Category: Newcastle News

nternationally renowned artist Fayen d’Evie has been commissioned to create two groundbreaking sculptures to help improve the accessibility of the expanded Newcastle Art Gallery.

The works of art will create a sculptural solution to the floating staircases on the ground level of the original 1977-built Art Gallery, which have been retained as part of the expansion project but no longer adhere to modern building code standards for visitors who are blind or visually impaired.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with artist Fayen d’Evie and Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM at the Feather Edge studio where the sculptures are being created.Fayen’s sculptures will creatively fill the space under the staircases and provide an important buffer to allow visitors to safely move around the structures.

The multi-faceted sculptures will be made primarily from steel and incorporate tactile versions of key works of art from the Art Gallery’s collection, using a variety of raised textures to allow visitors to interpret the painting through touch.

The sculptures will also feature core samples from the bedrock and former mine shafts located underneath the Gallery, which were stabilised through grouting during the construction process.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said this commission is a world-leading example of an artist and disability-led solution to modern building compliance within historic architecture.

“City of Newcastle was the first council in NSW to adopt a Disability Inclusion Action Plan, which defines how we will undertake specific actions to reduce potential barriers faced by people with disabilities when living in, working in and visiting our city,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We are committed to ensuring the expanded Newcastle Art Gallery is an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community and are thrilled to be working with Fayen d’Evie to achieve this aim.”

Born in Malaysia, Fayen was raised in New Zealand and now lives and works in Melbourne.

The artist, academic and publisher, who is low vision, has worked all over the world, including a residency at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art where she collaborated with conservators to initiate sensory encounters with artworks.

Fayen d’Evie sculpture render. Fayen said the site-specific Newcastle Art Gallery sculptures are intended to invite conversation, particularly between blind and sighted people.

“It was important the sculpture was connected to Newcastle, which is why we chose steel as the foundational material,” Ms d’Evie said.

Ms d’Evie is also working closely with local Newcastle creative business Feather Edge on the fabrication of the sculptures.

“We’ll also feature braille that will come from a community workshop where people will be invited to consider, reflect and describe some of the works that are being added to the sculpture.

“A lot of the stories that are included in this work are pointing to people and forms that have been excluded from conventional art historical narratives.”

Access Inclusion Advisory Committee Chairperson Councillor Margaret Wood said City of Newcastle is aiming to remove barriers for people with a disability.

“We want to provide opportunities for people of all ages, ability levels and backgrounds to engage fully in civic, economic and social life,” Cr Wood said.

“Creating liveable communities is about creating opportunities for social participation, improving the quality of personal and commercial interactions and ensuring equivalent access to places such as Newcastle Art Gallery.”

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said these works of art will ensure access requirements are met as part of the expansion of the existing 1977 architecture.

“We invited Fayen to develop a project that was both a work of art and a performance solution capable of meeting safety and accessibility standards for the staircases,” Ms Morton said.

“Improving accessibility is yet another way to ensure our nationally significant collection can be appreciated by as many people in the community as possible.”

The sculptures are supported by a $50,000 grant from Creative Australia, and $50,000 from the NSW Government Arts and Culture Infrastructure Grants program.

The Newcastle Art Gallery expansion project is supported by $5 million from the Australian Government under the Regional Recovery Partnerships and $5 million from the New South Wales Government under the Regional Recovery Package, as well as $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation made possible through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest, Margaret Olley Trust, and community fundraising over many years. 

A further $1 million is currently being sought through the Foundation’s public fundraising campaign.

More than 1,500 Novocastrians have plugged into the Hunter’s renewable energy future after being given front-row access by City of Newcastle to key thinkers, stakeholders and decision-makers.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe at City Hall for the Empowering Newcastle series

The three-part Empowering Newcastle event series, which wrapped up on Saturday with a keynote address by NSW Climate Change and Environment Minister Penny Sharpe, has been a lightning rod for ideas and dialogue about renewables, electrification and the road to net zero.

Earlier events included an Electrify Everything presentation by world renowned entrepreneur Saul Griffith and a stakeholder roundtable discussing a transition to electric vehicles and low emissions transport in Newcastle.  

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the series has been a hit with Novocastrians seeking to take an active part in a more sustainable future for their city.

“There’s been a buzz around Empowering Newcastle from the opening event with Dr Griffth. It was fantastic to be in a room engaging in practical electrification solutions that align perfectly with our city’s climate goals,” Cr Nelmes said.

“When you add the invaluable engagement with Minister Sharpe in a wide-ranging energy discussion I was proud to take part in, City of Newcastle has delivered a fantastic series that’s put the community into the policy and delivery conversation with all levels of government.

“I was also thrilled to launch City of Newcastle’s Empowering Newcastle community climate action program, which will support more residents, businesses, and community groups to create a net zero future.”

The first phase of this new community climate action program will offer a range of online resources to help participants become more energy efficient, switch to renewable energy and electrify. 

This will be followed by a free Climate Champions training program to run early next year, which will equip emerging local climate leaders with the knowledge and skills to deliver community-led electrification campaigns and projects. 

Applications for this training program will open soon, with a community information session to be held at City Hall on 19 September.

Empowering Newcastle is a key action of City of Newcastle’s Environment Strategy, which sets out a 10-year environmental roadmap around the priority areas of climate change, nature-based solutions and the circular economy.

A man will appear in court today after being charged over alleged firearm offences near Newcastle.

About 6:30am yesterday (Tuesday 20 August 2024), officers attached to the Proactive Crime Team Port Stephens Hunter Police District, assisted by Federal Environmental Officers attended a property on Nelson Bay Road, Williamtown, to execute a search warrant in relation to the exportation of native birds.

A 40-year-old man allegedly attempted to flee the property and was stopped and searched, with police allegedly locating and seizing a firearm.

During a subsequent search of the property, officers allegedly located and seized 49 unregistered handguns, 14 unregistered rifles/shotguns, ammunition, firearm parts, drugs, chemicals consistent with the manufacture of gun powder, silver bullion and cash.

The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with 96 offences, including possess unauthorised pistol, not keep firearm safely-pistol, goods suspected stolen in/on premises (not motor vehicle) and possess unregistered firearm-not pistol/prohibited firearm.

He was refused bail to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court today (Wednesday 21 August 2024).

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from Port Stephens.

Jasmine Anderson, aged 14, was last seen at a bus stop on Gan Gan Road, Anna Bay, about 11:30am Sunday (18 August 2024).

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

Police hold concerns for her welfare due to her age.

Jasmine is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm tall, of thin build and with brown hair and blue eyes.

She is known to frequent the Newcastle Interchange, Dora Creek and Nowra areas.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to call Port Stephens Hunter Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has echoed her community’s concerns around under resourcing at Wallsend Post Office.

Residents have reported having to wait over half an hour to be served and some turned away because staff don’t have time or capacity to respond to increased customer needs.

Ms Claydon has this week taken those concerns to Canberra, where she has spoken in the Parliament on the issue.

“I have received several complaints about long queues and customer wait times at Wallsend post office. Residents say they’re waiting over half an hour to be served. Some have even been turned away because Australia Post staff do not have the time or capacity to respond to increased customer needs.

“One resident told me that she often leaves work early if she wants to be served at the Wallsend post office before 5 pm. Another noted that it’s very common for there to be only three employees working during peak times, and they seem to be overwhelmed by the amount of foot traffic coming into the store.

Wallsend post office serves a large region, including the rapidly growing suburbs of Maryland, Fletcher and Minmi. Postal services are essential, providing access to vital services connecting people and communities right across the country and the globe.

“This lack of resourcing is causing considerable stress to people of all ages in my community. I really appreciate the time and effort taken by those who have contacted my office to share their concerns and personal experiences with me.

“I stand with the people of Wallsend and support their calls for a properly resourced post office that meets customer and community needs not just now but into the future, and I call on Australia Post to invest in their workforce and postal services in Wallsend. They deserve nothing less.”

More than 7500 people enjoyed the sights, sounds and side shows of the family-friendly festival that helped mark the 150th anniversary of Wallsend being declared a municipality.

Uncle Alex Nean provided a special Welcome to Country on the main stage celebrating the area’s rich Indigenous heritage, before Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes officially opened proceedings for City of Newcastle’s historic event yesterday.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with Uncle Alex Nean and his dancers on Nelson Street for Wallsend’s 150^th anniversary celebration.The large crowd was spoilt for choice throughout the celebration with a variety of entertainment on two stages, dance schools, DJs and food from around the world, including Germany, Tibet, Turkey and China.

Thirty-five local businesses embraced the opportunity to take part in the celebration, with market stalls lining Nelson Street, reminiscent of the former Wallsend Winter Fair.

The Wallsend Historical Society gave an insight into the past with guided walks, while festival goers took a step back in time thanks to historical costumes and a penny farthing demonstration.

The youngest visitors were able to choose between graffiti and street art workshops at Wallsend Park, face painting, rides, a Fire and Rescue display and a messy play session, complete with cake smashing.

When the sun went down, stories of Wallsend’s rich history were projected onto buildings through a collection of photographs.

Cr Nelmes said it was important to celebrate Wallsend’s major role in the development and growth of Newcastle.

“Wallsend started as a mining colony with some of the best coal in Australia and has emerged as a multicultural hub that attracts families from all over the world,” Cr Nelmes said.

“City of Newcastle ensured Wallsend was ready to mark this significant milestone with extensive road resurfacing on Nelson Street, as well as a pressure cleaning campaign on the footpaths and around the 136-year-old rotunda.

“It was fantastic to see so many members of our community and business owners join together yesterday to mark this significant milestone acknowledging Wallsend’s history, which stretches back tens of thousands of years and includes being declared a municipality in 1874.”

The 150th anniversary event was supported through the NSW Government’s Vibrant Streets Program.

Locals are being invited to help shape the delivery of Newcastle’s first indoor public pool as City of Newcastle welcomes swimmers back into the water at Lambton today for the new season.

City of Newcastle will launch its consultation with a workshop at Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre from 11am to 4pm on 29 August, which will give community members a chance to provide feedback on the proposed year-round pool facility. 

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, community members and BlueFit representatives celebrate the reopening of Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre today and the upcoming community consultation on the year-round facility.A temporary “ideas wall” will be set up on site until 20 October so pool users can share their views during their next visit, while community members can also have their say online via City of Newcastle’s website.

Today marks the start of the extended swimming season at Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre, with City of Newcastle’s pools at Wallsend, Mayfield, Stockton and Beresfield reopening at the beginning of the September school holidays.

Creating a year-round pool facility at Lambton is a priority of City of Newcastle’s Inland Pools Strategy 2043, which sets out to ensure Newcastle’s network of public swimming pools are fit for purpose in the long term.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it was important to hear from a variety of community members on their aspirations for the city’s first public year-round pool facility.

“We have invested more than $5 million upgrading and $2 million maintaining the city’s public pool network during the past few years to ensure they continue to meet the expectations and evolving needs of our community,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We want to make sure the community shapes the direction and decision-making for our inland pools, including the delivery of a year-round pool facility at Lambton.

“Swimming and aquatic recreation are intrinsic to our community’s way of life. The addition of a year-round pool facility at Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre will ensure we can enhance our learn-to-swim programming and continue improving water safety across our region.

“I look forward to hearing from our community on how they think this new facility could look and feel, and what features it might include.”

Keen swimmers jumping back into the water at Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Center

City of Newcastle’s pools experienced their busiest season in almost 30 years, attracting around 450,000 visitors during 2023/24.

A busy program of maintenance and upgrades have been completed across the five pools during the winter closure to prepare for the return of swimmers, including safety upgrades, extensive re-painting, and maintenance of pool tiles and promenades.

Almost $1.5 million has also been invested into new heat pumps and solar matting at the Mayfield and Wallsend pools, with installation to be completed in time for the new season.

Cr Nelmes said the heating upgrades will help regulate the water temperature at the two pools during the cooler months of the swimming season, with the pools utilised for 30 weeks from the start of the September school holidays through to the end of the April school holidays each year.

An additional project to replace the existing solar heating system at Beresfield pool will be undertaken next year as part of a $220,000 grant received from the NSW Government’s Local Small Commitments Allocation program.

Knights’ superstars Kalyn Ponga and Hannah Southwell have kicked off Newcastle Museum’s crusade to immortalise the history of rugby league in the region.

The NRL and NRLW captains have donated signed jerseys as the Museum begins a campaign to create a landmark exhibition in 2027 that will celebrate the Knight’s 40^th anniversary season and 120 years of rugby league in the Hunter.

City of Newcastle is now inviting rugby league fans, current and former players, officials and referees to be part of this momentous project by donating original objects that will help tell the story of the game in our region and detail the rich history of the Knights.

Newcastle Knights CEO Philip Gardner, Director of Museum, Archive, Libraries and Learning Julie Baird, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Knights NRLW captain Hannah Southwell, Knights NRL captain Kalyn Ponga, Knights legend Danny Buderus and Newcastle Rugby League General Manager Adam Devcich at the announcement of Newcastle Museum’s landmark exhibition.Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the exhibition will demonstrate why Newcastle is considered the heartland of rugby league.

“The Newcastle Rebels helped form the NSW Premiership in 1908 and our region has gone on to produce some of the greatest players of all time including Clive Churchill, Wally Prigg and Les Johns,” Cr Nelmes said.

“That list has only grown since the establishment of the Knights in 1988, and this exhibition will examine the role the club has played in shaping local identity through a period of significant change for Novocastrians.

“The men’s team winning grand finals in 1997 and 2001 led to a surge in civic pride with street parades and major celebrations, and that tradition has continued with our all-conquering Newcastle NRLW side winning back-to-back premierships in 2022 and 2023.

“The exhibition will blend original objects and archival footage with stories of staff, players, and fans to place the story of the Knights in a broader celebration of Newcastle’s expansive history with rugby league.”

Knights CEO Philip Gardner said Newcastle has always been a rugby league town.

“Newcastle has one of the oldest competitions in Australia and the fans waited a long time to have a presence on the national stage,” Mr Gardner said.

“Since 1988 our members and fans have continued to demonstrate they’re among the most passionate in the competition and I’m sure they’ll want to contribute to this historic collection.”

Ponga has lived in Western Australia, Queensland and New Zealand but after signing with the Knights in 2017 now calls Newcastle home. 

“It’s an honour to donate a jersey from my Dally-M winning season to a collection that will highlight the importance of the Knights to the community,” Ponga said. 

“I love playing footy for our Novocastrian community. We don’t have fans, we have genuine supporters, who stick with us through the good times and the bad.”

Kotara Bears junior Hannah Southwell grew up following the Knights, watching the likes of the Johns brothers, Paul Harragon and Danny Buderus. 

“I’m so proud to be a part of the history of this amazing club,” Southwell said. 

“Newcastle is a town built on hard work and earning the respect of the people, it’s unique to all other places around the world. 

“It’s not just about winning or losing, it’s about how you perform and giving it your all every time you represent the people of this region.”

General Manager Adam Devcich said the Newcastle Rugby League competition is among the strongest in NSW.

“Newcastle has long been one of the great rugby league nurseries,” Mr Devcich said.

“This exhibition is a terrific opportunity to showcase the outstanding talent of generations past, such as the 2008 Newcastle Rugby League Team of the Century and the 1964 State Cup winning team.

“It can also show the strength of the current players, including the modern version of the Newcastle Rebels who have won the past two NSWRL men’s Country Championships.”

City of Newcastle Director of Museum, Archive, Libraries and Learning Julie Baird said Newcastle Museum is looking to build a permanent Newcastle Knights collection that can facilitate a temporary exhibition and also commemorate the significant story of the history of rugby league in our city in perpetuity.

“The collection will help to expand our ability to tell the story of the Knights, ensuring future generations will be able to learn about the club’s impact for years to come,” Ms Baird said.

“Rugby league grew out of the working-class roots of our city and the sport is bound to our identity and history.

“This will be a major self-curated exhibition. It will require significant research, development, community engagement and object sourcing via loans and donations, and will also help to launch celebrations for Newcastle Museum’s 40th anniversary in 2028.”

Anyone wishing to donate items to the Knights Collection can visit the Newcastle Museum website for more details.

Rugby League Fast Facts

• Newcastle was one of nine foundation clubs in the inaugural New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership in 1908 after breaking away from the local rugby union competition.
• The Newcastle Rugby League competition formed in 1910, featuring four teams.
• The Newcastle Knights were established in 1988, taking the total number of clubs in the NSW Rugby League competition to 16.
• A dispute over broadcasting rights saw the formation of two top-flight rugby league competitions in Australia in 1997, the Australian Rugby League (ARL) and Super League.
• The Knights won the 1997 ARL grand final in Sydney, defeating the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 22 points to 16.
• The game reunited in 1998 with the formation of the National Rugby League (NRL).
• The Knights won their second premiership, defeating the Parramatta Eels 30 points to 24 in the first ever night-time grand final in Sydney.
• The NRL Women’s Premiership (NRLW) formed in 2018 with four teams.
• The Newcastle Knights entered the NRLW in 2021 and failed to secure a win.
• The Knights won the NRLW grand final in Sydney in 2022, defeating the Parramatta Eels 32 points to 12.
• The Knights claimed back-to-back premierships, defeating the Gold Coast Titans 24 points to 18 in the 2023 NRLW grand final.

Newcastle Museum Fast Facts

• Newcastle Museum was established in 1988 in the restored former Castlemaine Brewery in Newcastle West as a major Bicentennial project.
• It temporarily closed in 2008 to allow for its shift to the former Honeysuckle Railways Workshop, which was the original preferred site for the Museum.
• The relocation involved the major refurbishment of the three existing Heritage-listed railway buildings. The Locomotive Boiler Shop is now home to Supernova, the New Erecting Shop is home to Fire and Earth, and the Blacksmith’s and Wheel Shop now house enclosed exhibition spaces and the theatrette. A new Link Building was constructed to form a connection between these spaces and contains the main public foyer and orientation spaces.
• The museum re-opened on 4 August 2011. In the first six months it welcomed 100,000 visitors through the doors to explore the innovative and interactive new displays.
• Newcastle Museum welcomed its two millionth visitor to the Honeysuckle site in July 2024.

Residents and visitors are being encouraged to drop in and enjoy a free community event this weekend to celebrate the reopening of the renewed Bathers Way precinct at South Newcastle Beach.

Skateboarding, roller skating and BMX bike demonstrations in the newly-built skate bowl will be among the highlights of the family-friendly activities, which will be held between 8.30am and 11.30am on Sunday.

Community members using the new facilities in the Bathers Way precinct at South Newcastle Beach.

A wheelchair-dedicated session will also be held to celebrate the inclusive aspects of the South Newcastle Beach project, including the Hunter’s first wheelchair-accessible (WCMX) skate bowl.

Pop-up stalls from local business and community organisations will provide on-the-spot bike check-ups, free coffee and plenty of information, with Camp Quality ensuring the crowds are well fed with a fundraising community barbecue.

Face painting stations and a DJ will keep the vibe pumping as community members make the most of the new recreational facilities in the spectacular coastal precinct.

City of Newcastle delivered the next stage of its landmark Bathers Way coastal revitalisation project this month, transforming South Newcastle Beach into a vibrant hub for community activity.

The upgraded shared pathway provides a more accessible connection between Shortland Esplanade and King Edward Park and forms a key link in Bathers Way coastal walk, which links the city’s five iconic beaches. 

New seating, shade and viewing areas along the upper and lower promenades make the most of the panoramic location, while exercise equipment, the inclusive skate bowl and terrain park for skaters, scooters and riders including wheelchair athletes of all skill levels provide a range of active and passive recreation opportunities.

New accessible amenities, murals by local artists and the restoration of the 115-year-old heritage stone arches and shelter cap off the multi-faceted project, which has transformed a long dormant part of the coastline.

For the latest information about the free community event visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/bathersway