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Art Gallery welcomes most visitors in a decade

World-class exhibitions, increased youth engagement and the growing appeal of the lucrative KILGOUR PRIZE has helped catapult Newcastle Art Gallery’s visitation numbers to their highest levels in 10 years.
Close to 77,000 people walked through the doors of the Gallery in 2018, up 14,000 or 23 per cent on 2017 and five thousand visitors more than in 2008.
“We’re absolutely delighted with what we were able to achieve for our local community and visitors to the city,” Gallery Director Lauretta Morton said.
“High quality exhibitions take time to develop, and what our visitors experienced last year was the culmination of years of hard work from the dedicated Gallery team.”
Insidelauretta.jpgLauretta Morton credits the gallery’s success to hard work and forward planning from her team
Twelve diverse exhibitions from a range of local and internationally recognised artists are behind the success.
Just two were toured from other venues, while the remaining 10 were developed inhouse by the Gallery and only exhibited here in Newcastle.
Highlights included the current OLSEN ORMANDY: a creative force exhibition (which opened in November 2018 and is on display until 17 February) and the KILGOUR PRIZE 2018 featuring winning artist Natasha Walsh.
“This artist followed her KILGOUR PRIZE 2018 win with the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship and the Mosman Art Prize – which of course have all significantly bolstered her career as a young artist,” Ms Morton said.
Regarded as one of Australia’s major art prizes, the Kilgour’s annual figurative and portrait painting prize awards $50,000 to an outstanding contemporary work of art. Last year, 400 entries were made by artists aged 18 to 90 from every state and territory. Applications for this year’s KILGOUR PRIZE 2019 have just opened.
Ormandy-(1).JPGOLSEN ORMANDY: a creative force exhibition is on display until 17 February
Social media has also been key to the Gallery’s success.
Last year its Instagram account surpassed 10,000 followers – Facebook is not far behind – as growth in online engagement and other important initiatives – such as the Youth Reference Group – helped ensure relevance to the next generation of visitors.
“Building engagement with young people is really important to us,” Ms Morton said. Through our Youth Reference Group, the Gallery facilitates peer-led programs and events that this targeted audience want to see incorporated into the Gallery’s schedule.”
Ms Morton said  FLORIBUNDA: from the collection opens this weekend, and SODEISHA: connected to Australia – opening Saturday 2 March.
“We were recently awarded the Dobell Exhibition Grant, funded by the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation and managed by Museums & Galleries of NSW,” Ms Morton said.
“This funding is often shared across several projects and I am thrilled that we successfully secured the entire $40,000 to support the important SODEISHA: connected to Australia landmark exhibition project.
sodeisha-(2).jpgSODEISHA: connected to Australia is on display from 2 March – 19 May 2019
“This exhibition is the first opportunity for Newcastle Art Gallery to develop an international, cultural partnership project based on the city’s collection. It’s testament to the strength of the city’s collection and the Gallery’s exhibition and program development.”
Next month’s state election could deliver $14 million towards the Gallery’s expansion after Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp pledged the money should Labor win.
Expansion has also been endorsed in an updated state government Cultural Infrastructure Plan 2025, which identifies the redevelopment of the Art Gallery precinct as a regional opportunity.
A new gallery would include more exhibition and storage space, a secure loading dock and a cafe.
To view details of the upcoming FLORIBUNDA: from the collection 9 February – 21 April and SODEISHA: connected to Australia 2 March – 19 May 2019, or any other exhibitions from the 2019 collection, visit www.nag.org.au.

GREENS INTRODUCE BILL FOR AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON AUSTRALIAN TV

Australian Greens Disability Rights spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John will join representatives from an alliance of disability, consumer and media organisations, researchers and audio description providers to advocate for the introduction of audio description on Australian television.
Senator Steele-John will today introduce the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Audio Description) Bill 2018 to the Senate, which if passed would enable equal access to television for the 385,000 people in Australia who are blind or have low vision.
Senator Steele-John will be joined by former Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes and representatives from the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, Blind Citizens Australia, the Centre for Inclusive Design, the Australian Blindness Forum, audio description provider The Substation, Curtin University of Technology and Vision Australia.
 

We must do more to save the natural world: Greens

Australia needs to step up its efforts to protect vulnerable and endangered species, including insects, to combat mass extinction and set an example for the rest of the world, the Greens say.
“The sharp decline in insect populations shows ecosystems across the world are struggling to survive. Insects play a vital role in our ecosystems and must not be forgotten in plans to save our threatened species,” Greens environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“Insects that could be saved are headed toward extinction. If we don’t act swiftly this will be another great stain on our international reputation as well as the future of ecosystems we all depend on. We have an opportunity to be a leader in reversing the trend of extinction by protecting and preserving our ecosystems.
“Extinction is avoidable. Climate change and pesticides have been named as major contributors to the decline of our natural world. Not enough is being done to address these threats.
“Australia needs stronger environmental laws and to take serious action on climate change if we are going to do our part in protecting our natural world and the species that live on this planet.
“We could be world leaders, instead we have an anti-science, anti-climate change Prime Minister and Government while we hurtle toward this disaster. Its more clear than ever that need strong Greens representation in the Senate to hold the Government to account on environmental protections.”

PM's peanuts for women fleeing violence

Resopnding to the Morrison Government’s announcement on DV and family violence today, Greens spokesperson for women, Senator Larissa Waters said:
“Six months into the job, the Prime Minister has finally mentioned domestic violence. However the paltry amount of funding announced shows he still doesn’t understand the seriousness of the issue and still hasn’t realised that the real terror threat and national security crisis is against women in their homes.
“Add another zero to the announcement and the women of Australia might start to take it seriously. But this Government is still the one who slashed frontline domestic violence services in 2014 and continues to routinely underfund and ignore women fleeing violence.
“What Australian women need to be safe is paid DV leave, a massive funding boost for frontline DV crisis services so no woman is turned away, leadership to drive cultural change, and decent funding for primary prevention of DV.
“Today’s announcement of $78m of funding comes after the Coalition’s massive cuts to frontline services and falls well short of what is actually needed.
“The Greens have renewed their commitment from last election to budget for a $5 billion DV package over 10 years, to give frontline response services, prevention programs and research the long term funding certainty they need.
“We can afford to do this, and with six women killed already this year, we can’t afford not to.”

Two men arrested, officer assaulted – Wallsend

Two men have been arrested after a road-side altercation with police that saw an officer assaulted.
About 11:10pm (Monday 11 February 2019), officers from Newcastle City Police District stopped a black Holden ute on Walford Street, Wallsend after it was seen driving erratically.
As police approached the driver’s side of the car, the driver, a 44-year-old Wallsend man, pushed the door open and allegedly lunged at the officer and assaulted him.
Two men, an 18-year-old Wallsend man and an 18-year-old Maryland man, then got out of the vehicle and allegedly began yelling abuse at the officers.
The driver continued to act aggressively and was arrested with the use of an electronic control device and OC spray.
The 18-year-old Wallsend man was also arrested after he too became aggressive.
The two men were taken to Waratah Police Station where the driver underwent a breath analysis which returned a positive result of 0.183.
The 44-year-old man was charged with negligent driving, assault officer in execution of duty, resist officer in execution of duty, destroy or damage property, drive with high range PCA, and learner driver not display “L” plates as prescribed.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 12 February 2019).
The 18-year-old man was charged with wilfully obstruct officer in execution of duty and use offensive language in/near public place.
He was granted bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 7 March 2019.
A senior constable was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to the Mater Hospital for treatment to a back injury and a minor head injury.

Strike Force Raptor North targets Bandidos OMCG clubhouse in proactive operation

Strike Force Raptor North have charged a man for drug possession and seized fireworks and alcohol, following a proactive operation at a Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) clubhouse north of Newcastle.
As part of ongoing targeting to disrupt the criminal activities of OMCGs, Strike Force Raptor North conducted a licencing operation at the Bandidos OMCG clubhouse in Heatherbrae on Saturday (9 February 2019).
Investigators searched the premises and 35 members and associates of the club’s Port Stephens chapter; seizing a large amount of alcohol, fireworks and an amount of cocaine. These items will undergo forensic examination.
A 34-year-old man, who is a member of the Bandidos OMCG, was issued a field Court Attendance Notice for possess prohibited drug. He is due to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 25 March 2019.
Inquiries into the alleged illegal sale of alcohol at the site are continuing.
Criminal Groups Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Deborah Wallace, said the operation at the weekend should put all criminal networks on notice.
“Strike Force Raptor will always be on the front foot when it comes to targeting these thuggish groups and preventing further criminal acts,” Det Supt Wallace said.
“Our investigators are proactive, dogged, and keen to make the community a safer place.”
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.
 

EXTRA BILL RELIEF WITH SOLAR ENERGY & BATTERY ROLL OUT

Up to 300,000 households across NSW could save hundreds of dollars on their power bills thanks to a no-interest loan provided by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government to purchase solar-battery and battery systems.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announced the 10-year Empowering Homes program, which will unlock a $3.2 billion investment in renewables and give families the opportunity to install solar energy and battery storage systems that will also help cut emissions. This initiative is only made possible due to the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals.

“We’ve been working hard to ease cost of living pressures for families and this is a major initiative that households can use to help reduce their power bills,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Embracing new technology is a good way for many people to access cheaper energy – putting more money back into the pockets of hard working households.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said bringing down the cost of power bills is a priority of the NSW Liberals and Nationals.
“Families across the state will be able to take control of their energy bills and potentially save thousands of dollars a year,” he said.
Energy Minister Don Harwin said the program was designed to bring down the cost of power bills, while allowing more households to access affordable solar technology.
“More than 400,000 households and small businesses in NSW are already benefitting from solar power. This new program will help up to a further 300,000 households over 10 years reap the benefits of solar with no interest loans for solar energy and battery storage systems,” Mr Harwin said.
It is estimated that a family with a $500 quarterly electricity bill could save up to $285 a year on their bills while repaying the no interest loans. These savings could increase to more than $2,000 a year when the loan is fully repaid.
Households with quarterly energy bills of $625 could save up to $457 a year while repaying the no-interest loans, and up to $2,200 a year when the loan is fully repaid. Households with quarterly energy bills of $875 could save up to $640 a year while repaying the loans, and up to $2,390 when the loan is repaid.
When the program is fully rolled out, these batteries will add up to 3,000 megawatt hours of storage to our energy system.
To be eligible for the scheme, applicants will need to be owner-occupiers of a house with an annual household income of up to $180,000. Loans of up to $9,000 per battery system and up to $14,000 per solar-battery system will be available.
Delivery partners for the program will be selected through a competitive tender process to ensure households receive high quality and cost effective systems, with only approved accredited installers able to participate in the program.
The Government will also use this program to encourage battery manufacturing in NSW as part of the roll out which will create jobs and encourage innovation.
In recent months the NSW Government has helped households and businesses right across the State with their power bills by:

  • Boosting  energy rebates by 20 per cent for around 900,000 households;
  • Helping households save on average over $400 on their annual electricity bills by switching to a better electricity deal through Service NSW’s free Energy Switch service; and
  • Allocating funding from the Government’s $1.4 billion Climate Change Fund to help thousands of households and businesses to transition to energy efficient and lower emissions technologies.

The Empowering Homes program is another NSW Liberals & Nationals commitment to more affordable, reliable and cleaner power.

Driver charged with high-range PCA after 4WD crashes onto train track – Lake Macquarie

A driver has been charged with high-range drink driving after his 4WD landed upside down on railway tracks, blocking the Sydney-Newcastle train line in the Lake Macquarie area overnight.
The Toyota Landcruiser was travelling north on Main Road at Dora Creek, when it left the road and hit the fence above the railway tracks about 7.15pm (Sunday 10 February 2019).
The 4WD rolled, crashing through the fence and landed on its roof, blocking the railway lines.
The driver escaped injury and left the scene.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District and the Police Transport Command attended and arrested a 36-year-old man in a street nearby.
He was taken to Morisset Police Station, where he underwent a breath-test analysis, which returned an alleged positive reading of 0.153.
The Balcolyn man has been charged with drive with high-range PCA, negligent driving, and not give particulars to owner of damaged property.
He is due to appear at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 12 March 2019.
The man’s licence has also been suspended.
The railway line was closed for an hour while the vehicle was removed.

FURTHER $480 MILLION FOR WESTERN SYDNEY ROADS

Up to 65,000 Western Sydney road users a day will benefit from a $480 million investment by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government to slash travel times and improve safety for motorists, with major upgrades to Mamre and Mulgoa roads.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said investing hundreds of millions of dollars in Mamre and Mulgoa roads was only possible through the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.

“Thanks to this Government’s strong financial management, we can invest in projects such as Mamre and Mulgoa roads, which are critically important to residents and businesses in western Sydney,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We want to make life easier for those who use Mamre and Mulgoa roads, reducing time stuck in traffic.”
Mamre Road will be upgraded along a 3.8 kilometre section to a four-lane dual carriageway between the M4 Motorway and Erskine Park Road, with an investment of $220 million.
“This will transform the existing two-lane undivided road into a four-lane divided road, providing a safer, higher-capacity link. The Mamre Road upgrade will also be future proofed, allowing another two lanes to be added down the track,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The initial stages in the expansion of Mulgoa Road are already underway, jointly funded with the Federal Government, to increase capacity from four to six lanes between Union Road and Museum Drive. The next phase of this jointly-funded work will be between Jeanette Street and Blaikie Road, starting next year.
Under today’s announcement, the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will fund a further $260 million in upgrades of Mulgoa Road, from Jeanette Street to Glenmore Parkway and Jamison Road to Blaikie Road.
“Mulgoa Road carries 3,800 vehicles per hour during the morning and afternoon peak. This project will tackle congestion and delays along Mulgoa Road during the peaks,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said she was pleased a NSW Liberals & Nationals Government would step in and fund these crucial upgrades.
“This is a fantastic outcome for my community. For too long the people of St Clair and Erskine Park have battled to turn on to Mamre Road, often making risky decisions with grave consequences,” Mrs Davies said.
“Last year I called on the Federal Government to recognise Mamre Road as part of their strategic plans for the Western Sydney Airport and to provide urgent funding. Over 2000 residents signed the petition to see Mamre Road urgently upgraded.
“Every day that Mamre Road is not upgraded more lives are at risk. Today I am proud to announce that through our advocacy the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will step in and upgrade Mamre Road.”
Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said Mulgoa Road was an important connection for the Penrith community.
“Mulgoa Road is the spine of the local road network and every single person in Penrith knows it needs to be wider,” Mr Ayres said.
“We have just started widening Castlereagh Road underneath the rail-line and today’s additional investment will accelerate the widening of Mulgoa Road by many years.
“This will reduce congestion and better prepare Penrith for the future.”