Perth braces for 36C heatwave

This is one way to keep cool, a lone paddler on the Canning River in Rossmoyne at sunset. Source: News Limited

PERTH is bracing for its first heatwave of the summer with at least five days of 35C temperatures forecast in the days ahead.

The potential heatwave may begin as early as this Wednesday when north-easterly winds develop. The north-easterlies should last right through to next Monday or Tuesday, leading to five-to-seven days of 35C with a few days in the high thirties, according to Weatherzone senior meteorologist Brett Dutschke.

Today Perth was heading to a forecast top of 29C and by 1pm had reached a pleasant 27C.

The Bureau of Meteorology is tipping temperatures to hit 36C from Friday, a sweltering start to the Third Ashes Test.

"It is quite early in the season for this sort of heat to arrive, it is more typical of January or February,'' Mr Dutschke said.

"Only seven times in the past 115 years has the city had at least five consecutive 35C days in December. The most recent occurrence was in 2012, the last seven days of the year.

"The city has not recorded five consecutive 35C this early in the season in 71 years. In 1942 the city recorded seven consecutive days of 35 degrees or hotter from December 9th to 15th.

"A low pressure trough just to the north of Perth will deepen during the week, drawing heat from northern Western Australia to the south-west of the state.

"The trough will then move south over the city late this week and on the weekend, leading to the hottest days with a few reaching the high thirties. The trough will then move east early next week, allowing cooler sea breezes to take over.''

Residents are advised to keep out of the sun as much as possible and drink plenty of water to reduce the risk of heat stroke.

The latter half of the heatwave will be the toughest with nights staying warmer than 25C until the early hours of the morning. Last summer a week of 37C days led to about 20 people being admitted to hospital.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday

Min 16C

Max 32C Sunny.

Wednesday

Min 19C

Max 35C

Sunny.

Thursday

Min 21C

Max 35C

Mostly sunny.

Friday

Min 22C

Max 36C

Mostly sunny.

Saturday

Min 22C

Max 36C

Sunny.

Sunday

Min 21C

Max 36C

Sunny

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Girlfriend gets life for drug murder

David John Houston, who was brutally murdered at a Fremantle house, by two men and a teenage woman who jailed for life today. Source: Supplied

Samuel Walker, 26, jailed for life over the brutal murder of Hilton man David Houston, 24. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

A TROUBLED teenager who helped her boyfriend in the brutal drug-fuelled murder of a man she had just met, will spend the next 14 years behind bars.

Amanda Jane Kelly, who was 19 at the time of the crime, was jailed for life for her part in the killing of David Houston, who was beaten to death in South Fremantle by Sam Jacob Walker and Jonathan Robert Lee after a drug binge in May 2012.

Kelly admitted helping strangle the 24-year-old Mr Houston, before helping carry his body after he died.

Kelly, now 20, today collapsed in tears as she was told she must serve at least 14 years before becoming eligible for parole.

Judge Michael Corboy said while Kelly's culpability was much lower than her cohorts', she nonetheless took part in an ``horrific crime''.

``You did not disassociate yourself from this gross violence,'' Judge Corboy said.

``This was a particularly horrific crime.''

The court was told after a prolonged binge on cannabis and methamphetamine, Kelly was in the shower having sex with Lee when they heard screams from the kitchen.

When Kelly entered the kitchen naked, Walker was already strangling Mr Houston with a ligature - and ordered the teenager help him.

After 30 seconds, Kelly went back into the bathroom to vomit, while the attack continued on the helpless Mr Houston.

The two men dragged his body to the shower but Mr Houston regained consciousness, prompting Lee to kick him so severely his left eye popped out of its socket.

A post-mortem found Mr Houston had severe head and chest injuries, but had died from neck compression.

The men then wrapped the body in a barbecue cover, and Kelly helped carry him to a vehicle.

Walker drove the corpse to bushland where it was buried and covered with acid.

Police later used the rented vehicle's GPS to find the body near the coastal town of Binningup, 130km south of Perth.

Judge Corboy admitted Kelly's upbringing had been tragic, with drug use from the age of 12 combined with self-harm, depression, anxiety and a preoccupation with death and suicide.

And her dependent personality meant she became fixated on certain people - which she had on Lee, who was manipulative, domineering and violent.

Lee wrote to the court on behalf of Kelly, claiming she had wanted to go to police over the murder but was persuaded otherwise through guilt trips, manipulation and threats.

Kelly has also resisted attempts by her former lover to continue their relationship in prison, the court was told.

Mr Houston's family declined to comment outside court, apart from expressing relief at the end of the ordeal.

In October, Walker and Lee were each sentenced to a minimum of 21 years jail.

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He shot her, now they're a couple

Audrey Mayo had only known Matthew Webb for a few weeks when he shot her in the leg. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied

LOVE can blossom in the most unlikely circumstances. And for one couple, it seems Cupid has swapped his bow and arrow for a rifle.

Audrey Mayo and Matthew Webb officially became a couple on November 21. But that date is also significant for another reason. It's the day Matthew accidentally shot Audrey.

The pair were hanging out on the roof of Matthew's mother's house in the small town of LaFayette, Georgia.

He spotted some deer across the road and decided to try and shoot one. Ms Mayo stayed on the roof, but soon thought she heard Matthew calling for her.

She climbed down from the roof, walked across the street and called out to him.

"I was doing like a half yell," Audrey told timesfreepress.com. "I didn't want to scare the deer away."

As he hunted in thick bushes looking for the deer, Matthew heard rustling and saw movement. He gripped his rifle, aimed and fired.

"And then I heard a gunshot," Audrey said. "And then I felt it. And then I hit the ground."

Audrey's family now laugh about the whole incident. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied

She woke up in hospital days later with Matthew at her bedside. He was so nervous about talking to her that he read from a note he'd written earlier.

The bullet sliced through a vein that runs behind her right kneecap, damaging some nerves. She's currently on nine medications and the pain is often unbearable.

"It hurts on top of my knee," she said. "And behind my knee. And on my shin, my calf, my ankle, my hip. The whole thing hurts.

"If she contracts a serious infection, her leg may have to be amputated."

But Audrey's family aren't angry at Matthew. The shooting was an accident, and he's even moved in with Audrey's family to help care for her.

His actions haven't come without consequences, mind you. He was arrested for firing a gun within 150 feet of a road and police say he could be charged with misuse of a firearm, a hunting license violation and failing to wear orange.

Despite the pain, Audrey's family have found a way to laugh about the whole thing.

"Once we realised she was alive - and that she was going to be alive - we started to lighten up a little bit," said Audrey's sister, Rachel Mayo Greer.

There are few couples who could survive such a saga.

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Bieber 'calls girl fan beached whale'

Millions of hearts break worldwide as Justin Bieber passionately kisses Isabella on stage at his Adelaide concert. Caution: Girls Screaming Very Loudly.

POP brat Justin Bieber verbally abused a woman in Perth by calling her a "beached whale," according to a guest at the hotel where Bieber was staying.

Bieber and his entourage were on the pool deck at Perth's Hyatt Regency hotel on Sunday.

Hotel guest Helen Robinett claimed she heard Bieber yell out the abuse.

"There were four young girls in bikinis," Robinett said.

Justin Bieber performs at Perth Arena on Sunday as part of his international world tour.

"One girl who was gorgeous looking, with long dark hair and would have been about a size 14. Justin looked over at her and said 'What are you, Hawaiian or something?' She said `No, I'm not'. Then he said 'You look like a beached whale' ... The girl said 'Are you serious' and he said 'You should go on The Biggest Loser.' ... The whole pool deck heard him call this beautiful young girl a beached whale. Everyone heard. And there was silence. It was almost like his security were used to it."

Robinett, who works in Melbourne as an image consultant and was in Perth on business, said the girl looked "deflated" after the abuse.

Robinett's daughter, Gabrielle Blair, 21, said the girl was "almost in tears" after the exchange.

"The girl and her friends left the pool deck after that," Robinett said. "I looked at her and said "on't you take that on. That has nothing to do with you.' I made a complaint to the hotel, and they said the girl was OK and she was a Bieber fan. She may appear OK, but I work in styling and fashion, I know how women view their bodies, what body image issues women have.

"That kind of comment can have a serious impact and repercussion. That's why I'm so upset about it. I'm bloody angry. He's nothing without his fan base.

And he's abusing them. The girl next to me said 'I can't believe he just said that, he's my idol' and I said 'Well get yourself a new idol.'"

Justin Bieber and his entourage hanging by the pool at the Perth Hyatt Regency. Source: Supplied

Robinett said Bieber also jumped into the pool from an upper level.

"There were two little boys having a ball around the pool and Justin said 'Hey kids, don't do this' and then jumped into the pool," Robinett said. "He did it twice. These impressionable little boys who saw him jumping into the pool and behaving like that. There was a heavily pregnant woman at the pool who heard him call someone else a beached whale, how did she feel hearing him say that?"

Robinett said Bieber's security team insisted no one at the pool take photographs - although she managed to snap Bieber and his entourage.

The hotel had closed the pool and gym for Bieber's use on Saturday, but he mixed with the public on Sunday - hours before his final Australian concert.

"I understand he's 19, he's surrounded by meatheads who pander to his every need. He's immature, he needs leadership and guidance. He may come through, I hope he lives long enough to learn some lessons and do some good things," Robinett said.

"He needs some leadership. Someone should be guiding him to not speak to women like that."

A bodyguard for Justin Bieber has been filmed kicking and threatening to slash the tyres of a parazzo in Sydney. Courtesy Aussie/LiveLeak

Bieber flies out of Australia today; the Perth show was the last date of his world tour.

Hyatt Regency marketing communications manager Rachelle Taylor would not confirm the hotel had received a complaint.

"We are a hotel, we have hundreds of guests staying with us, we simply cannot speak on behalf of every single guest that comes in and interacts with another guest. But obviously we want all our guests to feel comfortable and not intimated by anyone. We have security, as do any VIP guests, they have their own security," she said.

Bieber's Australian tour promoter Frontier declined to comment.

cameron.adams@news.com.au

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Dwellingup bushfire now contained

A BUSHFIRE that was threatening homes in Dwellingup, south of Perth, has been contained.

The blaze, which is believed to have been started when a burn-off on private land went wrong, prompted a watch and act alert for people near Pinjarra Williams Road in the eastern part of Dwellingup.

But within an hour and a half, the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) had downgraded the alert to an advice, saying the fire had been contained but not controlled.

``There is no threat to lives or homes but there is a lot of smoke in the area,'' DPaW said.

Pinjarra Williams Road is closed from the Dwellingup townsite to the Bannister-Marradong Road, Boddington.

Motorists have been advised to avoid the area.

The bushfire, which was reported at 11:40am (WST), is moving slowly in a south-westerly direction and has burnt through 15 hectares.

DPaW said 30 firefighters were on the scene using a front-end loader, a bulldozer and water bombers.

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WA has worst childcare centres

Six of the 13 centres given the lowest rating under strict new national standards can be found in WA. Picture: file image Source: News Limited

WA has almost half of the nation's worst childcare centres.

Six of the 13 centres given the lowest rating under strict new national standards can be found in this state. The rest are scattered across NSW, Victoria and Queensland.

The WA centres - in Butler, Medina, Leederville, Geraldton, Willetton, and Armadale - were given a Significant Improvement Required rating under the National Quality Standards because there was an "unacceptable risk'' to children.

They have been named and shamed online as part of an Australia-wide overhaul of the childcare system introduced last year which lets parents look up the quality ratings on a national online register.

As part of the register, new National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care standards were introduced.

Community Services Minister Tony Simpson said WA's childcare sector had already been meeting some of the standards, particularly with child-to-staff ratios.

"Assessments are identifying areas where all childcare services can improve, and that's good feedback for them,'' he said.

"In the WA assessments so far, concerns related mainly to matters that were not of immediate risk to children but could become risks in the future.

"For example, more awareness was needed about emergency evacuation procedures, and educators could improve their knowledge of child protection.''

Mr Simpson said each service got a report outlining how they could improve their rating.

"To meet the standard, services must show evidence of continuous improvement,'' he said.

"Those rated with 'significant improvement required' did not show such evidence.''

So far only 86 of the almost 1000 WA childcare services have been assessed. Figures to the end of September show more than half of them were "working towards'' the national standard, while only 18 had exceeded the requirements.

An Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority spokesperson said: "A Significant Improvement Required rating is issued when an unacceptable risk to children's health, safety or wellbeing has been identified during an assessment and rating visit.

"It can mean a potential risk has been identified and does not necessarily mean that health, safety or wellbeing has been compromised. "The regulatory authorities work closely with them to ensure issues are addressed and any risks are eliminated.''

The Sunday Times sought comments from all six WA centres requiring significant improvement. A director for Geraldton's Magic Cottage Child Care Centre said educators were dedicated to quality improvement at all times.

"The assessment process covers seven different quality areas, and within each there are many different sub-criteria, including 18 standards and 58 elements,'' the director said. "If just one area is assessed as needing improvement, the whole rating visit can be assessed as Significant Improvement Required.''

Loftus Recreation Centre centre manager Daniel Webb said their assessment had been based on the first audit to be undertaken after they applied for a licence for a holiday program. "We welcomed the provision of suggested improvements and since receiving this audit report, all matters have been addressed,'' he said

www.mychild.gov.au

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Qantas too important to fail - Bowen

Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen says Qantas is too important to fail and the Opposition would support government intervention in the carrier. Source: News Limited

SHADOW Treasurer Chris Bowen says Qantas is "effectively" too important to fail, and Labor would be open to the idea of the federal government intervening to help the national carrier.

But the government remains unenthusiastic about stepping in, stressing that Qantas is a commercial operation that needs to get its finances in order.

Qantas will shed 1000 jobs over the next 12 months, impose pay freezes and make cuts across the board as it stares down the barrel of massive losses.

It's blamed the strong Australian dollar, high fuel costs and Virgin Australia "distorting" the market, and says "government action" will be key in enabling it to keep competing on a level playing field.

Mr Bowen says Qantas has an issue accessing capital and the government could play a role "assisting" with that.

Qantas announced last week it would axe 1,000 jobs after a shock profit downgrade, flagging a half-year loss of up to $300 million.

"Of course we would want to see that minimised," he told Sky News on Sunday.

"But if there's a role for government to constructively play, we would lend our support to the government of the day to do so."

Labor did not agree that relaxing foreign investment restrictions on the airline was the answer to fixing its woes, he added.

Asked if Qantas was too important to the Australian economy to collapse, Mr Bowen replied: "Effectively, yes".

Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister Josh Frydenberg echoed these sentiments, but disagreed about the need for government intervention.

"We do not want it to fail, but it's a commercial company and it needs to get its house in order and make the adjustments necessary so it can return to a profit," he told Sky News.

He noted Qantas was competing on an uneven playing field against Virgin, but added that the national carrier could be assisted to the tune of $100 million if the carbon tax was abolished.

Mr Frydenberg disagreed with Labor's "default position" that government should provide a bailout when companies ran into trouble.

"Our default position is to say leave it to business, leave it to the individual, leave it to free enterprise, and try to keep government's role to a minimum," he said.

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Perth hoarders putting public at risk

A cat seized by the RSPCA in November from a home in Perth's outer suburbs. The animal welfare group is prosecuting the owner for animal hoarding. Source: Supplied

AN increase in hoarding and cases of "severe domestic squalor" being uncovered in our suburbs is putting public health and safety at risk.

The number of West Australians living in filth has become so bad the Health Department has set up a working group to tackle the problem.

A recent survey of 41 councils by the Health Department's environmental directorate highlighted the need for a "consistent approach across local governments".

Do you know a hoarder? Send your pics to readerpics@perthnow.com.au

In particular, it said a policy that helped the offender seek help for mental health issues was necessary.

Some councils said they had at least 21 properties living in squalor.

The Health Department says hoarding poses a public health risk by attracting vermin and causing respiratory problems though odour or pathogens.

It also poses a fire risk.

"Severe domestic squalor is a term that refers to households that are extremely cluttered, in a filthy or disgusting condition, and where the accumulation of items such as personal possessions, rubbish, excrement and decomposing food creates an environment that jeopardises the health and well-being of the occupants," a department spokesman said.

"In addition, daily living activities such as cooking, bathing and sleeping are difficult or impossible.

"Extreme cases of severe domestic squalor can also impact on neighbours, such as the property being a fire hazard, emitting a foul odour or harbouring vermin."

The survey of councils found cases of hoarding and squalor were "extremely difficult" to handle and individuals "are often unaware of the negative impact their living conditions are having on themselves, neighbours and people or animals in their care."

The new working group is expected to include local governments, State Government departments like Housing and non-government agencies such as the RSPCA.

NSW, Victoria and South Australia all have policies in place to deal with the issue.

The RSCPA say the working group is overdue, with the charity struggling to look after the rising number of animals it is forced to rescue from hoarders.

"So often it's the RSPCA who can walk through the door because there's complaints of animal cruelty, but then we leave the person with no help," animal welfare policy manager Linda Soteriou said.

WA Local Government Association president Troy Pickard said the issue had become a significant burden for communities.

"It consumes considerable resources and often requires repeat visitation and compliance checks," he said.

"At the moment the legal framework around hoarding is very difficult to prove and it often takes years, if not decades, for local government to have any success."

The City of Cockburn changed its policy to deal with "uninhabitable premises" in 2011.

At the time of the policy change, the council was looking at spending up to $40,000 on cleaning four properties in a state of disrepair.

Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said the policy change included helping the offenders seek medical help.

"You can't always solve those problems immediately, but over time, they can be resolved by working with the people and getting them the help they need ... which is more proactive than going in and issuing infringement notices which are really a waste of time," he said.

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Surfers paddle out for shark victim

Coolum Board Riders Club paddle out in memory of WA shark attack victim Chris Boyd. PIC: Brad Cooper) Source: News Limited

The family of great white victim Chris Boyd arrive in WA, schoolies charged with drug offences, and golden honour for Damien Oliver.

QUEENSLAND's surfing community farewelled one of their "favourite sons" on Sunday after he was taken in a deadly shark attack in Western Australia last month.

More than 200 family and friends celebrated the life of father-of-two Chris Boyd by joining hands on their boards in a paddle out at Coolum on the Sunshine Coast.

Warning about the killers stalking our shallows

Chris's girlfriend Krystle Westwood, read out a heartfelt poem farewelling her partner and friend Daniel Maudlsey shared speeches in the park to remember their mate.

"Today was one of the most incredible moments I've seen, it was very touching," Mr Maudlsey said.

"It was an amazing way to say goodbye to an amazing man.

"It's our first loss for many of us so it has hit really hard, like when any group of friends goes through a tragedy it is still hard for some of our community to hope, but we are just joining together and doing what we can to be supportive."

Chris Boyd moved to WA from the Sunshine Coast more than a year ago.

The 35-year-old plumber was surfing at a popular surf break Umbies off Gracetown, in Western Australia's South West, when he was killed.

Police said the shark bounced off another surfer's board before attacking Mr Boyd.

Mr Boyd's death was WA's first fatal shark attack this year, but came just weeks after abalone diver Greg Pickering was bitten on the face and body by a five-metre great white while diving off the coast of Esperance.

Gracetown has endured three fatal attacks in the past 10 years.

Changes to toughen up the way the West Australian government deals with sharks in popular swimming and surfing areas are set to be unveiled next week.

But any suggestion of a cull has come under fire, with scientists saying it's over-emotional and pointless, and that a surge in shark bite incidents off WA's coast are linked to growing human population.

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Day of prayer for lost Mandela

South Africans have gathered in churches, mosques, temples and synagogues to remember Nelson Mandela.

SOUTH Africans flocked to houses of worship for a national day of prayer and reflection to honour former President Nelson Mandela, starting planned events that will culminate in what is expected to be one of the biggest funerals in modern times.

South African President Jacob Zuma, flanked by Mandela's ex-wife Winnie and his grandson Mandla, attended a church service at the Bryanston Methodist Church in Johnannesburg.

Mr Zuma said Mandela "stood for freedom and fought those who oppressed others".

Former Robben Island inmate Ahmed Kathrada mourns the passing of his close friend, Nelson Mandela. Deborah Lutterbeck reports.

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At the famous Regina Mundi Church that was near the epicentre of the Soweto 1976 against white rule, Father Sebastian Rossouw described Mandela as "moonlight,'' saying he offered a guiding light for South Africa. Hundreds of people attended mass in the small church that still bears the scars of the conflict.

"Madiba did not doubt the light,'' Rossouw said. "He paved the way for a better future, but he cannot do it alone.''

During the service, worshippers offered special prayers for the anti-apartheid leader and lit a candle in his honour in front of the altar.

A national memorial service will be held at Johannesburg 's 94,000-seat soccer stadium on Tuesday.

Scores of foreign leaders and other luminaries are expected to travel to South Africa to honour Mandela.

Among those who have already indicated that they will be coming to South Africa are US President Barack Obama and his two predecessors, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will also travel to Johannesburg for the memorial service, the United Nations said late Saturday.

According to British media reports, the Queen will not attend the memorial after being advised to scale back on long-haul travel. Prince Charles will likely attend in her place.

The commemorations will culminate in Mandela's burial on December 15 in Qunu - the rural village where he spent his early childhood.

Mr Zuma has stressed that Sunday's services should move beyond grief and openly celebrate the legacy of Mandela who died Thursday after a long illness, aged 95.

"We should, while mourning, also sing at the top of our voices, dance and do whatever we want to do, to celebrate the life of this outstanding revolutionary,'' Zuma said.

A young woman signs a memorial book at Mandela Square in Sandton City shopping centre. Source: Getty Images

The president was to attend prayers at a Methodist Church in a predominantly white Johannesburg neighbourhood, while former president Thabo Mbeki was to join prayers at a synagogue in the city.

A large congregation was also expected at the country's largest Catholic Church in the once blacks-only township of Soweto.

The prayers were to be echoed a continent away in London, where Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, spiritual leader of the world's 80 million Anglicans, will lead a remembrance service.

Mandela's health had been in serious decline for some time, but his death still came as a deep shock to South Africans whose attachment to their first black leader was profound and deeply personal.

A young boy and his sister lay flowers outside the home of South Africa's former president Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa. Source: AP

Since the news of his death broke, his Johannesburg residence has become something of a pilgrimage site, with thousands coming to pay private tribute.

The mood has been by turns sombre and celebratory, with some leaving floral tributes and lit candles, while others danced and sang in honour of the man they affectionately knew as Madiba.

"To me it's not a sad day. It's a day of hope, for us to be able to determine the future,'' said salesman Khabile Mgangame.

Flowers, candles and condolence messages are seen in Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg. Source: AP

Mandela's family compared the loss of their adored patriarch to the trauma of separation during his long incarceration in Robben Island.

"The pillar of the family is gone, just as he was away during that 27 painful years of imprisonment,'' family spokesman Temba Matanzima told journalists in Johannesburg on Saturday.

"His presence was like a baobab tree that provided a comforting shade that served as protection and security for us,'' he said - referring to the massive tree with its famously thick trunk.

On Tuesday around 80,000 people are expected to attend, with Obama, the official memorial service in the Soweto sports stadium that hosted the final of the 2010 World Cup.

Mandela's body will then lie in state for three days from Wednesday, with his coffin taken in a cortege through the streets of Pretoria each morning to allow as many people as possible to say farewell.

Crowds of people come to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela outside his Johannesburg home. Source: Getty Images

France's Francois Hollande will be among the other world leaders flying in over the next few days to pay their respects.

The organisational and security logistics are daunting, and the military has cancelled leave for troops and reservists to help with crowd control.

One of the towering figures of the 20th century, Mandela's reputation was truly global, and his obsequies look set to attract a unique gathering of the world's political and cultural elite.

Tributes have poured in from every conceivable quarter, from the worlds of sports and entertainment, and from North America and Israel to North Korea and the Palestinian Territories.

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