit of blood, sweat and tears - and a few cheers.

Click on to see how the Knights handled the army training.

WHAT MADE NEWS IN YOUR BACKYARD THIS WEEK?

There was a sporting flavour to the big stories across Northern New South Wales and the Gold Coast over the last week, from an all-in boxing brawl on the Central Coast, to another setback for the Indy Carnival.

Adam McIlrick has more.

CHAD REED WEB EXCLUSIVE

Gone are the days of relative anonymity for supercross sensation Chad Reed.

A household name in the US, Reed’s basing himself in the Hunter as he takes on the Australian circuit, and it seems his fame has finally filtered back home.

NBN reporter Jess Phillis caught up with the world champion at his family’s Kurri property.

Click on the video player below for the extended interview and never before seen vision of Reed on his home track.

JETS SKIPPER TO HEAD NORTH FOR MARQUEE STATUS

A day after the sudden departure of Edmundo Zura, the recruitment carousel continues to turn at the Jets.

Now the player who led Newcastle to its first ever football title has confirmed he’s moving on.

Captain Jade North is bound for new A-league franchise North Queensland, signing on as the club’s marquee and indigenous ambassador.

NBN NEWS: WEEK IN REVIEW

A look back at some of the main stories making news in your backyard, across Northern New South Wales and the Gold Coast.

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