Following his feature in Issue 23 of Swell, we caught up again with Dan Marshall for a bonus Q&A to find out what’s been happening since we went to print – from landing a global book deal with Penguin Random House (which was all a bit hush hush when we published his story) to presenting at the Sydney Writers’ Festival, and who’s on his dream dinner party lineup.
Sometimes the best beginnings come from the hardest seasons. Swell was born from a craving for purpose, creativity and connection – a way to bring more heart into our work. What started as a passion project has grown into something far greater than we imagined: a magazine that celebrates the strength, creativity and resilience of everyday local people. This is the story of how Swell began – and why, through every challenge, we’ve chosen to keep going.
On the shores of Crangan Bay, a short commute south from Newcastle’s CBD, Emma Johnson and Brendan Pullan have created a sanctuary of calm and tranquillity, that perfectly mirrors their easy-going lifestyle and love of nature.
Hidden deep within the Newcastle suburbs, Elizabeth Walton’s home is nestled amongst garden beds bursting with paper daisies and straw flowers. But it’s inside, with bunches of exquisitely dried flowers filling each room, where the magic of her business,
Amble and Twine, really comes alive.
This is the type of meal that is worth taking the time for. A warm, comforting roast lamb with a modern twist, perfect for your next slow dinner party shared with loved ones. Prepare the sides in advance so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time chatting!
School holiday baking just got easier thanks to this easy, no-nasties recipe as featured back in Issue 7. Combine your favourite mix of nuts and seeds with raw cacao powder, coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla to create your own fuss-free chocolate nut bars.
Newcastle gym Urth Fitness is offering FREE gym access to high school students aged 14 – 18 during the April school holidays, at their Lambton, Charlestown or Belmont locations.
This granola recipe first appeared in issue 7 of Swell and is a simple but fun way to get the kids involved in the kitchen! Choose your favourite mixture of nuts and seeds, plus dried fruits, and allow the kids to mix until their hearts are content. With simple, healthy ingredients, this granola makes for a great breakfast option or snack!
Newcastle locals may have fond memories of school excursions to historic Morpeth, where they learnt all about the former major port town, toured the original Arnott’s Bakery and snapped a photo by the famous bridge. While the heritage vibes of this quaint village are still very much a draw card, thanks to a few more recent additions, food and wine lovers from near and far are also adding Morpeth to the must-visit list – and we encourage you to do the same.
The Newcastle Writers Festival is back, and it’s one of our favorite times of the year! With an incredible lineup of speakers and events, this highly anticipated festival promises to be bigger and better than ever. Don’t miss out on the exciting literary celebration coming to Newcastle from April 4 – 6 2025!
