Category: Newcastle News

Some of the Hunter’s best young musicians will perform in one of the highlights of the Hunter Wind Ensemble’ 20th anniversary celebrations this weekend.

Alumni of the Ensemble will rejoin it to present a spectacular program of music in the 20th Anniversary Concert at Newcastle Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday 24 June at 1:00 pm.

In 2003, Department of Education Regional Arts Coordinator Lyn Cook met with young conductor and musician Scott Ryan to create a band that would provide elevated musical opportunities for public school students in the Hunter and Central Coast region.

Their first rehearsal was held at the Newcastle Tennis Club and within a month of formation they performed their first concert at Newcastle Christ Church Cathedral to celebrate Education Week. Twenty years later, the band is still providing exceptional music education opportunities to the region, allowing students to come together from local schools to rehearse and perform significant works in the concert band repertoire.

The ensemble has had successes at regional, state, national and international levels. This includes performances at the Sydney Opera House, Australian National Band Championships, National Eisteddfod in Canberra, and Summa Cum Laude at the Musikverein in Vienna. The band has embarked on many successful international tours, including performances at the Pacific Basin International Music Festival in Hawaii, Summa Cum Laude Festival in Vienna, Euro Disneyland in Paris and at Sister City celebrations in Ube, Japan.

In 2013, they visited the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago; they completed a successful tour of Spain and Portugal in 2018, and have travelled over 8,000km to play in rural communities in the outback of Australia.

Hundreds of young musicians across the Hunter and Central Coast have passed under the baton of conductors Scott Ryan, Michael Jobson and Charissa Ferguson, gaining priceless musical knowledge, earning international performance accolades, and making lifelong friendships.

Hunter Wind Ensemble has commissioned a new work by Chris Williams and will proudly premiere “Aurora Pacifica” at the Anniversary concert. Chris is a Newcastle born and bred composer and conductor whose works have been performed throughout Australia, Europe, Britain and the United States by orchestras and ensembles including Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, London Musical Theatre Orchestra, and Joyful Company of Singers.

Steve Williams is recognised as one of Australia’s most versatile and respected conductors, distinguishing himself with an impressive record of achievement in a variety of musical settings. Steve has toured the world with many of Australia’s finest Symphonic Bands and Jazz Ensembles including the Hunter Wind Ensemble. We are honoured to have him back on the podium for our Anniversary Concert.

Two people have been charged following an unauthorised protest in the Hunter Valley.

About 6am today (Thursday 22 June 2023), emergency services were called to Rose Point Road, Singleton, following reports two people had climbed on top of a train carriage near Singleton Railway Station.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended and, with assistance from specialist police, removed a 64-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl from on top of the train.

They were arrested and taken to Singleton Police Station, where they were both charged with cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock and enter enclosed non-agricultural lands serious safety risk.

The woman was refused bail where the matter was mentioned at Muswellbrook Local Court today (Thursday 22 June 2023). She was refused bail to reappear tomorrow (Friday 23 June 2023) at Singleton Local Court.

The teenager was granted strict conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Monday 17 July 2023.

A woman has been charged following an unauthorised protest at Newcastle overnight.

About 8.30pm (Tuesday 20 June 2023), emergency services were called to Cormorant Road, Newcastle, following reports a woman had scaled a coal loader and glued herself to a railing.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended, and with assistance from Police Rescue, the woman was removed safely from the structure and arrested about an hour later.

She was taken to Waratah Police Station, where she was charged with enter/remain on etc major facility cause damage to facility, and enter inclosed non-agricultural lands serious safety risk.

The 18-year-old from Canberra was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court later today (Wednesday 21 June 2023).

Investigations into the incident are continuing.

A man has been charged following an unauthorised protest in the Hunter region this morning.

About 3.50am today (Wednesday 21 June 2023), police were called to train tracks near Branxton Railway Station, Branxton, after reports a man had suspended himself over the railway tracks.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended, with assistance from Police Rescue, and the 22-year-old man was removed safely from the structure and arrested about 9.35am.

He was taken to Cessnock Police Station, where he was charged with cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock and enter enclosed non-agricultural lands serious safety risk.

The man was refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court today, where he was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Singleton Local Court on Thursday 13 July 2023.

City of Newcastle is ready to kick off construction on a game-changing major redevelopment at Hamilton South’s Darling Street Oval.

The $3 million project, funded by City of Newcastle, Newcastle Olympic Football Club (NOFC) and the State and Federal Governments, is set to become an inclusive and fully accessible football facility for passionate spectators and home and away players alike.

The redevelopment will feature female-friendly changerooms, a new grandstand seating more than 300 football fans, improved disability access, a new community space as well as the refurbishment of existing amenities and a new formal off-street carpark.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the grandstand upgrade, which is expected to be completed by December 2023, will ensure every footballer and spectator feels welcome and supported.

“City of Newcastle is committed to investing in inclusive facilities and elevating women in sport. Female participation is growing at a rapid pace, both at a grassroots and senior level, and this demand will reach new heights following the FIFA Women’s World Cup being hosted on home soil,” Cr Nelmes said.

“This project will deliver a facility for the entire community. With accessible parking spaces, new shared footpaths, lift access and amenities for people with a disability, Darling Street Oval will be able to meet the needs of all its members.”

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said the investment into Darling Street Oval will have far-reaching benefits for NOFC and encourage further participation among the club’s nine fantastic female teams.

“Darling Street Oval is a vital part of our community. It is home to a fantastic local club which provides so many children and young adults the opportunity to kick-start their sporting futures, and I am delighted that the Albanese Labor Federal Government is investing $625,000 into this key project,” Ms Claydon said.

State Member for Newcastle and Minister for the Hunter Tim Crakanthorp said local sportsgrounds such as Darling Street Oval present wonderful opportunities for the community to get active and come together.

“These improvements to the grandstand and amenities are going to make the ground more accessible and welcoming for everyone,” Mr Crakanthorp said.

“NOFC are an asset to our community, and I’m thrilled to have been able to advocate for and secure $937,500 for these upgrades.”

Newcastle Olympic First Grade women’s captain Laura Hall said the upgrade would be incredibly beneficial given the growing participation of girls and women in football.

“In just three short years, Newcastle Olympic Women’s Program has grown to over 150 female players and coaches. With the Women’s World Cup about to start, that number will only continue to increase,” Ms Hall said.

“We are grateful to City of Newcastle, State and Federal Governments and to our club for their contributions and more importantly their support for women’s football. The new female-friendly facilities are most welcome and will have an invaluable impact on our players and those of our visiting teams.”

Pictured (L-R): Newcastle Olympic FC Director of Marketing Kosta Patsan, Newcastle Olympic President George Sofianos, Councillor Carol Duncan, Tim Crakanthorp MP, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Sharon Claydon MP with Newcastle Olympic players Jemma House and Laura Hall with junior Newcastle Olympic FC supporters.

Police are appealing for public information following an armed robbery in the state’s Hunter region last month.

About 4.45pm on Thursday 18 May 2023, a man entered a retail business on Maitland Road, Mayfield, and threatened a female employee with a firearm and a machete, before he fled with cash and jewellery.

The female employee was not physically injured and notified police.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District established a crime scene, which has been examined by specialist forensic police.

As inquiries continue, police have released images of a man who may be able to assist with the investigation.

The man depicted is described as being 180cm tall, and of solid build. He is shown wearing blue overalls, a fluoro yellow vest, black full face road bike helmet, and black/yellow gloves.

A woman has been charged following an unauthorised protest on a rail corridor in the Newcastle area today. 

About 7.15am today (Monday 19 June 2023), emergency services were called to a rail line on Wagtail Way Kooragang, following reports a group had gathered at the location, including a woman who had suspended herself from a pole.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended, and with assistance from Police Rescue, the woman was removed safely from the structure and arrested about 10.40am.

The 22-year-old was taken to Waratah Police Station, where she was charged with cause obstruction to railway locomotive and enter inclosed lands give rise to serious risk to safety.

The woman was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Tuesday 20 June 2023).

Investigations into the incident continue.

A critical incident investigation is underway after a man died in the state’s Hunter region overnight.

Just after 9pm (Sunday 18 June 2023), officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to a home in Sproule Crescent, Thornton, over concerns for a man’s welfare.

Police were told the 36-year-old man, who was armed with a firearm, had left the property in a vehicle.

Following inquiries, the vehicle was located travelling on Newline Road, Seaham, a short time later.

When the vehicle did not stop, a police pursuit was initiated.

The vehicle came to a stop near Stockton Beach, Williamtown, and the man ran onto the beach.

He was located deceased suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

A crime scene was established and a critical incident team from Tuggerah Lakes Police District will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.

That investigation will be subject to an independent review.

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

A man has died following a single vehicle crash in the Lake Macquarie area today.

About 10.30am (Friday 16 June 2023), emergency services were called to the Pacific Highway at Blacksmiths, about 24km south of Newcastle, following reports of a crash.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were told a hatchback left the roadway and crashed into bushland down an embankment.

The driver and sole occupant was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, however he died at the scene.

He is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be aged in his 90s. 

Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash are underway and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

A man has died following a single-vehicle crash in the state’s Hunter region.

About 3.20pm today (Friday 16 June 2023), emergency services were called to Robert Connell Close near Frost Road, Anna Bay, after reports a car had struck a telegraph pole.

The driver and sole occupant of a Mitsubishi was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, however died at the scene.

He is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be aged 29.

Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the crash.

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