Month: October 2018

Newcastle Region Library members have a chance to clear more than $70,000 in unpaid library overdue fines while supporting people in need across Newcastle this Christmas.
Library members with outstanding fees can clear $5 for every non-perishable food item and $10 for every toiletry item they donate, from their overdue fine ledger.

Food for Five, Toiletries for Ten, which is being used effectively by libraries across Australia and around the world, commences on Monday 12 November and runs until Monday 10 December 2018.
All items collected under Food for Five, Toiletries for Ten will be donated to local emergency relief agencies OzHarvest, Got Your Back Sista and Baptist Care, who will package up the goods for needy families in the lead-up to the festive season.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said now is a great time for members to return to the Library.
“If it’s been awhile since you visited one of our libraries or maybe your fines have been outstanding for ages, come on back.
“Now is the perfect chance to get those fines reduced, do some good for the community and check out the library’s fabulous new resources and programs for everyone in the family.”
Newcastle Region Library aims to significantly reduce the total amount of outstanding overdue fines, more than $70,000, from the past 12 months, through this initiative.
City of Newcastle’s Manager Libraries Suzie Gately encourages people to contact the library if they’re uncertain whether they have overdue fines or to what amount.
“Simply ring us at 4974 5342 with your library card handy to give us your member number, and we can easily look up your fines,” she said.
“Last year in Newcastle alone, more than $13,000 in fines were cleared, resulting in donations of 1400 food items and 1320 toiletry items for community distribution.
“This is the third year that Newcastle Region Library has participated and, given the overwhelming response in previous years, we anticipate another successful campaign.”
There is no limit to the amount in fines that can be paid off with food and toiletry donations, but they will only be accepted to clear overdue charges. Payment for lost or damaged library items must be paid with cash or EFTPOS.

Novocastrians living and working in suburbs from Wallsend to Merewether can now sign up to receive free flood warnings that could potentially save lives.
The flood alert service is now being rolled-out across most of Newcastle following positive feedback in a successful trial among Wallsend residents in 2016.
As a result, seven new catchment areas have been added to the alert list. People can register to receive text messages, emails or voicemail alerts in these areas. Information about the flood alerts can be viewed online at www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/floodalert.

The service aims to provide an early warning to residents and businesses based on three key risks:
·         Flash flooding caused by intense heavy rainfall in urban areas
·         Mainstream flooding caused by inundation when the Hunter River breaks its banks
·         Ocean storm surges flooding in low-lying areas
Each warning carries a minor, moderate or major level of risk depending on the expected flood event likely to occur, and will also include a recommended action on how to respond.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the extension of the service would enable residents of low-lying areas to stay informed of local flooding in general.
“Flooding affects up to one third of all properties in Newcastle and it’s important for all residents to be aware of their flood risk – not just at home, but at work, school or other places you visit frequently,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Recent history tells us that flooding can occur in Newcastle very quickly and sometimes there can be less than an hour of warning between the beginning of a storm and the onset of flooding.
“Forewarned is forearmed and this alert service, delivered straight to people’s fingertips, will help keep them informed about a possible flooding event and give them time to consider their options to stay safe.”
To learn more about this service and to sign up online for free flood alerts, visit Newcastle.nsw.gov.au/floodalert.

Step out and fly right this Halloween, that’s the message as police remind pedestrians about staying safe while trick or treating.
Traffic and Highway Patrol’s Acting Assistant Commissioner Julie Middlemiss said this afternoon’s trick or treaters should remember to travel around their suburbs safely.
“We know the kids and some big kids will be setting out for the afternoon around the same time people are starting to arrive home from work,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Middlemiss said.
“Drivers need to remember to slow down in suburban areas, particularly where there are a lot of younger families who may be trick or treating.
“If you are supervising the kids while they are trick or treating this afternoon, it is important to use designated lights and crossings, where possible.
“You should make you and your group stand out by using torches and glow sticks, so drivers can see you.”
Acting Assistant Commissioner Middlemiss added it was important to remember not everyone marked Halloween each year – so it was best to stick to houses with decorations on their properties.
While we acknowledge the meaning of ‘trick or treating,’ ensure you respect people’s decision not to participate in the festivities, as damage to properties will not be tolerated, she said.

A man has been charged over an alleged act of indecency and assault on a train on the state’s Central Coast yesterday.
Just before 6.30pm (Monday 29 October 2018), it’s alleged a 27-year-old man boarded a northbound train at Wyong Railway Station and attempted to talk to two passengers – a 20-year-old woman and a 17-year-old girl.
Police will allege the man committed an act of indecency and assault before getting off the train at Morisset Railway Station.
Officers from the Police Transport and Public Safety Command were notified and patrolled the Morisset Railway Station.
A short time later, police located a man at a bus stop outside the Railway Station.
The 27-year-old man from Wyong was taken to Toronto Police Station and charged with commit act of indecency with person 16 years or over and common assault.
The man was refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court today (Tuesday 30 October 2018).

Newcastle Art Gallery has added 49 works of art with a combined value of more than half a million dollars to its collection, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of private donors and a challenge from Sydney-based philanthropists James and Jacqui Erskine.
The Gallery will debut these works of art and celebrate the donors through a special exhibition THE ERSKINE PLEDGE: a gift to Newcastle, showcasing 12 artworks donated by James and Jacqui Erskine as well as 36 from the collections of other private donors.
Another major acquisition for the Gallery, The First Immeasurable – Love (an unbounded heart) 2017 by artist Lindy Lee, will be unveiled as part of the exhibition. It was gifted by the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation, with the assistance of the Newcastle Art Gallery Society and private donors.
“These works of art are invaluable additions to the Gallery’s already substantial art collection and I want to extend my heartfelt thanks on behalf of the City to all of the donors, and particularly to James and Jacqui Erskine for spearheading this effort,” said Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.
In 2017, the Erskines challenged the Foundation to raise donations of either cash or works of art to the value of $250,000 and pledged to match that amount with a donation of art from their own private collection.
Through the combined efforts of Gallery staff and the Foundation, the challenge was met by early 2018.
Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton said it was incredible to see the challenge met so quickly.
“This achievement highlights how working together can further advance the significance of Newcastle Art Gallery and the City’s collection for the benefit of our community,” she said.
“James and Jacqui Erskine laid down the challenge, and by doing so inspired more benefaction for the Gallery.
“Their generosity and commitment to Newcastle Art Gallery means that these fantastic works of art can be appreciated and enjoyed by future generations of Novocastrians.”
THE ERSKINE PLEDGE: a gift to Newcastle will be on display at Newcastle Art Gallery from 3 November 2018 – 28 January 2019.
The Erskines’ connection to Newcastle Art Gallery began when they were private lenders to the JOHN OLSEN: The City’s Son exhibition in 2016.
James Erskine said the couple is gratified with the success of the challenge for Newcastle Art Gallery.
“For those of us who have been fortunate enough to collect, a thought: The suit you die in has no pockets, ” he said.
“It’s a good feeling when many benefit from a few.”
In fulfilling their generous pledge, the couple donated 12 works of art to the Gallery’s collection by the following artists:

Caption for image above:
Lindy LEE, The First Immeasurable – Love (an unbounded heart) 2017 mirror polished stainless steel, LED lighting
155.0 x 55.0 x 55.0cm Gift of the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation with the assistance of the Newcastle Art Gallery Society and public donations 2018 Newcastle Art Gallery collection

City of Newcastle will host business and community leaders at a fundraising event during the Newcastle 500 to help power a global campaign to end violence against women.
The Fort Scratchley function will be held on Saturday 23 November, the penultimate day of Supercars Australia’s 2018 season, for White Ribbon Day which falls on Friday 22 November,  in support of the City of Newcastle’s charity partner Got Your Back Sista.

^{Got Your Back Sista’s team of Mel Histon, Jo Buckingham and Janine Chandler with Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.}
“With the eyes of the world focused on Newcastle for the Supercars Finale, we have seized a great opportunity to shine a light on this very important issue,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“White Ribbon’s message is focused on engaging men, so a sporting event that attracts millions of male viewers is the perfect vehicle to keep the momentum of recent years going – not only in raising awareness of everyone’s responsibilities when it comes to domestic violence but also to raise precious money to fund more sanctuaries for victims.
“I’d like to thank Supercars Australia on behalf of the city for providing 100% of the tickets to the function and joining us in the name of White Ribbon Day and Got Your Back Sista.”
Got Your Back Sista became the City’s first official charity partner through Council’s Community Impact Program established last year.
Founder Melissa Histon will address the 150 prominent local business and community leaders before a charity auction that will see items go under the hammer.
“The luncheon is a great opportunity to share our message that domestic violence is never acceptable and that we are there for anyone suffering its terrorising effects,” Histon said.
“Got Your Back Sista is a Newcastle based charity focused on helping women and children who have fled domestic violence to set-up a safe home free from violence.
“We work to help women start their lives again and live independently, so we are profoundly grateful for the support of both the City of Newcastle and Supercars.”
Costs for the fundraising event were approved as part of the City’s 2018/19 budget.
Fort Scratchley, equipped with marquee and outdoor furniture, is available for hire on Friday and Sunday of the Supercars weekend, with the expected income from those days slated to offset the cost of staging Saturday’s event.
White Ribbon Day is part of the global White Ribbon Campaign, which symbolises the idea of men giving up their arms, and is committed to creating societies in which all women can live safely.
Formed by a group of men in Ontario in 1991 in response to a massacre of female university students, today the movement promotes healthy relationships, gender equity and compassionate masculinity in more than 60 countries.