ity of Newcastle has locked in three years of support for two flagship community events that attract tens of thousands of people to the city each year.
The sponsorships, worth almost $350,000, will provide certainty for both the Newcastle Writers Festival, and the Anzac Day services delivered by the City of Newcastle Returned Services League (RSL) Sub-branch.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the City was committed to supporting these quintessentially Newcastle events, which celebrate culture and the legacy of the Returned Servicemen and Women.
“These three-year sponsorship agreements will provide event organisers with certainty of the City’s assistance for these important community events,” she said.
“City of Newcastle is proud to have been a founding sponsor of the Newcastle Writers Festival, which since its inception in 2013, has grown into a three-day literary event renowned in the cultural community.
“This three-year agreement offers a commitment to the strong community focus of the Newcastle Writers Festival, with more than 40 per cent of its event program free to the public.
“The City of Newcastle will continue its support of the region’s Anzac Day events, which provide community members with a chance to show their respect for the men and women who bravely fought for our freedom and continue to serve our country today.”
Under the terms of the agreement, the City will provide $40,000 per annum ($30,000 value-in-kind and $10,000 cash) to the Newcastle Writers Festival during 2020, 2021 and 2022, ensuring almost all of its events are held in the City’s cultural facilities including City Hall and Newcastle Region Library.
The funding is contingent on Newcastle Writers Festival keeping at least 40 per cent of its events free for the community to attend.
Event organiser Rosemarie Milsom was overjoyed after locking in the long-term sponsorship, ahead of their eighth annual festival in 2020.
“I believe this sponsorship, which will secure the venues that are key to our event, is recognition of our contribution to the cultural dynamic of the city,” she said.
A separate sponsorship agreement will provide $75,000 per annum to the City of Newcastle Returned Services League (RSL) Sub-branch, supporting their delivery of the Anzac Day dawn service, the Anzac Day march and a United Service of Remembrance at Civic Park for three years from 2020.
Sub-branch President Ken Fayle acknowledged the importance of the long-term sponsorship agreement, which helped provide certainty around their delivery of the various Anzac Day events.
“By providing alternative commemoration services, it gives everybody within the community the opportunity to attend an Anzac Day event,” he said.
Mr Fayle said this year’s dawn service was the best attended in Australia, attracting more than 50,000 people to the Camp Shortland site.
Category: Newcastle News
All the news happening in the Newcastle and Hunter Region
Afghani refugee happy to call Newcastle home
At 21 the life of Afghani refugee Zarmina Ali was a far cry from that enjoyed by most men and women celebrating their rite of passage to adulthood in Australia.
Twelve years ago, the now 33-year-old was living in the midst of civil unrest in war-torn Afghanistan – 10,000km away from the city she now calls home.
Zarmin Ali and husband Esmatullah Ali with their two daughters Baha Ali, 10 and Elaha Ali, 6, at today’s ceremony.
In 2007, Mrs Ali fled Afghanistan for Pakistan with her husband Esmatullah, and it was another five years before they finally secured a refugee visa to settle in Australia with their two daughters Bahar 10, and Elaha 6.
Today, more than seven years since arriving in Newcastle, the Waratah resident will be able to officially call herself Australian.
Mrs Ali joined more than 169 new Citizens from 30 countries at today’s City of Newcastle Citizenship Ceremony at the Civic Theatre.
Guests were greeted to performances from the Grainery Church and Indigenous dance groups before Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen invited citizens to take their citizen oaths and affirmations.
“Today’s Citizenship Ceremony is an historic moment,” the Deputy Lord Mayor said. “The year 2019 marks 70 years since Australian Citizenship was introduced into law, creating for the first time a legal status of being an Australian.
“Australians are privileged to live in a true democracy that protects and defends hard-fought freedoms.
“As Novocastrians, we are proud to be a culturally diverse, inclusive community, united by a commitment to democratic principles and fairness ensuring our residents enjoy equal rights and are treated with equal respect.”
Working as an Uber driver and studying English at TAFE, Mrs Ali said she will follow her passion for design and fashion now that she has her Citizenship status.
“I am enjoying learning English but I love design and clothes,” she said. “Today is a really happy day for me and I am happy for my children to grow up here. We have a smile on our face.”
Pair arrested after Wallsend crash
A man and woman are under police guard in hospital following a single vehicle crash that occurred at Wallsend this morning.
About 7.40am (Thursday 5 September 2019), police identified a vehicle with an occupant they believed could assist with inquiries into a number of break and enters in the Newcastle area.
A short time after a member of the public informed officers that a Subaru, matching the description of the vehicle, had been involved in a crash near Cowper Street at Wallsend.
The 18-year-old male passenger was arrested at the scene and taken to Waratah Police Station. After complaining of feeling unwell, the man was taken to John Hunter Hospital.
The 28-year-old female driver was taken to John Hunter Hospital by road ambulance. She is he is recovering from non-life threatening injuries suspected to have occurred in the crash
Inquiries into the events leading up to the crash are continuing.
Three charged over cocaine supply syndicate in Newcastle and Hunter region
Police have charged three men and dismantled a cocaine supply syndicate operating in the Newcastle and Hunter region.
In May 2019, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Toongahra to investigate the supply of illicit drugs in the Newcastle and Hunter region.
As part of their inquiries, strike force detectives, with the assistance of Strike Force Raptor North, executed two search warrants at homes in Anna Bay and Soldiers Point about 8am on Thursday 8 August 2019.
Two men – aged 29 and 31 – were arrested during the operation.
The younger man was charged with 11 offences including supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity x4), supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity x5), and supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis.
The older man was charged with supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity) and supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity x3).
They were both refused bail and appeared at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Friday 9 August 2019, where the pair were formally refused bail to re-appear at the same court on Wednesday 9 October 2019.
Following further investigations, a 24-year-old man attended Belmont Police Station about 12.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 3 September 2019).
He was charged with supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity).
The Fletcher man was granted conditional bail to appear at Gosford Local Court on Friday 13 September 2019.
Investigations are continuing.
Man charged over fail to stop crash causing death – Mayfield
A man has been charged following investigations into a fail-to-stop crash that killed a 91-year-old man in the Newcastle Region two years ago.
About 12.45pm on Friday 24 November 2017, a 91-year-old man was crossing Stedman Street, at Maitland Road, in the Newcastle suburb of Mayfield when he was struck by an SUV.
The driver of the vehicle failed to stop and left the scene.
The man was taken to John Hunter Hospital with a number of injuries but was unable to recover from his injuries and passed away on Monday 27 November 2017.
Officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command commenced inquiries into the matter and following a lengthy investigation police today (Monday 2 September 2019) attended a correctional facility in Wellington where they spoke with a 25-year-old man.
He was charged with dangerous driving causing death and failing to stop and render assistance causing death.
He was refused bail and will appear in Dubbo Local Court tomorrow (Tuesday 3 September 2019).
City’s cultural duo appointed to State advisory roles
The Directors of Newcastle’s museum and art gallery have been recognised for their leading industry knowledge and expertise and called upon to guide the future direction of the State’s cultural sector.
Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird and Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton have been appointed to the newly established Create NSW Artform Advisory Boards in their respective fields.
They join an illustrious panel of professionals who will assess applications to the State’s Arts and Cultural Funding Program, providing recommendations on the strategic directions of the sector to the NSW Minister for the Arts Don Harwin.
Ten new Artform Advisory Boards were established by the Minister, replacing the peer-reviewed assessment panels that were previously in place.
Hundreds of applications were received during an expressions of interest process, with 10 Chairs and 73 Board Members appointed. Ms Baird and Ms Morton’s appointments are testament to their unique contributions to the Newcastle Museum and Art Gallery, and the success they have achieved building on the reputation of these respected institutions both within the region and across Australia.
Ms Baird will sit on the Museums and History Board, drawing on more than 28 years of experience working in museums across Australia and Canada, including the National Motor Museum and the History Trust of South Australia.
Ms Baird was appointed Director of Newcastle Museum in March last year and has held positions of Manager and Deputy Director at Newcastle Museum after joining as Curator in 2002. She was instrumental in the iconic institution’s transition from its historic location in Newcastle West to its current home at Honeysuckle.
The Director and her small team have been responsible for reimagining the institution as a centre for our City’s identity, achieving more than 1.3 million visitors and a visitor satisfaction level of 98% at the new site.
“To have Newcastle Museum’s achievements and status as an innovative and integral part of our city and museum industry acknowledged at a State level by my appointment to the Artforms Assessment Board Museums & History is incredibly satisfying,” she said.
“This will allow me to make a significant impact on a state level and is personally quite humbling to be named amongst a handful of significant thinkers in my specialisation.”
Ms Morton was also appointed as Director of Newcastle Art Gallery last year following more than four years as Manager of the renowned cultural institution.
Ms Morton has built a strong reputation for developing ambitious national and internationally respected exhibitions with renowned artists and curators that showcase the city’s significant collection of works of art.
Through her artistic direction and strategic leadership, the Art Gallery has achieved the highest visitation numbers in over a decade, while the collection – valued at over $95 million – has experienced record growth. Her leadership has ensured the Art Gallery’s high-quality exhibitions, programs and thriving collection continue to be a source of immense pride for the community and City of Newcastle.
Ms Morton has more than 35 years’ experience in the Visual Arts and Creative Industries sectors in both private and government organisations in Australia and the United Kingdom.
“As a Create NSW and Museums & Galleries NSW Peer for several years I feel extremely honoured to have been appointed to the new Create NSW Visual Arts Advisory Board,” she said.
“I see this as an incredible and invaluable opportunity to ‘have a seat at the table’ to advocate and support the arts sector at a strategic level – promoting the importance of both regional and metropolitan Arts and Culture across our state”.
Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird and Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton have been appointed to the newly established Create NSW Artform Advisory Boards in their respective fields.
They join an illustrious panel of professionals who will assess applications to the State’s Arts and Cultural Funding Program, providing recommendations on the strategic directions of the sector to the NSW Minister for the Arts Don Harwin.
Ten new Artform Advisory Boards were established by the Minister, replacing the peer-reviewed assessment panels that were previously in place.
Hundreds of applications were received during an expressions of interest process, with 10 Chairs and 73 Board Members appointed. Ms Baird and Ms Morton’s appointments are testament to their unique contributions to the Newcastle Museum and Art Gallery, and the success they have achieved building on the reputation of these respected institutions both within the region and across Australia.
Ms Baird will sit on the Museums and History Board, drawing on more than 28 years of experience working in museums across Australia and Canada, including the National Motor Museum and the History Trust of South Australia.
Ms Baird was appointed Director of Newcastle Museum in March last year and has held positions of Manager and Deputy Director at Newcastle Museum after joining as Curator in 2002. She was instrumental in the iconic institution’s transition from its historic location in Newcastle West to its current home at Honeysuckle.
The Director and her small team have been responsible for reimagining the institution as a centre for our City’s identity, achieving more than 1.3 million visitors and a visitor satisfaction level of 98% at the new site.
“To have Newcastle Museum’s achievements and status as an innovative and integral part of our city and museum industry acknowledged at a State level by my appointment to the Artforms Assessment Board Museums & History is incredibly satisfying,” she said.
“This will allow me to make a significant impact on a state level and is personally quite humbling to be named amongst a handful of significant thinkers in my specialisation.”
Ms Morton was also appointed as Director of Newcastle Art Gallery last year following more than four years as Manager of the renowned cultural institution.
Ms Morton has built a strong reputation for developing ambitious national and internationally respected exhibitions with renowned artists and curators that showcase the city’s significant collection of works of art.
Through her artistic direction and strategic leadership, the Art Gallery has achieved the highest visitation numbers in over a decade, while the collection – valued at over $95 million – has experienced record growth. Her leadership has ensured the Art Gallery’s high-quality exhibitions, programs and thriving collection continue to be a source of immense pride for the community and City of Newcastle.
Ms Morton has more than 35 years’ experience in the Visual Arts and Creative Industries sectors in both private and government organisations in Australia and the United Kingdom.
“As a Create NSW and Museums & Galleries NSW Peer for several years I feel extremely honoured to have been appointed to the new Create NSW Visual Arts Advisory Board,” she said.
“I see this as an incredible and invaluable opportunity to ‘have a seat at the table’ to advocate and support the arts sector at a strategic level – promoting the importance of both regional and metropolitan Arts and Culture across our state”.
Police appeal for assistance with investigation into death of woman near Newcastle
Police are appealing for public assistance to establish the movements of Danielle Easey, whose body was found in a creek near Newcastle at the weekend.
About 10.30am on Saturday (31 August 2019), police were called to Cockle Creek, near Wakefield Road, Killingworth, after members of the public saw an item wrapped in plastic floating in the water.
The plastic, containing a woman’s body, was removed from the water by officers.
The woman has since been formally identified as 29-year-old, Danielle Easey.
Ms Easey lived in Booragul with family, but more recently she was staying at multiple locations around the area.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and Lake Macquarie Police District have established Strike Force Furzer to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.
The Homicide Squad’s Detective Chief Inspector Grant Taylor said investigators are appealing for assistance from the community to establish Ms Easey’s movements in the weeks leading up to her death.
“We know that Danielle was staying at different locations over the last three weeks and we are keen to establish where those locations were and speak to who she stayed with during that time,” Det Ch Insp Taylor said.
“Of particular interest to us is any sightings or contact with Danielle since early to mid-August, and we are appealing for those people to contact us as soon as possible.
“Our investigations have revealed Danielle had been associating with people involved in drug-related activities over the last few weeks.
“Detectives have been liaising with her family, who last had contact with Danielle several weeks ago.”
It is unknown when Danielle’s body was dumped in the creek.
“We are keen to speak to any motorists with dash cam vision who may have been driving in the area of Wakefield Road over the past three weeks,” Det Ch Insp Taylor.
Police appeal for assistance with investigation into death of woman near Newcastle
Police will address the media to appeal for public assistance after a 
woman’s body was found in a creek near Newcastle at the weekend.
About 10.30am on Saturday (31 August 2019), police were called to Cockle Creek, near Wakefield Road, Killingworth, after members of the public saw an item wrapped in plastic floating in the water.
The plastic, containing a woman’s body, was removed from the water.
The woman has since been formally identified as 29-year-old, Danielle Easey.
Ms Easey lived in Booragul with family, but more recently she was staying at multiple locations around the area.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and Lake Macquarie Police District have established Strike Force Furzer to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death and are appealing for public assistance to establish her last movements.
Firearms and ammunition stolen from rural property – Hunter Valley
Police are appealing for information after firearms and ammunition were stolen from a rural property in the Hunter Valley overnight.
Between 11pm on Friday 30 August 2019 and 8.30am on Saturday 31 August 2019, it is alleged seven registered firearms and 500 rounds of ammunition were stolen from a gun safe inside a shipping container located on a rural property on Bell Road, Lower Belford.
Detectives attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified of the theft today (Saturday 31 August 2019) and commenced enquiries.
The stolen firearms include: a Remington 223 calibre, a Winchester lever 22 calibre, a Marlin 3333, a Remington 222 calibre, a Rossi double barrel shotgun, a Gamo 177 air rifle and a Pardus 12 gauge shotgun.
Anyone who has been offered these firearms for sale, or is aware of them being advertised, needs to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
Investigations are ongoing.
Police appeal after body located in creek near Newcastle
Police are investigating following the discovery of a body by members of the public in a creek near Newcastle yesterday.
Police were called to Cockle Creek, near Wakefield Road at Killingworth about 10.30am (Saturday 31 August 2019), after members of the public reportedly saw an item wrapped in plastic floating in the water while driving past.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District attended and removed the item from the water.
The item, believed to be a body, will be subject to forensic examination by specialist police.
A crime scene was established at the creek and emergency services remain at the scene.
Strike Force Furzer has been established as officers from Lake Macquarie Police District and the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad investigate the circumstances surrounding the discovery.
No further information is currently available.