Ban on R-rated material in WA prisons

Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis has ordered a review and banned porn in WA prisons. File image. Source: Supplied

PRISONERS have been ordered to remove pictures of naked women from their cells in a crackdown on sexually explicit material in WA jails.

Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis ordered a review of the prison mailing system, after being "tipped off" earlier this year that unacceptable material was ending up in the hands of sex offenders and other violent prisoners.

Mr Francis has banned publications such as Penthouse and Playboy from prisons, and ordered posters of naked women to be ripped down.

 Mr Francis said he was also going through the list of what video games, magazines and CDs were being sold at the prison canteen to ensure inmates were not buying anything above an MA15+ rating.

"You don't get to look at porn while you are in prison - not under my watch," Mr Francis said.

Prisoners are paid $10 a day for their work, which they can use to buy TVs, computer games, consoles and magazines.

Nothing above an MA15+ classification is supposed to be sold in prisons.

But Mr Francis said R-rated material was still finding its way into jails, mainly through the mail system.

"There were guidelines but they were not being applied. No material should be above MA15+," Mr Francis said.

"There was some R-rated material found in our prisons, and I don't want that. It is totally inappropriate for sex offenders or violent offenders to have access to material which is of a sexual or violent nature.

"My understanding is that materials such as Penthouse and Playboy were previously allowed into the prison. There may have been some ambiguity as to what is acceptable. There is no ambiguity now."
 

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We've talked to Hiddink: Gallop

Fox Sports' Daniel Garb managed to secure an exclusive interview with FFA CEO David Gallop, as they discuss the events surrounding Holger Osieck's sacking and who will replace him.

FOOTBALL Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop has confirmed that discussions have been held with Guus Hiddink to return as Socceroos coach.

Gallop told Fox Sports News in France that "feelers" have been put out to gauge overseas interest, and that Australian candidates will be strongly considered. 

When asked whether preliminary talks had been held with Hiddink, Australia's coach at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, Gallop said: "There's often conversations and it's fare to say some feelers have been put out.

"Nothing more than that at this stage." 

Highlights of all six of France's goals in their 6-0 hammering of Australia at Parc des Princes, Paris.

Hiddink was at Seoul's World Cup stadium on Saturday night to watch the friendly between Korea and Brazil. He did not confirm whether he was interested in a Socceroos return.

Gallop admitted that FFA wants to have a new coach appointed for Australia's home friendlies lined up for November.

Ange Postecoglou, Graham Arnold and Tony Popovic have all been mooted as the leading Australian candidates, and Gallop admitted that having a local coach made sense - but questioned whether now was the right time. 

Former Socceroos captain, Craig Moore, gives his insights on Osieck's sacking, Guus Hiddink and the Socceroos future.

"They're all great candidates, all with different situations where they're coaching at the moment," Gallop told Fox Sports News' European correspondent Daniel Garb. 

"It makes sense to have an Australian coach; whether it does now is another question."

Gallop admitted that the health of the A-League, where the three local candidates are leading coaches, was a consideration as well. 

The Fox Football panel Adam Peacock, Mark Bosnich, John Kosmina and Robbie Slater are scathing in review Australia's "embarrassing" 6-0 friendly loss to France in Paris.

"That's obviously a consideration, but this is a big job, and something that Australian coaches would aspire to and we need to consider that," Gallop said. 

Aurelio Vidmar will take the reigns in a caretaker capacity for Australia's friendly with Canada in London on Wednesday (EDT). 

Beyond that, Gallop said that the focus is on someone who can guide Australia not just to a successful World Cup, but to the 2015 Asian Cup and then qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.   

Is Guus Hiddink the man to rescue the Socceroos?

Indeed, Gallop said that's how he explained the decision to Osieck after the 6-0 shellacking in Paris.

"(I told him) It was time to finish up, that we were looking to the future, to be competitive in Brazil, the Asian Cup, and we want to be at 2018 in Russia. 

"We're looking into the future and that was an important part of this decision." 

Gallop said the news is "raw" for the players, but they also know they need to take some responsibility for the successive 6-0 losses. 

"They always accept (they need to take responsibility).

"The Socceroos are a team renowned for their fighting spirit, for fighting above their weight and that's where we want them to be and that's where they want to be."   

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH GALLOP AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE 

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Up to 500 hospital jobs face the axe at SCGH

Health Minister Kim Hames has confirmed staff numbers at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital will fall. Picture: Colin Murty Source: TheAustralian

Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital staff numbers are to drop under extreme cost-cutting measures. Source: The Sunday Times

HUNDREDS of jobs will be axed at one of WA's biggest hospitals under extreme measures to cut costs, according to a top insider and a major health union.

The Sunday Times understands several Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital department heads have been told they need to shed the equivalent of 200 full-time positions as soon as possible, including doctors and nurses.

Yesterday a top insider said they had been warned as much as 10 per cent of the hospital's workforce - up to 500 jobs - could eventually go. Health Minister Kim Hames yesterday confirmed SCGH staff numbers would fall.

He said it was "essential" that taxpayer funds were managed responsibly and current staffing levels at SCGH "exceed those required for the hospital's projected patient numbers".

"The number of positions that would not be filled following staff departures, and over what period of time, has not been determined," Dr Hames said.

Dr Hames said SCGH was "considering a range of strategies to responsibly manage its budget and staffing levels".

"Strategies being considered include a reduction in staff achieved through natural attrition, expiration of contracts and transfer of staff to other hospitals," he said.

Dr Hames said part of the redistribution of staff would result in employees moving to other metropolitan hospitals, such as Joondalup Health Campus and the soon-to-be-opened Fiona Stanley Hospital in Murdoch.

But the Health Services Union and State Opposition yesterday warned the job cuts at SCGH would put patients there at risk.

"The health sector has already been cut to the bone and any further cuts could severely impact the quality of care given to patients," HSU state secretary Dan Hill said.

A spokeswoman for SCGH also refused to rule out claims the hospital would lose at least 200 employees.

SCGH has more than 600 beds and is one of Australia's leading teaching tertiary hospitals, treating more than 400,000 patients every year.

It is also home to the biggest cancer treatment centre in WA.

A top insider said department heads at the hospital were first told about the impending cuts during a briefing a few weeks ago.

At first they were told about 200 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions would need to be cut, but at a second meeting two weeks ago the hospital's executive team advised it was likely to be close to 500 FTE jobs.

Mr Hill said 200 FTE positions would translate into "many more" job losses because some workers were employed part-time. For example, someone working three days a week only equates to 0.6 FTE.

"How can our members be expected to continue to give the same standard of care with less staff and increasing patient numbers?" Mr Hill said.

Activity-based funding is set to be introduced in all WA hospitals from next July. It will mean hospitals are funded for each patient they treat.

The source said SCGH had calculated its expected earnings under the new funding model and determined costs would be up to $300 a patient more than revenue, adding to the need for cutbacks.

"We won't do well under this new system," the source said, adding the cuts were "purely budget driven". "In fairness to SCGH, it's not being driven by them. The executive there are really doing what they are being told to do by the minister," the source said.

Opposition health spokesman Roger Cook said the cuts were the "clearest example yet" of the impact of the Barnett Government's "mismanagement" of the state's finances.

"A 10 per cent cut to staffing will have a significant impact on hospital services and now it seems the sick and their families are going to pay the price for the Barnett Government's bungling of the state budget," he said.

"This is the legacy the Government will leave people as a result of them losing the AAA credit rating, and really they stand condemned for the arrogance with which they have managed the state's finances in the past and the debt that has accumulated."

Dr Hames said spending on health increased by $309 million in the latest state budget, which would enable an extra 86,000 patients to be treated in hospitals across WA.

"This budget growth for the WA public health system in 2013-14 has appropriately been directed towards hospitals which are expected to treat more patients," he said.
 

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Winton questions Elizabeth Quay

Author Tim Winton has questioned the relevance of Elizabeth Quay. Picture: Frith Robert, file image Source: TheAustralian

The proposed Elizabeth Quay development. Source: PerthNow

ACCLAIMED author Tim Winton has questioned the relevance of Elizabeth Quay, saying "it would be a tragedy" if "a gritty little inlet" is what we leave our children instead of a healthy river and accessible city.

The WA icon believes there are more important ways for the State Government to use taxpayers' money than the $2.6 billion development.

"I'm a bit mystified, is probably the kindest thing I can say," he said. "In terms of a priority it mystifies me. Maybe it will be great, but will it have been worth prioritising that ahead of education, mental health and all the public services that we need? I'm not sure  particularly when the river's struggling on its last legs and it's only a cosmetic thing anyway."

Winton, 53, took aim at the project during a rare interview to coincide with the release of his new novel, Eyrie, which was published yesterday. He is most anxious about the footprint we're leaving in such a prosperous part of history.

"It's a peculiar enterprise," he said. "I think it might say something about where we find ourselves as a state. We're rightly judged not by what we say but by what we do.

"Ultimately, you'll be judged by your actions as politicians, but also as a community, and what we leave to our children is self-evident  it's there, it speaks for what we were. It would be a tragedy to think that our children would inherit a gridlocked city with a dead river upon which we have a gritty little inlet and we're saying, 'That's it kids, this is what we've left you'."

The father of three and grandfather of two prefaced his criticism by saying: "Who wants to hear my opinion about Elizabeth Quay?" and emphasised he isn't anti-development. "You need cities and cities need to be revived," he said. "I'm not some kind of self-hating, grass-eating, utopian, delusional, hairshirt-wearer. I understand you have to crack a few eggs to make an omelette, but do it smart and do it sustainably and with a sense of responsibility."

Planning Minister John Day offered to brief Winton, saying it is a "once-in-a-lifetime project that will bring the Swan River to the doorstep of the CBD and create a new waterfront destination for people to live, work and socialise".

"The project is delivering a real economic benefit to the people of WA through the creation of 1600 direct and indirect jobs during construction, and is expected to attract $2.2 billion in private-sector investment," he said.

"In short, the project will not result in 'a gritty little inlet', but a vibrant, high-quality development with extensive and active public space."

Eyrie is the author's 25th novel and took him six years to complete. It is the story of Tom Keely, who finds himself drifting day-to-day in his flat on the 10th floor of a seedy apartment block in Fremantle.

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On the asylum seeker front line

Commander Melanie Verho is one of a growing number of females in charge at the Royal Australian Navy. Picture: Toby Zerna Source: News Limited

AFTER dodging protective southbound mother whales and their calves and phosphorescent dolphins, glowing green in the hull's night-time bow wave along the NSW north coast, the goal was finally in sight.

"There it is,'' announced an animated officer of the watch Lieutenant Kerensa Benson from Murwillumbah in NSW as she peered through powerful binoculars on the bridge of HMAS Broome. "There is Centrepoint Tower and Sydney.''

A wave of excitement swept the 55-metre Armidale Class Patrol Boat as the city's skyscrapers loomed on the horizon. After a week at sea from Darwin via Cairns and Brisbane, Sydney Harbour was finally in sight and the navy's "minor'' warship and her four vessel Pacific Patrol boat convoy, lined astern like ducklings, set course for Sydney Heads and the International Fleet Review — the biggest gathering of warships in the harbour since World War 2.

Armidale class patrol boat HMAS Broome is leading a small fleet of Pacific navy boats down the east coast of Australia to Sydney for the International Fleet Review. Source: News Limited

Navigation officer Lieutenant Richard Currie from Devonport in Tasmania was busy at the chart table plotting a complicated course for the convoy into the chaos of the harbour on a Sunday afternoon. With hundreds of pleasure craft, Sydney ferries and a massive oil tanker to safely negotiate in company with four boats from Papua New Guinea, Melanesia and Tonga, on their first visit to Sydney, the final leg of the long journey was an interesting but welcome challenge for a crew more accustomed to boarding illegal people smuggling vessels off Christmas Island during frontline boat people patrols than enjoying million dollar views of the Emerald City.

Their initial joy at turning right rather than left out of Darwin Harbour had been slightly tempered by some rough seas, cooler weather and mechanical issues with their Pacific Island comrades, but the Sydney skyline generated smiles all round.

"This is the biggest thing for the navy in years,'' said Petty Officer Julie Fairchild of Adelaide who was at sea for the first time in a year.

The communicator at Patrol Boat Group headquarters in Darwin said a patrol boat crew's life was dominated by operations.

Matthew Edwards, Nicholas Reedy, Lucas Christiansen and Matthew Sciesinski stand on the foc'sle of HMAS Broome as they pass under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Source: News Limited

"We don't get to do different things very much so this is great.''

By different she meant jobs other than people smuggling patrols under Operation Resolute.

The 14-vessel Armidale Class fleet is the busiest in the Royal Australian Navy. The rotating crews — none are permanently attached to a vessel — work eight weeks on and four off and that usually entails a six-week stretch at sea and in the waters around Christmas Island. The boats are well-equipped and with a reverse osmosis plant capable of making 8000-litres of freshwater a day and a well-stocked galley staffed by top flight cooks such as Leading Seaman Teronga Jones on the Broome, life on board the air conditioned 270-tonne vessels is pretty comfortable.

There is even a small gym in the so-called austere compartment at the stern of the vessel where sailors can exercise and extra hands can be accommodated or gear such as life jackets and food for asylum seekers can be stored.

Lieutenant Scott Jarman is pictured next to a supply of life jackets which are used for asylum seekers when intercepting boats near Christmas Island. Source: News Limited

People smuggling patrols can be broken up by a range of diverse jobs, including the recent rescue of a fisherman who was stung by a potentially deadly box jellyfish, but in recent times their main role has been dealing with Indonesian fishing boats and frightened asylum seekers.

Officer-in-command of the crew on board HMAS Broome, known as Attack 5, Commander Melanie Verho, is one of those military officers who inspires loyalty and professionalism from her subordinates. The 14 Armidale boats (10 based in Darwin and four in Cairns) are manned by 21 crews.

Very early in News Corp Australia's two-night stay on the vessel it becomes clear that she is well respected and very popular with her crew that includes five other women.

Married with two children the former Launceston girl graduated from ADFA in 1990 and has spent 23 years in the RAN. Her older sister Commander Lisa Batchelor is the Commanding Officer of HMAS Harman in Canberra. Navy service runs in the family and their father was also a sailor.

Commander Melanie Verho communicates via radio with primary health care provider Leading Seaman Kristian Mitchell who transferred onto HMPNGS Dreger to give assistance to a crew member that was sick. Source: News Limited

Commander Verho is a maritime warfare officer by trade and has served in frigates, patrol boats and landing craft before she was appointed CO of Attack 5 in November 2011. Her next posting will be as executive officer at the navy's nursery at HMAS Cerberus in Victoria, but her career goal has always been to command a patrol boat.

She regards Operation Resolute as an important national task and like all the sailors involved with what is arguably the most difficult job in the navy, she puts her personal feelings to one side during interception operations where her primary focus is always the safety and welfare of her crew.

"It is hard work but we do feel a sense of satisfaction doing such an important job,'' Commander Verho said.

"It is real world, important national tasking.''

Matthew Edwards, Nicholas Reedy, Lucas Christiansen and Matthew Sciesinski stand at attention as they pass the HMAS Sydney 1 memorial on Bradleys Head in Sydney Harbour. Source: News Limited

That frequency of boat arrivals means that her crew does not receive a lot of respite so 11 days in Sydney for the Fleet review was a welcome break from the rigorous routine of boat people patrols.

"My job is to make sure my crew are safe, especially in extreme weather conditions and that they get enough rest so they are sharp and on the ball,'' she said.

"Our training prepares us for the job and keeps us out of difficulties and we are pretty clinical about it.

"The what and how of the job is pretty specific so we just focus on procedures and put our personal feelings to one side and focus on the job at hand.''

Any personal doubts or other reflections about dealing with desperate people, often fleeing conflict and trying to make a new life in Australia, are dealt with in the quiet and safe surroundings of the bridge, the wardroom or the senior and junior sailors mess. There is a strong view that what happens to the people they rescue or intercept after their job is done is not their business. In recent years they have seldom had the time to reflect for too long before they are tasked to another boat.

HMAS Broome (II) leads HMAS Gascoyne (II), HMAS Benalla (II) and other Australian Navy ships during the International Fleet Review. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

"We talk amongst ourselves after each boarding and deal with any personal issues and it acts as a circuit breaker, but generally everyone handles it really well,'' Commander Verho said.

"My crew is a tight knit team and is more like my other family. I am very proud of them.''

Her good humoured executive officer Lieutenant Scott Jarman said the crew enjoyed its work on Operation Resolute, but was looking forward to 11 days in Sydney.

"We get great satisfaction from patrolling and border protection, but doing something different like the IFR is always good,'' Lieutenant Jarman said.

"Our job is mostly away from the public eye so it will be good to show the rest of the country that we exist.''

For senior technical officer or "charge'' on board HMAS Broome, Chief Petty Officer Chris Ware from Avenel in Victoria, the Armidale boats are a major leap forward in technology and habitability.

"This boat has great engines, great food and it is very comfortable,'' said the old sea dog.

For leading Seaman Naval Police Coxswain or "Swain'' Kristian Marshall, the trip from darwin to Sydney was largely uneventful until the very last night when he was woken by the skipper to attend to a serious allergic reaction on one of the PNG boats.

Chief Petty Officer Chris Ware in the engine room. Source: News Limited

He had to make a night transfer in the boat's rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) and climb up a wooden ladder onto the bucking Pacific boat to tend to the sick sailor.

"It was my first case of anaphylactic shock,'' LS Marshall said.

"He was blown right up but fortunately we got to him early and he should be okay.''

Transferring between moving boats is standard procedure for patrol boat crews, but for landlocked reporters and photographers it is a challenging ordeal, especially in a lumpy one metre swell at 14 knots.

Soaking first-time passengers is a key task for navy RHIB drivers and leading Seaman Margo "Blondie'' Stanmore from Temora in NSW achieved the job with flying colours as she piloted the powerful 34 knot water jet powered RHIB from its cradle on Broome's starboard side around the four Pacific Boats including two transfers.

Crew members work out on the back of the boat during a quiet part of the trip. Source: News Limited

Probably as tough as any bloke on board the no-nonsense leading Seaman Boatswains Mate and eight-year navy veteran is a straight shooter.

"I pull my weight and do everything that the guys do and I get respect from the boys,'' she said.

That job includes seamanship, the medical emergency team and importantly boarding parties.

"I was raised tough and as a RHIB driver it is my job to get the team on and off safely. My mum's a nurse so I enjoy the medical side and making people safe too.''

Drenching a couple of land locked media types wasn't too bad either.

ARMIDALE CLASS PATROL BOAT

* Built by Austal Ships in WA

* 56-metres long, 270 tonnes

* 21 to 29 person crew

* Top speed 25 knots (46km/hr)

* Range 5600km at 12 knots

* Weapons — 25mm cannon, two .50 cal machine guns

*Main task — Operation Resolute counter people smuggling

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Tenants warned over falling rentals

Rental prices are on their way down in Perth. Source: The Courier-Mail

TENANTS have been warned about breaking their fixed-term leases to find a better or cheaper property with the news that Perth's over-heated rental market has substantially eased, according to the latest figures.

Current data from the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia is showing that the metropolitan rental market
is easing with many owners having to adjust rents to meet changed conditions.

REIWA deputy president Hayden Groves said the vacancy rate had lifted from a tight 1.9 per cent at the end of
last year to around 3.1 per cent in September with current listings sitting at 3,850 dwellings.

"This is 80 per cent more stock than the same time last year and much of it is being driven by tenants leaving
their rental to buy a home of their own," Mr Groves said.

REIWA data show the overall median rent dropped by $5 to $470 per week, however, results were patchy across
Perth and some falls were greater than others.

"Median rents have come down by $10 per week in the Bayswater and Bassendean areas, $15 in Fremantle, $22
in Melville, $30 in the City of Perth, $25 through South Perth and Victoria Park, $20 in Vincent, $25 across the
western suburbs, $23 in Mundaring, $20 in northwest Wanneroo, $10 through northeast and southern Wanneroo,
$10 in Cockburn and also $10 in Rockingham," Mr Groves said.

"Typically people are now paying around $475 for a house, down by $5 on the June quarter, or $450 for a flat,
unit, apartment or villa, which is down by $10," Mr Groves said.

Mr Groves said that around 65 per cent of vacant rental properties are broadly within a 10km radius of the CBD
and that this central region of Perth had experienced a decrease in rental listings during the September quarter.

"Despite this overall fall in the number of available rental homes, some sub-markets such as Bassendean-
Bayswater, Belmont and South Perth-Victoria Park saw increases of between 5 and 16 per cent for the quarter.

"While in the eastern part of the City of Stirling, places like Joondanna, Yokine and Tuart Hill saw an increase of
listings of around 5 per cent," Mr Groves said.

Mr Groves cautioned tenants against breaking their fixed term lease to find a better or cheaper property in the
current market, saying that costs associated with breaking a lease could outweigh the benefits.

"Tenants should talk with their property manager if they are thinking of a break-lease and do the sums before
making a decision.

"Equally, it's important for owners to understand that conditions have changed and they need to adjust their
expectations of rental return by talking to their property manager to set the right price," Mr Groves said.
 

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Gina Rinehart's lawyer denies cunning trust plan

Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart is locked in a legal battle with her children. AFP PHOTO / FILES / Tony ASHBY Source: AFP

GINA Rinehart's lawyer has dismissed claims that the billionaire had a "cunning plan'' in her dealings with the family trust.

John Hancock and Bianca Rinehart allege their mother acted "deceitfully'' and with "gross dishonesty'' in her dealings with the family's $5 billion trust fund, set up in 1988 by her father, Lang Hancock, to benefit her children.

They allege that in 2006, Ms Rinehart changed the constitution of the family company, Hancock Prospecting Pty Limited, in such a way as to prevent her being removed as trustee.

Gina Rinehart needs $7 billion to fulfil father Lang's dream

Ginia Rinehart serves secret file on sister Bianca

Ginia Rinehart serves secret file on sister

But Ms Rinehart's barrister Noel Hutley SC, denied the deed was changed in a way to benefit his client.

He dismissed claims that the mining magnate had tweaked the deed in her favour in a "cunning plan, worthy of Baldrick'', in a sarcastic reference to British comedy series Blackadder.

"There is absolutely no substance in any of the allegations advanced,'' he told the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney today.

The amended deed, Mr Hutley argued, was an "exemplary example of total fairness'' and reflected "complete even handedness''.

Under the terms of the amended deed, the barrister explained, if Ms Rinehart wanted to "get out and retire and turn her mind to philanthropy, or the like'' her children would effectively take control of the company.

He also noted that it was "passing strange'' that Bianca Rinehart "seemed to be content'' to sit on the company board for years under the same articles of the deed she is now complaining about.

Earlier today, Judge Paul Brereton rejected a proposed replacement trustee suggested by Ms Rinehart's daughter Ginia Rinehart, who is siding with her mother in the dispute, on the basis that there was not enough time to vet the candidate.

The decision came a day after Judge Brereton rejected Bianca Rinehart's nomination to become trustee of the trust.

John Hancock and Bianca Rinehart are now expected to nominate Adelaide businessman Bruce Carter to be a replacement trustee.

If Mr Carter is not accepted, Mr Hancock will ask to be considered for the role, his barrister Christopher Withers said today.

The case continues in the Supreme Court on Monday.

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F1 reserve driver dead in hotel

Spanish former F1 driver Maria De Villota pictured in May. Picture: AP Photo/Luca Bruno Source: AP

FORMULA 1 reserve racing driver Maria De Villota has been mysteriously found dead in a hotel room in Spain.

De Villota, who lost her right eye in a crash while testing for the Marussia team last year, was reportedly in Seville to launch her autobiography.

De Villota, daughter of former Formula 1 driver Emilio De Villota, suffered severe head and facial injuries after colliding with a lorry.

A police spokeswoman confirmed that a body had been found in a hotel in Seville.

"There are no signs of violence but we need to wait for the autopsy,'' she said.

De Villota, daughter of former Formula 1 driver Emilio De Villota, was the first Spanish female to enter the sport when she joined the Marussia team in 2012 as a test driver.

F1 teams and drivers have expressed their shock at the news.

Caterham reserve Alexander Rossi, an occasional analyst for BBC Sport, said: "Absolutely stunned and heartbroken to hear Maria De Villota has passed away. My thoughts and prayers go out. We will never ever forget you."

Mercedes added: "Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Maria de Villota following the tragic news of her passing."

"It is with great sadness that we learned a short time ago of the news that Maria de Villota has passed away,'' the Marussia team said in a statement.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Maria's family and friends at this very difficult time.''

Two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso said he was in shock after finding out the news ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka this weekend.

``It's hard to talk about Maria de Villota right now, as I had only just taken my helmet off, when I was told about her death and at the moment, I still can't believe it and need a while to stop and think about it,'' he said.

``Of course, it's very sad news for the world of motorsport as Maria was loved by everyone. Now, all we can do is pray for her and for her family.''

Others sent their tributes on Twitter.

"Her courage, determination and hope were an example and inspiration to many. She will be sadly missed by our sport."

De Villota had previously competed in Spanish Formula 3 and the Daytona 24 Hours race.

She was born in Madrid and had competed in various Spanish races since 2001.

In 2010 she finished fourth at the Nurburgring in Superleague Formula.

De Villota had hoped to become just the third woman in history to take part in a Formula One race and Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn, who became the first female team principal in the sport in 2012, hopes she has left a legacy for future female drivers to follow.

"If anybody represented strength and optimism, it was Mara,'' she said.

"Her sudden death is a big loss to the motorsport world as she was an important ambassador for relaying important messages to the youth, and particularly girls that aspire to a career in motorsport. Mara was an example of someone who never gave up, she always had a smile on her face and we will dearly miss her.''

"She gave young girls strength. Undergoing what she did and to still come out there and still be so convinced.

"Even if she maybe couldn't drive in Formula One the way she dreamt (after the crash), she didn't give up her passion. Hopefully she has made a difference. Now it's up to us to transfer that message further.''

###

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Major Crime search for missing woman

Major Crime detectives are searching for a missing mother who hasn't been seen for a fortnight.

Missing woman Helen Rocha. Source: PerthNow

MAJOR crime detectives are investigating the disappearance of a 40-year-old woman who was last seen in Hamilton Hill last month.

Forensic officers spent the afternoon searching a home in Camfield Loop, Parmelia, as part of the investigation into Helen Rocha.

Ms Rocha was last seen at a shopping centre on Carrington Street in Hamilton Hill on September 26.

Friends and family of the mother-of-two say her disappearance is out of character and have pleaded for anyone who knows her whereabouts to contact police.
 

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My crazy time working for Chopper

PerthNow reporter Linda Parri goes one on one with Chopper in an interview she did for a university assignment.

Linda Parri interviews Mark Chopper Read. PICTURE: Linda Parri Source: PerthNow

A signed photo of Chopper in full flight. PICTURE: Linda Parri Source: PerthNow

Chopper Read at Contacio in Scarborough. PICTURE: Linda Parri Source: PerthNow

BEFORE I was a gossip writer I worked for one of Australia's most hardened criminals and notorious stand-over men - Mark Chopper Read.

It was an eye-opening experience for a Catholic-schooled girl in her 20s.

I was Chopper's Perth booking agent and publicist for several years and kept in contact with him as recently as this year.

I would find venues where Chopper could speak about his life of crime to wide-eyed fans in pubs and clubs all over WA.

Chopper was a loveable rogue

How Chopper wasted his life

It involved long road trips, late nights and some shocking stories.

From tales of eating a man's eyeball, to feeding another man to a concrete mixer, Chopper would never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

It was a freak show for entertainment – and he knew it.

So he hammed it up as any good actor or entertainer would.

He played the part.

Chopper's appeal to West Australians became evident after our first shopping trip to the city (Uncle Chop Chop needed a suit).

Walking down Hay St Mall, people were doing double-takes.

As their eyes fixed on his partially hacked ears, a look of recognition would glaze over their faces.

Walking past the Perth Magistrate's Court, emerging fans could not believe their eyes.

Chopper obligingly knelt down on the pavement to sign their court documents.

A quick trip to the Commonwealth Bank confirmed his appeal even stretched to the corporate sector.

Chopper was given a VIP interest rate.

And he was chuffed.

"How's that?" he beamed as he strolled out of the bank with a wake of grinning bank tellers behind him.

Even trips to Bunnings were very profitable for Uncle Chop Chop.

An axe would easily quadruple in value once he signed it.

So they'd be auctioned off after each show, along with an autographed crime scene photo of Siam "Sammy the Turk" Ozerkam.

The police photo showed Sammy lying in a pool of blood with his eye shot out, after Chopper killed him in self-defence.

It was a top seller.

Just as the public was fascinated by Chopper, he was equally as fascinated by the public perception of him.

He wanted to know what people thought of him.

After introducing him to my Mum, Chopper wanted a review.

I told him that she thought he had a nice face, with a good complexion, and didn't look like he'd done half the things he claimed to have done.

"Yes I did," he quipped defensively, before explaining his baby skin.

"Of course I've got good skin, I've had no direct sunlight for 23 years."

Chopper was very articulate and highly intelligent, often referencing historical events that he'd read up on in jail.

He would question me as to why people weren't laughing at his shows.

I'd explain they were probably in shock.

After a few drinks, he would become very generous.

It wasn't uncommon for him to be handing out $100 notes backstage.

But he was too generous at times.

I caught up with him during his performance at a Melbourne Comedy Club, following years of successful tours.

He was heavily sedated with methadone.

And he told me he was broke.

He told me he had returned to his drug habit and lost thousands supporting that of his mate and his mate's girlfriend.

His speech was so slurred he required two translators on stage during question-and-answer time.

Although he was billed as the show's "psycho", he was always the one calming down everyone else during disputes.

Chopper shared the stage with former footy larrikin Mark "Jacko" Jackson – who would often ruffle feathers.

Following an argument I had with Jackson after a show (he screwed up my invoice and kicked it like a footy), I drove back to the hotel enraged, in a separate car.

Chopper spent the trip in the passenger seat, calming me down.

It was ironic that this celebrated madman was pacifying the one person who was considered sane on that tour.

The tours included the Never Plead Guilty Tour, the Mad Men Have Got Money Tour and The Wild Colonial Psychos tour.

I was an aspiring TV reporter at the time, attending uni, and Chopper would patiently sit through mock interviews with me.

And there was nothing I couldn't ask.

"Did you really eat a man's eyeball Chopper?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Because he was putting shit on Ita Buttrose. He said Ita Buttrose was a moll so I ripped it out and I ate it."

"Did you chew?"

"Yeah I put it in my mouth and drank it down with a pot of beer."

"What did it taste like?"

"It felt like swallowing a bantam's egg."

"Do you think that's normal?"

"No, but it happened a long time ago. I was off me head at the time."

So was it something he regretted?

"No I regret nothing. Because if you had your time, you'd bump into exactly the same asshole wouldn't ya?" he said.

"So there's no use regretting a thing, when the milk's been spilt, you can't put it back in the bottle. Don't regret anything."

"Is it true that you put a man into a concrete mixer alive?" I asked him.

"Yeah, he was alive when we put him in," he said.

"It's very difficult to stick someone in a concrete mixer because they've got bloody stuff welded onto the top of the concrete mixer so you can't put him into the concrete mixer so we pulled a bit of that out and started feeding him into the concrete mixer. But he didn't want to go into the concrete mixer.

"It's very, very difficult to stick someone in a concrete mixer. It's not as easy as it sounds.

"You have to feed him through head first."

"And what did that chap do wrong?"

"I forget at the moment. I'm sure it was something quite bad."

_________________________________________________________________

I AM still fascinated by Chopper's public appeal.

Only last night I arrived home to my young English housemate, who was lamenting his death – unaware of my work history.

I questioned her interest, being that she is in her 20s and normally resides on the other side of the world.

"He only seemed to kill baddies and drug dealers," she said.

"And he seemed like a funny character in his movie.

"Even the police loved him."

But Chopper hated the movie.

He was upset that it depicted him shooting up heroin, something he said he'd never done in his life.

He also claimed to have never hit a woman, as was also conveyed in the film.

He contacted me last year wanting me to put together another WA tour, which would have been his last before he passed away.

But those plans were thwarted when he was admitted to hospital.

He didn't want to speak about his life expectancy.

"F***ed if I f***ing know. I couldn't give a shit anyway," he told me last year.

"I'm 57 years old, I've got cirrhosis of the liver and I've got hepatitis C.

"I don't know when I'm gonna f***** drop.

"I don't even bother thinking about it."

In January this year he told me he was "alright".

"They removed 26 cancerous tumours from my liver and I've got three more to go," he said.

Whatever the public opinion of Chopper, one thing's for sure.

He is an Australian icon, whether it be for the right or wrong reasons.

Next to Ned Kelly and Moondyne Joe, Chopper Read stands as an Australian icon in the criminal arena.

Like him or hate him, that's where he will reside in the archives of history.

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Family says shark attack ordeal 'horrifying'

The boss of shark attack victim Greg Pickering says the family is still coming to terms with what happened.

Greg Pickering is in a stable condition after 10 hours of surgery in the wake of yesterday's horrifying attack.

Shark victim Greg Pickering's boss Marcus Trump fronts the media outside Royal Perth Hospital. PICTURE: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

Two-time shark attack victim Greg Pickering, 55, arriving at the Esperance Hospital by ambulance. Picture: Mick Sonneman. Source: PerthNow

Approximately the spot where a man in this 50s was attacked by a shark, 180kms east of Esperance. Source: PerthNow

The front page of The Sunday Times in 2004, featuring a story about the attack on Greg Pickering. Source: PerthNow

THE family of shark attack victim Greg Pickering have today praised his colleagues, emergency services and doctors who helped him survive Tuesday's horrifying shark attack.

Mr Pickering was working - diving for abalone about 180km east of Esperance - when he was attacked, mauled on the chest and face by what is believed to be a great white shark.

It's not the first time the abalone diver has been bitten by shark. He survived another attack in March 2004 while spearfishing with a friend about 9km off Cervantes.

Today he remains in Royal Perth Hospital with serious injuries but is in a stable condition.

Recent shark attacks in WA

Abalone diver Greg Pickering, who is also a game fisherman. Source: News Limited

His manager at Southern Wild Abalone, Marcus Tromp, today thanked everyone involved in Mr Pickering's recovery on behalf of the family.

"It has been a horrifying ordeal for the whole family and we are still coming to terms with the event," the family statement read.

"Dad (Greg) is in a stable condition, however we are still waiting for further information about the extent of his injuries.

"It will be a long road to recovery.

"We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all the staff involved in his rescue and recovery, with a special mention to dad's colleagues at the scene of the event, including those involved in stabilising him during transport and the wonderful doctors and nurses at the hospitals."

Before reading the statement, Mr Tromp said:

"This is an extremely difficult time for Greg's family as I am sure you all understand.

"Greg's family and colleagues' privacy is paramount and has to be acknowledged and respected."

Last night, Nine News reported Mr Pickering was bitten on the head and chest and had lost an eye in the attack.

Paramedics hand over a man who was attacked by a shark at Esperance Hospital. The 55-year-old male diver was working about 180km east of Esperance when he was attacked. Picture: Mick Sonneman Source: PerthNow

Nine News also said Mr Pickering had endured hours of travelling by boat and car before he could receive medical treatment.

Police were alerted to the attack about 10.25am on Tuesday morning, as Mr Pickering was being taken to shore by divers on a nearby boat.

He was then transferred to Esperance Hospital by St John Ambulance just before 2pm.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service landed at Jandakot Airport on Tuesday evening and transferred Mr Pickering to Royal Perth Hospital.

The 55-year-old endured about 10 hours of surgery to his injuries between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

Yesterday, the Fisheries Department cancelled a "catch and kill" order for the shark responsible.

Abalone diver Greg Pickering. Picture: Andrew Brooks Source: News Limited

THE FAMILY STATEMENT IN FULL

"Firstly we wish to thank everyone for their support and kind messages. It has been a horrifying ordeal for the whole family and we are still coming to terms with the event."

"Dad (Greg) is in a stable condition, however we are still waiting for further information about the extent of his injuries.

"It will be a long road to recovery.

"We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all the staff involved in his rescue and recovery, with a special mention to dad's colleagues at the scene of the event, including those involved in stabilising him during transport and the wonderful doctors and nurses at the hospitals.

"We are indebted to them and cannot thank them enough."

Diver Greg Pickering with his 307lb IBSRC world record yellowfin Tuna. Picture: Terry Maas. Source: PerthNow

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Bianca Rinehart rejected as trustee

File photo. Bianca Rinehart's nomination to become trustee of the $5 billion family trust was rejected in court. Picture: Theo Fajos. Source: PerthNow

DESPITE talk of bringing about family harmony, the Rinehart children's bitter feud with their billionaire mother Gina Rinehart continues to become more complicated.

In the latest development, Bianca Rinehart's nomination to become trustee of a $5 billion family trust was rejected in court today.

Yesterday, eldest sibling John Hancock announced through his lawyer that he would withdraw as a nominee to be trustee "for the sake of family harmony'' and instead offered his sister Bianca as a candidate.

But another sister, Ginia Rinehart, who has always sided with her mother, fought the proposal, saying she would prefer an independent trustee.

Justice Paul Le Gay Brereton rejected Bianca's nomination in the Supreme Court, saying accepting it would be an "injustice'' to Ginia.

Justice Brereton said Ginia Rinehart didn't have a "proper opportunity to contest and oppose it''.

Ginia Rinehart's lawyer, Richard McHugh, had argued that Bianca was an unsuitable candidate because of issues she has had with her siblings.

"Bianca is one of four siblings who in the last several years had a number of disputes," Mr McHugh told the court, adding that she was also not suitable to be trustee because she was a beneficiary.

But the lawyer for Bianca Rinehart and John Hancock, Christopher Withers, said she was appropriate and qualified for the role.

Mr Withers said there were no present disputes between Bianca and her brother and added that she had never spoken to the media about her family problems.

Gina Rinehart announced she wanted to be discharged as trustee days before a trial between her and her two children was due to start.

The trial, which opened on Wednesday, focuses on John Hancock and Bianca Rinehart's claim that their mother acted "deceitfully" and with "gross dishonesty" in her dealings with the family trust, which was established by her father in 1988 and nominated her children as beneficiaries.

The hearing continues tomorrow.

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Homewrecker Bingle snags Perth hunk

Bingle and Worthington make plans together in Sydney. Source: Supplied

Lara Bingle and Sam Worthington running errands together in Sydney. Pictured: Splash Source: Supplied

Sam Worthington picking up juices in Sydney. Picture: Splash Source: Supplied

LARA Bingle's love life already reads like a Hollywood script and now the model has a real-life leading man.

Rumours of a romance between Bingle and Aussie actor Sam Worthington have been all but confirmed after the pair were caught running errands together in Sydney. 

Worthington, who is best known for his role in the sci-fi flick Avatar, stepped off a flight from China earlier today and met Bingle, 26, who was waiting in her car in a side street. 

The new couple then hit up a dry-cleaning store and cafe for fresh juice before hanging out together in the Sydney suburb of Bondi. 

The pair last saw each other less than two weeks ago, attending the Cotton On Foundation's Global Citizen Concert headlined by Bono, Kings of Leon, Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys at Central Park in New York.

Worthington, 37, has most recently been linked with fellow Aussie Sophie Monk while Bingle ended her romance with Ksubi designer Gareth Moody earlier this year. 

Lara Bingle and Sam Worthington running errands together in Sydney. Source: Supplied

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The last stand of Chopper Read

Mark 'Chopper' Read talks candidly about his battle with liver cancer.

NOTORIOUS Melbourne criminal Mark "Chopper'' Read has died after a long battle with liver cancer.

Read, who bragged of killing more than a dozen criminals, was surrounded by family when he passed away at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

But former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina declared Read's life should not be glorified, saying: "He's been revered, and people forget his violent past."

DEFIANT: 'I'm not afraid' says Chopper

TIME'S UP: 'I'll be dead by Christmas'

"You can never lose sight of the fact that he was a criminal, and spent 23 years behind bars."

Read, whose life was immortalised in a film starring Eric Bana, was diagnosed in April last year.

Mark "Chopper'' Read has died after a long battle with liver cancer.

The 58-year old's death comes just two weeks after he performed a sold-out stand-up show at Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre.

He was admitted to hospital just days later but went home last week to be with his family before returning to hospital.

EX-DETECTIVE: Chopper 'used to give me headaches'

Doctors had told the father of two that he would not live beyond Christmas.

In August, Read told the Herald Sun he would prove the doctors wrong.

"I took great offence at that. I told her: 'How dare you predict my death at Christmas! I'll tell you when I'm going to die, not you tell me','' he said.

Chopper Read gives his two cents on Tuppence and the Moran clan.

Read said his illness stemmed from contracting hepatitis C while in prison.

He had also battled cirrhosis.

"My time has come,'' Read said. "They told me to go home and die.''

Read's manager Andrew Parisi said he fought a long and courageous battle against cancer.

"Despite his failing health, he delighted the audience (in his last show) with his skills as a raconteur and storyteller. This is how he would wish to be remembered, as someone who spun a great yarn and made many people laugh,'' he said.

Mr Parisi said despite Read's criminal past, he had lived a quiet life with his wife Margaret in their Collingwood home for more than 15 years.

Chopper Read was a revered figure, but had a violent past.

"He worked as a writer, painter and public speaker, paid his taxes and took care of his family,'' he said.

Mr Parisi said he hoped people would remember Read for the way he changed his life, rather than his criminal upbringing.

"We ask that people reflect on how Mark was able to overcome his past and, after more than 23 years in prison, find a way to re-enter 'normal' society. It is as a husband, father and friend that Mark will be missed most deeply,'' he said.

Crime Victims Support Association president Noel McNamara said he and Read had their differences, but he bore no hard feelings.

"He was all right, apart from some of his ideas being different to mine. We had our arguments," he said.

"He was a larger than life character, I guess you'd call him."

A gravely ill Mark 'Chopper' Read talks everything from cancer to his new show with Herald Sun's Nui Te Koha.

Read had an uneasy start to easy life. He was made a ward of the state at age 14 and was placed in various mental institutions as a teenager.

In these institutions he claims he received up to 60 episodes of shock treatment.

Between the ages 20 to 38, Read spent the majority of his life behind bars for a range of crimes including armed robbery, assault, arson, kidnapping and firearm offences.

He was well known for his sadistic torture methods involving a blowtorch and bolt cutters, which were often employed to remove victims' toes.

Read, who claimed to have been involved in the killing of 19 people and the attempted murder of 11 others, was last freed from prison in 1998, after serving six years for inflicting grievous bodily harm on a bikie by shooting him in the chest.

Read's Twitter bio tells you nearly all you need to know about a man who was unashamed of the hard life he had led.

Based on the life of Notorious underworld hitman Mark 'Chopper' Read.

"23 Years 9 Months Jail. Stabbed. Bashed. Shot. Run Over. 60 serves of shock treatment. Certified 3 times. Author. Artist. Actor."

Read claimed to have been stabbed seven times and gouged to the head with a claw hammer.

He had a fellow inmate cut his ears off while in prison, which he said was part of a plan to avoid an ambush at Pentridge's H division.

Read's books were always popular with a broad readership, so much so that he became Australia's most popular crime author.

In 1991 he released Chopper: From the Inside, which sold more than 300,000 copies.

He also sold out at least four art exhibitions, and in 2003 sold a self-portrait to the State Library of Victoria for $1400.

Read also dabbled in a wide variety of music from gangsta rap to the the Blues.

- with Anthony Sharwood

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Shark victim's horrific injuries revealed

Greg Pickering is in a stable condition after 10 hours of surgery in the wake of yesterday's horrifying attack.

Watch footage from a previous diving trip Greg Pickering and his friends embarked on, which also featured a cameo from a large shark.

Two-time shark attack victim Greg Pickering, 55, arriving at the Esperance Hospital by ambulance. Picture: Mick Sonneman. Source: PerthNow

Approximately the spot where a man in this 50s was attacked by a shark, 180kms east of Esperance. Source: PerthNow

The front page of The Sunday Times in 2004, featuring a story about the attack on Greg Pickering. Source: PerthNow

SHARK attack victim Greg Pickering has undergone 10 hours of surgery and is in a stable condition after yesterday's horrifying attack.

Mr Pickering - who survived an attack by a 1.5m bronze whaler in March 2004, while spearfishing with a friend about 9km off Cervantes - was working about 180km east of Esperance yesterday when he was attacked again, by what's believed to be a great white shark.

Just before 9am this morning a Royal Perth Hospital spokeswoman said Mr Pickering was out of surgery and in a stable condition. He is expected to speak to the media about his ordeal in the next few days.

Tonight, Nine News reports that Mr Pickering was bitten on the head and chest, and that he has lost an eye in the attack.

Nine News also reports that Mr Pickering endured hours of travelling by boat and car before he could receive medical treatment.

His quick-think diving colleagues applied pressure on his wounds with anything they could find as he endured a 40km boat tow back to shore.

At the same time, a crew on a nearby boat lent assistance and used a satellite phone to arrange a rendezvous point with paramedics.

Recent shark attacks in WA

Abalone diver Greg Pickering, who is also a game fisherman. Source: News Limited

Early this afternoon, the WA fisheries department cancelled a "catch and kill" order for the shark.

Director General Stuart Smith issued a statement saying the order had been cancelled because there was no longer an imminent risk of another attack.

"There have been no further sightings of a white shark in the area and it is likely that the shark responsible for the attack is no longer in this general locality," Mr Smith said.

"Efforts have also been made to advise people camping around Cape Arid about the incident which has reduced the likelihood of them entering the water."

Capture gear was deployed at the site of the attack yesterday and re-set at 5am this morning.

Earlier today, the department said the shark posed an imminent threat to campers to the area during school holidays.

But Mr Smith conceded this morning it was possible the wrong shark could be caught.

"We probably won't know for sure unless there's evidence of DNA that we will be able to test,'' he told ABC radio this morning.

Mr Smith admitted the DNA results would not come back until after the animal was killed.

But he added that the size of the animal would also help to determine if it was likely to be the shark that attacked Mr Pickering.

Mr Smith said the department's shark experts had informed him that the shark could have swum away from the area or it could remain lurking in the waters for some time.

It is the second time a kill order has been issued in WA.

On the previous occasion, two tiger sharks were caught and released after they were tagged, but the great white shark the department was looking for was not found, Mr Smith said.

A department spokeswoman said a decision on whether to continue with the kill action would be made this afternoon.

Australian Underwater Federation WA spearfishing representative Graham Carlisle told PerthNow that Mr Pickering was an active and respected member of WA's diving community and had held the position as records officer with the federation for many years.

"Greg has always been involved in the ocean life; he's spent a lot of his time in the water both for pleasure and for work," he said.

"He would have had a number of close calls, as would any spearfisherman.

"The more time in the water, the higher probability something will happen. That's just an accepted reality of the work.

"The guys are very cautious, they're very careful in general."

Mr Carlisle said the diving and spearfishing community was very close-knit in WA.

"All the abalone divers know each other and the spearfishermen are just as tight," he said.

A victim of a shark attack near Esperance is ferried by the Royal Flying Doctors at Jandakot. Picture: Jordan Shields Source: PerthNow

Emergency response to attack

Police were alerted to the attack at 10.25am yesterday morning. It's believed Mr Pickering suffered serious injuries.

He was taken to shore by divers on a nearby boat and transferred to Esperance Hospital by St John Ambulance just before 2pm.

Paramedics hand over a man who was attacked by a shark at Esperance Hospital. The 55-year-old male diver was working about 180km east of Esperance when he was attacked. Picture: Mick Sonneman Source: PerthNow

The Royal Flying Doctor Service landed at Jandakot Airport yesterday evening and transferred Mr Pickering to Royal Perth Hospital.

Diver working while attacked

Mr Pickering was working for Southern Wild Abalone when he was attacked.

The company's manager Marcus Tromp told the ABC a nearby diving vessel came to help the man, brought him back to shore and called for help.

The remote area of coast they were diving off is only accessible by 4WDs.

Mr Tromp said the man suffered "substantial injuries".

"Another diver's boat was in the vicinity so they have come to assist the crew, give first aid and obviously to bring the diver's vessel to shore and administer first aid while this diver remained on the deck of his boat and rendezvous with the ambulance," Mr Tromp said.

"He would have been preparing for his daily business and unfortunately this has occurred.

"Obviously, there has been some substantial injuries with any encounter with a shark but at this stage, again, still quiet sketchy."

Abalone diver Greg Pickering. Picture: Andrew Brooks Source: News Limited

Mr Tromp said the victim lived in the area and the company was liaising with his family.

"I understood that he was still conscious and in good hands as far as first aid goes," he said.

"All divers, especially at that age, have had a passion for the ocean for their entire life.

Diver Greg Pickering with his 307lb IBSRC world record yellowfin Tuna. Picture: Terry Maas. Source: PerthNow

Victim survived 2004 attack

Mr Pickering was spearfishing about five nautical miles from Cervantes when he was attacked twice by a 1.5m bronze whaler in March 2004.

The shark mauled his shin and calf, ripping through his wetsuit.

In an interview with the Ten Network, he said: "The shark just turned on me and charged at me and it latched onto my leg and it bit twice.

"It wasn't excruciating pain, I was surprised.

"I could see there was a big chunk of skin hanging off and the wetsuit was sort of holding it together."

He said he'd had many close encounters with sharks during more than thirty years of abalone diving.

"If sharks are hungry they can snap," he said.

"All can be calm and then they just explode into action."

Witness Alan Ogden told The Sunday Times at the time that Mr Pickering "was a pretty tough bloke".

"He was quite calm about it," Mr Ogden said.

"He said it was not hurting as much as he thought it would."

Abalone diver Greg Pickering stands on the upturned hull of his abalone boat at Thevenard Wharf in 2009. Picture: Andrew Brooks Source: News Limited

Fisheries adamant on shark threat

Fisheries Director General Stuart Smith said hooks and lines were set yesterday afternoon based on GPS coordinates from the diver's boat.

If they caught a "sizable white shark", he said it was likely it would be destroyed with a firearm or knife. 

"My decision to give that order was based on our imminent threat guidelines," Mr Smith said.

"I found that there was a high hazard given an attack had occurred and we believe there's a reasonable likelihood that it is a white shark and therefore a species with a known history of attacking people.

"I took into account that it's currently school holidays and there are likely to be people on the south coast holidaying, camping and potentially using the water. I formed the view that there's an imminent threat of further attack.

"If a sizable white shark is caught in the waters over the coming hours, I am likely to give the order to destroy that shark. I don't have any particular desire to destroy a shark, but my overriding concern is to ensure public safety."

Fisheries Director-General Stuart Smith. Source: PerthNow

Mr Smith said about 130 sharks had been tagged off the coast of WA and SA, but it was not known whether the shark involved in today's attack was being monitored.

Mr Barnett government introduced a shark mitigation strategy, including "catch and kill" orders, last year following a spate of five fatal attacks in 12 months.

Recent sightings around WA

Surf Life Saving WA said 285 sharks were sighted in the metropolitan area and South-West WA in the past financial year, compared to 247 the previous year. 

Fear of sharks turns away swimmers

In the South-West alone, 162 sharks were sighted last year, including a school of 60 hammer head sharks at Bunker Bay in January.

SLSWA carried out 751 patrol hours in 2012/13, up from 620 hours in 2011/12.

- with AAP

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How Chopper Read wasted his life

A gravely ill Mark 'Chopper' Read talks everything from cancer to his new show with Herald Sun's Nui Te Koha.

IT'S 1979, and a hulking young heavyweight called Mark Brandon Read heads a bunch of the most dangerous men in the prison system.

Read and other inmates of H ("Hell") Division in Pentridge have been ferried down Sydney Road to Brunswick Court.

Armed police swarm the place. A couple on the roof carry shotguns. Inside are large men with hard looks, bad suits and bulging pockets.

The biggest detective in six states, the late Garry Schipper of the late Major Crime Squad, pats down this reporter at the door with hands like Christmas hams.

I'm 22. He's about 22 stone.

Chopper playng Russian roulette. Source: News Limited

Read, then 25, and the rest of the crims are in the holding cells or prison vans backed up to court. They are there to testify - or not - about a jailhouse stabbing that would feature 20 years later in Chopper, the film based loosely on Read's bizarre and brutal life.

A big player that day is a genuinely evil prisoner, Greg "Bluey" Brazel, psychopathic son of a policeman, who would still be in the news for the wrong reasons 34 years later.

Months earlier, Brazel conspired with another of Read's prison "mates", Jimmy Loughnan, to attack Read. They slit open his belly like a slaughterman gutting a cow. In court, Brazel muddies the truth using lawyers' tricks picked up over the years.

Mark 'Chopper' Read talks candidly about his battle with liver cancer.

As prison (and AFL football) etiquette requires, Read apparently can't remember details of what he called "terrific sneak go'', although his memory seems to return afterwards.

His intestines had spilt through the gash "like sausages'', he later remarked about the attack that should have killed him.

The day after the stabbing he had horrified hospital staff by getting out of bed to do push-ups, bursting dozens of stitches. He told nurses he was preparing for a revenge attack.

But why would anyone be surprised? After all, this was the man who'd asked another prisoner, Kevin Taylor, to hack his ears off with a razor, just to show he could get out of H-Division by going to hospital. Later he would joke about starting the "van Gogh Club'' but the ear-cutting wasn't funny at the time. He lost a lot of blood.

Chopper was a manipulative liar, but he was also intelligent and funny. Source: News Limited

He already had the nickname "Chopper", which he said came from a 1960s cartoon character. By the 1990s, it would become part of the language - like Squizzy or Ned Kelly. Which is exactly what he wanted.

Like a lot of criminals, he was a lying and manipulative egotist. Unlike most, he was also intelligent, funny and hadn't been raised to be a criminal.

One of his grandfathers was a Seventh Day Adventist clergyman. The other was "Bull'' Read, a part-Chinese, part-Irish Australian who fought in World War I. Chopper's father Keith fought the Japanese in World War II as a non-commissioned officer.

Keith Read presented as a law-abiding citizen but the reality was uglier: he was disturbed by war experiences that (he told his son) included shooting Japanese prisoners.

Keith slept with a loaded rifle beside him and brainwashed his son with rabid ultra-Right bigotry. His wife insisted Mark (and daughter Debbie) attend long church services each Saturday. It was, Read joked later, a case of "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.''

The family moved often, from the northern suburbs to the Mornington Peninsula to Prahran, where Read left school young and roamed the streets with his "Surrey Road Gang''. They were brawlers rather than thieves.

He dreamt of getting into the army but was rejected because of his flat feet. It was a fork in the road and he turned the wrong way.

Chopper became one of the most hated men in the underworld. Source: News Limited

Soon, he was a young bouncer learning to be a standover man. Some "heavies'' were bigger and some were better fighters but he showed no fear of pain - or of consequences - and that made him dangerous.

When he was locked up, he relished the notoriety. He preyed on other criminals and became one of the most hated men in an underworld he didn't quite belong to. Inside, he led his "Overcoat Gang'' against other prison factions and he got on well with "screws'', many of them ex-soldiers like his father.

Outside, he followed a twisted code of loyalty mixed with ultra-violence straight out of A Clockwork Orange. He tried to kidnap a County Court judge - in court - at gunpoint in a bizarre attempt to demand the freedom of his jailmate Jimmy Loughnan, the one who would later betray him.

On one of his brief spells of freedom, he swaggered into a nightclub with two sticks of gelignite under his overcoat and a lit cigar in his hand.

Based on the life of Notorious underworld hitman Mark 'Chopper' Read.

When Read flashed the gelignite and threatened to light the wicks he'd twisted together, the nightclub's resident "protection'' and standover man escaped through a toilet window.

This was Alphonse Gangitano, the so-called "Black Prince of Lygon Street'' that Read derided as "a plastic Godfather.''

Gangitano extorted money from half of Lygon Street, bashed off-duty police, rigged boxing bouts and waved guns around. But when he heard Read was looking for him, he went overseas. When "Al'' came back, he paid Read "a grand in the hand'' monthly after Read casually mentioned he'd met Gangitano's mother at the Vic Market.

It takes one extortionist to handle another.

At least, that was Read's version: he was never one to let tedious details get in the way of a good story. He was a natural-born yarn spinner, polishing and gathering stories over years inside.

He craved a niche in history. He got his chance in 1990 when John Silvester, then working for this newspaper's forerunner The Sun with this reporter, interviewed him in Pentridge.

Silvester had earlier written a story dismissing Read as a manipulative thug with no redeeming features. After meeting him he changed this assessment to a manipulative thug with some redeeming features.

Chopper was desperate for someone to write a book about him. Source: News Limited

Read was desperate for someone to write a book about him. He scrawled his yarns in letters and posted them to The Sun office.

Silvester and I used them as an outline to "ghost write'' a rugged little book - Chopper from the Inside - that would become an unlikely cult hit. (It was followed by sequels of varying quality. The less Read wrote, the more his "ghosts'' did.)

Read always thought he would die young. Lucky to survive his 20s, he survived when many of his contemporaries didn't.

He got out of Pentridge before the book was published in late 1991 and went straight to Tasmania to stay away from people who wanted to kill him. But a drunken escapade - shooting outlaw bikie Sid Collins in the stomach - soon put him back behind bars. His long-suffering girlfriend Margaret Cassar returned to Melbourne alone.

By the time he left jail for the last time in 1998, he had spent 23 of his 43 years in prison - and was starting to realise he'd wasted his life.

He married his first wife, Mary Ann Hodge, in Tasmania's Risdon Prison in 1995. Their son, Charlie, was born in 1999 while they lived on the Hodge family farm with a menagerie of animals.

Mary-Ann Hodge was married to Chopper. Source: News Limited

Meanwhile, film makers had come calling, fascinated by the black humour of his life story.

The makers of Romper Stomper, which had starred a young Russell Crowe, were keen for Crowe to play "Chopper''. But it was producer Michele Bennett and a young director, Andrew Dominik, who swung the deal and made a film that won critical acclaim worldwide from the New York Times to Elmore Leonard.

Read suggested a battling television comedian play him in the film: Eric Bana is now an international actor and Dominik has since made two films starring Brad Pitt.

Meanwhile, Read stayed out of trouble - apart from appearing drunk on an ABC television chat show and talking about his crimes.

He left Tasmania in 2001 to return to Melbourne. He married his first girlfriend, Margaret, who produced a son, Roy.

Chopper and Margaret. Source: News Limited

When Read revealed last year he had terminal liver cancer, it seemed his past had caught up with him.

But it's not the bullets or the knife wounds that have done him in. What led to his liver disease is hepatitis he claimed he got in Pentridge from sharing razor blades. This might even be true, although some might say prisoners also share needles. Either way, the liver turned cancerous.

He joked about death but sometimes took it seriously. I have three wills - all different - he has made over the years. The first was in his big, childish handwriting. Next was a late-night request to "look after'' both his sons if he died before they grew up, as he feared he would. The last was a smartly-typed document prepared by a solicitor.

Chopper in September 2013. Source: News Limited

The man who in his better moments worried about his sons was Mark Read. "Chopper'' was the stage name for the grotesque character he played so long that he couldn't drop the charade. Sometimes he confused the two.

The last words of that first book resonate more now than when I typed them in 1991.

"I know I have said that I regret nothing - but the truth is that I regret plenty. I regret my whole life.''

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Does Perth's Monopoly board pass go?

The Perth Monopoly board has been unveiled. Source: PerthNow

Kings Park has landed the prestigious Mayfair spot on the Perth Monopoly board. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

KINGS Park and the Fremantle Markets have snatched the blue-ribbon Mayfair and Park Lane positions on Perth's first ever Monopoly board.

Twenty-two Perth landmarks were selected to replace the famous London sites for the edition after suggestions from the public on Facebook.

Did they get it right? Comment below.

The riverside set of Light Blue properties are made up of the Swan River, The Bell Tower and the Fremantle Prison. 

As suggested by Perth's Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi, the brown properties have been assigned to Council House and the Town Hall.

Perth's council house. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: PerthNow

The yellow portfolio showcases our most popular beaches including Cottesloe and Scarborough as well as Rottnest Island.
Sporting venues the WACA, Paterson's Stadium and Perth Arena comprise the pink properties.  The orange locations include tourist attractions Hillary's Boat Harbour, Adventure World and Scitech.

Red spots are made up of shopping precincts ENEX100, Carillon City and Karrinyup Shopping Centre.

The University of WA. Source: PerthNow

University of Western Australia and Crown Perth made the cut on the green properties, along with the Perth Zoo.

On Utilities is Perth Water and Perth Electricity, while the Railroads include Perth Buses, Perth Trains, Perth Ferries and Perth Airport.

The board was unveiled this morning by Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt at the Fremantle Prison.
 

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Man missing on Kimberley cruise

A 73-YEAR-OLD man has gone missing on a cruise ship bound for Darwin.

A statement from Sun Princess has confirmed its crew is trying to locate the man onboard the ship, which is currently sailing from the Kimberley Coast in Western Australia to Darwin, the NT News reports.

The elderly passenger was reported missing from the Sun Princess by his wife at 9am (WST) this morning.

"Public address announcements have been made onboard but there has been no response," the statement to the NT News said.

"A missing person's procedure is currently underway and Sun Princess has turned around to retrace the ship's course.

The ship is sailing from Fremantle to Darwin and was 40 nautical miles north of Cape Londonderry when the alarm was raised.

The Sun Princess, which holds up to 2432 passengers, is on day nine of a 16-day cruise from Fremantle to Sydney.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is coordinating the search, which involves the Sun Princess, two more vessels and three aircraft.

The AMSA plane Dornier, a Customs Dash 8 aircraft and an NT Police aircraft are involved in the search, as are a merchant vessel and the HMAS Maryborough.

An AMSA spokeswoman said the search would continue until last light, and then a decision would be made on the potential survivability for anyone in the water for an extended period of time.

The Sun Princess was due to dock in Darwin on Wednesday.

For local updates on this and other stories, visit the NT News.

- with AAP

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Marathon victims get back on track

Celeste Corcoran who lost her legs in the 2013 Boston Marathon explosion, is assisted by Ann-Marie Starck (L) and Gabriel Martinez during a running clinic for challenged athletes in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Picture: Steven Senne Source: AP

CELESTE Corcoran, in her yellow "Boston Strong'' hat, navigated her way across the field on her artificial legs, a volunteer on each arm to keep her upright.

One of her assistants had a pair of prosthetics of his own.

"Normally you walk around and you see everybody with two legs. Especially in the summertime - all you see is legs,'' Corcoran said, pausing to choke back tears. "It's easy to miss yours.

"But when I see everybody here walking and running, it's OK,'' she said after a running clinic for victims of the Boston Marathon bombing and other amputees.

"I just want to be able to do the things that I did before ... I feel like I can do it. I'm trying my hardest to enjoy being alive.''

Celeste Corcoran celebrates with prosthetist Jerry Scandiffio and Ann-Marie Starck after completing an obstacle course during a running clinic for challenged athletes. Picture: Steven Senne Source: AP

Dozens of amputees showed up at the Harvard athletic fields on a rainy Sunday morning along with their family and physical therapists and other volunteers to learn how to run - or run better - with prosthetic legs. Corcoran, who lost both legs in the explosions at the marathon finish line, wasn't much of a runner before, but she said she hopes that she will someday be able to join in a fun run.

"I've always wanted to be a runner but I used to get shin splints,'' she said. "I don't have shins anymore, so I'm hoping,''

The joke has apparently been repeated so often that her daughter is ready for it. Sydney Corcoran, 18, is wearing a matching yellow hat along with ankle-length tights that showed the effects of the shrapnel that scarred her legs but did not require amputation.

She was on Boylston Street with her mother when the bombs went off, waiting for her aunt to finish the marathon.

Runners and spectators flee the blast during the Boston Marathon in April this year. Two explosions shattered the euphoria of the marathon finish line. Picture: Bob Leonard Source: AP

Across the field, a boy with two prosthetic legs, no more than 4 years old, was learning to kick a soccer ball with the carbon fibre blades. Two older boys wrestled playfully.

"The most inspiring stories are at the back of the pack,'' two-time Boston Marathon winner Joan Benoit Samuelson said at the start of the clinic. "Our motto is 'There is no finish line'. There are always more challenges out there. You people who came out today are the spokesmen for those challenges.''

Heather Abbott, centre, who lost part of her left leg in the Boston Marathon explosion, is assisted by physical therapist Dan Connors as she performs an agility drill during a running clinic for challenged athletes. Picture: Steven Senne Source: AP

Organised by the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which helps amputees and others with disabilities participate in sports, the clinic brought together marathon victims, those wounded in the military and other amputees. Coach Bob Gailey ran them through a series of increasingly complicated drills, then lined them up for an obstacle course that was the highlight of the day.

Similarly skilled participants match up in a relay race. Some runners fall; others have trouble weaving through the cones or stepping around the ropes. But everyone cheered.

One woman made her way through the lanes, saying aloud, with a smile, "I'm not going to fall this time''. Another wore a T-shirt that said, "I am a Champutee".

The scene following an explosion at the 2013 Boston Marathon in April this year. Picture: Ben Thorndike Source: AP

"It's inspiring,'' said David Driscoll, a doctor who was working at the marathon's finish line medical tent on race day. Because his son, Brendan, was born with an incomplete tibia and fibula, the elder Driscoll has also volunteered with the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

"It's very enlightening to see them coming and to see they're overcoming that. It helps me, too, to work through it,'' Driscoll said. "I don't say, 'There, but for the grace of God, go I.' I say, 'How can I be more like them'.''

Andres Burgos runs toward Jordan Simpson, 14, (L) and Jim Kane using a prosthetic leg during a running clinic for challenged athletes run by the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which provides equipment and training for amputees to participate in sports. Picture: Steven Senne Source: AP

Many of those who lost legs on marathon day have been fitted for the heavy-duty prosthetics they call their everyday legs. Running is easier with the carbon-fibre blades - the "cheetah legs'' made familiar by Olympian Oscar Pistorius - but insurance often doesn't cover them.

The Knights of Columbus, which previously provided prosthetics for victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, have helped marathon victims get running legs or other prosthetics that help them regain a normal life.

"We can't let evil have the last word,'' Knights of Columbus spokesman Andrew Walther said, "and that's why we focused on this group.''

Brothers Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, left, and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19 are suspected of carrying out the Boston Marathon bombings. Tamerlan was killed in a shootout with police during a violent escape bid by the pair that also saw an MIT police officer killed. Dzhokhar was captured and is in federal custody facing a possible death sentence over the bombings as well as a number of other charges related to shootout and death of the polic officer. Picture: The Lowell Sun & Robin Young Source: AP

For Heather Abbott, who had her left leg amputated after the marathon explosions, that means four prosthetics: The everyday leg, a waterproof one for swimming, another that allows her to wear high heels, and the running leg she received Saturday.

"I'm trying to do all the things I used to do,'' Abbott said.

Ossur, the prosthetic-maker, donated the blade that serves as Abbott's new left foot. Next Step Bionics and Prosthetics took care of the rest of the prosthetics. The Challenged Athletes Foundation helps with training, with clinics like the one at Harvard on Sunday.

Abbott stopped midway through the clinic to take off her prosthetic and check for blisters; everything was clear. Putting the leg back on involves a sleeve and a sock and a release valve and some lubricant.

Investigators in haz-mat suits examine the scene of the second bombing on Boylston Street in Boston near the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon. Picture: Elise Amendola Source: AP

Losing a leg is a self-evident setback, and while it's easy to see the damage to the limb it's not always obvious what other problems might come with it.

For Roseann Sdoia, who has spent much of the time since Marathon Monday on one crutch or a cane, it can be anything that she needs two hands for, like taking laundry out of the dryer or making a bed.

Sdoia, who lost her right leg above the knee, said her most recent problem was the emergence of blisters on her leg where it has been rubbing against the socket of her prosthetic. The sores prevented her from getting a running leg this week and left her little to do on Sunday other than sit and watch the clinic, crutches at her side.

"Today was going to be the day,'' she said. "I was excited to get it, because even if I only took two steps today, I'd take three steps tomorrow.

"But now,'' she said, "I'm back to Square 1, waiting.''

###

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Second charge over fatal Scarborough party

Police have launched a murder investigation after 19yo Callum Pinner was found dead with stab wounds to the neck in the Perth suburb of Doubleview. Courtesy Channel Nine.

MURDER INVESTIGATION: The fatally wounded teenager, Callum Pinner. Picture: Nine News Source: PerthNow

Callum Pinner, who was found dead on a Doubleview street with stab wounds to the neck. Picture: Nine News Source: PerthNow

Callum Pinners heartbroken girlfriend Katie Adamek posted this picture on Facebook yesterday. Source: Facebook

MAJOR Crime Squad detectives have charged a 36-year-old man with the murder of Callum Pinner, a party-goer who was found dead on a Doubleview street.

The accused man, of Karrinyup, appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court today charged with one count of murder.

Abraham Cross, 36, made a brief appearance in court but was not required to plead.

He was remanded in custody until his next court appearance in November where his lawyer said he would likely plead not guilty.

Police today also arrested a second man as part of the investigation.

Major Crime Squad charged a 31-year-old Scarborough man with one count of going armed to cause fear.

They say he armed himself with a machete, which police have since located, but it was not linked to the death of Mr Pinner.

Mr Pinner, 19, died on the verge of Grand Promenade in Doubleview after a group of partygoers apparently clashed with two men.

When police arrived at about 1.30am, after responding to residents calls about a disturbance, they discovered Mr Pinner with a fatal stab wound to the throat.

Mr Pinner had been at a house party with about 60 friends.

Yesterday, his heartbroken girlfriend Katie Adamek posted a picture of the pair on Facebook with this message:

"You said you knew our love was true because everytime we said we loved eachother you got butterflies. My best friend, my "snoogie", the love of my life. Rest in peace Cally, my heart is and will always belong to you. I long for the day I can be in your warm arms again. I love you."

The post has already attracted almost 400 "likes".

Friends told Nine News that Mr Pinner was a "sociable, fun-loving guy who would always stick up for his mates".

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

- with AAP

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Harris trial set for April next year

A London court has been told veteran entertainer Rolf Harris will plead not guilty to 13 child sex offences.

Rolf Harris at Westminster Magistrates' Court on September 23. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS Source: AFP

Australian entertainer Rolf Harris is due to face trial in April 2014 on 13 child sex offences, a London court has heard.

Harris, 83, was excused from attending a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey criminal court on Monday morning.

The artist and singer is now likely to next appear in court for a plea and case-management hearing in mid-January. His trial is provisionally set to start on April 30.

Harris is facing six counts of indecently assaulting a 15-year-old girl in 1980 and 1981 and three charges of indecent assault on a girl aged 14 in 1986.

He is also charged with four counts of making indecent images of a child in the first half of 2012.

The prosecution will present expert computer evidence and the defence will rely on expert witnesses in rebuttal.

For the offences committed after 1985 Harris could face up to 10 years' jail.

At his first court appearance a fortnight ago the 83-year-old indicated through his lawyer, Sonia Woodley QC, that he would be pleading not guilty to the charges.

On Monday at the Old Bailey the judge asked Ms Woodley to confirm the case would be going to a trial.

"It is,'' she told the court.

A frail-looking Harris appeared in Westminster Magistrates Court two weeks ago for his first court appearance.

He spoke only briefly to confirm his personal details and was later mobbed by a large press pack as he slowly walked from the court building with his wife Alwen and daughter Bindi.

The Australian remains on conditional bail under which he is banned from having contact with anyone under 18 unless he's accompanied by someone over the age of 21.

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Oh ship! Luxury cruiser sinks boat

A boat collided with other boats moored at the Mandurah Marina, during the set up for the Mandurah Boat Show. Pictured is damage to a houseboat and the mast of a boat that was sunk. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

A BOAT has sunk and several others have been damaged in the Mandurah Ocean Marina after a luxury yacht smashed into them.

Mandurah Boatshow director Peter Woods told PerthNow they were setting up for the upcoming show when the incident happened just after 3pm.

"A Fairline (luxury yacht) backed into another yacht and it sunk," he said.

"It was pretty unfortunate. Accidents happen in boating. The other boat was in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Mr Woods said no one was injured, but a couple of houseboats and another power boat were damaged in the crash.

The reversing boat was a multi-million dollar vessel.

"It was drama more than anything, but it's sorted out now," he said.

The Mandurah Boatshow is being held at the marina from October 11 to 13.

The boat collided with other vessels moored at the Mandurah Marina, during the set up for the Mandurah Boat Show. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

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