A BATTALION of passionate Novocastrians will make their debut as city guides this weekend, welcoming visitors during the Newcastle 500.
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Newcastle City Council opened applications for the NEWcrew earlier this year, building a team of about 40 volunteers. They will greet and guide fans and newcomers in the city in a bid to make Newcastle more memorable and appealing.
Bar Beach’s Helen Griffin, a first-time volunteer, said she wanted to give back after her recent retirement.
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“It's time that we started to promote Newcastle to all the visitors that come to our fair city," she said.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the city was proud to be able to launch the NewCrew program.
"Newcastle's revitalisation will generate more tourism and we're doing our bit as a local government to drive increased visits with infrastructure and service upgrades, big events and also initiatives like the NEWcrew."
All of the guides completed an on-line course in customer service, tourism and events run by TAFE NSW.