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Your Community News for the Hunter
ARTS MINISTER MARKS MILESTONE AT NEWCASTLR ART GALLERY
NSW Arts Minister John Graham has officially unveiled the foundation stone for the expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery as work on the City of Newcastle's landmark infrastructure project continues.
The moment marks a significant milestone in the Gallery's expansion, which hit new heights last month with the installation of a 33-metre-high tower crane to facilitate the next stage of construction.
Minister Graham joined Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon and Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation Chair Suzie Galwey for the official ceremony, unveiling the bluestone paver commemorating the major funding partners involved. Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it was fitting to etch the name of the NSW Minister for the Arts and Tourism into a site that will become a regionally significant cultural destination.
"By more than doubling the size of Newcastle Art Gallery and delivering a suite of modern facilities of international standing, this project will offer a home to one of Australia's most significant public art collections," Cr Nelmes said.
Mr Graham, also the NSW Minister for Jobs, said seeing the positive economic impact this project would deliver for the community, now and into the future, was pleasing.
"Major infrastructure projects provide a valuable economic boost to local communities, with the expansion of Newcastle Art Gallery creating 170 jobs, including 152 in construction and 18 ongoing once it is complete," he said.
"This project is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when all levels of government and the local community work together to achieve a common goal, delivering positive benefits for the wider region for generations to come."
The expansion project includes an additional 1,600 square metres of exhibition space on the lower level with dedicated areas for the Gallery's collection, while the upper level will cater for a variety of travelling exhibitions, including international shows.
The project will deliver a new café and retail shop, multi-purpose and educational program space, and a secure international standard loading dock, and will extend the building's footprint east along Darby Street and Queen Street.
The project is supported by $5 million from the Australian Government under the Regional Recovery Partnerships and $5 million from the New South Wales Government under the Regional Recovery Package, as well as $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation made possible through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest, Margaret Olley Trust, and community fundraising over many years. A further $1 million is currently being sought through the Foundation's public fundraising campaign.
GET THE GRU-P TOGETHER FOR CINEMA UNDER THE STARS
It’s time to go bananas, with Newcastle Permanent’s Cinema Under the Stars returning to Maitland and Lake Macquarie in February with the children’s film Minions: The Rise of Gru (PG, 2022).
The popular community event will again be free, and lots of fun is to be had with live music and children’s activities before the film begins at sundown.
Newcastle Permanent Rutherford Branch Manager Hayden Pescud said that Cinema Under the Stars was a highlight of the summer calendar.
“Cinema Under the Stars has become a tradition in the Hunter; the community loves attending it as much as Newcastle Permanent loves hosting,” said Mr Pescud.
“As a customer-owned organisation, supporting local and giving back is what we stand for. Cinema Under the Stars is just one of the many ways we contribute to the local Maitland and Lake Macquarie communities.
“A relaxed summer evening with plenty for the kids to do and free popcorn, of course; what’s not to love?”
“Pack a picnic, bring the whole family, and get there early to enjoy all the fabulous, fun, free events and activities that help make Cinema Under the Stars such an awesome night!”
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR HONOURED FOR PIONEERING COVID-19 TREATMENT
A dedicated medical researcher who helped develop an effective preventative treatment for respiratory viral diseases, including COVID-19, has been selected as Newcastle's 2024 Citizen of the Year.
Professor Nathan Bartlett received the honour at City of Newcastle's award for his efforts across multiple research and education projects that will help future generations face the impact of respiratory infections including
the COVID-19 virus.
The viral immunology professor and lecturer at The University of Newcastle played an integral role in developing a nasal spray designed to prevent respiratory viral diseases such as COVID-19. The spray currently in clinical trials is designed for high-risk groups such as immunocompromised patients and the elderly, for whom vaccination may be less effective.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Mr Bartlett’s selection as Citizen of the Year recognises his ongoing commitment to improving health outcomes for others.
“Professor Bartlett's pioneering medical research will save lives,” Cr Nelmes said.
“As new variants of COVID-19 continue to make people very unwell, his integral role in developing an effective treatment, particularly to help those in our community at the greatest risk of severe disease and death, remains vital.
“He has spent countless hours educating the community and industry bodies such as the National Asthma Council to better understand and cope with COVID-19 and respiratory viruses and dedicates his time to teaching and mentoring the next generation of medical professionals and biomedical researchers.
“The Citizen of the Year award is a fitting honour for his over 20 years of service to medical science and his care and commitment to the wellbeing of our community."
Professor Bartlett said it was an honour to receive the award and to contribute to the incredible work being done in the region in the ongoing fight against COVID-19.
Seventeen-year-old volunteer Olivia Hughes was named the 2024 Young Citizen of the Year for her selfless charity work and fundraising efforts.
As a dedicated member of Nobby's SLSC since the age of five, Olivia has taught modified Nippers to children with disabilities and regularly volunteers at sporting events such as triathlons and surf competitions. After losing a childhood friend to cancer at age 10, the empathic teen began holding monthly craft sessions for sick kids and their families at Ronald McDonald House and is a passionate fundraiser for charities, including Dr Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and SurfAid’s Make a Wave Challenge.
Senior Citizen of the Year recipient Professor Julie Byles is a long-time advocate for the health of women and older people and has inspired many young researchers and PhD candidates during her 20 years as the Co-Director of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health.After retiring in early 2023, Julie became the president of the Hunter Ageing Alliance and has since lent her skills to amplify the voices and needs of the over-60s in Newcastle.
The LIVEfree Project has been named the 2024 Community Group of the Year in recognition of its work to elevate wellbeing and reduce loneliness in the community. Led by Chris Jones from its Adamstown base, the group was congratulated on becoming a trusted source of support for community members who have faced trauma and hardship and was recognised for their extensive school-based initiatives, including the Smile and Thrive Dental Program and the Shine Bright Program, which empowered children to face adversity while equipping them with vital life skills.
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