Glendale Technology High School Vandalised

BY JARROD MELMETH

Glendale Technology High School has been hit by vandals who have destroyed parts of the oval.

The school posted on its Facebook page saying it believes it to be the work of five youths who cut several holes in the fencing before destroying seating and carving up the oval with what appears to be a motorbike.

The incident comes just 3 days into the school holidays.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact Toronto Police Station.

Pictured: The vandalism on the oval.
Image: Glendale Technology High School.

A Weekend of Vandalism Across the Hunter

BY TYLER FARDELL

Two separate acts of hateful and malicious vandalism in the Hunter over the weekend has resulted in community uproar on social media and has prompted calls from Hunter politicians for more to be done.

On Saturday, local sports players and onlookers at Federal Park in Wallsend were paid a rude visit by a motorbike rider who rode across the fields through the middle of games being played.

It's not the first time an incident like this has occurred, with sports fields becoming a prime target for vandals on motorbikes.

State member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery expressed her disappointment over the incident, saying the actions of one reckless individual affects the community.

"And the damage to our playing field costs Newcastle Council and the community a lot of money to repair, because of the immaturity of some people who think this kind of behaviour is acceptable", she said.

"It's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt".

Ms Hornery has called upon the government to station police at these sporting events as a deterrent, with another, more expensive option being the installation of fences at every sports-ground.

"I'm hoping it doesn't get to a point where we need fencing on every field, that will end up costing the community a lot of money".

An earlier instance of the field in Wallsend being targeted by Vandals
 Photo Source; Newcastle Herald

Meanwhile, families in Telerah awoke on Saturday morning to discover 'very crude' graffiti along South street.

It's another instance of the community suffering on the behalf of a few, with works to remove the offensive graffiti using taxpayers money.

Vandalism strikes yet again in Maitland

BY JESSICA ROUSE and IAN CROUCH

There's been another senseless act of vandalism in Maitland.

This time the new garden at the recently upgraded No. 1 Sportsground was targeted, with plants ripped out of the ground and thrown across the carpark on Saturday morning.

It comes only weeks after a new park at Gillieston Heights which has been dedicated to a local WWI hero, was trashed.

Maitland Council offers a reward for any information that leads to the conviction against those who vandalise property.

Image Cr Philip Penfold Facebook page

Doors Smashed in 'Targeted' Attack on New Refugee Centre

BY BRIDGET GUNN

The operators of a new refugee centre in Jesmond have been shocked by an act of vandalism on the eve of their official opening today.

A brick was thrown through the glass pane doors of Zara's House on Monday.

Source: The Newcastle Herald

Zara's House is a support centre which will aim to help refugee women settle into Newcastle, and to nurture and facilitate the talents and cultures of the women.

Sister Diana Santleben, who is part of the team of refugees and partners opening Zara's House, was horrified by the display of violence, which staff members believe was intended as a message towards the refugees.

"It was five panels they smashed with this big brick," says Sister Santleben.

"We probably have to look seriously at finding information about getting a CCTV camera. If they come back again they are really determined to do something criminal, and the police will be quite interested in that."

Sister Santleben believes the attack will only make the community spirit within the refugee centre and the greater Newcastle area stronger.

"It makes the people of Newcastle stronger and we help each other even more than we were going to do in the past, so its probably, in a weird sort of a way, a good thing for the refugees."

With recovery of the centre underway, Zara's House will be officially opened today by Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.