Category: Newcastle News

It’s welcomed almost 1.5 million visitors, won 20 state and national awards, displayed 71 exhibitions and held thousands of special events – but after a decade at Honeysuckle there’s still more to discover at Newcastle Museum.
Today marks the 10^th anniversary since the Museum opened its doors at Honeysuckle after transforming the former Railway Workshops into a state-of-the-art cultural facility.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle Museum is one of the jewels in the city’s cultural crown.
“Newcastle Museum plays a key role in the rich diversity of experiences that help attract visitors to our city,” Cr Nelmes said.
“The award-winning Museum is on the cutting edge of contemporary museum practice and has been nationally recognised for its innovative exhibitions, which create insightful and immersive ways to interpret and preserve our city’s fascinating history.
“Upgrading and expanding this critical facility through its move to Honeysuckle saw the Museum become a cornerstone of the wider Civic cultural precinct.
“I’m proud to see how much it has achieved during the past 10 years and I can’t wait to experience what else it has in store during the next decade and beyond.”

Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said it had been amazing to see the transformation both within the Museum’s Heritage-listed buildings and in the surrounding landscape over the years.
“The Museum’s transformation will continue following the mass planting of various native tree species in four sections of Museum Park yesterday as part of the Museum’s Living Labels project, Ms Baird said.
“The trees and shrubs planted relate directly to objects within the Museum’s collection and offer a new way to interpret and understand Newcastle’s geography and history, providing a living connection between the natural landscape and the stories of our past.
“We plan to celebrate the Museum’s significant milestone with activities across the next 12 months, kicking off with a 10th anniversary exhibition showcasing specially commissioned works by much-loved local artist Trevor Dickinson, whose colourful, larger-than-life murals including the Newcastle Museum Photowall have formed such an intrinsic part of the Museum and its surrounds.
“Newcastle Museum is a celebration of our city and we are a significant element of the lives and identity of Newcastle’s people.
“Newcastle Museum is committed to telling the stories of both ordinary and extraordinary Novocastrians through our collections, exhibitions, and audience engagement – this is who we are, where we’ve come from and where we’re going.
“This facility plays a major role in Newcastle, not just as a tourist attraction but as an inclusive and accessible space that educates, entertains and benefits the community in so many ways.”
Among those who have benefitted from the Museum since it moved to Honeysuckle is 10-year-old Sebastian Skrynnik, whose parents immigrated to Newcastle from Russia and have been taking him to the Museum since he was a baby.
“We’ve shared a lot of great memories inside these walls,” Sebastian said.
“It’s where I came a few times a week as we couldn’t afford to go to preschool or playgroups – but the museum gave me a place that had everything I needed. I remember playing here with so many different kids, exploring and learning.
“My parents came to Australia to give me a better life, and what they found for us was a new family and a community that’s part of my life now.”
The Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Current exhibitions include the self-curated The Castanet Club: an exhibition you can dance to! and a travelling exhibition from the Monash Gallery of Art showcasing the work of John Gollings, Australia’s pre-eminent photographer of the built environment. Coincidentally, Gollings was commissioned to photograph the Museum when it was first opened at Honeysuckle.
Newcastle Museum Fast Facts

• Newcastle Museum was established in 1988 in the restored former Castlemaine Brewery in Newcastle West as a major Bicentennial project.
• It temporarily closed in 2008 to allow for its shift to the former Honeysuckle Railways Workshops, which were the original preferred site for the Museum.
• The relocation involved the major refurbishment of the three existing Heritage-listed railway buildings. The Locomotive Boiler Shop is now home to Supernova, the New Erecting Shop is home to Fire and Earth, and the Blacksmith’s and Wheel Shop now house enclosed exhibition spaces and the theatrette. A new Link Building was constructed to form a connection between these spaces and contains the main public foyer and orientation spaces.
• The Museum re-opened on 4 August 2011. In the first six months it welcomed 100,000 visitors through the doors to explore the innovative and interactive new displays including the drama of the Fire and Earth show, which interprets the excitement, colour and noise of the steel making process and remains the Museum’s most popular permanent exhibit today.
• In the past 10 years, Newcastle Museum has welcomed 1,423,972 visitors, accepted 2,615 object donations, won 20 state and national awards including the 2021 Museums and Galleries National Award and displayed 71 exhibitions across a diverse range of topic areas.
• The Museum welcomed its one millionth visitor to the Honeysuckle site in October 2017.

A man will face court today after an alleged armed robbery attempt in the state’s Hunter Region.
About 4pm yesterday (Tuesday 3 August 2021), police responded to a report of an attempted armed robbery at a convenience store in Anderson Drive, Tarro.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended, secured a crime scene and commenced an investigation.
Police were informed by the 42-year-old male shop owner that a man allegedly entered the store with a large knife demanding cash and cigarettes. The owner challenged the man who fled the store without any property. No injuries were sustained to the shop owner.
About 6.50pm a 21-year-old man attended Maitland Police Station where he was arrested.
The man was charged with one count of attempted robbery armed with offensive weapon.
He was bail refused to appear in Maitland Local Court later today (Wednesday 4 August 2021).

Homicide Squad detectives have charged a man with murder following an investigation into the fatal shooting of another man at Newcastle last month.
About 12.45pm on Thursday 22 July 2021, emergency services were called to a unit at Darby St, Cooks Hill, following reports of shots fired.
Upon arrival, police located a 40-year-old man inside the unit with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene.
The man has been formally identified as Wesley ‘Wes’ Prentice from Rutherford.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District commenced inquiries, before detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Hibbard.
Following extensive investigations, Homicide Squad detectives , with assistance from officers from Newcastle City Police District, Tactical Operations Regional Support (TORS), Police Negotiators, Mid North Coast Police District and the Dog Unit, arrested a 35-year-old man near a caravan park at Bonny Hills about 5.45pm on Sunday (1 August 2021).
During a search of the man’s belonging, officers located a loaded firearm and cash. They were seized for forensic examination.
He was taken to Port Macquarie Police Station, where he was charged with murder, possess loaded firearm in public place, possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority and possess unregistered firearm in public place.
The Woodrising man was refused bail and appeared at Wauchope Local Court on Monday (2 August 2021), where he was formally refused bail to appear at Port Macquarie Local Court today (Wednesday August 2021).
As part of ongoing inquiries, Strike Force Hibbard detectives executed two search warrants at Bonny Hills and Windale.
During the searches, number of items were seized by police for forensic examination.
Investigations are continuing.

A former youth worker has been charged with historic sex offences across the state’s Hunter Region dating back to the 1990s.
In November 2020, detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District established Strike Force Eiraban to investigate allegations of alleged child sexual offences against two teenage boys between 1990 and 2004 in Muswellbrook and Gateshead.
Following extensive inquiries, a 71-year-old man attended Belmont Police Station where he was arrested about 7.40am yesterday (Thursday 29 July 2021).
He was charged with 15 offences, including:

• Sex assault (Cat 4) incite indecent act under 16 and under authority;
• sexual intercourse with person 10 or over and under 16 years (x3);
• sexual intercourse with person 10 and under 16 years (x3);
• sexual intercourse with person 14 or over and under 16 years (x2);
• aggravated indecent assault – victim under authority of offender; and
• supply prohibited drug (x5)

Police will allege in court that the Marks Point man formerly worked as a youth worker in the region.
He appeared at Belmont Local Court, where he was formally bail refused to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 30 July 2021).
Investigations under Strike Force Eiraban are ongoing.

A man will appear in court today charged over an alleged aggravated break and enter and sexual assault in Newcastle.
About 3.20pm on Thursday (29 July 2021), a 20-year-old woman was inside her bedroom at a home on Turana Parade, North Lambton, when an unknown man, armed with a knife, entered the room and threatened her.
She attempted to yell out and alert neighbours before it’s alleged the man grabbed her and sexually assaulted her.
A short time later, the man fled on foot and the woman sought assistance from other residents, who notified police.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation under Strike Force Oorin, with assistance from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators arrested a 20-year-old man, not known to the woman, at a home on Faulkner Crescent, North Lambton, just after 4pm yesterday (Friday 30 July 2021).
Shortly after, a search warrant was executed at the home where police seized a number of items relevant to the investigation.
The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with four counts of aggravated sex assault-threat to inflict actual bodily harm victim with weapon, break and enter indictable offence (not steal/damage), robbery armed with offensive weapon, sexually touch another person without consent, and reckless wounding.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Bail Court today (Saturday 31 July 2021).

City of Newcastle is continuing to support a multi-agency approach to community safety in the Hamilton area to ensure people who are vulnerable get access to important services.
More than $30,000 in Rapid Response Grants have been distributed to six community service providers and faith organisations to bolster the support being provided for people experiencing homelessness or food insecurity.
This includes funding for the following initiatives:

• Hunter Homeless Connect – boost its program offering food and clothing vouchers
• Grainery Food Bank – make non-perishables and fresh vegetables available at the food bank, increase the quantities of single-serve frozen meals already available, provide one-on-one assistance for those in need to access support services and financial counselling, and extend the opening hours of the service
• Hamilton Seven Day Adventist Food Pantry and Meal Service – increase the supply of fresh fruit and vegetables and non-perishable products, extend emergency food relief, trial extended operating hours to include Friday mornings, and explore a weekly pop-up at a local community centre
• Hamilton Uniting Church – provide access to community and emergency food support through the ‘Shoebox Project’, which includes boxes of basic food and sanitary items
• Reach Homeless Services – implement a ‘breakfast pack’ program for those in need, distributed at the Suspension Café in Beaumont Street Islington.
• Establish a new partnership with the Hamilton Men’s Shed and the Hamilton BIA to trial a new community pantry service in Hamilton for a period of six months, which is expected to be operating in late 2021.

City of Newcastle is supporting a multi-agency approach along with stakeholders including NSW Police and the Department of Community and Justice Assertive Outreach (AO) regarding vulnerable people and community safety issues at Hamilton Train Station Park.
As part of the multi-agency operation, AO staff have regularly visited the park since Police commenced regular patrols, which has led to four people being housed. NSW Police has increased visibility in the area to prevent and address anti-social behaviour.
CN is responsible for safely managing the use of public land on behalf of our community. CN will continue working with those providing outreach in Hamilton Train Station Park to support the safety of vulnerable people and the broader community.

A man has been charged after a senior constable was allegedly injured during an attempted arrest and police pursuits in Lake Macquarie.
About 2.45pm on Tuesday (27 July 2021), officers attached to Northern High Visibility Policing Team attended a carpark on the Pacific Highway at Bennetts Green and observed a grey Volkswagen Amarok utility bearing stolen NSW registration plates.
Officers approached the ute where the male driver attempted to drive off.
A male senior constable smashed the driver’s window to remove the keys from the ignition, during which the driver resisted, causing the officer’s arms to be pushed into shattered glass.
The male driver then fled the scene in the utility onto South Street, Windale.
A pursuit was initiated and continued in the surrounding streets but was terminated a short time later.
Numerous patrols were conducted throughout the area; however, the vehicle could not be located.
Following inquiries, police identified that the ute had been stolen from Valentine between 6pm on Sunday 25 July 2021 and 8.50am on Monday 26 July 2021.
The senior constable was taken to John Hunter Hospital with minor injuries to his arms and has since been released.
As part of ongoing inquiries, the Northern HVP Team attempted to stop a grey Amarok ute northbound on the Pacific Highway about 9am today (Wednesday 28 July 2021).
A pursuit was initiated with the Amarok allegedly reaching speeds of approximately 160km/hr in a sign-posted 100km/hr zone.
During the pursuit, additional resources were requested before the utility crashed into bushland off Lakeview Parade, Pelican.
The driver and sole occupant fled the ute on foot where officers from Lake Macquarie Police District, Operation Utah, Traffic and Highway Patrol and the Dog Unit conducted an extensive search and arrested a 35-year-old man in Little Pelican a short time later.
The man was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with 24 offences including;

• Break and enter house steal value less than $60,000 (x2),
• receive property – theft (serious indictable offence x2),
• dishonestly obtain property by deception (x5),
• steal motor vehicle,
• drive conveyance taken without consent of owner,
• police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly (x2),
• drive motor vehicle during disqualification period (x2),
• use registrable vehicle not display authorised number plates,
• use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention,
• assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm (x2),
• resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty (x2),
• goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle),
• refuse to submit to taking of blood sample, and,
• refuse or fail to provide urine sample.

The Caves Beach man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 29 July 2021).

A man reported missing from the state’s Hunter Region has been located safe and well.
The 19-year-old was last seen was last seen leaving a home at Greta Street, Kurri Kurri, about 7pm yesterday (Tuesday 27 July 2021).
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District were notified after he failed to return and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Just after 8pm (Wednesday 28 July 2021), a member of the public located the man in Maitland and contacted police.
Police would like to thank the community and media for their assistance.

Nine people, including eight teenagers, have been charged following a police pursuit in the Hunter region today.
About 11.15am (Wednesday 28 July 2021), officers attached to Newcastle-Hunter Traffic and Highway Patrol observed a grey Honda Civic allegedly travelling at speed southbound on the Hunter Expressway.
The vehicle allegedly reached speeds in excess of 200km/h in a sign-posted 110km/h zone. A pursuit was initiated at Church Street, Minmi, before being terminated in Wallsend, due to the manner of driving.
The vehicle was subsequently sighted by several police vehicles across Newcastle City and Lake Macquarie Police Districts, before being abandoned at Arthur Street, Cardiff, shortly after midday.
A perimeter was established by officers from Lake Macquarie, Newcastle City, Port Stephens-Hunter and Hunter Valley Police Districts, assisted by PolAir, the Dog Unit and the Police Transport Command.
Following inquiries, a 19-year-old woman and eight teenagers – aged between 13 and 17 – were arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station.
The woman was charged with being carried in a conveyance without the owner’s consent and breaching bail.
She was refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 29 July 2021).
A 15-year-old teenage boy was charged with police pursuit – drive dangerously, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, take & drive conveyance without consent of owner and not give particulars to other driver.
He was refused bail to appear in a children’s court today (Thursday 29 July 2021).
A 16-year-old teenage boy was charged with breaching bail and being carried in a conveyance without the owner’s consent.
He was granted conditional bail to appear before a children’s court on Monday 2 August 2021.
The other six teens were released into the care of their respective parents and will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
All nine will be issued with PINs for failing to comply with noticed direction in relation to Section 7/8/9 – COVID 19.

Thirty talented and entrepreneurial individuals have been selected to relocate to Newcastle as part of an Australian-first economic stimulus program.
The City’s ‘New Move’ talent attraction program incentivised skilled professionals in existing and emerging industries to relocate to Newcastle with a $10,000 grant to be spent in the Local Government Area.
Over 460 expressions of interest were received from around the globe including the Netherlands, Mexico, Hong Kong, Canada and India.
The ‘10,000 Reasons’ digital marketing campaign has been viewed more than 5.5 million times, effectively promoting Newcastle as a city of opportunity.
The successful applicants bring expertise and investment in areas such as clean energy, defence, health and tech development like artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality. Several are start-up founders and will be establishing their business ventures in Newcastle.
At the same time as the New Move Program, City of Newcastle is investing almost $400,000 in local training to connect locals with Newcastle’s emerging economic opportunities. The NewSkills training program will be delivered by specialist training providers through workshops, self-paced learning, intensive programs and mentoring over the next 12 months.
From assisting businesses to become more inclusive, to building resilience to market disruptions including COVID-19, the NewSkills training programs seek to close skills gaps in the local workforce.
NewSkills follows the City’s highly successful Tourism Product Development Program which provided 15 local businesses with training and business mentoring to develop new visitor experiences and products that leverage Newcastle’s unique offering to visitors, to sustain and grow Newcastle’s visitor economy.
The New Move grant recipients are required to adhere to the latest COVID-19 Public Health Orders when planning their relocation to Newcastle, when allowed to do so.
To view a video from the New Move curated ‘Famil’ weekend, visit.