admin – Page 223

Valuation increase delivers priceless boost for Newcastle Art Gallery collection

Newcastle Art Gallery is home to the most valuable public art collection in Australia outside of a capital city following an independent valuation of $145 million.

This is an increase of $19 million, or around 15 per cent, since key works from the Gallery’s collection were last reviewed in 2022.

It includes a significant rise in the value of the Gallery’s First Nations collection, which increased by nearly 80%, while works of art by female artists increased in value across the board.

CEO Jeremy Bath said the expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery will provide a fitting home for one of City of Newcastle’s most valuable assets.

“This is one of the most significant and highly valuable public collections of art outside of a state or national institution. To date only 1% of the collection has been displayed in any one year due to a lack of space in the existing Gallery,” Mr Bath said.

“This limitation will soon be overcome via a significant expansion and upgrading of the Newcastle Art Gallery to international standing. The expansion will enable the Gallery to be fit-for-purpose to host our $145 million collection alongside touring exhibitions from across Australia and around the world, creating a significant cultural tourism opportunity for Newcastle and the Hunter.

“Following the completion of the expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery, iconic works by the likes of Brett Whiteley, John Olsen, William Dobell, and Joseph Lycett will be permanently on show.”

Director Lauretta Morton OAM said the city’s collection includes works of art of local, national and international importance.

“We are proud to be the custodians of the city significant and diverse collection, which provides a time capsule of Australian art dating back more than 200 years,” Ms Morton said.

“We’re also proud of what this updated valuation tells us about the growing global celebration of so many significant First Nations artists, and the value and recognition for women artists, which have steadily increased during the past five years.

“The reimagined Newcastle Art Gallery will enable more of our valuable collection and much-loved icons to be on display, allowing us to share them with our visitors.”

The updated valuation also includes a significant new donation to the collection from Simon Mordant AO and Catriona Mordant AM, who are among Australia’s leading arts philanthropists.

The Mordants have gifted 25 works of art from their private collection to Newcastle Art Gallery, which is the largest donation of art they have ever made to a single institution.

“Catriona and I believe that art should be seen and enjoyed by the widest possible audience,” Mr Mordant said.

“In considering Australian and international institutions to be recipients of part of our collection, built over almost 40 years, we looked for organisations where we believed in their leadership and their ambition.

“Newcastle was an obvious choice and we commend Lauretta and her predecessors who have worked tirelessly to put art at the centre of the community. We very much look forward to seeing these works enjoying a new life in Newcastle Art Gallery.”

Ms Morton said this marks a significant moment for Newcastle Art Gallery as it reaches the final stages of its building expansion.

“Having known Simon for several years, I have always admired his and Catriona’s incredible support for artists and the broader arts sector globally, so I was quite overwhelmed to be invited to review their collection and select works of art that represented the vision for our reimagined gallery – to be locally grounded, nationally engaged and globally minded,” Ms Morton said.

“We are honoured to accept this gift as the custodian of the city’s collection and we look forward to sharing it with our community through a special exhibition in 2026 honouring Simon and Catriona’s generosity to Newcastle Art Gallery.”

Visit City of Newcastle’s project page to stay up-to-date with the latest progress of the expansion project.

The project is supported by $5 million from the Australian Government under the Regional Recovery Partnerships and $5 million from the New South Wales Government under the Regional Recovery Package, as well as $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation made possible through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest, Margaret Olley Trust, and community fundraising over many years. A further $1 million is currently being sought through the Foundation’s public fundraising campaign.

Average speed cameras switch to enforcement mode for both heavy and light vehicles under road safety trial

From 1 July 2025 both light and heavy vehicles will receive penalties for speeding at two trial sites in regional NSW, as part of a trial that extends the use of average speed cameras to light vehicles for the first time.

Data from the trial, part of the Minns Labor Government’s efforts to improve road safety, shows that speeding at the trial locations decreased significantly during the two-month warning period.

Average speed cameras have been in place and enforcing average speed offences for heavy vehicles since 2011. Now they are also measuring average speeds of light vehicles on a 15km stretch of the Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes (Port Macquarie) and on a 16km stretch of the Hume Highway between Coolac and Gundagai.

In the first week of the two-month warning period, one in every 122 drivers of light vehicles was caught speeding on the Pacific Highway cameras and issued with warning letters. One in every 122 drivers of light vehicles was also detected speeding at the Hume Highway location.

At the end of the seventh week, there was a 48 per cent improvement in behaviour on the Pacific Highway with the number of light vehicle drivers detected speeding dropping to one in every 235. An improvement of 37 per cent was seen on the Hume Highway, where the figure dropped to one in every 194.

During the warning period, light vehicle drivers were only fined if caught exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 km/h. There have been nine fines issued at the Pacific Highway location and three fines issued at the Hume Highway location during the warning period.

All fine revenue from camera-detected speeding, red-light, mobile phone use and seatbelt offences goes into the Community Road Safety Fund, which is used to fund priority road safety programs and initiatives.

The switch from warning letters to enforcement mode at the two locations is the next step in the trial which was committed to following last year’s Road Safety Forum. All other average speed cameras around the state continue to only enforce heavy vehicle speeding.

To learn more about the trial, including results, visit: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/topics-tips/speeding/enforcement-cameras/average-speed-cameras.

Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:

“Speeding contributes to around 42 per cent of road fatalities every year and so far this year, speeding has contributed to 33 per cent of all road fatalities. That’s 59 lives lost due to dangerous driving behaviour, just this year.

“Last year we committed to investigate ways to lower road trauma at our Road Safety Forum including trialling the use of average speed cameras for light vehicles.

“While average speed cameras are currently used for heavy vehicle enforcement in NSW, this trial is about investigating whether this technology can help reduce speeding by light vehicle drivers.

“NSW is the only jurisdiction that has limited the use of average speed cameras to heavy vehicles, creating confusion across border communities and establishing a different standard for drivers.

“The initial indicators from the warning period are promising, with a significant reduction in speeding at both trial locations.

“Overall, we’ve seen a 45 per cent decrease in light vehicles speeding over the first seven weeks of the trial. It’s good to see driver behaviour improving before we switch to enforcement mode.

“All drivers caught speeding at the two locations will now receive penalties for the next 12 months while we continue to monitor the effectiveness of the trial.

“Speed limits are set to ensure motorists travel at a safe and appropriate speed for the surrounding road environment. When the unexpected happens on the road, the speed that you’re travelling at matters. ‘Just a bit over’ the speed limit can be the difference between being able to stop in time or not at all.”

Inspiring icons Ida Leeson and Bobby Goldsmith honoured

Two new blue plaques have been unveiled paying tribute to lesbian and gay luminaries, librarian Ida Leeson and activist Robert (Bobby) Goldsmith, whose legacies helped progress LGBTQIA+ rights and shaped the rich history of NSW.

The Minns Labor Government has installed these plaques to share the fascinating stories of people and events that have shaped communities across the state.

Ida Leeson’s blue plaque can be found on the Mitchell Building at the State Library in Sydney’s CBD. Fighting both systemic sexism and discrimination against same-sex partnerships, Ida rose to the top of her discipline and in 1932 earned the highly esteemed position of Mitchell Librarian. Controversy over the appointment turned the wheels of the feminist movement, inspiring campaigns for equal workplace rights.

Ida was a talented librarian whose contributions to research, archival management and historic preservation shaped the library’s world-leading Australian and Pacific collection.

Born in 1885 in Leichhardt, Ida became a library assistant at the Public Library of NSW, now the State Library, by the age of 21. At age 24, she would meet her partner Florence Birch, with whom she remained for the rest of her life.

Bobby Goldsmith has been honoured with a blue plaque at Universal Sydney nightclub on Oxford Street.

Bobby, born in Hurstville in 1946, was a beloved leader in the LGBTQIA+ community whose death at the age of 38 from HIV-AIDS related illness was the first publicly recognised case in NSW.

He was a prominent gay rights activist, marching in Sydney’s first Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in 1978. Bobby was also a prolific swimmer and represented Australia at the inaugural 1982 San Francisco Gay Olympics, where he took home 17 of Australia’s 21 medals.

He was diagnosed with HIV months after the Gay Olympics. His partner Ken, friends, family and community rallied around him, fundraising to provide him with the dignified home care he deserved.

With the support of the Gay Counselling Service, the group raised a remarkable $6,000 at an event at the Midnight Shift, now Universal, on Oxford Street. The fundraiser helped launch the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, which is Australia’s longest running HIV charity and still provides community-based care and support today.

His blue plaque has been installed outside Universal Sydney to keep his legacy alive.

Leeson and Goldsmith are two of 16 new blue plaque recipients. For more information visit: the Blue Plaques NSW website.

Minister for Heritage, Penny Sharpe, said:

“These blue plaques recognise two extraordinary people who have left lasting legacies in progressing women’s and gay rights, and will ensure their stories live on.

“Ida Leeson stood tall in the face of sexism and discrimination to win the recognition she deserved, and moved the dial of progress for all women.

“Bobby Goldsmith was a hugely influential figure at a time when the LGBTQIA+ community was fighting for its fundamental rights and forging its identity in Australia.”

Member for Summer Hill, Jo Haylen, said:

“Ida’s achievements as a feminist trailblazer living as an openly gay women in Sydney’s inner west almost 100 years ago are truly remarkable.

“She fought for recognition and inclusion in every aspect her life, living unapologetically and true to who she was – an inspiring achievement we are rightfully celebrating alongside her groundbreaking professional success with this blue plaque.”

Pride History member Teresa Savage, who nominated Ida Leeson, said:

“Ida Leeson was a trailblazing feminist librarian, an accomplished academic, researcher and collector.

“She lived openly in a lesbian relationship for over 50 years at a time when that was rare.”

Bobby Goldsmith Foundation CEO Nick Lawson, who nominated Bobby Goldsmith, said:

“Bobby Goldsmith’s friends, especially his partner Ken, were instrumental in transforming care for people living with HIV/AIDS.

“The foundation they created remains a tribute to their love and compassion. We nominated Bobby to honour the enduring legacy they built in his name – one that continues to uplift and support people living with HIV today.”

Four new public preschools coming to South Eastern NSW families

The Hundreds of families in the state’s south-east are closer to fee-free early learning, with contracts awarded to deliver four new public preschools.

The new public preschools will offer places for up to 320 children a week across the region, providing quality early education to give our youngest learners the best start in life.

These preschools will be co-located on local public primary school grounds, making drop-off and pick up easier for busy families and helping children transition into kindergarten with confidence.

Zauner Construction Pty Ltd will deliver the four public preschools, with construction expected to begin later this year and doors opening early 2027.

The four public preschools will be built at:

Boorowa Central School
Moss Vale Public School
Queanbeyan East Public School
Queanbeyan South Public School

They will join the recently opened Gulyangarri Public Preschool in Liverpool – the first new public preschool built in NSW in almost 20 years.

As the biggest expansion of public preschools in the state’s history, these sites are part of the Minns Labor Government’s $769 million commitment to build 100 public preschools by 2027, with almost half located in the regions. Site selection prioritised areas of highest need – including long-overlooked parts of South Eastern NSW – based on a rigorous selection process.

Once complete these 100 public preschools will provide places for 9,000 children across NSW to benefit from high-quality early education in their local community.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s record investment to rapidly expand the provision of public early learning in NSW, backed by record investment in the 2024-25 Budget.

This historic investment is a major turnaround from the former Liberal National Government, which didn’t build a single public preschool in 12 years.

Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:

“Access to preschool can be difficult for young families, particularly in regional areas, which is why we are delivering four new public preschools across the towns in the state’s south-east in areas where they are needed most.

“The Minns Labor Government, with the advocacy of Deputy Premier Prue Car, is committed to improving access to free quality public preschool for our youngest learners because we know how crucial early learning is for a child’s development.

“The former Liberal National government failed to deliver for young families in the regions and didn’t build a single new public preschool while in office.

“The Minns Labor Government made this historic commitment to deliver the biggest expansion in public preschools in NSW’s history because we strongly believe all children should have access to high-quality early education, no matter their postcode.”

Member for Monaro Steve Whan said:

“Labor is delivering what the former Coalition government wouldn’t – local preschools, local jobs and access to fee-free early learning for our community.

“I am very excited over government is delivering the public preschools we promised at Queanbeyan East and Queanbeyan South public schools. Both schools serve a population that needs additional affordable preschool options and it will help break down barriers to quality education.

“I look forward to construction getting underway for the new preschools shortly.”

Record housing delivered by Minns Labor Government

The Minns Labor Government has delivered the largest increase in government-built public, community and affordable homes in over a decade.

In the past year alone, 1711 new social and affordable homes have been built or brought back into use as part of the Minns Labor Government’s historic $6.6 billion Building Homes for New South Wales program.

This includes:

1408 new public, community and affordable homes built or delivered by Homes NSW; and
303 long-vacant public homes brought back into use.

Homes NSW has helped rehome 7,796 households over the past year, providing thousands of families with a safe and stable place to call home.

This is in sharp contrast to the previous Liberal National Government, who sold off more than 4730 homes in 12 years.

While this progress is promising, there is still much more to be done, which is why the Government is keeping its shoulder to the wheel to ensure homes are being delivered, not just promised and the public housing system is being rebuilt after a decade of neglect.

Last year the Minns Labor Government announced the largest investment in housing in the state’s history, through the $6.6 billion Building Homes for New South Wales package.

This included $5.1 billion to deliver over 8,400 new social homes, with at least 50 per cent of which will be prioritised for victim survivors of domestic and family violence.

This work has continued in this year’s budget with a world leading pre-sale guarantee to accelerate housing construction and help tackle the state’s housing supply challenges.

At the same time the Government has introduced the largest planning reforms in a generation including standing up the Housing Development Authority and building well-located homes around public transport hubs.

The Minns Labor Government is getting on with the job of delivering well located residential, social and affordable homes.

Premier Chris Minns:

“We are getting on with the job of delivering the social, affordable and residential housing that New South Wales needs.

“Today’s numbers are a really positive sign that we are making progress, but there’s still more to be done.

“We are losing twice as many young people as we are gaining on a year-by-year basis and a city without young people is a city without a future. The only way we can provide that future is with housing.

“We are cutting red tape, introducing landmark reforms, releasing surplus government land and making unprecedented investments to confront the housing crisis facing the state.”

Minister Rose Jackson:

“This is the biggest year for social and affordable housing in our state’s modern history. We’re not just talking about the housing crisis, we’re doing something about it.

“For too long, governments walked away from public housing. We’re rebuilding it. Brick by brick, house by house, street by street.

“We inherited a public housing system that was left crumbling, where homes sat empty or were sold off. We’ve brought those homes back to life. We’ve got a long way to go, but this milestone proves that when you invest in housing and make it a real priority, you can change lives.

“This is about dignity. It’s about recognising that everyone deserves a safe, secure and affordable place to call home and housing is a human right.”

Dodgy smoke dens to be shut down under Coalition crackdown

The NSW Coalition will introduce a Bill in Parliament to crack down on criminals and make NSW the hardest place in Australia to sell illegal tobacco and vapes.

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said while other states have cracked down on illegal tobacco, the Minns Labor Government has let NSW become the easiest place in the country for crooks to make money.

“Everyone knows what’s going on — these dodgy shops are all over our suburbs, run by criminals selling illegal tobacco and vapes like it’s completely normal. Chris Minns has done nothing while communities and small businesses wear the cost. If Labor won’t clean it up, we will,” Mr Speakman said.

“Our plan will shut these shops down, hit the criminals with million-dollar fines or jail, and make it crystal clear — if you’re dealing illegal tobacco in NSW, your days are numbered. No more soft touch. No more excuses.”

Shadow Attorney General Alister Henskens said the Minns Labor Government has allowed criminals to easily defy the law.

“Organised crime has had a free ride under this NSW government. These aren’t corner stores — they’re fronts for crime gangs. Chris Minns has let them pop up in plain sight and endanger our community with random violence,” Mr Henskens said.

“Our laws will disrupt their business model by shutting the doors, tearing up the leases, and putting the crooks behind bars. If you’re breaking the law, under the Coalition, there will be nowhere to hide.”

Shadow Health Minister Kellie Sloane said communities across NSW were crying out for real action on illicit tobacco.

“We are seeing high streets across NSW being taken over by dodgy tobacconists and organised crime gangs profiting from Chris Minn’s inaction,” Ms Sloane said.

“We can’t risk a new generation getting hooked on cheap cigarettes and destroying their health because the Minns Government failed to act on enforcement and tougher penalties.”

Shadow Regional Health Minister Gurmesh Singh said criminals now see NSW as a soft target given the state’s weak penalties and enforcement.

“Victoria, Queensland and South Australia have all stepped up with tougher penalties and strong enforcement. Chris Minns inaction has left NSW exposed to more criminals, more violence and more illicit tobacco,” Mr Singh said.

The Coalition’s Public Health (Tobacco) Amendment (Stopping Illicit Tobacco) Bill 2025 will:

Further increase the penalties for the sale of illicit tobacco, including prison sentences of up to 7 years for serious offending or a $1.5 million fine.
Provide NSW Health with the power to issue closure orders for businesses selling illicit tobacco and vapes for up to one month.
Provide magistrates with the power to issue closure order for businesses selling illicit tobacco and vapes for up to 12 months.
Give lessors the statutory right to terminate leases where a closure order has been issued.
Create a new offence for lessors who knowingly permit their tenant to use the store for the sale of illegal tobacco or vapes.

Appeal to locate teenage girl missing from Toronto

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from the Hunter region.

Starleigh Bates, aged 14, was last seen about 9am on Cary Street, Toronto on Thursday 26 June 2025.

When Starleigh could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were contacted today (Monday 30 June 2025) and commenced inquiries to locate her.

Police and family hold concerns for Starleigh’s welfare due to her age.

Starleigh is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 155cm tall, of medium build, with red/brown hair. She was last seen wearing a black hoodie and black tracksuit pants.

Starleigh is known to frequent Toronto, Wallsend, Woodbury, Stockton and Metford areas.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Appeal to locate woman missing from Newcastle

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman missing from the Hunter region.

Brooke Stamp, aged 33, left Silverwater, on Monday 23 June 2025, with the intention of travelling to Newcastle.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were notified today (Monday 30 June 2025) and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police hold concerns for her welfare as she has medical issues that require medication.

Brooke is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 160cm-165cm tall, of thin build, with blonde hair and blue eyes.

She is known to frequent the Newcastle, Hamilton and Carrington areas. She may be using the rail network to travel.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to contact Newcastle City Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Recall: Coles Smooth and Coles Crunchy Peanut Butter 1kg

Best before: 05/02/2027

Sold in Coles supermarkets and Coles Online nationally

Coles is recalling Coles Smooth Peanut Butter 1kg and Coles Crunchy Peanut Butter 1kg, sold between 01/05/2025 and 30/06/2025 at Coles supermarkets and Coles Online nationally with a Best Before date of 05/02/2027, due to aflatoxin contamination.

A jar of peanut butterAI-generated content may be incorrect.A jar of peanut butterAI-generated content may be incorrect.

Best before: 05/02/2027

Sold in Coles supermarkets and Coles Online nationally

The product is:

Coles Smooth Peanut Butter 1kg and Coles Crunchy Peanut Butter 1kg
Best Before date: 05/02/2027
Dates sold: Between 01/05/2025 and 30/06/2025.

Food products containing aflatoxin may cause illness if consumed. Any customers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.

Customers can return the product to any Coles supermarket for a full refund. Coles Online customers can receive a full refund or credit by contacting Coles Online Customer Care on 1800 455 400.

Man charged after burnout; onlooker killed – Hunter Valley

A man has been charged after allegedly performing burnouts which hit and killed a man in the Hunter Valley this week.

Emergency services were called to a fire trail off Haul Road, Stockrington, about 22km southeast of Kurri Kurri, about midnight on Sunday (29 June 2025), following reports of a crash.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District arrived and were told a vehicle was allegedly performing a burnout when it hit three onlookers. The car was then driven from the scene.

A 53-year-old man suffered critical head injuries and died a short time later.

Police were told two women were also hit by the car, whoever, left the scene before emergency services arrived.

About 2.40am, the alleged vehicle involved was found burnt-out on McFarlanes Road, Chisolm. It was seized for forensic examination.

Police established a crime scene at both locations and detectives commenced an investigation into the incidents.

Following extensive inquiries, about 5.30pm yesterday, a 22-year-old man was arrested at Maitland Police station where he was charged with the following offences,

– dangerous driving occasioning death-drive manner dangerous,

– cause bodily harm by misconduct, in charge of motor vehicle,

– negligent driving (occasioning death),

– negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm),

– prolong, sustain etc loss of traction, and

– fail to comply with requirement made under section.

He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court later today (Monday 30 June 2025).