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Media releases

Find out about Council decisions, projects and activities by reading the latest media releases.

Media releases are distributed by Council's Communications Unit. 

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The Communications Unit can be contacted during office hours on 02 4974 2264 or after hours on 0429 608 590.

The Unit can arrange interviews and provide background information as well as organise photographs.

For more of the latest media releases go the bottom of the page.

Memorable funding open for young people

06 Nov 2009

The Dave Arkless Memorial Artistic Encouragement Program is open once more to eligible young people for community and artistic projects.

The program honours the memory of Dave Arkless, a former valued member of the Palais Youth Venue. Previous years have offered young artists the opportunity to undertake an artistic project which they would not otherwise be able to afford.

Loft Projects Coordinator MICHELLE NUNN says the program provides seed funding to help young people launch their own artistic projects while at the same time remembering a wonderful young man.

“The program has expanded this year to also include a ‘community’ category, encouraging young people to become active in addressing any concerns they may have within their community.”

“It’s great that we have been able to expand the program to encourage community activation and allow young people to address any local issues they may have identified themselves. It’s very empowering.”

Funding is provided by the Arkless family and is open to anyone aged 12 – 25 years living in the Newcastle area. The total pool of $5000 will be divided into three categories of music, arts and community with emphasis placed on innovation, the development of the young person or community and the outcome of the project.

Previous projects have included the production and mastering of original music, a graphic novel, cultural dance group, solar-powered PA and a theatre performance.

Application forms can be obtained from the venue by calling 4974 2092 and submissions close Monday 16 November.



  •  An Indian Summer ahead at the Gallery - 05 Nov 2009  
    Jane Lander is an artist well known to Newcastle audiences through her drawings of the city’s industry, beaches and harbour. Her most recent body of work however, will transport audiences far from Newcastle, to the Indian holy city of Varanasi.
  •  Taking world dance to the streets with L!vesites - 05 Nov 2009  
    Let dance be your passport as you travel around the nightclubs of the world with L!vesites’ Dancing in the Streets, taking place on three Friday nights in November for free.
  •  Council update 3 November 2009 - 04 Nov 2009  
    Council update is a summary of the council meetings held on 3 November 2009. Note: This is not a record of resolutions.
  •  Testing ready for Bar Beach project - 03 Nov 2009  
    It will be action stations tomorrow, Wednesday 4 November, at Bar Beach as planning continues for the cliff stabilisation project.
  •  IT was a success! - 28 Oct 2009  
    Over 15 tonnes of electrical equipment was dropped off for recycling at the second electronic recycling event held in Newcastle last weekend.
  •  Who will be Australia’s next poetry slam champion? - 28 Oct 2009  
    Newcastle Region Library is calling all poets, hip-hop artists and other outspoken wordsmiths to polish their rhymes and lyrics for the Australian Poetry Slam 09, an annual slam contest offering over $20,000 in cash and prizes.
  •  Misty Moderns - 23 Oct 2009  
    Misty Moderns is an exhibition of 80 paintings by some of Australia’s most influential but forgotten artists. Developed by the Art Gallery of South Australia, the exhibition focuses on the work of controversial Melbourne painter Max Meldrum and 17 of his followers.
  •  Football history on show - 23 Oct 2009  
    Novocastrians will have the opportunity to learn more about the origins of football in the region with the official opening of the 125 Years of Football Exhibition at the Newcastle Region Library’s Lovett Gallery at 5:30 tonight, Friday 23 October.
  •  CCTV rolling in Wheeler Place - 23 Oct 2009  
    From today, Friday 23 October, cameras will be rolling in the Civic Precinct as part of a 12 month CCTV trial.
  •  Cycling for sustainability - 22 Oct 2009  
    Cycling round the suburbs and talking to residents about sustainability will be par for the course for Council’s sustainability education officers this month as they head out to Beresfield, Tarro, Black Hill and Hexham for a round of Sustainability Street-Talks.
  •  E-waste Recycling Weekend - 21 Oct 2009  
    Have you ever wondered what to do with your old computer, mobile phone or laptop? Now is your chance to clear out all your electronic waste without sending it to landfill.
  •  Council Meeting 20 Oct ober 2009 - 21 Oct 2009  
    Council held its meeting in the Council Chambers on 20 October 2009. Following is a summary of that meeting.
  •  What we do best heads out west - 20 Oct 2009  
    Capoeira, theatre sports and hip hop dancing are just some of the activities young people say they want out west.
  •  Council update - 13 October 2009 - 14 Oct 2009  
    Following is a summary of the Council meeting of Tuesday 13 October. Note: It is not a record of resolutions.

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