Fresh Hopes For Dungog Film Festival

A community meeting is being held this weekend in a bid to revive the Dungog Film Festival.

The popular festival won't be going ahead this year following the collapse of the company behind the annual event.

Paterson MP, Bob Baldwin met with Dungog Mayor, Harold Johnston yesterday and says Saturday's meeting at the St James Theatre will look at ways to make the festival a community-run event.

Woman Badly Hurt in Head-On Smash

Crash investigators are looking into the circumstances leading up to a head-on smash at Greta Main near Millfield which

has left 3 people in hospital.

A woman in her 20's was ejected from one of the vehicles when the accident occurred on Wollombi Road just after 5.30 last night.

The male driver of the other car and an 8-year-old boy both suffered leg injuries.

All 3 were taken to the John Hunter Hospital, where the woman is reported to be in a serious condition.

Police Investigate Suspicious Fire at Aberdare

A crime scene has been set up following an overnight fire at an Aberdare unit block.

Firefighters from 3 stations were called to the 3-unit block at the corner of Congewai and Kurri Streets at 10.30, finding one of the units engulfed in flames.

Crews had extinguished a fire in the same unit earlier in the afternoon.

An adjoining unit was also badly damaged, while a third sustained smoke damage in last night's fire.

4 people were evacuated without injury.

Meanwhile, fire has destroyed a 3-bedroom home at Paines Crossing, west of Cessnock.

3 Rural Fire Service crews were called to the weatherboard home on Settlers Road just before 3.30 this morning.

A female resident was treated by Paramedics at the scene for smoke inhalation.

RFS fire investigators are trying to determine the casue of the blaze.

Child Sex Abuse Inquiry Begins In Newcastle

An iquiry into an alleged Catholic Church cover up in the Hunter has heard the community has a collective responsibility to protect victims.

The Special Commission of Inquiry is investigating claims made by whistleblower, Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox about two paedophile priests in the Maitland/Newcastle diocese, both of whom are now deceased.

Commissioner Margaret Cunneen told Newcastle Supreme Court there needs to be an end to the conspiracy of silence around the crime and the need to protect victims who've come forward.

Packed House Farwells Larger than Life Police Officer.

Hundreds of people gathered in Newcastle City Hall this morning to farewell one of the Hunter's most loved and respected police officers.

Senior Constable Tony Tamplin died suddenly of a suspected heart attack on Monday, aged 54.

The man described as "Mister Marvellous" was honoured posthumously by Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione with a National Poice Service Medal.

Family members, the media and members of Variety spoke warmly at the service.

60 jobs lost with Newcastle Industrial Relations office closure

Newcastle's Industrial Relations office is set to close after the O'Farrell Government announced it will cut Fair Work jobs.

60 Fair Work Inspectors stand to lose their jobs.

State Opposition says the move jeopardises workers experiences in NSW.

Shadow Industrial Relations Minister, Adam Searle, says the government should guarantee public services and public service jobs in regional areas.

New Dams ditched from Lower Hunter Water Plan.

The proposal for new dams as a part of the Lower Hunter Water plan has been knocked back.

Instead, the plan will focus on water efficiency measures, wastewater recycling, rainwater tanks, stormwater harvesting and the construction of an emergency desalination plant.

Greens MP, John Kaye the new plan is cheaper, better for the economy, environment and jobs.