Cessnock Council Demand Meta Take Down Viral Abuse Video

 BY MAJELLA MCGRATH

Cessnock Council is demanding tech giant Meta remove a Facebook video of a council worker being verbally attacked while on the job.  

Last week, 44-year-old Western Sydney man Gregory Tait allegedly filmed an heated interaction with a Cessnock Council worker and posted it on his social media. 

In the video, Tait approaches a worker mowing grass and picking up rubbish along Wine Country Drive at Nulkaba and proceeds to verbally abuse him. 

Council said the videos are still circulating online, despite reportedly going against Meta's guidelines.  

Tait was recently convicted for spouting violent death threats to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the day after the Bondi Beach Terror Attack. 

On Friday October 16, he faced Paramatta Local Court, where he was handed a recognisance sentence and ordered to pay $1000. 

Tait has posted a series of concerning videos on his Facebook page being seen to verbally abuse a number of councils across the state, including Cessnock Council. 

The United Services Union (USU) and Cessnock Council have condemned Meta's failure to promptly remove videos, demanding the company take immediate action to protect workers from further online abuse.  

Mayor Daniel Watton says he's fed up with the way council staff are treated and there is no excuse for people, especially those completing a job, to be abused.

"We are doing everything we can to communicate with Meta, our requests are in line with their standards," he said. 

"So we expect this to be taken down swiftly."

USU general secretary Graeme Kelly said workers safety and wellbeing must come before a social media company's willingness to host abusive content.

"Meta has been asked to remove these videos," he said. 

"It's failure to act is unacceptable. 

"A company with Meta's resources should be capable of responding promptly when workers are being targeted on its platform."

Mr Kelly said the attacks reinforce the urgent need for stronger legislative protections for council employees providing services to the public.

There is now a call for the NSW Government to make legislation to protect council workers and other service workers a priority. 

Gregory Tait leaving Parramatta Local Court on Friday. Picture: Nine News/Sam Mooy

Police Searching For Woman Last Seen in Pokolbin

 Police are looking for information into the disappearance of a woman from the Hunter region. 

38-year-old Georgia Goldstein, also known as Georgia Hall, was last seen on Hermitage Road in Pokolbin at around 9.30pm last Wednesday. 

She's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm tall, of medium build, with dark brown hair. 

Police say she may be travelling in a navy-blue Volkswagen Tiguan with Victorian number plates 2EM2EF. 

Anyone with information about Georgia's whereabouts is urged to contact Hunter Valley District Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Police Searching For Missing Singleton Teenager

 BY OLI GOELDNER

Police are appealing for information, after a teenage girl was reported missing in the Hunter Valley. 

15-year-old Monique Hargreaves was last seen in Singleton at about 8.30am Tuesday 13 October. 

When she was unable to be contacted or located, officers were notified and commenced inquiries. 

Police and family hold serious concerns for Monique's welfare. 

She's described as being of Caucasian appearance, 160cm tall, medium build, dark shoulder length hair and blue eyes. 

She was last seen wearing a blue school uniform consisting of a dark long sleeve t-shirt, blue shorts and black boots. 

Monique is known to frequent Singleton and surrounding areas.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to contact Singleton Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Monique Hargreaves. Picture: NSW Police Force

BREAKING! Rutherford Home Destroyed By Fire

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has gutted a home and garage at Rutherford early today (Tuesday 13 October 2026).

Crews were called to Aberglasslyn Road at 1.43am to find a fire in a detached garage had spread to the adjacent single storey hardiplank and tin roof home.

Newcastle Fire Command says there were concerns for a man living in the garage, but he was later found safe and well.

A couple inside the house managed to escape unharmed.

It's taken almost three hours to bring the blaze under control.

Investigations will get under way into the cause of the fire.

 

Concerns Held For Man Who's Discharged Himself From John Hunter Hospital

 BY IAN CROUCH

Concerns are growing for the welfare of a man who's discharged himself from the John Hunter Hospital but still needs medical assistance.

Police say 30-year-old Benjamin Hutchison was last seen at about 3.00pm on Sunday and the alarm was raised when he could not be located or contacted.

Benjamin requires regular medication.

He's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall with a slim build, brown eyes, a dark brown mullet and facial hair.

Benjamin was last seen wearing cream coloured track pants and dark coloured shoes and is known to frequent parks and open areas in Lambton.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Newcastle City Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

 

Missing man Benjamin Hutchison

  

Construction Begins On Gateshead Ambulance Station

 BY OLI GOELDNER

The state government is ramping up efforts to improve emergency services across Lake Macquarie, with work to begin on a new ambulance station at Gateshead. 

The Oakdale Road facility will host 14 ambulances and 13 paramedics. 

Construction will soon get underway, with works set to be completed by the end of 2027. 

It comes alongside another station being built at Caves Beach, which is expected to be finished around the same time. 

The stations are part of the Minns government's $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program. 

Assistant Commissioner Jade Marks said it's a welcome addition to the region. 

"It will be hub not only for the paramedics that are stationed here, but also for additional paramedics to provide that coverage through to where we need it within this zone," she said. 

"Our paramedics are a mobile workforce. 

"We certainly see this new facility as part of a network that will allow us to move our staff around to where they're needed to we can respond to everyone when they need us the most." 

Recently, paramedics have been pushing for more resources as workloads, pressure and ambulance ramping levels continue to increase across the state. 

As a result, the state government has faced criticism on its plan to build ambulance stations and boost paramedics in the Hunter. 

"This has been a long-time coming," said Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison. 

"I know our paramedics and local people have been asking for this for a long time and finally the Minns Labor Government is delivering. 

"We're very pleased to be doing that as part of a whole range of upgrades to ambulance stations that we're doing across the state." 

Local paramedics and Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison turning the first sod on the Gateshead station. Picture: Ian Crouch. 

Appeal Launched To Find Missing Newcastle Woman

 BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Police have issued an appeal for help to find a woman who's gone missing from the Mayfield area.

48-year-old Kate-Garriga Haywood may be using another name.

She's described as being of Asian appearance, about 155cm tall with a medium build and dyed hair.

Kate is known to wear gold jewellery and may be wearing a wig.

Anyone who sees her or knows where she is is urged to contact Newcastle Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

 

Missing woman Kate Garriga-Haywood