Man charged with attempted murder following hotel attack


A man has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly bashed a young woman with a sledgehammer in a five-star Sydney hotel.

Matthew Donaldson was found hiding in bushland in the Blue Mountains yesterday after allegedly bludgeoning a 25-year-old woman at the Primus Hotel in Sydney on Tuesday night.

Police allege the woman was left unconscious and covered in blood. She remains in an “extremely serious but stable condition” in the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Matthew Donaldson has been arrested over an alleged hammer attack in the Sydney CBD. (9News)
Acting Superintendent Paul Dunstan provides an update on the arrest of Matthew Donaldson, 41, accused of bashing a woman with a sledgehammer inside the Primus Hotel. (9News)

“It’s going to be a very, very long road to recovery for that lady,” Acting Superintendent Paul Dunstan said.

The 41-year-old was charged with five offences this afternoon, including attempted murder, grievous bodily harm and possessing a loaded firearm.

Police allege the man was in possession of the gun during the attack.

Officers said he led police to the weapon today.

The pistol police allegedly found in Matthew Donaldson’s backpack. (NSW Police Force)

“This morning he accompanied us on a search and in the company of police led us to a backpack containing a loaded firearm, pistol, which police allege he had during the offence at Pitt Street,” Mr Dunstan said.

Mr Donaldson was found 500 metres from Lapstone train station in lower Blue Mountains after police and sniffer dogs battled “horrible” conditions to locate him.

Police also raided a Kingswood property yesterday and allegedly seized knives, ammunition and other weapons.

Mr Donaldson was refused bail and will appear in court tomorrow.

Police searching for man responsible for Sydney hotel assault. Last need at Lapstone station in the Blue Mountains. (9News)

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Residents in a fast-growing south-western Sydney town are waiting for a fire station


The absence of a fire station in Oran Park is leaving residents exposed to more “developed” and “dangerous” incidents, the firefighters’ union says.

The NSW Government announced funding for a Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) station for the growing south-western Sydney suburb in 2015. The project was scheduled to be completed in 2018 but it is still expected to take another two years.

Land was purchased for the station, FRNSW confirmed, however the site has remained vacant for almost six years.

The site of the proposed Oran Park Fire and Rescue NSW station.
Land was purchased for the proposed Oran Park fire station, FRNSW confirmed, however the site has remained vacant for almost six years. (Emily Bennett)

Emergency Services Minister David Elliott told 9News said the construction of the fire station “will commence imminently”.

“We expect it to be finished within the next two years,” Mr Elliott said.

NSW Opposition Leader Jodi McKay called on the state government to allocate “money in the budget” for the fire station.

“(It was) announced in 2015, then in 2018,” Ms McKay said.

“Now we’ve put pressure on the government, they’re saying it’s another two years.

“I mean, that’s not good enough”.

Fire Brigade Employees' Union state secretary Leighton Drury.
Fire Brigade Employees’ Union state secretary Leighton Drury says the south-western Sydney firefighting network is being “stretched that much thinner” because Oran Park doesn’t have a local fire station. (9News)

FRNSW and Mr Elliott’s office said firefighting services provided to Oran Park by neighbouring brigades were “sufficient”.

“Fire and Rescue NSW utilises a network of resources across the region to protect lives and property,” the spokesman said.

“The area is currently serviced by Narellan station, which is seven kilometres away, and Camden station, which is 10 kilometres away.

“Both stations are also supported by three NSW Rural Fire Service brigades in the area.”

The absence of a fire station in Oran Park is leaving residents exposed to more “developed” and “dangerous” incidents, the firefighters’ union says. (Emily Bennett)

Fire Brigade Employees’ Union state secretary Leighton Drury said St Andrews’ FRNSW station brigade has also provided fire protection for Oran Park.

Mr Drury said the brigade took about 17 minutes to get to Oran Park, due to the distance they were required to travel, which was “outside of what’s acceptable by Fire and Rescue”.

The NSW Government announced funding for a Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) station for the growing south-western Sydney suburb of Oran Park in 2015. The project was scheduled to be completed in 2018. (Emily Bennett)

“Generally if we’re not getting there within 10 minutes, it obviously decreases the chances of survivability within house fires,” he said.

“Obviously it’s quite stressful because you know that what you’re getting to is going to be a lot more dangerous, or at least certainly a lot more developed or involved, than what it could be.

“And you’re obviously stretching that network across south-western Sydney that much thinner.”

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Of the 173 incidents in Oran Park between 2015 and 2020, it took firefighters more than 10 minutes to arrive in 65 per cent of cases, according to FRNSW data.

The acceptable standard set by FRNSW is eight minutes.

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ASIC investigation into Melissa Caddick’s alleged Ponzi scheme to continue


But the Australian Securities and Investment Commission said its investigation into her alleged crimes is continuing.

The body of Melissa Caddick has been found on the NSW South Coast. (Photo: James Brickwood) (James Brickwood)

“ASIC’s priority is to seek the return of funds to investors in the most efficient way possible,” the statement read.

“ASIC will continue to work with the receivers and provisional liquidators to prepare for the Federal Court hearing listed on 7 and 8 April.

“ASIC’s considers the hearing should go ahead as a priority to seek return of funds to investors.”

A human foot in a shoe was found by campers on the shoreline at Bournda National Park near Tathra on Sunday.

Analysis using DNA from Ms Caddick’s toothbrush matched the foot.

Melissa Caddick (NSW Police Force)

Offshore drift modelling found that a body which entered the water near Ms Caddick’s home in Dover Heights in Sydney may have drifted to the South Coast over time.

Ms Caddick, 49, disappeared on November 12 last year after leaving her home for what her husband believed was a morning run at 5.30am.

She and her family lived in affluent Dover Heights in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

She had been under investigation for allegedly running a Ponzi scheme, using millions from investors to make lavish personal purchases.

A bunch of flowers left outside Melissa Caddick's home in Dover Heights.
A bunch of flowers left outside Melissa Caddick’s home in Dover Heights. (Nine)

Her purchases included expensive holidays to the US ski resort town of Aspen, as well as couture gowns, designer clothes, shoes and handbags, and jewellery.

Her five-bedroom home was bought in 2014 for $6.2 million.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) raided her home as part of an ASIC investigation the day before she disappeared.

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Further investigations have found neither Ms Caddick nor her business held a current AFS licence, required under Australian law to provide financial services.

It appears Melissa Caddick's remains drifted south from Sydney to the Far South Coast of NSW.
It appears Melissa Caddick’s remains drifted south from Sydney to the Far South Coast of NSW. (Nine)

Instead of investing funds from investors, Ms Caddick allegedly transferred money from the business into her personal accounts.

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When is it and public holiday dates explained


Easter is approaching, with Australia set for a more normal celebration this year amid low coronavirus cases and the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

Easter Sunday Solemn mass live was streamed due to coronavirus last year. (Edwina Pickles)

But the Easter Show in Sydney will return this year, with church services and family gatherings also allowed, depending on state-by-state limits on numbers.

Easter is in April this year, with Easter Sunday falling on Sunday, April 4. Good Friday is April 2 followed by Easter Saturday on April 3.

The date of Easter is calculated from the first Sunday following the first full moon after the Spring equinox in March, so sometimes falls in March and sometimes is in April.

A woman dressed as the Easter bunny last year in Sydney. (Kate Geraghty)

However some churches, such as the Greek church, celebrate Easter on a different day.

When are Easter public holidays 2021?

The Easter Monday public holiday is on Monday, April 5.

Good Friday is a public holiday across all states and territories.

Easter Sunday at Coogee last year. (Edwina Pickles)

However, the huge crowds and packed attractions will be scaled down with caps on the number of people who can attend each day.

The show is on from April 1 to April 12.

Taylah Cluss tries out lasange on a stick at the Royal Easter Show. (Fairfax Media)

“You can feel safe when you come to the grounds… all the attractions will be there, all the animals, all the showbags,” CEO of the Royal Agriculture Society Brock Gilmour said.

The show will have an app with a traffic light system to monitor the number of people at events and exhibits.

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The timeline of her alleged frauds and disappearance


And the discovery of her foot on a beach on the NSW South Coast on Sunday has raised as many questions as answers.

But Ms Caddick’s story started well before her disappearance, and has not ended now her remains have been found.

The body of Melissa Caddick has been found on the NSW South Coast. (James Brickwood)

The timeline of Melissa Caddick’s story

May 6, 2009: Court documents indicate the first of Melissa Caddick’s “suspected contraventions” is on this date. That year she sets up her own financial firm, but without the necessary financial services licence to do so.

Over the next 11 years she collects tens of millions from clients, who all believe they are investing.

2013: Ms Caddick marries Anthony Koletti, a hairdresser she met at a salon in Bondi Junction.

2014: Ms Caddick pays $6.2 million for a five-bedroom home in Dover Heights.

Melissa Caddick is suspected of stealing millions from her clients for personal use. (NSW Police Force)
August 13, 2020: According to the Sydney Morning Herald, one of Ms Caddick’s investors strikes up a conversation with another patient in a dentist’s waiting room. The patient tells her Ms Caddick has been using her financial services licence.

The investor later reports Ms Caddick to the Australian Securities Investment Commission.

November 10, 2020: ASIC freezes Ms Caddick’s bank accounts and properties, preventing her from leaving the country.

November 11, 2020: Officers from ASIC raid Ms Caddick’s home in Dover Heights. The raid takes up most of the day. Officers leave with couture gowns, designer clothes, shoes and jewellery. It is the last day Ms Caddick is seen alive.

November 12, 2020: Ms Caddick’s son hears the front door of their home close at 5.30am. He assumes it is Ms Caddick going for a morning run. Her family notes she has left behind her mobile phone, wallet and keys. She misses the 4pm deadline to surrender her passport and any plane tickets to police.

November 13, 2020: Ms Caddick is reported missing to police by her husband, 30 hours after her disappearance.

February 26, 2021: Police reveal DNA analysis has found the foot is Ms Caddick’s.

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* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

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Man to be airlifted to hospital after being impaled during crash


A Toyota Prado that was towing a caravan, and a ute collided at about 4.35pm today on Castlereagh Road in Agnes Banks, near Penrith.

The 24-year-old driver of the ute, from Hobartville, suffered critical injuries and has been airlifted to Westmead Hospital for treatment.

The driver of the Prado, a man aged 79 from Cobbitty, has been taken to hospital for mandatory tests. He was not injured.

The NSW Police crash investigation unit has been called to the scene and will conduct a full investigation.

Officers are asking any witnesses or those who may have dashcam footage to contact the Nepean Police Area Command or the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit.

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Man arrested over alleged hammer attack at Sydney hotel


A man has been arrested over an alleged hammer attack in a Sydney CBD hotel.

Police will allege Matthew Donaldson, 41, bashed a woman with a sledgehammer inside the Primus Hotel on Tuesday night.

The alleged victim, 26, was found unconscious and covered in blood before being rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

Matthew Donaldson has been arrested over an alleged hammer attack in the Sydney CBD. (9News)

Following a search of bushland in the Blue Mountains region after a tip-off, Mr Donaldson was arrested just before 5pm today.

He has been taken to Penrith police station.

The woman remains in hospital in a serious condition.

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During the search for the suspect, police raided a Kingswood property yesterday and allegedly seized knives, ammunition and other weapons.

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Construction of the Collaroy South Narrabeen seawall begins, but residents’ funding questions remain


Ten beachfront property owners in Sydney’s north said they have had to stump up $280,000 each to fund a $25 million seawall that will protect their houses from collapsing into the ocean.

The state government and council are together tipping in 20 per cent of the costs for the construction of a wall stretching from Collaroy to South Narrabeen after heavy surf and powerful storms put them at risk of being washed away.

Now there’s an additional $300,000 in engineering and legal fees, which resident Bob Orth thinks someone else should pay.

Collaroy-South Narrabeen seawall under construction.
The construction of a seawall stretching from Collaroy to South Narrabeen in northern Sydney is underway. (9News)

Mr Orth’s beachfront property at Collaroy was almost washed away in the 2016 storms.

However he said footing the additional costs would not be easy for residents.

In fact, some residents have had to dip into their superannuation.

“It’s not a rich list here, it’s a lot of different family people who have had to come up with $300,000,” Mr Orth told 9News.

“At the moment the contribution from state [government] and council is only based on construction, which is once you physically start building the wall. Prior to that, there’s a lot of costs [such as engineer and legal fees].

Collaroy homes hit by brutal king tides (AAP)
Collaroy homes were almost consumed by huge king tides in 2016.
Residents were evacuated and temporary retaining walls to stabilise properties.

“We believe at the very least that cost should be taken into account in the contribution of the state and the council.”

Mr Orth argued the wall was not just being build to protect the multi-million dollar homes, which made it unfair for residents to have to fork out so much for it.

He said the wall will also protect the streets behind the beachfront strip, including Pittwater Road.

“If this wasn’t built, come a couple of storms like we had in June 2016, there won’t be Pittwater Road, there won’t be sewage, there won’t be telephone lines, data cables, all the services… let alone a road.”

He said there’s a considerable benefit to other locals for the 1.3 kilometre barrier to be built on beachfront residents land.

Coastal erosion at Collaroy on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. (Getty)

“It’s private land this wall is built on but it’s going to have a big public benefit,” he said.

Despite the cost, Mr Orth said the erection of the wall is a “great relief”, with the area at constant risk when wild weather whipped up.

“It’s taken a long time but we’re really pleased with it and the progress we’ve made.”

The damaged multimillion-dollar beachfront properties were left teetering on the eroded coastline since violent storms lashed the coast in 2016.

Sea foam caused by wild weekend of storms in Sydney

Collaroy-South Narrabeen seawall under construction.
The first section of the 1.3 kilometre barrier is being built to stop coastal properties from toppling into the sea. (9News)
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Click or tap on the banner to find out how to download the 9News app for breaking and localised news alerts. (9News)

Residents were forced into emergency accommodation while damage was assessed, with sandbags used to stabilise the area.

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Private Sydney boy’s school Waverley College bans students from wearing mullets


It’s one of the world’s most recognisable and ridiculed haircuts, but now the mullet is fast becoming rejected by schools.

Waverley College in Sydney is the latest educational institution to rule the ‘do often described as “business at the front and party at the back” inappropriate for its campus.

“A lot of people are getting it,” Kim Van Heel from Ziggy’s Barber Salon said of the mullet.

The mullet hairstyle has been banned at a Sydney private school. (9News)

“I doesn’t matter if you’re old, young, every one is seeing it as normal now.”

The popular barber shop saw requests for mullets grow throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Everyone started realising they can grow their hair out,” Ms Van Heel said.

“When you’re working from home there is less pressure.

Waverley College has told its students to avoid the do. (9News)

“Then they realised you can go shorter on the sides but still have fun at the back like Billy Ray Cyrus said.”

The haircut was known as an 80s and 90s staple with rock stars like David Bowie, John Farnham joining the country star Cyrus in leading the craze.

Australia’s footballers also caught mullet mania.

Mullets are becoming more popular – again. (9News)

Now, three decades on, the hairdo has infiltrated the once stuffy world of professional golf.

“It’s become a good luck charm,” Australian golfer and world number 27 Cameron Smith said recently showing off his longer locks.

“It needs a bit of a trim at the front.

“I’d really like to go full business at the front and party at the back.”

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Thieves steal money from a charity box at Sydney fish and chip shop



The owners of a Sydney business who had money stolen from their charity box aren't letting their community's generosity go to waste.The team at Zag Seafoods in Merrylands and their customers put money in the shop's charity box, only to have it stolen from the counter by a passing couple.Money was stolen from a charity box at a Sydney seafood store. (9News)The donations were intended to go to a local branch of the Rotary Club.Click or tap on the banner to find out how to download the 9News app for breaking and localised news alerts. (9News)The owners of the family-run business say they'll chip in to make up for the loss.

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