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Author Topic: Australia by Tibrogargan January 2007 - present and 155216+ views later!  (Read 657824 times)
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Tibrogargan
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« Reply #900 on: May 13, 2010, 06:19:07 AM »

Jessica Watson due back in Sydney on Saturday, 15 May

05-May-2010

The youngest person to sail around the world solo, non-stop and unassisted, 16 year old Australian Jessica Watson, is expected to complete her historic voyage, arriving back in Sydney to a hero’s welcome on Saturday 15 May.

Jessica left Sydney on 18 October 2009 and has so far overcome every challenge that Mother Nature has thrown at her to achieve her goal.

Jessica needs to cross the finish line at Sydney Heads to officially complete her voyage.  She will then cruise down Sydney Harbour before disembarking at Sydney Opera House.

It is anticipated that Jessica will cross the finish line at approximately 11:30am and arrive at the Sydney Opera House around 12.30pm, the first time she will have set foot on land in almost seven months.

Organisers are urging Sydneysiders to arrive early to secure the best vantage point and show Jessica a true hero’s welcome.

Spectators are encouraged to line the shores or take to the waters of Sydney Harbour to help celebrate the remarkable achievements of this courageous teenager who has single-handedly overcome the odds - a unique and amazing set of challenges for anyone to take on, let alone a 16 year old.

With the world watching on, this historic event will be broadcast live on Network Ten and their digital channel One.

For public transport information and information on special event clearways visit www.rta.nsw.gov.au or call 132 701

For further information about exclusion zones and boat safety visit www.maritime.nsw.gov.au


To follow Jessica’s final leg of her incredible journey visit www.jessicawatson.com.au 


http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/_webapp_468722/Jessica_Watson_due_back_in_Sydney_on_Saturday,_15_May
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« Reply #901 on: May 13, 2010, 06:22:42 AM »


Big hello planned for Jess Watson

    * by Glenis Green
    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * May 11, 2010 9:17PM

 THE Sunshine Coast will blush pink in a joyful homecoming celebration for around-the-world solo sailor Jessica Watson.

While Sydney is planning a $1 million extravaganza - on par with its New Year's Eve bash - for the moment the teen officially completes her circumnavigation this Saturday, her home port of Mooloolaba also wants to do its famous daughter proud.

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council has offered to host a civic reception, but an informal community celebration could reflect the thrill supporters and family feel about the 16-year-old's remarkable achievement.

"The intention is for the whole of the Sunshine Coast to acknowledge what a wonderful job Jessica has done and welcome her home," said Mooloolaba boating identity Vicki Brown yesterday. A tentative date of June 6 has been set for the welcome.

"We're going to get her to sail Ella's Pink Lady through the rock wall at Mooloolaba (harbour) and we're hoping to have both sides of the rock wall lined with as many people as possible wearing pink or waving pink flags," Mrs Brown said.

Accompanied by a flotilla of local boaties and a water police escort, Jessica would then sail to the Mooloolaba Yacht Club for an official welcome.


http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/big-hello-planned-for-jess-watson/story-e6freoof-1225865245158
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« Reply #902 on: May 14, 2010, 03:03:47 AM »

Naomi Watts to play Marilyn Monroe in new film titled Blonde

    * From: AAP
    * May 14, 2010 11:55AM

AUSSIE actress Naomi Watts will play Marilyn Monroe in a new film on the blonde bombshell.

Titled Blonde, the film will be based on the controversial book by the same name, which details the late actress's love affairs and encounters on the casting couch.

The production, which begins shooting in January next year, will trace Monroe's life from her humble beginnings as Norma Jeane Baker to the creation of the Marilyn myth, Britain's Daily Telegraph reports.

Director Andrew Dominik, whose credits include The Assassination of Jesse James, says he wants to tell the story of "the great female icon of the 20th century".

"For men, she is an object of sexual desire who is desperately in need of rescue. For women, she embodies all the injustices visited upon the feminine - a sister, a Cinderella, consigned to live among the ashes," he said.

"I want to tell the story of Norma Jeane as a central figure in a fairy-tale; an orphan child lost in the woods of Hollywood, being consumed by that great icon."

Watts, 41, was nominated for an Oscar for her role in the drama 21 Grams and has also starred in The Ring, Mulholland Drive and King Kong.

Her latest films, Fair Game and Woody Allen's You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger, will screen at the Cannes Film Festival.

In Fair Game, which is in official competition at Cannes, she plays a CIA agent investigating weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

She also features in Allen's latest comedy offering, which is not being screened in competition.

Watts is due to make an appearance at the 12-day festival, which wraps up on May 23.


http://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/confidential/naomi-watts-to-play-marilyn-monroe-in-new-film-titled-blonde/story-e6freq7o-1225866716070
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« Reply #903 on: May 14, 2010, 03:10:27 AM »

Jessica Watson's sail of the century

    * By Amanda Lulham
    * From: The Daily Telegraph
    * May 14, 2010 12:00AM

JESSICA Watson's historic solo round-the-world sailing trip is just hours from completion with the talented teenager less than 60 miles from home.

Thousands of well-wishers and fans including a host of VIPs, are expected to line Sydney Harbour tomorrow to greet the 16-year-old who has spent the last seven months at sea .

But, today, instead of a fairytale finish for her last day of sailing, poor Jessica was met with dark clouds and choppy waters as she prepared her approach 57 miles ENE from Sydney.
 
In a reassuring sign for her welcome home party, even amid the storm clouds, there was a rainbow late this afternoon.
 
Jessica has amassed thousands of followers and racked up extraordinary statistics during her time at sea on her yacht the Pink Lady.
 
Earlier the talented teen said she was so excited about her return to land tomorrow she "can't sleep". She says she is just making the most of her last days on the ocean.
 
Jessica told The Daily Telegraph she was just making the most of her last days on the ocean after almost seven months at sea on her solo round-the-world adventure.
 
"It's been lovely out here. But I'm not getting a lot of sleep. I'm so excited," she said.
 
Her arrival in Sydney Harbour is expected to rival the waterway's busiest days - the Boxing Day start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, New Year's Eve and Australia Day.

A mild day of about 22 degrees C and southwesterly winds are predicted for tomorrow's sail through the Heads, where her journey began on October 18, to the Sydney Opera House.

Her yachting mentor Bruce Arms was planning to sail his catamaran close enough to Jess so she can see him.

While he will be able to blow her a kiss, he won't be able to hand her anything or touch her or the boat - to ensure she is able to claim that she has sailed around the world solo and unassisted.

"It's going to be emotional," Arms said.

"I was the last one to see her off when she left. I want to be the first one to see her on her way back."

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/as-she-nears-home-jessica-is-too-excited-to-sleep/story-e6freuy9-1225866351559
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« Reply #904 on: May 14, 2010, 07:41:34 PM »

Jessica Watson just wants to drive a car

    * By Amanda Lulham
    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * May 14, 2010 10:00PM
   
YOUNG adventurer Jessica Watson has sailed the world's vast open waters but at the top of her wish list on her return to dry land is getting her L-plates and hitting the open road.

Although Jessica successfully charted her yacht around the globe and can strip and rebuild her sailing yacht's auxiliary engine, she cannot drive a car.

After seven months at sea battling storms, heavy seas and loneliness in her bid to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo, nonstop and unassisted, Jessica's yacht Ella's Pink Lady is expected to cross the finish line at Sydney Heads about 11.30am.

Jessica said she had lots of time to think during her around-the-world trip and composed a long "bucket list" of things she wants to do in life along with several more immediate wishes.

First on her agenda after a big sleep is a walk on the beach, a haircut and some fresh fruit to celebrate her arrival home after 210 days at sea.

"I have thought about it (a lot)," Jessica told The Courier-Mail. "There is virtually a whole huge list. A lot of the things are just stuff like getting my driver's licence and then seeing how it goes after that.

"The immediate things are to see everyone and go for a lovely long walk along the beach, go shopping, get a haircut definitely. I've worn all my clothes out here and my hair is definitely a mess.

"I've been re-reading books. So I'd like to have a change of books. I also ran out of DVDs a very long time ago.

"So I'd definitely like to see the latest movies and read a few new books that have come out."

The teenager said after the wash-up of her voyage – which will include finishing writing the book of her journey, True Spirit – she wants to do more sailing as well as travel. "Definitely I'd like to have a go sailing with people, for a change," she laughed.

Jessica is determined to walk off her yacht and down a pink carpet today, despite having "sea legs" so severe she may collapse.

Her manager Andrew Fraser rang her last night telling her a golf cart would be on standby if she was unable to walk but Jessica refused motorised transport.

"She is adamant she will walk. She said, 'I'm not getting into the golf cart, I won't use it'," Mr Fraser said.

Jessica's sea legs could cause her to stumble for the first 24 hours and could last as long as a week.

Apart from dodging a sea of wellwishers in Sydney Harbour, Jessica will have to navigate the media scrum covering her homecoming, with the commercial TV networks jostling for prime position.

Sponsor Channel Ten and One HD have secured the best seats – the network's Hugh Riminton will be the only journalist travelling on the VIP boat with Jessica's family in Sydney Harbour.

 The jostling continues tomorrow night with Ten hosting a news special from 6pm, which will include a Bill Woods interview with Jessica. Nine has to wait until 7.30pm when Charles Wooley gets his time with her for 60 Minutes.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/jessica-watsons-sail-of-the-century/story-e6freon6-1225866909189

 
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« Reply #905 on: May 14, 2010, 07:43:46 PM »

Howdy Tib    I really enjoy the articles.   
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« Reply #906 on: May 14, 2010, 07:53:34 PM »

G'day Muffy.      Thank you

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« Reply #907 on: May 14, 2010, 08:57:02 PM »

Jessica Watson nominated for Young Australian of the Year Award

    * By Lisa Martin
    * From: AAP
    * May 14, 2010 3:28PM

TEENAGE sailor Jessica Watson's round the world odyssey might earn her the gong of Young Australian of the Year.

Queensland federal backbencher Peter Slipper said he will nominate the 16-year-old Sunshine Coast girl for the award.

"Jessica is achieving what seemed like the impossible," Mr Slipper he said in a statement.

"The way that she will inspire and motivate all young Australian's can't be underestimated.

"I would hope being named Young Australian of the Year is the icing on the cake."

The Young Australian of the Year Award is announced the night before Australia Day each year and recognises the achievements of people aged 16 to 30. Past winners include Lleyton Hewitt, Trisha Broadbridge and MotoGP champion Casey Stoner.

Trooper Mark Donaldson, a Victoria Cross recipient, was last year's award recipient.

Jessica Watson's manager Andrew Fraser said the young sailor would appreciate the honour.

"I'm sure Jess would be flattered that people are thinking about her," he said.

"At this stage, she is focused on finishing her journey tomorrow.

"She's very excited."

The Queensland schoolgirl is inching closer to the finish line, sailing her way up the New South Wales coast aboard her yacht Ella's Pink Lady and preparing for a hero's welcome in Sydney tomorrow morning.

Tens of thousands of fans are expected to greet the adventurer after her 23,000 nautical mile (about 38,000km) odyssey, with Sydney planners putting her homecoming on the scale of New Year's Eve celebrations.

http://www.news.com.au/national/jessica-watson-nominated-for-young-australian-of-the-year-award/story-e6frfkvr-1225866868298
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« Reply #908 on: May 14, 2010, 09:18:38 PM »

I am watching a direct telecast from Sydney Harbour on our Sky News Channel.  Latest news is that rough weather and a torn mainsail have delayed Jessica's arrival by about an hour.  They are now expecting her to arrive at 12.30 pm AEST which I believe would be 10.30 pm your EDT.

I hope they keep their website updated and maybe interested monkeys will be able to read at these links :

http://www.skynews.com.au/

http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/



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« Reply #909 on: May 15, 2010, 05:06:11 AM »

Hero Jess sails into Sydney

    * From: AAP
    * May 15, 2010 11:32AM

SOLO sailor Jessica Watson, 16, was greeted by tens of thousands of cheering Sydneysiders as she completed her historic bid to be the youngest person to sail non-stop around the world alone and unassisted.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called Jessica hero when he greeted her on dry land.

But the humble teenager told cheering crowds:"I don't consider myself a hero, I'm an ordinary girl who believed in her dreams".

"You don't have to be someone special to do something special, all you have to do is believe in it and work hard," said the teenager, who had been wobbly and tearful when she first stepped off her yacht after seven months at sea.

She said she hoped that what she had achieved would make others realize that "anything really is possible."

"I've enjoyed every second," said an overwhelmed Jessica. "I'm so sorry for keeping everyone waiting," she added, referring to her delayed entrance into Sydney due to a torn mainsail.

As she stood on dry land for the first time in seven months, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd shook Jessica's hands, as did NSW Premier Kristina Keneally, as the teenager struggled with a huge presentation bouquet.

"It's overwhelming, it's slowly sinking in," she told cheering crowds.

Mr Rudd told Jess she was a "hero" admired by Australians, and had done "our nation proud".

"You have lived your dream," he added.

Premier Keneally said Jessica was an inspiration.

`"You have inspired us. You have reminded us what is possible. You have inspired us to follow our dreams,'' she said.

Jess, wearing shorts and a jacket, was surrounded by hundreds of boats as she entered Sydney Harbour more than two hours later than expected, at 1:53pm on her yacht Ella's Pink Lady.

The sound of a hooter marked her entrance into the harbor and the end of her historic journey. Her mum, Julie, cried as her daughter crossed through the Sydney Heads finish line.

"She's home," she said.

"She said she would sail around the world, and she has.

"Home is the sailor, home from the sea."
 
The crowd roared as the horn sounded to mark the momentous end to Jessica's 23,000 nautical mile (about 38,000km) journey.

The big moment was delayed by over an hour, Jessica's team has said, due to a a torn mainsail.

The tear was caused by winds of up to 30 knots early on Saturday as she sailed up the NSW south coast.

Her manager Andrew Fraser said she was battling rough seas and strong winds.

"It's very tricky out there - the swell is very big," he said.

"... You have to remember that sail has been in use for seven months."

Organizers  ensured there was a golf cart ready if Watson, after seven months at sea, couldn't manage to walk as she is expected to suffer "sea legs" for at least a week.

Also in Sydney to greet her was fellow Australian Jesse Martin, who at 17 years old set the official record for being the youngest person to sail around the world solo and unassisted, as well as Mike Perham, who was the youngest person to sail around the world with assistance when he was 17.

The crowd gathered around the Opera House foreshore to welcome home the young hero is already about six deep with tens of thousands expected to flock in before she docks.

Boats swarmed around the harbour, reminiscent of a Sydney to Hobart start.

Today capped a remarkable effort from Jessica, still just 16 years old, to have sailed solo around the world - a journey of more than 23,000 nautical miles. She is the youngest person ever to have made the journey unassisted.

Ms Keneally spoke with Watson via Skype on Thursday. The premier, who has young children, said Watson's round the world trip carried a message for all parents.

"I think to all of us as parents, sometimes we have to let our children voyage out into the world to find themselves.
 
"I think the message that she sends out is that if you don't take risks you never succeed."
 
Thousands lined the foreshore of Sydney Opera House, others were partying on waterfront balconies and yachts to mark the historic occasion.

Many are waving pink banners, with one reading: "Welcome Home Jess" and another "Jessica, Sydney salutes you".

Spectators began arriving hours early to get the best spots including fellow Queenslanders Judy and John Matthew who came to salute the "brave young girl".

The couple admitted to being sceptics early in Jessica's voyage but changed camp when the teenager sailed around South America's Cape Horn.

"We have been following her every day since she started," Ms Matthew said.

Her husband said the teenager had proved them wrong through her determination and stamina.

"I wouldn't want to do it - no hot shower for seven months," Mr Matthew said.

Sydney teenager Alana MacIntyre, who came with her mum Sylvana and grandmother Edna, says she has been inspired by Jessica's efforts.
 
"She has got loads of courage to go and do it because you don't know what's out on the ocean," she said."

"Jess is a big inspiration.

"When I think of her it encourages me to do smaller things.

"Just to believe in yourself and not give up.''
 
The congratulations were literally sky high with an aeroplane flying over the Harbour writing "Jessica'' in the blue heavens.

But the excitement appeared to be too much for one elderly woman who collapsed and was carried away on a stretcher by paramedics.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/hero-jess-sails-into-sydney/story-e6freuy9-1225867110026
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« Reply #910 on: May 15, 2010, 05:12:39 AM »

Solo world sailor Jessica Watson returns to huge welcome in Sydney

    * By staff writers
    * From: news.com.au
    * May 15, 2010 4:47PM

TEEN world conqueror Jessica Watson has completed her extraordinary journey, returning to a hero's welcome in Sydney after sailing solo around the world.

After 210 days at sea, Jessica's boat Ella's Pink Lady sailed into Sydney Harbour amongst a flotilla of boats, to be greeted by thousands of people on the city's harbour, including Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, the NSW Premier and Jessica's family and friends.

It caps a remarkable effort from Jessica, still just 16 years old, to have sailed solo around the world - a journey of more than 23,000 nautical miles.  She is the youngest person ever to have made the journey unassisted.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called Jessica a hero when he greeted her on dry land.

But the humble teenager told cheering crowds: "I don't consider myself a hero. I'm an ordinary girl who believed in her dreams.

"You don't have to be someone special to do something special, all you have to do is believe in it and work hard."

She said she hoped that what she had achieved would make others realize that "anything really is possible".

"I've enjoyed every second," said an overwhelmed Jessica. "I'm so sorry for keeping everyone waiting," she added, referring to her delayed entrance into Sydney due to a torn mainsail.

The 16-year-old Queenslander sailed through Sydney Heads at 1.55pm to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo, nonstop and unassisted.

Her mum, Julie, cried as her daughter crossed through the Sydney Heads finish line.

"She's home,'' she said."She said she would sail around the world, and she has. Home is the sailor, home from the sea."
 
The crowd roared as the horn sounded to mark the momentous end to Jessica's 23,000 nautical mile (about 38,000km) journey.

The teary-eyed teen was supported – physically – by her family as she made her way on wobbly legs past the huge crowd outside the Sydney Opera House.

Jessica has fought loneliness and boredom and, every time she laid down her head, the fears it brought with it.  Yet she came through it.

"I might have savoured it (the moment) in light conditions but I'll be spending today just hanging on and waiting for it to calm down a bit. I don't have much choice," she said earlier via satellite phone.

'Just Jess'

It will not be registered as a record because in a bid to discourage some ambitious parents pushing their four-year-old off from a wharf with a "good luck" and a prayer, they no longer list world records for such a category - but nobody younger has done it, regardless.

For Watson, it's not about accolades but personal fulfilment.  "I am still just Jess," she said yesterday.

"That's really important to me because I am. I am completely ordinary. That's the thing. I just put a lot of effort in, had a great team around me and I think that goes to show you don't have to be anyone special to achieve something big. You just have to want it."

Read her last sentence again, and pin it up in your children's bedroom.  You don't have to be anyone special to achieve something big.

We are, by nature, hard to win over. Not so much cynical as difficult to impress. Every now and then, though, we soften.  It happened at an Olympics 10 years ago. At an America's Cup 17 years before that.

When two miners were pulled alive from a shaft in Beaconsfield we gathered around our TV sets to watch and, when they came to the surface, we all gave a little cheer inside.  Like Makybe Diva driving for three straight Melbourne Cups, the grandstand on her back, they are moments that thrill and unite.

It is not often that someone grabs this country by the front of its shirt and pulls us up as one.  Today, Watson does that.

Welcome home

When she finally arrives at the Sydney Opera House's Man O' War jetty, Customs officials will board Ella's Pink Lady before she is allowed off to formally complete her trip.

They will find nothing more than torn sails and what little comforts there are left.  The trip has taken its toll on her yacht as much as on her.

"She's a bit beaten up with a little damage but that's what you expect after a voyage like this," Jessica said.  " We haven't had any big breakdowns. We've just had a little wear and tear.  And I've had a few small cuts and bruises. I've been amazingly well."

Cleared by Customs, she will then no doubt fall into the arms of her mum Julie and dad Roger.

When her voyage was announced some wondered about its wisdom, and the wisdom of her parents, who remained resolute in their support.  "I knew she would do it with or without us," Julie said.  "What if she had gone and she didn't have our support? I could never forgive myself."

From the arms of her parents she has a 100m walk along pink carpet to be officially welcomed home.  Behind her, her yacht will be taken to be put on view at the National Maritime Museum.

She will accept the well-wishes of the nation and Australia will toast her success and all the while she will be wanting to get on with what she has been planning to do.  "I've been re-reading books," Jessica said. "So I'd like to have a change of books. I also ran out of DVDs a very long time ago.  So I'd definitely like to see the latest movies and read a few new books that have come out."

More than anything, she plans to deliver with perfect intent her first words to her Mum and Dad.  "Thank you," she said.

"I have a lot of thank yous to say. Not just to Mum and Dad but all of the team who got me around. People who have supported me from the beginning . . . Bruce (Arms), who has been there every day. Bob (McDavitt) our weather router.   I think I will be saying thank you to people all day."

And from a nation which has been witness to her courage, and been brought together by it, our wish is exactly the same.  Thank you.


http://www.couriermail.com.au/travel/solo-world-sailor-jessica-watson-returns-to-huge-welcome-in-sydney/story-e6freqwf-1225867139213
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« Reply #911 on: May 15, 2010, 05:19:38 AM »

Unfortunately not all our teenagers are so resourceful     


Missing Facebook teen found dead

    * By Tim Vollmer and Evelyn Yamine
    * From: The Daily Telegraph
    * May 15, 2010 10:10AM

A TEENAGER missing from home in New South Wales after arranging a camping trip with two men she met on Facebook was found dead last night.

Homicide detectives, who are leading the investigation, arrested a 20-year-old Leumeah man about 8pm.

Police this morning charged him with murder after the discovery of the body which is believed to be Nona Belomesoff. The man has been refused bail and will appear at Parramatta Bail Court later today.

Police will allege that the second man she believed she was meeting did not exist.

Offficers revealed at 1am that they had found a woman's body about 9.40pm after scouring bushland near Waminda Oval at Waminda Ave, East Campbelltown in Sydney's west.

The teenager's family notified police when she failed to return home on Thursday and was unable to be reached on her mobile phone.

A family member told The Daily Telegraph they believed she was camping with work friends on Wednesday and expected her back home the following day.

Miss Belomesoff, 18, was last seen leaving her Cecil Hills family home about 9am on Wednesday.

Police said she had arranged to meet two men about 10am at Leumeah railway station, with the trio planning to camp out in an area of bushland near Campbelltown.

Nona was last seen wearing a white shirt and carrying a small bag.

Officers spent yesterday scouring bushland in the area while detectives interviewed one of the men the teenager had arranged to meet through the social networking site.

Earlier yesterday, Nona's brother Gary Belomesoff, 20, described his sister as "a good girl''.

"She doesn't go out often. She's more a home girl," he said.

Mr Belomesoff said his sister, a TAFE student who graduated from Canley Vale High School last year, had a deep love of animals, which was the reason she had planned the trip.

US-based Facebook authorities were last night helping with the investigation, providing access to her profile and tracking her final communications.

Police issued a warning to social network users: "You don't know who is on the other end of the computer.''


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/missing-facebook-teen-found-dead/story-e6freuy9-1225867080379
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« Reply #912 on: May 15, 2010, 03:47:54 PM »

Hooray for Jessica Watson    Quite a journey for one so young 

And on a sadder note, I'm really sorry about Nona Belomesoff.  What a shame.   
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« Reply #913 on: May 16, 2010, 05:24:52 AM »

Muffy it was very emotional to watch the welcome home reception for Jessica.  An amazing but humble young girl.

And I am very angry about Nona's death.  There are countless warnings here everywhere you look,  in our media and with police, welfare, civic groups and schools, about this sort of thing and still so many of our young people feel so indestructible and are so easily taken in by these predators.  One of the big problems here is the same as you have there - ineffectual sentencing for any crimes against women, children or defenceless people. It is well past time to make our voices heard to put pressure on the judges who deal out a smack on the wrist for these crimes.  We cannot consider ourselves a fully civilised community until we are totally committed to the protection of the weaker members in our society.

Rant over ....
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« Reply #914 on: May 16, 2010, 05:27:38 AM »

Parents 'pimp' kids for swine flu test

    * By Clair Weaver
    * From: The Sunday Telegraph
    * May 16, 2010 12:00AM

PARENTS are enrolling children as young as nine months in drug trials in exchange for hundreds of dollars.

The cash payments, which could breach national ethical guidelines, will ignite debate over how much should be paid to cover "reasonable expenses" of trial participants.

An industry whistleblower alerted The Sunday Telegraph after some parents were netting $900 by enrolling three children at a time into an H1N1 flu vaccine trial.

"I think when you start offering money the whole altruistic thing goes out the window," the whistleblower said.

"You just get parents pimping out their children for a quick buck."

GPs are also being paid a fee, understood to be at least $200, to refer young patients to the drug-testing clinics.

Parents of healthy children aged between six months and 10 years are receiving $300 to test the safety and effectiveness of a new H1N1 vaccine produced by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

The trial involves two needles, two blood tests and medical monitoring for each child.

An informed consent form that parents must sign first acknowledges side effects may include pain, headaches, fever, bruising, swollen glands and chest tightness. More rare reactions could result in allergic responses, nerve pain, convulsions, neurological disorders and autoimmune diseases.

Another trial for an asthma drug is offering a reimbursement of $600 for those aged 12 and over, with testing at centres in Hornsby and Blacktown in NSW.

The H1N1 trial is being tested at centres in Kippa Ring and Caboolture in Queensland.

A spokeswoman for AusTrials, the company which operates both trials for GSK, confirmed it paid reimbursements of $300 for the vaccine trial and $600 for the asthma trial. She said the vaccine trial involved three visits, the asthma trial involved 13.

But the whistleblower said children were effectively being used as lab rats.

"Parents are giving consent on their children's behalf," the source said.

"(The centres) were getting some families turn up with three or four kids, then you walk away with nearly a grand at the end of three visits."

Offering inducements that encourage people to take part in a clinical trial is "ethically unacceptable", according to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians says it is "inadvisable" for a child to participate in a trial unless there is some benefit or the parent is making a decision in their best interest. The decision must also be free of "inappropriate incentives".

Australian Medical Association ethics committee chairman Dr Peter Ford said parents whose children took part in trials should not be motivated by money.

So far, 110 children have been recruited for the H1N1 vaccine trial but none have signed up for the asthma trial yet, the AusTrials spokeswoman said.

It is not clear whether GlaxoSmithKline, which was unavailable for comment, is aware of the reimbursements.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/parents-pimp-kids-for-swine-flu-test/story-e6freooo-1225867289202
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« Reply #915 on: May 16, 2010, 05:30:24 AM »

Solo world sailor Jessica Watson returns to huge welcome in Sydney

    * By staff writers
    * From: news.com.au
    * May 16, 2010 11:48AM

JESSICA Watson is recovering with family and friends after her round-the-world solo voyage finished in Sydney yesterday.

Watson went to bed about 9 last night, ABC Radio reported, at a Manly hotel after "hitting the wall" after thousands of people lined Sydney Harbour and hundreds of boats escorted her into Sydney.
 
After 210 days at sea, Jessica's 10.23m yacht Ella's Pink Lady sailed into Sydney Harbour yesterday amid a flotilla of boats, to be greeted by thousands of people on the city's harbour, including Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, the NSW Premier and Jessica's own family and friends.

It caps a remarkable effort from Jessica, still just 16 years old, to have sailed solo around the world - a journey of more than 23,000 nautical miles.  She is the youngest person ever to have made the journey unassisted.

The Queensland sailor, who turns 17 on Tuesday, has become the hottest teen property in Australia after completing her round-the-world voyage.

She's even tipped to become Australia's next yacht racing champion.

"I'd definitely love to do more sailing, possibly racing is one of the things I want to get into," she said yesterday.

But for the next few years, she plans on getting her driver's license and focusing on "slightly more normal things" such as school.

But that may be a tall order, given she is predicted to become a millionaire within a few months.

Even before Watson arrived in Sydney yesterday, her manager Andrew Fraser had been bombarded with requests for her to endorse products and organisations.

When Watson set out on her journey she had signed deals with 43 sponsors, but industry sources say her triumphant return will generate a seven-figure income as companies vie to sign up Australia's latest hero.

Fraser would not be drawn on how much Watson would earn from endorsements, but said she was mindful of her family's financial position.

"All she said was that she wanted to come home and make sure her mum and dad weren't in any debt, so my job is to make sure that happens and that she's set up for life."

The money Watson is set to receive will come on top of her deals with Ella Bache, One HD and News Limited (publisher of The Sunday Telegraph).

She will also release a book detailing her journey and an independent documentary.

Watson has had numerous offers from philanthropic bodies and charities keen to have her as their "face".

Olympic sailing heroes believe she has what it takes to become a future Games gold medallist or America's Cup winner.

Mark Turnbull, gold medallist in the 470 Class with Tom King at the Sydney Olympics, praised the 16-year-old, saying she had the potential to pursue a racing career.

Yesterday Jessica apologised for keeping Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Premier Kristina Keneally and an estimated 50,000 well-wishers who waited more than two hours past her anticipated arrival time.

"I'm obviously sorry to keep everyone waiting, but like I said, I was having the most amazing sail out there," Jessica said.

"I haven't seen a person for almost seven months and suddenly, there are people everywhere. It was just amazing and very overwhelming!"

Jessica brushed off critics who claimed she has not broken the world record.

"It's really simple, if I haven't sailed around the world, I'm lost about what I've spent the last seven months doing," she said. "For me, it was never about the record."


http://www.couriermail.com.au/travel/solo-world-sailor-jessica-watson-returns-to-huge-welcome-in-sydney/story-e6freqwf-1225867139213
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« Reply #916 on: May 17, 2010, 02:28:47 AM »

Police tell teens to remove Facebook photos

    * By Gemma Jones
    * From: The Daily Telegraph
    * May 17, 2010 8:28AM
    * 23 comments

    * "Have photos only open to friends"
    * "Treat each person as a complete stranger"
    * Belomesoff family severely traumatised

POLICE have urged all teenagers to remove their profile pictures from Facebook and the names of the schools they attend.

The heartbroken family of slain teenager Nona Belomesoff, 18, who was allegedly murdered by a stranger she met on Facebook, joined the plea.

"You just never know who is on the other side of the internet, you could be talking to anyone," Nona's brother Gary Belomesoff, 20, said yesterday.

He said the family was "severely traumatised" by the loss of his animal-loving sister,  who agreed to meet her alleged killer - who had offered to help her into a career rescuing animals - at Leumeah railway station.

Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec urged drastic action to protect children and teenagers against potential internet predators.

"Don't have a photo of yourself on Facebook. Have photos only open to friends," he said.

"Treat each person you talk to as a complete stranger.

"For parents, you wouldn't invite a complete stranger into your homes and have them sit down with your child for hours on end, so don't let them sit on the internet talking to strangers for hours on end."

Supt Kerlatec said that internet predators searched social networking site profiles for children's interests then, pretending to share them, struck up a conversation.

He warned teens should never agree to meet a stranger they met online unless they were with friends and had also alerted their parents to their plans.

If children listed their school or their interests, Supt Kerlatec said it gave predators vital information to exploit. Nona's murder is just the latest in a string around the world to be linked to Facebook.

In the past Facebook has issued warnings for users to exercise "extreme caution".

Premier Kristina Keneally yesterday joined the calls for caution and offered her condolences to Nona's family.

"No matter what our age . . . we should be careful of the people who we meet online and not assume that they are who they represent themselves to be," she said.

"Certainly for parents, it is a tragic yet timely reminder to be aware of what your children are doing online and who they are talking to."

Christopher James Dannevig, 20, from Leumeah, has been charged with Nona's murder.

He is due to appear in Campbelltown Local Court on Thursday.


http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/police-tell-teens-to-remove-facebook-photos/story-e6freon6-1225867550898
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« Reply #917 on: May 17, 2010, 02:33:08 AM »

British sailor Mike Perham captures Jessica Watson's heart

    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * May 17, 2010 12:01AM
    * 16 comments

JUST a few funny phone calls from English teenage sailor and "close friend" Mike Perham were all that was needed to raise Jessica Watson's spirits and perhaps steal her heart.

Perham, 18, who in August became the youngest person to sail around the world with assistance, was among the first people to greet the 16-year-old Queenslander as she reached the end of her voyage in Sydney on Saturday.

Perham said that he and Jessica share a "special bond", and he has described Jessica's mother, Julie, as his "future mother-in-law".

But when it comes to romance they were taking it slowly, he added.

"When I first met Jess there was something between us I can't describe," Perham has told New Idea.

"Just this connection that felt as though we had known each other forever. I think it comes from sharing some of the same dreams and knowing we are pretty unique teenagers.

"We have this special bond but when it comes to romance, I think we are going to take one day at a time."

Perham said it was Cape Horn where Jessica had her first brush with mortality.

"When she was knocked down coming around Cape Horn, I knew she hit a low point," Perham said in the latest edition of New Idea magazine.

"She faced her first real mortality attack. We had to get her spirits back up. A few funny phone calls and we were back on track."

Jessica said she found living in constant motion much harder than the physical work of sailing.

"The constant motion, it does get to you after a while, especially after a rough week," she said.

"All you want to do is just walk around a room or lie down, do anything without clinging on, holding on the whole time."

And while other people had told her a boat knockdown would feel like slow motion, Jessica said it had seemed much faster.

"It would just suddenly happen and you're upside down or on the side. Then time sort of stops and you think, 'Oh my goodness'," she said.

Jessica said her biggest worry on resurfacing after the yacht righted itself was finding out what was left on deck.

The teenager, who celebrates her 17th birthday on May 18, said she was rarely scared at night.

"There are a few times when it's just dead calm and your imagination can start running away from you," she said.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/spike/jessica-watson/brit-captures-jesss-heart/story-fn3ohhvf-1225867460060
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« Reply #918 on: May 17, 2010, 02:38:25 AM »

Sunshine Coast locals want Jessica Watson's feat recognised far and wide

    * Glenis Green
    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * May 17, 2010 1:48PM

THE Sunshine Coast is so proud of its famous teen solo sailor Jessica Watson that Mayor Bob Abbot wants her achievement feted on the world stage.

Going one step further than local Fisher MP Peter Slipper who has already nominated Jessica for Young Australian of the Year, the Sunshine Coast Regional Council chief said he would back the young adventurer for global recognition.

"I'd be more than happy to support her nomination for Young Australian and I'd go further and suggest she should be nominated for Young Citizen of the World with UNESCO," said Cr Abbot.

"She's just an amazing young woman," he said. "She's achieved the most amazing feats of human endurance.

"She's 16 years old and she's just got off the boat (after seven months) and handled herself like a very well educated, very knowledgeable and very strong young woman and she's a wonderful example to young people that all you need is a dream and to work towards it."

Cr Abbot said, if possible, he would also love to give Jessica the keys to Sunshine Coast.

"We're planning a civic reception for when she comes home but people need to give her some space and time, so I'm quite deliberate where we're going with this and we're being guided by her family on what she wants to do."

A jubilant Sunshine Coast support team has already earmarked Sunday, June 6, for its famous daughter's triumphant return to her home port of Mooloolaba and this date is expected to be confirmed by family on Wednesday.

Mooloolaba boating and business identity Vicki Brown said that, after spending two weeks meeting her sponsorship commitments with Ella Bache, Jessica would be sailing back to the Sunshine Coast accompanied by fellow around-the-world sailors Jesse Martin and Briton Mike Perham.

"She's going to stop on the Gold Coast and thank the people who helped her after her collision (with a freighter) in a little low-key thing, and then it will be up here for a big welcome home," said Ms Brown. "She's really excited about coming home."

Like Sydney, Mooloolaba will be rolling out the pink carpet with a welcoming flotilla, crowds in pink lining the harbour entrance and a day of entertainment.

"But we're more casual and laid back, so it will be easy and fun for her here," Ms Brown said.

Jessica's older sister, Emily - who works in Ms Brown's seafood shop, and was on hand for the momentous return to Sydney - will be back at work this Wednesday after flying out after helping family celebrate Jessica's 17th birthday on Tuesday.

"(Emily) is so down to Earth, like her sister," said Ms Brown.

"I offered her two weeks off on pay but she just said no, she wants to come back to work."

Jessica's younger brother, Tom, who is still at high school, also works in the shop during holidays.

Ms Brown said she could tell from the flood of people writing comments in a well-wishers' book at the shop, which will be given to Jessica, that she had inspired a nation and every generation.

"A lot of kids are coming in to sign it and that's brilliant," she said.

"There was one cute comment yesterday that read: 'Hi, I'm 11 and I think you're amazing'."

Ms Brown said Jessica should be given the keys to the Sunshine Coast and awarded every honour possible in recognition of her personal achievement as well as focusing Mooloolaba and the Sunshine Coast so firmly in the eyes of the world.

"She will inspire a whole new generation - not necessarily with sailing but with having a dream and just doing it, no matter what, big or small."

Maroochydore MP Fiona Simpson said Jessica definitely needed official recognition "but it's hard to know where to start".

"She's captivated not just a nation, but she has also put her mark on the world map," Miss Simpson said.

"She's a pretty humble lass with a lot of power in her words and a lot of people do want to express their appreciation for her achievement.

"Just having a 16-year-old pull together such a high-calibre team for the challenge before she even set off - that in itself is an extremely great achievement."

Mr Slipper said Jessica was worthy of widespread recognition, describing her journey as "monumental, historic and all the more special given her young age".

He said having her named Young Australian of the Year would be "the icing on the cake".


http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/sunshine-coast-locals-want-jessica-watsons-feat-recognised-far-and-wide/story-e6freoof-1225867769173
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« Reply #919 on: May 23, 2010, 08:24:38 PM »

Parents 'pimp' kids for swine flu test

    * By Clair Weaver
    * From: The Sunday Telegraph
    * May 16, 2010 12:00AM

PARENTS are enrolling children as young as nine months in drug trials in exchange for hundreds of dollars.

The cash payments, which could breach national ethical guidelines, will ignite debate over how much should be paid to cover "reasonable expenses" of trial participants.

An industry whistleblower alerted The Sunday Telegraph after some parents were netting $900 by enrolling three children at a time into an H1N1 flu vaccine trial.

"I think when you start offering money the whole altruistic thing goes out the window," the whistleblower said.

"You just get parents pimping out their children for a quick buck."

GPs are also being paid a fee, understood to be at least $200, to refer young patients to the drug-testing clinics.

Parents of healthy children aged between six months and 10 years are receiving $300 to test the safety and effectiveness of a new H1N1 vaccine produced by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

The trial involves two needles, two blood tests and medical monitoring for each child.

An informed consent form that parents must sign first acknowledges side effects may include pain, headaches, fever, bruising, swollen glands and chest tightness. More rare reactions could result in allergic responses, nerve pain, convulsions, neurological disorders and autoimmune diseases.

Another trial for an asthma drug is offering a reimbursement of $600 for those aged 12 and over, with testing at centres in Hornsby and Blacktown in NSW.

The H1N1 trial is being tested at centres in Kippa Ring and Caboolture in Queensland.

A spokeswoman for AusTrials, the company which operates both trials for GSK, confirmed it paid reimbursements of $300 for the vaccine trial and $600 for the asthma trial. She said the vaccine trial involved three visits, the asthma trial involved 13.

But the whistleblower said children were effectively being used as lab rats.

"Parents are giving consent on their children's behalf," the source said.

"(The centres) were getting some families turn up with three or four kids, then you walk away with nearly a grand at the end of three visits."

Offering inducements that encourage people to take part in a clinical trial is "ethically unacceptable", according to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians says it is "inadvisable" for a child to participate in a trial unless there is some benefit or the parent is making a decision in their best interest. The decision must also be free of "inappropriate incentives".

Australian Medical Association ethics committee chairman Dr Peter Ford said parents whose children took part in trials should not be motivated by money.

So far, 110 children have been recruited for the H1N1 vaccine trial but none have signed up for the asthma trial yet, the AusTrials spokeswoman said.

It is not clear whether GlaxoSmithKline, which was unavailable for comment, is aware of the reimbursements.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/parents-pimp-kids-for-swine-flu-test/story-e6freooo-1225867289202

 
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