Novocastrians with family heirlooms or trinkets dating back generations can find out if they’re sitting on a million-dollar fortune at Newcastle Museum this Saturday.
The museum is hosting its annual Valuation Day from 10am-4pm, offering members of the community 15-minute, one-on-one consultations with expert auctioneers and valuators, who will also bring along some priceless Kelly Gang memorabilia.
Akin to the popular British TV show Antiques Roadshow, auctioneers Alex Renwick and Tom Thompson will delve into the history and heritage of individual heirlooms and collector items, before estimating their value.
Museum Director Julie Baird said the day offers the community a cheap and accessible opportunity to turn that tangible treasure into cash.
“You never know what that collector’s item or heirloom which has been stored away in safe keeping might be worth to you or a loved one,” Ms Baird said.
“Alex and Tom have more than 50 years auctioneering and valuation experience between them, so they’ll certainly be useful in either making or breaking someone’s day.
“Either way, you’ve really got nothing to lose so book in for a 15-minute discussion about your most cherished treasures and discover the history and potential value of them for just $15.”
The auctioneers will bring an original gun used by the Kelly gang and a photo of the infamous bushranger and his family taken at Euroa in Victoria.
The photo features Ned, his brother and his cousin, all unmasked and wearing the clothes they had just stolen when they took over the town in 1878.
Ms Baird said the photo was extremely rare.
“It’s estimated to be one of only two original images world-wide featuring an image of the Kelly gang unmasked,” she said.
“I’d be very surprised to know what it would be worth, but I really don’t think you could put a price on such an iconic and rare piece of Australian history. It truly is priceless.”
Bookings are essential and can be made at http://newcastlemuseum.com.au/Whats-On/Events/Valuation-Day
A rare image of the Kelly Gang will be on display Saturday
Category: Newcastle News
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Critical incident investigation launched over man's death – Glendale
Police have launched a critical incident investigation following the shooting death of a man in the Lake Macquarie region today.
As part of inquiries into the death of a 27-year-old woman, officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended a home in Vena Street, Glendale, just before 9am (Thursday 14 March 2019).
When officers confronted a 21-year-old man at the property, he allegedly threatened them with a knife before he was shot by police.
The man died at the scene.
A Critical Incident Team will now investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the discharge of a police firearm.
Inquiries are continuing.
Thousands expected at several large-scale events at Newcastle this weekend
Police are urging people in the Newcastle area to celebrate safely and responsibly this weekend, with several large-scale events, including three music festivals taking place across the region.
Two music festivals will take place on Saturday 16 March 2019 – ‘The Drop’ Festival at King Edward Park and ‘Live at the Foreshore’ at the Newcastle Foreshore. While ‘Up-Down’ Festival will also take place at the Newcastle Foreshore on Sunday 17 March 2019.
A high-visibility police operation will be in place at each of these festivals including officers from Newcastle City Police District, with assistance from specialist units including the Dog Unit, Licencing Police, and Police Transport Command.
These events fall on the same weekend as three big sporting events in Newcastle – the Newcastle Knights will play their first game of the 2019 NRL season against the Cronulla Sharks at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday 15 March 2019. While the Newcastle Jets will play in the F3 Derby against the Central Coast Mariners at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday 16 March 2019, and thousands are in town for the finals weekend of Surfest at Merewether Beach (Friday 15 March – Sunday 17 March 2019).
Newcastle City Police District Superintendent, Brett Greentree, says officers will maintain a strong presence at these events, targeting anti-social behaviour and criminal activity.
“Thousands of people are expected to attend all these events across three busy days in Newcastle, and police from both general duties and specialist units will be patrolling the venues, targeting anti-social behaviour, and the supply and possession of illegal drugs,”
“It’s great to see Newcastle as a busy spot for sporting and music events, but we want people to enjoy these events safely. We’re regularly reminded of the negative effects alcohol and drugs can have on people’s health and behaviour, we will be targeting those intent on bringing any illegal substance into the events.” Superintendent Greentree said.
Anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or who feels unwell, is urged to seek professional medical attention.
“The weather is forecast to be wet all weekend, so revellers are encouraged to look after one another, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water – not alcohol, and keep safe and dry in the weather conditions.” Superintendent Greentree said.
Anyone attending these events is asked to utilise public transport and plan your trip ahead of time. Visit www.transport.nsw.info for the latest timetable and ticketing information for trains, buses, ferries, light rail and taxi ranks.
Missing girl – Waratah, near Newcastle
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a girl missing from Waratah.
Maddison Sawka Finn, aged 13, was last seen by family members in Newcastle on Tuesday 5 March 2019.
She was reported missing to officers from Newcastle City Police District on Tuesday 12 March 2019.
Concerns are held for her welfare due to her age.
Maddison is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 170cm tall, of a slim build, with long black hair and a mole above her left eyebrow.
It’s believed she may be in the Newcastle, Raymond Terrace or Taree areas.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Maddison is urged to come forward.
Parking discounts driving-up app’s use
Record numbers of drivers are using the City’s EasyPark mobile phone app to take advantage of 25 per cent discounts on hourly rates.
Pay-by-phone transactions shot up 80 per cent from December to January (15,000-27,000) and a further 30 per cent from February to March (27,000-35,000), proving Novocastrians are willing to embrace smart city technology.
From when the discount was introduced on 1 January to 1 March, 62,000 transactions were made via the mobile phone application – more than double the 30,000 for the two months from November to December.
Transactions had been increasing at a steady average of 20 per cent a month between March 2018, when EasyPark was introduced, and December.
Nearing the halfway mark of the six-month trial of the discount, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the numbers showed the incentive was clearly working.
“Drivers are embracing this easy, convenient and cost-effective parking payment mechanism which is keeping more money in their pockets while preparing them for Australian-first technology that will soon guide drivers to vacant parking spaces,” the Lord Mayor said.
From July, users of the EasyPark app will be able to log in and view the availability of parking spaces across the City.
The app will have the ability to point out to drivers the most likely place to find a park, based on sophisticated parking algorithms.
Cr Nelmes said the City would review the 25 per cent discount in time for the 2019-20 budget.
The EasyPark app can be downloaded via the Apple app store by typing EasyPark or at Google Play for Android users. Just look for the logo of a white ‘e’ set in a pink square. Motorists can also call EasyPark on 1300 734 070 for assistance with the app.
Pay-by-phone transactions shot up 80 per cent from December to January (15,000-27,000) and a further 30 per cent from February to March (27,000-35,000), proving Novocastrians are willing to embrace smart city technology.
From when the discount was introduced on 1 January to 1 March, 62,000 transactions were made via the mobile phone application – more than double the 30,000 for the two months from November to December.
Transactions had been increasing at a steady average of 20 per cent a month between March 2018, when EasyPark was introduced, and December.
Nearing the halfway mark of the six-month trial of the discount, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the numbers showed the incentive was clearly working.
“Drivers are embracing this easy, convenient and cost-effective parking payment mechanism which is keeping more money in their pockets while preparing them for Australian-first technology that will soon guide drivers to vacant parking spaces,” the Lord Mayor said.
From July, users of the EasyPark app will be able to log in and view the availability of parking spaces across the City.
The app will have the ability to point out to drivers the most likely place to find a park, based on sophisticated parking algorithms.
Cr Nelmes said the City would review the 25 per cent discount in time for the 2019-20 budget.
The EasyPark app can be downloaded via the Apple app store by typing EasyPark or at Google Play for Android users. Just look for the logo of a white ‘e’ set in a pink square. Motorists can also call EasyPark on 1300 734 070 for assistance with the app.
Strike Force Trawler charge man over alleged online exploitation of child
Strike Force Trawler detectives have charged a man over the alleged online grooming of a child.
In January 2018, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a man from the Newcastle area.
Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl and engaged in sexually explicit conversations and sent indecent material to the child.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives arrested a 22-year-old man at a home in Lambton about 8.40am yesterday (Tuesday 12 March 2019).
A search warrant was executed at the property, where investigators seized a computer, a video game console, a mobile phone, USB drives, and other electronic devices. These items will undergo forensic examination.
The man was taken to Waratah Police Station, where he was charged using a carriage service to groom persons under 16 years of age.
He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 11 April 2019.
Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by the CEIU into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.
Regular covert online investigations are conducted by the CEIU; and police in NSW work closely with their law-enforcement colleagues interstate and overseas.
0.252 reading brings drink drive charge for mum on school run
A woman will face court next month after being charged with high-range drink driving when she attended a Hunter region primary school to collect her children.
About 4.35pm on Monday 11 March, police from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to a Salamander Bay school after a teacher became concerned for the welfare of a parent who had arrived at the school to collect her six-year-old daughter.
The woman’s two-year-old son was in the car at the time it arrived at the school.
A roadside breath test returned a positive reading.
The woman was arrested and taken to Nelson Bay Police Station where a subsequent breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.252
Her licence was suspended, and a Child at Risk Notification has been lodged.
The 30-year-old Nelson Bay woman was issued a Court Attendance Notice to appear in Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 1 April 2019.
Investigation continues into death of woman – Lake Macquarie
As investigations continue into the death of a woman in the Lake Macquarie area today, police are now searching for a man, who they believe may be able to assist with their inquiry, and a vehicle he may be driving.
Officers were called to a home on Stephens Avenue about 11.30am (Wednesday 13 March 2019), after a woman was found suffering stab wounds.
She was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital where she died.
A crime scene was established at the woman’s house and detectives are now searching for a man known as Tafari Walton, who is described as having a dark complexion, aged in his early 20s with a long black ponytail, and wearing a grey top with black short.
It’s believed he may be driving a 2008 white Mitsubishi Outlander with NSW registration AW67VV.
If anyone knows the whereabouts of this man or the vehicle please do not approach but contact Triple Zero.
Local flora exhibition blossoms from partnership
A cross-pollination of science, environment, education and art has spawned a vivid depiction of Newcastle’s diverse flora, now on exhibition at Newcastle Museum.
The Flora of the Hunter Region exhibition features 33 natural illustrations of plant life carefully reproduced from images in a newly released book published by the University of Newcastle in partnership with the CSIRO.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Museum Director Julie Baird at Newcastle Museum
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the exhibition had several layers to it, which have come about through an important collaboration of scientific, academic and artistic minds.
“This is a striking and colourful art exhibition that wraps the science and history of Newcastle’s endangered flora all into one,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The level of thought and the detail to which this exhibition has been planned and curated is truly remarkable and a credit to our staff and exhibition partners.
“What was first simply a conversation to launch a book has now turned into an established partnership between the University of Newcastle, CSIRO and Newcastle Museum that adds serious credibility to the book’s meaning, and in turn, the museum’s exhibition.”
Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said the exhibition captures the exceptional level of detail and history of the local plant life contained within the book.
“The University approached us about a space to launch a new book they were publishing on endangered plant life of the Hunter.”
“Three months since that December meeting, we’re proud to say we’ve been able to achieve that vision.”
The book, Flora of the Hunter Region – Endemic Trees and Larger Shrubs, piqued the interest of the CSIRO, Australia’s chief science agency, due to its level of rare and insightful scientific information.
Co-authored by Hunter-based botanist and University Conjoint Stephen Bell, Christine Rockley and Anne Lewellyn, it details 54 endemic trees and large shrubs native to the Hunter.
Information includes the identification, habitat, ecology and distribution of each of the 54 different each species.
The exhibition itself will showcase 33 of the images contained within the book, including three plant species new to science and two presumed extinct. Everyone one of them is native to the Hunter.
Broad-Leaved Pepperbrush: Installation by Esther Bolz
The exhibition will be on display in Newcastle Museum from 12 March until 10 June 2019. For more information, visit http://www.newcastlemuseum.com.au/Exhibitions/Exhibitions/FLORA-of-the-Hunter-Region.
The Flora of the Hunter Region exhibition features 33 natural illustrations of plant life carefully reproduced from images in a newly released book published by the University of Newcastle in partnership with the CSIRO.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Museum Director Julie Baird at Newcastle MuseumLord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the exhibition had several layers to it, which have come about through an important collaboration of scientific, academic and artistic minds.
“This is a striking and colourful art exhibition that wraps the science and history of Newcastle’s endangered flora all into one,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The level of thought and the detail to which this exhibition has been planned and curated is truly remarkable and a credit to our staff and exhibition partners.
“What was first simply a conversation to launch a book has now turned into an established partnership between the University of Newcastle, CSIRO and Newcastle Museum that adds serious credibility to the book’s meaning, and in turn, the museum’s exhibition.”
Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said the exhibition captures the exceptional level of detail and history of the local plant life contained within the book.“The University approached us about a space to launch a new book they were publishing on endangered plant life of the Hunter.”
“Three months since that December meeting, we’re proud to say we’ve been able to achieve that vision.”
The book, Flora of the Hunter Region – Endemic Trees and Larger Shrubs, piqued the interest of the CSIRO, Australia’s chief science agency, due to its level of rare and insightful scientific information.
Co-authored by Hunter-based botanist and University Conjoint Stephen Bell, Christine Rockley and Anne Lewellyn, it details 54 endemic trees and large shrubs native to the Hunter.
Information includes the identification, habitat, ecology and distribution of each of the 54 different each species.
The exhibition itself will showcase 33 of the images contained within the book, including three plant species new to science and two presumed extinct. Everyone one of them is native to the Hunter.
Broad-Leaved Pepperbrush: Installation by Esther Bolz
The exhibition will be on display in Newcastle Museum from 12 March until 10 June 2019. For more information, visit http://www.newcastlemuseum.com.au/Exhibitions/Exhibitions/FLORA-of-the-Hunter-Region.
Man charged after alleged carjacking and police pursuit – Raymond Terrace
A man has been charged after an alleged carjacking and police pursuit at the weekend.
About 8.40pm on Saturday (9 March 2019), a 45-year-old man was at his home on Corelli Close at Raymond Terrace, when a man, known to him, and a woman attended and requested to be driven to another address.
The trio left the home in a Mitsubishi Lancer and a short time later, officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attempted to stop the vehicle on Irrawang Street for a random breath test.
The man allegedly threatened the 45-year-old man who was driving, and a police pursuit was initiated after the vehicle failed to stop.
On Adelaide Street, the Mitsubishi slowed down, and the driver jumped out.
The Mitsubishi took off again and the pursuit continued for a short time before it was terminated due to safety concerns.
Following inquiries, police attended Maitland Road at Mayfield about 9am today (Tuesday 12 March 2019), after the couple were sighted.
Following a short foot pursuit, officers arrested a 40-year-old man nearby on Hanbury Street.
The woman was last seen fleeing in a blue Nissan Navara.
The man was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with aggravated take/drive motor vehicle with person in it – in company, stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic), custody of knife in public place.
He appeared in Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 12 March 2019) and was formally refused bail to reappear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 25 March 2019.
Inquiries are continuing to locate the woman.