1. An unimaginable tragedy has befallen the family of musician Nick Cave, whose son, Arthur, has died after falling from a cliff near his home in Brighton, England.
Arthur Cave, who was just 15, was discovered unconscious on a path below the cliff by passersby. He later died in hospital.
He has a twin, Earl, who visited the scene of his brother’s death yesterday, leaving a note describing Arthur as the ‘best brother I could ever ask for.’
Mr Cave and his wife, Susie Bick, released a heartrending statement, saying:
“Our son Arthur died on Tuesday evening. He was our beautiful, happy loving boy. We ask that we be given the privacy our family needs to grieve at this difficult time.”
Earl’s note to his brother said: “I love you so much. You were a joy to be around and I will never forget you. You were the best brother I could ever ask for.”
Mr Cave has four children, including two from an earlier relationship. His twin boys appeared in a recent documentary about his life, and his devotion to them was obvious.
In more news you might have missed…
2. A baby has died on what was his first day at day care, and his Mum’s first day back at work after taking maternity leave.
Reports say the tragedy occurred at an unregistered but popular day care centre in Soho in New York City.
The baby, Karl Towndrow, who was 3 months old, was found unresponsive 15 minutes after being put down for his midday nap.
The director of SoHo Child Care on Greene Street, Maryellen Strautmanis called 911 but little Karl could not be revived.
He was the son of visual artist Lee Towndrow, and producer Amber Scorah, who had returned to work that day.
The New York Times report says that 14 other children between the ages of three months and three years were at the day care centre, which has operated in SoHo for more than 10 years.
It was shut down by New York City officials yesterday.
The day care centre is used by creative parents in lower Manhattan, who value the organic food (according to the website, the centre does not serve eggs, peanut butter, nuts, pork, meat or shellfish to the children.) It teaches children Spanish and English, and all three-year-old ‘graduates’ are said to know their ABCs, numbers and colours.
In a statement on her website, Maryellen says she started her business “as a result of 9/11. I found myself in the position of having to become the breadwinner in the family, due to the uncertainty and eventual closure of the company my husband worked for.”
“It has operated on word of mouth referrals and to this day I stay in contact with my first alumni, who are now in Middle School and High School. I am more dedicated than ever as I see, over and over, what a great beginning school experience does to a child’s confidence level and ability to succeed.”
3. Family and family are mourning the death of the man who created the popular Kevin07 advertising campaign.
Neil Lawrence, who also created the Qantas ‘Feels Like Home’ campaign, died during a surfing trip to the Maldives. He was 60.
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd told The Australian that Neil was “a wonderful human being first and foremost. I will always be indebted to him for his creativity in the 2007 election campaign.”
Imre Salusinszky, a former journalist at The Australian and now media director for NSW Premier Mike Baird, met Lawrence as a teenager at Melbourne University in 1973.
“He was the most alive person I ever knew,” Mr Salusinszky said, in remarks to The Australian.
“We were part of a very close circle of old friends and his loss will be permanent and devastating. I know he was famous and distinguished in his chosen profession but to me he will always be that enthusiastic, curly-haired 17-year-old, alive to every kind of experience and art. He was loving and kind and generous and close to all our hearts.”
Neil was a popular guest on the ABC’s The Gruen Transfer. He had been married to Caroline for 30 years, and they have two children, Tom and Anna.
4. A notorious paedophile has been jailed after abusing dozens of train-loving little boys while working on the Puffing Billy railway in Victoria.
Robert Kingsley Whitehead, 84, has been remanded in custody after pleading guilty to 24 serious offences against six train-loving boys between 1966 and 1984.
The Age reports that Mr Whitehead worked as a controller at Spencer Street Station, and held senior positions in historic rail societies at North Williamstown, Puffing Billy in the Dandenongs, and at the Seymour Heritage Rail Centre.
He was associated with Puffing Billy for about 20 years before being forced out due to a sexual assault allegation made in 1990.
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