Newcastle News – Page 279

City says thanks to committed volunteers

City of Newcastle has praised the service of its volunteers at a special morning tea marking National Volunteers Week.
Around 80 of 350 city volunteers gathered at Newcastle Museum this morning to be thanked by Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and the City’s senior leaders for the countless hours they’ve dedicated over the past year.
Volunteers from all walks of life lend their skills, passion and time at various locations across the city including 23 Landcare sites, Libraries, the Museum, Gallery, Civic Playhouse and at major events like the Newcastle 500.

Volunteers joined Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes at today’s morning tea
“On the behalf of the city, I’d like to thank all of the volunteers for their selfless contributions to Newcastle,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“Today is about recognising every one of our volunteers equally and acknowledging the work that they do across the City, whether that’s at our variety of outdoor Landcare sites or at City-owned facilities, their dedicated service is highly valued by City of Newcastle and our community.”
Today’s morning tea ties in with National Volunteers Week, of which the theme this year is Making a World of Difference. Throughout the week, thousands of people will gather across the country to say thank you to the more than six million Australians who volunteer their time for their community.
In Newcastle alone, volunteers sit on multiple committees, help manage city parks, fields and halls, and act as city guides through the NewCrew program.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes addressed the congregation of 80 volunteers

Mel Histon (speaking) from Got Your Back Sista, Karissa Lewis from Camp Quality and 2014 Citizen of the Year
Rick Prosser
Sixty NewCrew volunteers have helped attendees at 14 events, providing around 800 hours of their time as well assisting in the Newcastle Shop at Newcastle Museum since the team was formed in October 2018.
One of the biggest contributions they make to the City is their assistance at various Citizenship ceremonies throughout the year, which often draw some 200-300 people at each event.
NewCrew were among the volunteer groups thanked at today’s morning tea that included Museum, Landcare, Parks and Playhouse volunteers.

More than 80 volunteers attended today’s morning tea held at Newcastle Museum
Chris Marley, a Nobbys Beach Landcare volunteer, said he was humbled by today’s morning tea and pleased to be able to share the moment alongside other City volunteers.
He said hearing from a panel of local businessmen and women, comprising of Mel Histon from Got Your Back Sista, Karissa Lewis from Camp Quality, and 2014 Citizen of the Year and Soul Café Owner Rick Prosser, was particularly rewarding.
“It was great to hear from the panel members speaking about their passions and commitment to supporting the City’s volunteers who’ve come today from all over Newcastle to be here,” he said.
“The men and women in this room are truly the unsung heroes of our community doing great work to proudly service our City. It’s such a pleasure to be recognised for all the work we do, and I thank those that have helped make today’s morning tea possible.”

Police seek assistance to locate missing person – Lake Macquarie

Police from Lake Macquarie Police District are appealing for public assistance to locate a man who was last seen two days ago at his Cardiff home.
Benjamin Hunter, aged 34, walked from his Thomas Street, Cardiff, address about 12.30pm on Sunday 19 May 2019.
He failed to return home and the alarm was raised by his concerned parents who told local police Benjamin’s disappearance was out of character.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District commenced inquiries and are seeking assistance from the community to find him.
He is described as being Caucasian in appearance, about 170 – 175cm tall with a medium build and dark balding hair.
He was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt with grey shorts and thongs.
Mr Hunter may be driving his white Toyota Hilux 4×4 duel cab utility with New South Wales registration plate CB97UQ.
If sighted please contact officers at Lake Macquarie Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

Missing woman located – Hunter Valley

A woman who went missing from the state’s Hunter region has been located.
The 23-year-old woman was last seen at a small dance party at Howes Valley in the Hunter Valley about 1.45am on Monday 20 May 2019.
About 11.30am today (Tuesday 21 May 2019), PolAir located her approximately 2.5 kilometres from where she was last seen.
She was taken to Singleton Hospital for an assessment.
Police would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance.

Woman charged over alleged sexual abuse of girl in Hunter region

A woman will re-appear in court charged over the alleged sexual abuse of a girl in the Hunter region in 2017.
In October 2017, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a girl had been sexually abused.
Detectives charged a 53-year-old man in April 2018. The man, who is known to the girl, remains before the courts.
Following further inquiries, a 40-year-old woman, who is also known to the girl, was arrested at Waratah Police Station about 10.15am yesterday (Monday 20 May 2019).
She was charged with two counts of sexual intercourse with child under age of 10 years (DV).
Police will allege in court the woman sexually assaulted the girl – then aged seven – at a home in the Hunter region in June 2017.
The woman was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court yesterday where she was granted conditional bail to re-appear at Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 17 July 2019.

City Hall refurb motoring along

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes turned back the clock 90 years today to celebrate an important milestone in the restoration of City Hall.
The major refurbishment project is now more than half completed after the finishing touches were applied to the southern façade.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with Laurie Baker (left) and City project manager, Matt Bennett
“Not since the days of the 1929 Chrysler, which rolled off the production line the same year City Hall opened, has our architectural jewel looked so good,” the Lord Mayor said, after being driven up the driveway in a 1929 Chrysler Series 75 by proud owner Laurie Baker.
“It’s a testament to the craftsmanship of the contractors and staff who’ve restored the building, and the patience of the public, that we now have City Hall looking like new again.”
The milestone follows restoration of the eastern exterior and clock tower. Workers are now turning their attention to the western and northern aspects of the building.
This part of the project will include sandstone repair and replacement, removal of corroded steel fixings, and refurbishment of the steel-framed windows and repairs to stormwater damage. The work is scheduled to be completed in April 2020.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with Laurie Baker – owner of the 1929 Chrysler Series 75
“This large-scale conservation work will ensure City Hall stands strong and proud in a pivotal precinct that will quickly grow in stature as a cultural and hospitality hub that will include Newcastle’s first five-star hotel in the Roundhouse building,” the Lord Mayor said.
The highest quality self-colouring sandstone material has been used to replace ageing and damaged stone, with the Sydney basin ‘Yellowblock’ sandstone excavated from a building site in George Street, Sydney.
The use of high-quality material will ensure the longevity of the building and help reduce future building maintenance.
For more information on this project, visit the City Hall Restoration website.

Woman charged in investigation into death of infant – Strike Force Wandearah

Detectives have charged a woman with child abuse offences following the death of a baby in the Hunter region earlier this year.
Police and emergency services were called to a home on New Lambton, just after 4.30am on Saturday 9 February 2019, following reports a six-month-old boy had gone into cardiac arrest.
The child was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition. Despite the efforts of hospital staff, the boy died late on Sunday 10 February 2019.
Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad and Newcastle City Police District, assisted by the Homicide Squad, established Strike Force Wandearah to investigate the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
A post mortem examination determined the child died as a result of a traumatic head injury.
During the course of the investigation, detectives charged a 28-year-old man. He remains before the courts.
Following further inquiries, strike force investigators arrested a 26-year-old woman at a house in Marrickville just after 10am yesterday (Thursday 16 May 2019).
She was taken to Newtown Police Station, where she was charged with do act with intent to pervert the course of justice, failure of provide for child causing danger of death, and drive whilst disqualified.
The woman was refused bail to appear at Newtown Local Court today (Friday 17 May 2019).
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.

SHARON CLAYDON WILL DELIVER FOR NEWCASTLE

At the tailend of a hard-fought local campaign and on the cusp of the 2019 Federal election, Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has made a final pitch for the continued support of Novocastrians at the ballot box.
Ms Claydon said that while Liberals seemed to have had a deliberate strategy to ‘run dead’ in the local campaign, Labor would never take Newcastle for granted.
“I’m incredibly proud of the important local commitments I have been able to secure for Newcastle,” Ms Claydon said.
If elected, a Labor Government will deliver:

$3 million to rebuild Boscawen Street Bridge at Wallsend
$2.3 million to revitalise Throsby Creek and prevent plastics and other rubbish from ending up in the ocean
$13 million to complete the first stage of the Glendale Interchange
$120,000 for priority projects at Glendore Public School, Callaghan College, New Lambton Public School and Stockton Public School
$564,000 for more local emergency relief funding
$350,000 for a Newcastle Music Hub where young people can jam, rehearse and record with the support of professional mentors and equipment
$2.4 million for cutting-edge University of Newcastle research projects to drive a clean energy future
$450,000 for a project to boost job outcomes for young people in the Newcastle-Hunter region
$580,000 for two projects to boost the number of young people participating in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)
$1.65 million for a project to change community culture and help people with an experience of domestic violence to take up higher education
$750,000 for two projects to give disadvantaged people the skills and support to take up higher education
$50,000 for two parents’ rooms at University of Newcastle libraries
$120,000 for a project to open up university options to young people in out of home care

In addition, Ms Claydon pointed to a number of Labor’s national commitments and policies with specific benefits for Newcastle including:

$1.1 billion investment to grow the national hydrogen industry in which Newcastle could be a lead player
$14 billion extra for public schools across the country, including $19.4 million for schools in Newcastle
A cap on private health insurance premiums, a $2.8 billion Better Hospitals Fund and $2.3 billion Medicare Cancer Plan
The restoration of almost $10 million cut from the John Hunter Hospital, Calvary Mater and John Hunter Children’s Hospitals
The $50 million Coastal Rehabilitation Fund to support local communities like Stockton to address beach erosion
A commitment to real action on climate change, with Newcastle being uniquely positioned to lead the way in a just transition to a low-carbon economy
A National Rail Manufacturing Plan which Newcastle stands to benefit from as one of Australia’s largest remaining rail manufacturing hubs
The reversal of cuts to penalty rates and prevention of future cuts
Getting the NDIS back on track

Ms Claydon urged all constituents to vote, labelling the 2019 election “the most important in a generation”.
“Never has there been a starker difference between the offerings of the major parties with such far-reaching implications for the future direction of the country,” Ms Claydon said.
“Labor has presented a comprehensive, coherent vision of a fairer, more prosperous country that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few.
“Australians now have a clear choice between excessive tax breaks for the top end of town, or proper investment in schools, hospitals and the potential of Australian people.”
If you want better hospitals and schools, not more cuts – vote Labor.
If you want unity and stability, not three more years of chaos – vote Labor.
If you want to get wages moving, not more tax loopholes for the rich – vote Labor.
If you want real action on climate change, not more chaos – vote Labor.
If you want a fair go for all Australians – vote Labor.

Man charged with drugs and prohibited weapons offences – Newcastle

A man has been charged following a three-month investigation into drug supply in the Newcastle area.
In February 2019, detectives from Newcastle City Police District established Strike Force Toocooya to investigate the supply of heroin in the Newcastle area.
Following inquiries by Strike Force detectives, about 1.30pm on Monday 13 May 2019, a 38-year-old man was stopped by police while he was driving a hire car on Llewelyn Street, Merewether.
A search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered a prohibited drug believed to be heroin, and cash.
Police arrested the man and he was taken to Newcastle Police Station.
A subsequent search warrant of two properties in Berner Street, Merewether, and Park Avenue, Kotara, allegedly uncovered $11,000 in cash, a range of prohibited weapons including knuckle dusters, ballistic vests, a replica Glock pistol, tasers, flick knives, batons and drug paraphernalia.
Police will also allege they found prohibited drugs including heroin, cocaine, MDMA and cannabis.
The 38-year-old man was charged with more than 300 offences, including ongoing drug supply as well as firearm and weapon offences.
He was refused bail at Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday 14 May to reappear at the same court on Wednesday 22 May 2019.
Investigations under Strike Force Toocooya continue.

Off-duty officers assist in arrest of man accused of robbery offences – Newcastle

A man has been charged in relation to two separate alleged robbery offences earlier this month.
About 8.15pm on Saturday 4 May 2019, a male employee was in a business on Nelson St, Wallsend, when a man and a woman entered the shop.
Police will allege a 26-year-old man threatened the employee with an unknown object before taking a sum of cash and fleeing the scene.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District were called a short time later and established a crime scene.
About 10.30pm that same night, a 20-year-old female was at a university campus at Callaghan, when police allege the same man and woman approached her.
She was allegedly assaulted by the female, while the man stole her laptop before the pair fled the scene.
The 20-year-old contacted university security who then contacted police.
Following extensive inquiries, about midday yesterday (Wednesday 15 May 2019), a 26-year-old man was spotted by a group of off-duty officers at a shopping centre in Waratah.
They alerted police from the Newcastle Target Action Group who arrived and arrested the man.
He was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with robbery armed with offensive weapon and robbery in company.
He was refused bail at Newcastle Local Court today, to face the same court on Thursday 11 July 2019.
Newcastle City Police District Crime Manager Detective Chief Inspector Scott Parker has praised the work of both on and off-duty officers.
“These off-duty officers were spending time with their families, but the role of a police officer never switches off. This shows the great level of teamwork within the Newcastle City Police District throughout all units.”
Inquiries continue.

LABOR FUNDING TO OPEN UP UNIVERSITY OPTIONS FOR KIDS IN OUT OF HOME CARE

A Shorten Labor Government will invest $120,000 for the University of Newcastle to deliver a pilot project to open up the world of higher education to kids in out of home care.
This election will be a choice between a united Shorten Labor Government which will reverse the Liberals’ education cuts and properly fund our universities, or more of the Liberals’ cuts and chaos.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said the program would initially target participants in the Hunter, Newcastle and Central Coast regions.
“With about 10 per cent of young people in out of home care living in the Hunter, Newcastle and Central Coast regions, there is a dire need for greater support,” Ms Claydon said.
“Labor understands education is best way to help young people escape cycles of disadvantage and achieve their potential, and that’s exactly what this funding is about.”
Ms Claydon said 1,200 young people, case workers and carers were expected to engage with the program and its resources during a three-year pilot.
“In a unique model, current university students who have experience of out of home care will use their personal insights to help to design materials for young people currently in out of home care, their caseworkers and carers,” Ms Claydon said.
“These students will then be trained and paid to deliver training to children currently in care. This will have the dual benefit of giving them an income to support their studies and giving kids in care a mentor who understands the challenges they face.”
Ms Claydon said out of home care caseworkers and carers would also take part in training, so they are able to understand and communicate the options to young people.
“Around 84 per cent of out of home care students participating in an existing University of Newcastle program said that, while in out of home care, they couldn’t remember one person speaking to them about university as an option after care,” Ms Claydon said.
“Similar numbers said how helpful it would have been if their caseworkers and carers spoke to them about these options and the experiences of young people in care who have moved on to higher education.”
University of Newcastle Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Darrell Evans, said the program underlines the University’s commitment to creating equal educational opportunity for all.
“It’s vital that we provide as many people as possible the support they need to access a university education, and all the benefits that can bring,” Professor Evans said.
“Our University has a proud history of enabling access to education for people from diverse backgrounds and circumstances, and this innovative pilot program will build on that. By drawing on the real experiences of students who have received out-of-home care, we can provide meaningful, tailored support that will create lasting opportunities.”
A Shorten Labor Government will also uncap university places and invest $3.2 billion into TAFE, university and skills training.
This election is a choice between Labor’s plan for increased investment in education or bigger tax loopholes for the top end of town under the Liberals.
If you want real investment in education, not more chaos – vote Labor.