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7NEWS
08-07-2025
- Health
- 7NEWS
Baldivis mum Danielle Green campaigning for mandatory genetic testing when young people die suddenly
Baldivis mum Danielle Green is campaigning for coroners to perform routine genetic testing on all young people when their cause of death is unclear. Ms Green spoke to the Sound Telegraph last year about the death of her children Sonny and Airlie from a rare genetic mutation called PPA2, which has been identified in less than 100 people worldwide. In 2021, Ms Green and her husband Leon experienced every parent's worst nightmare when their first child Sonny died suddenly, aged just nine months. Ms Green had taken Sonny to Rockingham hospital to be checked out but just 30 minutes later he went into cardiac arrest. He was transferred to Perth Children's Hospital but died a short time later. The coroner ruled Sonny's cause of death as unknown and it wasn't until their daughter Airlie was born in 2022 that they found out why. When Airlie was just five months old, she began suffering a familiar set of symptoms and then went into cardiac arrest. Medical staff at Rockingham hospital managed to bring her back and Airlie was transferred to PCH. Doctors could not find anything structurally wrong with Airlie's heart, so a series of genetic tests were ordered. It was these tests that led to Airlie being diagnosed with PPA2 and the reason for Sonny's death a year earlier being discovered. Airlie died in May 2024 after a cardiac arrest, aged just 18 months. Had genetic testing been performed on Sonny, the gene mutation would have been picked up and the Greens would have been warned about the risk to their future children. 'Unknown' is listed as the cause of death for about 40 per cent of all people aged under 20 who die suddenly, but about 27 per cent of all unexplained sudden cardiac deaths in young people involved genetic mutations. For this reason, Ms Green is now spearheading the Coroner's Project with Rachael Casella by her side. "It is horrible to even think about your child being cut up for an autopsy, and a simple genetic test could have provided that answer." In 2017, Ms Casella's daughter Mackenzie was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy and died before her first birthday. Ms Casella and her husband Jonathan began campaigning to make genetic carrier testing free for all Australians, and in 2018 the Mackenzie's Mission research project was announced. In WA, genetic testing is already used by the State Coroner's office but only 'if required'. Other States and Territories have their own rules around performing genetic testing but it is not mandatory. Ms Green said numerous parents had contacted her since she shared her story last year. 'A lot of them didn't get answers when their child died or are still awaiting answers, and then once they've read our story, they found out that genetic testing isn't always done,' she said. 'A lot of people assume genetic testing is done.' Ms Green points to Kathleen Folbigg, who in 2003 was wrongly convicted of murdering her four infant children, as an example of where genetic testing could have prevented years of heartbreak. 'It breaks my heart just thinking about her, because that could have easily been me if my children had died in the home. I could have potentially gone down the same path,' Ms Green said. 'Already as the parent, you're sitting there, questioning, blaming yourself every moment. 'And when the coronial police come, they're taking photos, statements, questioning you and I don't think they try to make you feel that way, but you do automatically start going 'oh my God, I'm a criminal'. 'They've got to do their investigation, but the last thing you want to do is give a statement or watch them take photos of your child for their autopsy.' Ms Green said consent and the cost of genetic testing had been given as reasons why it was not routinely offered after a sudden death. 'You know, with both my children, they've removed their brains and they sent them off to America, and I don't understand why they did that, because we knew what happened,' she said. 'And then imagining the cost of that is crazy. And you're just like, why? It is horrible to even think about your child being cut up for an autopsy, and a simple genetic test could have provided that answer.' The cost of genetic testing is estimated to be about $4000 but decreases every year. Last year, then-health minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said WA was looking at updating its model of care, but no progress or announcements have been made since. Ms Green and Ms Casella have a petition pushing for Federal, State and Territory governments to make changes to the coronial process. The Coroners Project is supported by several organisations, including Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Red Nose Australia, Australian Genomics and Mito Foundation.
Perth Now
08-07-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
WA mum campaigning after sudden death of her two children
Baldivis mum Danielle Green is campaigning for coroners to perform routine genetic testing on all young people when their cause of death is unclear. Ms Green spoke to the Sound Telegraph last year about the death of her children Sonny and Airlie from a rare genetic mutation called PPA2, which has been identified in less than 100 people worldwide. In 2021, Ms Green and her husband Leon experienced every parent's worst nightmare when their first child Sonny died suddenly, aged just nine months. Ms Green had taken Sonny to Rockingham hospital to be checked out but just 30 minutes later he went into cardiac arrest. He was transferred to Perth Children's Hospital but died a short time later. The coroner ruled Sonny's cause of death as unknown and it wasn't until their daughter Airlie was born in 2022 that they found out why. Jonathan and Rachael Casella weren't told they could undergo genetic screening before conceiving. Credit: AAP When Airlie was just five months old, she began suffering a familiar set of symptoms and then went into cardiac arrest. Medical staff at Rockingham hospital managed to bring her back and Airlie was transferred to PCH. Doctors could not find anything structurally wrong with Airlie's heart, so a series of genetic tests were ordered. It was these tests that led to Airlie being diagnosed with PPA2 and the reason for Sonny's death a year earlier being discovered. Airlie died in May 2024 after a cardiac arrest, aged just 18 months. Had genetic testing been performed on Sonny, the gene mutation would have been picked up and the Greens would have been warned about the risk to their future children. 'Unknown' is listed as the cause of death for about 40 per cent of all people aged under 20 who die suddenly, but about 27 per cent of all unexplained sudden cardiac deaths in young people involved genetic mutations. For this reason, Ms Green is now spearheading the Coroner's Project with Rachael Casella by her side. It is horrible to even think about your child being cut up for an autopsy, and a simple genetic test could have provided that answer. In 2017, Ms Casella's daughter Mackenzie was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy and died before her first birthday. Ms Casella and her husband Jonathan began campaigning to make genetic carrier testing free for all Australians, and in 2018 the Mackenzie's Mission research project was announced. In WA, genetic testing is already used by the State Coroner's office but only 'if required'. Other States and Territories have their own rules around performing genetic testing but it is not mandatory. Ms Green said numerous parents had contacted her since she shared her story last year. 'A lot of them didn't get answers when their child died or are still awaiting answers, and then once they've read our story, they found out that genetic testing isn't always done,' she said. 'A lot of people assume genetic testing is done.' Ms Green points to Kathleen Folbigg, who in 2003 was wrongly convicted of murdering her four infant children, as an example of where genetic testing could have prevented years of heartbreak. 'It breaks my heart just thinking about her, because that could have easily been me if my children had died in the home. I could have potentially gone down the same path,' Ms Green said. 'Already as the parent, you're sitting there, questioning, blaming yourself every moment. 'And when the coronial police come, they're taking photos, statements, questioning you and I don't think they try to make you feel that way, but you do automatically start going 'oh my God, I'm a criminal'. 'They've got to do their investigation, but the last thing you want to do is give a statement or watch them take photos of your child for their autopsy.' Ms Green said consent and the cost of genetic testing had been given as reasons why it was not routinely offered after a sudden death. 'You know, with both my children, they've removed their brains and they sent them off to America, and I don't understand why they did that, because we knew what happened,' she said. 'And then imagining the cost of that is crazy. And you're just like, why? It is horrible to even think about your child being cut up for an autopsy, and a simple genetic test could have provided that answer.' The cost of genetic testing is estimated to be about $4000 but decreases every year. Last year, then-health minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said WA was looking at updating its model of care, but no progress or announcements have been made since. Ms Green and Ms Casella have a petition pushing for Federal, State and Territory governments to make changes to the coronial process. The Coroners Project is supported by several organisations, including Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Red Nose Australia, Australian Genomics and Mito Foundation.
Perth Now
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Decorated car pranksters reveal method behind their madness
Decorated cars at Kwinana Marketplace On Friday, it happened again: another unsuspecting car was hit by Kwinana Marketplace's resident pranksters. This time, the familiar plastic-wrapping job was finished with a rainbow unicorn theme. Last week, the perennial pranksters contacted the Sound Telegraph and revealed exactly how they plan, stage and get away with their schemes. The pair, who both work at Big W, have been playing out their pranks under the cover of darkness since November 2021. Due to immaculate prior preparation, they can now wrap and decorate a car in 'no time at all'. The pair — who, unsurprisingly, wish to remain anonymous — met in 2018 when their children began attending kindy together but really bonded when both their mothers died. 'I think it made us closer that we could relate and understand what a lot couldn't,' they told the Sound Telegraph. The latest: a rainbow unicorn themed car. Credit: Supplied 'We started having coffee after school drop-offs each morning and we still do it each day together now with two other mums. 'It's therapy before starting work.' Work is at the local Big W store, where the two mums started together on the same day in 2021. 'We're both a little crazy, so bonded more,' they added. The flower power theme. Credit: Supplied 'So lucky, it's actually an amazing place to work in general, the boss is so good and it's a fun place to work. 'They all love it and know to keep the secret from the person whose car is getting wrapped now and not say anything.' Usually the pair just prank each other, but the recent unicorn design was added to their boss's car on her last day working at Big W. The pair first came to wider attention when a photo of a car wrapped up and decorated to look like Mickey Mouse was posted on social media last month, where it received thousands of reactions. Other impressive designs made over the years include a Christmas-themed car complete with flashing lights as well as a hippy flower power theme. And the last word from the pranksters? Shoppers should keep their eyes out in the coming weeks for another Disney-themed design. The Christmas car complete with elf. Credit: Supplied
Perth Now
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
‘Gross use of public funds': WA council curbs legal policy
A controversial policy that allowed City of Rockingham councillors to use ratepayer funds to pursue defamation cases has been overturned. The policy was first adopted in 2001 to provide a 'safer working environment' for council members, although none have ever attempted to access the public money to sue. But after a concerns notice was raised in 2022, the policy was again debated by the council where it was hotly contested, passed six votes to five and readopted. It allowed councillors to access city funding to sue for defamation any 'person or organisation lessening the confidence of the community in the local government by publicly making adverse personal comments about council members'. At the May council meeting, Cr Kelly Middlecoat successfully moved a motion to have the contentious policy amended. Baldivis councillor Kelly Middlecoat. Credit: Supplied 'Amending the legal representation policy to disallow councillors from accessing ratepayer money to initiate defamation proceedings against residents in my opinion, was critical to rebuilding trust with residents, particularly given the community's strong opposition to the policy in when it was implemented in 2022,' Cr Middlecoat told the Sound Telegraph. 'The former policy did not include a financial limit that could be requested. It also extended to former councillors, a provision which lacks a clear connection to the ongoing governance and responsibilities of the council. 'This level of privilege stands in stark contrast to the support available to frontline workers like police officers and nurses, who do not have access to public funds for personal legal matters arising from their duties.' Cr Middlecoat said Rockingham's change was a proactive measure given upcoming changes to the Local Government Act would establish new safeguards to prohibit the use of public funds for legal costs. Community members strongly opposed the policy from the beginning, although council documents reveal that since its implementation no applications have been made for funding. Cr Lorna Buchan welcomed the motion after 'failing to stop the changes to the policy' in 2022. 'The reason I spoke out loudly against the policy and the changes is that it is a gross inappropriate use of public funds,' she added.
Perth Now
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Fix for Perth's most risky intersection
Traffic lights are coming to a Baldivis intersection motorists currently consider to be Perth's most risky. The State Government last week confirmed its pre-election pledge of a $7 million fix for where Baldivis Road crosses Kulija Road would be met when the State Budget is handed down in two weeks time. Authorities believe some form of flyover bridge remains the ultimate solution but traffic lights are on the cards in the interim, along with an extra westbound lane on Kulija Road that should cut the morning logjam caused by freeway-bound motorists. Drivers judged the Baldivis intersection the city's worst in the latest RAC annual survey released in February, saying the dog-legged junction gave motorists little chance to turn or cross traffic. Wellard resident Claire Cardew, who uses the intersection regularly, in February told Sound Telegraph there was a near-miss every other time she used it. 'There's very low sight lines, it's very hard to see what's coming at you and it's quite a high speed,' she said. 'There's a lot of guesswork and assumption; if someone's indicating right, you don't know if they're indicating right or if they're going straight.' But avoiding the intersection added six minutes to her regular commute, she said. Rockingham mayor Deb Hamblin said the city had advocated for an upgrade to the intersection for several years and had worked with Main Roads on a feasibility study before the funding commitment.
