Princes William and Harry have expressed their sadness at the devastation caused by the deadly Victorian bushfires in a message broadcast to crowds at tonight’s Sound Relief concerts in Sydney and Melbourne.

In their address, the royal brothers spoke of watching the tragedy, along with the Queensland floods, unfold on television from London.

They said the disasters were “far from over”, and commended the efforts of firefighters who battled the blazes.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you,” Prince William said.

A minute’s silence at 7.45pm was followed by a performance by Kylie Minogue who sang an a cappella version of  I still call Australia home.

“I think the minute’s silence said more than any of us could say,” she said.

Minogue told the crowd she wanted it to “be my biggest gig ever, if all of you are prepared….to sing with me.” (more…)

A PRIMARY school has backed down over a “misunderstanding” in which a pupil was ordered to remove a bushfire appeal wristband.

Grade five student Luke Bate, 10, had been told by a teacher at Seaford Park Primary to remove the yellow rubber band, which he wore as a show of support for victims of the Victoria fires tragedy.
But in a victory for common sense, principal Mark Watters last night apologised when contacted by Melbourne’s Herald Sun, and said Luke could continue wearing the band.

Luke, who bought the $2 band with his own pocket money, was sent out of class by the teacher when he refused to remove it.

The school then contacted his father, Paul Bate, who said yesterday: “I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“The teacher told me Luke’s wristband was against school rules, and that he was not welcome back in class until he removed it.”

Mr Watters said the school, which raised $2440 for fire victims last month, would never say a student could not wear a bushfire wristband.

“The teacher at the time did not realise it was a bushfire wristband. We apologise for that misunderstanding, it was an oversight,” he said.

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