Good Neighbours become out of tune

Jackie Trent wants to be acknowledged as lyricist in four of the songs she did with Tony Hatch during their marriage. Picture: Adam Head Source: Herald Sun

IT'S the drama behind one of Australia's most popular soap operas.

Neighbours theme songwriters Jackie Trent and Tony Hatch are embroiled in a bitter legal dispute over work they did together during their 30-year marriage.

Their union ended acrimoniously: Trent claims Hatch walked out on her at her 55th birthday party in 1995, after declaring his love for a mutual friend.

"It was shocking," Trent claimed. "It was a joint party for my brother and me.

"I asked him why he was showing (this woman) so much attention, and he said, "Well, I have been in love with her ever since I met her", which was 17 years earlier.

"He said she was the love of his life and that he was leaving me for her.

"He wasn't just walking out on our marriage, he was walking out on our professional partnership, too."

Trent said that after the break-up she went to pieces.

Now she wants to set the record straight and have Hatch acknowledge her as lyricist on four of their songs.

Jackie Trent and Tony Hatch during their marriage.

She said the matter was in the hands of her lawyer.

Hatch's spokesman Jackie Gill said: "Mr Hatch's solicitors have heard from Jackie Trent's solicitors and are dealing with the matter accordingly."

Ms Gill refused to be drawn on details of the couple's split, saying only that "they were married for many years ... and have children and wonderful grandchildren together.

"They have both been re-married for some considerable time now."

Trent, who's worked with Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Petula Clarke, is also unhappy Hatch is due to be inducted into the US Songwriters' Hall of Fame this year while she has been overlooked.

"It's not about money," she said. "This is about getting personal and professional credit for my work.

"When you are part of a writing partnership as well as a marriage of 30 years, you expect some respect from the other person."

Trent says her fans have started an online petition to support her bid for dual Hall of Fame recognition.

The couple wrote hits such as Don't Sleep in the Subway and Colour My World.

But of all the songs they wrote, Trent says it is the Neighbours theme - written in under a day - of which she is proudest.

siobhan.duck@news.com.au

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Neighbours heard shot that killed woman

A woman died following a shooting at an apartment complex on Springwood Rd, Rochedale South. Pictured is neighbour Veronica Gromball. Picture: Jono Searle Source: The Courier-Mail

HOMICIDE detectives are investigating the death of a 26-year-old woman who was shot in the head in Brisbane's south.

Police were called to a townhouse complex on Springwood Road, Rochedale South, about 8.20pm.

The woman is believed to have had a gunshot wound to the head.

She was transported to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition but was pronounced dead on arrival.

A woman died following a shooting at an apartment complex on Springwood Rd, Rochedale South. Pictured is neighbour Kylie Platten. Picture: Jono Searle

At 9am, it was reported that a man was assisting police with their investigations.

It is understood that a weapon has not been located at this time.

Neighbours in the Jacaranda Gardens townhouse complex said they heard "a loud popping noise" about 8pm, but did not realise it was the sound of a gun shot.

A woman died following a shooting at an apartment complex on Springwood Rd, Rochedale South. Picture: Jono Searle

Neighbour Veronica Gromball moved into the complex on Springwood Road last week and was cooking dinner with her sister when they heard a shot ring out.

"It was quite loud, but we didn't think anything of it at first. You never expect to hear gunshots," the 34-year-old said.

It was not until Ms Gromball heard a man screaming for help that she realised something was wrong.

A woman died following a shooting at an apartment complex on Springwood Rd, Rochedale South. Picture: Jono Searle

"I don't think he was involved, I think he was a neighbour, but he was yelling for help," she said.

"My sister and I went out to see what was happening, and I heard someone say they'd called the police. The police and an ambulance came 10 minutes later."

Kylie Platten has lived in the secure, 46-unit complex with her three young children since June and heard a single shot between 8-8.30pm, but thought it was the sound of a car backfiring.

POLICE at the scene of a shooting death in Rochedale. Pic: Marc Robertson

"We live on a busy road and that sort of thing happens all the time," the 33-year-old said.

"I didn't realise anything was wrong until a friend sent me a text message about 10pm."

Ms Platten said she was "shaken up" because residents require a code or card to enter the complex.

"Police have reassured us that we are all safe, but I'd be worried if was a random attack."

A Homicide Investigation Group and local detectives are investigating the death.

A police media spokesman has confirmed investigators have ruled out self-harm as cause of death.

Police were unable to confirm if the murder weapon had been located at this stage.

An Investigation Centre has been set up at Logan Central Police Station.

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