Police are appealing for public assistance after a suspicious house fire at Muswellbrook.
About 8.10pm yesterday (Monday 5 August 2019), emergency services were called to a vacant house alight on Sowerby Street.
The house was extinguished by firefighters and a crime scene established.
Subsequent investigations have revealed the fire to be suspicious.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District are conducting inquiries into the incident and are appealing for anyone with information, or anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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SPEAK UP: EDUCATION WEEK TO FOCUS ON GIVING STUDENTS A VOICE
Empowering students to speak up and be their best will be the focus of Education Week 2019, launched today by Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell.
Ms Berejiklian attended the St Marys North Public School Education Week launch in Penrith and Mrs Mitchell attended the Dubbo College launch with proceedings streamed to both schools via a webcast.
“The focus of the 2019 Education Week, ‘Every Student, Every Voice,’ is about ensuring children across the State feel informed, empowered and supported in their ambitions,” Ms Berejiklian said. “We are unashamedly for lifting standards in our schools and unlocking the massive potential of our young people.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is investing a record amount into education to provide students with state of the art learning facilities, lifting academic standards, as well as ensuring every student is valued and cared for at school.”
The NSW Government is rolling out a number of unprecedented initiatives, including:
- Delivering 190 new and upgraded schools through a $6.7 billion investment
- An expanded Bump it Up program, which is providing all schools in NSW with expanded targets in attendance, wellbeing, equity, numeracy and literacy
- A $120 million program to ensure parent in NSW has access to Before and After School Care for their child
Mrs Mitchell reiterated the Government’s support of regional schools at the event in Dubbo.
“Times are so tough in our regional areas at the moment, so it’s more important than ever to ensure children are still getting the best education possible. Normality and consistency is key even though our communities are struggling,” Mrs Mitchell said.
“This Government is investing an unprecedented amount in Education at the moment, and I am thrilled we are providing more pathways and opportunities for families and students in areas like Dubbo and across the State.”
Education Week, now in its 65th year, is an annual event to celebrate NSW public education and communicate the achievements of schools, their students, staff and families.
Today’s launch will kick off a week of celebration of the achievements of public schools, their students, staff and communities. Among the events planned are open days, special assemblies, performances and principals swapping schools.
For more information, visit: https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/education-week/about-education-wee
Serious motorcycle crash near Singleton
A motorcyclist has been seriously injured following a crash in the state’s Hunter Valley region today.
Just after 1.45pm (Sunday 4 August 2019), emergency services were called to The Putty Road, Howes valley, south-west of Singleton, after a southbound Toyota and a northbound motorcycle collided, ejecting the rider.
The rider, a 73-year-old man, was seriously injured and treated by paramedics. He has been airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
The Toyota driver, a 44-year-old man, has been taken to Singleton Hospital for mandatory testing.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended and established a crime scene with the assistance of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and Traffic Management Control.
The road remained closed for some time while the scene was examined by specialist forensic officers.
Inquiries into the crash continue
Man charged over Shortland carjacking near Newcastle
A man has been charged following an alleged carjacking in Shortland near Newcastle.
About 2am yesterday (Sunday 4 August 2019), police responded to a carjacking of a red Hyundai I20 at Birrell Street, after two girls – aged 15 and 18 were allegedly assaulted and robbed.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District conducted an extensive search of the area which was unsuccessful.
About 11am (Sunday 4 August 2019), a Hyundai I20, allegedly involved in a carjacking at Shortland, was seen by police travelling along Awabakal Drive, Fletcher.
Two male passengers exited the vehicle and entered a home on Awabakal Drive.
The Hyundai continued travelling east on Minmi Road, Maryland.
An unmarked police vehicle sighted the vehicle on Minmi Road, and a police pursuit was initiated.
The 18-year-old male driver exited his vehicle after crashing into a blue Hyundai Elantra and was arrested.
The driver of the Hyundai Elantra was uninjured.
The 18-year-old Elrington man was taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with aggravated robbery and inflict actual bodily harm, unlicensed driver, police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, and take and drive conveyance without consent of the owner.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 5 August 2019).
DAVID CHANDLER OAM APPOINTED NSW BUILDING COMMISSIONER
Home owners will be better protected following the appointment of building and construction expert David Chandler OAM as NSW Building Commissioner.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the appointment of Mr Chandler was part of the NSW Government’s commitment to implementing the biggest overhaul to building laws in the State’s history.
“David has more than 40 years’ industry experience, which will be invaluable as we move to restore confidence in the building and construction industry,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We know there are national challenges affecting the industry, but this new appointment will play a key role in protecting NSW homeowners and driving critical reforms.”
The Building Commissioner will be responsible for the investigation and disciplinary action for misconduct in the building industry while overseeing the end to end licensing and auditing across the building industry.
The Commissioner will also drive legislative reforms of the building industry, including consultation with industry.
This will include legislation to be introduced later this year requiring building practitioners to be registered, a new duty of care to make it easier for home owners to seek compensation against negligent building practitioners, and ensuring all buildings are designed and constructed to plans that comply with the Building Code of Australia.
Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson said the Building Commissioner’s priority will be to continue the extensive work that has already been started by the NSW Government to reform the building and construction industry.
“David will lead the implementation of this reform and will advise the Government on additional reforms that may be needed to ensure better protections for homeowners and purchasers, and lift building standards across NSW,” Mr Anderson said.
Mr Chandler has welcomed the opportunity to work with the Government to strengthen the building and construction industry.
“Recent events have reduced community confidence in how buildings are designed and constructed and how they perform, but I welcome the leadership and commitment being shown by the Government to implement change that will strengthen the construction industry foundations in NSW,” Mr Chandler said.
Mr Chandler will start in the position on 14 August 2019
Greens condemn passage of anti protest 'Ag gag' law through House of Representatives
Australian Greens Senator and Spokesperson for Animal Welfare, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has condemned the Government passing the Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection) Bill 2019 through the House of Representatives. The Bill is likely to be considered by the Senate at the next sitting in September.
Senator Faruqi said:
“The Greens will not be party to the passing of laws that will silence protest and jail animal welfare investigators and activists. Trespass and incitement are already offences, it’s clear these new extreme laws are just about targeting those who expose animal cruelty’
“This is a dressed up anti-protest and ag gag bill that takes us further down the road to a police state. This is just the latest bill in a long line of legislation designed to protect big agribusiness from scrutiny and transparency. It is designed to stop the public from using their democratic right to protest.
“People do not have faith in the animal welfare compliance mechanisms in this country. Unenforceable guidelines for the protection of farm animals are completely inadequate. We should be debating national animal cruelty laws with real accountability and enforcement to protect farm animals.
“Australia really is in the dark ages when it comes to animal welfare. New Zealand has already banned mulesing and the European Union has banned battery cages. Sow stalls are banned in the United Kingdom. While many, particularly small farms in Australia don’t use these cruel practices, many still do, especially industrial factory farms.
“Rather than improving animal welfare laws and practices, this Government is obsessed with attacking those that expose horrific mistreatment of animals. They are on the wrong side of history,” she concluded.
Blak Douglas wins $50,000 Kilgour Prize
A social justice metaphor couched in a striking graphic design has taken out the prestigious 2019 Kilgour Prize.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes announced Sydney-based artist Blak Douglas as the winner of the annual award for figurative and portrait painting during the launch of the exhibition at Newcastle Art Gallery tonight.
The Kilgour Prize is one of Australia’s most lucrative art prizes and includes $50,000 for the winning artist, as well as a $5,000 People’s Choice Award.
It is administered by Newcastle Art Gallery and funded via a bequest from Australian artist Jack Noel Kilgour, administered by The Trust Company, Part of Perpetual.
The Lord Mayor said the City of Newcastle was honoured to be the home of such an esteemed national prize.
“Now in its ninth year, the reputation of the Kilgour Prize continues to grow, attracting a large number of entrants and a significant audience to the gallery,” she said.
“The breadth and depth of artistic talent on show in this year’s Prize is truly impressive, with the diversity and quality of the entries reaching new heights each year.
“I congratulate Blak Douglas on joining a prestigious list of accomplished artists to have taken out the Kilgour Prize.”
Chosen from among hundreds of entries and 30 finalists, the compelling 1.5m square portrait of Australian actress and singer Ursula Yovich – ‘Queen of her own stage’ – impressed the panel of three judges with its powerful composition and striking style.
The 2019 prize was judged by Lauretta Morton, Director, Newcastle Art Gallery, Jon Cattapan, Artist and Director of the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) at University of Melbourne and Michael Dagostino, Director Campbelltown Arts Centre.
Ms Morton said the Kilgour Prize encourages Australian artists to pursue – and push the boundaries of – portraiture and figurative painting.
The judges noted a striking range of subject matter and styles within this year’s entries.
The selected works came from every State and Territory of Australia, with the artists ranging in age from 22 to 70 years. Four local artists (Nigel Milsom, Peter Gardiner, Michael Bell and Leeroy Chapman) were among those who made the final cut.
“This year’s 30 finalists are perhaps the strongest and most interesting entries we’ve had in the history of the Kilgour Prize,” Ms Morton said.
Born in Blacktown, Western Sydney in 1970, Douglas originally trained in illustration and photography before becoming a self–taught painter with a social justice-inspired style influenced by the study of graphic design.
He said he had always wanted to paint a portrait of his friend Yovich, a proud Larrakia woman from Darwin who is currently performing her Helpmann Award-winning show Barbara and the Camp Dogs at Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney.
“My dear friend Ursula Yovich, actress and songstress dynamo, has always been on my list of subjects to paint,” Douglas said.
“This painting is all about her and is a metaphor for the female black voice. I asked Ursula to stand upon a chair for the pose because I saw it as a metaphor for Aboriginal voices to be heard.”
The KILGOUR PRIZE 2019 exhibition showcases the 30 finalists and is on at Newcastle Art Gallery from 3 August to 13 October 2019.
People’s Choice Award
In addition to the overall prize, the KILGOUR PRIZE 2019 competition includes a People’s Choice Award of $5,000. Visitors can vote for the People’s Choice Award at the Gallery until 5pm Wednesday 18 September 2019. The winner will be announced Monday 23 September 2019.
More information on the current year’s exhibition:
http://nag.org.au/Exhibitions
Kilgour Prize FAQs, history and information about Jack Noel Kilgour:
http://nag.org.au/Kilgour-Prize
Kilgour Prize 2019 finalists:
Peter Barker, Anthony Bartok, Michael Bell, Eva Beltran, Karen Black, Leeroy Chapman, Tamara Dean, Blak Douglas, David Fairbairn, Sebastian Galloway, Peter Gardiner, Ben Gavin, Craig Handley, Jacqueline Hennessy, Tom Keukenmeester, Richard Lewer, Michael Lindeman, Robert Malherbe, Marie Mansfield, Siân McNabney, Joshua McPherson, Nigel Milsom, Lori Pensini, Stephen Pleban, Jordan Richardson, Melissa Ritchie, Jenny Rodgerson, Paul Ryan, Nick Santoro.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes announced Sydney-based artist Blak Douglas as the winner of the annual award for figurative and portrait painting during the launch of the exhibition at Newcastle Art Gallery tonight.
The Kilgour Prize is one of Australia’s most lucrative art prizes and includes $50,000 for the winning artist, as well as a $5,000 People’s Choice Award.
It is administered by Newcastle Art Gallery and funded via a bequest from Australian artist Jack Noel Kilgour, administered by The Trust Company, Part of Perpetual.
The Lord Mayor said the City of Newcastle was honoured to be the home of such an esteemed national prize.
“Now in its ninth year, the reputation of the Kilgour Prize continues to grow, attracting a large number of entrants and a significant audience to the gallery,” she said.
“The breadth and depth of artistic talent on show in this year’s Prize is truly impressive, with the diversity and quality of the entries reaching new heights each year.
“I congratulate Blak Douglas on joining a prestigious list of accomplished artists to have taken out the Kilgour Prize.”
Chosen from among hundreds of entries and 30 finalists, the compelling 1.5m square portrait of Australian actress and singer Ursula Yovich – ‘Queen of her own stage’ – impressed the panel of three judges with its powerful composition and striking style.
The 2019 prize was judged by Lauretta Morton, Director, Newcastle Art Gallery, Jon Cattapan, Artist and Director of the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) at University of Melbourne and Michael Dagostino, Director Campbelltown Arts Centre.
Ms Morton said the Kilgour Prize encourages Australian artists to pursue – and push the boundaries of – portraiture and figurative painting.
The judges noted a striking range of subject matter and styles within this year’s entries.
The selected works came from every State and Territory of Australia, with the artists ranging in age from 22 to 70 years. Four local artists (Nigel Milsom, Peter Gardiner, Michael Bell and Leeroy Chapman) were among those who made the final cut.
“This year’s 30 finalists are perhaps the strongest and most interesting entries we’ve had in the history of the Kilgour Prize,” Ms Morton said.
Born in Blacktown, Western Sydney in 1970, Douglas originally trained in illustration and photography before becoming a self–taught painter with a social justice-inspired style influenced by the study of graphic design.
He said he had always wanted to paint a portrait of his friend Yovich, a proud Larrakia woman from Darwin who is currently performing her Helpmann Award-winning show Barbara and the Camp Dogs at Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney.
“My dear friend Ursula Yovich, actress and songstress dynamo, has always been on my list of subjects to paint,” Douglas said.
“This painting is all about her and is a metaphor for the female black voice. I asked Ursula to stand upon a chair for the pose because I saw it as a metaphor for Aboriginal voices to be heard.”
The KILGOUR PRIZE 2019 exhibition showcases the 30 finalists and is on at Newcastle Art Gallery from 3 August to 13 October 2019.
People’s Choice Award
In addition to the overall prize, the KILGOUR PRIZE 2019 competition includes a People’s Choice Award of $5,000. Visitors can vote for the People’s Choice Award at the Gallery until 5pm Wednesday 18 September 2019. The winner will be announced Monday 23 September 2019.
More information on the current year’s exhibition:
http://nag.org.au/Exhibitions
Kilgour Prize FAQs, history and information about Jack Noel Kilgour:
http://nag.org.au/Kilgour-Prize
Kilgour Prize 2019 finalists:
Peter Barker, Anthony Bartok, Michael Bell, Eva Beltran, Karen Black, Leeroy Chapman, Tamara Dean, Blak Douglas, David Fairbairn, Sebastian Galloway, Peter Gardiner, Ben Gavin, Craig Handley, Jacqueline Hennessy, Tom Keukenmeester, Richard Lewer, Michael Lindeman, Robert Malherbe, Marie Mansfield, Siân McNabney, Joshua McPherson, Nigel Milsom, Lori Pensini, Stephen Pleban, Jordan Richardson, Melissa Ritchie, Jenny Rodgerson, Paul Ryan, Nick Santoro.
Police investigate after threats made during suburban dispute – East Maitland
Police are appealing for information to locate a man who may be able to assist with inquiries after a suburban dispute in the Hunter yesterday.
About 12.40pm (Thursday 1 August 2019), a 27-year-old man attended a home on Pepler Place, Thornton with what is believed to be a weapon.
Police have been told the man threatened residents inside the home and poured a flammable substance on the property.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called a short time later.
Upon seeing police, the man fled the scene through nearby bushland.
An extensive search operation was conducted around the Thornton and East Maitland areas, utilising resources from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District, the Police Dog Unit and PolAir, however he was not located.
No arrests have been made at this stage; investigations are continuing to locate the man.
Police believe this was a targeted incident, the parties were known to each other.
Serious two-vehicle crash – Hexham
Police are on the scene of a serious two-vehicle crash at Hexham.
Shortly after 10am, emergency services were called to the scene at Maitland Road, Hexham following reports a truck and a motorcycle had collided.
The male motorcycle rider, believed to be aged in his 20s, is being taken to John Hunter Hospital. It’s understood he’s in a serious but stable condition.
The male driver of the truck has been taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
Two of three southbound lanes on Maitland Road are closed and they will remain closed for some time.
The Hexham Bridge will also be affected, diversions are in place for southbound motorists via Tomago Road. Northbound motorists are unaffected. Drivers are urged to avoid the area.
For the latest traffic updates, visit www.livetraffic.com.
Greens move to disallow the Gene Technology Regulations 2019
Senator Janet Rice today introduced a motion to disallow the Gene Technology Amendment (2019 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2019.
“The deregulation of new genetic modification techniques being pursued by this government has huge economic risks to Australia’s $48 billion agricultural export industry,” Senator Rice said.
“This deregulation could potentially kill our organic farming industry and massively hamper our traditional agriculture export industry too.
“While the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has assessed this issue on a scientific and health basis, it has paid no consideration to the market impact of deregulation, nor has it properly consulted with the farmers whose livelihoods will be affected.
“There is a strong chance organic regulators locally and internationally will decide that since Australia has deregulated this technology, farmers will lose their organic certification. Without that certification, the organics industry would collapse entirely.
“Europe already says these new technologies are genetic modification technologies, and the risk is that if we proceed with this deregulation, countries such as China and the European Union could reject our exports.
“Australian agricultural exports to China alone are a nearly $12 billion industry,covering a huge suite of agricultural commodities.
“Many in the farming community are concerned that they’re going to lose access to export markets and the government hasn’t allayed those concerns.
“The Greens hope to receive cross-party support when this disallowance motion comes to a vote in the September sitting weeks.”