Category: Newcastle News

Everyone’s favourite man from the moon touched down at Newcastle Museum today as part of a new exhibition filled with creativity, nostalgia and ‘lots of fun for everyone’.

Newcastle is the first stop on a national tour for Mr Squiggle and Friends: The Creative World of Norman Hetherington.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Gavin Morris, City of Newcastle Head of Exhibitions & Cultural Collections David Hampton, National Museum of Australia curator Nicole McLennan and Mr Squiggle’s last on-air companion Rebecca Hetherington take a sneak peek at the Mr Squiggle and Friends exhibition as it is being installed at Newcastle Museum.

The National Museum of Australia exhibition celebrates the man behind one of the most-loved children’s characters on Australian television, and his legacy as a wartime entertainer, cartoonist, artist, performer and puppeteer.

Mr Squiggle captivated and inspired generations of children to draw, with his distinctive pencil for a nose, charming banter and ability to turn a simple squiggle into a masterpiece.

Hetherington’s work also inspired the career of Newcastle-born entertainer and puppeteer Murray Raine, who donated around 20 of his own marionettes to Newcastle Museum last year.

A selection of these is being presented in a separate exhibition, Murray Raine’s Marvellous Marionettes, to coincide with the Mr Squiggle show.

City of Newcastle’s Director of Museum, Archive, Libraries and Learning, Julie Baird, said the exhibitions provide insights into creativity to inspire young and old alike.

“These exhibitions are exciting for Newcastle Museum as they are not just about nostalgic memories, they’re about joy and empowering visitors to explore their own creativity without judgement,” Ms Baird said.

“Mr Squiggle tells people that they can, and that spirit was what Norman Hetherington, Mr. Squiggle’s creator, passed on to Murray Raine.

“Together, the exhibitions highlight Newcastle’s connection to broader Australian stories, from Murray Raine’s early inspirations in Newcastle, to his collaboration with Norman Hetherington and performances on a global stage.

“They trace the origins and careers of two of Australia’s great puppeteers and invite visitors to get up close to the characters they brought to life.”

Mr Squiggle and Friends explores Hetherington’s whimsy, humour and talent. It takes visitors behind the scenes to experience hand-crafted puppets as well as wartime artworks and colourful stage props.

Norman Hetherington’s creativity on display at Newcastle Museum.

Visitors of all ages can explore their own creativity via an interactive ‘squiggle’ drawing experience within the exhibition, while Newcastle Museum will also host a series of hands-on workshops inspired by Mr Squiggle throughout the July school holidays. 

National Museum of Australia Director Katherine McMahon said the show provides the opportunity for parents and grandparents who grew up with Mr Squiggle to introduce the next generation to this adored TV character.

“Who can forget the man from the moon, aka Mr Squiggle, who entertained us with his 
 upside-down sketches?” Ms McMahon said.

“Now he and his friends, Blackboard, Rocket, Bill Steamshovel and Gus the Snail, are back to 
 star in this new show. 

“We are thrilled to be sharing this delightful part of Australia’s television history with the rest 
 of the country.”

Mr Squiggle and Friends was a family affair on ABC TV. While Norman voiced and made all the characters, his wife, Margaret, eventually took over scriptwriting, and his daughter, Rebecca, was Mr Squiggle’s last on-screen companion (1989–99). Puppeteering remains a family tradition as Norman’s grandson, Tom has followed in his footsteps.

“My father was incessantly creative. He never stopped thinking about what he could do to entertain people,” Ms Hetherington said. 

“He was wildly imaginative but always with a deep sense of purpose and direction.” 

Newcastle’s Murray Raine was inspired from a young age and went on to become one of Australia’s leading puppeteers.

Entertainment and imagination are also at the heart of Murray Raine’s career.

Inspired at the age of six by a puppet show he saw at Waratah Infants School, Raine later became one of Australia’s youngest professionally paid puppeteers and went on to have a successful career in Australia and internationally.

He was mentored by Norman Hetherington and collaborated with him on a number of puppets, with the pair developing a lifelong friendship.

“Both Norman and I had a similar outlook to building and performing puppets. We had a simple rule: make it fun,” Raine said.

“The exhibition captures the fun of puppetry. Visitors to the exhibition will be impressed by Norman’s oeuvre and the legacy he has provided to aspiring performers in all fields. 

“The puppets from my collection are different in style and created for a different type of performance, but visitors will connect with the creativity and evolving nature of creating and putting on a show.”

Mr Squiggle and Friends: The Creative World of Norman Hetherington and Murray Raine’s Marvellous Marionettes are both open from Saturday 4 July until Sunday 1 November 2026. Entry is free.

Mr Squiggle and Friends is a travelling exhibition developed by the National Museum of Australia with thanks to the generosity of Rebecca Hetherington and her family and support from the National Collecting Institutions Touring and Outreach Program.

Newcastle Museum is supported by Create NSW.

Award-winning author and illustrator Dub Leffler will bring culture to life through hands-on experiences as part of City of Newcastle’s 2026 NAIDOC Week celebrations. 

The Bigambul man, recognised internationally for his books and artwork, will host an all-ages drawing workshop at Newcastle City Library, offering a rare opportunity to learn directly from a nationally renowned First Nations storyteller. 

Councillor Deahnna Richardson, proud Wiradjuri woman and co-chairperson of City of Newcastle’s Guraki Standing Committee, said this year’s program reflects the theme “50 years of Deadly” through creativity, connection and community participation across a diverse line-up of events. 

“NAIDOC Week is an important opportunity for our community to celebrate and recognise the history and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Cr Richardson said. 

“Through free and low-cost workshops, performances and community events, we are creating meaningful opportunities for people of all ages to learn, connect and engage with culture in a genuine and respectful way. 

“Having artists like Dub Leffler involved provides a powerful way for young people and families to experience storytelling and cultural expression firsthand.” NAIDOC Week art workshops at Newcastle Art Gallery will be inspired by the printmaking techniques of Torres Strait Islander artist Brian Robinson, who stands inside his digital installation ‘Zugubal: The winds and the tides set the pace‘ 2023/26, five channel digital video, sound, 5:00 mins. Commissioned by RISING, Melbourne 2023. Collection of the artist and S1T2, Sydney. Photo: Peter StoopThe workshop on Wednesday 8 July will see participants explore illustration through guided drawing, led by the acclaimed artist who has illustrated more than 30 children’s books, including The Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Sorry Day. 

The focus on shared creative experiences extends across the broader NAIDOC Week program, including library events such as natural art and silent disco sessions led by Uncle Amos Simon, where participants create artworks using natural materials while learning traditional practices and enjoying music by First Nations artists. 

Families can also take part in NAIDOC-themed beading workshops at Wallsend Library, creating jewellery inspired by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, and reflect on the 50 years of Deadly theme. 

Newcastle Art Gallery will deliver LEGO printmaking workshops inspired by Torres Strait Islander artist Brian Robinson’s Multiverse exhibition, alongside free studio weekend sessions guiding families through accessible art-making activities focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. 

School students stand in front of an artwork by Torres Strait Islander artist Brian Robinson, which is part of his exhibition Multiverse at Newcastle Art Gallery. Brian Robinson, Across the gulf of space 2024 (detail), enamel spray paint and synthetic polymer paint on polyvinyl chloride foam board, found objects. Courtesy of the artist and Mossenson Galleries, Perth. Photo: Jed Cranfield (Half Sun Social)Supported by City of Newcastle, the Awabakal Newcastle NAIDOC march and festival returns on Monday 6 July, marking more than 20 years of community celebration. 

Beginning with a flag-raising ceremony at Civic Park from 9am, the march will make its way to Foreshore Park, where a full-day festival features live music, traditional dance, cultural activities, food stalls and rides. 

Community Elders Uncle Raymond and Aunty Sheryl will deliver a Welcome to Country, alongside performances from Winanga-y Dreaming, Gabinya Miyaya, Mui Mui Bumer Gedlam, Midnight Dreaming and Naisda Performing Arts, supported by a strong line-up of local First Nations musicians. 

NAIDOC Week runs nationally from 5 – 12 July, recognising the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Visit the City of Newcastle website to find out more about the NAIDOC Week events. 

City of Newcastle is extremely disappointed by recent incidents of theft and vandalism affecting community infrastructure across the city.

Incidents include the theft of charging cables from two City of Newcastle fast electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and damage caused to valued community sporting facilities at Smith Park in Hamilton North and Kentish Oval at Lambton.

The thefts have temporarily taken EV chargers out of service at Cleary Street, Hamilton and No. 2 Sportsground car park in Newcastle West. Replacement cables have been ordered, and City of Newcastle is working to restore the chargers as soon as possible. 

The loss of income from the EV chargers will place further pressure on our budget at a time when staff are already undertaking a review of expenditure to enable Council’s decision to reduce pool entry to $2. 

At Smith Park, recent vandalism caused disruption to local sporting clubs and dedicated volunteers who work hard to support community sport. These individuals play a vital role in activating the facility, contributing to the wellbeing and connection of our community. Repair work is underway and is expected to be completed Tuesday afternoon with no ongoing impact to user groups.

Kentish Oval was also vandalised earlier this month, and our team worked quickly to inspect and repair the damage resulting in no impact to scheduled sporting fixtures or training. 

City of Newcastle acknowledges the inconvenience and frustration these incidents cause for residents, volunteers and facility users.

City of Newcastle continues to investigate options to reduce the risk of future incidents across its network of community facilities. However, with more than 150 sports fields, 250 parks and a large network of public infrastructure across the local government area, it is not realistic to prevent every act of theft or vandalism.

Instead, as a community we need to do all we can to discourage acts of vandalism and to ensure people respect public infrastructure such as parks and sporting fields. 

The incidents involving the EV chargers have been reported to NSW Police. Several other privately-owned and council-owned EV sites have also been targeted by thieves in surrounding local government areas.

City of Newcastle encourages anyone with information about these or other incidents involving community infrastructure to contact NSW Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A 13-year-old boy reported missing from the Lake Macquarie area has been located.

Thank you to everyone who shared our appeal.

Two people have been charged after a woman was hospitalised with gunshot wounds in Maitland overnight.

About 11.40pm yesterday (Wednesday 1 July 2026), police received a report that a woman had presented to hospital with gunshot injuries.

Officers attached to Port Stephens Hunter Police District attended and were told the woman – aged 31 – was at a home on Alliance Street, East Maitland, when an argument began between her and the residents.

Police will allege one of the residents – a man aged 55 – shot the woman with what was described as being a shortened shotgun before she ran from the property.

She was then taken by car to Maitland Hospital before being transferred to John Hunter Hospital for further treatment of injuries to her head, neck and shoulder. Police have been told none of her injuries are considered life threatening.

Following inquiries, police attended the home on Alliance Street, where they arrested the 55-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman and established a crime scene.

The pair were taken to Maitland Police Station where they were each charged with shoot with intent to murder.

They were refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 2 today (Thursday 2 July 2026).

A woman is in hospital with gunshot injuries and two other people are in custody after a shooting in Maitland overnight.

About 11.40pm (Wednesday 1 July 2026), police received a report that a woman had presented to hospital with gunshot injuries.

Officers attached to Port Stephens Hunter Police District attended and were told the woman – aged 31 – was at a home on Alliance Street, East Maitland, when an argument began between her and the residents.

Police will allege one of the residents – a man aged 55 – shot the woman with a shortened shotgun before she ran from the property.

She was then taken by car to Maitland Hospital before being transferred to John Hunter Hospital for further treatment of injuries to her head, neck and shoulder. Police have been told none of her injuries are considered life threatening.

Following inquiries, police attended the home on Alliance Street, where they arrested the 55-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman. They have been taken to Maitland Police Station.

A crime scene has been established and the investigation into the incident is continuing.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage boy missing from the State’s north.

Charlie Ravesi, aged 13, was last seen on Donnelly Road, Arcadia Vale, on Thursday 18 June 2026.

When he was unable to be located or contacted, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were notified yesterday (Tuesday 30 June 2026) and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for his welfare due to his age.

Charlie is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 140cm tall, of thin build, with brown hair, and blue eyes.

He is known to frequent the Belmont, Belmont North and Charlestown areas.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A man has been charged after an alleged explosive was thrown at police, setting them alight, during an operation in the state’s north last week.

About 2pm on Thursday 25 June 2026, officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended a house on Parkinson Avenue, Muswellbrook, to execute an arrest warrant.

Officers attempted to arrest a 58-year-old man; however, he allegedly resisted and threatened police with a compound bow.

A perimeter was established and an operation commenced with the assistance of the Tactical Operations Unit.

Whilst attempting to speak with the man, he allegedly poured fuel throughout the house and threw gas bottles at officers.

About 6am on Friday 26 June 2026, tactical officers forced entry into the house where the man allegedly threw an improvised explosive device at the officers setting them alight.

The officers were able to extinguish themselves, before using beanbag rounds to arrest the man.

He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene before being taken to John Hunter Hospital for further assessment.

Several officers were treated on scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for minor burns to the face, arms, and neck. They did not require further treatment.

About 12pm the same day, investigators executed a search warrant at the premises and allegedly located and seized offensive weapons including a mace, crossbow and cannabis.

The man was subsequently charged with 19 offences including throw/lay down etc explosive etc with intent to maim/do grievous bodily harm, use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention and assault police.

The man was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Court 2 yesterday (Tuesday 30 June 2026) where he was formally refused bail to appear at a later date.

A woman has suffered a gunshot wound to her arm at Gateshead overnight.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District have been told two women and two men were leaving a unit on Paper Street about 8.45pm (Tuesday 30 June 2026), when they were approached by two people who had their faces covered; one was holding a firearm.

Police have been told two shots were fired towards the group, with a 50-year-old woman suffering a gunshot wound to her right upper arm. The second round struck a window of the unit.

All six people then left the scene.

Police were not alerted to the incident until about 9.20pm, when a crime scene was established and canvass of the area conducted.

Following inquiries, the injured woman was found at a home in Charlestown and was taken by NSW Ambulance to John Hunter Hospital to be treated. She remains there in a stable condition.

A second woman, aged 38, remains at a police station within the command as inquiries continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information about, or relevant vision of, the incident to contact Belmont Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A man and woman have been charged following a pursuit and crash at Lake Macquarie this morning.

About 9.45am (Tuesday 30 June 2026), officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attempted to stop a sedan on Glebe Road, Hamilton South.

When the driver allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit continued through several suburbs of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, before it was terminated on Macquarie Road near Munibung Road at Cardiff due to safety concerns.

A short time later, police were called to Macquarie Road, Warners Bay, following reports of a two-vehicle crash.

On arrival, police located a crash between the sedan and a motorcycle.

The motorcycle rider – a 28-year-old man – was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for minor injuries before being taken to Belmont Hospital for further assessment.

The occupants of the sedan allegedly left the scene after the crash.

Police located the sedan abandoned on Gradburn Parade, Jewells, and were told that the pair had been picked up with a white utility a short time earlier.

Following inquiries, a 22-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman were arrested in the utility on the Inner-City Bypass at Gateshead a short time later. They were both taken to Belmont Police Station.

During a search of the woman, police allegedly located and seized 3g methamphetamine. During a search of the sedan, police allegedly located and seized mobile phones and a laptop suspected of being stolen.

The man was charged with seven offences,

– Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period

– Use class A vehicle with unauthorised number plate affixed

– Police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly

– Drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous

– Fail to stop and assist after impact cause injury

– Intimidate police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm, and

– Hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty.

The woman was charged with break and enter house etc steal value less than or equal to $60,000 and possess prohibited drug.

Both were refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 2 tomorrow (Wednesday 1 July 2027).