Category: Newcastle News

In a huge coup for the city, Newcastle will host its first rugby league State of Origin game, with the third and final match of the 2021 series to take place at McDonald Jones Stadium on Wednesday 14 July.
The decision means Newcastle will be the centre of the rugby league universe for an estimated 2.5 million Australians who are expected to tune in for the final game of the 2021 Origin season.
One of the rugby league’s showpiece calendar events, game three of the Origin series will reinforce Newcastle as an emerging major-event city.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle was a clear choice for the NRL to host a State of Origin outside of Sydney on the back of successful events like this year’s World Surf League Newcastle Cup and the recent SAANZAR International Rugby Championship, both held as COVID Safe major events.
“Newcastle has shown time and time again that it’s an outstanding host city for major events thanks to the support of this Council, the professionalism of local providers and the passion of Novocastrians for sport, music and the arts,” Cr Nelmes said.
“City of Newcastle has a strategic focus on attracting and retaining major events as they stimulate the local economy, attract visitors, provide recreational opportunities for locals and enhance our position as a truly global city.
“Rugby league is part of Newcastle’s history and social fabric, which is why a State of Origin played right here at McDonald Jones Stadium is a big win for locals.
“While the series has been wrapped up by the Blues, we know Queensland will be determined to avoid a clean sweep when they play here in Newcastle next Wednesday.
“I would like to thank the Deputy Premier John Barilaro for his advocacy to bring this historic match to Newcastle. Up the Blues!”
The State of Origin match will be held with all relevant COVID Safe protocols in place and with NSW Police monitoring and enforcing Public Health Order restrictions.
The ground capacity will be 75 per cent seated capacity on the night, meaning up to 20,000 people can watch the teams battle it out.
The New South Wales Blues are looking to be the first team to notch a 3-0 series clean sweep since Queensland Maroons achieved the feat in 2010.
The Blues will also be hoping to be the first NSW team to win a series 3-0 since their coach Brad Fittler achieved the feat as a player more than two decades ago in 2000.

A fines-free initiative introduced to support library members during COVID-19 has been extended indefinitely by City of Newcastle.
Fines for overdue library loans were temporarily suspended as part of City of Newcastle’s $5.5 million Community and Economic Resilience Package (CERP), which was announced on 20 March last year as part of a targeted response to the growing impacts of COVID-19.
Fines are seen as a barrier to membership for some of the most disadvantaged members of the community, creating unnecessary stress and discouraging them from engaging with the wide variety of free resources on offer at our libraries.
But since the onset of the pandemic and the removal of the overdue fees, membership at Newcastle Libraries has risen by more than 7,500 people.
The success of the fines-free concept has led to its long-term continuation, creating another incentive for people to sign up to become members.
City of Newcastle and Newcastle Libraries prioritise customer-centred services and positive member experiences, with greater access, increased services and additional ways to connect.
Fees for lost and damaged items continue to apply.
Membership is free and open to anyone who lives, works or regularly travels in the Newcastle region. Find out more about becoming a member at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/library or contact the Libraries team on 4974 5300.

A man has been charged after allegedly failing to stop and assist after a crash in the state’s Hunter region yesterday.
Shortly after 3pm (Tuesday 6 July 2021), emergency services were called to the intersection of Cooper and King Streets, Cessnock, following reports a Holden Rodeo and a motorcycle had collided.
Officers from the Hunter Valley Police District attended; however, the rider had fled prior to police arrival.
The Holden driver, a 43-year-old woman, was uninjured.
Soon after, police responded to reports an injured man had attended a business on Vincent Street, seeking assistance for head injuries.
The man left prior to police attendance and following inquiries, officers located and arrested a 26-year-old man a short distance away at a home on Cumberland Street.
He was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard with head and leg injuries and abrasions.
He has since been charged with nine offences, including:

• Resist officer in execution of duty (x2),
• Not stop vehicle when directed to do so,
• Drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous,
• Not give particulars to other driver,
• Never licensed person drive vehicle on road,
• Use unregistered vehicle on road or road related area,
• Use uninsured motor vehicle on road, and,
• Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit.

Three outstanding warrants were also executed.
The Abermain man was refused bail and remains in hospital, he is due to face Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 7 July 2021).

A man has died in a single-vehicle crash in Lake Macquarie earlier today.
Shortly before 7am (Tuesday 6 July 2021), emergency services were called to Freemans Drive, about 2km south of Cessnock Road at Cooranbong, after reports a vehicle travelling northbound had left the road and crashed down an embankment.
Upon arrival, police located the driver – and sole occupant – trapped in the vehicle.
He died at the scene and is yet to be formally identified, but is believed to be aged in his 40s.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended and established a crime scene and have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or may have dashcam footage is urged to come forward.

One man is dead and a second man critically injured in an aircraft crash in the Hunter Valley yesterday.
Emergency services were called to a property on Old Goorangoola Road, Goorangoola, about 35km north-west of Singleton, shortly after 1pm (Sunday 4 July 2021), after reports a recreational light aircraft had crashed.
Police from Hunter Valley Police District attended and located the body of a 40-year-old man, who was a passenger on the aircraft.
The 46-year-old pilot was treated at the scene by ambulance paramedics, before being airlifted to the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney in a critical condition.
There were no other passengers onboard.
The Australian Sports Rotorcraft Association and Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been notified of the incident.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Two teenagers have been charged following an alleged armed robbery in the Hunter overnight.
About 10.30pm (Sunday 4 July 2021), a 26-year-old male employee and a 32-year-old female customer were inside a service station on the New England Highway at Rutherford, when two people entered the store.
Police will allege in court that a male threatened the employee with a knife and demanded cash and cigarettes, while a female threatened the customer also demanding cash and credit cards.
The pair fled the store on foot a short time later and officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified.
Responding police observed a man and a woman crossing the highway and as part of their inquiries, they attempted to stop the pair.
Both ran from officers, who then engaged in a short foot pursuit before they were arrested on Queen Street.
The pair – a 15-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl – were taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with robbery armed with an offensive weapon, while the girl was also charged with demand property with menaces with intent to steal.
Both teenagers were refused bail to appear at a children’s court later today (Monday 5 July 2021).

A teenager has died following a crash on the state’s Central Coast yesterday.
About 4.15pm (Monday 5 July 2021), an unregistered trail bike – being ridden by a 19-year-old man – was travelling south along Torrens Avenue in Cardiff.
The rider lost control of the bike after clipping a ute at the intersection of Delasala Drive and crashed into a power pole.
The 19-year-old rider suffered fatal injuries.
The 28-year-old driver of the ute stopped and spoke with police.
Investigations are now underway, and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

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.

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.

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.