About 7.55pm (Friday 2 January 2015), officers from New England Traffic and Highway Patrol were conducted RBT on the New England Highway in Maitland. A car allegedly drove away from the RBT site and a pursuit was initiated. The car stopped on Johnson Street, Telarah and driver, a 25-year-old woman from Beresfield was arrested. A two-year-old girl was found restrained in the rear of the car. The woman was charged with fail to stop at an RBT site, drive in a manner dangerous, police pursuit – Skye’s Law, drive unregistered vehicle, use vehicle with false/misleading number plates and not drive to conditions of P2 licence. The woman will appear at Maitland Local Court on a later date.
Category: Radio16
Police investigate robberies in Newcastle
Police are appealing for public assistance after two men were robbed in separate incidents in Newcastle.
Just before 10pm on Friday (2 January 2015), a 21-year-old man was approached by three males while he was walking along Turton Road at Waratah.
The trio threatened the man and demanded money, before fleeing with cash.
In the second incident, about 7.45pm yesterday (Saturday 3 January 2015), a 35-year-old man was walking from Tuxford Park on King Street at Shortland, when a white hatchback stopped near him.
The four male occupants got out of the vehicle and approached the man, demanding his phone and wallet.
The group then assaulted the man before fleeing.
Police from Newcastle Local Area Command were alerted to both incidents and commenced inquiries.
The incidents may be linked and it’s believed the vehicle used in the second incident was a stolen 2013-model Toyota Corolla with NSW registration BX37GI.
Investigators are appealing for public assistance in an attempt to identify and locate those involved.
Three of the males are described as being of Caucasian appearance and aged in their mid to late teens.
The fourth is described as Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander appearance and aged in his early 20s.
Man charged with carrying replica firearm – Hamilton South
A man has been charged after he was arrested by police carrying a replica firearm in Hamilton South last night.
About 6.30pm (Thursday 1 January 2014), police were patrolling Fowler Street when they were flagged down by a member of the public who directed them to a man allegedly carrying a firearm.
Officers from Newcastle Local Area Command arrested a 49-year-old Kurri Kurri man. A search revealed the man to be in possession of a replica pistol.
The replica pistol was seized and will undergo forensic examination.
The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with possession of an unauthorised pistol and affray.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Monday 29 January 2015.
Police will allege that prior to the arrest the man used the replica pistol to threaten another man known to him earlier the same day.
Newcastle Events
Friday 5 December
University of Newcastle’s Christmas Winds Concert
Newcastle Conservatorium Concert Band and Junior Concert Band perform seasonal favourites in conjunction with Valentine Public School Concert Band and Hamilton South Public School Concert Band.
When: Friday, 5 December from 5:00pm
Where: Harold Lobb Concert Hall, The Conservatorium: Corner Auckland & Laman Streets, Newcastle
Tickets: Sold at the door
Saturday 6 December
Anglican Parish of Lambton, New Lambton and Kotara South Carols by Candlelight
When: Saturday, 6 December
Where: Grounds of St John the Baptist Church, 18 Morehead Street, Lambton
Time: 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Saturday 6 December
Newcastle Summer Art Bazaar
Civic Park, Newcastle will be bursting with family-friendly activities all day and night at Summer Art Bazaar on Saturday 6 December 2014 with live entertainment to 9pm. Over 120 stalls with more than 300 local Hunter Arts Network artists selling their original handcrafted goods and Christmas gifts to 8:00pm.
When: Saturday, 6 December
Where: Civic Park
Time: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Saturday, 13 December
beyondblue’s Big Blue Bus Event – ‘Men’s Shed Shindig’
Men’s Sheds from throughout Newcastle and the Hunter are joining together for a free barbecue to raise awareness about men’s health issues.
The morning is also a great opportunity to drop by the bus and pick up free beyondblue information, chat to beyondblue staff, find out about local health services.
When: Saturday, 13 December
Where: Customs House Plaza, Bond Street, Newcastle
Time: 9:00am – 12:00 noon
Saturday 13 December
Merewether Baths Summer Pool Party – Re-opening Event
Newcastle City Council is holding a summer pool party to celebrate the reopening of the iconic Merewether Ocean Baths! Enjoy live music, a barbecue and fun activities for the kids.
When: Saturday 13 December 2014
Time: 4pm to 7pm (official opening at 4.30pm)
Location: Merewether Ocean Baths, Henderson Parade.
Sunday, 14 December
Rally for the Rail
The Rally is hosted by a number of local community groups and unions under the name of ‘Hunter Concerned Citizens’.
There will be a march from Pacific Park to Civic Park, followed by speeches.
Speakers include:
Tim Crakanthorp – State Member for Newcastle
Nuatali Nelmes – Lord Mayor of Newcastle
Daniel Wallace – Newcastle Trades Hall Council
When: Sunday 14 December
Where: Start at Pacific Park, for a march to Civic Park
Time: From 10:30am
Newcastle Permanent’s Carols by Candlelight
The Hunter’s largest carolling event, Newcastle Permanent’s Carols by Candlelight, will be preceded by the Opening Ceremony of the International Children’s Games this Sunday (7 December 2014) at Speers Point Park.
The event will kick off at 5pm, with athletes from the competing team cities from all around the world parading out, followed by the lighting of the cauldron, and live entertainment.
Carols by Candlelight will follow at 8pm, and the evening will go out with a bang with a spectacular fireworks finale around 9.30pm.
Police are also urging the community to allow plenty of travel time both to and from the event.
“There is limited parking available at Speers Point Park, so we are encouraging the community to make use of Lake Macquarie Council’s ‘park and ride’ service,” Supt Greentree said.
Park and ride is a bus service from John Street at Warners Bay to the event and return, which runs regularly between midday and 11pm.
“This service is free and the best option for anyone who wants to be part of One Big Night,” Supt Greentree said.
“For those who must drive, we urge them to expect extensive delays and allow plenty of extra travel time. And please, be patient while you are waiting for traffic congestion to ease.”
Further information about One Big Night is available at the Lake Macquarie 2014 International Children’s Games website: www.icg-lakemacquarie2014.com.
The International Children’s Games (ICG) is the largest multi-sport youth games in the world, with more than 1500 athletes between the ages of 12 and 15 participating in the event each year.
More than 80 cities from 30 countries participate in the event, embracing the vision to promote peace and goodwill amongst children of different cultural backgrounds.
Lake Macquarie was the first Australian city to participate in the ICG, competing in San Francisco in 2008, and is the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to host the games.
The Games open on Sunday, with competition concluding on Wednesday (10 December 2014).
Hunter fire services cut in budget-saving move despite total fire ban and severe bushfire risk
Four fire stations were either closed or had firefighting appliances unstaffed today due to budget cuts, despite a total fire ban in place and a severe bushfire risk as hot, gusty winds hit the Hunter.
The Fire Brigade Employees’ Union said Minmi Fire Station was closed from 7am until 6pm, while firefighting appliances and tankers from Morisset, Charlestown and Belmont were each left unstaffed for periods of at least five hours.
FBEU State Secretary Jim Casey said the budget-saving practice, introduced in 2012 by Fire and Rescue NSW management, was the result of budget cuts by the NSW Liberal Government.
“The temporary closure of fire stations, or the decision to take a firefighting appliance ‘temporarily offline’, means fewer fire trucks are available to respond to incidents, delaying firefighting efforts and adding to the pressure on remaining crews,” Mr Casey said.
“The practice of temporarily closing fire stations is dangerous at the best of times, with house fires, car accidents and other major incidents able to occur regardless of weather, but to close stations on a day with a severe fire risk and a total fire ban is just madness.
“It is almost 12 months to the day since similar hot, windy spring weather saw bushfires destroy more than 200 homes, yet it seems nothing has been learnt.”
Mr Casey said that prior to 2012, additional firefighters would have been brought in to the four fire stations to ensure they remained open, and appliances and tankers were available to respond to incidents.
“According to the Baird Government, firefighting is not a frontline service, meaning budget cuts and the ‘efficiency dividend’ are reducing the fire protection the public receive,” he said.
“It is the community that is hit by these temporary closures, leaving them exposed to greater risk due to a reduction in the number of firefighters available to immediately deploy to incidents.
“Budget cuts have become so severe that numerous fire stations are now closed across NSW each day, with some stations being shut more than 100 times since the policy was introduced.
“Closing fire stations is a game of Russian Roulette, where the lives and property of communities are put at greater risk for the sake of a small budget saving.”
Myall coast's favorite event returns on saturday 25 october to the beautiful tea gardens riverfront
Join a full day of attractions from 10:00 am till 8:30pm including stage and street performers, the duck derby, amusement rides, sail past and other on water displays and activities, kids free play zone, market stalls, pet show, art and sculpture exhibitions, car display and much more
The event concludes with a sunset (approx. 7;30pm) lantern and illumination parade and spectacular fireworks on the river (approx. 8:15pm).
Concerts at The Newcastle Conservatorium
Sunday 26th October – 2:00pm
Overtures and Beginnings
The first official performance by the Conservatoriums newest ensemble, Orchestra Newcastle, led by Christopher Bearman, featuring special guest performers Echology Choir (formerly known as University of Newcastle Chamber Choir).
Tickets sold at the door one hour prior to the event. Adults $12, concession $8, children $5, family of four $25.
Thursday 30th October – 1:00pm
Free Lunchtime Concert
Bachelor of Music ensemble groups perform for their end of year assessment.
Saturday 1st November – 8:00pm
Prokofiev’s “Alexander Nevsky” Cantata for Choir and Orchestra – the Australian Premiere
This powerful work based on the film score of the same name will delight your senses. The program will feature Piano Concerto No 2 by Dmitre Shostakovich with Dr Gian-Franco Ricci as soloist.
Tickets sold at the door one hour prior to the event. Adults $20, student $10, family of four $45
Thursday 6th November – 1:00pm
Free Lunchtime Concert
Bachelor of Music ensemble groups perform for their end of year assessments.
Thursday 6th November – 6:00pm
BrainWaves Stroke Survivors Choir Inaugural Concert
Join the Conservatorium as we launch our newest Community Choir. BrainWaves is comprised of stroke survivors and their carers from across the Hunter. Their talent and unique composition led to their inclusion in SBS TV’s Insight program.
Tickets sold at the door one hour prior to the event. Adults $12, concession $8, children $5, family of four $25.
Saturday 8th November – 7:30pm
Musica Viva presents Ray Chen with Timothy Young
Raised in Brisbane, jet-setting virtuoso Ray Chen is one of the brightest stars in the new generation of violinists. His first national recital tour has all the spectacular fireworks you could wish for, from the elegant finesse of Mozart and Prokofiev to the exuberant acrobatics of Sarasate.
Purchase online at www.ticketek.com.au or call 132 849.
A reserve $70.35 – $80.54
B reserve $48.94 – $56.07
Program
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART Violin Sonata no 22 in A major, K305
Sergei PROKOFIEV Violin Sonata no 2 in D major, op 94
Johann Sebastian BACH Partita no 3 in E major, BWV1006
Pablo de SARASATE Danzas españolas
Habanera, op 21 no 2, Habañera (Spanish Dance no 2)
Playera (Spanish Dance no 5)
Pablo de SARASATE Zigeunerweisen, op 20
Sunday 23rd November – 2:0pm
Hunter Singers 25th Anniversary Concert
Celebrating 25 wonderful years of choral artistry and enjoyment.
PLUG IN – The Newcastle Music Conference
The University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music and MusicNSW have partnered once
again to present PLUG IN, a free mini conference for musicians and industry professionals
covering all aspects of performance, production and promotion.
Held on Saturday 25th October at Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, PLUG IN will kick off
with The Social Musician Panel, featuring experts providing advice on how one can effectively
use online services to build an audience. The panel will discuss ways to embrace our new digital
age, by demonstrating how the social musician can plug in to this growing market through the
use of social media.
PLUG IN will also feature professional development workshops for all levels of the music industry.
Specialised master classes will cover topics such as: Copyright and Royalties, Music Business 101,
Event Planning, Ableton LIVE Workshop, Projection Mapping and Song Writing. The conference will
conclude with networking drinks held in the foyer of the conservatorium.
Spots are limited so RSVP is essential to confirm your place. Industry speakers and panellists
will be revealed in coming days.
WHEN: 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm Saturday 25th of October
WHERE: The Newcastle Conservatorium, Cnr Laman Street, Auckland St, Newcastle
PRICE: Free! RSVP Essential at:
http://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/plug-in-the-newcastle-music-conference-tickets-13408608509
Anne Frank: A History for Today
Friday, 10 October
Anne Frank: A History for Today Exhibition Launch at Newcastle Museum
This exhibition explores the The Diary of Anne Frank. The book has a message which is still relevant today: ‘learn to live together with other communities and respect each other’s culture and habits.’
When: Friday 10 October, 2014
Time: 5.30pm,
Where: Lovett Gallery, Newcastle Region Library, Laman Street, Newcastle
RSVP: 8 October 2014 library@ncc.nsw.gov.au