Novocastrians are set to benefit from a major boost to local community assets, services and programs, with the iconic Paymasters Café among seven projects sharing $1 million through the NSW Government’s Newcastle Port Community Contributions Fund.
A $250,000 grant has been awarded to City of Newcastle to restore Paymasters Café, conserving original heritage features and upgrading safety elements to meet heritage standards while reopening the facility for public recreation and community use.
A further $176,000 has been provided to Spiritual Water Ways Indigenous Corporation to deliver Nan’s Place, an Indigenous cultural meeting circle and healing landscape on Worimi Land.
The project will protect a recognised Ceremonial and Dreaming Place while fostering cultural learning, community wellbeing and connection to Country through a meeting circle, healing landscape, memorial mural honouring Elder Aunty Beryl Dates and ongoing cultural engagement initiatives, which include language workshops and caring for Country programs.
Meanwhile, a $75,000 grant from the Fund will support rigging, sail and electronics upgrades to the Aurora, the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club’s community training vessel, ensuring a safe, modern and accessible platform for veterans, young people, first responders and aspiring sailors to participate in maritime training and development programs.
The seven initiatives supported through the fund will help activate and enhance the Newcastle Port Precinct, boost visitation, strengthen community connections, supports jobs, and encourage greater participation in cultural and artistic activities.
Successful projects in this round include:
- $250,000 – City of Newcastle for Restoration heritage-listed Paymasters Cafe
- $240,000 – Breast Cancer Trials for Portraits of Hope Breast Cancer awareness exhibition
- $176,000 – Spiritual Water Ways Indigenous Corporation for Nan’s Place – Cultural Meeting Circle and Healing Landscape
- $175,000 – City of Newcastle for Foreshore Fairy Light Activation
- $75,000 – Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club for Aurora – Training the Next Generation of Offshore Sailors
- $66,400 – The Mission to Seafarers – Newcastle for Upgrade of male toilet
- $40,616- Destination Sydney Surrounds North for Cruise Ship Arrival Activation Events – Port of Newcastle
The Newcastle Port Community Contributions Fund Round 9 provides grants of between $10,000 and $250,000 to local groups and businesses to deliver initiatives that enhance the environment, public spaces, infrastructure, heritage restoration, smart technology, events and community participation.
This round follows extensive feedback from the local community and Newcastle City Council, prompting the NSW Government to refine how funding is delivered to ensure stronger outcomes for the precinct.
The fund is enabled by the long-term lease of the Newcastle Port and has now provided more than $9.8 million to 56 projects since 2014.
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:
“The successful projects announced today show just how much passion and innovation exists within the Newcastle community – each initiative will play a role in strengthening the precinct and creating spaces that locals and visitors can enjoy for decades to come.
“This funding is about backing the people who know their community best. By supporting locally driven ideas like the Paymasters Cafe, we’re ensuring the Newcastle Port continues to grow in a way that reflects the region’s identity and future ambitions.
“These projects demonstrate the kind of forward‑thinking investment that will keep Newcastle thriving. We’re proud to support initiatives that enhance the area, protect its heritage and create new opportunities for the region.
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:
“The region continues to build incredible momentum, and these projects will add even more energy to the Newcastle Port. It’s exciting to see local organisations leading the way with ideas that celebrate our region’s strengths.
“This funding is a testament to the creativity and determination of our community. These projects will help shape the area that locals can be proud of and visitors will want to experience.
“Newcastle is evolving into a dynamic destination, and these projects will help accelerate that growth. Whether it’s boosting tourism, enhancing public spaces or supporting local culture, this investment will deliver real benefits for the region.
Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorpe said:
“It’s fantastic to see such strong local ideas being brought to life through this funding. The successful projects will make a meaningful difference to the precinct and to the people who use it every day.
“The Port of Newcastle has always been central to our city’s story, and these projects will help carry that legacy forward. This funding supports initiatives that honour our past while building a vibrant future.
“These projects reflect what can be achieved when community groups, businesses and government work together. I’m proud to see local organisations stepping up with ideas that will strengthen and enrich our city.”
Chief Executive Officer Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, Mr Paul O’Rourke said:
“This funding is a gamechanger for Aurora and for the hundreds of people who will step aboard her in the years ahead.”
“We’re deeply grateful for NSW Government support – Aurora has been at the heart of our training programs for many years and, as a 40-year-old yacht, she has reached the point where critical upgrades are needed to ensure she remains safe, reliable and fit for the next generation of sailors.
“From young people taking their first steps into the sport to Veterans and First Responders seeking new challenges, this investment will create more opportunities for Novocastrians to learn, compete and connect through sailing, while strengthening the community that makes our club and sport so special.”
Proud Worimi and Yorta Yorta woman, Cultural Authority and Secretary of Spiritual Water Ways Indigenous Corporation, Aunty Theresa Dargin said:
“Nan’s Place is much more than a physical space, it is a place of healing, connection, learning and belonging. This funding allows us to honour the legacy of our beloved Elder, Nan Dates, whose love for family, community and Country continues to guide us today.
“For generations, this site has been a place of ceremony, storytelling and cultural practice. Nan’s Place will provide a safe and welcoming place where people can connect to Country, strengthen wellbeing, learn about our culture and create lasting community connections.
“We are deeply grateful to the Newcastle Port Community Contributions Fund for recognising the importance of preserving Aboriginal cultural heritage and investing in a project that will benefit our whole community for generations to come.”
