Australian arts centre named for Heath Ledger

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

SYDNEY (AFP) — The late Australian actor Heath Ledger was Tuesday remembered by his hometown of Perth, which named a new performing arts centre in his honour.

Ledger's father Kim said he was pleased his son would be remembered in this way, as he had been particularly generous towards the arts.

"I really feel that there's not a lot of things he'd put his name to but he'd put his name to that," he said.

Western Australian state Premier Alan Carpenter said naming the centre after the star, who died from a prescription drug overdose in New York in January at age 28, was a controversial choice.

But he said: "The bottom line of this, I think, is that the overwhelming majority of people... will say it's a good move."

The 575-seat theatre is still...