Category: Newcastle News

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).

An internationally recognised researcher who has advanced our understanding of human birth has been named the 19^th Freeman of the City of Newcastle.

In a career that spans more than 35 years, Distinguished Laureate Professor Roger Smith AM has sought answers to some of medicine’s biggest questions, helping families across the world with his research into pregnancy, premature birth and stillbirth.

Freeman of the City Distinguished Laureate Professor Roger Smith AM after being presented with his medal by Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Professor Smith has made his mark in Newcastle and overseas.

“Professor Smith’s research is dedicated to improving the welfare and the wellbeing of everyone,” Cr Nelmes said.

“He was instrumental in the creation of the Hunter Medical Research Cooperative Limited in 1990, which eventually became the world-leading Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI). 

“Professor Smith established the Gomeroi Gaanyggal project in Tamworth, Newcastle and Walgett, endeavouring to ‘close the gap’ where Aboriginal health is concerned, using art as a medium for increasing Indigenous women’s access to healthcare during pregnancy.

“He also helped create a program in Nepal that reduced maternal mortality by 40 per cent by encouraging the Nepalese military to conduct helicopter evacuations of women with obstetric emergencies. The program arranged supplies of sanitary napkins for 2.6 million schoolgirls to allow them to stay at school longer and increase their future opportunities.”

Professor Smith said being named a Freeman of the City was an unexpected honour.

“It’s exciting to be the first scientist and researcher to become a Freeman of the City and I believe it represents a change in the way Newcastle thinks about itself,” Professor Smith said.

“I’d like to see Newcastle continue to develop as a city of ideas, finding solutions for global problems such as climate change and artificial intelligence, bringing together business groups, the University of Newcastle, HMRI, Hunter New England Health and City of Newcastle to generate this future. I’d like to be part of Newcastle’s contribution to the world.

“Newcastle has been my adopted home for the last 44 years and it’s where we brought up our children and now our grandchildren are growing up here. I love that I can get to work in 15 minutes and have a swim before or after work, or both.

“I also love that Newcastle has everything from libraries to the art gallery, a conservatorium, port, airport, sports ground, beaches and restaurants, yet it’s small enough that it’s like living in a village, which is good for our mental health.”

Among his incredible list of achievements, Professor Smith and his team of researchers discovered the biological clock within the human placenta that determines the length of human pregnancy.

He and his team discovered how aging of the placenta can be a cause of stillbirth and have developed nanoparticles targeted to the muscle of the uterus as a treatment for premature birth.

Professor Smith was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2013 for his outstanding contribution to the field of human pregnancy physiology and Indigenous health.

He is a Fellow of the Australian Society for Reproductive Biology, a Life Member of the Endocrine Society of Australia and Scientific Director of the HMRI Mothers and Babies Research Program.

Professor Smith joins an illustrious group of Novocastrians to be awarded the Freeman of the City honour including Surfest co-founder Warren Smith, award-winning architect Brian Suters and sporting administrator and civic luminary, Adele Saunders OAM.

The atmosphere was electric at City Hall last night as more than 800 people came to listen to world renowned entrepreneur, author, and inventor Dr Saul Griffith.

The free event known as Electrify Everything saw Dr Griffith encouraging Novocastrians to be part of the solution to achieving a clean energy future, proposing critical actions that all Australians can take this decade that will save money and our children’s future.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen with Dr Saul Griffith at City Hall.Dr Griffith said communities have the most to benefit from an electrified future powered by our abundant solar energy – local jobs, healthier streets and lower energy bills.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle has collaborated with Dr Griffith over many years on renewable energy and sustainability initiatives.

“It was wonderful to welcome Dr. Saul Griffith back to the city as part of our Empowering Newcastle series,” Cr Nelmes said.

“He’s an advocate for ambitious climate policy and was happy to host the free event to talk about a plan to electrify Newcastle’s homes, businesses, and cars which would create new jobs and a healthier environment for generations to come.

“I’m proud that so many Novocastrians attended to learn more about how to be part of the solution to the climate crisis.”

More than 800 people at City Hall for ‘Electrify Everything’.Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the strong attendance was a testament to the community’s desire to embrace new technology to solve climate challenges.

“City of Newcastle has a proud track record when it comes to environmental initiatives and I’m proud that our residents support plans such as the 10-year Newcastle Environment Strategy,” Cr Clausen said.

The Empowering Newcastle series continues on 8 August with City of Newcastle hosting a roundtable to discuss electric vehicles and low emissions transport.

A host of stakeholders will be invited, including Transport for NSW, the Australian Electric Vehicle Association, the University of Newcastle, Business Hunter and Port of Newcastle to discuss the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to electric vehicles and low emissions transport in Newcastle.

On 17 August City of Newcastle will invite the community to join NSW Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Heritage Minister Penny Sharpe and the Lord Mayor to hear about the renewable energy transformation in the Hunter and opportunities for all residents to be part of our net zero future.

To secure tickets visit https://www.trybooking.com/CSVXK

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a boy missing from the Hunter Region.

Jordan Christian, aged 14, was last seen in Rutherford about 1pm on Saturday 6 July 2024.

Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified about 5pm on Wednesday 24 July 2024, and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Concerns are held for his welfare due to his young age.

Jordan is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, and about 175cm tall with medium build.

He is known to frequent Rutherford and Lochinvar.

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

Anyone with information about this incident is urged 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.

Newcastle and Hunter public schools are getting right behind our Olympic athletes as they go for gold in Paris.

Olympic debutants, Clare Wheeler (Hunter Sports High School) and Ky Willott (Belmont Public School and Belmont High School), will be joined by fellow public school alumni and Matildas player Emily van Egmond (Warners Bay and Whitebridge high schools), Hockeyroo Mariah Williams (Hunter Sports High School) and men’s water polo co-captain Nathan Power (New Lambton Public School and Merewether High School) at the Games.

Local public schools will also go green and gold on Friday 2 August in support of our Olympians.

NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said more than 50 former NSW public school students would fly the flag at the 2024 Olympic Games, making up a sizeable chunk of the 460-strong Australian team.

“We are incredibly proud of our students and alumni who have achieved the extraordinary honour of qualifying for the Paris Olympics,” he said.

“This remarkable achievement is a result of years of hard work and dedication, but also unwavering support and encouragement from their public schools, teachers, coaches, and families.

“NSW public schools have a long-standing tradition of excellence, and these athletes exemplify the best of what our education system can produce.

“As we prepare to honour our NSW public school alumni in Public Education Week (5-9 August), their journey to the Paris Olympics serves as an inspiration to all current students, reminding them that with passion and commitment, anything is possible.”

The success of NSW public school students at the Olympics dates back to the 1900 Paris Games, when former Sydney Boys High School student and national sprint champion Stan Rowley became the first Australian-born competitor and medallist.

One of just two Australians participating in France, Rowley picked up bronze medals in the 60m, 100m and 200m races, before joining the English in a 5000m teams race, where they won gold.

A long line of excellence from former NSW public school students at the Games has followed, including swimmers Ian Thorpe (East Hills Boys High School) and Dawn Fraser (Leichhardt Home Science School) and sprinters Betty Cuthbert (Parramatta Home Science School) and Marjorie Jackson (Lithgow High School), who are among our greatest-ever Olympians.

The establishment of sports high schools, starting with Westfields Sports High School at Fairfield West in 1991, has led to further success, with nearly 50 students representing Australia at Olympic and Paralympic level.

There are now eight government sports high schools across the state balancing the needs of emerging athletes with a first-class education.

Their influence is no better exemplified than by the Matildas, with sports high schools providing five members of the 2024 Olympics squad, while a further four players also attended a NSW public high school.

A close relationship with the Australian Olympic Committee was further strengthened after sports high schools became official Olympic pathway schools in 2023.

The 2024 Olympic Games start on 26 July and conclude on 11 August. The 2024 Paralympic Games run from 28 August to 11 September.

A nursing graduate who pivoted from a background in civil engineering is among nine Lord Mayor’s Scholarship recipients recognised by City of Newcastle.

In 2022 City of Newcastle expanded the Newcastle Lord Mayor’s Scholarship Program with the NSW TAFE Foundation to five categories to help more local students facing personal or financial hardship to reach their educational goals. A similar Lord Mayor’s Scholarship Program with the University of Newcastle was set up in 2015. This year City of Newcastle will provide scholarships of between $1000 and $4000 to eight students, totaling more than $16,000. 

Councillor Margaret Wood, Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, City of Newcastle Acting CEO David Clarke, City of Newcastle Aboriginal Engagement Partner Jody Clark, University of Newcastle Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Global Professor Kent Anderson, TAFE NSW Executive Director Jason Darney and Scholarship recipients.City of Newcastle hosted nine current and recent recipients from the scholarship program at a reception with Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes this week, acknowledging their hard work, dedication and vocational success.

“These outstanding Novocastrians embody what can be achieved through fair access to tertiary education for everyone. Already, each one of these high achievers is contributing to our common goal of making Newcastle a more livable, sustainable, inclusive global city,” Cr Nelmes said.

“City of Newcastle has a proud record of supporting scholarship opportunities and empowering students to reach their potential, despite any hurdles. In the last four years we have supported 37 students through the scholarship program. I’m thrilled by this opportunity to congratulate them personally.” 

Dominic Julius Gudis, 29, received the Lord Mayor’s Inclusion Scholarship last year and in June completed his Diploma of Nursing at TAFE NSW Newcastle. 

Now an Enrolled Nurse at Lingard Hospital, Merewether, Mr Gudis hopes to complete a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Newcastle, study medicine and ultimately become a rural GP. It’s a career pivot the Filipino expat, and former civil engineer, doesn’t regret.

“Nursing is something I’ve wanted to do since I was kid. We were very family oriented growing up in the Philippines, always taking care of our mum, our grandma and our extended family. As soon as I started nursing I thought, this is my place,” Mr Gudis said.

“I’m glad I went through TAFE and I’d recommend it to anyone. It helps you learn about the job and it’s a stepping-stone to whatever you want to do later. I’ve definitely found my passion.”

TAFE NSW Executive Director Education and Skills North Jason Darney said the scholarship recipients reflected a diversity of career paths. 

“TAFE NSW is committed to providing practical skills training along with real work experience to help people find the job they want, and to training the workforce of the future,” Mr Darney said.

“However, choosing to study, upskill or retrain can be a difficult decision for some, as they balance cost of living pressures with study commitments. These scholarships, along with the ongoing support from the NSW TAFE Foundation, will allow students who are experiencing hardship to reach their full potential and their education goals.”

University of Newcastle Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Kent Anderson praised the nine scholarship recipients and the equity and importance of the support. 

“It’s wonderful to have this kind of support from the City of Newcastle – it’s a great example of our community’s commitment to supporting equal access to higher education,” Professor Anderson said. 

“The scholarship empowers students to pursue their dreams, making sure that financial hardship does not stand in the way of academic achievement and making a positive contribution to society.”

The Lord Mayor scholarship recipients through TAFE NSW and the University of Newcastle recognised this week also include:

• Astro Haddon – Lord Mayor’s Art Scholarship – TAFE NSW
• Chloe Hooper – Lord Mayor’s Art Scholarship – TAFE NSW
• Emily Lloyd – TAFE Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Scholarship – TAFE NSW
• Winnie Lynn – Lord Mayor’s Art Scholarship – TAFE NSW
• Maddison Innis – Lord Mayor’s Scholarship for Women – UoN
• Leanne Swainson – Lord Mayor’s Women Empowered Scholarship – TAFE NSW
• Chen Tai – Lord Mayor’s TAFE CALD Scholarship – TAFE NSW
• Sharnie-Marie Withers – Lord Mayor’s Arts Encouragement Award – TAFE NSW

Work will begin next month to improve access at Bar Beach, with more than $1.7 million being invested in upgrades including a new walkway and staircase from the main promenade across the front of Cooks Hill Surf Lifesaving Club to the sand. 

The beach and surf lifesaving club building were significantly damaged by a storm surge in April 2022. 

Councillors voted last night to accept a tender for the next stage of City of Newcastle’s ongoing remediation program, which will include new access from the amenities area to the southern area of the beach patrolled by City of Newcastle lifeguards seven days a week.  

The project will also include the reinstatement and upgrade of a vehicle access ramp from Memorial Drive to the beach, with access to and from the Club’s garaging, and a wave deflector wall to protect the new infrastructure. 

City of Newcastle has delivered a series of repair works at Bar Beach since 2022, including reinstating staircases, re-installing a beach access wheelchair ramp, and installing balustrade-style fencing to increase safety given the drop in sand level in the storm event. 

The next stage of the project is scheduled to be completed before the peak summer season to minimise disruption to beachgoers, including the Cooks Hill Surf Lifesaving Club’s Nippers program. 

Executive Director City Infrastructure Clint Thomson said enhancing the accessibility of Bar Beach and restoring the integrity of its built environment was a priority for City for Newcastle. 

“The remediation work completed so far has significantly restored the area, with this next stage to further improve pedestrian and vehicular access at this popular coastal precinct,” Mr Thompson said. 

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said these works are part of ongoing investment in our beaches, which will continue through the Coastal Revitalisation Program.  

“We know just how much our community and visitors value how easy it is to enjoy our beautiful coastline,” Cr Nelmes said. 

“This is why we continue to invest in improving access points at our beaches as well as delivering major infrastructure projects including upgrades to the Merewether Ocean Baths and the refurbishment of Nobbys Surf Pavilion, the ongoing revitalisation of the Newcastle Ocean Baths, and the delivery of our flagship Bathers Way coastal path.” 

Cooks Hill Surf Life Saving Club President Michael Clancy welcomed the next stage of remediation works and improvements to beach access. 

“The construction of the wave wall, pedestrian path and associated public access points to the beach are welcomed by the Cooks Hill SLSC members and the wider community we serve. Safe access to the beach is paramount for everyone and this work will provide a secure and accessible environment for beachgoers,” Mr Clancy said. 

“The enhancements will not only protect the shoreline but also provide some additional protection to community assets we all enjoy.” 

Following the 2022 storm, City of Newcastle carried out emergency works at Bar Beach to keep the clubhouse and facilities usable, reinstate staircase access to the beach, return vehicle access and introduce safety measures to protect beachgoers from the drop off from the promenade such as barriers and later, new fencing. 

City of Newcastle has received $1 million in funding from the Australian and NSW governments under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements to remediate Bar Beach, and will invest more than $1.7 million to deliver this stage of works. City of Newcastle continues to work with coastal experts to develop a Coastal Management Program from Nobbys to Burwood beaches.