Police are renewing their appeal for public assistance to help locate a man who went missing from the Maitland area yesterday.
Michael McGarity, aged 61, was last seen leaving Maitland Hospital about 1.30am yesterday (Monday 24 June 2019).
He has walked out of the hospital and was seen heading towards Telarah.
Police and family hold concerns for his welfare due to medical reasons.
Today, officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District conducted an extensive land search around the Telarah and Maitland areas, with the assistance of the NSW Police Dog Unit, Police Rescue, PolAir and police trail bikes.
Mr McGarity is known to frequent the Newcastle and North Rothbury areas.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 190cm tall with a thin build, black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo on his left lower arm ‘TY’.
He was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket and white T-shirt with grey jeans and navy-blue shoes.
Anyone with information on Michael’s whereabouts is urged to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Category: Newcastle News
All the news happening in the Newcastle and Hunter Region
Police investigate fatal house fire – Singleton
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal house fire at Singleton overnight.
About 3.30am (Wednesday 26 June 2019), officers from Hunter Valley Police District were called to Brittliffe Close, after reports a house was well alight.
Officers from Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze; however, the house was destroyed.
An 11-year-old boy was located deceased inside the home.
NSW Ambulance paramedics transported a 31-year-old woman, and three young girls to Singleton Hospital.
Two girls, aged five, were pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.
The woman and an eight-year-old girl were transferred to John Hunter Hospital where they remain in a stable condition.
Police and fire investigators will examine the home to identify where and how the fire started.
An investigation has been commenced and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Emergency services have praised the efforts of neighbours who came to the family’s aid.
City backs diverse events calendar
A historic rugby Test, an eclectic music festival and a legendary bikers’ charity ride are among a range of the events to be staged in Newcastle over the next 12 months with $180,000 funding support from the City.
The Wallaroos rugby team, which will play Japan at No.2 Sportsground in the national women’s first standalone match on Saturday 13 July, was among 17 recipients officially congratulated today for gaining support under City of Newcastle’s 2019/20 Event Sponsorship Program (ESP).
All successful ESP recipients at City Hall this morning
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Newcastle Pride Festival celebrates sexuality and gender diversity in Newcastle and the Hunter
“I want to congratulate all of our successful events,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said at this morning’s presentation at City Hall.
“The quality and variety of this year’s applications was remarkable. I’m always impressed by the many fantastic events showcasing our city, big and small, and both new and well established.
“Over the next 12 months, we will welcome a range of major events kicking off with a celebration of women’s sport when we host the Wallaroos and Japan at No.2, which will hopefully be the first of annual Wallaroos fixtures here.
“It will be followed by the Newcastle Music Festival and Newcastle Pride festivals in August, with funding for both building on the back of their previous successes.”
Angus and Max Owens will ride in the King of Concrete event in December
Wallaroos winger Mahalia Murphy accepting Rugby Australia’s cheque from Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes
Wallaroos winger Mahalia Murphy, a former sevens rugby specialist who was selected for next months’ Test on Friday, was all smiles collecting a $20,000 cheque on behalf of her teammates.
“It’s a great thrill to be in Newcastle to receive the funding from the City to raise the profile of women’s rugby here,” Murphy said, “and an even bigger thrill knowing I’ll be coming back in three weeks’ time to play a Test.”
ESP support was also extended to major cultural and charitable events.
More than 350 performers will play 34 gigs next month at multiple venues across the city as part of the fourth, annual Newcastle Music Festival, which received $10,000.
Darren Young and Stephen Meeks representing Newcastle Bikers for Kids, which is in its 40th year of service
The same figure will aid the 40th return of the Newcastle Bikers for Kids convoy, which sees toy-toting motorcyclists snake their way from Stockton to Wickham, in support of the Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal on 1 December.
Other ESP recipients to benefit from the $180,000 in funding include:
- Jets W-League side – Newcastle’s colourful tourism logo will be emblazoned across the team’s jerseys for prospective visitors to see on TV and live at stadia in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney ($20,000)
- Newcastle Harbour Water Polo Festival – Three-day water polo event at Queens Wharf with men’s and women’s internationals between Australia and visiting Croatian and Hungarian teams 13-15 December 2019 ($20,000)
- Oceania Para Triathlon – Olympic-selection paratriathlon and triathlons for the general public and corporate teams on Australia Day 2020 ($15,000)
- Port to Port Mountain Bike Race – Four-day stage race attracting national and international riders from 21-24 May 2020 ($15,000)
- Australian Bowl-riding Championships – National skateboard competition at Empire Park from 7-9 February 2020 (15,000)
- Celebration of Cricket – Major junior cricket carnival in January 2019 ($10,000)
- New Run – The popular festival, which offers runners a choice of marathon, 10km, 5km and 2kms, returns for the 14th consecutive year 5 April 2019 ($10,000)
- Combined Schools ANZAC Service – A nationally unique combined-schools event to commemorating the ANZAC spirit on 10 April 2020 ($8,500)
- Australia Day Cross Harbour Swim – classic event that sees locals roll the arms over during a pause in shipping ($6,000)
- Water Industry Operators Conference – 600 delegates will converge on Newcastle for the NSW water industry’s annual conference 4 April 2020 ($5,000)
- King of Concrete – a state and national level bowl-riding competition at Empire Park on 7 December 2019 ($5,000)
- Newcastle Pride Festival – Celebration of sexuality and gender diversity in Newcastle and the Hunter from August 17-26 2019 ($4,500)
- Unity in Diversity – annual festival last weekend in Hamilton celebrating Newcastle’s cultural diversity and spirit of inclusion ($3,000)
- CN T20 Summer Bash – Elite T20 cricket competition at No.2 Sportsground from 15-23 February 2020 ($2,500)
Rural fire stations targeted in crime spree – Hunter Valley
Police are appealing for information following a spate of break and enters at several Hunter Valley rural fire service properties.
Sometime between Friday 21 June and Monday 24 June 2019, police have been told of separate break and enter offences at five New South Wales Rural Fire Service buildings.
Several pieces of equipment have been taken from the properties including chainsaws, axes and petrol pumps.
Police from Hunter Valley Police District have attended each location and launched an investigation.
Detectives are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Carrington upgrade hailed in park celebration
City of Newcastle and the local community have celebrated the revitalisation of Carrington following a $3 million upgrade of its local centre.
Dramatic infrastructure improvements – to roads, pathways and parking – along Young Street and the addition of street trees, bike racks and bins will be followed by the installation of a smart bus shelter that will provide free Wi-Fi coverage.
The local centre overhaul was marked by the City staff and locals in Jubilee Park this morning.
The Lord Mayor opening the upgraded Carrington Local Town Centre with the help of City staff, locals and students
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(L-R) Laila Michelini, 6, and sister Allegra Michelini, 8, perform at this morning’s open day
“I’m proud to say that after more than 12 months of construction, Young Street is looking brand new and has been future proofed with new drainage and infrastructure to improve the amenity of the Carrington Local Centre,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“The City continues to deliver on our vision for city-wide urban renewal, setting the direction for growth and revitalisation.
“We want our city’s local centres to reflect a sense of place and local character, and I’m particularly pleased with finishing touches like the stone inlays celebrating Carrington’s heritage.
“Planning for this project included extensive community consultation on all aspects of the upgrades, including the choice of Brushbox and Tuckeroo street trees and the provision of more designated on street car parking.”
“We have also chosen best practise drainage solutions tailored to the area, including permeable paving and rain gardens.”
Max Weinhold, 3, enjoying the jumping castle at Jubilee Park, Carrington
Patrick Burgess, Sarah Horan and Chris Martin take a stroll across the revitalised Young Street
The City consulted with locals to hear their ideas and ensure their feedback was incorporated into the public domain plan for the area.
The Young St Carrington renewal project included:
• Drainage renewal
• Permeable paving to improve stormwater capacity
• Water sensitive urban design
• New site appropriate street trees
• Pedestrian-friendly street design
• Existing street furniture retained where possible, and new bike racks and bins
• New kerb, gutter and footpath
• Renewed road surface
• Road and pedestrian lighting upgrade
• Improved pedestrian crossings at both ends
Dramatic infrastructure improvements – to roads, pathways and parking – along Young Street and the addition of street trees, bike racks and bins will be followed by the installation of a smart bus shelter that will provide free Wi-Fi coverage.
The local centre overhaul was marked by the City staff and locals in Jubilee Park this morning.
The Lord Mayor opening the upgraded Carrington Local Town Centre with the help of City staff, locals and students(L-R) Laila Michelini, 6, and sister Allegra Michelini, 8, perform at this morning’s open day“I’m proud to say that after more than 12 months of construction, Young Street is looking brand new and has been future proofed with new drainage and infrastructure to improve the amenity of the Carrington Local Centre,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“The City continues to deliver on our vision for city-wide urban renewal, setting the direction for growth and revitalisation.
“We want our city’s local centres to reflect a sense of place and local character, and I’m particularly pleased with finishing touches like the stone inlays celebrating Carrington’s heritage.
“Planning for this project included extensive community consultation on all aspects of the upgrades, including the choice of Brushbox and Tuckeroo street trees and the provision of more designated on street car parking.”
“We have also chosen best practise drainage solutions tailored to the area, including permeable paving and rain gardens.”
Max Weinhold, 3, enjoying the jumping castle at Jubilee Park, CarringtonPatrick Burgess, Sarah Horan and Chris Martin take a stroll across the revitalised Young StreetThe City consulted with locals to hear their ideas and ensure their feedback was incorporated into the public domain plan for the area.
The Young St Carrington renewal project included:
• Drainage renewal
• Permeable paving to improve stormwater capacity
• Water sensitive urban design
• New site appropriate street trees
• Pedestrian-friendly street design
• Existing street furniture retained where possible, and new bike racks and bins
• New kerb, gutter and footpath
• Renewed road surface
• Road and pedestrian lighting upgrade
• Improved pedestrian crossings at both ends
Evocative snaps mark 30 years since quake
A doctor tending a man seriously wounded on Beaumont Street and a Council worker whose composure amid great adversity belied her young age feature among stirring images in a Newcaste Museum exhibition commemorating the 1989 earthquake.
The Earthquake Then and Now and Again Exhibition, curated in partnership with local designers Headjam, reflects on the 1989 natural disaster that claimed 13 lives and tested the resolve of so many Novocastrians.
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Dr Garry Warner, 39 when disaster struck, was snapped by the Newcastle Herald that fateful December morning with two other men, desperately awaiting an ambulance, as they cared for a man hurt by the collapsed Kent Hotel awning visible in the background.
“I raced to Beaumont but the whole street was full of a cloud of dust which made everything difficult to see,” the Cardiologist recalls of his reaction from his Hamilton medical rooms, in a caption to a 2014 photo of himself and one of 25 newspaper pics.
“I saw the destruction and my medical training just clicked in. I was providing first aid to the injured man in the photograph who was struck by a piece of The Kent Hotel awning.”
City of Newcastle worker Melissa Dial, a 29-year-old special projects officer at the time, has only realised her own mettle in the decades since she spent two continuous months on the phone dealing with the quake’s aftermath.
She appears on one of those calls in a photograph flanked by policemen not long after the 5.5-degree tremor.
“When I look at this photo, I immediately feel stress and pressure,” she says of the then-and-now exhibit pic.
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“At first we had a lot of phone calls about missing people … then the calls started to be about demolitions and building work … slowly the calls changed to people who were trying to cope with the trauma and stress of what had happened.
“I didn’t think about it at the time but I was pretty young to be coping with the stress.”
The exhibition, which gained national media attention when first held in 2014, marks the beginning of commemorations across the city for the quake’s 30th anniversary.
“This is a very personal exhibition with members of our city sharing their stories,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“The 1989 Earthquake was a defining moment for our city – it shaped us as a resilient but caring city.”
Photo credit: Luke Kellett from Headjam
The Earthquake Then and Now and Again Exhibition, curated in partnership with local designers Headjam, reflects on the 1989 natural disaster that claimed 13 lives and tested the resolve of so many Novocastrians.
Dr Garry Warner, 39 when disaster struck, was snapped by the Newcastle Herald that fateful December morning with two other men, desperately awaiting an ambulance, as they cared for a man hurt by the collapsed Kent Hotel awning visible in the background.“I raced to Beaumont but the whole street was full of a cloud of dust which made everything difficult to see,” the Cardiologist recalls of his reaction from his Hamilton medical rooms, in a caption to a 2014 photo of himself and one of 25 newspaper pics.
“I saw the destruction and my medical training just clicked in. I was providing first aid to the injured man in the photograph who was struck by a piece of The Kent Hotel awning.”
City of Newcastle worker Melissa Dial, a 29-year-old special projects officer at the time, has only realised her own mettle in the decades since she spent two continuous months on the phone dealing with the quake’s aftermath.
She appears on one of those calls in a photograph flanked by policemen not long after the 5.5-degree tremor.
“When I look at this photo, I immediately feel stress and pressure,” she says of the then-and-now exhibit pic.
“At first we had a lot of phone calls about missing people … then the calls started to be about demolitions and building work … slowly the calls changed to people who were trying to cope with the trauma and stress of what had happened.“I didn’t think about it at the time but I was pretty young to be coping with the stress.”
The exhibition, which gained national media attention when first held in 2014, marks the beginning of commemorations across the city for the quake’s 30th anniversary.
“This is a very personal exhibition with members of our city sharing their stories,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“The 1989 Earthquake was a defining moment for our city – it shaped us as a resilient but caring city.”
Photo credit: Luke Kellett from Headjam
Ecosuburbia event for smart, liveable sustainable city
Laman Street behind Civic Park will come to life with eco-market stalls, a local food swap and a range of activities to get kids thinking about sustainability when Newcastle Library hosts the Ecosuburbia Fair Share event tomorrow, Saturday 22 June.
City of Newcastle is collaborating with Permaculture Hunter and Purple Pear Farm to showcase the fair and host an “Aussie Street” City Hall talk by permaculture co-originator David Holmgren tomorrow.
Author of RetroSuburbia, the downshifter’s guide to a resilient future, Holmgren espouses a way of life aligned with the City of Newcastle’s strategy to create a smart, liveable and sustainable global city.
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“Our community collaborating to host the father of an internationally recognised social and environmental movement illustrates Newcastle’s commitment to living smarter and more sustainably,” Manager Libraries and Learning Suzie Gately said.
“His Aussie Street talk cleverly brings RetroSuburbia’s ideas into our everyday lives, using 100-plus photos and water-coloured illustrations and practical concepts from his exciting new book. Come along to be part of Holmgren’s remarkably insightful, thought-provoking vision for a resilient and sustainable future.”
Tickets for the Retrosuburbia ‘Aussie Street’ talk with David Holmgren sold out within 48 hours.
The Ecosuburbia Fair Share event from 10am is proudly delivered in collaboration with Newcastle Libraries, Hunter Permaculture and Purple Pear Farm. It will also host Slow Food Hunter Valley Soup Kitchen and live music by Newcastle Folk.
Ecosuburbia is part of the City’s embrace if the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities and Goal 10 Reduced Inequalities, which are now part of the Newcastle 2030 Community Strategic Plan.
City of Newcastle is collaborating with Permaculture Hunter and Purple Pear Farm to showcase the fair and host an “Aussie Street” City Hall talk by permaculture co-originator David Holmgren tomorrow.
Author of RetroSuburbia, the downshifter’s guide to a resilient future, Holmgren espouses a way of life aligned with the City of Newcastle’s strategy to create a smart, liveable and sustainable global city.
“Our community collaborating to host the father of an internationally recognised social and environmental movement illustrates Newcastle’s commitment to living smarter and more sustainably,” Manager Libraries and Learning Suzie Gately said.
“His Aussie Street talk cleverly brings RetroSuburbia’s ideas into our everyday lives, using 100-plus photos and water-coloured illustrations and practical concepts from his exciting new book. Come along to be part of Holmgren’s remarkably insightful, thought-provoking vision for a resilient and sustainable future.”
Tickets for the Retrosuburbia ‘Aussie Street’ talk with David Holmgren sold out within 48 hours.
The Ecosuburbia Fair Share event from 10am is proudly delivered in collaboration with Newcastle Libraries, Hunter Permaculture and Purple Pear Farm. It will also host Slow Food Hunter Valley Soup Kitchen and live music by Newcastle Folk.
Ecosuburbia is part of the City’s embrace if the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities and Goal 10 Reduced Inequalities, which are now part of the Newcastle 2030 Community Strategic Plan.
Whale of a day set to mark nautical showpiece
Nature lovers should mark Sunday week down in their diaries for a whale of a double date.
This year, the City’s Whale Tales lecture at Bar Beach falls on the same day as an annual tally of humpback whales.
The Whale Tales talks by Marine Naturalist Jeannie Lawson celebrate the gentle giants by canvassing their song, lifecycle and migration.
“On the day there are four sessions to choose from,” the City’s Program Development Coordinator – Environment Karenne Jurd said.
“At each session you will have the opportunity to ask Jeannie your best whale questions and hold part of a whale skeleton while watching the passing humpback parade.”
An estimated 30,000 humpback whales will swim north to Queensland breeding grounds this season in a nautical migration that’s been growing every year; so much so the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) needs help counting the whales.
Participants at last year’s Whale Tale Lecture at Bar Beach
Newcastle’s Bathers Way coastal pathway offers great vantage point for ORRCA’s 19th one-day census, which last year saw 2,065 whales spotted, up from 233 in 2002.
For more information about Whale Tales please call Angus Weingott on 4974 2622 or email aweingott@ncc.nsw.gov.au.
For more information about Humpback Whale Census Day visit http://www.orrca.org.au/
Whale Tales
Sunday 30th June – 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm
Bar Beach Lookout
Cost: Free
This year, the City’s Whale Tales lecture at Bar Beach falls on the same day as an annual tally of humpback whales.
The Whale Tales talks by Marine Naturalist Jeannie Lawson celebrate the gentle giants by canvassing their song, lifecycle and migration.
“On the day there are four sessions to choose from,” the City’s Program Development Coordinator – Environment Karenne Jurd said.
“At each session you will have the opportunity to ask Jeannie your best whale questions and hold part of a whale skeleton while watching the passing humpback parade.”
An estimated 30,000 humpback whales will swim north to Queensland breeding grounds this season in a nautical migration that’s been growing every year; so much so the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) needs help counting the whales.
Participants at last year’s Whale Tale Lecture at Bar BeachNewcastle’s Bathers Way coastal pathway offers great vantage point for ORRCA’s 19th one-day census, which last year saw 2,065 whales spotted, up from 233 in 2002.
For more information about Whale Tales please call Angus Weingott on 4974 2622 or email aweingott@ncc.nsw.gov.au.
For more information about Humpback Whale Census Day visit http://www.orrca.org.au/
Whale Tales
Sunday 30th June – 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm
Bar Beach Lookout
Cost: Free
Serious road crash near Singleton
Police are advising motorists that the New England Highway, south of Singleton in the Hunter Valley, has been closed to traffic in both directions following a serious motor vehicle crash.
The two-car collision occurred around six o’clock tonight (Thursday 20 June 2019), near the intersection of Racecourse Road at Whittingham.
Police advise that as a result, there are significant delays for traffic heading north and south.
Drivers are being urged to consider taking alternative routes around the crash, including Putty and Glendon Roads; and the Golden Highway, until the scene is cleared.
For further information, motorists can refer to www.livetraffic.com.
Man charged over alleged sexual assault of teenage boy – Hunter region
A man has been charged after allegedly engaging a teenage boy online and meeting with him for sex in the Hunter region.
Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a 14-year-old boy had been sexually assaulted by a man he met on a social media application in December 2018.
The incident was reported to local police before being referred to the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad for further investigation.
Following inquiries, detectives arrested a 27-year-old man at a home in Buttai about 9.30am yesterday (Thursday 20 June 2019).
The man was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with two counts of sexual intercourse with child between the ages of 14 and 16.
Police will allege in court that the man sexually assaulted the boy, then aged 14, in a vehicle in the Hunter region.
He was refused bail and appeared at Maitland Local Court yesterday, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at Cessnock Local Court today (Friday 21 June 2019).
Meanwhile, police are urging parents and carers to speak with their children about staying safe online.
Safe internet use – tips for parents:
• Be aware of how much time your child spends on the internet.
• Spend time talking to your child about the dangers associated with online conversations, particularly when communicating with someone that they have only ever met online.
• Spend time exploring the internet with your children and let them teach you about their favourite websites and applications.
• Keep computers or internet-enabled devices in a room the whole family can access, not in your child’s bedroom; monitor internet access on those devices.
• Consider installing filtering and/or computer blocking software provided by your internet service provider.
• Ensure you are able to access your child’s email and social media accounts and randomly check the contents.
• Check your phone bill for unusual outgoing calls and consider using ‘caller ID’ to identify incoming calls.
• Consult your telephone company for options designed to ensure privacy and security.
• Enquire with your child’s school, public library, and places they frequent to find out what internet safety measures they have in place.
• Information on internet safety is available on the NSW Police website at: http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/safety_and_prevention/safe_and_secure/online_safety
Tips for children:
• Do not send a picture of yourself to anyone you don’t know and never place a full profile and picture anywhere on the internet.
• Never give out your personal information, including full name, home address, phone number or school, over the internet.
• Never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone that you have only ever chatted with on the internet.
• Tell your parents or another adult you know of any contact that makes you feel uncomfortable.
• Think carefully before uploading or sending images or videos to people over the internet. Once you press ‘send’ it’s definite and final – you can’t get it back or take it down.
• Information on youth issues, including online safety is available on the NSW Police website at:
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/safety_and_prevention/safe_and_secure/young_people
More information and educational packages for parents and children are available from ThinkUKnow, a multi-agency program designed to educate and promote cyber safety: https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.