Category: Newcastle News

Families are invited to dive into a world of miniature marine craft when the three-day Model Newcastle Regatta sets sail on a giant pond at Newcastle Museum this month. 

The regatta is a feature event of Newcastle Museum’s Model Newcastle exhibition and will showcase model boat sailing and mini tugboats alongside hands-on activities, science shows and family fun over the January long weekend.

A model of former Newcastle tugboat Svitzer Mayfield built by Lindsay Muxlow on display in Model Newcastle: Big Stories Little Things. City of Newcastle Director Museum Libraries Archive and Learning Julie Baird said the event will build on Model Newcastle’s celebration of history, creativity and community. 

“School holidays are the perfect time to explore, learn and play, and we’re proud to facilitate accessible, exciting events where children could discover a new passion during their break,” Ms Baird said.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Newcastle Marine Modellers Association who will bring their expertly crafted models to present live demonstrations of docking manoeuvres and display circuits across the three-day regatta, providing a unique way to learn more about our harbour city.”

The regatta will showcase everything from steam-powered vessels to intricate naval and merchant ships, some taking more than 200 hours to build for maximum accuracy.

The event will culminate with the Sailor’s Sunday Special, featuring three science shows, food trucks and hands-on activities for children to make their own bark canoes or mini tugboats.

The Model Newcastle exhibition is the inspiration behind a range of events throughout January including free science shows covering the power of steam and the 1989 Newcastle earthquake. LEGO challenges, marionette making workshops and Minecraft sessions will give children the chance to build create and imagine their own version of Newcastle. 

The exhibition celebrates Newcastle’s rich history through intricate models, from railways and cityscapes to puppetry and dollhouses, bringing pieces together from Newcastle Museum’s collection, local makers and storytellers to bring this to life. The show will be open daily during the school holidays with tickets on sale at the Museum.

Science enthusiasts can continue learning with free drop-ins for all ages as Newcastle Museum’s popular presenter “Scientist Catherine” will answer burning questions and present demonstrations designed to spark conversations about physics, chemistry, biology and geology.

The school holidays fun will continue across January at City of Newcastle’s cultural and recreational venues, with a range of programming on offer.

Newcastle Libraries will dive into the deep blue with Ocean of Stories, at Lovett Gallery celebrating programming activities, visual storytelling and Australian illustrators. Families can enjoy themed crafting sessions, storytimes and creative workshops, from making fantastical fish collages to tales of underwater creatures. 

Young readers are also being encouraged to take part in the Big Summer Read challenge, which rewards children for logging reading hours throughout the holidays. Participants can sign up online and collect a paper reading log from any City of Newcastle Library branch. 

Wallsend Library will offer two Nintendo Switch gaming events on 12 and 19 January, while library explorers sessions at both Wallsend and Newcastle City Library will help children prepare to navigate the library before starting school.

Newcastle’s Civic Theatre will bubble over with excitement on 19 January when Dr Hubble’s Bubble Spectacular fills the auditorium with giant bubbles, tornado bubbles, and even square bubbles in a show that promises fun for all ages.

Newcastle Art Gallery will be hosting Shadow Stories, a hands-on workshop inspired by featured artist Maggie Hensel-Brown. Primary age children will design their own shadow puppets and cast light to make their creations dance across the gallery walls. Bookings are essential, with various Friday sessions throughout January.

Nature lovers can head to Blackbutt Reserve for daily animal feeding sessions and seven scenic walking trails, offering an up-close look at wombats, koalas, and native birds.

To cap off the holidays, families can join the community celebration on Saturday 31 January at Foreshore Park, marking the opening of the new kiosk and amenities building with a free event featuring entertainment and activities for all ages.

For a full list of school holiday activities and to book sessions visit the relevant websites for the Ne wcastle Museum, Newcastle Libraries, Civic Theatre Newcastle, Blackbutt Reserve and the Newcastle Art Gallery.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman missing from the state’s Hunter region.

Tania Etienne, aged 43, was last seen at Fassifern Rail Station between abou 10-11am on Monday 8 January 2026.

When she could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for her welfare.

Tania is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 155cm tall with slim build, fair complexion and blonde hair.

She is known to frequent Newcastle, Wyee, and Freemans Waterhole.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to call police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Drug & Firearms Squad detectives have charged a man following the discovery of two firearms and numerous 3D-printed firearm parts from a property in the state’s Hunter Region last year.

Strike Force Leeville is an investigation led by State Crime Command’s Drug & Firearms Squad into the manufacture of firearms.

Following inquiries under Strike Force Leeville, about 3.15pm on Tuesday 23 September 2025, strike force detectives – with assistance from Hunter Valley Police District – searched a property in Barnsley.

During the search, police located a toolbox in the garage containing two rifles and numerous 3D printed firearm parts.

The items were seized to undergo further forensic examination and a 59-year-old man at the property was spoken to.

Following inquires and forensic examination of the firearms and firearm parts, strike force investigators attended a Silverwater correctional facility about 9am today (Tuesday 6 January 2026) and arrested a 29-year-old man.

He was charged with 16 offences including 12 counts of possess digital blueprint for manufacture of firearms, two counts of manufacture prohibited firearm without licence/permit, and two counts of possess unauthorised firearm.

The man was remanded in custody to appear at Burwood Local Court on Tuesday 13 January 2026.

Raptor Squad North detectives have charged a man with drug offences in the state’s Hunter Valley region.

About 6.30am yesterday (Tuesday 30 December 2025), officers attached to Raptor Squad North attended a house on Comfort Avenue, Cessnock, to conducting a Firearms Prohibition Order search.

A crime scene was subsequently established and a search warrant was executed.

During the search, police allegedly located and seized $20,000 cash, 650g methylamphetamine, 50g heroin, 1 litre of GHB, two tasers, mobile phones and an allegedly stolen vehicle.

A 32-year-old man was arrested at the house and taken to Cessnock Police Station.

He has been charged with seven offences:
Supply prohibited drug more than indictable and less than commercial quantity
Supply prohibited drug more than small less than or equal to indictable quantity
Possess prohibited drug
Deal with property proceeds of crime
Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit (two counts)
Breach of bail

He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 2 yesterday (Tuesday 30 December 2025).

Three people have been injured in a dog attack at Raymond Terrace overnight.

Emergency services were called to Scott Close shortly before 11pm yesterday (Monday 29 December 2025), responding to multiple reports that a large dog was on the loose attacking people.

Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District arrived on scene and found the dog – described as a Staffordshire Bull Terrier-Mastiff cross – had bitten a 36-year-old woman, a 35-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy.

Police were told the couple had been walking along the street when the dog attacked them; the dog then ran into a house and attacked the teenage boy inside his home.

All three were treated at the scene before being taken to John Hunter Hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Police were forced to euthanise the dog at the scene. They are now working with local council rangers to identify the dog’s owner.

Inquiries are continuing.

Police are appealing for assistance to identify a man wanted in relation to alleged threatening conduct in Newcastle.

About 7pm on Wednesday 10 December 2025, a 20-year-old man was driving a vehicle in Railway Street, Newcastle.

While stopped at traffic lights at the intersection of Hunter Street, an unknown man allegedly entered the vehicle and threatened the driver with a meat cleaver before exiting the vehicle.

The driver was uninjured.

As inquiries continue, police have released CCTV footage of a man who may be able to assist with inquiries.

The man is described as being aged in his 20s with a fair complexion and wearing a black t-shirt, grey shorts, white shoes and a black cap. He was also carrying a small dark backpack.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate an elderly woman missing from Swansea.

Marika Muller, aged 79, was last seen on Pelican Street, Swansea, about 4pm today (Tuesday 30 December 2025).

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Family and police hold concerns for Marika’s welfare as she lives with dementia.

Marika is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150cm tall, of thin build, with grey hair.

She was last seen wearing a floral dress.

Marika is believed to be on foot and likely still in the Swansea area.

Anyone who see her is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A man has been charged after allegedly displaying hate symbol tattoos at a Newcastle beach.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District and Operation Shelter commenced an investigation after receiving a report of a man at a Newcastle beach on Wednesday 24 December 2025, whose tattoos allegedly depicted designated hate symbols.

Following inquiries, Coffs Harbour detectives arrested a 36-year-old man at a home in Urunga, south of Coffs Harbour, about 6.30pm yesterday (Saturday 27 December 2025).

He was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station and charged with knowingly display by public act Nazi symbol without excuse and cause prohibited Nazi symbol to be displayed in public place.

The man was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 22 January 2026.

A man will face court today charged with 29 alleged offences following an investigation into alleged sexual assaults.

In March 2025, detectives from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established Strike Force Chariot to investigate alleged sexual assault incidents believed to be linked.

During the investigation, police established that a man had allegedly sexually assaulted three female co-workers from an out of home care provider known to him between August 2023 and January 2025 at locations including Greta, Rutherford, Maitland, Tweed Heads, Banora Point and Moss Vale.

Following extensive inquiries, police arrested a 27-year-old man at a home in Bolwarra Heights about 4.20pm yesterday (Tuesday 23 December 2025).

He was taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with 29 offences,

• Five counts of sexual intercourse without consent (DV)
• Four counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV)
• Three counts of sexually touch another person without consent (DV)
• Two counts of aggravated sexual assault – inflict actual bodily harm on victim (DV)
• Two counts of intentionally choke etc person without consent
• Intentionally choke etc person with recklessness (DV)
• Choke etc person intend to commit indictable offence (DV), and
• Sexual intercourse without consent.

He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 2 today (Wednesday 24 December 2025).

Early-career and young artists across Newcastle will have the chance to develop their creative skills thanks to support from City of Newcastle. 

Tantrum Youth Arts, the National Young Writers Festival and Newcastle Youth Orchestra are among 14 recipients to receive a share of $115,000 in funding, distributed to successful arts, culture and history-based projects through City of Newcastle’s annual grants and sponsorship program. 

Councillor Jenny Barrie joins members of Newcastle Youth Orchestra at Newcastle Conservatorium of Music. Chair of City of Newcastle’s Community and Culture Advisory Committee Councillor Jenny Barrie said the grants will help bolster community-based cultural projects. 

“Newcastle is known for its thriving cultural community, and this funding demonstrates our commitment to nurturing grassroots creative talent and preserving our city’s rich cultural heritage,” Cr Barrie said.

“These grants will provide valuable support to a range of local projects, spanning everything from filmmaking, dance performances and music festivals to preserving cultural artefacts at Stockton and multi-disciplinary arts performances hosted at our newly upgraded Newcastle Art Gallery.”

Among the recipients is the Newcastle Youth Orchestra, who will use the funding to help deliver a series of workshop-based collaborations between emerging and established musicians. 

Newcastle Youth Orchestra spokesperson Capree Gaul said the funding is essential to providing an enhanced experience for young musicians.  

“This support will help alleviate costs such as tuition fees and music purchases so we can focus on presenting four exciting, themed concerts next year, which will feature collaborations between our young musicians and established local choirs and orchestras such as the award-winning dementia choir, the Unforgettables,” Mrs Gaul said.

“Our goal through this project is to deliver exciting workshops and performances that help develop the skills and inspire the next generation of musicians.” 

Concert highlights will include a kids’ classics program, a concerto of music from around the world and a composition developed in partnership with First Nations artists, which will be performed at the University of Newcastle’s Wollotuka Institute.

Other projects inspiring young creators that received funding from City of Newcastle include Tantrum Youth Arts’ Cartwheel program, now in its second year. The initiative supports 10 emerging artists through a year-long schedule of professional development, including tailored masterclasses, business skills workshops and invitations to industry events. 

The National Young Writers Festival received a funding boost for its free four-day event delivered in October this year. The festival, which was hosted in Newcastle, supported more than 55 emerging writers and included a targeted First Nations photography mentorship. 

Newcastle & Hunter Jazz Club will collaborate with Newcastle Improvised Music Association to involve younger musicians in its 36th annual three-day festival at City Hall in 2026, which will feature more than 50 bands and 240 individual musicians. 

Other funded projects include Catapult Dance Company, who will bring together six Newcastle choreographers and six visual artists from the Creator Incubator to produce a range of new collaborative works leading to a site-specific performance event at Newcastle Art Gallery in 2026. 

For a full list of funded projects and details, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/grants. Applications for the next round of grants will open in 2026.