Pop hits, genre-hopping and crotch-grabbing: Rihanna's Melbourne concert - Herald Sun

Rihanna in concert at the Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: News Limited

RIHANNA has become the Axl Rose of pop — people take bets on how late she’ll keep her fans waiting before actually getting on stage.

She was a disrespectful 90 minutes late on stage in Adelaide, and 30 minutes in Perth and Brisbane.

The big surprise for Melbourne? Rihanna was on stage at exactly 9pm as required at Rod Laver Arena.

As well as unexpected punctuality, Rihanna fans got a solid, envelope-pushing set from one of the most prolific and most interesting popstars of the last decade.

Whatever her chosen tools of relaxation may be, she tours ruthlessly and has had a new album a year for seven years running. Yes this new show is top heavy with new songs, but she hasn’t had to rely on a lazy greatest hits set yet. Indeed some of her biggest hits are either out to pasture or shoehorned into a medley.

Rihanna strikes the pose in concert. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: News Limited

Sure she has backing singers to do some of the heavy vocal lifting at times but Rihanna sounds right at home on reggae moments Man Down and No Love Allowed. She showcases her vocal power on opener Mother Mary.

She also deserves credit for effortlessly genre-hopping through hits Rude Boy, Umbrella, We Found Love, Rock Star and Diamonds.

As with her last tours, you still question the parental wisdom of letting young kids attend a Rihanna concert.

If having a no. 1 hit praising S & M wasn’t a hint at her lyrical content, songs like Birthday Cake and Cockiness leave zero to the imagination. And to make sure you don’t miss the clues Rihanna regularly has one hand on her crotch and one holding the microphone.

And with some choreography seemingly inspired by strippers at times RiRi’s dance moves make Miley Cyrus look like Judith Durham.

###

A-League opening round derby between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne ... - Herald Sun

Harry Kewell will be a star attraction when Melbourne Heart take on his old Victory team in A-League round one. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: HeraldSun

THE A-League Melbourne derby crowd record looks set to be smashed, with early ticket sales for Saturday week’s clash at Etihad Stadium indicating a sellout.

Melbourne Victory’s encouraging off-season and the return to the league of Melbourne Heart’s Harry Kewell, against his former side, loom as the major factors for a bumper Round 1 crowd.

But Victory, already without Mark Milligan, who will be on Socceroos duty in Europe, learnt yesterday it will also miss new striker Kosta Barbarouses.

The 23-year-old will be required for a New Zealand friendly against a CONCACAF opponent yet to be named.

Victory had an encouraging 3-0 win against last season’s grand finalist Western Sydney in Hobart on Sunday courtesy of strikes from Mitch Nichols and Barbarouses before the Wanderers found their own net after a mix-up between Aaron Mooy and goalkeeper Ante Covic.

Marquee signing Pablo Contreras looked classy as he and substitute James Troisi made their Victory debuts, with both set to feature in a behind-closed-doors friendly at home to Adelaide United on Thursday.

With Victory on track to break its membership record of 22,600 set in the 2007-08 season, and more than 5000 tickets for the home clash against Heart already sold, the derby record of 42,032 (Round 1 at Etihad Stadium last season) in on track to be eclipsed.

Victory operations manager Trent Jacobs said the July friendly against Liverpool might also have helped whet the appetite.

“We’re extremely confident we might see a record derby crowd on October 12,’’ Jacobs said.

“It’s been a particularly long off-season and off the back of the amazing spectacle that was Liverpool, the interest in ticket sales when they went on sale a couple of weeks ago has been very strong.

“The initial response leads us to believe we’re in good shape for a record derby crowd and it would be amazing to push up to the 45,000-plus mark. That would send an amazing message to the sporting public as to where football’s at.

“With the onset of new players and prospect of a new standard across the A-League, having Harry and a whole range of new and exciting players is going to see fans attracted.

“Our membership response has been amazing. We’ve already racked up 19,500 members, which is well in advance of where we’ve been previously and only 3000 shy of our record membership record. We’re very bullish about breaking that record.’’

Milligan leaves on Sunday for Socceroos duty against France in Paris and against Canada in London, while Heart will be missing new striker Michael Mifsud, who is due to win his 100th cap for Malta in Saturday week’s World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic.

But Victory is injury free, with Archie Thompson featuring against the Wanderers and Adama Traore, back from a serious ankle injury, playing a full game at left back.

Brazilian midfielder Gui Finkler, who had a knee reconstruction in January, is also pushing his selection claims. He played 90 minutes in a curtain-raiser and scored a hat-trick.

Jill Meagher remembered as thousands march down Sydney Road in Melbourne - ABC Online

Updated September 30, 2013 00:03:04

Thousands of people have marched past the place where ABC employee Jill Meagher was abducted last year to remember her death.

Ms Meagher was raped and killed just over 12 months ago after walking along Sydney Road, Brunswick, in Melbourne's inner-north.

Adrian Bayley has been sentenced to life in prison for the crimes.

Artist Philip Werner, whose Facebook post last year sparked a 30,000-strong march to honour Ms Meagher and other victims, was not surprised that thousands again turned up to honour victims of violence.

"I've called it a peace march and I believe people are here because they want to express the opposite sentiment to the things that led to the murder," Werner said.

Sasha Chambers carried a defiant sign with a message for Ms Meagher's killer Adrian Bayley and Steven James Hunter, who murdered Sarah Cafferkey.

"Two off our streets a fair few to go. This is for the voiceless, we will love you always," it read.

Ms Chambers said she had decided to march because more needed to be done for the safety of the community.

Christian Vega, from sex worker organisation Vixen, was there to honour his friend Tracy Connelly who was found murdered in St Kilda earlier this year.

"On a policy level we should be doing so much more," Mr Vega said.

The murder of 29-year-old Ms Meagher as she walked home last year sparked a successful push to change Victoria's parole laws.

Bayley, currently serving a life sentence, on Thursday had his application to appeal his sentence denied.

Another marcher, Lizzie Marks, along with 15 friends, carried white flowers to protest violence.

They brought their sons and daughters to "make them aware".

Victorian Premier Denis Napthine joined today's crowd and said it is important people continue speak out against such crimes.

"We're all devastated and affected by the tragic murder of Jill Meagher, and our hearts go out to her husband Tom and her family," he said.

"I think there was a spontaneous feeling right across Melbourne and Victoria that we need to take a stand...against violence against women and violence in our society."

Bayley failed in a bid last week to have his sentence reduced.

Ms Meagher's husband, Tom, blasted legal aid for funding Bayley's bid, labelling it a waste of money.

ABC/AAP

Topics: murder-and-manslaughter, crime, law-crime-and-justice, sexual-offences, community-and-society, brunswick-3056, vic, australia

First posted September 29, 2013 16:47:39

Wild winds batter Melbourne - 3AW (blog)

Thousands of home are without power and the SES has responded to more than 1000 calls for help after wild winds battered Melbourne overnight.

St Kilda was lashed by 120km/h winds at 12.30am, while gusts reached 117km/h at Essendon and 115km/h at Laverton.

A severe weather warning remains in place for most of Victoria with gusts of up to 130km/h forecast.

About 3200 properties in Northcote remain without power, as well as 1500 in the Brunswick area, 500 in Camberwell, 1300 in Surrey Hills and 1600 in Hawthorn.

There are several reports of fallen powerlines and trees are strewn across roads in most of the state.

Dozens of traffic lights have also been affected.

The SES expects to be kept busy this morning as people wake to more damage.

Dave Goldfinch, of the SES, told 3AW Breakfast that commuters should take extra care.

"There's a lot of debris on roads that could become unexpected hazards," he said.

The winds have also flared a number of major fires.

More than 80 CFA firefighters battled a blaze at a timber yard near Geelong after embers were blown into woodpiles.

Fire raced through the roof of an historic building at the Cape Schank lighthouse. Tourists inside the cottage managed to escape unharmed.

And another fire has destroyed a house in Robin Close at Doveton.

Firefighters say the occupant had hoarded a large amount of material inside, making the fire very difficult to contain.

The winds have caused havoc on the state's rail system. On the Lilydale and Pakenham lines, there are several cancellations of city-bound services, causing major delays.

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Phillip Stokes hopes for more Melbourne racing success - Herald Sun

Maybe Discreet, trained Phillip Stokes, hasnt raced since May . Picture: Calum Robertson Source: HeraldSun

PHILLIP Stokes is hoping his successful weekend can be replicated when he returns to Melbourne this weekend.

Stokes produced a training double at Morphettville on Saturday before Eclair Big Bang enhanced his Caulfield Guineas prospects with his impressive prelude win at Caulfield on Sunday.

But the boys will take a back seat this week as he returns with a trio of mares, led by last year’s Schweppes Oaks winner Maybe Discreet.

“It was a fantastic result, the horses are coming right at the right time,’’ Stokes said yesterday.

Group 1 winning mare Maybe Discreet will have her second run back from a spell in the Group 2 Blazer Stakes at Flemington on the back of a eye-catching return to racing behind top local sprinter Karacatis in the Wylie Stakes in Adelaide.

“She’s run in the Group 2,’’ Stokes added.

“She ran super first-up. She has come back in very good order and she’ll keep getting better heading towards the Myer Classic later in the spring.’’

Stablemate Just Discreet will bypass the Group 2 Gilgai in preference for the Headquarters Tavern Stakes over the 1410m trip a race that will see another stablemate - Molto Bene - have her first start in Melbourne since running favourite in last year’s Group 1 Thousand Guineas.

Stokes made the decision to leave Guineas fancy Eclair Big Bang in Melbourne in preparation for the $1m feature at Caulfield in just under two weeks time.

“I find you can travel them (from Adelaide to Melbourne) twice in a preparation but not a third time,’’ he added.

In contrast Hucklebuck has returned to Adelaide after a luckless Melbourne debut at Moonee Valley on Friday night, Stokes now bypassing the Blue Sapphire Stakes on Caulfield Guineas day as he looks to get Hucklebuck out over more ground.

“He was obviously unlucky, but Moonee Valley is one of those tracks,’’ he added.

“He felt the run a little bit.’’

“He’ll probably go back in three weeks time, there are plenty of options for him. I think he’d find them a little to sharp in a couple of weeks time (in the Blue Sapphire), but a race like the Carbine Club Stakes or Sandown Guineas could be OK for him.’’

Worst winds to hit Victoria in five years cause chaos and damage across ... - ABC Online

By Tony Nicholls, staff

Updated October 01, 2013 07:25:37

Wild weather has caused chaos and widespread damage across Melbourne and the State Emergency Service (SES) is bracing for a heavy workload this morning.

The SES received more than 1,000 calls for help after strong north-westerly winds of more than 140 kilometres per hour ripped through Melbourne's metropolitan area last night, bringing trees crashing down on roads and houses.

Tens of thousands of properties across the state have been left without electricity.

In Fitzroy North, a power pole came down, dragging a large branch of a gum tree with it.

It brought powerlines down on the footpath with the powerlines draped across the forecourt of a home and right down the street.

The SES has been out in force in the area with chainsaws to clean up damage and make it as safe as they can for residents and passers-by.

But they cannot do anymore work until the power company comes in to secure the fallen powerlines.

Several houses have lost their roofs in areas like Kew, Broadmeadows Altona, Point Cook, Wyndham and Frankston.

Fawkner Beacon, on Port Philip Bay, recorded the highest gust last night of 142 kph, but the predominant steady wind was much lower than that.

Of the more than 1,000 calls for help the SES received by midnight, 936 were from Melbourne's metropolitan area.

The Bureau of Meteorology's Tony Bannister says the winds have been the worst in Victoria for more than five years.

"It's looking like it's probably the worst event Victoria-wide since April 2008 when we had an ex-tropical cyclone, Pancho, in terms of the area covered and the intensity of the gusts," he said.

He says there is more to come.

"A cold front is moving up towards Melbourne now," he said.

"Between 7 and 8 o'clock, there could still be some gusts of up to 100 kph."

The wild weather conditions throughout Victoria have also meant a busy night for fire crews.

Fierce winds sparked a fire at Bellarine tree services at Moolap, near Geelong.

The blaze began in a pile of mulch with up to 20 fire trucks taking three hours to control the flames.

At Cape Shanck, fire damaged the roof of the White Cottage in the Light House precinct, which is run as a bed and breakfast.

A smoke alarm alerted the guests who escaped without injury, and fire crews managed to contain the damage to the limestone cottage, which was built in 1859.

And at Doveton in Melbourne's south-east, a blaze destroyed a house in Robin Close.

The CFA says the winds made it tough to control and crews concentrated their efforts on preventing the flames from spreading to nearby homes.

Topics: weather, fires, disasters-and-accidents, melbourne-3000, vic

First posted October 01, 2013 06:39:00

Stokes hopes for more Melbourne success - Adelaide Now

Maybe Discreet, trained Phillip Stokes, hasnt raced since May . Picture: Calum Robertson Source: HeraldSun

PHILLIP Stokes is hoping his successful weekend can be replicated when he returns to Melbourne this weekend.

Stokes produced a training double at Morphettville on Saturday before Eclair Big Bang enhanced his Caulfield Guineas prospects with his impressive prelude win at Caulfield on Sunday.

But the boys will take a back seat this week as he returns with a trio of mares, led by last year’s Schweppes Oaks winner Maybe Discreet.

“It was a fantastic result, the horses are coming right at the right time,’’ Stokes said yesterday.

Group 1 winning mare Maybe Discreet will have her second run back from a spell in the Group 2 Blazer Stakes at Flemington on the back of a eye-catching return to racing behind top local sprinter Karacatis in the Wylie Stakes in Adelaide.

“She’s run in the Group 2,’’ Stokes added.

“She ran super first-up. She has come back in very good order and she’ll keep getting better heading towards the Myer Classic later in the spring.’’

Stablemate Just Discreet will bypass the Group 2 Gilgai in preference for the Headquarters Tavern Stakes over the 1410m trip a race that will see another stablemate - Molto Bene - have her first start in Melbourne since running favourite in last year’s Group 1 Thousand Guineas.

Stokes made the decision to leave Guineas fancy Eclair Big Bang in Melbourne in preparation for the $1m feature at Caulfield in just under two weeks time.

“I find you can travel them (from Adelaide to Melbourne) twice in a preparation but not a third time,’’ he added.

In contrast Hucklebuck has returned to Adelaide after a luckless Melbourne debut at Moonee Valley on Friday night, Stokes now bypassing the Blue Sapphire Stakes on Caulfield Guineas day as he looks to get Hucklebuck out over more ground.

“He was obviously unlucky, but Moonee Valley is one of those tracks,’’ he added.

“He felt the run a little bit.’’

“He’ll probably go back in three weeks time, there are plenty of options for him. I think he’d find them a little to sharp in a couple of weeks time (in the Blue Sapphire), but a race like the Carbine Club Stakes or Sandown Guineas could be OK for him.’’

Pop hits, genre-hopping and crotch-grabbing: Rihanna's Melbourne concert - NEWS.com.au

Rihanna in concert at the Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: News Limited

RIHANNA has become the Axl Rose of pop — people take bets on how late she’ll keep her fans waiting before actually getting on stage.

She was a disrespectful 90 minutes late on stage in Adelaide, and 30 minutes in Perth and Brisbane.

The big surprise for Melbourne? Rihanna was on stage at exactly 9pm as required at Rod Laver Arena.

As well as unexpected punctuality, Rihanna fans got a solid, envelope-pushing set from one of the most prolific and most interesting popstars of the last decade.

Whatever her chosen tools of relaxation may be, she tours ruthlessly and has had a new album a year for seven years running. Yes this new show is top heavy with new songs, but she hasn’t had to rely on a lazy greatest hits set yet. Indeed some of her biggest hits are either out to pasture or shoehorned into a medley.

Rihanna strikes the pose in concert. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: News Limited

Sure she has backing singers to do some of the heavy vocal lifting at times but Rihanna sounds right at home on reggae moments Man Down and No Love Allowed. She showcases her vocal power on opener Mother Mary.

She also deserves credit for effortlessly genre-hopping through hits Rude Boy, Umbrella, We Found Love, Rock Star and Diamonds.

As with her last tours, you still question the parental wisdom of letting young kids attend a Rihanna concert.

If having a no. 1 hit praising S & M wasn’t a hint at her lyrical content, songs like Birthday Cake and Cockiness leave zero to the imagination. And to make sure you don’t miss the clues Rihanna regularly has one hand on her crotch and one holding the microphone.

And with some choreography seemingly inspired by strippers at times RiRi’s dance moves make Miley Cyrus look like Judith Durham.

###

Melbourne brothel worker offered hush money to murder victim's family, court told - ABC Local

By court reporter Sarah Farnsworth

Posted September 30, 2013 19:36:47

A Melbourne court has heard a brothel worker offered the family of a man he killed $20,000 in hush money.

Abraham Papo, 28, was bludgeoned to death with a tyre lever outside Madam Leona's brothel in South Melbourne in 2009.

De Jun Zheng, 37, is on trial for murder.

The court heard Mr Papo mistakenly believed his Korean girlfriend was being made to work as a prostitute against her will.

The jury was told he went to the brothel demanding to know where she was, before he punched Zheng and fled the premises.

Zheng then allegedly ran after Mr Papo and beat him up to six times with a tyre lever as he sat in his car.

The prosecution told the court the next day Zheng offered $20,000 in hush money to Mr Papo's family.

Zheng maintains he acted in self-defence.

The trial continues.

Topics: murder-and-manslaughter, crime, law-crime-and-justice, prostitution, south-melbourne-3205, vic, australia

Artists have redesigned a number of Melbourne trams - ABC Local

Updated September 30, 2013 10:57:36

Some of Victoria's most talented artists have taken to several Melbourne trams, turning them into mobile murals.

Eight trams have been repainted and will run on different routes as part of next week's Melbourne Festival.

The project is a reimagining of an idea that began in Melbourne in the 70s, that saw some of the country's most renowned artists designing the city's W-class trams.

This morning, the Melbourne Festival's creative director, Josephine Ridge, unveiled one of the redesigned trams.

"To once again be able to bring art on to the iconic Melbourne tram and on to the streets is really a fantastic initiative." she said.

The tram design by pop painter, Jon Campbell, will be the first to hit the city circle tracks this week.

Topics: arts-and-entertainment, transport, melbourne-3000

First posted September 30, 2013 10:35:17

Police fear Melbourne shootings are the result of escalating bikie violence - ABC Local

Updated September 30, 2013 15:22:32

Police believe two shootings in Melbourne's south-east are the result of escalating tensions between rival bike gangs.

A tattoo parlour was sprayed with bullets in Dandenong just after four o'clock this morning.

Two hours later, an employee arrived at a gym, in the nearby suburb of Hallam, to find bullets had been fired into the business.

Makeshift bombs had also been thrown through the front window but they were not detonated.

The two businesses have connections to the leader of the Comancheros' Hallam chapter.

Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, Stephen Fontana, says the attacks were launched by members of the Hells Angels gang, who were using high-powered, military-style weapons.

"We're really concerned about the escalating violence between OMCGs (Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs)," he said.

"We believe that the weapons used in this particular attack are also linked to attacks at Clayton South and other premises in Dandenong over the last couple of weeks."

Mr Fontana says, unless the attacks stop, it is only matter of time before someone is killed.

"Not only the people who may be the target of these attacks but also innocent bystanders," he said.

"The events have occurred in public places and the number of shots fired on occasions have been indiscriminate."

Police are investigating if the attacks are connected to another shooting on the Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne, yesterday.

Bomb squad police are examining two makeshift explosive devices that have been thrown into a gym in Melbourne's outer south-east.

The petrol containers were discovered when a staff member turned up for work this morning and found the Hallam gym had been sprayed with bullets.

The business and properties near the gym have been evacuated and the Princes Highway between Belgrave-Hallam Road and the South Gippsland freeway had been closed.

It is believed the property is run by members of the Comancheros bikie gang, which has a local chapter in Hallam.

Police are investigating if the incident is linked to another shooting at a tattoo parlour in nearby Dandenong this morning.

Bullets were fired at the business around four o'clock.

A man who lives near the tattoo parlour says the gun shots woke him up.

"Six or five times, bang, bang, bang, bang, so I just woke up and went to my kids home to check my wife too, they were sleeping," he said.

"Then I just opened up the window to see what was going on but I couldn't see anything."

No one has been injured.

Police are investigating whether outlaw motorcycle gangs are involved.

Topics: police, hallam-3803, dandenong-3175

First posted September 30, 2013 08:38:59

Videos, photos: Grand final day in Melbourne - 3AW (blog)

Grand final fever gripped Melbourne despite wintry weather, and 3AW was in the thick of it.

Thousands of fans including Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Molly Meldrum, Peter Siddle, Ricky Ponting were up bright and early for the North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast at Etihad Stadium.

WATCH: Tony Abbott cracks a footy 'joke', experts have their say and the show finishes with a bang

Later 3AW Football made some fans very happy by handing out heaps of grand final tickets for the best Toyota footy posters.

GALLERY: Scroll down for photos from our special OB.

Charlotte couldn't hide her excitement when BT gave her our first grand final ticket handout.

Matthew Lloyd presents Joel Selwood with his VicSuper prize as 3AW Football Player of the Year

Meanwhile, Mike Brady entertained the crowd at our live broadcast from the MCG this morning.

The Aussie music legend, who is performing today at the grand final, sang his hit Up There Cazaly.

AFTER THE SIREN

Watch the Hawks paint the 'G brown and gold after the final siren

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Accused Victorian killer wants Melbourne trial - Ninemsn

A man accused of murdering a baby during a burglary in central Victoria wants his upcoming trial moved to Melbourne because of publicity on the case.

Harley Hicks, 20, of North Bendigo, has been committed to stand trial for the murder of Zayden Veal at a Bendigo home on June 15 last year.

But his barrister David Hallowes told the Victorian Supreme Court on Monday that he will apply to have the trial heard in Melbourne.

Mr Hallowes said he was concerned about local publicity about the murder case.

Prosecutor Michele Williams SC said the Crown would oppose the application because 52 witnesses to be called at trial were from Bendigo.

The application will be heard in Melbourne on December 16.

Do you have any story leads, photos or videos?

Suspected bombs found in Melbourne gym - TVNZ

Published: 3:26PM Monday September 30, 2013 Source: AAP

• 

Police are trying to disarm two suspected bombs found inside a Melbourne gym after a drive-by shooting.

Bomb squad detectives, along with anti-bikie detectives from the state's Echo taskforce, have closed off a wide area around the Nitro gym in Hallam.

Police discovered the devices in the building after a worker arrived at the gym around 6am local time to find the business peppered with bullets.

It was the second shooting overnight.

Two hours earlier, multiple shots were fired at a tattoo parlour in nearby Dandenong.

A police spokeswoman said no one was injured in either shooting but detectives are investigating if outlaw motorcycle clubs are involved.

The delicate operation to remove the suspected explosive devices from the gym has temporarily closed the Princes Highway.

Copyright © 2013, Television New Zealand Limited. Breaking and Daily News, Sport & Weather | TV ONE, TV2 | Ondemand

Docklands traders relieved as Melbourne Star wheel finally turns - Sydney Morning Herald

The Southern Star wheel. Photo: Justin McManus

For a fleeting moment the Docklands wheel groaned into action high above the harbour suburb.

It was only a test rotation, but it represented a small beacon of hope for struggling traders below.

This month the 21st and final cabin was fixed to the Melbourne Star observation wheel, bringing to an end one of the final stages of the problem-plagued project.

And it was not the only small positive sign for the inner-city suburb.

On the Harbour Esplanade, the skeleton of a temporary greenhouse-style cafe with an edible garden was taking shape.

After an eight-month planning delay, 'Hortus' (Latin for garden) is expected to open in November and begin serving coffee and snacks.

One of the common criticisms of Docklands is that it is overwhelmed with towers and lacks people-friendly attractions at street level.

Christie Petsinis of Folk Architects said one idea behind he cafe was to bring to Docklands a "small-scale" attraction.

"It just takes a little while for the spaces to be filled in so this could be catalyst for small-scale projects," Ms Petsinis said.

However, in the short-term at least, there is a belief the wheel will be the only real game changer for Docklands.

Melbourne lord mayor Robert Doyle said for the sake of Docklands' “fantastic” waterfront restaurants and attractions it was important the Melbourne Star began operating soon. So dire is the situation of traders, who have seen at least one shop close in recent months, the council has frozen rate rises.

While some businesses at Harbour Town, including Chillipadi restaurant, have reported a modest (15 per cent) rise in customers in the past year, others have warned they will have to close if crowds do not increase.

Manager of Gold Leaf restaurant, Frank Yu, said the Asian eatery seated 250 people, but they were only serving 30 to 40 guests during the week and about 100 weekends.

Mr Yu said if the return of the wheel did not lure in at least 150 people a night there would be no point continuing the lease.

Healthy Habits manager Mangi Pereia remembers the magic 40-day period up to January 2009 when the wheel was working.

"There were so many visitors, we opened until 8pm at night. Now we shut at 5pm," Ms Pereia said.

Just how quickly those days will return is likely to be at the mercy of Docklands' windy weather, according to a Melbourne Star spokeswoman.

She said workers still needed to complete several jobs, including a clean-up, before the gates open.

"Then there will be the commissioning of the site, which is a fairly lengthy mandatory testing process," she said.

Artists have redesigned a number of Melbourne trams - ABC Local

Updated September 30, 2013 10:57:36

Some of Victoria's most talented artists have taken to several Melbourne trams, turning them into mobile murals.

Eight trams have been repainted and will run on different routes as part of next week's Melbourne Festival.

The project is a reimagining of an idea that began in Melbourne in the 70s, that saw some of the country's most renowned artists designing the city's W-class trams.

This morning, the Melbourne Festival's creative director, Josephine Ridge, unveiled one of the redesigned trams.

"To once again be able to bring art on to the iconic Melbourne tram and on to the streets is really a fantastic initiative." she said.

The tram design by pop painter, Jon Campbell, will be the first to hit the city circle tracks this week.

Topics: arts-and-entertainment, transport, melbourne-3000

First posted September 30, 2013 10:35:17

Accused Vic killer wants Melbourne trial - Yahoo!7 News

A man accused of murdering a baby during a burglary in central Victoria wants his trial moved to Melbourne because of publicity on the case.

20-year-old Harley Hicks has been committed to stand trial for the murder of Zayden Veal at a Bendigo home in June last year.

But his barrister's told the Victorian Supreme Court he'll apply to have the trial heard in Melbourne because of concerns about local publicity.

Toddler pool safety campaign

Melbourne team uncovers multiple sclerosis breakthrough - Herald Sun

MELBOURNE scientists say they have made a major breakthrough in unravelling the cause of multiple sclerosis, by identifying 48 previously unknown genetic variants that influence the risk of developing the incurable auto-immune disease.

The findings from this international research program almost double the number of known genetic risk factors for the disease affecting 23,000 Australians, and bring researchers a step closer to developing the first curative treatments.

Head of the MS division at Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Professor Trevor Kilpatrick said the ability of 84 research groups in 13 countries to pool their expertise and data sets over the past decade had found that about a fifth of the MS genes linked to disease susceptibility, were linked to other auto-immune diseases such as coelic disease, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid disease.

“That’s telling us there are some common drivers between these various diseases and that’s going to be really important in understanding what are the common things that go wrong at the molecular level,’’ Prof Kilpatrick said.

“It will impact how we intervene across the board in other auto-immune disease.’’

MS occurs when the body’s immune system destroys the outer protective layer of nerves, which can affect the ability to walk or speak clearly.

The research was published in the journal Nature Genetics today by the International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium, of which Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne and Monash University are involved.

They analysed the DNA of about 80,000 people, including Australians, to make this the largest investigation of MS genetics.

Prof Kilpatrick said this international research group would now investigate whether there were “genetic signatures’’ that dictate severity of the disease.

“We are very much aware that all of us get a set of susceptibility genes, more or less, and there is something in the environment may trigger that into avert disease,’’ he said.

“But we’re not going to get to the stage whereby we can predict that someone on their genetic repertoire alone will be destined to get the disease.

“We think, however, that there may be genetic signatures which will determine whether an individual will get severe disease as opposed to a benign form.

“If you can say your genetic signature is very heavy, we can intervene early with treatment.’’

MS Research Australia chief Dr Matthew Miles said the findings were as ``huge contribution’’ to the understanding of MS.

“This work will underpin intensified efforts to translate these genetic findings into new therapies to reduce the impact of this condition for people with MS worldwide,’’ Dr Miles said.

Music Review: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra - Sydney Morning Herald

Music

Reviewer rating:

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Hamer Hall

September 27 and 30

Continuing his penchant for single composer concerts, conductor Bernard Labadie returned to direct the MSO in an all-Beethoven program. With precisely placed outbursts Beethoven's Coriolan Overture Op. 62 got off to a dramatic start. The lowered acoustic ceiling of Hamer Hall and Labadie's approach to period string technique yielded a marvellously crisp, dry sound from the orchestra led by guest concertmaster Madeleine Easton.

Beethoven's Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21 is often unjustly measured against his later triumphant efforts, but this polished reading by disciplined strings and perfectly tuned woodwinds and horns reasserted its worth. Attention to dynamic contrasts and carefully considered articulation were evident throughout its four movements.

It has been a big week in Melbourne for Canadian pianists with Marc-Andre Hamelin following fast on the heels of compatriot Angela Hewitt. From the opening keyboard arpeggios of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat, Op. 73 Hamelin asserted hefty authority while always remaining true to the score. Throughout its alternating moods the interplay between orchestra and Hamelin's nuanced fleet passagework produced much more than a demonstration of technique. Supported by beautifully pure accompaniment from the woodwinds and strings, Hamelin's lyrical measured approach to the Adagio was serene and controlled. With a seamless transition into the heroic final Rondo Hamelin led the orchestra in a bounding rhythmic race to the finish.

Melbourne death suspicious, police say - Yahoo!7 News

The death of a man whose body was found at a home in Melbourne's east is being treated as suspicious, police say.

The 28-year-old's body was found in a home at Narre Warren just after 4pm (AEST) on Sunday.

Police say the cause of his death is yet to be determined, but the death is being treated as suspicious, pending the result of an autopsy.

Homicide Squad detectives are heading to the scene.

Two found dead in separate incidents - Herald Sun

A man is helping Melbourne police after a woman's body was found at a caravan park yesterday.

HOMICIDE detectives are ­investigating two suspicious deaths in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Two bodies were found in separate incidents over the weekend.

One victim was a man in Narre Warren.

The other was a woman found in a caravan in Yarra Junction.

The body of the 28-year-old man was found in a house on Horswood Rd, Narre Warren, near Belgrave-Hallam Rd in Melbourne’s southeast on Sunday.

Police spokeswoman Melissa Seach said the death was being treated as suspicious.

An autopsy will be performed to help determine the cause of death.

“We don’t know how he died yet,” Ms Seach said.

She added that police had been called to the house just after 4pm.

Homicide detectives also attended the house late yesterday afternoon.

Meanwhile, a man has been questioned over the suspected murder of a woman found dead in a caravan park in Yarra Junction on Saturday.

The man was yet to be named.

Police spokeswoman Melissa Seach said on Sunday night the 37-year-old had been released, pending further inquiries.

It is believed he was known to the woman.

The woman, aged 37, was found dead at a property on Tarrano Rd about 4.45pm.

An autopsy was being ­conducted to determine an exact cause of death.

Homicide squad detectives took the man into custody ­yesterday morning and ­questioned him throughout the afternoon at Ringwood police station.

Neighbours at the caravan park, which is in Melbourne’s outer east, were shocked by the death.

“Yeah, it’s just shocking and you don’t expect it,’’ one ­resident said.

Charges are yet to be laid.

Anyone with information about the woman’s death is urged to contact Crime ­Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or go to crimestoppers.com.au.

- with Annika Smethurst, Tom Minear

Thousands march for Jill Meagher in Melbourne - Irish Independent

Wonder-ful way to battle poverty

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US DIARY ORLA HEALY

Bill Clinton isn't missing any opportunity to remind his only daughter how keen he is to become a grandfather. Even if that means guilt-tripping 33-year-old Chelsea on national TV. In an interview to coincide with Tuesday's opening of the annual Clinton Global Initiative, Bubba was asked if he thought Hillary would rather become president or a grandmother. "If you ask her, I think she'd say grandmother. But I have found it best not to discuss that issue," he replied, before laying his own hopes on thick. "My goal is . . . to live to be a grandfather. The rest of it is out of my hands."

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