Merewether home becomes the highest selling in Newcastle

BY JARROD MELMETH

A Merewether home has become the highest selling residential property ever in Newcastle.

The property known as "Barrymore" on Kilgour Avenue has sold for $8.7 million, after being sold just four years ago for $3.7 million in May 2017. 

The sale surpasses the previous record of $7.25 million for a property on John Parade, Merewether. 

The home is heritage listed and has five bedrooms, four bathrooms and a sperate garage building. It's also set on a 1698 square metre block and stands on a cliff with views of the Pacific Ocean and cityscape.

Selling Agent Mark Kentwell says its clear now that Newcastle is no longer a well kept secret.

"The last record threshold of $7 million took over 12 years to surpass. This record took under 12 months to surpass. The strong and diverse employment base, amazing lifestyle and property performance is proving Newcastle is gaining moment, especially since COVID has become a part of life," Mr Kentwell said.

Fireworks Used to Destroy Merewether Mailboxes

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL


Police believe fireworks were used to blow up mail boxes across Merewether in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Residents of Merewether and nearby Bar Beach were rudely awoken by loud bangs shortly after 4am.

Three letterboxes in Dent, Mitchell and Livingstone Streets were destroyed by the blasts, which sent debris flying and damaged nearby cars and houses.

Around two hours after the first explosion, a Kilgore Street resident found a suspicious item inside their mailbox and reported it to police who safely removed it.

Nobody was injured by the explosions.

Investigations are ongoing and police would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity.

Man Stabbed in Merewether

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police are investigating after a man was stabbed in the neck and torso at Merewether last night.

At about 11:30pm, the 27-year-old was involved in a physical struggle with another man on Ulick Street.

He was stabbed several times in the neck, chest and arms during the incident.

After returning to his car, he managed to call a friend who drove him to the John Hunter Hospital.

It's believed he's in a stable condition.

Earlier:

A man is in a stable condition in hospital after he was allegedly stabbed in Merewether last night.

Police were called to Ulick Street  at 11:30pm following reports there was an altercation between two men which left one of them, a 27-year-old, with stab wounds.

A crime scene was set up this morning and police are investigating.

Man Arrested After Taking Replica Pistol Into Newcastle Shopping Centre

BY IAN CROUCH

Police have arrested a Merewether man accused of carrying a gun into a shopping centre at Newcastle West.

Staff at the Marketown Shopping Centre noticed the man shopping for food in the early hours of Thursday morning and called police when they noticed what appeared to be a gun in a plastic bag he was carrying.

Officers arrived and searched the man, allegedly finding a replica pistol.

The 49-year-old is also accused of breaching curfew bail.

He was taken to Newcastle Police station where he was charged with being in possession of an unauthorised replica pistol and breach of bail.

He's been refused bail and is due to face Newcastle Local Court later today.

Man Allegedly Caught High Range Drink Driving Twice In One Night At Merewether

BY IAN CROUCH

A Hamilton South man is due to face court next month after allegedly being caught high range drink driving twice last night.

Just before 10.00pm, officers responded to a complaint about the man in Caldwell Street, Merewether and were stopped by the side of the road when they pulled him over.

One of the officers was forced to roll over the bonnet of his patrol car to avoid being collected by the car as it came to a stop.

It's alleged the 57-year-old returned a high-range blood alcohol reading and his licence was suspended on the spot.

Police say just over an hour-and-a-half later the same man was stopped in a different car on Harle Street and again returned a high range reading.

He's been granted conditional bail to front Newcastle Local Court on September 9 charged with driving while suspended and high-range drink driving.

Drugs and weapons found at Merewether home

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man will face Newcastle Local Court in August on drug and weapons charges after his home was searched in Merewether.

Officers executed a search warrant yesterday just before 9am at the Watkins Street address.

Police found various drugs, firearms, prohibited weapons, cash and credit cards which they seized.

A 25-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with goods in custody, two counts of supply prohibited drug, two counts of possess prohibited drug, possess restricted substance, two counts of possess unauthorised pistol and three counts of possess unauthorised weapon.

He was granted conditional bail and will appear at court on 31st August.

Police appealing for information after a brawl last month

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police are appealing for information about two men after a brawl in Merewether earlier this month.

On Saturday 3rd June, two separate groups of men were drinking in the outdoor area of the Kilgour Avenue Club when an argument started, quickly escalating to a physical altercation between a large number of patrons.

Police were called where they found numerous non life-threatening injuries to patrons.

So far two men aged 27 and 22 years have been charged with affray and will appear in Newcastle Local Court at the end of the month.

Inquiries are continuing, and detectives would like to speak to anyone who may have information that could assist with finding the men pictured below.

Hunter schools receive funding for before and after school care

BY JARROD MELMETH

Three schools across the Hunter have received a share of almost $90,000 in an effort to expand and create more places in before and after school care.

The funding comes from the New South Wales Government Before and After School Care Fund, a $20 million initiative.

Holy Cross Primary School Glendale received 429,750 for a service expansion creating 58 places; St Josephs School Merewether received $30,000 for a service expansion creating 130 places; Abermain Public School received $30,000 for a new service creating 50 places.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald said the funding is great news for busy families, who need the extra flexibility that before and after school care provides.

"It is about expanding oportunities for before and after school care around our schools.

"Our parents are very busy people. This just gives them the opportunity and extra places to leave their children either before or after school to fit in with their schedules.

"I think it is very important and this is one program I strongly support," Mr MacDonald said.

Scot MacDonald.