A man has been charged following the alleged wounding of another man in Maitland earlier this week.
About 8.45pm on Wednesday (3 July 2024), a man attended Maitland Police Station to report an alleged wounding at a business on George Street, Morpeth.
Police attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were told two men were involved in an altercation before a 36-year-old man allegedly threw a knife at a 26-year-old man, causing a serious injury.
The 26-year-old man was taken to Maitland Hospital before being taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment to an eye injury.
Police attended the scene, where they established a crime scene and commenced inquiries into the incident.
About 11.40am on Friday (5 July 2024), a 36-year-old man attended Maitland Police Station where he was arrested and charged with reckless wounding and wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday 9 July 2024.
A woman will face Court after being charged following an unauthorised protest in the Hunter Valley yesterday.
About 2.30pm (Friday 5 July 2024), police received information that a number of protesters had entered the rail corridor at Lochinvar railway station, near Maitland, and were causing obstruction to trains.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District, with assistance from Police Rescue, attended the site and arrested a 69-year-old woman from South Australia.
She was taken to Maitland Police Station where she was charged with three offences – enter inclosed non-agricultural lands – serious safety risk, cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock and hinder working of mining equipment.
She was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court later today (Saturday 6 July 2024).
A woman will face Court after being charged following an unauthorised protest in the Hunter Valley last night.
About 6.15pm (Friday 5 July 2024), police received information that a number of protesters had entered the rail corridor at Branxton and were causing obstruction to trains.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District, with assistance from Police Rescue, attended the site and arrested a 70-year-old woman from South Australia.
She was taken to Singleton Police Station where she was charged with five offences – enter inclosed non-agricultural lands – serious safety risk, cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock, enter inclosed land – not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, cause/attempt to cause train in motion to be stopped and interfere with equipment without permission.
She was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court later today (Saturday 6 July 2024).
Today the Australian Greens have entered into the Senate a motion that calls on the Australian Government to sanction members of the extremist Netanyahu government, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
The Albanese government has imposed autonomous sanctions on persons and entities connected to North Korea, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, the Former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Russia, Syria, and Zimbabwe.
Labor have not imposed any sanctions on any people or entities complicit in the genocide being perpetrated by the State of Israel. The Greens say that this shameful inaction, alongside similar refusals by other nations, has given licence to Benjamin Netanyahu’s extreme government to act with impunity.
Greens Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Senator Jordon Steele-John:
“Labor’s refusal to sanction anyone responsible for war crimes being committed by the State of Israel is a disgrace. They have done more to sanction Senator Payman than they have to sanction a state found by the UN to be plausibly committing a genocide,” Senator Steele-John said.
“The Albanese Government has imposed autonomous sanctions on persons or entities connected to a range of governments and regimes, yet have failed to place any sanction on any person or entity complicit in the genocide and war crimes being perpetrated by the State of Israel.
“The Greens have lodged a motion calling for sanctions today, which will be voted on as soon as the parliament returns. The party will be using the break to put pressure on other MPs to back Palestine and apply pressure on Israel to stop the invasion, occupation, and genocide.
“When Labor MP’s get out of Canberra, I expect them to go back to communities disappointed that Labor continues to be a roadblock for an end to the invasion, and to branches furious that their representatives broke an election promise to recognise Palestine.
“Members of the Labor party will have their chance to cross the floor in the House and Senate. With pressure growing on Labor MPs from the Greens and hundreds of thousands of Australians pushing for peace, including from Labor branches themselves, the gutlessness of any Labor member opposing these motions will be on full display.
“The Government has imposed sanctions on Russia, North Korea, Iran – just to name a few – and it is time for the Australian Government to put sanctions on members of the Netanyahu government.”
Full text of the motion:
I move – That the Senate –
a) notes that the Albanese Government has imposed autonomous sanctions on persons and entities connected to North Korea, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, the Former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Russia, Syria and Zimbabwe.
b) notes that despite documented independent investigations by the United Nations that show clear violations of international law, the Australian Government has not imposed any autonomous sanctions on any person or entity complicit in the genocide and war crimes being perpetrated by the State of Israel.
c) calls on the Government to sanction members of the extremist Netanyahu government, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
Newcastle will celebrate the cultural richness of its First Nations during NAIDOC Week with a march from Civic Park and a City of Newcastle program for the senses.
Awabakal Corporation will kick off their annual Community Day at Civic Park on Monday with a flag raising ceremony and morning march from Civic Park, followed by a family-friendly celebration at Foreshore Park.
The Awabakal Community Day, supported by City of Newcastle, will feature singing, dancing, stalls, rides and chances for cultural connection inspired by this year’s NAIDOC theme – “Keep the fire burning! Blak, Loud and Proud”.
NAIDOC Week celebrations will continue with activities across City of Newcastle libraries and the Museum, designed to create connections with culture for the next generation.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said NAIDOC Week is a calendar highlight for City of Newcastle, offering a chance to celebrate the oldest living cultures of Australia’s second oldest city.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aren’t just in the fabric of Newcastle, they are the first people of this place we love today,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Newcastle has a long and rich history of standing side-by-side with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to enact positive change, including being the first city in Australia to raise an Aboriginal Flag over a civic building under Lord Mayor Joy Cummings,” Cr Nelmes said.
“NAIDOC Week is an extremely important time of year and an opportunity for our community to acknowledge that the story of Australia began far before European settlement, while recognising that First Nations peoples have occupied and cared for our land for over 65,000 years.”
Awabakal Corporation CEO Jason Smith said NAIDOC is a marquee week for his organisation and for celebration of Aboriginal culture by City of Newcastle and the community.
“NAIDOC Week means a great deal to all of us at Awabakal and it’s pleasing to see what City of Newcastle does to engage Aboriginal people this week and every week,” Mr Smith said.
“The Guraki Aboriginal Advisory Committee is just one vital initiative City of Newcastle helps facilitate. The events this NAIDOC Week, including the march from Civic Park and the Awabakal Community Day in Foreshore Park supported by City of Newcastle, are highlights any Novocastrian should experience.”
Councillor Deahnna Richardson, a proud Wiradjuri woman, said Newcastle Museum Park, Newcastle City Library and Wallsend Library will all host NAIDOC Week festivities.
“This year’s theme – ‘Keep the fire burning! – is a call to elevate our mob and our spirit,” Cr Richardson said.
“We’re creating new connections to our culture for the next generation with a range of events delivered in partnership with local First Nations groups. These activities are designed to celebrate the rich history and diverse cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the oldest continuing cultures on the planet. We’re lucky in Muloobinba to live among the cultures of Awabakal, Worimi and many other people. I can’t wait for NAIDOC Week to kick off.
“I encourage our community to celebrate our Indigenous culture this NAIDOC Week and take advantage of the free events on offer throughout the city.”
Newcastle Museum will host Darkinjung woman Sarah Corrigan on Tuesday with Rainbow Crow Collective: Tastes of Australia, a chance to try bush tucker including syrups and finger limes, and take home a recipe card to continue the culinary journey.
The Museum will also screen The Last Daughter, the documentary directed by Wiradjuri author Brenda Matthews with Nathaniel Schmidt that holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
On Thursday the festivities move to Newcastle City Library with a stringybark rope-making masterclass by Uncle Amos Simon. The proud Worimi, Birpai and Wiradjuri elder will be sharing Language and music including a silent disco.
Rainbow Crow Creative will cap off the city’s NAIDOC Week program on Friday at Wallsend Library and then Newcastle Museum with low sensory sessions of the popular Wayapa earth connection practice, which uses mindfulness and Indigenous inspired movements to create a healing space through yarning, sharing and connection.
NAIDOC Week will be celebrated across Australia from 7-14 July to recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NSW and Vietnam are strengthening international education and research ties with 35 NSW education providers and businesses selected to attend the NSW Education Showcase in Vietnam later this year.
The showcase will provide opportunities to raise awareness about the quality of NSW education and broaden business opportunities in the Southeast Asian market.
Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong made the announcement in Ho Chi Minh City where NSW universities are collaborating with their Vietnamese counterparts in numerous fields including semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence, health research and cybersecurity.
As part of a trade mission to Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore the Minister visited the Ho Chi Minh City campus of Western Sydney University, met with the University of Technology Sydney and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology Joint Research Centre and toured the University of Sydney Vietnam Institute, which serves as hubs for multi-disciplinary research between Australian and Vietnamese academics and students.
International education is NSW’s second largest export, valued at $17.9 billion in 2023 with Vietnam a growing market. Vietnam is the sixth largest source market for NSW education providers, with 35 per cent of all Vietnamese students in Australia choosing to study with a NSW institution.
The NSW Education Showcase in Vietnam will highlight NSW’s education excellence, promote research collaboration and raise awareness of the capabilities of the State’s world class education providers.
To be held in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in September, the Showcase will include roundtables and expos focused on improving export outcomes and education connections between NSW and Vietnam.
Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:
“NSW and Vietnam have strong education links with our leading universities collaborating across a wide range of academic disciplines. We are committed to creating more opportunities to nurture these links and grow our education exports.
“NSW’s relationship with Vietnam is highly valued and focussed on a prosperous future for both our countries. Our Sister State agreement with Ho Chi Minh City highlights education as a sector where both parties can benefit from deeper cooperation.
“The NSW Education Showcase in Vietnam is an opportunity to promote the strengths of our education institutions and to develop in-market opportunities for NSW education providers and businesses.
“It’s been great to see firsthand the research and other partnerships that have been established by the University of Technology Sydney, University of Sydney and Western Sydney University in Vietnam as an example of growing education and trade relationships.”
Convenor of the NSW Vice Chancellors Committee Professor Alex Zelinsky AO said:
“Universities and the broader education sector strongly welcomes the NSW Government’s support towards building our education and research ties overseas. Initiatives such as the NSW Education Showcase in Vietnam advance our state’s interests, including for regional NSW, and benefits our partners in ASEAN who are looking to diversify their economies.”
Business Sydney Executive Director Paul Nicolaou said:
“It’s wonderful to see the NSW Government actively supporting the international education sector which is so critical to Sydney and NSW. International students bring so many benefits to our local communities and businesses, including as a key source of talent and skills, fostering our innovation and research agenda, and supporting our international visitor economy.”
It’s the dream of every parent and carer: school holidays packed with fun and learning for the kids without the pay packet-busting price tag.
The state’s Cultural Institutions and national parks are stepping up to help, with a range of free and low-cost activities that help ease the cost-of-living squeeze while providing cultural learning and entertainment during the winter school break starting Monday 8 July.
From circus skills and carnival fun at the State Library of NSW, to a drop-in workshop to create an art installation honouring our Grandmother Tree at the Australian Museum, and becoming a National Parks ranger for a day, there are range of activities on offer.
School holiday activity highlights include:
Australian Museum
Burra, First Nations Learning Centre – Free guides lead gentle learning activities inspired by First Nations knowledge of our land and fauna.
Wansolmoana – join in the fun on 6 July in the AM’s Pasifika Gallery when award winning performers, Tavake, revive traditional dances and music from Tonga. Stay and enjoy the stunning artefacts on display, free, open every day.
Honouring Our Grandmother Tree – Running over three special days, join the free drop-in event to help create an art installation honouring our Grandmother Tree – the Sydney red gum. Set up in Hintze Hall, the Grandmother Tree is set to transform as Guringai, Yuin, and Sydney Traditional Owner Amanda Jane Reynolds lead children and families through unique art-making, ancestral teachings, and a daily sacred possum drumming ceremony.
Shellwork Art with Aunty Maxine – In this hands-on experience, master the traditional artform of shellwork in this interactive workshop with First Nations artist Aunty Maxine Ryan and spark your creativity to make your own unique piece to take home (child $45).
Powerhouse
Powerhouse Family Day: First Nations Innovations (Powerhouse Castle Hill)– A free day of demonstrations, workshops, tours, drop-in activities and fun for people of all ages, inspired by the Powerhouse collection (13 July).
Alchemy Family Tours (Powerhouse Castle Hill) – Join First Nations assistant curator Madeline Poll for a tour of the Powerhouse exhibition Alchemy that explores bush techniques in Indigenous Australian art.
Creative Studio: Digital Illustration (Wagga Wagga) – A free three-day workshop designed for students in years 7-12, to learn about character design and development in this artist-led workshop.
Art Gallery of NSW
Kids drop-in workshop: Alphonse Mucha paper headpieces – A free workshop inspired by the art of Alphonse Mucha, where you’ll cut paper then fold, crease, tear and scrunch it to make decorative botanical shapes inspired by Mucha’s artworks, many of which incorporate flowers and other plants.
Guided tour for kids: Roving art-making tour in Naala Nura – Join volunteer guides for a roving art-making tour of the Art Gallery of New South Wales collection. Find out more about some of the most intriguing artworks on display through friendly and fun activities, and make some art of your own.
Kids drop-in workshop: Keep the fires burning! – Create an artwork that represents a place that is special to you. Recalling your memories of this place, use text, images and repeat patterns to make a landscape image make a sign inspired by the art of Wanapati Yunupiŋu.
State Library of NSW
Carnival Drop-In Centre – Free carnival fun for families in the Learning Centre! Walk down the tunnel to try some sideshow craft and games, dress-up as a tightrope walker or the circus ringmaster then catch a fish for the seals on our interactive floor. It is open every day of the first week of the holidays.
Drawing in the Galleries – Arty the Art Cart will be packed to the brim with paper and art materials ready for you to discover things in our paintings you might never have seen before. Suitable for primary school aged children. All materials provided.
Circus Skills Workshop – The circus has come to town! Join the troupe to learn plate twirling, juggling and discover new ways to play with the hula hoop. Circus skills expert, Shiho will be there to train you (child $10).
Create a Carnival – Make your own circus-scape with boxes, recycled craft materials, glue, scissors and lots of red-and-white striped paper. You can make characters, animals and even a merry-go-round! You will see paintings and photos from our collection that will inspire you (child $5).
Museums of History NSW:
Story time at the Museum – Coomaditchie Dreaming – A relaxed and fun story time session followed by a craft activity inspired by the Dreaming stories.
Art of Place: Poetry workshop for kids with Lucy Norton – Discover the power of words and unleash your creativity in this poetry workshop where you are invited to consider and write about your own interpretation of ‘the art of place’. Led by Lucy Norton, this workshop for kids will explore the nature, uses and practice of poetry through poetic language, forms and conventions (tickets $15).
Cast in Cast Out Memory Shield Kids Workshop – Join Dennis Golding for a special creative workshop where participants will be guided in making a memory shield that draws inspiration from the strength of First Nations cultures and connection to Country and the shield as an object of resistance, resilience, and empowerment (tickets $20).
Sydney Opera House:
Magic Garden – Join award-winning children’s band, The Vegetable Plot, for a journey into the magic garden of human imagination (tickets from $25).
The River That Ran Uphill – Sydney premiere of the courageous, brave, and timely production, highlighting climate change and its impacts on South Pacific communities. (tickets from $35).
A Forest In The City – An immersive production where children are invited to join two dancers onstage and step inside a magical green city and help to create an exciting new world where insects appear, the seasons change and the city gets bigger, busier and more complex (tickets from $35).
NSW National Parks – Sydney-based
Junior ranger – Children will be appointed ‘junior rangers’ to observe wildlife through binoculars and learn how to read maps in the Royal National Park (child $15, accompanying adult free + park entry).
Bare Island Fort guided tour – Cross a 130-year-old wooden bridge in La Perouse and enter a fort built in the 1880s to protect Botany Bay (adult $15, child $10, family $45).
Cycling Lady Carrington Drive – A historic cycling track offers birdwatching, picnic areas and history in the Royal National Park (free with park entry).
Barrenjoey Lighthouse tour – Climb the winding stairs inside Barrenjoey Lighthouse and enjoy views of the Pacific from the top (adult $10, child $5).
NSW National Parks – Regional NSW
Leaping lizards (Blue Mountains) – Join a ranger at Blackheath on a tour to spot lizards, learn where they sleep and what they eat, and how to protect them in your backyard (child $20, accompanying adult free).
Dorrigo kids’ nature play (near Coffs Harbour) – A rainforest tour in Dorrigo National Park with nature games and hands-on activities (child $10, accompanying adult free + park entry).
Walk on the wild side at the Warrumbungles (Central West) – A guided tour that teaches the skills of birdwatching and where to look for evidence of animal tracks (adult $18, child $10, family $50 + park entry).
Trial Bay Gaol (North Coast) – Find out what life behind bars was like and learn about the gaol’s mysterious towers, impenetrable walls and cells (adult $20, child $10, family $50).
Mountain Maid gold mine tour (Hunter) – Step back in time and pan for gold on this tour of Mountain Maid gold mine in Copeland Tops State Conservation Area (adult $15, child $10, family $40).
Taronga Zoo Sydney
Taronga’s Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Centre (ARC) – Jump slither and crawl into this brand-new experience where big and little kids alike can eye to eye with 42 species of reptiles and amphibians all whilst learning about how to become climate heroes. This indoor experience is free with your Zoo Entry or with your Zoo Friends Membership.
Crawly Critters Alive Live Show – Crawl into the wild world of amazing critters at Taronga Zoo’s electrifying new show: Crawly Critters ALIVE! Discover the secrets of the spiders, marvel at the camouflaging prowess of phasmids, and shudder (in a good way!) at the armoured defence of scorpions. Running twice daily at 11.45 am and 2.30 pm throughout the school holidays (free with entry or Zoo Friends Membership).
For more information on specific school holiday programs, visit each institution’s website.
Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:
“The NSW Government’s top priority is helping people with cost-of-living pressures and it’s no secret that parents of school children have some of the biggest challenges – especially during the holidays.
“There is a range of free and low-cost programs available ready to be explored and we hope this can be of assistance to parents.”
Minister for the Arts John Graham said:
“We know that children who participate in creative and cultural activities are more likely to do well at school, make strong connections and thrive later in life, and it is critical that these opportunities are affordable and accessible to all.”
“These free and low-cost activities and events will make a welcome difference in providing entertainment, learning and fun, and there really is something for everyone.”
Anthony Wing has been reappointed as Point to Point Transport Commissioner for another five years following a successful first term in the role.
Commissioner Wing has held the role since 1 July 2019 and is now contracted to continue in the position until 30 June 2029.
He reports directly to the Minister for Transport and oversees one of the largest passenger transport modes in NSW, with more than 100,000 workers across taxis, hire vehicles and rideshare serving two million customers every year.
The Point to Point Transport Commissioner administers and enforces point to point transport law to improve safety and encourage a more adaptive, innovative and competitive market for the whole industry.
As the industry grows, Commissioner Wing has overseen more Authorised Officers conducting on-street operations and more sophisticated safety audits of global, national and local service providers.
Commissioner Wing’s compliance team of Authorised Officers continue to be out in force conducting plain clothes and highly visible operations with more than 690 fines issued to drivers since November 2022 for fare-related offences.
A key component of this is the Taxi Fare Hotline, which allows passengers to make a fare-related complaint and have it directed to the right taxi company.
The Hotline ensures service providers are responding to complaints with refunds or driver sanctions and has referred more than 4000 complaints to service providers since November 2022 with more than 90 per cent of these resolved.
Commissioner Wing has an extensive background in regulation with roles at the Australian Communications and Media Authority and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Prior to leading the Point to Point Transport Commission, he was Executive Director of Policy at Transport for NSW where he played a leading role in the establishment of the current regulatory framework for the industry that came into effect on 1 November 2017.
Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:
“The point to point transport industry in NSW has seen some big changes over the past decade. Commissioner Wing has played a big part in regulating the industry during a challenging period.
“I congratulate the Commissioner on his reappointment and look forward to working with him to continue to advocate on behalf all taxi and rideshare passengers and for the best interests of the point to point industry.”
The Minns Labor Government is working to ensure every child in New South Wales has access to an affordable, quality preschool education, with up to 200,000 families across the state to benefit from the largest ever investment in early education fee relief.
$430 million has been allocated to provide fee relief for families of three, four and five-year-olds across NSW, an investment to ease the cost-of-living pressures facing families.
This funding has already benefited hundreds of thousands of families across the state, including:
Up to $4,220 a year for three- to five-year-olds attending eligible community and mobile preschools
Up to $2,110 a year for children aged four and above attending eligible preschool programs in long day care services. This can be received on top of Australian Government Child Care Subsidy payment
Up to $500 a year for three-year-olds attending eligible preschool programs in long day care services, on top of their Child Care Subsidy payment
Since the Minns Labor Government introduced up to $500 a year fee relief for three-year-olds, more than 62,000 families, or up to 88 per cent of eligible children, have accessed the initiative.
Early education is vital for a child’s development, supporting the improvement of their language, social and emotional skills, and future transition into kindergarten. Research also shows that access to early education for children supports women’s economic participation.
To meet increasing demand for fee relief in a cost-of-living crisis, the Minns Labor Government has increased the funding to existing programs, and expanded eligibility to three-year-olds, to ensure every child has the opportunity to access quality early education.
To streamline families’ access to fee relief and other important supports for children’s health and development in the first 5 years of life, the NSW Labor Government launched the Brighter Beginnings Parent and Carer information Hub in February. Over 200,000 families have already accessed this resource.
The Liberals and Nationals did not plan for growing demand in the early childhood space, failing to build a single new public preschool over 12 years, and presiding over a sector that saw the number of preschools shrink during their time in government.
The Minns Labor Government is prioritising quality education in the early years of a child’s life, with $1.82 billion invested in early education and care as part of the 2024-25 NSW Budget.
On top of fee relief, this funding will support the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to build 100 new public preschools by 2027, the largest expansion of public preschools in the state’s history.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
“Attending preschool is vital for the educational outcomes of our children, setting in place the building blocks for success later in life.
“It is critically important, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis, that we ensure all parents are able to access high-quality affordable preschool for their children.”
