Tragic waste of young lives: Three teens die By Lou Robson November 19, 2006 12:00am
THE brother of a Sunshine Coast man killed in a horror triple fatality yesterday has paid an emotional tribute to the dead teenager. Standing at the crash site yesterday, 15-year-old Adam Doyle described his brother Joel, 19, as a "joker who could make anyone laugh". "He was my brother and I loved him," Adam said. "He was a good person, he was always so positive. He was my brother, he was good . . . they all were." Joel Doyle, of Maroochydore, was one of three people killed when his Holden Statesman smashed into a tree at the intersection of Karawatha and Saratoga drives, Mountain Creek, at 1.40am yesterday. Also killed were Travis Guerin, 18, of Maroochydore, who was driving, and passenger Nakita Deacon, 15, of Chevallum. A third passenger, a 15-year-old-girl from Buderim, was flown from Nambour Hospital to the Royal Brisbane and remained in a critical condition last night. As news of the tragedy broke, dozens of teenagers gathered at the base of the tree where they sobbed and embraced. Some slumped to the ground with the weight of their loss as carloads of friends arrived to lay flowers. A distraught Adam Doyle placed one hand on the tree and the other on his heart when he arrived at the site six hours after the crash.
Youths believed to be members of a Sunshine Coast car club wrote messages on the tree and left cards and mementos. Casey Basson, a 17-year-old from Maroochydore, said she hugged Joel Doyle, known as JD, 10 minutes before he died. She, Mr Doyle and other car enthusiasts had been cruising the suburb 5km west of Maroochydore early on Saturday morning. "I saw him and he gave me a big hug. He told me how much fun we were going to have at my 18th birthday in three weeks' time," she said. Minutes after the crash Ms Basson drove past on her way to a friend's house. She recognised the car and realised her friend was dead. "I saw JD's rims and knew it was him. I pulled over and watched them put my friends in body bags," she said. Ms Basson described the triple fatality as a nightmare. "JD was the funniest, nicest and most responsible guy around and I just want to wake up," she said. Police believe the crash was speed or alcohol-related. Sunshine Coast Inspector Anne MacDonald said the impact of the crash wrapped the car around the tree and split it in half. "I don't know how to describe what I saw when I arrived at the crash," she said. "I haven't seen an incident that bad in more than 26 years on the job."
The tragedy was "a warning to all young motorists".
A Karawatha Dve resident said a fifth person believed to be a teenage girl got out of the car at a nearby roundabout minutes before the crash. "She is so lucky to have survived. It was a very close call," he said.
It's a 60k zone and if the impact into a tree was enough to kill 3 people and seriously injure a 4th they had to be travelling 'at speed'. Very sad and very preventable. I live in Maroochydore also.
School's out Lucy Carne, Paul Weston and Caitriona Murtagh November 18, 2006 11:00pm
STUDENTS from an exclusive Gold Coast school are suspected of a shopping-centre bashing in a violent start to Schoolies Week.
At least three people were assaulted late on Friday at a Southport shopping complex at the corner of Cotlew St and Ferry Rd.
Witnesses told The Sunday Mail about 10 students from The Southport School celebrating at the Ferry Rd Tavern in the complex were responsible for some violence.
"They were all TSS students either past or present," an employee at the complex said. "They were wearing 'Schoolies 2006' shirts and they regularly come in here. We know them."
Police said the violence began with allegations of food being thrown in a Subway store.
Parademics raced to the centre's carpark at 12.40am and three men, including one with cuts to his head and arms, were taken to the Gold Coast Hospital.
Police said they wanted to speak to teenagers and adults connected to the violence.
The Southport School headmaster Greg Wain yesterday said he was aware some students might have been involved after they attended the school's graduation ceremony on Friday.
"This is very disappointing for us and if the law has been broken the school would fully support the police being involved," he said.
The complex's Subway owner, David Cohen, said his 18-year-old son was bashed. "He has a lacerated eye," he said.
The week-long Schoolies got into full party mode last night with a crowd estimated at more than 15,000 packing Cavill Mall and two beach stages where bands were scheduled to play until 1am.
It followed Friday night's opening celebrations in Surfers Paradise, where two schoolies were arrested for drug offences.
The youths, from Southport on the Gold Coast and Albany Creek in Brisbane's north, were charged with possession of cannabis.
A third school leaver, a female student from Kingston in Logan City, was charged with being drunk.
No arrests were made during the first 24 hours of the festival last year.
Yesterday, police were called to break up vicious fights, including two girls who traded blows and eye-gouged each other at the beach end of Cavill Mall about 1am.
Both were taken into custody.
Police arrested 37 people on 40 other charges, mainly public nuisance offences. Most offenders were "toolies" – older men renowned for causing trouble in the Schoolies precinct.
Gold Coast police district Acting Superintendent Jim Keogh yesterday said troublemakers would be identified quickly and removed to ensure the safety of the event.
"I'm a little disappointed to see that two schoolies have taken it unto themselves to be in possession of drugs. I'm also disappointed by a number of minor altercations," he said.
Ambulance officers treated up to 200 patients, some for intoxication, others for cuts and bruises.
AN EXPERT has warned an attack on a human is imminent after a woman was terrorised by dingoes just 6km from Brisbane's centre.
The 58-year-old Bardon woman was walking her dog through the popular Mt Coot-tha picnic spot Simpson Falls last Saturday when two dingoes stalked and circled her for a kilometre.
Brisbane City Council put up warning signs and set more traps in response to the incident, as dingo experts predicted it was only a matter of time before an attack.
"They are capable of attacking humans and they will," dingo expert and retired trapper John Wilson said.
"When they were circling, it is quite possible they were getting ready to attack. They were feeling her out." The woman, who asked not to be named, said rangers told her not to go back the area for six months in case the dingoes returned.
"Every few metres the male would stop and howl for the rest of the pack," she said.
"It wasn't just them coming up and going away, they stayed about 3m behind me growling for the entire time. They would not leave.
"When I turned around one of the dogs would circle behind me staying in my blind spot.
"It was then I knew an attack was a possibility. All I wanted to do was run but I knew if I did they would jump on me. It was a very scary 15 minutes."
The Sunday Mail has discovered encounters with aggressive dingoes are a regular occurrence at Mt Coot-tha.
Another Bardon woman said she was stalked by a pack of five dingoes, and an elderly man said a dingo recently tried to bite his legs.
A Brisbane City Council spokeswoman said the council was aware dingoes were becoming more aggressive towards humans, particularly in the western suburbs.
"Dogs believed to be dingo hybrids have been seen in the Mt Coot-tha area for the past four months and are now showing aggressive tendencies," she said.
The council has twice trapped and culled aggressive wild dogs in the area in the past year.
I think there is a common belief amongst those of us who are either ignorant or misinformed that 'hippies' attend these protests (like the G20 protest). That alternative lifestylists (who make up the majority of people living in Nimbin in North Coast NSW) are tree huggers, greenies and trouble makers (who protest at the drop of a hat). This is not true but for the mislead it is deemed to be fact. Hence, Paula, BM's connection between G20 protesters and Nimbin.
Bushfires rage across NSW Tuesday Nov 21 07:52 AEDT
A bushfire in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, is still burning out of control as extreme fire conditions feed several blazes across NSW.
A total fire ban covering all but the north-east of the state is in force until midnight as dry and windy conditions will be exacerbated by temperatures of up to 39 degrees Celsius. Firefighters are also battling blazes in the Hunter Valley and near the towns of Forbes and Oberon. The largest of the state's fires, which has burnt out 6,800 hectares of Blue Mountains National Park, broke containment lines at its eastern edge at Anvil Rock around 11pm (AEDT) on Monday, the Rural Fire Service (RFS) said. Firefighters were already concentrating on preventing an escape in that area but even with reinforcements were thwarted by difficult terrain and the fire's behaviour. Aircraft began water-bombing at daybreak to try and limit the spread of the fire. Around 400 firefighters will continue to battle the blaze but strong south-westerly winds may cause the fire to run. Two fires had been burning in the area for the past nine days but have now joined. While no property is yet under threat, the RFS held community meetings on Monday night to advise Blue Mountains residents on how to prepare their homes for fire. Several roads are closed in the area, including the Bells Line of Road between the Darling Causeway and Mount Tomah. Darling Causeway remains open but is likely to close over the next 72 hours. The national park remains closed to the public. Around 120 firefighters are battling several fires burning in remote terrain in the Hunter Valley. Three fires in Wollemi National Park have burnt out 4,800 hectares since being started by lightning strikes on November 13. Two fires in Goulburn River National Park have accounted for 500 hectares. Another fire north of Lake Cowal, near Forbes, has burnt out 2,200 hectares of private property after breaking out on Sunday. No property is under threat but conditions could cause spot fires and a potential spread to cropping and grazing country. Around 60 firefighters and five aircraft will tackle the flames. The blaze at Essington near Oberon, which has burnt out 236 hectares, is currently under control but firefighters fear the conditions may cause it to spread to nearby Essington State Forest. Three aircraft and 85 firefighters will try and control the fire, which is not threatening any property.
Concern for Bindi's state November 22, 2006 The psychologist described Bindi Irwin as "a well-adjusted child who can handle a tragedy and see that life goes on". Photo: Australian Woman's Weekly
TERRI Irwin has taken her two children to a psychologist following concerns daughter Bindi has been "so happy" despite the death of her father Steve.
In an interview in The Australian Women's Weekly to be published today, Mrs Irwin said she had taken eight-year-old Bindi and her two-year-old brother Bob to a psychologist to assess their emotional state.
"I don't pretend to have all the answers," Mrs Irwin said.
"I met with a psychologist and that's been a tremendous help for me.
"I asked him if everything was OK, because Bindi has been so happy.
"And he said, 'Why? Are you worried? That's what you are shooting for. That's what you want — a well-adjusted child who can handle a tragedy and see that life goes on.' "
Irwin died after being struck in the chest with a stingray's barb while filming a documentary on the Great Barrier Reef on September 4.
Bob is only three in December and would not grasp the concept of where his daddy has gone. Bindi has a pretty good handle on things. Bob should get better as he gets older and understands more. Bless this wonderful family. Don't you just love the picture of Bindi?
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Jelena kidnapped, Damir Dokic says Thursday Nov 23 06:01 AEDT Damir Dokic claims his daughter Jelena Dokic has been kidnapped in Croatia by her former tennis coach and an ex-boyfriend.
Dokic, the former world number four, had been training in Germany with former Croatian tennis star Mikola Pilic before travelling to Zagreb in Croatia. She has now gone missing, The Australian newspaper reports, and her father, an ethnic Serb, claims former coach Borna Biknic and his brother, Tino, a former boyfriend, are responsible. "Both my wife and I are frantic," Damir Dokic told the Australian.
"Despite repeated attempts to contact her at her last known address in Zagreb, she hasn't returned our calls.
"I believe she has either been kidnapped or is being held against her will by the Biknic brothers." He has filed a missing persons report but Zagreb police have not commented.
Mr Dokic said he and his daughter had reconciled their differences and he had been in regular contact with his daughter once a month, adding that he was a changed man.
Dokic has not played in Australia since losing in the first round of the Australian Open in January.
The Belgrade-born player grew up in Australia and has been ranked as high as number four in the world but had to qualify for the 2006 event in Melbourne via the wildcard system.
British hostage killed in Nigeria rescue Thursday Nov 23 07:15 AEDT
One hostage has been killed and two wounded in an attempt to free seven foreign oil workers abducted from a Nigerian offshore oilfield, military and industry sources say.
The remaining four hostages, seized from an Italian oil facility off the coast of Nigeria, have been freed unharmed by the Nigerian military, who killed two militants in the raid.
"Government security forces engaged militants from this morning's hostage taking. One expat is dead and two were injured. Four were unharmed," one military source said. Italy's foreign ministry says the dead hostage is British. It is the first time an expatriate oil worker has been killed after being taken hostage in Nigeria, security sources say.
Earlier, spokesman for ENI, the Italian company operating the facility, said two Finns, a Briton, an Italian, a Filipino, a Pole and a Romanian had been taken by gunmen in speed boats.
The nationalities of the wounded hostages are not immediately known.
Eni closed down its 50,000 barrels-a-day Okono/Okpoho oilfield as a result of the attack, an industry source said.
The facility, located 55km off the coast of the Niger Delta, is a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel, a stationary tanker with crude oil and gas processing facilities built on top and a loading buoy attached.
An industry source said the attack was "community-related", referring to disputes between oil companies and nearby villages about employment, infrastructure and other benefits.
These disputes are common in the impoverished Niger Delta, and hostages are normally released unharmed after talks involving the local government.
In this case, the kidnappers with the hostages in their boats ran into a military patrol by chance, and a firefight broke out, security sources said.
President Obasanjo in August ordered the military to put a stop to a growing wave of hostage-taking in the Niger Delta, telling troops to meet "force for force".
Schoolies bashing: teen critical November 23, 2006 - 8:47AM
A teenager is in a critical condition with serious head injuries after he was bashed on the Gold Coast during schoolies celebrations.
Witnesses told police that the 17-year-old had been walking with four friends along Northcliffe Terrace at Surfers Paradise around 7.30pm (AEST) yesterday when they met a group of around seven males walking towards them.
the victim was punched in the face, fell and hit his head on the road when he asked one of the men for a cigarette.
The unconscious teenager was taken to the Gold Coast Hospital by ambulance where he remains in the intensive care unit today.
Acting Gold Coast District Superintendent Jim Keogh described the incident as "sickening" and appealed for members of the public with information on the incident to come forward.
"This appears to be an unprovoked attack on a young man celebrating the end of the school year," Acting Supt. Keogh said.
"Now he is in hospital, fighting for his life and we need to find the person responsible."
"Anyone who may have seen the offender walking around Surfers Paradise or perhaps had him as a customer in their store, please contact police."
Supt. Keogh also issued an appeal to the men who were with the alleged offender to call police.
"This is a very serious offence and I ask them to do the right thing and come forward," he said.
The offender is described as aged around 20 years old, caucasian, 190-193 cm tall, medium to solid build, spiky dark hair and wearing a black singlet or T-shirt with white writing and white shorts.
He offender also has a piercing in his lip.
Police are examining closed CCTV to see if the offender has been captured by any of the surveillance cameras walking in the Surfers Paradise area.
Firies containing Blue Mountains blaze Thursday Nov 23 06:35 AEDT
Firefighters hope conditions that have allowed them to carry out major backburning operations in the Blue Mountains continue.
Around 500 Rural Fire Service (RFS) and NSW Fire Brigades fire fighters took advantage of calmer conditions overnight to establish containment lines around the township of Mount Tomah.
Containment lines have also been established along a 20km span of the Blue Mountains stretching from Blackheath to Wentworth Falls. "The burns appear to be going okay up in the Blue Mountains, it's looking good," RFS spokesman Mark Sullivan said.
"I'd say it is generally favourable conditions that we've experienced, they are getting some deep back burning in, the weather is generally more favourable than it has been in the past few days." Residents in nearby townships are being warned to stay alert but none were under any immediate threat, he said. The calmer conditions overnight came after wild winds and high temperatures fanned fires throughout the state on Wednesday before conditions eased.
Pope considers allowing use of condoms November 23, 2006
ROME: Pope Benedict is considering whether to allow Catholics to wear a condom to protect themselves from AIDS, Vatican experts said yesterday.
At the request of the Pope, Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has submitted a 200-page study on Pastoral Aspects of the Treatment of Infectious Diseases.
"In keeping with the Holy Father's wish, we have carried out a careful study on the use of condoms, both from the scientific as well as the moral point of view, and we have submitted it to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith," the cardinal told a press conference.
Vatican experts say the study is seen as a potential opening towards the use of condoms, which are strictly forbidden under current church rules.
Elton spews at show, but still standing Monday Nov 27 06:00 AEDT Musical knight Sir Elton John had to leave the stage for a "chunder" when he took ill during the first performance of his latest Australian tour.
The 59-year-old was about to launch into his classic Crocodile Rock two hours into the Brisbane Entertainment Centre concert when he walked off without a word.
Guitarist Davey Johnstone played an impromptu five-minute solo before Sir Elton returned to tell the 15,000 strong crowd he had been sick.
"I thought I'd better chunder in the toilet than all over the front row (of the audience)," he said.
Bryant moved because of mental illness Monday Nov 27 08:04 AEDT
Port Arthur mass murderer Martin Bryant was moved from Hobart's maximum-security Risdon Prison because prison authorities believe he is suffering a mental illness and could pose a threat to others in the jail.
The Hobart Mercury published extracts from the November 13 removal order written by Tasmanian prisons director Graeme Barber to the state's chief forensic psychiatrist John Crawshaw.
Bryant, who killed 35 people at the historic Port Arthur site in April 1996, is believed to have been transferred to the secure Wilfred Lopes mental health facility two weeks ago. The now 39-year-old was imprisoned for 35 terms of his natural life, never to be released from Risdon Prison. The government gave assurances last year that Bryant would not be eligible for the unit, but Premier Paul Lennon last week repeatedly refused to answer questions on the subject following reports of his transfer. Mr Barber's letter was leaked to the Mercury. "I direct that prisoner Martin Bryant (date of birth: 7/5/67), who appears to be suffering a mental illness, be removed from Risdon prison complex to the Wilfred Lopes centre, a secure mental health unit, on the following grounds," the letter reads. "I consider it necessary to so remove the prisoner for his own health, wellbeing or safety, and for the protection of other persons. "I also consider that appropriate treatment, care, rehabilitation or other services cannot be provided in the prison, or (its) hospital, or (any other) institution to which the prisoner can be removed under Section 36 of the Corrections Act 1997." The letter does not say that Bryant has been classified as mentally insane and therefore should be admitted to the Wilfred Lopes centre under the Mental Health Act, the Mercury said. That order, if that is the reason Bryant has been moved out of Risdon Prison, would be a separate statement from Dr Crawshaw, but the Mental Health Act would prevent publication of that fact.
Aussie sailor survives three weeks adrift November 27, 2006 - 8:22AM An Australian yachtsman has been rescued by Thai marine police after spending three weeks adrift with no engine on a voyage from Australia to the southern Thai city of Phuket.
The lone sailor, named as 52-year-old Rocky Donald, had survived on rain water and instant noodles after his rations and drinks ran out.
He was battered by heavy storms for several days before being rescued last night about 5.5 kilometres off Patong Beach.
A Marine Police spokesman told AAP that the yacht had been towed to Chalong Bay pier for repairs.
Black Hawk crash claims soldier By Sandra O'Malley and Peter Veness
ONE Australian soldier is dead and another missing after a Black Hawk helicopter crashed while trying to land on HMAS Kanimbla during exercises preparing for evacuations from Fiji.
Australian Defence Force (ADF) chief Angus Houston said last night 10 soldiers were aboard the helicopter when it went down in waters off southern Fiji late yesterday afternoon.
Nine personnel were rescued and another is missing.
Of the nine, one later died while being treated by medical personnel and seven were suffering from injuries described as “not of a serious nature”.
The helicopter was carrying four air crew from the 5th Aviation Regiment, based in Townsville, and six Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) officers.
Air Chief Marshal Houston could not give the exact cause of the soldier's death but indicated it was connected with being in the water too long.
He would not provide details of the dead or missing soldier.
Defence was informing next of kin of the accident.
The Kanimbla, along with HMAS Newcastle and HMAS Success, had been in the waters off Fiji in recent weeks on standby to evacuate Australians in the event of political turmoil on the island erupting into a military coup.
Air Chief Marshal Houston said the Newcastle and other equipment was being used in the search for the missing officer.
“We won't give up searching until all hope is lost,” he said.
“We still have not given up hope of finding the individual.”
Today, the Newcastle will be used to transport the injured and the dead to Noumea where they will rendezvous with an aircraft tomorrow to return them to Australia.
Air Chief Marshal Houston said the helicopter went down after hitting the deck of the Kanimbla and then going over the side into water two to three thousand metres deep.
“The accident happened as the aircraft was going to land on the deck, it went over the side,” he said.
“It went over the landing deck and sank in very deep waters.”
It was unlikely the helicopter could be recovered given the depth of the water, he said.
“In terms of the helicopter, it crashed into very deep water, two to three thousand metres deep,” he said.
“Essentially I think it's going to be very difficult to recover it.
“My thoughts are it's probably gone forever, given the depth of the water.”
Defence Minister Brendan Nelson, who flew back from Rockhampton after being informed of the accident, praised the job being done by the men and women of the ADF.
“It is certainly worth remembering why they were there in the south-west Pacific. They are there to help and support Australians ... should there be turmoil in Fiji,” Dr Nelson said.
Prime Minister John Howard, who is on his way to Malaysia, has been informed of the accident.
Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile offered the sympathies of all Australians to those affected by the crash.
“We pray for the safety of the missing serviceman,” he said.
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley, too, extended his sympathies to the families.
“The loss of life is tragic in these circumstances,” he said.
“We are praying for the recovery of the missing soldier.”
Air Chief Marshal Houston is confident all seven injured will make a full recovery.
“We expect all members to recover fully and return to duty,” he said.
Defence is investigating the cause of the accident but, at present, it did not appear weather was a factor.
Air Chief Marshal Houston would not speculate on the cause of the accident.
“All I know is the accident happened as the aircraft was coming to land on the deck. Something happened, it landed hard on the deck and ... went over the side,” he said.
The fact the helicopter sank rapidly in very deep water may create difficulties for investigators.
“One of the complications we will have is we probably won't have helicopter wreckage to establish whether there was any mechanical problems and so on,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.
“But we will investigate everything and hopefully we will find out exactly what happened.”
Yesterday’s accident adds to a sorry list of military deaths due to helicopter crashes.
Over the past decade more ADF personnel have died in helicopter crashes than from any other cause, including fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
One of the worst accidents occurred on June 12, 1996, when two Black Hawks collided and crashed in flames during a special forces training exercise outside Townsville.
Eighteen personnel died, 15 of them members of the Special Air Service Regiment engaged in a counter-terrorist exercise.
Then on April 12, 2005 a Sea King flying from the Kanimbla crashed as it came in to land on Nias Island, Indonesia. Six navy personnel and three soldiers died.
Air Chief Marshal Houston did not have any immediate information on how the crew of the Kanimbla was coping, given the vessel had been involved in the Sea King accident last year.
“Essentially I would imagine they'd be in a state of shock because it's not pleasant when you lose two members in these circumstances and I imagine they're dealing with that as best they can,” he said.
Dr Nelson said the accident did not necessarily indicate problems with the Black Hawk.
“The Black Hawk helicopter is a well tried, tested and true aircraft platform, it's served not only our country but a number of countries extremely well,” he said.
Australian Defence Association chief Neil James also defended the Black Hawk's record.
“It's not an old helicopter, it actually has a very good operational record and a very good safety record,” he told Sky News.
”Given the number of hours it's been flown over the years it's been in service it's actually got quite a good record.
“At this stage we don't know what's caused this crash and it's pretty silly to speculate without knowing some of the facts.”
Either Black Hawks are pieces of crap or our pilots aren't as good as they think they are.
Or badly maintained? - Blackhawks are utilised throughout the world and are modified into several different choppers, notably USN seahawks. If military pilots aren't good they wouldn't hold their positions.
I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish every moment, because it will never come again. - Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Yellow Wiggle leaves the stage November 30, 2006 01:46pm
GREG Page has officially handed over his yellow Wiggles skivvy after deciding to quit the kiddies' supergroup because of ill-health.
The singer announced he was standing down in order to better manage his health in Perth this morning.
In a taped address, he thanked his young fans before introducing his now permanent stand-in Sam Moran, who then faced the media with the other Wiggles.
Page said he was suffering from a chronic condition called orthostatic intolerance.
When he stands up his heart doesn't pump enough blood around his body.
"It's not a life threatening condition by any means, but it is one that's going to be with me for the rest of my life," Page, 34, said.
"It means I'll no longer be able to sing and dance the way that I want to and as a result I've decided to stop performing with The Wiggles."
The group has performed without Page for some months, because of his ill-health.
The remaining members of the group, Jeff Fatt, Anthony Field and Murray Cook, said it was an emotional time.
Cook said he would miss Page's "day to day friendship".
"We started as a bunch of four mates. We've had these great adventures.
"His performances were always wonderful.
"He'll be feeling pretty sad. We all feel really sad."
Cook said they had mixed emotions as they looked to the future because it was unlikely Page would ever return to the group.
But he added: "You never know. The doors are never totally closed."
He described Page's role in the Wiggles as pretty enormous.
"He's the voice of the Wiggles, he sang most of the songs, he wrote with us.
"You always worry about any sort of change but we've done quite a few shows with Sam (Moran) and people still really love the show and we haven't seen any problem there.
"It might take people a little while to get used to it but we've been around for a long time and we're in it for the long haul."
Field said: "We love doing it and I know Greg loved doing the shows, it's just he physically can't do it any more.
"We love touring, we love meeting all the families and children. We actually said to each other 'do you want to keep going?' We all said yes."
Cook said: "I don't think we ever really contemplated splitting up.
"Its going to be hard for children to understand.
"We always say at the show that Greg's feeling sick and can't do the show.
"Hopefully over the years they'll get to know Sam they way they got to know Greg."
Field said that Page had been exhausted before shows and at one in Melbourne had an attack 60 seconds before the show started and Moran had to step in.
"It's been very depressing. It's not the real way we are.
"Its surreal that Greg is not going to be with us after this. Very sad."
Page's illness became public following a double hernia operation in December last year, and Moran has performed in his place for an estimated 150 shows.
He has been with The Wiggles as a dancer, performer and understudy for 12 years.
For months Page's condition was a mystery.
Page said earlier this month doctors were trying to find the cause of his fainting bouts, which were becoming more frequent.
Today's announcement came as The Wiggles, Australia's highest-earning entertainers for the last two years, launched a new national tour in Perth.
The group was formed 15 years ago after Field, Cook and Page met while studying early childhood education at Sydney's Macquarie University.
They enlisted Fatt, who played with Field in popular 1980s' group The Cockroaches, and The Wiggles were born.
The Sydney-based group has won five ARIA Awards and three APRA songwriter awards and sold in excess of 17 million DVD/videos and five million CD/cassettes worldwide.
They have expanded their multimillion-dollar empire by establishing spin-off Wiggles groups in Taiwan and Latin America.
Very sad news about our 'yellow Wiggle' and the Black Hawk helicopter accident. Greg Page by all accounts is a lovely man and a great bloke. To have this medical problem must be so dis-heartening. It would be such a horrible thing to experience. At least he knows what it is now and knows what he can and cannot do comfortably and safely. I don't know enough about the military or the eqipment used to say the Black Hawks are a problem in themselves although I do know there have been fatal accidents with them.
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