'Best friends' die in Bali tragedy

A Queensland mother and her 14-year-old daughter have died in Bali, just hours after checking into their hotel.

A MOTHER and daughter who tragically died while holidaying in Bali have been described as "best friends" who did everything together by their family.

Noelene Gay Bischoff, 54, and Yvana Jeana Yuri Bischoff, 14, from Wurtulla on the Sunshine Coast, died after falling ill from suspected food poisoning early yesterday.

Noelene's mother Jean Bischoff said the pair were inseparable.

"They were so close, they lived for each other, they had a beautiful relationship," she said.

"Noelene worked so hard to make sure Yvana had everything she needed.

"Yvana was such a bright young lady, she was always getting As at school, she wanted to be a vet."

Overnight it was reported: A QUEENSLAND mother and her teenage daughter died yesterday in separate ambulances just one day after arriving in Bali on holiday.

Noelene Gay Bischoff and daughter Yvana Jeana Yuri Bischoff have tragically died in Bali.

Police say Noelene Gay Bischoff, 54, and Yvana Jeana Yuri Bischoff, 14, from Wurtulla on the Sunshine Coast, died after falling ill in the early hours of yesterday.

Australians still dying in Bali

The pair checked in to the Padang Bai Beach Resort in Karangasem, east Bali, on Friday for a two-day holiday.

Resort manager Vanni Bareato last night told The Sunday Mail the mother and daughter had spent the evening in Ubud before returning to the hotel at 8pm.

Five hours later a violently ill Yvana was desperately begging security staff for help, saying both she and her mother were ill in their room.

The mother was dead within 15 minutes, passing away en route to a nearby medical clinic. Yvana was taken in a separate ambulance to the Bali International medical clinic in Denpasar.

Police outside the room where the Australian mother and daughter were staying at Padang Bai Beach Resort.

Mr Bareato followed Yvana to hospital, where he spent time comforting her

"Don't worry, we are here, we are taking care of you, we are taking you to the hospital," he told the distraught teen.

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While at the hospital Mr Bareato was asked to return to the resort to collect the pair's passports.

"By the time I came back to get the passport I received a phone call that the mother was unfortunately deceased and the daughter was not on the right path," he said.

The teenager died a short time later.

"We run a small resort of 30 people and this has never happened," Mr Bareato said. "You cannot be prepared for something like this. It's unbelievable.

"We are shocked. Someone might have a heart attack or a stroke, but nothing like this."

Mr Bareato said the pair had told him they had both been vomiting but when he inspected their room looking for the passports he found no sign of any sickness.

"What we know from the taxi driver is they were already feeling sick," he said.

"This is what the taxi driver said to police.''

Noelene's niece and Yvana's cousin Grasienne Bischoff said the family were shattered by the deaths.

"Yvana and Aunty Noelene were very close, they did everything together. This was just another one of their adventures they had planned that wasn't supposed to end this way,'' she said.

"My immediate family are bitterly shocked by the trauma, we cannot believe it ourselves. We just ask for support from close family and friends at this time.''

Puts Darsana, manager at the Penta Medical Clinic in Karangasem, said the mother had died in the ambulance on the way to his clinic.

Police sources have told The Sunday Mail that Ms Bischoff and her daughter may have suffered a food allergy. Officers seized medicines, found in their hotel room, from Australia, which have been sent to the lab for analysis.

Late yesterday police arrived at Sanglah Hospital but autopsies are not expected to be conducted until tomorrow.

Padang Bai is a coastal resort on the eastern side of Bali, about 90 minutes' drive from Denpasar.

Additional reporting Leigh Van Den Broeke, Felicity Sheppard, Shaya Laughlin, Komang Ervian

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Suicide is WA's top teen killer

Dr Rosanna Capolingua. Picture: file image Source: News Limited

SUICIDE is now the most common cause of unexpected death among WA teenagers.

The revelation contained in a new report has already triggered a major investigation into youth suicide by the WA Ombudsman, The Sunday Times can reveal.

Eminent health experts say the fact that suicide now outranks car crashes and illness as the leading cause of sudden death among 13 to 17-year-olds was a cause for alarm.

Child death review data shows 39 per cent of youths from this age bracket who died suddenly between July 2009 and June 2013 took their own lives. This compares with 29 per cent from car crashes and 14 per cent from medical conditions.

"The Ombudsman (has) decided to undertake a major own-motion investigation into youth suicide," a spokeswoman for Ombudsman Chris Field said on Friday.

Responsibility for child death reviews was transferred to the WA Ombudsman in 2009. The state coroner is required by law to notify the Ombudsman of any unnatural, unexpected or violent deaths of children.

Of the 123 child death notifications for teenagers received by the Ombudsman since 2009, 48 involved children taking their own lives, including one child aged 13 and 18 children aged 14 or 15. Almost two-thirds were from the Perth metro area. One-third were Aboriginal.

Rosanna Capolingua, chair of the Governing Council for Child and Adolescent Health in WA, said she feared statistics for the second half of 2013 would be even worse.

"Something significant is happening to kids in that age group in WA and maybe across Australia for them to take their lives and we know that social media plays a big role in this," she said.

"I think parents are aware, doctors are aware, but sometimes we don't know what to do. As well as the bullying, social media encouraged children to dwell on negative emotions, such as pain and suffering. Suicide is heralded as a wonderful thing (on social media)."

She said early intervention was needed and we needed to "bust the myth" that talking about suicide would make the problem worse.

Michael Gannon, the AMA WA vice president. Source: News Limited

Australian Medical Association WA vice-president Michael Gannon said WA's mental health system was "collapsing."

"In the whole state we have got eight (mental health) beds available at PMH and another 12 beds available at Bentley and that's all we've got for adolescent patients," he said.

"Not only is there a reasonable amount of evidence that life just gets more stressful as every generation goes on and more difficult, these are also young people who unfortunately are increasingly exposed to illegal drugs which are extremely powerful in their effect on the brain and there is a higher rate of mental illness in people who are using illicit drugs."

Mental Health Minister Helen Morton said the causes were complex.

"We are working to ensure young people can access a dedicated youth-friendly stream of care and not fall in the gap between child and adolescent services and the adult system," she said.

Opposition Health Spokesman Roger Cook said he was "alarmed" by the figures, while Lifeline WA chief executive Fiona Kalaf said "families were often unsure about how to navigate the maze of mental health services."

Lifeline 13 11 14 (24-hour telephone service) crisischat.lifelinewa.org.au (online chat service)

Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800 (24-hour telephone service) www.kidshelp.com.au

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A hazy Sunday for Perth

Perth is shrouded in the smoke of a Denmark bushfire. Source: News Limited

Justin Gilbert was mussel gathering on the South Perth foreshore with the smoky Perth skyline in the background. Source: News Limited

Perth is shrouded in the smoke of a Denmark bushfire. Source: News Limited

Perth is shrouded in the smoke of a Denmark bushfire. Source: News Limited

Picture of the smoke haze across Perth. Picture: Kale Michael Heyes Source: Supplied

Picture of the smoke haze across Perth. Picture: Kerryn Briody Source: Supplied

Picture of the smoke haze across Perth. Picture: Ross Kirby Source: Supplied

PERTH'S lazy Sunday turned hazy this morning when a blanket of smoke covered the city.

The Department of Parks and Wildlife issued a smoke alert for areas from Walpole to Geraldton and inland to Toodyay and Mount Barker.

Did you take a snap of the smoke? Send it to us at readerpics@perthnow.com.au or tweet us - @perthnow

The smoke is from a bushfire that started in Mount Roe National Park, approximately 28km north-west of Denmark, on Friday.

The smoke is expected to clear by tomorrow morning.

If the smoke is thick, people should shut their doors and windows and turn off air-conditioners.

People with asthma and pre-existing respiratory, cardiovascular illnesses or diabetes should follow their pre-prepared treatment plan.

Smoke may reduce visibility on some roads and motorists should take care, turn on headlights and travel at appropriate speeds when travelling in these areas.

People with conditions exacerbated by smoke should take precautions in line with their medical advice for these circumstances.

More to come.

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Prisons minister points at Serco in escape fallout

Two prisoners who escaped at Geraldton Airport are violent and should not be approached, WA police say.

A NOTORIOUS rapist allowed privileges at Christmas and another fugitive were captured overnight as Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis was last night trying to contact the rape victim to apologise for the debacle.

The shambolic escape also resulted in Corrective Services chief James McMahon yesterday cancelling all non-essential prison transfers.

Cameron John Graham, 22, sentenced in November to 11 years jail for brutally raping a mother, escaped from custody after being flown from his Perth prison cell to Geraldton to be close to his family for Christmas.

Graham and another prisoner, Kelden Edward Fraser, 23, were captured after police used a plane to find their bush camp in the Mullewa area, near Geraldton.

Officers were deployed to the camp where they arrested Graham and Fraser just after 1am this morning.

The men were taken to Geraldton Police Station and have been returned to Greenough Regional Prison. Police say charges will be laid in "due course" and the pair will appear in Geraldton Magistrates Court later this week.

Mr Francis told The Sunday Times that he was "gobsmacked" to learn notorious rapist Cameron John Graham had been flown from Perth to Greenough Regional Prison at taxpayers' expense to be closer to his family for Christmas.

In a press conference today, Mr Francis said he understood the van door was unlocked and the prisoners were not handcuffed.

He also said he had not yet received a formal briefing on the incident, but that he was certain that would happen this week.

The brutal rapist was only a month into his 11-year jail sentence for a crime a judge found "difficult for a reasonable human being to comprehend."

Mr Francis said he felt for Graham's victim, who has subsequently left the country following the ordeal.

When Graham broke into the woman's home on January 15 last year he threatened to murder her children.

He then forced her to undress before repeatedly raping his terrified victim in her walk-in robe.

Afterwards he ordered her to drive to a nearby cash machine and withdraw $400.

"I am endeavouring to contact her and keep her informed and say I'm sorry for what happened," he said.

"I was gobsmacked when I found out he (Graham) had been flown to Greenough.''

"It wasn't until this happened that I even knew the department moves prisoners around the state to make things easier for their families to visit.

"The move for him to go to Geraldton wasn't sanctioned by me as minister or the Commissioner (prisons' boss James McMahon). Clearly the people who made the assessments on this got it wrong. I am led to believe it was some senior prison officers who made the decision. I am trying to find out (who)."

Mr Francis denied he had been missing in action yesterday as the fallout from the scandal continued. The Sunday Times understands he was moving house.

Earlier, acting-Premier Kim Hames appeared curious earlier in the day about his colleague's whereabouts when he was left to face questions from the media.

Dr Hames said: "I don't know where he is. He is not my responsibility."

"I don't know the circumstances behind Joe not being able to talk today. The Minister has a full understanding of the implications of his responsibilities as a Minister. It's up to him to make those decisions and up to the Premier to make judgments on whether those decisions are accurate or not."

The escape has increased heat on Serco, the private company responsible for prisoner transfer.

In a thinly-veiled threat to the contractor, Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis told The Sunday Times last night: "Of course I am disappointed in Serco. They are skating on thin ice.''

He also said today that if the company were good 'corporate citizens', they would foot the bill of the manhunt.

In the wake of the security failure, Commissioner McMahon also ordered a review of the prisoner transfer process, as the State Opposition called for a parliamentary inquiry into the debacle.'

Mr McMahon said that as a result of the incident only prison transfers approved by him would go ahead.

"At the department we take this very seriously. Our ultimate job is to provide safety to the community," he said. "We failed. The ultimate responsibility for that is me. Let me very clear about that."

He added: "I think it is an outrage. I am going to get to the bottom of it."

Mr McMahon also put Serco on notice. Serco was transporting the escapees.

"There have been a number of incidents that have come across my desk that have involved Serco," he said.

"Do I have concerns? Absolutely I do. And I am reviewing that in its entirety.

"I will be making my point very strongly and clearly to Serco that the minimum requirement I require of any organisation that are trans-porting people from a custodial perspective is that it needs to be done securely."

Opposition spokesman for corrective services Paul Papalia said yesterday Labor would move a motion calling for the inquiry when parliament resumes next month.

Mr Papalia said it was "inconceivable" that one month after starting his jail term Graham would be transferred from maximum security at a Perth prison - believed to be Hakea - to medium-security Greenough Regional Prison to be closer to his family for Christmas.

Mr Papalia said that Graham did not deserve the festive season perk and the "risks were too high''.

Mr Papalia said: " Corrective Services minister Joe Francis needs to provide the community a full explanation as to why this perk was allowed.

"When parliament resumes we will attempt to have this investigated and (we) want the government's support.

"In this case, it would appear the prisoner was transferred to Greenough so that his family could go and see him in prison - just one month after he was sentenced.

"This is a guy (Mr Francis) who chases publicity for self promotion and spin but is shy when there is an issue. I will be writing to the Minister and asking him for the specific process that occurs for transfers of Mr McMahon said a detailed investigation was also being conducted by Serco.

Mr Papalia said Serco should also be part of the inquiry.

"Serco has had a series of failures in the past few months,'' Mr Papalia said.

Graham was being transferred back to Perth on Friday when he kicked the door out of a prison van at Geraldton airport and stole a rental car at 1pm.

Fraser, 23, on remand at Greenough for alleged armed robbery, also escaped with him.

The car allegedly stolen by the pair was found bogged 39km north of Mullewa.

Police officers had resumed the search at first light yesterday after reports the escapees were seen refuelling at a BP service station in Cue, 651km northeast of Perth, about 8.30pm on Friday.

They were seen by police travelling along Great Northern Highway but disappeared 15km north of Mount Magnet.

About 2.30am, police spotted the car on the Geraldton-Mount Magnet Rd heading east. A car chase ensued but officers lost them.

Police last night used helicopters and night-vision equipment to locate the men.

Serco declined to comment.

Corrective Services Commissioner James McMahon faces the media today. Source: News Limited

CCTV from BP Cue petrol station showing escapee Cameron John Graham wearing orange cap and dark T shirt with "LA" in large letters on the front. Source: Supplied

Kelden Edward Fraser, 23, who escaped from a prison van in Geraldton. Source: Supplied

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Hewitt beats Federer in Brisbane final

Lleyton Hewitt in action against Roger Federer at the Brisbane International. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: News Limited

LLEYTON Hewitt has caused a major upset by beating Roger Federer to claim the Brisbane International title.

The Australian, ranked 60th, made a surprising early jump on world No.6 Federer and then capitalised for a 6-1 4-6 6-3 win in a final lasting two hours and eight minutes.

Federer had an uncharacteristically poor first set in which he committed 22 unforced errors to Hewitt's three.

Hewitt shocked the 17-time Grand Slam champion - and the packed stands at Pat Rafter Arena - when he jumped out to a 4-1 lead.

Federer fought off four break points in the seventh game but when the Australian converted the fifth, he claimed the first set, lasting just 27 minutes.

Federer grabbed his first break point of the match in the fifth game of the second set, but Hewitt saved it with a superb lunging volley and he went on to hold serve.

Federer fought off a break point for 4-4 and, with Hewitt 40-0 up in the next game, the Swiss player clawed his way back to make the decisive break before holding comfortably to claim the set.

Hewitt saved four break points to open the third set and then broke his opponent for 3-1 when Federer sent a forehand wide.

Federer failed to convert three more break points along the way and Hewitt served for the match, claiming the trophy when Federer netted a backhand.

Hewitt's impressive performance followed his gruelling three-set semi-final upset of Japanese world No.17 Kei Nishikori over two-and-a-half hours in brutal heat on Saturday.

Federer also had played a three setter, but he dispensed French semi-final opponent Jeremy Chardy in less than two hours once temperatures had eased a little.

In a battle of 32-year-olds, their 27th meeting, Hewitt secured his ninth victory over Federer and first since winning the final in Halle in 2010.

The win could send Hewitt into the Australian Open as the nation's No.1 by lifting his ranking into the 40s, while world No.51 Bernard Tomic must defend championship points in Sydney this week.

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Passengers rescued from trapped ship

Professor Chris Turney, his crew and passengers on the Akademik Shokalskiy are finally rescued by helicopter after a tense wait in the Antarctic. Courtesy Chris Turney/YouTube/Vine.

ALL 52 passengers have been airlifted from a Russian research vessel icebound in Antarctica and are safe on board an Australian supply ship, rescuers said.

"Aurora Australis has advised AMSA that the 52 passengers from the Akademik Shokalskiy are now on board," the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said.

Passengers were flown to the Australian ship in groups of 12 by a helicopter from a Chinese icebreaker.

The Akademik Shokalsky has been stuck in ice since December 24 100 nautical miles east of the French base Dumont d'Urville, with several icebreaking attempts failing to reach it.

After a number of false starts a helicopter evacuation of the research vessel's passengers began on Thursday evening, with official confirmation that it was underway reaching AMSA at 6.15pm AEDT.

Help from above... A helicopter from the nearby Chinese icebreaker Xue Long picking up the first batch of passengers from the stranded Russian ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy. Picture: Andrew Peacock / www.footloosefotography.com

The Australian agency, which is coordinating the rescue mission, reported all passengers were safey on board the Aurora Australis - an Australian government supply ship - at 10.15pm, some four hours later.

Passengers were airlifted from a makeshift landing pad on the ice beside the Russian ship to an ice floe near the Australis.

Expedition leader Professor Chris Turney expressed relief that the wait was finally over.

"We've made it to the Aurora Australis safe and sound. A huge thanks to the Chinese and the (government's) Australian Antarctic Division for all their hard work," Prof Turney tweeted.

Rescue mission... The helicopter mission to rescue 52 passengers trapped on the icebound Russian research ship finally got underway in Antarctica on January 2 after a number of false starts and failed icebreaking attempts. Picture: Andrew Peacock / www.footloosefotography.com

A helicopter rescue was announced on Tuesday, but heavy rain and winds saw it shelved until Thursday morning, when a second attempt was foiled by unfavourable sea ice.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said the complex, multi-vessel operation would go ahead as soon as weather and ice conditions permitted, with the situation likely to change rapidly.

By late afternoon a favourable window had opened, with Prof Turney announcing that a helicopter from the nearby Chinese icebreaker Xue Long had arrived at the marooned ship to begin evacuating passengers.

"The Chinese helicopter has arrived at the Shokalskiy. It's 100 percent we're off! A huge thanks to all," Prof Turney tweeted.

His posting was accompanied by footage showing the Xue Long's red helicopter touching down on a landing pad marked out on the ice beside the Akademik Shokalskiy and an orange-suited rescue crew disembarking.

"If it all goes well we'll be off in about an hour's time," Mr Turney said on the film.

Sticky beaks... A pair of Adelie penguins  inspecting the scene as the first load of passsengers from the stranded Russian ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy wait for a helicopter. Picture: Andrew Peacock / www.footloosefotography.com

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority this morning said weather conditions in the Antarctic had improved and those marooned on the MV Akademik Shokalskiy would soon reach the end of their ordeal.

"Wind in the area is now down to 10 knots and visibility has improved. Weather conditions are expected to remain favourable over the next 36 hours," a spokeswoman for AMSA said.

"The helicopter on board the Chinese flagged vessel Xue Long will be used to rescue the passengers from the MV Akademik Shokalskiy."

A screen-capture from the Aurora Australis' web camera shows the ice-breaker approaching the Chinese rescue ship Xue Long  - here little more than a speck on the left-hand side of the image.

The spokeswoman said the mission to rescue those on board the Russian ship, trapped in sea ice around 1500 kilometres from Hobart since Christmas Eve, would be complex and was expected to take around five hours.

The passengers, including scientists and researchers who begun an expedition to Antarctica to study sea ice, were airlifted to safety, while the 22 crew will remain on board.

It is not yet clear if the passengers will then be brought to Australia.

Australia's Rescue Coordination Centre continues to coordinate the incident. 

Rain and winds up to 30 knots have delayed the rescue of passengers stranded on a ship off Antarctica.

The MV Akademik Shokalskiy stuck in Antarctic ica as it waits to be rescued. Picture: Andrew Peacock / www.footloosefotography.com

The MV Akademik Shokalskiy stuck in Antarctic ica as it waits to be rescued. Picture: Andrew Peacock / www.footloosefotography.com

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Clarke's injury a bizarre blow

Fremantle ruckman Zac Clarke has injuring his knee while on his Christmas break. Source: News Limited

FREMANTLE has suffered a bizarre injury blow, with ruckman Zac Clarke injuring his knee while on his Christmas break.

The Dockers expect Clarke, 23, to miss up to eight weeks of training after damaging his right posterior cruciate ligament at a concert in Victoria.

Fremantle football operations manager Chris Bond said Clarke was not expected to need surgery.

Clarke is likely to miss Fremantle's pre-season matches against West Coast on February 18 and the Western Bulldogs on February 26.

Given his limited preparation, the Grand Final ruckman could struggle to force his way into the side for the Dockers' Round 1 showdown against Collingwood on March 14.

Fellow ruckman Jon Griffin is also eyeing a return from his own knee injury.

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Thousands to join shark cull protest

More than 6000 people have registered interest in attending an anti-cull rally this weekend against the State Governments catch-and-kill shark policy.

MORE than 6000 people have registered interest in attending an anti-cull rally this weekend against the State Government's catch-and-kill shark policy.

Conservation groups and opposition politicians will speak at the protest, which starts near the Indiana Teahouse at Cottesloe Beach at 10am on Saturday.

Simultaneous demonstrations are being planned at beaches on the eastern states, as well as at Broome's Cable Beach.

It comes as commercial fishers have until tomorrow to bid for the contract to manage and patrol the baited lines.

Up to 72 drum lines will be deployed one kilometre from the shore off Perth and the South-West between January 10 and April 30.

More than 6000 people have registered interest in attending an anti-shark cull rally at Cottesloe Beach on Saturday morning.

Great white, tiger and bull sharks over three metres will be shot and discarded at sea under the $1 million plan, which was announced following the death of surfer Chris Boyd at Gracetown in November.

Western Australians for Shark Conservation (WASC), Sea Shepherd Australia and the Conservation Council of Western Australia will speak alongside the Greens' Rachel Siewert and Lynn MacLaren and Labor's Dave Kelly.

WASC has already confirmed it is planning to take "direct action" to ensure the drum lines don't catch sharks.

The Department of Fisheries warned anyone caught sabotaging the lines could be fined up to $25,000 or be jailed for 12 months.

Premier Colin Barnett holding one of the giant hooks that will be used to drum-line for large sharks along the WA coast.

WASC founder Ross Weir said his group won't stand for the culling of endangered sharks and there were people "willing to intervene".

Mr Weir said it was not to WASC's advantage to reveal how the drum lines would be "neutralised", but confirmed it could include the cutting of lines.

Asked if he was prepared to break the law, he said: "Yes, we do have many members who are prepared to break the law. We do have many members who are prepared to intervene."

Asked if he would urge the public to take direct action at the rally, he added: "Yes, we will be asking the general public to take their boats and to go out there if they feel strongly enough about it."

He said volunteers would be made aware of the potential repercussions.

Another group, Animal Rescue Team, says they have boats and divers at the ready.

Spokeswoman Amy Lee said it would take "non-violent direct action", adding: "The only thing I can say is that we won't be wrecking any equipment. If anything, we will be checking them and quite possible taking the bait off them."

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Mourners pay tribute to alleged punch victim

Irishman Thomas Keaney, who died after an alleged punch attack in Northbridge. Source: Supplied

MOURNERS at a Perth mass tonight held in memory of Irishman Thomas Keaney, who died after an alleged assault in Northbridge, have prayed for an end to street violence.

Family, friends and mourners gathered at St Joseph's Church in Subiaco to pay tribute to the 23-year-old barman.

Mr Keaney's life support was switched off on Saturday, 11 days after he was allegedly punched outside a kebab shop and hit his head on the road. The heartbreaking decision was made by Mr Keaney's parents, who flew to Perth from Ireland to be at his bedside.

His parents Tom and Ann Keaney were at tonight's service and conveyed their sincere gratitude to the people of WA through priest Father Joseph Walsh.

Mr Keaney, who is originally from County Galway, had been in Australia for just over year and was working at The Cure Tavern in Northbridge.

The church service was streamed live online so Mr Keaney's siblings and extended family and friends in Ireland and Chicago could witness the memorial.

Fr Walsh said Mr Keaney's death was a "horrendous tragedy" at such a Christian time of year and called for an end to street violence. He said everyone should find comfort in Mr Keaney's strong faith.

"One thing is absolutely certain - none of us want to be here. But we are here in numbers to celebrate the short, 23 years of Thomas' life," he said.

Fr Walsh said while Mr Keaney's family had suffered anger, hurt and disappointment over their senseless loss, they had also experienced extraordinary hospitality, warmth and support from their surrogate "Australian family".

He said Mr Keaney's parents wanted to thank everyone for their help during this awful time, including the Australian embassy, police, hospital staff, the Claddagh Association and those who had befriended Mr Keaney during his time in Australia, many of whom were at the hospital "every day and night".

The priest invited Mr Keaney's parents back to WA this time next year to "see us as we are" and said they had left a lasting legacy by graciously donating their son's organs.

The Claddagh Association, which assists Irish people during times of crisis throughout WA, is supporting the Keaney family.

"The Irish community have once again rallied around to provide that much needed support during this time of crisis for Thomas's family and friends," the association said in a message on Facebook.

"Our thoughts are with the family here and in Ireland, it is our wish that the outpouring of grief from the Irish in Perth is reflected in coming together to bid farewell to Thomas on his final journey home."

It is understood Mr Keaney's parents will fly home to Ireland at the weekend.

A fundraising event was held in Perth on New Year's Eve, with collection buckets placed in several well-known Irish venues.

Donations to the Keaney family can be made by visiting http://www.claddagh.org.au/ or https://www.facebook.com/Thethomasfund

A 22-year-old Girrawheen man has been charged over Mr Keaney's death and will reappear in court later this month.

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NYE murder accused faces court

A 23-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of James Dorloff at a Wedge Island beach rave party on New Year's Eve.

A 23-YEAR-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Kelmscott man James Dorloff at a Wedge Island beach rave party on New Year's Eve.

Joseph Robert Houston, from Swan View, is also charged with attempted grievous bodily harm and unlawful wounding of Tyson Cumming, who was also injured.

It is alleged Mr Houston slashed the victim across the throat with a machete after a fight erupted at the New Year's beach rave party.

Mr Houston, who is in custody, was not required to plead to any of the charges when he appeared in Perth Magistrate's Court today.

He was remanded in custody on a seven-day hospital order for a mental health assessment and will next appear in court on January 9.

The father of Joseph Houston, 23, talks to the media.

ACCUSED'S FATHER OFFERS 'DEEPEST SYMPATHIES'

The father of Mr Houston told media outside Perth Magistrates Court today his family gave Mr Dorloff's family their "deepest heartfelt sympathies."

"We don't know the full circumstances yet, but when we do, it will all come out in the wash," he said.

"Until then, please, just leave my family alone."

Wedge Island murder accused Joseph Houston,23, Picture: Facebook

Earlier, friends of Mr Dorloff, 21, took to social media to express their sadness over the New Year's tragedy, which unfolded on a remote beach about 160km north of Perth.

Their posts show a tight-knit circle of friends gutted by the events in Wedge Island.

"Thank you for riding shotgun through this car wreck that is my life," his friend Johnny Cady posted with a photo of Mr Dorloff.

"The maddest nicest most genuine cobba out always keen to party beyond sunrise drinkin 'n smoken with friend rember the good tyms with this loose kid! Next week Johnny have to catch up think a hug would do good x," a friend replied.

"Still can't come to terms, I'm in disbelief xx" said another.

Wedge Island rave party victim James Dorloff, 21. Picture: Facebook

Another friend Michelle Polette posted yesterday that her friend would be missed.

"Laying in bed with my eyes filled with tears knowing in not the only one broken," she wrote late last night.

"It's not fair how innocent life gets taking so young, you were a awsum mate to party with & a good bloke., pretty deverstating how people can't even have a good New Years with out sum dog bring weapons, hope the scum gets what's coming that did this RIP mate you will be missed James," Ms Polette wrote yesterday.

"Arhhh my body is just filled with anger!!!! Why do people think it's OK to take another's life! Why? This violence has to stop, it's so unfair!!!!! ;(((( see you soon enough James!!!!" Yvonne Ransom wrote on her page.

Mr Dorloff died and two friends - including a woman - were injured in a brawl at the remote beach on New Year's Eve.

The father of accused killer Joe Houston talks to the media after his son appeared in court charged with the New Year's Eve Wedge Island murder of James Dorloff. Picture: Kaitlyn Offer

Major Crime squad officers spent the day yesterday at the beach interviewing dozens of people who attended the rave party.

Forensic officers spent much of the day there yesterday.

A small community of fishing and holiday shacks makes up the Wedge Island settlement on the mainland.

Police were called to the beach at 1.30am New Year's Day, where officers were initially told a person had been seriously assaulted and that he was unresponsive and CPR was being performed.

Police and the RAC Helicopter were sent to assist the local medical team.

"Local police and detectives were deployed and upon arrival it was confirmed that a male person was deceased on the beach, and two other people were injured and required medical treatment," a WA Police spokeswoman said.

A man, 25, was airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital by helicopter with a serious arm injury and a woman, also 25, was taken to Joondalup Health Campus by road ambulance.

Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident are continuing and anyone with information is asked to telephone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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