Newcastle News – Page 340

Investigation continues into death of woman – Lake Macquarie

As investigations continue into the death of a woman in the Lake Macquarie area today, police are now searching for a man, who they believe may be able to assist with their inquiry, and a vehicle he may be driving.
Officers were called to a home on Stephens Avenue about 11.30am (Wednesday 13 March 2019), after a woman was found suffering stab wounds.
She was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital where she died.
A crime scene was established at the woman’s house and detectives are now searching for a man known as Tafari Walton, who is described as having a dark complexion, aged in his early 20s with a long black ponytail, and wearing a grey top with black short.
It’s believed he may be driving a 2008 white Mitsubishi Outlander with NSW registration AW67VV.
If anyone knows the whereabouts of this man or the vehicle please do not approach but contact Triple Zero.

Local flora exhibition blossoms from partnership

A cross-pollination of science, environment, education and art has spawned a vivid depiction of Newcastle’s diverse flora, now on exhibition at Newcastle Museum.
The Flora of the Hunter Region exhibition features 33 natural illustrations of plant life carefully reproduced from images in a newly released book published by the University of Newcastle in partnership with the CSIRO.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Museum Director Julie Baird at Newcastle Museum
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the exhibition had several layers to it, which have come about through an important collaboration of scientific, academic and artistic minds.
“This is a striking and colourful art exhibition that wraps the science and history of Newcastle’s endangered flora all into one,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The level of thought and the detail to which this exhibition has been planned and curated is truly remarkable and a credit to our staff and exhibition partners.
“What was first simply a conversation to launch a book has now turned into an established partnership between the University of Newcastle, CSIRO and Newcastle Museum that adds serious credibility to the book’s meaning, and in turn, the museum’s exhibition.”

Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said the exhibition captures the exceptional level of detail and history of the local plant life contained within the book.
“The University approached us about a space to launch a new book they were publishing on endangered plant life of the Hunter.”
“Three months since that December meeting, we’re proud to say we’ve been able to achieve that vision.”
The book, Flora of the Hunter Region – Endemic Trees and Larger Shrubs, piqued the interest of the CSIRO, Australia’s chief science agency, due to its level of rare and insightful scientific information.
Co-authored by Hunter-based botanist and University Conjoint Stephen Bell, Christine Rockley and Anne Lewellyn, it details 54 endemic trees and large shrubs native to the Hunter.
Information includes the identification, habitat, ecology and distribution of each of the 54 different each species.
The exhibition itself will showcase 33 of the images contained within the book, including three plant species new to science and two presumed extinct. Everyone one of them is native to the Hunter.
_{^{Broad-Leaved Pepperbrush: Installation by Esther Bolz}}
The exhibition will be on display in Newcastle Museum from 12 March until 10 June 2019. For more information, visit http://www.newcastlemuseum.com.au/Exhibitions/Exhibitions/FLORA-of-the-Hunter-Region.

Man charged after alleged carjacking and police pursuit – Raymond Terrace

A man has been charged after an alleged carjacking and police pursuit at the weekend.
About 8.40pm on Saturday (9 March 2019), a 45-year-old man was at his home on Corelli Close at Raymond Terrace, when a man, known to him, and a woman attended and requested to be driven to another address.
The trio left the home in a Mitsubishi Lancer and a short time later, officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attempted to stop the vehicle on Irrawang Street for a random breath test.
The man allegedly threatened the 45-year-old man who was driving, and a police pursuit was initiated after the vehicle failed to stop.
On Adelaide Street, the Mitsubishi slowed down, and the driver jumped out.
The Mitsubishi took off again and the pursuit continued for a short time before it was terminated due to safety concerns.
Following inquiries, police attended Maitland Road at Mayfield about 9am today (Tuesday 12 March 2019), after the couple were sighted.
Following a short foot pursuit, officers arrested a 40-year-old man nearby on Hanbury Street.
The woman was last seen fleeing in a blue Nissan Navara.
The man was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with aggravated take/drive motor vehicle with person in it – in company, stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic), custody of knife in public place.
He appeared in Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 12 March 2019) and was formally refused bail to reappear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 25 March 2019.
Inquiries are continuing to locate the woman.

Kidnap charge as inquiries continue into fatal fight – Hamilton South

A man has been charged with kidnapping and affray as investigations continue into the death of one man and the serious injury of another in Newcastle last week.
About 3.30am on Friday (8 March 2019), officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to Donald Street, Hamilton, following reports of men fighting in the street.
When police arrived they were told the men had left.
A short time later, officers were called to a home unit on Cody Street, Hamilton South, where they found the body of a 51-year-old man, and a 23-year-old man unconscious, suffering head injuries.
The injured man was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
A 25-year-old man, who was also in the unit, was taken to Newcastle Police Station but released pending further inquiries.
Crime scenes were established at the scene of the street fight and the home unit, with Strike Force Delline created to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following extensive investigations, detectives yesterday (Sunday 10 March 2019), charged the 25-year-old man with aggravated take/detain person in company with the intention to obtain advantage. affray, and reckless grievous bodily harm.
The man, from Hamilton South, was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 11 March 2019).
Inquiries continue.

$780 MILLION TO REDEVELOP JOHN HUNTER HOSPITAL

The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will deliver a major redevelopment of John Hunter Hospital, enhancing comprehensive healthcare in Newcastle, including the latest in emergency medicine, cancer care and surgical services on a new site.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the $780 million investment would bring total health infrastructure investment in the region to more than $1 billion, and was made possible by the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
“This investment by the NSW Liberals & Nationals will ensure people in the Hunter have the best available healthcare close to home, and that the Hunter can attract the best clinicians,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This redevelopment will deliver better surgical and critical care services, an expanded emergency department, better diagnostic and support facilities, and a jobs boom for the Hunter.
“The precinct will create more than 7800 jobs, attract associated businesses, industries and research, and offer students pathways to jobs.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said work on the planned redevelopment will commence in the next term of government, and is part of more than $8 billion dollars in health infrastructure being invested over the next years.
“Since coming to office, the NSW Liberals & Nationals have delivered more than 100 new and upgraded hospitals and health facilities, with more than half of those in regional areas,” Mr Hazzard said.
“We recently completed work at John Hunter Children’s Hospital paediatric and neonatal intensive care units, boosting the hospital’s ability to care for the sickest babies.
“Coupled with our $470 million investment at Maitland to build a new hospital 70 per cent larger than the current one, and our commitment to expand Manning Hospital, the Liberals & Nationals will invest more than $1 billion dollars in health infrastructure in the region,” Mr Hazzard said.
In addition to record infrastructure investment, the Government will add 8300 frontline staff, including 5000 nurses and midwives in a $2.8 billion workforce boost. This will include at least 979 staff in the Hunter New England Local Health District: 613 nurses and midwives, 113 doctors, 105 allied health staff and 148 hospital support workers.

Man dies – Pinny Beach

A man has died in a suspected drowning in the Lake Macquarie region.
Just after 10am today (Sunday 10 March 2019), emergency services were called to Pinny Beach after an 18-year-old man, who had been bodyboarding, was pulled from the water unconscious.
Despite efforts to revive him the man died at the scene.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District are speaking to witnesses and will prepare a report for the Coroner.

Attempted murder charge after alleged aggravated break-in – Windale

A man has been charged after another man was stabbed during an alleged aggravated break-in at Windale early yesterday.
About 1.40am (Friday 8 March 2019) a man allegedly forced entry to a home on Lowana Crescent while a 49-year-old man, a 37-year-old woman, and three children aged – six, 13 and 16 – were asleep.
The man, believed to be armed with a knife, entered the bedroom of the home and allegedly stabbed the man to the face and chest. He then fled the scene.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended and commenced investigations.
The injured man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
Police believe the incident was targeted.
Following inquiries, police arrested a 36-year-old man in Adamstown, about 8.20am yesterday (Friday 8 March 2019).
The man was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with cause wounding grievous bodily harm with intent to murder and contravene apprehended violence order (personal) (x2).
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Bail Court today (Saturday 9 March 2019) where he was again refused bail to appear in Belmont Local Court on 13 March 2019.

Underworld mugshots on display at Museum

Haunting mugshots of Sydney’s bosses, plotters, bruisers and petty criminals of the 1920s – some with felonious links to Newcastle and the Hunter – will be on display at Newcastle Museum from today.
UNDERWORLD: Mugshots from the Roaring Twenties investigates the life and times of Sydney’s seedy underworld during the 1920s – a time most remember for jazz, Art Deco, glitz and glamour.
Criminal Rose Engebritsen 14 November 1925. Credit: NSW Police Forensic Photography Archive,
Sydney Living Museums
But the age had a much more sinister undertone when gangs, guns and violence played a major role.
Criminal Rose Engebritsen, it’s understood, worked in Newcastle as a singer. Although ‘Deported from America’ is noted under a photograph of her kept by police, a woman with the same name was advertised as singing during a film screening in Newcastle.
Snowy Cutmore, who had connections with horse racing at Cessnock, was a gunman, a sly-grog seller and housebreaker with multiple convictions for assault. His death at the hands of another gangster, Squizzy Taylor, were chronicled in The Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder in 1927.
These local examples of life in the ‘Roaring Twenties’, as they were known, were part and parcel of the brave new world many people were living in post-World War One.
John D ‘Snowy’ Cutmore, 5 July 1922. Credit: NSW Police Forensic Photography Archive, Sydney Living Museums
“These fascinating tales of real-life events occurred during an era of lax law enforcement and a rise in criminal activity,” Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said.
“Each of the 130 candid and compelling mugshots taken by NSW Police between 1920 and 1930 offers its own poignant look at a period which saw criminals cash in on illegal markets thanks to advances in new technology.”
“The striking detail and expressions present on the faces of the photographed, the clothes they’re wearing and the locations they’re shot are so different to any mugshot taken today. It’s a fascinating exhibition and one the museum is very much looking forward to displaying.”
^{_{Augustine ‘Gus’ Gracey and Edgar ‘Eddie’ Dalton circa 1920}}^{_{. Credit: NSW Police Forensic Photography Archive,

Sydney Living Museums}}
Exhibition Curator Nerida Campbell said the exhibition explored the dark side of the Roaring Twenties where “you’ll meet the bosses, plotters, bruisers and petty crims who ruled Sydney’s mean streets.”
“The photography in this exhibition is amazing,” she said.
“The mugshots taken by Sydney police are unlike any you’ll see anywhere in the world; They’re candid, and compelling, and the stories behind the people in them are amazing.
“Stories of people struggling with bad choices, stories of people possibly in the wrong place at the wrong time and the dyed-in-the-wool criminals who wouldn’t change even if they could.”
Reproduced from glass plate negatives, the images retain a high-quality level of clarity almost a century after they were taken.
The exhibition will be on display from today until 30 June. For more information on the exhibition, visit the Newcastle Museum exhibition page at http://www.newcastlemuseum.com.au/Exhibitions/Exhibitions/UNDERWORLD

Man critical after aggravated break-in – Windale, near Lake Macquarie

Police are appealing for public assistance after a man was stabbed during an aggravated break-in in Windale this morning.
About 1.40am (Friday 8 March 2019) a man has forced entry into the rear window of a home on Lowana Crescent, Windale, while a 49-year-old man, a 37-year-old woman, and three children aged – six, 13 and 16 were asleep.
The man believed to be armed with a knife, entered the bedroom of the home and allegedly stabbed the 49-year-old male occupant to the face and chest.
The armed man fled the scene on foot running towards Merrigum Street.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended and commenced investigations.
The male occupant was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
Police believe the incident was targeted.
A 36-year-old man from Valentine is currently assisting police with inquiries.

MULTICULTURAL CAFÉ OPENS ITS DOORS

Hunter Multicultural Communities’ new café officially opened its doors to the public today.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon launched the café, which is set to become a centrepiece for Hunter Multicultural Communities’ Waratah site.
Ms Claydon said she was pleased to provide funding for the café under the Stronger Communities Program.
“I was very pleased to give Hunter Multicultural Communities a $15,000 grant to fit out the kitchen in the café including counters, the coffee machine and fridge.
“It’s fantastic to see this fabulous project become a reality. So many people have invested so much time and energy in getting it to this point.”
Ms Claydon said the café would be used for a number of purposes.
“It will provide a great training space for budding young baristas and chefs to learn new skills.
“I’m also looking forward to the theme nights which will showcase food from a different country each night.”
Ms Claydon said the multicultural café was the perfect fit for Newcastle.
“Newcastle is a diverse, inclusive city that welcomes newcomers,” Ms Claydon said.
“The café will attract people who wouldn’t normally come to Hunter Multicultural Communities site.
“The café will be the perfect space for the community to come together and share cultures. I have every confidence this new café will be warmly embraced by the community.”