Category: Newcastle News

City of Newcastle is investing almost $400,000 in training programs designed to help locals make the most of Newcastle’s emerging economic opportunities.
From assisting businesses to become more inclusive, to building resilience to market disruptions including COVID-19, the training programs seek to close skills gaps in the local workforce.

Funded under City of Newcastle’s NewSkills program, the training will be delivered by specialist training providers through workshops, self-paced learning, intensive programs and mentoring over the next 12 months.
NewSkills follows on from the City’s highly successful Product Development Mentoring Program which provided 15 local businesses with training and business to business mentoring on how to develop tourism products that leveraged Newcastle’s unique offering to appeal to visitors to sustain and grow Newcastle’s visitor economy.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said investing in people sits at the heart of City of Newcastle’s Economic Development Strategy and is the key to economic growth.
“Newcastle’s economic future will be built on the talent, skills and ingenuity of our people,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Business owners, workers and entrepreneurs with diverse skill sets will be better placed to capitalise on opportunities, invest money in the local community and create jobs.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said that City of Newcastle is proud to be providing strong investment towards skills training that will encourage economic diversification to further support local small business growth.
“This investment in training through our NewSkills program will provide tangible benefits to the wider Newcastle community, whether it’s encouraging residents to turn their side hustle ideas into fledgling start-ups, providing the digital skills needed to drive automation, innovation and growth through technology, or making Newcastle a more appealing destination for residents and visitors by encouraging businesses to improve the access, inclusion and culture of their service for people with disability,” Cr Clausen said.
Among the training programs to receive funding is a 12-week course delivered by Flare Access on adapting a business to be more inclusive.
Flare Access founder and occupational therapist, Sarah O’Mara said she is looking forward to supporting Newcastle businesses with the confidence and know-how required to improve the access of their services and to create better awareness around disability, accessibility and inclusion, as part of City of Newcastle’s NewSkills program.
“Our 12-week program provides businesses with the tools and solutions needed to incorporate low cost, high impact inclusive practices, which break down barriers and enable both economic growth for businesses and social inclusion for the disabled community, improving accessibility for all,” Ms O’Mara said.
This type of training has been welcomed by Clear Sky Australia, who operates Clear Paws in Adamstown, a registered disability service provider that offers opportunities for people living with a disability to be supported and assessed in a variety of employability skills.
Clear Paws owner Patrick Bellamy encourages more businesses in Newcastle to offer employment training opportunities to people living with disabilities.
“It’s great to see City of Newcastle investing in programs that encourage local businesses to be more inclusive to benefit of the whole community,” Mr Bellamy said.
“Employment training opportunities for people living with a disability are very limited in Newcastle, so we made the decision to open Clear Paws, which provides a supportive caring environment for those living with a disability to develop employability skills.
“People with disability bring a range of skills, talents and abilities to the workplace. We see Clear Paws as a launching pad for its participants to make the transition to employment.”
For more information, visit City of Newcastle’s NewSkills webpage
NEWSKILLS FUNDED TRAINING PROGRAMS
Springboard Digital Skills
An eight-week education program on how to use software tools to streamline operations, innovate for long-term growth, and make data-driven decisions.
Level up Learning in Newcastle
Microlearning platform to help deliver engaging and effective digital learning to Newcastle businesses, focussing on core areas including hospitality (customer service and wine skills), clean tech, energy skills and digital skills.
Future Fresh: Workshops for Small Migrant and Refugee-Run Businesses
To help small migrant- and refugee-run businesses recover from the effects of COVID-19 and build resilience for future events through a series of ongoing, hands-on and engaging workshops focussed on improving marketing, communications, business recovery and innovations.
Tourism Product Development Mentoring Program 2021/2022
Helping 10 local businesses through a mentoring program to elevate and optimise opportunities as the visitor economy returns across 2021 and 2022.
Side Hustle Bootcamp 2021
A 12-week intensive program for 15 Newcastle residents with a great side hustle idea who are having trouble finding the motivation, time and courage to make it a reality.
The City of Newcastle Sustainnovation Challenge
Crowdsourcing innovative solutions from Newcastle’s high school, TAFE and university students to problems posed by City of Newcastle’s teams, local businesses and community organisations from across the city.
Amplify Access and Achieve Purposeful Profit
A 12-week program teaching businesses how to open their doors to more customers and grow profits by transforming the access, inclusion and culture of their service for people with disability with personalised support and low-cost, high impact solutions.

Three local artists have made the cut from a record number of entries vying for honours in this year’s prestigious KILGOUR PRIZE.
Newcastle Art Gallery received 476 works from artists across every state and territory in Australia, an increase of more than 100 entries from 2020 and the highest number overall in the 16-year history of one of Australia’s major art prizes. Almost 2900 works have been entered into the KILGOUR PRIZE since it was established in 2006.
The field has been narrowed to just 30 finalists, whose works will be judged by a panel of experts including Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton, Campbelltown Arts Centre Head of Curatorial Adam Porter and the Head Teacher of Fine Art at Newcastle Art School, David Trout.
The KILGOUR PRIZE awards $50,000 for the most outstanding work entered into the annual competition, which is administered by Newcastle Art Gallery and funded by a bequest from artist Jack Noel Kilgour. An additional $5,000 is awarded to the painting voted most popular by the general public.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the record entries are testament to the esteem in which the prize and Newcastle Art Gallery are held within the artistic community.
“Since the KILGOUR PRIZE was established in 2006 its reputation within the art community has grown significantly,” Cr Nelmes.
“Attracting almost 500 entries for this year’s prize is an amazing achievement, with the diversity and quality of the works as impressive as ever.
“The COVID-19 global pandemic continues to impact those within our visual arts community, which makes the $50,000 prize and the opportunity to have their works showcased at Newcastle Art Gallery all the more valuable for the talented finalists.”
Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton said the KILGOUR PRIZE presents some of the best examples of contemporary Australian portrait and figurative painting.
“The KILGOUR PRIZE encourages Australian artists to pursue and push the boundaries of portraiture and figurative painting,” Ms Morton said.
“This year’s selected artists present diverse interpretations of the brief, resulting in a very dynamic exhibition with works focussing on everything from experiences in lockdown through to scenes of everyday life.
“The quality of the works will make the selection process all the more difficult, but that is a wonderful challenge to have.”
Carrington resident Gillian Adamson has been named a finalist in her first year entering the KILGOUR PRIZE, with Merewether-based artists Nick Fintan and John Earle also on the list.
New South Wales and Victorian artists make up more than half of the 30 finalists, with works also coming from Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.
The exhibition will be on display from 13 August until 31 October, with People’s Choice voting open until 6 October.
The winner of the KILGOUR PRIZE 2021 will be announced on 13 August, with the People’s Choice prize awarded on 11 October.
2021 FINALISTS:
Lisa Adams, Gillian Adamson, Matteo Bernasconi, Jackson Booth, Catherine Boreham, Julie-Ann Brown, Simon Brown, Daniel Butterworth, Emily Jayne Carroll, John Dahlsen, Archer Davies, Rachelle Dusting, John Earle, David Fairbairn, Nick Fintan, Christine Fontana, Miriam Fraser, Michael Lindeman, Nunzio Miano, Robert O’Connor, Nathan Paddison, Lori Pensini, Alice Pulvers, James R Randall, Zeljka Reljan-Music, Grace Kemarre Robinya, Paul Ryan, Jason Tolmie, Mick Turner and Mark Tweedie.
2021 JUDGES:
Lauretta Morton, Director Newcastle Art Gallery
Adam Porter, Head of Curatorial, Campbelltown Arts Centre
David Trout, Visual Artist, Head Teacher Fine Art, Newcastle Art School.
ABOUT THE KILGOUR PRIZE
Jack Noel Kilgour (1900–1987) was an Australian artist well-known for his academic approach to landscape and portrait painting. In 1987 Kilgour bequeathed funds for the creation of a major figurative and portrait art competition to be run in perpetuity. As one of Australia’s major art prizes, Newcastle Art Gallery is proud to be the home of the KILGOUR PRIZE.
More information: https://www.nag.org.au/Kilgour-Prize

City of Newcastle is extending hardship support to businesses and residents in the community affected by the latest restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said local businesses are likely to see a further slowdown in economic activity given the current COVID-19 restrictions in place across regional New South Wales, in addition to supply chain issues as a direct result of the Sydney lockdown.
“We understand that many people and small businesses in our community are facing an extremely challenging time,” said Cr Nelmes.
“City of Newcastle will offer hardship support to residents and business owners experiencing financial hardship through interest free payment plans, upon application, for the upcoming 2021/22 Rates Notice period.
“With 2021/22 Rates Notices arriving in mailboxes from mid-July, we encourage those experiencing financial hardship to reach out and contact City of Newcastle to discuss a payment plan. The next rates instalment is due on 31 August, so there is plenty of time to organise a plan.”
Ratepayers can enter into a flexible payment option including weekly, fortnightly and monthly instalments as well as other tailored plans. Financial planning and counselling assistance through one of City of Newcastle’s appointed community welfare agencies is also available to ratepayers experiencing hardship.
“In July 2020, during the height of COVID-19, we saw a large take-up from residents and businesses experiencing hardship and helped set up appropriate arrangements. $1.64 million in rates were deferred during the peak period, and City of Newcastle is extending the same support to help the community through this challenging time,” Cr Nelmes said.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the City’s $5.5 million COVID Community and Economic Resilience Package is continuing and is also focused on creating new economic opportunities by upskilling local talent and increasing business resilience to events like COVID-19 in the medium to long-term.
“City of Newcastle has called on businesses to develop training packages that address the skills gaps in the local economy, with a range of NewSkills training programs soon to be on offer. Target areas include identifying how businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors can build a more resilient business model and support emerging industries,” Cr Clausen said.
“City of Newcastle has invested $100,000 into e-Library resources under the Community and Economic Development Resilience Package, building on its existing repertoire of free adult and children’s e-books, newspapers, magazines, music and movie streaming services as well as online learning with the community able to access 5,800 additional e-book and audiobook titles, plus a new video streaming platform ‘Medici TV’ for those who don’t subscribe to Netflix, Stan, Foxtel and the like.”
We have also extended indefinitely our decision to waive library fines to encourage a more positive member experience and provide additional means for the community to access free resources for continued learning.
Newcastle Libraries’ members can also access more than 8,000 e-learning courses and 13,000 video tutorials free of charge on topics such as resume writing, skills for retraining, and how to start a business, via an online learning platform.
The benefit of these courses is the upskilling of the local workforce during a period of economic downturn, empowering people to learn while improving community wellbeing.
Ratepayers experiencing financial difficulties are encouraged to seek assistance by contacting City of Newcastle’s Rates Team on 02 4974 2307 or rates@ncc.nsw.gov.au
For more information, visit City of Newcastle’s Pay Your Rates webpage.

Police remain at the scene of a serious head-on crash in the Hunter region this afternoon.
Emergency services were called to Leggetts Drive, about 1km south of Pelaw Main, about 3.15pm (Thursday 15 July 2021), following reports a Toyota Corolla and a Ford Territory collided head-on.
The male driver of the Toyota was trapped by confinement for a short time, he was extricated and airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
The female driver of the Ford was able to free herself from the vehicle, she was assessed at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene, which will be examined by specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is underway.
Leggetts Drive is closed in both directions and will be for some time, local diversions are in place for north and southbound motorists at Whitebridge Road and Greta Street – for the latest traffic information please visit www.livetraffic.com.au.
Motorists are urged to avoid the area as peak hour approaches.
As inquiries continue, anyone with information about the crash is urged to come forward.

A man will reappear in court today charged over the alleged sexual touching of a teenage girl in the Hunter Region.
In November last year, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a 14-year-old girl had been sexually touched by a man known to her.
Following extensive inquiries, officers arrested a 42-year-old man at a home near Cessnock on Tuesday 18 May 2021.
He was taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with two counts of intentionally sexually touch child (aged between 10 and 16 years).
Police will allege in court that the man sexually touched the girl at a home in the state’s Hunter Region between August and September last year.
He appeared at Cessnock Local Court the same day, where he was formally refused bail to appear at the same court today (Wednesday 14 July 2021).
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.
Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

A man has been seriously injured during an affray in the state’s Hunter region overnight.
Just before 8pm (Tuesday 13 July 2021), a 28-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man were inside a home on Alliance Street, East Maitland, when three men and two women arrived at the home.
Police have been told the two groups were arguing when the situation escalated, and the 28-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted.
It’s then alleged one of the men has struck the 35-year-old resident several times in the back with a tomahawk.
The injured man contacted emergency services while the group left the scene.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The man was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition; his injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Following inquiries, about 12.20am (Wednesday 14 July 2021) police attended Bruce Street and arrested a 20-year-old woman.
She was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of other(s) and affray.
She was granted conditional bail to appear at Maitland Local Court on Thursday 12 August 2021.
Investigations are ongoing.

Projects designed to draw people into the City Centre and Darby Street will share in around $800,000 as part of a funding program driving visitation and vibrancy across Newcastle.
City of Newcastle’s Special Business Rate (SBR) program uses levies paid by business owners for the promotion, beautification and development of precincts in the City Centre/Darby Street, Hamilton, Mayfield, New Lambton and Wallsend.
More than $1.6 million was distributed through the SBR program in 2020/21 to 19 projects successful under the contestable funding rounds, as well as funding and support services for Business Improvements Associations in the five precincts.
Modelling by REMPLAN shows last year’s SBR funding generated a total economic impact of $5,821,261 for the city with a return on investment of 349%.
Applications are now open for the new City Centre and Darby Street funding round, with around $800,000 available for projects that deliver the most effective, creative and innovative ideas to boost local businesses.
City of Newcastle’s SBR selection panel also recently assessed 10 suburban project applications for the Hamilton, New Lambton and Wallsend precincts. The panel approved four project proposals in Hamilton to share in the funding pool of $50,000.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the SBR program provided invaluable support for the business precincts, with outcomes that flowed through to the wider Newcastle area.
“City of Newcastle recognises the integral role and contribution of local businesses to the city’s economic development,” Cr Nelmes said.
“The Special Business Rate program is an important way to involve local businesses and the community in the development and promotion of their local business precincts.
“The creative and innovation projects delivered with SBR funding add to the vibrancy and activation of Newcastle, while also driving increased visitation and expenditure.”
Categories of focus include industry and business development; place activation and events; beautification and infrastructure development; and promotion.
Online public information sessions will be held on 20 and 21 July.
Angela Hailey from the Makers and Traders Newcastle said the SBR funding program had made a tangible impact on customer numbers as well as collaboration between independent businesses in the City Centre and Darby Street.
The group received City Centre funding in a previous round for their beautifully illustrated Makers and Traders “Treasure Map”, which provides visitors and residents with a navigational guide to local businesses and experiences. An updated version of the map featuring significantly more businesses is expected to be released later this month.
“The SBR funding enabled us to create this map, which promotes our group of independent traders to tourists while also encouraging lapsed locals to come back into town, and it’s been really well supported,” Ms Hailey said.
“The SBR funding also encouraged us to formalise our casual connections into this group, which enables us to do things on a collective level that we wouldn’t have been able to achieve on an individual level.”
More information about the Special Business Rate program and funding opportunities can be found at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/special-business-rates. Applications for the City Centre / Darby Street funding close on 31 July 2021.
Successful Hamilton SBR projects include:
Curious Creatures (Curious Legends)
A mini festival of afternoon and evening cultural activations in Hamilton’s Gregson Park, tentatively planned for November 2021. Local artists, musicians, light installations and puppeteers will activate the park, while the community are also invited to participate in free workshops at Hudson Street Hum prior to the event and get involved with performance opportunities.
Hamilton Hive Interactive Mural (UP&UP inspirations)
This project will design and paint an interactive mural on the exterior wall of the Community Hive building on Beaumont Street, Hamilton. The mural will make the space more vibrant and welcoming, encouraging people to visit the Hamilton precinct, and increasing foot traffic for businesses.
Walk With Us (Paul Maher)
This project will replace a number of existing mosaics with safe, level, slip resistant installations suitable for high foot traffic areas. The mosaics will beautify the Beaumont Street footpath, honour the suburb’s social and entrepreneurial history, encourage engagement with local businesses and celebrate our shared cultural heritage and history.

City of Newcastle’s 2021 Citizen of the Year Award recipients have led the inaugural flag-raising ceremony at 12 Stewart Avenue in recognition of their significant roles in our community.
The flagpoles were installed with specialist lighting as part of the fit-out of the City Administration Centre, allowing the flags to fly permanently day and night.

It follows the raising of all six flags at Newcastle City Hall in May, including, for the first time, the Torres Strait Island flag, following the five year project to restore the façade of City Hall.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath were joined by Citizen of the Year Professor Kelvin Kong and his four-year-old daughter Ellery, Senior Citizen of the Year Jaci Lappin, 2019 Young Citizen of the Year Dr Bhavi Ravindran, and Community Group of the Year representatives Janice Musumeci and Evan Reid from Hamilton Business Association Inc, in raising the Australian, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Island, United Nations, New South Wales and City of Newcastle flags for the first time at the City’s new headquarters.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it was a proud and historic moment to see all six flags flying at both of the City’s civic buildings.
“Newcastle’s City Hall was the first civic building in the country to fly the Aboriginal flag when the then Lord Mayor Joy Cummings raised the flag in 1977, and earlier this year the Torres Strait Islander flag was raised atop City Hall for the first time,” Cr Nelmes said.
“I am proud of our city’s legacy, and to be able to share this moment today with our Citizens of the Year, who are each creating their own legacies for Newcastle.”
The flag-raising ceremony completes the City Administration Centre’s move to Newcastle West to deliver a new era of services in one central location, including office space for 450 administrative staff and award-winning Community and Civic Hub, with the co-located Digital Library, Council Chamber and Customer Service Centre winning first place in their respective categories at the recent New South Wales Local Government Awards.
It also features a purpose-built Local Emergency Operations Centre, providing a dedicated space where City of Newcastle can work with emergency services including Police, SES, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Ambulance and others to deliver a coordinated response to natural disasters and other incidents.
Co-locating a range of facilities at the new City Administration Centre is resulting in more efficiencies and better customer service, as well as access to one of the most digitally advanced libraries in NSW.

A man missing from the Hunter Valley area has been located safe and well.
The 47-year-old was reported missing to Police by a family member about 10.30am on Sunday 4 July 2021.
Following inquiries by officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District, the man was located by officers attached to Newcastle City Police District in the Newcastle area on Tuesday.
Police would like to thank the media and public for their assistance.