Category: Newcastle News

Newcastle Museum has welcomed the two millionth visitor to its Honeysuckle site as it prepares for one of its busiest events of the year. 

Thousands of people are expected to flock through the doors this Sunday for the free Hunter Science Festival, which in previous years has set new attendance records for a single-day event at the Museum. 

Electric Vehicle exhibit at the Hunter Science Festival, Newcastle Museum.

It is just one of the popular exhibitions and events that have helped attract more than two million visitors to the iconic Newcastle institution since it transformed the former Railway Workshops into a state-of-the-art cultural facility 13 years ago. 

The Museum eclipsed the milestone in July and by August had recorded a grand total of 2,015,000 visitors. 

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle Museum plays a key role in the city’s cultural and tourism attractions. 

“Since reopening at the Honeysuckle site, Newcastle Museum has become a cornerstone of City of Newcastle’s cultural facilities in the Civic precinct, adding to the diversity of experiences that help attract visitors to our city,” Cr Nelmes said. 

“Welcoming two million visitors is an impressive milestone and a wonderful testament to the expertise of our hard-working Museum staff, who deliver an innovative program of exhibitions and events each year. 

“The Hunter Science Festival is a highlight of that annual programming, providing a fun, free day out for the whole family in Newcastle as part of more than one thousand activities being held across Australia for National Science Week.” 

The original Newcastle Region Museum opened in 1988 as a Bicentenary project in Wood Street, Newcastle West, and closed in 2007 before making the move to Workshop Way in Honeysuckle. 

City of Newcastle Director of Museum, Archive, Libraries and Learning, Julie Baird said the present-day institution has forged an identity in Honeysuckle, and a reputation for exceptional exhibitions.  

“From our current, unmissable A Place Called Hollywood exhibition all the way back through the thousands of events we’ve delivered during the past 13 years, I’m proud of the hard-working, knowledgeable and friendly team who continue to preserve and share the stories of our city through our collections, exhibitions, and audience engagement,” Ms Baird said. 

“This year’s Hunter Science Festival has something for everyone. It’s a chance to meet astronomers, inventors, marine biologists and countless other brilliant people who live in our city and beyond.  

“It could be the start of a lifelong love of knowledge, or the inspiration you’ve been searching for. Our museum has that effect in Science Week and every week of the year.”  

The Hunter Science Festival is delivered by City of Newcastle in conjunction with Hunter Innovation and Science Hub (HISH) and features additional displays and demonstrations from a range of organisations including Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI). 

Attendees can expect perennial favourites such as the revolting and revealing HMRI ‘Poo Palace’ – a giant inflatable digestive system – and the chance to build and race electric vehicles with HISH.  

There will also be interactive fun presented by the Hunter Geological Society’s School of Earth, bushfire science shows by Fizzics Education and displays by the Irukanji Shark and Ray Centre, Hunter Wetlands Centre and Hunter Landcare, among others. 

The Hunter Science Festival will run from 10am to 2pm on Sunday 18 August. For more information visit newcastlemuseum.com.au 

Ms Claydon recently wrote to the community asking them to share their experiences and the response has been overwhelming.

The community’s fight for better services has now been taken to the floor of the Parliament with Ms Claydon delivering the following speech this week.

“Almost 5,000 people live in Stockton, which is just a few minutes by ferry from the city of Newcastle. It’s a tight-knit, strong and resilient community. But ongoing problems with mobile phone reception and poor wi-fi and internet connectivity are really taking their toll.

“Newcastle is Australia’s sixth-largest city, which makes these poor telecommunications experiences for Stockton residents especially shocking. In 2024, mobile phone reception, wi-fi and reliability of connectivity are essential services, yet too many people in Stockton have been let down.

“I recently met with Telstra and Optus to raise Stockton community residents’ concerns directly with them. I’m pleased that Telstra has agreed to investigate its telecommunications network in the suburb, and I’ve asked the same of Optus because we need to identify these problems and get them fixed. I’ve also written, with the support of Stockton Community Group, an expression of interest under the Peri-Urban Mobile Program for a grant aimed at improving coverage. Hopefully, that will be of help too.

“More recently, I’ve written to all residents of Stockton to ask them to share their lived experiences of the telecommunications services in the suburb. Residents have been inundating me with their experiences. They speak about fears of constant dropouts and not having reliable tools for study for their children. These are unacceptable in 2024, and we’re doing everything we can to fix them.”

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

Storm Cooper-Ryan, aged 17, was last seen in Heddon Greta about 4pm on Tuesday 6 August 2024.

When she could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified yesterday (Thursday 8 August 2024) and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family hold serious concerns for her welfare.

Storm is described as having a fair complexion, and about 155cm tall with slim build and blonde hair.

She is known to frequent Metford, Maitland and Sydney.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to call police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Recruitment will shortly get underway for additional nurses in the John Hunter Hospital emergency department as the Minns Labor Government continues delivering on its promise to rollout a major staffing reform.

John Hunter Hospital is among the next twelve hospitals across metropolitan and regional NSW to introduce Safe Staffing Levels in emergency departments, with the implementation of the reform set to improve the experience of patients and boost retention and capability of staff in public hospitals.

The Safe Staffing Levels initiative involves the introduction of minimum staffing levels on every shift, which will result in more nurses employed in hospitals right across the state and better care for patients.

The staffing boost of frontline healthcare workers at John Hunter Hospital will enable a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied emergency department resuscitation beds on all shifts, and one nurse to three generally occupied ED treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds on all shifts.

The announcement will bring the total number of hospitals commencing the roll-out of Safe Staffing Levels to 16 across the state following the earlier announcement of Liverpool, Royal North Shore, Lismore, and Port Macquarie Hospitals.

The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce, which includes key leaders from the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA), NSW Health, and local health districts, will continue to work through the preparations to determine the FTE required to deliver Safe Staffing Levels at John Hunter Hospital over coming weeks and months.

Phase one of Safe Staffing Levels is initially commencing in Level 5 and Level 6 EDs, which treat the most critically ill patients, and will then be progressively implemented across other hospitals and departments. The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce will continue to oversee the rollout of the government’s commitment of 2480 FTE over four years (to June 2027) towards staffing levels.

Implementing Safe Staffing Levels is just one of a range of measures the Minns Labor Government is embracing to build a supported and capable health workforce, including:

saving 1,112 nurse and midwife positions by making the roles permanent;

abolishing the wages cap and delivering the highest pay increase in over a decade for nurses and other health workers;

beginning to roll out 500 additional paramedics in regional, rural, and remote communities; and

introducing the health worker study subsidies scheme.

NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“The Safe Staffing Levels initiative involves the introduction of minimum staffing levels on every shift, which will result in more nurses employed in hospitals right across the state.

“Importantly, this reform will deliver improved nursing numbers to provide care for patients while supporting our frontline healthcare staff.

“The rollout began earlier this year at Liverpool, Royal North Shore, Port Macquarie Base and Lismore Base Hospitals and I’m thrilled we’re now onto the next twelve sites that will see implementation commence over coming months.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley:

“While equipment and facilities are important, they will never replace the care and compassion of our nurses.

“Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system, giving patients vital care to people who are often in their darkest moments.

“People in the Hunter deserve the best healthcare, and these changes will ensure patients get more personalised care with improved nurse-to-patient ratios at John Hunter.”

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

Sophie Fletcher, aged 13, was last seen leaving a home on Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay, about 7.20am on Monday 5 August 2024.

When she was unable to be located or contacted, Sophie was reported missing to officers attached to Port Stephens Hunter Police District today (Wednesday 7 August 2024) and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family hold serious concerns for Sophie’s whereabouts due to her age.

Sophie is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm tall, of slim build with long brown hair. She was last seen wearing blue long pants, a blue polo and carrying a black school bag.

Sophie is known to utilise public transport and frequents the Rutherford area.

Anyone with information into Sophie’s whereabouts is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a girl missing in the Port Stephens area.

Ellah White, aged 12, was last seen leaving a school on Salamander Way, Salamander Bay, about 9.30am today (Tuesday 6 August 2024).

Unable to be located since, Ellah was reported missing to officers attached to Port Stephens- Hunter Police District, who commenced inquiries to locate her.

Police and family have serious concerns for Ellah’s welfare due to her age.

Ellah is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall, of slim build, with long blonde curly hair.

She was last seen wearing blue long pants, a blue polo shirt and blue hooded jumper.

Ellah is known to frequent the Fingal Bay, Shoal Bay and Anna Bay areas.

Anyone with information into Ellah’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A man has died following a fatal single-vehicle crash in Newcastle today.

About 4.30pm (Tuesday 6 August 2024), emergency services were called to a petrol station on Mailand Road, Mayfield following reports the driver of a Toyota Camry had crashed into a fuel bowser after attempting to drive from the station.

The driver and only occupant – a man believed to be aged in his 80s – was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Calvary Mater Hospital, where he later died.

The man is yet to be formally identified.

Officers from Newcastle City Police District are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

A keynote address by NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe will lead discussions on clean energy, jobs and investment as City of Newcastle urges Novocastrians to become net zero champions.

This follows the successful launch of the Empowering Newcastle event series at City Hall last month attended by more than 800 Novocastrians to hear from Australian engineer, inventor and renewable energy entrepreneur Saul Griffith on electrifying Newcastle.Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, NSW Minister for Climate Change, Minister for Energy and Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe, and Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen.

Minister Sharpe will join Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, business leaders and members of the community at City Hall on August 17 to highlight the opportunities around the Hunter’s renewable energy transition.

Renewable energy experts and representatives from the NSW Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and EnergyCo will join the discussion, sharing details about the Hunter’ renewable energy zone and government initiatives to support a net zero transition.

City of Newcastle will share details of its Empowering Newcastle community program to support residents, businesses, schools and community groups to switch to renewable energy, electrify and create a net zero future, based on the Rewiring Australia model. 

Through the program, City of Newcastle will offer a range of online resources, and deliver a free Climate Champions training program later in the year, to equip emerging climate leaders with the knowledge and skills to deliver electrification campaigns and projects across the city.

City of Newcastle is also exploring the feasibility of a solar and battery bulk buy program to support the community to buy affordable, quality solar and battery systems from trusted suppliers, and will offer youth based and sustainability grants to drive local climate action.

Minister Sharpe said that the Hunter has led the conversation on how to put people at the heart of the changes we are seeing in how our energy needs are met.  

“We’re in the business of providing good secure jobs for the future and the Renewable Energy Zones are essential to this” Minister Sharpe said.

“Increasing the production of renewable energy as well as access to rooftop solar and batteries is good for the environment as we tackle climate change, will place downward pressure on bills and ensure that our State achieves net zero by 2050.”

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes welcomed the opportunity to have key players in the city’s net zero future in the same room as part of City of Newcastle’s Empowering Newcastle event series.

“One our crowning achievements of the last decade is the planning, hard work and results that continue to move us further towards sustainability,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Through our Newcastle Environment Strategy, we’re supporting the transition of our local government area to net zero emissions, encouraging an accelerated uptake of solar and batteries, electric or zero emissions transport and buildings, as well as community renewable energy projects.

“Our Empowering Newcastle event series is a way to encourage the community, business and industry to become involved in this transformation.

“Whether you’re across the clean energy transition or you’re just starting to take an interest, I’d strongly encourage you to be at City Hall on 17 August for this important and timely discussion.”

City of Newcastle will also host a roundtable to discuss electric vehicles and low emissions transport on 8 August. A host of stakeholders will be invited, including Transport for NSW, the Australian Electric Vehicle Association, the University of Newcastle, Business Hunter and Port of Newcastle, to discuss the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to electric vehicles and low emissions transport in Newcastle. 

Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the roundtable would be a welcome opportunity for City of Newcastle to engage with stakeholders with a common goal to tackle climate change and energy security.  

“We embrace our role in addressing climate and City of Newcastle has leadership we’re proud to share in response to this challenge we all face,” Cr Clausen said.  

“Hosting key stakeholders is a golden opportunity for City of Newcastle to align our plans with our industry partners, and help us to achieve our community’s commitment to be net zero by 2040.” 

To secure tickets to the free August 17 Empowering Newcastle event with Minister Sharpe at City Hall visit: trybooking.com/CSVXK

A Depression-era suburb born out of hardship and built by resilience will be preserved for future generations as part of a new exhibition set to open at Newcastle Museum tomorrow.

A Place Called Hollywood celebrates the spirit and resourcefulness of the people who created their own unofficial community in the bushland outside of Jesmond during the 1920s.

Former Hollywood residents and their descendants Steven Ward, Susan Rees and Barbara McCarthy with Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, City of Newcastle Director of Museum, Archive, Libraries and Learning, Julie Baird and Transport for NSW Regional Director North Anna Zycki at the preview of Newcastle Museum’s new exhibition, A Place Called Hollywood.

Driven by the poverty and housing stress of the Great Depression, the informal settlement known as Hollywood provided a place of shelter and safety for up to 30 families for the next three decades.

Its existence, which in recent times had been confined to little more than memory, is being brought back to life through the exhibition developed by Newcastle Museum with support from Transport for NSW and Create NSW.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle Museum plays an important role in interpreting and preserving the stories and experiences of our city and its people.

“Newcastle Museum is on the cutting edge of contemporary museum practice and has been nationally recognised for its innovative exhibitions, which create insightful and immersive ways to interpret and preserve our city’s history,” Cr Nelmes said.

“This exhibition remembers a time and place where resilient and resourceful people overcame hardship to not only build their own homes, but foster the bonds of a tight-knit community.

“By exploring the experiences of the past, the exhibition also provides an important point of reflection on today’s housing crisis and insight into everyday lives built on creative solutions.

“I applaud the team at Newcastle Museum and the community members who helped them bring this little-known story to life and thank the NSW Government for their support to preserve another important aspect of our city’s history.” 

More than 2000 objects were unearthed by archaeological consultants Umwelt and Casey & Lowe at the site where Hollywood once stood, which now forms part of the footprint of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass Rankin Park to Jesmond project.

A selection of these items, including everything from glass bottles, plates and cutlery to children’s toys, jars of Vegemite and a bottle of bright pink nail polish, will be on display during the exhibition.

NSW Minister for Roads John Graham said the Hollywood community is a significant part of Newcastle’s history. 

“This exhibition tells a story of resilience – of the people who sought refuge and built a community in the land which will now form part of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass,” Minister Graham said. 

“I’m delighted the NSW Government is helping to preserve the memory of a place that provided safety and community for many Novocastrians during the Great Depression.

“Congratulations to the Newcastle Museum, Transport for NSW and Create NSW on coming together to bring history to life. I’m sure there will be many people who will travel to see this exhibition and share their own fond memories of Hollywood.”

Photographic records and video recollections from those who lived there and their descendants will also help bring Hollywood to life for a new generation of Novocastrians.

Among those who shared their precious memories for the exhibition is Audrey Koosman OAM, who moved to Hollywood with her family as a baby and lived there until she was seven.

“It was just the most beautiful place to live in, the people who lived there were really decent people … and they were proud of the place. We were a very tight community,” Ms Koosman said.

Umwelt archaeologist Tim Adams, who worked on the survey of the site, said the exhibition provided an important window into the past.

“(Hollywood is) a Depression-era town … that no longer exists except in people’s memories and what we find,” Mr Adams said.

“People coming along to look at the artefacts and hear the stories will gain a connection to a very important part of the history and of the community here in Newcastle.” 

City of Newcastle Director of Museum, Archive, Libraries and Learning, Julie Baird, thanked the community members whose contributions were vital to the exhibition.

“It is important for our Museum to share and preserve stories of the communities and residents who have made Newcastle what it is today. Through the history of Hollywood, like so many Newcastle stories, we can better understand our city,” Ms Baird said.

The free exhibition will open to the public tomorrow and remain on display in the Museum’s A Newcastle Story gallery until 2 February 2025.

A series of events will be delivered throughout the exhibition period, including a special session of Newcastle Libraries’ Memory Room program for people living with dementia and their carers, a guided tour by exhibition curator Bridie Moran, panel discussions and children’s programming.

Visit the Newcastle Museum website for more information.

Incident activity

• Ongoing – Today, 2:00am

Details

Saturday 3 to Monday 5 August 

• Buses replace trains between Scone, Dungog and Newcastle Interchange.
• Saturday and Sunday, buses also replace trains on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line.
• Monday, if you are connecting with Central Coast & Newcastle Line trains you may need to catch an earlier bus to ensure you meet your train connection.
  
• Replacement buses may be impacted by driver shortages. We are doing all we can to minimise the impact to your journey and provide a safe service, however cancellations or delays may occur.
• Plan your trip before you travel for up-to-date real time information. You can also subscribe to planned trackwork alerts.

Bus routes1AHU Telarah, then all stations to Tarro, then express to Warabrook, then all stations to Newcastle Interchange and return4HU Dungog, then all stations to Maitland and return (Monday only)7HU Warabrook Station to Newcastle University shuttle bus8AHU Maitland, then Victoria Street, Thornton, Beresfield, then Berowra, Hornsby and return (Saturday/Sunday)9HU Scone, then all stations to Lochinvar, then Morisset and return (Monday only)18HU Scone, then all stations to Lochinvar, Maitland, Victoria Street, then all stations to Beresfield, Warabrook, then all stations to Newcastle Interchange and return19HU Dungog, all stations to Maitland, Victoria Street, then all stations to Beresfield, Warabrook, then all stations to Newcastle Interchange and return26HU Singleton, all stations to Lochinvar, Maitland, Victoria Street, then all stations to Beresfield, Warabrook, then all stations to Newcastle Interchange and return (Saturday/Sunday)28HU Muswellbrook, then all stations to Maitland, then Victoria Street, Thornton, Beresfield, Warabrook, then all stations to Newcastle Interchange and return (Monday only)33HU Newcastle University, Sandgate, Hexham and return78HU Scone, then all stations to Maitland, then Victoria Street, Thornton, Beresfield, then express to Berowra, Hornsby and return (Saturday/Sunday)79HU Singleton, then all stations to Maitland, then Victoria Street, Thornton, Beresfield, then express to Berowra, Hornsby and return (Saturday/Sunday)