Category: Newcastle News

Newcastle’s role in a 19th century art revolution that preserved important Aboriginal cultural knowledge has been highlighted in a new film.
Lycett and Wallis: Unlikely Preservers of Aboriginal Knowledge tells the story of English-born convict Joseph Lycett, who was transported to Australia for forgery in 1815 and was later commissioned by Captain James Wallis, Commandant of Newcastle, to document the landscape and burgeoning township of Coal River/Mulubinba (Newcastle).

Created in a time before cameras existed, Lycett’s paintings have become an invaluable record of traditional Aboriginal life in Newcastle as it had existed for thousands of years, depicting the rich culture and lifestyle of Australia’s first peoples with images of corroborees, hunting techniques, fishing, funerals and visions of laws being enacted.
The film examines the significance of Lycett’s work and its importance to Aboriginal people today, as well as the role Wallis played in the development of Newcastle and Lycett’s work.
It was created by Newcastle songwriter, producer and musician Chit Chat von Loopin Stab (aka Glenn Dormand) and fellow filmmaker Tony Whittaker as part of their Stories of Our Town series, which also includes films on the Star Hotel riot, BHP and the Scott Sisters.
With grants from City of Newcastle, the Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund and private sources, the filmmakers are hoping to make at least 12 documentaries as part of the series.
Lycett and Wallis: Unlikely Preservers of Aboriginal Knowledge features interviews with a range of subjects including Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton and Gallery Curator Sarah Johnson, Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird and Councillor Carol Duncan, whose personal Facebook group Lost Newcastle provided the initial inspiration for the Stories of our Town series.
Three of Lycett’s paintings examined in the film form part of the Newcastle Art Gallery collection – ‘Inner View of Newcastle’ c1818, ‘Newcastle NSW looking towards Prospect Hill’ c1818 and ‘View with cattle in foreground, Hunter River’ c1818.
The film was officially launched with a special screening at Newcastle Art Gallery and is now available to view via the Stories of Our Town website.
The filmmakers also recently released a short film, The Islanders: Chats with Vera Deacon, which was created in collaboration with Newcastle Libraries and University of Newcastle Library and is a collection of stories from Vera’s early life on the islands of the Hunter River.
The writer, philanthropist and passionate historian was named a Freeman of the City in 2019 in recognition of her contribution to Newcastle’s heritage, conservation and local history.
The film was commissioned by Newcastle Libraries as a contemporary twist to traditional oral history projects and makes the most of the capabilities of the new Digital Library Storywall, where it will be available to view by the community.

A man has died following a single-vehicle crash in the state’s Hunter Region yesterday.
About 6pm (Monday 10 May 2021), emergency services were called to Myall Creek Road, Glendon Brook, following reports of a crash.
On arrival, officers from Hunter Valley Police District located a Toyota Landcruiser about 30 meters down an embankment that had crashed into a tree.
The 52-year-old male driver was found inside the car deceased.
A crime scene was established as inquiries into the cause of the crash commenced.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Over 70 talented, skilled and entrepreneurial individuals from across metropolitan Australia were acquainted with Newcastle this weekend as City of Newcastle narrows down to a final 30 people incentivised to relocate as part of an Australian-first economic stimulus program.
The ‘New Move’ program will give 30 community-minded skilled professionals who want to relocate to Newcastle a $10,000 grant that must be spent in the Local Government Area. In return, the applicants will commit to work with the community to develop local skills and inspire new ways of thinking to create future economic opportunities. Independent economic modelling shows the program will create 75 local jobs and drive $25 million in economic output.
This weekend, more than 70 of the 460 applicants travelled to Newcastle at their own expense to enjoy a curated ‘Famil’ weekend itinerary, showcasing the city’s lifestyle and economic advantages, including walking tours, dining experiences and an IQ talk from Dr Karl Kruszelnicki at the Civic Theatre. Applicants travelled from Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, Chair of the City’s Strategy and Innovation Advisory Committee, said applicants have gained an insight into what makes Newcastle a prime location to relocate and base a business.
“This weekend, we welcomed more than 70 creative and talented professionals who are seriously looking at relocating to Newcastle. Over the weekend, we acquainted them with our landmarks, showcased our arts and cultural scene, and most-importantly connected them with like-minded individuals already relocated to Newcastle from Australian capital-cities,” Cr Clausen said.
“For many, they saw for the first-time that Newcastle is an economic hub driven by innovation and entrepreneurial community, with diverse economic opportunities.
“Greater Newcastle is home to world-class education, healthcare, and aerospace hubs, and an innovation ecosystem that supports start-ups. There’s no shortage of opportunities for talented and skilled people.
“We know that this program will deliver an excellent return on investment, with independent economic assessment showing that 30 skilled, community-minded individuals relocating to Newcastle expected to create 75 local jobs and see $25 million in economic output.”
The successful ‘New Move’ grant recipients will be asked to help further develop local skills and activate the community to create future economic opportunities. In return, recipients will gain access to co-working spaces, and networking events to build local business and community connections.
The ‘New Move’ program is funded by City of Newcastle within its existing economic development budget and was supported by a unanimous resolution of Council in December 2020.

A man has been taken to hospital following a crash in the Hunter Region yesterday.
About 2.30pm (Thursday 6 May 2021), a bicycle rider was travelling east on Arthur Street, Rutherford, when it collided with a Ford Falcon Utility travelling southbound on Weblands Street.
The rider, a 36-year-old man, suffered head injuries and was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before he was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.
The 39-year-old male driver was taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory testing.
Officers from Port Stephens – Hunter Police District attended and commenced an investigation.
As Investigations continue; anyone who witnessed the incident or has dash cam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A man has been charged with commercial drug supply after GHB and cash were located at a Newcastle unit.
About 9am yesterday (Thursday 6 May 2021), officers attached to Hunter Region Enforcement Squad (RES), Northern Region High Visibility Unit and Operation Utah Hunter attended a unit on King Street, Newcastle.
Upon arrival at the building, police spoke with and arrested a 35-year-old man.
Officers executed a search warrant at the unit where they located and seized methylamphetamine, liquid gamma-Hydroxybutyric (GHB), more than $135,000 cash and mobile phones.
During the execution of the warrant, a 28-year-old woman arrived at the property and was arrested for a breach of bail offence.
Both were taken to Newcastle Police Station where the man was charged with supply large commercial quantity prohibited drug, supply commercial quantity prohibited drug and deal with the proceeds of crime, while the woman was charged with the breach of bail offence and possess prohibited drug.
The Nelson Bay man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 7 May 2021), while the woman was granted conditional bail to appear at Wyong Local Court on Monday 28 June 2021.
Investigations are ongoing.

Officers attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District are investigating following a ram raid at a cinema on the state’s Central coast earlier this week.
Just before 4am (Tuesday 4 May 2021), police attended Forrow Drive following reports of extensive damage to the front glass doors of the cinema.
A crime scene was established, and officers obtained CCTV of the incident.
The vision depicts a white Toyota Hilux table-top with a green canopy reversing into the doors. Two men are seen to remove a cash machine from the location and load it into the rear of the ute.
The men are described as both having large builds, wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirt with their faces covered.
The Toyota Hilux has NSW registration CX37FQ and was stolen from Robertson Street at Carrington on Monday 3 May 2021.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing and Police are urging anyone with information about to incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A man has been charged with commercial drug supply following a vehicle stop in Newcastle.
About 5.30pm yesterday (Friday 7 May 2021), police from Port Stephens – Hunter Police District stopped a car on Maitland Road in Sandgate.
Officers spoke to the driver, a 58-year-old man, before conducting a search of his vehicle.
During the search, police located and seized methylamphetamine and cocaine.
The drugs were seized, and the man was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.
A short time later a search warrant was executed at the man’s Fullerton Cove home. During the search, police located and seized further prohibited drugs, along with a large sum of cash, silver and gold bars, and silver bullions.
The man was charged with supply prohibited drug – large commercial quantity (x2).
He was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday (10 May 2021).
Inquiries by local police continue.

Two men have been charged and another arrested over their alleged role in a public place shooting and break-in at Lake Macquarie last night.
Officers were called to a house on Alhambra Street, Macquarie Hills, after reports of shots fired just before 6.50pm (Friday 7 May 2021).
A 49-year-old man inside the home suffered a graze to his wrist but didn’t need treatment. A woman was also inside but wasn’t injured.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation.
Police were told an Audi hatchback was seen leaving the scene.
A short time later, about 7.25pm, police received reports of an attempted break-in at a club at Redhead involving an Audi hatchback; with three men allegedly seen leaving the scene in the car.
One of the men, aged 21, allegedly suffered a serious leg injury while allegedly forcing entry into the premises and was taken soon after to John Hunter Hospital, where he was arrested and remains under police guard in a stable condition.
About 9:50pm, police located the Audi hatchback driving on South Street, Windale, with assistance from PolAir.
The driver allegedly did not stop, and a pursuit was initiated.
Police will allege the driver drove at high speed from Windale to Merewether, before crashing into a gutter at Dixon Park.
The driver and passenger got out of the vehicle and ran from police.
The driver, an 18-year-old man, jumped into the ocean and swam away from police, returning to shore a short time later and was arrested.
During a search, police allegedly located ammunition and a firearm in a door compartment of the Audi.
Police located the passenger, a 19-year-old man, with assistance from the Dog Unit, at a home on John Street, Mereweather. The man was arrested, and police allegedly located ammunition on him. Officers also allegedly located a second firearm in the backyard of the property.
The firearms, ammunition, and car were seized for forensic examination. Police will allege the car was stolen from a carpark in Ourimbah about 1.50am on 1 May 2021.
The men were taken to Newcastle Police Station.
The 18-year-old was charged with fire firearm at dwelling-house with disregard for safety, two counts of possess unregistered firearm in public place, possess ammunition without holding licence, possess loaded firearm public place, fire firearm in or near public place, aggravated enter dwelling with intent -in company-not steal, police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, and possess prohibited drug.
The 19-year-old was charged with fire firearm at dwelling-house with disregard for safety, two counts of possess unregistered firearm in public place, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, aggravated enter dwelling with intent in company – not steal, be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.
They were both refused bail and are due to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 8 May 2021).
Inquiries continue.

The Morrison Government will upgrade the Newcastle Airport runway generating thousands of local jobs while creating new domestic and international travel and export destinations for Hunter and Central Coast residents and businesses.
The runway will be widened with a $66 million investment to accommodate longer range domestic and international passenger services as well as significantly increased large freight capabilities to benefit local exporters. This will maximise the benefits of works already completed on the terminal to upgrade international arrivals and departures processing.
Newcastle Airport estimates these improvements could create around 4,400 full-time jobs, deliver an additional 850,000 visitors to the region and add $12.7 billion to the local economy over the next 20 years.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the airport investment was a game changer and would provide significant economic benefits for the Hunter and Central Coast community.
“This investment demonstrates our commitment to the Hunter economy, its workers and businesses and will deliver a jobs boom for the whole region,” the Prime Minister said.
“This investment will also deliver hundreds of thousands of extra tourists to the region, spending money in local businesses, while exporters in the region will be able to access increased freight flights into new international markets.
“This funding leverages our significant defence investments at RAAF Base Williamtown, not only creating local economic benefits but also making it easier for the entire local community to travel domestically, and once open again, to travel internationally to many new locations.”
The upgrades to Code E status would mean larger aircraft like Boeing 777s and Airbus 330s could land in Newcastle, with twice daily international flights expected alongside increased daily direct domestic flights.
The work will be done alongside RAAF’s scheduled runway maintenance at the Williamtown base.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Government was committed to the aviation sector and maintaining Australia’s aviation infrastructure, as part of its ongoing support to ensure the sector recovers and thrives.
“This is another example of the Government backing our aviation industry, including airports, to support planes in the air and jobs on the ground,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“This has included close to $3 million in support to Newcastle Airport to assist with security screening costs, supporting half-price flights to the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast through Qantas and FlyPelican and funding to maintain essential flights to and from the airport through the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This has ensured activity is sustained at the airport and today’s announcement continues to back in this support to drive the economy and to maintain jobs for the Hunter region.”
The Department of Defence will ensure local businesses are contracted through a Local Industry Capability Plan.
Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said the Government is committed to position Defence to increase our strategic competition, now and into the future.
“The upgraded lighting and runway will ensure the airfield remains in line with modern industry aviation standards. This is critically important to support the operation of fifth generation aircraft into the future,” Minister Dutton said.
“The improved drainage will allow the Australian Defence Force to support operations through heavy weather events, such as seen in NSW with the recent floods.”
Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie said this was a great initiative that would lift the capability of Williamtown RAAF Base and open up new international markets for tourism and trade, boosting the region’s economy.
“Our tourism operators know what an amazing asset the airport is and as we reopen flights within Australia and later to the world the Hunter and Mid North Coast are all set to benefit,” Dr Gillespie said.
“This project will reduce cost and travel times for air-freight movements benefitting our primary producers and attract more Corporate, Defence and Aerospace to the Hunter.”
Pending parliamentary approvals, construction is expected to start later this year and be completed in 2023.

City of Newcastle is helping local businesses gain the skills to make the most of Newcastle’s emerging new economic opportunities with a $385,000 investment in its New Skills Program.
From helping local businesses to embrace the digital age, developing ways to be more accessible or improve energy efficiency, the program aims to address a wide range of industry specific skills gaps over the next two years.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the New Skills Program will provide opportunities for people to learn new skills and innovation which is how we make businesses more competitive and encourage emerging industries which will create more local jobs.
“Newcastle’s economy is transforming, and we need to adapt to take advantage of the opportunities,” Cr Nelmes said.
“City of Newcastle’s Economic Development Strategy is responding to the impact of skills gaps in the local workforce by delivering a program that invests in local people to acquire the knowledge and training to participate in the emerging economic opportunities.
“New Skills will assist residents to expand their knowledge and abilities through courses delivered by local organisations to address current and projected skills gaps and strengthen areas of rapid change.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said New Skills is an extension of the training support funding provided under the City’s $5.5 million Community and Economic Resilience Package that targeted people and industries hardest hit by COVID-19, including young people and tourism sector.
“City of Newcastle has called on businesses to develop training packages that address the skills gap in the local economy, with a range of New Skills programs set to commence later this month,” Cr Clausen said.
“Target areas include identifying how businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors can build a more resilient business model and supporting emerging industries looking to establish in the region.
“Earp Distillery, Got Your Back Sista, Makers and Traders and Newy Rides are just some local organisations that have already benefitted from City of Newcastle’s investment in training programs to develop new products and services.”
This month a workshop series presented by Hunter Regional Business Hub is on offer, designed to upskill local businesses in new technologies to assist them to recover and reinvent themselves.
A Digital Basics for Small Business workshop will be held in Hamilton on May 17, highlighting techniques and tools to improve digital capability and online presence across online channels.
“The course is ideal for people and small business owners wanting to operate a business or new idea in the digital environment as it will explain how customers use the web to search and find what they want,” Digital Advisor Rochelle McLennan said.
“It will provide valuable insights and highlight opportunities to meet customer needs and increase online presence.”