Gammy’s parents: ‘We never abandoned him’

The biological father of baby Gammy addresses concerns for his daughter's welfare when asked about his child sex offences. Courtesy: 60 Minutes/Nine Network

The Australian parents of baby Gammy speak for the very first time on 60 minutes in an exclusive interview. Courtesy: Channel 9

Intense media interest ... Wendy and David Farnell. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

THE Australian biological parents of baby Gammy said they did not abandon him because the newborn had Down syndrome.

David Farnell held back tears as he told 60 Minutes last night that their surrogate mother 21-year-old Pattaramon Chanbua. threatened to take their biological daughter, Pipah, away if they didn't leave Gammy with her.

"The surrogate mother wanted to take our girl," Mr Farnell said. "We were scared we were going to lose her. We had to try and get out as fast as we could."

He said he and his wife, Wendy, did not leave Gammy because the new born had Down syndrome.

OPINION: Crocodile tears from couple over baby Gammy on 60 Minutes

"We never abandoned him," he said. "We never said to the surrogate mother to have an abortion."

But he acknowledged they were shocked by the news of finding that Gammy had Down syndrome and they had not decided what to do with him before leaving Australia for Thailand.

"(The agency said) the surrogate mother wants this boy, we were thinking maybe this might be okay," Mr Farnell said. "When we got to the hospital and saw the two babies, everything changed."

Mr Farnell said: "It's been very stressing. We miss our little boy. I come home from work some days and Wendy has dressed our little girl all in blue, because she still wants to remember the little boy."

The Farnells speak out saying they wanted to bring home both of their babies. Source: Channel 9

The Farnells denied they abandoned their son, but admitted they had not called at all to check on Gammy's welfare.

They said they did not extend their Thai visas to be with him, and have not asked authorities or the agency for help in bringing him to Australia.

David Farnell admitted when they found out Gammy had Down syndrome, they rang the agency to "take responisbility".

"It was financial. Give us back our money. This is your fault," he said.

David claimed that doctors said of the health of baby Gammy that he had Down syndrome,

was in a serious condition and that they don't know how long he would survive because his lungs and organs were underdeveloped.

He claims their visas were about to run out and were forced to flee with Piper and leave Gammy behind. They admitted they didn't raise the issue of their son to Australian embassy, didn't apply to extend their visas and have not gone to authorities to get their son back.

The surrogate mother claims David and Wendy Farnell didn't even look at their son or buy milk for him. David claims they did buy Gammy milk and nappies and since returning to Australia they did send some money over but "can't remember how much money, a few thousand dollars maybe." They have never called to see how their son is.

"It has been very stressing, we miss our little boy."

Any regrets? "Yes, I have regrets that we didn't do enough, that we should have gone to the embassy and told them everything."

Farnell, a convicted sex offender, denied he would ever hurt his daughter.

David Farnell broke down in tears when pressed on his criminal past. Source: Channel 9

In tears, he added he would "get out" of the lives of his wife and daughter if it meant Pipah would be allowed to remain in Australia.

Of his past as a registered sex offender, David Farnell said: "I've been convicted of child sex offences and I hang my head in shame for that and I'm deeply regretful of that."

"I was convicted and I went to jail and when I got out of jail I thought ... I need to face everybody and face what I did.

"I copped a lot of horrible things but I stayed and I faced that."

Tara: "When did the sexual urges stop for you?"

David: "In prison through those counselling sessions."

Of how sure he is that his daughter Piper will be safe: "She will be 100 per cent safe because I know that I will do anything in the world to protect my little girl."

"I know that I do not have any urges of this nature at all."

Wendy said: "100 per cent trust I David to not do any wrong thing for the little girl," adding that she knew about his sex offender past when she married him.

David: "Everybody hates child sex offenders. They are the lowest form of people, I know that."

Social media sites erupted during and after the interview.

Tara: "The way the agency describes it is that they said there was no answer to the problem until the mother said she would take him."

David: "I can understand your question, I'm just finding it very difficult to get the answer out because I'm so stressed at the moment."

Tara: "Is the truth that you didn't want a baby with Down syndrome?"

David: "No- it's not a difficult decision, we wanted our babies."

Tara: "What forced you to go to Thailand?"

David admitted he and Wendy had been trying IVF for eight years, and it was so expensive.

David described their relationship with the surrogate mother as "Very good", saying: "We were so blessed with her - she was a young, healthy girl ... a very nice, caring person."

60 Minutes Executive Producer Tom Malone said: "The Australian parents of baby Gammy and his twin sister, have asked us for the opportunity to tell their side of the story."

"We never comment on any commercial arrangements between 60 Minutes and our interview subjects but given the nature of this story, it's important our viewers know that no money has been or will be paid to the parents. However, 60 Minutes will be making a donation to the charity Hands Across the Water, which is raising money for Gammy's ongoing treatment and care."

"60 Minutes has not in any way interfered with any inquiries by the Western Australian Department of Child Protection, or Western Australian Police."

Baby Gammy's Australian biological parents were hiding inside their home as child protection officers attended this week, and even when the family dog was taken away.

The Farnells holed up inside their Bunbury house, not showering or turning on a computer for fear the glow of the screen would alert the media pack gathered outside their home.

The pair appeared on 60 Minutes on Sunday night, saying they were also at home when the RSPCA took away their dog on Tuesday.

Rangers and RSPCA staff take away a dog from the Farnells' house on Tuesday ... it has since been revealed that the couple were inside the house at the time. Source: News Corp Australia

Child protection officers knocked on their door and called twice, leaving their phone number under the door. It is understood the Farnells contacted the department during the week.

But the couple left the house around midnight on Wednesday, and made their approach to 60 Minutes then. It is understood 60 Minutes was not aware the couple had been in the house.

They filmed what is said to be an "emotional" interview with 60 Minutes reporter Tara Brown very late on Thursday night. It was shot in Western Australia, but not at the house.

In care ... baby Gammy with surrogate Pattharamon Chanbua. Source: News Corp Australia

Baby Gammy and his twin were born in Thailand in December to a gestational carrier, 21-year-old Pattaramon Chanbua. Gammy has Down syndrome, and was left with his birth mother, provoking moral debate about international surrogacy.

The Voice Kids finalists Bella and Grace. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin Source: News Corp Australia

Awkward Sunday night scheduling ... 60 Minutes reporter Tara Brown. Source: Supplied

60 Minutes will be making a donation instead to the charity Hands Across the Water for Gammy's ongoing treatment and care.

The sum is believed to be a "significant" amount.

SURROGACY CRACKDOWN HITS AUSSIE PARENTS

Surrogacy Australia says it knows of up to 200 would-be Australian parents caught in Thailand's planned crackdown on commercial surrogacy, but the number may be higher.

Spokeswoman Rachel Kunde said the organisation could only estimate the total amount because some were outside its network, including the West Australian couple at the centre of an international surrogacy drama.

Ms Kunde said the couple, who are accused of leaving their baby daughter's twin brother Gammy, who has Down syndrome, in Thailand with the surrogate mother, did not use Surrogacy Australia's services.

"They didn't go through our organisation so that is an example of the people that aren't getting advice from us and going overseas," she said.

Ms Kunde said they were working closely with the Australian embassy in Thailand to make sure surrogates were receiving obstetric care and knew they had not been abandoned by those who had commissioned them.

She said they were also trying to find out what happened to the frozen embryos of about 50 Australian couples at a Bangkok IVF clinic that closed in the wake of the Gammy surrogacy controversy.

There is growing concern among Australians using surrogates overseas about uncertain changes to commercial surrogacy laws, Ms Kunde said.

Thailand is preparing to fast-track legislation to outlaw commercial surrogacy, banning agencies acting as brokers, or accepting financial or other benefits.

Advertising for women to act as surrogates for commercial purposes would also be illegal.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Saturday called on the Thai government to allow a transitional period before the ban, to enable Australians to receive children still being carried by surrogates.

Meanwhile, the mother of Gammy's biological father, who is a convicted sex offender, has told The Sunday Times he is reformed and deserves to be a father again.

The 81-year-old said her son and his wife should be allowed to keep Gammy's sister because they loved her to bits and were very excited to be parents.

23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Here comes a super moon

Take a look at Google Moon and see what you can find. A man on the moon? A video purports to show just such a thing - and has already attracted more than a million views. Courtesy wowforreeel YouTube.

Spectacular star trails captured over Pike River near Renmark. Picture: Grant Schwartzkopff Source: Supplied

A large meteor was caught streaking across America's Midwest region. - Youtube/CNN

THE stars, moon and even meteors are aligning this week for a spectacular night-time display.

Monday is what's known as super moon Monday, a night when the moon is closest to the Earth and a full moon at the same time.

The moon should look about seven per cent larger than normal because it is physically closer to us.

STRANGE SHAPES: Is there really a man on the moon?

SKY SHOW: The occultation of Saturn by the moon, as photographed on August 4 by Grant Schwartzkopff. Saturn and its rings can be seen on the left of the image. Source: The Advertiser

UniSA astronomy educator Martin Lewicki said winter was the best time of year to spot stars, because the Milky Way is almost directly over the southern hemisphere.

"Any clear skies are always a good time (but) especially during the winter months because if you're away from the city lights you will be able to see our glorious Milky Way," he said.

"August right now would be about the best time."

Astronomy experts believe a light blazing across south-eastern Australia overnight may have been a meteor.

A Perseid meteor shower will light up the sky on Wednesday night, an event which will begin to increase in intensity over the next few days before it reaches its peak on the 13th.

"It occurs when the Earth is coming through its orbit and it collides with this rubble - it's like driving into rain," Mr Lewicki said.

"It's not going to be that easy to observe because it's best seen from the Northern hemisphere (but) you will see what people normally call shooting stars."

OUTBACK DISPLAY: The Milky Way at Oraparrina Station . Picture: STEPHEN FILDES Source: Supplied

Mars and Saturn can also easily be viewed from Earth now too, with both planets aligning on August 26, a phenomenon that occurs roughly every two years.

"You can tell Mars especially because it's got a reddish tint to it," Mr Lewicki said.

"With Saturn you look for a yellow, white star (but) you do need a telescope to see the rings of Saturn."

Last week, scientists eagerly watched an occultation between Saturn and the moon, which means the moon passed in front of Saturn and eclipsed it for about an hour.

"You would see a star very close to the moon and the moon would gradually cover the planet and about an hour later it comes out the side as the moon passes over it," Mr Lewicki said.

"It's quite a spectacular view and won't happen again until 2041."

Social your pictures, tagging us and #supermoon

Originally published as Here comes a super moon

23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Here comes a super moon

Take a look at Google Moon and see what you can find. A man on the moon? A video purports to show just such a thing - and has already attracted more than a million views. Courtesy wowforreeel YouTube.

Spectacular star trails captured over Pike River near Renmark. Picture: Grant Schwartzkopff Source: Supplied

A large meteor was caught streaking across America's Midwest region. - Youtube/CNN

THE stars, moon and even meteors are aligning this week for a spectacular night-time display.

Monday is what's known as super moon Monday, a night when the moon is closest to the Earth and a full moon at the same time.

The moon should look about seven per cent larger than normal because it is physically closer to us.

STRANGE SHAPES: Is there really a man on the moon?

SKY SHOW: The occultation of Saturn by the moon, as photographed on August 4 by Grant Schwartzkopff. Saturn and its rings can be seen on the left of the image. Source: The Advertiser

UniSA astronomy educator Martin Lewicki said winter was the best time of year to spot stars, because the Milky Way is almost directly over the southern hemisphere.

"Any clear skies are always a good time (but) especially during the winter months because if you're away from the city lights you will be able to see our glorious Milky Way," he said.

"August right now would be about the best time."

Astronomy experts believe a light blazing across south-eastern Australia overnight may have been a meteor.

A Perseid meteor shower will light up the sky on Wednesday night, an event which will begin to increase in intensity over the next few days before it reaches its peak on the 13th.

"It occurs when the Earth is coming through its orbit and it collides with this rubble - it's like driving into rain," Mr Lewicki said.

"It's not going to be that easy to observe because it's best seen from the Northern hemisphere (but) you will see what people normally call shooting stars."

OUTBACK DISPLAY: The Milky Way at Oraparrina Station . Picture: STEPHEN FILDES Source: Supplied

Mars and Saturn can also easily be viewed from Earth now too, with both planets aligning on August 26, a phenomenon that occurs roughly every two years.

"You can tell Mars especially because it's got a reddish tint to it," Mr Lewicki said.

"With Saturn you look for a yellow, white star (but) you do need a telescope to see the rings of Saturn."

Last week, scientists eagerly watched an occultation between Saturn and the moon, which means the moon passed in front of Saturn and eclipsed it for about an hour.

"You would see a star very close to the moon and the moon would gradually cover the planet and about an hour later it comes out the side as the moon passes over it," Mr Lewicki said.

"It's quite a spectacular view and won't happen again until 2041."

Social your pictures, tagging us and #supermoon

Originally published as Here comes a super moon

23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

The Voice Kids winner revealed

Alexa from Team Delta is announced as the winner of the first Voice Kids Australia. Courtesy: The Voice Kids/Nine Network

The Voice Kids winner Queensland contestant Alexa (10). Source: News Corp Australia

THE Voice Kids has awarded the final six contestants free trips to Disneyland with their families.

Queensland singer Alexa took out the top gong on the show's grand final last night.

The 10 year old won a $50,000 music and education scholarship and a record deal with Universal on the Channel 9 TV show.

Alexa was selected from a public vote above fellow final three finalists Maddison, 13 from Queensland and Bella, 12 from Melbourne.

Alexa cannot believe it. Source: Supplied

The under-age divas performed powerhouse songs by the likes of Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey.

In a nice gesture, all the final six contestants, which also included Ruhi, 11, and Chris, 13, from New South Wales, and Grace, 13, from Melbourne all received family holidays to Disneyland.

The grand final was filmed in Sydney two months ago, however live voting for the public vote was done in real time in a brief 15 minute voting window.

It meant that the final three were all pre-recorded 'winning' the competition.

The Voice Kids winner Alexa. Picture: Channel 9. Source: Supplied

Once the public vote was finalised last night Channel 9 simply aired the corresponding victory and dumped the other two.

Ironically after a lengthy episode of The Block, the show did not end until after 9pm, after the bedtime of many kids.

Universal will release a compilation of performances from the Top 6 today, most of which were heard in the grand final including the Frozen hit Let It Go and Australian hitmaker Vance Joy's Riptide.

Winner Alexa embracing Delta Goodrem. Picture: Channel 9. Source: Supplied

The Voice Kids has also spawned a concert tour, which takes place nationally next month during school holidays.

Last year's Voice winner Harrison Craig will host the concert.

Channel 9 will be assessing the ratings of the Grand Final, which went up against the first live X Factor show last night, before deciding if The Voice Kids will return next year.

23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Juve spoil ADP farewell with late strikes

Re-live every goal from Juventus' 3-2 victory over the A-League All Stars at ANZ Stadium.

Alessandro Del Piero acknowledges the crowd after being substituted. Source: Getty Images

IT was billed as the Arriverderci to Ale show, but surely not even Del Piero expected to go out like this.

On the night the Italian said his goodbyes to Australian football, the All-Stars proved there are plenty of heroes left in the A-League.

Simone Pepe grabs the winner for Juventus. Source: News Corp Australia

With 55,364 fans cheering them on, the blue-collar endeavours from the A-League XI left the Italian champions grateful for a win they scarcely deserved.

It's true that moral victories count for nothing, but the All-Stars left the pitch knowing they had far more reason to be proud.

Without Paul Pogba punishing a slack header from Michael Thwaite with a superlative 20m volley moments from the end to level the scores, and Simone Pepe's winner in injury time, Josep Gombau's side could have been celebrating a real victory.

Twice the All-Stars led against a strangely off colour Juve side, and they were a cut above the performance of a year ago, comfortable in possession and so much the better for an extra few weeks of pre-season training.

Beforehand there was no mistaking the theme for the night - the Del Piero Farewell began with a guard of honour from both teams for the man and his children.

Perhaps uniquely the sentiment was as warm from the visitors as from Del Piero's more contemporary colleagues, with the Juventus side still heavy with the memories of their former teammate.

Tomi Juric put the All Stars 11 minutes away from victory. Source: Getty Images

If anything it was the current tenants of the Juve shirt who looked awkward and cumbersome at times. Three weeks from the start of Serie A there was a surprising lack of cohesion and they were pressing as badly as a trainee dry cleaner.

The opening goal for the All-Stars was a work of elegance, the ball transferred from Berisha on the left inside to Broich, whose instinctive pass met Marcelo Carrusca's fashionably late run into the box.

For a second it seemed as if the Argentine had overplayed his hand, but he calmly side-footed a shot past Buffon and into the bottom corner.

Things could easily have got worse for Juve just past the half hour, as Bernie Ibini stole the ball from Patrice Evra and crossed to Berisha, whose instinctive shot was tipped away by Buffon.

Finally there was a response from the Italian champions, Fernando Llorente's astute through ball sending Carloz Tevez clear for a shot that struck the post and went wide.

But that really was the only serious threat to Eugene Galekovic's goal in the opening 45 minutes.

As a colleague said at halftime of the Socceroos' match with the Netherlands in Brazil, albeit on a different scale - this shouldn't have been happening.

Marcelo Carrusca got the home side off to a great start. Source: Getty Images

It couldn't last of course, not with Juventus clearly stung by the words said at halftime. A faintly random halftime fireworks display possibly hid similar pyrotechnics from the away dressing room, and within seconds of the restart they were on the hunt.

Tevez twisted and turned like Houdini on the right and hung up a cross that somehow was not converted.

Then Andrea Pirlo, distinctive only for his beard until then, laid a clever ball into the path of Evra, and his inviting cross was met by a thumping header from Llorente just five metres out to level the scores.

Both teams applauded Del Piero from the field, his adventure in Australian football at an end as the substitutions began, but others were determined to prove that the future post-ADP is a bright one.

Juve were undone again by sloppiness in defence, Kwadwo Asamoah's poor clearance intercepted by Gui Finkler. As the ball bounced sideways, Tomi Juric - with his first touch as a substitute - rifled home from 15m.

As the clock ticked down, Gombau began to dream - until two moments of quality cut his team down at the knees.

Originally published as Juve spoil ADP farewell with late strikes

23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Juventus spoil ADP farewell with late strikes

Re-live every goal from Juventus' 3-2 victory over the A-League All Stars at ANZ Stadium.

Alessandro Del Piero acknowledges the crowd after being substituted. Source: Getty Images

IT was billed as the Arriverderci to Ale show, but surely not even Del Piero expected to go out like this.

On the night the Italian said his goodbyes to Australian football, the All-Stars proved there are plenty of heroes left in the A-League.

Simone Pepe grabs the winner for Juventus. Source: News Corp Australia

With 55,364 fans cheering them on, the blue-collar endeavours from the A-League XI left the Italian champions grateful for a win they scarcely deserved.

It's true that moral victories count for nothing, but the All-Stars left the pitch knowing they had far more reason to be proud.

Without Paul Pogba punishing a slack header from Michael Thwaite with a superlative 20m volley moments from the end to level the scores, and Simone Pepe's winner in injury time, Josep Gombau's side could have been celebrating a real victory.

Twice the All-Stars led against a strangely off colour Juve side, and they were a cut above the performance of a year ago, comfortable in possession and so much the better for an extra few weeks of pre-season training.

Beforehand there was no mistaking the theme for the night - the Del Piero Farewell began with a guard of honour from both teams for the man and his children.

Perhaps uniquely the sentiment was as warm from the visitors as from Del Piero's more contemporary colleagues, with the Juventus side still heavy with the memories of their former teammate.

Tomi Juric put the All Stars 11 minutes away from victory. Source: Getty Images

If anything it was the current tenants of the Juve shirt who looked awkward and cumbersome at times. Three weeks from the start of Serie A there was a surprising lack of cohesion and they were pressing as badly as a trainee dry cleaner.

The opening goal for the All-Stars was a work of elegance, the ball transferred from Berisha on the left inside to Broich, whose instinctive pass met Marcelo Carrusca's fashionably late run into the box.

For a second it seemed as if the Argentine had overplayed his hand, but he calmly side-footed a shot past Buffon and into the bottom corner.

Things could easily have got worse for Juve just past the half hour, as Bernie Ibini stole the ball from Patrice Evra and crossed to Berisha, whose instinctive shot was tipped away by Buffon.

Finally there was a response from the Italian champions, Fernando Llorente's astute through ball sending Carloz Tevez clear for a shot that struck the post and went wide.

But that really was the only serious threat to Eugene Galekovic's goal in the opening 45 minutes.

As a colleague said at halftime of the Socceroos' match with the Netherlands in Brazil, albeit on a different scale - this shouldn't have been happening.

Marcelo Carrusca got the home side off to a great start. Source: Getty Images

It couldn't last of course, not with Juventus clearly stung by the words said at halftime. A faintly random halftime fireworks display possibly hid similar pyrotechnics from the away dressing room, and within seconds of the restart they were on the hunt.

Tevez twisted and turned like Houdini on the right and hung up a cross that somehow was not converted.

Then Andrea Pirlo, distinctive only for his beard until then, laid a clever ball into the path of Evra, and his inviting cross was met by a thumping header from Llorente just five metres out to level the scores.

Both teams applauded Del Piero from the field, his adventure in Australian football at an end as the substitutions began, but others were determined to prove that the future post-ADP is a bright one.

Juve were undone again by sloppiness in defence, Kwadwo Asamoah's poor clearance intercepted by Gui Finkler. As the ball bounced sideways, Tomi Juric - with his first touch as a substitute - rifled home from 15m.

As the clock ticked down, Gombau began to dream - until two moments of quality cut his team down at the knees.

Originally published as Juve spoil ADP farewell with late strikes

23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

‘I have always known I was a woman’

Frank Maloney with Lennox Lewis after the boxer won the WBC heavyweight belt in 1992. Source: Getty Images

FORMER British boxing promoter Frank Maloney, who helped Lennox Lewis become world heavyweight champion, is set to undergo gender reassignment and is living as a woman called Kellie.

The 61-year-old Maloney made the revelation in the Sunday Mirror, saying: "I was born in the wrong body and I have always known I was a woman. I can't keep living in the shadows, that is why I am doing what I am today. Living with the burden any longer would have killed me.

"What was wrong at birth is now being medically corrected. I have a female brain. I knew I was different from the minute I could compare myself to other children. I wasn't in the right body. I was jealous of girls.

Frank Maloney with promoter Don King in 1999 before Lewis' unification fight with Evander Holyfield. Source: Getty Images

Maloney has reportedly been living as a woman for the past year and has undergone counselling and hormone therapy, hair removal electrolysis, voice coaching and plans to have corrective surgery.

Maloney, who suffered a heart attack in 2009 and has experienced crippling bouts of depression, spoke of the anguish he felt in telling his wife Tracey in 2012 that he couldn't live as a man any longer.

"One morning it all came out of me," she told the Mirror. "I just said to her, 'The problem with this marriage is not you. The problem with this marriage is me'.

Frank Maloney in 2013 when he was promoting David Price's bout with Tony Thompson in Liverpool. Source: Getty Images

"We were standing in the kitchen and I said 'I have to tell you that I have lived with this all my life. I've lived a lie and I really am a female in my head.'

"As the words started to come out I wanted to catch them and pull them back in. I looked at her face and I knew my marriage was over. She was the first person I had told outside counsellors. I could see what it was doing to her and I had to release her."

Maloney managed Lewis between 1989 and 2001 — including in 1992 when the boxer became Britain's first heavyweight world champ in nearly a century — and helped make the careers of multiple British, Commonwealth and European boxing champions before retiring last October.

David Price celebrates victory over Audley Harrison in 2012 with Frank Maloney also in the ring. Source: Getty Images

Maloney also stood in the London mayoral election in 2004, coming fourth with just under 7 per cent of the vote.

She also stood unsuccessfully for the east London seat of Barking at the 2010 General Election while representing the United Kingdom Independence Party.

Maloney has been married twice and has three adult children.

Originally published as 'I have always known I was a woman'

23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Alexa is The Voice Kids champion

Alexa from Team Delta is announced as the winner of the first Voice Kids Australia. Courtesy: The Voice Kids/Nine Network

The Voice Kids winner Queensland contestant Alexa (10). Source: News Corp Australia

THE Voice Kids has awarded the final six contestants free trips to Disneyland with their families.

Queensland singer Alexa took out the top gong on the show's grand final last night.

The 10 year old won a $50,000 music and education scholarship and a record deal with Universal on the Channel 9 TV show.

Alexa was selected from a public vote above fellow final three finalists Maddison, 13 from Queensland and Bella, 12 from Melbourne.

Alexa cannot believe it. Source: Supplied

The under-age divas performed powerhouse songs by the likes of Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey.

In a nice gesture, all the final six contestants, which also included Ruhi, 11, and Chris, 13, from New South Wales, and Grace, 13, from Melbourne all received family holidays to Disneyland.

The grand final was filmed in Sydney two months ago, however live voting for the public vote was done in real time in a brief 15 minute voting window.

It meant that the final three were all pre-recorded 'winning' the competition.

The Voice Kids winner Alexa. Picture: Channel 9. Source: Supplied

Once the public vote was finalised last night Channel 9 simply aired the corresponding victory and dumped the other two.

Ironically after a lengthy episode of The Block, the show did not end until after 9pm, after the bedtime of many kids.

Universal will release a compilation of performances from the Top 6 today, most of which were heard in the grand final including the Frozen hit Let It Go and Australian hitmaker Vance Joy's Riptide.

Winner Alexa embracing Delta Goodrem. Picture: Channel 9. Source: Supplied

The Voice Kids has also spawned a concert tour, which takes place nationally next month during school holidays.

Last year's Voice winner Harrison Craig will host the concert.

Channel 9 will be assessing the ratings of the Grand Final, which went up against the first live X Factor show last night, before deciding if The Voice Kids will return next year.

23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

The best recipes from MasterChef

Masterchef is down to three contestants - Brent, Emelia and Laura -who will battle it out in the season finale over two nights, starting 7:30PM Sunday on Ten.

Best cooking seen on TV show ... George Calombaris with top three contestants Laura, Brent and Emilia at Calombaris' Press Club in Melbourne Picture: Martin Philbey Source: News Corp Australia

HE says it has been hands down the best cooking they've ever had on the show.

Now, on the eve of the MasterChef Australia finale and after tasting hundreds of dishes, George Calombaris nominates the five favourite things he ate during the show shown on Network Ten this year.

MASTERCHEF: Jamie Fleming 'absolutely devasted' in not making final three

Classic cooking ... Sarah Todd's Apple stuffed chicken roulade with carrot puree and crisp salad. Source: Supplied

Sarah Todd's Apple stuffed chicken roulade with carrot puree and crisp salad

George says: "I am a sucker for classic cooking. This year Sarah really demonstrated some great classic technique. I love this dish as it was classic in technique but modern in interpretation. Delicious as well."

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 small whole chickens

150g butter

2 shallots, peeled and finely chopped

300g Granny Smith apple, peeled and grated

90g mushroom, finely chopped

12 sprigs thyme

12 slices pancetta

2 tbsp oil

4 carrots, 1 roughly chopped, 2 peeled and grated and 1 peeled and thinly sliced

2 stalks celery, 1 roughly chopped and 1 thinly sliced

5 onions, 1 roughly chopped

500ml chicken stock

½ cup flour

½ teaspoon chilli powder

1/3 cup milk

Salt and pepper, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 180C. Preheat water bath to 60C. Preheat deep fryer to 170C.

2. Remove breasts from chicken, discard skin. Remove thigh meat from skin and bones, cut into 1.5cm pieces and reserve. Roughly chop carcass and bones and reserve.

3. To make the roulade stuffing, place 2 tbsp butter in a frying pan and set over medium heat. Once melted, add shallots, apple, mushrooms and 4 sprigs thyme and cook until softened. Remove from heat.

4. Butterfly chicken breasts. Lay down pancetta slices on a piece of plastic wrap and top with chicken breast. Add stuffing and roll tightly. Place in water bath and cook until just cooked through, about 35 mins.

5. To make the sauce, place 1 tbsp oil in a saucepan and set over high heat. Add chicken bones and carcass and cook until brown. Add roughly chopped carrot, celery and onion and cook until browned. Add stock and 6 sprigs thyme and bring to a boil. Allow to simmer, skimming fat from top occasionally until reduced, about 40 mins. Remove from heat and strain into a clean saucepan. Add 80g cold, diced butter and whisk until melted. Set aside, keeping warm.

6. Peel remaining 4 onions and cut into flowers by making cuts all the way around but not all the way through. Place in the oven to bake until charred on the ends.

7. Place grated carrot, 40g butter, 2 sprigs thyme and ¾ cup water in a saucepan and set over medium heat. Cook until carrot is soft. Remove from heat, transfer to a blender and process to a smooth puree. Pass through a sieve into a clean saucepan, season and set aside.

8. Place flour, 1 tsp salt and chilli powder in a bowl and stir to combine. Place the milk in a bowl. Dip chicken thigh pieces in flour mix then milk then back in flour to coat.

9. Place chicken, carrot and celery in deep fryer to fry until golden. Remove from oil and drain on paper towel.

10. Place 1 tbsp oil in a fry pan and set over medium heat. Remove chicken from plastic wrap and place in fry pan. Fry until browned on all sides. Remove from heat and allow to rest.

11. To serve, slice chicken and place on serving plates. Add carrot puree, onion flower, crispy chicken, carrot and celery salad and drizzle with sauce.

Concept dish ... Emelia Jackson's Herb and garlic snails with a squid ink parmesan crumb. Source: Supplied

Emelia Jackson's Herb and garlic snails with a squid ink parmesan crumb

George says: "OMG, this dish that Emelia cooked was so yum! For me the parmesan crumbs were so delicious. Concept dishes can look great but taste ordinary. This dish took you there and tasted even better!"

Serves 4

Ingredients

50g parmesan cheese

50g plain flour

105g butter

20g squid ink

¼ bunch coriander, roughly chopped

¼ bunch parsley, roughly chopped

¼ bunch basil, roughly chopped

1 clove garlic, peeled

1 shallot, peeled and roughly chopped

1 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 x 200g jar snails and their shells

2 bunches asparagus, tips only

100 grams enoki mushrooms, tops only

Salt and pepper, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 180C.

2. To make the parmesan "soil", place parmesan cheese, flour, 30g butter and squid ink in a food processor and process until a coarse crumb. Transfer to an oven tray and place in the oven to bake until firm, about 25 minutes. Remove from oven, transfer to a food processor and process to a coarse crumb, set aside.

3. Increase oven to 200C.

4. To make compound butter, place herbs, garlic, shallot, lemon juice, 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, remaining 75g butter and 1 tsp salt in a food processor and process until well combined.

5. Fit snails back into shells and top with 1 tsp compound butter. Place on a shallow oven tray and place in the oven to bake until butter melts and the snails are warmed through, about 4 minutes.

6. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add the asparagus tips and cook just until bright green, remove from water and place in iced water until cooled. Remove from iced water, pat dry and drizzle with remaining tablespoon extra virgin olive oil.

7. To serve, spread some parmesan "soil" on each plate. Stand up asparagus tips and enoki mushrooms. Add snails, spoon over extra melted butter from cooking tray and season to taste.

Inspired by heston's presence ... Amy Shields' Surf 'n' Turf. Source: Supplied

Amy Shields' Surf 'n' Turf

"The pressure of Heston rocking up in your house would put the best chefs off their breakfast. But for Amy, she lifted and produced a cracker dish of surf and turf," George says. "I loved the flavour and the honesty of the dish and the ability not to over-think the dish just because Heston was in da house."

Serves 4

Ingredients

Pork

2 large onions, peeled and thickly sliced

½ bunch thyme

2 cups beef stock

1.2kg pork belly, skin scored

2 tsp olive oil

Salt

Sauce

1 cup beef stock

3 shallots, peeled and roughly chopped

2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

1 cup dry white wine

Juice of 1 lemon

100g butter, cubed

2 tbsp cream

½ cup finely chopped parsley

White Bean Puree

1 tbsp olive oil

3 shallots, peeled and finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

1 x 400g can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

½ cup chicken stock

2 tbsp cream

2 tbsp Dijon mustard

Juice ½ lemon

To serve

2 tbsp olive oil

12 spears asparagus, trimmed and cut into 3

12 scallops

salt and pepper, to taste

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 160C.

2. To roast the pork, place the onions, thyme and beef stock in a large roasting pan. Place the pork on top of onions. Rub olive oil into the pork skin and sprinkle with salt. Place in the oven and cook for 1.5 hours. Increase oven temperature to 200C and continue to roast until meat is tender, about another 45 minutes. Change oven to grill setting and grill pork until skin is crunchy, about 3 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to rest.

3. Meanwhile, to make the sauce, place the stock, shallots, garlic and wine in a saucepan and set over medium-high heat. Allow to simmer until reduced by half. Add lemon juice and simmer for another 10 minutes. Remove from heat, strain into a clean saucepan, season and set aside.

4. To make the bean puree, place olive oil in a saucepan and set over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic and cook until translucent. Add cannellini beans and the stock and simmer, uncovered, until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.

5. Remove from heat and transfer to a blender. Add cream, mustard and lemon juice and process until smooth. Set aside, keeping warm

6. Place asparagus on a baking tray. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place in the oven to roast until just tender, about 8 minutes.

7. Place 1 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan and place over high heat. Add scallops and cook until caramelised but still rare inside, about 30 seconds per side.

8. To finish the sauce, place over medium heat. Once warm, add butter, one cube at a time, whisking, until well combined. Add cream and parsley and whisk to combine.

9. To serve, carve pork into slices and place on serving plates. Add a spoonful of bean puree, 3 scallops and some roasted asparagus. Drizzle with wine, herb sauce and season with salt and pepper.

"Nailed our sensory dining experience" ... Ben Macdonald's Campfire' rib eye with charred leeks, potato in squid ink and smoked anchovies. Source: Supplied

Ben Macdonald's "Campfire" (rib eye steak with charred leeks, potatoes in squid ink and smoked anchovies)

"Ben hit the nail on the head regarding a concept dish that nailed our sensory dining experience. In saying that, the dish tasted delicious. Everything looked burnt but tasted sweet and meaty. Loved it!"

Campfire

Serves 4

2 beetroot

110 ml olive oil

2 leeks, washed

2 tsp miso soup powder

2 x 400 gram rib eye steaks

8 sprigs thyme

2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed

190g butter

8 anchovies in oil

750ml red wine

1 carrot, roughly chopped

1 celery stick, roughly chopped

500ml beef stock

4 shallots, cut in half lengthways and peeled

4 potatoes

3 tbsp squid ink

1 tbsp mirin

12 black olives, pitted and finely chopped

Salt and pepper, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 200C. Preheat sous vide machine to 56C.

2. Place each beetroot on a piece of foil. Drizzle each with a tsp of olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Wrap foil around beetroot and place in the oven to roast until tender, about 1 hour. Remove from oven and set aside, still wrapped in foil to keep warm.

3. To make the leek "twigs", cut white part of 1 leek into fine matchsticks and place on a paper-lined baking tray, in a single layer. Place in the oven to bake until dark brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.

4. Roughly chop green part of 2 leeks and lay in a single layer on a baking tray. Place in the oven to roast until a deep, dark brown, about 30 minutes.

5. Place roasted green leeks into a sieve and crush over a bowl to collect powder. Add miso soup powder to the bowl, stir to combine and set aside.

6. Place each steak in a sous vide bag with 2 sprigs of thyme, a garlic clove and 20g butter in each. Place in sous vide machine and cook for 45 minutes. Remove from water and set aside.

7. Place the anchovies in a small bowl, add smoke using a smoking gun filled with hickory chips. Cover and allow to smoke for 5 minutes. Remove anchovies from bowl, chop into 5mm lengths, return to bowl and set aside.

8. To make the sauce, place the red wine in a saucepan and set over medium heat. Allow to boil until reduced to 100ml.

9. Meanwhile, place 2 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan and set over high heat. Roughly chop remaining white part of leek and add to hot oil with carrot and celery. Cook until brown, add beef stock and 4 sprigs thyme and allow to boil until reduced to about 100ml. Remove from heat, strain and add to reduced red wine. Set aside.

10. Place 20g butter in a frying pan and set over medium heat. Once melted, add shallots, cut-side down and cook until browned. Transfer to the oven and cook until soft, about another 20 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.

11. Peel potatoes and cut into irregular "charcoal like" shapes. Using an apple corer or small cutter, cut some into cylindrical shapes.

12. Place 100g butter and 2 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan and set over medium-high heat. Once butter has melted, add potatoes and fry until lightly brown on outside and tender inside. Add squid ink and agitate pan to coat potatoes in ink until they resemble coal. Remove from heat and set aside, covered to keep warm.

13. To finish the steak, remove steaks from sous vide bags and cut each in half to resemble pieces of wood. Place 1 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan and set over high heat. Once hot, add steak and fry until brown, about 1-2 minutes each side, or to your liking. Remove from heat and set aside to rest.

14. To finish the sauce, return saucepan to a medium heat. Add the mirin and allow to boil for 5 minutes. Add remaining 30g butter and whisk in until emulsified. Season to taste.

15. To serve, unwrap, peel, and slice each beetroot into 6 slices. Arrange 3 slices on each serving plate. Scatter some olives, anchovies and potatoes on the beetroot. Place steak pieces in reserved bowl of powder and toss to coat. Add coated steaks to each plate. Top steak with leek "twigs". Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover each plate with a cloche. Using a smoking gun, fill cloche with smoke. Serve with sauce on the side.

Simple Italian cooking ... Laura Cassai's Seared tuna with anchovies & tomato reduction, salsa verde and toasted chestnuts. Source: Supplied

Laura Cassai's Seared tuna with anchovies & tomato reduction, salsa verde and toasted chestnuts

George says: "I love Laura's cooking. It's honest and it has stayed true to its origin since she entered the competition. It's simple Italian cooking but done well. She cooked the tuna perfectly and the addition of the anchovies made the dish complete."

Serves 4

10 (160g) chestnuts

1⁄2 bunch coriander

1⁄2 bunch parsley

1⁄2 bunch dill

1 clove garlic

1⁄2 cup olive oil plus more for frying

2 tbsp capers, drained, rinsed and dried

2 shallots, peeled and finely chopped

6 anchovy fillets, finely chopped

8 cherry tomatoes plus more for garnish

1⁄4 cup red wine vinegar

2 x 2cm thick tuna steaks

3 radishes, thinly sliced on mandolin

Baby basil leaves, for garnish

Grated orange zest, for garnish

Grated lemon zest, for garnish

Salt, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 200C.

2. Score chestnuts and place on a baking tray. Place in the oven to roast until skin starts to open and peel away, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven, peel and slice and set aside.

3. To make the salsa verde, place coriander, parsley, dill, garlic and 1⁄2 cup olive oil in a food processor and process until smooth. Set aside.

4. Place 2 tsp olive oil in a frying pan and set over medium heat. Add capers and fry until crisp. Remove from heat and set aside on paper towel.

5. Place 1 tbsp oil in a frying pan and set over medium heat. Add shallots and cook until translucent. Add anchovies and cook until browned. Add tomatoes and stir to combine. Add red wine vinegar and stir to deglaze pan. Remove from heat and set aside.

6. Place 2 tbsp oil in a frying pan and set over medium-high heat. Add tuna and sear until golden, about 1 minute on both sides. Remove from frying pan, season and set aside to rest.

7. To serve, thinly slice rested tuna and place on serving plates. Add sliced chestnuts, radishes, capers, and shallot mix. Drizzle with salsa verde and garnish with basil leaves, orange and lemon zest.

23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

GP-Yes! Ricciardo storms home

AUSTRALIAN Daniel Ricciardo won the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday, his second triumph of the season, in a sensational race in which Lewis Hamilton ignored team orders to let championship leader Nico Rosberg go by.

Ricciardo, who also took the Canadian Grand Prix, came first ahead of Fernando Alonso of Ferrari in a race in which rain caused several crashes.

Britain's former world champion Hamilton was third and his Mercedes teammate Rosberg fourth. Mercedes had urged Hamilton to let Rosberg overtake in the closing stages.

23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More