The best place in WA

Perth model Fabienne Vanderhaeghen revisits the Toodyay Road House. Picture: Matthew Poon Source: PerthNow

IT'S easy to whinge about the winter chills, high cost of living or troubles with our trains, but most West Aussies wouldn't live anywhere else in the world.

That's because WA is home to some of the most naturally spectacular, sunshine-drenched and innately diverse places on Earth. And don't we know it.

To give you a mid-winter lift, 50 high-profile West Aussies are revealing their favourite spot in our beautiful state.

What's your favourite place in WA? Leave a comment below

Dale Alcock, Alcock Brown-Neaves boss: "My favourite place in WA would have to be the Kimberley. I have been fortunate to explore the coast from Wyndham to Broome twice and I would be back there in a heartbeat. I just don't tire of the majesty, drama and sheer spectacle of the Kimberley."

Tourists riding camels along Cable Beach in Broome. Picture: Supplied Source: PerthNow

Jenny Allen, chief executive of Youth Focus: "I love the South-West, especially around Dunsborough and Margaret River, where restaurants, galleries, wineries, attractions and gorgeous scenery are all there. Each time I go down to the area I find new things to do and never get bored."

Sally Ayhan, Channel 9 weather presenter: "Bunker Bay. It's some of the most beautiful coast I've ever seen. I love the quaintness of the bay, its pristine aqua waters surrounded by thick, lush bushland. Its cafe is a special spot for lunch  the freshest seafood served on the beach."

Colin Barnett, Premier: "My favourite spots are the beach at Cottesloe, where I walk the dogs, and Napoleon St for coffee. From a family holiday perspective, I love Toodyay. It's a lovely, historic little town where the shopkeepers know everyone by name, and Lyn and I spend as much time there as we can. We enjoy spending time at our farm there. Albany doesn't seem to be at the front of people's minds as a holiday destination, but whenever I visit I'm taken by the natural beauty."

Premier Colin Barnett on Cottesloe Beach. Picture: Karin Calvert Source: PerthNow

Caitlin Bassett, netballer: "I have many favourite spots in Perth, but one that pops to mind first is the Subiaco Farmers Markets at Subiaco Primary School on Saturday morning. They have stalls with local products and produce (my favourite sells the best porridge and they know me by name). It's always busy with people and their dogs, and live music."

Peter Bell, former Fremantle Dockers captain: "Broome. Usually we go up there as a family in the middle of winter to get some warmth. The solitude, space and clear skies at night to see the stars is a unique experience."

Rob Bransby, HBF managing director: "I'm really lucky to be living in my favourite place, God's country, otherwise known as the Swan Valley. I love being on the farm with my horses, then heading down to the local stock-feed shed and catching up on all the gossip."

Zara Bryson, stylist: "The amazing Hotel Rottnest. I headed over there to celebrate a friend's birthday recently and fell in love with Rotto all over again. The new-look hotel is laid back, chic and oh so inviting."

Josh Byrne, Gardening Australia presenter: "Hard to beat Rotto. Nothing better than a summer swim at The Basin, followed by a treat at the bakery then sitting at the Quokka Arms looking back at Perth drinking a cold beer. It's always a bonus if a mate has a boat moored as well."

Aurelio Costarella, fashion designer: "Cable Beach, Broome. It's the most idyllic location. A tropical paradise without leaving WA. The luxury suites with a private butler are the ultimate indulgence. Lazing poolside and pampering in the Chahoya Spa. Just perfect."

Malcolm Day, Adultshop managing director: "Yallingup is my treasured place to relax. I have a beach house on the hill overlooking Yallingup Bay and the main surfbreak out. I head down there most long weekends and for the Christmas break. Having Yallingup nestled among so many great wineries also makes it a great place to holiday."

Joel Creasey, comedian: "My favourite place in Perth is Applecross. I'm biased because I grew up there, but it really is beautiful. Great cafes, gorgeous views and women with Botox. Oh and my family. Perfect!"

Mike Daube, health campaigner: "King's Park. A wonderful place, beautifully cared for, right on our doorstep and perfect for walks. A joy at any time of year. Also, Subiaco  must be the perfect suburb: remarkably quiet for somewhere so close to the city centre. And Chez Pierre  splendid French restaurant in Nedlands, where the welcome, service and food make it easy to forget the pressures of the week."

Rayne Embley, WAG and businesswoman: "Andrew and I have been going to Broome for years and our absolute favourite thing to do as a couple is head to The Mangrove Resort Hotel to watch the Staircase to the Moon, which happens once a month. It's really romantic to sit under the stars together and enjoy this beautiful natural phenomenon."

Michael Gannon, AMA (WA) vice-president: "I love the vibrancy of Beaufort St and the many parks around Mount Lawley. Walking along our wonderful Swan River is something I love doing. As a child, I had numerous trips to Busselton and Geographe Bay. It has now become a regular feature of travel for my own family."

Ash Gillon, SKY News presenter: "The Ferguson Valley is the South-West's best-kept secret. My parents have a farm there so I'm lucky enough to escape to the valley regularly. This time of year the drive through the area is just beautiful, with stunning views of green rolling hills peppered with dairy cattle, orchards and vines."

Peter Greene, owner of Solid Gold Diamonds: "My favourite spot is under a certain tree in Kings Park because it was where I spent my first few nights when I arrived in Perth in 1971 after migrating from England."

Kim Hames, Tourism Minister: "One of my favourite places is on the Berkeley River in the Kimberley. It has some brilliant fishing spots and there is nothing better than climbing out of the boat and standing under one of the spectacular waterfalls."

Mariella Harvey-Hanrahan, Perth Fashion Festival director: "My favourite spot from a home perspective is Attadale where my family and I live. I love walking around the river and taking the kids to Troy Park for a kick and a run around. It's beautiful and peaceful. We also have fantastic restaurants close by and good coffee shops."

Brad Hogg, former Australian cricketer: "The quintessential experience of Perth is the cycling and bushwalking tracks. In many ways they define Perth for me  the openness, freedom and opportunities of a young and vibrant city. Regular sightings of dolphins in the Swan River are just as remarkable."

Michael Hussey, former Australian cricketer: "Rottnest Island. It's safe and great for the kids to get on their bikes and explore the island. It has a lovely coastline and great fishing. We also love the daily trip to the famous Rotto bakery."

Alison Jade, beauty entrepreneur: "I'm currently having a bit of a love affair with Beluga restaurant in Claremont. My fiance and I love seafood and they do it so well."

Samantha Jade, singer: "Cottesloe Beach. I've never been to a beach so beautiful in my life. I love sitting on the grass, having fish and chips, then having a nice stroll on the sand."

Glen Jakovich, West Coast Eagles legend: "Broome is the best place. Great fishing, best sunset in the world and the beer is cold."

Alex Kailis, director MG Kailis: "Exmouth. It has the tranquillity of open beaches matched with the opportunity for adventure. I mix snorkelling, boating, fishing and bushwalking."

David Karotkin, Australian Institute of Architects, WA president: "Rottnest. The moment you step on to the island, your stress levels just drain away. The sense of being away from it all is amplified by looking across the channel back to the Perth skyline."

Karl Langdon, sports commentator: "Broome. I love the climate and the fact mobile phone signals are poor so people can't get hold of you. But what I most like about Broome is it's a great spot for my favourite things in life, like fishing and mud crabbing."

Justin Langer, WA cricket coach: "The brilliant thing about living in WA is the beaches. That goes from the amazing places down south, to Cottesloe, to City Beach and Scarborough, and all the way up to the beautiful Cable Beach. Combine that with the sunsets over the ocean and it's a stunning place to live in."

Former Australian cricketer and coach of The Warriors, Justin Langer, has chosen City Beach as his favourite spot in Western Australia. Picture: Matthew Poon Source: PerthNow

Kristy Lawrence, Flannel designer: "Our Sunday mornings are spent at the Growers Green Farmers Market in South Fremantle. We stock up on all our organic fruit, vegies and meat for the week and the yummiest sourdough and quinoa bread. For holidays, nothing beats waking up looking over the bay at the 'Flannel Beach House' in Gracetown. Heaven."

Justin Linney, assistant creative director of Linneys: "Growing up in and being around Subiaco because (it's) a great place to catch up with friends, as well as discovering speciality shops and cool bars. If I'm looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, Eagle Bay in Dunsborough is it."

Nat Locke, Nova breakfast radio host: "Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park in Esperance. It is essentially the beach where I grew up, down the road from Mum and Dad's place in Esperance. It has the whitest sand in the world."

Alannah MacTiernan, Vincent Mayor and Labor candidate for Perth: "I love the vibe in places like Beaufort St and Leederville  I go there most days. And the Swan River is magic. But there is one place that transports me  the track between the Albany Port and Middleton Beach  especially at sunrise. Its dramatic beauty, its history and the extraordinary compassion of Attaturk's words of consolation to the mothers who lost sons at Gallipoli can bring tears to the most dry-eyed."

Melissa Marsh, basketballer: "Coral Bay, mostly for all the family memories. I love everything that comes with being way up north, be it the beautiful water or the magnificent outdoors. And I love seafood so Coral Bay is always great for that."

Wayne Martin, Chief Justice: "Any of the great camp sites along the Gibb River Rd in the Kimberley would be on my list of favourite places. It's a world-class environment with spectacular scenery."

Aly May, STYLEAID creative director: "Cape Arid is my favourite. The area is vast, isolated and more beautiful than I could imagine. I wondered why I needed to travel overseas when we have such rare and perfect places here in WA."

Edwina McCann, Vogue editor-in-chief: "I love the wine country around the Margaret River. And Eagle Bay is the most beautiful beach with crystal-clear water and dolphins. The restaurants around this area are exceptional, too."

Mark McGowan, Opposition Leader: "The back beaches of Point Peron at Shoalwater Bay in Rockingham. It is a wonderful place to kayak and swim."

James McHale, national ABC news anchor: "I love Dunsborough, Yallingup and Margaret River. You can stay removed from civilisation in a chalet in the bush and you're only a hop from world-class beaches and wineries."

Tim McMillan, Channel 9 News presenter: "I'd have to say Broome  it's where my wife and I enjoyed our honeymoon. We absolutely loved it  phenomenal beaches, great food, an interesting history and plenty to see and do."

Neroli Meadows, Fox sports reporter: "I can't go past the place where I was born. We had a hobby farm on the river in Collie, just out of town. Our veranda overlooked the valley and you could sit and watch the most spectacular sunsets."

Pamela Medlen, ABC news presenter: "Some of my favourite times have been nights out in the city with my friends. We always stop and snap some photos in front of the Council House lights. The building looks like a jewel at night."

ABC News presenter Pamela Medlen at her favourite spot in Perth, Council House at night. Picture: Jordan Shields Source: PerthNow

Chris Murphy, director, Kitchen Warehouse: "My favourite place is the Indian Ocean. Swimming, fishing, boating, or enjoying the view with a glass of wine, good company and a bite to eat."

Linton Partington, director, Linton and Kay galleries: "The Vineyard Kitchen in the Bickley Valley would have to be one of the most picturesque places in Perth. Set in the garden of the Brookside winery, it's the perfect spot to enjoy the winter sun."

Brad Pettitt, Fremantle Mayor: "Leighton Beach in North Fremantle. I love that it is such a huge expansive beach of white sand juxtaposed with the industrial backdrop of the Fremantle Port."

Peter Prendiville, chairman, Tourism WA: "Cottesloe Beach and North Cottesloe Surf Club have been part of my daily routine for 30 years, with a morning swim and workouts in the club gym. The Prince Regent River, via Broome in the Kimberley, is majestic and beautiful with its rugged landscape and waterfalls. Swan Valley, because of its close proximity to Perth in a rural location."

Donna Rendell, chief executive, Breast Cancer Care WA: "As an animal lover, my favourite place to be is walking along the dog beach, with my dog Kiki, between Leighton and Cottesloe. You can't help but smile as you watch all the dogs running around and playing."

Johnny Ruffo, performer: "I really love Crown. I've had many great nights out at Crown and Burswood Dome. And it's a great place to take my family when I come back to Perth for visits."

Lydia Tsvetnenko, fashion designer: "My favourite spot is Gala, a restaurant which is walking distance from my home. I love the food, the wine and the personalised service."

Zhenya Tsvetnenko, SMS technology entrepreneur: "Surfing has become my main hobby. I spend a lot of time at the surf beaches around Yanchep."

Dr Ros Worthington, philanthropist: "Lucky Bay, about 40km south of Kalbarri, is a place I have visited regularly since I was a teenager. Beautiful, pristine beach and just a great spot to totally chill out."

Fabienne Vanderhaeghen, Chadwick's model: "I consider the Toodyay Roadhouse one of my favourite places as it holds sentimental value. As a child, my family had a farmhouse in Dowerin, and the Toodyay Roadhouse was our one pit stop. The red dirt, gum trees and good old Aussie attitude is the best holiday anyone  child or adult  can ask for."

Perth model, Fabienne Vanderhaeghen, revisits the Caltex road house in Toodyay, where she has some fond memories with her family when she was young. Picture: Matthew Poon Source: PerthNow

What's your favourite place in WA? Leave a comment below

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Blitz on bully parents

A study has suggested that a 'parent police' team be set up to investigate bullying against teachers. Picture: Supplied Source: The Courier-Mail

A "PARENT police" team should be set up to investigate bullying mums and dads who attack school principals and teachers.

The controversial proposal comes after a three-year study on the health and wellbeing of 2000 school leaders across the country found they were regularly threatened with violence, with WA principals and teachers among the biggest victims.

Key findings from the study, by Monash University researcher Philip Riley, were obtained by The Sunday Times ahead of the report's release.

Dr Riley said each state should create its own independent taskforce with the power to interview teachers, parents and students about offensive behaviour in schools. He said it should have full legal powers and the ability to forward concerns to the police.

Other recommendations include more training for principals on the emotional aspects of teaching and more mental health support. But Dr Riley said the taskforce should be the priority.

"(This recommendation) is the most urgent: the need to look for the causes, and reduce the levels, of adult-to-adult bullying, threats and actual violence," the report said.

In WA, 46 per cent of principals said they had been physically assaulted or witnessed violence in schools. And 70 per cent said they had been threatened with violence.

Principals in WA, South Australia and the Northern Territory were the biggest victims.

Dr Riley said most of the threats were from aggressive parents.

WA Primary Principals Association president Stephen Breen said bullying and violence against school staff, especially principals, were getting to "a ridiculous point".

"We have a weekly occurrence of people who have been bullied or abused either physically or through Facebook," he said. "It is disappointing that employers do not take this as seriously as they should.

"There's a lot of stress out there because of this and it's negating people's enthusiasm for the teaching profession."

 He said something needed to be done to combat the violence.

"A review needs to be conducted or a taskforce needs to look at this," he said. "The teaching profession needs to be protected  they do it for a lot of other professions, such as police."

State School Teachers Union president Anne Gisborne said the aggression and threats by parents was putting people off the role.

"There is an ageing profile within the teaching fraternity and there is no doubt that when people are looking at aspiring to school leadership and they see school principals dealing with these difficult people and being threatened, that becomes a barrier to them pursuing that career path," she said.

WA Secondary Schools Executive Association president Rob Nairn said there was an "alarming trend" of bullying and violence against teachers and principals that needed to be addressed.

Education Department acting deputy director-general Lindsay Hale said no staff member should have to put up with violence.

The 2013 survey on principals' health and wellbeing will open to school leaders online this week.

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WA must choose stadium or public transport

The State Government is being forced to choose between between public transport or a new stadium for federal funding. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has told the WA Government to "determine its priorities" and decide what it wants more: federal funding for a new football stadium or more public transport.

The new 60,000-seat football stadium is expected to cost more than $1 billion and West Australians have been told it will be ready by the start of the 2018 AFL season.

But so far no federal funding has been guaranteed.

Mr Rudd said it was too early to make a commitment on funding the stadium because there were still "outstanding matters regarding the proposed Burswood site".

"It is understood there are currently different options proposed for new or upgraded stadium complexes in Perth, as well as outstanding matters regarding the proposed Burswood site  including total cost to the taxpayer, tender arrangements and consideration and cost of transport options," he said.

"The Government hopes to be apprised of developments as these issues are progressed."

The Prime Minister also suggested that Mr Barnett should be more concerned with honouring his state election commitments to upgrade public transport in the state.

Mr Rudd said his Government recognised that "Perth needs better public transport".

"That's why a further $500 million has been committed to assist the West Australian Government in delivering either light rail or a new rail link to the airport," he said.

 "It's time for the WA Government to determine its priorities and get on with the job of building these much-needed pieces of infrastructure.

"After all, that's precisely what they promised to do prior to the most recent state election."

Meanwhile, federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott opened the door for Coalition funding, should he win the election.

He told The Sunday Times he would be happy to "talk over" funding for the project with Mr Barnett the next time he was in WA.

"It would be good to have a world-class stadium in Perth to support any future attempts at attracting international events to Australia, such as the Commonwealth Games," Mr Abbott said.

"I will be happy to talk over the funding issue for the Perth Stadium next time I am in the west and meeting with Premier Colin Barnett."

Mr Abbott's deputy, WA politician Julie Bishop, yesterday also weighed in on the funding debate by pointing out that other stadiums around Australia had received commonwealth funding  such as $30 million towards the Adelaide Oval redevelopment and $10 million towards the installation of sports lighting at Simonds Stadium in Geelong.

While the Burswood stadium cost has been estimated at $690 million and the surrounding precinct $70.2 million, the cost of transport infrastructure such as an upgraded Belmont train station and footbridge link to East Perth will push the price tag above the $1 billion mark.

Faced with a tight budget, Mr Barnett's Government has already turned to the private sector to help fund the stadium.

"The state will pay approximately 60 per cent of the capital cost of the project (the stadium, sports precinct and some transport infrastructure works located within the precinct and thus included within the DBFM scope) during the construction period," a spokesman for the Premier said yesterday.

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Cricket's newest hero bowled over

Madi Hay celebrates Agar's half century. Picture: @tessamorley Source: PerthNow

HE's the man who captured the nation. And she's the young Perth woman who captured his heart.

When WA cricketer Ashton Agar saluted the crowd at Trent Bridge after his remarkable debut batting stand on Thursday, he blew a kiss to his girlfriend  University of WA law student Madi Hay.

Those sitting next to Ms Hay during the miracle innings said she tensed up with every ball.

"I had the pleasure of sitting with Madeleine Hay, the lovely girlfriend of Ashton Agar, who has watched every ball with nervous anticipation of this amazing day two survival innings of a young man on a fast track to stardom," Anna DeWinter, wife of Australian bowling coach Ali DeWinter, wrote during the match on cricket blog Girls on Tour.

"There were tears and a standing ovation on his 50 runs and every run since has been met with a heightened level of awareness that can only be fully felt by a significant other or close family.

"As 'cricket family' the girls sitting with her have ridden every ball with tears in our eyes as he edges closer to his 100, a dream come true for a man on debut."

Girls on Tour is a web diary by Virginia Lette, the wife of Australian batsman Ed Cowan. Ms Hay's father, Al, said his daughter got the surprise of her life when Agar got his first baggy green.

"She's over in England," he said. "She left last week  she didn't realise he was going to be called."

Mr Hay said his family had stayed up late on Thursday night to watch Agar's incredible effort.

The 19-year-old became a national hero when he came just two runs short of a century in his Test cricket debut.

He was named as a surprise-inclusion left-arm spin bowler for Australia's opening Ashes match against England.

Agar moved to Perth last year to take up a position with state team the Western Warriors.

He lives in Cottesloe with friend William Bosisto and his family. Mr Bosisto's mother, Helen, said Agar was a delightful person.

"He's been busy ever since he's been here and joined the WACA," Mrs Bosisto said.

"The success is through talent and dedication. We were all cheering him on."

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Miracle for 'locked-in' man

Peter Coghlan with wife Jade and mother Anne. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

TWO years ago Peter Coghlan was told he would never move any part of his body again, except for his eyelids.

A massive brain-stem stroke in 2011 rendered him paralysed and a prisoner in his own body.

Amazingly, the 35-year-old is now walking, speaking and working full-time.

Mr Coghlan, who has been nominated for a Pride of Australia medal in the Courage category, said he simply refused to accept he would never get better.

For more information, or to nominate someone for a Pride of Australia medal, go to www.prideofaustralia.com.au

"Walking out of there was something I intended to do from the beginning," he said. "I just wouldn't give up."

The Pride of Australia awards are an initiative of News Corp Australia, publisher of The Sunday Times, to recognise unsung heroes. Nominations close on Tuesday.

A former British Army soldier, Mr Coghlan had earlier battled Hodgkin's lymphoma, but beat the cancer after a year of intensive chemo and radiotherapy treatment.

He moved to Perth with his wife, Jade Coghlan D'Souza, in 2005.

But things again took a turn for the worse in March 2011 when Mr Coghlan had a stroke after hitting his head on a concrete kerb while helping a friend with a weekend plumbing job.

It wasn't until two days later that he realised there was something terribly wrong. "I went for a sleep for about two hours and when I woke up my face was a bit numb, my speech was messed up and I didn't feel right," he said.

By the time Mr Coghlan arrived at hospital he was paralysed.

The stroke had left him with a condition called locked-in syndrome - a devastating disorder where sufferers retain brain function, but are paralysed except for their eyelids.

Doctors told him he would never walk or speak again and would require high-level care for the rest of his life.

Mrs Coghlan D'Souza said watching her husband slip into a coma was the most terrifying experience of her life.

"He started convulsing and just went limp in the wheelchair," she said. "The last thing he said was 'I'm so frightened'."

Mr Coghlan was later moved from Royal Perth Hospital to Shenton Park for physiotherapy.

His only means of communication was an alphabet board.

His family would read out letters of the alphabet until Mr Coghlan blinked to indicate they had said the correct letter.

Mr Coghlan said he never gave up trying to move and six months after he arrived in Shenton Park, he walked out of hospital.

 "Eventually one morning my fingers started moving a little bit. I thought 'Bloody hell it's working', so I just kept going," he said.

Mr Coghlan said it was the support of his wife and his mother, Anne Coghlan, that gave him the motivation to carry on.

He now works full-time in an aluminium factory and has started a cleaning business.

But his real passion is helping those still suffering with locked-in syndrome.

"I would like every person to have the chance of physio even if they can't move," he said. "At the moment they are only selecting a few, but if everyone got the chance there would be more survivors."

He has documented his journey in online videos and a book called In the Blink of an Eye. He also emails encouragement to people with locked-in syndrome all over the world.

"Anyone 'locked in' can break out with the right physio, the right family support and motivation," he said. "Don't tell a patient they won't recover."

For more information, or to nominate someone for a Pride of Australia medal, go to www.prideofaustralia.com.au

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Gloomy Pilbara cloud has silver lining

A low pressure system over Newman. Picture: Fiona Webb / perthweatherlive.com Source: PerthNow

A low pressure system over Newman. Picture: John Stanners/ perthweatherlive.com Source: PerthNow

A SURFACE trough over the Pilbara and northern interior created spectacular cloud formations today, prompting weather enthusiasts to bring out their cameras.

The system is expected to stay in the region for the next couple of days.

In the rest of WA, a low pressure system is sitting near the Central West coast, moving east towards the Great Australian Bight tomorrow and Saturday.

Did you capture the clouds on camera? Send your photos to readerpics@perthnow.com.au.

Tonight a minimum of six degrees is predicted for the Perth area, with a morning shower or two.

There will also be showers and thunderstorms across most of the state, including possible strong gusts, heavy falls and hail with thunderstorms in the east of the state.

Last night a thunderstorm in the Goldfields hail caused parts of Kalgoorlie to look like it had been covered in snow.

Hail in Burt Street Kalgoorlie looked like snow. Picture: Travis Anderson/ perthweatherlive.com Source: PerthNow

STATE FORECAST
Friday July 12
Showers and thunderstorms about the southeast Pilbara, southern Gascoyne, and eastern parts of the South West land division, Goldfields, Interior and Eucla. Isolated showers will clear early near the west coast and contract to southern coastal parts by the evening. Possible strong gusts, heavy falls and hail with thunderstorms in the east of the state.

Saturday July 13
Isolated thunderstorms are predicted for the southeast Interior in the morning. Showers are expected in the southern Goldfields, South and Southeast Coastal districts and western Eucla, contracting to coastal parts by the evening. Isolated showers in the South West district which will become scattered by the evening after possible isolated thunderstorms later in the day.

Sunday 14 July
Showers southwest of a line Jurien Bay to Lake Grace to Bremer Bay and isolated morning showers about the coastal Eucla.

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Perth rent prices close in on Sydney

PERTH was the only capital to record growth in house rents over the quarter - up by 1 per cent - and unit rents rose sharply by 6.3 per cent, according to Australian Property Monitors Rental Price Series Quarterly report.

Perth's current median weekly rental for houses is $490. It is fast closing in on Sydney's $500 and based on current trends, is set to soon become the most expensive major capital city for tenants, the national supplier of property price data says.

Perth is Australia's most expensive city

Sydney's house rents remain flat with no increase recorded over the June quarter, however unit rental prices rose +1.1 per cent over the quarter and +2.2 per cent over the year.

"Rental prices for both houses and units have skyrocketed in Perth,'' said Dr Andrew Wilson, Senior Economist, Australian Property Monitors.

"Affordability constraints in these markets are motivating tenants to gravitate towards cheaper unit accommodation, however the consequence of this of course is that the difference between house and unit rents in these cities is converging," said Dr Wilson.

However, locally REIWA played down reports of rent rises, saying there were now 4200 rental properties on the market which was a significant jump in recent times.

"We have gone from a tight vacancy rate of just 1.9 per cent in December to 3.2 per now, and that puts us above the long term average with stock levels,'' president David Airey said.

REIWA data for the three months to May puts the Perth median rent at $475 per week. This was up by $5 on the March quarter and was generated by an increase for units and apartments. House rents didnt move.

"The data from our members right across the metropolitan area put the median rental for houses at $480 per week and units at $455 per week.

"But of course that means that half of all rental properties on the market are under that price, because the median is the middle point in the market,'' Mr Airey said.

Mr Airey said he expected to see a softening in rents for the second half of this year because of a slowing economy and strong first home buyer activity.

"Our mining-based economy and associated jobs is not as strong as it was last year. Separate to that, the significant number of first home buyers means that many tenants are leaving the rental system for a mortgage, thereby freeing-up more stock back into the rental system,'' Mr Airey said.

Mr Airey said that real estate agents had noticed a significant drop in the level of enquiries for rental accommodation and that long queues of prospective tenants at home-opens had vanished.

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Saints slammed for Milne selection

Stephen Milne leaves a court appearance last week. Picture: Getty Images Source: News Limited

SEXUAL assault victims' groups have slammed St Kilda and the AFL for the Saints' decision to select Stephen Milne to play while he fights rape charges.

Advocacy groups have also called on the AFL to develop stronger rules on how clubs deal with players charged with serious sexual assaults.

But former AFL great and TV star Sam Newman said the St Kilda forward had not been convicted of a crime and had a right to a presumption of innocence.

Centre Against Sexual Assault forum spokeswoman Carolyn Worth said AFL clubs were more willing to retain players charged with crimes if they were stars rather than lesser lights.

"Selecting Milne is a pretty dreadful message that they are sending," Ms Worth said.

"I have always thought the AFL have not come terms with sexual assault and the behaviour of some of its players.

"I don't think they quite understand just what role models they are for young people."

Ms Worth cited the example of Andrew Lovett who was sacked by St Kilda the day after he was charged with rape but later cleared of the charges.

Milne has missed three matches since being charged with four counts of rape and made a brief appearance at Melbourne Magistrates' Court last week.

He will next face court in September.

Andrew Lovett's lawyer Derek Humphery-Smith said from an employment law perspective the club had learned its lesson and not immediately dismissed Milne.

But the AFL umpire turned Lander &Rogers employment lawyer said he felt some St Kilda board members and sponsors would be uncomfortable Milne was back on the field.

"I think if the victim or the victim's family came out strongly against this then the board and the club would seriously reconsider its position," he said.

But Geelong great Newman said Milne had missed enough games and the club had every right to select him.

"He will suffer the consequences if he is found guilty,'' he said.

"We have gone from having a democratic country where people are innocent until found guilty to being guilty until you can prove you are innocent.''

Former Melbourne board member Beverley O'Connor said clubs needed more guidance from the AFL when grappling with serious criminal matters.

"St Kilda have handled this as best they can and it is incredibly difficult for both parties,'' she said.

"This should not be decided on a case-by-case or club-by-club basis the AFL should provide guidelines or some sort of blanket rule."

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said it was the league's policy that a player is only stood down once a case is committed to trial.

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Every pilot has a first time

Emergency crews respond at the scene of the wreckage of Asiana Flight 214. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) Source: AP

BOTH Asiana Airlines pilots were trying something new as Flight 214 descended over San Francisco Bay.

In the left seat of the cockpit sat Lee Gang-kuk, a 46-year-old pilot with 35 hours of experience flying a Boeing 777 who was landing the big jet for his first time at San Francisco International Airport. At his right was Lee Jeong-Min, a trainer making his first trip as an instructor pilot.

While the two men had years of aviation experience, this mission involved unfamiliar duties, and it was the first time they had flown together. The flight came to a tragic end when the airliner, which came in too low and too slow, crash-landed on Saturday, killing two passengers and injuring many others as it skittered and spun 30m.

The flight originated in Shanghai and stopped over in Seoul before making the nearly 11-hour trip to San Francisco.

A dozen survivors remained in hospital on Wednesday, half of them flight attendants, including three thrown from the airliner during the accident. One has been identified as 25-year-old Maneenat Tinnakul, whose father told the Thairath newspaper in Thailand she suffered a minor backache.

Another flight attendant, Sirithip Singhakarn, was reportedly in intensive care.

911 calls reveal plane crash horror

Parents of Wang Linjia are comforted by parents of some other students who were on the Asiana Airlines Flight 214 (AP Photo)

Meanwhile, fire officials continued their investigation into whether one of their trucks might have run over one of the two summer camp bound Chinese teenagers, Wang Linjia and Ye Mengyuan, killed in the crash.

Investigators trying to piece together what went wrong are looking at the pairing of the pilots, who were assigned to work together through a tightly regulated system developed after several deadly crashes in the 1980s were blamed in part on inexperience in the cockpit.

They will also be examining their working relationship, said National Transportation Safety Board chairman Deborah Hersman on Wednesday.

"We are certainly interested to see if there are issues where there are challenges to crew communication, if there's an authority break in where people won't challenge one another," she said.

Pilots are trained to communicate their concerns openly, she said, "to make sure that a junior pilot feels comfortable challenging a senior pilot and to make sure the senior pilot welcomes feedback in a cockpit environment from all members of the crew and considers it."

The NTSB has now concluded interviews with all four pilots who were aboard the plane.

Fire crews work the crash site of Asiana Flight 214 at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, (AP Photo/Bay Area News Group, John Green)

Hersman said Wednesday the pilot trainee told investigators he was blinded by a light at about 152m, which would have been 34 seconds before impact and the point at which the airliner began to slow and drop precipitously. She said lasers have not been ruled out. It was unclear, however, whether the flash might have played a role in the crash.

Hersman also said that a third pilot in the jump seat of the cockpit told investigators he was warning them their speed was too slow as they approached the runway.

And she said when the plane came to a stop, pilots told passengers to stay seated for 90 seconds while they communicated with the tower as part of a safety procedure. Hersman said this has happened after earlier accidents and was not necessarily a problem. People did not begin fleeing the aircraft until 90 seconds later when a fire was spotted outside the plane.

Hersman stressed that while the trainee pilot was flying the plane, the instructor was ultimately responsible, and thus the way they worked together will be scrutinised.

"That's what the airline needs to do, be responsible so that in the cockpit you're matching the best people, especially when you're introducing someone to a new aircraft," former NTSB Chairman James Hall said.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology aeronautics professor Mary Cummings said it's common for two commercial pilots who have never worked together before to be assigned to the same flight.

But she said the military tries to have crews work together more permanently.

"Research would tell you that crew pairing with the same people over longer periods of time is safer," she said. "When two people fly together all the time, you get into a routine that's more efficient. You have experience communicating."

911 calls from the deadly Asiana Airlines flight 214 crash reveal the drama on the tarmac

Jeff Skiles, a US Airways first officer, said that with the right training it should not matter if a pilot new to a plane is paired with a pilot making his first trip as a training captain.

"Everybody had to have their first time," Skiles said. "You can't show up and have 500 hours experience in aircraft."

Skiles was the co-pilot of the "Miracle on the Hudson" jet that lost thrust in both engines after colliding with a flock of geese. The skillful flying of captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and teamwork between Skiles and Sullenberger was credited for a water landing on the Hudson River that saved the lives of all aboard.

The January 2009 accident happened after the pilots had been paired together only four days.

Details emerging from Asiana pilot interviews, cockpit recorders and control-tower communications indicate that Lee Gang-kuk, who was halfway through his certification training for the Boeing 777, and his co-pilot and instructor, Lee Jeong-Min, thought the airliner's speed was being controlled by an autothrottle set for 252kph.

Inspectors found that the autothrottle had been "armed," or made ready for activation, Hersman said. But investigators are still determining whether it had been engaged. In the last two minutes, there was a lot of use of autopilot and autothrusters, and investigators are going to look into whether pilots made the appropriate commands and if they knew what they were doing, she said.

When the pilots realised the plane was approaching the waterfront runway too low and too slow, they both reached for the throttle. Passengers heard a loud roar as the plane revved up in a last-minute attempt to abort the landing.

The two pilots at the controls during the accident had also been in the cockpit for takeoff. Then they rested during the flight while a second pair of pilots took over. The two pairs swapped places again about 90 minutes before landing, giving the trainee a chance to fly during the more challenging approach phase.

The investigation is ongoing, and Hersman cautioned against speculating about the cause. But she stressed that even if the autothrottle malfunctioned, the pilots were ultimately responsible for control of the airliner.

"There are two pilots in the cockpit for a reason," she said Wednesday. "They're there to fly, to navigate, to communicate and if they're using automation a big key is to monitor."

As the trainee pilot flew, she said, the instructor captain, who is ultimately responsible for flight safety, was tasked with monitoring. The third pilot was in the cockpit jumpseat also to monitor the landing.

Crash survivor Brian Thomson, who was returning from a martial arts competition in South Korea and walked away physically unscathed, said he's not concerned about the pilot's lack of experience with the airliner.

"At some point you have to start at hour one, hour two. It's just natural. Everyone starts a career someway, somehow. Starts a new plane someway, somehow. They have to have training," he said.

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Triumphant Crawford rides into Footy Show

Shane Crawford finishing his Melbourne to Perth bike trip at the Footy Show at Crown Casino Perth. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: PerthNow

Shane Crawford completes his 'Tour De Crawf' at Crown Perth to raise money for breast cancer. Picture: Jordan Shields Source: PerthNow

Shane Crawford arrives in Perth's Hay Street Mall after his marathon bike ride across Australia to raise money for breast cancer. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

Shane Crawford arrives in Perth's Hay Street Mall after his marathon bike ride across Australia to raise money for breast cancer. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

Shane Crawford coasts down Greenmount Hill, about 25km east of Perth, on the last leg of his 3600km fundraising ride.  Picture: Theo Fakos Source: PerthNow

Shane Crawford coasts down Greenmount Hill, about 25km east of Perth, on the last leg of his 3600km fundraising ride.  Picture: Theo Fakos Source: PerthNow

Shane Crawford coasts down Greenmount Hill, about 25km east of Perth, on the last leg of his 3600km fundraising ride.  Picture: Theo Fakos Source: PerthNow

Shane Crawford gets a warm greeting in Cunderdin yesterday. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: PerthNow

Shane Crawford arrives in Perth's Hay Street Mall after his marathon bike ride across Australia to raise money for breast cancer. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

SHANE Crawford has ridden into Perth to finish his heroic 3600km charity bike ride to raise money for breast cancer.

After an exhausting trip, the former AFL footballer finally reached his journey's end as the Footy Show audience cheered him on at Crown Casino Perth.

"You're a legend Crawf!" someone yelled from the crowd who gathered to greet the weary Crawford.

At about 1.20pm today, Shane Crawford did what many thought was impossible. He had ridden from Melbourne to Perth in just 22 days.

He left the town of Northam about 9am today and pulled into Perth's Hay Street mall about 1.20pm to a crowd of
about 100 people cheering his name, many of them wearing pink and waving Hawthorn scarfs.

Gallery: Follow Crawford into Perth

"How's your bum Crawf?" one woman shouted, as he arrived in the Hay Street Mall complete with a police escort.

"You're a legend Crawf," another woman exclaimed.

Among those in the crowd were sisters Jonelle and Kristy Carlsson and their children.

They painted a teddy bear complete with a pink bike and hand-delivered it to Crawford as he rode into the mall.

"Just watching him visit all these small country towns on the way here has been fantastic, it's amazing what he has done," Kristy said.

Crawford, 38, cycled from Melbourne to Perth to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) in a campaign dubbed "Tour de Crawf."

He has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the charity.

Crawford will ride onto the set of the AFL Footy Show tonight as it's being broadcast from the Crown Perth Casino.

The four-time All Australian ran 780km from Adelaide to Melbourne in 2010 to raise awareness and money for BCNA.
He raised $600,000 in the process during the run.

Donations to "Tour de Crawf" can still be made through NAB branches, or via the BCNA website at http://www.bcna.org.au/events/key-fundraising-events/tour-de-crawf

Crawford rode ride into Perth via Great Eastern Highway and Guildford Road. He will travel down Lord Street, East Perth, cross over the Horseshoe Bridge, ride through the Hay Street Mall and then along St Georges Terrace.

Follow Crawford's epic journey

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