Category: Newcastle News

The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments and Muswellbrook and Lake Macquarie councils are working together to secure the future of the Hunter, with new plans set to unlock more than 7,000 jobs as part of the region’s shift from coal into a major industrial hub.
The first major post-mining land transformations plans at the Mt Arthur Coal Mine site near Muswellbrook and the Macquarie Coal Complex at West Wallsend have been revealed today delivering on the Commonwealth Government’s $5 million investment, alongside in-kind support from the NSW Government.
These sites will be repurposed to create new jobs and industrial precincts that drive economic growth across the region.
The draft master plans and rezoning proposals are now on public exhibition. They map out how the Hunter’s skilled workforce combined with the proximity of strong rail, road, power and water infrastructure lay the foundation for the success of new industries including renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and warehousing.The plans set out how the Mt Arthur and Macquarie coal mining areas will be transformed from supplying coal to providing new job opportunities as part of a post-mining land use trial.
The plans deliver on the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments’ effort in the Hunter that land previously used for mining can be transformed for new employment and industry.
Mt Arthur coal mine, Muswellbrook
Following the commercial decision by BHP to cease mining operations at their Mt Arthur coal mine in 2030, two areas will be zoned for new industry with access to major highways and the existing rail loop. 
Key features of the draft master plan and rezoning proposal include:
·        Total area of 5,400 hectares
·        Over 950 hectares of land in the two priority areas identified for early activation
·        Approximately 5,900 new jobs.
Macquarie Coal Complex, Teralba/West Wallsend
The Macquarie Coal Complex, located just 20km south-west of Newcastle, is ideally positioned to become a major employment precinct for renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and warehousing.
Macquarie Coal Complex is a former mine site and is directly linked to the M1 and the Main Northern Railway.
Key features of the draft master plan and rezoning proposal include:
·        Total area of 1,160 hectares
·        At least 500 hectares of developable land
·        Up to 1,130 new jobs
·        Around 36 hectares of new open space
Next Steps
A recommendations report will be handed down based on these pilot projects by the end of the year, setting out a clear reform agenda to streamline future post-mining land use opportunities.
This complements other work by the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments along with local councils, already underway to investigate future rezonings at sites across the state including Eraring, Liddell and Bayswater.
The draft master plans are on public exhibition for 28 days from 14 July to 11 August. In-person drop-in sessions will be held in both Muswellbrook and Lake Macquarie during the exhibition period, giving the community the chance to speak directly with the project team.
Community feedback received during this time will help shape the final plans, which are expected to be finalised by the end of the year. To view the proposals and have your say, visit Mt Arthur Mine: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/ppr/pre-exhibition/mt-arthur-mine or Macquarie Coal Complex: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/ppr/under-exhibition/macquarie-coal-complex . 
Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres said:
“The Hunter has the skills, infrastructure and industrial capacity to lead Australia’s next wave of economic growth.
“These masterplans are about attracting new industries, creating high quality local jobs and cementing the region as a major hub for manufacturing and innovation –powering Australia’s economic resilience for decades to come.”
NSW Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:
“The Hunter has powered NSW for generations and we are making sure it continues to power our economy into the future.
“These plans will help create thousands of local jobs, attract new investment and give Hunter communities confidence that the region will remain one of the state’s economic powerhouses.”
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“The Minns Labor Government is acting now to plan for the Hunter’s future, including making the most of strategically located land and existing infrastructure.
“These proposals provide a clear pathway for former mining land to support new industries, investment and jobs for decades to come and add thousands of hectares to the amount of available and serviced industrial land in NSW.”
NSW Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said:
“Coal mines in the Hunter have sustained communities and families for generations, and we want to make sure these sites can continue to support jobs even after mining ends.
“This is another example of how the Minns Labor Government is partnering with communities and industry to re-build manufacturing and industry across the Hunter.”
Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi said:
“The Hunter’s next chapter has been built here, by Hunter workers, using Hunter skills. These plans are about turning former mine land into future job sites, with real opportunities in manufacturing, renewables, logistics and industry.
“We’ve got the workforce, we’ve got the know-how, and we’ve got the infrastructure. Now it’s about making sure local people are front and centre as these sites are transformed.”
NSW Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr said:
“The Minns Labor Government is backing the Hunter, creating opportunities for local workers, businesses and communities as the region’s economy evolves.”
“The more than 7,000 jobs set to be created through these projects will make the most of the existing Hunters skilled workforce and help cement the region as a major industrial hub.”
Muswellbrook Shire Council Mayor Jeffrey Drayton said:
“This project is critical for our community. We need the land to attract new industry and create jobs, so Muswellbrook has a future after mining. We don’t have time to wait until mines close down to do this work.”
“This is not about letting mines off the hook. It is about balancing environmental, economic and social outcomes so Muswellbrook can achieve our potential and continue to power the future economy like we have been doing for decades.”
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said:
“The transformation of the Macquarie Coal Complex represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help shape Lake Macquarie’s future.
“By working in partnership with the NSW and Australian Governments and industry, we’re planning ahead to create new jobs and attract investment as the economy evolves.”

A man has died following a crash in the State’s Newcastle region yesterday.

Emergency services were called to Clyde Street, Hamilton North, about 7.15am yesterday (Saturday 11 July 2026), following reports of a motorcycle crash.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended and found a motorcycle had crashed into a fence.

The motorcycle rider – a 55-year-old man – died at the scene.

Police established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the cause of the crash.

A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.

An investigation is underway after a man died following a stabbing in Hamilton South this afternoon.

About 3.30pm (Saturday 11 July 2026), emergency services were called to Hassall Street, Hamilton South, following reports of a stabbing.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended and found a man believed to be aged in his 40s, suffering from a stab wound.

The man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

Shortly thereafter, police received notification that the man had died in hospital.

A crime scene has been established which is currently undergoing forensic examination by specialist police.

An investigation by Newcastle detectives, with the assistance of the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, has commenced.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

A motorcycle rider has died following a two-vehicle crash in the Hunter Valley area earlier today.

About 2:45pm on Saturday 11 July 2026, emergency services were called to Leggetts Drive, Pelaw Main (2km south of Kurri Kurri), following reports of a crash.

On arrival, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District found a car and a motorcycle had collided.

The rider of the motorcycle – a 58-year-old man – was treated at the scene by first responders and NSW Ambulance Paramedics, but could not be revived.

The driver of the vehicle, a Mitsubish Mirage, a 72-year-old woman was taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory testing.

Police have commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the crash.

Police will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.

Leggetts Drive is closed in both directions at Pelaw Main while emergency services remain on site.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

Motorists can use the M1 Pacific Motorway and the Hunter Expressway as an alternative route, and are advised to allow extra travel time.

For the latest traffic information on this incident, visit https://www.livetraffic.com/incident-details/281237.

Work has officially begun on the first Tangara train to be refurbished at Newcastle’s Cardiff Maintenance Centre, marking an important step in rebuilding the Hunter as one of Australia’s leading train manufacturing hubs. Almost 40 years after they were manufactured in Newcastle, the first of 18 Tangaras to be refurbished in the Cardiff facility has rolled into the workshop and work to extend its life by 10-15 years is now underway. The refurbishment program will employ 100 skilled workers and 20 apprentices at Cardiff, helping rebuild the workforce and manufacturing capability needed to support the Minns Labor Government’s $12 billion commitment to bring large-scale train manufacturing back to the Hunter again, after 12 years of offshoring by the former Liberal-National Government. Announced on Saturday, this investment will deliver a new state-owned train manufacturing facility in the Hunter, operated by a private manufacturer, which will deliver at least a 30-year pipeline of new trains. Two potential sites have been identified for the Hunter facility – a former coal mine at Teralba and the Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot near where the original Tangara fleet was manufactured. Site selection will be subject to due diligence and stakeholder consultation. The site is expected to employ up to 780 workers in construction and 550 ongoing jobs in the facility and supply chains and anchor more than 30 years of train manufacturing in the Hunter. Following construction of the new Tangara fleet, the pipeline will continue with the replacement of the Millennium and OSCAR fleets in the 2040s, before the Waratah fleet in the 2050s. It also delivers on the Minns Labor Government’s election commitments to set a target of a minimum 50 per cent local content for rolling stock contracts, and to begin procurement of the new Tangara fleet by the end of the first term in office.

The Tangara refurbishment program provides the bridge between today’s workforce and tomorrow’s manufacturing pipeline, ensuring skills, apprenticeships and capability continue to grow in the Hunter. The existing $447 million Tangara Life Extension Program includes replacing internal cladding, computer operating systems, installing more accessible emergency help points, emergency door release, passenger visual displays, upgrading to the passenger address system and CCTV. Across five production lines at Auburn, Flemington and Cardiff, 55 eight-car Tangara trains will be refurbished over the next three years. The first refurbished Tangara train is set to return to service imminently. Premier Chris Minns said: “For too long, New South Wales got out of the business of building trains. We lost thousands of skilled jobs, manufacturing capability and the opportunity to keep billions of dollars of investment here at home. We’re changing that. “The Hunter has a proud history of building the trains that kept New South Wales moving. Our job is to make sure it has the opportunity to do it again, and not just for one project, but for generations to come.” Minister for Transport John Graham said: “It’s fantastic to see the first old Tangara train roll into the sheds at Cardiff, 40 years after it rolled out of Broadmeadow and began serving the travelling public. “The Hunter has a rich history of building trains, and this refurbishment work is the perfect way to ramp up the workforce as we bring train manufacturing back where it belongs. “We know mining and manufacturing jobs have been hit hard in this community and that’s put pressure on families. That’s why we’re committed to building trains in the Hunter again, so more of the jobs and investment stays here in NSW.” Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said: “This spectacular milestone is the first part of our plan to build and maintain trains in the Hunter again. “The Hunter built the original Tangaras. Almost 40 years later, we’re working on them again – and this time, we’re building a pipeline of work that will last for generations. “We have the skills, the workers and the industrial muscle, and we have a government willing to back the Hunter.” Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said: “Seeing work begin on the first Tangara refurbishment is a major milestone for the Hunter and the start of an exciting new chapter for rail manufacturing in NSW. “The Minns Labor Government is proud to invest in local staff, apprentices and businesses so more of this work can be delivered in our own state. “This investment is all about backing homegrown talent, and ensuring the Hunter continues to play a leading role in NSW’s rail network.” Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement Courtney Houssos said: “For too long, billions of dollars in transport contracts were sent overseas. We are turning that around by creating jobs, strengthening local industry and rebuilding our sovereign manufacturing capability right here in NSW. “The Hunter has the workforce, the skills and the proud manufacturing history to lead this revival. With a long-term pipeline of work, the future is incredibly bright for local manufacturers, local suppliers and the next generation of skilled workers.

“Manufacturers have consistently told us they need certainty to invest and grow. By committing to decades of train construction and a minimum 50 per cent local content target, we are giving industry the confidence to build capability, take on apprentices and create secure, long-term jobs.” Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery said: “Our region has a strong and proud tradition of manufacturing trains. I’m pleased to see this refurbishment work being carried out right here in Cardiff, creating local jobs and economic opportunities locally.”

Generations of story lovers can revisit their favourite childhood characters these school holidays, with City of Newcastle bringing beloved books and television icons to life through hands-on activities. 

City of Newcastle’s school holiday program offers a mix of free and ticketed opportunities for children to create, build, explore and discover through stories, art, science and technology.

Children can step into the world of Julia Donaldson’s Room on the Broom with a wand-making workshop at Newcastle City Library on 8 July, ahead of the live adaptation at the Civic Theatre later this month.

An adaptation of Room on the Broom presented at The Civic Theatre later in the month will be the inspiration for a crafty wand-making workshop at Newcastle City Library during the school holidays.Families can continue the book-related adventure with the Rainbow Sheep Colour Party at Newcastle City Library on Wednesday 8 July, celebrating the colourful world of Mem Fox’s Where is the Green Sheep? Children are encouraged to dress as their favourite colour and enjoy storytime, sensory activities and the chance to meet cast members from Monkey Baa Theatre’s upcoming production at the Civic Theatre.

Visitors checking out Newcastle Museum’s free exhibition Mr Squiggle and Friends: The Creative World of Norman Hetherington can continue the fun with a range of squiggle-inspired activities across the school holidays. Free and low-cost workshops will be held at Newcastle Museum and Newcastle Libraries including paper collage, collaborative drawing, coding and Minecraft workshops, as well as family-friendly sessions inspired by Mr Squiggle’s signature upside-down drawing style. 

City of Newcastle’s school holiday program offers a mix of free and ticketed opportunities for children to create, build, explore and discover through stories, art, science and technology. 

Hands-on workshops will bring the Brian Robinson: Multiverse exhibition to life at Newcastle Art Gallery. LEGO Printmaking in the Multiverse invites children to create prints inspired by Robinson’s fusion of pop culture and storytelling, with two sessions daily from 7-10 July, while Blooms in the Multiverse (14-17 July) encourages participants to design colourful three-dimensional sculptures inspired by the artists floral works. 

Readers can meet local author Odette Tokin and illustrator Anna Scobie during a special event celebrating their children’s book The Tiny Forest at Wallsend Library on 15 July. Children can also create native seed balls and mini bee hotels while learning about biodiversity and the natural world.

Graphic novel enthusiasts are invited to Newcastle City Library on 13 July for a Genre Journeys session to discover new titles and share recommendations spanning manga, superheroes and indie slice-of-life stories. 

NAIDOC Week activities feature in the program including an illustration workshop led by award-winning author and acclaimed First Nations storyteller Dub Leffler on 8 July at Newcastle City Library. Children can also create jewellery inspired by the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at Wallsend Library on 10 July or learn how to make rope from stringybark with Uncle Amos Simon on 9 July before enjoying a mini silent disco celebrating music from First Nations artists. 

Budding scientists, engineers and inventors can put their problem-solving skills to the test from 13 to 16 July through immersive STEM experiences delivered by STEM Punks Education at Wallsend Library. The free workshops introduce participants to virtual reality, robotics and 3D design while building problem-solving and collaboration skills. 

Young builders can drop in for timed LEGO building challenges at Newcastle Museum on 14 July, tackling timed building activities and race against the clock to build imaginative creations and experiment with ideas. 

High school students can build confidence on two wheels through free Bike School city riding workshops on 12 and 19 July. Beginning at Tighes Hill TAFE, the sessions include bike safety checks, route planning, shared path etiquette, safe road positioning and guidance on e-bike legalities before participants head out on to local streets.

More information and bookings are available via the Newcastle Museum’s events webpage,  Newcastle Libraries’ what’s on calendar and Newcastle Art Gallery’s events page. Bike school sessions can be booked through the City of Newcastle website. Room on The Broom and Where is The Green Sheep? can be booked through the The Civic Theatre website. 

One of Australia’s major art prizes is calling for entries for the first time in five years after being relaunched following the expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery.

The prestigious Kilgour Prize awards $50,000 to the most outstanding work of figurative or portrait painting and attracted a record number of entries from across Australia when it was last held in 2021.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Gavin Morris, Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM with Newcastle artist and previous Kilgour Prize winner Michael Bell, celebrate the relaunch of the major national art competition. They are pictured in front of the winning work from the inaugural Kilgour Prize, Beach life (pink zinc and figures), 2006, which was painted by Nicholas Harding.

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said this was a milestone moment for the prize, which is celebrating its 20^th anniversary.

“Newcastle Art Gallery has been proud to administer the Kilgour Prize since it was established in 2006 following a bequest from artist Jack Noel Kilgour,” Ms Morton said.

“Since then, it has become a well-respected and coveted inclusion on the national art prize calendar, attracting an incredibly high calibre of entries from emerging and established artists across the country. 

“The prize has been on hold since the Gallery closed at the start of 2022 to undergo our major expansion project.

“We are thrilled that, as part of our reopening year, we are able to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of this nationally significant art prize.”

Almost 2,900 works have been entered into the Kilgour Prize since it was established, including a record 476 paintings received from across every state and territory in Australia in 2021.

In addition to the $50,000 first prize, a further $5,000 is awarded to the work of art voted most popular by the general public.

Lord Mayor Gavin Morris said the Kilgour Prize will continue Newcastle Art Gallery’s place on the national stage.

“The Gallery has been overwhelmingly embraced by our community and visiting art lovers since it reopened as the largest public gallery in NSW outside of Sydney,” Cr Morris said.

“The return of the Kilgour Prize will continue to showcase artistic talent from across Australia while strengthening Newcastle’s standing as a city that values creativity, culture and the arts.”

The Kilgour Prize features a strong resume of past winners including renowned British-born Australian artist Nicholas Harding, who took out the inaugural competition in 2006. 

His winning entry, Beach life (pink zinc and figures), 2006, is among the Newcastle Art Gallery collection works currently on display in the Iconic Loved Unexpected exhibition.

The 2018 prize was awarded to one of Australia’s most exciting emerging artists of the time, Natasha Walsh, whose Kilgour victory was among three prestigious art awards she captured over a period of 12 weeks. 

A string of former Archibald Prize winners and finalists have also claimed the Kilgour crown including Sydney-based artist Blak Douglas (2019), former Newcastle art teacher and Mambo artist Michael Bell (2020) and Newcastle painter Peter Gardiner (2016).

“I had been a finalist six times in the Kilgour Prize at Newcastle Art Gallery since the art competition first began in 2006,” Bell said.

“A lot of great painters have won this prize in the past, so to actually win the Kilgour Prize in 2020 was an incredible thrill and great honour. A real career highlight for me.

“My winning painting was then acquired by the Newcastle Art Gallery Society and donated to the Newcastle Art Gallery collection.

“Being a national award, the Kilgour Prize gives visitors to the Newcastle Art Gallery a good insight into current approaches to contemporary figurative painting.”

Entries for the 2027 Kilgour Prize are open now until 5 October 2026, with finalists to be announced in December. 

Joining Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM on the judging panel will be independent curator and Warumungu and Luritja woman Kelli Cole and renowned artist Jason Phu. 

The winner will be revealed at the exhibition opening in April 2027.

For more information visit the Newcastle Art Gallery website.

ABOUT THE KILGOUR PRIZE 

Jack Noel Kilgour (1900–1987) was an Australian artist well-known for his academic approach to landscape and portrait painting. In 1987 Kilgour bequeathed funds for the creation of a major figurative and portrait art competition to be run in perpetuity. As one of Australia’s major art prizes, Newcastle Art Gallery is proud to be the home of the Kilgour Prize.

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.