$750k for Dixon Park SLSC

BY MATT JOHNSTON

A partnership between the New South Wales government, Newcastle City Council, and the Dixon Park Surf Life Saving Club (DPSLSC) will see a raft of improvements for the club and its amenities on the Bathers Way walk.

Scot MacDonald, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, announced the $350,000 grant this morning alongside Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, who added $250,000 from council. The remaining $150,000 will come from funds raised by the DPSLSC itself.

DPSLSC President Paul Murray said the club has seen a growth in membership and popularity as a venue since the opening of the Bathers Way coastal path. However, the renewed use of the site highlighted the 40-year-old amenities that are on offer.

Updates at the site are limited to the ground floor, where the changerooms and bathrooms will be upgraded and made more accessible for those with disabilities. A kitchen will be installed the increase the range of activities available at the venue.

Council will also be using this as an opportunity to create new storage areas for equipment.

Both Paul Murray and Scot MacDonald were pride to be to revitalising "iconic" elements of Newcastle's coastline. Modernising the facilities is key, given that a women's changeroom was overlooked in the original building plans 40 years ago.

Nuatali Nelmes she's happy to be contributing to new facilities which make sport more accessible and attractive to women.

Picture: Newcastle City Council

World Suicide Prevention Day.

BY DANIELLE RIES

Sunday 10th September is World Suicide Prevention Day which aims to encourage people to take notice on what's happening with family, friends, colleagues, and most importantly, yourself.

Lifeline Hunter Central Coast this morning organised its annual suicide prevention walk which went from Dixon Park to Merewether Baths and back.

The walk included over 500 people as it aims to help raise awareness, remember those lost to suicide and brings the community together to help tackle suicide.

Breakfast was held after the walk with food trucks, coffee vans, information stalls as well as a free yoga session.

Regional Manager from Lifeline Hunter Central Coast Robert Sands says the turn out for the walk exceeded expectations.

"The key thing is to talk amongst each other and be comfortable in asking how we're doing and sharing our stories with each other.

"The walk was fabulous, it exceeded our expectations, 550 local people turned up in support of each other and in support of those who has lost someone by suicide, so it was wonderful".

On average, in rural and remote areas are more likely to die by suicide than in major areas, thus this day encouraging others to look out for family, friends, colleagues and most importantly, yourself.

Robert Sands also states suicide is a hard thing to live with, but support is available and isn't too far away.

"The stats continue to unfortunately increase. We know that 8 people a day die by suicide in Australia and of course there are many more that are affected by suicide, and what we learnt in our walk this morning is those who are affected, its a tough challenge to live with so its great that we can be supporting them together with the community.

"13 11 14 is the lifeline telephone crisis support number and is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. And for those who prefer to talk to somebody in person, we offer lifeline face to face counselling service here at Islington at our office".

Image from Lifeline Hunter Central Coast annual suicide prevention walk.
Credit- Lifeline Hunter Central Coast Facebook Page.

Brave Bystanders Intervene As Knife-Wielding Woman Allegedly Threatens Children In Park

BY IAN CROUCH

A woman will face Newcastle Local Court today over a frightening incident at Dixon Park where she allegedly chased people with a knife and chains.

The 33-year-old is accused of threatening a group of day care children and tried to grab one of them before a couple of bystanders intervened - they're being hailed as heroes.


Police say the woman started lunging at one of the male bystanders with the knife when officers arrived.

They were forced to a deploy a tazer to arrest her.

She was taken to the Calvary Mater Hospital for assessment before being charged with custody of a knife in a public place, affray and resist officer in execution of duty.