Hopes for mural for Gordana: The family of missing Newcastle schoolgirl Gordana Kotevski is seeking community support to help secure a permanent mural. Sixteen-year-old Gordana was last seen walking home from shops at Charlestown in November 1994. A $1-million reward for information relating to her disappearance was announced in 2022. More than $22,000 has been raised for a mural dedicated to Gordana, which will be painted on a wall at Cardiff. A development application needs to be lodged with Lake Macquarie City Council and a family spokesperson says they need signatures from the community to support their application for the mural.
Image credit: ABC News
Baths heritage recognised: The Newcastle Ocean Baths complex has officially been added to the NSW State Heritage Register. The inclusion means the baths, which opened in the 1910s, will be preserved and maintained into the future as a significant site in Newcastle and New South Wales. Community group Friends of Newcastle Ocean Baths has lobbied for the inclusion for several years, and an application received more than 600 submissions and hundreds more signatures of support. The group's president Peter Wickham says the inclusion is a win for what he calls "the people's pool".
Measles alert: Hunter New England Health has issued a measles alert for Newcastle and Lake Macquarie after three people visited several locations in the area while infectious. The locations include the Charlestown soccer ground, Belmont Hospital emergency department, Lake Haven Centre and the Mount Hutton shopping centre Lake Macquarie Square. One of those infected recently returned from Vietnam where there is an ongoing large-scale measles outbreak. Hunter New England public health physician Dr David Durrheim says people should be alert for symptoms. The dates and times of visitation at the locations are available on the Hunter New England Local Health District's website.
Alleged assault prompts rally: Dozens of people attended a rally at the weekend calling for an end to gendered violence in Newcastle. The rally was organised after Newcastle woman Britt Michell alleged she was assaulted by an unknown man while at a licensed venue late on March 15. Her partner Hayley Goldie shared the experience on social media and was flooded with messages from other local women and gender-diverse people with similar stories. Ms Goldie says the pair decided to hold a rally to raise awareness about the experiences of gendered violence.
For support phone the Women's Crisis Line on 1800 811 811 or Lifeline on 131 114.
New overpass promised: The Coalition will commit $100 million for a New England Highway overpass at Maitland if elected to government. The project would include the design and construction of a west-bound flyover at the roundabout near Maitland Station to alleviate congestion, alongside the existing east-bound flyover. Shadow transport minister Bridget McKenzie says the project will be a step towards bringing Maitland's infrastructure in line with population growth.
Fire accelerated by batteries: Fire and Rescue NSW says lithium ion batteries were found at a Mayfield townhouse severely damaged by fire last week. Neighbours helped residents of the Maitland Road property escape the blaze in the early hours of March 19 and three people were treated for smoke inhalation. While it's unclear what sparked the fire, it's thought e-bike batteries accelerated the blaze. Fire and Rescue Superintendent Adam Dewberry says it's a situation firefighters are seeing more of.
Water safety messaging in nine languages: Water safety messaging will now be available in nine different languages at all Newcastle beaches in an effort to improve swimmers' understanding of the risks. QR codes on beach signs will take beach-goers to a safety webpage in their chosen language. The Newcastle City Council says there's been an increase in the number of beach rescues involving non-English speaking beach-goers.
Prior makes Matildas squad again: Newcastle Jets defender Natasha Prior says she's excited to represent the Matildas in front of a home crowd. The Matildas will play Korea Republic in friendlies in Sydney on April 4 and Newcastle on April 7. Prior has been named alongside local products Emily Van Egmond and Clare Wheeler, as well as big names Mary Fowler, Hayley Raso and Caitlin Foord in the near-full-strength side. Star Sam Kerr will miss the games due to injury. The Matildas are eager for a win as they fall to their lowest FIFA ranking in 20 years.
