Life through Lara's eyes

Love her or hate her Lara Bingle is now a household name. Picture: Lara Bingle/Instagram Source: Supplied

LARA Bingle is Australia's answer to Paris Hilton. Much like the platinum blonde heiress, her name mentioned in conversation is likely to elicit at least one eye-roll, a bit of grumbling along the lines of, "But what does she actually DO?" and a debate about if she is, in fact, that hot. To add insult to injury, the name Bingle has also become synonymous with 'dumb'. Last year's vacuous reality show Being Lara Bingle didn't help much in that department.

One important distinction, though, is that Bingle's rise to celebutante status was the result of gentle, not to mention scripted, swearing in the 2006 'Where the bloody hell are you?' Tourism Australia ad campaign, rather than via a Hilton-esque sex tape.

Bingle seems cheerfully unperturbed by the derision she regularly cops (though she does have trouble bringing herself to say the infamous slogan now), whether it's 'fat' bikini photos published in the gossip mags or simply the comment feed of her Instagram account. Remarks on some of the sizzling selfies she's posted while modelling the swimwear line she's designed, Lara Bingle for Cotton On Body, range from the snarky, "It's amazing how far a set can get you" to the gushing, "Oh my god I love this body!!!! So nice to portray fitness and health rather than ribs and hip bones!!! #hot".

"I like that, though," says the 26-year-old Bingle, explaining the reasoning behind her thick skin. "I think if there's one person hating on whatever, then two people are loving it. It creates emotion to the brand ["the Lara Bingle brand" is how she later refers to it]. That was always what my dad said: 'If no one's talking about you, Lara, then you have a problem.'"

The day after Sunday Style's shoot in Avalon, on NSW's northern beaches, I meet Bingle and her manager, George Moskos, for lunch in Double Bay. We choose a cafe where the silver-haired, well-heeled clientele are unlikely to notice or care about Bingle in their midst. For the record, no one bats an eyelid.

Lara Bingle in the Heath Enclosure at the Caulfield Cup. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: News Limited

When I arrived at the shoot the day before, she was wearing a red Baywatch-style swimsuit from her range; red, white and blue striped knee socks; and was wrapped in a brown fur rug, quietly shivering between shots. Today (post the influence of stylist and Vogue senior fashion editor Christine Centenera), it's a typical black-on-black designer ensemble. I ask her to talk me through the outfit.

"I'm wearing all international stuff," she says, apologetically. "Balmain blazer, The Row cashmere jumper, Balenciaga [leather] skirt, Jimmy Choo shoes, no bag. I don't really take bags with me. I bought a little Chanel Boy Bag I fell in love with in Paris. I was like, 'Oh, I don't have a boyfriend, I'll buy a Boy' [Bingle split with New York-based DJ Nick Cohen when they were in Paris in July this year]. Anyway, that's at home, though. I didn't bring it. And a Céline [chunky gold] necklace."

When she took on Centenera as a stylist during the three-plus years she was with cricketer Michael Clarke (now Australian team captain), her sartorial transformation was dramatic - very expensive, very designer and very black.

"Christine and her boyfriend, [fashion designer] Josh Goot, have always been massive supporters of me. She would be the go-to person throughout my whole relationship with Michael," says Bingle.

"I still see her now, we're still friends. But she's expensive and I don't need a stylist every day. And now, yes, I look like a blonder version [of her], maybe a little bit more voluptuous.

"I credit her with creating my look and aligning me to great brands like Louis Vuitton and Chanel. A lot of people can't get access to those brands. Even Dion Lee and Josh Goot don't loan. So she kind of set me apart from all of that, which I am forever thankful for."

Lara Bingle burst onto the stage at 18 as the face of Tourism Australia "Where the bloody hell are you?" advertising campaign. Source: News Limited

How would she say her style differs from Centenera?

"Not much," she laughs. "Probably day to day I'm a little more beach girl, when I'm at the beach and things like that. I don't know … it's kind of the same. I'm a very uniform dresser. She doesn't wear suits and things like that; I like power suits."

Moskos jumps in with: "Maybe she's taking [style inspiration] from you now?"

At this, Bingle looks at him like he's nuts: "No, George!" she laughs. "I really respect her, and I really have a lot of time for her. She taught me a lot. When I was having arguments with Michael, she would be my go-to person. I'd hang at her house, she only lived around the corner.

I was so young and she was really honest with me; there was no bullsh*t. I really respected that and learned a lot from that."

Bingle says she "rarely" uses a stylist now and can call Lee and Goot directly if she needs to borrow something, because they're her friends.

Did she get any advice from her posse of fashion friends when she was working on her swimwear range for Cotton On Body?

"I asked everyone," she grins. "But I, kind of, I'm ruthless like that in a sense. I want to do it on my own. You know what I mean?"

Lara Bingle returns to Sydney after a European summer holiday in Greece and London. Source: News Limited

For lunch, Bingle, in consultation with Moskos, orders grilled barramundi with steamed broccoli and a green tea. She's losing weight - 400g a day, to be precise - and, at 1.68m tall, is down to 55kg at the time of our interview (she says she peaked at 63kg last year, around the time unflattering paparazzi shots of her in a bikini ran on the cover of a magazine with the cover line 'Fat or Fab?').

Along with eating a high-protein diet, for the past six weeks she's been boxing three times a week with a trainer (she proudly shows me a video on her iPhone of her competently working

a speed ball) and doing yoga.

"That's changed me. I'm happy when I'm doing it," she says. "Because I was running, running, running like a crazy woman, and I was just hungry all the time. But I haven't battled with my weight; as I've grown up my body's changed. You're never happy, but you have to reward yourself at some stage. I refuse to diet. It has to be a lifestyle."

Has she cut down on drinking?

"People have the impression that I'm a big party girl, but I don't really drink. When I do, it's red wine or whisky," she says.

Does she have a sweet tooth, then?

"Yes!" she enthuses. "Tiramisu, banoffee pie. I just love cooking. Gareth [Moody, her ex-boyfriend] was a massive cooker …" she laughs, then corrects herself: "I mean cook. He taught me a lot in the kitchen. He's an artist, so even the way he cuts is precise - the colours we ate all matched. For a year we ate at home every night. It was really grounding, really nice, I needed that."

Queen of the selfies: Bingle regularly posts pictures on her Instagram account. Picture: Lara Bingle/Instagram Source: Supplied

What skills in the kitchen did she gain during her relationship with Moody, whom she went out with for more than a year before she started seeing Cohen?

"I'm a meat eater - meat and fish," she says. "I'm pretty basic. I'd love to just cook dessert, but that's not going to happen. When I was with Michael, I used to make a cheesecake every weekend for him. He loved it. I used to travel and cook the cheesecake in the hotels - go and buy new blenders and everything and just leave them there. That was my, like, vice."

The same cheesecake every week?

"Toblerone or Mars Bar. It just changed, the chocolate changed," she smiles.

It sounds like Moody, the Chronicles of Never designer, was a big influence on her.

"Yeah, we still speak, we still hang out. I don't know … I don't know … I don't know …" She trails off before settling on: "He's a good guy."

So, he's on the backburner for a while?

"Yeah, I don't know. It's just this thing with me where I just have so much going on and I'm on this path, and it's very hard to step off and give them [men] my whole life. All of them just get kind of over it. Not over it, they just …[She looks at Moskos] I'm looking at you because I talk to you about my relationships."

Offers Moskos: "Well, it's challenging for a guy sometimes, keeping up with the lifestyle."

It can be hard if you're not always there supporting them in their careers, and their choices, I say.

Michael Clarke and Lara Bingle at the Allan Border Medal in 2009. Source: News Limited

"That's what it was like with Michael," Bingle nods, warming to the theme. "I felt like I was just living his dream. And there are girls that are happy to do that, and hats off to them, but I require more for myself. I need to be stimulated more than that, you know? And the best thing I ever did was leave. You know what I mean? So, I got to experience all these opportunities. Otherwise, I kid you not, I would have three children by now!

"Michael says to me to this day, 'You turned the ship around so much.'" She hesitates, before adding: "Because, even when we broke up, at times it was like, 'How am I ever going to recover from this?

Do I just go that way or do I go this way?'"

I mention that there was a lot of public negativity towards her during her relationship with Clarke - she was the Yoko Ono of Australian cricket for a while - and also after her diamond ring (reportedly worth $200,000) was returned. It didn't really seem proportional to her crimes.

"No, it wasn't. What I've learnt is to sometimes keep quiet and let it ride its course. Obviously, it affects you emotionally at times [sighs]. I don't know … what's real to me was doing what I wanted to do.

"It's like I never saw myself walking up an aisle. I was 19 when I got engaged. I'm just glad I've been honest with myself and true to myself throughout this whole experience. Um, otherwise, you know, I wouldn't be … happy?"

Does she think Clarke understands that?

"Maybe. We're still friends. He just can't believe - and these are his words - how I 'turned the ship around'. There have been so many push-backs from the littlest things, managers moving on, the fact that I can still go, like, 'Let's do it!' And now, bringing out my own swimwear and underwear, he's very … I don't know what the word is."

Says Moskos: "He's impressed, he's proud of you."

"He's always like, 'I can't believe you're doing this again. You're just killing it'," she continues. "Even, for example [the criticism he copped over] the Ashes … And I just say to him, 'At the end of the day it's just being true to yourself', because his job is very robotic. He answers the same questions every day, I'm sure. It's, like, the same routine every day. Which is fine, and he's very good at that. But I also think if people actually knew him, the perception is not that amazing all the time. I don't know … if he was just himself."

She thinks he needs to loosen up a little bit?

"Yeah, yeah," she laughs.

Laughing slightly nervously, Moskos interrupts: "We don't want to talk too much about relationships."

I shush Moskos. At the shoot yesterday, Bingle told me she was on the dating app Tinder. So? I ask.

Bingle has recently been linked with Aussie actor Sam Worthington. Picture: Lara Bingle/Instagram Source: Supplied

"Tinder? says Bingle. "Oh, I got off it last night. What's the point? It's not really my thing; it's just weird. I've never really dated. I just meet people through people. Every boyfriend, I never regret. I'm friends with all of them. Every single one."

After we speak, Bingle is photographed kissing Australian actor Sam Worthington - they were seen together at the Global Citizen Festival in New York on September 28, and when he flew to Sydney last week, the relationship quickly progressed to intimate restaurant dates and grocery-shopping trips. Moskos didn't provide a comment by press time. Anyway, A-list actors aside, Bingle - who left school in Year 10 to model in Milan - has more on her agenda than boys.

She has a list of goals in the Notes section on her iPhone. "Last year I was 25 and I had never had a real plan or goal or focus, a team of people to help facilitate and make it happen. I put the list together and ticked almost every box. And there's almost 10 boxes: having a swimwear line, underwear line, all of those things.

"That's why I got in contact with George, because of the success he had with Miranda [Moskos helped Kerr launch her skincare line, Kora Organics]. I had never met anyone else who was doing that in Australia. I had a hard time finding a good manager who focused on long-term dreams."

Would she say her management in the past has been reactive rather than proactive?

"Totally," she says. "George obviously is proactive, but everyone else was constantly dealing with the day-to-day stuff, so much stuff [such as the controversy surrounding the photo of Bingle in the shower, allegedly taken by Brendan Fevola, that was published in Woman's Day in March 2010]. And that's what they were doing, filtering it all." I ask her to read me the list.

Bingle in the now infamous "Where the bloody hell are you?" television ad. Source: News Limited

"Underwear, product range, Cotton On charity, the bowel cancer TV commercial, Sports Illustrated, the UK market, the TV show … My dad passed away from bowel cancer, so I want to create a TV commercial … get some Australian celebrities, international ones, my friends involved, but these things take so much time," she explains.

The cover of Sports Illustrated is also firmly in her sights. "They haven't put an Australian on the cover since Elle, so I think I'm going to charge at that."

Along with those smokin' hot bikini shots, Bingle is partial to posting inspirational quotes on Instagram. I tell her I noticed the quote attributed to Winston Churchill, "Success is the ability

to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm", in her feed and thought it summed her up pretty well.

"Yeah, that's pretty much me," she agrees. "I used to just put quotes, but now I put quotes and I actually believe in them. And I've pretty much done that. It's almost sometimes an enjoyment to think, 'How am I going to get from this stone to that stone' and when I do it's like, 'Yes!' Even with my weight stuff. I feel like in my life I'm always challenging myself - personally, professionally, physically - and I think that's life. If you can't challenge yourself, then no one else can. And that instils confidence within. And I can go and do my swimwear, and I can go and have a proper relationship, and I can sit still sometimes. I'm learning.

"If you had spoken to me when I was 19, 20, even 21, I just wouldn't even listen to your questions."

###

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Perth's good, bad and ugly

An artists impression of the "game changing" Perth City Link (city Square, Wellington Street) Source: The Sunday Times

FAD housing trends of the past are being phased out and buyers are increasingly conscious of architecturally designed spaces, architects say.

And while good design does not necessarily have to be reflected in building costs, it will add to the sale price.

Australian Institute of Architects WA president David Karotkin said an Australian architectural identity had emerged.

Drawn from the modernist movement of the 20th century – a period of minimalist design with strong lines – the style had evolved to suit the Aussie love of outdoor living and the provision of protection from the harsh environment, Mr Karotkin said.

Any style that did not respond appropriately to Perth's climate and lifestyle needed to be phased out, he said.

''Thankfully oversized Tuscan villas with no shading and limited outdoor lifestyle features seem to be going out of fashion,'' Mr Karotkin said.

Iredale Pedersen Hook director Adrian Iredale, jointly up for several national architecture awards this year for the West Kimberley Regional Prison, said home styles such as Tuscan, Corsican or Greek Islands, devalued the original architecture and contributed to an identity crisis for some suburbs.

The architects said well-designed spaces added value to homes

''Good architecture creates healthy living and working spaces with lots of natural light, intelligent planning of spaces, passive-solar principles, healthy material selections and the like,'' Gresley Abas Architects co-director Philip Gresley said.

''People like living and working in pleasant spaces and are therefore willing to pay a higher price.

''In saying this, good architecture should not necessarily cost more.

''Simply arranging spaces on the block to control the ingress of sun and breezes can make a massive difference at no additional cost.''

Mr Gresley said younger people were more design conscious and wanted developments that were different and contemporary, while being functional and ''liveable''.

''These qualities are becoming more desirable and commanding a higher price,'' he said.

Mr Karotkin said a well-designed home would last for the life of the building and result in lower maintenance or renovation costs, as well as increased resale value.

''While lifestyles and fashion will continue to change, really good design has qualities that are timeless and will add value for many years.''

The Good, the Bad and The Ugly, according to Perth architects:

Philip Gresley, co-director Gresley Abas Architects

AREAS TO WATCH

"Northbridge - it brings lots of activities within a short walk from home – an increasingly desirable commodity not available in outer suburbs.

"East Perth, Leederville, North Perth, and Inglewood are also areas to watch."

PERTH NEEDS MORE

"Designs that provide quality spaces rather than a quantity of spaces are vital, and adopting passive solar design principles is now generally a no-brainer."

GOOD PUBLIC SPACES

"Central Park, the Cultural Centre revitalisation and Brookfield place."

NEED A FACELIFT

"The question is how to unlock all the empty upper-level spaces in heritage buildings.

"There is so much opportunity for creative solutions, but the city is stuck behind inappropriate building and planning controls.

"Perth also needs to deliver a diverse range of development.

"We are in danger of creating an overly shiny retail-based city."

FUTURE VIEW

"The city is about to become a very vibrant, inhabited, and highly walkable environment."

Adrian Iredale, director of Iredale Pedersen Hook

AREAS THATWORK

"Coolbinia contains a large number of 1950s modernist houses designed to embrace Perth's climate.
 
"The suburb's part-circular arrangement creates numerous fragments of land that are occupied by surrounding residents in often innovative ways.

"Floreat, City Beach and Dianella also contain numerous 1950s and '60s homes and a concentration of Iwan Iwanoff homes."

AREAS TO WATCH

"The more interesting areas are generally small, inner-city sites or city and coastal fringes.

"Warehouse conversions and strata properties are attracting the adventurous."

NEEDS A FACELIFT

"Northbridge requires some love and care.

"One should look to Beaufort St and Vincent St for inspiration, or the recent restoration and development of the buildings next to the State Theatre."

PERTH'S BEST

"QV1 and 140 William Street, for their engagement to the street and surrounding buildings, and sustainable design principles; Council House and the Perth Concert Hall for their civic power; and the State Theatre and Perth Arena for giving Perth two valid and  completely contrasting forms of architecture."

PERTH'S WORST

"The private developer-driven apartment towers along the east end of the city.

"They continue one line of monotony.

"Overall, we have progressed from the 'toddler' stage of design and are now entering our teenage years.

"The only question is when will we reach maturity?"

David Karotkin, Australian Institute of Architects WA president

AREAS THATWORK

"Garden suburbs developed in the '50s, such as parts of City Beach, Floreat and Coolbinia.

"What appeals to me is the network of landscaped parks and streetscapes, plus the modernist houses, many of which have similar materials, palettes and design elements.

"The result is a consistency that is missing in many of Perth's suburbs where house designs often seem to compete for attention."

AREAS TO WATCH

"Anywhere around transport hubs, including established areas around existing train stations, such as Maylands."

FUTURE VIEW

"Fremantle is a wonderful city that has suffered from stagnation over the past 10-15 years.

"There are signs this is changing, with the local council determined to create a planning environment that encourages investment.

"The proposed Kings Square redevelopment project will be a major stimulant for the city centre."

PERTH'S BEST

"We still have many excellent examples of Victorian architecture, such as the Perth Town Hall, mid-century modernist buildings like Council House and the Perth Concert Hall, as well as world class contemporary buildings – the State Theatre Centre, Perth Arena and Brookfield Place."

PERTH'S WORST

"There are several large buildings in the city from the '80s and '90s that do not provide amenity for the public at ground level."

Kelly Rattigan, Formworks Architecture managing director

AREAS TO WATCH

"North Fremantle, South Fremantle, Northbridge and the surrounding areas."

LESS, PLEASE

"Large, single dwellings that hug the block.

"For single residential, we should move towards a smaller building footprint with bigger outdoor areas, move our back gardens to the front and create livelier streets."

MORE, PLEASE

"Smaller single or grouped housing, well-designed multi-residential units with good access to daylight and shared courtyards, and facilities close to transport and adjacent to, or above, retail areas such as in the Claremont Quarter."

PERTH'S BEST

"The Perth Cultural Centre. It provides activities for all ages as well as a great venue for different types of 'pop-up' events."

NEEDS A FACELIFT

"Fremantle, Fremantle, Fremantle!"

PERTH'S BEST

"Perth Arena, the Art Gallery of WA and Central Park."
 

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Missing mum case is murder investigation

POLICE have confirmed they are treating the disappearance of Perth mother Helen Rocha as a suspected homicide.

Helen Rocha, 40, was last seen on September 26. Her disappearance is being treated as a suspected homicide. Picture: Supplied. Source: PerthNow

POLICE have confirmed they are treating the disappearance of missing Perth mother Helen Rocha as a suspected homicide.

Ms Rocha, a married mother of two teenagers, was last seen leaving her Willagee home just before midday on September 26 with a man.

It's believed she then travelled by car to the vicinity of Parmelia, Orelia and Kwinana that afternoon.

Her bank accounts have not been accessed.

Today, police issued a fresh plea for the public to come forward with information.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg McDonald of the Major Crime Squad said police held grave concerns for Ms Rocha's welfare.

"Helen has been out of contact with her family for almost a month now and that behaviour is extremely unusual for her," Det-Sen-Sgt McDonald said.

"By all accounts she is a very devoted mother, she keeps in constant contact with her children.

"For her not to contact her children for this length of time is one of the greatest areas of concern to us."

Det-Sen-Sgt McDonald said police knew the identity of the man she left her Willagee home with on September 26, but wouldn't be drawn on whether police had questioned the man.

"We are hoping that someone out there has seen something that will help us so we can help them (Helen's family)," Det-Sen-Sgt McDonald said.

The iPad, iPhone and coin purse Ms Rocha is believed to have been carrying have not been found.

Yesterday, police and SES volunteers searched bushland in Bertram as part of the investigation into Ms Rocha's disappearance. A home in Parmelia was also searched earlier this month.

Ms Rocha has an olive complexion, around 157cm tall with a slim build, black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black top, black tights and black runners.

Anyone who may have seen Ms Rocha or has seen suspicious activity particularly in isolated or bush locations in Parmelia, Orelia or Kwinana should contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.

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What to expect from Apple launch

Take a look at the iPad 4, iMac and MacBook by Apple. Courtesy: IGN

An iPad and iPad Mini update are fairly certain. Picture: Apple Source: AP

JUST when you thought it was safe to put your wallet away, Apple went and announced another event.

It's happening on Wednesday around 4am AEDT.

Here's what to expect:

A new iPad or two

It's been two years since the iPad 2 was released. A lot can happen in that time. Expect a completely redesigned iPad and iPad mini. How will they differ from others? Well obviously expect lighter, thinner, faster, better resolution etc.

Ars Technica is predicting that the tablets will include an A7x chip and a wider memory interface. Hopefully they'll also up the RAM from the 1GB standard of its previous models.

Opinion is split on whether the iPad mini will inherit a Retina display. It's possible Apple will continue to sell the non-Retina display iPad mini as a lower-end model while offering an improved high-end model. If the iPad mini does inherit a retina display, expect it to be heavier than the existing model as it will require a larger battery and screen.

Apple iTV

Apple TV remote and television. Source: Supplied

Will 2013 finally be the year that Apple releases an actual TV with an integrated operating system similar to the one offered in its TV docks?

It's unlikely. The rule of thumb is that if you haven't read of any leaks about the Apple TV, it's probably not happening.

The Apple TV has been rumoured for years and nothing has come to fruition. This time around we've barely heard a murmur about a TV. We imagine if it were releasing the Apple TV it would reserve it for its own special announcement rather than integrating it into a broader product launch.

We'll keep everything crossed but don't get your hopes up.

More likely is a new or updated Apple TV box.

Smartwatch

One of the many artist's rendition of what an Apple smartwatch might look like. Keep wishing on a star, it's highly unlikely to happen this week. Source: Supplied

Same deal as the Apple TV, a smartwatch would be a major innovation for Apple, distinct from its previous achievements. Though if it were to release a smartwatch, October would be the month to do it, just in time for Christmas.

However the market is already saturated with plenty of smartwatches like the Samsung Gear and the Pebble. Apple is going to have to pull out something pretty special to stand apart from its competitors.

Macbook Pro / Retina Pro

The Macbook Pro is overdue for an update. Picture: Apple Source: Supplied

The Macbook Pro is due for an update. Hopefully it will include a 4th generation Intel Core Haswell processor. It's likely that Apple's top of the line Retina Pro Macbook will be the first to receive the upgrade, though hopefully it will also upgrade specs on its non Retina models.

The Macbook Air was updated just a few months ago, along with the iMac, so it's logical the rest of Apple's laptop range were brought up to spec as well.

Mac Pro

The new cylindrical Mac Pro was displayed at Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June. Hopefully we'll hear more details on this on Wednesday. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Apple released the new design of its bizarre professional desktop computer the Mac Pro in June but we've yet to see it in the flesh. Expect further details on Wednesday including release date and pricing. It'd be logical to expect it to hit shelves before Christmas.

Mac OS X Mavericks

Apple has said its new desktop operating system would be ready for Fall (Spring, Australia time). Picture: Apple Source: Supplied

Apple is overdue for a release date for its Mac OSX Mavericks operating system for its laptops and computers. We wouldn't be surprised to find out more on this on Wednesday.

iCloud keychain

Apple announced its iCloud Keychain in June but it was oddly missing from the iOS 7 launch last month. Picture: Apple Source: Supplied

In June Apple showed off a new cloud-based password manager called iCloud Keychain, but it was nowhere to be seen when iOS 7 launched last month. Keychain works as a secure database that stores all of your logins and even credit card information and other account information. Unlike existing Keychain which is stored on your device, the newly announced iCloud Keychain stores all of your account information behind a 256-bit AES encryption in the cloud and is then pushed from the cloud to your nominated phone, iPad or computer. It seems like the perfect compliment to Apple's fingerprint sensor. As internet activity continues to move from computers to mobile, it would make sense for Apple to create a system that allows users secure logins on the go. A cloud based password manager will make it easier for iPad and iPhone users to rely on their password manager more from their phones. Expect an update.

iPods

An iPod update is almost certain. Source: AFP

Apple tends to update its iPod line before major holidays so a new iPod or iPad nano wouldn't be unexpected. The iPod mini has been redesigned so many times it's easy to lose count so we wouldn't be surprised to see a new model or software update.

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Bandidos bikies claim WA turf

The Bandidos bikie gang is believed to have set up a chapter in WA. Picture: Grant Turner Source: The Courier-Mail

ONE of Australia's most notorious bikie gangs, the Bandidos, are claiming to have set up a chapter in WA.

PerthNow can reveal several senior Bandidos bikie gang members arrived in Perth on Sunday.

It's believed they later met with WA members of the Rock Machine bikie gang.

Dozens of police officers were at Perth domestic airport to monitor the Bandidos members as they landed on a Virgin Australia flight just before 3pm yesterday.

There has been speculation since early 2011 the Rock Machine has been paving the way for the Bandidos to set up in WA.

In 2000, Rock Machine members in Canada voted to "patch over" to the Bandidos, after a seven-year turf war with the Hells Angels left more than 160 people dead.

Today, a WA police spokeswoman said police were "monitoring the activities of the Rock Machine" in light of representatives from the Bandidos arriving in Perth yesterday.

"We have no confirmation of any members being patched over at this time," the spokeswoman said.

But the Bandidos' website is already claiming it now has a WA chapter.

"We welcome Bandidos West Coast probationary chapter Perth," reads one post on the club's website.

Another post on the website reads: "Big Fat Congratulations to West Coast Probationary Chapter Perth for your new status in our glorious Nation!!! Step up to the plate, job well done brothers!"

PerthNow has sought further comment from WA Police about the claims on the website.

The Bandidos were formed in Australia in 1983 following a split from another bikie gang, the Comancheros.

WA police confirmed last week that the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang had patched over the Finks bikie gang in Western Australia.

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Perth's most tightly-held suburbs

Tracy Booth, with her son Curtis (16) and grandson Jaxon Gate (7 months), has lived in Gnangara for over 10 years Picture: Marie Nirme Source: PerthNow

A SECRET millionaire enclave in Perth's northern suburbs is one of the city's most loved areas residents don't want to leave.

Residents of Gnangara, wedged between Wangara and the Gnangara-Moore River State Forrest, hold onto their properties for an average of 14.3 years, the latest RP Data figures show.

That's almost six years longer than the average time Perth residents will spend in a property.

Do you love where you live? Tell us why below

The semi-rural suburb, with a population of just more than 1000 people, took out the top spot for Perth's most tightly held suburb jointly with Herne Hill.

Its median house price was $1m as of June 2013, the data shows.

The cheapest properties sell for about $850,000, while the most expensive go for between $3.5m and $4m, local property agents said.

* CLICK ON A SUBURB BELOW TO SEE STATS ON THE TOP 25

Davey Real Estate director Sam Hedges described the suburb as leafy with "large, architecturally-designed type homes" on properties between two and a half and ten acres in size.

But aside from the locals not many people know about Gnangara - the suburb does not even feature in the Real Estate Institute of WA's interactive list of Perth suburbs because it is considered a "lifestyle living" area with properties more than one hectare.

Resident Tracy Booth, who has lived in Gnangara with her husband and five children since 2003, said friends and visitors were often surprised by the area when they visited.

"When we moved here I had a friend who said 'Why on earth would you move from Hillarys to Gnangara?" Ms Booth said.

"When she came and visited … she said 'what a fabulous spot'."

The Booth family moved from Manchester, England 16 years ago and rented in Scarborough and lived in Hillarys for two years before they decided they needed more space to raise their young children.

The home they picked in Gnangara was a four-bedroom, two-bathroom Colonial style house on almost three acres.

"It gave the kids freedom to be children," Ms Booth said.

"They could get dirty and play but you always knew they were safe on the property."

The space has also allowed the family to add three bedrooms, a guest house and an indoor pool, among other renovations.

Ms Booth said the family's 10 years in Gnangara was the longest they had lived anywhere.

"We've always had itchy feet; we used to buy houses then move on within about two years in England," she said.

The Booth family's neighbours are also long-time residents; the newest ones moved in five years ago.

"We don't live in each other's pockets but everyone is really friendly," she said.

"We all get together about three times a year to catch up."

Mr Hedges said Gnangara's residents were mostly self-employed with businesses which operated heavy machinery.

"They like to house their gear on their property; they don't have to pay to house it and they can work on it on the weekends, if they like," Mr Hedges said.

"They had to have built something quite impressive or be quite well to do because properties up there weren't cheap."

Oceanside Realty agent Deb Treloar, who has sold homes in the area for eight years, said people tended to stay in Gnangara for between 15 and 18 years.

"They move in when the kids are little and tend to move away when their kids move out of home," Ms Treloar said.  

"The properties with their big houses and tennis courts and the like are too big for two people."

The suburbs residents stayed the longest after Gnangara and Herne Hill were Murdoch (13.4 years), Hovea (13.2 years), Coogee (12.4 years) and Bibra Lake (12.3 years).

Top 10 longest held suburbs:
GNANGARA
HERNE HILL
MURDOCH
HOVEA
COOGEE
BIBRA LAKE
DAGLISH
WOODVALE
KARDINYA
GOOSEBERRY HILL

*Data is all to July 2013 and the source is RP Data
 

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Telethon raises $20.7 million for WA kids

Rob Palmer, George Houvardas and Mark Gibson celebrate after catching the two million dollar bill in the In It To Win It challenge. Picture: Matthew Poon Source: PerthNow

Rob Palmer and George Houvardas celebrate after winning $2 million from Crown Perth in 'In It to Win it' Picture: Matthew Poon Source: PerthNow

Scott and Emma Diffen introduce Molly Meldrum to daughter Celia at Princess Margaret Hospital. Picture: Matthew Poon Source: PerthNow

Catch up with the biggest stars this Telethon who today, donated their time to visit sick kids at PMH.

Melissa Doyle, Fat Cat and Omar Dean with twins Aaron and Jake McMillan (10), and Harrison Cooper with mum Danielle. Picture: Matthew Poon Source: PerthNow

A RECORD-breaking $20.7 million has been raised for Telethon in 2013, smashing last year's tally of $16.8 million.

Earlier this afternoon, organisers passed the $150 million mark for total donations since Telethon began in 1968.

Actor George Houvardos won an In It To Win It money grab challenge and was rewarded with an astonishing $2 million donation from Crown Perth, tipping the tally board over the $16.6 million needed to reach the special milestone.

Over decades, Australia's biggest TV charity appeal has improved the lives of thousands of WA children by raising money for Princess Margaret Hospital, the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and other beneficiaries.

Tonight's total tally of $20,701,272 was helped by a $500,000 personal donation from Crown chairman James Packer and Multiplex heir Tim Roberts, who gave $1.5 million.

GALLERY: See all the action from Telethon 2013

Kerry Stokes, executive chairman of Seven West Media, contributed $1.5 million on behalf of his private company Australian Capital Equity.

Mining billionaires Andrew and Nicola Forrest and their Minderoo Foundation pledged to match each dollar donated for the first five hours of Telethon, which saw the tally climb by one million dollars late on Saturday night.

The McCusker Charitable Foundation donated $1 million. Saturday night's Lexus Ball raised $558,000, the federal government donated $2 million and the state government chipped in $500,000. The 2013 Telethon home in Wandi was sold at auction for $700,000.

Telethon general manager Steve Mummery was blown away by the staggering amount raised over the weekend.

"Western Australians continue to astound me with their generosity which has created the highest donating Telethon (per capita) in the world - something we should all be very proud of," he said.

Follow all the action from Telethon by replaying our feed below, or join the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #Telethon7

On Saturday night performers including Samantha Jade, Tina Arena and Johnny Ruffo lit up the stage for the opening ceremony, as West Australians opened their hearts and their wallets for our young battlers.

But it was this year's Telethon children, Jack Day and Tahlia Polmear, who really stole the show.

Eleven-year-old Jack has already undergone nine operations for cerebral palsy, but he's determined not to let it stop him from achieving his dreams.

His co-star, Tahila, also 11, from Esperance, was diagnosed last year with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. But the brave schoolgirl not only has been fighting her own battles; she's also been helping to improve the odds for future cancer sufferers through medical research.

More than 600 entertainers and 1300 volunteers helped make sure each and every hour of the 26-hour-long broadcast was a show-stopping success.

Sunrise newsreader Natalie Barr grew up watching Telethon. She said her family would have a sleepover every year to mark the occasion.

"We would all sleep in the lounge room," she said. "My dad would donate $25 on behalf of the Barr family and then we would sit up for hours and hours and hours and wait for our names to be called out and we were thrilled.

"The important thing is for us to pass this on to other generations so kids today have the love of Telethon that we had."

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SES search bushland for missing mum

Police today searched bushland in Bertram for clues to the disappearance of Helen Rocha.

Missing woman Helen Rocha. Source: PerthNow

POLICE have called in SES volunteers to help in the search for missing Perth mother Helen Rocha.

Officers and about 40 SES volunteers searched bushland surrounding Kwinana train station in Bertram today.

WA's Major Crime Squad was called following Ms Rocha's last known sighting in the Mailton Hill or Willagee areas on September 26.

A house in Parmelia was searched by police 10 days ago.

Ms Rocha is about 157cm tall, of slim build, with an olive complexion, black hair and brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing a black top, black tights and black running shoes.

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Warning of horror WA bushfire season

WA's wet winter could create a dangerous bushfire season in the hot months. Source: PerthNow

WA authorities fear a devastating bushfire season ahead after a wet winter.

WESTERN Australia's wet winter has authorities fearing a devastating bushfire season to come, as New South Wales firefighters continue to fight their worst blaze for 50 years.

Launching WA's Bushfire Action Week, Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis said the wetter than usual winter months had meant higher grass growth and less prescribed burns across the state.

``That means any bushfire has the potential to be intense and dangerous,'' Mr Francis said.

Firefighters 'fed up' with bureaucrats withholding funds for vital training and resources

``We have done everything we can to prepare for any threat that arises. Our firefighters are set for the season, but people have to understand that there are no guarantees in bushfire season.

``It's a dangerous time. Last year alone, there were more than 3,800 bushfires across WA.''

WA and federal governments, supported by the National Aerial Firefighting Centre, have boosted the overall capacity of WA's aerial firefighting fleet, which will include an Erickson Aircrane.

``This year's fleet of 22 helicopter and fixed-wing water bombers can drop more water than previous fleets, greatly helping firefighters who protect lives and properties on the frontline,'' Mr Francis said.

WA land owners were also urged to play their part in reducing the risk of bushfire, by clearing around their property, installing firebreaks and cleaning out gutters.

The warnings came as the state's Fire Commissioner Wayne Gregson said councils were failing to properly train and resource volunteer fire brigades.

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Chopper claims he killed four people

Notorious standover man Mark "Chopper" Read has received a final farewell at a public service

AUSTRALIA'S most infamous criminal Mark 'Chopper' Read made four chilling murder confessions from the grave - at times startling viewers with tales and re-enactments from a life of crime.

In an extraordinary interview on 60 Minutes, Read - who has never been convicted of murder - came clean about the deaths of influential union member Desmond Costello, pedophile Reginald Isaacs, gangster Siam Ozerkam (more commonly known as Sammy the Turk) and bikie boss Sydney Michael Collins.

Recorded, fittingly, in the now-defunct Pentridge Prison just two weeks before his death from liver cancer, the shocking admissions were full of the theatricality and dry humour that has become a Chopper trademark over the past four decades.

"Four is all you're getting, that's it. I haven't killed any more than that, and don't try to tell me, don't try to make out that I have," Read said.

Mark "Chopper" Read has never been convicted of murder.

Using his well-known blue take on the English language, Read began by confessing to the murder of union heavyweight Desmond 'Dessie' Costello outside Collingwood's Leinster Arms Hotel in 1971.

"He didn't really see it coming," Read said.

"He didn't believe it was going to come - not from me. I was only a young kid. I was about 17 years old."

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

A gaunt Mark Read also talked about his battle with cancer, adding he was happier to die a slow death than with a bullet in his brain.

"It doesn't even hit me emotionally," he said.

"I'd like to come back and see what all the fuss is going to be after I'm dead - read a few of the papers and watch a few of the TV shows and listen to a few of the arty-farty debates that are going to be on after I'm dead."

Tom Malone, executive producer of 60 Minutes, said Channel 9 had made verbal and written submissions to Victorian police in the wake of Read's on-camera confessions.

He said producers were still working to establish the veracity of his confessions when he died earlier this month.

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