A man will face court today charged with murder after a body was found in a home unit near Newcastle last night.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to a unit on Regent Street, Mayfield, about 6.30pm (Saturday 13 March 2021), after a man’s body was found in a bedroom.
A crime scene was established, and an investigation commenced.
Following inquiries, a 35-year-old man was arrested in Argenton an hour later and was taken to Waratah Police Station.
A short time ago, the Mayfield man was charged with one count of murder.
He has been refused bail to appear by AVL in Newcastle Bail Court today (Sunday 4 July 2021).
A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted tomorrow (Monday 5 July 2021).
The deceased man is believed to be aged 63.
Author: admin
Traffic offences lead to PINs for Sydney travellers – COVID update
An unregistered car parked in a ‘no stopping’ zone in a Central West town has led police to issue $1000 fines to three Sydney people who breached Public Health Orders overnight.
Officers from Orana Mid-Western Police District noticed an unregistered car parked in a no parking zone outside a hotel on Bolaro Street at Dunedoo, 90km north-east of Dubbo, about 8.50pm (Saturday 3 July 2021).
They identified the driver and discovered he was one of three people who’d travelled from Sydney that day and were booked to spend the night in the town. A 44-year-old man from Haberfield, a 51-year-old man from Fairfield West and a 38-year-old woman from Burwood have now been issued $1000 PINs for not comply with noticed direction 7/8/9 Covid-19. They have also been issued traffic infringement notices for driving an unregistered vehicle and being parked in a ‘no stopping’ zone.
Four people were yesterday each issued with $1000 PINs after being stopped by Chifley Highway Patrol at Little Hartley, about 150km west of their home in Maroubra. Officers stopped the group – two women aged 23 and 25, and two men aged 25 – on the Great Western Highway about 9am (Saturday 3 July 2021). All four were directed to return to Sydney.
The owner of a Mascot fruit shop and an employee of the same shop were also issued with PINs for breaching the PHO overnight. Officers from South Sydney Police Area Command attended a fruit shop on King Street, Mascot, about 6.30pm, after receiving complaints from the public the business was not using QR sign-in protocols and staff were not wearing masks.
Police spoke with the owner, a 57-year-old man, and an employee, a 26-year-old man, neither of whom were wearing masks. The older man was issued a penalty notice for not comply with noticed direction 7/8/9 Covid 19, while the younger man was issued a penalty notice for not wear fitted face covering in retail/business premises. They have been fined $1000 and $200 respectively.
Staff from a store in Bowral have also been charged with further breaches of the Public Health Act after officers attached to The Hume PD conducted a compliance check yesterday, and found 20 people inside allegedly not wearing face masks. Police requested those not consuming food or drink to put a face mask on; however, will allege the female staff, aged 62 and 43, refused. They were arrested and taken to Southern Highlands Police Station where they were charged with not wear fitted face covering in retail/business premises. They’ve been bailed to appear in Moss Vale Local Court on Tuesday 17 August 2021.
In total, 86 PINs were issued yesterday and of those 55 were $200 infringements for failing to wear a fitted face covering.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
PINs issued over COVID breach – Shellharbour
Thirteen people will be issued PINs after breaching the Public Health Act at Shellharbour yesterday.
About 9.40pm (Saturday 3 July 2021), officers from Lake Illawarra Police District attended a Shellharbour home, following reports of visitors at the home.
Police spoke to the residents, a 30-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman.
Four men – aged 21, 30, and two aged 24 – were also spoken to and it was determined they were not residents. They were all given directions to leave and return to their homes.
Following inquiries, police have since spoken to a further seven men – aged 26, 28, two aged 30 and three aged 25 – who had also attended the home.
The 11 visitors were unable to provide a valid reason for being away from home and they along with the two homeowners will be receiving $1000 PINS for breaching the Public Health Order.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Police appeal to locate missing man – Hunter Valley
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing on the state’s Hunter Valley area.
Phillip Carter, aged 47, was reported missing to Police by a family member about 10.30am this morning (Sunday 4 July 2021).
He has not made contact with friends or family members since that time, which police believe is out of character for him.
Phillip is described as being of Casucasian appearance, about 170-175cm tall, of a medium large build, medium complexion, with short grey hair and brown eyes.
He is known to frequent the Gosford and Brandy Hill areas and may have been seen in the Newcastle area.
Family and police hold serious concerns for his welfare and urge anyone who sees Phillip to come forward.
Anyone who sees Phillip or knows of his whereabouts is urged to contact Raymond Terrace Police Station on 02 4983 7599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Exhibition provides window into Newcastle’s creative past and present
It’s been almost four decades since members The Castanet Club first graced the stage at the back of the Clarendon Hotel with their irreverent mix of comedy, theatre, music and dance.
Now, for the first time since 1991, the iconic Newcastle ensemble are getting the band back together for a very different gig – as the stars of a new exhibition at Newcastle Museum.
Castanet Club: an exhibition you can dance to (if you were allowed) will transport audiences back to the 1980s through a kaleidoscope of band posters, photographs, scripts, records, VHS and cassette tapes.
Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said Newcastle is known as an incubator for the arts, theatre, music and comedy.
“Newcastle is a creative and innovative community with a vibrant cultural history and an amazing depth of talent within its performing and visual arts sector,” Ms Baird said.
“Exhibitions such as this provide a vehicle through which we can share our stories, explore our identity and celebrate the collaborative nature of the city’s creative and performing artists.
“The Castanet Club began as a group of friends living, studying and working in Newcastle in the early 1980s and went on to become a legend of the Australian cabaret circuit, gaining national and international acclaim.
“This exhibition uses items from the Museum’s own collection, which were donated by former Castanet manager Jodi Shields, and includes additional memorabilia borrowed from members of the band, as well as a new artwork by acclaimed local artist Michael Bell, who created the original pop-art aesthetic of the Castanets.
“The story of the Castanet Club will also be brought to life through a newly commissioned film by Stories of Our Town filmmakers Glenn Dormand (Chit Chat von Loopin Stab) and Tony Whittaker, while art curator Therese Kenyon and artist Stephen Clarke will use the exhibition to launch their new book celebrating the remarkable history of the group.”
The free exhibition was supported by the Create NSW Triennial Program Grant.
Castanet Club: an exhibition you can dance to (if you were allowed) will open at Newcastle Museum on 11 July and will run through to 31 October.
For more information visit https://newcastlemuseum.com.au/exhibitions/special-exhibitions
Fast Facts – The Castanet Club
- The Castanet Club was formed by a diverse group of friends living in Newcastle, including drama students, visual artists, amateur musicians, a payroll clerk, an industrial chemist and a typesetter.
- They began performing at Newcastle’s Clarendon Hotel in 1982, with up to 12 people on stage during performances acting out various regular comic personas.
- The Castanet Club gained national and international recognition for their off-beat blend of music, dance, and comedy, touring Australia, winning the best of the Adelaide Fringe award and performing at Edinburgh’s famous comedy festival.
- Many of the band’s members have since established high profile and successful careers in the arts including comedians Stephen Abbott (Triple J breakfast – “Sandman”) and Mikey Robins (Triple J breakfast host, co-host of Good News Week), actor Glenn Butcher (Full Frontal, Fisk), writer/director Warren Coleman (Oscar-winning movie Happy Feet), writer-performer Russell Cheek (stage play Who Am I? based on his experiences winning Sale of the Century), radio personality and podcaster Maynard (Triple J), and children’s TV presenter Angela Moore and pianist Penny Biggins (Play School).
- Leading director of theatre, opera and film, Neil Armfield, made a film about The Castanet Club in 1990.
- The band stopped performing in 1991.
Further charges over alleged Bowral café breaches – COVID PINs
A man charged with assaulting police after breaches of the Public Health Act were detected in the Southern Highlands earlier this week, has had more charges laid.
A 63-year-old man and two women, aged 62 and 43, were arrested on Thursday (1 July 2021), after complaints were made that staff at a Bowral cafe were not wearing masks.
All were taken to Southern Highlands Police Station where the man was charged with assault officer in execution of duty, resist officer in execution of duty, and incite to resist/hinder police officer in execution duty; he’s due to appear in Moss Vale Local Court on Tuesday 3 August 2021.
Following further inquiries, the 63-year-old man was yesterday (Friday 2 July 2021), charged with not comply with the no spitting/coughing direction. He was also served with a $200 PIN for not wear fitted face covering when in indoor area of retail/business premises.
The 62-year-old woman has been charged with hinder police in the execution of duty (two counts), and fail to provide name and address. She was also issued a Future Court Appearance Notice (FCAN) not wear fitted face covering when in indoor area of retail/business premises.
In addition, a 43-year-old woman was issued a FCAN for not wear face mask covering in retail/business premises, and fail to provide name and address. Both women are due to appear at Moss Vale Local Court on Tuesday 17 August 2021.
About 4.30pm yesterday, three men – two aged 21 and one aged 23 – from Merrylands and Auburn, attended Jenolan Caves and attempted to purchase tickets for a tour. Staff requested the group to leave on establishing they were from Sydney and police were notified. A short time later, police stopped their vehicle and when asked why they had travelled there, allegedly said they were bored. They were each issued with $1000 PINs and directed to return to Sydney.
On Wednesday (30 June 2021), police attended a café on Snowy Valley Way, Jindabyne, after numerous Crime Stoppers reports in relation to breaches of COVID-19 health orders. The owners – a 32-year-old woman and 33-year-old man – were arrested and charged for not wear fitted face covering in retail business. They were given conditional bail; however, officers attended the café again yesterday (Friday 2 July 2021), and again found no face coverings being worn by members of the public, no QR code and no sign-in sheet. The owners have been issued $1000 PINs for PHO breaches.
They were also issued a Future Court Attendance Notice for breach of bail conditions and are due to appear at Cooma Local Court on Thursday 5 August 2021. Police applied to the Department of Health seeking a Closure Order on the premises. A “show cause” notice was issued yesterday to the owners as to why the café should not be closed.
Seven people – five men and two women – have each been issued with a $1000 PIN for breaching PHO, for being out of home without reasonable excuse, after officers from Tuggerah Lakes Police District were alerted to a group of people gathered in an industrial estate yesterday.
Police investigating a reported breach of the PHO at a hair salon at Rockdale, have fined the business $5000 and two customers $1000 each. Following information provided, officers from St George PAC went to the business on the Princes Highway about 5.10pm yesterday (Friday 2 July 2021), and found a customer having her hair coloured, with a second customer arriving while police were there. All have been issued with PINS.
Following further inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the travel of an organised group who were detected at a Dubbo zoo earlier this week (Monday 28 June 2021), all 128 travellers have received a caution under the Public Health Act. The investigation is now finalised.
In total, 78 PINs were issued yesterday and of those 48 were $200 infringements for failing to wear a fitted face covering.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
Charges over further breaches at Bowral cafe
Two women have been charged after further breaches of the Public Health Act were detected at a café in the Southern Highlands today.
About 11.45am (Saturday 3 July 2021), officers attached to The Hume Police District attended a food store on Bowral Street, Bowral, to ensure compliance with the current Public Health Orders.
Police observed 20 people at the store – including two female employees serving customers – allegedly not wearing face masks while inside the premises.
Police requested staff and customers, not consuming food or drink, to put a face mask on.
The employees expressed they had no intention of complying and the two women, aged 62 and 43, were arrested and taken to Southern Highlands Police Station.
Both women were charged with not wear fitted face covering in retail/business premises and will face court at a later date.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
MORRISON GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO SHOW CONTEMPT FOR DISABLED PEOPLE AND OUR SUPPORT WORKERS
Australian Greens Disability spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said it was outrageous that less than 1 in 5 disabled people, and our support workers, in phase 1a and 1b had been vaccinated, more than 4 months after the rollout begun.
Senator Steele-John said the Morrison government should have made a plan to vaccinate disabled people and disability support workers in April when it was revealed that less than 10 per cent had been vaccinated.
“I’m blown away by the contempt that the Morrison government has shown for disabled people, our families and the people who support us to live a good life since the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
“Disabled people and carers were denied the COVID supplement back in March 2020 when many people’s costs were significantly increased due to quarantine, lock down and COVID restrictions.
“Then, the disability Royal Commission heard that the Morrison government hadn’t included disabled people in their emergency response plan for COVID-19.
“Here we are, almost a year later, asking the same questions about why disabled people get treated differently to other at-risk members of the community with regards to the vaccine rollout.
“Scott Morrison and the Liberals should be ashamed; vaccinating disabled people and support workers needs to be made an urgent priority now.”
New Chair for Australian Sports Foundation
Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said the appointment of businessman and administrator Grant O’Brien marked a new chapter for the organisation as it continues its vital role raising private funds for the development of sport across the country.
Mr O’Brien has been a member of the ASF Board since October 2020.
He has extensive experience in business management and leadership, including as chief executive and managing director of Woolworths Ltd.
He is also deputy chairman of the Stars Foundation, which aims to empower Indigenous girls and young women, and a founding member and director of Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.
He will served in the role for a three year term.
Mr O’Brien said he was looking forward to the challenges ahead.
“Sport is an important part of our Australian culture, and I have experienced first-hand the powerful benefits of participation,” Mr O’Brien said.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to extend the impact of the Australian Sports Foundation and help raise more funds to increase participation and improve the health and cohesion of our communities.”
Minister Colbeck said Mr O’Brien stepped into the role as the sports sector continues its recovery from the impact of the global pandemic.
“Mr O’Brien has the experience and expertise needed to stimulate philanthropic funding and allow Australia’s sporting sector to recover and thrive,” Minister Colbeck said.
For more than 30 years, it has helped to raise more than $520 million to support athletes, clubs and sporting organisations.
It has funded all sports at all levels and is the only sport fundraising organisation to which donations are tax deductible.
Minister Colbeck also extended his thanks to the outgoing ASF Chairperson, Mark Stockwell.
“During his seven years as chairperson, Mr Stockwell has done a tremendous amount for Australian sport,” he said.
“Under his leadership, the ASF has raised record amounts of funding, rising to an annual total of more than $50 million before the pandemic hit.”
Support for mandatory vaccination of residential aged care workers
The Morrison Government is helping aged care workers get vaccinated as part of an $11 million grant program.
Applications are now open for aged care providers to apply for the funding following recommendations mandatory vaccinations be introduced.
The program was established in recognition of the individual circumstances of aged care workers now subject to the new requirement.
National Cabinet endorsed the decision of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for all residential aged care workers by mid-September 2021, when they are required to have at least a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
The Residential Aged Care COVID-19 Employee Vaccination Support Grant will allow casual residential aged care workers to be paid under the following two categories via their employer:
- A fee of $80 per staff member, per dose, for going off-site for vaccination; and
- Paid sick leave if unwell after vaccination and the staff member has no other leave entitlements – a day’s paid leave (at a rate of $185).
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the grants program is an important measure to help lift COVID-19 vaccination rates.
“It will help residential aged care workers who may need to travel to get vaccinated at the nearest hub, clinic or GP,” Minister Hunt said.
“The grants program will also help those workers who do not have leave entitlements to recover from any minor side effects and who may be concerned about losing wages after being vaccinated.”
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said the grants program will also provide financial support for flexible vaccination facilitation costs.
Up to $500 per residential aged care facility will also be available under the grants program to contribute to costs that may be incurred in facilitating access to vaccination for workers.
“This will cover transport services, arranging groups of workers to be vaccinated and/or any other reasonable expenses that support workers to get vaccinated,” Minister Colbeck said.
“The Commonwealth will continue to work closely with the aged care sector, including the unions, to ensure support and access to COVID-19 vaccination for all workers in residential aged care.”
Minister Colbeck said ensuring all aged care workers are vaccinated will further protect the residents in their care.
“This is why COVID-19 vaccinations will be mandated for residential aged care workers as a condition of working in an aged care facility through shared state, territory and Commonwealth authorities and compliance measures,” he said.
The Morrison Government contracted vaccine workforce providers to deliver vaccination in-reach clinics to 2566 Commonwealth-subsidised residential aged care facilities for residents and, where additional vaccines were available, workers.
Providers are also now able to vaccinate their own workers on-site. The request for tender is open until 30 July and so far more than 25,000 staff will be vaccinated through this program. All on-site vaccination programs will include Pfizer
Aged care providers can also consult with their Primary Health Network and GPs to organise on-site vaccination clinics for workers.
Workers accessing a COVID-19 vaccination through off-site clinics will also be offered Pfizer once it is available – this includes through general practices, Commonwealth vaccination clinics and state clinics.
From July 2021, around 1300 GPs will be administering Pfizer vaccinations, providing additional sites for vaccination.
Applications for the Residential Aged Care COVID-19 Employee Vaccination Support Grant can be found on the Australian Government’s GrantConnect website.