Additional University Places Added in Newcastle to Grow AUKUS Workforce

BY HOLLY FISHLOCK

Additional places in STEM courses will be open at the University of Newcastle next year, in a bid to help grow the skilled workforce required to deliver AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines.

The Albanese Government is investing $128 million to fund an additional 4,001 university places across Australia. In Newcastle, 140 places have been allocated.

These additional places will apply to 38 STEM-related courses, designed to attract more students to train in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Federal Member for Patterson Meryl Swanson said she's celebrating the move.

"I'm delighted to say that the Albanese Labor Government has funded 140 additional places at the University of Newcastle over the next four years for STEM related subjects such as mechanical engineering and chemical engineering," says MP Swanson.

Ms. Swanson says it is important to increase training in STEM-related fields, as careers in these industries in Newcastle are in high demand.

"It's incredibly important that we do grow the workforce that is needed for the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines. In addition to that, it's also important that we constantly work with our businesses in the local area.

"The reason it's so important that we increase people taking up STEM courses is because that's where the jobs of the future in our region are going to lie. As a government we've recognised that, and that's why we've supported and funded these 140 places at Newcastle University over the next four years,," she said. 

Eligible students are able to apply and commence studies for STEM courses from the beginning of 2024.

Hundreds Without Power After Storm Lashes Lake Macquarie

 BY IAN CROUCH

Hundreds of Lake Macquarie residents remain without power on Thursday morning after a wild storm tore through the region late on Wednesday afternoon.

Several trees came down in parts of Cessnock, Morisset and Southern Lake Macquarie and there were reports of flash flooding.

More than 700 homes and businesses are still without power in Buttaba, Arcadia Vale, Wangi, Dora Creek, Morisset and Martinsville.

In one incident, the roof of a carport was blown off at a home in Baker Street, Dora Creek which blew across the street, cutting power lines.

120 volunteers from 30 SES teams have been busy attending to 158 calls for help in the Northern Region of NSW which includes the Hunter.

The SES says there were 30 jobs in Cessnock, 35 in Wyong, 30 in Cooranbong and 18 in Taree.

Most of the calls were for fallen trees, leaking or damaged rooves and downed power lines.

The storms brought more welcome rain to parts of the Upper and Lower Hunter, with 40mm recorded at Broke and 31mm at Dora Creek.

Police Searching For Stolen Doughnut Van Bound For Newcastle

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Police are on the lookout for a van carrying 10,000 donuts towards Newcastle which has been stolen. 

Officers say the Krispy Kreme van was making a stop at a service station at Carlingford in Sydney at about 3:30 this morning, when a female jumped into the driver's seat and fled the scene. 

They're now on the lookout for a white van with registration DG9-4MY, which was supposed to be delivering to stores across Newcastle today. 

Anyone who sees the van is being asked to contact Crime Stoppers. 

Man Facing Court Accused Of Assaulting Young Woman At Scone

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to front court today (Wednesday 29 November, 2023) accused of assaulting a woman at Scone.

Police were called to Waverley Street in the early hours of Sunday morning following reports an 18-year-old woman had been followed and assaulted by a man before she was able to escape and run home.

Officers searched a home on St Aubins Street on Tuesday and seized several items for forensic analysis.

They also arrested a 26-year-old man and charged him with sexual touching, common assault, choking and intimidation.

He's been refused bail to face Singleton Local Court today.

$1.3 Million Gifted to Council For Newcastle Art Gallery Expansion

BY OLIVIA GOELDNER

A cheque for $1.3 million has been presented to Newcastle Council to assist with the expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery. 

The payment was drawn from the Art Gallery Redevelopment Fund, consisting of funds raised by various community donations over a decade, held by the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation on behalf of the City of Newcastle. 

Closed for construction in January 2022, the Newcastle Art Gallery's long-awaited expansion is set to double its size, allowing more of its nationally-recognised collection to be displayed to the public.  

Construction is expected to be completed at the end of 2024. 

Upon accepting the cheque, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the development would not have been possible without the public's help. 

"The committed could only be supported by very exceptional philanthropic donations that were a mixture of grassroots foundation funding that has occurred over the last decade." 

Former Lady Mayoress Cathy Tate added, the expansion is a much-needed development. 

"The best regional collection in Australia could not be denied an extended home; we've waited so long, but it is so wonderful to see the hoardings up and see the construction has started. 

90-Year-Old Woman Dies In Hospital Following Alleged Sexual Assault On The Central Coast

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A woman has died in hospital following an alleged sexual assault at an aged care facility on the Central Coast.

Police allege a man broke into a facility in Bateau Bay about 12:40am on Wednesday the 15th of November, 2023, where he sexually assaulted a 90-year-old woman.

The woman was taken to hospital suffering serious injuries.

34-year-old Brett Anthony Crawford was later arrested at a property in Caves Beach and remains before the courts. 

Police have since been notified the woman died in hospital this morning (Tuesday the 28th of November, 2023). 

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Newcastle Supercar Supporters Group Questions Motion To Remove Race Infrastructure

BY JACK SEYMOUR

The Newcastle Supercars Supporters Facebook group is questioning a motion set to be tabled for tomorrow night's City Council meeting which would effectively abandon any future races.

The proposal would see the removal of key infrastructure used in the East End for the Newcastle 500.

Group administrator Mitchell Griffin said a successful motion would go against comments made Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and NSW Premier Chris Minns, praising the event's success and calling for an contract extension.

"We've seen Supercars come out and say they're open to a contract renewal. We've heard from the Premier who's keen for the event to go ahead and even back in September, the Lord Mayor said she'd be happy with a five year extension," he said.

"So it really does bring the question "Why shut the event off completely?" when there is the opportunity there to have those discussions and look at the potential of a much longer event should negotiation go ahead next year."

The motion notes the City's decision last month to support Cessnock's bid to host the V8's at the proposed Wine Country 500.