Missing girl had plans for a party <P> By SOPHIE DOUEZ<BR> CRIME REPORTER<BR> Thursday 4 January 2001<P> Cherie Westall's brother and sister Pierre and Tanya yesterday.<BR> Picture: EAMON GALLAGHER<P><BR> The last time Cherie Westell spoke to her family, she was brimming with excitement about plans for<BR> her 16th birthday party.<P> But that was more than three weeks ago and now her family, and the police, hold grave fears for the<BR> safety of the Mooroolbark girl. Cherie has not been seen since she went to the dentist at the Knox<BR> Towerpoint shopping centre about 1.30pm on Tuesday, December 12.<P> Pleading for information yesterday, her sister Tanya, 22, said she had spoken to Cherie a few days<BR> before her disappearance when she had been excited about her birthday and starting year 11 at<BR> TAFE next year.<P> "She was really happy. She couldn't wait to see us for her birthday shopping," Ms Westell said, adding<BR> that Cherie's disappearance was out of character. "She's very quiet, very shy at first (but) she likes<BR> to be around people. She doesn't like being out on the streets. She's not the type of person to just<BR> go out and not say a word."<P> Police said yesterday they held grave fears for Cherie's safety as she had not made any contact,<BR> used her bank accounts or taken clothes with her.<P> Detective Senior Constable Bruce Rowe of Boronia police said: "It was her birthday party on the 19th<BR> of December, she was having people over to her house, the invitations had gone out and she'd<BR> organised the party herself. She'd made arrangements for Christmas where she'd organised presents<BR> and cards.<P> "We have no idea whether she's met with foul play. There's no indication at this stage that she's<BR> gone of her own accord because why wouldn't she take clothes or access her bank account?"<P> Senior Constable Rowe said records showed that Cherie had visited the dentist on December 12 and<BR> was supposed to have made her own way home.<P> Cherie's brother Pierre, 17, said his family was desperate for information about his sister. "It's very<BR> distressing because you don't know what's happened to her," he said. You don't know if you're going<BR> to see her again."<P> Cherie is 167 centimetres tall, of medium build, fair complexion with shoulder-length brown hair and<BR> was last seen wearing a grey windcheater and dark blue jeans. She has a pierced tongue and a gap<BR> between her front teeth. <P> Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Boronia police on 9760 6600.<P> <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/news/2001/01/04/FFXS9BGVHHC.html";>http://www.theage.com.au/news/2001/01/04/FFXS9BGVHHC.html<;/a><BR>