Victorious Australia Bringing Same Squad to Perth for 3rd Ashes Test

Australia will take the same 12-man squad to Perth for the third Ashes test this week after humbling England by 218 runs to win the second match in Adelaide on Monday.

Selector John Inverarity said in a statement that uncapped fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile and 12-test paceman Doug Bollinger would also be in Perth on standby and would train with the squad for the test match "should they be required."

Australia fielded the same team in Adelaide that thrashed England by 381 runs in Brisbane, the first time in a year that the team has been unchanged for consecutive tests.

Coach Darren Lehmann was reluctant to mess with a winning formula for the WACA, where their pacemen will hope to wreak maximum damage against a shell-shocked England side on a bouncy wicket.

"At the moment, all good," Lehmann said of his bowlers' fitness for the third match starting on Friday.

"(If they're) 100 percent, they'll play. If not, they won't.

"From our point of view, we've just got to keep what we're doing now. Not change too much. Just make sure we adapt to Perth conditions. As you've seen, we adapted very well from Brisbane to here, and now we go back the other way."

Australia lead the five-test series 2-0 and can wrest the Ashes away from holders England with victory in Perth.

Australia squad: Chris Rogers, David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (captain), Steve Smith, George Bailey, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon, James Faulkner 

Grease comes to Perth

Grease is the word in musical theatre land, with Australian producer John Frost announcing the popular show is heading to Perth and Adelaide.

The high-energy musical, which has already enjoyed successful seasons in Brisbane and Sydney and is soon to open in Melbourne, will head to South Australia and WA in winter next year.

Frost said he was delighted that Grease was continuing its tour of the country.

“Rarely have I seen audience reactions like the ones we have been receiving every night for Grease, with everyone in the aisles dancing and singing along,” he said in a statement.

“Grease truly is Australia’s number one party musical, and now I’m delighted to give audiences in Perth and Adelaide the chance to sing-a-long and dance with Rob, Gretel, Todd, Bert and the gang on stage.”

The musical is based on the 1978 film starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta and features all the songs, including You’re The One That I Want, Grease Is The Word, Summer Nights and Greased Lightnin’.

Leading the cast in the iconic roles of Danny and Sandy are Rob Mills and Gretel Scarlett.

The musical also stars Bert Newton as slick veteran disc jockey Vince Fontaine and Todd McKenney as Teen Angel.

Grease will begin at Perth’s Crown Theatre on June 21, 2014, followed by a season at the Festival Theatre in Adelaide from August 3, 2014.

Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/20214229/grease-comes-to-perth/

Power Pack at Metro Hotel Perth

Metro Hotel Perth is offering this Power Pack Accommodation Package for $249.00*

Going to the Tennis?

• Stay in an Executive Riverview Room
• Start the day with two fully cooked buffet breakfasts
• Pack up your complimentary sunscreen
• Two Powerade drinks
• Two Sun Visors

Enjoy the Hopman Cup Tennis!

Book this Power Pack at Metro Hotel Perth

View Metro Hotel Perth

Terms & Conditions:

• Subject to availability
• Offer is for two occupants only.
• Not available in conjunction with any other special
• Offer valid 28/12/2014 to 04/01/2014

View this Metro Hotel Accommodation Package

Perth's Chinatown Gets $2m Revamp

The West Australian government will spend $2 million to revitalise Perth's Chinatown precinct with lanterns and road stencilling.

As part of the revitalisation, Chinese New Year celebrations will be expanded into Chinatown laneways in 2014 with a $50,000 state government grant to the Chung Wah Association.

Premier Colin Barnett said on Sunday the aim was to create a more vibrant precinct for families, locals and tourists.

"Chinatown is a popular location for people of all ages and an important business precinct in Northbridge that has been rundown for some time," he said.

"This investment will transform the area to its former glory of the 1980s and ensure it remains an exciting and culturally important destination for years to come."

The Chinatown precinct is bound by Nicks Lane and Roe and James Streets in Northbridge, and includes 13 restaurants and businesses.

The wider Perth City Link project will create five new connections between the city and Northbridge, which will encourage more people to pass through the Roe Street area every day, the premier said.

The project is expected to be complete by the end of 2015.

New A380 flights from Perth

New A380 flights from Perth

Emirates the world’s largest international airline, is set to launch A380 super jumbo services to Perth from March 1.

According to Canberra sources the airline has slots approved for the 496-seat A380 to replace one of its tripe daily Boeing 777 services.

The A380 flight is scheduled to arrive at 5.25pm and depart at 10.30pm.

To see a virtual reality view of the A380 click here.

Emirates had planned to operate the A380 from Perth from mid year but delays in the installation and integration of the new aerobridge has put that back to March next year.

However, that A380 was allocated to Brisbane.

While the new service is slated from March 1 it may slip depending on A380 deliveries.

Emirates operates the world’s largest fleet of A380s with 39 in service and the airline had 51 on order.

But this week it ordered another 50 taking the total backlog for the airline to 101.

The Emirates A380 has 14 first class suites, 76 business class beds and a lounge bar on the upper deck and 406 economy class seats on the main deck.

At this week’s order announcement Emirates President Tim Clark said that the A380 “remains highly popular with our passengers.”

“It is still one of the most efficient aircraft to operate today in terms of fuel burn and emissions per passenger, and it gives us the flexibility in some cases to meet passenger demand in slot-constrained markets.”

One of the most popular features of the A380 is the quiet cabin and the plane is more stable than most in turbulence.

The Emirates A380s are mobile phone and email capable and have over 1500 entertainment options.

Emirates has been associated with Europe’s largest passenger aircraft since April 2000 when it was the first airline to announce plans to purchase the super jumbo.

The A380 is a major part of the airline’s ambitious expansion plans outlined by Mr Clark earlier this month.

“By 2020, we will have more than 250 aircraft serving some 70 million passengers across six continents. It will make us the largest airline on the planet by international passenger traffic,” Mr Clark said.

“However, being the biggest airline in the world is not really the end goal. Our aim has always been to connect travellers from around the world to Dubai, and other destinations with just a single stop via our hub.

“The strategic location of Dubai makes it possible for us to serve almost 90 per cent of the world’s population with non-stop flights.”

Over a third of the world’s population lives within a 4-hour flight from Dubai, and two-thirds are within an 8-hour flight.

Today, Emirates operates nearly 3,200 flights globally per week to 135 destinations in 76 countries.

The airline has 50,000 staff made up of 160 nationalities

Breast Cancer Awareness Month at Metro Hotel Perth - October

On average, 37 Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer today.

Metro Hotel Perth is collaborating with the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) to help spread the word regarding breast cancer awareness and continued support for breast cancer research.

For the month of October, Metro Hotel Perth has changed their building spotlight from blue to pink (see photos below) - to highlight the importance of vital research into prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer.

Global Illumination campaign is a unique initiative involving thousands of individuals, families, schools and businesses across Australia to put the spotlight on breast cancer awareness by illuminating buildings, monuments and landmarks around the world in a blaze of pink light!

Breast cancer is the third leading cause of death in women in Australia*, and continued research for prevention strategies, early detection, and cures or treatments are paramount in saving and prolonging lives. *Australian Bureau of Statistics

As the years pass, researchers, scientists and doctors are getting closer and better at treating and possibly finding a cure for breast cancer. But it takes time, people, dedication and funds to continue this progress: this is where the National Breast Cancer Foundation needs our help - because fundraising saves lives.

Twenty years ago, 30% of women diagnosed with this disease lost their lives. Today, that rate has halved - due to research. Through continued fundraising support, we hope to see the death rate drop even more significantly, so that in the future, breast cancer no longer strikes fear in women and their loved ones.

Here's what you can do to help:

• To find out where your donations go when you give to the NBCF, here is their page: http://pinkribbonbreakfast.org.au/info/where-your-money-goes

• If you are interested in raising funds for the NBCF, information and support can be found here: http://www.nbcf.org.au/Support-Us/Raising-Money.aspx

• For tips, ideas and tools regarding creating your own fundraising event, see here: http://pinkribbonbreakfast.org.au/info/ideas-and-tools

• Can't give money but have the time? Why not volunteer at the NBCF: http://www.nbcf.org.au/Support-Us/Volunteer.aspx

• Don't have the time? You can still help by being part of the research to help beat breast cancer! It can be as little as filling in a form. See here for NBCF research projects that you can participate in (even if you are time-poor!) https://www.register4.org.au/index.php/About-us/about-us.html

So no matter where you are in Australia, you can be part of the community to bring awareness to this disease and together let's find a cure.

Are you in Perth and want to see the Metro Hotel Perth building lit up beautifully in pink? Here's where to find us: 61 Canning Hwy, South Perth WA 6151 Australia

For more information on breast cancer and the NBCF, here's their official website: http://www.nbcf.org.au

Article by Metro Hotel Perth
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/metrohotelperth

Freemantle Dockers Brace for AFL 'War' With Sydney Swans

Fremantle AFL skipper Matthew Pavlich says he respects Sydney's culture, and how they go about their football.

Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich says his side are preparing for "footy war" ahead of Saturday night's AFL preliminary final against Sydney at Patersons Stadium.

The Dockers are strong favourites to win the match given their hot recent form and home ground advantage.

In contrast, Sydney have been ravaged by injuries, with key players Adam Goodes, Kurt Tippett, Rhyce Shaw, Tom Mitchell and Sam Reid all out of action.

However, Pavlich said the defending premiers shouldn't be taken lightly, especially given their reputation for playing a hard-nosed, contested brand of football.

"You admire a lot of teams in the AFL but certainly Sydney - their culture, leaders, the way they go about their business - we very much respect what they're about," Pavlich said on Thursday.

"And that's why we're preparing ourselves for what we call footy war, because it's going to go until the end.

"They are contested, big-bodied players.

"What they're about is exactly what we'd like to be about as well. We understand how hard a game it's going to be."

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