Category: Newcastle News

What if your story could save someone else’s life? 
Newcastle community called to help improve the outcomes for women with gynaecological cancer  

Every day in Australia, 19 women are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer including ovarian, uterine/endometrial, cervical, vulvar or vaginal cancer, and tragically six lose their lives. For women living in areas such as Newcastle, the path to diagnosis and treatment can often be challenging, with delays that can have devastating consequences for individuals and families. 1 

The Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) is working to change this through its powerful Survivors Teaching Students®(STS) program.  

This deeply impactful national initiative brings the voices of women who have experienced gynaecological cancer directly into university classrooms. These courageous volunteers share their personal stories with medical and nursing students to help shape a more compassionate, informed and responsive generation of healthcare professionals. 

Since launching in 2017, STS volunteers have reached more than 20,000 students across 22 universities in Australia and New Zealand. Their stories help future doctors and nurses better understand the signs and symptoms of these diseases to reduce delays in diagnosis, and embed empathy, good communication and respect into the care of every woman affected.  

“Survivors Teaching Students was by far one of the most memorable and impactful experiences I had during medical school. The program not only provided me with important clinical knowledge about gynaecological cancers but also emphasised the profound and life-altering impacts the diseases have on those diagnosed and their families,” said Nikita Rosendahl, Medical student at the University of Queensland. 

With plans to expand the program’s reach, ANZGOG is now calling on women from regional and rural communities, including Newcastle, to join the STS network, in a volunteer capacity and help change outcomes for women with these cancers. 

“We’re inviting women to be part of this remarkable initiative. Your story could be the one that helps a future doctor or nurse recognise the signs of gynaecological cancer and save a life.” said Alison Evans, CEO ANZGOG. 

No public speaking experience is required, just a willingness to share your personal story in a safe, supportive environment. Volunteers consistently report that participating in STS is not only rewarding but empowering, giving meaning to their experience and creating lasting impact.  

STS is made possible through ANZGOG’s fundraising arm, WomenCan, and supported by a network of over 100 community volunteers across the country, who are determined to change the future for women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer.  

To learn more or register your interest, visit: www.anzgog.org.au/sts or to support STS, you can make a donation by visiting WomenCan.org.au.   

About ANZGOG: The Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) is the peak national gynaecological cancer research organisation for Australia and New Zealand. Our mission is to improve outcomes and quality of life for everyone with a lived experience of gynaecological cancer by conducting and promoting clinical trials and multidisciplinary research. 

** The Survivors Teaching Students program is under license to ANZGOG from the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance in the USA. 

1. www.anzgog.org.au/GCTI  

Police are appealing for assistance to locate a teenage boy missing from the state’s north.

Dominic Short, aged 13, was last seen on Mathieson Street, Bellbird, about 7.30pm on Tuesday (29 July 2025).

When he was unable to be located or contacted, he was reported missing to officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District, who commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for his welfare due to his age.

Dominic is described as being of Caucasian appearance, of medium build, about 120cm tall, with dark blonde hair.

He was last seen wearing a camouflage jacket, grey track pants and white joggers.

Dominic is known to frequent the Hunter Valley area.

Anyone with information in relation to his whereabouts is urged to contact Hunter Valley Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The United Services Union (USU) has slammed the City of Newcastle over its questionable and inconsistent recruitment process for two newly created Executive Manager roles at the Civic Theatre and City Hall, positions reportedly valued at over $200,000 per annum each.

USU Official Luke Hutchinson said the process lacked transparency, fairness, and any genuine merit-based selection which is seemingly in breach of the Local Government Act and Council’s own policies.

“This is a slap in the face to the hundreds of casual workers who keep these venues running,” Mr Hutchinson said.

“Over 70% of staff at the Civic Theatre and City Hall are employed casually, many are young, lower-paid workers who’ve dedicated years to these spaces. 

“Yet Council appears to be quietly handing out permanent, high-paying roles to select individuals without a proper process.

“Casualisation is a big issue amongst our venue staff, they’d love to have permanent or permanent part-time roles but the Council insists they must stay casual, but here we have a situation where people are getting permanent full time roles on big money with no due process, it’s unfair and it doesn’t pass the pub test.”

The USU is demanding answers after Council failed to advertise the roles externally, instead conducting a brief six-day internal “Expression of Interest (EOI)” process overseen by a single executive. 

The union says this contradicts previous Council practices where external advertising was deemed essential to attract a suitable pool of applicants.

“Council’s hypocrisy is staggering,” Mr Hutchinson added.

“They’ve insisted on external advertising for other roles, including lower-paid ones, but now they’re bypassing that entirely for senior positions. It reeks of favouritism and undermines the principles of equal opportunity.”

The Union has raised concerns that the EOI process is merely a formality, designed to rubber-stamp  pre-selected appointments. With no formal consultation or reporting to the USU, the union is now preparing to escalate the matter to the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.

“This isn’t just a union issue, it’s a community issue,” Mr Hutchinson said.

“Our theatres and venues thrive because of passionate, hardworking staff. They deserve respect, transparency, and a fair go, not backroom deals.”

The USU calls on the City of Newcastle to halt the current process and recommit to a fair, open, and merit-based recruitment approach.

Newcastle Art Gallery has taken a significant First Nations series of work out of storage and onto the world stage as part of a major exhibition at a prestigious London institution.

While local art lovers are anticipating the return of the $145 million collection to the expanded Newcastle Art Gallery, London audiences are being given the chance to appreciate one of its treasures firsthand at the Tate Modern.

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM with the Awely series painted by Emily Kam Kngwarray, on display at the Tate Modern in London. The three works from the Newcastle Art Gallery collection are positioned on the top left and bottom left and right of the image. 

Awely 1990 is a series of paintings by Indigenous artist Emily Kam Kngwarray (c.1914-1996), who is internationally renowned as one of the most significant contemporary painters of the late 20th century.

The work is currently being featured at the London gallery as part of the first major exhibition held in Europe dedicated to the extraordinary talent of the late Anmatyerr elder.

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said it was an honour to have Newcastle’s collection represented in this landmark exhibition.

“Emily Kam Kngwarray was an incredibly important Australian artist, whose unique style enabled her to create powerful depictions of her cultural connections to her Country, Alhalker, located in the Sandover region of the Northern Territory,” Ms Morton said.

“Newcastle Art Gallery is committed to celebrating and championing the work of First Nations artists as part of our vision to be locally grounded, nationally engaged and globally minded.

“We are proud to be the only public gallery from outside of an Australian capital city to be included in this important exhibition at the Tate Modern and can’t wait until we can invite our community back into our expanded Art Gallery to see more of the significant First Nations works from our collection.”

The Tate Modern exhibition was organised in collaboration with the National Gallery of Australia, bringing together more than 80 works from across Kngwarray’s extraordinary career. It is the first time many of Kngwarray’s works, including the series from Newcastle Art Gallery, are being shown outside of Australia.

For more information about Newcastle Art Gallery and its collection visit https://newcastleartgallery.nsw.gov.au/

To learn more about the Emily Kam Kngwarray exhibition on show at the Tate Modern visit https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/emily-kam-kngwarray

Police are appealing for assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from the state’s north.

Jada Hill, aged 15, was last seen in Maitland about 9am yesterday (Wednesday 30 July 2025).

When she was unable to be located or contacted, she was reported missing to officers attached to Port Stephens Hunter Police District, who commenced inquiries to find her.

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

Jada is described as being of Caucasian appearance, of thin build, about 165cm tall, with long, pink hair.

She was last seen wearing black track pants with white pin stripes, navy coloured jumper with white draw strings, and pink/white “TN’s”.

Jada is known to frequent the rail network or the Waterloo area.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the state’s Hunter region.

Nicholas McFarlane-Thomson, aged 32, was last seen in Glen Oak (approximately 18km north of Raymond Terrace) about 2pm on Saturday 26 July 2025.

When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Port Stephens/Hunter Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for Nicholas’ welfare as he has been acting out of character.

Nicholas is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, of thin build and black hair.

He was last seen wearing a dark green shirt, shorts and burkenstock sandals.

Nicholas may also be driving a red Mazda 3 sedan with the NSW registration ETL26D.

He is known to frequent the Raymond Terrace, Maitland and Central Coast areas.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage boy missing from the state’s north.

Nullan Quinn, aged 13, was last seen in Thornton (approximately 4km north west of Beresfield) about 12pm on Wednesday 16 July 2025.

When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Port Stephens/Hunter Police District were notified at 11pm yesterday, Monday 21 July 2025 and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for Nullan’s welfare due to his age.

Nullan is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 155cm tall, of large build and brown hair.

Nullan is known to frequent the Thornton, San Remo, Newcastle and Central Coast areas.

Police believe he may have been sighted at The Entrance on the Central Coast yesterday (Sunday 27 July 2025).

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to contact Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Novocastrians have the chance to help name a wetland in Wallsend as they dig in to rehabilitate a nearby section of land and improve habitat for multiple endangered species.

City of Newcastle will launch the naming project this Sunday at the wetland near the Federal Park playground where residents will help plant more than 7000 native grasses, shrubs and trees as part of National Tree Day.

The community event will follow today’s school-based celebrations, which saw more than 100 students from Plattsburg and Wallsend Public Schools join Councillors for a group planting session.

The next generation of conservationists made their mark on the Wallsend site by helping City of Newcastle establish more than 2000 new native plants while learning about local wildlife, including the endangered Black-necked Stork, Australia’s only stork species.

Executive Manager Environment and Sustainability Marnie Kikken said these events are a key part of the Newcastle Environment Strategy.

“Young students are the environmental custodians of the future so we need to ensure they feel connected to their local ecosystems,” Ms Kikken said.

“As part of the Newcastle Environment Strategy we aim to deliver targeted community engagement to strengthen the connection between residents and our natural world, while also expanding our urban forest.

“Participants in Sunday’s National Tree Day celebration will not only restore a degraded section of land, they can also learn about pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds, and their vital role in the local ecosystem.”

Students from Wallsend Public School join City of Newcastle’s Environmental Assets Manager Karenne Jurd, Environmental Education Officer Eliza Hoyland and Ward 4 Councillors Dr Elizabeth Adamczyk and Deahnna Richardson to plant native grasses and shrubs at Wallsend.Dedicated volunteers will have the chance to make suggestions about the new title for the wetland, which is currently known only as 1C Minmi Road.

“We will then invite a panel of community members, Traditional Custodians and local businesses to decide on a name for the location” Ms Kikken said.

“We’re hoping this process will encourage the community to connect with the area, facilitate the sharing of stories, and celebrate and acknowledge Aboriginal language and history.”

Sunday’s event will also feature wetland connection activities such as waterbug surveys, nature-based play and arts and crafts, as well as the opportunity to enjoy a guided tour of the wetland with City of Newcastle staff, where the community will learn about the value and importance of our urban wetlands, their protection and rehabilitation.

Adding to the celebrations there will be face painting, live music from local musicians, a coffee van and a free barbecue supported by the Newcastle Men’s Shed.

This Sunday’s event at Wallsend will be wheelchair accessible, and all ages and abilities are welcome to take part.

Volunteers should bring a water bottle and wear a hat, long sleeves and long pants for sun protection and warmth.

Gloves, watering cans, tools and equipment for planting will be provided by City of Newcastle.

For more information visit the City of Newcastle Facebook page.

Two men have been charged following a home invasion and a shot fired into a house in the state’s north in May.

About 3.50am on Friday 30 May 2025, police were called to a home on Bull Street, Mayfield, following reports a gunshot had been heard.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended and established a crime scene.

The scene was forensically examined, with police identifying damage to the front door of the home consistent with the discharge of a shotgun.

A further search of the property and surrounding area revealed an unspent bullet, a knife and knuckledusters.

Following inquiries, Detectives attached to Newcastle City Police District arrested two men under Strike Force Barkov.

On Monday 16 June 2025, a 36-year-old man was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with special aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence.

He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday 13 August 2025.

On Tuesday 15 July, 2025, a 32-year-old man was taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with fire firearm at dwelling-house disregard for safety and special aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence.

He was granted conditional bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday 17 September 2025

Inquiries continue.

City of Newcastle is asking community members to provide feedback on the rules that guide Council meetings. 

City of Newcastle’s Code of Meeting Practice applies to all Council meetings. 

City of Newcastle Executive Director of Corporate Services David Clarke said NSW legislation requires all Councils in NSW to adopt a Code of Meeting Practice, based on the prescribed Model Code of Meeting Practice, within the first 12 months following an election. 

“The draft Code also contains some additional clauses and changes to align with City of Newcastle practices and procedures,” Mr Clarke said. 

“The recent Davidson Independent Review made findings and recommendations into the conduct of Council meetings, so it is timely to review the Code of Meeting Practice.  

“We’re asking community members to take a look at the Code and share their thoughts on the provisions, as well as any changes they think should be considered.” 

The Code of Meeting Practice covers all aspects of Council meetings, including everything from the agenda and order of business to the rules of debate and voting. 

It also sets guidelines around the timing and notification of meetings, who can attend and the way in which they are recorded and broadcast to the public. 

City of Newcastle will review submissions received during the public exhibition period and prepare a summary to be included in a report to the September Ordinary Council Meeting.  

If no submissions are received, the draft Code of Meeting Practice will be considered adopted without a further report to Council. 

Community members can find out more or make a submission via the Have Your Say page on City of Newcastle’s website. The public exhibition period will close at 5pm on Wednesday 3 September 2025.