too high, thus the abattoir - which was the largest single employer in Aberdeen - was closed in 1999. Hundreds of people were left without work, and despite promises from both the New South Wales and Federal governments to encourage new businesses to open up in the area, beyond expansion of coal mining and associated industries, nothing of note eventuated Notable people Katherine Knight (born 24 October 1955), murderer who killed her partner, skinned and cooked his body parts Joseph Brown (filmmaker) (born 19 May 2004), Australian filmmaker and author References External links Suburbs of Upper Hunter Shire Towns in the Hunter Region Hunter River (New South Wales)