Category: Newcastle News

Local stories will take centre stage at Newcastle Museum thanks to a multiyear funding allocation from the NSW Government that will allow it to expand its program of self-curated exhibitions.
The museum will receive $135,000 each year for three years under the Create NSW Local Government Authorities (LGA) Arts and Cultural Programs funding, after being recognised by the assessment panel for its excellence in programming and strategy.
Newcastle Art Gallery has also received a welcome boost from the NSW Government after being granted $75,000 a year for three years in recognition of the Gallery’s ambitious programming and development of major exhibitions.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes welcomed the funding from the NSW Government and said it was testament to the quality of exhibitions, collections and programming produced by both the Museum and Art Gallery.
“Newcastle Museum and Newcastle Art Gallery are vibrant, award-winning cultural attractions, which play an important role in interpreting and preserving our city’s fascinating history and providing a time capsule of Australian art dating back to the earliest days of Newcastle,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Their respective collections and exhibitions also add to the rich diversity of experiences that help attract visitors to our city.”
Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said the grant will allow them to undertake several new self-curated exhibitions, while also delivering programming under the three yearly themes of Seeing Differently, Neighbours and Fluidity.
“Our vast collection, which includes more than 12,500 objects and stories, allows visitors to gain a sense of Newcastle’s unique identity by exploring the city’s past, present and future, while our exciting annual program of self-curated and touring exhibitions are on the cutting edge of contemporary museum practice,” Ms Baird said.
“The Museum and History Artform Advisory Board, which assessed our funding application, supports projects based on the program’s vision, quality and engagement with the community and I’m proud to say that Newcastle Museum was the only local government museum to receive the full three years of funding.
“This grant will allow Newcastle Museum to undertake some new, free-of-charge self-curated exhibitions such as 1X4, an innovative social history exhibition, designed to tour through regional NSW, that challenges visitors to see things through different perspectives.”
Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton said the funding will allow the Gallery to host an ambitious mix of exhibitions and events engaging local, national and international artists and practitioners.
“The three-year funding commitment recognises the Gallery’s continuing commitment to developing and delivering nationally significant exhibitions, events and programs for our city and community,” Ms Morton said.
“It also reflects our continued commitment to local and indigenous artists, including our landmark exhibition WARWAR: The Art of Torres Strait, which showcases the evolution and strength of Torres Strait Islander tradition and society through arts practitioners from the 19th Century through to today.
“The Visual Arts Advisory Board receives the highest amount of applications across the Arts Minister’s 10 Arts Advisory Boards. As first-time applicants in an extremely competitive field, the Gallery has not only been successful in securing multiyear funding, but also achieved an increase in annual funding compared to previous years.”

City of Newcastle has unveiled its new local emergency operations centre (LEOC) to representatives from Police, State Emergency Services and Fire and Rescue ahead of the official start of bushfire season on 1 October.
The new LEOC at the City Administration Centre, 12 Stewart Avenue, replaces the 30-year-old facility at Tighes Hill, which no longer complies with modern standards, nor is it compatible with partnering emergency services’ technologies. This meant a temporary response centre had to be established at Newcastle Library during the 2019 catastrophic bush fire event.
The LEOC’s technology and flexible design allow emergency services, including Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW Police, Ambulance NSW and the NSW SES, to join with City of Newcastle and other agencies to coordinate responses to a range of incidents and natural disasters.
^{Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes (centre) and Emergency Management Coordinator Leanne Bell (right) with emergency services personnel in the new Local Emergency Operations Centre.}
Features include multiple 85 and 65-inch screens with live-stream capabilities; a 16-seat conferencing facility with wireless presentation and TV connectivity for news coverage, weather and traffic updates; 32-seat room and the ability to create breakaway spaces; as well as a commercial kitchen capable of providing meals in the event of a city-wide blackout.
The co-location of the LEOC on the sixth floor of the City Administration Centre ensures this comprehensive range of amenities and support facilities are readily available in a central location with access to backup power on site via two diesel-powered generators.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the new LEOC would allow emergency services improved connectivity, efficiency and personal comfort, which could prove crucial in a major incident.
“The way in which we respond to emergencies has significantly evolved with advancements in technology,” the Lord Mayor said.
“This new state-of-the-art facility launches our emergency response operations into the 21^st Century, providing the best possible facilities and resources to support our emergency agencies on the ground assisting the community in times of disaster when they are counting on us to respond swiftly and efficiently.”
City of Newcastle is required to provide a Local Emergency Operations Control facility under the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989.

A man has been charged after more than 250 cannabis plants were seized from a home at Singleton.
In recent months, officers from Hunter Valley Police District have been investigating the alleged cultivation of cannabis in the region.
Following inquiries, just before 5.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 16 September 2020), police executed a search warrant at a home on Dimmock Street at Hunterview.
During the search police located an alleged sophisticated hydroponic cannabis set-up, consisting of 258 cannabis plants.
Police remain at the property today (Thursday 17 September 2020) where they are processing and dismantling the set-up.
A 28-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Singleton Police Station where he was charged with:
– Knowingly take part- cultivate (large commercial quantity cannabis);
– Cultivate prohibited plant;
– Alter or add to electricity installation for metering; and
– Enhanced indoor cultivation plant for commercial purpose.
The Vietnamese National was bail refused to appear at Singleton Local Court today (Thursday 17 September 2020).

The magic of cinema is set to return to the city centre with the Civic Theatre installing a 7.5-metre-wide movie screen in the iconic main auditorium.
Under two years since the closure of the Tower Cinemas on King Street, the return of films will re-activate the CBD, which has experienced major disruption due to COVID-19.

The new 7.5 metre x 4.4 metre screen combined with the Civic Theatre’s state of the art sound system and individually air-conditioned seats, will provide a cinematic experience like no other in the region.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said cinema and theatre have a long history in Newcastle’s CBD and City of Newcastle is pleased to offer both live performance and recent release cinema for the enjoyment of the community.
“After a period where COVID-19 has had such a devastating impact, it’s wonderful that through adding regular film screenings to our Civic Theatre program, we can take this positive step in our city’s journey towards recovery, and provide a boost to surrounding local businesses by attracting more people into the Civic precinct.”
The Civic Theatre opened in 1929, and although designed as a live theatre, it was leased as a cinema for the next 45 years.
Civic Theatre Manager Leonie Wallace said locals are thrilled to experience something contemporary but screened in a venue with such historical links.
“We trialled bringing film back to the Civic Theatre in January with a season screening of a selection of the most acclaimed productions from London’s National Theatre at the Civic Playhouse. It was so popular that film screenings in the Civic Theatre was the next obvious step,” Ms Wallace said.
“Our new program features a variety of films that appeal to people of all ages and tastes, such as recent release features, documentaries, theatre productions and children’s films during the school holidays.
“We’re also working on securing shows to return to the Civic Theatre stage with the venue’s audience capacity lifted to 500 people from next month, the maximum number allowed under the current Public Health Order.
“We have made changes to how the Civic Theatre operates to enable people to experience cinema and live performance safely with physical distancing requirements and hygiene measures met under our COVID Safe plan.”
The Civic Cinema initiative is part of the Civic’s Beyond the Stage program of cultural offerings outside of the traditional uses of the Civic Theatre and City Hall. So far, this has included the Civic Bar Beats – Friday evenings of live local music in our Theatre Bar, and lunchtime concerts at City Hall.
Tickets for Civic Cinema are now on sale through the Civic Theatre website.

Police have located a woman missing from the Lake Macquarie area.
The 28-year-old woman was last seen driving a vehicle in the Caves Beach area about 9.30pm on Monday (14 September 2020).
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified when she later failed to return home.
Following inquiries and a public appeal, the woman was located safe and well at her Caves Beach home just before 5am this morning (Wednesday 16 September 2020).
Police would like to that the media and the community for their assistance.
 

A police officer has been charged over an alleged domestic-related incident earlier this year.
Following an investigation, the 48-year-old woman, a senior constable attached to a command in the Northern Region, was arrested at Belmont Police Station about 11.30am yesterday (Tuesday 15 September 2020).
She was charged with wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and reckless wounding (DV).
The charges relate to an alleged domestic-related incident involving a 45-year-old man at a Newcastle home on Monday 27 July 2020.
She was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 24 September 2020.
The officer is currently on long term leave.

A woman will reappear in court today charged after information was uncovered during an investigation into ram raids in the Hunter Region earlier this year.
Strike Force Emirs was established by the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad to investigate ram raids on two petrol stations in the Lake Macquarie area in March this year.
In the early hours of Tuesday 3 March 2020, cars were used to force entry into petrol stations in Wyee and Fennell Bay, where cash and cigarettes were stolen.
Attempts were also made to remove an ATM, but they were unsuccessful.
Last month following inquiries, strike force detectives arrested and charged three men – aged 18, 23 and 25 – who remain before the courts.
After uncovering information during the investigation, police arrested a 20-year-old woman at Cessnock Police Station about 10.15am on Wednesday 8 July 2020.
She was charged with steal motor vehicle, aggravated robbery, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period and destroy property in company use fire etc.
Police will allege the woman drove a stolen Audi Q5 following a robbery at a Cessnock home, where an 83-year-old man was assaulted. The Audi was later found destroyed by fire at Bellbird Heights.
The woman appeared at Cessnock Local Court the same day, where she was granted strict conditional bail to reappear at the same court today (Wednesday 16 September 2020).
Investigations under Strike Force Emirs are continuing.

Police are appealing for public assistance to find a woman missing from the Lake Macquarie area.
Jasmine Towers Hammond, aged 28, was last seen driving in a red Jeep Wrangler with NSW registration JJ5AS in the Caves Beach area about 9.30pm yesterday (Monday 14 September 2020).
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified when she failed to return home.
Police and family have concerns for her welfare.
Jasmine is described as being of Caucasian appearance, of medium build, about 160cm tall, with long blonde hair and has a tattoo on her left bicep and one her inner left forearm. She was last seen wearing a red blouse and blank pants.
Anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

City of Newcastle is calling on the community to share their experiences of the city at night as part of an upcoming trial to extend the trading hours of 26 small bars and restaurants.
Council voted unanimously to support a trial to extend the trading hours of restaurants in the city until midnight and to 2am for small bars, as first proposed in the City of Newcastle’s After Dark Strategy, also unanimously adopted in 2018.
Twenty-six small bars and restaurants have opted into the trial as part of efforts to grow the night-time economy and support the hospitality industry’s recovery from the impact of COVID-19 related restrictions.
City of Newcastle’s Newcastle After Dark 2018 – 2022 strategy is a plan for creating a safe, vibrant and diverse $1.36 billion night-time economy.
The strategy highlights that growth of venue diversity is paramount to increasing the appeal of Newcastle to broader demographics who are currently not catered for compared with competing regional destinations.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said community feedback is an important component of the trial; providing invaluable local baseline data to evaluate its impact.
“The Newcastle Night-time Economy trial will allow for an evidence-based understanding of the community’s needs.
“We invite the community to have their say on how they think more diverse entertainment options could be created in our city.
“The hospitality and creative industries have struggled in the wake of COVID-19 with job losses, income reduction and loss of revenue because of the impacts of Public Health Orders, restrictions to venue capacities and a general reluctance for people to attend public places.
“We hope to see a positive outcome from the trial for these industries through increased night-time economic development, cultural participation and activation in our City.”
Visit Newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay to learn more and take the survey.

City of Newcastle is aware that an Annual General Meeting of the Newcastle Maritime Museum Society (NMMS) has been called for 2pm today (15 September 2020).
The NMMS Board has proposed a motion that the Society dissolve.
It is a similar resolution to that successfully passed by NMMS members on 21 May 2018, which was ultimately not enforced by either the former or current Board.
Over the past 18 months the Lord Mayor and or CEO have met on multiple occasions with former NMMS President Peter Morris, as well as NMMS Foundation Director Jeanne Walls, the Maritime Union of Australia, Hunter Workers, MUA Veterans’ Committee, among others.
Further, in July the Lord Mayor and CEO agreed to meet with NMMS Board member Professor Howard Dick. Prior to this meeting occurring, Professor Dick resigned from the Board of the NMMS. The meeting went ahead with significant progress made on a way forward.
Through this meeting and subsequent discussions with Professor Dick, City of Newcastle has offered the following:

• Should the NMMS elect to dissolve, City of Newcastle will work with a liquidator on the purchase of a number of items from the NMMS collection.
• Proceeds from the sale of these items will be used by the liquidator to address debts owed to proven creditors of the NMMS.
• City of Newcastle will exhibit the purchased items at the Newcastle Museum as part of a permanent maritime exhibition.
• City of Newcastle will participate in a Working Party to determine whether a suitable waterfront site for the establishment of a Maritime Museum can be identified. City of Newcastle will not chair the Working Party. Any cost associated with the Working Party or resulting from actions of the Working Party will not be borne by City of Newcastle.
• Should a suitable site be identified and leased for 25+ years, City of Newcastle will reasonably consider a request for the transfer of any purchased items formerly belonging to the NMMS, at a cost of $1. This consideration will also be dependent on the request confirming the group/ organisation has secured sufficient working funds for both the construction of a Museum as well as operational expenditure for a minimum of 10 years. A separate lease for a minimum five years must also exist for the storage of the collection.

Since the dire financial situation of the NMMS became known three years ago, City of Newcastle has repeatedly stated its support for the collection to remain locally owned. However, all discussions with the current and previous Board have stipulated that the NMMS first resolve its extensive list of creditors. This task remains outstanding.
In recent months City of Newcastle has been contacted by numerous people identified on a list of creditors compiled by the NMMS. Many have provided copies of invoices for services rendered which have not been paid, despite continuing assurances by the NMMAS of future payment. Each creditor has stated in writing that they have not waived their claim for payment.
Given it is clear a significant number of creditors remain unpaid, and the NMMS has just several thousand dollars of working funds, City of Newcastle supports the NMMS’s proposed motion to dissolve.
The demise of the Newcastle Maritime Museum is a reminder of the costly nature of operating, curating and maintaining a museum, and why City of Newcastle’s position remains that the best way of ensuring local maritime items are available to the public, is via Newcastle Museum.