The NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer Round has raised more than $3.5 million in 2025, and those funds are powering a bold new research project at the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research, University of Newcastle. Director and radiation oncologist Professor Mike Fay explains how this funding will fast-track highly targeted treatments using theranostics, why patients are calling for new options, and how community support is helping turn hope into real progress for families facing brain cancer.

The NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer Round has raised more than $3.5 million in 2025, and those funds are powering a bold new research project at the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research, University of Newcastle. Director and radiation oncologist Professor Mike Fay explains how this funding will fast-track highly targeted treatments using theranostics, why patients are calling for new options, and how community support is helping turn hope into real progress for families facing brain cancer.

Weekdays from 3, The Hunter Today brings you the stories that matter, the music you love and the lifestyle that’s uniquely Newcastle and the Hunter.

Stay connected, stay informed and enjoy your afternoons on 2HD.

Weekdays from 3, The Hunter Today brings you the stories that matter, the music you love and the lifestyle that&rsquo;s uniquely Newcastle and the Hunter.
Stay connected, stay informed and enjoy your afternoons on 2HD.

The Hunter Today

Turning Beanies into Breakthroughs: New Hope for Brain Cancer Treatment

August is a massive month for getting your patch ready for the warmer weather, and this week on Hunter Today, we’re rolling up our sleeves for Week 2 of our spring prep series. 

Following on from last week's foundational yard work, resident garden guru Gav joins us in the studio to dive deep into the vege patch and tackle the crucial next steps for your lawn. Whether you're planning your spring harvest or trying to get your grass looking lush before the growing season hits, we’ve got your weekend gardening checklist sorted.

Also in this episode:


The Vege Patch Reset: What crops, seeds, and seedlings you should be planting right now across the Hunter to ensure a bumper spring and summer harvest.


Next-Level Lawn Care: Moving beyond basic prep—how to feed, weed, and revitalize your turf so it bounces back stronger after the cooler winter months.


Local Growing Tips: Tailored advice for Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and Hunter gardeners dealing with regional soil and seasonal shifts.

If you want to get your garden blooming and your vege patch firing before spring officially arrives, this is your essential guide.

August is a massive month for getting your patch ready for the warmer weather, and this week on Hunter Today, we&rsquo;re rolling up our sleeves for Week 2 of our spring prep series.&nbsp;
Following on from last week's foundational yard work, resident garden guru Gav joins us in the studio to dive deep into the vege patch and tackle the crucial next steps for your lawn. Whether you're planning your spring harvest or trying to get your grass looking lush before the growing season hits, we&rsquo;ve got your weekend gardening checklist sorted.
Also in this episode:
<ul data-path-to-node="4">
<li>
The Vege Patch Reset: What crops, seeds, and seedlings you should be planting right now across the Hunter to ensure a bumper spring and summer harvest.
</li>
<li>
Next-Level Lawn Care: Moving beyond basic prep&mdash;how to feed, weed, and revitalize your turf so it bounces back stronger after the cooler winter months.
</li>
<li>
Local Growing Tips: Tailored advice for Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and Hunter gardeners dealing with regional soil and seasonal shifts.
</li>
</ul>
If you want to get your garden blooming and your vege patch firing before spring officially arrives, this is your essential guide.

Gardening with Gav: Getting Ready for Spring - Week 2

Spring is just around the corner, and it’s time to get your hands dirty! 

Dave Cochrane is joined by Gav from Lee Rowan's Garden World for the return of our regular segment, Gardening with Gav. In Part One of our ultimate guide on what to do in August to get your garden ready for spring, we’re tackling the essential groundwork—from beating the weeds and timing your veggie patch rotation to picking the best flowers for the season ahead.


Step One (The Weed Crackdown): Unpacking the mysterious "7-day rule" for weeding and why you need to tackle your garden beds twice to break the cycle.


Step Two (The Veggie Patch Reset): Why you need to leave a vital window of time between pulling out one crop and planting your new spring seedlings.


Step Three (Flower Power): Discovering which gorgeous blooms you should be looking at planting this year to add an instant splash of colour.


Looking Ahead: A sneak peek at next week’s episode, where we’ll show you exactly how to dress and care for your lawn as the weather warms up.

If you want your garden looking the absolute best on the block this spring, this is the episode to kickstart your green thumb.

Spring is just around the corner, and it&rsquo;s time to get your hands dirty!&nbsp;
Dave Cochrane is joined by Gav from Lee Rowan's Garden World for the return of our regular segment,&nbsp;Gardening with Gav. In Part One of our ultimate guide on what to do in August to get your garden ready for spring, we&rsquo;re tackling the essential groundwork&mdash;from beating the weeds and timing your veggie patch rotation to picking the best flowers for the season ahead.
<ul data-path-to-node="4">
<li>
Step One (The Weed Crackdown): Unpacking the mysterious "7-day rule" for weeding and why you need to tackle your garden beds twice to break the cycle.
</li>
<li>
Step Two (The Veggie Patch Reset): Why you need to leave a vital window of time between pulling out one crop and planting your new spring seedlings.
</li>
<li>
Step Three (Flower Power): Discovering which gorgeous blooms you should be looking at planting this year to add an instant splash of colour.
</li>
<li>
Looking Ahead: A sneak peek at next week&rsquo;s episode, where we&rsquo;ll show you exactly how to dress and care for your lawn as the weather warms up.
</li>
</ul>
If you want your garden looking the absolute best on the block this spring, this is the episode to kickstart your green thumb.

Gardening with Gav: Spring Prepping Your Patch (Part One)

Imagine walking 230 kilometres across our local region over just three days to start conversations that can save lives.

That is the incredible mission behind The Long Walk Back, with Craig hitting the pavement from Singleton all the way to Speers Point to support the vital youth and community mental health work of Talk2MeBro.  Dave is joined by Craig to talk about the physical toll, the community stops along the way, and how you can welcome him across the finish line this weekend.


The Epic 230km Route: Tracking Craig's massive three-day trek (Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August) from Singleton through the Maitland region down to Lake Macquarie.


Grassroots Connections: Why stopping at local sporting grounds and soccer clubs to yarn with players, volunteers, and families is at the heart of the journey.


Backing Talk2MeBro: How every step and dollar raised directly funds vital mental health and suicide prevention programs.


The Grand Finish: Details on how you can get down to Macquarie Field at Speers Point this Sunday, 9 August at 2:30 pm to welcome Craig home for Lake Mac FC's final home game of the season!

If you want to support a powerful local mission and learn why no one has to walk alone, this is an episode you cannot miss.

Imagine walking 230 kilometres across our local region over just three days to start conversations that can save lives.
That is the incredible mission behind The Long Walk Back, with Craig hitting the pavement from Singleton all the way to Speers Point to support the vital youth and community mental health work of Talk2MeBro.&nbsp; Dave is joined by Craig to talk about the physical toll, the community stops along the way, and how you can welcome him across the finish line this weekend.
<ul data-path-to-node="4">
<li>
The Epic 230km Route: Tracking Craig's massive three-day trek (Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August) from Singleton through the Maitland region down to Lake Macquarie.
</li>
<li>
Grassroots Connections: Why stopping at local sporting grounds and soccer clubs to yarn with players, volunteers, and families is at the heart of the journey.
</li>
<li>
Backing Talk2MeBro: How every step and dollar raised directly funds vital mental health and suicide prevention programs.
</li>
<li>
The Grand Finish: Details on how you can get down to Macquarie Field at Speers Point this Sunday, 9 August at 2:30 pm to welcome Craig home for Lake Mac FC's final home game of the season!
</li>
</ul>
If you want to support a powerful local mission and learn why no one has to walk alone, this is an episode you cannot miss.

Turning Beanies into Breakthroughs: New Hope for Brain Cancer Treatment

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