NE

DAYS

2

AR

U

NTDOW

Herald SunFRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2011FORECAST: SUNNY. PAGE 34(Incl. GST)

$1.10*

+

heraldsun.com.au om.au

CO CO

N

PAGE 5

05 MANIACSTheyre drunk, deadly and they couldnt care lessEXCLUSIVEAmelia Harris and Mark Buttler ALMOST 600 people have been caught drinkdriving five times or more, shocking police statistics reveal.Victorias worst repeat drink-driver is a Hoppers Crossing man, 47, who has been caught 31 times. He has eight more strikes to his name than Victorias next-worst repeat offender, a Doveton man, 53, caught 23 times. As police prepare to step up their summer road blitz on New Years Eve, the disturbing figures prompted families who lost loved ones because of drink-drivers to call for life bans for repeat offenders. Senior traffic police also urged the community to dob in problem drink-drivers. The figures reveal: TWENTY-ONE drivers had been caught drink-driving 10 or more times. All were men. A MAN, 53, who had the highest BAC reading of 0.265 more than five times the legal limit has been caught 14 times. ALMOST 70 people have been convicted seven times. MORE than 320 Victorians have five strikes, with their average age 47. Road policing Supt Neville Taylor said he was appalled there were members of the community with

LIVES AT RISK

HOLIDAY MADNESS

HELLO BABY

HO HOPES FOR 2012

PAGES 6-7

F B 1 2 3 C M Y K

OUR WORST DRINK-DRIVERSHoppers Crossing man convicted 31 times Doveton man convicted 23 times St Arnaud man convicted 20 times

DHS 30-DEC-2011 PAGE

INTERACTIVE MAPSearch for Victorias worst drink-drivers

heraldsun.com.ausuch little respect for other road users. There are far too many with repeat offences. They have absolute disregard for the safety of others, he said. Supt Taylor said most or all of those on the list would have spent time in jail. Many of their convictions would have been the result of being actively pursued by police, rather than bad luck. It would be fair to say its not because they have bumped into booze buses, he said. This is seasoned behaviour. It is apparent they dont get the message.

1 FIRST

With bat and ball Victorian paceman James Pattinson led Australia to victory in the Boxing Day Test, taking 4-53 in Indias second innings after earlier blasting 37 not outREPORTS PICTURES REPORTS, PICTURES: SPORT

Picture: WAYNE LUDBEY

SHOCK & AWESOMEE ALE RE V D

30DEC

Continued Page 4

PO POLICE SWOOP ON SUSPECTED FATHER AND SON BURGLARS

$6.5M TREASURE

PAGES 2-3

+

+

4+

Herald Sun, Friday, December 30, 2011

heraldsun.com.au

NEWS

FOR BREAKING NEWS heraldsun.com.au

$500m to bury power linesGrant McArthurstate politics reporter STRUGGLING electricity customers will be charged extra to pay for a $500 million Baillieu government plan to put some of Victorias most dangerous power lines underground. The Coalition waited until the end of the year to reveal it would replace only 1000km of power lines, rather than the whole network. It will use a mix of underground cabling and aerial bundled cables, in line with the recommendations of the

Victorians will pay extra to reduce bushfire hazard2009 Victorian bushfires royal commission. Electricity customers in Victorias western and eastern regions will have to foot the bill for power company upgrades, with bills expected to rise $1.30 next year and progressively increasing by $13 a year by 2022. The Federal Government is being asked to chip in $250 million by the Baillieu Government, which yesterday upped its commitment to $250 million, including $200 million for replacing the most dangerous power lines. But Labor which had refused to commit to the recommendation, claiming it would cost $50 billion to bury all of the states power lines said the Baillieu Government had backflipped on its promise to meet all recommendations lock, stock and barrel. Labor said only 1 per cent of the states 100,000km of power line network would be replaced. The $500 million plan, announced by Energy Minister Michael OBrien in Marysville yesterday, is expected to cut the risk of power lines starting a bushfire by 64 per cent over the next decade. Putting all the lines underground would have cut the risk by 99 per cent. We had to make sure we had the best outcome, which delivered a significant improvement in safety for those people who live in bushfire-prone areas, at a reasonable cost, and that has got the least impact on their reliability of supply, Mr OBrien said. Supply, safety and affordability are often competing tensions, and we needed to make sure we crafted a balanced package that was faithful to the royal commissions recommen-

DHS 30-DEC-2011 PAGE

4

dations that did so in a way that was practical and affordable. Five of the 11 fires on Black Saturday including the Kilmore East blaze, which claimed 119 of the 173 victims were caused by power lines or substations. Just when and which lines will be replaced is still not decided. The Government will appoint an expert committee next year to decide which power lines can be safely bundled, and which lines need to be buried.

FIRST

mcarthurg@heraldsun.com.au

Watch out, these could be in a suburb near youHOPPERS CROSSING A man convicted 31 times, highest reading

0.254

ST ALBANS A man convicted 12 times, highest reading

0.27

MOE A man convicted 14 times, highest reading

0.265 265

DOVETON A man convicted 23 times, highest reading

0 248 0.248

RESERVOIR A man convicted 12 times, highest reading

0.165

ST ARNAUD A man convicted 20 times, highest reading

0.15

DRINK DRIVING PENALTIES

OUR WORST REPEAT DRINK DRIVERSO ences Address Age 47 53 57 54 37 48 35 43 53 48 35 Worst reading 0.254 0.248 0.150 0.210 0.224 0.170 0.249 0.226 0.265 0.165 0.140 O ences Address Age 41 71 50 50 69 56 58 41 44 55 Worst reading 0.129 0.270 0.190 0.158 0.134 0.205 0.170 0.180 0.200 0.165

31 23 20 19 18 16 15 14 14 13 13

Hoppers Crossing Doveton St Arnaud Preston Reservoir Wangaratta Seaholme Kyabram Moe Albury The Gurdies

12 Clifton Springs 12 St Albans 11 Tatura 11 Albury 11 Narre Warren South 11 Clarinda 11 Mernda 10 Mildura 10 Shepparton 10 Reservoir*All drivers are men

.05-.10 .10-.11 .11-.12 .12-.13 .13-.14 .14-.15 .15+

C M Y K

$366 ne 6-month loss of licence $519 ne 10-month loss of licence $519 ne 11-month loss of licence $519 ne 12-month loss of licence $519 ne 13-month loss of licence $519 ne 14-month loss of licence

F B 1 2 3

Immediate suspension and must go to court. Maximum penalty for rst offence $3054 ne or six months jail.

Second o ence: Immediate suspension and must go to court. Maximum penalty: $14,657 ne or 12 months jail. Subsequent o ences: Immediate suspension and must go to court. Maximum penalty: $21,985 ne or 18 months jail.

heraldsun com au heraldsun.com.au a su

Source: Victoria Police

LIVE NEWS Interactive map: Search for 24/7 Victorias worst repeat drink-drivers

Zero blood-alcohol content drivers such as L and P-platers who record less than .05: $305 ne and 10 demerit pointsSource: Victoria Police

Drunk, deadly and couldnt care lessHelen Crichton, mother of Ebony Dunsworth, 16, who was killed in October by an allegedly drunk, unlicensed and speeding driver, said problem drinkers who regularly blew high blood alcohol readings should be taken off the road permanently. You take the licence off them but you dont stop them from driving, she said. Thats the problem. They

From Page 1are people who dont care 23 times? You are kidding. A Cairnlea man, 23, will appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court today charged with driving offences in relation to Ebonys death. Supt Taylor said it was time for families, friends and neighbours of chronic drinkdrivers to come forward with information.

Why arent you ringing us? They are killers waiting to happenSupt NEVILLE TAYLORanonymous call recently to a radio station. A highway patrol officer heard the call and approached the station for details. Within 24 hours, we had his (an alleged drinkdriver) brand new four-

+

My question to them is, Why arent you ringing us? They are killers waiting to happen, he said. A prime example of where community information could take a drink-driver off the road came with an

wheel drive on the back of a tow truck. I have no doubt whoever rang up has saved lives, Supt Taylor said. The police statistics relate to when a persons most recent offence was within the past six years. TAC acting CEO Clare Amies said most crashes had several causes and alcohol was a contributing factor in about 25 per cent of Victorian road deaths.

Victim: Ebony Dunsworth.

+

heraldsun.com.au

Herald Sun, Monday, March 7, 2011

3+

FOR BREAKING NEWS heraldsun.com.au

NEWS

Capsicum use on kids in the firing line

Police cop a spray

Amelia HarrisMORE than 1000 children, some as young as nine, have been capsicum sprayed or foamed by police in Victoria in the past six years. One child was up a tree when he was doused, and two other boys were sprayed while fighting each other after trying to break into a vending machine. Critics, including Child Safety Commissioner Bernie Geary, said the figures were shocking. The Herald Sun has obtained through a Freedom of Information request case files detailing the use of capsicum spray and foam on children since 2005. The documents reveal: MORE than 20 children under the age of 13 were sprayed, even though they were not armed. TWENTY-ONE girls were sprayed last year and 15 children aged 14 and under. BOYS represented 83 per cent or 851 of 1024 minors sprayed in the past six years. POLICE sprayed 145 people under 18 almost three a week last year, the youngest of whom was 12. Mr Geary said use of the spray/foam on more than 1000 children in six years was an awful lot of extreme circumstances. I would hope that spraying kids would be the incredible exception rather than the rule, he said. University of Melbourne professor of pharmacology Peter McIntyre, who researches the biology of capsicum-sensitive nerves, said no one, especially children, should be sprayed with capsicum. Its another form of

F B 1 2 3

At the ready: a policeman with capsicum spray.assault. Its like punching someone in the face, Prof McIntyre said. Federation of Community Legal Centres CEO Hugh de Kretser said the practice against young unarmed children was unlawful and police should be disciplined. Weve heard of instances where children as young as three-months-old have been exposed to capsicum spray through secondary exposure, Mr de Kretser said. He said police were using capsicum too hastily. But police Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe vigorously defended the practice, saying age was not really all that relevant in the dangers police faced. He said use of capsicum had fallen from 223 children in 2005 to 145 last year. Our people dont go around just willy-nilly spraying people or spraying young people, he said. If people are subject to spray, unfortunately its their behaviour thats led to that.

C M Y K DHS 7-MAR-2011 PAGE

The beat goes on: Monty has a new pacemaker, clearly visible on his X-ray. Picture: DARREN McNAMARA

Hearty pooch sets the paceHE might be little, but this plucky pooch has a big heart. Monty the bichon frise has just been implanted with a dual-chamber pacemaker. Monty was diagnosed with two heart conditions late last month, an animal cardiologist giving him only weeks to live.

Shelley HadfieldBut his devoted owners would not give up on him and paid $4000 for the pioneering surgery. The cheeky canine has now became the first dog in the state to have a dualchamber pacemaker. The surgery is believed to be only the second such operation in the country and vets say the operation will give him a new lease on life. Owners Merle and Clive Coe, of Parkdale, got Monty about 12 years ago. The Coes daughter Sheryl said Monty, despite his age and health problems, was mischievous and always up for some fun. He loves adventure, he loves other dogs, Ms Coe said. The pooch needed a pacemaker with leads into the top and bottom chambers, instead of the usual one lead.

3FIRST

harrisam@heraldsun.com.au

heraldsun.com.auListen to Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe talk about the use of OC spray on children

GoalSaver. The honeymoon rate never ends.

6.00%

p.a.

GOALSAVER ACCOUNT

Rate includes a variable bonus interest rate of 3% p.a. above the standard variable interest rate of 3% p.a., which is paid on account balances up to and including $100,000 if the closing balance on the last day of a calendar month is at least $200 higher (excluding interest earned) than the opening balance on the rst day of the same month, with no more than one withdrawal in the same period.

+

Herald Sunheraldsun.com.auTHURSDAY, MAY 26, 2011

+

CITY: SHOWERS. MAX: 14. PAGE 67

(Incl. GST)

$1.10*

KATE OUTSHINES MRS OBAMA

FIRST LADIES OF STYLE

PIES GRAND FINAL NIGHTMARE

PAGE 7

SPORT

IVE NEVER BEEN SO SCARED

CRIME STATS TWISTEDPOLICE face a new scandal over misleading Victorians on crime statistics.A Herald Sun investigation has found the force fudged official data to paint a rosier picture of crime. Police chief Simon Overland was already facing a probe over selective reporting of crime figures.

How police fudge numbers to make you feel safer

F B 1 2 3

SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONAmelia Harris and Peter Mickelburough

New data revealing increases in crimes in 2010 were bigger than portrayed last night sparked a war of words between force command and outgoing deputy commissioner Sir Ken Jones.

C M Y K

Continued Page 4

DHS 26-MAY-2011 PAGE

LIFES LOOKING BRIGHTER FOR BAILEYAwesome is how brave two-year-old Bailey Ray reacted after surgeons gave him an articial eye to replace his broken one HIS INSPIRING STORY, PAGE 11Picture: TIM CARRAFA

1 SECOND

SECOND

26MAY

+

+

4+

Herald Sun, Thursday, May 26, 2011

heraldsun.com.au

NEWS

FOR BREAKING NEWS heraldsun.com.au

Police fudge crime statsFrom Page 1Police command claimed in February that recorded crime across the state has dropped by 6.9 per cent or 19,395 offences. But the Herald Sun has found the 19,395 fewer crimes is a fall of 5.2 per cent, not 6.9 per cent. The gap arises because the percentage change quoted by police is based on the rate of crime per 100,000 people, not the actual number of offences. By linking the two figures police created the impression that increases in crimes were smaller and decreases larger due to the impact of rising populations on rates per 100,000. The same confusing link was repeated throughout the press release. It claimed: ASSAULTS rose 0.8 per cent (904 offences) but the rise in bashings was really 2.6 per cent. ROBBERIES fell 4.6 per cent (93 offences), but the 93 fewer robberies was in fact a 2.9 per cent decrease. HOME burglaries fell 4.8 per cent (852 offences). Actual fall: 3.1 per cent. CAR thefts fell 8.8 per cent (1081 offences) but the real fall in offences was 7 per cent. PROPERTY damage fell 10.9 per cent (5048 offences). The fall was actually 9.3 per cent.

SHRINKING CRIME (2010)ALL CRIMESAREA Wyndham Melton Cardinia Casey Melbourne POLICE ACTUAL CLAIM %* CHANGE % -2.8 +5.1 -2.6 +5.1 -6.9 -0.9 -4 -0.6 -17.1 -13.8 +20.4 +3.2 +12.3 +3.7 +19.5 +30.2 +11.3 +17.5 +7.9 +23.7

FIRST

ASSAULTSWyndham Melton Whittlesea Melbourne Casey

DHS 26-MAY-2011 PAGE

4

OTHER CRIMESHouse burglaries in Wyndham Car thefts in Melton Drug crimes in Whittlesea Robberies in Melton Property damage in Wyndham +15.6 +13.8 +15.3 +8.1 -11.3 +25 +22.8 +20.4 +16.7 -4.1Trust lost: Joan Beaumont, 73, feels vulnerable in public after a recent attack. Picture: MIKE KEATING

* Change in rate per capita Source: VICTORIA POLICE

The Herald Sun obtained the data after a three-month battle with police command. Detailed data for 13 selected crime categories for each local police area posted on the forces My Place website showed only crime numbers and changes per 100,000 people. In 26 cases, the raw data obtained by the Herald Sun shows that where crime reductions had been claimed, actual offences had either increased or not changed. Assistant media director Charlie Morton said the

C M Y K

heraldsun.com.au

24-hour news

Victoria under assault: Attacks in your area PLUS Do you trust police stats? Join the debateforce stood by the data. The raw data in the February (press) release was added at the express request of Sir Ken Jones in the interests of greater transparency, he said. He said expressing crime rates per 100,000 allowed people to compare their crime risk to other places with different populations. But Sir Ken last night blamed others for the confusion. Breaking his silence since being given his marching orders by Mr Overland almost three weeks ago, the deputy commissioner confirmed he had asked for raw data to be included in the press release

announcing the selective data because percentages do not always convey the situation in ways which people can take in. On seeing the early drafts I asked that actual raw numbers be included wherever percentages were used and expected that the raw data be matched to the percentages, Sir Ken said. Great care needs to be taken when presenting mixed data to ensure that the message is consistent. This is the responsibility of those whose job it is to

F B 1 2 3

collate and audit the data. But victims advocate Noel McNamara said police had been fudging the figures for years. Its all smoke and mirrors but really, why wouldnt you want to tell the public the truth? Murrumbeena grandmother Joan Beaumont, 73, the victim of a robbery at an ATM last month, said police figures cant be trusted. I dont believe people who do that (withhold information), she said.

Editorial, Page 30

Last drinks: Bill Hunter.

Hoon drivers caught in Baillieus sightsAmelia HarrisDRIVERS caught hooning or overloading their cars will face tough new laws from July 1. Overloading will become a hooning offence after a learner driver nabbed with nine teenagers in his car last month raised the ire of Premier Ted Baillieu. The Government last night toughened the hooning penalties. First offenders will lose their cars for 30 days and those nabbed a second time face having their vehicles taken off them for up to three months. Second offenders doing more than 70km/h over the speed limit risk losing their cars permanently. And third-time offenders will have their car seized for 30 days and risk having it stripped of parts and crushed or given back to the bank if under finance. Under the new penalties introduced in Parliament by Transport Minister Terry Mulder last night a man allegedly caught

Bills last after-partyA FAREWELL service for legendary actor Bill Hunter today will feature stars of the stage and screen. But comedian Mick Molloy, who will speak at the Princess Theatre farewell, reckons the real memorial to Hunter will begin in the pub afterwards. When the games will really begin will be after, when people can retire and reflect warmly on the life of a truly great man, Molloy said. Paul Kelly will perform Nukkanya (See Ya) to open the service before guests, including actors Rod Mullinar and David Field, share memories of Hunter. Hunters manager, Mark Morrissey, urged all Australians to have a drink in memory of the actor. The service starts at the + Princess Theatre at 2pm.

BEREAVED MOTHER HITS OUT AT 197KM/H DRIVERA WOMAN who lost three relatives in a horrific car accident says she is sickened by a hoon doing double the speed limit at the same place as the crash. Police impounded an Elwood mans car for 48 hours after he was nabbed doing 197km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Maroondah Highway at Merton, in Victorias northeast, about 1.45pm on Tuesday. In May 2009, a crash at the same site killed Basil Rehe, 55, his wife Robyn, 45, and sister Susanne, 45. sory safe driving education programs for hoon drivers will be introduced in additional legislation. Hooning includes extreme speeding, street racing and doing burnouts. The crackdown comes after Mr Baillieu said last month that a 17-year-old who said he overloaded his car in an attempt to stop his International student and former cabbie Gurwinder Singh, 25, was this week found guilty on three counts of culpable driving and three counts of causing serious injury. Mr Rehes mother Joyce, who was also in the car, said she was shocked to hear about the latest incident. They ought to take his car off him permanently, Mrs Rehe said. It makes me angry because he could have killed someone else the same as my son, daughter and daughter-in-law. mates from drink-driving was a disaster waiting to happen, one skid away from catastrophe. Mr Baillieu said he believed overcrowding was hooning and wanted the law to treat it as such. Its unbelievable in this day and age that someone could behave like that, he said.

Shocked: Joyce Rehe.doing 197km/h in a 100km/h zone on Tuesday would have his car impounded for 30 days instead of the current 48 hours. Starting July 1 next year, the crackdown also will see hoons able to be punished for a second offence up to six years previously three after the first black mark. From next year compul-

The bottom line is, regardless of the specifics of the legislation, if theres a gap which prevents this from being a case where its dealt with in the same way as other hoon offences are dealt with, we will look at that and well look at it very carefully. Mr Baillieu said the laws showed the Coalition was not only delivering on its commitments to road safety, but also taking tough action against people who didnt care about the safety of others. These are the toughest hoon laws in Victorias history and will send a clear message to hoon drivers that they will be taken off the road immediately and for longer, he said. In addition to delivering our commitments, we will be introducing new laws to ban overloading of cars. These new laws show that we are listening to the community and will deliver on our commitments to make our roads safer.

harrisa@heraldsun.com.au

+

JUDD CALLS SAINT ON BITESPORT SPORT OMAY 14, 2011

HOPE AT LAST FOR MADDIEFORECAST: A FEW SHOWERS. PAGE 83

+

PAGE 3

Herald SunSATURDAY(Incl. GST)

$1.50*

heraldsun.com.au

CRUNCH TIME FOR CHAMPIONSPicture: MICHAEL KLEIN

Unbeaten Collingwood and Geelong collided last night at the MCG, with stars Scott Pendlebury and Jimmy Bartel putting their bodies on the line

F B 1 2 3 C M Y K DHS 14-MAY-2011 PAGE

SHAMED ON FACEBOOKAmelia HarrisReport, Page 4

Judge sentences women to web humiliation over attack

1 FIRST

14MAY

A JUDGE has ordered two women guilty of a nightclub catfight to create Facebook shame files on the dangers of booze-fuelled violence.They must also promote their shaming to others.

NEW 3D FOOTY CARDS TODAY

COLLECT THE SET TOKENPAGE 2

+

+

4+

Herald Sun, Saturday, May 14, 2011

heraldsun.com.au

NEWS

FOR BREAKING NEWS heraldsun.com.au

Court orders mum to butt outShelley HadfieldA VICTORIAN mum has been banned from smoking inside her home when she is caring for her daughter. And she has been ordered not to let the 12-year-old use Facebook. The woman went to the Family Court hoping to have the girl live with her, rather than her ex-partner. She lost the bid and has now been ordered not to smoke inside her home or any enclosed living area when she has visitation rights with the child. The father requested a ban on the mum lighting up at her home when his daughter was there. The Herald Sun has found about 20 other published cases in the past five years where the Family Court has banned one or both parents from smoking around the children or allowing anyone else to do so. In other cases, parties have given undertakings to the court that they will not smoke around their children. The Herald Sun reported on a case in February where the Federal Magistrates Court ordered a dad to keep his children away from smokers, including their grandmother. Quit Victoria executive director Fiona Sharkie said most smokers tried not to smoke around children and were aware of the impact of passive smoking. Ms Sharkie said research showed about 15 per cent of smokers sometimes or always smoked inside the home, but she did not believe smoking around children was something that needed to be legislated against. It is already an offence to smoke in a car with a child. As well as banning the mum from smoking while the child is in her home, Justice Victoria Bennett ordered that she not allow the girl to have access to Facebook. The court heard that the father did not believe it was appropriate for a girl of his daughters age to be on Facebook. Judge Bennett said there had not been a sufficient change in circumstances to warrant altering the girls living arrangements.

DHS 14-MAY-2011 PAGE

4

FIRST

C M Y K

Spreading the online word: Asha Goodchild has been ordered to set up a Facebook page. Picture: ROB BAIRD

F B 1 2 3

Facebook shameTWO women involved in a nightclub assault on another woman have been ordered to create a Facebook page warning others against violence. Magistrate Greg Connellan handed down the order to Asha Goodchild and Jenna Barker, both 22, who escaped a conviction, this month at Dandenong Magistrates Court. Ms Barker pleaded guilty to recklessly causing injury and childcare worker Ms Goodchild pleaded guilty to assault by kicking. The victim, a woman in her 20s, suffered bruises to the face, chest and body in the fight at the Wheelers Hill Hotel in March 20 last year. Ms Barker, Ms Goodchild and another woman came

Magistrate sentences catfight women to web punishment

Amelia Harrisup with the Facebook page after Mr Connellan asked them to put their heads together and do something over time. The women must promote the pages at nightclubs and other youth venues and encourage young people to share the negative impact that violence and alcohol has on their lives and the benefits of avoiding escalation. Ms Barker said she understood victims could see the punishment as trivial. I can understand people would be upset weve got a slap on the wrist, you know, a Facebook page. But the judge was very different. He was trying to think of ways we could help

heraldsun.com.auWhat do you think of the punishment? Tell us onlineknown man bumped Ms Goodchild near the crowded bar. A woman then pushed Ms Barker in the chest. Ms Baker grabbed the victim by the hair and both fell to the ground and exchanged punches. Ms Goodchild kicked the victim in the chest and stomach before security broke up the fight. When Ms Barker bumped into the victim in the bathroom, she punched her. Evidence of the

Barker and Goodchildother people. Mr Connellan said the three women were no doubt . . . otherwise of good characters but are part of a growing trend that the court sees of young women using violence in public bars. The court heard the fight was triggered after an un-

Facebook page, which has been tentatively dubbed Walk Away, must be presented to the court by January 27. The case was adjourned until February 10 next year. Attorney-General Robert Clark said he couldnt comment on specific cases but the Government was committed to giving courts power to impose tougher and more effective conditions on communitybased sentences. For the first time, courts will have explicit authority to impose conditions that target the offender and the offence, such as taking away the driving licence of a thug found guilty of roadrage, or imposing curfews and no-go zones, he said.

harrisam@heraldsun.com.au

Plan Bea for hatPRINCESS Beatrices unforgettable royal wedding hat will be sold on eBay to raise money for charity. The funds raised by the sale of the Philip Treacy creation will go to UNICEF and Children in Crisis. Palace officials confirmed the plans to capitalise on public response to the unusual beige hat, which some likened to antlers. Its eye-catching design has sparked a Facebook fan page called Princess Beatrices ridiculous royal AP wedding hat.

Addams Family to visit Down UnderTHEYRE creepy and theyre kooky, mysterious and spooky . . . and theyre coming to haunt a theatre near you. A new musical called The Addams Family will get an Australian production soon, industry sources say. Sydney is firming as a + favourite to host the premiere, but the morbidly

Simon Planthilarious Broadway hit, written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (of Jersey Boys fame), is expected to visit Melbourne afterwards. An official announcement could be made as early as next week. The Addams Family, a musical comedy based on

the creations of legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, opened in New York last year and features all the macabre characters made famous in the 1960s TV series: Morticia and Gomez, Uncle Fester, Grandma, Lurch, Wednesday and Pugsley. Thing and Cousin Itt also make cameo appearances in this glitzy-gloomy show,

which is set in a cobwebbed mansion. Rumours of an Australian production began circulating in January after NSW government sources signalled the showwas being considered. The message board on australia.broadwayworld .com has also been abuzz with chatter about casting.

Tune in: New Yorks show.

+

heraldsun.com.au

Herald Sun, Saturday, December 24, 2011

23+

FOR BREAKING NEWS heraldsun.com.au

NEWS

Tell your kids you love them

ONE FATHERS PLEA

F B 1 2 3

Dave Morton lost his son, Jyrah, in a road accident in January. Almost a year later the pain isnt any easier to deal with. AMELIA HARRIS reportsIT is the little things that hit you the most. Most days Dave Morton is up at 7.30am and ready to roll in his Toyota HiAce van by 8am. The van is parked, ready to go, in the garage of his house in Aireys Inlet. But when Dave gets in to start his working day, sometimes his eyes stop on a small pair of orange-handled Marvel pliers, usually in his toolbelt hanging on a back shelf. They were Jyrahs. They were his sons favourite, and he used them almost every day at work. Daves eyes dont fill with tears any more at their sight. That was how it was soon after his 21-year-old son died in a motorcycle accident in January. Now the sight of them gives him that strange empty feeling inside. Every day is filled with things that are . . . well . . . different because Jyrah isnt around. Jyrah and his brother, Ben, created Split Point Electrics, named in a nod to the Aireys Inlet lighthouse. Jyrah wanted to make quick money in the mines, but Dave convinced him to do an apprenticeship. Jyrah was the money man, Ben the IT geek and Dave the consultant bringing the work in. Dave says Jyrah was always first to arrive and open up the garage ready for the days work. Ive still got my righthand man. Ive lost my lefthand man, he says. You think about it everyday. Ben and I joke, Where is the bastard? We need him to do this, someone to go and get smoko or run home to get this. Funerals have also become another reminder Jyrah isnt there all 193cm of him and size 12 feet. Dave thought he could handle one for a family friend the other week, but, nup. Theyre off the list, cant go to funerals any more, he says. Ben, 26, remembers Jyrahs big afro and love of poetry. He lived on the edge, Ben says. Youd never see him watch a movie unless he was hungover on a Sunday. Other than that he was just always doing something surfing, bike riding, driving his car. A week before he died, police Sgt Kevin Warburton gave Jyrah a youth encouragement award for being a role model and mentor to other kids in the area. The next time Dave saw Sgt Warburton was when the officer took a statement from him hours after Jyrahs death. Dave still remembers the phone ringing. It was 2.30am on January 9. He had gone to bed early and was sound asleep. One of Bens friends, Ben Cameron, said a friend had driven past an accident on the way home from work at the local pub and he thought it was Jyrah. Ben Cameron was second

C M Y K DHS 24-DEC-2011 PAGE

Pain lives on: Ben and Dave Morton (above) remember Jyrah (above left).on the scene at Hutt Gully, a surfing break and lookout outside of Anglesea, and rang Dave. Police later said Jyrah had hit a sign. Jyrah and his girlfriend, Jasmin, had gone to a friends 21st. He had two beers, walked his sweetheart back to his family home and returned to the party. He then went home again with a matefor his Kawasaki dirt bike and went for a ride. Normally Jyrah went for a quick loop but this night he was a long way from home and didnt have a helmet on. We dont know what happened after that. No one will tell us and we dont want to ask, Dave says. He headed to Hutt Gully. He had been to accidents before through his role as captain of the CFA but this time it was different. We dont know what happened. The Coroner said alcohol contributed a little bit, Dave says. Nothing could make the pain of Jyrahs death bearable but it is worse for Dave and wife Cathy because they had almost lost him once before. The Mortons second of four children was born with two holes in his heart and a narrow aorta. He had his first operation when he was nine days old and then spent three months in intensive care. He passed away on the operating table once there and they revived him so he always had this no-fear attitude, Dave says. Ben remembers visiting his brother in hospital after the operation. I remember seeing Jy with his two feet hanging out the end of the bed, this massive big giant in the room, he says. I just couldnt help but laugh about all these tiny babies in the Royal Childrens Hospital and hes just a massive giant. In Daves words, Jyrah was a special boy. It makes it harder, going through all that then and having to go through it again, he says. Size 12 and copper-plated, one of Jyrahs Fox motorcycle boots is in the Mortons lounge room. It is part of a shrine to Jyrah on a sideboard near the couch and the computer. It will become the trophy for a future Tache for Cash a moustache-growing and motorbike ride charity fundraiser the Mortons support. The $20,000 raised this year is going to the Lorne hospital to set up a road safety and education fund in Jyrahs name.

11,000 YEARS LOSTLIVE NEWS 24/7

THE GRIM REALITY OF THE ROAD TOLL

heraldsun.com.au

The other boot will also be copper-plated by the same friend in South Australia for the Mortons to keep. Ben has rebuilt Jyrahs bike, while younger brother Jesse and his friends built a Scottish cairn next to the garage. Dave knows what the parents of Ebony Dunsworth are going through. The 16-year-old was killed on October 31 when she was a passenger in the car of an allegedly drunk, unlicensed and speeding driver. Its just one of those things, you like to get out and try to get people to be aware you know of kids foolish mistakes, like that girl (Ebony Dunsworth) last week, Dave says. I know exactly what the parents are going through. You dont know what it is like, not until youve been through it. Dave has a simple message that he hopes may help. Tell your kids you love them and watch what they do, he says.

23FIRST+

WEBBER ON THE MARK

+

OUR GP HOPE

Herald SunMARCH 26, 2011FORECAST: SHOWER OR TWO. PAGE 80(Incl. GST)

$1.50*

SATURDAY

heraldsun.com.au

F B 1 2 3

Picture: GEORGE SALPIGTIDIS

Geelong superstar Joel Selwood was carried from the MCG after being knocked out in the blockbuster clash with St Kilda last night

TOP CAT OUT

C M Y K

REVEALED: Leadfoot learners a menace on our roads

PLATE HOONST TV PAGEANT COMES HEREPAGE 3

DHS 26-MAR-2011 PAGE

ROGUE young rookie drivers are racking up demerit points at an alarming rate.At least 8200 L-platers have been booked and a quarter of learners have at least four demerit points, VicRoads figures seen by the Herald Sun reveal. About 280 of them are just one mistake away from being forced off the road with 10 or more points. A further 1400 rookie drivers have been suspended, including 175 who accrued more than 12 points. Experts have called for learners who are booked to be banned for two years. Figures also show: MORE than 55,000 P-platers have demerit points, including almost 900 with more than 12.

Amelia Harris60,000 drivers have 10 or more points. 27,000 motorists have been suspended. ONE in 10 of Victorias four million licence holders has more than five points. Drink-driving, speeding and using a mobile phone while driving are among offences that incur demerit points. Restricted licence holders who accrue more than five points in a year or more than 12 in three years can lose their permit for three months. Another month is added for every four extra points. Road policing Supt Neville Taylor said police would do everything they could to keep rogue learner drivers off the roads.

1 FIRST

26MAR

Continued Page 8

KIDS ON PARADE

GET GET YOURS FREE TODAYTOKEN N PAGE 2

FOOTY STICKER

+

+

8+

Herald Sun, Saturday, March 26, 2011

heraldsun.com.au

NEWS

FOR BREAKING NEWS heraldsun.com.au

DHS 26-MAR-2011 PAGE

$23.5m in gas leak compoPEOPLE forced to evacuate their homes by leaking methane gas will receive compensation payments of $6000 to $130,000. A landmark $23.5 million settlement to the 750 home owners of the Brookland Green estate in Cranbourne was reached yesterday by the plaintiffs of a class action, the City of Casey and the Environmental Protection Agency, but it must still be signed off by the Supreme Court of Victoria. Casey will pay $13.5 million of the settlement and the EPA $10 million. Law firm Slater & Gordon will receive $6 million in fees. But the City of Casey is continuing legal action against nine other parties over advice it was given in 2002 to approve development on the site. The methane gas leak in August 2008 was declared an emergency and 30 families were evacuated until the source of the leak a nearby disused landfill site was shut down. Residents were told two months later it was safe to return and were given monitors to identify changes in methane levels. Soon afterwards, Slater & Gordon started a class action with lead plaintiffs Matthew and Theresa Wheelahan, who expressed relief yesterday the saga was finally over. We can move on now with our plans for the future, Mr Wheelahan said. We were in limbo. Its hard to put into terms what it has been like. He said they would stay on the estate as they were

Estate residents win landmark legal action over methane ordeal

8

FIRST

Nick Leyssatisfied the City of Casey had acted appropriately. He harboured no resentment towards the council or the developer. Financially we are a few years behind in investments, but the compensation will mean we can move up, he said. While no party has admitted liability, questions remain about why the estate was allowed to be built without the landfill site being properly contained. The settlement represen-

C M Y K

F B 1 2 3

We were in limbo. Its hard to put into terms what it has been like

MATTHEW WHEELAHAN

ted a landmark case in Australian environmental law, lawyer Ben Hardwick said. Our clients purchased their homes with high hopes and should not have ended in a legal fight, he said. There have been very few settlements of this nature for this many people involving an environmental tort such as this case. City of Casey Mayor Shar Balmes has indicated it will meet payments with reserves held for other purposes and not raise rates. The EPA said it was pleased residents would be compensated. The settlement must still be approved by the Supreme Court.

CBD

Brookland Greens Estate, Cranbourne

leysn@heraldsun.com.au

Compensation: Matthew and Theresa Wheelahan won their case. Picture: NORM OORLOFF

Leadfoot L-platers a menace Pearl of wisdomFrom Page 1We apply the law to learner drivers as much as we do to any other driver, Supt Taylor said. Accredited driving instructor Jan Spits said learners who incurred demerit points should be suspended for two years. And supervising drivers should lose points if a learner beside them commits an offence. The person really in charge of the vehicle is on the left-hand side, Mr Spits said. Clinical psychologist and adjunct lecturer at Monash University Simon Crisp + said learner and probationary drivers should be al-

Demerit points the big offendersLicence type Full licence Probationary licence Learner permit car Total 10 points 20,533 552 61 21,146 11 points 9130 207 31 9368 12+ points 28,498 883 179 29,560

heraldsun.com.au

Should young drivers be subject to harsher penalties? Join the debate hget to the point where theyre going to lose or have their licence suspended, so that consequences are more significant, but also much faster in coming. Areas of the brains frontal lobe which control thinking functions, decision-

lowed to accrue fewer demerit points. Teenagers and young adults they need to have much more immediate consequences, Dr Crisp said. The demerit system should be much tighter for them so they more quickly

making and reward-related input are among the last to develop fully. Some people can be in their mid to late 20s before that brain development is complete. VicRoads data to January 31 this year showed there were more than 289,000 registered learners. Would-be drivers can apply for a learners permit at 16 and must sit a 32-question multiple choice test on road laws, which has a pass rate of 78 per cent. Double demerit points are one issue on the table during broader talks with government and other road safety organisations about how to reduce the road toll.

Anne WrightPEARL Jam frontman Eddie Vedder has taken a pot shot at a Melbourne council for banning children drawing on footpaths. Vedder became an unlikely champion for Nunawadings Mt Pleasant Rd cafe on Thursday night. He told the audience at the Palais in St Kilda that he could not help earthquakes or disasters, but he had a few things to say about people who called innocent children vandals. He was referring to Whitehorse Mayor Ben Stennett saying children were banned from drawing on the footpath outside the cafe because it broke graffiti

Eddie Vedderlaws. Its like saying when a child bites another child theyre a cannibal. No, theyre a child, Vedder said. He urged people to defy the ban. Lets all write authority . . . Now write on top: f---, he said.

harrisam@heraldsun.com.au

+

Herald SunSATURDAYheraldsun.com.auMARCH 5, 2011FORECAST: MOSTLY SUNNY. PAGE 37(Incl. GST)

+

$1.50*

HOW YOUR SCHOOL RATESMAGPIES TEAM POSTER

OFFICIAL TEST RESULTS

E VER Y VICTORI SCHOOLAN

MY HERO DADREPORTS PAGES 8-9

Tributes ow as a little girl remembers ...

F B 1 2 3 C M Y K DHS 5-MAR-2011 PAGE

PAUL Simpson was already a hero to his darling daughter Sienna.

CRAZY CHARLIES WORLDPAGES 20-21

Holding photos of her daddy, the four-year-old spoke about him as her family dealt with the tragedy. Mr Simpson, 40, yesterday was honoured for his bravery, dying as he fought wild surf to save students caught in a rip near Bells Beach. Sienna, pictured with her dad and mum Nicky, talked about her daddy in an emotional Skype conversation with family in London. I know every daughter thinks of their father as the hero, but he was her hero and was there for her, said Mark Simpson, brother of the Shelford Girls Grammar School teacher. Report, Page 7+

1 FIRST

5MAR

THE NEXT MILLION-DOLLAR SUBURBS

heraldsun.com.au

Herald Sun, Saturday, March 5, 2011

7+

FOR BREAKING NEWS heraldsun.com.au

NEWS

Little Sienna can be proud of hero teacher who died saving his students

Lots of love: Paul Simpson and Sienna in New York for Christmas (main picture); with Sienna and nephew Will (above); and sharing the joys of parenthood with wife Nicky (below).

F B 1 2 3

Daddys heart of goldTEACHER Paul Simpson, who drowned trying to save his students from wild surf, will always be his daughter Siennas hero. Clutching a teddy bear and photos of him, the fouryear-old talked about her daddy as her family struggled to cope with the terrible news. Mr Simpson, 40, died as he fought to save schoolgirls caught in a ferocious rip near Bells Beach on Thursday afternoon.

C M Y K

Amelia HarrisMr Simpsons brother, Mark, said Sienna loved her father dearly. I know every daughter thinks of their father as the hero, but he was her hero and was there for her, he said. He instilled in her confidence and a manner to deal with other people. Mark said his brother loved children because he thought they made the world a better place.

Sienna talked about her daddy in an emotional Skype conversation with Mrs Simpsons brother, Ben Steel, who is in London. Mr Simpson taught at Shelford Girls Grammar School, in Caulfield, and was also head of development for junior girls at the Melbourne Tigers basketball club. Many of his mates asked him why he had been involved at the Tigers for so long and he said that he could make the world a bet-

ter place by making the people in it better, his brother Mark said. Mr Simpsons wife, Nicky, was yesterday comforted by Shelford Girls principal Polly Flanagan and was shown tributes to her husband at the school, where he had worked for about three years. Mr Simpsons parents, Jan and John, will arrive from Sydney today. Mr Steel, a former Home and Away actor who is flying home today, said his

brother-in-law was an honest and smart man. I just think its a true testament to him that he went out fighting and he put other people first, Mr Steel said. Mr Simpsons students posted heartfelt tributes to him on a Facebook page. You did everything you could to help us, and put us before yourself. We are forever in your debt. Shelford wont be the same without you, one wrote. Shelford cancelled senior

school classes yesterday and offered counselling. Pupils plan to wear wacky ties on Monday to honour Mr Simpsons love of them. Premier Ted Baillieu said Mr Simpsons death made him sick in his heart. Westcoast Adventure and Surf School, which ran the snorkelling excursion for 15 students and three teachers, refused to comment.

DHS 5-MAR-2011 PAGE

harrisam@heraldsun.com.au Leave your tributes at heraldsun.com.au

7FIRST

With new Gift Cards from 3,500 points, life can feel more rewarding.Reward yourself with $25 Gift Cards, now available at the online Qantas Frequent Flyer Store* Starting from just 3,500 . points, we have Gift Cards from leading retailers such as Woolworths, Harvey Norman, Big W and Myer. These are just some of the 850 rewards for under 20,000 points that youll find in store. Visit qantas.com/feelrewarded

* You must be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member with the required number of points in your Qantas Frequent Flyer account at the time of redemption to redeem from the Qantas Frequent Flyer Store. A joining fe may apply. fee appl Membership and points are subject to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program Terms and Conditions, and Qantas Store Terms of Use and individual Gift Card Terms and Conditions also apply to the redemption of points f A d ti f i t for Awards. d Products are available for delivery in Australia only. Visit qantas.com for full terms and conditions.

+

+

20+

Herald Sun, Friday, December 23, 2011

heraldsun.com.au

D DEATH ON T THE ROADS

11,000 YEARS LOST: THEDHS 23-DEC-2011 PAGE

With only 2 days to Christmas,

20

FIRST

KILLEDShop assistant Matthew Brennan, 19, Whittington I believe that hes on a holiday and that he might be coming back. Its the only way I can get some type of peace. STEPFATHER PHILL STEFANO

KILLEDLabourer Keith Anthony, 32, Nhill Think about the things youre doing while you have your family in the car. Lifes too short to do silly things while youre driving. PARTNER CJ STOCKER

KILLEDLabourer Laura Hallinan, 19, Hoppers Crossing I just miss her laugh and smile. She was always the one to put up the Christmas tree. MOTHER CATHY HALLINAN

KILLEDMilliner Lisa H Heathcote, 43, Heathmont She would walk up and down the city and nd quirky presents. Now youre never going to get one of those. MOTHER SUSAN HEATHCOTE

KILLEDNursing student Hannah Curtis, 19, Ormond She was the real glue in our family. My father passed away about three weeks after Hannahs death and he and she organised the Kris Kringle. Dad was teaching Hannah how to do the Christmas pudding so she could take that on. MOTHER CLARE KENNEDY-CURTIS

C M Y K

KILLEDConstruction w welder Damian Condon, 25, M Myrniong I think its hard when youve got har a unit, a family u unit, a work unit, and it sort of get broken apart, it gets loses its strength, its direction. strengt FATHER GRAEME CONDON

KILLEDTruck driver Je Julian, 37, Bell Post Hill The more care you take that can reduce someone having to face the Christmas that were looking down the barrel at. BROTHER BRUCE JULIAN

KILLEDApprentice aut automotive upholsterer Jake Fenech, 21, Kinglake West Where he died is not far from our home and we have to pass it every day on the way to work. MOTHER BERNADINE FENECH

F B 1 2 3

KILLEDButcher Ian Co C Collins, 19, Violet Town Id just say to people, be careful and d dont drive if youre tire tired. B BROTHER ASHLEY COLLINSMORE than 11,300 Christmas days have been taken from those killed on Victorian roads this year. The missed Christmases, summer holidays and birthdays were taken from the 280 people killed while driving, riding or walking on the roads. Victorian men had 8379 years of living taken from them, while women lost 2945. The Herald Sun calculated this loss of living using Victoria Police and Transport Accident Commission statistics. Each persons life expectancy at death,

KILLEDStore manager Aubrey Marston, 20, Gladysdale I think it comes back to when youre in a group and somebodys taking the risk and theyre not aware of what theyre doing somebody needs to say something. FATHER ROBERT MARSTONAmelia Harris and Michelle Ainsworthaccording to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, was added to reveal 11,324 years had been taken from the community. This hidden road toll was revealed after a horror November on the roads that saw 30 people killed. Another 20 people have died so far in December. Senior police and TAC bosses said the hidden loss of life was heartbreaking. It is undoubtedly both shocking and tragic that more than 11,000 years have been lost to road trauma

KILLEDYear 10 studen Ebony student Dunsworth, 16, Boronia Alcohol and driving dont mix. Think before you do anything, especially getting in a car, especially if you dont know them. MOTHER HELEN CRICHTON & STEPFATHER CRAIG CRICHTON

N victim of the road toll AN YOU CE 97 years old The oldest US victim of the road toll 118 The number of drivers killed Source: TAC and Victoria 50 The number of pedestrians killed Police statistics as at 44 The number of motorcyclists killed December 22, 2011 d 34 The number of people killed in March, the worst month on the roadshere in Victoria this year, TAC CEO Janet Dore said. You cant help but think what the entire community will miss out on from this unnecessary loss of life. We wonder, what might have been achieved? What might those people have contributed to our community?

32 weeks old The youngest

BY THE NUMBERS

EWS

+

+

heraldsun.com.au

Herald Sun, Friday, December 23, 2011

21+

THE E HIDDEN COST T

REAL ROAD TOLL TRAGEDYwe really wish you were all still here ...

Talks to save young livesAmelia Harris

KILLEDRetired tram driver Norman Ewin, 92, Ascot Vale We miss his knowledge, love, interest in technology and love of the Christmas spirit. DAUGHTER MAUREEN ATTARD

KILLEDRetired farmer Oswald Ossie Wight, 81, Sebastian He lived out of town a bit and hed always bring my sister and I some eggs every week. SON RODNEY WIGHT

KILLEDEnvironmenta Environmental manager David Sidebottom, 53, Lake Wendouree Our hopes, dreams and plans for retirement in one years time will never be realised. WIFE LEEARNE SIDEBOTTOM

KILLEDYear 12 studen Justin Jelly student Thomas, 17, Numurkah We are left to deal with a lifetime of pain. For that bit of fun its not worth it for the families. MOTHER DEBBIE MINOTTI

KILLEDMusician on th rise Stuart the Bullas, 23, Brunswick East One word think because youre not indestructible. The grief and all thats left behind is just crazy. FATHER RON BULLAS

KILLEDUniversity student Jennifer stud Chua, 19, Wonga Park She just wanted to clock some hours on her learners. She picked a night when it was raining. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time. FATHER KIM CHUA

KILLEDStudent Aaron Piroska, 16, Cheltenham We are trying to adapt to a new situation and there is an empty space where there would be a living human, our beautiful son Aaron. PARENTS LIZ & ANDREW PIROSKASadly, those questions will remain unanswered. Head of Road Policing, Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe, said every death had a tragic story behind it, including the mourning family and community. Christmas is a time for us to reflect on those who we have lost, but it is also a time to be vigilant on our roads. We dont want to lose any more community members than we already have, Mr Walshe said. Ms Dore urged drivers to plan ahead this Christmas. The TAC can always make ads and develop campaigns promoting road

KILLEDAleshia Syme, 15, Warrnambool Just slow down, think about what happens if you take somebody elses life. How are you going to feel? GRANDMOTHER SHARON CROFTstate 24 hours a day, seven days a week targeting speed, alcohol, drugs, fatigue and driver distraction. A spokeswoman for Police Minister Peter Ryan said the Government, police and road safety partners were working to reduce the toll and turn around the culture of speeding. Far too many lives are tragically lost in Victoria every year as a result of road trauma. Each death brings with it a lifetime of grief for the victims family and friends, she said. Victorias road toll is 280, three more than at the same time last year.

KILLEDPress operator Matthew James, 21, Newtown We miss him every day. The house seems to be hollow without him. I just couldnt imagine it was going to be this hard. FATHER GARY JAMES

safety, and, while we feel that we have been successful at doing this, it really is up to individuals to do the right thing, she said. Driving safely, sticking within the speed limit and being responsible on the roads is the best Christmas present you can give to your family. March recorded the highest monthly road toll, with 34 people killed. Their deaths saw a combined 1343 years lost. Mr Walshe said police would target idiots on the road as part of the Summer Stay campaign. We will be out across the

THE GRIM E REALITY RE REALIT OF THE TY ROAD TOLL

11,000 YEARS LOSTLIVE NEWS 24/7

heraldsun.com.au TOMORROW: One fathers plea to look after your kids

ROAD safety round-table discussions in high-risk areas are being considered by the Transport Accident Commission in a bid to drive down the annual toll. Families who lost loved ones on the roads this year welcomed the idea, which was sparked in a bid to encourage Victorians, particularly young people, to talk about road safety. Fourteen people under 27 were killed between October 30 and November 12. TAC chief executive Janet Dore said community leaders could facilitate the talks and would encourage peer-to-peer discussion and young people to speak up. The conversations could cover topics such as youth road safety, decision-making, risk-taking and discussing ideas for road safety campaigns, Ms Dore said. The round tables could be led by trained youth leaders from the P-Drivers program that can facilitate discussion and feed ideas back to the TAC and road safety partners. Greater Geelong was the worst local government area for fatal smashes, with 14 people killed on its roads. Brimbank had 11 deaths and 10 people were killed on roads in Wyndham, according to the TAC. Ms Dore said about 60 men aged 18-30 had been killed on the roads this year. Young people continue to be over-represented in road trauma and the tragic loss of life in crashes over the past month illustrates the effects those deaths have on families and friends, she said. Sharon Croft, whose granddaughter Aleshia Syme, 15, died in a triple fatality in Werribee in March, welcomed the idea, saying many youths thought they were invincible. Whatever education you can give them Im all for, Ms Croft said. Get the police there to talk about how it affects them pulling people out of cars, the ambulance people, the parents that have to go and identify their kids. Id be happy to be part of it. Helen Crichton, the mother of Boronia teen Ebony Dunsworth, who died in October, said she thought the concept had merit but it could be a struggle to get teens to go. Head of road policing Kieran Walshe said while any road death was a tragedy, losing young people was particularly hard to comprehend and the community needed to work together to educate them. +

F B 1 2 3 C M Y K DHS 23-DEC-2011 PAGE

21FIRST

PAGE 3

Herald SunFRIDAY, MAY 20, 2011FORECAST: PARTLY CLOUDY. PAGE 81(Incl. GST)

SACKED FOR PLANKING$1.10*heraldsun.com.au

+

MY SECRET DEMONSREPORT PAGE 7F B 1 2 3Picture: TIM CARRAFA

Nick Bracks breaks his silence on that crash

C M Y K DHS 20-MAY-2011 PAGE

YOUR TAXES ON TAPTAXPAYER cash earmarked for road safety was to be used to promote a new lowalcohol beer in a bizarre plan to cut crash deaths.The TAC wanted to challenge brewers to make a brew with an alcohol concentration of no more than 1.15 per cent and offered a $250,000 reward to

Fight over road safety cash to promote light beer

1 FIRST

EXCLUSIVEAmelia Harris

20MAY

promote the winning beer. But it was canned late last night after an extraordinary intervention by a furious Premier Ted Baillieu when he learned the Herald Sun was going to reveal the competition.

Continued Page 8

3D FOOTY CARDSTOKEN PAGE 2

COLLECT THE SET

ALL WORK NO PLAYSTAY-AT-HOME MUMS UNDER THREAT

PAGES 4-5

+

+

8+

Herald Sun, Friday, May 20, 2011

heraldsun.com.au

NEWS

FOR BREAKING NEWS heraldsun.com.au

Bizarre beer promo cannedThe competition, the TAC Beer Brewers Challenge, was to be launched at tonights Australian International Beer Awards. A spokesman for the Baillieu Government told the Herald Sun: The Government has tonight instructed the TAC to withdraw the $250,000 sponsorship that was to be provided to the Beer Brewers Challenge. The TAC sponsoring a beer competition sends the wrong message to Victorians, especially young Victorians, and is at odds with the Governments road safety message. The Government has asked the TAC to investigate ways in which this money could instead be used to help victims of road trauma and their families. Working Against Culpable Driving co-founder Penny Martin, whose son Josh was killed by a drink-driver, said the idea was irresponsible and would encourage drinkdriving. For years and years people who have been affected by drink-drivers (have been) trying to disconnect drinking with driving and now the TAC are coming out and putting drinking and driving together, she said.

IS SPENDING $250,000 TO PROMOTE DRIVER-FRIENDLY BEER A GOOD USE OF TAXPAYER MONEY?JAMILLAH FERGUSON32, Melbourne No. Theres no such thing as driver-friendly beer. Drinking and driving dont mix at all. The money d i would be better spent on education.

From Page 1I just cannot believe they would consider going down this path. TAC spokesman Phil Reed earlier yesterday told the Herald Sun it was time drivers had an alternative to ordering soft drink or ginger beer like their European and American counterparts. There is no reason why designated drivers cant enjoy a few quiet ones with their mates without worrying about whether they are fit to drive, Mr Reed said. A low alcohol beer might allow you to enjoy the same social benefits without dealing with the stress of . . . putting other motorists at risk. The TAC spent $900 million on supporting victims last financial year. One in four fatal accidents on Victorian roads involves a drink-driver. It is the second time the Baillieu Government has intervened at the last minute to stop taxpayers money being used on bizarre plans. In April it halted a proposal to finance a pleasanttasting, low-priced energy drink to enable secondary school students to work safely and with sustained alertness all day.

FIRST

CHAZ DORIS

DHS 20-MAY-2011 PAGE

30, North Melbourne Yes. It will be worth it if they can get people to stop h drinking full-strength before getting behind the wheel. We have to try something to cut down drink driving.

8

MADELINE JOHNSON

C M Y K

21, Williamstown No. They have so many restrictions on drinking already y a low alcohol beer will just make people want to drink more. There are better ways to encourage safe drinking than by creating a new beer.

harrisam@heraldsun.com.au

F B 1 2 3

+

+