Category: Newcastle News

City of Newcastle is ready to celebrate the completion of the $3.5 million playground upgrade at Gregson Park with a family friendly community event. 

With fences coming down ahead of the long weekend, City of Newcastle will welcome the community back into the space with a fun-filled event on Tuesday 8 October with free activities and entertainment for all to enjoy. 

Celebrating Indigenous traditions, the area includes a bush tucker garden and yarning circle to encourage knowledge sharing, in addition to traditional play equipment, a range of accessible and nature-based play options, and an upgraded, accessible amenities building. 

The new play space includes equipment for a range of ages and abilities, including a six-metre-high climbing tower, trampolines and a balance obstacle course, as well as a softfall mound with slides, rope and rock-climbing elements. 

Gregson Park’s renewed playspaceOther features include a seesaw rocker, swing set and sandpit with waterplay feature, along with an accessible carousel and whizzers. 

Opportunities for passive and active recreation have been created to re-activate the much-loved park, with additional shade, formal and informal seating, footbridges, a new covered picnic area, while exercise equipment delivers an outdoor gym experience. 

Maddie’s bench continues to be treasured within the heart of the new playspace for the community to use as a space to rest, reflect and enjoy the surroundings of Maddie’s favourite park.  

City of Newcastle is proud to have delivered accessible infrastructure for everyday activities, with various pieces of equipment that will be suitable for everyone, including those with limited mobility. 

City of Newcastle invites the community to celebrate this renewed playspace with family friendly activities being held between 10am to noon on Tuesday 8 October. 

The event will feature free face painting, an ice cream truck and coffee cart, roving entertainment and music. City of Newcastle’s Environment team will also host fun nature-based activities to keep children busy and engaged.  

For the latest information about the free community event visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/gregsonparkplayspace 

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from the Newcastle region.

Lara Sutton, aged 12, was last seen at a public pool on Durham Road, Lambton, about 11.30am on Thursday (3 October 2024).

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

Police and family hold concerns for her welfare due her age.

Lara is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 160cm-165cm tall, thin build, with brown hair and blue eyes.

She is known to frequent the Waratah West, Woodrising and Toronto areas.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to contact Newcastle City Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

City of Newcastle is dropping into history to support Paralympian Paul Nunnari activate NSW’s first wheelchair-accessible skate bowl as part of a $20,000 boost for local inclusive sports events.

Eight initiatives will share in the pool of funding from City of Newcastle, which was allocated as part of the Inclusive Sports Pitch Night at this year’s Count Us In Sport festival.

Paralympian Paul Nunnari at City of Newcastle’s wheelchair accessible skate bowl. The grants will allow community-based sporting organisations and recreation providers to deliver events and activities designed to increase the participation of people with a disability in sport.

This includes a “come and see” wheelchair motocross (WCMX) demonstration hosted by Mr Nunnari, which will showcase how wheelchair users can fully engage with the inclusive skate bowl and terrain park at South Newcastle Beach delivered through City of Newcastle’s multi-faceted Bathers Way project.
 
The event aims to promote the physical and social benefits of being involved in sport and highlight the importance of inclusive sports facilities.

City of Newcastle Executive Director of Creative and Community Services Alissa Jones said these grants contribute to ensuring everyone has access to the benefits of sport.
 
“The funding awarded to these eight organisations represents our commitment to changing the narrative for people with a disability in Newcastle,” Ms Jones said.

“These initiatives not only open doors for participation but also inspire a more inclusive sporting community.”

Mr Nunnari said he is proud to be a part of an initiative that will open up new possibilities for wheelchair users.

“This skate bowl is more than just a facility, it’s a space where everyone has dignified, equitable access and can thrive and have fun,” Mr Nunnari said.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase how accessible skate facilities can showcase the skills of wheelchair users (WCMX) and the broader disability community. This is the first of its kind in NSW, and I know it will set a benchmark for other communities to create similar inclusive spaces.”

A range of other sports including water polo, soccer, dance, lawn bowls, tennis and surfing will also be made more accessible to the community thanks to the City of Newcastle grants.
 
Rachel Pond will continue to facilitate weekly sports activities through her organisation, Wheelchair Sports for Kids at the Newcastle PCYC. After identifying a need for age-appropriate accessible sessions for her two-year-old, Rachel developed this program for wheelchair users aged 12 and under.

The New Lambton Eagles Football Club, known for their longstanding support of footballers with disabilities, will install soft cushioning around their synthetic multi-sport playing surfaces to enhance the safety for those who have less balance or are at higher risk of falling.

Local hubs will be created at Bar Beach and District Park Tennis Courts to provide opportunities for people to learn and play standing adaptive tennis, while Learn to Surf Newcastle will host five group learning opportunities for people with a disability.

The Fun Fit water polo initiative, supported by NSW Water Polo, aims to create an inclusive space for participants of all abilities, including those with disabilities, to play in a non-contact and non-competitive environment.

Greater Newcastle Bowls will trial an all-abilities program to make lawn bowls more inclusive. While accessible bowling exists nationally and internationally, this initiative will create pathways for local players to participate and engage at these levels.

City of Newcastle’s annual Count Us In Sport festival was held from August 8-15 to champion the importance of making sport accessible for all.

The program featured a range of events and activities designed in consultation with City of Newcastle’s Access Inclusion Advisory Committee and community members with lived experience of disability, including a “come and try” sports day and an inclusive sports forum featuring former Newcastle Knight Alex McKinnon and Paralympian Rae Anderson.

With beaches that attract over one million swimmers and sunseekers each year, City of Newcastle is calling for high-school aged trainee lifeguards to patrol our coastline alongside our professional lifeguards.

For the fourth year running, City of Newcastle is investing in upskilling Hunter Surf Lifesavers under its Trainee Lifeguard program.

City of Newcastle trainee lifeguards Blake Cook, Xavier Coates, Andie Widseth, Lily Forbes, and Zara Campbell.Executive Manager Community and Recreation Lynn Duffy said as a coastal city experiencing a growth in population and visitors, it is vital City of Newcastle continues to develop and grow its professional lifeguard team.

“Our Trainee Lifeguard Program offers successful applicants an opportunity to shadow City of Newcastle lifeguards who support the community so they can safely enjoy the city’s beaches and ocean baths,” Ms Duffy said.

“The program involves weekday shifts of up to 24 hours per week throughout the summer school holidays and offers invaluable mentorship from our professional lifeguards.

City of Newcastle invites the community to Dixon Park on Friday 11 October between 6am and 9am to speak to our team of lifeguards including the 2024 Australian Open Ironman Champion Dan Collins, and previous trainees.

“Interested locals will be able to ask questions about water safety, learn about the six-week trainee program and the unique career opportunities within their own backyard,” Ms Duffy said.

Since City of Newcastle launched the program in 2021, the traineeship has helped kickstart the careers of 13 lifeguards, who are now regularly patrolling our beaches during the summer months.

Zara Campbell, who undertook the traineeship in the 2023/24 season and will shortly commence work as a City of Newcastle casual lifeguard this summer, said the program provided her with a breadth of knowledge and insight into what it takes to be a beach lifeguard. 

“The traineeship has offered me new skills that I can transfer into my day-to-day life,” Ms Campbell said.

“The work environment was so welcoming which allowed me to make the most of the experience alongside a great team of lifeguards. I am extremely excited to commence as a causal lifeguard and use these new skills I have gained,” 

“I highly recommend the traineeship to high school students who are interested in becoming a professional lifeguard. The learning experience was fun, it is a great summer job, and you work alongside great individuals who make a huge contribution towards keeping Newcastle’s beaches safe.”

Applications open Wednesday 2 October and close on Sunday 20 October, with successful trainees beginning the program on 23 December 2024.

Visit City of Newcastle’s Employment Opportunities webpage for more information.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the Port-Stephens Hunter region.

Eli Elliott, aged 21, was last seen in Thornton, yesterday afternoon (Monday 30 September 2024).

When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for his welfare.

Eli is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, of thin build with short brown hair.

He was last seen wearing grey track pants and a grey hooded jumper.

Eli is known to frequent the Thornton and East Maitland areas.

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

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

Mailey Gelder, aged, 14, was last seen in Davistown about 1.30am yesterday (Monday 30 September 2024).

When she could not be located, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for her welfare due to her young age.

Mailey is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150cm tall with slim build, with shoulder-length brown hair.

She was last seen wearing black track pants and a black hoodie.

Mailey is known to frequent the Central Coast and Sydney areas.

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

Police have arrested two men following an alleged home invasion on the state’s north.

About 3.30am this morning (Monday 30 September 2024), two men entered a home in Macquarie Hills.

Two occupants of the home, a female and a male, aged 34 and 35, were allegedly assaulted with a knife shortly after the men entered the home.

The men left the scene prior to police arrival.

The 35-year-old suffered a stab wound to his shoulder and was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene before being taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The 34-year-old suffered a minor injury and treated at the scene.

Detectives attached to Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation.

Following inquiries, two men, aged 27 and 28, were arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station where they were both charged with enter building/land with intent commit indictable offence and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of other.

They were both refused bail to appear before Belmont Local Court tomorrow (Tuesday 1 October 2024).

Families are spoilt for choice with City of Newcastle set to host a wide range of activities across its venues during the upcoming September school holidays.

The events and activities cater to the interests of kids, teens and parents, from hands-on science shows and creative workshops at our libraries to the vibrant cultural celebrations of New Annual festival.

NEW ANNUAL

As part of the city’s annual flagship arts festival, New Annual, there will be a host of kid-friendly events.

From 4-6 October experience SWING, a thrilling nine-metre-tall swing that’s sure to bring joy to all ages. Be sure to join New Annuals Global Gathering on October 5 to celebrate Newcastle’s rich cultural diversity with food, art, and performances. 

Part game, part performance, Wondercity is a unique audio-led interactive adventure traveling through a series of activated sites across the CBD, featuring live performances, soundscapes, film, and installation art. Presented by Tantrum Youth arts running from 4-6 October, this event will take visitors on a journey to uncover surprising realities, and imagined futures of our city.

New Annual will be running until 6 October, for more information on New Annual festival, see here.

NEWCASTLE MUSEUM

At Newcastle Museum, step back in time and join museum scientist Catherine and dive into Planet Earth Science Shows and explore the mysteries of earthquakes, volcanoes, and dinosaurs on selected days from October 1 – 10.

For budding engineers, the Excellent Engineers marble run and maze-building activity offers a fun introduction to engineering and physics for budding engineers on 2 and 11 October.

Creative kids can join Marbling and Marble Painting workshops where you’ll explore vibrant colours and create unique, one-of-a-kind artworks on 4 and 11 October.

For more information on Newcastle Museum events, see here. 

BLACKBUTT RESERVE 

Spring is the perfect time to visit Blackbutt Reserve and meet the newest members of our animal family. How many new arrivals will you be able to spot? Don’t miss the daily animal feeding sessions, where you can watch wombats, birds, nocturnal animals, and koalas at their most active.

In addition, as part of the new multipurpose community facility and café project, two new shelters – Redgum and Mahogany – will be available for booking starting 1 October via Blackbutt website. Four picnic tables and chairs next to the shelters will also be available, these can not be reserved.

For more information on booking a shelter, see here. For Blackbutt feeding times, see here.

LIBRARIES

At our Wallsend and City Library locations crafty kids can get involved in mystery craft activities to unleash their imagination, make flower crowns or create vibrant paper recycled butterflies to celebrate the spring season.

For gaming enthusiasts, there is a coding workshop where kids can learn through a fun, interactive project, or they can join a Nintendo Switch gaming event to enjoy some friendly competition and connect with fellow gamers.

Board game lovers won’t be left out, with a dedicated board games day and an introduction to the exciting world of the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons.

For more information on Library events, see here.

CIVIC THEATRE

Step in time to Civic Theatre to see the beloved stage production of Mary Poppins, offering a magical theatrical experience for all ages during the holidays.

For more information on Civic Theatre shows, see here. 

A man has died following a single-vehicle crash in the Port-Stephens Hunter region.

About 9.15am today (Saturday 28 September 2024) emergency services were called to Myall Street, Tea Gardens, following reports of a crash.

Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and found a ute had collided with a tree.

The sole occupant of the vehicle, a man aged 53, was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics but he could not be revived and died at the scene.

Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter established a crime scene and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

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

City of Newcastle’s flagship cultural festival is making a song and dance about its opening weekend by hosting a range of unique performances at iconic venues.

City Hall will be centre stage tonight when renowned First Nations singer Mitch Tambo officially kicks off proceedings with the First Night Street Party, blending traditional Aboriginal sounds and language with contemporary beats and production, supported by Tower Divas and local duo, Chain Daisy.

At Honeysuckle Marina, one of Australia’s leading voices in hip hop, Gomeroi artist Kobie Dee, will headline Friday Night Sounds at Newcastle Art Gallery’s Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House, supported by Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl singer/songwriter, Maanyung. 

For a shorter stay on the dancefloor, Wheeler Place has Ten Minute Dance Parties, created by multi-art performer Joseph O’Farrell (JOF), where people of all ages will attempt world records, dance-off competitions and dedications – but only for ten minutes.

New Annual Senior Producer and Curator Adrian Burnett with JOF (Joseph O’Farrell) inside a 10 Minute Dance Party at Wheeler Place.Senior Producer and Curator Adrian Burnett said the fourth edition of New Annual is an incredible mix of immersive dance, music, circus, visual art and theatre.

“This year we’re featuring local and nationally renowned artists who’ll be delivering free, ticketed and family-friendly events, offering something for everyone during the school holidays,” Mr Burnett said.

“We already have a range of things to see and do including a collaborative timber sculpture workshop at the historic Soap Factory arts space with local furniture makers Jonathan Everett and Hannah Cheetham.

“There’s also Khaled Sabsabi’s self-titled exhibition at The Lock Up and Belongings at the Watt Space Gallery, an immersive installation that shares stories of six refugees who took asylum in Newcastle.”

The Civic Theatre will be a hive of activity during the opening weekend of New Annual, starting with the internationally renowned Dancenorth Australia’s performance of Wayfinder.

Dancenorth Australia has teamed up with three-time Grammy nominated Australian band Hiatus Kaiyote and sound artist Byron J. Scullin to create a show complete with physical exuberance, sonic resonance, and collective exhilaration.

On Saturday night at Newcastle City Hall you can contemplate your place in the universe as world music favourites MZAZA bring you The Birth and Death of Stars, a surreal voyage exploring what links us to one another and the world around us.

The show takes audiences into a fusion of music, history and culture with mesmerizing vocals in three languages, electrifying live music and innovative collage animation.

Also on Saturday night, home grown talent will celebrate the power of art, culture, and community connection when the Newcastle Youth Orchestra delivers Rising from the Ashes: An Orchestral Suite at the University of Newcastle’s Conservatorium of Music.

This unique program includes two brand new never-performed works by upcoming local composer Jacob Cummins, alongside a mix of four other new and well-loved pieces.

As part of City of Newcastle’s UpStage program, the Civic Theatre’s Playhouse will host Romeo & Juliet: A Reimagining tonight and Saturday, delivering a bold and explorative reimagining of Shakespeare’s timeless classic.

For a more interactive theatre experience Tantrum Youth Arts have developed WonderCity, which is part game, part performance and part wayfinding adventure, weaving through the CBD among some of Newcastle’s most iconic cultural institutions and landmarks. 

WonderCity invites you to step into a version of Newcastle as imagined by young people, embarking on a journey to uncover surprising realities, alternate perspectives and imagined futures of our city.

New Annual’s opening weekend will also incorporate The Big Picture Fest 2024, featuring six new large-scale murals, with festival goers able to watch acclaimed street artists painting in real time.

New Annual runs from today until 6 October. Visit https://newannual.com/ for the full program.

The First Night Street Party is supported by the NSW Government’s Open Streets Program.