Category: Newcastle News

A man has died following a crash in the state’s Hunter region yesterday.
About 12.40pm (Sunday 8 March 2020), emergency services were called to Tomago Road, Tomago, after reports a Mitsubishi ASX had crashed into a tree after colliding with an Izuzu D-Max.
The Mitsubishi driver, a 75-year-old man, died at the scene.
The Izuzu driver, a 32-year-old man, sustained serious internal injuries and was airlifted to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
The passengers, two women aged 66 and 26 and a 2-year-old boy, suffered minor injuries.
All were transferred to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.
Officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command established a crime scene, with the Crash Investigation Unit to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Any witnesses or anyone with dashcam vision who were in the area at the time are urged to come forward.
 

The skills, culture and adaptability of First Nations people will be showcased at Newcastle Museum when the improvisational genius of the famous Bush Mechanics is complemented by a display of locally made possum skin cloaks and weaving. 
The hit ABC documentary series Bush Mechanics, which combined the mechanical resourcefulness of Central Australia’s Walpiri men with their humour and music, was a TV phenomenon in 2001.  
Four episodes in which they replaced car parts with tree boughs and cleverly used other bush resources, such as mulga, spinifex and sand, as tools and spare parts, were watched by more than 3 million viewers.  
An EH Holden they cut the roof off to use as a makeshift trailer, a Ford Fairlane adorned in a water-dreaming painting and a driver-simulator cobbled from random machinery and a computer monitor, feature among their handiwork in the Bush Mechanics exhibition from the National Motor Museum. 
^{The old Holden lopped by the Bush Mechanics.}
Specially commissioned art, displays showing their clever “nyurulypa” (good bush tricks) and an augmented reality app that explains the Ford Fairlane painting, feature among the exhibition’s interactive components. 
“The City of Newcastle invests around $15 million in delivering cultural facilities in our city year in year out, and our Newcastle Museum plays a vital role in telling our stories and showcasing wonderful Australian talent like the Bush Mechanics,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.  
Joining the Bush Mechanics display, Cultural Resurgence will showcase woven and possum skin works created by local Aboriginal community groups, such as the Mindaribba Local Aboriginal lands council, the Awabakal Elders group and various school groups with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students and their teachers with local organisation Speaking in Colour.  
“In all of these programs cultural enrichment is paramount,” Managing Director of Speaking in Colour Cherie Johnson said. “In all of these programs cultural enrichment is paramount. 
“The diversity of individuals’ knowledge and abilities vary; however, we have found the hunger to learn and create is shared by all. Over the course of this program it is beautiful to watch the students become the teachers, sharing what they have learnt with their friends and family. We have witnessed generations share and work together on projects that many have not had the chance to do before.” 
^{Walpiri-style driver simulator.}
Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said she was excited to have the two exhibitions on display together.  
“Bush Mechanics, with its desert mob Walpiri way of solving problems and the local Speaking in Colour weaving and possum skin cloaks created by both young and old, allows us to celebrate the culture and ingenuity of our First Nations people,” Ms Baird said.

Bush Mechanics and Cultural Resurgence are free at Newcastle Museum until 30 May.

A man has been charged with possessing child abuse material in the Lake Macquarie region yesterday.
About 9.30am (Thursday 5 March 2020), detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District executed a search warrant at a home on George Street, Holmesville, following reports a man was allegedly disseminating child abuse material over the internet.
Detectives spoke with a 49-year-old man and allegedly found child abuse material on his phone.
Following inquiries, computers, computer storage devices and mobile phones were seized by police.
The man was arrested and charged with one count of possess child abuse material.
He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 24 March 2020.

Police have charged two people and recovered jewellery, laptops and housebreaking implements when a stolen car was spotted in the Lake Macquarie area yesterday.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District had been investigating the theft of a Kia Cerato from a Newcastle shopping centre on 24 February 2020, when the vehicle was spotted in Speers Street, Speers Point, about 11.30am (Friday 6 March 2020).
A 30-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man were arrested in the stolen car and were taken to Belmont Police Station.
When police searched the vehicle, they recovered jewellery and laptops, alleged to have been stolen, as well as housebreaking implements.
The woman has been charged with enter enclosed land and be carried in conveyance without consent.
The man has been charged with trespass, be carried in conveyance without consent, possess housebreaking implements, and goods in custody suspected of being stolen.
Both have been refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 7 March 2020).

A man has been charged after a police officer was injured while dispersing a large party at Lake Macquarie last night.
About 10.15pm (Friday 6 March 2020), officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were called to a large party at a home on Bridgewater Close, Eleebana.
On arrival, officers located more than 100 people in the street, and a number of people proceeded to throw glass bottles at police.
One officer was hit by a bottle, sustaining minor injuries, and a police vehicle was damaged. Additional police attended and dispersed the crowd.
A man is alleged to have harassed a police dog, and attempted to incite the crowd to further attack officers.
The 21-year-old was arrested after allegedly failing to comply with a police direction. He resisted before being restrained and taken to Belmont Police Station.
He was charged with fail to comply with direction, behave in offensive manner in/near public place/school, and resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty, and granted strict conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 8 April 2020.
Police are investigating the incident and as they continue their inquiries, they would like to speak to anyone who has information on attendees of the party.
 

New education department data shows around 140,000 apprentices and trainees have been lost under Scott Morrison’s third term Liberal Government, and it’s holding our nation back.
Scott Morrison created this tradie crisis.  It’s hurting our economy, and denying Australians jobs.
As a result, we now have shortages of bricklayers, plumbers, hairdressers, bakers, electricians, mechanics, panelbeaters, and other critical trades.
No part of Australia is safe.  Every state and territory has lost apprentices and trainees.

We’ve had many businesses, big and small, tell us that they’d love to grow, to take on more staff, but that they can’t find people with the right training.
In fact, the Australian Industry Group says 75 per cent of businesses report they are struggling to find the qualified workers they need.
At the same time, there are almost two million Australians crying out for work or looking for more hours.
Scott Morrison’s failure is criminal.
The Liberals have cut around $3 billion from TAFE and training.
Australia has fewer apprentices and trainees today than when the Liberals first came to office.
There are more people dropping out of vocational education and training courses than finishing them.
By locking Australians out of education and training, the Liberals are locking Australians out of jobs.

City of Newcastle is working with Worimi Land Council and local elders to develop a Plan of Management for Rawson Park Reserve in order to protect Aboriginal heritage, including an onsite meeting Wednesday with the Lord Mayor, senior staff, and the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the meeting with Worimi Land Council CEO Andrew Smith and local elder Len Anderson involved productive discussions on managing the site and its Indigenous heritage following recent emergency works to relocate cabins from the threat of erosion.
“It’s very important that Andrew and Len gave their time to talk through the history of this site and how we can protect its cultural heritage,” Cr Nelmes said.
“It’s clear there is an amazing history going back a significant amount of time on this site that is important for not only local Indigenous people but for the whole community.
“We want to make sure that although Stockton is a natural disaster zone and emergency works have taken place, that they are only done in recognition of this being an Aboriginal place and that any artefacts found are protected and our cultural heritage is preserved.”
Andrew Smith Worimi Aboriginal Land Council CEO said a positive outcome could be reached on the site and that the Worimi Land Council would work in partnership with the City to preserve cultural history.
“I’m really thankful for City of Newcastle’s commitment to meet us here on site and to go over the issues we see in the abundance of occupational heritage and cultural evidence of artefacts. I think through their understanding and awareness of what this site represents, moving forward it’s a great outcome,” Mr Smith said.
“Our plan now is to salvage any artefacts, objects and items that have been exposed. In partnership with Council we will work towards lodging an Aboriginal Place Nomination which will allow a collaboration between Council and the Aboriginal community to develop a plan for this site that makes sure that we don’t compromise the world’s oldest living culture.”
Worimi elder Lennie Anderson was also determined to reach a positive outcome on the site.
“I feel that Council is endeavouring to walk forward with us and to come up with an amicable decision on what has been done here. We have to work out something that benefits the whole community.”
City of Newcastle has commenced work to secure a number of the relocated cabins for public safety reasons. The City will continue to work with the Department of Planning Industry and Environment and Worimi Land Council to tie down the remaining unsecured cabins before a medium to long term solution can be resolved.

Local Schools Local Decisions will be improved with schools earning the autonomy to make decisions around the allocation of funds and learning programs by hitting a range of numeracy and literacy targets.
There will also be changes to alleviate the administrative burden for principals as a matter of priority. This will allow schools to focus on what they do best – educating children.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said there is room for improvement when it comes to our student’s performance across NSW.
“To ensure students receive the best education we must be able to enforce best teaching practice consistently across our schools,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Local Schools Local Decisions is a sound policy but we need to make sure it works as it was intended. Adjustments will make it easier for the NSW Government to provide support to schools that are underperforming.”
Schools will earn the autonomy to make funding, and educational decisions by hitting a range of targets, using criteria such as Bump It Up, HSC results and NAPLAN results.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the NSW Government is investing a record amount in education and the improvements to Local Schools Local Decisions will strike the right balance between autonomy, accountability and support for schools.
“Improving Local Schools Local Decisions is unashamedly about lifting performance in NSW through supporting evidence based best practice teaching and learning, Ms Mitchell said.
“It is fantastic that many schools have been able to excel under Local Schools Local Decisions, but other schools need more attention when it comes to improving outcomes. These changes to the policy will enable us to provide the support that these principals and teachers need.
“We want to help principals by removing unnecessary administration burdens and allowing them to spend more time leading their schools and supporting their students.”
The NSW Government will consult with education stakeholders on the reforms and will agree on targets with schools by the end of Term 4 2020. The changes will be implemented on Day one Term 1 2021.

A man will appear in court today after Strike Force Raptor North investigators seized more than $12,000 cash and two firearms near Newcastle.
As part of ongoing targeting and disruption of the illicit activities of criminal networks, police from the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor North executed a search warrant at a home in Belmont South just after 2am today (Thursday 5 March 2020).
During the search, officers seized two pistols, ammunition, electronic equipment and prohibited drugs believed to methylamphetamine.
Police also located $12,380 cash allegedly hidden inside a freezer.
A 38-year-old man allegedly fled from the home before being detained by officers, with assistance from the Dog Unit, a short distance away.
The man and a 23-year-old woman were arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station.
The man was charged with possess unregistered firearm (x2), possess unauthorised firearm (x2), possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority (x2), possess prohibited drug and deal with property proceeds of crime.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.
The woman was released pending further inquiries.
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.

Two people will appear in court today charged after prohibited firearms and drugs were seized during a vehicle stop in the state’s Hunter region.
About 2.15am yesterday (Thursday 5 March 2020), officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District stopped a holden viva sedan, believed to be unregistered, while patrolling on Louth Park Road, Louth Park.
After speaking with the driver, a 30-year-old man, officers conducted a search of the vehice.
During the search, officers located two pistols, a loaded rifle, a loaded shotgun, methylamphetamine, cannabis and prescription medication. These items were seized to undergo forensic examination.
The driver and a passenger, a 23-year-old woman, were both arrested at the scene and taken to Maitland Police Station.
The man was charged with possess unauthorised firearm, two counts of possess shortened firearm, possess three unregistered firearms, supply prohibited drug, possess ammunition without licence or permit, drive whilst suspended, drive unregistered and possess prescribed restricted substance.
The woman was charged with possess unauthorised pistol and possess ammunition without licence or permit.
Both were refused bail to appear in Maitland Local Court today (Friday 6 March 2020).
Inquiries are continuing.