Category: Newcastle News

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the Port-Stephens Hunter region.

Eli Elliott, aged 21, was last seen in Thornton, yesterday afternoon (Monday 30 September 2024).

When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for his welfare.

Eli is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, of thin build with short brown hair.

He was last seen wearing grey track pants and a grey hooded jumper.

Eli is known to frequent the Thornton and East Maitland areas.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to call Raymond Terrace Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from the state’s Hunter region.

Mailey Gelder, aged, 14, was last seen in Davistown about 1.30am yesterday (Monday 30 September 2024).

When she could not be located, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for her welfare due to her young age.

Mailey is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150cm tall with slim build, with shoulder-length brown hair.

She was last seen wearing black track pants and a black hoodie.

Mailey is known to frequent the Central Coast and Sydney areas.

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

Police have arrested two men following an alleged home invasion on the state’s north.

About 3.30am this morning (Monday 30 September 2024), two men entered a home in Macquarie Hills.

Two occupants of the home, a female and a male, aged 34 and 35, were allegedly assaulted with a knife shortly after the men entered the home.

The men left the scene prior to police arrival.

The 35-year-old suffered a stab wound to his shoulder and was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene before being taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The 34-year-old suffered a minor injury and treated at the scene.

Detectives attached to Lake Macquarie Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation.

Following inquiries, two men, aged 27 and 28, were arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station where they were both charged with enter building/land with intent commit indictable offence and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of other.

They were both refused bail to appear before Belmont Local Court tomorrow (Tuesday 1 October 2024).

Families are spoilt for choice with City of Newcastle set to host a wide range of activities across its venues during the upcoming September school holidays.

The events and activities cater to the interests of kids, teens and parents, from hands-on science shows and creative workshops at our libraries to the vibrant cultural celebrations of New Annual festival.

NEW ANNUAL

As part of the city’s annual flagship arts festival, New Annual, there will be a host of kid-friendly events.

From 4-6 October experience SWING, a thrilling nine-metre-tall swing that’s sure to bring joy to all ages. Be sure to join New Annuals Global Gathering on October 5 to celebrate Newcastle’s rich cultural diversity with food, art, and performances. 

Part game, part performance, Wondercity is a unique audio-led interactive adventure traveling through a series of activated sites across the CBD, featuring live performances, soundscapes, film, and installation art. Presented by Tantrum Youth arts running from 4-6 October, this event will take visitors on a journey to uncover surprising realities, and imagined futures of our city.

New Annual will be running until 6 October, for more information on New Annual festival, see here.

NEWCASTLE MUSEUM

At Newcastle Museum, step back in time and join museum scientist Catherine and dive into Planet Earth Science Shows and explore the mysteries of earthquakes, volcanoes, and dinosaurs on selected days from October 1 – 10.

For budding engineers, the Excellent Engineers marble run and maze-building activity offers a fun introduction to engineering and physics for budding engineers on 2 and 11 October.

Creative kids can join Marbling and Marble Painting workshops where you’ll explore vibrant colours and create unique, one-of-a-kind artworks on 4 and 11 October.

For more information on Newcastle Museum events, see here. 

BLACKBUTT RESERVE 

Spring is the perfect time to visit Blackbutt Reserve and meet the newest members of our animal family. How many new arrivals will you be able to spot? Don’t miss the daily animal feeding sessions, where you can watch wombats, birds, nocturnal animals, and koalas at their most active.

In addition, as part of the new multipurpose community facility and café project, two new shelters – Redgum and Mahogany – will be available for booking starting 1 October via Blackbutt website. Four picnic tables and chairs next to the shelters will also be available, these can not be reserved.

For more information on booking a shelter, see here. For Blackbutt feeding times, see here.

LIBRARIES

At our Wallsend and City Library locations crafty kids can get involved in mystery craft activities to unleash their imagination, make flower crowns or create vibrant paper recycled butterflies to celebrate the spring season.

For gaming enthusiasts, there is a coding workshop where kids can learn through a fun, interactive project, or they can join a Nintendo Switch gaming event to enjoy some friendly competition and connect with fellow gamers.

Board game lovers won’t be left out, with a dedicated board games day and an introduction to the exciting world of the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons.

For more information on Library events, see here.

CIVIC THEATRE

Step in time to Civic Theatre to see the beloved stage production of Mary Poppins, offering a magical theatrical experience for all ages during the holidays.

For more information on Civic Theatre shows, see here. 

A man has died following a single-vehicle crash in the Port-Stephens Hunter region.

About 9.15am today (Saturday 28 September 2024) emergency services were called to Myall Street, Tea Gardens, following reports of a crash.

Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and found a ute had collided with a tree.

The sole occupant of the vehicle, a man aged 53, was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics but he could not be revived and died at the scene.

Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter established a crime scene and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

City of Newcastle’s flagship cultural festival is making a song and dance about its opening weekend by hosting a range of unique performances at iconic venues.

City Hall will be centre stage tonight when renowned First Nations singer Mitch Tambo officially kicks off proceedings with the First Night Street Party, blending traditional Aboriginal sounds and language with contemporary beats and production, supported by Tower Divas and local duo, Chain Daisy.

At Honeysuckle Marina, one of Australia’s leading voices in hip hop, Gomeroi artist Kobie Dee, will headline Friday Night Sounds at Newcastle Art Gallery’s Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House, supported by Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl singer/songwriter, Maanyung. 

For a shorter stay on the dancefloor, Wheeler Place has Ten Minute Dance Parties, created by multi-art performer Joseph O’Farrell (JOF), where people of all ages will attempt world records, dance-off competitions and dedications – but only for ten minutes.

New Annual Senior Producer and Curator Adrian Burnett with JOF (Joseph O’Farrell) inside a 10 Minute Dance Party at Wheeler Place.Senior Producer and Curator Adrian Burnett said the fourth edition of New Annual is an incredible mix of immersive dance, music, circus, visual art and theatre.

“This year we’re featuring local and nationally renowned artists who’ll be delivering free, ticketed and family-friendly events, offering something for everyone during the school holidays,” Mr Burnett said.

“We already have a range of things to see and do including a collaborative timber sculpture workshop at the historic Soap Factory arts space with local furniture makers Jonathan Everett and Hannah Cheetham.

“There’s also Khaled Sabsabi’s self-titled exhibition at The Lock Up and Belongings at the Watt Space Gallery, an immersive installation that shares stories of six refugees who took asylum in Newcastle.”

The Civic Theatre will be a hive of activity during the opening weekend of New Annual, starting with the internationally renowned Dancenorth Australia’s performance of Wayfinder.

Dancenorth Australia has teamed up with three-time Grammy nominated Australian band Hiatus Kaiyote and sound artist Byron J. Scullin to create a show complete with physical exuberance, sonic resonance, and collective exhilaration.

On Saturday night at Newcastle City Hall you can contemplate your place in the universe as world music favourites MZAZA bring you The Birth and Death of Stars, a surreal voyage exploring what links us to one another and the world around us.

The show takes audiences into a fusion of music, history and culture with mesmerizing vocals in three languages, electrifying live music and innovative collage animation.

Also on Saturday night, home grown talent will celebrate the power of art, culture, and community connection when the Newcastle Youth Orchestra delivers Rising from the Ashes: An Orchestral Suite at the University of Newcastle’s Conservatorium of Music.

This unique program includes two brand new never-performed works by upcoming local composer Jacob Cummins, alongside a mix of four other new and well-loved pieces.

As part of City of Newcastle’s UpStage program, the Civic Theatre’s Playhouse will host Romeo & Juliet: A Reimagining tonight and Saturday, delivering a bold and explorative reimagining of Shakespeare’s timeless classic.

For a more interactive theatre experience Tantrum Youth Arts have developed WonderCity, which is part game, part performance and part wayfinding adventure, weaving through the CBD among some of Newcastle’s most iconic cultural institutions and landmarks. 

WonderCity invites you to step into a version of Newcastle as imagined by young people, embarking on a journey to uncover surprising realities, alternate perspectives and imagined futures of our city.

New Annual’s opening weekend will also incorporate The Big Picture Fest 2024, featuring six new large-scale murals, with festival goers able to watch acclaimed street artists painting in real time.

New Annual runs from today until 6 October. Visit https://newannual.com/ for the full program.

The First Night Street Party is supported by the NSW Government’s Open Streets Program.

A man has been charged after a woman was located deceased in the Hunter Valley.

About 6.10pm yesterday (Friday 27 September 2024) emergency services were called to a property on Coulson Road, Pokolbin, following reports of a concern for welfare.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended and located a 46-year-old woman with significant injuries.

She was treated at the scene but could not be revived.

A crime scene was established, and detectives from Hunter Valley Police District commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death, under Strike Force Stockport.

A 47-year-old man was arrested at the property and taken to Cessnock Police Station where he was charged with murder (DV).

He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 28 September 2024).

Police have arrested a man after a woman was located deceased in the Hunter Valley region.

About 6.10pm Friday (27 September 2024) emergency services were called to a property on Coulson Road, Pokolbin, following reports of a concern for welfare.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended and located a woman with significant injuries.

She was treated at the scene but could not be revived.

The woman is yet to be formally identified, however is believed to be aged in her 40s.

A crime scene has been established, and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death has commenced.

A 47-year-old man was arrested at the property and has been taken to Cessnock Police Station.

Inquiries are ongoing.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the upper Hunter region.

Dale Charlesworth, aged 32, was last seen riding his black Harley Davidson bike, number plate GSZ59, on Thomas Mitchell Drive, Muswellbrook about 9.25am on Wednesday 25 September 2024.

When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police Area Command were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for his welfare.

Dale is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 170cm tall, of medium build and brown hair in a mullet hairstyle.

He was last seen wearing a hi-vis orange work shirt, black helmet, black jeans, black jacket and tanned work boots.

Police believe he may have been Gunnedah, Tenterfield and Warwick in Queensland.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to call Muswellbrook Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A man and a woman have been charged following a shooting near Newcastle yesterday. 

About 5.30pm yesterday (Thursday 26 September 2024), officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were called to O’Donnelltown Road, West Wallsend, following reports of a shooting.

Police arrived to find a man, who was located in bushland, had been shot in both legs.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the 39-year-old at the scene, before he was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

Officers were told, the 39-year-old had allegedly met a 26-year-old man at the location – both men are known to each other – with the 26-year-old driving off before police arrived.

Police established a crime scene and commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A short time later, two men, aged 23 and 33, were arrested at Seaham Street, Holmesville.

They were taken to Belmont Police Station and questioned, before later being released.

About 7:15pm, the 26-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman attended Toronto Police Station.

They were arrested and the man was charged with discharge firearm etc intend cause grievous bodily harm and possess loaded firearm public place.

The woman was charged with being an accessory after the fact to discharge firearm etc intend cause grievous bodily harm.

Both were refused bail to appear before Toronto Local Court today (Friday 27 September 2024).

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.