Barry's farewell hits the spot

Barry Humphries performs as Dame Edna for his farewell tour. Picture: Supplied Source: PerthNow

CRUDE, cringe-worthy, over-the-top, tongue-in-cheek, flashy and laugh-out-loud funny - Barry Humphries has proven he's still at his best as he bids farewell to his touring days.

The energetic, sharp-witted 78-year-old took to the stage in fine form at Crown Theatre Perth last night to share some final side-splitting moments with a few of his favourite characters.

First up, there was Sir Les Patterson, who has given up politics for a career as a celebrity chef.

Flanked by a toned team of four dancers (The Condiments) he spat and spluttered all over those in the front row as he cooked up a "simple yet gourmet" meal of rissoles, told vulgar tales of life with his wife Gwen and targeted everyone from Gina Rinehart and Julia Gillard to a pair of latecomers to the show.

Though anyone familiar with Humphries' work would be hard to really shock, a few racist remarks, gross moments and seriously uncomfortable comments had some of the audience members squirming and even conjured a few gasps and disapproving clucks of the tongue.

A few too many "trouser coughs" from Sir Les later and we're introduced to a new character –his brother Gerard, a priest who proudly proclaims he has "touched" everyone he's ever met.

It's the ghost of Sandy Stone who changes the tone of the production though.

He delivers a haunting monologue, reminiscing about the past and leaving the audience feeling nostalgic and, perhaps, a little sad before the interval, which marks the calm before the storm that is Dame Edna.

Following a fittingly garish introduction, the Melbourne housewife turned "Gigastar" took over.

Covered in head-to-toe sparkle, the wisteria-hued wonder woman spent the majority of the second act singling out audience members to cross-examine and, of course, poke fun at.

"It's sad to think the rest of their lives are going to be an anti-climax," she quipped after inviting the chosen ones up on stage.

It's excellent to see she hasn't lost her edge.

The evening of song, dance and humour, staged on a stellar set designed by Brian Thomson, is a fine farewell for Humphries.

And as the legendary Australian figure takes to the stage as himself for the final curtain, it's hard not to wish he were pulling a "John Farnham" on us all.

* Eat, Pray, Laugh: Barry Humphries Farewell Tour continues at Crown Theatre Perth until February 10. Tickets from Ticketek.
 

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Two injured in out-of-control party attack

A 17-YEAR-old boy suffered a head wound after being bottled across the forehead at an out-of-control party in Singleton, south of Perth overnight.

A 54-year-old man was also injured after gate crashers arrived and began throwing bottles and pot plants, according to police.

Officers shut down the 18th birthday party about 1am following reports of unruly behaviour.

A Cooloongup boy, 17, has been charged with unlawful damage.

Police are still speaking with five males aged 15 and 19.

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Beach closed after shark sighting

Watermans Bay has been closed after a shark sighting. Picture: Natalie Slade Source: PerthNow

WATERMANS Bay was closed earlier today after a 3m tiger shark was seen lurking 400m offshore.

The Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter spotted the shark heading west about 11am.

The beach re-opened at noon.

It was the second shark sighting for the day with a 2m hammerhead shark seen at 8am about 7km offshore at the northern end of Garden Island.

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Dozens suspended in Harvard scandal

As many as 125 Harvard University students were suspected of helping each other in a final exam. Source: Supplied

AROUND 60 students at Harvard University have been suspended and others disciplined in a mass cheating scandal at the elite college, the administration said.

Faculty of Arts and Sciences dean Michael Smith told staff and students at the university near Boston that ''somewhat more than half'' of the cases under investigation ended with students being required ''to withdraw from the college for a period of time.''

''Of the remaining cases, roughly half the students received disciplinary probation, while the balance ended in no disciplinary action,'' Smith said in a campus-wide email.

When the scandal first became public in August, Harvard said that as many as 125 students were suspected of helping each other in a final exam.

The university said a large number of undergraduates ''may have inappropriately collaborated on answers, or plagiarised classmates' responses, on the final exam for the course''.

Harvard, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of the most exclusive universities in the world, with students paying about $US63,000 ($A60,700) a year to attend after winning a place in a highly-competitive admissions process.

Smith called the scale of the cheating incident ''unprecedented'' and said reforms were being drawn up to ''promote academic integrity and a deeper understanding of it within our community.''

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Hundreds rally to save Guildford Hotel

Sydney, Wesley and Bray Loveridge with Lilly Purcell, holding banners at the third rally to save the Guildford Hotel. Picture: Ross Swanborough Source: PerthNow

ABOUT 300 people rallied for the State Government and owners of the Guildford Hotel to get a move on with fixing the burnt-out, heritage-listed site.

The protest, organised by the Save the Guildford Hotel group, was held at Stirling Square, near the Swan Valley icon, and was the third rally since the venue was engulfed by fire in September 2008.

Group spokesman Ben Allen, speaking on the trailer of a truck, gave an impassioned opening address before letting the Swan Valley Winemakers Association (SVWA) and three local politicians from the Liberals, Labor and Greens have their say.

"It's now been 1615 days since that fire and anyone familiar with the situation knows there has not been one bit of restoration taken place," Mr Allen said.

"From a community point of view, we have a building with the highest possible levels of heritage protection and yet it's stood exposed to the elements for over four and a half years now. It is obviously deteriorating."

SVWA president John Griffiths said Guildford was the entrance to the Swan Valley and more needed to be done to protect and promote the heritage of the region.

Liberal Member for the East Metropolitan Region Alyssa Hayden was met with hecklers calling for the government to buy the building as she took to the microphone.

Ms Hayden said that could not happen while the owners were working towards redeveloping the land.

Member for Midland Michelle Roberts said if the Labor Party was to win the State Election in March, would "examine the possibility of purchase of that site if all else fails."

Member for the East Metropolitan Alison Xamon said the Greens would push for changes to the heritage act that would make owners of neglected heritage buildings liable for fines of up to $1 million.

The crowd of residents and business owners said they were sick of seeing the nationally heritage-listed hotel go through a "demolition by neglect" and continued their calls for a roof to be put on the shell of a building.

Mr Allen said he thought the rally went well and that the issue clearly was not going away.

"This is a State asset, this is a community asset and it is ridiculous, to lose this building we are losing more than just a building," he said.

However, last month when the rally was announced, owners Luke and Dominic Martino said they are progressing with expressions of interest for potential tenants in the hotel, restaurant and shopping aspects of the redevelopment now open.

The deadline for applications is March 29 and depending on if the right tenants are found, the Martinos hope to start works on the project soon after.

The site's property manager Jeff Braddock said before Christmas a major Australian hotelier and an international dining group had both expressed interest in the iconic landmark.

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Harsh endings for text-happy celebs

Lara Bingle with Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis in a photo she posted on instagram. Source: Supplied

LARA Bingle this week took to Twitter to break up with her boyfriend. But celebrities have been using technology to end romances since the fax machine.

Bingle publically tweeted this intimate snap with Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis.

Friends were quick to say this was a carefully staged "message" to fashion designer Gareth Moody that their

relationship was "dunzo".

She later fuelled speculation by tweeting: in Italian: "Il senso di una fine" (the sense of an ending).

Lara Bingle and Gareth Moody at the Caulfield Cup in 2012. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis Source: Herald Sun

The very public and humiliating break up is one of the first cases social media dumpings.

But celebrities have never been shy at using the latest technology to end romances.

Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine ended his brief fling with Jessica Simpson with a four word text: "Really busy. Need space".

Jessica Simpson was told by Adam Levine in a text message that he needed space. Source: Getty Images

John Mayer tried a similar approach when dumping Jennifer Anniston. He also chose a succinct four word text: "That's it - the end".

Actress Jennifer Aniston was left high and dry by musician John Mayer via text. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini) Source: AP

Taylor Swift usually writes songs after the break up, but she's also been on the receiving end of a techno-termination.

Taylor Swift has found her break-ups to be a source for many of her songs. Picture: Cameron Richardson Source: News Limited

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal reportedly split with her by text. That came after Jon Jonas dumped her with a 27-second voicemail.

Kevin Federline received his break up SMS from wife of two years Britney Spears while he was recording a reality TV show in 2006.

Pop singer Britney Spears ended her marriage to husband Kevin Federline in a text sent during a TV interview. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok) Source: AP

See the footage of Federline receiving the text here:

UK singer Cheryl Cole became sick and tired of her cheating husband, Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole that she sent a short text: Move out. It's over".

Carrie Underwood had her romance weith Gossip Girl actor Chace Crawford endede by text message. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Source: AP

And way before celebrities knew how to text, musician Phil Collins openly admits he ended his 10-year marriage to Jill Tavelman by fax in 1996.

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Aquila's port plan gets government nod

AQUILA Resources has received the green light from the State Government to develop Anketell Port as part of its $6 billion iron ore project.

Environment Minister Bill Marmion gave the nod to the proposed development, in which Aquila holds a 50 per cent stake.

The Federal Government will now consider whether to also approve the project.

The coal producer has been moving into iron ore and developed proposals for two key mines in the Pilbara region.

Integral to the project is the proposed port development at Anketell.

"The approval provides for the staged expansion of the multi-user, deepwater port to a nominal iron ore export capacity of 350 million tonnes per annum, subject to other non-environmental approvals,'' Aquila chairman Tony Poli said today.

The planned development of the port is crucial to Aquila securing the majority of the $3 billion in funding it needs for its iron ore project.

Meanwhile, Aquila has settled its lengthy legal battle with Brazilian miner Vale over the sale of the Perth-based company's 24.5 per cent stake in the Belvedere coal project in Queensland.

Mr Poli said the companies had signed binding agreements to settle all legal proceedings and disputes relating to Belvedere for $20 million, paving the way for Vale to exercise its option to buy Aquila's stake for $150 million.

The pair have been locked in a legal battle since 2010 about the valuation used for Aquila's interest in Belvedere.

Mr Poli said Vale was expected to wrap up its option to buy Aquila's stake during the March quarter.

Aquila's shares were steady at $3.12 at 1303 AEDT.

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WA dairy farmers come out swinging

WA dairy farmers have made their feelings known to Wesfarmers. Source: The Advertiser

WA DAIRY farmers have taken another swing at Wesfarmers boss Richard Goyder claiming the sector needs to sort out the "true value" of the industry.

WA Farmers dairy section president Phil Depiazzi has criticised comments made by the chief executive during the company's half-year reports this week that suggest the industry was not struggling because of cheaper milk prices, but instead was just a "market at work".

Wesfarmers wholly owns Coles, which was the first retailer to slash milk prices to $1 a litre two years ago.

"The issue with milk prices has gone on for far too long and now is the time for action," Mr Depiazzi said.

He wants the state's processors, supermarkets and farmers to sit down and find a resolution.

During the half-year report Mr Goyder said Coles was not to blame for the lower farmgate prices experienced by many farmers and it was "utter nonsense" it would lead to the end of the industry.

"This is quite simply a matter of supply and demand and if processors are prepared to sell milk to Coles and Coles can sell it to customers at a dollar a litre and make money, then that's our prerogative," a Wesfarmers transcript shows he said.

"And if farmers are prepared to sell milk to suppliers for the prices they do, then that's their prerogative."

Though the chief executive didn't lay the blame at the feet of the processors, he did suggest farmers should take it up with those organisations, which could then on-sell to retailers at a higher price.

"The farm gate prices are set by the processors, this is quite simply a matter of supply and demand and if processors are prepared to sell milk to Coles and Coles can sell it to customers at a dollar a litre and make money, then that's our prerogative," he said.

But Mr Depiazzi said those comments were wrong as there was no oversupply of milk in WA with farmers set to struggle to meet domestic demand again this summer.

"If it was a simple case of supply and demand, as suggested by Mr Goyder, then farmers should have received around 55 cents per litre as we did in 2008 under similar conditions," he said.

"Farmers have limited ability to negotiate prices with the processors, milk is a perishable product that needs to be collected daily and farmers cannot hold milk while they negotiate a better price."

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Rape charges for Jill accused

Jill Meagher's death shocked Melbourne. Picture: Supplied. Source: Supplied

THE man accused of the rape and murder of Jill Meagher has faced court charged with new sex offences.

Adrian Ernest Bayley, 41, is facing seven new sex-related counts linked to an attack on a woman in Elwood in November 2000.

Sexual Crimes Squad detectives have charged Mr Bayley with three counts of rape, two counts of intentionally causing injury, and single counts of making a threat to kill and unlawful imprisonment.

The charges came as investigators last night renewed their appeal for a witness who helped the woman to come forward.

They said the witness, a woman, drove a dark blue Hyundai Excel with sheepskin seat covers.

Police say the Hyundai driver stopped on seeing the woman jump from a car, and then drove her to get help.

The charging of Mr Bayley came days after police made an initial appeal for the Hyundai's driver to come forward.

After hearing legal argument in Melbourne Magistrates' Court, magistrate Amanda Chambers granted members of the news media access to the charge sheets.

Adrian Bayley has been charged with the rape and murder of Jill Meagher. Picture: Facebook

Earlier, defence lawyer Amanda Vasiliou submitted that details of the hearing should be suppressed.

She claimed that this would be so as not to prejudice the administration of justice in any further court hearings.

Mr Bayley is due to face a committal hearing next month in relation to the Jill Meagher case.

If he is committed to stand trial, that trial is not likely to commence before July.

In granting the release of the charge sheets to the media, Ms Chambers said details suggesting that detectives were going to interview Mr Bayley had already been publicised.

Ms Chambers said Mr Bayley was currently presumed innocent in relation to any and all charges he faced, adding that any potential jury would be bound by strict directions.

She said suppression orders in relation to the filing hearing were not necessary to protect the integrity of the jury system.

The husband of Jill Meagher, Tom, appeals for restraint as the man accused of murdering his wife appears in court

Prosecutor Patrick O'Halloran did not oppose the media's application for access to the charge sheets.

He told Ms Chambers that the brief of evidence in relation to the seven new charges would be served on Mr Bayley's lawyers by March 15. 

Jill Meagher's life in pictures

The search for Jill ends in tragedy

Mr Bayley will reappear in court for a committal mention in relation to the new charges on April 26.

On Thursday, Mr Bayley appeared in Melbourne Magistrates' Court via video link from Melbourne Assessment Prison for the application hearing by detectives.

The police application related to an interview regarding possible criminal charges and the examination of Mr Bayley for any possible distinguishing mark he might have on his body.

Bayley's first court appearance after arrest

An evil deed ends in a dark place

'Devastated' family can now grieve

Worldwide reaction to disappearance on social media

Leave your tribute to Jill Meagher

Magistrate Peter Reardon heard evidence and granted the police application.

Mr Bayley has been charged with raping and murdering Ms Meagher in Brunswick on September 22 last year.

A suppression order banning publication of any damaging or potentially prejudicial material about Mr Bayley - predominantly on social media sites - remains in force until March 12.

Police asked for anyone able to help the investigation into the latest allegations to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to go to the website, at: crimestoppers.com.au.  

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Shock resignation a blow to PM

Chris Evans with Julia Gillard last year. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: News Limited

• Minister and Labor Senate leader will quit
• Roxon to follow, according to claims
• Prime Minister faces reshuffle 

THE third most senior member of Julia Gillard's team, Senate leader Chris Evans, will announce his shock resignation as a minister and Attorney-General Nicola Roxon is reportedly about to resign from the cabinet.

According to the The Australian newspaper, Ms Roxon will step down from her portfolio and retire from politics at the September 14 election.

The reports were supported by tweets from Sky News host Peter van Onselen and Seven Network's Mark Riley suggesting Ms Roxon's impending resignation.

 "Nicola Roxon to resign from cabinet early tomorrow,'' van Onselen tweeted late on Friday.

Senator Chris Evans with US secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Perth late last year.

Ms Roxon's apparent departure comes on the heels of news that the government leader in the Senate, Chris Evans, will resign from the ministry on Saturday. His departure could lead to a battle to replace him as Senate leader between Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and Finance Minister Penny Wong.

In the Senate, the party leader is elected by MPs and traditionally from the party's Left faction. Senator Conroy has been deputy leader for five years but is from the Right faction.

Last night there was a suggestion Senator Wong would support Senator Conroy and become deputy, although some MPs were urging her to run for the top spot. A ballot would be held on Monday, if required.

Senator Evans is Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research. One option being considered by Ms Gillard is giving that post to Immigration Minister Chris Bowen with his nightmare portfolio going to Small Business Minister Brendan O'Connor.

Ms Gillard was still working on the changes last night and is expected to finalise the line up today.

Small Business is tipped to stay in Cabinet and some believe Treasurer Wayne Swan should add that portfolio to his job to elevate the importance of the sector ahead of the election.

Mental Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler may pick up Mr O'Connor's other portfolios of Housing and Homeless.

It is unclear if there will be a new Cabinet minister but there will be a new junior minister. Victorian Mark Dreyfus or Mike Kelly from NSW are among those who could be promoted.

There was no response from Senator Evans' office last night but his WA Senate colleague Mark Bishop confirmed his departure on Twitter.

"Resignation of Chris Evans a loss. Serious, hardworking competent minister. Unassuming, consistent and effective senate leader."

The low-profile Senator Evans has also been minister for industrial relations and as immigration minister dismantled the Pacific Solution, which Ms Gillard was forced to resurrect last year. He has been an MP since 1993.

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