Category: Newcastle News

Refugee support agency Settlement Services International is proudly sponsoring the STARTTS partnered Newcastle ‘Unity in Diversity’ festival to mark Refugee Week on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at Foreshore Park.

Unity in Diversity is a full-day public program of activities, including multicultural food stalls, entertainment, and family-friendly activities. 

SSI Humanitarian Settlement Program Regional Coordinator for Newcastle and the Hunter Helen Larkin said that the festival gave people from refugee backgrounds an important platform to showcase their heritage in all its richness.

“The Unity in Diversity festival is a chance to experience firsthand the unique culture and artistry found in new communities and celebrates the contributions refugees make to their new homes,” she said.

Ms Larkin said that SSI is supporting recently arrived Ukrainian refugees to participate at the event through food stalls and entertainment. 

“SSI is proud to sponsor the festival for the second year in a row, and is excited to support our newly arrived Ukrainian refugees share their skills and talents with the Newcastle community.”

Ukrainian refugees Yurii and Inna Chuchenko have recently settled in Fern Bay and will have a raw dessert food stall at the festival. 

“We are excited to get involved in the celebrations marking this important cause, and also, connecting with the Newcastle community,” he said. 

Mr Chuchenko said he was eager to raise awareness about the benefits of refugee resettlement in regional Australia with the Ukrainian community.

“As newly arrived refugees in Fern Bay, we’ve had such a positive experience so far and want to share our insights with other Ukrainians across Australia.

“This is why we started the CH2 Project to provide a fluid, secure and efficient pathway for Ukrainian Nationals to a life in Regional NSW.

“Our first project is to build this pathway to the regional cities and townships within the Upper Hunter, Liverpool Plains and New England areas.”

Other Ukrainian refugees that SSI and STARTTS supports will feature at the festival including Zumba dancer and instructor Anna Kuskova.

For more info, visit: www.newcastlelive.com.au/events/newcastle-unity-in-diversity-festival/

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted on six outstanding warrants.

Luke Atkinson, aged 35, is wanted by virtue of multiple outstanding warrants for drug, property, weapon, stealing, assault, traffic, and fraud offences.

Luke is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 175cm to 180cm tall, of medium build, with a shaved head and unshaven facial hair.

He is known to frequent the Hunter Valley area, as well as Sutherland and surrounding suburbs.

The public is urged not to approach Luke and police would like anyone who has information on his whereabouts to contact Muswellbrook Police Station 6542 6999 or Crime Stoppers.

Three people have been charged and two firearms seized following a pursuit and ongoing investigations into alleged firearm thefts in the Hunter region.

Earlier this month, officers from Hunter Valley Police District commenced investigations into alleged thefts of firearms from rural properties in the Upper Hunter Valley area.

Following ongoing inquiries, PolAir 7 commenced following a Landcruiser about 5pm on Tuesday (21 June 2022), which was seen driving through Muswellbrook and Scone, after receiving reports it had allegedly been previously used in a number of thefts.

The vehicle was tracked to the carpark of a fast-food restaurant on Kelly Street, Scone, when officers from Hunter Valley Police District attempted to stop the vehicle.

The Landcruiser allegedly rammed a police vehicle before driving from the scene.

PolAir continued to follow the vehicle to Swinging Ridges Road, Willow Tree, when one of the occupants of the vehicle climbed onto the rear tray of the Landcruiser and allegedly discharged several rounds from a firearm.

The Landcruiser continued to a station on Merriwa Road, Little Jacks Creek, where it entered bushland and the three occupants left the vehicle before fleeing into nearby bushland.

With the assistance of PolAir, officers located and arrested a man and two women in nearby bushland about 2.30am.

Police searched the area and located two firearms, which were seized for forensic examination. Subsequent checks revealed the vehicle had been stolen from the Southern Highlands earlier this month.

The trio were taken to Muswellbrook Police Station, where the man – aged 26 – was charged with fire firearm in or near public place, possess loaded firearm public place, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

He appeared before Muswellbrook Local Court yesterday (Wednesday 22 June 2022) and was formally refused bail to reappear before the same court on Tuesday 19 July 2022.

A 27-year-old woman was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner. She was granted conditional bail to appear before Muswellbrook Local Court on Tuesday 19 July 2022.

A second woman – aged 23 – was charged with take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, use offensive weapon in company to prevent detention, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal and dishonestly obtain property by deception.

She was refused bail to appear before Muswellbrook Local Court today (Thursday 23 June 2022).

Investigations continue.

A man has been charged following a pursuit with police in the Hunter region this afternoon.

About 1.30pm (Wednesday 22 June 2022), officers from Forster Traffic and Highway Patrol attempted to stop a Porsche Cayman on the Pacific Highway, Coolongolook, inland from Forster, after reports regarding its manner of driving.

The Porsche failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated, with the vehicle travelling southbound on the highway allegedly at speeds over 200km/h.

The vehicle travelled into the Heatherbrae township and entered a local car park, travelling around the carpark for some time.

The vehicle eventually exited the carpark onto Banks Street, before crashing into a fence.

The driver – a 20-year-old man – was not injured. He was arrested by police and was taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory testing.

Subsequent inquiries revealed the vehicle was reportedly stolen from a South Brisbane address on Sunday (19 June 2022).

The man has since been taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with 11 offences including:

• Larceny
• Destroy or damage property
• Receive etc property stolen outside NSW
• Police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed
• Police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously
• Drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous
• Negligent driving (3)
• Possess prohibited drug
• Never licensed person drive vehicle on road

He was refused bail to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court on Thursday 23 June 2022.

A man has been charged after a pedestrian was allegedly fatally hit by a truck in the Hunter Valley yesterday.

About 6.30am (Tuesday 21 June 2022), emergency services were called to Cessnock Road, Maitland, following reports a male pedestrian had been hit by a truck.

The driver of the truck – a 47-year-old man – immediately stopped and attempted to render assistance; however, the 62-year-old man died at the scene.

The truck driver was uninjured and taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory testing.

Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District and the Crash Investigation Unit attended and established a crime scene, which was forensically examined.

Following inquiries by Crash Investigation Unit officers, the driver of the truck was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station, where he was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and negligent driving occasioning death.

He was granted conditional bail and will appear at Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 27 July 2022.

A pedestrian has died after being hit by a vehicle in the Hunter Valley this morning.

About 6.30am (Tuesday 21 June 2022), emergency services were called to Cessnock Road, Maitland, following reports a male pedestrian had been hit by a truck.

The driver of the truck – a 47-year-old man – immediately stopped and rendered assistance; however, the 62-year-old man died at the scene.

The truck driver was uninjured and taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory testing.

Inquiries are continuing into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A passion to make a positive impact in the community has seen second year Communications student Courtney Yeandle named as the inaugural recipient of the Meg Purser Scholarship.

The $5,000 scholarship was initiated by City of Newcastle in memory of one of Newcastle’s most prominent and community-focused communications businesswomen, Meg Purser, following her passing in January 2021.

Image: The late Meg Purser’s partner Scott Mills, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the College of Human and Social Futures at the University of Newcastle Professor John Fischetti, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Meg Purser Communications Scholarship recipient Courtney Yeandle, Bob Purser and Head of the School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences Professor Catharine Coleborne.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle is pleased to see the scholarship awarded to a recipient who embodies the community spirit that was shown by the late Meg Purser.

“This scholarship will go a long way to supporting the talent and drive shown in Courtney, who is studying communications with the aim of supporting the media’s power to impact audiences and inspire action and improvement towards positive change,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Courtney’s aspirations are reminiscent of the positive influence Meg had on the local community by using her communication skills to support local initiatives and causes.

“I’d like to congratulate Courtney on being the first University of Newcastle student to be awarded the Meg Purser Scholarship and look forward to watching her communications career progress, as well as witness her positive contribution to her community.”

Courtney Yeandle relocated from Sydney to undertake a Bachelor of Communication in the School of Humanities, Creative Industries, and Social Sciences at the University of Newcastle and said the scholarship will ease the financial burden of living away from home, allowing her to concentrate her efforts on pursuing her dream to become a journalist.

“Studying communication at the University of Newcastle offers me many opportunities for professional and personal success and I am so appreciative to City of Newcastle for this scholarship,” Miss Yeandle said.

“Meg’s story really inspired me and I would love to be able to use my degree to make an equally positive impact on my community.

“I aspire to become a journalist working in news media where I can inform and educate the public on important issues, igniting conversation and hopefully inspiring change.

“I hope that during my study and in my professional life I can act as a positive ambassador and give back to the City of Newcastle and the University of Newcastle.”

Pro-Vice Chancellor of the College of Human and Social Futures at the University of Newcastle Professor John Fischetti welcomed the contribution from the City of Newcastle and said the scholarship will make a huge difference in the lives of students over the coming years.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support from the City of Newcastle in helping our students to pursue their potential and achieve their dreams,” Professor Fischetti said.

Meg Purser was a successful communications professional who is remembered for her charitable and behind-the-scenes work for organisations such as the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, Hunter Breast Screen and Got Your Back Sista. She invested considerable time in mentoring young people and worked tirelessly to make a positive contribution to the city until her passing in January 2021 following an 18-month battle with breast cancer.

City of Newcastle established the scholarship with the blessing of Meg’s father Bob Purser, a former journalist and communicator, to honour the significant contribution Meg made to the corporate communications community and recognise her passion for the many local community organisations and charities she supported.

“Meg took great pleasure and pride in helping young people develop into talented communicators. This link between one of her most valued clients and the university from which she graduated would have made her very proud as it does her family,” said Mr. Purser.

The Meg Purser Communications Scholarship was supported by Councillors in 2021 to provide $5,000 to an undergraduate student completing the second year of their Communications degree at the University of Newcastle. A new recipient will be named in 2023 and 2024, under the initial funding arrangement.

A landmark exhibition of Torres Strait Islander art has scooped the pool at the 2022 Museums and Galleries National Awards (MAGNA), securing a trifecta of titles for Newcastle Art Gallery.

Announced in Perth this morning, ‘WARWAR: The Art of Torres Strait’, won all three of its shortlisted categories, picking up awards for the best Learning or Interpretation Initiative, Indigenous Project, and Temporary or Travelling Exhibition.

Developed by Newcastle Art Gallery in collaboration with Torres Strait Islander artist and curator Brian Robinson and local artist and traditional performer Toby Cedar, the exhibition featured more than 130 works of art including several pieces that had not previously been seen outside of the Torres Strait.

It was presented in English, Kala Lagaw Ya (Western Torres Strait Islander), and Meriam Mir (Eastern Torres Strait Islander) languages and timed to coincide with significant dates in 2021 including Mabo Day, National Reconciliation Week, Coming of the Light and NAIDOC Week.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the award acknowledges the importance of connecting with local communities and raising cultural awareness through art.

“As the most significant First Nations exhibition project in Newcastle Art Gallery’s 65-year history, WARWAR provided an important opportunity for City of Newcastle to engage with our large Torres Strait Islander community and celebrate their culture in a meaningful way,” Cr Nelmes said.

“By raising the Torres Strait Island flag on City Hall for the first time to celebrate the opening of the exhibition, and leaving it in place permanently to fly alongside the Aboriginal flag, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to and support of our First Nations communities.”

The three MAGNA awards follow on from previous recognition for the exhibition, which last year also won the Promoting Indigenous Recognition Award at the National Local Government Awards, as well as the Museums and Galleries NSW IMAGinE Award for best exhibition project.

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM was thrilled to accept the MAGNA awards at the ceremony in Perth today.

“To be recognised nationally as the winner in every nominated category is incredible. Having conceived this exhibition over four years ago, it has been an absolute honour to collaborate with Brian, Toby and our TSI community on this very special project,” Ms Morton said.

“WARWAR is an Eastern Island word in the dialect of Meri am Mir, and it translates into English as ‘marked with a pattern’. It was always my hope that this exhibition, our events, and programming, would leave an indelible ‘mark’ on all that experienced the art and culture of the Torres Strait Islands for the first time at Newcastle Art Gallery.

“I share this success with Brian Robinson, Toby Cedar, Genus Passi Jnr, Gabriel Bani, Benjamin Bua Mabo, the Sailor and Whaleboat families, the University of Newcastle Design students, exhibiting artists, lenders and my wonderful team.

“The exhibition showcased the evolution and strength of Torres Strait Islander tradition and society through arts practitioners from the 19th century and the emergence of the contemporary art traditions of today.

“With over 130 works of art, many from major Australian institutions and the Torres Strait Islands that have never been publicly displayed before, the exhibition provided an incredible opportunity for our local Torres Strait Islander community and visitors to experience and gain a new appreciation and understanding of TSI culture in Newcastle.”

Newcastle Museum was also recognised for its high-quality programming, with its tribute to iconic Newcastle ensemble The Castanet Club being highly commended in the Temporary or Travelling Exhibition category at this year’s MAGNAs.

The quirky and colourful Castanet Club: an exhibition you can dance to was curated by Museum staff to celebrate the city’s role as an incubator for the arts, theatre, music and comedy.

The Museums Australasia Multimedia and Publication Design Awards (MAPDA) were also announced in Perth today, with Newcastle Art Gallery being highly commended in the best exhibition Film category, while also being shortlisted in the Exhibition Branding Package, and Virtual Tour or Exhibition awards for WARWAR. The MAPDAs celebrate excellence and quality in design of publications and multimedia produced for the museums sector.

Detectives have laid 12 additional charges as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged sexual offences in the Hunter region.

In May 2022, detectives from Hunter Valley Police District established Strike Force REDFA to investigate a number of sexual offences that occurred between Friday 22 April and Monday 16 May 2022 in the Singleton Heights area.

Following inquiries, a 21-year-old man was charged by Hunter Valley Detectives on Thursday 9 June 2022. He remains before the courts.

Following further investigations and analysis of forensic evidence, a search warrant was executed at a home in Singleton Heights yesterday (Thursday 16 June 2022), where clothing was seized and an additional 12 charges were laid at court today (Friday 17 June 2022). The charges include

• Carry out sexual act with another without consent (x2)
• Wilful and obscene exposure in/near public place/school (x3)
• Enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse (x3)
• Peep or pry (x2)
• Take person intend commit serious indictable offence
• Sexually touch another person without consent
• Enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence (x2)

The man remains on remand and is due to appear at Singleton Local Court.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from Newcastle.

Scott Coleman, aged 55, was last seen at his home on Jubilee Road in Elemore Vale about 1pm today (Thursday 16 June 2022).

He has not been seen since and officers from Newcastle City Police District were notified and commenced investigations to locate him.

Police and family hold concerns for his welfare as his disappearance is out of character.

Scott is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 183cm tall, solid build, with grey hair.

It is not known what he was last seen wearing.

Scott is believed to be travelling in a red Kia Rio with NSW registration AXI91W.

Anyone with information on Scott’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.