Category: Tamworth Country Radio Network

A new police program will bring a group of boys from the bush to meet boys from the lakes next week as part of an innovative educational exchange program.

The ‘Tunbilliko’ Program, which is Aboriginal for ‘exchange’, is a joint-initiative between Lake Macquarie and Darling River Local Area Commands that will provide an opportunity for Indigenous teens and local police to develop strong relationships between the north and the west.

The inaugural Tunbilliko trip will see five Indigenous teenage boys from Bourke arrive at Lake Macquarie today (Tuesday 24 March 2014), and team up with five local Indigenous teenage boys to share experiences from different aspects of Aboriginal culture and learn about life on the coast.

Over the next four days, the boys will visit the Wollotuka Institute at the University of Newcastle, the Aboriginal Learning Circle at Hunter TAFE, and local police facilities, including Police Rescue, PCYC and Marine Area Command.

In addition, the boys will have the opportunity to go sailing, kayaking, and fishing, learn about local bush tucker, spend time at the beach and attend a Newcastle Knights home game.

Later in the year, the boys from the coast will head to the bush and meet up with their friends in Bourke.

Lake Macquarie Local Area Commander, Superintendent Brett Greentree, said the program aimed to create new friendships amongst the boys and further grow relationships between police and the community.

“We are excited to be involved in the Tunbilliko Program and pleased the local Aboriginal community has embraced the idea and helped bring it to life,” Supt Greentree said.

“While both areas are beautiful, Lake Macquarie is a stark contrast to Bourke, and this is a great opportunity to impart knowledge and better understand the differences in our ways of life.

“There are a range of activities planned over the next four days, ranging from relaxing to intense and educational to just plain fun, which we hope everyone will enjoy.

“At the end of the program, the boys will be awarded a certificate from TAFE NSW recognising the skills learnt during their stay,” Supt Greentree said.

Funded by the Aboriginal Strategic Direction Crime Prevention Grants, the program has strong community support, including the Community Consultative Committee and Belmont Rotary Club.

Two members of the Bandidos OMCG have been charged over the alleged assault of a man at a Newcastle brothel at the weekend.

About 6am yesterday (Sunday 22 March 2015), two men entered a brothel on Hunter Street and approached staff members at the reception area.

A short time later the two men allegedly assaulted the 61-year-old male owner and threatened him with a knife.

One of the men also allegedly threatened a staff member when she tried to contact police, before assaulting a patron who attempted to intervene.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Local Area Command were contacted and arrested two men, aged 25 and 28, on King Street.

The owner sustained serious swelling and bruising to his face and a broken nose. He was taken to hospital but has since been released.

A crime scene was established at the brothel and examined by specialist forensic officers.

Both men were taken to Newcastle Police Station, where they were charged with assault with intent to rob while armed with an offensive weapon.

They were refused bail and appeared before Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 23 March 2015), where they were remanded in custody.

The 25-year-old man will reappear in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday 20 May 2015, while the 28-year-old man is due before Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 21 April 2015.

An elderly man has died following a house fire in Lake Macquarie.

Around 5.20pm today (Sunday 22 March 2015), emergency services were called to Bukkai Road in Wyee after a fire broke out at a house.

The fire was extinguished and the body of an 81-year-old man – the only resident of the property – was recovered from the home.

Lake Macquarie detectives, forensic officers and investigative personnel from Fire and Rescue are now working together to determine the cause of the blaze.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Police are investigating a vehicle crash on the M1 (Pacific Highway) near Lake Macquarie today (Sunday 22 March 2015.)
About 12:15am, a boat was being towed along the M1 near Mandalong when it came adrift and stopped across two lanes.

A Toyota Camray also travelling along the M1 crashed into the boat.

Police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command were contact and commenced an investigation.

A female passenger was treated by Ambulance Paramedics at the scene for minor injuries.

Officers investigating the matter are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact Lake Macquarie Local Area Command on 02 4922 4699.

Police are conducting investigations into a fatal pedestrian crash in Toronto last night.

About 9.10pm (Saturday 21 March 2015), emergency services were called to Kerry Street following reports a man had been hit by a car.

It is believed the 45-year-old Teralba man was crossing the road when he was hit by a Nissan Patrol. He was treated at the scene by Ambulance Paramedics and taken to the John Hunter Hospital where he died.

The driver of the Nissan, a 68-year-old Gwandalan man, was not injured in the collision but taken to Belmont Hospital for mandatory blood and urine tests.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collision are continuing and police will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.

Police are urging any witnesses to the crash that have not yet spoken to police to come forward.

Police and Roads and Maritime Services officers have inspected 10 oversize and overmass vehicles in Newcastle resulting in 12 heavy vehicle charges.

The Joint Traffic Taskforce attended the Carrington area this morning (Friday 20 March 2015), and inspected a number of trucks that were loaded ready to move large equipment and machinery.

During the operation officers inspected 10 oversize and overmass vehicles which revealed offences with 12 charges to be preferred in respect of: severe width, length and height of the loaded truck all owing to permit non-compliance.

Roads and Maritime Services officers are continuing to assess a number of weight issues involving the loads.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, said it was imperative that operators complied with permit obligations.

“Those that go outside set permits create risks for the roads that are used, and most importantly, for other motorists.

“Operators need to understand that permits must be fully complied with when loading and moving oversize and overmass loads, and the Joint Traffic Taskforce will continue this focus for the benefit of driving down the road toll across NSW,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.

Roads and Maritime Services Director Safety and Compliance, Peter Wells, said it is extremely important heavy vehicles which transport oversize and over mass cargo do so safely, accurately and within the limits of their permit.

“These loads are very large and/or heavy and the consent limits are set to ensure the safety of all road users and the protection of important infrastructure such as bridges and tunnels.

“It is all about culture – we want a much more professional culture in this sector.

“Everyone in the chain of responsibility from the consignor to the consignee, loaders, schedulers and operators have a responsibility to ensure compliance with the permit conditions.

“We will take action against anyone found to have allowed an oversize or over mass vehicle to move goods against the allowable limits,” Mr Wells said.

Newcastle Detectives are appealing to the public for information in relation an indecent assault in Hamilton.

Police have been told that on Friday 6 March 2015, a man on bus 222 between New Lambton and Hamilton indecently assaulted a female.

Police are wishing to speak with anyone who may have been on the bus, they are particularly keen to speak with a female passenger on the bus who spoke with the victim after the incident.

In your can provide information concerning this incident please contact the Detectives at Newcastle Police Station on 49290731 or Crime Stoppers.