NRL Beanie Round brings brain cancer fundraising to $4 million

BY ALEXANDRA REES

The Mark Hughes Foundation has raised $4 million so far in this year's NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer campaign this week.

With donations still coming in, the campaign has surpassed the foundations initial aim to raise $3 million from the purchase of a foundation beanie.

MHF Founder Mark Hughes says the donations will go a long way to help brain cancer research.

"This year our thoughts are first and foremost with the families that have been through the brain cancer journey and lost a loved one," he said.

"There's now four million dollars going direct to brain cancer research because of every Australian that chose to make a difference this week."

A total of 170,000 beanies have been sold so far and are on track to sell out next week. 

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo says this moment wouldn't be possible without help from the community. 

"This round has been a great example of the game coming together to make a positive difference," he said.

"Thank you to everyone in the community for contributing and congratulations to the Mark Hughes Foundation on this years achievements. 

"Together we are raising awareness and raising funds to enable research to fight brain cancer and help save lives."

The Foundation also announced plans to launch a $25 million MHF Centre for Brain Cancer Research at the University of Newcastle. 

 

The dedicated space for brain cancer would see researchers come together under one roof to collaborate and find a cure. 

 

Exclusive! Car Thefts By Juveniles On The Rise In The Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are concerned for the safety of officers and the public following a spate of car thefts by juveniles around Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

Police have again been involved in pursuits this morning of luxury cars taken by children as young as 12.

It's believed up to 3 groups of young people are breaking into homes at night, stealing car keys and going on joy rides.

8 juveniles have been arrested in the past week and police expect to make more arrests.

It comes after a white Audi 8 and a black Chrysler 300c were stolen last week and involved in a series of brief pursuits with police.

The cars were later recovered undamaged.
 
Police are again urging residents to keep doors and windows locked at night and not to keep car keys in central locations in the house.

East Coast Low Batters The Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

The State Emergency Service says the Hunter is expecting more heavy rain and strong winds today (Monday 4 July 2022) as the East Coast Low off our coast continues to impact the region.

A Severe Weather Warning is out for Heavy Rainfall, and Hazardous Surf.

Moderate Flooding is possible for the Wollombi Brook at Bulga tonight while minor flooding is possible later this morning at the Belmore Bridge in Maitland and the Paterson River at Gostwick.

The SES has received 155 calls for help in the Northern Region overnight, with many of those in the Hunter, while volunteers performed 3 flood rescues at Allandale and Greta yesterday afternoon where people became trapped in their vehicles.

The Weather Bureau says Maitland Airport has recorded the most rainfall since 9 yesterday morning with 160 millimetres, and wind gusts reached 83 km/h at Nobbys just after midnight.

Several homes lost power around Newcastle and Lake Macquarie as the strong winds took hold, but Ausgrid says power has now been restored, however several areas on the Central Coast are still off the grid.

David Webber from the SES says they're bracing for more severe weather in the Hunter later today.

"That low system is predicted to move north-west into the Hunter area later this afternoon.There will still be impacts at the tail end of that with wind and rainfall as well. so, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, reverine impacts within that, and storm-related tasks with that wind as well," he said.

Buses are replacing trains between the Newcastle Interchange and Scone and Dungog in both directions due to flooding on the tracks at Sandgate.

The Golden Highway at Whittingham is closed at the New England Highway, and Wine Country Drive is closed between Tuckers Lane and McDonalds Road.

Beaches are also no-go areas, with wave heights expected in excess of 5 metres.  

 

Varroa mite escapes the Hunter, new emergency zone at Calga property

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Varroa mite has extended its reach beyond the Hunter, with the parasite now identified in bees at a property at Calga on the Central Coast.

It's understood there is a direct link to a Newcastle site, and the Department of Primary Industries does not believe the affected bees moved naturally.

Nine properties across the state have now been affected, including at Newcastle, Seaham, and Bulahdelah.

All bees and hives within ten kilometres of each property will need to be destroyed.

First stage complete in Toronto foreshore facelift

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The first stage of a major redevelopment of the Toronto foreshore has wrapped up.

The waterfront now has a new town green with seating, sandstone walls, and a public square.

The $1.8 million upgrade began last September, with a second stage of works to begin soon, focusing on improving safety and access at the car park next door to the Toronto Amateur Sailing Club.

More works are also on the cards, to improve the playground and cafe area and deliver more shade pavilions and barbecue spots.

Man faces court after setting ute alight in Belmont pursuit

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A man will face court charged with traffic offences after a pursuit in Lake Macquarie on Thursday morning. 

Around 9.40am, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District saw a white Toyota Hilux travelling north on the Pacific Highway at Belmont South. 

The vehicle had earlier been reported missing from a worksite in Catherine Hill Bay.

The driver allegedly failed to stop and accelerated away from police when a pursuit was initiated. 

Police pursued the utility through the suburbs of Belmont South, Belmont and Belmont North before the utility collided with a police vehicle at the intersection of Marks Street and the Pacific Highway in Belmont. 

No officers were injured during the collision, but the police vehicle sustained damage.  

The pursuit was re-initiated a short time later into Belmont Wetlands, where the pursuit was terminated. 

Officers entered the wetlands on foot where they found the utility alight. 

With assistance from the Police Dog Squad, a 36-year-old man was arrested nearby. 

The man was taken to Belmont Police Station and refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Friday.

Resident Taken To Hospital After House Fire At Muswellbrook

 BY IAN CROUCH

One person has been taken to hospital following a house fire at Muswellbrook.

Four fire trucks from Muswellbrook and Aberdeen were called to a brick and tile home on Anzac Parade just after 9.00pm on Thursday to find the right side of the house on fire.

Newcastle Fire Command says a female was taken to hospital with smoke inhalation as a precaution and all occupants of the home were accounted for.

It's believed the fire started in hoarded material in the backyard.

It took crews about an hour to fully extinguish the fire before handing the scene over to police.