The first of three public art murals at Blackbutt Village is taking shape this week as part of the $4.5 million upgrade of Orchardtown Road shopping precinct.

Newcastle social and artistic enterprise UP&UP Inspirations will produce the murals at three locations in Blackbutt Village following consultation with the New Lambton community and local businesses, with the first adding colour to the northern façade of the Blackbutt Village Grocer. 

IMAGE CAPTION: (l-r) City of Newcastle Project Manager Alex Altuneg, Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz, Councillor Margaret Wood, Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley, artist Olas One and UP&UP Inspirations co-founder Faith Curtis at Blackbutt Village.

The public art is one of the final elements of City of Newcastle’s Local Centre upgrade of Blackbutt Village. The upgrade has already delivered improved access for pedestrians and shoppers, upgraded drainage and enhanced footpath connections to the popular Blackbutt Reserve, which is an inspiration for the murals.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Blackbutt Village will be a more walkable, greener village, filled with local character under the full scope of the improvements.

“Blackbutt Village is where New Lambton locals gather to support their local businesses, grab a coffee and connect with friends and family,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We’re committed to delivering a safer, more attractive place to shop for New Lambton residents through these upgrades, including the addition of 130 new trees and 23 landscaped garden beds, which will create a more appealing environment with increased shade and colour.

“The murals will add to this appeal, becoming a source of pride that captures how New Lambton locals feel about their green spaces, like the stunning Blackbutt Reserve.

“I’m thrilled with the improvements that have been completed so far in Blackbutt Village and can’t wait to see the final stage of the project taking shape over the next six months.”

The Blackbutt Village upgrades are made possible through $591,677 in support from the NSW Government. 

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said Blackbutt Village will have a chance to flourish through the investment by state and local government.

“Blackbutt Village and New Lambton are unique places that deserve to have their character celebrated while providing enhanced facilities, infrastructure and amenity for the suburb,” Minister Moriarty said.

“I’m delighted the NSW Government is working alongside City of Newcastle and the New Lambton community taking pride in this beautiful neighbourhood.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said it’s wonderful to see the long-awaited project nearing completion. 

“Blackbutt has long been a great place for families to spend weekends together. The new murals will inject colour and character into the precinct so locals can enjoy all it has to offer,” Minister Catley said

“It’s fantastic that the NSW Government is supporting community projects like this and ensuring we have access to modern public spaces, facilities, and infrastructure. I can’t wait to see the rest of the upgrades to Blackbutt village.”

City of Newcastle will continue the delivery of the final project stage with new community spaces on Myra Street and Carnley Avenue, and upgrades to the intersection and signals on Carnley Avenue later this year pending design approvals through Transport for NSW. 

The completed works will deliver a shared zone for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, an off-road shared pedestrian and cycleway, and a new pedestrian crossing providing a safer link between the car park and shops. 

A community gathering is planned for August 10 in Blackbutt Village to mark the project milestones.

Blackbutt Village is being upgraded through City of Newcastle’s Local Centres program, which invests in communities across Newcastle. 

Other centres renewal delivered include Beresford Avenue, Beresfield; Mitchell Street, Stockton; Young Street, Carrington; James Street Plaza, Hamilton; Llewellyn Street, Merewether; Joslin Street, Kotara, Sandgate Road, Shortland; Nelson Street, Wallsend; and Darby Street.

Local primary school students will have the chance to design the city’s next water safety poster as part of a City of Newcastle program that has been saving lives for almost 60 years.

More than 150 Jesmond Public School students were amongst the first participants in this year’s Water Safety Education Program, which has been delivered annually by City of Newcastle’s lifeguards since 1966.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes joins City of Newcastle lifeguards Julian Boag, Dan Collins and Lily Forbes, and vice captains Rocky Stevenson and Vienna Wills at Jesmond Public School for a Water Safety Education session.The free program teaches students vital water safety lessons they’re being asked to incorporate into a poster, with the winning design to be displayed across the city’s five inland swimming centres.

With close to 280 drowning deaths across Australia every year, Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it is important to empower kids with the water safety knowledge to keep them safe.

“We are so lucky to have a stunning coastline and lots of swimming spots to enjoy in Newcastle, but it’s important to be aware of the risks and what we can do to minimise them,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Over the next eight weeks our amazing team of lifeguards and aquatics staff will utilise their extensive skills and experience to educate more than 13,000 students about dangerous water conditions, how to swim safely and what to do if they get into difficult situations.     

“This year’s poster competition not only gives students a chance to see their artwork displayed at our inland pools, but it is a great way to reinforce the lessons they learn through the Water Safety Education Program and to share them with the wider community.”

The school visits form one of City of Newcastle’s most significant youth engagement programs and are a key component of the overall approach to water safety.

Executive Manager Community and Recreation Lynn Duffy said City of Newcastle lifeguards commit more than 700 hours each year to educating and promoting water safety messages across the city, with delivery of the program being a highlight for many.

“Our lifeguards are passionate about engaging students in fun, smart and interactive ways to help prevent aquatic accidents and drownings,” Ms Duffy said.  

“Encouraging students to tap into their creative side to design a water safety poster is another way we can ensure the next generation understands and appreciates these potentially life-saving lessons.”

Students from the school with the winning design will also have the chance to cool off with a fun-filled pool party at Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre in the lead up to summer.

Art lovers are being given an early glimpse of the six-metre-wide suspended sculpture that will eventually fill the atrium and greet visitors at the new-look Newcastle Art Gallery.

Seventh generation Novocastrian and proud Awabakal descendant Shellie Smith has completed the design and concept proposal for the work of art, which will be made up of 30 cast aluminium fish shimmering in a spiralling school.

Councillor Margaret Wood, Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM, Councillor Deahnna Richardson, artist Julie Squires, artist Shellie Smith, Councillor Carol Duncan, and Newcastle Art Gallery Society President, Prue Viggers OAM and Vice Chair Gael Davies OAM with part of the commissioned work.Inspired by Smith’s personal stories of fishing with her grandmother in the Port Stephens area, the work will be visible from the ground floor and first-floor corridor, which will connect the existing building with the new galleries.

Fellow artist and fabricator Julie Squires will work with Shellie to produce the sculpture, which will be based on Smith’s original fibre weaving.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said this is the first of three new major works of art being planned for the expanded gallery.

“It’s fitting that two of our prominent local artists will collaborate to create an inspiring welcome to the Newcastle Art Gallery, where visitors will have access to exhibitions from home and abroad,” Cr Nelmes said.

Ms Smith said the sculpture was partly inspired by an incredibly rare Aboriginal artefact she was privileged to view as part of the Smithsonian collection in Washington DC.

“It’s one of only a few intact possum skin cloaks in the world and features patterns and iconography of fish, people and water etched into the leather surface,” Ms Smith said.

“I feel so privileged to be given this opportunity to tell a story that’s really personal to me, but also very connected to Newcastle.

“This is one of my first major commissions. It’s a very large and substantial work for me.

“I’d really like to thank the Newcastle Art Gallery Society for supporting this commission, and I’m also really grateful to the Awabakal descendants for supporting me.”

Councillor Deahnna Richardson, a proud Wiradjuri woman, said Shellie Smith’s work provides a special connection to Country.

“As part of the Newcastle 2040 Community Strategic Plan, we are committed to recognising, acknowledging and celebrating the Awabakal and Worimi people’s strength, resilience and living culture,” Cr Richardson said.

“Shellie’s work uses First Nations traditional weaving techniques, drawing inspiration from Awabakal patterns and iconography. It will be a fitting tribute to the traditional owners of the land on which the Art Gallery stands.”

City of Newcastle’s Public Art Reference Group Chair, Councillor Carol Duncan said this work of art is another key step in creating a space that will attract Novocastrians and visitors.

“The expanded Newcastle Art Gallery will only enhance our reputation as a city that’s known for its culture,” Cr Duncan said.

“It will allow us to increase Newcastle’s opportunities in the areas of employment, education and the economy while celebrating the arts and Aboriginal culture.”

The Newcastle Art Gallery Society is supporting the project with a donation of $30,000.

“Newcastle Art Gallery Society is delighted to be associated with the acquisition of this work, one that records the history of Newcastle, while recognising the wealth of talented local artists in the city,” Society President Prue Viggers OAM said.

“Since the Art Gallery Society’s inception 55 years ago the proud tradition of assisting with the acquisition of works of art for the Gallery’s collection will be continued.”

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said it will be exciting to have new works of art displayed alongside the gallery’s nationally significant collection.

“The completed Art Gallery will feature an additional 1,600 square meters of exhibition space, enabling us to show off more of our $126 million collection as well as some of the best touring exhibitions,” Director Morton OAM said.

“We look forward to announcing more commissions for the expanded Art Gallery in the near future.”

The Newcastle Art Gallery expansion project is supported by $5 million from the Australian Government under the Regional Recovery Partnerships and $5 million from the New South Wales Government under the Regional Recovery Package, as well as $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation made possible through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest, Margaret Olley Trust, and community fundraising over many years. 

A further $1 million is currently being sought through the Foundation’s public fundraising campaign.

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City of Newcastle has celebrated National Tree Day by joining forces with residents to plant 7000 native wetland species at Tarro Reserve today.

Volunteers dug deep to add a range of grasses, shrubs, and trees to an area of around 1400 square metres, helping to improve the health of the wetland and restore habitat for local fauna.

Cr Deahnna Richardson and Cr Elizabeth Adamczyk with City of Newcastle staff and local community members at the National Tree Day planting at Tarro Reserve today.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle has targeted areas in the western suburbs that experience hotter temperatures in summer for urban forest planting.

“As part of City of Newcastle’s 10-year Environment Strategy we’re aiming for 40 per cent canopy cover by 2045 to help cool our city,” Cr Nelmes said.

“That’s why we planted more than 550 new street trees in Beresfield and Tarro in the past year, and also celebrated World Environment Day last month by planting 18 trees and 100 small native plants with students from Beresfield Public School.”

Councillor Elizabeth Adamczyk said connecting with local residents to plant trees and learn about nature is a special way to mark the national event.

“Today’s event has many benefits including adding to Newcastle’s biodiversity and vegetation cover, reducing urban heat, and beautifying a much-loved public space,” Cr Adamczyk said.

“City of Newcastle celebrates National Tree Day at a different location in Newcastle every year, with local schools, community and City of Newcastle staff in 2024 again pitching in to plant thousands of trees to improve our city’s environmental health.

Tarro Reserve is a valued community asset, with sports grounds, an off-leash dog area and recreation space for fishing and birdwatching, making it the ideal choice for our planting efforts to celebrate National Tree Day this year.”

It wasn’t all hard work in Tarro today, with other activities on offer including wetland tours, waterbug dip-netting and nature-based play, as well as an interactive stall with City of Newcastle’s invasive species team and bush craft with Nuts About Nature.

National Tree Day is just one of many occasions where City of Newcastle staff have pulled on their gardening gloves with the community to help protect and enhance our natural environment this year.

During the past 12 months, Landcare volunteers, community members and City of Newcastle projects saw more than 125,000 native plants added to our city along our coast, creeklines, beside wetlands and in bushland.

City of Newcastle’s Natural Connections and community urban forest programs aim to connect residents and students with their local natural areas, including urban forests, wetlands and watercourses.

Involving the community can help locals become stewards of their environment, as well as enhance physical and mental wellbeing.

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Detectives have identified and obtained DNA from family members of two men missing for over 40 years after a boat capsized of Newcastle.

In 2023, NSW Police received a submission from the National DNA program, from a 48-year-old woman requesting to submit her DNA.

Inquiries conducted by detectives attached to the Missing Persons registry believe that the woman was the daughter of one of two men who went missing during a boat accident off Newcastle in 1983.

At the time, Newcastle Police investigated the accident with both air and sea searches; however, the men – aged 37 and 27 – were not located, and the matter was referred to the Coroner.

Upon obtaining and reviewing the Coronial brief, it was revealed the two men – both Vietnamese nationals living in Sydney with their families – boarded the vessel ‘Wyuna’ on Sunday 10 April 1983, to go deep sea fishing. The two men were the only people on board at the time.

The ‘Wyuna’ left via Newcastle Heads and headed out to sea off the Swansea Coast. During the evening, the vessel capsized and both men were never found.

The Coronial brief named the second man; however, no other identifying details were available.

Detectives spent months searching the police database and in May 2024 identified a likely family member of the second man, who has since provided a familial DNA sample.

The two men have now been added to the NSW Missing Persons database and the familial DNA of both relatives has been added to the DNA database in the hope of one day locating and identifying their remains.

Detective Inspector Ritchie Sim, Manager of the Missing Persons Registry, said all missing people deserve to be found and returned to their family.

“Our detectives don’t give up when searching for missing people. We are always searching with the goal of reuniting families, providing them answers where possible, and helping them through the grieving process.

“For us it doesn’t matter if a person went missing over 40 years ago or last week; they are still a person and deserve to be returned to their family.” Det Insp Sim said.

“The role of familial DNA in this case can’t be understated as it may be the key to finally putting another 40-year-old case to rest both for the families affected but also for the detectives that have stuck with it over the years.”

“Missing person investigations are not criminal matters, and your DNA is not stored in any criminal or suspect data base. Your DNA will only be used to hopefully solve these cases and provide answers to your family.

“If you have reported a family member missing to police, and you have the Event number, I urge you to go to your local police station and provide your DNA if you haven’t done so already. Your relationship with the missing person can be several generations apart.” Det Insp Sim said.

“If you don’t have an Event reference number, you can still help. You can provide your DNA to commercial databases such as Gedmatch and Familytree DNA. As long as you tick the option to release your DNA for law enforcement purposes, we can use your DNA and hopefully solve a mystery.”

“Your relative may have already been found, we just don’t know as yet, as we haven’t been able to identify them until now. This technology and capability now gives us the best opportunity yet, to achieve this.” Det Insp Sim said.

Missing Persons Week is an annual national campaign to raise awareness of the issues and impacts surrounding missing persons and runs between Monday Sunday 28 July and Saturday 3 August 2024.

This year’s ‘Always Searching’ campaign focuses on the continuing efforts of police to solve missing persons investigations.

If you have been reported as missing it means that someone is concerned about your safety and welfare. It is not a crime to go missing. You should attend the nearest police station with identification so that Police can ascertain that you are safe and well.

For more information on the campaign visit www.missingpersons.gov.au

As inquiries continue, police are appealing for anyone with information that may assist investigators to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

A teenage boy has died following a fire house fire in the Hunter Valley.

About 10pm yesterday (Sunday 28 July 2024), emergency services were called to a property on Alkira Avenue, Cessnock, following reports of a house on fire.

Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the blaze; however, the house was extensively damaged.

A 16-year-old boy who was in the property at the time was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however he died at the scene.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended and established a crime scene.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing.

Cannabis with an estimated potential street value of $1.5m has been seized when a house in the state’s Hunter region was searched yesterday.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District commenced an investigation in March this year (2024), after information was received that a building in Muswellbrook was being used to cultivate cannabis.

Following inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a home on Woollybutt Way, Muswellbrook, about 3.40pm yesterday (Friday 26 July 2024).

Police located a hydroponic setup and harvested drugs with an estimated potential street value of more than $1.1m, as well as more than 200 plants with an estimated potential street value of about $400,000.

Two men, aged 41 and 45, and a 35-year-old woman were arrested at the scene.

They were taken to Muswellbrook Police Station and charged with knowingly take part in the cultivation of cannabis plants large commercial quantity, and take part in the supply of cannabis leaf commercial.

They were all refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 27 July 2024).

A man will face Newcastle court today after two offices in Sydney were allegedly damaged by graffiti.

About 4am Thursday (25 July 2024), police were called to a building on Harris Street, Ultimo, following reports the building had been graffitied.

About 25 minutes later, a man allegedly sprayed graffiti on an office on Hordern Place, Camperdown.

Following a joint investigation by officers from Sydney City and Inner West Police Area Commands, police arrested a 46-year-old man at Dunolly, in the Upper Hunter, about 11.45am yesterday (Friday 26 July 2024).

He was taken to Singleton Police Station where he was charged with intentionally mark premises without consent, drive whilst suspended, three counts of face blackened/disguised with intent to commit an indictable offence, and attempt stalk/intimidate intend fear of harm.

Police then executed a search warrant on a property in the Hunter Valley and seized items which officers will allege in court to be connected to the incidents at Ultimo and Campberdown.

The man has been refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 27 July 2024).