Grieving Father Wants Greater Penalties For Hit And Run Incidents

 BY JOHN HEWITT

A Newcastle father who lost his 14-year-old son to a hit and run incident is calling for greater penalties for drivers who leave the scene of an accident.

In 2023, Bryson Dimovski was riding an e-scooter in Warner's Bay when he was hit by a vehicle which failed to stop and provide assistance, leaving him to die in a ditch alongside the roadway.

His father Andrew Dimovski has launched an e-petition calling for harsher penalties for failing to stop after an incident, and for closing loopholes which allow offenders to avoid alcohol and drug testing.

The driver, 21-year-old Jaycob Gemza, was driving a ute when he struck Bryson after drifting about a metre into the fog lane.

Gemza pleaded guilty to dangerous driving occasioning death and failing to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death. 

He was recently sentenced to a maximum five years in jail, with a minimum of three years and three months.

Before handing down the sentence the judge noted Gemza was reading and typing on his phone before the crash, and that he later concealed his car in a back street because of concerns he was over the alcohol limit.

Mr Dimovski said the e-petition is not just about the case of his son's death, but aims to prevent future tragedies and ensure no family has to endure what his family has experienced.

"We need meaningful legal reform which can deliver appropriate penalties for drivers who leave the scene of a hit-and-run, and we need stronger enforcement of alcohol and drug testing for those drivers," he said.

Mr Dimovski said the e-petition has attracted significant support from the wider community.

"We're trying to reach as many ;people as possible," he said. 

"We need 20,000 signatures to have this issue debated in state parliament and so far we have more than 14,000 signatures."

The e-petition is titled In Honour of Bryson Dimovski and can be found on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok.

Bryson Dimovski and Andrew Dimovski. Picture: Facebook

 

New Leads Found In Carrington Double Murder Investigation

 BY OLI GOELDNER

A forensic review of the unsolved murders of Susan Kay and Joanne Teterin has led to new leads in the 26-year-old investigation. 

Today, NSW Police announced a $1 million reward relating to the deaths of the two women, aged 32 and 37. 

Their bodies were found at a home on Doran Street in Carrington on Wednesday 17 May 2000.

It was established the women were last known to be alive on Thursday 11 May 2000, before they were allegedly bludgeoned to death and discovered a week later. 

At the time, homicide and serious crime detectives assisted Newcastle Police with the investigation; however, there were no arrests or charges laid over the murders. 

Following a 2003 coronial inquest, the matter was referred to the Homicide Squad's Unsolved Homicide Unit for review and assessment. 

In 2025, the review was finalised and unearthed fresh forensic opportunities which have since become the focus of police inquiries. 

Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi said they are particularly interested in information regarding a phone call on the morning of 11 May 2000. 

"We know that Joanne was involved in some street level drug supply ... and she had a system in place where anyone that would attend the location to purchase drugs were required they contact he either on the landline or on a mobile phone before they attend," he said. 

"We believe that was the purpose of the the call that morning." 

It's reported the call was made to the Doran Street home at 7.55am from a payphone within 200 metres. 

Police believe the person who made the call can assist them with their inquiries and has information which may help progress the investigation. 

"We are almost there," said Detective Doueihi. 

"We just need that little bit of information that puts this whole jigsaw puzzle together." 

In addition to the phone call, police are also following up leads gained from renewed forensic testing on more than 150 items. 

"As a result of the development of DNA technology ... we have yielded some positive results which have progressed the investigation and are very positive to the investigation," said Detective Doueihi. 

Detective Doueihi finalised they have come to the conclusion a male person had attended the Doran Street home to purchase drugs where an altercation ensued which resulted in the death of both women. 

Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi. Picture: Ian Crouch

$1 Million Reward Offered As Police Step Up Investigation Into 26 Year Carrington Double Murder

 BY IAN CROUCH

The state government and police have announced a $1 million reward for information in a bid to solve one of Newcastle's most baffling cold-case double murders.

It's been just been just over 26 years since police found the bodies of 32-year-old Susan Kay and 37-year-old Joanne Teterin in a small miners cottage in Doran Street Carrington on Wednesday 17 May 2000.

The pair were last seen alive 6 days earlier - they had been bludgeoned to death.

A $100,000 reward was announced following an inquest into their deaths in 2003.

Police say a review of the case in 2025 unearthed fresh forensic opportunities which have now become the focus of their inquiries.

 

 

The bodies of Susan Kay (left) and Joanne Teterin (right) were found in a Carrington cottage in May 2000 

New Lambton Landslip Anniversary Brings New Hope For Residents

BY LIAM COLLINS

Newcastle council are currently working with the state's reconstruction authority to support those affected by the New Lambton landslip. 

Council members and representatives from the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) met with affected residents yesterday, hoping to outline the recovery process and provide transparent communication between all parties.

Impacted resident Laura Jackal said the meeting provided them with some hope towards reaching a solution.

"It didn't provide us with any sort of exact direction; what they have said to us is that they're working really closely together to come up with a solution," she said. 

"What happens next is what they're deciding currently; basically how they're going to rectify the land, how they will compensate us for our land, and when and how they'll demolish the 16 homes."

Pending approval, the complexity of the funding arrangements estimate demolitions are unlikely to commence until 2027.

Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of the landslip which affected 16 New Lambton properties and caused evacuations of more than 40 residents.

Ms Jackal praised the continued support towards the affected families, including emergency accommodation and continued insurance.

"We have been very fortunate in our case; I can't speak for every resident, but we've received the 12 months worth of accommodation support," she said.

"The compensation from insurance companies only lasts 12 months in this case, so the government and stepped in and given us a further 12 months, which is obviously a huge relief for us."

Ms Jackal added the natural disaster has had a significant impact on her and her family.

"I think the predominant feeling is just one of grief for our beautiful home," she said. 

"A year ago it was fine, we were living in it.

"I walked past it this morning and it's so overgrown and boarded up."

New Lambton home impacted by landslip. Picture: Caroline Garred

Two Men Charged Over Alleged Theft Of Equipment Worth More Than $100,000 From Upper Hunter Property

 BY IAN CROUCH

Two men are due to front court accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of equipment from an Upper Hunter property.

It's alleged the pair broke into the property on Pembroke Road at Cassilis and made off with two Honda quad bikes, power tools, cattle tags and other farming and electronic equipment valued at more than $100,000.

Following inquires, police located and seized a quad bike and box trailer from a home in Aly Street, Kayuga.

Search warrants were also executed at homes in Muswellbrook and Aberdeen where it's alleged various items including power tools, copper cabling and farming equipment were found, all believed to be stolen.

Two men aged 27 and 46 were subsequently arrested at Muswellbrook Police Station and charged with theft and disposing of a motor vehicle - serious indictable offence greater than $5000, and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.

The older man was also charged with failing to adequately exercise a confined animal and not disclosing the identity of a driver or passenger.

They've each been granted conditional bail to face court in July. 

Investigations continue.

 

Indoor Sports Centre Plans Changed After Strong Feedback

BY OLI GOELDNER 

Newcastle Basketball has amended the final proposal for the controversial Hunter Indoor Sports Centre, after strong community feedback. 

The project will look to replace the ageing Newcastle Basketball Centre and provide a long-term home for a wide range of indoor sports. 

In 2024, a public exhibition of the original plans saw more than 70 per cent of submissions oppose the project, leading to additional amendments. 

Public exhibition on the amended plans wrapped up in September last year. 

A total of 1,278 community submissions were received during the exhibition period, with 69 per cent of submissions supporting the project. 

Newcastle Basketball also held two community drop-in sessions where residents and stakeholders were able to speak directly with technical specialists across flooding, traffic, planning, urban design and open space. 

Further consultation was also undertaken with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), Newcastle council, Transport for NSW, NSW SES, Venues NSW and Lambton High School. 

In response to feedback, the project has been refined to improve traffic, flood management, landscaping, pedestrian movement and community impacts. 

"The Hunter currently doesn't have enough indoor space to meet demand," said Simon Haire, Project Consultant for Newcastle Basketball. 

"The centre will address the region's shortage of indoor courts and support health, participation, inclusion and active lifestyles for decades to come. 

"We've listened to carefully to community feedback and made meaningful changes to ensure the project works for both users and the local community." 

Now, Newcastle Basketball will submit its updated Response to Submissions and supporting technical reports, marking a milestone in the project as it progresses towards final determination and future funding decisions. 

The project will now proceed to the next phase of the SSD's assessment process, which includes further assessment by DPHI, consultation with relevant government agencies and consideration by the Independent Planning Commission.

Fire Rips Through Mayfield Whitegoods Warehouse

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire crews are keeping a watch on a building gutted by fire at Mayfield.

The huge blaze broke out at the Hunter Valley Whitegoods business in Denison Street at about 3.30pm on Monday 18 May, 2026, with nearby residents evacuated and a 200 metre exclusion zone put in place as flames and toxic black smoke billowed into the sky.

Maitland Road was closed until around 8 o'clock on Monday night while about 60 firefighters worked to fully extinguish the fire.

It's a devastating blow for the owners, after their former warehouse which fronted Maitland Road was destroyed by fire in January 2014.  

 

The well-known whitegoods business at Mayfield goes up in flames. Picture Newcastle Weekly