Crews Tackle Noxious Fumes From Furnace Fire At Newcastle Uni

 BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters have been confronted by foul-smelling fumes after being called to the University of Newcastle overnight.

Crews from Wallsend responded to an automatic fire alarm at the Advanced Technology Centre on the Callaghan Campus at about 7.15pm on Thursday to find thick plumes of smoke in the lower levels of the complex.

Wearing breathing apparatus, they located the source of the smoke coming from a small room containing a furnace operating at temperatures in excess of 500 degrees Celsius.

Inside the furnace were two small pots containing a compost-like substance emitting black smoke from an exhaust pipe.

They isolated the power to the furnace and ventilated the lower levels of the building.

No injuries or damage was reported.      

University of Newcastle book fair aiming for 2023 return

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The Friends of the University of Newcastle are calling on the community to clean out their bookshelves in preparation for the 2023 book fair.

After a two-year COVID-induced hiatus, they are hoping the book fair will return mid-next year.

The Friends are accepting donations of books, CDs, records, DVDs and magazines on Tuesdays between 9am and midday, in the Bowman building at Callaghan Campus. 

Book Fair Convenor Lesley Gent, said any donations from the community will be greatly appreciated. 

"We sort them into categories," she said. "We have 50 categories and we take everything you can think of." 

"We have 28 volunteers who come and sort and pack every week and they haven't been able to do anything for two years so they're very excited." 

Ms Gent also said funds raised from the sales are used to support students across a range of disciplines at the University of Newcastle. 

"We have 10 student scholarships and all the money goes to that. We are all volunteers so we don't get paid. All the money we make goes to scholarships."

Further information including the location of the Bowman Building can be found on the Friends of the University of Newcastle website.

Donations for the Friends of the University of Newcastle Book Fair are now open. 

Vaccination Clinic Open Today At Newcastle University

BY IAN CROUCH

A free vaccination clinic is open today (Wednesday 6 October, 2021) at the University of Newcastle's Callaghan campus.

The on-campus medical centre is offering Pfizer and Astrazeneca shots.

There's no need for anyone to be a patient at the clinic, but you will need to book.

People can book by going to www.hotdoc.com.au   and search by the postcode 2308.

Spots are available from 9.40am this morning.

Meanwhile walk-in Pfizer clinics will be open at the Finding Yellow Hall at Weston on  Friday and the East Maitland Community Centre on Saturday and Sunday.

The clinics are open to everyone over the age of 12, with priority being given to indigenous people, those with disabilities or significant health issues and people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. 

A vaccination clinic is opening today at the
University's on-campus medical centre
Picture:theguardian.com

Passengers And Driver Rescued From Bus In Newcastle As Heavy Rain Causes Severe Flash Flooding

BY IAN CROUCH

Emergency services have been inundated with calls for help as heavy rain caused severe flash flooding across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens overnight.

Williamtown recorded the highest official rainfall, with 132 millimetres falling since 9.00am on Sunday.

However the automatic weather station at Tighes Hill TAFE recorded 142 millimetres, while the rain gauge at Nords Wharf Oval received a massive 184 millimetres since 9.00am.

The SES and Fire & Rescue NSW were called to 10 flood rescues in the space of an hour - 5 people were were plucked from two homes on Orlando Road at Lambton.

Newcastle Fire Command says 11 people including a child were rescued from a bus stranded on University Drive at Callaghan.

Terri Langendam from the SES says crews were run off their feet attending to calls for help.

"A significant number of jobs including 71 storm and flood-related jobs in Newcastle, 47 jobs in Lake Macquarie and around 10 in Port Stephens," she said.

Heavy rain caused severe flash flooding in Wallsend on Sunday night Picture: Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery

Police Investigate Late Night Theft On Campus At Newcastle University

BY IAN  CROUCH

Police are searching for two young men involved in a robbery overnight at the Newcastle University's Callaghan campus.

A 20-year-old woman was walking along the Ring Road towards Warabrook Railway Station at about 10.50pm on Wednesday listening to music through headphones.

She didn't notice two males who approached her from either side.

Police say the pair, who had their faces covered with hooded jumpers, demanded her handbag.

She complied and the pair ran off towards the Bar on the Hill.

The young woman gave chase but the bandits managed to escape.

Car Accident at Callaghan Campus

BY JARROD MELMETH

A woman has been taken to the John Hunter Hospital after crashing her car into a water pump facility on the University of Newcastle's Callaghan campus.

The accident occurred around midday, with police and firefighters in attendance.

Hunter Water have been called to cleanup the scene, while police say the name or age of the woman is not yet known.

Police Search For P-Plater Caught Red Handed Using Her Mobile At Callaghan

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are appealing for help to identify a young p-plate driver seen on video footage using her mobile phone while behind the wheel.

The incident was captured as the woman was driving her red Holden Commodore along University Drive at Callaghan at about 2.50pm on Wednesday.

The young driver is seen chatting on the phone and then smiling, laughing and waving with mobile in hand to people in a car driving beside her.

The person who shot the video is heard telling the woman that there is a police car behind her before attending Waratah Police Station to hand over the footage and report the incident.

The video has since gone viral on social media.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Video Capture Of The Alleged Incident On University Drive