Category: Newcastle News

Police are appealing for public assistance as they continue to investigate a robbery in Lake Macquarie earlier this year.
About 3am on Thursday 9 July 2020, a 61-year-old woman was returning home on Plane Street, Gateshead, when she was approached by an man.
The man demanded the woman’s handbag before he pushed her to the ground, grabbed the bag and fled the scene in a northerly direction to a waiting vehicle.
The woman sustained a minor injury but did not require medical assistance.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were called a short time later and commenced an investigation.
As inquiries continue, detectives have released CCTV footage of a man and a woman who may be able to assist with their inquiries.
The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, wearing a white cap, dark coloured jumper and dark coloured pants.
The woman is described as being of Caucasian appearance, with blonde hair, wearing a grey hooded jumper and blue tracksuit pants.
The pair were seen leaving in a silver Nissan Navara utility displaying red P-plates, with a bull bar and aerials.
Anyone who may have information which could assist investigators is urged to contact Belmont Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A podcast series exploring the storytelling traditions of our local Aboriginal communities will be launched today as part of City of Newcastle’s NAIDOC Week celebrations.
Produced through the City’s Libraries in support of this year’s NAIDOC Week theme, Newcastle’s First Storytellers: Always Was, Always Will Be highlights our region’s rich Indigenous culture and history.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said through the contributions of contemporary and well-known Newcastle identities, the podcast beautifully articulates how local Aboriginal communities share and tell stories.
“NAIDOC Week is an important opportunity to acknowledge that our nation’s story didn’t begin with European settlement and recognise that First Nations peoples have occupied and cared for this continent for more than 65,000 years,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were Australia’s first explorers, first navigators, first engineers, first farmers, first botanists, first scientists, first diplomats, first astronomers and first storytellers.
“Our NAIDOC Week podcasts provide the perfect opportunity to showcase the region’s rich cultural history and long tradition of Indigenous storytelling.”
The podcast series includes six compelling episodes, which can be accessed by searching for ‘Newcastle Libraries REAL’ on your favourite podcast app, with a new episode added each day.
It features local author and member of the Stolen Generation Donna Meehan; John Maynard, Professor of Indigenous Education and Research (Indigenous History) at the University of Newcastle and one of the world’s most respected voices on Indigenous history; Jake Ridgeway, a young singer, songwriter and performer based in Newcastle; Ray Kelly Jnr, a member of a local family synonymous with the Aboriginal community of Newcastle and Aboriginal Elder William Smith.
Artist, entrepreneur and activist Saretta Fielding, who is a member of the Wonnarua Nation, will share her story in the second episode of the podcast, while a selection of her acclaimed artwork, design prints, fabrics and fashion items will be on display at Wallsend Library from 8-30 November.
Newcastle Art Gallery is also celebrating NAIDOC Week with a filmed performance of local Torres Strait Islander artist and singer Toby Cedar, which will be shared on their website and Facebook page, while Newcastle Museum has a permanent exhibition that allows you to learn about the history and technology of a traditional punnah (stringy bark) canoe, which was built onsite and is on display at the museum.
To find out more about our NAIDOC Week activities visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/explore/things-to-do/naidoc-week or to listen to some of our other podcast series visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/library/experience/digital-programs/library-podcasts

A missing elderly woman from the Hunter and her dog have been located safe and well this morning.
The 82-year-old was last seen about 6.20pm yesterday (Sunday 8 November 2020), at her home in Abermain, when she told her husband she was walking the dog.
Following extensive inquiries, she and her Maltese terrier, Susie, was located near Neath about 9.35am today (Monday 9 November 2020), both safe and well.
Police would like to thank the public and media for their assistance.

Police are set to resume searching for an 82-year-old woman who has gone missing from her home in the Hunter region overnight.
Mrs Joy Morrow was last seen about 6.20pm (Sunday 8 November 2020), at her home in Abermain, when she told her husband she was walking the dog, but has not been sighted since
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District were alerted and a ground and air search commenced involving local police, SES volunteers, residents and the police airwing, PolAir.
The search has continued throughout the night but has been temporarily suspended with it to resume about 7.30am.
Police are renewing their appeal for anyone who may have seen Mrs Morrow, or her dog Susie, to call Muswellbrook Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Mrs Morrow is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 152cm tall and 80kg with a solid build and short dark hair; she speaks with an Irish accent.
At the time she was wearing a multi-coloured shirt with ¾ sleeves, black skirt and slippers. She was walking with her 13-year-old Maltese terrier called Susie. Mrs Morrow may appear disoriented or confused.
Police are especially asking local residents to check their sheds, backyards and garages in case Mrs Morrow has taken shelter overnight.
Anyone who may have seen Mrs Morrow is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are appealing for assistance to find an 82-year-old woman who has gone missing from her home in the Hunter region.
Mrs Joy Morrow was last seen about 6.20pm (Sunday 8 November 2020), at her home in Abermain but has not been sighted since and officers from Hunter Valley Police District were alerted.
Mrs Morrow is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 152cm tall and 80kg with a solid build and short dark hair; she speaks with an Irish accent.
At the time she was wearing a multi-coloured shirt with ¾ sleeves, black skirt and slippers. She was walking with her 13-year-old Maltese terrier called Susie. Mrs Morrow may appear disoriented or confused.
A search of the area is now underway by local police with PolAir assisting.
Anyone who may have seen Mrs Morrow is urged to contact Muswellbrook Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A man reported missing from Lake Macquarie has been located safe and well.
The 59-year-old Macquarie Hills man was reported missing about 3.00am on Tuesday 3 November 2020 by members of his family.
About 10am today (Sunday 8 November 2020), police received notification from the man’s family that he had returned home.
Police would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance.

A driver has been charged after a passenger died in a single-vehicle crash in the Hunter region overnight.
Emergency services were called to Anambah Road at Rutherford, 8km north-east of Maitland, shortly after
9pm (Saturday 7 November 2020), after a Ford utility left the roadway and hit a guard rail.
The front passenger seat was thrown from the vehicle.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and commenced inquiries.
The passenger, a 29-year-old man, was declared deceased at the scene.
The driver, a 33-year-old man, was arrested and taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory testing, before being taken to Maitland Police Station.
He was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death – drive manner dangerous, and negligent driving (occasioning death).
The man has been granted conditional bail to appear at Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 9 December 2020.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

A teenage boy reported missing from the Lake Macquarie area has been located safe and well.
The 16-year-old from Morisset was reported missing about 6.00pm on Friday 6 November 2020 by members of his family.
About 2.00pm today (Sunday 8 November 2020), police from Lake Macquarie Police District received notification from the boy’s family that he had found at a house in Dudley.
Police would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance.

Newcastle Art Gallery is set to reintroduce face-to-face educational programs and regular opening hours of 10am – 5pm Tuesday to Sunday as COVID-19 restrictions ease.
The Gallery will maintain its contact tracing systems, additional cleaning and will limit visitor numbers to adhere to physical distancing requirements and ensure a safe environment is maintained for all patrons.
Public programs, including Art Cart, will recommence from November 14 with a maximum capacity of 10 participants and their parent/guardian per session. Guided tours will also recommence with a limited capacity per group, facilitated by volunteer guides. See the website  for session times and booking information.
Art Cart engages children with the exhibitions on display through discussion and art making. Led by Gallery educators, every weekend Art Cart engages with a different work of art on display, and the event is staged in the Gallery space as close as possible to the original work. Bookings are required as Art Cart will be initially returning every Saturday for two sessions and places will be limited.
Newcastle Art Gallery will continue to offer its digital programs. For more information, visit www.nag.org.au/home

Music lovers will be given a backstage pass to some of the biggest bands and gigs in the world when Newcastle Art Gallery showcases rarely seen and previously unreleased photographs of Australian and international musicians.
At a time when COVID-19 restrictions have seriously curtailed the slew of gigs usually packed into our summer music schedules, the Gallery is thrusting visitors into the thick of the action with its upcoming exhibition, WE CAN BE HEROES: a backstage pass.

From homegrown local musicians to international superstars, the exhibition showcases major acts from the 70s through to the contemporary heroes of today, including everyone from The Beatles, David Bowie and Iggy Pop, to Dave Grohl, Gang of Youths, Midnight Oil and Silverchair.
The images will also take audiences into the epicentre of festivals such as Austin City Limits, Big Day Out, and Lollapalooza, featuring the work of leading Australian music photographers including Charlie Hardy and Luke Kellett, who are both based in Newcastle, as well as Sydneysiders Maclay Heriot and Sophie Howarth.
The exhibition will also be supported with works of art drawn from the Newcastle Art Gallery collection.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the exhibition offered a window into the excitement and energy of live music.
“At a time when COVID-19 restrictions have changed the way we experience live music, this exhibition is a wonderful reminder of the joy of going to a gig and the memories that musicians create for their fans,” Cr Nelmes said.
Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton said the exhibition also showcased the amazing talents of the photographers who help preserve these moments in history.
“This major summer exhibition celebrates not only the connection and relationship between the photographer and their subject, it also showcases their incredible artistic talent in capturing unforgettable moments through rarely seen touring photos, unreleased press images and views from the stage that very few of us get to experience.”
Leading up to the exhibition, Newcastle Art Gallery put a call-out to Newcastle music fans to submit digital copies of posters from their favourite local gigs, with a selection to be included in the Gallery’s interactive smart space.
WE CAN BE HEROES: a backstage pass will run from 14 November 2020 – 14 February 2021 at the Newcastle Art Gallery.
Musicians featured in the exhibition: 
Angus and Julia Stone, Baker Boy, Boy and Bear, Dave Grohl, David Bowie, Delta Riggs, DMA’s, Dr G Yunupingu, Flight to Dubai, Gang of Youths, Garbage, Grinspoon, Iggy Pop, Kira Puru, Kwame, Midnight Oil, Mo’Ju (formerly known as Mojo Juju), Nick Cave, Paul Dempsey, PJ Harvey, Powderfinger, Saltwater Band, San Cisco, Silverchair, Skeggs, The Beatles, The Jungle Giants, The Preatures, The Prodigy, Violent Soho, You Am I, plus more.