Latest news with #WestAustralian
Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Bailey Banfield Spider-Man pledge touches hearts
Narrogin Year 4 student Nicholas Reeves is a star who is shining a light on one of the Fremantle Docker's most cherished AFL rounds, with a little help from your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man. The nine-year-old, who battled leukaemia, will toss the coin to start Sunday's clash with St Kilda in the club's 32nd annual Starlight Purple Haze game. During one of his many long stints in Perth Children's Hospital for treatment, Nicholas met his Fremantle idol, Bailey Banfield, and another popular former Docker Tom Emmett. A game of snap led to a promise that Banfield kept in round 16 last season after kicking a goal in their thrilling one-point win over the Sydney Swans at the SCG. 'Bailey and Tom asked Nicholas if they kicked a goal would he want them to do a special celebration? Well he was a bit stumped but they were playing this game of snap and the cards they were using were Marvel cards and the one that turned over was Spider-Man so that was it,' Nicholas' father Scott said. Nicholas' spirits rose when Banfield goaled and turned to the camera to give him his special Spider-Man signal. 'He was over the moon, I have never seen him smile so much. Ever. And when it made the news , well, wow,' Scott said. Now in remission, Nicholas is one of six Starlight Purple Haze Hero kids, along with Paige McKay, 7, Mateo Domazetovski, 6, Demi Sattler, 6, Luca De Groot, 4, and Grayson Pianta, 4, who will take part in the day of celebrations which raises money and shines a light on sick kids. Dockers players will wear a special Starlight jumper to capture the spirit of the occasion. Fans can pledge any dollar amount for each goal the Dockers kick during the game and sponsor South32, will match each pledge dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. Purple Haze beanies will be sold outside Gate D for $30 and inside the ground, with $15 donated directly to the foundation. Starlight wands can also be purchased for $10 inside and outside the ground. The Dockers and their fans have donated more than $3 million to the foundation. Banfield did a spiderman celebration dedicated to Nicolas last year. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian Banfield described as a privilege the small but significant role he played in bringing joy to Nicholas and his family. 'It was a great game against Sydney when the celebration happened but the biggest part was it touched Nicholas and his family which is pretty special,' he said. 'This is a round the club gets around and it it's one our club and members love as well. 'The club and the playing group, men and women, really buy in and the fans can see that. 'Above all, they are just great kids. To be able to help them out at some of the lowest ebbs of their lives, and their families as well, is pretty special.' And will there be another celebration should Banfield feel lucky enough to kick a goal against the Saints? 'Nicholas has given me another challenge. It is similar to Spider-Man with a bit of an extra twist. I'll leave it at that and we'll see how we go,' Banfield said. 'As far as degree of difficulty goes, it's going to be harder than Spider-Man so I'm going to say it's a seven or an eight out of 10.'
West Australian
12 hours ago
- Health
- West Australian
West Aussie research breakthrough offers new insight and treatment options for rigid spine syndrome
West Australian researchers have made a breakthrough medical discovery in the fight against a rare genetic muscle disorder. Professor Gina Ravenscroft, head of the Rare Disease Genetics and Functional Genomics group at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, and Lein Dofash, PhD student at the institute and University of Western Australia Medical School, identified a new genetic cause of rigid spine syndrome. It's a rare muscle disorder that usually presents at birth or in infancy, causing spinal stiffness, muscle weakness and breathing difficulties in children. Most cases are linked to mutations in the SELENON gene, but the latest research found mutations in another gene, HMGCS1. It plays a role in the mevalonate pathway, which is important for muscle function, with HMGCS1 variants causing muscle weakness. The researchers found mutations in five patients from four families with links to spinal rigidity, scoliosis and respiratory issues. 'HMGCS1-related myopathy is a recessive disorder, in all the families,' Professor Ravenscroft said. It means the children with rigid spine syndrome inherited one mutation of the HMGCS1 gene from each healthy parent who doesn't have the disease. They then teamed up with Monash University's Dr Lee Miles and Professor Robert Bryson-Richardson, who are experts in modelling human muscle diseases in the zebrafish, to confirm the finding. 'Zebrafish are an excellent model to study muscle diseases since young zebrafish are see-through and this allows visualisation of the skeletal muscle (which makes up the bulk of the fish tail),' Professor Ravenscroft said. 'Because of the evolutionary conservation between humans and fish, we can model many human diseases in zebrafish in a timely and cost-efficient manner.' It also makes them ideal candidates for testing potential treatments for diseases. The researchers supplemented the fish with mevalonic acid, an important compound in the mevalonate pathway, and found it helped lessen the symptoms of rigid spine syndrome. The significant findings, published in neurology journal Brain, present a new pathway for treatment of the rare disease. 'If we could secure production of clinical-grade mevalonolactone (mevalonic acid), this could potentially be administered on compassionate grounds to patients with HMGCS1-related myopathy,' Professor Ravenscroft said. 'The next step is to identify further patients with HMGCS1-related myopathy to better understand the range of variants that cause disease and the range of clinical presentations that are caused by variants in HMGCS1.'
The Advertiser
20 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'They're monsters': teen's murderers get life in prison
A murdered Indigenous teenager's heartbroken mother has expressed her fury at his killers after two of his assailants were handed life sentences. Cassius Turvey, a Noongar Yamatji boy, died in hospital 10 days after he was deliberately struck to the head in Perth's eastern suburbs on October 13, 2022. Jack Steven James Brearley, 24, and Brodie Lee Palmer, 30, were convicted in May of murdering the 15-year-old after a 12-week trial. They were each sentenced on Friday to life imprisonment, with Brearley eligible for parole after serving 22 years and Palmer after serving 18 years. Mitchell Colin Forth, 27, who also stood trial in the West Australian Supreme Court for the murder of Cassius and was found guilty of manslaughter, was sentenced to 12 years. He will be eligible for parole after serving 10 years. Cassius's mother, Mechelle Turvey, said she was satisfied with the sentences handed to the three men as she vented her frustration and anger over the death of her son. "I wish I was a bit younger and had better knees so I could have jumped that f**king dock," she said outside the court on Friday. "They're all freaking monsters. "No mother should have to visit the grave of a 15-year-old innocent child who did absolutely nothing." The sentences were met with applause from dozens of supporters inside the court, while verbal abuse was directed at the killers. "First thing that come to mind after Jack Brearley was sentenced was how he said my son had learned his lesson after he had bashed him in the bush," Ms Turvey said. "He learned a life lesson now." Aleesha Louise Gilmore, 23, also stood trial but was acquitted of a murder charge. Cassius was with fellow students who caught a bus to parklands to watch a fight being talked about on social media. Brearley, Forth and Palmer intercepted them near the field and Cassius and other "terrified school kids" fled into nearby bushland. It was there that Brearley caught up with him, the trial heard, before the teen was knocked to the ground and hit in the head with a metal pole. Cassius was struck at least twice, the impact splitting his ear in half and causing bleeding in his brain. The attack on Cassius followed a complex series of events that started on October 9 when Forth, Brearley, Gilmore and another man who was tried on lesser charges, Ethan Robert MacKenzie, 21, "snatched two kids off the street" before punching, kicking and stabbing one of them. Four days later, Brearley and his co-accused allegedly armed themselves with metal poles pulled from shopping trolleys before climbing into Palmer's ute and driving off to search for youths before they came across Cassius. In sentencing, Chief Justice Peter Quinlan said the killers had cut Cassius's life short in a horrendous and vengeful act of aggression, violence and brutality. "Cassius Turvey was robbed of his life and of his promise ... all because you killed him, Mr Brearley," he said. Brearley had a complete lack of remorse and had lied throughout the trial, falsely accusing Cassius of knifing him and attempting to blame an innocent man for the killing, Justice Quinlan said. "Mr Brearley, you were the person who killed Cassius Turvey in that fit of rage and brutality," he said. "You went onto that field looking for someone, anyone to inflict serious injury on, and you carried out that intention with unflinching violence. "While you did not intend to kill Cassius Turvey, your attack was persistent and sustained and only stopped by the arrival of Mr Palmer." Palmer and Forth were at the scene and found to have a common purpose. The five defendants variously faced 20 charges over the events of October 9 and 13. The jury found them guilty of all except Gilmore's murder charge and a theft charge faced by Brearley. Gilmore was sentenced to one year and three months, conditionally suspended for 24 months. MacKenzie received two years and six months and will be eligible for parole in November. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 A murdered Indigenous teenager's heartbroken mother has expressed her fury at his killers after two of his assailants were handed life sentences. Cassius Turvey, a Noongar Yamatji boy, died in hospital 10 days after he was deliberately struck to the head in Perth's eastern suburbs on October 13, 2022. Jack Steven James Brearley, 24, and Brodie Lee Palmer, 30, were convicted in May of murdering the 15-year-old after a 12-week trial. They were each sentenced on Friday to life imprisonment, with Brearley eligible for parole after serving 22 years and Palmer after serving 18 years. Mitchell Colin Forth, 27, who also stood trial in the West Australian Supreme Court for the murder of Cassius and was found guilty of manslaughter, was sentenced to 12 years. He will be eligible for parole after serving 10 years. Cassius's mother, Mechelle Turvey, said she was satisfied with the sentences handed to the three men as she vented her frustration and anger over the death of her son. "I wish I was a bit younger and had better knees so I could have jumped that f**king dock," she said outside the court on Friday. "They're all freaking monsters. "No mother should have to visit the grave of a 15-year-old innocent child who did absolutely nothing." The sentences were met with applause from dozens of supporters inside the court, while verbal abuse was directed at the killers. "First thing that come to mind after Jack Brearley was sentenced was how he said my son had learned his lesson after he had bashed him in the bush," Ms Turvey said. "He learned a life lesson now." Aleesha Louise Gilmore, 23, also stood trial but was acquitted of a murder charge. Cassius was with fellow students who caught a bus to parklands to watch a fight being talked about on social media. Brearley, Forth and Palmer intercepted them near the field and Cassius and other "terrified school kids" fled into nearby bushland. It was there that Brearley caught up with him, the trial heard, before the teen was knocked to the ground and hit in the head with a metal pole. Cassius was struck at least twice, the impact splitting his ear in half and causing bleeding in his brain. The attack on Cassius followed a complex series of events that started on October 9 when Forth, Brearley, Gilmore and another man who was tried on lesser charges, Ethan Robert MacKenzie, 21, "snatched two kids off the street" before punching, kicking and stabbing one of them. Four days later, Brearley and his co-accused allegedly armed themselves with metal poles pulled from shopping trolleys before climbing into Palmer's ute and driving off to search for youths before they came across Cassius. In sentencing, Chief Justice Peter Quinlan said the killers had cut Cassius's life short in a horrendous and vengeful act of aggression, violence and brutality. "Cassius Turvey was robbed of his life and of his promise ... all because you killed him, Mr Brearley," he said. Brearley had a complete lack of remorse and had lied throughout the trial, falsely accusing Cassius of knifing him and attempting to blame an innocent man for the killing, Justice Quinlan said. "Mr Brearley, you were the person who killed Cassius Turvey in that fit of rage and brutality," he said. "You went onto that field looking for someone, anyone to inflict serious injury on, and you carried out that intention with unflinching violence. "While you did not intend to kill Cassius Turvey, your attack was persistent and sustained and only stopped by the arrival of Mr Palmer." Palmer and Forth were at the scene and found to have a common purpose. The five defendants variously faced 20 charges over the events of October 9 and 13. The jury found them guilty of all except Gilmore's murder charge and a theft charge faced by Brearley. Gilmore was sentenced to one year and three months, conditionally suspended for 24 months. MacKenzie received two years and six months and will be eligible for parole in November. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 A murdered Indigenous teenager's heartbroken mother has expressed her fury at his killers after two of his assailants were handed life sentences. Cassius Turvey, a Noongar Yamatji boy, died in hospital 10 days after he was deliberately struck to the head in Perth's eastern suburbs on October 13, 2022. Jack Steven James Brearley, 24, and Brodie Lee Palmer, 30, were convicted in May of murdering the 15-year-old after a 12-week trial. They were each sentenced on Friday to life imprisonment, with Brearley eligible for parole after serving 22 years and Palmer after serving 18 years. Mitchell Colin Forth, 27, who also stood trial in the West Australian Supreme Court for the murder of Cassius and was found guilty of manslaughter, was sentenced to 12 years. He will be eligible for parole after serving 10 years. Cassius's mother, Mechelle Turvey, said she was satisfied with the sentences handed to the three men as she vented her frustration and anger over the death of her son. "I wish I was a bit younger and had better knees so I could have jumped that f**king dock," she said outside the court on Friday. "They're all freaking monsters. "No mother should have to visit the grave of a 15-year-old innocent child who did absolutely nothing." The sentences were met with applause from dozens of supporters inside the court, while verbal abuse was directed at the killers. "First thing that come to mind after Jack Brearley was sentenced was how he said my son had learned his lesson after he had bashed him in the bush," Ms Turvey said. "He learned a life lesson now." Aleesha Louise Gilmore, 23, also stood trial but was acquitted of a murder charge. Cassius was with fellow students who caught a bus to parklands to watch a fight being talked about on social media. Brearley, Forth and Palmer intercepted them near the field and Cassius and other "terrified school kids" fled into nearby bushland. It was there that Brearley caught up with him, the trial heard, before the teen was knocked to the ground and hit in the head with a metal pole. Cassius was struck at least twice, the impact splitting his ear in half and causing bleeding in his brain. The attack on Cassius followed a complex series of events that started on October 9 when Forth, Brearley, Gilmore and another man who was tried on lesser charges, Ethan Robert MacKenzie, 21, "snatched two kids off the street" before punching, kicking and stabbing one of them. Four days later, Brearley and his co-accused allegedly armed themselves with metal poles pulled from shopping trolleys before climbing into Palmer's ute and driving off to search for youths before they came across Cassius. In sentencing, Chief Justice Peter Quinlan said the killers had cut Cassius's life short in a horrendous and vengeful act of aggression, violence and brutality. "Cassius Turvey was robbed of his life and of his promise ... all because you killed him, Mr Brearley," he said. Brearley had a complete lack of remorse and had lied throughout the trial, falsely accusing Cassius of knifing him and attempting to blame an innocent man for the killing, Justice Quinlan said. "Mr Brearley, you were the person who killed Cassius Turvey in that fit of rage and brutality," he said. "You went onto that field looking for someone, anyone to inflict serious injury on, and you carried out that intention with unflinching violence. "While you did not intend to kill Cassius Turvey, your attack was persistent and sustained and only stopped by the arrival of Mr Palmer." Palmer and Forth were at the scene and found to have a common purpose. The five defendants variously faced 20 charges over the events of October 9 and 13. The jury found them guilty of all except Gilmore's murder charge and a theft charge faced by Brearley. Gilmore was sentenced to one year and three months, conditionally suspended for 24 months. MacKenzie received two years and six months and will be eligible for parole in November. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 A murdered Indigenous teenager's heartbroken mother has expressed her fury at his killers after two of his assailants were handed life sentences. Cassius Turvey, a Noongar Yamatji boy, died in hospital 10 days after he was deliberately struck to the head in Perth's eastern suburbs on October 13, 2022. Jack Steven James Brearley, 24, and Brodie Lee Palmer, 30, were convicted in May of murdering the 15-year-old after a 12-week trial. They were each sentenced on Friday to life imprisonment, with Brearley eligible for parole after serving 22 years and Palmer after serving 18 years. Mitchell Colin Forth, 27, who also stood trial in the West Australian Supreme Court for the murder of Cassius and was found guilty of manslaughter, was sentenced to 12 years. He will be eligible for parole after serving 10 years. Cassius's mother, Mechelle Turvey, said she was satisfied with the sentences handed to the three men as she vented her frustration and anger over the death of her son. "I wish I was a bit younger and had better knees so I could have jumped that f**king dock," she said outside the court on Friday. "They're all freaking monsters. "No mother should have to visit the grave of a 15-year-old innocent child who did absolutely nothing." The sentences were met with applause from dozens of supporters inside the court, while verbal abuse was directed at the killers. "First thing that come to mind after Jack Brearley was sentenced was how he said my son had learned his lesson after he had bashed him in the bush," Ms Turvey said. "He learned a life lesson now." Aleesha Louise Gilmore, 23, also stood trial but was acquitted of a murder charge. Cassius was with fellow students who caught a bus to parklands to watch a fight being talked about on social media. Brearley, Forth and Palmer intercepted them near the field and Cassius and other "terrified school kids" fled into nearby bushland. It was there that Brearley caught up with him, the trial heard, before the teen was knocked to the ground and hit in the head with a metal pole. Cassius was struck at least twice, the impact splitting his ear in half and causing bleeding in his brain. The attack on Cassius followed a complex series of events that started on October 9 when Forth, Brearley, Gilmore and another man who was tried on lesser charges, Ethan Robert MacKenzie, 21, "snatched two kids off the street" before punching, kicking and stabbing one of them. Four days later, Brearley and his co-accused allegedly armed themselves with metal poles pulled from shopping trolleys before climbing into Palmer's ute and driving off to search for youths before they came across Cassius. In sentencing, Chief Justice Peter Quinlan said the killers had cut Cassius's life short in a horrendous and vengeful act of aggression, violence and brutality. "Cassius Turvey was robbed of his life and of his promise ... all because you killed him, Mr Brearley," he said. Brearley had a complete lack of remorse and had lied throughout the trial, falsely accusing Cassius of knifing him and attempting to blame an innocent man for the killing, Justice Quinlan said. "Mr Brearley, you were the person who killed Cassius Turvey in that fit of rage and brutality," he said. "You went onto that field looking for someone, anyone to inflict serious injury on, and you carried out that intention with unflinching violence. "While you did not intend to kill Cassius Turvey, your attack was persistent and sustained and only stopped by the arrival of Mr Palmer." Palmer and Forth were at the scene and found to have a common purpose. The five defendants variously faced 20 charges over the events of October 9 and 13. The jury found them guilty of all except Gilmore's murder charge and a theft charge faced by Brearley. Gilmore was sentenced to one year and three months, conditionally suspended for 24 months. MacKenzie received two years and six months and will be eligible for parole in November. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14
West Australian
a day ago
- Business
- West Australian
Foxtrot Unicorn: Perth Bartender Shirley Yeung named in Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year
Perth's cocktail scene is about to take centre stage, with Perth's Foxtrot Unicorn's bar manager Shirley Yeung named to compete in the prestigious Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year competition. Diageo World Class is in its 16th year and regarded as the biggest and most influential bartending competition in the world. This year's Australian finals will bring together eight elite bartenders from across Australia for a one-day cocktail showdown. Diageo's head of trade advocacy Kate McGraw said Diageo World Class was the ultimate showcase of bartending excellence. 'The Australian competition never fails to inspire.' she said. 'This year's top eight finalists represent the epitome of talent and innovation in the industry. Their mastery, creativity and dedication to the craft of hospitality promise a final round that will be nothing short of extraordinary'. This is the second year in the competition for Ms Yeung, who is also the co-founder of MixHaus, a not-for-profit group creating opportunities for female and non-binary bartenders nationwide. Ms Yeung is the only West Australian to make the finals this year, with her other competitors being from Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. 'To represent Perth and stand alongside some of the most creative bartenders in the country? That's a massive honour. I'm soaking up every minute,' she said. 'I'm equal parts buzzing and terrified — in the best way. World Class is the stage for bartenders who want to push boundaries. It's not just about mixing a great drink — it's about storytelling, technique, sustainability and connection.' 'We're done with playing it safe. Guests are asking smarter questions and bartenders are getting bold with local ingredients, ferments, and native botanicals,' she said. 'High-concept drinks in laid-back venues? That's the vibe. What's not hot? Overcomplicating things. No one wants a 12-step cocktail that takes 15 minutes. We're all about flavour, finesse and fun — and that's why I think Perth's energy belongs on the World Class stage.' The Australian finals will test the bartenders in live challenges involving celebrating coffee culture, creating three custom drinks including one from Tequila Don Julio Minis, and a speed round requiring competitors to craft up to nine classic cocktails using Diageo's premium reserve spirits portfolio. These competitions will determine who will represent Australia on the global stage in Toronto, Canada, later this year. The final will be held on June 30 at the Sofitel in Sydney.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Perth Bartender Shirley Yeung named in Australia's best list
Perth's cocktail scene is about to take centre stage, with Perth's Foxtrot Unicorn's bar manager Shirley Yeung named to compete in the prestigious Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year competition. Diageo World Class is in its 16th year and regarded as the biggest and most influential bartending competition in the world. This year's Australian finals will bring together eight elite bartenders from across Australia for a one-day cocktail showdown. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Diageo's head of trade advocacy Kate McGraw said Diageo World Class was the ultimate showcase of bartending excellence. 'The Australian competition never fails to inspire.' she said. 'This year's top eight finalists represent the epitome of talent and innovation in the industry. Their mastery, creativity and dedication to the craft of hospitality promise a final round that will be nothing short of extraordinary'. This is the second year in the competition for Ms Yeung, who is also the co-founder of MixHaus, a not-for-profit group creating opportunities for female and non-binary bartenders nationwide. Shirley Yeung is a contender for Bartender of the Year. Credit: Supplied Ms Yeung is the only West Australian to make the finals this year, with her other competitors being from Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. 'To represent Perth and stand alongside some of the most creative bartenders in the country? That's a massive honour. I'm soaking up every minute,' she said. 'I'm equal parts buzzing and terrified — in the best way. World Class is the stage for bartenders who want to push boundaries. It's not just about mixing a great drink — it's about storytelling, technique, sustainability and connection.' Shirley Yeung is also the co-founder of co-founder of Mix Haus, which is dedicated to creating opportunities for female and non-binary bartenders. Credit: Bartender 'We're done with playing it safe. Guests are asking smarter questions and bartenders are getting bold with local ingredients, ferments, and native botanicals,' she said. 'High-concept drinks in laid-back venues? That's the vibe. What's not hot? Overcomplicating things. No one wants a 12-step cocktail that takes 15 minutes. We're all about flavour, finesse and fun — and that's why I think Perth's energy belongs on the World Class stage.' The Australian finals will test the bartenders in live challenges involving celebrating coffee culture, creating three custom drinks including one from Tequila Don Julio Minis, and a speed round requiring competitors to craft up to nine classic cocktails using Diageo's premium reserve spirits portfolio. These competitions will determine who will represent Australia on the global stage in Toronto, Canada, later this year. The final will be held on June 30 at the Sofitel in Sydney.
