Category: Newcastle News

Two men will appear in court after a public place shooting in the Hunter region earlier this week.
Police attended an address on Wollombi Road, Muswellbrook, shortly before 9pm (Wednesday 1 May 2019), following reports shots were fired into the air.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene which will be forensically examined.
No one was injured during the incident.
Following inquiries, about 12.10pm yesterday (Friday 3 May 2019), officers executed a search warrant at a home in Muswellbrook and arrested a 19-year-old man.
He was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station and charged with armed with intent to commit an indictable offence and possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit (x2).
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on Monday 17 June 2019.
About 1.50pm (Friday 3 May 2019), a 19-year-old man attended Muswellbrook Police Station where he was arrested.
He was charged with stalk intimidate intend fear physical harm (x2), fire firearm in or near public place, use unauthorised firearm, and possess prohibited drug.
He was refused bail to appear at Wyong Local Court today (4 May 2019).

A Shorten Labor Government will provide $40 million over four years to emergency relief organisations across the country, including over half a million dollars for organisations in Newcastle.
This election is a choice between a Shorten Labor Government supporting people doing it tough, or bigger tax loopholes for the top end of town under the Liberals.
The Morrison Government is cutting the funding for many emergency relief services at the end of the year.
Labor will reverse these cuts and provide a much-needed funding boost to the sector.
In Newcastle this will mean Labor will deliver an extra $491,000 to the Samaritans Foundation for emergency relief services over the next four years.
Labor will also restore the $73,000 that the Liberals cut from emergency relief funding for Muloobinba Aboriginal Corporation.
Without this funding Muloobinba Aboriginal Corporation will no longer be able to provide emergency relief to First Nations families in need.
These services provide support to vulnerable people who have nowhere else to turn by providing food hampers, funding for fuel to attend specialist medical appointments and other financial assistance.
The charities and not-for-profits that do this important work are increasingly stretched and need more resources.
A Shorten Labor Government will also support Australians in financial hardship by:

• Doubling the number of financial counsellors across the country.
• Expanding low-cost alternatives to pay day loans for low-income Australians, providing safe and fair credit options when things get tough.
• Reversing the Morrison Government’s $5.5 million cut to emergency relief organisations across the country and providing a much-needed top up to the emergency relief sector.

Many vulnerable Australians are falling through the cracks. Labor will make sure our charities and not-for-profits have the resources they need to support our fellow Australians.
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR NEWCASTLE SHARON CLAYDON SAID:
“I have met too many families in our community who are in crisis and in need of a helping hand. The Morrison Government’s cruel cuts put services that support vulnerable people at risk.
“The Muloobinba Aboriginal Corporation and the Samaritans Foundation of Newcastle provide essential services to our community. Only Labor can make sure they’re properly funded to keep doing this important work.”

Newcastle Art Gallery’s next exhibition VIRGINIA CUPPAIDGE: the nature of abstraction is a survey exhibition of work celebrating Cuppaidge’s return to Australia.
After more than 40 years living and working in New York, the Australian-born abstract painter has returned to Australia to live and work in Newcastle. Her retrospective exhibition, opening Saturday 11 May, will feature works of art painted in New York.
Cuppaidge’s practice is embedded in the abstract; the works of art selected celebrate her acute understanding of the landscape and mastery of light, balance, colour and form.
Born in Brisbane in 1943, Cuppaidge studied art in Sydney before moving to New York in 1969 where she remained for more than 40 years. Newcastle Art Gallery has collected Cuppaidge’s works of art since the 1980s and this exhibition provides yet another opportunity to develop a project that showcases a prominent artist from the collection.
“Drawn from the Gallery’s holdings are three monumental paintings, Saix 1974, Valoniah 1979 and Center Of The Beginning 1988,” explained Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton.
“It’s fantastic that we have Virginia’s work in the collection. As an expatriate Australian artist living overseas and a young female artist working in 1970s New York, she was living in one of the art capitals of the world when some extraordinary shifts were taking place in the international women’s rights movement.
“In line with the title of the exhibition, Virginia’s works of art also help us explore the very nature of abstract art. She is an important artist with immense skill and considerable international renown.”
About Virginia Cuppaidge (left)
Virginia Cuppaidge studied in Sydney with Desiderius Orban, Stanislaus Rapotec, Marea Gazzard, John Olsen and Robert Klippel before moving to New York in 1969 to ‘see the best abstract art going on at the time and live in the art museums.’
Although Cuppaidge lived in New York for more than 40 years, she came to the realisation that her abstract work is routed in her Australian experience (she believes the Australian landscape is in her system).
Cuppaidge’s exhibiting career has traversed the American, Canadian and Australian art scenes, with 33 solo exhibitions and numerous public commissions and awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1976.
Virginia has exhibited in USA and Australia. Galleries include: Stella Downer Fine Art – Sydney, Rosenberg + Kaufman Fine Arts – New York, Robin Gibson Gallery – Sydney, Gallery A – Sydney, AM Sachs Gallery – New York, Bloomfield Galleries – Sydney, Susan Caldwell Gallery – New York. In 1973 Cuppaidge held her first first solo show in New York City at AM Sachs NY. Virginia was adjunct associate professor of art at C.U.N.Y, Borough of Manhattan Community College, and Bronx Community College, 1992–2008.
Virginia CUPPAIDGE Valoniah 1979 acrylic on canvas 198.0 x 305.0cm Purchased 1980 Newcastle Art Gallery collection
Since early 2017, Virginia has lived in Newcastle, and is currently writing “The New York Stories”. An account of arriving in New York in 1969, meeting up with Australian sculptor Clement Meadmore, adapting to the huge metropolis, working at the Max Hutchinson Gallery in SoHo, and surviving as an artist in New York City for five decades.
VIRGINIA CUPPAIDGE: the nature of abstraction (11 May – 21 July 2019) Newcastle Art Gallery. Entry is free.
Explore Newcastle Art Gallery’s future exhibition program

Two people, including a police officer have been charged over an alleged assault in the Port Macquarie region.
It’s alleged on Saturday 23 March 2019, an off-duty female officer, attached to the Northern Region, and a 43-year-old man, assaulted a 53-year-old man during an incident at a licensed premises on Owen Street.
Following inquires, the 42-year-old senior constable was served with a Future Court Attendance Notice for the offences of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and fail to quit licenced premises.
The man was served a Future Court Attendance Notice for the offences of assault and fail to quit licenced premises.
Both are due to appear at Port Macquarie Local Court on Wednesday 19 June 2019.

Budding young musicians and rockstars in the making will get a new Music Hub in Newcastle to jam and record if Labor is elected.
This election is a choice between a Shorten Labor Government with a plan for vibrant local communities, or more cuts and chaos from the Liberals.
Senator Kristina Keneally joined Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon to announce the funding for a Music Hub in Newcastle on behalf of Shadow Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke.
Senator Keneally said Atwea College had been awarded $350,000 to create a rehearsal area, live performance space and recording studio at The Creative Arts Space on Beaumont Street, Hamilton.
“The facilities will be accessible to community members and disadvantaged young people who don’t have access to anywhere they can practice,” Senator Keneally said.
“This funding will allow for soundproofing and electrical works, upgraded lighting and a stage extension. It will also fund some fabulous new equipment like speakers, amps and instruments.”
Ms Claydon said the project was a perfect fit for Newcastle.
“Live music has long been the lifeblood of Newcastle, but it’s getting harder and harder for young people to find the space to hone their skills,” Ms Claydon said.
“Atwea will also provide professional musicians who will be on hand to give mentoring, training and support to the next generation of artists and to connect them to Newcastle’s music community.”
Atwea College Executive Director Rowan Cox said the funding would help foster Newcastle’s music culture and provide much-needed updates to the Creative Arts Space in Hamilton.
“The Newcastle Music Hub will give young Novocastrians access to professional equipment and give them the skills and experience to pursue their musical ambitions,” Ms Cox said.
“The jam spaces and recording studios will be available for young members of the community to book time in.  In the recording studio, they will be offered supervision and support by Atwea trainers. Atwea also plans to restart Open Mic Nights and Battle of the Bands to create more opportunities for live performances for local artists.”
Music Hub funding is provided under Labor’s Soundtrack Australia policy – the most comprehensive contemporary music policy by an Australian Government.
From encouraging more Australian children to learn and play music, to assisting young bands reach overseas markets, to more support for live music and ensuring fans aren’t being ripped off when they buy tickets – Labor wants to see more Australians making music, listening to music, and seeing live music.

City of Newcastle has opened this year’s grants and sponsorship funding round worth half a million dollars to support events and initiatives such as Newcastle’s first homegrown comedy festival.
As the opening night of the four-day Newcastle Comedy festival nears, the City invites community groups keen to stage events in the next financial year to apply for $280,000 in funding under its Event Sponsorship Program (ESP).
The inaugural rib tickler was awarded more than $15,000 under last year’s ESP to deliver a barrel of laughs at Civic Theatre, pubs and live venues across the City from Thursday 23 May.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with Newcastle Comedy Festival crew (bottom left) Chris Wedlock,
(top left) Andrew Milos, (top right) Alan Parry and (bottom right) Grant Gibbons
Festival director Andrew Milos, of the aptly named Big Dog Pod, said the funding was crucial to getting a locally produced event off the ground.
“I’m really glad we’ve got the backing behind us to do this because if I didn’t do it then someone from Sydney would have,” he said.
“It’s helped give us some breathing room to secure local comedy acts, such as Raw finalist Cameron James, and we’ve been able to approach second year sound engineering students from Newcastle University to help us out.
The ESP, applications for which are now open, provides funding for Community Events, Major Community Events, Major Destination Events, Commercial Events and Business Events. More than 35 events were sponsored under last year’s program, extending from local community based festivals through to international competitions such as the Port to Port Mountain Bike event.
The ESP will be followed by another $210,000 worth of grant funding through Economic Development ($70,000) Community ($60,000) and Recreational Facilities ($80,000) grant programs over the next few months.
Triple J Raw Comedy finalist Cameron James will be a local hit at the upcoming comedy festival
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the grants open the door for new ventures and groups to provide a welcome community contribution, or for existing organisations to build on their previous success.
“It’s the aim of the grant funding to support local talent and community groups as they evolve into successful organisations delivering outcomes year-in, year-out,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Last year’s funding across our range of sponsorship and grant programs has contributed to projects with a direct expenditure of $1.25 million and provided support for business growth and employment while encouraging innovation, community capacity building, placemaking and developing the visitor economy.
“I know in speaking with the organisers of the Newcastle Comedy Festival that they have big plans to grow the local comedy scene so it’s very important that we help them.”
Fore more information on the City’s sponsorship grants, visit http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Community/Grants-Sponsorships

Virtual and augmented reality demonstrations, an Internet of Things workshop and an intro to borrowable podcasting equipment will feature at Newcastle Library during the upcoming Hunter Innovation Festival.
City of Newcastle has partnered with festival organisers to help Hunter residents explore innovation in a friendly, hands-on environment as part of strategic smart city strategy adopted by Council in 2017.
“The City of Newcastle is proud to be on board with the Hunter Innovation Festival as Festival Partner in 2019, supporting an expanded program and providing the Library as a festival hub,” Lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“Newcastle has a long history of producing world-class innovation in heavy industries and we’re also punching above our weight in emerging industries, such as robotics and advanced manufacturing.
“Our smart city infrastructure and platforms are now attracting international attention and we’re working hard to diversify the local economy through a range of public works and economic initiatives.
“Social inclusion is an important part of this, so I’m delighted that library members will soon be able to borrow tech to create professional podcasts and that our libraries in general are spearheading the smart city charge – through virtual and augmented reality and even hosting school holiday STEM programs.”
The festival follows adoption of Newcastle Libraries’ 2019-2029 Strategy, which aims to deliver a world-class library for a smart, liveable and sustainable city.
“The Library is a gateway to understanding the knowledge economy, supporting an inclusive approach for the benefit of all citizens,” Newcastle Libraries Manager Suzie Gately said.
“A key part of our new strategy is partnering with stakeholders in the smart city ecosystem to promote initiatives to improve liveability, sustainability and local innovation.
“The Hunter Innovation Festival is a great event to show the integral role libraries play in introducing the community to new technology and providing resources and programs to bridge the digital divide. “
Festival highlights at Newcastle Region Library on Laman Street include:

• Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Demonstrations – learn how the City uses VR for destination marketing and AR to bring its heritage collections to life
• Data is the new oil – a talk looking at the relationship between smart cities and data
• Get involved in your smart city – a workshop on how to incorporate the Internet of Things (IoT) into your daily life.
• Podcasting 101 – with the library soon to make podcasting tech available for loan, this workshop will help story tellers transform ideas it into great sounding audio
• Idea to Execution with SheStarts – a workshop for entrepreneurial women looking to take the plunge and start their own business
• Technology and Backyard Food Production – a look at how you can use smart tech to increase the productivity of your veggie patch and garden
• Six kids’ workshops including two Family Maker Labs and a Mars Rover Challenge

The festival runs from May 6 to 17 and will include more than 40 events in Newcastle and the Hunter including a Hackathon, Pitch Night, Business Bootcamp, a Humans v Robots debate, Hunter Research Foundation Centre’s Economic Breakfast with an international guest speaker, a Flash Mob, an interactive lighting installation in Civic Park and more.
Visit the HIF websit here for more.

A man has been charged following an alleged kidnapping incident in Newcastle earlier this week.
Around 9pm on Monday 29 April 2019, a 48-year-old man and 37-year-old woman were at a licenced premises at Main Road, Cardiff.
Police have been told the pair then got in a vehicle and drove to multiple locations within Newcastle, during which the woman was allegedly assaulted several times.
About 2pm the next day (Tuesday 30 April 2019), the woman was dropped off in the Wallsend area, where she sought assistance from a nearby business and police were contacted.
The 48-year-old man was arrested at Waratah Police Station and charged with take/detain person with intent to obtain advantage occasion actual bodily harm.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 1 May 2019).

Strike Force Raptor North have arrested a Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) nominee, who was wanted on three outstanding warrants.
In March 2019, police commenced inquiries to locate a 25-year-old man, who was wanted on two outstanding warrants for assault offences and a revocation of parole warrant.
Following extensive inquiries, which included social media posts by the man taunting local police, Strike Force Raptor North investigators arrested the man at a unit in Parkway Avenue, Cooks Hill, about 7.45am today (Wednesday 1 May 2019).
He was taken to Waratah Police Station, where he was charged with the outstanding warrants.
The man, who is a nominee of the Rebels OMCG, was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.
Anyone with information, including relevant photos and videos, that may assist Strike Force Raptor can report it directly to investigators via the Strike Force Raptor online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/Default.aspx?id=49 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Information provided to investigators will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

Two men will appear in court next month after being charged with a break and enter offence near Lake Macquarie.
During Sunday 28 April 2019 a home in Robina Drive at Hillsborough was broken into and a quantity of Australian currency was stolen.
That afternoon the owner reported the matter to police at Lake Macquarie Police District and officers commenced an investigation.
On Monday 29 April 2019 officers from Lake Macquarie Target Action Group arrested a 20-year-old man at a Roe Street, Mayfield home.
Officers subsequently searched a property at Hamilton South and recovered a quantity of cash.
Investigators then executed a search warrant at a home in Avery Lane at Buchanan and seized a quantity of cash and items of clothing for forensic analysis.
Following the search warrant a 22-year-old man was arrested at Cessnock Police Station.
Both men were charged with break, enter and steal and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
The 20-year-old man was granted conditional bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Wednesday 22 May 2019.
The 22-year-old man was granted conditional bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Wednesday 29 May 2019.
Police continue with their inquiries into the incident.