Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman missing from the state’s north.
Selena Poulton, aged 37, was last seen on Margina Close, Tuncurry, about 10am on Wednesday 7 January 2026.
Officers attached to Barrier Police District were notified today (Sunday 11 January 2026) and officers attached to Manning Great Lakes Police District commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.
Family and police hold concerns for Selena’s welfare.
Selena is described as being of Aboriginal/Torre Strait Islander appearance, about 160cm – 165cm tall, of thin build, with brown hair and brown eyes.
She was last seen wearing a grey jacket.
Selena is believed to frequent the Forster and Tuncurry areas.
Three men charged with affray, knife allegedly used – Hunter Valley PD
Three men have been charged after a brawl at a licenced venue in the Hunter region.
About 11.30pm (Saturday 10 January 2026), officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District responded to reports of a brawl at a licenced venue on Lings Road, Buttai.
Police were told three men – one of whom was allegedly armed with a knife – assaulted four other men.
The three men allegedly attempted to leave in a vehicle; however, were stopped by police.
All three were arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station.
A 37-year-old man was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, armed with intent commit indictable offence, choke person intend to commit indictable offence, affray, and stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm (personal).
He was refused bail and appeared before Bail Division Court 2 today (Sunday 11 January 2026), where he was formally refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday 18 March 2026.
A 33-year-old man was charged with three counts assault occasioning actual bodily harm, affray and common assault.
He was refused bail and appeared before Bail Division Court 2 today (Sunday 11 January 2026), where he was formally refused bail to appear before Cessnock Local Court on Wednesday 21 January 2026.
A 29-year old man was charged with common assault and affray.
He remains in hospital under police guard and will appear before Bail Division Court 2 tomorrow (Monday 12 January 2026)
The four other men – two aged 52, 57 and 61 – were taken to hospital for treatment of injuries.
Inquiries into the incident continue.
Joint statement on the situation in Iran
The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada and the European Union issued the following statement:
“We commend the bravery of the Iranian people as they stand up for their dignity and their fundamental right to peaceful protest.
“We strongly condemn the killing of protestors, the use of violence, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation tactics by the Iranian regime against its own people.
“Iran must immediately end the use of excessive and lethal force by its security forces including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij against protestors. Too many lives – over 40 to date – have already been lost.
“The Iranian regime has the responsibility to protect its own population and must allow for the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear of reprisal.”
Greens: Palestinian writer’s cancellation from Adelaide Writers Festival
Acting Leader of the Australian Greens and Arts & Communications spokesperson Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young said:
Like a lot of South Australians today, I am deeply disturbed the Adelaide’s beloved Writers Festival has been ruined by this terrible decision.
The decision to drop Palestinian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah from Adelaide Writers Festival is deeply concerning and should be reversed.
Freedom of expression and the exchange of ideas are what makes writers festivals what they are.
Engaging in respectful, thoughtful debate and challenging ideas and opinions is the whole purpose of an event like this.
Censorship and shutting down diverse voices, including Palestinian voices is the antithesis of an open, free and respectful democracy.
South Australia has a proud history of our arts festivals and supporting artist freedom of expression. This craven decision will leave our state and our reputation as the festival state in tatters.
The Greens will continue to advocate for artists to do their work free of political interference and pressure.
As both a regular panelist and supporter of the AWW I am extremely disappointed and saddened that the Adelaide Festival board has made this decision. It is a bad decision and should be reversed.
City of Newcastle trainee lifeguards make a splash in coastal careers
City of Newcastle is supporting four local teens turn their surf lifesaving skills into real-world experience with an innovative trainee lifeguard program.
The six-week traineeship gives high school students the chance to work alongside professional lifeguards during the summer holidays, gaining hands-on experience patrolling Newcastle’s beaches and ocean baths.
This year’s school-aged summer trainees on their first day of lifeguard training at Dixon Park Beach: Liam Doyle and Lexi Sutherland sitting in rough terrain vehicle (RTV), Bronte Bowker standing. Trainee Sid Burns (not pictured) is also part of this year’s intake.
Delivered in partnership with Hunter Surf Life Saving, the program has doubled in size since it was launched in 2021 as the first program of its kind in NSW.
City of Newcastle Acting Executive Director Creative & Community Services Lynn Duffy said the program plays a vital role in keeping Newcastle’s beaches safe while supporting young people with meaningful, career-ready work.
“Each year more than one million people visit Newcastle’s beaches, so it’s important that we continue to develop and grow our professional lifeguard team to help keep our community safe,” Ms Duffy said.
“Through real-world experience and guidance from professional lifeguards, our school-aged trainees get a structured introduction to lifeguarding, working weekday shifts during the busy summer holidays.
“Participants build confidence through a formal recruitment process, sharpen their surf lifesaving skills and gain on-the-job experience needed to pursue a career in lifeguarding.
“The initiative also strengthens collaboration across the sector including connections with Hunter Surf Life Saving and local clubs, while creating a local talent pipeline that supports beach safety now and into the future.”
Designed for school-aged students who are already members of one of the 12 local Surf Life Saving clubs, participants complete up to 24 hours of paid rostered shifts each week, with training that includes interview preparation and formal induction for those progressing into trainee lifeguard roles.
Since launching, the initiative has kick-started the careers of around 20 casual lifeguards, many continuing to patrol Newcastle’s six beaches and two ocean baths from Stockton to Merewether.
Former trainee and now City of Newcastle lifeguard Jack Johns, who grew up in Newcastle, said the traineeship helped turn his love of the ocean into a career.
“The trainee program gave me the confidence, skills and real-life experience I needed,” Mr Johns said.
“Starting out as a trainee and now working as a lifeguard on the beaches I grew up on has been incredible. I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves the beach and wants a meaningful summer job with real career options.”
Newcastle Councillor Jenny Barrie, who is a passionate advocate for surf lifesaving and beach safety, said the tragic start to the 2026 summer season elsewhere along the NSW coast highlighted the importance of well-trained lifeguards.
“It’s been devastating to see drownings occur in other parts of the state this summer, and while none have occurred at patrolled beaches or here in Newcastle, it’s a stark reminder of why investing in the training of lifeguards is so very important,” Cr Barrie said.
“It’s critical when you’re out enjoying our beautiful beaches to follow the key water safety rules including to never swim alone and always swim between the red and yellow flags. If you’re unsure conditions are safe, ask a lifeguard for advice.”
Boy dies in drowning – Port Stephens
A boy has died after being pulled unconscious from a pool on the state’s mid north coast.
About 7:30pm (Friday 9 January 2026), emergency services were called to Bobs Farm following reports a four-year-old boy was unresponsive after being pulled from a pool.
Family members performed CPR until NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived and took over.
The boy was treated at the scene before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition, where he later died.
Officers attached to Port Stephens/Hunter Police District attended and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Victoria must do more to protect communities as bushfires escalate amidst worst fire conditions since Black Summer
The Victorian Greens have expressed deep concern as bushfires burn out of control in Victoria, with the State Control Centre warning of more extreme heat in the coming days and an escalating risk to lives and homes in areas facing catastrophic fire danger ratings.
An emergency bushfire near Longwood has forced evacuations, with homes and livestock feared lost after the fire rapidly expanded overnight under dangerous conditions.
The Greens said their thoughts were with everyone being asked to leave their homes today, as communities face an anxious and uncertain wait while extreme fire conditions continue.
The unfolding crisis underlines the urgent need for strong preparedness, properly resourced fire services, and serious action to reduce the severe climate risks presented by both the Victorian and federal Labor governments’ continued burning of coal and gas.
Acting Leader of the Victorian Greens, Dr Sarah Mansfield:
“Our thoughts are with everyone being asked to leave their homes today. It’s so scary for these communities who face an anxious and uncertain wait while extreme fire conditions continue. We know that for many of these communities, the devastation of the Black Summer bushfires remains front of mind.
“We’re deeply grateful to the career and volunteer firefighters risking their lives in brutal conditions to protect people and homes, but they deserve more than our thanks and must be properly resourced to do their jobs safely.”
“Victoria needs stronger preparedness, properly resourced fire services, and real action on climate change to keep communities safe. Labor has made clear choices that have put Victoria at risk – cutting bushfire capacity and approving at least five major fossil fuel gas projects in the past nine months that pour fuel on the climate crisis driving these dangerous conditions.”
“Victoria is facing the most dangerous fire conditions since Black Summer, a stark reminder that our summers are becoming more intense and unpredictable and that we must do more to prepare and protect communities.”
Greens welcome Royal Commission
Acting leader Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said today:
“We welcome the Prime Minister’s decision to call a Federal Royal Commission into Antisemitism, Social Cohesion and National Security and Intelligence Agencies, to be led by former High Court Justice, the Hon Virginia Bell AC, as Commissioner.
“A balanced, careful and powerful Royal Commission is a chance to learn hard lessons while minimising divisive politics in crafting a national response to the anti-Semitic Bondi mass shooting.
“The strongest national response will be based on bringing together multicultural Australia to reinforce our values of tolerance, democracy and respect.
“This inquiry must clearly distinguish between the strengths and pillars of our diverse multicultural society and the narrow destructive forces of extremism.
“The Royal Commission must tackle anti-semitism and all forms of racism, including confronting Islamophobia and other extremist elements as part of the Commission’s social cohesion mandate.
“There are deep concerns about the coordination and response of national security and intelligence agencies and we welcome this public examination of them including current oversight arrangements.
“The Greens will continue to work constructively with the Government to ensure our communities are safe and free of hate and prejudice.”
Climate inaction will fuel the ACT Budget’s woes
Shane Rattenbury, Leader of the ACT Greens:
“The ACT Parliament’s fiscal sustainability review must consider the cost of the climate crisis – its impact on the health and wellbeing of the community and how, if not addressed, this will continue to blow out the ACT Budget.
“We must consider the health costs of climate inaction. If we don’t, many more Canberrans will be harmed from the impacts of extreme weather events, and we risk a situation where there’s no resources to deliver support and services when they are most needed.
“Just last year, the ACT Labor Government raked up a $387 million overspend on the hospital and a budget deficit totalling around $1.5 billion – $500 million more than forecast. Our hospital bill will continue to rise unless the government starts to deliver preventative initiatives.
“Just yesterday, an ANU report found 1 in 15 visits to the emergency department in Canberra are due to extreme heat or cold. That’s almost 7% of presentations which could have been prevented through climate mitigation and preparation measures.
“Canberrans living below the poverty line are at greatest risk of extreme weather events, like bushfires and heatwaves.
“There are many Canberrans who are sweltering in poorly insulated homes, and that number skyrockets for renters and public housing tenants. Many public housing tenants are already living with chronic health conditions or disabilities so are at a greater risk of harm.
“Coupled with one of the lowest GP bulk-billing rates in the country, many households struggling to pay bills or put food on the table cannot afford to see the doctor. Instead, people become so unwell they need to be hospitalised and take much longer to recover.
“The climate crisis fuels inequality, but it doesn’t have to be this way – it just needs ambition and action. But under Labor we’ve seen climate action stalled and the health response focused on the emergency department, rather than helping people before they become that unwell.
“Inaction is inhumane, and it’s costly. We need initiatives that help all Canberrans prepare and become more resilient in the face of climate-driven weather extremes.
“The inquiry must consider how initiatives like improving heating and cooling in buildings, more public places to shelter from extreme weather events, and more bulk-billed GP appointments will make life better for many Canberrans and ease pressure off emergency and crisis services.”
Community invited to explore, learn and protect the coastline this summer
City of Newcastle is encouraging Novocastrians to discover the hidden wonders of our local coastline this summer through a free, hands-on coastal education program.
Kicking off on 12 January, Coastal Curiosity is a series of six free workshop designed to help people of all ages connect with Newcastle’s unique coastal ecosystems.
City of Newcastle staff member Eliza Hoyland and UoN PHD student, Hayden Swift stand alongside young participants of City of Newcastle’s environmental event ‘Hidden Life of Sand’.
City of Newcastle Executive Director Michelle Bisson said the program empowers the community to actively care for the coastline through participation and connection to place.
“Coastal Curiosity gives the community the chance to be hands-on and to learn from scientists and cultural knowledge holders, while contributing to real data that helps protect Newcastle’s coastal environments,” Ms Bisson said.
“The sessions are spread across different days of the summer school holidays and are tailored for families, young people and adults interested in nature, science, culture and sustainability.
“Participants will play an active role in protecting our coastal environments through a range of engaging, practical activities.
“By combining environmental education, cultural connection and citizen science, Coastal Curiosity aims to deepen understanding of Newcastle’s coastal ecosystems and inspire positive behaviour change to support biodiversity protection.”
The program’s guided workshops will be held at local coastal locations, including Stockton Beach, Nobbys Beach and the Cowrie Hole, with each session designed to reflect the distinctive ecosystems at each site.
This year’s program includes a strong focus on building practical skills, with participants guided on how to identify and record coastal plants and animals, as well as collect and report data on marine debris and microplastics.
Activities also include a community beach clean-up that transforms collected debris into artworks, highlighting both the issue of marine pollution and opportunities for positive action, as well as hands-on dune planting that contributes to coastal restoration efforts.
The sessions are free but bookings are required and are now open to Newcastle Local Government Area residents, with a waiting list for participants outside the area. All sessions are delivered outdoors and are subject to weather conditions.
For program dates and session details, check out the dedicated booking page.